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

  

A RECIPE FOR DIVORCE

WELCOME THURSDAY!  Started the day early and felt awful.  Taking LIFE easy as I rest.  So tired.  Pretty sure the traveling caught up with me.  I was too tired to climb back into the car yesterday to travel to Manhattan for a Vitamin B12 injection, but I managed to do so.  Cranky as all get out.  Too tired to be around anyone.  Once I got to Manhattan and got the shot, I relaxed and enjoyed my tea and shopping at HOBBY LOBBY then the grocery store to get more veggies for our week to eat.

Already HL has their CHRISTMAS items for sell at 40% and 50% off.  I purchased ornaments for the Grands under 21 years of age.  I figure that after 21 they don't need ornaments from Granny. Plus the next generation has started so they are receiving FIRST CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS from us.  Then it will be up to their Grandparents to provide these for them if they desire to continue a TRADITION I loved doing each year.  My PARENTS treated my children with ornaments each CHRISTMAS as I did.  

I had hoped to get some more oversized red CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS for the porch, but even at 50% off they were pricey.  A few onion looking ornaments were purchased.  I think I have enough for the porch now.  I can see the porch decorated!  In September the porch needs another serious coat of paint THEN it will be ready in October/November to start hanging lights if we go that route.  

THIS THURSDAY, I stayed HOME over the noon hour with HUBBY out at the storage unit packing up tools from his tool chest that he is moving into our garage, I thought I'd rest up.  It didn't happen.  I am just exhausted from traveling on Tuesday and Wednesday.  After almost three years in storage, the baby tools are coming HOME so we can get our hands on them easier. 

He came in the house sopping wet from working in the heat getting to the tools.  He's napping right now and I'm playing on the computer.  He said he loaded the second cabinet and base of the chest in PETE, our PT CRUISER.  It is wonderful to make it this far.  He'll unload the parts into the garage after his nap.  This is progress for real.

The area in the storage unit where the tool chest was has a hole to fill.  Probably tomorrow, he will take apart the muscle rack that will fill the hole.  To assemble it will take time, some muscle and sweat.  

The CHRISTMAS BOXES I have in our Living room will be transferred to the unit.  This is the start of organizing the DECOR.  I have been thinking about what will go on the porch for CHRISTMAS DECOR.  Newer, oversized ornaments are in storage boxes stacked by the front door ready to go to their new location I re-boxed them a few days ago making progress on how to store them.  Looking good.

The things that will decorate the front porch will be grouped together in the storage unit. Making sense of all this mess will elevate some stress that doesn't need to be in my LIFE.  Lessening STRESS has got to help with high blood pressure. 

I'll have to move in slow-mo getting the other boxes out of the cellar 'cause I'll have to carry them as I climb the steps.  Great exercise.  I know I want to group all the Nativity Scenes together on a metal rack that will be waiting for them in the storage unit.  We have to clean out the entire storage unit first before the tubs can be stored on them.  Perhaps by the end of next week, we will be there.  Getting into September now.  That's a good thing.  Yes, it is.

👰👰👰👰👰👰👰👰

OUR 52nd Wedding Anniversary is fast approaching.  August 31st.  Trying to decide what to do to celebrate.  A good HOME COOKED meal.  Quiet time.  Watching a movie.  Looking at our wedding pictures.  It has been a life time ago we said I do and did.

52 years.  It's been a ride.  I'm ready to forge ahead.  When you are standing at the wedding alter exchanging vows and promises, it would be helpful to have in the wedding vows that you both need to forgive the heartache created while married AND it should also say that forgiveness does not give you the right to be TOXIC and continue being toxic.  Reconciliation cannot take place if both Husband and Wife do not change wrong behavior that's destroying the marriage to better behavior.  It is more than that.  

Simply saying, I'll try harder and then not correcting the wrong, will not create a HAPPY HOME. It is a recipe for divorce.  As the partner being injured by lip service when real change needs to take place or you're going along to get along no matter what, may cause additional emotional issues that injure you even further and destroy your self worth.  A walk down memory lane is not the answer.  Healing may take years to get at.  Years.

Working together for the betterment of the union should be a reality.  Give and take.  Take and give.  Because you are the Wife and the Husband the head, does not mean he gets his way all the time or visa versa with emotional and physical needs ignored.  You are not a door mat.  You are not his Mother either and he's not your Dad.  Neither ONE is a puppet or punching bag. Hopefully, the two of you are a couple partnered as one in a loving relationship of compassion and consideration. ONE.  Being respectful toward each other.  

Hubby is to love, protect, and provide for the Wife.  Wife is to respect her Husband and be a help meet.  Tis easier to do if we do not have hard feelings about being mistreated and abused.  Work together encouraging each other and be evenly yoked where you can flourish.  Amen.

God bless and be real.  
If you do not know what to do when living within a toxic marriage, 

PRAY and ask for wisdom.  You may need professional counseling and support.

If for some reason divorce has to take place,
know that God loves you and will be there for you in your time of need.

Sometimes marriages fall apart and end in divorce.  
Sometimes not, but are horribly difficult to stay in.  

My heart goes out to you,

~d

TOO OLD TO BE TIMID

One of the godliest things I can do right now as a Christian is to turn chaos into order.  
Making our COTTAGE into a HOME is my number one priority.

IN AND OUT OF THE HOUSE.  Where'd the week go?  Doctors' Appointments and tires.  

Monday, I went to my Primary Care Physician about discomfort in jaw and lower case molars since I had my Dentist check finding nothing wrong as to why my lower teeth should be aching off and on the last 6 weeks.  Same with my PCP.  X-rays were taken to check the sinuses.  AOK.  

An EKG was done and I will be doing a treadmill stress test when arrangements are made.  Still waiting to hear from the Hospital.  Slow is as slow does.  Still I don't fully understand why my teeth have been aching.  Perhaps I have been clinching my teeth while asleep and it's causing issues?  Man o' man...tis a mystery STILL.  

With me being winded when walking, Doc finally listened about this. EKG ORDERED and STRESS TEST ORDERED.   

AS an older woman, I started to get agitated that I tell medical personnel about aches and pains and it gets overlooked.  Truly, I am too OLD to be timid or shy with the medical personnel. SPEAK STRAIGHT FORWARD.  Hear me now...believe me later.  

October Thyroid appointment will be coming and I will ask questions as I started getting winded after my thyroid was removed in 2010.  Ummmm 16 years ago.  Hello somebody.  When I ask questions, I don't always get addressed.  This time, I will be firm and take to continued asking until satisfied with answer.  Amen.  

TUESDAY.  A medical appointment for Hubby concerning his MRI and knee issues.  A few things will be tried before going knee replacement route.  

WEDNESDAY.  What did we do?  Oh yes.  New tires for the car.  While Hubby stayed at the TIRE SHOP, I read magazines at the Public Library and bought a $3 book about cupcakes.  I was throughly relaxed sipping a TRENTA unsweetened iced green tea while looking through FREE magazines at the Public Library.  I can't remember the last time I did this.  They have an oversized Reading Room for patrons.  I found a comfortable blue, leather chair to sit in with a small table beside it to sit my tea on while I thumbed through 6 Women's World magazines gathering ideas on how to be more domestic.  MY HOMEWORK for the day.  I left the Library relaxed and ready for Supper at a Mexican Restaurant in the neighborhood.

Chips and salsa first before eating two very small, walking tacos.  Water to drink.  Next door to the Restaurant is a coffee shop where I had a French Soda.  Hubby and I sat for a spell.  

One of these days very soon, I want to be on a slowpoke date with him and deliberately sip French Soda and stare at the ceiling where models of airplanes dangle.  An actual DATE where we sit and chat.  

Drove across the Kansas Prairie toward HOME to pick up some items for daughter.  She called and asked if we'd stop by so she could fix her Dad a coffee and I could play with my grandson. We went for a little while.  

Went HOME to relax and call it a day.  The large, round CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS that will be used for the front porch next CHRISTMAS have been stored in the SHE SHED.  They are being put into a large storage tub that will be taken to the ATTIC.  I worked on emptying them from small plastic boxes they were sold in and dump the ornaments into a large storage tub each time I passed through the Living room to go to the laboratory and back to the TV room.  This technique works for me.  I dump the ornaments into a larger storage tub as I go.  NOW, the large ornaments that were still in their plastic boxes that they were sold in, are emptied and the ornaments settled in a larger storage tub.  It feels awesome to see progress.  I have a few more ornament boxes to empty into larger storage tubs.  Perhaps tomorrow they will find themselves in the NEW ATTIC which is what the storage unit will be called as we get ORGANIZED.  Wordy. Long winded.

Long story short...it has to take place.  QUICKLY.  I am on the verge of screaming which would be a PRIMAL response to stay sane.   I do need to scream once in awhile.  It helps.  

Watched some tele and of course I fell asleep during the show.  WOKE UP for a spell.  It happened again.  Lights out.

Morning will come soon enough and I'll be right back at what ever it is I need to do such as launder some dirty towels and cleanup the Living room where the storage boxes are.  Another load of CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS will be tended to so they can go to storage and are out of the house.  I am aiming for a decluttered house before THANKSGIVING.  Why can't I get there???

AFTER the Holidays, we will begin remodeling the TV room.  Everything will have to be removed from the room and the filthy carpet pulled up to examine what shape the hardwood floor is in. For NOW, I am organizing CHRISTMAS DECOR.  The storage unit is on the agenda of being cleaned-up.  Tis very slow getting around to it.  

One of the godliest things I can do right now as a Christian is to turn chaos into order.  Making our COTTAGE into a HOME is my number one priority.

I can't believe that Friday is tomorrow.  

~d

GOOD-BYE ETHAN ALLEN SOFA, HELLO AFRICAN VIOLETS and LET's GET THIS COLONOSCOPY OVER WITH

PRAISE THE LORD!  The storage unit is empty.  EMPTY!  I stood inside the unit for a very short time after emptying her to admire a EMPTY STORAGE UNIT #42.  Temps outside were HOT and worse inside the unit so I didn't stay long admiring something that took us 3 years to make happen.  Now a memory.  Praise the LORD. 

3 years ago we loaded the unit with our better furniture that would not fit into the COTTAGE that we were not ready to get rid of.  The unit is ready for somebody else to rent out and we can keep our money to use for something else. $$$$$$$$$$$

Since it is MOVE IN WEEK for college kids at KSU, it was impossible to rent a moving van over the week-end.  We tried on Saturday and got nowhere.  Everything was reserved.  Out of luck. 

We tried RESTORE and their driver had a broken knee cap so no driver/truck was available to pick up our donation.  We needed a van to take the sofa to GOODWILL.  That's all we had left to get rid of.  One sofa.  We'd have to wait until Monday morning to get a van.  The Hardware store where the moving vans/trucks are to rent were so busy it was a ZOO.  We had a break-through and managed to load the sofa in the back of the truck with ease.  Next, the sofa went to GOODWILL.  Took the truck to get fueled.  Took truck back to store.  It took a long time to get it checked back in.

When it was finished...it was finished.  Tadaah.  

We have been into our 9th week of working on cleaning out this place.  9th.  NOTE TO SELF: Let that soak in.  This has been our late Spring/Summer project.  Mission accomplished. Congrats to us.  A job well done.  I'm stunned that we made it.  STUNNED.  

OH SO HAPPY THIS IS BEHIND US!!!!!

Afterwards, we went to MENARDS to get some African Violet Potting Soil.  They did not have any.  Disappointed, I had to decide what the next step is to get my hands on some.  We went to a beautiful Nursery elsewhere and bought some.  This week, I will hopefully be repotting my African Violets in new soil and give them a squirt of liquid plant food.  If I can keep the Violets alive, I believe I will be quite glad that I have not killed these lovely plants.

So true.

HERE I SIT.  Prepping for the colonoscopy I'll have later in the week.  My system is really slow to clean out, so I have been prepping since last Thursday.  I went on a low residue diet and have been taking Miralax each day for nearly a week.  It's not working like I thought it would. Shucks.  Two days of liquid diet instead of one.  humpf.

Today, I have not eaten.  Sipped Green Tea and water.  Tonight will be vegetable broth for supper.  Yummers.  I have to tell myself that I am disciplined and can do this NOT EATING THING.

I looked in the pantry and noticed I have boxed soups that I can have after the colonoscopy. This is a JUMP START for me to work toward losing weight.  Another attempt in this BATTLE OF THE BULGE.  I might as well as I have had to change my food program doing a LOW RESIDUE DIET for a week for prepping.  If I stay busy, the day will go fast and I will be alright with not eating.

Time for OFF GRID WITH DOUG AND STACY on YouTube.  They're talking about water quality in their area.  Makes sense.

Have a blessed day.  God bless you.

~d

IS THE DEVIL TRYING TO TAKE YOU OUT?

HEART MURMUR for me.  BOTH OF US HAVE HAD THYROID CANCER. BOTH OF US HAVE TYPE 2 DIABETES.  SPINAL STENOSIS for me. OBESITY FOR ME.  HE HAS non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  GANGRENOUS GALL BLADDER FOR ME. UTERINE CANCER and A HYSTERECTOMY FOR ME. A FOOT INJURY FOR HIM. HIP ISSUES FOR ME. KNEE ISSUES for him. ANKLE DIFFICULTIES FOR ME.  SKIN CANCER FOR HIM.  There's more.    

Do you ever get the idea that the DEVIL is trying to take you out???  I do.

He comes to kill, steal and destroy.  He is the molester of our souls.  God is the one who loves us and shows us a better way to live life.  I choose HIM over the demonic.

I am an imperfect human and so is my HUBBY living in a fallen world, but we are children of GOD so we have HOPE and a FUTURE.  Up until a few years ago, we were pretty healthy and then WHAM, we were not.  If we are children of GOD, why so many health issues?  

ALL THESE HEALTH ISSUES mustn't stop us from being productive and living a joyful LIFE. We pray and heal.  We pray and heal.  We grow in ways that we didn't know existed.  We are to lean on the LORD when we are healthy and when we aren't.  Amen.

We are working hard and heavy to get a storage unit emptied so we have one less bill and are better organized/downsized.  It's a long, hard road, but we are crawling on it to a better way of LIVING even in old age.  Presently, we are eating more wholesome foods for better health. Better informed about what we eat has become a mission in my LIFE turning into a MINISTRY. Being well informed is eye opening that we are being attacked from every angle in our world from food, water, air, clothing fibers, petrochemicals, medicines, pesticides, hormone disrupters, etc.  Just how are we to live? 

I have got to be downsized and living a simpler, healthier LIFE.  ORGANIZED.  Praying as I go.  

AT TIMES, I feel defeated and forlorn.  I mustn't stay in this place.

FRIDAY.  In the middle of the night, a very loud thunder storm hit hard with wild, flashing lightning.  It woke me up long enough to acknowledge we were in the middle of a storm then fell back asleep and stayed asleep until 7.  I was not fearful.  Just sleepy.

My body is a tiny bit sore today as yesterday we were incredibly active for two old peeps taking apart and hauling the bedroom set to RESTORE.  We made two trips from the storage unit to RESTORE.  The headboard went on top of our lil cruiser while the rest of the bed and dresser mirror traveled inside the back of the car.

It did rain while we were traveling down the road to RESTORE.  After this batch was delivered we turned right around and headed to the unit to load the body of the dresser into the car.  For such a tiny car, we have really used her like a truck.  Back to RESTORE.  I felt like I had a weight lifted off my shoulders after we donated the Bedroom Set to them and we were free of it.

On our way HOME, we celebrated with STARBUCKS TEA and went back to the unit to load a small buffet in the back of our car.  All that is left in the storage unit is a ETHAN ALLEN SOFA that I want to keep for now.  Hubby will shuffle the SHE SHED to make room for the sofa.  We have to rent a truck to load the sofa and haul HOME.  I will SWEEP UP the inside of the unit and be done with this one.  May it be today.

We started out with three storage units, a packed full COTTAGE, a crowded garage, stuffed cellar and crammed full SHE SHED after our 2023 exodus from the bigger house in a different community.  I was recovering from a hysterectomy due to cancer.  Hubby was battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma and the both of us have type 2 Diabetes.  Slowly and I do mean slowly we are shuffling our way to being organized and working to make our place a HOME.  

We are down to the wire on freeing ourselves from another storage unit.  The first unit we emptied was in August 2024.  That felt awesome to see an empty unit after we worked on her. AWESOME. We managed to make some sense out of the cellar and inside the 

COTTAGE.  After we sold our lovely house in 2023, I fell on my knee and hip causing tailbone issues then within days Hubby injured his foot dancing on a bean can in the snow in January 2024.  He was working on remodeling our bathroom when this took place.  Next to impossible to do everything.  I had cataract surgeries in March and Hubby continued to hurt for a complete year. Tests were ran, special shoes made, x-rays, MRI, visits to doctors and surgeons.  He chose to not do surgery as the surgeon said he did not know what was wrong with the foot!  The doctor. I came up with tarsal tunnel on my own.  His foot healed.  Praise God.  

Cataract surgeries left me with more visual problems than I had.  sigh.  The adjustments have continued.  2024 turned into 2025.  2025 into 2026.  In 2026 difficulties started with my hip where I couldn't WALK.  X-rays and MRI.  A visit to a surgeon who suggested an injection.  I chose chiropractic adjustments first and healed!  I can walk with little pain.  Nothing like before. I learned I have a rotated hip with one leg shorter than the other.  

I started walking again and then my left ankle flared up.  Working at getting this healed.  

SO as you can tell, we are physically challenged and we have to work with it in order to get things done.  Praise the LORD, we are getting things done.  Slow, but steady.  My attitude has to be adjusted from time to time as I am struggling with how long it takes to get results on and for our estate.

Is the devil trying to take us out?  Yes, but I know someone who is more majestic than the little guy in a red suit with a pitch fork and tail.  I know the devil doesn't dress up for Halloween.  He can be very attractive and sly at the same time.  He is a deceiver for sure.

Here's to a GOD BLESSED DAY and life,

~d 

TOO EARLY FOR AUTUMN

STILL IS SUMMER, but the trees here on the prairie are telling me that AUTUMN is kissing the tips of the branches. Signs of the times are beginning to reveal themselves as the leaves start to change colors.  

Tis SUMMER folks not AUTUMN.  AT night, the tree frogs loudly crock.  They are rather loud, but it is a sound that gets lost in the background and fits into nature's lullaby as we sit inside and watch a movie.  

Can I just sit outside in the dark on the porch swing that we do not have and praise GOD that HE created this magnificent sound?

THURSDAY.  Another opportunity to make things around here a little more comfortable in our HOME.  A beautiful day in the making.  It rained this morning so our lovely daughter will not be coming over to mow the lawn.  She is helping us out by taking on the job.  She has so much going on in her life and now she has offered to mow our lawn.  GOD BLESS HER.  

With their son coming HOME from the Hospital after being hit by a car, he will be recouping at their HOME.  They picked up the mattress and box springs from our storage unit to use for him. Tis theirs now.  We were glad that they can use the mattress/springs.  It's out of the unit now.  

Hubby has plans to work in the garage this afternoon with the outside temps cooler.  We've visited about making trips to RESTORE today to donate the bedroom suite.  It will take approximately 3 trips in our lil Cruiser to deliver the suite.  A day of driving and getting rid of STUFF occupying our storage unit is a blessing.  I usually am the designated driver.  Tadaah.  I know at RESTORE that someone will get some good use out of the furniture at a discounted price.  When we have delivered the set, I can say goodbye to it and be alright.  MOVING ON.  An ice tea will be in order TODAY!

We just might make the end of the month deadline on being finished with the storage unit which surprises me.  Shall see.  That would be awesome.  

🩺 TIME FOR MY COLONOSCOPY.  Every five years I am to have one due to having polyps.  I know I have them.  With all this excitement going on, I am doing a weekly prep for a colonoscopy.  Isn't that a hoot?  My body runs slow at emptying waste products so I cannot just prep for one day.  sigh.  Okay, I'm going to look at this as having a heads up on spa dieting and getting back to clean eating.  I can do  t h i s.

I will be taking Miralax for a week.  A WEEK.  The foods allowed are called LOW RESIDUE for EATING.  The things I will be eating this week are pretty much what I try to avoid as it is full of white food like white bread, potatoes, white rice, pasta, etc.  okay okay.

💉My monthly B12 injection was yesterday.  Quicker than imagined.  In and out of the doctor's office like that.  I THINK I am feeling more energetic.  Now to get my Vitamin D levels up I will be like a teenager again!  

🚗🚗🚗 Afterwards we went to the car wash to vacuum the little cruiser.  She was rather dirty. Looking at her now feels so much better as she actually looks like we care about her.  She was vacuumed then the interior dash and door panels were wiped down.  

We shopped at Target and then Walmart to pick up the things needed for the colonoscopy prep and some new floor mats for our PT Cruiser.  The ones she had were worn completely out.  It had been a day where we had not eaten LUNCH so it was store-bought fried chicken, potato salad and beans for SUPPER. 🐔 Kind of like a late 4th of July meal.

We headed HOME on the back roads and stopped by the storage unit to pick up the drawing table.  She fit in the back of PETE really well.  Another thing out of storage.  Another thing OUT. PTL.  A month ago when I looked inside the unit my brain went numb due to the STUFF we would need to deal with.  So much STUFF.  Tis so much better to be where we presently are. Down to a few items.  Maybe I will relax after this unit is empty.  We have been trying to fit into a tiny COTTAGE and it's not a fit.  When it is, I know I will feel better.  My blood pressure will for sure go down.  When I am not at peace, I suffer.  

🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 The prairie scenery is so pretty this time of year even with the heat.  The trees are so green and beautiful.  The skies are powder blue with wispy white clouds with a gentle breeze. Kansas pleasant.  The landscape on the prairie is so gorgeous.  When AUTUMN does finally get here, I will be traveling to Wichita's COW TOWN to spend a slow day.  I'll pack a picnic lunch and sit a spell.  I LOVE HISTORIC COW TOWN.  Love it.  I think I could live there.  ha.

EARLY SIGNS OF AUTUMN ARE SHOWING IN THE TOPS OF THE TREES as the leaves are starting to turn early.  This can't be.  Some reds, yellows and lime greens are popping up.  Tis SUMMER not AUTUMN.  Hubby says he thinks the chem-trails are the cause.  Conspiracy says so.  The way my government functions, they are allowing chem-trails.  Condensation from aircraft doesn't exactly coordinate with what we know.  

CHANGING OF SEASONS.  It is too early for FALL even if HOBBY LOBBY and SAMS are putting pumpkins and witches out to sell.  Just like that, it's CHRISTMAS. 🎄 As I walked about the stores seeing the merch they are selling, I shake my head and think it's only July.  It's still July, right?  Not for long as time marches on.

I believe I need to make the best of it out of a bad situation.  I have always tried to make the best out of where ever we have lived.  This go round it has been the worst move evah.  Very drawn out and we are the oldest we have ever been.  Age and challenging health does not make it easy.  That saying that old age isn't for sissies is true to the core.   

Now to get ready for the day.  Laundry is in and dishes have been washed and put away.  I took a few pictures to send to my sister so she can see how it looks around here while we are downsizing and organizing.  grins.  📸 Tis a mess.  A really BIG MESS.  I know if I can stay focused, I can get through this interim period of going from settled to unsettled back to being settled.  I get the Living room looking like a living room just to destroy the order as we clean out a storage unit bringing things HOME.  It gets orderly again and then it's not.  Such a stage of life to be in.  

Love,
~d

PIZZA TO THE RESCUE

JUST FINISHED MY LAST SLICE OF ALDI'S PIZZA FOR SUPPER.  I went shopping at Aldi's this afternoon and picked up a pizza.  It's been years since I purchased a pizza from them.  Years.  I figured a Friday night Pizza was in order.  Actually it wasn't too bad. The crust was super thin and baked up rather nice.  

There was plenty for my Husband and I.  It was really nice not having to prepare it or clean-up afterwards.  I have been on the GO and I needed a break.

Yesterday was the BIG DAY at the Doctor's for our yearly physicals.  Passed, but there were some red marks on the lab work which I knew there would be.  Back to taking supplements and etc.  I was dreading the appointment.  Absolutely dreading it.  Got through it just fine, but hey, between hair cuts, physical therapy sessions, shopping, working on clearing out the storage unit, etc. I have been on the go way too much.  

Afterwards, we managed to make a trip to the nearest DUMP to get rid of a broken desk.  It cost us $10 to dump it.  Journeyed back to the storage unit and loaded the dinette set.  I was so excited.  We talked about having the set stripped and refinished.  Still talking about it.  Hubby touched base with the refinisher that did our 2016 fire damaged furniture for a quote.

I cannot in good conscience have this dinette set worked over after hearing what the refinisher is asking to do the work.  We will need to get some other quotes.  Too rich for my blood.  For now, we will live with a very marked up table and two chairs, but they will be in the Kitchen instead of STORAGE!  That's better all the way around. 

PERHAPS ONE DAY OUR KITCHEN WILL RESEMBLE THIS SWEET ONE!

Two days ago, the Dinette Set was in storage.  Tonight, she is sitting in our Kitchen.  Whahooooo. You should have seen us carrying the table through the maze that is presently our Living room and Dining room full of storage boxes.  We carried her part of the way on our heads.  NO JOKE. I suppose we'll feel it tomorrow.  I wish we'd been filmed.  Go to the left, go to the right, right, left, right, straight back, right, left, straight back.  I was walking backwards while carrying the table above our heads so my Husband was my eyes for which way to go.  Touch down and we were in the Kitchen.  Sat the two chairs on top of the table until we can put some more time into getting the Kitchen cleared out so the table and chairs will be used like real, civilized humans.

I know this about me...I can go for a long time under stress and then I can't go anymore.  I am there.  That's why I needed the PIZZA. 

I know the PIZZA is loaded full of NO GOOD STUFF that I should be avoiding, but I decided I'd make it up tomorrow.  I bought Pink Lady Apples, peaches, miniature bell peppers, almond milk, eggs, bottled water.  Eating fruit isn't one of my favorite things to do.  I have to remind myself to eat it.  Doing better on the veggies.  Pacing myself on meats.  Going easier on the breads. Pushing more water.  Occasionally have highly process foods.  Watch out for the seed oils.  No soy, no GMO if I can help it.

BUT FOR TONITE...I will overlook the chemicals in the pizza.

  🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕

🍕PIZZA PLEASE,

~d🍕 

PRANCING ON THE PRAIRIE

DIDN'T SLEEP THE BEST.  Some tenderness with a tooth kept me restless.  If it's not one thing it's bunches more.  Figure I'd best make an appointment to have my teeth cleaned. When I telephoned the Dentist Office, I felt like I just about had to sell a kidney to make a cleaning appointment for Hubby and me.

Shaking my head.  Hubby hasn't been to the Dentist since 2020 and he is being considered a NEW PATIENT with them.  We've been going to this business since 2000.  New Patient.  I don't think so.  I can see going in for x-rays, but for them to call him a NEW PATIENT is being dishonest.  

I had dental work done in April 2025, so I am in their data system.  I am wondering if we need to find a new Dentist or go with it.  Wonder some more.  I will be brushing my teeth with baking soda in preparing for a cleaning.

While I talked to them, I did my part for foot care.  I soaked my feet in tubs of water as I talked to the Dental Receptionist.  No epsom salts, just water.  I thought I could do this for about 20 minutes while I made dental appointments and ended up soaking them nearly for an hour as I was talking to the receptionist about appointments for teeth cleaning.  She got on her computer to check our accounts and that's where we stayed for awhile as she did thus and so making arrangements for x-rays, visits with the doctor on one appointment and a additional teeth cleaning appointments in September.  When I got off the phone, a good 15 minutes had passed on top of already soaking my feet beforehand.

My feet feel absolutely awesome.  Now I can go prancing on the prairie.  

Monday was the hottest day recorded in Northeast Kansas so far this year!  Terribly HOT.  We stayed cool inside the house.  Praise GOD for air conditioning.  Praise GOD.  

I am so satisfied that we got those two large pieces of furniture in place.  So pleased.  I oiled down the Victorian Dresser.  Now I can begin to fill it with family pics.  Hubs is working on putting his art supplies in the High Boy.  Together we are busy. 

As we figured our day and week, he mentioned we need to work on emptying the out-of-town storage unit as we want to be out of it by the end of July.  We have 10 days.  We're in our 7th week of working off and on at cleaning the unit.  I had so hoped we'd not be working on this in the heat of the SUMMER, but it didn't work out that way.  Forging ahead when we can get to it.  

Our day looks like we will be in the neighborhood of the storage unit so we will stop by and pick up a couple of chairs to load in the cruiser to bring back to the COTTAGE.  Tomorrow, Hubby will phone RESTORE and make arrangements with them to come and pick up the bedroom suite.  I can turn loose of it without heartache.  sigh.

That will leave a sofa and mattress with box springs, the dinette set with two chairs, a drawing table and a small buffet to get out of the unit before we can say it is empty.  

When this unit is completely empty and swept clean, I will do a little jig and prance some more on the Prairie as my goal will have been hit.  Praise GOD.  

~d👵

HAPPY THOUGHTS AND PRAISE

TAKING PIECE OUT OF STORAGE AND BRINGING IT HOME

THE WEEK-END COMETH.  Praise the LORD.  I slept in this morning.  It's been a while.  Stayed up for a couple of hours and took a NAP.  Woke refreshed!  Planning my day.

I'v got some serious shuffling to do as we are going to make room for our HIGH BOY piece of furniture in the TV room which means the Antique Victorian Walnut Dresser with Mirror: Renaissance Revival  will have to go into the little Living room/Parlor so we have room for the High Boy.  I'm excited about this as the Victorian piece is rather pretty and I think it will look proper in the Living room where an antique chest is.  What to do with the chest?  Not sure at the moment.  grins.  Here we go a shuffling, a shuffling we shall go.  

The chest is filled with pictures so the Victorian piece will inherit the pictures.  The High Boy will house art supplies beside my Husband's recliner.  This shuffle-roo will take time and muscle.

We brought the High Boy's drawers that were in storage, home yesterday on our way HOME from the medical appointments.  It took us about 15 minutes to load the back end of the car with the drawers then we left the drawers in the car overnight.  We'll bring them inside when the indoor shuffling is complete.  This week-end, we'll have time to move the rest of the piece in two trips.  The High Boy comes apart making it easier to transport in the Cruiser.  

We bought the High Boy over 8 years ago from a Thrift Store where her legs and feet were in rough shape.  Hubby worked her over and we had a lovely piece.  She went into storage over 3 years ago when we started moving large pieces out of the house that we were going to sell.  I've missed the piece and now we have figured out where she can go in the COTTAGE.  Praise the Lord.

When it is set up...we can concentrate on bringing HOME the next pieces of furniture which will be our Dinette Set and placing her in the Kitchen.  This will have a great sense of satisfaction that we are further along on our adventure of settling into our small COTTAGE.  PRAISE GOD.

Hubby showed me a picture of our porch from one year ago.  I was mortified at how awful it looked.  The front steps made of concrete were severely cracked and crumbling.  The actual porch floor was collapsing.  If I do say so myself, today our porch that was rebuilt looks a million times better than it did.  

Later this Summer, the porch will receive another coat of thick paint.  The next step in the porch remodel is to scrape the ceiling paint off and repaint it with a haunt Blue color and install a beautiful hanging lamp.  The front of the house will get painted a fresh coat of paint and the doors will be painted.  

I was in the picture holding 2 balloons in the shape of a 7 and 0 for 70.  I was getting ready to release the balloons into the air as I had celebrated with the balloons for a couple of weeks.  They were deflating.  We watched as the balloons floated upwards into the heavens after I released them.  They stayed a float for a very long time.  

I hated the way I looked in this picture.  I was overweight and seriously fatigued.  It showed.  It's not wrong to want to be HEALTHY.  I do desire health.  Getting there will be another area in my LIFE that needs worked on.  Am I lazy or do I not feel well?  Both. 🤼 

I'm still obese and fatigued.  This is the year I will see if I can reduce my weight by 100 pounds in a healthy way.  Journaling with pictures.  Exercises and balanced diet.  Vitamin B12 shots and supplements.  Spring water and rest.  Prayer and decluttering.  Organizing and downsizing. Happy thoughts and praise.  

HAPPY THOUGHTS and PRAISE on the way,

~d🌹 

NO TIME TO ARGUE

PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS.  I remembered the three words the PA gave me for my Medicare Exam.  🎾🍯BALL, HONEY, RUN👟.  Thankful I remembered. Drew a clock and answered questions pertaining to my health.  Labs followed and we left about an hour after we started.  I weighed about what I thought I would.  I weighed at HOME beforehand so I could compare with the Doctor's scales and it was seriously close.  I'm taking this as an opportunity to reclaim a healthier lifestyle.  

I'll carry on with this health reduction plan.  We shopped at the grocery store for greens.    

Our plans for the day were changed just like that as we both took ill while shopping if that's not the pits.  I've started coughing and can feel this moving into my chest.  VitaminC needed.  You know when the body says take me to the bathroom to visit the throne and it means like right now...we both had this happen.  There was no time to argue.  

Next week,  I'll have a one on one physical with my primary Doc and go over the labs.  The results are already in my portal.  Whoever did this so quickly was on top of their game.  I wasn't expecting the results so fast.  Now, I've got to write up my questions for my doctor.

I knew my numbers were going to be higher than I wanted.  I haven't walked in close to 6 months and can't believe that much time has passed, but it has.  I know the walking helped with my A1c and lipids.  Last February when I began having intense pain to my right hip, I couldn't walk. Thank God I got better after 5 Chiropractic appointments, but then my left ankle acted up.  Not sure why.  

It's better, so I need to ease back into walking again.  I love walking and hated that I couldn't.  

The week has flown.  Monday, we went to Paxico to get me a turquoise ring at the Antique Store for my Birthday.  Tuesday was my 71st Birthday and I took time to be alone, shop, rest and get my hair shampooed by someone at Great Clips.  I got an afternoon spa nap and then Hubby and I talked for a very long time.  On Wednesday, we went to a Topeka Hospital to visit our Grandson who was in a horrible accident where both of his legs were broken.  From there we shopped at God's Storehouse and drive over to Manhattan for another doctor's appointment.  Thursday was our Medicare Exams and Labs.  Came HOME and rested.  Friday, Hubby has two medical appointments!  I think I need to stay HOME and do some chores.  I am not in very good shape and am craving time at HOME.

Sometimes we get so runned down there's no time to argue about it.  I think I'm there.  Have mercy and stay in the recliner to think and pray in the quiet.  I think I had best do this.  Praise the LORD, I have a house to call HOME.  She's a mess, but she's ours.

Night,
~d  

M&Ms FOR A TREAT BEFORE STARTING THE MONTH OF JUNE and SNIPPETS !!!!

JUNE 1ST.  HELLO!  I knew you were coming, but I didn't bake a cake.  Instead I ate some Peanut Butter M&Ms.  I didn't go over board with them!  This is improvement for me.  I have great plans to eat as little of sweets as possible during the month of June and the first two weeks of July BEFORE MY LABS ARE DONE FOR MY YEARLY PHYSICAL.  Plans for lots of greens, little meat, no dairy, little bread.

So in preparations for June, I deliberately purchased some Peanut Butter M&Ms to snack on and I did, but like I said, I went easy on them.  Surprised myself.

The ingredients are outrageous.  Oh my.  Welp, what can I say.  I occasionally have a sweet or two.

June has started and I have made some goals for myself.  Tadaah.  Here I go again on cutting back on sugars.

As I type the post for my blog, my legs are elevated with a bag of frozen peas on my left ankle and one on my right shin.  sigh.  More aches and pains.  Hubs as well.  Hubby's knee and hip are acting up.  Doc told him he thought he should have physical therapy.  Waiting for that phone call to say when they'll start.  Probably 2 trips a week for a while to Manhattan.  

Phone just rang.  Making plans for Hubby's Colonoscopy.  Fun, huh?  Gotta keep an ongoing calendar.  Praise the Lord.  

I got the gorgeous pot roast on this morning.  If you can say a chunk of pot roast is gorgeous than I'd say so with this one.  She soaked in coffee in the fridge a day and a half.  No garlic this time.

Petite, Tender Chuck Roast.  This morning, I poured olive oil in the bottom of the crock pot to cover the bottom.  Dumped about a cup of cut up white onions and placed the roast on top of this.  No water yet.  I did not sear the meat this time.  Baked for an hour before adding the potatoes and carrots.  Will add some celery as well.  The roast will be covered in spring water here shortly and will bake all afternoon while I'm in Manhattan for vitamin B12 shot.

After my shot, I need to run to Marshalls for some new reading glasses.  Will purchase a Trenta unsweetened Iced Green Tea when running errands.  Not sure what else will be on the agenda. Back HOME to check on POT ROAST.  

Snippets.  I'll take this as a day of semi-relaxing and enjoy the pleasant temperature and gorgeous day outside.  Supper Roast is on. This morning, I cleaned around the miniature oven that sits on the Kitchen counter top.  Icing ankle and leg while blogging.  Getting reading to lift hand weights for arm exercises. Trip to Manhattan. Vitamin B12 injection will be given this afternoon.  Unsweetened Iced GREEN Tea for medicinal purposes.  Trip to Marshalls for reading glasses.  I'll skip shampooing my hair until later.  A load of laundry will go in the machine this evening.  Meditate on scripture, read and watch a movie tonight.

Peaceful moments make for a healthier lifestyle for us.  What will you be doing for a healthier moment?  Me, just about what I have planned.  So glad JUNE is here.  I waited all year for this month.

God bless and count your blessings,

~d  

SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

SITTING AND SIPPING HOT TEA AS I BLOG. The tea is from a MOTHER'S DAY gift my Oklahoma children blessed me with.  Planning out the day as I want to stop by the grocery store to purchase a POT ROAST for the week-end.  I'll need more organic carrots.  We have the potatoes and onions in the pantry.  After we get HOME later today, I will prepare the roast marinating it in the fridge soaking it in coffee with some garlic.  I'll marinate it for a day or so then bake it on Sunday for a wonderful Sunday DINNER.  I can taste it now.

Before I head out, I need to see what veggies are still in the fridge for the next few days for meals. Need to not waste these.  If by chance they are beyond use, I'll gather them and give to my daughter for her chickens.  🐔🐔🐔🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓

Hubby has a medical appointment this afternoon and he asked me to be there with him.  Last AUTUMN, when he was working on the front porch, he rolled over on a hard rock and it has injured his body.  He needs an x-ray then I think he'll go to our Chiropractor to check this hip out.  Mercy.  We have had a HIP YEAR.  His knee needs looked at as well.

I'm on my way to get groomed for the day.  We'll have to travel to Manhattan and get a salad for lunch then attend his medical appointment.  Afterwards is when I will go to the grocery store. What else should we incorporate into this afternoon before returning HOME across the vast FLINT HILLS?

Hubby ordered a movie from the Library from a different community and we can check on it to see if it is in their possession yet.  Around here you can lend a movie from one Library to another. It is taking longer than I thought it would.  I called our local Library to ask if they do this and they do.

I might buzz by the KSU GARDENS to see what they have in bloom.  Each year I visit their GARDENS to see the IRISES.  No different this year except it was a very poor year for the Irises. The late freeze did a number on their blooms.  They canceled their Mother's Day Event because the Irises were not in abundance. 

With the week-end here, I MUST WORK OUT IN THE GARAGE.  Suck it up BUTTERCUP.

Blessings,

~d 

BEING A SO-CALLED CANCER SURVIVOR, CLEANING OUT STORAGE and BEING POSITIVE

THE BEING POSITIVE PART OF THIS TITLE OF THIS POST is challenging to me, because the last month I have struggled to be so.  I sunk into a depression that I struggled to get out of.  Positive TALK wasn't working.  Praying seemed to fail.  I cannot seem to be ill and look at what needs done and stay in a sweet spot.  I floundered.  This living in a mess as we remodel and shuffle has ran its course and I crashed.  Disappointed.  I suppose I have to admit that I am human and not a superwoman.  I can pray, but what is going on in the world isn't in my power to change.  The territory that's mine to maintain has ate my lunch.  Hubby and I have too much to do and we're not getting it done with these health issues and I'm sad about it. I don't want to hide the truth.  I am weepy and admit it.  There can be no excuse that I need my Vitamin B12, Vitamin D at optimal levels.  My electrolytes must be monitored.  I have to go to war with this and fight the good fight.  💪

We hired a LAWN BOY that will mow our lawn throughout the summer.  Looking forward to his help.  I had sticker shock when he quoted what he was going to charge.  Now I know I'm OLD when I start sounding like my Parents when disturbed about inflation.  We need the HELP with the chores.  Just the way it is.

TRAVELED TO KANSAS CITY ON TUESDAY FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENT ON WEDNESDAY.   On our way, we stopped off in Topeka to get the car washed and vacuumed.  We ate at FIRST WATCH so I could get my salad.

We drove our small PT CRUISER to save gas and spent the night in a nice motel.  I was hoping we could do some shopping, but we really didn't get into KC early enough.  Instead, we treated ourselves to a HOT KRISPY KREME DONUT.  We caught their gold hour where you buy one and get one free.  This was the best donut I have ever eaten in my entire LIFE.  It melt in my mouth.

Even with dieting, I have to treat myself to something sweet like this occasionally.  I did and I will remember that this donut was one to remember.  

We went to their large TARGET then watched tv from our room, ate some tacos and tried resting for the night.  Indigestion like never before during the night hit me.  I was ill.  It's been years since I had indigestion this awful.  Chewy TUMS worked.  In the morning I took a very long shower and shampooed my hair.  Standing under the water spraying on my back was therapy. Got dressed and went to Breakfast at Home Grown.  SALAD.  I boxed up half of it and took it went me.

Went to my yearly follow-up CANCER appointment.  Supposedly alright.  See me next year.  I asked about LABS and was told to have my primary doc do these.  I'm just not with the program. I have it in my head that when seeing the Cancer doc that there should be some labs to review to make sure everything is going well and these docs at UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM refer you back to your primary doc for the test.  The great pass around.  I'm perplexed. Same thing happens when going to the Endocrinologist.  Labs are suggested to be done by my primary doc to do.  Like what should be checked?  I'm too stupid to ask the Cancer doc and the Endo.  I'm like a deer caught in the headlights, I freeze up and cannot ask important questions that I should.  After I leave the office and relax then the questions come to mind that I should have asked.  I know I am not the only one that behaves this way or why is there a white coat syndrome?  Blood pressure surges.  I will go to my health portals and ask them which labs should be followed up on by my Primary Doc.  Shall see what they say.

Left KC to go HOME so I could go out with my daughter and granddaughter to watch a movie together.  GIRLS NIGHT OUT.  Arrived in time to be picked up and go to Manhattan for the show.  Daughter provided the ticket and I treated them to the popcorn, drink and mints.  I'm ashamed of myself, but I dozed off during the last part of the film.  The dark room put me to sleep.  I tried to stay awake, but couldn't.  Shameful?  Just terribly tired.  

Afterwards we dropped my Granddaughter off at her apartment and journeyed HOME.  Nice Girls Night Out.  On Thursday, I was beyond tired.  I cannot believe how tired I get these days. Flustered that I cannot get to the bottom of this and feel better.  Truthfully, I know that I have no thyroid, no gall bladder, no uterus and don't forget no tonsils.  Taking organs out can only go so far.  My health journey is a trying one.  Thyroid Cancer and Uterine Cancer.  I tried to change our eating habits over the last 5 years.  Much has changed, but more needs to.  Going more natural seems to be the way to do this. 

ON THE HOME FRONT.  The old faux Christmas tree we hauled HOME from the storage unit, went bye bye as it was placed by the trash can.  It was in a large, beat up box and I was glad to see it go away.

We purchased the tree back in the day.  I think we had her for nearly 30 years.  Got the best use out of her.  Saying good-bye didn't hurt one bit.  Now to get to where I'd like to be with CHRISTMAS DECOR and storage.  Like a whirlwind, I need to go through the decorations and clean house.  I wish.  🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪 Where's Dorothy and ToTo when needed?

As we proceed in clearing out the storage units, we have a goal of having another unit emptied by the end of AUGUST.  3 months?  I pray we can succeed.  This has been a slow step in getting where we need to be.  

Knowing what needs to get done, boggs my mind down.  Relaxing and having a realistic mind set about it seems to be beyond my reach.

When aging, having serious health issues...it causes other issues when dealing with storage objects.  I sometimes think I'm beyond help.  I think we waited too long to get our act together.

Lord, make me more loving and kind,

~d 

MENTAL BLOCK TO DISSOLVE

HOPE THAT MOTHER'S DAY WAS A BLESSING.  Onto a new day.

HUBBY BROUGHT UP LABS THAT THE DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE REQUESTED FOR CANCER FOLLOW-UP PHYSICAL in Kansas City this coming week.  I was kind of stupefied that none have been requested so when I see the doc this week, I'll need to ask why labs have not been done if they do not do this at this physical for long term care.

Back to the drawing board as to why my Endocrinologist APRN does not follow-up with labs for yearly physicals for the long term care.  Other than the TSH and maybe FT3 or 4.  This appointment comes in October, so I have some tough questions to gently ask.  For 16 years I have been a patient at this facility and I am just now SMART ENOUGH to know more test should be done for long term care.  The docs at this facility have never informed me about tests needed for long term care.  I've asked before about vitamin supplements and it fell on deaf ears.  I'll go loaded for bear this time from reputable sources like the American Thyroid Association?

I printed out the list of test that should be done and I will be taking this print out with me for the radical hysterectomy cancer follow-up.

I'd like to do something fun when we go to Kansas City for this follow-up.   

When I can put more time into it, I'll work on listing the tests that should be ran.  Today, I don't have the time to do this for the blog.  Working on other things.

Before you go for FOLLOW-UP PHYSICALS do you have a list of questions to ask?  I need to do this each time I go see the docs.  I try to have a list of questions printed out to take with me, but seldom ask all the questions listed.  I need to change this.  I am one of those peeps that kind of freezes up when in the exam room with the doctor.  Don't know why I have this mental block take place, but I do.

I pray that I can begin AGAIN to walk the track for exercise and relaxation.  This week, I will work some time in to walk and have mercy on my soul.  I haven't walked since February and how quickly the months got away.  This morning I was saying that Hubby and I ought to do morning stretches.  Forming this new habit can be done. A one and a two and a three and a four.

We planted some geraniums in the front yard urns.  Next, the Hostas that we bought will be planted in the ground along the house.  The flowerbeds will be plucked.  A Lawn boy was contacted about mowing our little yard.  Left a message and waiting to hear back from him.  We need assistance for getting the lawn mowed.  Help.

Bless you and may you have a sweet LIFE,

~d

BROOKVILLE RECIPES, THRIFTING PURPLE and A HOBBY WITH A PURPOSE

THE ABILENE, KANSAS BROOKVILLE HOTEL CLOSED.  Not good.  It started out in Brookville, Kansas and later set up in Abilene in a new structure.  It was magnificently decorated and upscaled.  The last time we ate there, burned out light bulbs had not been replaced leaving a warning that it wasn't being kept-up.

NEWS ABOUT THE BROOKVILLE HOTEL CLOSING had me gathering their awesome recipes for corn, ice cream, biscuits and coleslaw.  Not sure if it will reopen by some other name.  Their corn IS THE BEST I have ever eaten.  THE BEST.  I could drink it and be contented.

ONLY MEMORIES NOW.  After 150 years of service, it's a wrap.

ON THE PRAIRIE......

THURSDAY.  THE TRASH TRUCK WAS RUNNING THIS MORNING LATER THAN USUAL. Thursday mornings are greeted with the low rumbling sound of a trash truck being mechanically operated.  The trash can is lifted to the body of the truck and the week's worth of trash we placed in black trash bags goes away.  We then have an empty container left at the curb.

Rolling the container to the back yard takes some effort as we are aging and the body is slowing down.

Tuesday and Wednesday, we made the most of being in Manhattan.  Because of not being able to do as much as we could 20 years ago, we had to make two trips to Manhattan to get all that we needed done.  TODAY, my plans are at a minimum.  Laundry is cleaning my blue jeans so I have to wait to get dressed in work clothes for the day then I hope to walk to the Post Office to mail a couple of small yellow envelopes to family containing photos of my Mom's 94th Birthday Party we had for her a few weeks ago.

A few days ago we mailed Mom's Mother's Day card filled with these photos.  Hopefully she'll get this before Saturday.  My Sister and Brother will get theirs probably after the week-end.  Sis has a wedding anniversary and Brother has a birthday so their pics are included with their cards. Postage has gone up like everything else.  

The postage required to mail the little bathing suit I mailed to my Great Granddaughter made my eyes bug out.  WoW.  You can tell I'm getting old, because I gawk at today's prices being so high.  It seems we are moving backwards when it comes to the mail being more like the PONY EXPRESS DAYS.  I must be spoiled. 🐎

Tuesday and Wednesday required a lot of traveling here and there.  Back and forth across the town.  There was no method to our madness.  We got everything accomplished that we had planned including my 5th chiropractic treatment.  I was released.  5 treatments and I feel so much better.  I still have challenges, but I am walking so much better.  One of my legs was shorter than the other when we began.  When shopping, I had absolutely no pain.  It was like it should be.  PRAISE THE LORD.

As the week progresses, we hope to go see one of our grandchildren race at the KSU Track and Field Meet.  I had to go get a purple T-shirt and cap for the big event.  Hit the THRIFT SHOP first as I knew they had LOTS of KSU t-shirts and tops.  Found a couple.  Went ahead and purchased a t-shirt from Academy as GOODWILL didn't have any that Hubby could use and then when we were at WAL-MART, we purchased a couple of caps.

I picked up a couple of geraniums at MENARDS.  Went back for potting soil the next day as what we had wasn't enough.  The beauties will get potted today.

HOSTAS as well.  These will go along the side of the house.  

I've got to run to the storage unit and take a peek at how things wintered and shuffle some items to get a curio cabinet out and the dinette table with two chairs.  We're getting rid of one of the curio cabinets and the table set-up will go into our tiny Kitchen.  One of my goals is to have the dinette set HoME by the end of the month!  Let it happen.  Let it be.

Getting our small COTTAGE in order is an on going adventure.  I do believe it is my HOBBY.

Time to get outside and get my hands dirty.
~d