SNOW AND INDOOR ACTIVITIES

TERRIBLY COLD OUTSIDE.  Terribly cold.  Staying inside and working on interior things.  I'm longing for SPRING.  I went out and scooped a bowl of snow up to see what the deal is about making a snowball then trying to melt it with fire.

Took the snow to the kitchen sink and held a burner to it and it wouldn't melt.  Is this physics or is something else going on with the snow.  I hadn't ever tried to melt a snowball with a lighter before so this was a first.

The snowball did not melt.  It remained solid.  Hummm.  Felt like a Science Project Experiment. Remember those?  

  

I believe it is physics and not plastic snow.  Am I wrong?

HEADING FOR THE HOME STRETCH with the laundry.  Aiming for the end of the month to have all the laundry caught up.  I think I'm going to make it if I continue at the speed I'm going.  I'll let you know if I make the deadline.  With the extra non-slip velvet hangers at hand, I am making progress.

When working on something that takes time and patience, it certainly helps to have to right frame of mind.  By the end of the week, the loads of laundry should be finished.  PTL.  I'm embarrassed at how much I allowed to accumulate.  How'd that happen?  It just did.    

When I look at our main closet, I think I need to do some rearranging.  Hubby no longer wears dress shirts to work, but has a nice stash of tee-shirts for warmer days and some sweatshirts for the cooler ones.  Dress sweaters are few, but then he doesn't wear them often.  The dress suits are just hanging there taking up space, but ready for when needed.  He has them.  I can switch where they hang onto a smaller, more condensed area in the closet using the hanging rod for my dress blouses.  His sweaters and tee-shirts are folded and not hanging.  His dress slacks and jeans are hanging on a lower rack.  It would work to rearrange until further notice.  When working at fitting into a small COTTAGE things morph as you go.  Hang loose and keep morphing.

As I got to the bottom of one basket filled with white shirts and blouses, two of my husband's white, dress shirts were there.  They had a horrible ring around the collar and armpits.  I really didn't believe I could get the stains out as I have SHOUTED the shirts before.  I was going to get rid of them and buy a new white shirt until I washed the shirts in long, cold cycles with Clorox bleach several times.  The stains came out.  Washed them several times and after they dried and were hung they looked practically new.  Alrighty then.  I'll keep them.

After I get further along on the getting settled into the COTTAGE, I might do a swap-per-roo in the closet.  The main things we wear are sweatshirts and bluejeans when we are at HOME. Occasionally. I like to dress up some.  SO I need the clothing I presently have.  As the weather warms, I'll do another round of thinning out the clothing.

While the weather is so cold and I have no desire to get out in it, I am working on this and that. The laundry is a priority.  I folded some bedding and placed them in storage bags.  The gift wrap has made its way to some storage bins which fit nicely under the bed.  I need another box for ribbons and gift bags.  Menards will help me out here.  

HEALTH.  I'm off to have my TSH checked because since January 1st, I changed the way I take my thyroid meds.  I originally take two pills in the mornings on an empty stomach.  I started with one pill in the morning and one at 11 o'clock at night.  I'm doing well at remembering to split the dose like this.  Curious if my TSH is optimal so I'll be checking tomorrow and of course doing some shopping.  I needed to see if splitting the Armour Thyroid was a better way to take the meds to see if my energy levels were better throughout the day.  Armour has T3 (the energy hormone) in it along with T4, T1, T2, Calcitonin and something else that my mind draws a blank on.  It isn't so controversial these days to take naturally desiccated hormone as it has been. Simply looking out for myself as I go.  My thyroid journey has been a complicated one that I have found out things on my own verses what an Endocrinologist nurse hasn't shared with me. Frustrating.   

A SHOPPING I WILL GO.  Very low on the veggies.  Need to fill the fridge with fruits and veggies.  As February 1st comes, I'll be mindfully skipping the carbs to see if I can get my A1c down.  Over the last 5 years our eating habits have changed dramatically.  Carbs are not the diabetic's friend so I keep in mind that I not eat very much of these.  I have my battles over the sugar intake.  No problem skipping alcohol, soda pop and sugary fruit juices.  That should account for something. Right?

   

SIMPLY PUT...I wish the settling into the COTTAGE was completed and I didn't think about it so much.  The energy I use could be used for something better.  I give myself this WINTER to get the house inside settled in.  Come SPRING, the garage will be tended to so we can make it a temporary storage closing out a unit we pay for.  Summer, we'll continue with whatever.  There might be thinning out of CHRISTMAS DECOR.  CHRISTMAS IN JULY.
I know I am the type of person that entertains what needs done and I have a time relaxing while waiting for it to be completed.  Sigh.

Peace out and stay warm,
~d

WINTER FROM OUR RETIREMENT PORCH

WINTER SNOW ON SATURDAY

The BITTER cold brought the WINTERY white stuff
to decorate our corner of the world.

My mind wonders on how to decorate the house, how to arrange furniture, what colors to use.  While it's so cold outside the main thing right now is to get the inside of the house functioning no matter what.

~d

OH MY GOSH...IT'S COLD

THE TEMPS ARE DIPPING as I drove HOME this evening.  I'm not a cold weather person, so when I entered through the back door, the warmth from the Kitchen was a welcoming room.  It is about 14 degrees here.  I could see the temps falling in the car as I drove HOME.  Taking my shoes off and placing my handbag with keys in the Dining room are a ritual I practice.  I won't be fixing supper tonight.  Munching on pretzels dipped in peanut butter. Sipping water and HOT green tea.  My housecoat is being washed as I type.  It has a way of getting dirty so easily when I LIVE IN IT.  

HUBBY HAS BEEN WORKING UNDER THE COTTAGE FLOOR to repair the bathroom plumbing.  We took separate cars today as I knew I'd have to leave to come back HOME before him.  He has made huge progress on the bathroom.  Makes my heart soar.  Big smile.  

I FINISHED shredding the paper that was in that last tub.  Hallelujah and a half.  When I shredded the last piece of paper, I about couldn't believe it.  HOURS have gone into this project. It amazes me where our money has gone over the years.  The last of the old check carbons were from 2009.  So many medical bills, utilities, mortgages, car payments, gifts, ministry donations. I did find some receipts for pieces of furniture we had bought over the years.  The claw foot tub that we are going to put in the COTTAGE bathroom was purchased back in 2009!  That makes my head spin. 

It was suppose to go into the rock house bathroom when we remodeled it, but this didn't happen as the house had a fire and we moved on.  It will fit nicely now in the small COTTAGE bathroom when the time comes in 2023.

http://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2010/04/decorating-dreams.html

We came across a drawing my husband had doodled of the front porch on the COTTAGE.  If this is the design we follow, it will be such a cute COTTAGE when completed.  We talked about going ahead and pulling up the grungy, stained carpet and living with the old wood floors until we can get to refinishing them in the future.  We will cover them with the area rugs we have now in the main house.  I think it will help speed us up into getting into the COTTAGE before SPRING.

We shuffled the two curios that were resting in the Living room into different spots.  The one we moved into the Dining room will hold crystal that I already have at the COTTAGE and the pieces I have boxed up waiting to be taken to the COTTAGE.  I will clean this piece hopefully next week and round up the crystal to place in the curio.  This will free up the crystal that is sitting out and about.  At least it will be grouped together and be there waiting when we get moved over.

The other curio cabinet went into the pink bedroom where I can fill it with my doll collection. This made me smile as I have been boxing up my dolls.  This will give me a place to house them for now until the front bedroom is ready for the curio cabinet.  I'm still taking pictures of my dolls and hope to get them moved over this week so they are out of the main house.  

I will continue working on boxing up dolls and Kitchen things then the Blue Willow dishes will be boxed up.  I'll leave them boxed up and put them in the Dining room until we get further along on this move.  

When going from a larger house to a small COTTAGE, it's tricky knowing what to downsize to. Having order is a must. 

I pray this week goes better as I have had a rough ten days considering my female plumbing.  It's been awful.  I have to get checked out as I need to know what's going on with my body.  I'm too old to have periods.  Maybe my fibroids are making a disturbance in the force.  With being elderly, the lining in the uterus can become too thin or there can be hormone imbalances. Fibroids can cause issues or it can be cancer.  So with all this in mind, I've found a different Gynecologist that's a female and a D.O.   I look forward to hearing what she has to say.  Perhaps she will suggest a different procedure than a hysterectomy.  Something more conservative.  If I have to have a hysterectomy, then I will.  

I went to St. Francis Hospital to have a blood test done to see if I'm anemic.  I am.  Taking iron now and I shouldn't have waited.  Bummer.  The wait to see my new Gynecologist is 2 months out.  I'm taking Ibuprofen which helps with the flow that's not suppose to be there.  My medical records will be faxed this week and I will see what happens when the doctor reads my records.  I may get in earlier to see her or the other D.O. that works with her.  

Mercy, if it's not one thing it's 4 other things. 

In the meantime, I pack when I can and do what I can.  Time to crank the heat up some.  It's getting chilly in this ole house.  12 degrees outside feeling like a -2.  WINTER has arrived and is quite chilly.  I think having a warm HOME to go to is such a blessing.

Baby, it's COLD outside.    
HOME sweet HOME is truly one of my favorite places.

~d   

WINTERY DAY

WINTER IS BACK in full force.  The wind howled late last night while snowing.  Woke to all things covered in powdery snow outside.  This cold weather this morning added to the desire of drinking hot chocolate with wrapping up in warm blankets.

In the Living room the miniature heater tower is on helping take the chill off.  The flittering faux candles on the fireplace mantel are on.  Once again the naked Christmas trees are twinkling with lights.  I just had to have some extra LIGHT in the room since the skies are grey overcast not allowing light to shine in. 

When I look out the windows, the naked tree branches look ominous against the grey skies. What's in the forecast that's not dreary?  19 degrees outside feels like 5 degrees with a 20 mile an hour wind.  I won't be bundling up in a warm coat taking a walk about today.  Indoors all day, Lord willing. 

Slowly the Christmas decorating are being put away.  I figure I have the month of January to make this happen.  When it warms up a tad next week the front door garland will come down. I'm documenting my Hallmark Barbie Christmas ornaments.  Next the Santas.  Think I might just take pictures of all my Hallmark Ornaments. 

On days like today, I like reading.  Judy Lindberg McFarland's book AGING WITHOUT GROWING OLD is one I refer back to quite a bit dealing with health issues.  I have to refresh my mind on what she says about high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes since these are issues I am presently dealing with.

She mentions that you should have your blood work done several times when checking cholesterol before deciding what to do because the time of the day the labs are ran can determine the outcome along with rushing around to get to the appointment.  Also loud noises, being in pain, infection and being frightened contribute to raising cholesterol levels.  hummmmm.  

I wonder about mine,

~d 

     

    

BUNDLING BASICS

I DID BUNDLE UP as we headed across the river to RETIREMENT COTTAGE territory.  Needed to check on the cottage and wanted to hand deliver valentines to some loved ones.  It makes me smile to be out of the house for a little fresh air.  The air was more than crisp.  It was bitter cold.

The change of scenery was a welcomed sight.  I wore my parka that has fur around the hood.  I can see how uncovered fingers freeze so quickly.  NEGATIVE TEMPS are hard on the body.  We stayed warm in the car with its heater on.  This shouldn't be taken lightly because car heaters are known to go haywire in such temperatures.  Then where are you?  We have a couple of blankets in the trunk incase we need help staying warm.  I carry a pair of socks in my coat pocket for emergencies.  

We went to get some fuel for the car before venturing out of town.  At least we'd have a full tank of gas.  Our car did not want to run like normal.  It stalled a few times.  Air was needed in the tires as well.  After the car warmed up, she ran well.  Relieved.

I do not have insulated waterproof boots.  I don't know how I forget to purchase such a necessary item especially with these Kansas WINTERS.  This week it is suppose to be frigid.  Almost anywhere in the midwest, you are going to experience icy temps with snow by Sunday.

I did treat my HUSBAND a VENTI Starbucks and slice of banana bread with walnuts and pecans!  I was going to treat him after Valentines, but we needed to make a run to TOPEKA anyhow and what a nice time to have a hot drink.    

Successful trip.  Car looked over and fueled, tires aired, dropped off valentines, Starbucks treat, God's Storehouse, SAMs, drive across the prairie, HOME, unloaded, PIZZA night and a movie. 

Spending at God's Storehouse was under $9.  A pair of pretty dangling earrings, a trinket with ruby red slippers, a book on lawn care and one on health.  

SAMS spending was higher.  Emergen-C powder, also Elderberry gummies to help build up the immune system, art supplies, veggies, steak, bottled water, etc. 

Good to get out of town and good to be back HOME.   

Television time was SEASIDE HOTEL on PBS.  A 2013 danish film series with subtitles.  A first for me to binge watch 6 episodes of a DANISH series.  It was challenging to read all the subtitles throughout all 6 episodes.  I was trying to decide what the language sounds like to a lay person.  Tones of germanic language can be heard, but also sounded Japanese at times.  Chinese?  It did to me.  For lack of a better explanation, I was stumped.

The time era is set for 1928.  HOLIDAY.  I thought the seaside looked inviting and to have been able to stay a summer by the beach would be heavenly.  Interesting story line.  I will binge watch season 2 tonight.  

    

TRUMP's SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL has wrapped up.  You know when you were a high school child and you could not understand how some classes you were required to take in order to receive a diploma or to get a well rounded education were needed because you thought you'd not have to use the information when out in the world, but learned along the way that you really did need the classes?  This trial effected me this way.     

I did not like High School Government class.  I cannot tell you much about my time in this class nor what the tests were like.  My attention span wasn't into the class.  I knew I had to study to pass the tests to get credit to graduate so I took the class because it was a requirement.  I didn't like it at all.  I thought it to be BORING.  Well, this impeachment trial was not boring to me.  It was informative and I liked watching the process of the trial.

Onto something else.

Onto something else.

I am onto something else.

HOME LIFE is for me, 

🏠d

 

FIRST DAY OF WINTER!

COMPLETELY FORGET THAT YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER.  What ever shall I do?  COMPLETELY ZONED OUT ABOUT IT until Hubby mentioned it after we looked at the GREAT CONJUNCTION of two planets being very close to one another.  Saturn and Jupiter.  Some call it the CHRISTMAS STAR.  

These two planets being so close to one another won't happen again for umpteen years.  The last time these two planets were so close was about 800 years ago. 

FIRST DAY OF WINTER and no snow here.  Next week it's in the forecast, but then forecast change since they are just a prediction.  I will marvel at the sight of snow falling covering everything in sight.  Will melt my heart just the same.  

We drove over to RETIREMENT COTTAGE eating onion rings from THE GRILL to get our telescope out of storage.  Found a nice place outside of town to set the scope up where the trees didn't block the view.  The scope didn't work well so we eyeballed the magnificent sight in the sky.  I snapped a photo and called it good.

Took a spin around town and looked at the lights.

Made for a pleasant evening.

Ate a hamburger while listening to Christmas music 

while touring the community.

Not bad for the first day of WINTER.

All is calm.  All is bright.

Round yon virgin, Mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Back HOME we went.  Along the countryside is a farmhouse that has a light show for others.  You park in a pasture and tune in the radio station playing music that is synchronized with the lights.  For these parts of the world this is appreciated.  Maybe 10 years they have treated the area with a light show.  Sorry no pics, just memories.

Once we got inside our warm HOME, we watched a movie about Charles Dickens writing THE CHRISTMAS CAROL.  The costuming and interior of the rooms are excellent, but the title is misleading as he didn't invent Christmas and most people know that. 

The thought came to me that perhaps Dickens either did drugs or was mentally ill and hallucinated.  I knew very little about him so google helped me out a bit.  There are many letters of his to shed light on his health issues that he freely wrote about.  He was considered to have obsessive compulsive disorder. He is thought to have suffered from epilepsy as a child and possibly throughout life.  He suffered with constant colds.  His depression worsened with age, and he eventually separated from his wife, Catherine Hogarth, mother of his ten children.

Shame on him for having an affair causing a break up of his marriage.  Jewelry with a note to an actress were mistakingly sent to his home where his wife opened the package with a note to his mistress.  10 children later the marriage ended.  Not sure what became of his wife and children. Dickens would carry on with this actress until his death.  He'd have strokes which ended his life at 58.  Incredibly young, but the actress was way younger than him.  I'm sure she performed her greatest acting achievements while in his presence.  No honors were given. Bravo.      

The man responsible for CHRISTMAS mends broken hearts, brings marriages together and blesses children, not Charlie.  

  

A decent start to WINTER 2020.  It is said that this WINTER will be very dark as the pandemic continues and covid is not a hoax.  I believe the American public would have been better prepared to fight this demon if the man in charge of our country would have informed the country that this was extremely contagious and air born in January instead of down playing it by calling it a hoax.  Now the President is saying this pandemic was created so he would not be reelected.  A  w o r l d w i d e  pandemic created just for him?  He has been called a narcissist.  Can you believe how self-centered he is?  Self centered and conceited that a worldwide pandemic was created specifically so he would not be reelected in November.  I believe him to be off his nut as some say.  OFF HIS NUT.  Insanity from having too many venereal diseases?  I cannot stomach this man.  Once he bragged to Howard Stern how busy he was with European models.  God help us. 

If there's no panic, then the stock market is better off.  Who is better off?  I believe that our President let the American people down by not speaking truthful about the coronavirus in the first place.  AND if I worked for the President he would fire me for saying so, because he does this to others that he thinks have a poor opinion of him or do not agree with his madness or have you not noticed his pattern?

My brother has a brother-in-law lying in intensive care fighting for his life from what our President calls a hoax.  The attending physician informed his family that he has not seen a patient live that has had to take so much oxygen to survive.  He is deathly ill.  I cannot blame the ones that have suffered from this demon to have a lowly opinion of the President.  

If a school building full of students is on fire and the one in charge of the school knows that there is a internal fire but does not call the fire department for help and remains quiet not giving a heads up to the teachers so they can safely get the students out of the burning building what would you say about the character of the one in charge?  That the head person is irresponsible? Uncaring?  That they are reckless and callus?  Demonic?  Sadistic?  Cruel?  Awful?  How would you classify this person's actions or lack of actions?  Then have the person tell others that the school fire happened just so they would no longer remain in charge?

A very sad situation.  Lord help us.  Not all fare well.  So very much to pray about.  So very much.    

Winter has started and cold weather has settled in.  Christmas will be celebrated on Friday. Praise the LORD, we still celebrate his birth.  The LORD has come, let earth receive her KING. Praise GOD, baby  Jesus was born and walked the earth so we might know the very nature of GOD.  Reading the King James Bible is full of life.  Holy is HE.    

I have much to do this week to be ready for a lovely day.

d

 

Walking In A Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin

HUMMING to myself 'Walking In A Winter Wonderland'.....catchy tune. Decided to see on youtube if this was on there and sure enough there was Dean'o singing it.  I needed some WINTER CHEER as the cold weather isn't my thing.  BUNDLE UP BUTTERCUP. So Dean was singing to me and it did cheer me up some.  

Our sewer backed up into the basement last week.  Unexpected expense.  Got that taken care of with no damage.  This morning my DEAR HUBBY said something was wrong with the main floor heater with the outside temps in the single digits.  The two misfortunes are not connected.  

He went to the hardware store to purchase a small heating unit.  This is taking the edge off of the chill in the Living room.  He's looking into the heater to see if he can fix it.  Pray he can.  

I've got to get my morning shower out of the way so I can watch the TRUMP TRIAL beginning at noon in our time zone.  Am curious how this will go.  

Too cold to go to TOPEKA today.  Will stay HOME.  
Sippin' HOT coffee.  
The best thing I can do is to stay HOME.

Today in the mail were three magazines advertisements, 3 actual  magazines, 1 jewelry sales catalog, and about 6 medical advertisements for me encouraging me to turn 65 in JULY.  This is a lot of mail for me as I seldom get so much.  

My health is improving.  Not coughing as much, but still have a scratchy throat.  DayQuil today. Only had one dose of it yesterday and I did better.  Pray health continues to improve as 6 weeks of this down time has been a downer.  

Welp, I had better take care of business.  

Blessings to you and yours,

d    

Genesis 8:22

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, 

and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Welcome!

Tis so cold outside the warmth in our HOME is even more welcoming. When you are not able to take the outside cold, then the heat inside is even more attractive.  I still like a blanket across my lap.
  

My heavy coat does help defer the cold when I'm outside walking to the car.  It was COLD.  Noticeably cold.  5 loads of laundry were done yesterday.  5...bingo.  That's a good feeling knowing the laundry is getting done.  The TV at the matt was on a station talking about the Trump Trial coming this week.  It was interesting to listen to as I waited for the loads to finish.  I wonder how this trial well go?  I hope to watch it.  Trump is impeached now a trial.  History in the making.  I remember watching part of the Clinton Trial way back when we lived in Oklahoma in a run down rental we found ourselves living in trying to recover from debt.  Clinton stayed in office.  I wonder if Trump will get to do the same.  

One more big basket full of laundry to do this week then I will wash some bedding and bathroom rugs.  Scrub down the tub and scour the tile floor.  Purchase some new shower curtains and wash the old ones to use in the automobiles when hauling plants, trash, etc.  

This will be nice to be caught up!  So nice.  THEN I will jump in and work on the spare room.  This will take some time.  Probably a February project.  

BUT FIRST!...I've been thinking a great deal about switching the GUEST BEDROOMS.  This hasn't been without time and thought going into it.  

The Victorian furniture would fit better in the other room that has my Husband's Grandparents furniture in it.  I haven't hung any pictures yet.  Thinking I would like to switch the furniture and yet it doesn't just happen with great ease.  The mattresses and boxsprings would have to go as well and they are bulky and weighty.  I can see the rooms in my mind and think it would be a great switch to make, then hang pictures and call it good.  

Still coughing, but not as much.  The DayQuil helps me plus Albuterol which opens the air passages.  I'll continue the Vitamin C.  This has been a long strung out illness since the middle of December.  Resting, but my mind wonders all over the place taking into account all that needs done or wanting done.  This is the part of being ill that needs more discipline.  THE IMAGINATION.  I have been so sick before, the thinking didn't take place.  This isn't the case.  Yes, I am weak, sickly and tired, but the 'ole brain is functioning just fine.


The energy I have today must go into showering then shampooing and conditioning my hair then trim it.  Style and return to my housecoat.  

More laundry tomorrow knowing the outside temps are bitter.  Snow in the forecast for Wednesday.  Better see if I can mustard up some energy to go to SAMs and get some more ICE MELT and go to JUDEE's for fancy coffee at a dollar and a half instead of STARBUCK'S $5 cup.  I like Starbucks, but while we're counting pennies switching from having a regular paycheck to Social Security, the pennies must be watched.

By March, I hope I'm up and running plus we'll be one day closer to SPRING!  Awesome SPRING!!!  Am hoping and praying that this SPRING my feet will be all better and I can return to walking with ease.  Dear LORD, you know my hearts cry.

All the best to you,

d

  

No Pie Today!

HUBBY IS RETIRED.  We slept in without the alarm clock going off to wake us for the day.  Woke up to the sound of THUNDER.  Raining outside.  Grey skies and wintry glare.

Lunch will be BREAKFAST.  Right now, I am sipping HOT Organic Coffee with a little cream in it.  Continues thundering outside on this cold January WINTRY day.  Weatherman is saying that we are in a WINTER STORM WARNING.  Temps to drop into the teens tonight.  Possibly snow.

Raining and thundering right now.  Freezing temps.  Ice and no snow.  I was expecting a cold wintry mix this Friday so last night we made a trip to TOPEKA for our stash of coffee cups, stirrers and organic coffee before the weather turns bitter cold.  So many people wearing shorts on Thursday.  Coats on Friday.

We had just ran out of coffee cups.  The supply of stirrers has lasted several years.  Got our money's worth out of these.  SUPPER was 100% Beef Hotdogs at good 'ole SAMS.  They were terribly busy, but I sure enjoyed looking at the goods.  

ON THURSDAY, I first went to the THRIFT SHOPPE and bought nothing.  Stopped by the BANK for business, drove the long way to TOPEKA, stopped off at GOD's STOREHOUSE for $1.50 LATTE and a peanut butter cookie.  I bought nothing else.  I mostly wanted to get out of the house for my hour.  Good medicine for me is to get out of the house for an hour, if only to get some fresh air and take in some different scenery.    

I won't be making a pie today.  Bills have to be done and the budget reviewed.  TIGHT BUDGET until MARCH.  Tight.  Was figuring what to do during this adjustment period.  Deep CLEANING.  Tidying, book keeping, going through old magazines to pitch, writing.  Prepping for SPRING.  One day closer to SPRING.  

I have plenty to do.  The spare room awaits attention, but first the bills, laundry and deep cleaning.  No special order.

Icicles and snow this week-end.  Perfect weather to clean house,
d

WINTER TIME...

EVEN WITH THE SKIES RETURNING TO POWDER BLUE it's so cold the snow crunches under my feet when walking to the car.  Temps in the teens and below freezing.  We got hit hard over the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS and the week between NEW YEARS.  Way too cold to be out in it.

Changing our plans we stayed HOME over New Years.  Had plans to go stay with my Mom, but thought we had better play it safe and stay HOME.  Relaxing and staying warm.  MADE FUDGE.  Watched a few movies and dreamed of warmer weather.  Thinking about what needs done around the house.    

First day back to work, Hubby's work car wouldn't start so he drove my auto and got a new battery.  I had a very quiet day at home working on paperwork and bills.  I wrote out THANK YOU NOTES  and walked to the Post Office to buy stamps.  A short distance to the Post Office with the Public Library next door.  After I finished at the Post Office, I walked over to the Library to spend an hour on the computer.  Spent another hour thumbing through magazines then checked a few books out.

Bundled up and got some fresh air and some exercise!  One of the books I checked out is about the Presidential Gardens.  Seeing the Gardens made me think that I'd love to see in person when the weather is milder the Gardens for myself.  Touring the WHITE HOUSE is something I'd like to do, but I'm not sure they allow tours anymore.

Walked HOME before Husband returned from work with a new car battery.  He warmed up and then replaced the battery in this cold.  Eventually we'll have the garage cleaned out to where the car could be worked on with the heater on.  For now we are still thinning through things and we haven't worked in the garage yet.  The cold weather has set in.  It will be a Spring before we work out there.

We have the basement yet to tidy.  There are now 15 boxes in the upstairs hallway that I am presently going through.  Tis slow.  I know this is an ongoing process.  

Christmas Nutcrackers are put away.  Today, I worked on putting some angels away.  Figured I've had these angels since we lived in Texas.  Bought them at a Furniture Store umpteen years ago.  The fire didn't get them!  HAPPY to have them for a little while longer.

Tonight, we will have supper at daughter's as we celebrate two of the kids birthdays.  Met Hubby over at the cottage to load up some storage boxes into the cars then go over to Daughter's.  

Found Hubby's dress suit still in a hanging suitcase.  Will need to take suit to the cleaners as it is wrinkled.  The last time he wore this suit was a year ago in February for his Mother's funeral.  We were so tired when we returned after her funeral that we didn't get back to unpacking this special suitcase.  

Things began snowballing as we would soon be selling the shell of our rock house house that burned, buy another house, pack and move plus start going through 675 fire boxes, get settled in new house and furniture shop.  It makes my head spin to think how busy we have been.

Tomorrow I have got to work on bills, wrapping some more Holiday gifts and do some laundry.  I'd love to escape to a tropical island and lay out on a beach.  These bitter cold WINTERS are tough to take.  I start thinking about SPRING FLOWERS and Spring rains.  For now I will continue getting better organized taking inventory of what we have and figuring out where to go with THINGS.  

Soon the flowers will begin to bloom.  I will need to prepare a place in the backyard for an herb garden and a vegetable garden.  The thought of fresh tomatoes makes my mouth water.  Tomatoes and green peppers will be about all I will grow for veggies.  Maybe I should grow some lettuce especially for the bunny that's been hopping about the lawn for months.  If he makes it through the WINTER I'll be surprised to see him in the Spring.       

Always something to do around HOME.
Blessings to you,
d



    

First Day Of Winter

ALREADY WINTER!!!
FOR BEING THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER…we were so active.  This was not a day of REST for us as we were so busy cleaning rooms, doing paperwork, laundry and driving into Manhattan to complete 6 hours of SHOPPING.  With the college population mostly gone with CHRISTMAS BREAK the traffic was tolerable and the stores were not busy.  A very nice change than previous years when the stores were so crowded one could not shop with ease.

I'll go over my menu later today and make sure all is ready to go for the week.  Take a breather and relax.  CUP OF COFFEE TIME.  

NATIVITY SCENE is out and on display.  Baby Jesus moved from the PARLOUR to the Dining room.  I placed this scene on my Grandmother's oak sideboard that was relocated and placed back downstairs into the Dining room.  Hubby had to fix the bottom interior due to the bottom falling apart.  Secure now with old dishes in the bottom area and NATIVITY sitting on it.  Hubby worked so hard to reclaim our Dining room this past week.  

Our Dining room has held the Kitchen overflow and has been a warehouse as the Kitchen has been worked on.  We got to the place where the extra dishes and mass odds 'n ends were boxed, given away or placed elsewhere in the house.  I now have a DINING ROOM for CHRISTMAS.  It has been a year and a half since we had a real Dining room.  Take a deep breathe and sigh.  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!
  
Wreath on porch.
Porch urns decorated.
CHRISTMAS music, books and movies located.
CHRISTMAS gifts purchased, wrapped and ready to go.
CHRISTMAS WEEK meals and snacks figured.  Grocery SHOPPING is done.  Food bought.
Christmas SWEETS on the buffet.  The grocers helped me this year as I had no spare energy or time to bake.  Perhaps next year.

I failed to get my 2014 CHRISTMAS LETTER completed and printed out.  I will do this after CHRISTMAS this year.  A few CHRISTMAS cards will be mailed MONDAY.  I just couldn't get it all done with all the extra moving going on.  It has seemed like we moved all over again this month.  Makes my head spin.  

MONDAY will be a day to put ourselves into fast gear.  FAMILY arrives Tuesday evening.  Getting excited.  
We are running behind on the CHRISTMAS decorating…our CHRISTMAS tree isn't out yet!!!  But it will be.  So much of our time, energy and muscle has been put into rearranging the rooms and relocating stuff.  Hopefully our tree will be up and decorated just before the Grandchildren arrive.  Their beds are ready.

The tree will stay up until February?  Just sure of it.  I will get to enjoy the tree before my Husband's CHRISTMAS EVE BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS, EPIPHANY and leisurely take her down as the cold wind blows.  

MONDAY, I will be rolling up my sleeves to clean the Master Bedroom where company will stay.  Go over the details to make sure we are ready for the week.  Bathrooms will get cleaned on Tuesday.  If my back doesn't hold up, I'll have to crawl around on my hands and knees to clean the POTTY ROOMS.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON.  grins.  It can be done.

Plans are being made already for next year's CHRISTMAS decorating.  Will be on the look out for discounted CHRISTMAS lights to deck out our HOME.  Christmas 2015 with lights on the house.  It's been awhile since we lit our home up.

My first day of WINTER was wonderful.  It spit moisture which added a misty charm.  THANKFUL for this very productive day.  

If we stay indoors and work really hard, the house will be clean.  My prayer is that we have a BLESSED HOLIDAY.  May the company feel comfortable, relaxed and welcomed.  LOVED.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

Baby Jesus, I love you and who you grew up to be.  
What a beautiful baby you were and a mighty Saviour you are.

Peace,
d    

Happy First Day Of Winter!

~HAPPY FIRST DAY OF WINTER~

I'm getting my CHRISTMAS wish 

on the first day of WINTER!

It's sleeting outside and snow is in the forecast this week-end.  Finally....finally I warmed up to the idea that cold weather is here. Michael Buble is singing, I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas on our stereo as we're having a coffee break.  

The Christmas Tree is lit.  Some Christmas Cards are hanging on the Family room shutter.  
The Pantry shelves are filled with food.  The Christmas treats are ready.  Gifts ready.  

Sunday I hope to finish the Christmas Cards.

I'm running way behind on this yearly ritual, but am alright with being late.  God is good and I will be focusing on JESUS this Christmas.

Yesterday was a busy day and I think it to be a success without having an auto accident.  People are vicious in their automobiles and they don't seem to know how to handle it when smiled at.

Here in a minute, we'll return to clearing out the Spare room.  She's getting the attention she has needed for 7 years!  By evening the room shall hopefully look like a room once again.  

This makes my heart sing.

~HAPPY FIRST DAY OF WINTER TO YOU~

As this week-end passes, 

I pray that God will bless you as only He can.

Merry Christmas,

d

Early Winter

The Weatherman is a bad boy with forecasting 

that snow and colder temps are 

on their way.  

He should only get a lump of coal 
for Christmas.  

Our Autumn has been chillier than I like.  
I convinced myself that I'm alright with late Autumn disappearing as WINTER is coming.  

So cold....it's seems like WINTER.

SANTA will be seen on the scene before you know it.

Chillin'

d

First Day Of Winter On The Calendar

Credit by Kansas Byways

~FIRST DAY OF WINTER ON THE FLINT HILLS~

Snow fell the day before early during the wee morning hours as the Kansas wind HOWLED with 58 miles per hour wind.  Bitter cold.  The power went off three times as I was staying up late working on Christmas Cards.  Stayed up till two in the morning.  Power glitches.  Pleased that they were short lived and sleeping under warm covers wasn't a problem.  Just messed up the alarm clock for getting up to face the day with an out of town trip for Topeka Medical Appointments.  I can see where a wind up alarm clock by the night stand could be very helpful.  Will get one. 

Finally tired enough to lay my head down on a pillow and close my eyes to sleep.  New sheets on the bed.  New pillows as well.  A nice thing to have as we welcome Winter here.  This doesn't stop me from counting the days till Spring.  I will have to work at slowing down for the cold days and doing things for inside accomplishments.  Like getting old paper work in order, sew some curtains and continue to thin through stuff.  Stuff.

Thursday the temps were in the 20s as I went for my half year thyroid check up.  Traveling the icy roads makes me tenser than comfortable and by mid afternoon ready for fancy coffee to steam up the windshield.  Soothing coffee flavor to hold me over till I can lie down for a nap after returning home from the city.

Christmas shopping is completed.  Thankful.  Running behind this year.  BUT RUNNING.  Safely home and early enough to watch the movie, LITTLE WOMEN.  Like this movie and watch it yearly.  Enjoy seeing the interiors of that time era and the story line is well worth viewing.  Costumes are beautiful and the acting quite good.  A decent movie.

Chicken Noodle Soup for Supper and pleased with the good report I received from my Thyroid Doctor.  Blood work is where he likes and I am Thankful to be alive.  Alive.  It's been two and a half years since I had my thyroid removed.  There are some mild challenges in my body and huge ones in my soul, but I have to take it one day at a time and live the best way I can.  My husband and daughter have been my saving grace when it comes to completing all that I once could do, but cannot anymore.  I am a changed woman, but we all change with time and life's challenges that haunt us.

What the new year will bring, we shall see.  I pray that I take no one for granted, love my husband more deeply, love my family more completely, write a book, continue to get organized, sew some, be who the Lord wants me to be and grow closer to Him so that I may know Him in a more intimate way.

May you have a blessed life and a very Merry Christmas!  That special day is just a few days away.  May we get more snow and illness stay far away.

Transformed and learning as I go,
d

Winter On The Prairie

It's Wednesday.
Sweet Blessings to you.


Truly, in my part of the world, the weather has been dry and milder than usual.  March will come and we shall see what the weather will do.  Praying for some Winter moisture.  Need it.  Perhaps April Showers will bring May Flowers.


Reminds me of SPRING, Texas when we lived there.  Some of the Winters were mild.  No coats needed.


Today, I have hopes of breathing in some fresh air.  The temps will be in the 60s.  Walking Weather!  Clean off the Porch Weather.  Clean out the automobile Weather.


I'll have a HELPER.  My Grand daughter will be my side kick.  Lil Miss is full of LIFE.  God knew what He was doing to this old Lady.  I have to keep in motion when taking care of a young child.  AND in motion I am.  Whew...take a deep breath.  Sip some coffee.   Let the sun shine.


PSALM 16:1
PRESERVE me, O God:  for in thee do I put my trust.
God bless and shine on,
~d~