Somewhere Over The Rainbow

ON OUR WAY TO GUYMON, OKLAHOMA we saw alpaca, real reindeers, lots of cows, feedlots, some roosters and chickens roaming freely next to the highway.  Trains.  Elevators.  Cotton gleanings in the fields.  Blue skies.  Open fields.  Trucks.  The radio stations were few and far between.

Modern windmills.  Cowboys in Dodge City.  Buffalos.

 

The drive was long, but decent.  Auto travelled well with no issues.  This is the closest thing to being on a vacation as to being on a vacation.  I took my chances to see the sights around us as we drove.  It wasn't a HOLIDAY, but I was trying to make the most of it as we seldom drive long distances.

Returning to my stomping grounds in southwest Kansas with the wide open fields full of memories still in tact.  We didn't make it to my HOME TOWN of LIBERAL, Kansas, but did drive around HUGOTON to see the little rental we lived in for three years and the first house we bought when we had two young children.  

Both houses were in terrible shape.  Time hadn't been so good to these places.  Made me sigh a tad.  In my mind they are still in great shape.  I can visit the interiors of these places in a blink.  Just like being there.

We were young married couple with a month old baby when we went to live in Hugoton.  My Husband was hired on as a sanitation worker and we lived in a small rental house on a corner lot.  Huge yard.  Wild roses.  Nice enough place with two bedrooms.  Dinky Kitchen where the fridge was kept in the utility room.  We'd change that and place it just outside the Kitchen door in the Dining room. 

We bought the fridge for $400.  Had to borrow the money from the bank.  grins.  Also bought a dishwasher on wheels to roll up to the sink to run, a new stove, a Kirby vacuum.  In debt over our heads.  We had monthly medical bills for baby delivery and hospital expenses as well.

This was in the day where there were no large garage sales to help stretch the budget.  I lived a long distance from family so no hand me downs.  Besides, I was of the mind set to have brand new and call it my own.  

With time we paid everything off.  Time marched on and so did we. 

This beautiful Sunday I hope to freshen up.  Still coughing and not up to spiff.  Praying this week be better and no longer have a cough.  With asthma it seems that when I get sick it takes longer to stop coughing.  Vitamin C time and fluids.  Cover the cough and puff on an inhaler.


I am stronger in my body today.  I can stand and walk now.  Not as weak.  Hot chicken noodle soup sounds good just about now.  Would I have been better off if I had sipped soup all week long, drank orange water and taken NyQuil?  Wonder.....




This week, if I can pull it off, think I'll try to make HOMEMADE Chicken Noodle Soup in the 'ole crockpot.  

WIND ADVISORY today in my corner of the world somewhere over the rainbow,
d

Tammi Flew Away

ACTUALLY I did smile 

when I read  S P  L E N D I D   S P R I N G   on the front cover of the new Bliss Victoria magazine that came in the mail...'cause I am so ready for Spring it hurts.

  

AND I have the flu.  Thankful we are HOME.  Spring is on her way as the ground hog saw his shadow and the Red Robins have been chirping in the yard.  What a sight to see here on the prairie.  ROBINS.

The red, red robin keeps bob bob bobbin' along.....a welcomed sight after this bitter cold winter that seems to never quit. 

THOUGH I ACHE FROM HEAD TO TOE,  there's comfort to being able to stretch out and rest in my own bed.  My Husband and I both have the flu.  We had a sickly Valentine's day at home.  My mind has been racing the last few days as we returned from my Father-in-law's funeral coming back with the flu as we drove the 7 hours through Oklahoma into Kansas.  First coughing and hacking then hubby got the chills.

He actually got ill Saturday night with a throat tightening EPISODE where I thought we were hospital bound.  Got him through the night with an inhaler and on the road home the next day.  Like a faithful assistant, I chimed in with a hacking cough.  More than ready to be back HOME.

OFF to the Doctor's and Tamiflu.  TYPE A FLU.  As the day progressed, the sicker we got.  ROUGH NIGHT.  Rough 5 nights and long days.  Finally napping off and on throughout the day.  I didn't know the difference between type A and type B.  Had to look that one up.

Not sure it has helped me with this flu.  Wondered where the name Tamiflu came from.  Who makes Tamiflu?  Where'd the name come from?  Tammi flew away with the flu.  


Every time I venture to the bathroom  (and that's quite often) I'm doing my best to wipe down the fixtures with disinfectant wipes.  It's an act of love as I have next to zero energy.  Every trip, I wipe a little more...fixtures that is.  Well.  Using WATKINS.  Another great product.  Smells like citrus.  Wonderful scent.  Got these at Menard's.  Need more!

Am so weak, it's hard to stand.  Get queasy when moving about.  Hopefully tomorrow I can stand in the shower and freshen up.  My hair looks like a mop-top.

AS THIS WEEK PASSES, I'm better.  It's been rough.  Upset stomach.  Bowels doing their thing.  Ache.  Fatigue.  Skin aches.  Still coughing with light headedness, but BREATHING!!!  Too tired to walk, stand and stay awake.  

HAVE SPENT THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME sleeping or lying on the bed.  A little time each day is spent sitting upright.  May this week-end be better.  LAUNDRY to do.  The bedding will need washed for sure.  If I can, I will go for a drive and breathe some fresh air.

It's been years since my Husband and I have had the flu at the same time.  THINK my kids were babies the last time.

Getting through this episode of FLU.   
More then ready for SPRING,
d

It's That Time!

My Newest Best Friend

MORNIN' Folks....
Hit the jackpot!  Took my chances.  I walked in as  WALK-IN to the Beauty Salon and the Receptionist said she could do my hair as she was not with a client.  She was young, energetic and worked her magic with my hair that was in need of HeLp.

Within 30 minutes she had washed my hair, dried it and flat ironed it.  I left with a changed looked and when I run my fingers through it, it feels like silk.  Long once again.

Later I will learn to flat iron my own HAIR and do this at HOME when I have HOME SPA TIME.  

With weight....will that's a different animal.  I know of no one that can wash, dry and flatiron me bod to make it look like maybe I wished it did.  Sigh.  With NO THYROID a person is still suppose to be able to lose weight.  My meds added weight on me.  The things some people say is what it is.  I know I am heavier than ever.  I know.  This month I will concentrate on reading more about HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH NO THYROID.

Walking will take place with swinging of my arms.  Treadmill will become one of my closest friends this month.  I'm not use to walking all over friends or anyone or thing.  I don't want to be another's door mat, but HEY...a treadmill will be mine.  I have a plan and it had better work. 

As I stared at my arms this morning in the mirror, it hit me...I have a job to do.  How did it ever get so bad???  Will it just did.  ONE DAY AT A TIME SWEET JESUS.  When you feel half dead it becomes difficult to move, lift weights, DIEt, everything becomes more difficult.  Even breathing.

I have returned from the valley of death.  Bible says in Psalm 23, I will fear no evil.  
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: 
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

With Hubby's Insurance we have to earn points to get discount each year.  This year we have both signed up to be active with their weight loss program.  I am learning how to break peanuts in half, taking the half and breaking it in half then savor the moment before the peanut morsel goes in my mouth by sniffing it, licking it, and rubbing it on my lips before popping it in my mouth to suck it THEN roll it in my mouth before chewing on both sides of my mouth.   

Doesn't that sound just wonderful?  Imagine eating this way with family in the room or strangers in a restaurant...please and thank you.  May I have a different table way over there in the corner behind the tree.  Time to go.

Ummmmmm...I seldom eat peanuts.  Now what?  So this is going to be a challenge.  

I'll see what I can learn as I walk on the treadmill, research how to lose weight without a thyroid and age gracefully because I need to.

I will concentrate on walking, stretching and drinking filtered water.  More vegetables.  That's about it for today Folks.  May you have a good one.

HOME is where the heart is and I have to make room in that heart for my treadmill,
d

Change Is In The Air

THERE'S A FEW THINGS IN MY LIFE ABOUT HOW I REACT THAT HAS TO BE TWEAKED.  Time to adjust a flaw.  Should be possible since I am getting quicker at changing some attitudes.

I am about to have more time to think on some things and pray.  How I react to others.  Not talking so much.  Like changing the color of my hair.  Buying a new dress.  Some different make-up.  Change my skin care.  Pop a new vitamin.  Bite my tongue when I really want to say whatever.....

It might be my age,

but I believe I can change.

Let you know how that goes.

I can change a tad bit more,

d

Woman In Apron ~ Man In Suit

WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THESE TWO 

ARE TALKING ABOUT?

HOME Is Where The Dirty Laundry Is

HOME today with a Winter Advisory.  12 degrees out there on the Prairie.  Wind chill 0.  Brrr, tis cold.  Watched gentle flakes fall.  Quietly.  Warm inside with the heater blowing into the rooms of our HOME.  Dishwasher is running.  Still in my plaid flannel housecoat.  Need to get around.

I'd like to freshen up and then go to a beauty shop a couple blocks away and see if as a walk-in someone would wash my hair and style it.  Think I would feel a whole lot better having it washed by another and flat ironing it.  Let you know how that goes.

This morning we have been working on Dad's OBITUARY.  Think we have it covered as well as the music that will be sung at funeral.  This week will be what it is.  Praying that next week will be a slower pace.  This week originally I was going to be working in the COTTAGE going through storage tubs and shuffling about more items.  Put on hold and that's fine.  Plans were meant to be flexible...

Yesterday, we ventured out to a couple of Banks to do what I call BANKING BUSINESS.  Drove on to the Pharmacy to copy some photos for the funeral and pick up some meds.

Went to the Health Food Store to see if they carry a certain product.  They don't but we went ahead and got a bite to eat at their deli.  Was hot and tasted good.  Hot ham and cheese sandwich with a white tea.  Just a hint of mint in the beverage.

Off to the laundromat to do some laundry.  One nice thing about using the mat is we walk away with all the laundry completed hanging or folded ready to be put away.

HOME and rested.

A woman's hair is her crown of glory!  I found this old pic of Jane Russell with one of those hairdos that has two sides to it.

If you cover the left side of this image you see what she looks like with a full head of hair.  Imagine if both sides of her head were with full body locks.  Visa versa.  What say you?  Which side do you like the best?  That is correct!!!

DO you suppose Jane did her own laundry or someone else?  I do mine and someone elses.  

Bless you.
Back to the real world,
d

Proverbs 16:31 King James Version (KJV)  31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

At Peace

We will be burying my FATHER-IN-LAW in a few days.  43 and a half years he was my other Dad.  Almost a year to the date of my Mother-In-Law's death, he passed away.  I am so tired I cannot see straight.  

I have been going through photos trying to find pictures of him with his Wife, Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren to show at the service.  Pictures of him flying planes he made, model trains, fishing, etc.  A bit overwhelmed. 

This alone is emotional.

Since December 2016, three of our Parents have died.  Three.  
Grieving.  What can I say... I'm grieving.  

My Dad passed in December 2016.  
My Mother-In-Law in January 2017.
My Father-In-Law in February 2018.

The 7 hour drive to Oklahoma was long.  We were able to visit with him the afternoon before he died then attend a Hospice meeting.  He had been fighting Stage 4 Lung Cancer in both lungs.  Visited him the evening before he passed as well.  

My Husband's brother called us the next morning at the Motel to tell us that he thought Dad was dying.  He passed as we were driving to his Home. 

My Brother-In-Law said that when he walked into Dad's bedroom to ask him if he were awake, he said Dad was looking around the room, he gasped and was gone.  Peacefully he went to be with The LORD.

The entire time he was suffering, he never seemed angry, afraid or complained.  After his wife died, he missed her terribly and wanted to die on the anniversary of her death.  This is when he truly wanted to die.  2 days later he departed from this world and entered into Heaven.  He received Christ as a 60 year old man.  He was 87.   

The Hospice Nurses were there before us.  The oxygen tubes had been removed as he was laying in his bed covered with a quilt.  He was gone.  Made his entrance into Heaven.  

There's much to think about.  Much to do. 
Appreciate prayers,
d

Day at a Time

Mission Accomplished

Achieved a goal!!!  A deep sense of accomplishment....not sure I can say that as I have only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to downsizing.  For now I have to have a sense of something to keep on going.  Along the way, I have to have time allowed getting every day chores done as well.   

I made it to the bottom of my pile of magazines.  I just about cannot believe it as this project has been going on for a long, long time.  An ongoing step in downsizing to lighten the load.

THE MAGAZINES have been thinned out. 
The books have been thinned out. 
Clothing has been thinned out. 
Dishes have been thinned out. 
Nic-nacs have been thinned out.
Movies have been thinned out.
Make-up.
Glassware.

By going through the magazines, I'm over stimulated with ideas about decorating, cooking, baking, etc.  I tore out some pages to keep then placed in a file box.  The leftover mags were placed in cardboard boxes and carried out to the trash which was hauled away by the sanitation service.  Good feeling. 

Staring at the file box on the table.  It seems strange that over 20 years of Martha Stewart LIVING articles have morphed into one file box.  DOWNSIZED DELUXE. 

Over the last few years I have slowly parted with my magazines, but today was the finale.  Finally. 

NEXT PROJECT will be to tidy the office/doll room upstairs.  I eyeballed the room making sketches of where things will need to go.  Perhaps by the end of February it will actually look like a real room and not just a junky room.

MAKING HOME A PRIORITY,
d

Looking Forward

We have a few more weeks before SPRING is officially here, but I am migrating toward pastel colors and bunnies.  We have a live bunny that stays in our backyard.  In this cold weather I feel somewhat sorry for it.  When we drive up to the carriage house, bunny hops away when the car headlights shine on the yard.

Hoping that Bunny stays alive through the WINTER and into the SPRING.

I drove by the KSU GARDENS the other day looking at their lawn filled with Irises.  When they bloom I look forward to walking the Gardens as I love Irises.  We hope to have some bloom on our property this SPRING.  Since they were  planted last July, they more than likely will not be overly  abundant.  It takes a year or so for them to get use to their new location.




Still, I adore them and am looking forward to seeing them usher in SPRING!
Praise God we have SPRING,
d

Eating An Orange

The past 14 days I've had a COLD.  Much better today.  Still clearing my throat.  If you can say one has a good cold then I'd be saying it.  This round of a cold hasn't been the worst one I've had, so I have to say if you rate a cold then mine is on the good side of things that didn't get me completely under the weather.

TODAY I WILL EAT A REAL ORANGE.   

Can't wait to taste a real orange. 

I've been taking Emergen-C powder that's added to a water beverage.  Sometimes it causes issues with my intestinal tract and I have to go easy taking it.  I know it has helped me fight colds in the past.

ORANGES put off such a nice fragrance.  

REFRESHING.  Smells clean.

The bag of oranges I bought was placed in a glass bowl.

FRUIT BOWL.

Today I learned what a 'silver sweetmeat basket' is.

Meat is english for food.

Such things as sweet nuts and sweet fruit are placed in

a special dish made out of silver with a handle.

Very Victorian.

 Sometimes I crave certain foods and I know this is a way of the body telling me it needs the nutrients. 

Have you had your C's today???

I finally did,

d