Staycation Day Nine

Well….where did you go?  Staycation is officially over today and we return to normal as normal as we can. 

The weather was unseasonably cooler than a Kansas July is known to be, but it was heavenly as Hubby cleaned away.  Windows open in the house and no air conditioner necessary.  Very nice indeed.

Hubby had success in the garage.  He now has a man cave type work area with a ways to go knowing that we have many more hours to put into this project of getting organized and downsized.  I'm dazed at what we have left to do.  So to be practical, we will need to give ourselves some more time to complete going through boxes and just stuff.  He worked and worked to get his shop put together.  He succeeded.  It looks like a real workshop.  Now to get rid of all the other stuff that doesn't need to be in the garage.  It is a huge undertaking for us...but it's got to be done.

I want to downsize and be more organized.  This will be my HOBBY the next twelve months.  This time next year, we should be in better shape.  

Our sewer line backed up.  A plumber was on sight today and within an hour, he had our line open.  I stayed HOME and rested.  Too tired to do very much.  Laundry will get caught up this week.  Continued cleaning and gathering garage sale STUFF.  Wrapping dishes.  Getting ready for visitors.  

This date in history, men stepped on the moon in 1969.  I was 14 years old.  My family was on a Colorado Vacation listening to the car's radio as the giant leap for mankind took place and was broadcasted to the earth.

I just heard on television that this is National Ice-Cream Day. Wished I had known this earlier.  Ice-cream for sure.  Please mark your calendars for Wednesday being SONIC's $1 Hot Dogs ALL DAY on July 23rd.   Made a date with Hubby for meeting him there and having a real HOT DOG.  This will be ENTERTAINMENT and stretch the money at the same time. 

Praying for a wonderful week.
God Bless,
d    

Staycation Day Eight

Day Eight of Staycation was slow paced.  

Very THANKFUL.

Time to notice the Lilies.  

On the corner of our flowerbed 

are a few Lilies that are in bloom.

Their fragrance is worth taking note of.

Staycation is into the week-end.

Stayed put,

d

LUKE 12: 27

Consider the lilies, how they grow: 

they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, 

even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Staycation Day Seven

~Staycation~

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

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

Tinking about our HOME makes me HAPPY.

Glad I still have the week-end.

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

Susie calls this MANNA from Heaven.

I have to agree.

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

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

As time would pass, I made new friends.

Each has a special place in my heart.

Heart friends.

Now so many of these fine Ladies have passed away.

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

Gosh…it never stops.

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

JOAN

    

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

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

In a heart beat, life can change.

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

Huh?

This was her JOKE.

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

Another friend has gone on to glory.

Joan.

She had shared with me how she became a Christian.  

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

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

Think we have something going on here.

The Blue Onion Group was born today.

Day Seven of STAYCATION is just about over.

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

My gears are turning.

Truly, I think I am alright with downsizing 

and turning loose of more that clutters.

Blessings to you and I pray that you are well,

d

Staycation Day Six The Jack LaLanne Show - Episode 1

~JACK LA LANNE REVIVAL~

On Day Six of our STAYCATION 

Daughter gave words of encouragement and excitement about LIFE 
as she is lit about JACK LA LANNE.  

Remember him?  

She got her Jack LaLanne order in the mail yesterday and is pumped up about his easy to do exercises right in your own HOME.  NO Gym Fees, NO Gym equipment necessary, NO special high dollar shoes or special clothing required.  NO NO NO and yes, yes, yes to simple but effective exercise.  She showed us his program on YOU TUBE and it brought a lot of memories back to mind.

He is very enthusiastic and encouraging.  NOT hours on end of heart pounding exercise or pounding your body to pieces to FEEL THE BURN.  I think JANE FONDA was wrong.  She'd have body parts replaced in her OLD AGE.  Yes, the beautiful JANE had joint replacements.

DAUGHTER has a desk job and that can be hard on your body if you don't move about.

She demonstrated hand exercises for me and Hubby and ya know…it's true…they work well.  Circulation is present and I know I feel better.  YOU WILL TOO.

JACK was known to say the most important vitamins to take are Vitamin G and Vitamin F.  G is for GOD and F is for FAITH.

Daughter shared some of the hand movements with her co-worker and I think the two of them will be moving about at their stations in the near future.

I decided….YES, I will begin a morning routine when school starts up mid AUGUST.  So I must get my hands on some DVDs of JACK's.  For now YOU TUBE has some of his television programs.  

http://www.jacklalanne.com

As HOMEMAKERs, my Mom and my Mother-In-Law both watched him on 1960s television in black and white.  As a YOUNG GIRL I watched as well.  

I think the 1960's ways are calling MY NAME.  With the fast pace lifestyles of young women and Mommas, not to mention men….I believe that a revival of being more like the *Donna Reed SHOW character* that dressed lovely, stayed HOME and liked being a WIFE, HOMEMAKER and MOMMA active in her HOME and community could be helpful.  I know…i know…i know…that this was just a television program.  

Still it showed a way that was home centered with momma at home. 

A television show that women libbers would eventually protest and call unrealistic, BUT  if you have a tired body and are discouraged with the ugliness of 2014 where women and men do not know which way is up….perhaps you are tired of the way things are going and could relate to wanting a more restful way to live.

Can you dig it?

grins.

I always want to ask, dig what?

It.

Last evening, Hubby and I went on a drive in the cool of the evening and admired the beauty of the Flint Hills.  NO camera.  I should never leave HOME without it.  Back we plan to go with the camera tonight. There's just something to say about GOD's BEAUTY IN NATURE.

This afternoon is SPA TIME.  Into the tub I will soak and scrub my feet.  After that I will wash and condition my hair.  Dry and style it.  Letting it grow out again to where I will wear it up on the back of my head.  This year is a year of feminizing my thoughts, looks, home, etc.  I like being a woman.  I don't want to be a MAN.  I don't want to think like a MAN.  I don't want to act like a MAN.  I want to be a LADY.  Hello.  I rest my case.

STAYCATION.  

Getting rested.  Feeling refreshed.

Blessings to you,

d

AND NOW HERE'S JACK LALANNE:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20New International Version (NIV)

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Staycation Day Five

~DAY FIVE ALREADY~

Was up earlier today sipping coffee with cream 

in the cool of the morning with my Sweetheart.  Windows open to let the cool air in the room.  Summer Locust are buzzing.  Humming.  

Squirrels are clucking in the huge tree that's in the side yard outside the window.

With our Delilah gone, the squirrels freely invade our yard for the walnuts that they love to grab and hide for a later date.  I suppose the clucking is their love language calling others to feast at Home Haven.

  

I have seen more wildlife here on the corner lot of small town america than any other place I have lived including when we lived in the country.  Everything from birds to snakes not to mention the bugs.

Staying HOME this AM with this day beginning with nature singing a song.  I must be diligent in what I do today so my day doesn't slip away from me.  I finished writing out correspondences, but need to go to TOWN for stamps and place envelopes in the mail.  Pick up the mail, purchase a local newspaper and then to the grocery store I must go. 

Looking more like Aunt Bee all the time.

Perhaps Andy Taylor will be downtown with Opie.

Wish I had a pretty hat on my head.

May you have a pleasant and peaceful day,

d

Staycation Day Four

~DAY FOUR~

We stayed HOME.  

Slept till I woke up.  Was a day of rejoicing.

Hubby promised he'd make a Lemon Meringue Pie 

for my Birthday.

He makes THE BEST.

Our second-hand OVEN WORKS WELL.

Just a day late, but I didn't mind one bit.

Or should I say one bite.

I ate some pie.

My compliments to the Chef.

Twas more than delicious.

Happy Day,

d

Staycation Day Three

~Day Three~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. 

I got my wish.

Started out really slow paced and rested.

NO MAKE-UP.

Wild Hair and NO agenda today.  

Getting brave.

I came into this world without make-up 

and celebrated my 59th Birthday with NO MAKE-UP what soever.

A huge treat to wake up with a stove in the Kitchen 

where she belongs.

Sweet Hubby brought our second-hand MAGIC CHEF stove into the house, cleaned her and made sure she worked.

Tile will go up later, but for now the stove is OUT OF THE GARAGE.

WHOOP WHOOP.
She works.  We'll have Pizza tonight for Supper.

She should be alright while we wait for a white on white stove that we'll get later.

Hubby prided himself by moving 1000 pounds of powdered cement in bags about the Garage.  Making progress out there.  I cannot imagine moving 1000 pounds around.  Who needs a Gym.

For our meal out today, we had planned on eating Chinese only to find the Restaurant closed on Mondays.  Drove over to the Mexican Food Restaurant and she was closed.  Just as well, I had wanted to have more salads in life.  McDonald's has Salads.

Pleasant day.  
Mail call.  Some Birthday cards and a boxed gift from my Alaska friend, Maxine.  Sweet.

This is my Birthday Platter and Tea Towels.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings to you,

d

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good
…23This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25O LORD, do save, we beseech You; O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity!…

Staycation Day Two

Hello from my place to yours.  

Day Two of our STAYCATION was pleasant to say the least.

I took it really easy as I lounged around in my gown.  Looked just like this lovely Lady.  Hair and all.

Didn't go to Church.  

Stayed home and meditated upon the LORD's Prayer.  

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN

hallowed be THY name.

THY kingdom come,

THY will be done,

on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever.
AMEN.

Washed my Blue Willow Dishes that I bought yesterday, worked on laundry, day dreamed, read, prayed, listened to music, unloaded the corner cabinet to make room for a switch out of dishes, pulled a few dried stems out of the flower pots, praised my Hunny for cleaning on the Garage, milked a cow 

and baked some chicken that I had to throw away.

Hubby cleaned out the freezer that's in the Garage and unplugged it, brought in the frozen chicken and I just had to see if it was still edible.  It's been out there for way too long.  It put off an odd odor as it was baking.  Decided to play it safe and pitch it.  No chicken tonight.  Better luck next time. 

A Magic Chef electric stove will be moved into our Kitchen tomorrow.  She's been in the Garage waiting for us.  The green stove that was in the house when we bought the house, was needing to go away.  We let go of her 7 years ago.   Truly, we have been cooking and baking with Crock Pots, counter-top Confection Oven, Skillet, and European Double Cast Iron Burner Range.  If she works, the Magic Chef will be used until we get a new all white oven.  Saving up for this.  Until then.  The Magic Chef was a freebie!  We shall see how it goes as we inch along.

Items are beginning to be brought into the house as if it were Christmas.  There are some surprises in the Garage awaiting us.  A Longaberger basket with wooden dividers that I couldn't locate because it was hidden in a moving box for 7 and a half years.  Knew I had it.  Just couldn't come across it.  Hidden away.  Surprise…here you are.  A vintage toaster and a silver plated 3 piece Paul Revere Coffee Set with round serving tray was presented to me by my hard working hubby.  Hello.  

Here you go.  So very glad that I have ownership of this basket that I have had for over umpteen years.

So we are off to a leisurely evening with our diet root-beer as we watch an old movie MULTIPLICITY starring Michael Keaton.   An overworked and stressed out businessman, husband and father gets cloned for help.  Funnier than I remember when we saw it in 1996.  Think because we have more life under our belt that we can relate more to having way too much to do in too little of time.

Gee….if we could just clone ourselves this week, 

we'd have plenty of energy and help to get everything done.

Ever had one of those thoughts that you wished there were more of you to help out?

Laughter is good for the soul.  

Laughing the night away.

Blessings to you,

d 

    

NOT Blue About A Staycation

The Blue Cup by Joseph DeCamp

~DAY ONE STAYCATION~

With the HELP of WIKIPEDIA we can better define and describe staying put this year instead of going somewhere far away to get away for a much needed VACATION.  

A staycation is a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within driving distance, sleeping in their own beds at night. They might make day trips to local tourist sites, swimming venues, or engage in fun activities such as horseback riding, paintball, hiking or visiting museums. Most of the time it involves dining out more frequently than usual. Some people may include one or two overnight visits at relatives, friends or a longer trip. Staycations achieved popularity in the US during the financial crisis of 2007–2010.  Staycations also became a popular phenomenon in the UK in 2009 as a weak pound made overseas holidays significantly more expensive.

Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation.

Well…...there you have it.  WE are having a STAYCATION.  We don't have a pool in the backyard, but that does sound like a winner.  The eating out….will do along with THRIFT MEALS because we must…we must.  

Debated on taking a real vacation FAR FAR AWAY from everyday living on the Prairie…..and decided on a STAYCATION for our time off.  Easier on the pocket book and easier on the decision making for getting away.  This year we stay HOME and through out the year, LORD WILLING, we will make plans to go many a mile from here.  

This year, I get to sleep in and allow my body, soul and spirit to hopefully get refreshed as sorely needed.  We discussed if Hubby should work on the Kitchen.  I said, "YESSSSSSSS!"

After giving it some more thought, I knew I needed to let Hubby clean out and organize the Garage before moving on with the Kitchen.  So I asked him one afternoon about it.  He agreed that the Garage was in need of his time and muscle.  One event after another has taken precedence over the Garage for 7 years.  SEVEN YEARS.  That's a very long time to wait for an organized Garage when you love ORDER.  We took the bull by the horns and worked something out between the two of us.  

If he can make headway on the Garage then he will have more space to work on the Kitchen Cabinet fronts and the Kitchen will come together faster.  It will be a more enjoyable experience if he can have the Garage cleaned out and space to comfortably work on the Kitchen.  I need a happier Camper.  That's the recipe for a happier Husband.  A CLEAN GARAGE.

DAY ONE:
TODAY, I had VICTORY!  I decided on THE THEME of my vintage Kitchen and what she will be.  Since the cabinets are white…and I have been collecting BLUE WILLOW DISHES…it seems like a BLUE WILLOW THEME.  Like the idea.  Crisp and clean.  It may sound so silly to some that a grown woman cannot decide on or make up her mind about a theme for her personal Kitchen…..I am one of those tired, weary, worn out peri-menopausal Ladies that wasn't able to decide with the Kitchen under construction what THEME to use to decorate.  Today, this was put to rest.  I could have easily had a Celebration of LIFE Service for the death of the lack of decision making.  Final last words...You were a nusiance and I'm glad you left the building.  Tell Elvis Hello for me.

It feels good to be able to say…finally…I want this particular theme.  

A few weeks ago, I was at Dillons Grocery store to see if they still were selling the Blue Willow Dishes that I had been buying off and on for the last two years or so.  They were, plus I noticed Tea Towels with the BLUE WILLOW THEME on them and a rush of excitement surged through me.  My passion for decorating returned.  It seemed like I had met up with a dear friend that I hadn't seen in many a year.  Or like having the sun finally come out after weeks of having rainy days.  

Bought a tea towel and thought after a PAY DAY I would go back and buy more of these.  I haven't seen tea towels like these before.  Whahlaah.  SHE COMES HOME WITH MAMA.

Hubby got up early today for DAY ONE OF OUR STAYCATION.  He's working like hotcakes getting the garage cleaned out.  It seems impossible that we have been here in this little TOWN for 7 and a half years.  You've heard me say it before….life got in the way and the garage took on a different life than being a garage to park our auto in.  The window of time to go through this mess of a garage was not opened until now.  Right now.  

I know that I know that I know that I know that the Garage had to be placed first on the list of our STAYCATION THINGS TO DO.

We had made a deal that while we are staying HOME for the week that we will occasionally dine out in nice restaurants for luxury.  Hot today, so there is need to cool off during the heat of the day.  


Dragging with me my hubby….before heading out for an early Supper, I had already penciled in on my calendar that I was going to go look around at a shoppe that's only open on Saturdays to LOOK at the store's BLING.   Cha-ching.  A looking I will do.  Guess what we found?  Blue Willow Dishes.  Same brand that Dillons sells.  Was so pleased.  Bought them at a fantastic price.



As we drove to PAXICO for BAR-B-Que at a rustic restaurant, my sweet Hunny said it looks like you're having a Blue Willow Birthday this year.  I thought he meant because I had these dishes.  No, he couldn't keep quiet and said that he had some Blue Willow for me for my Monday Birthday.  With excitement I asked, "Did you get me a PLATTER!!???"

Shocked, he asked, "How do you know these things?"  He had bought a Platter for my Birthday gift along with more of the BLUE WILLOW Tea Towels, Baker's Gloves, and Hot Pads.  I am really excited about it all.  He went ahead and gave me the Platter and etc. when we got HOME.  EARLY BIRTHDAY.  Was thrilled.

We did have a very relaxing Supper at PAXICO'S LONGBRANCH.  The environment wasn't busy, service good and the food was great.   We enjoyed our time together.    

So ending DAY ONE, I eye balled some BLING, purchased BLUE WILLOW DISHES at an awesome price, decided on Kitchen Theme, had a great Supper with my Hunny, received my Birthday gift from Hubs, Garage Clean out is underway and the evening is here.  PRAISE THE LORD.  Should be able to rest tonight knowing we have begun a much needed stay at HOME.  

I don't do well with a messy house all about me.  Low energy levels and time restraints have been a challenge to my ailing body.  I have to work when I can.

My prayer today is:
Dear LORD…..Please Lord, let us have a time of refreshment.  We so need it.  Please allow us to have this much needed Staycation at HOME where we can get caught up.  Please LORD.  No Family deaths, no illnesses, no emergencies, no injuries, no torment, no rude interruptions, please God.  Please.  

In Jesus name I pray and ask, 
AMEN.

It's root-beer thirty.  TIME to slow down and unwind.  I would like to wash my BLUE WILLOW DishES and get them ready to be placed in the Dining room China Cabinet.  AND though I know that there are wars going on in the world, pressing issues of all kinds….the war that rages in families is a heart ache.  I need my HOME to be a HAVEN far, far away from the hellish breakdown of families and relationships that have gone sour. 

There is always HOPE with GOD.  He is much bigger than the problems that might be pounding the death out of families.  God is good and greatly to be praised.  He definitely has a good plan for each person.  May we embrace HIS ways, be healed and set free. 

Blessings,
d 

1 Corinthians 14:40 

Let all things be done decently and in order.