OUR SENIOR MOMENT OF FORGETTING OUR MEDICAL APPOINTMENT AND BEING A CONSPIRACY THEORIST

SURVIVING THE DUAL ISOTOPE STRESS TEST on treadmill was a challenge for me.  PAUSE.  Very hard for me.  I made it through the test without stopping.  I got light headed, but I made it.  Heart rate was up over 137 beats per minute and blood pressure was 221 over 90 something.  I have not been sore from the fast walking!  Which amazes me.  I really thought I would be sore.   

The test was on the first day of AUTUMN and the resting test the next day.  I was relieved when this was over.  So relieved.  I felt like a pin cushion on Tuesday when the technician tried 4 times to get the needle in my left arm with no success then the nurse tried three times on the right arm before it took.  On the REST TEST, the techie managed to get it in on the first try.  Praise the Lord. 

Early Thursday, we journeyed over to TOPEKA to have labs done in preparation for our yearly Thyroid appointment.  Sonograms were scheduled for in the early afternoon and this is when we both had a SENIOR MOMENT.

After the labs, we went to eat at FIRST WATCH.  We'd been fasting.  We had a nice hardy breakfast/lunch.  Stopped by Dutch Brother's for our iced green tea.  Cheaper than Starbucks. We went to God's Storehouse.  Went to SAMS.  Bought a gorgeous lavender colored mum. Shopped a bit then went to Menards to look for a dehumidifier.  Found a great one for a decent price.  Enjoyed looking at CHRISTMAS LIGHTS and decor, etc.  THIS IS WHEN OUR SENIOR MOMENT happened. 

As I sat behind the steering wheel to leave, I looked at the car clock reading that it was 2:30.  It felt off.  I asked my husband what were we suppose to do this afternoon?  He realized that we had missed our scheduled sonograms at 1:30. I was stunned that I had overlooked this and had forgotten that we had an appointment.  Completely ZONED out.  Hubby and I both FORGOT!  

He called to explain and to reschedule new appointments.  It'll be two months before we can get in!  Two months.  Which also means we have to reschedule our October Thyroid Follow-up appointments that we have been waiting for a year.

I was stunned that we had FORGOTTEN our sonograms.  In all of my 71 years, I have NEVER forgotten a medical appointment.  NEVAH.  I suppose one forgotten appointment in 71 years is super good.

We both couldn't believe that we had forgotten.  THIS IS A BIG OOPS.  A big one.  This will give us fodder to talk about in years to come.  Remember the time when we forgot our appointments? I was slightly embarrassed and slightly stunned.  

So much for a SENIOR MOMENT.  Funny, but not.

Read the STRESS TEST report in my HEALTH PORTAL and will have my doctor go over this with me probably next week.  It said that I did pretty good for my age.  There's some things I need explained to me though.

I think that I have way too much on my mind as of late.  Too much.  Six medical appointments in one week is too much for me to try to keep track of.  Having a calendar is a must, but I have to remember the dates when they come, right?  Right!

I am a SENIOR for sure.  I am ELDERLY.  That one is still soaking in.

POTASSIUM.  
When having high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels and I do, one should consider taking POTASSIUM.  4700mg of Potassium.  I will go to town this week-end and get some Potassium and Vitamin K2(MK-7) to take with my high dose of Vitamin D3.  K2 and D3 go together like peas and carrots.

So that there isn't too much calcium left in the blood stream, the K2 helps direct the D3 from the arteries so you don't have calcium build up in the arteries and goes into the bones.  Does that make sense?  Too much calcium in the arteries causes other health issues with the heart.

🩸Whenever there is high blood pressure, it would pay to check the Potassium levels and make sure there's not a deficiency before sticking someone on Blood Pressure MEDS.  

KNOW if you have vitamin, mineral and electrolyte deficiencies before going on medications!!!

I'm older now and have been around the block a few times.  It's a gut reaction I have.

I have LOW Vitamin D and Vitamin B12.  Keeping tabs on these by going to QUEST DIAGNOSTICS.

Deficiencies in Vitamin D is so very unhealthy.  I've been fighting deficiencies for years and I know I would be healthier if my numbers were around 60 instead of 30 something.  Having deficiencies in D and B12 are very common when you do not have a thyroid.  The older we get, the easier it is to have a deficiency in these two vitamins.  

Off to the store to get some Vitamin K2 (MK-7) to take with my Vitamin D3.  When I was on a lower dose of D3, it had K2 within it, but I have gone to a stronger dose of D3 IN HOPES of getting within a better range QUICKER.  I may visit with my doc about taking vitamin D3 injections that are Methylcobalamin as well as switching B12 injections to this.  The type of B12 injection I get right now are synthetic.  The synthetic is cheaper than Methylcobalamin, but the synthetic Vitamin B12 is Cyanocobalamin.  This is cyanide.

CYANOCOBALAMIN. Ummm...I don't think cyanide of any amount is healthy for you.

I CHECKED AI and this is what it said about Vitamin D deficiencies:

Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to forgetfulness and cognitive decline by affecting brain function and memory processes.

How Vitamin D Affects Memory

Vitamin D is not only essential for bone health but also plays a critical role in brain function. It acts like a hormone in the brain, regulating neurotransmitters, controlling inflammation, and providing neuroprotection to neurons, which are vital for memory and learning lonestarneurology.net+1. Low vitamin D levels can disrupt these processes, leading to brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and forgetfulness helpdementia.com.

Evidence Linking Deficiency to Cognitive Issues

Research shows that individuals with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL are more likely to experience slower processing speed, short-term memory problems, and cognitive decline eurekahealth.com. For example, adults with a serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level of 15 ng/mL were found to have memory scores that dropped significantly, with increased difficulty recalling recent conversations and more frequent “tip-of-the-tongue” episodes eurekahealth.com. Studies also suggest that correcting vitamin D deficiency can improve memory and cognitive performance within 8–12 weeks, provided other factors like B12 deficiency or sleep issues are addressed eurekahealth.com.

Symptoms of Vitamin D-Related Cognitive Impairment

• Forgetfulness and short-term memory lapses
• Brain fog and sluggish thinking
• Difficulty concentrating or multitasking
• Mood swings and fatigue verybigbrain.com+1

How to Address Vitamin D Deficiency

• Sunlight exposure: 10–30 minutes daily to stimulate natural vitamin D production
• Dietary sources: Fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified dairy, and cereals
• Supplements: Vitamin D3 supplements, often 2,000–5,000 IU daily under medical supervision verybigbrain.com+2
  Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels supports neuroplasticity, healthy nerve cell communication, and overall cognitive function, helping reduce forgetfulness and improve mental clarity lonestarneurology.net+1.
  In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency can indeed cause forgetfulness, and ensuring sufficient intake through sunlight, diet, or supplementation is important for preserving memory and cognitive health.

Are CHEM-TRAILS causing Vitamin D deficiencies?  Yes, I believe they are.  I also believe that CHEM-TRAILS are not condensation from aircrafts.  Oops...am I a nut?  I'll take a colorful elderly person that is a little nutty, but I am not crackers.  Say what? 

Since I'm on a rant...did you know that the year fluoride was added to the water system that it came out that you should drink 8 glasses of water a day.  Sounds innocent enough, but studies on fluoride share that fluoride hardens the pineal gland in the brain amongst other things.  Is someone wanting humans to depopulate the planet by helping make peeps ill?  I think so.  

With age, we all can have a moment of forgetfulness, but to what degree should we just lay back and let a system plow over us?  I said it, A SYSTEM.  Oh, I could really sound like a conspiracy theorist if I got wound up.  Unhuh.  Here on the Prairie we do that sort of thing.

~d

A DOLL OF MY OWN

Porcelain Cabbage Patch Doll

When my daughter was young, the Cabbage Patch Doll craze was all the rage one pre-Christmas Season.  In our neck of the woods, they were very difficult to get your hands on one.  They were selling out store after store.  There were rushes on them.

My In-Laws got their hands on one for their Granddaughter.  

Her Christmas was very Merry!

I forget her name.  Dara Ilene...yep that's the ticket.

Yesterday when thrifting at God's Storehouse, they had a porcelain Cabbage Patch Doll and I fell in LUV with her.  She was hiding down on the lowest shelf amongst other dolls lying in a pile.  Digging her out of the mess, I purchased her to clean up and add to my dolly collection.  She is on a bookshelf in the TV room now smiling down on me.  I smile every time I look at her.  She's so cute!

Some of my other dolls.

Who says that old ladies cannot have dolls?

Now at 71 years of age, 

I have my own Cabbage Patch Doll to look at safe and sound.

I think I'll call her Dee Dee.

HaPpY FiNd.

Score,

MIDDLE OF THE WEEK ALREADY and A STRESS TEST!

TOMORROW, I WILL DO THE 'REST TEST' PART OF THE DUAL ISOTOPE STRESS TEST that I did on the treadmill today.  I made it through the walking part of the test!  I was extremely nervous about doing this test.  My blood pressure was very high before I did the walk like 181/85.  This is high for me.

I avoided caffeine for two days before  this test so afterwards, I drank a green tea.

During the test, I pretended that I was being chased by an evil person so I could walk fast for the entire time.  grins.  It actually helped me stay walking fast.  Though I got light headed, I made it through the test and did not STOP.  Blood pressure got up to 221 over 90 something.  

With this being the first day of AUTUMN and walking on the mill, I took it as a sign to start my walking program again.  This was the START.  My HIP did not complain one bit.  PRAISE THE LORD.  THANK YOU GOD.  It's been since February that I walked my miles.  Close to 7 months.  I'm so happy to be getting back to it!

The nurses had trouble getting the needle in my arm.  The veins were rolling.  4 tries on the left arm and several on the right before the thing worked.  I have to go through this again tomorrow for the rest test.  I hope it goes better than today.

After I walked, I drank some water and ate some Ritz crackers while waiting for the pictures to be taken of my heart.

I was really glad to get out of there!  Hubby took me to LUNCH at THE COFFEE PLANT in Manhattan.  I had the BEST SALAD I've had in a very long time.  I'd do this again for sure.  We took our time eating and talking then went to HOBBY LOBBY.  I was a little light headed, but overall felt like shopping and walking.  Enjoyed looking at the CHRISTMAS DECOR.  Tis coming.

Later we drove HOME and I had a 3 hour NAP.  SO tired.  I suppose tomorrow it will be difficult to walk.  Probably will be sore.  Shall see.

We spent our evening hauling CHRISTMAS TUBS to the storage unit.  Ran into a problem.  The boxes were smelling musty.  We will have to OZONE the contents.  Tomorrow we're going looking for a dehumidifier for the cellar.  We have to stay on top of this.  I had questioned as to why the storage boxes were so dirty looking when I had them wiped clean when we moved from the big house to this COTTAGE?  

I know it gets dirty around here, but I thought the storage boxes were dirtier than they should have been.  

We're making slow progress on getting better organized.  Now I had best get to bed.  I need my rest.  Hubby is already snoring.  

Last night I did not sleep well at all.  I think I was wired over the STRESS TEST.  AT about 3 in the morning I was shaving my legs.  I figure since I couldn't sleep I might as well shave!  GRINS.

Tonight, HOPEFULLY I will sleep just fine.  
Here's to sawing logs.

~d 

AND THE WEEK BEGINS

FULL DAY ON SATURDAY.  A fun run for our youngest Grandson then a Soccer Game to watch.  Sitting in the out of doors was pleasant with a gentile breeze blowing.  Getting some Vitamin D for sure.  Lil guy came in 2nd at the FUN RUN for the boys and he played well at soccer red faced and all.  These kids are in learning mode.  Fun for me to see first hand.   

We did not work on the ATTIC PROJECT at all on Saturday.  Back to it today.  Going through boxes of goodies to get rid of.  Will proceed on this.  If I change my mind set to this will get done when it gets done then perhaps I won't care so much that it isn't done yet.

Horrific wind storm yesterday evening.  Horrific.  I could hear the storm BLOW into town and begin to shake the house.  Checked the weather on the TV and computer after hubby received a STORM ALERT on his phone.  Daughter called to make sure that we knew about the storm.  Gust of 85 miles per hour possible and tree damage.

We stayed inside until the storm blew over quietly binge watching LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE series.  I really liked it.  It isn't anything like the TV series of long ago with Melissa Gilbert.  This show is more like the actual books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Beautiful scenery to view of the wide open spaces.  

Today, I'll drive about town and see about storm damage, etc.  This morning the neighbor lady was outside looking at the damage on her property.  It impresses me when women are quick to tending to their affairs.  Impressive.  I'm so slow these days, it hurts.

Okay, I woke thinking it was MONDAY and started making plans for the day when Hubby reminded me it is SUNDAY.  ha.  This is good as it gives me time to get prepared for the week.  I was suppose to receive a phone call on Friday from the Hospital to inform me of what to do before a STRESS TEST.  No call.  I was going to call them today, but then they won't be open because it's the week-end.  grins.  Will try on the actual MONDAY.

I'll be having a STRESS TEST and REST TEST on different days this coming week.  I am curious as to how this will go and what it will reveal.  I'll need to find my walking shoes, huh?  Some loose fitting clothing I suppose.  No caffeine or chocolate for 48 hours.  Can do. 

ON THE HOME FRONT.  SO if we can get some CHRISTMAS TUBS hauled up from the cellar and transferred to the NEW ATTIC at the storage unit, then the project gets worked on.  Let it happen. 

IDEAS.

Lovely WHITE PUMPKINS!

Next year, we'll attempt to grow WHITE PUMPKINS so it won't be so expensive to decorate the porch and bench in the yard.
The porch will be done and I can decorate it with a lot of white pumpkins and pinecones. 🍁🍂

Gathering CHRISTMAS IDEAS.

I like the garland above the table with the orange slices, twinkle lights and beads.  hum.

Climbing back on the wagon of eating clean.  If one falls off, climb back on and forgive yo' self.  Eating more veggies becomes a lifestyle to embrace.

I'll be striving to eat some blueberries and an apple everyday.

WEIGH DOWN.

Remember Gwen Shamblin?  I ordered a thrift copy of her book, WEIGH DOWN.  Like it were yesterday, I remember how popular she quickly became for her weight loss program.  Somewhere along the way she denied the Holy Trinity and started a church, went bonkers divorcing her husband of 30 plus years after preaching no divorces ever, and married TARZAN.

I'd confidently say she became a cult leader.

I disagree with her starvation to holiness idea.

I missed out on the movement she created before her Remnant Church was formed, but I remember watching one of her videos at my sister's house back in the day.  I ordered her book WEIGH DOWN the other day and I'm waiting for my thrift copy to reach me this week.  I am curious what she says, so I shall read it.

By 1998, her program had 250,000 participants in 21,000 classes.  Her popularity sky rocketed and she became quite wealthy purchasing a mansion in Tennessee.  Something went haywire with her theology as her hair was teased and stacked on her head higher than ever.

Alright...enough already.

I stepped on the scales this morning and recorded the number.

My personal weight struggle continues and it is what it is.

Think I'll go for a walk!

~d

 

   

WHEN WE TOOK A MINI VACAY

              ~d

COFFEE IN THE MORNINGS

 ~d

COLLAGES and BONNIE PARKER OF BONNIE AND CLDYE FAME

COLLAGE OF THOUGHTS

Hello Somebody!

This word statement caught my eye so I snagged it to share.  
It speaks volumes to me.  Simplicity.

CUTE IDEA

LIL MISS GROWS UP

POOL NOODLES FOR OTHER USAGE

BEAUTIFUL BONNIE PARKER SMILING
of Bonnie and Clyde FAME

We watched THE HIGHWAYMEN movie about hunting down Bonnie and Clyde with Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson the other night.  Liked the movie and the chemistry those two male actors have.  They successfully end the careers of the duo.  Ambushed on a country road, Frank Hamer and company kill the young couple in their tracks.  I forget how many bullets were fired.   

I use to live in Hugoton, Kansas so I'm familiar with Hugoton.  Back in the day, Bonnie, known as Jewel Underwood ran a cafe called Jewels on Main Street.  A friend of mine's Grandparents rented out their upstairs to Bonnie and Clyde.  Clyde stole fuel from the farmers.  Anywho, the car these two were killed in was stolen from a Topeka couple which were related to one of my High School girlfriends.  Small world SOMETIMES.  That's two of my girlfriends that have a link to the duo Clyde and Bonnie. 

Due to another case going on with a different friend, I took an interest in tiny women that can lug a heavy firearm about.  They are capable of doing so.  Their petite build does not limit them to firing a large weapon.  Bonnie proves this.

I had taken an interest in Bonnie's size at 4'11" weighing about 90 pounds soaking wet.  Just how did she use a heavy firearm being so tiny?  Photographs prove that she was able to do so.  In this other case, my girlfriend does not believe the murderer she is defending could use a heavy firearm at her tiny size.  Just saying.    

Looks like Bonnie had a beautiful smile.

Time to get after my day.  Back to Topeka to purchase a muscle rack for our ATTIC.
~d👵

MIDDLE OF THE MONTH

SEPTEMBER 15th.  Have mercy... tis the middle of the month already and AUTUMN is penciled in on the calendar to start in a week.  A new season.  Part of me wants AUTUMN and part of me doesn't.  New territory and a fresh start.

We have no medical appointments this week.  Praise the LORD.   This allows us some time to do other things like stay in the neighborhood and tidy the storage unit.  Sounds like work to me. Best to make the best out of it.  Next week is a different story about medical appointments. 

The heat has gotten to me.  Irritated and worn out.  I've gotten stir crazy staying inside so much this Summer that when I get outside in the heat it is so awful I can't stand it.  Come quickly AUTUMN.  I am looking forward to temps in the low 70s.  Walking plans will kick in again I hope.  sigh.  

Making plans to go to TOPEKA to drop off some metals for cash.  Over the last year, we have gathered brass and aluminum to cash in at a recycling plant.  Extra coffee money.  Cha-ching.  As I was looking over a web sight, they have listed other things that you can cash in such as frying pans, Christmas lights and old cars.  I had no idea that old Christmas lights could be cashed in at the recycling plant.  I never thought about cashing in an old frying pan.  grins.  I'm just not with the program.  What else could I take there and cash in?

I'll have to give that some thought and do a walk about the house, garage and yard.  hummm.  If I really want to downsize and liquify, I should consider doing this.   What is just sitting around that I'm not using that could be cashed in???

Back on track.  I seem to go down a rabbit hole when blogging.  Okay.  Go to Topeka, eat, drop off metal, stop off at God's Storehouse on Senior Day, go to SAMs, get some medicinal Iced Tea and pick up some fresh veggies and fruit.  Sounds like a plan.

Middle of the month and almost the middle of the week.  Time gets away from me.  Can I do anything about this?  Plan carefully and be a good steward of my time as best I can.

A good steward is someone who responsibly manages the resources, talents, and responsibilities entrusted to them,
using them wisely to honor God and serve others.

Have fun doing this,

~d👵

IN THE MOOD FOR AUTUMN

MONDAY ON THE PRAIRIE.  Awesome cool temps early in the morning, but has climbed throughout the day.  I am in the mood for AUTUMN.  In a blink of the eye, it will not be here.  LATE Summer seems like it is going to stay scorching the ground.  FALL arrives in about a week.  I wish it were already here along with temps about 73 degrees.  I will begin anew with a walking schedule in the mornings.  Praying it happens.  

Two loads of laundry under my belt this afternoon.  An abundance of paperwork completed.  Fridge cleaned and produce list written out for restocking.  It seems like I am over buying the veggies and they rot before I get them used up.  Not a good plan.  Adjustments needed.  

If I RESTOCK ON TUESDAYS, then I probably could go as well just before the week-end and be well stocked for week-end meals.  Where I live, I do not have close access to a grocery store, so there is always a need to travel to the city for veggies and fruit.  I enjoy getting out of the house to shop.

AUTUMN 2026 starts on Tuesday, September 22nd.  Calendar wise, the temps will probably still be hot.  Soon, very soon, it'll be cooling off. 

May this week be productive,

~d

WEEK-END

WITH THE EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER STILL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, the brewing thunder storm will hopefully cool the temperature and we'll be revived.  While I stepped outside to tell my daughter and grand bye, I snipped the rosemary plant back that sits on the porch.  The aroma is heavenly.  I meant to trim it a couple of weeks ago and here I am finally getting around to trimming it.

I placed the trimmings in a glass jar and sat it on a Kitchen counter.  It will dry out.  For a time I will get a sniff of a wonderful fragrance.

This morning we watched our youngest grandson play in a soccer game.  He did well and it is a treat to watch the blossoming athletes.  We sat on the sideline in lawn chairs under the cloudy skies which shaded us from the heat where we had a gentile breeze keeping us from sweating.

We went HOME and our little guy came over afterwards to visit us.  Fed him lunch and watched PAW PATROL on the television.  His favorite.  We rested and had a pleasant time.  His Mom arrived around 3:30 for coffee and chat.  Nice to catch up.  

As evening started, a storm rolled in with a down pour.  We simply had cereal for supper.  Good enough.

We shall see if we can sort glassware that we no longer want and place it in a to go tub.  The CHRIsTMAs DECOR that was in the Living room was taken to the "ATTIC" making room for empty tubs to fill.  A slow, but rewarding move.   

Time to clear out the fridge of old produce and clean the inside of the fridge.  I usually place paper towels inside the drawers for catching drips and leaks.  I'll do this then make a trip to town for fresh produce such as lettuces, green beans, asparagus, zucchini, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, fresh fruit, etc.  We'll be ready for the week to come.  

Quick wrap up.

~d

SUDDENLY...

LAST NIGHT WE WATCHED A MOVIE THAT MADE ME CRINGE. Winning Best Film, Best Male Actor and Best Director in 2016, The REVELANT was our pick for the day.  There is a scene where a bear attacks the actor Leonardo DiCaprio's character Hugh Glass which is beyond realistic.  Extremely believable.  Extremely.  More action than I could handle.  

Truthfully, I watch entirely too many movies.  I could probably be a movie CRITIC.  In a way everybody is as we all have an opinion about what we watch.  

My time can be used more wisely.  Can I switch gears and do something else with my TIME? Yes. Absolutely.  Visual stimulation has had a hold on me for years.  Being human, I am caught up between telling myself that so much TV is acceptable verses the opposite.  I should be doing something else of greater importance.

Today is Friday!  The week flew.  Back to working on the storage unit that is now OUR ATTIC. Getting ready to take a load to storage.  Praise the Lord and a huge hug to my Husband for making the space become our attic.  He made progress.  He disassembled a muscle rack and hauled it to storage, sat it up and started loading it with tubs.  Took some pics to show me. Looked great.  

Our plan is to continue clearing out things out of storage that do not belong in an attic. Relocating decorations there is on the menu.

Still, I am unsettled that this is taking so long and there is much to do to get the finished results. The garage is in a terrible mess, the storage unit is still in the works and the interior of our COTTAGE looks like hoarders dwell here.  gulp.

My strength is gone.  I need restored.  Refreshed.  Here's to a suddenly.  Make the order appear. I shall see how far we get today and over the week-end.

I have been in this mess longer than I can bare.  Being realistic about downsizing and making order isn't going well.  Help.  

God bless you.

~d   

'LIFE JUST GOT A LITTLE EASIER' A DECENT MEAL

Internet sources for image

'Life Just Got A Little Easier'

 A DECENT MEAL!  This is something I could do and will.  

This would be very filling and full of nutrients.

Have a good life,

~d

MIDDLE OF THE WEEK

MORNIN' LOVELY.  I slept so well last night that it took the edge off of being sluggish in the morning.  This beautiful day has started with over cast, grey skies and humidity with hopes of some rain to cool things off.  I went ahead and walked out on the porch this morning in my pink housecoat to get a feel for the temperature.  

Still HOT at 77 degrees with a chance of rain.  It feels hotter than 77 with this humidity.  Stifling. Hubby is outside mowing a different section of the yard.  He said he'd have coffee with me when he comes inside to cool off.  He is working hard to get the yard back to looking like somebody cares.

I think he'll continue to get up early in the mornings when the heat isn't over 80 to do yard work. The hedge of box woods we planted 3 years ago haven't done well as many of them died from winter frost so they will be pulled up and cleared out of the bed.  It looks awful having so many dead, yellow box woods in with some green ones.  The healthy ones will go elsewhere on our property.  We don't want to buy any more of this type of boxwood as it isn't hardy enough for this part of Kansas.  Last year we replaced the ones that didn't make it.  This probably would be a yearly event with this particular type of plant.  At $40 a pop per plant there are other things we want to do with the money.

We'll clear the plants out of the front bed a little at a time and work the soil over.  Not sure yet, but we are giving it much thought what to plant back in this bed.  Irises that we already own are calling our name.  There have been Irises in this bed before and they did well sooooo I think we'll give it another try to beautify the yard.

It's been so hot this Summer.  I use the wash machine to do laundry at a certain time of day.  I was taught that electrical appliances such as a washing machine should not be used in the middle of the day.  Tis best to use when there are not so many others using power.  Cuts the expense of the electricity.  I usually use the machine early in the morning so I need to get a load in.  

Plans for the day.  
Laundry.  
Bills looked over.  
Items taken to the storage unit.  
Finish organizing the Kitchen Cabinet.
Paper work.
Shuffling boxes on the main floor.
Fixing a cool salad.
Coffee Break.
Writing Mom a letter.
Decluttering the house.
Clean the box of miniature kerosene lamps.
TV time.
Devotions.
Shaving my legs for this.
Reading.
Tis Wednesday and the trash needs placed out at the curb as the Sanitation workers come early on Thursday.
What ever else comes to mind.

I cannot get the Living room and Dining room tidied just yet as the "Attic" at the storage unit is still being arranged.  My sanity is going mad amongst the messes.  I'm incredibly moody. Between the heat and the messy house, I'm seeing red.

Time to get a move on.

~d

 

PAMPERING GONE WILD

I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT WEEK'S COOLER WEATHER.  It can't come soon enough.  We're old and have to baby ourselves when spending time outside.  Pampering gone wild.

Slow down actions and exposure to the HEAT.  Slow it way down.  

Hubby's going the mow our yard and has already made a plan to mow the yard in sections so he isn't in the heat for long.  I'm concerned for his health.  Avoiding a HEAT STROKE.  Our lawn boy is now back in school and can't mow.  Our sweet daughter has mowed a few times for us, but she has her hands full with other matters.  Hubby becomes the physical caretaker.  

I think we ought to get a robot lawn mower to mow.  grins.  I saw one of these in action the other day and thought that's the ticket.

When he gets done and cools off, we'll go to the storage unit to empty the storage tubs that are in the PT Cruiser.  We have to do things in stages.  Tis too HOT to do each project all at once. Staging in phases is one way of doing the stuff that needs done as the sole proprietors of this estate.  While he's outside, I will be organizing the Kitchen cabinet to the left of the stove.  It needs serious attention as it is crammed full of this and that.

Oh to have a certified organizer do this task is tempting.  I could pamper myself really easily. hummm.  Just watch videos about getting organized or read some manuals, right?  Unhuh.  It's not the end of the world...tis a simple thing to want and need to function effortlessly.

I'm trying to make room for a place to store, meds, vitamins and minerals.  It's not going well. Presently the supplements are in a medium size box and elsewhere in the pantry.  I emptied the Kitchen cabinet and stopped, standing there scratching my head how am I going to make it all fit into this tiny space?  Baking ingredients and cooking items are there.  No room for supplements at all.  We have a shelf above the stove that I may take the neat things on there and place things like salt and pepper shakers, cinnamon sugar mix, baking soda and powder, chocolate powder on the shelf.  The larger mason jars of baking and cooking ingredients will stay in the cabinet?  

The story of my life when it comes to making things work.  Each place we have lived has been so different from one another.  What worked for one location may not worked for another.  Seldom does.

Taking ownership of the Kitchen is needed to make this small HOME work for us.  Something that sounds so easy to some, but isn't for me.  It's difficult to make this happen.  Doable, but difficult as I want strict order like Martha Stewart or Marie Condo TIDY, if you know what I mean.  My HOME is well lived in and not a museum.  Perhaps if I visited a KITCHEN MUSEUM it would benefit my efforts.  I can research on the computer to get ideas how to create a sweet KITCHEN from little of nothing.

Why am I making this so difficult?  sigh.  I need it done, so make it happen.  Right?  Shuffle and morph along, sweetheart.

~PAUSE~ 
I thought about it and stared at the shelf above the stove as I was thinking about it.  The if's went wild.  Clearing the shelf above the stove, I measured to see if the tall MASON JARS filled with cinnamon sticks, powdered milk, oatmeal, etc. pertaining to baking that I own, would fit in that space.  Whalaah, they did.  The inside of the cabinet has space now for meds.  The tall jars fit snugly on the shelf.  Looks good to me.  Orderly and easy to get to!  Wow.  I am making HOMEMAKER PROGRESS in a tiny COTTAGE KITCHEN.  I'll go with the flow.  

Now to find places for all the little items that were crammed in the cabinet.  

The elderly HOMEMAKER has gone wild.  

Gone wild, I tell ya.

~d

  

LABOR DAY LABOR

TIS LABOR DAY.   The Banks, City Building and Post Office are closed.  Many are having a HOLIDAY today embracing the meaning of what Labor Day is celebrated for.  Me, I am putzing about the house and getting ready to put the lawn sprinkler out on the front yard to feed some moisture into the parched ground.  Tis horribly HOT in the out of doors.  Hitting a hundred degrees plus heat index.  Tis a scorcher.  

Watering of the yard took place.  We loaded storage tubs from the garage into our PT Cruiser to haul to the storage unit which is our temporary ATTIC.  Even with it being blistering HOT, we managed to transfer a bunch of tubs into storage.  Tadaah.  We did it.  After we finished loading a second bunch of tubs, we traveled to Wamego for SUPPER.  Keeping the Kitchen cool, eating out was a delightful meal to have.  We shared chicken tenders with bar-b-que dipping sauce, home-made potato chips with cheese and sweet potato fries then ate peach bread pudding with a small scoop of vanilla ice-cream.  Twas ever so good.  Hubby loved it.  I usually have water, but this time I had unsweetened iced tea. 

So we did labor on Labor Day.  Felt great to get more work accomplished on our huge undertaking.  We hauled large CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS that will be used for the front porch decor to the unit.  This is where we are beginning to make some order.  In a few weeks I should be able to go to the "ATTIC" and know exactly which boxes hold what of the porch decor.  The garage will not be used for decor storage and the cellar will be transformed into a safe place to store small appliances that don't fit in the Kitchen and overflow glassware. 

We have yet to bring out of the cellar the CHRISTMAS decor.  Carrying these items will require some muscle and will power.  Climbing stairs is a different animal when carrying stuff.

We didn't spend much time out and about before traveling HOME to watch a Australian TV series we have been binge watching.   The sun was going down and I was thinking how beautiful the skies are painted gorgeous shades of orange.  Quietly displaying God's beauty.

Tomorrow, will be a new day.  
May it be exceptional.

~d

 

MINI VACAY FOR OUR 52nd ANNIVERSARY

WE CELEBRATED 52 YEARS OF MARRIAGE AUGUST 31st.  HAD AN AWESOME TIME.  It soaked in.  Hubby surprised me by making arrangements to stay a night at CLOVER CLIFF RANCH in the LINCOLN SUITE.  

On our way, there was a major detour to get there.  It was a GOD SEND as I had wanted to visit Marion where we married on our actual wedding anniversary.  The detour caused us to go there. What a sweet blessing.  We actually were in Marion, KS on our actual wedding anniversary. THINKING OF THE DAY WE MARRIED.  August 31, 1974.  It was a cool day with overcast skies. It had rained in the morning and we exchanged vows around 6 in the evening.  The sun came out and the birds were singing.  All was well.

After we played in Marion, we drove to Council Grove for a late lunch at the 1857 Hays House Restaurant.  I had a good 'ole fashioned 🍔 hamburger with 🍟 French Fries.

Drove over to Clover CLIFF RANCH to stay in the Lincoln Suite.  Magical.  Lovely suite.

🛁This suite has a bubbling jacuzzi.  I had dreamt of taking a long soak in this device.  So I did. Climbing into the tub was a bit of a challenge as I was nervous about my knees getting injured as it is a very deep tub. Climbing out of it wasn't as difficult since I have a technique of turning on my side, rolling over on my knees, grabbing ahold of the side of the tub and climbing out of it. Like clockwork it worked for me this time.  We stretched out on the bed and watched some television until night fall.

🛏You will sink into the mattress which is super soft with poofy pillows.  We woke to the fragrance of Breakfast.  🍽 Breakfast was gourmet, if you ask me. 

🫖Stopped off in Marion and had a treat at THE SIT DOWN coffee shop in an old Victorian House.  Relaxed. 

After we said our goodbyes, we drove back to Council Grove to visit the Dustie Shelf again. Looked at a piece of jewelry that did not fit.  We had a change of plans and stayed in town at the COTTAGE HOUSE INN in the Wedding Suite!  Loved it.  We skipped Breakfast to eat lunch at the Hay's House again in Council Grove.

We caught the FLINT HILLS BOOK STORE open that's in an old Bank. 

https://www.flinthillsbooks.com/

📖📚Jennifer Kassebaum runs this really neat shoppe.  We have not been able to catch the store open before until today and it was a real treat.  Very nice book store with an oversize painting by Jak Barnes.

🌡🤒We drove HOME afterwards and took a well deserved NAP.  I woke feeling so very tired.  It must be the heat.  108 in the shade this morning.  Slowly, it cooled off some.  This evening it's 84.   

Gosh, we had a wonderful HOLIDAY celebrating number 52 and blessed to still be married.

🍁🍂Tomorrow, it's going to be just as HOT as the HEAT RING continues.  By the end of September, AUTUMN will be so welcomed.  So far I have not guessed well how the weather is going to be in certain months.  Our September is hellishly HOT for a September where I thought it would be cooling down like Autumn meant business.

🌞OUR ON GOING PROJECT of getting settled in our retirement HOME has been so different than I predicted.  In my mind's eye, I was thinking that the temps would cool off making it pleasant weather to clean out the 3rd storage unit.  We started in June at cleaning out the 2nd unit that took until August to finish.  Weather and health did not go as planned.  At the rate we're going, cleaning unit 3 will not happen quickly.  We'll have to switch gears and work at 6 in the morning to get right conditions to be out in it.  The weather AINT cooperating.

👁THURSDAY.  Honey had an eye appointment.  While he got his eyes checked, I stayed in the lobby and looked at eyewear for myself.  I was not impressed with their inventory.  Yuck.  I want a pair with spring hinges and they had so few to choose from where I liked the frames.  What am I to do?  I'll check SAMs next week and see what they have.  

👀Hubs appointment went really well with the doc saying his eyes looked good for a 71 year old. Good news!!! 

🌷We went to the VINTAGE TULIPS in Wamego and right off the bat inside the door were some old Victorian pieces that Hubby blessed me with for our Anniversary.  An old metal water pitcher and butter dish with dome.  A miniature coffee pot cute as can be went in my basket as I begin a miniature collection.  Some jewelry!!!  What a fun day.

🪺Off to Manhattan to pick up a few items in the heat.  Horrible temps.  Target was first for tea.  Short visit.  We had to stop at the Eclectic Charm on our way HOME.  $15 for a large container holding 5 BABY Aloe plants was too good of a price to pass up.  They sell Farm Fresh Eggs and I was in need of some eggs so we left with a huge container of Aloe plants and 2 dozen Farm Fresh Eggs.  

🥣Tired by now and ready to journey HOME.  Quiet time and rest.  It'll be cold cereal for SUPPER.  Ready, set, go.

💪Our plans for FRIDAY are to get up really early, disassemble the muscle rack then go to the storage unit making room for it to sit.  Set her up and start filling the shelves with Christmas decor.  Lord, I pray we can get this far or further.  Need to make progress.  Oh wait...our PT Cruiser needs cleaned out as it is holding STUFF from the unit that needs placed in the garage. Hopefully, we'll get this done.  Might be Saturday when we get the muscle rack taken care of. 

We've been busy over the Summer, but I am in a hurry to get to the end of this project.  The finish line behind us on this one.  My patience is gone.  Oops and a half.  I relax when away from the mess, but when I walk amongst the projects, I turn into someone I don't like very much. grrrrrr.

Hello, Week-end.

~d