I could say, I joined a gym today. Well, kind of. Sort of. During this pandemic, I need to walk when the weather isn't well suited for me. With the foot pain I have struggled with the last 16 months, I have to pace myself and walk when I can, even if it's late at night or early mornings protected in a climate control cottage.
The treadmill is up and going. Hubby and I worked this afternoon at digging our treadmill out of storage, relocate it to the COTTAGE, clean it up and assemble it. Try it out and go ahhhh. For being in storage over 4 years, it has held up pretty well except for the bottom panel being broken.
A new one will hopefully be in stock to where we can fix this. We have had our treadmill close to 11 years. It seems like yesterday that we went shopping for one and purchased this one.
Digging the treadmill out of storage required shuffling huge items in order to reach the equipment. Hubby had to lay pieces of particle board to make a smooth path across the backyard, side and front lawn, go up some front porch stairs, onto the porch, take a storm door off so the treadmill fit through the front door and into the cleaned up area for a resting spot. It was a work out for the both of us and I'm sure I will feel it in my bones tomorrow.
So very happy to have the treadmill up and going. I'll start walking this week. Get my journal out, find my walking shoes and go for it. I had hoped to be walking the first of November, but the window of time to get set up was not available until today. Just 9 days than desired. It will be alright. I am so HAPPY to have joined THIS gym. grins.
I now have an official membership at RETIREMENT COTTAGE GYM. Praise the Lord. It will be one foot in front of the other. I have not walked on this treadmill for 5 years. How quickly this time has passed. Lord willing, in another 5 years I will be 70. That's really old.
Pulling a lace curtain back to look out one of the Cottage windows, I could see the almost naked trees that have shed their AUTUMN foliage. It was a lovely AUTUMN day to set up the gym! Lovely. I hope I will shed some weight reaching my goal in a year. Shall see.
TODAY'S MONDAY WAS BUSY. Productive. I have peace about it. I will continue tidying the house, doing laundry, paperwork and make headway in the KITCHEN. Boxing up items to turn loose of. By the end of the month, I will be where I want to be with the KITCHEN.
I've started Christmas decorating in my head. I know where to go with the Nativity Scene and Christmas tree. Lush garland around the front door. Garland on the stair rail and fireplace mantle. Christmas cards and baking done early. Gifts out early. Music to warm up the HOME with the Christmas spirit. Hallelujah, the Lord's birthday to celebrate. There will be a sweet, sweet spirit in this place.
By Christmas, I hope to have the new TV room almost ready to roll except the new floor will not go in until SPRING 2021.
I have been watching a multitude of decorating videos and I am so impressed with the ideas.
Stretching for better health I am in hopes of reaching my goal.
d
TODAY's WEATHER IS GLORIOUS. Makes me want to sit outside embracing all the goodness in sight. The KITCHEN WINDOW is open allowing fresh air to enter in. A quiet breeze rustles the leaves that still dangle on the tree's branches. An AUTUMN DAY like today is one I'd like to have for a long INDIAN SUMMER. Much welcomed.
Listening to the gentle breeze makes my mood a gentle one. Golden yellow leaves are on our side yard tree. A sister tree had brilliant red leaves and I have no picture. How'd I miss that? There's an abundance of leaves to rake up.
For now, I will think about how to get all the things that need done accomplished. Ongoing chores.
Yesterday, I fixed a MEATLOAF. Made up a recipe which had great flavor. The loaf was a tad bit mushy, but tasted really good. Meatloaf leftovers this week-end. Maybe meatloaf sandwiches on Sunday. This was the first time I didn't use a meatloaf pan as I shaped it as a loaf to bake it this way.
Personally, I like the shape the loaf has when baked in a shape forming pan. I can do a high five that I did something new about MEATLOAVES. One day I hope to fix a mock meatloaf that has no meat in it to see how the concoction taste. My Grandma fixed mock meatballs where you didn't miss the meat for a German dish which was a favorite of her 10 kids. Butta Glaze. She used Allspice. Will give it a go.
Heavens, it is full of good videos to gleam healthy and helpful tips on distressing one's HOME with decluttering techniques. From learning how to fold bath towels a different way to folding tee shirts that stand up on their own. Less in the cabinets by using fewer dishes. More organized fridges to less clutter under the sink cabinet.
Is the pandemic causing people to rethink what they surround themselves with? Some people. This month I caught myself watching HOARDERS. Have mercy. Have mercy. Have mercy. Stunned. Grey Gardens doesn't have anything on these people.
Motivation happens. Watch some more videos. Instead of watching the entire show, I fast forward through to see the end results where most the time the people seek continuing therapy to clean the rest of the house up and to learn tactics to deal with what got them to this place in the first place.
Tuesday was Election Day USA. Since voting early, I did not have to stand in line to vote. BUT I did vote and am contented. Carrying on with my business. Blessed and contented.
Made a trip to TOPEKA as Hubby had two medical appointments. Got up early and drove over. Labs first, then some breakfast in the car. Tried a hot breakfast sandwich from Starbucks. Drank unsweetened green tea. Haven't had any coffee in about 3 months. A VICTORY for me.
Off to a hearing appointment for sweet Husband. I shopped at Sam's while he had his hearing checked and his hearing aids checked. What a neat time I had shopping. I skipped picking up Rice Krispie Treats this go round. I love these treats, but said to myself, No. You don't really need these. All righty then.
Mostly veggies in the shopping cart. Pat myself on the back. Miniature smoothies in bottles. Green, red, orange and yellow peppers. Broccoli and Baby carrots. Grapes, apples and blackberries. I need to make sure the produce are from the States. I haven't been very good about checking. Some medicines.
Went Home a different route. Drove through DOVER. Tuesday Tacos at Connie's Cafe. Had to try. It is getting easier for me to NOT DRINK soda. The sugar is too much. Water or iced tea is a better choice for me.
Off to the cottage to dry some towels and undies then return to our main residence. Unloaded the goods and had to rest my feet. Loaded the fridge with veggies later.
Visited with my Mom for an hour instead of watching the election results. Tuned in a movie and relaxed. I went to bed knowing that the election results are still going on and we probably will not know the results until the end of the week.
I thought it odd that Melania Trump wasn't by her husband's side on Election Day. She was in Florida wearing a Gucci dress with no mask.
He said if you want to be successful, place your trust in God and avoid evil. When God says to avoid evil, He means it. Many have been worshipping at someone else's altar.
Today, I will have LUNCH on the patio with my daughter. It will be so good to see her. Pleasant weather. Tuna fish sandwiches. Better go peel the eggs. Have laundry to do. Bills to look over. Still working on the Kitchen. Inching along. There are things I still do not know where to go with them. Sigh. I don't want to throw out just yet. BUT might have to anyways. Sigh. Carry on and be content.
HOME LIFE is for me,
d
THIS IS THE SECOND NIGHT IN A ROW that I have woke up before dawn. Early. I'd rather sleep than not. Not sure why, but I woke up before dawn. I started my day out by reading the news. Decided to write out my day timer, do some really early morning laundry, tweak some in the KITCHEN CABINETS.
There is much I can do for sure and will attempt to do. There will hopefully be a sense of contentment in knowing what I did do made a difference in a good way.
In a little while, I'll take my morning shower and shampoo my hair. Laundry will continue and bills worked on. Over the week-end, water backed up into the basement. Hubby took action and he seems to have solved the problem. That's a blessing and a half. I cringed thinking we might have another high bill. Plumbers charge more on the week-end around here. Hubby became the plumber instead and did magic. Sigh of relief.
Back to washing laundry. When something like this happens, I grow an immense appreciation for flushing toilets and running water.
Made a trip to Topeka to the thrift shop where we picked up a sweet little desk that I will chalk paint later on. For now it will wait for the moment that I lay hands on it to beautify her. I'll have to take pictures later and share. No camera at the moment.
We had a very QUIET HALLOWEEN. Quiet and peaceful. Thankful. I ate NO CANDY! This is a spooky thing to say. No candy. Deciding to start eating more vegetables in NOVEMBER is my personal goal. I know I can do this. I must.
This week I'd like to make a trip to TOPEKA to pick up a few supplies. The weather is suppose to be nice. In the 70s. This will be welcomed before more snow blows in.
Managed to go to Menards and Home Depot over the week-end. Rode a cart at both places. The Menards cart was fired up and I could zip zoom about the store. It was wonderful. I zipped zoomed about with my hair blowing in the wind as I took some corners faster than if I had been walking. My 'ole hip was making walking difficult. I took time to look at Christmas items. The twinkling lights were mesmerizing. I was kind of like a kid in a candy store.
Home Depot's cart was on its last leg and ran out of juice as I headed toward the check out. She died right by the coke machine. I limped out of the store ready to drive back HOME and call it a day.
Drove slower than usual as the deer like to walk about eating grass. The grass is greener on the other side.
Unloaded our spoils and watched a movie. Lights out. Bed time came and I was ready for it.
An exciting week as Election Day is tomorrow. Life goes on no matter who wins this election. Our President of Law and Order, as he puts it, is alright with his supporters blocking bridges to hoot and holler. What does it hurt to block traffic on a bridge?
Wondering when we will know who the next duly elected President will be? I seriously doubt that we will know November 3rd.
Time will tell. For now, I will carry on as KEEPER OF MY HOME and do what I can do. Happy November full of promise.
God bless,
d
CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING FROM GOD. We sometimes need HELP when living with them. Challenges are plenty throughout LIFE. Prayers are needed along the way. The prayers continue. Perhaps this prayer will help ease the issues.
God bless,
d
