Sush.....shhhhhhhhh

STARTED READING Sarah Chrisman's book about Victorian Secrets. 

Victorian Secrets: What a Corset Taught Me about the Past, the Present, and Myself

Book by Sarah A. Chrisman

I saw her on a television program a few years ago and wanted to read her book then, 

but one thing lead to another and now is the time.

The Library worked with me to bring in a couple of her books about VICTORIAN LIVING

and I saved some mula by using the Public Library.

I started reading about her first few minutes of unfolding her new corset she received for her 29th birthday from her Husband.  She is easy enough to read.  Not too sophisticated or boring.  She is an interesting young woman in this harry world.

I'm sitting here with a wet head full of curlers as I let my mane air dry.

I have a few minutes then I have to move upstairs to finish drying my locks.

I cannot even begin to tell you how HAPPY I am that SPRING is near by.

As we have had the french doors open to let fresh air inside, the birds can be heard chirping.  Makes for a beautiful tune.

Every morning I wake saying surely this will be a healthier day.

I'm not coughing as much, but when I have a coughing fit, it's UGLY.

Cough syrup and drops.

We have a air purifier running.

Hope this help clean the air around this neck of the woods.

May you have a pleasant week-end!

GOD BLESS and help each and everyone of us.

BLESSINGS,

d

Books Are In

$$$$$$Saving money by using the Public Library.  Today I hope to go and pick up two books I ordered last week.  They came in.  Yes!!!  I will work it into my day to go by the Library and get these books.  A little reading will take place somewhere in this month of SPRING CLEANING.

HOPING by the end of the day that the Guest room bed is made up with fresh sheets.
The floor is swept.
The bedroom furniture dusted.
Extra clutter done away with.
Laundry sorted and washed.
Things from the trunk of the car unloaded and carried into the house.
Yellow envelopes filled with cousins copies of pictures they are to receive.
Mess around easy chair picked up.
Hair washed and curled.
Supper on.
Television tonight.
Relax and unwind.
HUBBY ill.

The week-end is upon us.
Lord help.
Furniture Shuffle might take place.

Making HOME a priority,
d

Will Make Mess While Shuffling

Was so happy that MARCH arrived.  Had a slow day going through pictures and paperwork until HUBBY came HOME early due to serious asthma attack.  Made a call to the doctors and away we went.  Bronchitis.  

While meds were being filled, we went for an early supper.  After picking up meds we headed to the laundromat so I could finally get bedding washed.  The place was a zoo.  So busy.

This week-end I need to work over the Guest room and clean.  First place to SPRING CLEAN.  It seems like clutter breeds faster than ever in this house.  We have a lot of pictures and items that we brought HOME with us after my Father-in-law's funeral.  There are some pictures that I want to hang in this room.  MY GOAL is to have this room all tidied once again by the end of the month.

FRIDAY... hopefully will be a slower paced day to finish up cleaning around my easy chair.  I have a few things to do so I can clean up the Living room.  I am getting the furniture shuffle fever once again.  Wonder if this will take place.  Think it's a SPRING THING that gets in my blood and I have to do something about it.  Think cabin fever is getting to me.  I NEED SUNSHINE and warmer temps.

Source was internet

Officially SPRING will come on the 20th, but I'm ready to clean NOW.  A little here and a little there.  SPRING FRESHNESS.  A 30 day challenge this month.  Each day I will work on SPRING CLEANING.

THURSDAY Day ONE.  Guest room bedding washed and dried.

FRIDAY Day TWO.  Guest room cleaned.  
Bed made.  
Floor swept.  
Furniture dusted.
Extra items taken out of room.
Laundry sorted.  Towels and underwear to laundromat.

SATURDAY Day THREE.  Play it by ear...might be shuffling furniture.

Will make mess while shuffling.

Promise,

d

Beautiful Day

Let fresh air inside as I sat in my easy chair falling asleep.  The french doors were opened.  Woke to the sound of children playing outside.  I enjoyed this nap so much.  I stretched.  Walked into the Kitchen and fixed myself a PERO with cream.

Sat and sipped.  Listened to the birds.  SPRING like weather.  So needed.  I have made great headway going through the old papers and pictures.  Felt like I needed some time off from this task so I headed into Manhattan to have LUNCH with Hubby.  We ate a large salad from McDonalds at the park.  

Peaceful and pleasant.  After he returned to work I went to GOODWILL and bought a dish with a Senior Citizen discount.  Depression glass plate.    

Went over to TUESDAY MORNING to look at children's toys for Grandchildren's Birthday gifts.  It was overwhelming so I decided to just give them cash to where they pick something out themselves.

Returned HOME admiring the beautiful day.  Blue skies with a few clouds.  Had the window down on the car.  This Spring day was so needed.  Tomorrow it is suppose to rain.  Whaah.  Last day of the month.  Yahhhhhh.  March is in the air.  

Small steps to getting where I need to be.  Little baby steps.  Teeny tiny steps.  Slow and steady.  Still have a mess around the feet of my easy chair.  In a few days it should be cleared all up.  Laundry needs attention.  Spring cleaning will start with the real Spring as I have deep cleaning to do.  One room at a time then move onto the next room.  

In disbelief that I am still dealing with putting things away after we have moved.  Disbelief.  Press in and continue on.  I'm ahead of where I was a couple of months ago.  Stay the course.

Tomorrow I hope to get a load of bedding washed and dried.  Remake the bed.  Wash my hair, curl it and let it air dry.  More pictures and a small pile of papers to go through.  Will be Wednesday and I need to watch some videos about weight loss for Hubby's insurance discount.  A trip to the dollar store to get some cards for children. 

Not world shaking, but necessary in my life. 

https://www.sonicdrivein.com/-/pretzeltwist

My dear sweet Hubby brought me HOME a SONIC pretzel twist with cheese dip.  One word to say, "GOOD!"

I am looking forward to having a day where I have no schedule and have down time.  I'm still on the mend of being ill.  I'm beginning to wonder if this cough of mine will stop.  It's day 20 for me. 

Sleep has been a real help.  
Naps,
d  

This Is Getting Exciting!

GRANDSON TURNS 11

We were not able to go to our Grandson's week-end Birthday party as we were still run down and coughing from flu.  Today is his birthday.  HUGS.  Air hug.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  and many more.  

We are on the last stretch of FEBRUARY.  MARCH is inching her way on the calendar and I just about can't stand it.  I didn't think January would ever get over for February to take her place, but it happened.  February was horribly cold and full of sadness.  A death and a long running flu.

TODAY, I didn't cough as much.  That helped.  Took a nap.  Still run down.  THIS has been a long drawn out flu.  Gathered some family pictures.  Took it really easy.  Made some business calls.  Sorted through some papers.  Very easy day.  Opened the french doors to let fresh air in for about an hour.  We had left-overs for Supper.  

About 6 PM tonight we kept hearing an airplane circling our neighborhood.  Later we would learn that a shooting took place across Town.  My Husband was craving ice-tea.  We were out of ice so he went to McDonalds for their fresh brewed tea.  When he got home, he told me that he had never seen so many police cars.   

Not all of the details are known, but it appears that there was a car jacking which ended in a shoot out in small town america.  Perhaps there will be more details in a day or so.  A car jacking gone bad.

Too much excitement in a bad way.

MARCH may come in like a lion and go out like a lamb.  We're suppose to have rain tomorrow with lightning which means thunder cannot be far behind.  I hope to get caught back up with the laundry...more paperwork gone through.  Doll room tidied.  Then Lord willing, I will take a serious look at my wardrobe.  Freshen it up with SPRING GOODNESS.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.  I have hopes of shuffling some boxes over at the cottage.  Our tread mill will be set up and I will begin to walk the walk as I talk the talk.  I think I had better have one day a week where I work on FIRE RECOVERY PAPERWORK.  

This is a season of continued downsizing.  Thinning out.  Getting better organized and know what we have.  This may be really boring to many, but it has to be done.  That's that.

God Bless,
d  



 

Had To Get Out

A lot of people must have been feeling the same way as the stores were busy.  I ran out of energy early as I am still not up to spiff.  I had the energy to drive to TOPEKA straight to the Italian RESTaurante.

https://paisanoskansas.com/ 

Ordered a side of stuffed mushrooms.  Hubby actually ate some.  grins.  A salad came next.  I didn't eat much of it.  Then the spaghetti with meata-balls and bread sticks.

Ate about a third of the spaghetti.  Drank water.  Boxed the rest.  Will be my Sunday Dinner.  Salad, spaghetti and breadsticks.

It was misting and the temps were at 37 degrees.  No ice or snow.  Felt great to be out of the house.  The FLINT HILL landscape reminded me of late November around THANKSGIVING time with the wet grounds of yellow stubble, grey skies, rolling hills, but it's February and I am so happy it is.  Almost March and counting the days till SPRING.  Can you tell?

Then onto a Antique Mall that I have seen pictures of.  Made a quick walk about.  The thing that caught my eye was purple kerosene lamps up high on a shelf.  So purdee.  I haven't notice this purple glass before.

I've never seen "SUN PURPLE" glassware.  10% off.  Showed my dear hubby and he said HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY!!!  We didn't purchase it and left talking about it.  Went to God's Storehouse.  Still talking about this unusual lamp.

Returned.  Purchased the beautiful lamp.  

Onto the lumber yard and Arby's for fresh brewed tea.  Drove HOME.  I don't like being so run down.  

Dear Hubby unwrapped our new purchase.  She is sitting in the GARDEN WINDOW in the Kitchen.  Looked up info about "SUN PURPLE" glass.  Will study more about it.

Then to our displeasure....the toilet backed up.  Icky water in basement.  Plumber in the morning.
Went to bed early.

Today, I stayed in my housecoat.  Not well.  Running fever.  Took a nap.  Woke up...still weak.  Sat and went through a large plastic tub full of old papers.  It's a bit much.  BUT I did get through it.  More filing will take place later.

This week, Lord willing,  I will tidy up the Parlour so there are not piles of paper, magazines, odds 'n ins about my easy chair...catch up on laundry once again, shuffle the doll room in hopes of making some headway.  Rest of course.  At the pace I'm going, this may be too ambitious.

I will have to get out again.  
Spring FEVERRRRRRRRRRRRR,
d

     

On The Rebound

Bill Day came and went.  Soon another one will come.
I wrote out so many checks my hand hurt.  One big swoop and I paid off most of the medical bills and a bunch of other bills.  The majority of the medical expenses were paid in full.  A VERY GOOD FEELING.  This didn't come without sacrifice.  For now, we have two balances left.  Unfortunately it's going to take longer to zero out.  SO be it.

It has been tough balancing the budget with the medical bills hanging over my head and requiring monthly payments.  Even with good insurance, the charges are outlandish.  A little here and a little there I have paid until paid in full.  I think it funny when the medical statement has this message within the statement, "The rest is your responsibility to pay."

It's ALL our responsibility to pay in the first place.  The insurance was engaged by us paying our insurance premiums.  WHO do the medical facilities think paid for the premiums in first place so the insurance was activated?  Tadaaah.  OUI.  MOI.  

Balances are what they are.  Facility charge what they do and turn amount into the insurance company applying what is allowed toward medical facility, then the medical facility forwards the unpaid balance to the patient.  This medical machine is a well greased piece of machinery.  The grease they use is made up of hard working people and then some.    

A cramp in my hand from holding a pen and writing.  CRAMP.  Shake my hand and be comfortable again.  Shake, shake, shake.

One check to our family physician paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL. 
One check to a Topeka Hospital paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL.
Another check to our Endocrinologist paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL.
Check to a Radiologist paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL.
Check to OBGYN paying the balance.  PAID IN FULL.
Check to another hospital.  Not all paid.  Ongoing.
Check to dentist.  Ongoing.
Phone bill.
City Bill.
Are you with me?

It takes a while to pay the entire amount due.  Not to get discouraged, but this is an ongoing saga.  Seems like I get the medical bills paid in full then another round of expenses takes place.  It's a good feeling to be owing nothing.  Doesn't last long, but when it is paid...it is paid.  NEXT... 

Thankful to be alive and living at HOME,
d 

Dealing with Passive Aggressive People

Dealing with Malicious People

Can Somebody Say SPRING

Last night we went to check on the COTTAGE across the county line.  As we drove back to our Prairie HOME, moisture was spitting and the windshield began to freeze.  A little here and a little there.  I was tense.  THANKFUL to be HOME.  Situations like this make me appreciate having a warm place to stay called HOME.

Late evening at HOME was a welcomed place to be.  A fire going in a fireplace would have been pleasant while sipping HOT CHOCOLATE.  Picture perfect image.

This morning once again the ground was frozen and covered with icy snow.  Grey skies and chilled.  STAY HOME.  Once again the Public Library is closed due to inclement weather.  Yesterday I did phone to see if I could order a book to borrow instead of buying it.  Is on order.

If I love it and just have to have it on my shelf then I'll purchase one to keep.  I've been wanting to read this book for a few years and just hadn't gotten around to it.  

Victorian Secrets: What a Corset Taught Me about the Past, the Present, and Myself

Book by Sarah A. Chrisman

Also asked the Librarian if they'd get Sarah's other book 

about Victorian Life.  Maybe later.

Beautiful Corset

~ON THE HOME FRONT~

I finished this round of sorting through my in-laws pictures.

ROUND ONE.

More pictures to come.

I'll need to get some envelopes and boxes

for mailing pictures to my brother-in-laws.

My childrens' will be hand delivered.

It's sobering to see all the pictures of my Husband's Parents when they were so young and progressing into mature elderly people.

There's a sting to it.

I decided to go through the pile of magazines that I have kept and thin them down some more.  This truly is a time to downsize and clear out much clutter.  More to do.

A large plastic tub with paperwork has been waiting for me for nine months.  I just moved the box to the side of my easy chair so when the tele is on I'll be going through more papers.

Multi-tasking galore.

When I get this Living room tidied,

then HOPEFULLY the Office/Doll room will get a make over.

It's waiting for me.

March Project and beyond.

Striped the guest bedding.

Laundry in the works.

Waiting for better weather to trudge through.

WE ARE ONE DAY CLOSER TO SPRING.

Counting the days.

What do you do during the months where you are not able to be outside everyday?

Right now, it's paperwork.

Be blessed,

d  

Marching On

WOKE THIS MORNING with snowy white colored ice covering the likes of everything.  Staying HOME.   Hubby is working from HOME.  Roads too dangerous to travel on.  What a nice change of pace.  He's feeling much better.  FLU had him down as well.

Last night we both went through old photos.  About two years ago my Father-in-law had begun to remove pics out of old photo albums with the black sheets of paper and corner holders.  Came across an old image of my Husband's Grandpa and we think his Grandma.  These are rare.  There are no pictures of them when they were young.  Can't say that now, because we know the one is for sure of his Grandpa and pretty sure the other one is of his wife.

Made progress.  Understand that there are more photos in a cedar chest when we return to OKLAHOMA to gather up what needs taken out of Father-in-law's house.  Hurrying going through the pics I have to make more room for the rest.  Not sure what that even means.  MORE.  When I get my hands on them, I will sort through and grouped all the pics, box them in individual boxes and give away to the right person.

TODAY IS THE DAY!  My hair WILL BE WASHED!  Then curl in rollers.  Yes.  I can do this thing.  Sounds so simple, but when you are too weak to stand, washing hair isn't easy.  My hair needs a good shampoo.  

Laundry will have to come later in the week.  Bedding has to be laundered.  Has to.  Will use Laundromat's big machines to wash bed coverings, mattress pad covers and SHEETS.  Fresh like Spring.  Wonderful.    

I'll work on bills later in the day and continue going through photos.   No basketball game tonight.  If I were caught up on pictures, this day would be a great day to sew, draw, write on book, etc.  SPRING, I need you.   

When I was out and about yesterday, I went to the Pharmacy where for a penny I can weigh myself.  I knew the Pharmacy had this machine by the front door and I planned on making a quick trip of weighing self and off I go.  I thought it cost a quarter, but the slot was too short.  The clerk said it took PENNIES.  Pennies...that's even better.

I was mortified that I hadn't lost any weight after the week I had with little food, and the running out from both ends.  Just isn't fair.

Perhaps I will weigh my bod every Monday in HOPES a pound or two disappears.  A pound or two.  A pound.  An ounce.  I could even walk to the Pharmacy.  When the weather is warmer.  Right now it's too cold.

MY PRAIRIE JOURNEY CONTINUES.  This has been a year of replacing our physical losses from the fire.   We continue working on this.  It's not done until it's done.  I believe that SPRING will lift my spirits and I need this.

FEBRUARY is nearly over.  It's been a difficult month.  We headed out to see my Father-in-law Feb. 1st.  Went to a Hospice meeting.  Visited with DAD.  Hubby fed DAD strawberry yogurt and water.  Said our good-byes for the evening.  Went to the motel and rested.  Next morning, Ralph had passed.

Hospice nurses were there.  Minister came by.  Spent some time with Dad.  Mourned.  Some friends came by.  Funeral Director came by to remove Dad's body to Funeral Home.  We gathered up burial clothing.  

Next day we visited with the Funeral Director.  Worked on the obituary.  Gathered up pictures.  Wrapped some glassware.  Made the long trip HOME to Kansas to take care of personal business, get our clothing, run some necessary errands.  Made some arrangements for the funeral.  Rested and returned to the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Visited with the Minister about the funeral services.  Flowers.  Etc.  Gathered more pictures.  Visitation.  Rested.  Meal at church.  Funeral at 2.  With respect I said good-bye.  Drove to cemetery an hour away for burial with Military Rites.  Snowed all day and was bitter cold.

Spent the night and Husband got very sick.  Said more good-byes and headed HOME.  We stopped off at the cemetery on the way home.  Together my In-laws are buried.  It is a sobering sight to see a freshly dug grave with a loved one's body there in the ground.  The tombstone has their names on it.

When we got ready to go, the tears began to flow and I cried so much of the way on the road.  It isn't just that my Father-in-law died, but this time in life is where my Husband's Parents are gone.  Now I will look forward to the future.  This time era of our childhoods are over.  We are the old ones now.    

Trip HOME I came down with cough which led to flu.  7 hour trip HOME and straight to bed to rest for a week.

It's the 20th of February.  Going through more pictures, letters, cards.  I am in hopes that by MARCH 1st, this go round of pictures will be boxed and ready to give to the new owners.  

Looking at these pictures of my two in-laws through the years is with mixed emotions.  To see them when they were children themselves, just starting out as Husband and Wife, babies born, places they visited, with relatives, at their children's graduations, weddings, grand babies being born and growing up, their weddings, etc.  Tis with mixed emotions.  

Our Guest Bedroom houses my Husband's Grandparents bedroom suite.  It seems only fitting to hang on the walls of the guest room framed pictures of his Grandparents.  

HOME is where my heart is.  I'm looking forward to a burst of energy so I can get the SPRING cleaning done.  MARCH will be here soon.  I placed three ceramic bunnies from GOODWILL on the hutch in the entryway.    

Out comes the pastel colors.  March will be a transitional month of ridding the winter blahs with Spring freshness.  Flowers will start popping through the ground.  We will be surprised what shows up.  It will be APRIL before the Irises begin their growth spurt.  Blossoms in April and May.  One of the highlights of SPRING for me.  

The new community we are living in has a Tulip Festival each year.  Never know when the Tulips will bloom at the right time for their festival, but I am looking forward to when they do bloom.    

I am so ready for March,  
d    

   

Picture Perfect

As I picked up the snowmen about the house and the Valentine's Day nic-nacs I had thoughts about what needs to go out next.  EASTER BUNNIES.  I'm hanging onto the hopes of SPRING appearing in the trees with the green splashes.  A hint of green will make for a great day.  It hasn't started yet, but I know it will.

Today, I took a drive to get out of the house.  Inside for a solid 8 days with the flu.  Still coughing.  Wish it would stop.  The day was dedicated to going through my In-laws pictures.  I'm dividing the pictures up into piles for my children, my Husband and his three brothers.  Then I'll figure which pics from their pile will go to their children.

My nephew experienced the early death of his Mom when he was a young boy and I don't know if his Dad saved anything of his Wife's including pictures.  So after I divide up pictures, I'll go back through and make a special stash for him.  He's 30 now with a baby of his own.  His Dad told my Husband before he returned to Arizona that he didn't want anything.  I'll be putting a box together for him anyways.

I made great progress going through the old pictures.  Mixed emotions as I went through my In-laws photos.  Hard to believe they are both gone.  

Thankful I am at HOME.  Time to go through photographs.  Time to rest. 

Time to think,
d