A PUMPKIN PECAN FUDGE KIND OF DAY!

AS I SIT HERE TYPING THIS POST, I cannot help but know that TODAY was a great day and I am exhausted to say the least.  A good kind of tired.  Whew.  Sigh.  Pause.  Start again.

We were up at the crack of dawn to go to McDonald's for a quick breakfast for the road.  On our way to a Regional Cross Country Meet for High School students.  Grand was running.  We had a nice trip there, but nearly got stuck in the mud where we were going to park in a field.  Parked the car and walked a ways to the START LINE.  Sloppy muddy.  We walked about a quarter of a mile across the rain soaked grassy stubble hay-like ground.  Weather was pleasant at 62 degrees with over cast skies.  Wore a jacket and should have had rain boots on for this sloppy field.  

The girls would be running 3.2 miles across a sloppy, wet, muddy course.  

I like to walk about a quarter of a mile past the start line so I can cheer her on and see how she is pacing herself.  Today was no exception as I walked a ways and after the girls passed me I walked over to where the girls would run when they are about finished with the race.  Hubby took the spectators path to cheer her on at the half way mark.  It was extremely muddy and slippery as he walked and ended up sliding down a bank near a creek.  He was covered in mud by the time we met back up.  So were the runners.

Our Granddaughter did well in this run.  I cheered her on as she was headed toward a very sloppy muddy area in the path.  I knew I wouldn't be seeing her cross the finish line as I had a ways to walk so as I was walking toward the finish line, I cheered our runners on.

It was an exciting run and the girls are headed to STATE!  It was a very good day for us.

As we drove to Emporia, we got to see some beautiful cars parked downtown Strong City.  Oh if wishes were fishes in the sea, I'd be a fisherman.  I'd have one of these goodies, but oldies.

  

Hubby and I were hungry so on we drove to Emporia ordering WENDY's.  I had a new salad, Southwestern Avocado Salad.  I loved the dressing.  Gobbled it up and then went to THE SWEET GRANADA SHOP to get a piece of fudge especially for moi.   

Mine didn't have two scoops of avocado...just one and mine didn't have as much chicken as this image shows.  
Still tasty.

Pumpkin Pecan Fudge.  I have never eaten Pumpkin Fudge before.  It was worth the wait.  Melt in yo' mouth good.  I'm sure it is loaded with calories, but...and that's a big but.  I think I earned it.  Tomorrow will be a low cal day to make up for this.  Soup, soup, soup.  Pumpkin?  

Stopped off at ALDI to pick up some salad items.  I could hardly walk after attending the cross country meet.  My feet are feeling it tonight.  

Drove HOME across the back roads of Kansas and loved the Autumn countryside and the pace I could drive on the hilly, curvy roads.  Hardly no one else in sight.  Beautiful trees with orange and yellow leaves mixed in with different shades of lush greens.  This time of year with the cooler temps makes for a gorgeous landscape to feast your eyes on.  

We stopped off at the Cottage to check the heater and I picked up a few things to bring HOME with us.  I'll be back tomorrow to clean some more if I can get out of bed.  

Not sure I will be able to do so.  Not trying to be funny.  haha.  It's a reality for me these days.  Shall see and if I have to stay in bed, I'll be a good patient and stay in bed to rest so I can go full speed the next day.  Full speed ahead.

  

I'LL BE BETTER IN THE MORNING AND IF I'M NOT, I'LL SAY I SHOULD HAVE BEEN and stay in bed.

May your WEEK-END be restful.

Blessings,
~d👵

PROGRESS HAPPENED THIS WEEK

A COTTAGE IDEA!  OUR COTTAGE DOESN'T LOOK THIS GOOD YET,
BUT WE HAVE HOPE IT WILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

AS WE INCH ALONG WORKING ON THE COTTAGE, I felt like we made a dent in what we are doing to create a comfortable place to call HOME next SPRING.  People do a lot of different things when they retire.  Some are planned and some are a huge surprise.  We are making plans that are in part to what we want.

We have some health issues that we drag around with us, not because we want to, but because we have to at this time.  Challenges that we are dealing with.  SO with that said, I move forward.

Hubby got the cooling/heating unit fixed so we will have warmth when we are at the COTTAGE this Autumn and WINTER working to make this lil place a cozy HOME.  

Friday, I cleaned on the Living room ceiling fan only to have to stop because I couldn't physically get my hands on the blades to thoroughly dust and rub furniture polish on the blades.  I got the glass globes off and cleaned them with Watkins Cleaner then rinse them with cold water.  Dried them off.  I pitched the light bulbs as one was burned out and three others looked like they were about to.

I'll get 25 watt bulbs to replace the 40 in the four sockets.  A trip to the store on Sunday so I can replace them, finish dusting the fan blades and turn it on to admire the very clean ceiling fixture in motion.  

It was nice to enter the COTTAGE today walking into an empty Living room.  I have put in many hours getting to this special place in time as the COTTAGE has been used as a warehouse while we got back on our feet after our house fire in 2016.  In a few days, it will be our 5th anniversary since the fire.  I am just now getting to where I don't have horrible thoughts about what happened.  I still have many boxes to go through and boxes of papers to thin out.  Eventually it will be a completed task that will not have so many emotional ties attached to thinning out.  I can do this.  Amen.

The COTTAGE carpet seriously needs replaced with hardwood floors.  This will happen hopefully this Winter.  The leather sectional sofa that I will turn lose of was shuffled into the Living room.  She's still in pretty good shape.  

This week-end I will shuffle the exercise equipment into the empty Dining room so I have to vacuum the carpet and thoroughly clean the ceiling fan as well.  We'll have to take over a ladder to reach the fans with ease.  After I get these two rooms temporarily like they will be for a short time, I will scrub the wood trim and clean the glass windows.  

Off to the Kitchen I will wash the cabinet fronts until they are thoroughly clean and looking better than before.  The pantry will be dealt with at this point.  Everything that is presently in there will be removed so I can wash the walls, ceiling and wood shelves.  Painting this space shouldn't take very long.  This will be a simple victory as I begin to restock the pantry.  I have cook books in it right now with odds 'n ins.  

After we move in, the pantry will actually hold food and small appliances such as crock pots, air fryer, blenders, etc.  I have stood inside the pantry to imagine where things will go.  Up on the higher shelves the small appliances will go.  Potatoes and onions down on the floor.  A shelf for large jars holding spices, oils, sauces will take up some room on a medium height shelf as a lower shelf will hold popcorn, nuts, seeds, and legumes where it is cooler as heat rises.  Other shelves will hold vegetables, baking items and other food items.  I have been working at getting glass jars to store much of our staples.  Doing away with plastics.

It's entertaining how an empty room can be an adventure to give much thought on what will fill the rooms and spaces.  This will be a time to live in a small environment without so much clutter crowding the spaces.  Curtains, draperies and shades are being thought about as are wood floors and area rugs coming to mind.  Paint colors and tiles takes some time to think on.  What books will I keep?  What pictures will I hang?  What knick knacks will I display?  Will I use the bedding I already have?  I'll use my everyday white dishes stored in the Kitchen and keep my Blue Willow China in a antique China Cabinet in the Dining room. 

What storage space will I have to store extra glassware and dishes?  In the Dining room's antique Corner Cabinet or in the Cellar on muscle racks along with Holiday decorations that have been seriously downsized?  Coats and jackets will be fewer as will clothing that will hang in a small walk-in closet off the Bathroom.  

Extra Cook Books will be stored on the Utility room book shelves that will be built in 2022 by the back door along with my portable sewing machines and sewing notions.  An old fashion treadle sewing machine will be parked in the Utility room along with a Victorian Wash Stand that will hold laundry detergent and other laundry supplies.  

I have to downsize my Doll Collection and every other collection I have.  Special books and small framed pictures of my Grandchildren and other family members will sit on the new floor to ceiling bookshelves that will appear in 2022 built by my dear Husband.

I think I have it figured out where our furniture will sit in each room.  This has been a difficult task for me as I am very attached to my furniture.  They are part of our family and I don't want to do without, but I have to downsize in this area as well.  Somehow I will manage and being a CHRISTIAN HOMEMAKER in a small 1900 Folk Victorian COTTAGE will happen.

Blessings,

~d👵    

NOT A DIET

LAST APRIL, I was told by my physician that I was now a diabetic.  For years I tittered on the border of being pre-diabetic not taking this serious and not being convinced that I was adding insult to injury ignoring the pre part.  

I believed I was alright since I wasn't actually diabetic.  Did nothing about changing so I wouldn't become a diabetic.  I paid no mind to the medicines I was taking that contributed to high blood sugar levels and weight gain.  What about raising my cholesterol levels?  

Food was food at that time and I was not concerned about food additives, colorings, added chemicals, natural flavorings, GMOs, foods being highly processed, hidden sugars.  AND some not so hidden as they are listed on the food labels such as HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.  A multiple of other names are used that one can hardly pronounce tucked away towards the bottom of the list of ingredients.  Who takes the time to look up just what the heck that one is? I'm working towards knowing.   

Personally, I believe that HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SRYUP is a demon designed to make us sick, stay sick and help us die sooner than later.  Did I say demon?  Yes.  I did.  I also believe that the additives allowed in foods is cause for alarm.

I would have more lab work done in 4 months.  SO from April until August I was determined to get my A1c number down and lose some weight.  When I was weighed and bloodwork taken, I had lowered my A1c number and lost some weight, but my cholesterol had climbed.  

Changing what I ate and how I ate wasn't a picnic for me.  It was actually very trying and I had a great deal of change to embrace.  Change I did.  I'm still watching what I eat and how much. Another lab will be done in December.

My journey continues as I have studied up on natural ways to combat diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  It comes down to what I am allowing to put in my mouth.  My personal opinion tells me that we are being manipulated by what is being sold at the markets and given the FDA approval of what is alright to consume.

Manipulated.  It concerns me.
~d 👵

  

PROUD AS PUNCH!

WEDNESDAY WAS PRODUCTIVE!  Finally a day that was very productive.  A huge sigh of relief and satisfaction runs through me.  Made my way back over to the COTTAGE to work some more on emptying the Living room.  HUBBY worked on the cooling and heating system.  I continued picking up and carrying things out of the Living room and taking them to the Bedroom.  More papers, books, this and that, furniture.  Much to sort through.

I was able to throw away much and not bat an eye.  I think through the years I hung onto so much trying to hang onto the good times that I have had as a young married woman and a mother to three children that I raised to adulthood that I didn't want to part with what I turned into keepsakes.  There has been some very bad times as an adult that I chose to hang onto other things that represented goodness and mercy.  How do I feel about thinning out STUFF?  Better today.  I still have some memorabilia that makes me smile.  As I pitch other stuff, I am doing alright with the pitching.  It's a relief to be able to finally pitch STUFF that are no longer needed in any way, shape or form.

Through the years, I have moved so many times I wasn't allowed to stay in one place for very long before we upped and moved again due to my Husband's employment that took us to many places that we would call HOME. 

Hanging onto every piece of paper, paid receipt, bank statement, etc. caught up with me.  Today, I continued to throw away old phone bills, bank statements and some old books as well.  As I cleared out the Living room, a sense of satisfaction came over me.  I can see the COTTAGE remodeled in my mind.  It will be a quaint place to call HOME when the time comes.  

I came across a large cardboard box full of vintage tablecloths, napkins and place mats.  I took the box outside to shake each article.  Each item will get laundered and folded or hung on a hanger placed in a closet for safe keeping.  Later I may find a pattern to make cute blouses out of the old tablecloths.  This could be fun.  

The old carpets need vacuumed so badly.  I drove over to Menards to look at their inexpensive vacuums.  Picked one out and will return to the COTTAGE tomorrow to give the Living room a good sweeping.  After this, the room will be ready to hold the large leather sectional with ottoman.  I can start getting the word out that the sofa is for sell.  Prayerfully it will go soon and the room will be empty once again ready to receive a new coat of white paint to freshen up the Living room before the carpet is pulled up and replaced with a nice wood floor.  It sounds so simple, but when it comes to actually doing all that needs done it takes some muscle, time and cash to buy supplies etc.   

I have spent hours deciding where pieces of furniture will go when the COTTAGE is ready for humans to come live inside her walls. 

DOWNSIZING will continue.  More to think about and turn loose of.  It's a slow process which is a blessing to me because if I were having to do this over a short amount of time I'd be a serious mess going through anxiety and frustration.  This way, I can move slower with caution instead of being in panic mode running around like a chicken with no head.

This week, I hope to make more progress and at the end of the week be proud as punch that I accomplished clearing out another room and ready to sell a sofa.  

Blessings,

~d 👵

  

  

OMGoodness

Oh My Goodness.  Did I ever sleep in.  Hubby let me and I woke up close to 11:30.  That's sleeping in for me.  I blinked my eyes a couple of times when I looked at the time.  You have got to be kidding!  In disbelief I had slept so long.  I guess I was tireder than I realized.   

MORNING RITUAL:  Bathroom break, wash hands and pop morning meds in my mouth drinking a bottle of spring water.  Figure out my day and look over bills needing paid.  Write out correspondences.  Load of laundry put in.  Breakfast.  Read and pray. 

Tomorrow, I hope to walk early in the morning before chores are done.  Then I have to get up then don't I?      

TODAY, I have hopes of taking my HALLMARK ORNAMENTS from one large storage tub in the basement and placing them in several smaller see through tubs.  Whaalaah.  Like magic they will be downsized into smaller, easier to handle storage containers.  Then I will temporarily stack them along the wall in the Victorian Bedroom until the Christmas tree comes out for the season.  

A load of laundry will be done then a trip back over to the Little Cottage On The Prairie in small ville to move things like boxes of papers from one room into a different one.  Right now the small Living room is full of this and that.  There's a huge treadmill still taking up floor space.  It's a heavy one which will be moved into an empty Dining room when the time comes.  There's a leather sectional that will be moved back into the Living room so I can find a new owner for it. The Cottage is in very sad shape, so it will be better to have the sofa in the Living room to where lookers can view her with ease instead of elsewhere in this tiny Cottage.  When I get to this point, I will advertise to sell the sectional.    

I may get the Cottage Living room cleared out this week.  That's my goal.  The ozone machine can be turned on to destroy unpleasant odors that have accumulated in our Cottage.  Opening the windows has not gotten rid of these odors.  We'll ozone first then later the old carpets will be pulled up after the bathroom is completed.  New floors will be laid.  The sofa has got to go.  

I'm still going through papers.  Our house fire destroyed every ounce of order I had.  To think I am still going through papers after almost 5 years later makes me cringe.  I know that getting back on our feet has taken this much time.  

1)  The Cottage has been a warehouse for us as we have gotten back on our feet after the 2016 house fire.  Number one priority for now is to completely clear out the Cottage of all boxes of belongings, boxes of papers. books, records, dishes, clothing, Christmas decor, pieces of furniture and odds 'n ins.  Each piece of paper has to be reviewed and filed or pitched.  
2)  Clear out the front Bedroom full of boxes and furniture.
3)  Haul some pieces of furniture over to Main House Carriage House to turn loose of.  Pitched mattress and box springs, an older range and dishwasher.  Childhood French Provincial Dresser with mirror and chest of drawers, piano desk, whimsy desk hauled to Carriage House.
4)  Turn loose of furniture.
5)  Gather all Christmas decor from Cottage, Main House Basement and Carriage House. Thin out.  Turn loose of.
6)  Gut Bathroom for remodeling.  Getting decorating ideas. Searching for tile.  Purchased floor tile for Bathroom with walk-in closet, Kitchen with walk-in pantry and Utility room.
7)  Empty out the Cottage Living room.
8)  Order and purchase Ozone Machine.
9)  OZONE the Cottage
10)  Continue gutting Bathroom.  Remodel the Bathroom and closet.
11) Take a break and think about what needs done next. 

No wonder I'm tired.  My old body doesn't move as fast as it once did.  Health issues do add challenges to everyday LIVING.  Vitamins and supplements, prayer, and pacing myself is the norm these days.    

This evening my Supper meal will be SOUP alone to cut back on my calories as I have been eating very well the last few days with too many calories.  MyFitnessPal is a calorie tracking tool that I use most every day.  I have a pretty good idea just about how many calories I am eating when I eat them.  My weight has plateaued and need to have a break through to start loosing weight again.  

I had a Turkey Skillet meal for lunch.  Ground turkey, with onion. zucchini, corn, diced tomatoes, black beans and avocado.  2 cups was low cal.  At the end of the day, I should be well below my 1200 calories allowed for a day.  I have to go very low on the calories for a few days to break the plateau.  I know the drill.

Welp, I had better get after it or evening will be here and I will have not met my goal of clearing out that room over at the Cottage.  Striving to be living there come Spring 2022.  The way time flies these days, it will be here before I know it.  Cold weather comes first with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

My HOBBY for now is DOWNSIZING around the main house, clearing out the Cottage, remodeling the Cottage, clearing out the main house basement and Carriage house. Heavens...that's a hobby I need to master and change directions on.

Blessings,

~d👵

   

    

BACK TO THE LITTLE COTTAGE ON THE PRAIRIE

Elizabeth USA Parma Gray 13 x 13 Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile

YESTERDAY WENT WELL.  The morning was chilly, but as the day passed, the weather was gorgeous at 80 degrees.  No wind, no rain, no storms.  Lovely AUTUMN day.  My day went in a different direction than previously planned.  It was a great day with some positive things taking place.

HUBBY came along with me as I went to MENARDS to get some smaller storage boxes for my Christmas HALLMARK ORNAMENTS and a Santa Scene that I plan to keep.  Hubby had some rebate checks that we used on the storage boxes costing us very little.  Glad to get the boxes I can now downsize what containers the ornaments are in to something more manageable.  I look forward to this type of downsizing.  Downsizing from large red tubs to much smaller see through ones will be easier lifting the  boxes onto the basement muscle shelves.   

Looking around in MENARDS lead me to the Kitchen cabinets section also the counter tops and floor tiles.  We found a soft gray tile that I'd like to use in the Cottage kitchen with pantry, bathroom with walk-in closet and the utility room.  I can see the rooms in my head.  Pretty sure this is the tile we will use.  Making a decision soon then will be purchasing the tile so we are moving forward on the remodeling.  We bought one tile to take to the Cottage and see what it will look like. 

 

Elizabeth USA Parma Gray 13 x 13 Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile

What we got is a little lighter gray than this image.

We have purchased the Kitchen hardware already.  Going to go with white Kitchen walls and cabinets.  Debating on the countertops and pretty sure on the soft gray tile.  I envision the Cottage with a great deal of white and gray interior. 

While we were at the Cottage, Hubby planted two large mum plants and trimmed some small trees that were growing in areas we don't need them to.  I shuffled two Morris chairs that were in the Living room into a Bedroom.  The tv and the buffet the tv sat on as well.  That was it.  I didn't get any of the boxes moved out of the Living room.  What little work I did get done was a baby step toward the end results we want.  

Together we looked at the one gray tile we bought lying on the Kitchen floor next to the stainless steel fridge.  Loved it and believe this is what we will use on our remodeling adventure.  We have worked on all the houses we have ever lived in as a married couple.  I can't say it has gotten any easier the older we have gotten even with the experience we have.  

Each house has a personality all its own and this Cottage is no different.  Decorating styles have changed along the way.  I don't think I care to recreate a 1900 Kitchen or bath.  Going to go with a neutral color theme with some modern and vintage touches.  The Cottage will hopefully have a comfortable feel to it when we are finished.  I pray we can pull this off without health issues getting in the way.  Amen and amen.

BACK TO THE COTTAGE TODAY to move boxes 
and paperwork to the bedroom.

 ~d👵            

  

Best Biblical Foods To Eat For Your Health | How To Eat Like Jesus Did

SUNDAY SUNDAY

SUNDAY SUNDAY...a day of rest.  No brick and mortar church service today for me. Perhaps I will tune in to a service on line this evening when having quiet time before bedtime. Reading scripture and meditating upon the word of God.  A very pleasant way to drift off to sleep.      

After I get more of what needs done finished, I believe I will be able to relax to where it is healthy.  I cannot completely unwind knowing that I have so much to do.  sigh.

While sitting, I have gone through a pile of old magazines.  Watched some craft and decorating YOU TUBE vids.  Giving some thought on decorating.  Keeping it simple, I will place some faux pumpkins and fall leaves on the fireplace mantel adding some AUTUMN spark before Thanksgiving arrives.  November will be dedicated to AUTUMN CLEANING in preparations for company coming and a large feast to give THANKS.  October is flying right along and I can't seem to slow it down any.  Which reminds me that I need to get my GRANDS some Halloween candy to give them from me and Granpa.  I try to do this each year.

One year when we were visiting our Oklahoma family, my little Grandson asked me where his Halloween candy was?  This particular year, I had not come prepared to give them candy right then.  I felt bad that I wasn't prepared to give them a treat and I decided that I need to be prepared when I see them in Oklahoma.

Sometimes I give the Grands $2 bills for their birthdays.  I had decided that this time I was going to give one of my Grandsons a gift instead of the bills.  I told HUBBY that I didn't think my Grandson would miss getting his $2 bills.  After his birthday party, he told me he has kept all the $2 bills I have ever given him.  Once again I was stumped.  So I started back up given the kiddos $2 bills.  Something I think they will always remember about us.  $2 bills for gifts.

Candy, candy, candy through the year.  Valentines, Easter, Halloween, Christmas.  Smaller portions will be given as they seem to have no shortage of sweets.  Not sure what they'd think if I gave them oranges at Christmas for their treat.  When I was growing up, we always received an orange in our Christmas stockings.  Oranges and nuts!  Sometimes apples.  I didn't quite understand it at the time why Santa gave oranges and nuts, but I do now.  I had a wonderful CHILDHOOD.  With much appreciation, I pause and think about these days that have gone by so quickly.  Nostalgia comes to mind and to my heart.  pause.    

Our Ozone machine arrived and now we will ozone the inside of the COTTAGE to get all the old smells out of there.  No one is to be around when the ozone is being done.  Before we turn it on, I have to do some serious shuffling of furniture and boxes out of the Living room.  I think I will journey over there and get this done this afternoon.  It will mean a great deal to me to have this done today so I can actually rest and unwind.  

When I started clearing out the front bedroom last Summer, it took longer than I ever imagined. Some time was needed to complete this task.  Making an empty room made me happy.  NOW, I will fill it with what is in the Living room so it is empty to ozone it.  Okay with this morphing about.  It has to be done in order to get where we are going.  COTTAGE LIVING by Spring time.

Shuffling is exercise so I shouldn't complain, but I want to.  I know I will feel better after the ozoning is completed and the rooms in the COTTAGE will smell so much better.  Working will be pleasant.  As the days inch toward November and December, I have to plan ahead and make goals as to what I hope to get done.

I had plans of starting to paint the main house Dining room and I eventually will, but FIRST I must do the shuffle at the COTTAGE so it can be ozoned, THEN I will paint.  I sound like a broken record.  Lord help me.  Too much on my plate at the time. 

Lord, Thank you that I have a place to call HOME to make pleasant to live in.  A place to gather with loved ones and friends to bless them making happy memories.  A roof over my head and food to fill our bellies.  Thank you, dear God that you love us and want us to imitate your nature. Thank you.  I am so grateful for your love and all the blessings.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

THERE's NO PLACE LIKE HOME,

~d 👵

SATURDAY SUCCESS

IF I HAD A WAND, I'D WAVE IT
AND EVERYTHING WOULD ALREADY BE DONE!

IT'S THE WEEK-END and I was ready to box up Christmas decor to take to a couple of Charities.  WE LOADED TWO CARS FULL OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.  

Decided that the extra large red storage tubs are just to large to handle as older people.  When they are filled with knick-knacks, they are truly too heavy to handle plus they take up more space then we will have going from a full basement to a smaller cellar.

I have had to think about and imagine what decorations I will be using in the future after we leave this location and move into a much tinier place. 

The huge red tubs need to go away so we used these tubs to fill with what was going to the charities.  First stop today was at the UMW Thrift Shop.  They got the tubs filled with HoHoHo Christmas cheer Santas.  I like shopping there and also at GOD's STOREHOUSE in Topeka.  

  

We drove over to Topeka to donate the Christmas Angels, Christmas trees, etc.  My Angels went to flight.  The beautiful angels will go to someone else that I hope enjoys them as much as I did for years.

GONE, hopefully forgotten.  I cannot be emotionally attached to any of it.  

Now to go dig up some more things from the basement and turn loose of.  Doing this downsizing thing a little every day.  This is at a pace I can move at.  

Decided since we were at God's STOREHOUSE, to go check out the bargains.  We found a metal Apple.Potato Peel Away, a black Sag Harbor dress jacket for me, a tall vintage glass spooner that will hold coffee stirrers at our HOME coffee bar area, a Kings hand thrown salt glazed Pottery Pitcher from a wood burning kiln from Seagrove, North Carolina and a movie.  Felt we had a good treasure hunt today.

WE DROVE OVER TO THE COTTAGE as I wanted to walk through it with my HUBBY to discuss what we are going to do to make the COTTAGE livable for us old folks when the time comes.  

As we were using the COTTAGE as a warehouse, it still has things in it that have to disappear so we can freely work at remodeling.  Another phase to our downsizing.  Right now I cannot see light at the end of the tunnel.  A bit overwhelming and then I have to remind myself, place one foot in front of the other and pray.   

While HUBBY works on the heating unit this next week, I will be going through what is sitting about in the COTTAGE's living room.  I'll have to shuffle some pieces of furniture, and go through some stacked boxes.  More papers to deal with.  Ugg.  

This week I had planned on painting the Dining room.  Perhaps I can do both?  

Sunday will be dedicated to painting primer on the dining room walls.  I'll have to see how far I get before I tucker out.  
On Monday, I need to do some laundry and paint in the Dining room.
Tuesday...work in the Cottage.  I'm sure I will find more stuff to get rid of.  Making a pile in a corner for a garage sale in the Spring or donate?
Wednesday...laundry and paint some more.
Thursday...clean the inside of the car.  Work some more at the Cottage.
Friday...Paint some more.
Saturday...PRAISE THE LORD, it'll be the week-end.  
Sunday...pause and pray.

After HUBBY and I chatted about the remodeling of the COTTAGE we went to the grocery store for coffee creamer then HOME to unload our thrift store spoils.  

Today, I hit a goal of getting rid of some of our CHRISTMAS decor.  Successful hauls with the victory not soaking in yet.  It will. 

Later, I will need to go back into the basement and thin out more belongings.  I know I will get where I need to be eventually, but not without pulling at some heart strings, sweating, digging, lifting and reaching which is good exercise for me.  Going through the tubs in the basement to see what is in them and carrying the tubs out of the basement is exercising.   

WHAT I SEE HAPPENING IS it has taken years to build up our estate and it will take time to downsize it as we move toward being minimalist that have a streamlined household.  I can do this.  I know I can.  I mustn't drag my feet as there is much to do to make this transition come to fruition manifesting right before our eyes.

Write the plan down and run with it.  Then put my faith into action with my arms carrying boxes while my feet walk to the car loading the goods being donated to charity, unloading and driving away.  So I am writing down the things we need to do in order for the steps to become a reality.  Morphing from one household to a much smaller one is necessary.  There has to be success.

Successful Saturdays are needed and on order.  There cannot be a shortage on Saturday successes or on back order.  Please and thank you.

I cannot do this in a week, or a month.  Marie Kondo where are you?

DOWNSIZING is a process that I wish were already done.  Wishing doesn't make it happen, does it?  If I had a magic wand, I'd wave it.  

~d👵        

FUN WITH CHOPSTICKS

OUR FANCY MEAL FOR THE WEEK WAS IN Kansas City's AT PF CHANG'S.  We have only ate at a CHANG'S twice in our lives and it is such a treat to us being such small town hicks.  I have never mastered chopsticks until recently.  I impressed myself.  Tadaah.  I did it.   

We started with appetizers of Crispy Green Beans with dip and Northern Style Pork Spare Ribs with Coleslaw of some type.  I had these when we were in Des Moines visiting my Sister and Bro.n.law.  I knew I liked the ribs, so ate these as my meat course and ordered a salad for my meal.

HUBBY had Pepper Steak and rice.

My Mandarin Crunch Salad with almonds.

Here comes the chopsticks.

Tadaah...I did it!

Weather was nice enough 

we could have ate outside.

We had a date and it was wonderful!

~d 👵