THE PINK HOUSECOAT, HEALTH, THIS 'N THAT and DEEP CLEANING

Still in my pink housecoat, I was being brave this morning when I opened my front door to a neighbor who brought over some HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS that she had made me.  No make-up, hair in a messy pony tail and wearing a really OLD, stained housecoat.  I'd scare anyone looking this way.  

She was so sweet to fix these for me for a Christmas gift.  She's truly a talented Baker and I look forward to eating some rolls when I have a day off from the Daniel Diet.

We chatted for about an hour.  She's easy to talk to and this visit was very uplifting to me. Having a friend is such a blessing.  

GORGEOUS WINTER DAY THAT WAS MORE SPRING TIME with vibrant clear, blue skies. Temperatures in the 60s.  TWO Doctor's appointments this afternoon.  We ate baked potatoes for lunch before we left to travel the distance to the medical appointments.  I believe I will do more baked potatoes while on this adventure for weight loss.  Salt and pepper, no butter.  Just salsa.  It was rather good.  Supper will be butter beans and corn on the cob.  I have thoughts of scrambled eggs, but remind myself the eggs will come later while on this diet there are no animal products allowed while fasting.

Hubby needed to have the doctor look at a place on his chest that needs removed.  After this appointment, he had another one with a different doc to groom his old toenails.  I sipped on a green tea as I waited.  Off to Menards then Home Depot to look for some more storage boxes. When at HD, they had huge ornaments for 50% off, so I purchased 4 of them for our front porch for 2026. They will look festive when the time comes.  While we were at HD we looked at kitchen cabinets and appliances.  Fun to look about.

Headed HOME after we checked out.  Tired and ready for supper.  Hungry.  6th DAY on the DANIEL DIET/FAST.  Amazing how fast this fast is going.  We've been at it for a week tomorrow. The whole idea of doing this diet again is multi-purpose as I'm hoping to break a weight plateau and start losing weight for health purposes.  I'd like to see my A1c lower below 6.8.  Closer to 5.8. Also I wouldn't mind my cholesterol being lower.  So I'm working on this.  I'll hopefully fast until the 21st of January then take a few days off before doing round two.  Labs will be in February. Smiling, I am anxious to see where my levels are.   

Hubby weighed in 4 pounds lighter today at the doc's office.  He told me he was surprised and I said I wasn't.  Happy for him and he was as well.  Since he retired 6 years ago from employment, he has reduced his weight close to 30 pounds.  I am in such hopes that I can continue to turn loose of weight as he has.  I have a goal weight in mind and I know it will take TIME to get this extra weight off of me.  Walking and watching videos of people who have lost over a hundred pounds naturally without surgery or meds.  After seeing pics of me from the past, I frown as I am entirely too heavy.  humph.  Lord, I'm praying for help.

I've been drinking tea so I asked google if caffeine raises blood glucose levels and of course it does.  Tomorrow, I'll skip drinking caffeinated tea.  More water.  The caffeine does something to the insulin and this is problematic.  Being insulin resistant is part of the problem leading to obesity.

This evening, I wrote Thank you notes for the Christmas gifts we received.  The 35 page letter to my Mom was mailed today.  Some laundry was done.  A Christmas ornament was made with a snapshot of my youngest grandchild posing with Santa in it.  I'll give this to my daughter when I see her next.

Another medical appointment for me this week as I will have a bump that is inside my mouth removed.  Not looking forward to this, but need it removed.  It'll have a stitch or two.  hum.  

Thursday, Hubby is having a car clinic.  So while he is doing this, I'll go to a new store that I haven't been to hopefully to purchase some Ironstone.  They have a coffee pot or they did that I'd like to add to my Tea Leaf Collection.  I hope it's still there as I saw a pic of it on Facebook a few days ago.  If they've already sold it, I'll look around in their store and that will be that.

Laundry is very slowly getting dealt with.  I decided when deep cleaning that it will be alright to do a little here and there.  I'll leave the dust spray and rag on the kitchen counter top and when I walk by, I'll clean a cabinet door.  Polish it and return to do another one later.  My short attention span and lack of energy levels work well this way. 

As we drove across the Flint Hills, I admired the beautiful landscape.  Once again I need to stop and truly look at the rolling hills, crops, livestock, plants and skies.  I don't quite understand why I don't do this more often instead of viewing the surroundings as we are traveling 70 miles an hour down the interstate.  It doesn't seem right to only be sight seeing when going to a doctor's appointment.

I believe God would be alright with me admiring the nature He created.  Shame on me for not taking advantage of the beautiful scenery.  Okay, it's a new day and I will stare on.  When doing the Daniel Diet, I am to depend more on God than what I am eating.  I am thinking thoughts of food.  All kinds of food.  This happens when I fast.  Not fun.  Drawing closer to God is part of this Diet/FAST.  It isn't just about lowering my A1c or cholesterol or losing weight.  Although all of this would be welcomed.  I can meditate on nature and scripture.  Need to, anyways.

Blessings to you,
~d

LUNCH WITH FRIENDS THEN OFF TO THE RACES

LUNCH WITH THE GIRLS at a friend's HOME lead to catching up on what's happening in our lives.  I decided to stay behind after having lunch then go HOME for a NAP.  I have struggled with excessive fatigue this week.  One of the group's members remained in Topeka where the other two would meet up with to go see the Jersey Boys musical.

I knew going to TOPEKA to a show and staying out late would be too difficult to handle.  I am old.  I'm sure they all had a fun time together as we usually do, but I could not pull it off knowing I'd have a full week-end with traveling to a High School Cross Country Meet to watch our Granddaughter compete in a race.

We got up early on Saturday and traveled about an hour's drive, but the race had already started. There was mix up on the time and we caught her as she was running over the finish line in first place.  I don't usually get to see her cross the finish line as I am out on the course elsewhere to cheer her on, but this time was different which was a nice change.  The silver lining in this was actually seeing her run up a hill and across the line.  I got to cheer her in her VICTORY.

She broke the course's record, her school's record and made her personal best time.  It was a treat and a half.  PTL.  

We left after the awards presentation and traveled over to St. Marys for lunch at SUGAR CREEK. Ended up at the park before driving HOME for a NAP.  I slept nearly three hours.  Very tired. 

I believe I am very frustrated by the fatigue and lack of being able to get my household chores done in a timely fashion.  Very frustrated.  Pacing myself is done, but I'm not easy on myself for being so slow.  Prayers are needed.  Dear Lord, I need help.  Surrendering to the way things are isn't one I do easily.  I buck and snort which makes it more laborious.  Relaxing in the way it is, isn't going well.

Watching the other Grand's sports events is difficult to do as we live miles from them in different states.  Some on-line watching takes place on facebook along with short videos.  It's not the same as personally being there.

PLANS FOR THIS WEEK.  The calendar is peppered with medical appointments.  As hubby works on the Bathroom remodel, I will work on laundry, walk, do some correspondences, tidy the Dining room and rest.  The week is full of medical appointments in Topeka and a Ladies Luncheon.  Pacing myself will have to be a part of a busy week.  Staying on top of the chores is a struggle.  Last week we went to about 44 different places shopping which zapped my energy.  AND in all of that shopping and going places, I still do not have clear lamp oil.  One more stop this week to check HOBBY LOBBY as the internet says they have it.  IF I can't get my hands on it then I will order it through the internet.  This should have been the way I did it to begin with, but I'm a die hard and wasn't willing to avoid brick and mortar buildings to buy from.  My childhood made an impression about how shopping goes.  We went straight to the store and purchased what we needed.  No waiting for the mail to deliver much of anything except catalog ordered clothing.  Times have changed again and it seems like the easiest way to shop is by internet.  I need to adjust.

Our old clawfoot tub awaits us in the garage.  Hubby is still painting the trim and crown molding in the bathroom.  Tub should go in this week.  He was hoping today.  After it is removed form the garage, there will be some open space to do a shuffle.  Not sure we'll make it, but was hoping to clear all the goods in the garage out making room for an art studio.  This will be a 2025 Winter project. 

ON A SERIOUS NOTE.  Sometimes LIFE  can be difficult to handle.  What to do when this happens?  Ride out the storm.  Come in out of the rain, dry off and rest.  Pray.  Eat nutritiously. Make sure you're physically well as being ill can affect your emotional state which can contribute to not handling stress the best way possible.  Stay NO to too many activities.  Count your blessings and have respect for yourself knowing you have value.  God loves you like nobody can. There's more to life than pain.

~d

Staycation Day Seven

~Staycation~

Seven days already have passed and I cannot believe it.  This Staycation officially ends this Sunday then back to regular Summer hours.  I think my Husband has enjoyed staying home and working in the Garage.  He has made huge progress.  

Sunday, we'll visit about what got done and where to go from here.

Tinking about our HOME makes me HAPPY.

Glad I still have the week-end.

I met up with a small group of my friends in Manhattan to have Lunch.  We gather together about once of year and decided that we need to meet again in August.  What shall we call our selves?  We met years ago in Christian Women's Club, but the club dissolved.  A small band of us still gather.  

Susie calls this MANNA from Heaven.

I have to agree.

There's Susie, Sarah, Dottie, Nancy, Gloria and me, d.

When I moved to Manhattan in 1999, I was sorely missing my Tulsa friends.  I wasn't very happy to be relocating.  Thankful Husband had employment, but not thrilled about leaving behind my friends and my dreams that I had on the back burner.

As time would pass, I made new friends.

Each has a special place in my heart.

Heart friends.

Now so many of these fine Ladies have passed away.

I am forging head on into a new chapter of LIFE.

Gosh…it never stops.

We were talking about our friends that have died.  Susie mention that she didn't bring Joan's obituary with her and I asked her, our Joan?  She said yes.  Our Joan.  She was 72.

JOAN

    

Our mutual friend suddenly got ill, was in Hospice and died due to leukemia.  Stunned and saddened.  I didn't know until today that two months ago our friend Joan quickly passed.  

All blessed to have her as a friend.  Life is short…eternity longer.  

In a heart beat, life can change.

Joan had told me that she and her husband met in bed.

Huh?

This was her JOKE.

She and her Husband were babies at the same time, 
rested in the same crib and their Parents were good friends.  
She and her Husband grew up together and then married.  
They were in their seventies and sailed the ocean blue.  
She loved her Family, loved to SEW and delighted in being a HOMEMAKER and MOM.  She loved GOD.  A devout Christian.  I am a better person for knowing her and will miss her.

Another friend has gone on to glory.

Joan.

She had shared with me how she became a Christian.  

I will cherish our friendship and her story as I live out my life.

Our Little Group discussed the new shops that have opened, the location of the new Radina's eatery was mentioned that they thought it was on BLUE ONION….friend meant to say BLUE EARTH PLAZA.  SO when we were chatting about what should our group be called, I suggested THE BLUE ONION GROUP.  
Another friend said we could all wear blue.  

Think we have something going on here.

The Blue Onion Group was born today.

Day Seven of STAYCATION is just about over.

I hope to wrap some dishes to put away for now.

My gears are turning.

Truly, I think I am alright with downsizing 

and turning loose of more that clutters.

Blessings to you and I pray that you are well,

d

October First

~OCTOBER 1st~

Flannel shirt weather at 72 degrees with the cold wind blowing through to lower the temps even more.  I know that it's the first of October, but I'm having trouble believing this truth.  Three more months of the year and 2013 will ring in.  Outstanding.  Harvest, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years all in there.  Unbelievable. 

I want to start a NEW TRADITION.......always on October First have Chili for Supper.  Crackers and some shredded cheese.  Doesn't that sound HOT?

The cleaning continues.  My head is spinning.  The messes have migrated to the Dining room Table.  The back end of the car is loaded with clothing and shoes that will be taken to The Salvation Army or The Goodwill Store.

Tonight, if I can mustard up some energy, I'm going to move the Dining room furniture around to make room for some items that will be gathered for a YARD SALE.   It seems to be a common practice for me these days to move lots of pieces about.  Takes muscles, time and encouragement.  When it doesn't happen as FAST as I would like....my patience gets tested.

On Friday, I met up with some girlfriends and we had such a nice visit.  It's been about a year since I last saw them all.  We got together to chit chat and have fellowship.  So much has happened since last year.  We prayed together before we parted.  There are health issues and relationship issues.  Not once did we mention the politics of the day.  It was GIRL TALK.   My Sisters in Christ.  It is neat to pick up where we left off.

One Friend is regaining her strength from a long running illness, moving her elderly Mother into a different housing situation, Father had died, her unmarried daughter gave birth to a little boy,  husband having difficulty walking, and her challenging Mother-In-Law passed away at Christmas.  Another's son is out of work, a nephew with MS committed suicide, will be going in for a colonoscopy and she is getting ready to winter in Florida.  Another is having some health issues with her colon, elderly husband drove his truck into the ditch, son came to visit but spent so much of the time on his phone and she is in therapy dealing with childhood damages that came from so much negative put downs.  Then there's me....adjusting to not babysitting so many hours, heart palpitations and getting adjusted to new blood pressure meds, husband got bit by a bat, son is separated from wife. 

Just four women on the planet.  Each one of us is going through things.  How 'bout you?

Though we are going through lots, we are mighty when we pray,
d