Sugar Creek Country Store | St. Marys, Kansas

d HERE.  

Hope your day is going well.

SUCH A TREAT.

WONDERFUL STORE TO VISIT AND SHOP.  

SAINT MARYS, KANSAS.

Little Black Dress, Bewildered and Zonked

YESTERDAY was a beautiful SPRING DAY for FIRE RECOVERY textile items to be delivered around 4.  No rain in the forecast.  Comfortable temperature.  We were waiting sipping diet root beer.  The two metal clothing racks on wheels were in our small living room waiting to be used for the hanging items that would be returned.  

Clothing articles, neck ties, cloth napkins, etc. that were recovered were neatly hanging on wire hangers and covered with dry cleaner bags.  I had cleared the Dining room floor space for the boxes.  Just guessing I think there might be a hundred items on the two racks.  Only 9 cardboard boxes and a few bags of things were returned in good condition.  Small amount.  We weren't sure what would be returned or how many boxes there would be.

The SMOKIES were unloaded in the backyard on the sidewalk.  More damaged returned than things in good shape.  Somewhat stunned and taken a back.  We are living.  We are physically unharmed, but my emotional side is smoked as well.  

Bewildered.  Bewildered is about as good of a word as I can describe this feeling I am having.  

Husband and I opened boxes and bags of the damaged items outside, took pictures and jotted descriptions down for Insurance purposes.  THIS was more emotionally difficult than I had anticipated.  We worked close to three hours outside on this before ordering PIZZA to eat a late supper.  ZONKED might be a good word to describe the pain.  

We will have to continue on this during the week as we ran out of daylight.  Today I am looking through the articles that hang, are boxed or bagged in the house to see what we still have.  My little black dress is the only dress hanging on the racks.  There are jackets, shirts, slacks, a coat, children's clothing, fabric, some jeans and a skirt.  ONE DRESS.  One dress that doesn't fit me anymore, but was saved.

A CHEMICAL SMELL is present on every item.  If some of the items still smell like smoke, we are to let the company know and it will be recorded.  Right away as the things were being unloaded we noticed some smell.  A nice hat my Husband had was definitely still smoky, a leather coat and a dress jacket.

Today, if I can bring myself to do this, I will open the big box that my wedding dress is in to see how it looks and smells.  I haven't found my wedding veil yet.  Found my wedding shoes still in the original box.  They don't smell.  Now, if I were wearing them that would be a different story.  grins. 

I am doing a lot of thinking about how to do things in the future pertaining to keeping an ongoing record of items.  Pictures are a must.  A must.  

I will keep a handful of articles for keepsakes.  I've been looking over images on the internet for decorating ideas.  In a way this has to be freeing.  Lighten the load and be more care free in the rooms.  Color themes and items.  

I shake my head and rub my eyes.  This is a bit much, but doable.  Onward.

MY good green and white quilt was not spared.  She has serious smoke stains on her that will not wash out.  I'm going to try to save this anyhow....for picnics if I can get the smell out.  Shall see.  Sigh.  

The quilt that my Grandma made me that was stored in the cedar chest was in sad shape in the first place, but the Fire Recovery company saved her.  She's tattered and torn, but there are memories attached to this old quilt and I want to keep her.  If nothing else I could cut a piece of her and have it framed to hang on the wall.  Something to think about or cut this quilt into a smaller quilt for a table covering.  Maybe both.  This could be interesting and fun.  I could hang a section of this KEEPSAKE QUILT in the Utility room, Bedroom or Bath.  

If items can be cleaned, the Fire Recovery company cleans it then returns it to the rightful owner.  If the item cannot be cleaned, then it is returned uncleaned, but still returned to rightful owner.

Something that I learned during this trauma is the Insurance company will first see if the item can be cleaned, repaired, if not then replaced.  CLEAN.  REPAIRED.  REPLACED.

Everything is depreciated in value.  This is where the REPLACEMENT attachment to the Insurance policy comes in handy.  Insurance company depreciates everything and prices the damaged item as such.  With the replacement policy they are to allow you to replace the item with like kind and value.  I'll let you all know how this pans out when all is said and done.  

In a few days it will be 5 months since the fire.  Almost a half of a year.

Tis true.  I am sitting, looking at recovered items on the racks, breathing and wondering what to do next.  Think I will group the items together like hang all the children's clothing together, all napkins together, ladies clothing together, men's clothing together, etc.  Decide what to keep and what to give away.  I see a coat that I hope to keep.  I'll have to sniff everything and try on articles to see if they still fit or not.  I don't believe I will be hanging onto very many pieces that don't fit.  Just not gonna do this.

SNIFF.  SNIFF.  Compose yourself and carry on.
This is a slow process.  SLOW.
d  

SPRING Has Arrived

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY for being the first day of SPRING and in 3-D LIVING.  It's like SPRING should be.  Gorgeous powder blue sky, mild temperatures, little wind, birds chirping and I AM AT HOME.  

HOME LIFE is for me.  Yes, it is.  THANKING GOD and praising my Husband for allowing me to be a KEEPER of the HOME.

One can work at employment at home or at another location and still be a KEEPER.  This is the way of life for many.  Some remain in their HOMES and manage nicely.  I am best suited to be a homemaker and stay-at-home-keeper.  I LOVE this life.    

With the children grown and not baby sitting, the mornings are quiet.  So quiet at times you can hear a pin drop.  In my world it's more like hearing a pen drop. 

This year the main project will to get back on our feet and work on recovering from the HOME FIRE.  I'm not sure how long it will take to fully recover.  We continue to make plans on how to doll up the COTTAGE and fit into her.

Today, I am shuffling the Dining room to make room for boxes that will be arriving this week.  FIRE RECOVERY in action.

I'll be relieved when the boxes are here and I can see first hand what TEXTILE items were saved.  It may be somewhat overwhelming?  Shall see.  Take a deep breathe and be thankful some things were saved.  THANKFUL.

My dear, sweet Husband set up our grey painted table in the Kitchen.  We have two old wooden chairs with leather enforced seats that we are using in RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  Later the other dining table will be returned that I think we will use in the Dining room, but will need to get some upholstered chairs this SPRING/SUMMER.  Probably more like SUMMER.  Morphing along like a newly wed.

At times I feel like we are newly weds getting started.  Reminding myself that the Lord will do a new thing here in the COTTAGE as oldly-weds.  With SPRING ARRIVING, I feel brand new in some ways.  Refreshed that the season has changed.

IT CAN BE DEVASTATING to say I AM STARTING OVER...instead think of it as I am continuing on and/or I am advancing even if it doesn't look like it in the natural.

I AM ADVANCING.  It is fortunate that SPRING has arrived.  I am continuing to learn much about LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

I am advancing.

Advancing for the better.  I have to look at this time as an opportunity to do somethings differently.  As I surf the internet seeing other styles of decorating, I'm picking up on some ideas as how to continue on in our new HOME.  

Sweetly, I think this is a new day and a season to continue on in LIFE.  Laying down some bad habits and picking up some better ones.

SHALL SEE how the day goes.  HAPPY SPRING!
So glad you have stopped by for a visit.  
Blessings,
d

So Beautiful

Today I will walk over to the rock house and snap some pictures of the flowers that have already bloomed.  This SPRING I will not be living in this house  as we have moved into RETIREMENT COTTAGE.

THE COTTAGE is where we are recovering from the devastating HOME fire.  My heart aches some as I think about having moved away.  An adjustment.  Today, I will take some pictures and get ready for clothing and textile items that will be returned to us from fire recovery.

It will be a mess around the COTTAGE as we sort through items that are in good shape and those that aren't.  What is called 'smokies' will not enter the house, but be reviewed and photographed outside.

We will have a full day preparing for this endeavor.  A full day.

For a few minutes I will sit and sip my coffee with thoughts on what we hope to get accomplished TODAY.  Tis a gorgeous SPRING-LIKE day here in my part of Kansas.

We did the shuffling in the Living room and Dining room over the week-end.  I think we will be comfortable in the cottage after we finally get settled over the SPRING.  We will have time to prepare further for retiring and moving forward.  A journey we haven't taken yet.

May you have a blessed and pleasant LIFE.
God bless,
d

Green With Envy

SAINT PATTY'S DAY and all is green.  Do you know why you are suppose to wear GREEN on this special day?  I looked it up on good 'ole google and read that the green color of Ireland's flag was to represent the Catholic population of Ireland and the orange was to represent the Protestant population of the country as the white in their flag is to represent the peace between the two religions....should I read elsewhere to help me understand why we are to wear GREEN on Saint Patrick's Day???

THEN I READ The proportions of the flag are 1:2 (that is to say, flown horizontally, the flag is half as high as it is wide). The Irish government has described the symbolism behind each colour as being that "green represents the older Gaelic tradition while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the 'Orange' and the 'Green'." 

WHICH DOESN'T GIVE A CLUE ABOUT WHY I SHOULD WEAR GREEN ON ST.  PATTY'S DAY.

Please let me know if you know about the BIG GREEN.


I'm not wearing green today partly because I don't have green clothing anymore due to our HOME FIRE.  The articles I am replacing into my NEW WARDROBE hasn't been green.  No longer GREEN WITH ENVY.  grins.

Received a phone call today making an appointment for time to return the clothing and textile articles that were salvaged.  
HOPEFULLY next week-end we'll know what we have and don't have anymore.  SO this week-end we will be making preparations to receive what will be returned to us.  gulp.  The house will be a real maize to get around in.  Okay.  Bring her on.  We have to get through this.  

DRAT:  Meaning a furniture shuffle. happens. again. here at RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  I will have to move my Victorian Parlour furniture into the Dining room making our Parlour a Living room with our modern furniture and devices.  The room we have been using as a TV room will be turned into a warehouse for boxes and room for two clothing racks on wheels.  Not sure how this will pan out since the room is small to begin with.  Am praying.  After we go through the salvaged items and decide where all will go as we live here THEN our Dining room will become a DINING room once again and HOPEFULLY NO LONGER a staging room.

EXCITED in one way as our THINGS begin to migrate back to our homeland AND scared in another as I will have some closure what was saved...what wasn't.  

SHOULD BE INTERESTING as I have wondered what will be returned in good shape.  My wedding dress was to be saved and placed in a special box.  Several of my quilts were not able to be saved...this I already know and sigh.  

VERY THANKFUL we are not burned victims, dead or injured.  So very THANKFUL for more time on planet earth.  A house can be rebuilt or another one purchased, dishes can be replaced, etc.  Things that my children made me that were damaged cannot be replaced.  What little I did collect from my Grandparents was damaged.  I cried on this one.  What little I did have in my possession was damaged.

Proverbs 24:3-6New King James Version (NKJV)

³ Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
⁴ By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

⁵ A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
⁶ For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

We are not to live only for earth forever.  Heaven is our final HOME.  Still, while I am here there are a few things that I like having around me.  As the Bible says to fill your rooms with beautiful things, I am trying.  Had a huge set back, but am getting back up to forge ahead until the race is ran and I cross the finish line.

Perhaps I will be wearing green on that day,
d

Spring Awaits Us

AN EASTER/SPRING WREATH has been hung on the exterior door of the COTTAGE.  In a nice plastic circular container with lid she was uncovered as we cleared out the garage.  Placing her in the trunk of the car, I knew she would be hung first thing as I unloaded.

LITTLE PASTEL COLORED EGGS encircle the wreath.  I LOVE WREATHS.  Simplest way to decorate a door....just pop that pretty up on the hook or nail and embrace the moment.  Each time you see the door, it's showing signs of the season.

EARLY to hang eggs on my door, but at the moment it was far more important to celebrate with a wreath.  Needing encouragement and a reminder that it will not stay cold forever, I needed a wreath.  WREATH THERAPY.

SMILES HAPPEN when I look at the wreaths on my door.  They set a mood when entering the HOME.  CURB APPEAL.  I'm alright with wreaths on the door all year long.  

NOW TO GATHER UP my bunnies.  Enhancing SPRING.

THERE WERE HORRIBLE FIRES in Kansas where the ranchers lost their houses and cattle.  Nothing left but ashes.  We have some items that our fire did not harm.  In the months to come these Kansas ranchers will deal with an array of emotions, financial issues and rebuilding.  Decisions will have to be made as to how to forge ahead.  Wear and tear that people go through may take a few by surprise.  Wasn't expecting that.  God help us in our time of need.  Dear Lord, help us heal.

I continue to remind myself that not everything was damaged or destroyed.  Some things are usable.  So I am blessed to have a few things still that weren't touched by flame, smoke or water.  We still have some pieces of furniture that will be repaired.  Waiting for these to come HOME where ever HOME will be.  

OUR HOUSE is rebuildable, but not without huge expense.  We were underinsured.   What we received from insurance was about half of what it would take to rebuild our present rock house.  I did not have the heart to take out another loan so we could rebuild.  SO we made the decision to not take out a loan.  We have to live elsewhere.  We're in our early 60s and neither one of us wanted another mortgage or loan to pay off in our sixties and beyond.  It is a life of continual decision making.
Make wise choices and watch God bless you.  

When we watched an elderly couple on television climb out of their basement after a tornado had destroyed their house, the elderly woman said to trust GOD and move on.

This spoke volumes to me....TRUST GOD AND MOVE ON.   

With SPRING WEATHER,  we hope to continue cleaning out the Rock House Garage as temps are suppose to be in the high 60s or low 70s.  The sooner this task is completed the better.  We made great headway a couple of weeks ago as we grouped the Booth items that we'll part with that were not in the fire.  These are waiting to be priced and taken away.

THE MUSCLE RACKS that were holding Christmas Decorations and other seasonal cheer were cleared off.  My dearest Husband has plans to take these monster racks apart and transport them to the COTTAGE where they will hold Seasonal Decorations and dishes that I cannot part with at this time.  

Doing this in steps.
Get storage unit.
Clear out the garage.
Transport items to storage unit filling it up with things that need thinned out later when the weather is pleasant.  
Price Booth items that are accessible.
Transport to Booth.
Continue clearing out garage.
Have a HAPPY garage.

THEN the Fire recovery items will begin to be returned to us.  What could not be recovered we'll have to decide if we just throw away or attempt to clean items as best we can.  Smoke smell or stains do not always come out of textile articles.  

I will have to photograph every item that was damaged for insurance purposes.  With a digital camera the task is an easy enough one to do, but there are the emotional ties attached to the items that were damaged that will take it out of us.  Needing time to recover ourselves.  This has surprised me how exhausting this fire recovery has been.  I continue to remind myself what to be thankful for and yet it has been surprising how this has affected me emotionally.  SURPRISE!

NOTE TO SELF:  Always have Home Property pictures and description of items plus receipts for personal records.  Have copies in a notebook.  One for easy access at HOME.  One in the cyberspace clouds.  One or two printed out and kept in safety deposit box and/or different location far far away from actual home environment.

SPRING AWAITS US.
I am excited about the new growth that comes with SPRING.
This year it will be all the better,
d

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' Onions

"It is a good plan to boil onions in milk and water, it diminishes the strong taste of that vegetable.  It is an excellent way of serving up onions, to chop them after they are boiled, and put them in a stew-pan, with a little milk, butter, salt and pepper and let them stew about fifteen minutes.  This gives them a fine flavor and they can be served up very hot."

1 pound onions, white or brown,
   skinned
1 1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper



I have saved old magazines for years intending to thumb through them on later dates as they are full of good recipes, decorating ideas, advice and fashion.  

In my stash that was saved from the fire, I came across a February 1985 Early American Life magazine that originally sold for $2.50.  It was their SPECIAL 15th Anniversary Issue.  


In the recipe section was this ONION recipe.



I cannot remember the last time I micro-waved a whole onion for a snack to eat or serve as a side dish.
Once I was desperate for a quick HOT meal.  I grabbed a ONION and cooked it in the micro-wave in one of those plastic onion cookers that's shaped like an onion. 




It was deliciously TENDER and I could do this more often.  

Onion rings from the SONIC are a favorite of mine that I might have 6 times a year, but aiming for less calories and fat eating a onion without crust counts as a winner.



AFFORDABLE.
DELICIOUS.
NUTRITIOUS.
EASY TO FIX.

I confess I have not ever used this Early American Life Recipe, 
but think it's worth a try.  

Tonight, maybe.
All vegetarian meal made simple.

Life just got a little easier,
d


Numbers 11:5 - We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

ROMEO, I'd Rather Have A ROSE

Grey skies returned as snow gently sprinkles downward.  NO WIND today which makes the snow outcome more pleasant and peaceful.  Perhaps I will get the 3 inches I had hoped for early on.  WHITE WONDERLAND.  It's WINTER once again.  Alright with this as WINTER will play out and SPRING ushers in mild weather and sunshine.  Tornadoes can stay away.

For now I will deliberately watch snow gently fall to the ground leaving the television and radio off.  QUIET.  HUSH.  Right now the only noise I hear is the furnace blowing with the ceiling fan spinning.  Occasionally a vehicle drives by and I can hear a distant train whistle blow.  Church chimes ring and I listen in amazement.  Still to this day, Church bells chime in this small community that I affectionately call small town america.

None better for me at the time.

This morning a load of towels are drying which will need folded.  Putting this off till this evening as I need to price BOOTH items to have ready to go to the BOOTH when Hubby gets home.  My part is to clean the items, research about them on the handy dandy computer, tape or tie price tags on item,  mark them and place in boxes on the metal racks ready to be carried to the car and taken to actual BOOTH to display.

Husband just phoned me as he had dental appointment with so-so news about his crown that fell off with part of the old build up in the crown.  Meaning a new build up and crown and additional expense. I have an on going tally with the dentist.  Sigh.  This means the balance will once again rise.  They're going to love me as I am NOT putting this on a credit card.  I'll have to MAKE payments to pay off the balance.  Even with the Insurance we have, we cannot afford another bill.  Makes my chest heavy.

ANOTHER BILL.  A bill by any other name would not be as sweet as NOT having a bill....something like Romeo speaking about Julliet about a rose by any other name would not smell as sweet.  I'd rather have a ROSE then another bill.  A ROSE!

When expenses come at you faster than you can pay off, the poker face must be put on to carry on.  It has to be as if it does not matter that there is a balance on this account and a balance on that account and a balance on another and another and another.  We have had bills through the years.  It hasn't lightened up.  The medical bills get paid a little at a time.  So do the others and I am sinking fast.

Can't seem to come up for air.  Not good.  Eventually all bills will be paid.  Eventually.  An ongoing thing.  Ongoing.

Thankful we can get medical attention, but fully know that it is expensive to get it even with Insurance.

Well I'll be....the sound of a street sweeper is passing by on this snowy, chilly day.  Street sweeper.  They'll have to go around my auto as it is parked in the street by our curb.  The city of small town america sweeps her streets.

Having coffee with Daughter today.  This will be a sweet treat as I make my way out into the cold to journey to her place.

I am a LADY of LEISURE today.  Praise God.
d

Kitchen Study

~KITCHEN STUDY~

WHAT IN THIS KITCHEN 

DO YOU FIND THAT EVERY KITCHEN SHOULD HAVE?

The Kitchen is clean with a comfortable floor to stand on.

Good lighting.

Nice view outside the window.

Uncluttered.

More than likely has electricity and running water.

Sink.

Stove.

Fridge.

A coffee maker on stove top.

Ample cabinet space.

Cabinets and counter tops easy to clean and sanitize.

A bean pot.

A electric mixer.

A clock.

A special shelf area for dish collection.

Vegetables in a Colander on the counter top.
Sizable Salad Bowl with serving utensils.

Canisters.

An office area with phone, desk and bulletin board.  (A nice feature in a Kitchen, but not needed for functioning in a Kitchen.)

A place to sit.

This 1946 ish Kitchen has much going for it.

Do you agree?

d

GRANDMA WAS A CHRISTIAN

When the creator of the universe (Jesus) walked on the earth as a man and needed rest, he took time to rest....what makes so many think they don't need time to rest and unwind? 

He also took time to go into the hills alone and pray. My Grandma was a Christian and she would go into a cave to pray outloud. As a young man, my Father heard her praying to almighty God. 

She had many challenges as a wife and mother, but she knew where her help comes from. God. Always pray in Jesus name. There is no name higher than his. But first He has to be your Savior and then be willing for Him to be your Lord. It's impossible to please God without Faith. Faith in Jesus...He is the assurance of our salvation. 

God's perfect plan of redemption for people is through Jesus. He is knowable. Be filled with His spirit. There is hope for those going through a crisis. 

There is hope,
d

I'm Getting My Wish.....

SATURDAY MORNING arrived and I'm sitting in my sea foam green colored chair by the lace covered window, wearing my pink housecoat while sipping hot coffee out of my THRIFT purchased coffee cup.  

ADMIRING the shape and size of the coffee cup holding my coffee.  Especially like the coffee.

THERE'S Cream in my coffee as snow sprinkles downward covering 'the everything' outside.  My wish was for one more deep snow. 

I had wished earlier in the month for another snow before SPRING comes to where I can stay indoors drinking coffee while watching it snow.  WARM environment.  WARM thoughts.

Coffee happened.  Snow is happening.  Deep hasn't HAPPENED yet.  I have time to go to the local store to purchase toilet paper, paper towels, 
coffee pods.  
Maybe a few more things that I see fit to get.

A quick trip to the Post Office then to our Booth to deliver some more goodies to share with the public.  Yes.  A beautiful and slow paced Saturday.

We did the Utility room shuffle.  Hooray.  It HAPPENED. Loading the Baker's racks with smaller Kitchen appliances that will eventually go to the cellar on muscles racks.  Mercy....it's morphing along when becoming a more functional Kitchen.  The Kitchen in my Dreams has a Butler's Pantry to hold these things, but my reality is what I have to live with.  This Cottage Kitchen has no Butler's Pantry other than the one we are making in the Utility room with Baker's Racks instead.  


As I stacked the THINGS on the racks, 
I took note that I still have quite a lot of extras.  Every warm blooded American HOME KEEPER needs a little extra something.  When the time comes to being a Julia Child impersonator, I'll fit the bill.  I looked up info about Julia.  Her Kitchen that she used was built by her Husband to suit her 6' 2" frame of a woman.  She was taller than I.  I come in at a close 5' 10" heavy weight champion.  

Julia's Kitchen is in the Smithsonian.  I would like to go visit the Smithsonian again.  BUT first I'd like to study up on what is there to streamline the visit and go directly to what I would like to see.  I can no more tell you what I saw when I was there before umpteen years ago.  We only stumbled into a small section of it as we didn't know we were going to be in the neighborhood when we first visited a friend in New JARsey.

On our way HOME we drove to Washington D.C. and drove past the WHITE HOUSE.  This was when I faced reality that the WHITE HOUSE is only so big.  I questioned, "That's the White House???"  It appeared so much smaller to me than what I had originally thought it was.

When reality hits you between the eyes, it sometimes seems unreal.  Takes some time to soak in.

Anywhoo...Julia Child's Kitchen is in the Smithsonian.  I don't suppose the Smithsonian has a room where snow falls as you sit in your comfy chair that you consider to be your Institution of Higher Education.  Or do they?  Can you help me out here?

In the middle of KANSAS in the Flint Hills sits a middle aged over weight House Wife that enjoys sipping coffee with cream in it while she sits by a laced covered window typing on a laptop computer that bares an apple on it.  Some days, this apple is the only fruit I consume.  A apple a day keeps the doctor away.  Good health is important to me.  grins.  

It's sprinkling snowflakes outside my window.
I'm getting my wish,
d

Daffodils, Jonquils, Crocuses and Shuffling Along

Having success with filing papers and receipts that I wish to keep.  RETIREMENT COTTAGE will embrace us as we downsize to fit.  The utility room will have shuffling done this week-end...hopefully. Makes me tired just thinking about it.  Spending quite a bit of time shuffling through the years.  SHUFFLING ALONG.  


WHEN we shuffle the utility room, then we will have made room for a couple of metal baker's racks to fit in this multi-purpose room to where we can house the overflow of small Kitchen appliances.  ALSO dishes that take up space in the Pantry where groceries are housed.  sigh.  It will be alright.  I have to keep telling myself and cheering self on.

Moving has adjustments.  Talked to my MOM and she sounded absolutely exhausted.  She is on the last stretch of completely being relocated.  12 men from her church man handled and hauled her BIG pieces of furniture from one place to another.

She moved ALL her clothing and is thinning out her collection.  A difficult thing for her as she LIKES her clothes.  She said she had taken much to the THRIFT SHOPS.  I understand.

I understand.  This is a labor of love or something like that.  A labor.  

ABOUT our clothing...I'm not sure which clothing the FIRE RECOVERY business was able to save.  I should know in the next couple of weeks.  I have a couple of clothing racks on wheels waiting for when the items return to us.  This Cottage is a BLESSING, but she's so much smaller than what we had.  ADJUSTMENT.

Once again I cheer us on.  As the clothing is left with us, it will hang on the clothing racks and I will stare at what is there, breathe and proceed.  We will see where we are before the dishes, nic nacs, dolls, pictures, etc. start returning to us.  This will be a challenge to say the least.  Booga booga.

Pieces of furniture will come later after being refinished if it can be done.  I may cry some more when I see what couldn't be saved.  Trying to take it all in stride.  Today I was a bit sad and tired.  Think this bumpy emotional ride will come and go.  Expecting it.  

4 TIMES I washed the same keepsake clothing that was left behind to trash in hopes that the smoke smell would wash out.

My Grandma's dress that I have kept since her death retained the smoke smell because the dress is made out of nylon materials.  It will hang in the garage until I decide if it is alright to fold and put away.  I'm just not ready to pitch this dress.

The two cotton tops that I wore when I was pregnant 40 years ago washed well.  Smell gone.  I may cut the tops to make a pillow knowing this material was from maternity blouses that my Mom gave me when I was very very very very poor.  She provided 4 tops and a pair of maternity slacks.  I no longer have two of the tops and the red slacks melted in the fire.  

Also a blue jean skirt I loved.  I will need to purchase another jean skirt as I enjoyed it so.  REPLACEMENT should pay for my skirt.  I lost a housecoat that I need to get replaced as well as a nice night gown.

I think it would be for the best if my Husband and I stayed put in the COTTAGE letting the dust settle.  My whole outlook on what is important has been tested.

Looking forward to the week-end even if we're working on FIRE RECOVERY.  It has to happen and happen it will.  Cold is better.  Hooray for that.

I have had time to day dream on what I'd like to have done on the COTTAGE.  Day Dreaming relaxes me.  Tis entertainment.

Going to stay with lace curtains for the windows for now and the color that is on the walls.  The front porch spindles need painted.  This SPRING hopefully we will paint away.  This was put on hold when my Mother.in.law was life flighted to Amarillo, HOUSE FIRE, Dad had a stroke and died.  Christmas and cold weather came on and then my Mother.in.law passed away.

October through March has been filled with serious issues.  Importantly, we have celebrated birthdays and ate cake!  LIFE cannot be all about paying bills, squeezing into small spaces, mourning the loss of parents.  Celebrations have to take place.  Laughter and fellowship.

SPRING will come soon.  I noticed Easter Bunnies in some of the stores and pastel colors making their appearances.  I love the pastel colors after a long cold WINTER.  Soft colors.  Now to get to walking and breathing in some fresh air.  NO pollen and no smoke in the air from Controlled  Prairie Burn that takes place every year.  

Noticing the daffodils showing, jonquils and crocus showing their glory.  Tulips are next and then my heart will swell admiring the IRISES.  Hallelujah for IRISES.  When I get the Dining room table set up with a crystal vase in the center of my table....the camera will come out and the pictures will start showing up on my blog.  There's no denying that I LOVE IRISES.  Love 'em.

Well, I had better close and get busy wiping down the baker's racks so I can progress on getting better settled in our COTTAGE.  I will be taking time to smell the roses this year and every year after if the LORD shall tarry.

FLOWERS are just about the most beautiful thing on the planet.
Have a blessed day,
d