SPARKY GUARDS THE PORCH

Sparky the concrete dog.

Does this concrete dog look like a THREAT to you?

I named this puppy, SPARKY and placed it on the front porch.  

We had it at the other house we lived in before coming to 

the COTTAGE.

The neighbor's cat seems to think it is something to fight with.

Hubby heard some noise on the porch where he thought it was me sweeping the porch.  He glanced outside to see what the ruckus was.  It wasn't me.  It was the neighbor's old grey cat batting at the dog.  Sparky wobbles a little bit when pawed at which makes a noise.  So far, the cat has attacked SPARKY 3 times.  I have to laugh because the cat must think it is winning a fight with a concrete dog.  haha.

The cat's pride must puff up when the dog does not bark or run away.   Still laughing that so far the cat has attacked the dog 3 times on different occasions.  Entertainment.

WE STAYED HOME TODAY after being on the go a couple of days.  The weather was cooler today with NO rain.  Wednesday and Thursday we had medical appointments and chores to run. Both days we were caught in down pours where it was difficult to see while driving the interstate.

We had a serious hiccup at Quest Diagnostic when we went to sign in to have labs done.  For some reason the computer kicked our Topeka appointment to the Manhattan location.  Not a good sit up for us as we made the appointment for Topeka so when we signed in there were no appointments in their system.  Oops.  Things got straightened out and our labs were done.  We both had our Vitamin D levels checked.  I had my A1C checked as well and Hubby had his B12 checked.  They are fast at getting the results in the health portal.

My A1c is climbing, but still in a good range.  I'll be working on lowering it by losing a few more pounds and not eating bread.  Our D levels were better and Hubb's B12 much better.  

Saw an old friend at God's Storehouse.  Nice to visit with her.  Walmart and Natural Grocers as well.  Drove HOME through the heavy rain and took a well deserved NAP.

Baked chicken breast, green beans and rice for supper.  It was October 1st and an opportunity to start BETTER YOU BETTER SOCIETY diet.

Better You Better Society focuses on helping people lose fat, build muscle, and improve overall well-being through structured programs and guidance. 

I know I talk a lot about diets and losing weight.  I know.  I know.  This particular DIET is super simple and I will do it for a month if I can.  

TOTAL CALORIES FOR DAY = 1218

BREAKFAST = 320
2 PREMIUM PROTEIN DRINKS = 320 CALORIES
WATER

LUNCH = 328
LARGE BAKED CHICKEN BREAST = 240
2 CUPS OF GREEN BEANS = 88
WATER

SUPPER = 570
LARGE BAKED CHICKEN BREAST = 240
2 CUPS OF GRILLED BRUSSELS SPROUTS = 112
1 CUP BROWN RICE = 218
WATER 

No snacks.  No fruit or dairy.  No potatoes, pastries, pasta.  

The baked chicken breast is hiding under the brown rice.  It was really tasty.  I know if I do this everyday with only chicken it will get boring.  I'll switch out the chicken breasts with chicken thighs also with turkey patties and roasted turkey.  Some fish like salmon and tuna.  The side dish of vegetables will be non-starchy veggies where I will switch out with a side salad no dressing, baked carrots, kale, squash, zucchini, cauliflower, green peas, onions, bell peppers, etc.

I'll see how my body responds and go from there.  If I stay in the realm of 1200 calories, I should reduce some body weight.  Praying this works.  Pray and stay thankful I'm not starving.  One month.

Supposedly 40 pounds will come off in 4 months.  This is a long time to eat this way.  It will take discipline.  Can I do this?  If I can take this off in 4 months, I would be ever so grateful.   

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☔Thankful for NO rain TODAY!  I purchased a couple of WALMART MUMS for under $7.00 each.  Gorgeous colors.  After we finish admiring them for the season, they will be planted somewhere on the property.  I may see if HUBBY would consider planting them on the outskirt's of the front flowerbeds.  I love the color they have and HOPE they come back next year.  Cheers me up to see such pretty shades of nature.

TODAY, I went through an old beat up cardboard box that was brought HOME from the storage unit.  Inside was a glass cake plate with an aluminum cover.  I suspect it's from the 1950s.  Mid-century goodie.

Looks a lot this one.  I debated getting rid of it, but decided for now I will keep it and store it in a nice plastic storage box and keep it in the cellar.

I emptied the box and went through another tub full of old receipts, bank statements, old checks, etc.  I started feeling a sense of HOPE that I managed to empty a couple of boxes! A good feeling.   

One of the boxes held old record albums from our High School and College Days.  I thought they'd fit in an old wood crate of my brother's, but they were too wide.  I switched out my Bill Book, Calendar, Address book that I had in a LONGABERGER BASKET into the wood crate that now sits on an end table to the right of my recliner.  

My brother passed away 5 years ago this month and it belonged to him.  I didn't want to get rid of it, so I did the switch-er-roo.  I came across a letter he mailed us before his death.  This one made me tear up.  I didn't do enough for my brother while he was alive.  Knowing this, I must do better for those that are still alive.  

A third box has old bluejeans my children wore.  I was going to make a blue jean blanket out of the jeans, but have decided I will launder these ancient pieces of denim and recycle them.   

Not today, but tomorrow, I will begin the laundry and finish the task by placing them on hangers for a SPRING RUMMAGE SALE.  They will season through the WINTER on a clothing rack and be waiting for their SPRING debut.  

BLOOD PRESSURE
This good reading is rare for me, but I was surprised last night.  I usually have higher BP than this.  Something went just right for me.  PTL.

Wish it were this good all the time.  Perhaps in my future?

Love,

~d

LEAP DAY SAUNA, DATE, and LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE

KNOWING THAT THIS FEBRUARY WAS A LEAP YEAR with a 29th in it, I made an appointment to have a session in a sauna.  Infrared sauna.  I read about it on the internet connected with THE HAPPY HIPPY in Manhattan, KS. and decided I'd book a session on the last day of February.  The sister location is located in Clay Center.  

Many studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of long-lasting health problems and found some proof that saunas may help. Conditions studied include high blood pressure, heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, headache, type 2 diabetes, and arthritis.  

I hit the mark with high blood pressure, T2 diabetes and arthritis. Enuff.

Our session was 15 minutes and I was ready to get out when we hit 12 minutes.  Stuck it out.  We did sweat a bit.  With starting out, 15 minutes is plenty for a newbie.  No ill affects.  Tolerated it well.  

One should be deodorant-free and clean when doing a sauna.  Remove all jewelry because they get hot.  Clean clothes and no shoes.  Come to sweat.  I think I will take a large towel or house coat next time and since it is a drive, I will bag up a wet washcloth and allow it to heat up in the sauna to wipe myself off afterwards.  Tis best to shower afterwards, but there were no showers and we have a drive.  If I wet wipe with a washcloth afterwards this would be the next best thing. It's best to shower afterwards if you can to help wash off your skin any toxins you might have sweated out so your body doesn't reabsorb them.  Makes sense, huh? Then you are to hydrate afterwards.

Tis a drive, but wanted to see what this sauna was like then eat lunch at their HAPPY HIPPY in Clay Center.  What a neat town it is.  Population of about 4100 people. 

The HAPPY HIPPY.

https://happyhippiestudios.org

BACK UP.  
ON OUR WAY.  On our way to Clay Center, we went through Manhattan making a Goodwill DONATION DROP.  Drank water on the way to be well hydrated.  Talked up a storm.  Arrived early in Clay Center.  Drove around town locating the studio then with an hour before appointment found a DOLLAR TREE~FAMILY DOLLAR to use the bathroom and shop.  Picked up some cashews and mixed nuts for afternoon snacks.  

We arrived early at the studio visiting with the owner about the sauna, filled out a medical form and went from there.  I've never done a infrared sauna so we did a 15 minute session.  I left my undies on and held a towel in hand to wipe sweat off with. 

Inside the sauna box was very clean and I liked it.  Hubby and I sat together in the hot box talking and soaking in the heat.  We both liked it.  After our session, we dried off getting dressed and paid for our time.  We dined at the Happy Hippy.  I had a large salad for lunch.  WE HAD A DATE together.

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Looked at some murals about town then drove HOME across the prairie on a cold day.  Rested.

It was a treat to see the large murals on the buildings.  SO colorful and interesting.  We didn't see all of them and plan to take their tour with their map on another day.  It seems that more and more small towns in Kansas are getting on board about having murals on their buildings.  Neat.  
Had a nice trip HOME.

MOVIE TIME:  Wished I had POPCORN.  Habit.

We watched a good movie starring Matthew McConaughey based off of a true story.  FREE STATE OF JONES.  I'll watch it again.  This time era intrigues me. 

A few years back when we visited President Abraham Lincoln's Museum, for the first time I realized that not all slaves were set free as I previously had thought.  I thought ALL the slaves were set free at the same time.  No.  I did not know the history of when all the slaves were set free.  Sorry.  Still learning.  Why didn't Lincoln free all of the slaves?

“The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves only in those states under Confederate control.  It didn't affect slavery in the North.” The reason is that, contrary to popular belief, Lincoln's primary motivation wasn't to free the slaves but to win the Civil War and reunite the Republic. 

Although Lincoln had announced the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier, freedom did not come for most African Americans until Union victory in April 1865 and, officially, in December 1865 with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. 

Mary Todd Lincoln's family in Kentucky did have slaves.  Kentucky was one of the states that still had slaves after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.  hum.  

Still learning the truth about American History.  I wasn't taught that there were those who came against the Confederate Army within their own southern communities.  I wasn't aware that the Confederate Army went after people's belongings, crops and animals leaving the people without to where they starved.  An eye opener. 

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PRESENT DAY UPDATED FOOD PROGRAM:  DAY 4 of the Daniel Diet.  Did well.  The 2nd day of the diet was hard for me, but I managed to get through it.  When I was in the discount store, I noticed all the food products for sell.  Mostly sugary, salty, snacky things.  Not a great place to be when dieting and deliberately avoiding these kinds of products.  Stayed focused and did well getting out of there. 

Breakfast was a half of a green apple, 5 Brazilian nuts, some Macadamia nuts and water.  That's all I wanted.  
Lunch was a large salad at the HAPPY HIPPY.  Diced lettuce, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red onion, chick peas, sunflower seeds with raspberry dressing.  It was delicious.  
Snacks were mixed nuts and Iced Green Tea.
Supper would be corn on the cob and baked potato topped with meatless chili.  Water to drink.

Plenty of calories and nutrients.  Could do more fluids.  This is where I'm going to have to encourage myself to drink more water.  

DAY FIVE on Friday of Daniel Diet will be more vegetables, fruits and nuts.  It makes me HAPPY that I am on day 5 of this food plan. I can relax while I change my eating habits.  

PLANS FOR THIS GLORIOUS DAY:  I have quilts on the Victorian Bed that I want to fold neatly and stack on the Victorian sofa.  Some laundry will get done and I will continue tidying on the Dining room.  It's taking some time to get the room dealt with.  That's just the way it is.  Keep plugging along.  

When I go through a cardboard box that has 100 items or so in it, it does take some time to deal with each item.  When we sit the dining room table up, it will be what I call progress. The Dining room is now the new staging room where I work at getting settled.  What an active mess to look at.

With Cataract surgery coming in March, I'd like to be able to sleep in the electric recliner which will be placed in the corner of the Dining room.  It may not look the best, but it'll have to do. First the corner of the room has to be emptied and the recliner taken out of storage.  Lots more shuffling.  It seems to take more effort to get things done when in the middle of getting settled.

DO I DARE SAY:  How to take your blood pressure.  

In all the years I have gone to doctors and medical facilities with nurses and medical staff, I have NEVER been instructed about how to take one's blood pressure and when.  Usually I go to the doctor's office and sit in the lobby waiting for the nurse to call out my name in which I stand and walk across the lobby to hear the nurse ask me, How I am.  

Politely I usually respond, fine or good.  If I'm fine, why am I at the doctor's office?  grins.  Social etiquette is practiced.  Be NICE.  I can gently say, "I've been better and striving to get healthier. How are you?"

People laugh when I answer them after they say, "Have a nice day." with, "Have a nice life." Sometimes their head slants sideways.

As for taking BLOOD PRESSURE...you should not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes including water and caffeine drinks like coffee and tea BEFORE taking blood pressure.

Empty bladder before BP is taken.

You should be sitting upright in a comfortable chair for at least 5 minutes without talking BEFORE taking BP.

While pressure is being taken, you should not be talking or moving.

Blood pressure cuff should be next to bare skin and not on fabric.

Cuff at heart level.

Feet flat on the floor.  Legs uncrossed.

You should be relaxed.

Shouldn't the nurse practice this?

HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE.  If you need your blood pressure to lower quickly, lie down and take deep breaths.  Take a warm bath or shower.  Eat a banana.  

HELPING WITH LOWERING Blood Pressure:  Drink Pomegranate juice.  Live as stress free as you can.  Rest and eat a balanced diet.  Eliminate sodium from diet as much as possible.  Avoid highly processed foods.  Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.  Take potassium supplements.  

AND that ALL TIME FAVORITE, be a manageable weight.  Makes me crack a smile and go how?  

It may take a minute to figure out what a balanced diet really is.  This has helped to change my LIFE for the better doing research about nutrition.

TIS MARCH and I'm so HAPPY about this.  March 2024.  Looking forward to having the Dining room set up and making plans for another room to get tidied.  Praise the LORD.  He is good.

Well, here's to a blessed day.

~d on the prairie

Pressure To Do Well

THE WEEK-END FLEW and we are now headed into a new week.  Think I'll rest most of the day today as I have been on the go go go the last few weeks.  Blood pressure has been too high and trying to lower it.  For years I used a arm cuff monitor to find out BP reading.  Recently purchased a wrist one.

LOVE IT.  The easiest way to take BP.  So easy.  SMARTHEART.

SmartHeart Wide Range Cuff Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor

I believe that stress causes my blood pressure to soar.  Do my best to keep BP in a normal range.  One of my triggers that contributes to too high of blood pressure is a MESSY HOUSE where rooms are dirty and in serious need of attention.

The messes are stubborn about disappearing.  Stubborn and ever so loyal about not budging to go away on their own.  duh.  Wishful thinking comes to mind.  It isn't mind over matter without muscle that gets the job done.  Having a right mind set can get more accomplished than just thinking about it.  Brilliant.

Hubby took my blood sugar reading and I wasn't happy with what I was told.  Blood sugar level was also too high.  OUCH.  I pray that I be in better health.  Eat better.  Eat super foods loaded with nutrition.  Eat more plant based foods that are organic and NOT sprayed with pesticides that linger.  It's one thing to be in great health and quite another when health has some issues that positive thinking does not touch.

It isn't mind over matter.
WAYS TO NATURALLY LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE......

1. Walk and exercise regularly. Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower high blood pressure. ...
2. Reduce your sodium intake. ...
3. Drink less alcohol. ...
4. Eat more potassium-rich foods. ...
5. Cut back on caffeine. ...
6. Learn to manage stress. ...
7. Eat dark chocolate or cocoa. ...
8. Lose weight.

My plans this week are to write out bills,

work on Kitchen cabinets and relocate the beverage glasses,

wash the kitchen floor,

clean the bathrooms,

reorganize the linen closet and bathroom closet,

do some laundry,

switch out the air filters,

polish french doors.

HUBBY hopefully will have dug up the remainder of irises.

This time next week-end...the kitchen cleaned, bathroom closet worked over and linen closet full of extra bedding.

Supper Meals will be:

Spaghetti Supper with salad,

Tacos,

Chili potatoes with salad,

Sandwiches with salad,

Taco Casserole with salad,

Baked Chicken with mixed veggies and salad.

Health GOALS:

Eat an apple a day at 3 PM.

Avocado a day early in the morning.

Take Tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.

Vitamins and minerals.

Drink SPRING Water.

Write down what I'm eating.

Take a deep breath and relax.

Hard at it,

d