HAPPY 4th of JULY FROM OUR FIXER UPPER RETIREMENT COTTAGE

 

MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED 4th,

~d

JULY TIS HERE

THE MONTH OF JULY is here!  2024 is half over.  Sigh.  Makes my head spin.  Time passes and waits for no one.  Hot weather is here with my 69th birthday coming the middle of the month.  Hum.  The days will inch along and before I know it, I will be having a birthday.  I think for this occasion I will eat some cake with frosting on it.  Special occasion for a cheat day.  

WOKE TO A GREY MORNING AFTER HAVING STORMS THROUGH THE NIGHT.  I heard nothing as I slept like a baby.  Looking out the window this morning, I could tell it had rained as the streets were wet.  Checked the internet radar where several threatening storms had come through.  I heard nothing, which seems rare as I am a light sleeper.  I must have been extremely tired.

Some flooding in the county.  The campground I stayed at a couple of weeks ago has flooded.  I needed a few days away from my everyday routine and took time to camp out in a cabin.  Loved it and I'd do it again.  This was the closest thing to a vacation that I have had in years.  We don't take vacations very often which bothers me.  I grew up in a family where we vacationed for two weeks each year.  As a married woman, we did not follow the program.  I think when the kids were growing up, we took two vacations the entire time.  Failed to plan for the event so no vacations.

As an older woman, we have traveled to a few states away for activities and called it a vacay.  Really it wasn't as we were on a rushed agenda.  My Husband had asked me what I wanted for my birthday.  I think I want to go on a vacation, but hot weather season isn't the best time for old people to get out.  Take it while you can?

Believe I'll go walking here in a little bit.  The laundry is in for the morning.  Towels.  Next load will be bluejeans.  So glad I don't have to do laundry by hand.  Wash Day is everyday.  My ROBOT does the hard labor and I assist by loading, unloading, folding, hanging and putting away.  What a great arrangement.  

I fixed a large salad last night for supper.  Had a terrible time getting the water to boil for the eggs.  It took way too long.  Anyways the salad turned out well.  Leftovers for today.

Medical appointment this week and while we're at it some shopping will take place.  The bathroom window will ride along with us as we want different glass put in it.  Something that will not allow people to look into the bathroom from the outside.  Privacy Plus.  Think we'll go with a hammered glass.

JULY HOME PROJECT is the Bathroom.  Crossing the finish line keeps getting pushed back.  I think I have to be patient, but when push comes to shove I have to be realistic and do what I can do.  Continue to de-clutter stuff.  Aiming for a more minimalist approach.

HEALTH PROJECT.  Take my vitamins.  Walk.  Pray.  Eat more vegetables and fruit.  Drink my spring water.  

With going to the medical appointment this week, I will make it as fun as I can.  Do a little shopping, have a iced green tea, take care of the bathroom window.  Admire the lovely landscape as we travel along the highway.  

Back to the laundry.  She's calling my name and I don't seem to be listening.  

~d

     

RED, WHITE, BLUE and eating like a bear

POP and FLOP

RED, WHITE and BLUE.  The 4th of JULY will be sizzling soon.  Curious if this little town will be as busy with the popping of firecrackers as the other community we lived in for 6 and a half years.  We have been gone from there for 8 months.  

8 months.  

I told myself, I didn't want to see the house we lived in for at least a year after we left.  3 months remaining before it's been a year that we left.  I think my heart will sink when I do go by it the later part of OCTOBER.  When I drive through the town, at times it seems like I never lived there.  

I have managed to stay away from driving past the old house. The temptation is there and I have to remind myself that I said that I would stay away.  STAY AWAY.  I would like to accomplish this goal as silly as it may sound.  It will be a sign of discipline that I honored. 

SOME MINIATURE FLAGS were placed in the front porch flower pots.  The box holding the flag banners was located and this week-end the porch will be decorated with them.  Looking forward to this.

Update.  Hubby hung the banners.  I went outside to look at them and as I was walking back indoors I heard the first of the neighborhood firecrackers go off.  grins.  Here we go.  

Memories of previous 4th of July's come to mind.  The community here had a early fireworks show this week-end since another community near by has one of the biggest shows in the state on the 4th.  Many go to watch the fireworks on the 4th and forget about this tiny community's show.  I think we will just have a quiet 4th and stay at HOME like two old people.  Pop and Flop. 

Last year, the daily firecrackers got on my nerves.  This may not sound very patriotic, but it is what it is.  It is boggling my mind how quick the year flew and it doesn't seem possible that a year has gone by.  In my head, I can still hear the firecrackers that popped from the end of June to about the 6th of July.  The neighborhood kids were will engaged with celebrating.  pop pop pop pop POP

When I was a child, I loved the sparklers and Lady Finger firecrackers.  Today, I awe at the huge firecrackers sparkling in the sky.  Marveling.  Oh the memories this brings to mind.  

WHAT DO I HAVE PLANNED THIS WEEK?  A Medical appointment of course.  Dermatologist appointment for a follow-up, but will have a mole looked at that's on my shin.  Pretty sure it's cancer.  

The rest of the week looks open. Take a deep breath.  The 4th of July is coming and we have plans to visit with Hubby's brother and wife.  Will have supper with them.  Haven't seen them in 4 years.  

*medical appointment
*4th of July
*Family visit  

On the HOME FRONT?
Continued cleaning, laundry, tidying.  Walking.  Have a special cleaner that we will try to get stains out of the carpet with.    
Hubby is working on the bathroom tiling and finishing this up next week-end.  Tis slow work, but moving along.  

MEALS?  Still staying on course with mostly the Daniel Diet.
Veggies, fruits, seeds, nuts, legumes, water.  I try to drink water all day long, but confess I have had occasional iced teas.  Avoiding cheese, animal products and grains as much as possible with this 21day plan.  I have zoned out on this as the days go well.  Stopped counting.  It helps ease my mind that I am on a strict food program.  I started the first day of SUMMER.  12 days ago.  9 to go.  Hum.  Not so difficult after all.  Staying the course.

AFTERWARDS, I may attempt to EAT LIKE A BEAR.  Don't recall how I came across this sight, but some how I did.  Amanda Rose lost about 140 pounds eating a large 1200-1500 calorie salad once a day and the weight she carried on her small frame vanished.  I believe I need to try this and see what happens to me.  I may not be able to handle OMAD.  One meal a day.  I have graduated to being able to do intermittent fasting.  It is easier now for me to not eat until noonish or two.  I believe I could fast until two and have a huge salad that has 6 cups of greens mixed with vegetables, fruit, chicken, cheese, boiled eggs to dine on to get through the day. Thinking about doing this diet...program.

Eat like a bear.....

https://eatlikeabear.com/category/recipes/

I am not pleased with carrying so much weight on my bones.  I don't like messes.  I dislike debt. As I grow older, I am identifying and calling out what needs worked on in my LIFE.  You know when you grow up and things are too easy then it comes time to have to really work hard at getting the results you need and desire, it a game changer.  You either give up, die or change. The difference between giving up then calling it quits to changing for the better are worlds apart. 

God help me to change and work at what needs improved.

YOUR CHOICES ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

~d

 

THAT TIME OF YEAR

NOT TO BE UNPATRIOTIC...but the firecrackers are louder than ever.  I don't recall the firecrackers from my youth being so loud.  Through the years they have apparently become more powerful and so much louder with a more powerful pop.  The pop is more like an explosion.  If firecrackers were outlawed, there'd be heck to pay as I do not believe the American people would go for it.  At least the ones that want to explode their purchases.  

I'd be alright if the firecrackers were limited to being lit only on the 4th of July instead of allowing them on July 1, 2, 3, 4 and now the 5th.  That's five days of popping altogether.  There goes some whistling firecrackers as I type in the middle of the day.  

I love the sparkly ones high in the sky in the dark on the July 4th night.  The show must go on and it does around here on the prairie.  The entertainment that comes from a fireworks display is one that I have enjoyed for over 65 years.  As children, we enjoyed sparklers, small Lady Finger firecrackers, Black Cat firecrackers, and those round, black pill shaped ones that when lit foamed black foamy noodles climbing out of the pill like a snake.  My fav were the sparklers that I got to hold and would run down the sidewalk with waving the stick about to make designs as I held the wand of magic. 

 

As time passed, the crackers made larger explosions and were easier to purchase from the local Firecracker Stand.  

My younger brother had a Firecracker Stand when he was in high school to raise funds for College.  I guess he did well as he attended College graduating with a degree long ago.  About 1980.  I was a married woman with babies by this time.  

My memories come back to me how wonderful my younger days were.  I could move freely without hinderances.

Is there any place in the United States that provides a quiet place to retrieve to so you do not have to listen to the noise pollution?  Where do you go if you have PTSD from war experiences and sounds?  Where do you go to escape the noise if it gets on your nerves in a bad way?  Where do animals hide out to get away from the loud bangs?  Are there retreats in the country to where you could stay until the blasts are over?  Maybe I should check into this.  What say you?

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.
  

THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOODS I CAN HEAR FIRECRACKERS GOING OFF WITH LOUD BANGS AND SIZZLES.  Sometimes I am taken by surprise which causes me to involuntarily jerk.  When I was over to the COTTAGE this week-end working, the neighbor lit some firecrackers that went BANG with no warning.  Jerk.  My body I mean.  Not sure I can tune the noise out completely.  It's worse than the lawn mowers purring in the mornings every morning.  

As tired as I was, I had to sit a great deal between errands.  Work a while.  Sit a while.  Carrying the boxes of bedding from the car was heavy so I have to consider this as strength training.  I wasn't sure I'd make it to the porch carrying the loads.  I did.

Later, I cleared off the Eastlake table by my chair, cleared off a parlor table and practically stood on my head to get the schefflera plant out from the corner of the Living room that was blocked by furniture. Moved it to the Dining room to sit in front of the windows.  Decided to place the Eastlake table in the Dining room as well switching it with the parlor table.  Not sure where to put the parlor table as it is wobbly and needs glued.

I may paint it white and sit it on the porch so a Fern plant can rest there.  Later.  For now, maybe it'll go in the Garage.  I'm running out of space inside.  The Cottage is extremely crowded once again.  I think a storage unit will be rented while we are moving from here to there.  Will check into that.  

Laundry.  I washed my peach colored housecoat and did a load of bluejeans.  Day dreamed. Loaded the book case with towels that is temporarily in the Bathroom until a Linen cabinet can be built.  It's moments like this that I have to talk to myself about not getting upset about there is so much to do after we get moved over.  I look at all of the things sitting in boxes and wonder where the heck these items will go. Time to go back HOME.   

This will be a working HOLIDAY as we celebrate the 4th.  I'll be boxing up stuff and shuffling furniture.  Hubby has been remodeling the main house Bathroom.  Just about finished.  I think he'll put another coat of paint on the walls, hang the mirror and call it done.  I need to wash the light fixtures and replace the light bulbs.  With the completion of the Powder room, that will mean three of the rooms on the main floor are completed.  The Living room, Dining room and Powder room.  I want to paint the inside of the closet, stain the stairs and lay new marble tile in the entryway.  Some painting as well. The walls in the Kitchen may get a fresh coat of paint as well.  Coming right along.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.  We'll have bbq chicken, potato salad, baked beans and vanilla bean ice-cream with freshly brewed iced-tea for the 4th.  Sounds pretty good.  The city fireworks will be viewed from our front yard just like last year.  It's mind boggling how fast this year has gone.  Last year's fireworks show is still fresh in my mind.

SATISFIED,

~d

THE 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION

Here she is...the 4th of July!  

It will be quiet around here

for a few days as to enjoy Family, food, fellowship and the celebration of the 4th of July!

Next week I will be on a rampage to thin out everything.  The time has come at our HOME for this purging.  Praise God.  Great things He hath done.

Let freedom ring,

~d

SMALL TOWN PARADE

IT's 12:30 am and the fireworks are still popping and blasting into the night. The noisiest 4th of July I have ever experienced as a 65 year old woman.  The fireworks celebration started at 10 pm on the dot and went a solid 30 minutes.  Spectacular display of fireworks ever. A pleasant 73 degrees after it was over.

Much of the time, the works were so loud, we couldn't hear each other speak.  The neighbors on all sides of our property continued exploding fireworks.  Smoke filled the air as if we're a war zone.  I'm not sure why so many around here bought so many fireworks other than we didn't have them in 2020.  The 2020 main celebration was called off due to the Covid-19 Pandemic so 2021 is a catch up.

We sat outside until 11:30 and said our good-byes to our family that was here.  Hubby and I sat outside for awhile longer than retrieved inside where the crackers could still be heard.  Kaboom. Our small town swells to about 70,000 peeps.  Usually about 4500 people, but then the 4th of July happens and the celebration is on to see BOOM TOWN. 

Around here the celebration is a huge event.  Huge.  I'm alright with that until it's 1 in the morning and the loud blasts are still bellowing in the area.   

Time for the firecrackers to go to sleep for another year.  The day is over. 

THINKING ABOUT THE DAY. 

Our Daughter, Son in law and Lil Miss came by so we visited, watched the Parade then had a meal.  Shame on me, no pictures of us together.  We watched the big light show from our front yard.  Fantastic show.  Since they did not have the show last year, it was doubly wonderful. 

The early evening Parade came down our street in front of our house at 6 o'clock on the 4th.  This is a first time since we have lived here that this happened and it was great fun.  THIS IS OUR 5TH 4TH OF JULY.   The Parade was re-routed this year.  I missed the Marching Bands.  There were none.  Still it was fun to see a Parade go by our house.  Very enjoyable.

People showed up to sit on the sidewalks and the city easement to watch the small town Parade.  

Pics from a upstairs window.  

Later we moved outside to sit on the sidewalk to watch the Parade.

Waiting to see and hear some marching bands and there weren't any.  Plenty of horses and politicians though.  Some would say that these two have much in common.

Typical 4th of July noon time meal.

Hot dogs, baked BBQ chips, baked beans and brownies.

Lots of B's there.

Delicious Brownie.  I can have some...just not the whole pan.

 Today, I rested and am working on paperwork.

Later this week, I'll return to eating the Color Wheel Diet in hopes of downsizing some more.

This year is half over.  Can't hardly believe it.  My main focus this year is to reduce in weight, be healthier, get orderly and de-clutter, painting in the Cottage and praying.  

HaPPy 4th and beyond,

d👵