Bill

Praise the Lord - Imperials

Still In My House Coat

Walp....I am still in my house coat this late hour of the day, but it's my plaid one that warms me up way too much to be cozy.  Flat HOT in here covered like a burka.  I do have a hair appointment with the kitchen sink at 4 this afternoon.  I need a wash really bad and I cannot put it off much longer because I am needing to pretty up before Husband gets HOME from work.

I did manage to get that little CHRISTMAS tree out of the box that was staring at me yesterday.  I must say, she was a HUGE disappointment when I assembled her together.  Two parts to put together with a plastic stand.  The legs of the stand went together pretty well, but the essence of a beautiful tree never happened.  AND you know what the world says about CHRISTMAS trees.... CHRISTMAS TREES LIVES MATTER.

Pulling the two tree pieces apart, I stuck the top portion into a urn that was on our tiny porch.  Hopefully by this week-end an extension cord will connect with this CHARLIE BROWN looking tree and she'll sparkle in the dark hours.

I am slowly regaining more strength and am looking forward to traveling to the city to go shopping so there's some FOOD in the new fridge.  Later I will show some pics of my new appliances as I had to say good-bye to the ones that were in the rock house.

With moving into RETIREMENT COTTAGE, I want so badly to be the best that I can be under the circumstances.  I surfed the internet researching Victorian Life in 2016.  I don't have the heart or desire to completely get away from what I have grown accustomed to as a modern woman, but there is room for improvement as a middle aged over weight housewife.

I ate a healthy apple for my afternoon snack.  Lunch was two cheese sticks and a graham cracker with WATER.  I will overdose on a salad tonight so I get my greens in this body of mine that I must take care of because I must take care of her.  GREENS.  Breakfast was coffee with cream and air.  I enjoy writing down the things I hope to accomplish during the day.  Since I matured a whole lot over the years...I don't get nearly as discouraged when I don't get all the things done that I had hoped to.  It's alright to not get as much done as I had wished I would.  Maturing in a healthier way.  Matronly HAPPINESS is alright.

I will be buying vegetables soon along with cottage cheese and yogurt.  Tis Thursday and I am pleased that it is Thursday.

I found CHRISTMAS Gift cards to fill with cash for my Grandchildren.  This season they will get cash from their Grandfather and me.  I usually get gifts, but this season it will be different as I have had my hands so full with moving into RETIREMENT COTTAGE, my Father's stroke, funeral planning and finally a funeral.  I am beside myself as how difficult it was being at the hospital with Dad, Mom and family.

I cannot go into details at the moment if I ever do, but once again I grew up a little more as my eyes were opened to see unpleasant things about this fallen world we live in.  Character flaws came to surface and I truly did not handle it very well.  I can say no more right now.

Better run, the kitchen is calling my name for my hair appointment to wash my hair as i lean over the sink. 

You're so sweet to have stopped by on this cold day.  Hot chocolate would have been in order.
Maybe next time.

Not sure what we'll have for supper,
d

Out Of Toilet Paper

The phone rang and the ID caller number was unfamiliar to me.  I picked it up anyhow.  Good thing I did because it was my visiting son from Saint Louis on the other end telling me that we were out of toilet paper as he was sitting on the throne.  grins.  Said I was sorry and went from there.

During the time of my Father's dying in which I was traveling back and forth between here and there where he lie in a hospital bed, I forgot to restock our toilet paper.  We ran out as there were no more rolls hidden under the bathroom sink vanity.  Oops.  Some things just cannot be overlooked.

You know how important toilet paper is and catalog pages for wiping are not in vogue these days that I know of.  It would only take a few minutes to remedy this issue as our little town finally got a DOLLAR GENERAL a few blocks away from where we call HOME.

All was well that ends well with a posh roll of toilet paper to use.
d

All I Want For Christmas Is Some Energy

Tuesday is here and with it comes a winter chill.  Our heater is on in this tiny cottage we are in.  The cottage is small, but toasty.  So many of the houses I have lived in have been cold houses that never warmed up until after SPRING.  I have wanted a warm house in the winter for years.  Praise GOD...we have heat.

Son went back to Saint Louis early this morning riding a train.  I was able to tell him my good-bye the night before because he was to get up at 3:30 in the morning, pack, get ready, then be driven to Topeka to catch the train.

Dear Hubby took him to Topeka, I slept like a baby.  After waking up, it's potty break time.  I take my morning meds and as I'm waiting for 30 minutes to pass before drinking coffee, I figure my day by jotting down notes to remind me of what I need to get done plus what I hope to get done.

As I waited, I looked through a huge notebook with notes about my Dad's family.  Genealogy notes.  It took three cups of coffee to get through this.  Dad loved studying about his roots, but stopped taking notes back in 2003.  He told me once that he thought I'd be the one to carry on with studying.

I took a picture DAD had drawn as a child, an old popcorn pan he used and a wooden duck he made years before with me to the Visitation where there was a table to show items about him, pictures, etc.  The old popcorn pan is one he used to fix old fashioned popcorn every Sunday evening just before we watched television as a family.  Mom told us that her Mother had given the pan to them so it was probably over a hundred years old.  I had no idea it was that old.  

Sunday night television was 'Bonanza' which was a hit with us as well as the Sunday night Movies.

We'd have Pepsi and popcorn.  I looked forward to Pepsi once a week.  This was a treat.  These days soda is way too easy to get our hands on to drink as it is easy to purchase.  I believe I need to go back to the day when I only drank iced down soda once a week from a tall glass.  Popcorn still is a favorite.

I worked on paying bills, folding some bedding, talking to the LORD and eating afternoon spaghetti dumped from a can.  Spaghetti from a can...isn't that disgusting?  I have a new range and don't know how to use it yet.  Don't know where the new pans are. Still reading the literature.  I know with some will power I will be using the new stove in no time.

Took a short nap today as I was getting the afternoon tireds.   Woke just as my Husband got HOME from work.  He told me my car is dead again.  We are having a time with Lilly.  That's what I call her, Lilly short for our old Lincoln.  He has installed two new batteries already and changed out the alternator.  

I asked him what does the booklet say might be wrong with it.....take to shop.  What does the internet say about it?  A cousin thought it might be a trunk light causing problems.  So, I suppose we will have to check that puppy out.

When trying to wake myself up, I had to process thoughts about the dynamics of my Family now.  I'm not sure how my Mom will take my Father's death in the long run.  I'm not sure how this will affect my sister and brothers.  I am concerned.

Tonight, I will continue to rest, work on papers and tink about our little cottage.  We are crammed in here like sardines at the moment.

I do have some CHRISTMAS cards to fill out.  They may not go out until the new year.  That little boxed CHRISTMAS tree over by the television set is staring at me as I type.  It needs some attention.  I really am craving CHRISTMAS music...like I'm Dreaming Of A White CHRISTMAS.  This was one song I sang to my dying Dad.  

I'm not much of a singer, but I am dreaming of a white CHRISTMAS...just like the ones I use to know.  Where the tree tops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow....

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
"May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

Blessings and may you have a sweet day,
d

Light Of The World

ELLA AT DAD's FEET

Deliberately I will enjoy the beautiful CHRISTMAS lights on other people's houses more than ever since we are not decorating the outside of our HOME this year.  AND I'm alright with that.  Maybe next year.  

Our interior decorations this year AREN'T.  There's a little pre-lit tree in a box lying on the Living room floor waiting to be taken out and displayed.  Hum.  Will I do it?  Yes.  Later this week.  Sigh.

We bought 4 of these miniature trees last season and had plans to place them on our L shaped porch at the rock house.  Much has happened and the porch thing didn't happen.  The interior CHRISTMAS tree didn't happen and I have CHRISTMAS gifts to get yet.  This CHRISTMAS season may be one of the simplest I have ever had.

My Dad suffered a serious stroke the day after Thanksgiving and passed away December 5th.  We have been occupied with making trips between here and there.  Spending time grieving, making preparations for a funeral, funeral, more grieving, etc.  

It's fine that there is no tree, no lights, no decorations and no baking so far.  It will have to be alright.  The Christmas music and movies will have to suffice.  Perhaps I can focus on CHRIST all the more this year as my Dad has gone to heaven.  He has gone on before us and now knows first hand what death is like.  

Churches will have their special programs as schools have theirs.  Families will gather and friends will throw parties.  Candles will be lit and special foods prepared.  Gifts will be exchanged and memories shared.  CHEERS made.  Trees will sparkle and music will ring out.  Many will anticipate Santa's arrival with candy canes and gifts.  Many will pay no attention to Santa and will go directly to the birth story of Christ and the HOPE He brings.  Some will never hear the good news about Christ and what that means.  A baby was born in a manger.      

I want to share the GOOD NEWS about Jesus being the true reason for the season.  He came into the world to save it...not condemn it.  He is the good news.  He's the lamb of God.  The Messiah.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life: John 3:16.  Jesus gives LIFE and LIFE more abundantly.  Accept him and receive.   

Precious Jesus...you truly are precious.
You give meaning to life and death.

This month I will celebrate CHRISTMAS with so many others that LOVE you.
d 

My Daddy

It has been an exhausting week in more than one way.  We as a Family laid my Daddy down.  His funeral was yesterday.  He suffered a horrible stroke on November 25th after we celebrated his 90th birthday on the 12th and said our good-byes on Thanksgiving Day, the 24th.

The last words Dad said to me after I told him I was leaving to go home were, "I'm sorry."  I kissed him farewell.  The next day, I was phoned and informed that he had a serious stroke, was unresponsive and was in the emergency room.  We returned to Marion, KS. to see him lying in a hospital bed.  I learned that when there is a stroke, the part of the brain that is attacked affects the opposite side of the body so Dad's right side of his brain was attacked and his left side of the body affected.

He was unable to speak.  He was quiet, but his eyes spoke volumes.  His right eye was discolored some and that coloring would return.  I was not prepared for what would lie ahead of us as a family and it will take much prayer for me to forgive other family members for how this was all handled and for what was said to me during this difficult time of grieving my Dad's last days on earth.

I am at RETIREMENT COTTAGE today, resting.  A son lies on an air mattress sleeping in our tiny living room.  I fixed some coffee earlier and my dear Husband decided to fix a hardy breakfast.  I am to rest today.  Our Cottage's interior lies in a mess as I have been traveling back and forth to where my Dad was and when I was HOME, I had no energy to work on rearranging and making room for things that need a place.  It means very little to me right this second as I have other things to deal with and have gone through.

d

Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel by The Franz Family // Canon 5D Mark II

Retirement Cottage

NOT OUR HOME...but I like this drawing.

Proverbs 16:3

Commit thy works unto the LORD, 

and thy thoughts shall be established.

Using a light weight laptop while I'm typing in the comfort of my own HOME.  What fun this is.  Yesterday I had to go to the Laundry Mat over at the next town because our 'small town america' does not have one.  I'm patiently waiting for my new wash machine and dryer to be delivered to our retirement cottage.  RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  

I'm getting use to the sound of that.  Everyday it soaks in a little deeper.  We have been trying to decide what we are going to do about LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS.  Where'd we live and how we'd live.  I started downsizing about 5 years ago.  Made huge headway.  Now I have to get better organized and get a better grasp on what we have.  

On this beautiful Sunday afternoon I am sitting beside the lace covered window in the Living room listening to the wind blow in broad daylight as I wait for the deliverymen to bring MOMMA a washer & dryer and dishwasher.  Sometime today, they will set up the new machines.  This week I may be able to return to washing at leisure in my own HOME.  

When your machines quit on you and you have to go to the Laundry Mat...it's a whole different world.  I found a very nice/ clean Laundry Mat in the next town over, but their machines were too small to handle the BULKY bedding I wanted to wash before placing on our bed.

Retirement cottage is tiny.  She's what is called a FOLK VICTORIAN COTTAGE built in 1900.  I believe with us living here that God is doing a new thing in us and for us.    

The decision to relocate into retirement cottage was made about a month ago.  Hopefully Hubby will still work a few more years as we squeeze into this little place.  We will forge ahead and see where it takes us as we turn loose of the ROCK HOUSE.  

Off to the Laundry Mat we went.  New bedding was purchased last week and I went with GREY tones.  This is a big change for me.  GREY.  WHITE.  GREY.  

When I unloaded the bedding I was going to wash, I noticed the machines were not large enough to handle the bedding.....so my dear Husband and I loaded her all back up into the car and away we drove to Manhattan to a Laundry Mat I used years ago.

They had new machines that hold 4 loads at a time for $5.oo a wash.  This is expensive to me since I have had my own machines at HOME.  Still the 4 loader looked like a great idea to wash the new mattress pad cover I had recently purchased.  It worked great until I needed to dry this beauty.  2 hours later, the pad was still wet.  TODAY she is being aired out with a fan blowing on her.

I hope she is completely dried by tonight so I can make up the bed. 

Comical to watch me trying to pull the huge water logged mattress pad cover out of the washing machine, place it into a basket on wheels, roll the basket over to the dryer leaving a trail behind me, then place pad into the upright clothes dryer noticing excessive water in the rim of the pad.  A balloon of sorts.  Instead of going easy into the dryer...I had a battle taming her.  She fought me the entire time like a wild animal getting away from the hunter.  

This object had a mind of her own inflated to do damage toward this HOMEMAKER.  

Practically needing a college degree to outwit this thing.  An ACT of CONGRESS might be the way to go.  She was now extra heavy and weighted down full of water.  The water did not all ring out of the pad during the spin cycle.  

Hubby took this mammoth pad by force.  Outside into the chilly night to squeeze the water supply out he went.  Still she was water logged bogged down.  2 hours later using a dryer she was still damp and I wondered just how long it would take to dry this gorgeous new mattress pad.  

I should have started two days ago and hung this beauty on the clothesline.  Being over tired, the time it was taking to dry one item was irritating me.

We finished up and drove home late into the night.  This evening was challenging as I was extremely tired being on the verge of exhaustion.  Hard to keep my eyes open at times.  Ready to sleep.  Knowing the bed will need made up before lying down for the night seemed like a daunting task as tired as I was.  Ever been there where you're so tired it hurts?

This season in life is challenging.  Very.  I keep saying, "I will be victorious because Jesus is my LORD.  He will help me succeed."  

PROVERBS 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.

1 PETER 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; 

for he careth for you.    

                                        Psalm 37:5Commit thy way unto the Lord; 

                                                                 trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Husband just came in to tell me that the wrong colored pedestals were delivered along with our new machines sooooo the deliverymen will return tomorrow with the correct ones.  Take a break and be kind.

Thank you Dear One for stopping by.

This is a wonderful day for me.

Sweet,

d

Little Big Town

Dining Room Study

When I did a search on English Dining, 

this beautiful image appeared and I went aweeeeeeee.

The formality is just up my alley.

So it's worth staring at and studying.

I tried like crazy to go less formal when looking at Dining room furniture.  Sometimes I like the shabby chic and sometimes I crave formality because I grew up in a very modest house with metal kitchen chairs in the Kitchen and dined for years in front of a water air conditioner blowing on my back.  

Formal dining was unheard of in my childhood home.  

We didn't eat like monkeys, but exercised some table manners.

STILL we were very very casual.

I have dreamed and desired something else more formal.  

God has been good to me and allowed Dining rooms in many of the places we have lived. 

This Dining room is LOVELY! 

May you have a blessed day and week-end,

d

Indian Summer For AUTUMN

It's a beautiful AUTUMN day on the Kansas Prairie with moving winds blowing through grey skies with whispy clouds.  75 degrees and breezy.  In the distance a train whistle sounds off as she crosses the intersections.  Rumbling sounds are heard being carried through the cooler temperatures.  Colorful leaves on mature trees are swaying to the music of the invisible Kansas winds.  

Someone is raking leaves in their yard.  As they rake I hear faint scratching sounds elsewhere.  A lawnmower also.  The temperatures are wonderful to be in.  My Living room window needs to be opened to let fresh air indoors.

Is this one of my favorite past times letting the AUTUMN wind blow through the window as I reap the benefits of AUTUMN right inside my HOME?  Yes.  I enjoy doing this during SPRING as well.  Some think I am nuts to run the car heater as I ride around in my auto with the driver's window rolled down.  My feet stay toasty as my arm rides on top of the door and my face get fresh air.  It's a simple thing to do.  I do it.   

Is it lazy to let the wind do the raking?  With the wind blowing it's as if nature takes a huge invisible hand swooping the leaves on down the road.  SWEEPING.  No bags needed.  Like letting nature wash my dirty auto.  grins.  Let it rain fresh drops of moisture that clean the dirt and make my white car look all new again.

My Bistro Set needed a good washing and I was tempted to sit it in the front yard so the rain could do the muscle work for me.  IT'S LIKE HAVING A MAID ON HAND TO HELP ME OUT.    

Tonight I'm going looking for a new vacuum sweeper.  My old one went KAPUTT.  Many do like the BLACK FRIDAY SALES right on THANKSGIVING DAY.  This year many stores are cashing in on PRE-Black Friday Sales all week long and all month long until the end of NOVEMBER.  I just happen to be taking advantage of this and need all the help I can get in saving money on hard to get appliances.

I'll be putting on my shopping shoes and venture out checking on VACUUMS.  The floors around here need help and I am ready to push the issue...mean vacuum.  

I spent much of today shuffling a room to make better use of space, inventorying new everyday dishes, sorting laundry and talking on the phone to my Sister, Mom and even my dear Dad.  Dad said my name and we chatted.  A MIRACLE.  Dad carried on a short conversation with me about lunch, nap and singing a song.  You see Dad has been so quiet over the years and the miracle in all of this dementia issues is that the present time he is talking more than ever.

There's a great deal of jabbering in which none makes sense and THEN there's once in a blue moon stage when he talks making complete sense.  It's a miracle.  Something to cherish.  I cherished hearing him tell me that He Loved Me.  Not often did I hear these words from my Daddy.  Gotta get it when you can.

In a week we will celebrate THANKSGIVING Dinner on THANKSGIVING DAY.  I told my cousin that I would bring our coffee urn and coffee to help with our Family Dinner.  I overheard her tell my Mom that she was going to make dressing so I will do my best to make those good 'ole deviled eggs.  I know where a deviled egg dish is so I'm a head of the game.  When meeting with the cousins there's lots to eat and lots to say.

Won't Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream be a wonderful dessert to partake?  LOOKING FORWARD to this.  

~IMAGINARY MENU~

Turkey with cranberry sauce

Mashed Potatoes and gravy

Sweet Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Corn

Dinner roll with butter

Iced Tea AND Coffee

Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream

Once again I bought a ham and got a free turkey!  If I had more room, I'd do it again and have two turkeys in the freezer waiting for cooking day.  Perhaps closer to Christmas this awesome sale will take place.  Christmas lights are starting to appear on peoples houses and stores have their multiple decorations twinkling already.  Our small town has placed it's Christmas decorations up.

NO NAP today.  Need a root beer!  Better get after it.  The afternoon lighting is fading which cast long shadows across the ground and I need to get back to taking inventory of our new bone china.  After  unwrapping each piece, I'll wash all the dishes.  They are Beautiful!  Light weight and easy to handle.

We have been on a treasure hunt to purchase these new white everyday dishes by CHURCHILL.  Professional Fine Bone China Art De Cusine by Churchill.  TUESDAY MORNING is where we're purchasing them at a discounted price.  Doing the HAPPY DANCE.

http://www.churchillchina.com/about/brand/super-vitrified

It's in tomorrow's forecast to do laundry.  Sorting the piles in just a minute.  I had better get caught up on the laundry so we have something to wear.  

This Indian Summer is a blessing,
d