MARCH 1st

CONTINUE TO WRITE.  I'm so ready for SPRING this year, I could cry.  Rethinking last week as I rest up for everyday activity this week.  This month.  This SPRING.  One day closer to SPRING.  Hallelujah.  Hallelujah.  Hallelujah.    SPRING begins Friday, March 20th.  20 days and counting.   

On the HOME FRONT:  This glorious month, the Main Bathroom will be completely cleaned to where it sparkles brightly.  The fragrance will be 'Mr. Clean' wonderful without Mister Clean.  Other products will conquer this feat.  CLEANING will be CHAMPION.

How can cleaning the bathroom be blog worthy?  Because it is.  Because I am an old lady with a multitude of health issues that gets in the way of having boundless energy.  Back in the day when a woman was 64, she was considered elderly and given task that were less strenuous.  Am I elderly?  I think I would be better off if I admitted that I was and God knows the number of my days.  When you think you have all the time in the world, then one may not stay focused and get the things done that need done in a timely fashion.

Well, I am the entire cleaning staff.  Me, myself and I.  
I do things differently these days.  Much slower physically.    

THANKFUL the month of MARCH has arrived!  March 1st here you be.  Deep sigh of relief and grateful that this is the first day of the month.  Back to writing.  A fresh start to a very cold February.  Birthdays and a death of a family member.  Long trip to Arizona on Interstate 40 where the semi-trailer trucks rule the road.

I have never seen so many semi-trailer trucks on a road in all my life.  Adrenaline rush central all the way to Arizona.  Had to be ALERT on steroids.  The trucks were not shy in their passing one another.  There were more trucks than cars on the road.  A very tiring drive to Arizona.  When we crossed over a mountain, it was nightfall.  By the time we reached Phoenix, I was still in high gear alertness.  The traffic did not let up once in Phoenix city limits.

Our week was dedicated to family and planning a funeral.  We'd come HOME a different route where we went to TOMBSTONE, Arizona.  Praise God that there is a different way to drive HOME.

The slower pace of TOMBSTONE was greatly welcomed.  Stayed a day and took pictures of this historical place to enjoy.  I want to go back and stay a few days pretending to be a cowgirl wearing a corset and petticoats.

While traveling HOME, we had to go through two Port of Entires in the United States of America.  A first for me.  We wanted to see the TRUMP WALL.  I have been corrected that the Border Fence we saw is not actually the TRUMP WALL, but a Border Barrier that has been there for over 10 years.  Took some pics of this fence outside of FABENS, Texas.  Orchards as far as you can see.

Back to HOME LIFE here in Kansas.  

Grey skies this morning as I sit to relax in my grey recliner with a very sore back.  I've been shuffling the hallway linen closet and bathroom cabinet.  Trying to make things more organized and functional.  Makes me wonder how to make this work as I will have to roll the bath towels so they fit in the cubby hole cabinet and have all loose items bundled in the hallway closet.  Not the end of the world.  

Yesterday, I made myself scour the toilet and sink.  Gave the bathroom shuffle some thought. DEEP CLEANING continues as this WINTER was the start of SPRING CLEANING.  The bathroom will be sparkling clean this month with new shower curtains and a squeaky clean tile floor that's been scoured.  The wall tiles will be sanitized and polished.  The window blind bathed and wiped clean.  Air vent will be vacuumed today and the light fixture polished this week with new light bulbs replacing the old.  Completely deep cleaned to admire and enjoy.

Hubby will go in for his Medicare Physical this week.
I'll get caught up on laundry.
The Main Bathroom will sparkle.
Upstairs Hallway and stairs will be dust mopped.
My dolls will be relocated.
Cedar Chest cleaned out and Wedding Dress placed back inside of chest along with Wedding Memorabilia.  Meaning I have to do something with my Mother in Law's afghans she made. Think I will box them up and give them to my Daughter, DIL and Granddaughters as gifts.  Hope they'll appreciate them.
First week of March will be DEEP CLEANING.  That's my goal.
Pray I am successful and not running behind.
Read a Chapter of Proverbs daily.
Sit-ups begin.
Nutritious reduced sugar SMOOTHIES added to food program.
Will add one a day for a replacement meal.

MARCH HAPPINESS!

Delicious,

d     

HAVE MERCY

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A BLUR...Wednesday is here.  Middle of the week kind of day.  I have been giving more thought to downsizing...some more.  You cannot take it with you comes to mind.  I do love my dishes, glassware, dolls...I believe I can continue to thin out more of what is stashed in the basement and in the garage.  

The skinny on the house.  After the bedrooms are tidied, I'll move onto going through boxes still in the junk room.  I am feeling healthier and stronger after two months of illness.  Finally.  It's been a long haul.  I'm looking into some food programs to help add nutrients to our bodies.  Building up immunities.    

DAY PLANS:  I'll be doing sit-ups starting March 1st.  A sit-up each day of the month for the day of the month.  March 1st...1 sit-up.  Day 2...2 sit ups.  3rd of March...3 sit-ups, etc.  I'll lie on the floor, place my legs bent at the knee on top of the ottoman and raise up to reach for the toes on the ottoman.  A great stretch done slowly and start out incredibly slow, easy on this old woman's body.  

Also a Biblical chapter of Proverbs...the number of the day of the month.  March 1st...Proverbs 1.  March 2nd...Proverbs 2, etc.  

Decluttering the house.  An hour a day in the junk room working to clear it out and discover what's in the boxes from the house fire.  Some would have absolutely no trouble going through what is called fire recovery in boxes.  I'm not in that category.  It has been a very slow recovery for me.  I have had to take this extremely slow.  At a slow pace due to health, deaths of parents, relocating, rebuilding a home inventory.  Very slow.  When I can I have worked on recovering from recovery.  Onward.

THINK I will rest today and get after it tomorrow.  Hello.

Peace to you,

d

HAVE YOU BEEN NAUGHTY OR NICE?

Middle of the week and CHRISTMAS is coming.

Middle of the week as well.

Many blessings to you.

Planning on fixing some sweets for next week this week-end.

Still working on the presents and Christmas cards.

Taking up some of my time took place as I did watch some of the IMPEACHMENT VOTE on facebook's PBS.

Pretty sure I have this one figured out.

Shall remain quiet about this to see how this will actually unfold.

Plenty of naughty going on...

Have you been naughty or nice?
A little of both?
Yep.  I am a lil of both.
It helps when my hormones are balanced.

I had some more blood work done and I continue to be low in the VITAMIN D department.
Prescription Vit D has been ordered up and like I expected my TSH isn't stable.  Humpf.  

I swing from being too high to being too low on the thyroid stimulating hormone.  Too high AGAIN.  Will check TSH in 3 months.

Personally, and since this is me I'm talking about, I know this is too long to go between TSH checks.

This is an ongoing DRAMA.  Makes me naughty.
I suspect if I can get my Vitamin D leveled out that I will be more energetic and my blood pressure will lower.  I'll stop sweating so much.  My hair won't fall out so much.  My fingernails will grow out and not break so easily.  All those aches and pains will vanish. The weight will just fall right off.....Well I can hope can't I?

BLESSINGS TO YOU,

d

SHE DIED

I STAYED UP REALLY LATE on Thursday wrapping presents, unpacking the Nativity Scene to display it, hanging garland, setting the table, washing dishes, sanitizing the toilets and cleaning throughout the house.  I was tired when my head hit the pillow.  I slept like a log and woke feeling a tad bit tired, but needing to get much done.  If I had worked on the house a few days earlier, my paperwork would not have been done and it seriously needed attention.

No kicking myself because I didn't get all the cleaning I had hoped would get done.  Hubby helped me where he could.  A big blessing that saved me two hours on Thursday, was the grocery shopping.  I emailed him at work and asked if he'd buzz by the store before traveling HOME and he did.  I sat the dining table with the dishes we'd use for FRIDAY LUNCH.

FRIDAY MORNING, I made the bed, made chicken salad and a pasta salad to refrigerate for later.  Continued to tidy the house, vacuumed the Living room and Dining room.  Took a shower, changed my clothing, fixed my hair and sat down to cool off before my friend arrived at noon.

She brought me a beautiful gift of a coffee cup with a red cardinal on it and the word FAITH.  Lovely gift.

We had a delightful conversation and caught up on LIFE.  She has had a turbulent last few years....she died.  She was clinically dead for 47 minutes.  Long story short, she came back to LIFE!  She was revived and lives today to share CHRIST.  She is an amazing woman.  I wanted to hear everything she wanted to share.

She said she did not see a white light when dead.  She did have a vision which she shared with me.  Her marriage has been revived.  I won't go into details of what happened as I believe it is very personal.  She is alive and very active.  What a blessing she is!  

The year before the cardiac arrest, there was a HOME INVASION in her home.  Four days later their house had a serious water leak causing thousands of dollars damage.  Almost a year later and she died.  She is a walking miracle.  We could have talked for hours.  
Perhaps we will get to another day.

Lunch with friend.

Italian Rotini Salad

Organic Spring Green Salad 

with Cherry Tomatoes

Chicken Salad on Crescents

Miniature Cheesecake

I rested after she left and when Hubby got HOME from work, we talked.  He has 10 working days until he retires.  10.  

We went to HOBBY LOBBY to get a canvas 50% off.  Happy early birthday, Sweetheart.  Got an iced tea and went to look at the Lights in Manhattan.  Drove a favorite neighborhood to see the Christmas lights then drove HOME where I fixed us Chicken Salad Crescents, pasta salad and chips for Supper.

Rested the rest of the evening with my feet up in the recliner dreaming of how to decorate for CHRISTMAS.

Had a hair appointment with myself where I conditioned my hair with OLIVE OIL, shampooed out then curled my hair on JUMBO CURLERS that I bought a few days ago.   

I watched a video about Deborah Norville and her weight loss before discovering that she had thyroid cancer.  30 pounds later, she slimmed down.  Get the sugar out of diet and eat more vegetables.  I have to do this.  No expensive diets or food programs.  Just bulk up on the veggies and stop the sugar.  Lord help me.  I can do this.  I can do this.  I can do this.


She freezes the baked veggies and grabs a bag to take to work with her.  On a week-end she prepares the veggies by baking/roast the vegetables covered with olive oil at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.  Cools them then bags them to freeze.  She showed her lunch.  An avocado, a baggy of squash, and some type of crunchy crackers.  She drinks coffee.   

I'd like to try this lunch and have baked veggies ready to go in the freezer.  Just a matter of taking the veggies out of the freezer and warming when ready to eat.

Thankful to have a restful week-end.  

Ready for the week,

d

EYES BUGGING OUT OF MY HEAD

GREAT PLANS TO TIDY ON THE HOUSE TODAY AS I HAVE COMPANY COMING ON FRIDAY.  Taking a break to cool off.  I overheat way too easily without a thyroid.  I'm fluttering about my HOME making it a cleaner place.  New vacuum bag in sweeper.  Making plans to vacuum the rugs and sweep the wood floors.  Getting ready to scrub the powder room tile floor and sanitize the toilet.  Polish the mirror.  Am getting much done today.  I AM THE CLEANING CREW.

Woke this morning with a very dried out throat.  The humidifier needs refilled and left on through-out the night to help with this issues.  Anywhoooo I did wake up and feel peppy.  I won't be doing laundry until this week-end, so the dirty laundry was placed in a large basket and scooted back into the closet for the time being.

QUICKLY scrubbing the main bathroom toilet.  A whirl wind chore day so I can entertain tomorrow.  The Powder room needs cleaned.  

WHEN PACING MYSELF I have to plan out the events.  The last three days I have worked on sorting papers, doing bills and dreaming of a WHITE CHRISTMAS.  Hubby retires at the end of the month in which we have been working on the details for a few months now getting ready for 2020.

INSURANCE makes my head spin.  The expenses will naturally take precedence over loose spending.  Seems like a crime that health insurance is so expensive.  EXPENSIVE.  Things are continuing to escalate in expense.  Mixed emotions to all of this.

Yesterday, my eye balls bugged out of my head as the dental receptionist told me that a new crown would cost $1100.oo in which my insurance should pay half of the expense.  I asked her if she knew what a root canal would cost if we have to go that route.  60% paid by insurance.  When I heard how much a crown will cost and if needed a root canal, my eyes bugged out... I just know it and I'm sure my numb jaw dropped to the floor because as I picked it up off the floor, my back went out.
  

I had my teeth cleaned before THANKSGIVING in which I was told I had a cavity around the bottom of where a crown was on the bottom in the back of mouth.  I was told I might need a new crown.  I put my appointment off until AFTER THANKSGIVING.

I explained about our insurance and HUBBY retiring at end of the DECEMBER and I want to make sure the insurance will be there.  We'll limp along as best we can by having the crown if needed temporarily glued back.  So this is what we did.  

Yesterday, my NEW dentist replacing my dentist who retired, did his best to work on the cavity in which the crown popped off.  He had told me that I might need a new crown beforehand.  This one had been on since 2011. It  j u s t  popped off.  

He continued working in which the filler  j u s t  popped out.  Continued working.  Fixed the cavities.  CAVITIES...not just one but two.  ONE. TWO. BUCKLE MY SHOE.  THREE. FOUR. OUT THE DOOR.  FIVE. SIX. PICK UP STICKS.  He medicated the tooth and made a filler.  Glued the old crown on.

Remember that song, "ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH"  Well....maybe I will be so lucky as to have them this year.  As I age, I wonder if I'll be able to keep them.

When visiting with HUBBY, he will find out where we stand with our health insurance after he retires.

Okay.  Back to cleaning the HOUSE.  I have CHRISTMAS GIFTS on the Dining room table.  These have to disappear so my guest and I can eat there.  QUICKLY I must become a CHRISTMAS ELF wrapping gifts.  I've got to find my NUTCRACKERS to decorate the table with.  Run to the store to get ingredients for the meal.  Wash my hair and curl it.  Have mercy.  I will be busy today.  

No Elf on the shelf for me,
d

  

Pot Of Coffee and A Whole Lot of Talking

WE MET UP WITH OUR DAUGHTER AND GRAND at the Mexican Restaurant which serves the best, very thin chips with salsa before the meal.  I look forward to their root beer as it is the BEST.  I had shredded chicken enchiladas with red sauce, rice and beans.  AFTER our meal, we went over to our daughter's for a pot of coffee.  


When we entered the door, DOTY came out fired up and oh so excited to see us.  It's been a while since we were in her house.  Her tiny hairy body was so excited to see us she sang a high pitched song and begged for attention as we were petting her back.  This much excitement makes me a very happy visitor.  

She is so full of energy it's invigorating to watch.  I just love her.  LOVE her.  

We had a nice chat and visited.  Just enough time to sip a cup of coffee, unwind at Daughter's and look outside through the picture window to see the FLINT HILLS.  It is a healing balm to my weary soul.  I need a strong dose of scenery every once in a while.  

Sometimes I wish I could look out our back window and see the rolling hills covered in AUTUMN browns and golds that disappear with WINTER then awaken again when perky SPRING comes.  

Home we went and I seriously took a NAP.  These days it doesn't take very much effort to run out of gusto and need an afternoon NAP.

I know I slept with my mouth open.  YAWN.  Not a pretty sight.  We had left over roast beef for SUPPER which I made into a stew.  Out of soda crackers so we had ritz instead.  This added a nice flavor.  Twas really good if I do say so myself.  

Watched a series on the big screen and stayed up late.  Slept well considering that I sweat while sleeping and can't get an answer as to why.  Autoimmune messed up.

Things to do this coming week in preparation for THANKSGIVING.  Afterwards CHRISTMAS will happen with JOY and excitement in the cold.  Hope it snows come Christmas Day!!!

Bucket list is in need of being rewritten.  Some quiet time is needed to give this some thought.  I think the last time I did this one of my dear friends passed away.  sigh.

Every day is different.
Lovely to be a HOMEMAKER!
d

Midway Trailer #1 (2019) | Movieclips Trailers

We decided to take in a Sunday matinee where our lunch would be gourmet H A M B A R G E R S with French Fries dipped in catsup.  Sipped on a Diet Root Beer as the previews flashed on the huge screen.  Saturday night I watched the trailers on the computer about MIDWAY.  Thought this was a worthwhile movie to see so Hubby bought the tickets online and we had a DATE.

ACTION packed with outstanding cinematography.  If we had watched it on the IMAX screen, I'm not sure I could have stood it.  I know it's a movie, but it stirred thought.

I'd like to see it again sooooo....that might happen.  Based on the bombing of Pearl Harbor and what happened next.  There was little foul language or sex scenes.  Twas a very good movie with a meaning.  Veterans Day is here and we have much to be THANKFUL for.  MUCH.  

Veteran Day thoughts.......

Afterwards, we stopped by Walmarts to pick up a few items.  Gosh, it's easy to spend money.  

The drive HOME was pleasant.  Left over Lasagna for supper.  Boiled some eggs for deviled eggs that I'll fix later today.  Having company in for LUNCH.  Just about ready.  Using paper products and throw away cups.

Relish tray of Baby Dill Pickles and Black Olives

Deviled Eggs

Turkey Breast

Apple Salad with Walnuts

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Dressing

Green Beans

Hawaiian Dinner Rolls with Butter

Apple Pie

Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

Iced Tea

Coffee with Creamer

Hopefully everything will turn out super good and tasty.  Being FAMILY will help.

Freedom isn't free.  Many to THANK for living in the United States of AMERICA.  

Many,
d

GOT BIT BY THE CHRISTMAS BUG...oh my.

WHAT A WEEK.  I did get BIT with the CHRISTMAS BUG this week.  I still am enjoying the AUTUMN COLORS and decorations in my HOME sooooooooo I will not be decorating for the CHRISTMAS SEASON UNTIL AFTER THANKSGIVING DAY.

I don't want to rush it.  When I drove through the CITY PARK, they had started decorating for CHRISTMAS.  That's when it hit me....the CHRISTMAS DECORATiNG BUG.  I couldn't shake it off.  HOhoHO.  In the dark of the evening I went driving as well and saw some peeps with CHRISTMAS TREES already lit in their Living rooms.  Pretty but not ready to do this just yet.  I'm sure all have their reasons for putting CHRISTMAS TREES up before THANKSGIVING.  Like family coming in for THANKSGIVING and we'll celebrate CHRISTMAS early type of reasons.

HUBBY visited with a representative this past week to find out more info about RETIREMENT that is approaching in DECEMBER.  A BIG CHANGE.  We've had them so I know how that goes.  Will be praying and reading.  Taking walks if my feet heal up.  Riding a stationary bike.  Taking vitamins, minerals and enzymes.  Eating more vegetables and willingly going more organic.  Changes.  May have to go back to brewing coffee in a percolator.  The expense of this is better than coffee pods.  I could make my own coffee pods.  Now that's a thought and a half.

AS HE TALKED TO THE REP I was sitting in a dental chair getting my teeth cleaned.  Dentist appointment went alright, but heck it hurt.  

Whenever I get my teeth cleaned I feel like the hygienist danced with boots on in my mouth.  SHE HAD A RODEO.  She didn't scrap as hard and long this go round where my jaw went out only 5 times verses 20 like the last time I had this done.  



My dentist retired in July and I miss him already yet the new dentist was very gentle when examining my teeth.  Found a cavity which will need filled, but he may have to take the CROWN OFF and if this happens a different CROWN will have to be made, etc.  I'm thinking that's another thousand dollars cha-ching.  Not too happy about that.  

I still owe them $300 from this year.  The medical bills are piling up and I HATE THAT.  With insurance we still have high medical bills.  Insurance will change in 2020 as my dear Husband is retiring.    

I have a coffee date with my HUBBY later and will do a little shopping!!!  

YESTERDAY, I did stop by the THRIFT SHOPPE.  I bought the neatest book for little of nothing called THE SPARKLE BOX.  Think I'll post about it later.

Earlier TODAY I was polishing some silver-plated chargers I purchased last week.  I dusted the dining room chairs and the exposed wood on the floor.  Ran the vac across the area rug.  Prepping for a Veterans Day MEAL for FAMILY on MONDAY.  FLOOR was filthy and need of attention very badly.  Yesterday I bought some special dust clothes as my sock collection is depleted.  Socks for dusting is what I usually use to capture the DUST BUNNIES.  This week the special clothes are getting used.  

I'll clean on the main floor of our HOME before Veterans Day.  After Veterans Day, I'll venture upstairs to clean.  Will need to get GUEST ROOMS cleaned before the month is out as we are fortunate to have family coming to visit.  I like having a clean and tidy house. 

It's just one of those thangs.

Veterans Day Meal will be:  Olives and miniature pickles for the relish tray, cranberry sauce, turkey breast, dressing, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, green beans, Hawaiian rolls with real butter, pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert.  Coffee and Iced Tea.  Should fill us up!  Will use throw away plates and napkins for easier clean-up.  Will use actual metal utensils and glass beverage glasses.

We are so very fortunate to live in the United States of AMERICA. So blessed.  Very BLESSED.  

BLESSED and THANKFUL for STAY AT HOME LIFE.  Life in the USA.  Small Town Living.  HUSBAND and FAMILY.  Roof over our heads.  Utilities.  Clothing.  Food.  Choices.  Salvation through CHRIST.  Health.  Wealth and well being.



This week-end the bed sheets WILL get washed, dried and bed remade with CLEAN sheets.  Dusting and vacuuming the rooms will continue and the toilet will get cleaned.  HAIR APPOINTMENT with self.  My intentions are good.  Lord, please please BLESS this endeavor.     

Be REAL because you are a blessing,
d  

HALLOWEEN 2019

~HALLOWEEN~

Will be cold this evening.

SNOWED YESTERDAY

CANDY IS READY.

We'll leave the porch light on.

Light some indoor candles and wait 

for the Lil Ones to stop by,

saying, "TRICK OR TREAT!!!"

Not much in the decorating department and that's alright with me.  More will come out to play after HALLOWEEN.
We'll leave the pumpkins on the porch 
until Thanksgiving is over 
then beautiful
CHRISTMAS comes to LIGHT.

But FIRST......
Bats and Frankenstein T-shirts!

 WHERE WE SPENT OUR EVENING

NOVEMBER 1st begins at midnight.

Thanksgiving meal preparations 
and Christmas Holiday things worked on.

HARVEST IS HERE.
MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

November arrives late tonight.
Am ready,

d

ZEST BOOM BAAH!

U GO GURL!

FOURTH DAY in a row to go to the Laundromat.  Not taking up residence there, but sure need the facility.  Have mercy.  Only have a small amount of laundry left to wash.  PTL.  

ALMOST finished with getting caught up.  It's a terrific feeling.  It doesn't last long so when it IS completed I can 
pat myself on the back and say "GOOOOOOD JOB, Darlin!"

Sometimes I have to be my own personal CHEERLEADER.  

Zest Boom Baah.  

I WILL that I will get caught up.
Then I can work at vacuuming the ENTIRE house with dusting really well.  It'll take me a month to get caught up on this TASK in time for THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS.
The air is so much cleaner since the DUCT WORK has been professionally cleaned so after I get caught up on dusting it should stay cleaner longer. 

ANOTHER WINNING POINT FOR TEAM *LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE/d*

CHEERING MYSELF ON TO VICTORY!

LET'S HEAR IT!!!!  You can do this.  You've got this thing!

Thrift Store Stop today.  Gotta remind myself that I don't need anything, so just enjoy looking.  HAIR APPOINTMENT on the calendar and a AUTUMN CONCERT.  I need to go to the DOLLAR STORE and look at some things.  That about wraps up my TO TOWN activities.

GO TEAM.  No really.  

Somebody has got to CHEER me on 

so I keep up the pace.  

It might as well be me,

d

MIDDLE OF THE WEEK DAY

MIDDLE OF THE WEEK CHORE!  Cleaning the bathrooms.  Sounds easy snuff.  I did get the tile floor in the POWDER ROOM scrubbed and disinfected.  Getting up off the floor off my knees took some doin' but somehow I managed.  I even had a dress on.  No pearls and my hair did not look this lovely, but I got 'er done.  That is a personal BEST for the day.  When you're old things like being able to clean the toilet are a high light.  Shaaaazam that's funny.

WEDNESDAY is middle of the week g o r g e o u s and much longed for!!!  Some call it HUMP day.  Not me.  Middle of the week day.  Can you imagine working Monday and Tuesday taking Wednesday off then returning to work Thursday and Friday with a week-end to play???

I use to clean our bathrooms on Wednesdays all the time.  That was THE day to do this task.  FAITHFULLY I would clean the potty.  Polish the mirrors, scrub the tubs and wipe the floors, etc.  

Prepping for the week-end when visitors might drop by.  DEEP CLEAN the bathrooms mid week and spot clean on Friday.  Made it a lot easier for me when my chillin were youngins.  I vacuumed and dusted on Thursdays, washed sheets on Friday, did what ever on Saturday, Church on Sundays and Mondays were laundry day.  Something like this.  

I was incredibly BUSY.  There is no way I can do what I did as a young momma these days and if I had paid closer attention to the rhythm of LIFE, I would have noticed that we are continually morphing into doing things differently at different paces... that nothing stays the same for very long.

Playing on the floor with the kids would have been a priority.  Being more spontaneous at the drop of a hat.  Care Free and Laid Back would have been our mantra.  With this philosophy you can still instruct the children about manners, what's wrong and what's right, following directions and to be pleasant, considerate and polite voicing when necessary one's feelings and opinions.  
Teaching children to have a PERSONAL relationship with God through Christ Jesus and why Jesus is the reason for the season. Salvation through the LORD and why.  NOT based off of works so none can boast.  Jesus paid the price so we don't have to work our way to GOD.  A gift to behold.  A gift that money cannot buy or maintain.  A gift.  

Talking to them with affirmation that I loved them.  Share why they have value and worth.  How proud I am of them.  Hug them.  Give them a BLESSING PARTY when they became 12 years old. Throw a celebration especially for them that wasn't connected to birthdays or Holidays.  Kind of like a bar mitzvah for the boys and a bat mitzvah for the girls.

I would have done bedtime prayers and family devotions more often and asked more frequently how was your day and why?  Explaining why we are kind and sharing charity in the home as well as out and about.  I think I am missing my children when they were young.  I was looking through some old photographs this evening and they made me cry.

I was thanking God that I was a mother.  He allowed me to be a momma.  My Husband had a full head of hair and I was slightly skinnier.  I was thanking GOD that I am still married and we have rebounded from a unhealthy marriage to something more balanced.  The years have gone by and I am still learning what it is like to be alive.  

My oldest son told me the other day that when his kids turn 13 they get 13 gifts like what I did for him when he turned 13.  13 days before his birthday he was given a gift for each day leading up to his actual birthday.  I had forgotten that I had done this.  I hope he and his siblings have many good memories of their childhoods.  I wanted so badly to allow them to have a GOOD childhood.  We moved so often that I was concerned that it would effect them in a negative way.  Our togetherness as a family was our HOMETOWN.     

Wednesday.  Today I will hopefully wash some more clothing, sit a spell and read God's word.  Meditate on what I read and say a prayer.  Decorate for AUTUMN!  Make the bed.  Do some dishes.  Get a pot roast out of the freezer to thaw in the fridge.  Sweep the Kitchen Porch out.  Fix a huge salad for supper.  Call my Mom to check up on her.  Put my feet up and rest.  Make a list of things needed for the house.  Drink some organic dark roast coffee and think pleasant thoughts.  Buy a birthday card for one of my Grandsons who is going to turn 10 soon.  Wrap his gift.  Type my brother a letter.  What else shall I do today?  Remember to take my vitamins and read some more.  I need a hair appointment to get my hair trimmed.  Think I will ask for a shampoo, trim and make my hair have big bouncy curls!  Boink boink.

Pleasant thoughts,

d  

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