PRAISING THE LORD IT'S SATURDAY WITH MY GOOD FRIEND BON AMI and THE FINE ART OF DIETING!

THANKFUL THE WEEK WENT VERY WELL AS MUCH AS WERE OUT AND ABOUT, but I am so ready to rest at HOME.  Tis Saturday.  

I have continued to sort through my piles of papers and other stuff deciding what to do with this junk.  Refreshed my mind about Marie Kondo's decluttering style and the how to fold this and that.  I like the orderly look she is well known for.  I just don't believe I can maintain the look in my real world.  The videos have been helpful and hopeful giving me ideas on what to do to have a different LOOK that's potentially possible.

SPARK JOY will help me to turn loose of much that is adding to the clutter...so I will evaluate what stays and what goes.  I have already thinned out my closet and each article is sweetly hanging in an orderly fashion.  When we relocate to the COTTAGE, I will have to thin it out some more as the closet space is completely different than what I have here.   

Does this item spark JOY?  Sometimes the spark isn't there, but the item is very necessary so the show must go on.  I will have to keep much that doesn't spark joy.  As I cleaned the POWDER ROOM toilet yesterday, the toilet didn't spark joy, but I must keep it mustn't I?  Thankful to have a porcelain princess available to use whenever.

Does it spark joy or provide relief for my weary body?  I am thankful to have a porcelain fixture like the ones we have here.  I'm presently on the look out for a taller than usual toilet for our tall frames.  When I come across a taller toilet, purchase it and have it installed at the COTTAGE, it certainly will add some joy.

I know years ago, I would dread cleaning the Bathrooms.  Dreaded it.  I had better things to do. It wasn't until I told myself, you don't have to get emotionally involved with the toilet...just clean it! This did wonders.  I don't have to be emotionally attached or involved with the cleaning...just do it and be done with it until next time.

My poor toilet has a ring in that will take more than BON AMI to scrub away.  I'll have to make an appointment with my hubby to have him use special cleaner on it to make the ring go away. For now, I will keep cleaning it with BON AMI.   

Bon Ami  (French for 'Good Friend') is a brand of scouring powder sold by the Bon Ami Company of Kansas City, Missouri. Since its inception in the late 19th century, the brand's advertising campaigns have gained particular notice.   

The original Bon Ami formula was developed in 1886 by the J. T. Robertson Soap Company as a gentler alternative to quartz-based scouring powders available in stores.  In those days, scouring powder was made from tallow and finely ground quartz. When quartz was mined, it was entwined with a mineral called feldspar, and the two had to be separated by hand.  The feldspar was discarded until Robertson discovered that this soft mineral could be combined with soap to create a less-abrasive product that would clean without scratching, resulting in the Bon Ami product.

I noticed that when I sprinkled out AJAX or COMET that there are airborne particles released into the air that can be inhaled causing health issues.  That little dust cloud can be harmful to your precious lungs and other body organs.  The same with BON AMI, but less toxic to breathe in if this so happens.

Best to not breathe in any of the particles.  
Work in a well ventilated room.  
Might want to wear a mask.  
Perhaps switch to BAKING SODA altogether.  
Now that's a thought.

  https://healthfully.com/side-effects-inhaling-bleach-5376626.html

https://biggreenpurse.com/bon-ami-cleanser/

I successfully finished my week of the Jackie Kennedy Diet.  Here it has been almost a week since I did this.

What did I learn from it?

That I could do it for a very short period of time.  I took away from it to drink HOT TEA in the morning with my Breakfast.  This I like.  Having some right now.  Also liked having eggs for breakfast, but need more than hard boiled eggs.  Scrambled eggs, poached or omelets is a nice switch from the hard boiled eggs.  Occasionally having a piece of toast was a treat.

I don't mind the cottage cheese with fruit for LUNCH...in fact I enjoyed this a great deal and I believe I will keep doing this.

Veggies with a small amount of meat
is a winning combination 
for supper.

Now I must watch the starches but sneak in healthy fats such nuts, and seeds for an afternoon SNACK.  Tis healthy and full of flavor.
A HUNGER SAVER.

I know that when I am on a strict diet, I don't do very well as everything I shouldn't eat comes to mind and that tormenting desire to eat it all is like I have to become a LION TAMER cracking a whip at angry lions in the three ring circus.  Snarl.  
 The awful creature were awakened.

I fell off the wagon...I craved CHOCOLATE.  So I ate Russell Stover's chocolates like there was NO tomorrow.  They weren't the sugar-free kind either.  A small dinner mint after eating is acceptable, but I almost ate the box the chocolates came in.  I devoured the chocolates.

THE FINE ART OF DIETING!
TAKING TIME TO EAT.

With this behind me, I can forge ahead continuing to watch the calories and write down what I ate for the day paying attention to the amount of food taken in. 
Portion control and a prayer.  
More organic veggies and fruits.
Eat smaller portions of starchy vegetables and sweets.  
Eat  s l o w l y  moving the food about inside my mouth making sure other teeth than the molars chew the small morsels.  
Chew, chew, chew until pulverized then swallow.  
Take time to eat.  
It's alright to slow down and not think about how quick can I shovel this food into my mouth so I can do something else that needs done elsewhere.  
Put the eating utensil down between bites and wait before taking the next bite.
Eat when not emotionally upset.
Use smaller plates.
Make the meal a pleasant slow paced event verses crossing the finish line first leaving the others in the dust.   

Plans today:  Tidy up messes about my chair.
Quick trip to Post Office to get a few more boxes 
for care packages to mail.
Laundry...jeans and underwear.
Vac the Living room rug.
Shampoo hair and curl it.
Go to Dollar Gen for more Valentine Cards.
Review month and plan for February expenses.
Read about health issues.
Thin out old magazines.
PRAISING the Lord for HIS goodness.

"Enjoy today,
it won't come back." 
~d

BON AMI TO THE RESCUE

FAST FORWARD TO SUNDAY.  Learning new things all the time.  I will pitch the COMET and AJAX powder cleansers I have and switch full time to using BON AMI.  I never gave it much thought that we can inhale carcinogens as we clean with powdered COMET and AJAX, but we can.  BON AMI is a non-toxic household cleaner. Better for your beautiful lungs.

Since 1886, Bon Ami has remained committed to its non-toxic formula by not using bleach, fragrance, or dyes.

Comet and Ajax both contain the abrasive quartz, which is an inhalation carcinogen. Bon Ami uses feldspar instead of quartz which has the added benefit of not scratching while cleaning.

Bon Ami contains 5 simple ingredients and no fragrance, bleach, dyes or other toxic ingredients (found in Comet and Ajax).

The Environmental Working Group “EWG” air pollution tests found that Comet emitted 146 different chemicals, many of which are not included on the label. Some of the most toxic detected were formaldehyde, benzene, and chloroform which are associated with cancer or reproductive effects.

Research has linked cleaning agents (particularly bleach and disinfectants) to negative respiratory effects. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is not only irritating to the eyes and skin upon touch, but also irritates the respiratory system when inhaled.

Fragrance added to cleaning products is actually a mix of fragrance and chemicals associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system. Companies are not required to disclose the ingredients in fragrance, and research has found them to contain unnamed toxic ingredients like phthalates. Phthalates are associated with developmental and reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and cancer.

https://www.switchnatural.com/home/non-toxic-household-cleaner-bon-ami        

Original formula from 1886 uses only two ingredients to naturally clean life’s everyday messes: soap and feldspar. Together, these natural ingredients gently and effectively clean and polish hard surfaces, including glass*. NASA even used our 1886 formula to clean the windows on Skylab! Relive the heritage of America’s Original Natural Home Cleaner™ in an easy-to-shake powder form.

https://www.bonami.com/product/bon-ami-1886-formula-cleaning-powder/

A plus for cleaning glass top stoves.  Which I will be using full time in the Cottage verses a gas range here in the big house.

https://www.bonami.com/tips/easiest-way-clean-glass-top-stove/

Believing that simplifying cleaning products is the way to go, I have decided to switch to BON AMI instead of using Comet and Ajax.  Another change for an old dog like me learning new tricks.  Throw the dog a bone and be blessed.

PRAISE THE LORD, it's Sunday.  Like so many other mornings, I opened the French Doors to let fresh air inside.  Outdoor sounds drift inside as well.  This morning I heard the local Church bells ringing to announce to surrounding households that a Church gathering is about to take place.  Embracing musical tones puts a smile on my face. 

The early morning sounds got my attention.  Relaxing my tired body this morning.  I will have a day of rest.  No traveling nor will I be over at the COTTAGE switching out draperies and window panels.  I need and will stay HOME today to rest.

The past two weeks have been on. the. go. busy.  I know that my energy level has been good and I accomplished much.  Today, I will write out supply lists and make plans for weekly activities.  Write out a grocery list of foods to purchase to make ready for nutritional meals.  Paperwork as I sit.

THINKING ABOUT LAST WEEK.  Granddaughter visited.  Went for long drives, shopped til I dropped and ate some meals at restaurants.  Fried Chicken at the Lake, Mexican food at the newest local restaurant, Red Robin salad, Sugar Creek for Rachel Salads, Thursday night homemade Big Nose Kate's Nachos and Friday night Homemade Pizza.  I bagged loose pieces of jewelry along with watching movies and visiting with my Granddaughter.  Cleaned on the COTTAGE.  Laundry and dishes.    

Got my walking in for exercise.  Places we visited were numerous...if I can remember as it becomes a blur.   

SHOPPED TIL I DROPPED: Topeka Furniture Malls of Kansas, Topeka's West Ridge Mall where so many of the stores had closed due to the COVID crunch, Maurices, American Eagle, Plato's Closet (thrift) on Monday.  St. Mary's on Tuesday for Florence Adams, Sugar Creek for lunch, 37 Pine for cleaning products.  Manhattan Running Company where I purchased new sandals and stopped at Marshalls.  Hobby Lobby on Wednesday.  Thursday Goodwill (thrift) where I bought a navy blue Vera Bradley handbag and hubby some t-shirts.  Went to Aggieville for Cold Stone Creamery for the best Banana Ice Cream with walnuts, and Acme.  Friday to Manhattan Town Center where we got dollar massages in a chair, Dillards to look at Kitchen gadgets, Claire's, and ULTA BEAUTY.  My feet started hurting.  Stretched throughout the week, we were gone, gone, gone during the day and HOME in the evening for movies and popcorn.  

HAD TIME FOR OLD JEWELRY: Determined to get jewelry pieces bagged up.  It took quite a few hours bagging beads, pearls, rhinestones, earrings, etc. that were in several cardboard boxes that my Mom had given me years ago.  The small pearls and beads will be reused in new creations.  Making new necklaces will be a new adventure for lil 'ole me.  This will be done on cold winter nights when I need to stay inside where it's warm.  At any rate, the old jewelry pieces are ready to go when the time is right.  

Mismatched round items, and tangled earrings were in the bottom of the cardboard boxes rolling around making a mess to count.  So many, I cannot say.  I bagged everything in tiny plastic bags that have zip lock tops from Hobby Lobby. 

Slowly the pearls came together meeting their families and beads the same.  Mismatched earrings joined their mates.  Some order came to the chaos.     

When I laid the little bags all out on the sofa, it didn't look like so much jewelry, but I assure you that when picking up one item at a time like a pearl, a rhinestone or beads, it was time consuming.   Matching up earrings felt kind of like piecing together a very large puzzle.  A mystery unfolding before my eyes.

Is LIFE like that at times?  Yes, I believe it is. 

Taking deep breaths,

d