SAINT LOUIS PIZZA PIE

DOESN'T THAT LOOK DELICIOUS?  St. Louis Deep Pan Pizza Pie at BLACKTHORNS!

It was wonderful as we dined with our St. Louis Family while we spent time there helping our son with some important task that needed dealt with quickly.  Time to eat.

There was much to do and we had a very full week.  Started out hellishly HOT that I learned that I cannot be out in it for more than 10 minutes at a time with sweat pouring down into my eyes. Hit 100 and I was not impressed.  It made me thankful to have air-conditioning.  SO VERY THANKFUL.  

I'd work for 10 minutes outside putting some flowers in so the place had some splashes of color then have to go sit where it was air conditioned.  I had an opportunity to be a go-fer for my Husband and Son driving to the LOEWS to pick up soil for the planters that needed more soil. Then the wasp came out so back I went to get some wasp killer.  

St. Louis.  I believe I am a small town girl with small town ways.  Traveling back to our Kansas HOME was tiring so now I am resting up for life.  It was a blessing to see family.  This is the longest we've stayed for a visit.  Long over due.

PLANS FOR THE WEEK.  Walking.  Clearing out the front bedroom.   Paperwork.  Cleaning the fridge.  Doing lots of laundry.  Resting.  Planting some Coleus in pots that I have rooting out in jars of water.  Exciting, huh?

If all goes well, it will be a quiet week for us and that will be welcomed indeed.  Oh so welcomed.

It seems like every time I turn around a celebrity has died.  Which reminds me that I cannot take things with me when I pass away.  This helps me to get busy getting things tidied around here. Turning loose of THINGS has been difficult for me.  Just the way it is so I am a work in progress downsizing.   

Enjoying my beautiful family.
~d

DRIVING HOME FROM ST. LOUIS WAS WILD

DRIVING HOME FROM ST. LOUIS was exhausting as the traffic was dense with semi-trailer trucks and oh so many vehicles on the interstate.  The traffic did not let up for 4 and a half hours.  I am tired as I drove the distance.  We're safely HOME now thanking GOD for the safe trip going and coming back.  We made an emergency trip to St. Louis.

Driving in the traffic affected me and I know I will need to rest.

Coming HOME, the sunset was vibrant with a solid orange ball in the sky for the sun.  It was magnificent.  A huge ball elevated in the sky.  Hubby tried to take pictures to capture the orange sun, but the camera in his phone only captured the ball and not the brilliant orange color.  

We did stop at an ANTIQUE MALL on the way HOME.  I bought a lidded, square serving BLUE WILLOW dish.  She's lovely and I have not ever seen one like it.  Pics later as I am tired and will need to have my hubby send the pics from his phone to my email address where I copy them and then paste them in my post.  More work required than I can mustard up after a 6 hour drive HOME from Missouri.

We also bought a piece of FUDGE at Kingdom City.  I shouldn't have done it, but the Peanut Butter Fudge was screaming at me to take a bite so I didn't resist and will begin again in the morning of mindful eating.  This go round I was brainless and wanted to simply enjoy the sweet savor of a fat piece of fudge in AUGUST instead of December.

We drove out Monday morning and stayed the week.  This week-end will more than likely be a slow paced one as we recover from our week.

With cooler temperatures, I might go walking first thing in the morning if I can.  Not sure if I'll be physically able to do so because I seem frailer than normal.  I will play it by ear.👂

The laundry is staring me in the face.  No sweat.  It'll get done when it gets done.  

When we got back to town, we picked up our mail with a return letter in our mail box.  It was returned to me as it said there was no such street.  When I got HOME, I checked the address I had written on the envelope.  It was correct so I guess they didn't like that I abbreviated  WEST with a W.  That's the only thing I can think of unless someone did not pay their Post Office Box bill and the mail returned to sender address unknown?  I'll resend the card and see what happens.

All my best to you as the week-end is here,

~d

SPRING TIME IN SAINT LOUIS

WE MADE A TRIP TO SAINT LOUIS THIS PAST WEEK FOR GRANDPARENTS DAY.  Grandson is growing up to be a tall, handsome young man that ask a great deal of questions.  Good to see him and spend some time.

The Tulips in St. Louis were gorgeous.  Absolutely gorgeous.

VENTURING TO ST. LOUIS, we encountered SPRING which seemed more like SUMMER with temps in the 80s. 

During the day, HUBBY and I took some time to have a mini vacay.  We drove out on Wednesday after our eye appointments.  My eyes were pretty good, but my Husband was asked to come back for more pictures of the inside of his eye where a potential rip is.  So back he will go in a few days for this.      

I did alright driving in the St. Louis traffic, but I didn't like it.  Way too busy for me these days.  Way too busy.  Makes my blood pressure climb.  Son's apartment is a climb as well where the elevator is out of service and they supposedly cannot get parts to fix it.  It has been broken for over a year and he cannot break the contract because of an addendum stating that if the elevator breaks down, a resident cannot break the contract with them.  I suppose you could which there'd probably be a law suit.  Life has such challenges, but I believe I would never sign a contract with such an addendum attached.  Not good.

I thought I wouldn't be as tired if we spent some time resting before going to Grandparents Day, but I was wrong.  Traveling wears me out.  Traffic wears me out.  My back hurts too much.  I sound like Debbie Downer, don't I...but I'm just being real about being worn out. Bouncing back may not happen very quickly as I am about to start another round of providing care for my elderly mom.

STAYING IN MY FLUFFY PEACH COLORED HOUSECOAT FOR THE DAY.  I needed to have a slow paced and restful day so badly as I am terribly tired from traveling long distance to Saint Louis and back HOME.  Before that, we were on the road to Sapulpa, Oklahoma.  Before that, I was going back and forth to Marion and Newton, Kansas because of Mom's stay in the Newton Hospital with a broken hip, surgery and staying with her as she rehabs.

Between the wear 'n tear of traveling and emotional issues tied up into all of this...I am a tired old woman.  Now, Hubby might have a rip/tear inside his eye.  Back to the doctor's for investigating some more and back I go to tend to my elderly mother.  I'll be taking her to 4 medical appointments this week while Hubby stays HOME.  

I've given this a great deal of thought and know that if Mom has another serious accident, I will not be able to stay with her for long amounts of time.  She is 90 and would like to stay in her apartment.  I hope she can, but realistically I think her living alone days are nearing an end and she will need to be in a HOME for medical attention, meals, laundry, medicines, etc. 

She has no business driving a car anymore as she drives entirely too fast and has lost her eye sight in one eye.  While she is recouping with this broken hip, she won't be driving her car.  I don't trust her to use good judgment after awhile and believe she will try to drive herself to doctor appointments in the future.  These days need to be over.  I'll be checking into their community shuttle bus.

I won't be able to take her to weekly medical appointments.  She will have to ride a shuttle bus.  Between my husband's health issues and my own...I am emotionally drained.  I love her, still I do not live in her community.  If we move her to a nursing home around here, it will take some doing as we found out that they are not taking new residents.  A waiting list.

Then there's her furniture, clothing, knick-knacks, pictures, personal affects, dishes, cookware, etc. to deal with.  The timing isn't good when it comes to our health challenges and moving an elderly mother into a nursing home.

How does one grow old gracefully?  With dignity?  With health?  If I figure this all out, I'll let you know.  I know that having less stress is necessary.  Being out of debt...very important.  Doing things that one enjoys...a must.  Staying out of trouble...a good thing.

Praying for strength, endurance, and peace.  
Let there be harmony in my Home and life.

~d  

ON A MISSION

Mission Accomplished.

We headed for Saint Louis to be present while our son had surgery.  On the way, we detoured to see the VAILE MANSION in Independence, Mo.  I have been wanting to tour the mansion for a few years and we made it happen as part of my birthday gift.  

About an hour and half was needed to tour this huge mansion.  It was magnificent to see in person.  Lots of pics were taken which I will share soon.

We made it to Saint Louis by Supper time and dined at SUGOs for spaghetti.  Wasn't disappointed.  Boxed half of it and would eat later. 

We spent Sunday with Son and Grandson.  

Decided to pretend it was like a VACATION as we spent time together and dined at the LEMP MANSION.  We ate very well 

and I'm proud to say I didn't over eat.  

Took very small portions.

The Family Style Meal on Sunday.

Had plenty to eat in one of their lovely Dining rooms.

Pan Fried Chicken

Pineapple Glazed Ham 

Roast Beef

Dinner Rolls with Butter

Marinated Vegetable Salad (Cuc Salad)

Cole Slaw

German Green Beans

Baked Beans

Whole Kernel Corn

Mashed Potatoes and Milk Gravy

Mac 'n Cheese

Stewed Cinnamon Apples

Water

I've often thought about if I ran a FAMILY style restaurant 

what would be on the MENU.  Food.

Monday was a VERY looooong day 

as we waited in the lobby of the medical facility

where our son had surgery.

Very long day.

Son's surgery went well.

PRAYING for healing. 

He returns next Monday to have Dr.

look at him.

Thankful we were able to be there with him.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

internet pic

We returned HOME on Tuesday and the traffic was awful.

I've never seen so many semi-trailer trucks in all my life.

The other vehicles were plenty in which the majority of the drivers did not drive the speed limit.

IMAGINE THAT!

One sign I saw read that the speed limit wasn't a suggestion.

'There's no prize for getting there first.'

(Get there with your life intact...that should matter.)

It's as if those that follow the law are the minority not the norm.

I was relieved to be HOME after a 6 hour drive.

Rested.

Resting in my HOME today.

No better place for me,

d

LINKING TO:

http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2018/07/wise-woman-linkup_25.html