SEEING AUTUMN THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES

TRAVELING FROM A WEEK-END CELEBRATION, made me a bit tired.  Today, I rest before doing a ton of chores.  We headed out early Saturday morning to celebrate our grandson's birthday in Oklahoma.  He's so grown up turning 17.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

We visited with one another, ate some food and ate birthday cake with ice-cream.  I enjoyed every bite.  I had been dieting straight for 5 days.  I knew ahead of time that I would allow myself some CAKE.  CAKE!  Wonderful to be with FAMILY.  Some treats when away from HOME, but back to so called mindful eating when at HOME.  

We went to the ROUTE 66 PARK.  

We'd work it in on Sunday visiting the ROUTE 66 Park and see how Sapulpa is decorating for the Holiday CHUTE.  The details for the Route 66 Chute. https://route66christmaschute.com/  At THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS, this CHUTE is really gorgeous to see.

HUBBY and I chatted about doing something like this on our porch ceiling.  We've got quite a few oversized ornaments that we could hang.  hummmmm.  Could be beautiful.

We ate at the CROSSROADS  COOKERY.  https://www.crossroadscookery.com/  I was a good girl and had a SALAD.  Coffee afterwards at their COFFEE LAB.  Mocha with some cinnamon to drink.  It's been over 5 years since I had a MOCHA!  Yummers.

~Our kids~

We journeyed HOME and are relaxing after our week-end.  The trip HOME had a few surprises.  Thanking GOD we were not in an accident as we sat in traffic on the interstate.  A semi-trailer truck came barreling down the ditch to the right of us doing his best to avoid a pile up.  Going too fast and coming upon the long line of cars stopped in traffic, he drove off in the ditch.  Hubby said that when the truck cab was next to him, he could see the tatts on the driver's arm.  Too close for comfort.  Once again you really do not know when you might take your last breath.  Know the Lord Jesus as your personal savior and be saved.  A insurance policy you cannot afford to do without.  Eternity is nearer than you think.

THE HEALTH CREDENTIALS.  Coffee for Breakfast.  As for my food program...I fasted until 2:30 in the afternoon.  About 5 oz. of steak with steak sauce and broccoli for late lunch.  Not hungry for an evening meal.  I'll do my best to get back to walking a solid mile like I was before my hip had a fit.  This evening, I walked two laps which is a half mile.  Couldn't do another lap around the football field tonite.  I'll add another lap in November.  This getting into the vibe of things has been hard for me since my hip episode.  One lap took me 7 and a half minutes to complete.  I was walking 6 and half minutes before hip issues.  I'll stay with it.  Lord willing.  Amen. 

BACK IN DES MOINES...

Prayers for HANK.  

He sure needs them and so does my sister.

I'll be visiting soon with my Mom and Sister 

to see how things are going.

Blessings to you,

~d

WEEK-END IN OKLAHOMA TERRITORY

MORNIN'.  Back to the grind of everyday living.  Out of pocket since Saturday.  We are now HOME resting and making plans for the rest of the week.  

Will download more pics later, but for now in a nutshell I shall share the last view days mostly in words instead of a bunch of pics.

On Saturday, we traveled to Oklahoma to celebrate a Grandson's 12th Birthday.  Like Birthdays were celebrated years ago, it was a Family Gathering.  Grandmas and pas, parents and siblings gathered to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY and eat CAKE.  So we did.  🎵🎶     

AND saw our 6 month old Great Grand daughter.

In the evening, we toured the BURNETT MANSION in Sapulpa for their 115th Birthday.  I had wanted to go to this TEA ROOM that use to be in the Mansion, but could not get the timing right to catch them OPEN.  Deliberately, the Mansion was having an event so the public could tour the house for $5.  115 years ago the house was built and is now being used as an EVENT CENTER. This is my cup of TEA for sure.  My bailiwick.  What turns my crank.  

Lots of Family TIME and movies.

On Monday, we journeyed to the Route 66 area of Tulsa and ate at the Velvet Taco.

Hit the road HOME on Tuesday and while we drove through Topeka, we stopped off at God's Storehouse for thrift and Natural Grocers for some CoQ10.  I had ran out.  Picked up an orange cauliflower, a purple cauliflower, a large box of Arugula (hard to find), a large bag of gorgeous carrots.  At GS, I bought a toy elephant that makes noise for one of the great grands. 🐘  

I found a small, hardback book by Sarah L. Delaney called ON MY OWN AT 107 for 75 cents.  I so admire the Delany Sisters.

Then there was Dolly.

While we were traveling, our son let us know that Dolly Parton, the prolific country-western song writer and singer passed away at the age of 80.  Through the years, her natural beauty would be transformed into something else with a multitude of unnatural face lifts, body tucks and breast implants too large for her small frame.  She monetized her breast and made a fortune wearing low cut, rhinestone clothing and wigs of various styles.  She stood taller in her 6 inch high heels and fringe.  She said, "It cost a lot of money to look this cheap." and then would giggle.  The well liked rags to riches performer had been ill and in a Cancer Hospital for 4 days before her death.  

She definitely was a very successful business woman and entrepreneur selling music, cake mixes, clothing, wigs, Dollywood and wine.  She was working on a Museum, Dog Treats and more before her death.  She made money hand over fist. ✊. You still have to manage it no matter how much you have or don't have.  Keeping it straight who your God is doesn't disappear from being in the spot light.
  

The Mark Seliger July 27, 2006 Photo of Dolly in the Grand Masonic Lodge in Nashville.  Of all the beautiful places she could have been photographed, this was the place she sat in a ritualistic, red masonic dress covered with masonic ritualistic, red roses.  Was she a freemason puppet?

I'm saddened that she left us.

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀 

When getting HOME, I rested and elevated my feet as they were starting to swell.

HOME TODAY.  Figuring out what I hope to get done.  I'd like to go for a short walk, do a little laundry, unpack and stay awhile.  In the next few days, Hubby's tool chest will be moved to the garage from the storage unit and a muscle rack will fill the spot it had in the unit.  It's gonna take some muscles and sweat to make this happen.   CHRISTMAS DECOR in nice storage boxes will begin to be loaded on the rack and I will smile really big with the results.

As the clock nears noon, I feel a nap coming on.  I might close my eyes for a minute or two for a POWER NAP.  I can dream about a new hair do.  Maybe I should just buy a Dolly wig and call it good. 

~d

4th of JULY KABOOMS WERE FROM THE SKIES NOT FIRE CRACKERS

WE BOTH WORE OUR 4th of JULY red tee-shirts and blue jeans.  MOOD FOODS were definitely Hot Dogs, chips, brownies with vanilla ice cream and we ate leisurely inside as the skies were thunderous with rain and lightning.  The BOOMS were coming from the clouds.  

I do not miss firecrackers.  Just my old age talking.  I have many fun childhood memories of days gone by, so hang onto these.

I was very content to be indoors out of the heat on the 4th.  The kabooms were reverberating so I stay quiet about the booms.  Hubby and I agreed to stay HOME in the evening and skip the FIRE WORKS over in BOOM TOWN.  Instead I worked indoors as Hubby shuffles the junk in the garage.  We are celebrating our freedom by downsizing and making sense of our messes that were created when we relocated from our big house to this tiny COTTAGE.

We have a plan to make the clean-up and downsizing as it becomes a reality in 2026.  There is an urgency in my soul of getting this task completed.  Too many deaths and illnesses in our family have made me think we have to have our estate in order.  AND WHEN IT FINALLY MATERIALIZES, I will be over the moon happy.  

The power just surged.  Lightning may have hit a source.  Blinked for a second.  Long enough to set off the fridge alarm signaling that power was off.   

As the day wore on, I rested most of the day.  Seriously rested and read.  Hubby worked in the garage and from time to time came inside to take a break excited about his progress.  It was best that I not be in his way as he worked.  I agreed and stayed inside.

The rains stopped and we stayed HOME and away from the big Fireworks Show, but the local neighbors made noise until midnight or so.  As we settled down for the night, we watched the movie PROJECT HAIL MARY. 

Project Hail Mary follows schoolteacher-turned-astronaut Ryland Grace, who wakes alone on a spacecraft with no memory, only to learn he's on a desperate mission to stop a cosmic threat that’s dimming the Sun. Blending hard science, high-stakes suspense, and an unlikely extraterrestrial alliance, this adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel is positioned as an epic, emotional sci-fi adventure. 

The movie was really interesting.  

Night happened and it was time to call it a day.

Sunday, I had a girlfriend's afternoon outing to celebrate the groups July Birthdays.  We purchased our movie tickets for YOUNG WASHINGTON first then went to a local eatery where I had a small salad.  The restaurant served us a free birthday treats!

   ~The Birthday Girls~

We walked over to the theater and watched the movie.  The theater was full.  I liked the movie very much, but it was not what I expected.  I thought it be more about his social life, but instead it shows how he became a Colonel.

Young Washington tells the untold origin story of a 22-year-old George Washington, set against the backdrop of colonial America. After a costly mistake sparks the French and Indian War, he must confront failure, loss, and the burden of leadership, forging the character that will define a nation’s first president. 

I liked the costuming and thought the acting in the movie was very good, but I question how truthful the story was as Washington became a Freemason at the age of 20 before beginning his military career.  The character George Washington starts out wanting to be a part of the British Militia and ends up a Virginian Colonel.

If one's persona can be made into something it's not, then the brainwashing was successful and one tends to believe a lie verses the truth.

PLANS for the week.  Two medical appointments this week.  Continue shuffling and downsizing. The sooner this is done, the better.  I'm getting antsy waiting for this project to be done.  Irritated would be a better word for it.  Boxes gone through.  Same o same o laundry.  Bills paid.  Hoping to see great results concerning getting the storage units and garage taken care of.  

Love,
~d

AREN'T BIRTHDAYS GREAT? Yes.

Happy 51st Birthday, Son.

Love you,

Mom

 

MOM'S 94th

We celebrated Mom's BIRTHDAY 

by eating a FAMILY MEAL at Cracker Barrel

and then had a PARTY at her apartment. 

My siblings and our spouses gathered to honor our Mom.  

A couple of grandkids as well.  Nice to get together.

Sister, Baby Brother, Mom and Me.  
Dad and Brother David are in heaven.

Happy Birthday!

Blessings,
~d

LIL MISS TURNS 19

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love,

Grandma

HEADED TOWARD 2026

BLINKING MY EYES and realizing that a new calendar year is coming our way breaks the silence that another year is ending as a new one comes forth.  The week between Christmas and New Year's is a time to tie up loose ends.  

NO fudge was made nor were pretzel rods covered in white chocolate before Christmas.  I managed to get HUBBY's birthday cake fixed in time for his birthday and he made some chocolate covered pretzel ties and together we dipped stuffed Oreo cookies into white chocolate. Enough sweets really, but I had it on my agenda for some fudge and pretzel rods.

Over the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, we celebrated my HUBBY's 71st birthday by eating lunch at GAMBINO'S PIZZA as a gift from our Oklahoma Family and with birthday wishes, some gifts and birthday cake on Christmas EVE at our Kansas Family's home. 

December 24th.  Blowing out the birthday candles with a smile on his face was a cinch for him this year as he was eager to eat some of his favorite kind of cake, German Chocolate.  

CHRISTMAS morning was filled with excitement by our 4 year old grandson being ready to open presents in front of the Christmas Tree. Spent time with Lil Miss who is in College these days and our family. CHRISTMAS morning came with a delicious breakfast and conversation.  Ended the day with a couple of movies and popcorn.  

CHRISTMAS without CHRIST isn't really CHRISTMAS, but a very secular season.  So I mustn't ever forget that Jesus is the reason for the season.  Because of HIM, I can rejoice and sing HIS praises.

Happy Birthday, JESUS.  You are the reason to truly celebrate.  

In THE KANSAS FLINT HILLS, the fog was thick and seemed magical as I looked out across their front yard that spreads toward some hills off in the distance.

CHRISTMAS DAY weather was a FOGGY one like none I've seen before. The landscape was gorgeous to see fog fill the air. 

The day ended as we slept then woke to time on their front porch before eating eggs and bacon for breakfast.  Later, I drank hot tea to chat with. We spent two nights with them then headed HOME.  

Twas warm enough for the lil guy to go without a shirt and go barefooted.  During the month of December in Kansas, it is usually way too cold to stand outside on the porch barefooted, but we did.  Temps were Spring-like.  It seemed like we were back in Houston, Texas this year when the winters were mild.  No snow.  Pleasant weather for Kansas this Holiday.  Truly pleasant enough to go for long walks and work in the yard.   

His Birthday has passed.  CHRISTMAS is over, the shopping finished, cards and gifts taken care of.  The after CHRISTMAS sales are taking place.  

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

 

Counting my blessings and thanking my LORD for the gifts HE gives to HIS children, HIS love and direction.  I did not get all the baking done in time for celebrating this year, but I did not forget to tell GOD thank you for the many blessings to us.  Truly, HE has been so good and wonderful. HBJ.  

Overflow activities will take place this week.  I will allow myself to nibble on fudge and pretzels.  THEN, I will permit myself to NOT EAT sweets for at least a month starting on January 1st.  I will walk my miles and declutter STUFF.  Making a schedule like I were in High School again to have planned activities on such and such days will take place.  

On the HOME FRONT before the chilly weather returns on MONDAY, Hubby is continuing to work on the COTTAGE porch.  Tis coming along. Love the way it is turning out.  He installed the skirt on the porch and prime was painted on it.  There's more painting to do.  PAT HIM ON THE BACK.  The ceiling will be sanded and painted HAUNT BLUE and a new hanging light will go up when warmer weather comes.

We shall see a finished product in early 2026?  After finishing the COTTAGE's bathroom during the year of 2025, he started on the porch tearing out the old porch in September, rebuilding the porch's stone foundation and rebuilding the entire porch with spindles, stairs and rails.

2026.  Walking will return.  Mindful eating will return.  Cleaning the COTTAGE will return.  Hobbies will be welcomed.  Writing will return. ETC.  I will allow myself TIME for the disciplined things and the fun things.  I will enjoy my LIFE and spend TIME in prayer and meditating on GOD's healthy WORD.

Here's to 2026.  Come what may, I pray to grow healthier in every way.

~d