NOT SURE ABOUT THANKSGIVING

I WILL DO MY BEST TO HAVE A FEAST COME THANKSGIVING DAY, but we shall see if I can pull this off.  Making plans to paint the Dining room I had already started placing pieces of Dining room furniture and odds 'n ins into the Living room to prep the room for a paint job when my brother passed away.  

Every now and then another piece gets moved.  I hope to get the paint job finished before Thanksgiving.  If I don't...I will say, I wish I had gotten this finished last Summer.  The month of November has been a hard one so far.  

October 31st my dear brother died early in the morning.  We made our way to Kansas City to KU Medical Center where he had been life flighted the day before on Saturday.  Walking into his Hospital room was not pleasant.  He passed away all alone without loved ones about him.  So much of his life was like this as he lived his last years in a HOME for the mentally ill.  

This past year his health was failing as he was falling down more, shuffling when he walked having to use a walker and getting confused about the days.  Being isolated during the pandemic didn't help any.  This past Summer I was able to see him and visit.  A few times we visited in a glass entryway with a glass door separating us.  When the weather turned off better, we were able to sit outside to chat.  He was losing weight this past year going from 160 pounds down to 123 pounds.  He wasn't eating the best and dementia was beginning to rear its ugly head.

He still knew me.  You know this means a lot to me when a loved one begins to fade with dementia losing a grip on reality.  What day is it?  What time of day is it?  What month is it?  Have I eaten supper when it's actually morning?  How do I put my shoes on?  Help me find my glasses?  He was getting lost in the moment.  

I regret that I did not write more to him.  That I didn't send more cheery cards and letters each week.

Even though he had his covid vaccine, he got ill in September.  He wore down from covid.  Recovering slowly, he was having some health issues.  It was discovered that he had a aortic aneurism when he was life flighted.  The aneurism was bleeding.  He supposedly went peacefully.

When I arrived at his room, he was lifeless.  The expression on his face wasn't peaceful.  It was horrible.  Even though he had passed during the night, the IV needle was still in his arm at 12:20 in the afternoon.  Why?  Couldn't the nurses have at least taken the needle out of his arm?  I was too upset to ask the young nurse why the needle was still in his arm.  His eyes were at least closed. 

He desired to be cremated.  Friday morning we were able to view his body at a Funeral Home.  6 days has passed and the Doctor has yet to sign the death certificate.  I am numb.  David lived a difficult life struggling with mental health issues.  Our family is piecing this all together.

He had paid earlier in the year to be cremated at a funeral home.  We as the family paid extra to have a 30 minute viewing at the funeral home.  His remains will not be cremated until the Doctor signs the death certificate.  Sigh.  We as a family are making plans for a graveside service.  The week has been drawn out as we wait for that signature.

I worked on David's Obituary.  Done.  Now to get it to the newspaper on Monday.  Earlier in the week I telephoned the newspaper for info about the obituaries and a death notice via email.  The newspaper lady gave me the incorrect email address.  His DEATH NOTICE was not in the weekly paper because of this.  I was horribly disappointed.  One more snag in this saga.  Another snag.

On Thursday, my mom, sister, brother in law, my husband and myself cleared out his clothing from his room.  Because he had covid in September, his personal belongings except for his clothing were being stored down stairs in a storage area.  We gathered up his clothing and took them to the basement so we could sort through all his belongings away from the main floor where the residences are.  There had been no hurry from the HOME to return his belongings to him after he recovered from covid.  sigh.   As if he wouldn't notice that his personal things weren't there.  There were no photos on the walls or sitting out, no artwork out, no GI Joe dolls that he had collected through the years.  Only his bed, dresser, a night stand, a upholstered chair and clothing were in his room. 

We managed to work several hours before going to lunch at the CONEBERG INN in Peabody, Kansas.  The dining area was rather large with a fire burning in the fireplace making the room cozy for us.  Plus we were the only ones in the place besides a young man named Abe that was the waiter, cook and bottle washer.  The really neat thing about eating here was that Beatle music was playing in the background.  Abe said that when he is working there he plays Beatle music.  One of David's favorite groups was THE BEATLES!  We were right at home eating and listening to this background music as if David knew we would be there eating he'd see to it that we would be entertained as we dined.  Mom's meal was on the house.  Neat.  We were able to talk amongst ourselves and hear what one another was saying as three out of the five there wears hearing aides.  Can you hear me now?      

We returned to the basement to work.  We finished in the late afternoon.  It is somewhat emotional going through David's belongings.  His books, music, pictures, journals, artwork, clothing, etc.  We did it.  

Took each article of clothing that were on hangers off the hangers rolling the clothing to fit in boxes.  He had approximately two hundred pieces of clothing.  Clothing will go to charity except for a few pieces that we are keeping.  His furniture will stay behind for others to use.  One leather jacket that David wore so often is worn out, but I could not bring myself to give it away or trash at the moment.  It came HOME with me and I will keep it for the time being.  I picked out a few Nic-knacks to keep and will store in a David box for now.  

Drove back to my Mom's apartment and ate supper at her dining room table.  Pizza from GAMBINO's.  I have been dieting so I didn't eat the pizza crust on the vegetable pizza.  Drank wonderful water.    

I'll eat more selective as the days pass.  For now, I am doing the best I can to eat mostly vegetables.  Hoping to have a break through and continue losing weight.   

I have a wreath to decorate for the burial.  Get the Obituary turned in and notify some other newspapers about David's passing.  Cemetery plans paid for.  Make some programs.  Prepare for the burial at the cemetery.  Prepare refreshments for after the burial.  We have been working as a family on the details.  It is disheartening to have the doctor take so long to sign the death certificate so the cremation can take place.  We cannot have a graveside service without David being there.    

I will be writing a personal letter to the hospital and the nice doctor that is dragging his feet on the details.  My 89 year old mother is just about beside herself.  It took 6 days to get my brother's body from Kansas City to Valley Center, Kansas where the Funeral Home is.  5 days.  We did not know if his body was going to be there to view.  

BUT when we did finally see him, he looked well.  He looked as if he were asleep.  So much better than he did on Sunday.  I did not want my mother to see him the way he looked on Sunday when he died.  Without going into details.  I know my brother is in heaven.  His body stays behind.  His spirit is in heaven.  My dear brother had a very difficult life.  Very difficult.  SO difficult.  

He is at peace now.  We are doing our best to have a decent funeral service for him in 8 days.  Lord, help us.  Please make the pieces of the planning come together.  David had paid for the cremation.  There isn't a funeral director taking care of all the details for us.  We are the funeral directors here.  

I never dreamt that I would be.
~d              

Easiest Peppermint Chocolate Bark Recipe | No Bake Dessert

MY BROTHER DAVID

 

My dear dear brother passed away on Sunday morning.  We received word that he had been life flighted to KU Medical Center in Kansas City on Saturday.  Aortic Aneurism.  I regret that when we heard of this that we didn't travel immediately from Salina to Kansas City and see him before he died.  We had finished the State Cross Country Meet when hearing the news about my brother.  I said that I wanted to go to Kansas City on Sunday.  

We received word that he had died in the early morning.  The Hospital would leave him in the Hospital room until family saw him before moving him.  We arrived around 12:20 pm and walked into his room.  He was in a hospital gown with a sheet and blanket on his body. 

It was a difficult for me to see him lifeless.  I sat on a sofa for a bit and looked at the ceiling in this room where his spirit left his body.  Room 419.  The doctor believed he passed peacefully.  It hurts me that he was alone.  He had lived so much of his life alone.  

The world isn't very kind to the mentally ill.  He knew first hand.

I think I will mourn him for a very long time.  

He was an incredibly talented person.

He showed artistic talent at a very young age and would paint and draw a great deal.

While in high school, he was on the gymnastic team.  Amazing talent.  Very gifted gymnast on the uneven parallel bars.      

We stayed with him for about 30 minutes and began our journey home.

~d

 

Casting Crowns - Scars in Heaven (Official Lyric Video)

OCTOBER ENDS AND NOVEMBER BEGINS

 This day will be remembered for a very long time,
~d

READY FOR A HOLIDAY!

SHE WAS READY TO RUN THE RACE.

SUNDAY WILL BE A DAY OF REST FOR ME AS I NEED TO GET REFRESHED.  THANKFUL FOR THAT.  We spent Friday driving to HAYS, KANSAS to spend the night at a Motel as we attended the Saturday STATE CROSS COUNTRY MEET at VICTORIA.

We stopped by HOBBY LOBBY buying our GRANDchildren Christmas ornaments.  Each year I give them one.  I have only one more to get as a new GRANDbaby will come in November and I want to get a Baby's First Christmas ornament.  Will have to do some more looking for this one.  I like giving these to the kids around THANKSGIVING TIME each year.  Shopped at Dollar Tree.   

We ate SUPPER at a Steakhouse then went back to the Motel to watch TV.  We ended up watching a creepy movie which we didn't finish because it was just plain awful.  Not much for creepy movies.  Never have been.  Next came the 2010 Comedy movie DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS.  Knowing I had seen it before, I wanted something lighter to watch than Creepy Features, green haired women wrestlers with fish net stockings, sports, or crime shows.  So DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS it was. 

Slept in comfort.  GOT UP EARLY, had a light breakfast then drove to Victoria for the Meet.  Found parking then walked a ways to the START LINE.  Always saying hello to our GRANDdaughter before a race.  She did so well.  We were very excited for her.  She placed!  

Her season is over for now.  It goes down in the books as a super good season.  SO very proud of her and the team she is a part of. 

AFTERWARDS, we watched the awards ceremony and got back on the road.  LUNCH at Salina's Olive Garden.  I was a good girl and only ate half of my pasta.  I doubled up on the salad and when I asked the waitress for olives as we had none in our wonderful salad, she told me that they didn't have any.  Must be one of those shortages happening from the suppliers.  No black olives for me. 

We went to SAMs next to pick up a few supplies including black olives.  Hubby said that if he were the manager of OG and ran out of olives, he'd go across the street buying some from SAMs.  I survived no olives in my salad, but didn't like it as this is one of their ingredients in their famous salads.

NO OLIVES AT A RESTAURANT KNOWN BY THE NAME Olive Garden.  No olives.  This was a first for me.  No olives.  Oh well...

WHEN at SAMs I noticed a robot floor sweeper.  

Another first for me.  Struck me kind of strange.  When at SAMs, you can check yourself out, which we usually do and now there's a new sweeper in town.  No one is driving this.  Will it ever malfunction and hurt someone?  It might.

 

WE GOT HOME LATE.  Ate a toasted bagel with garlic butter and pimento cheese spread on it.  This hit the spot.  Tomorrow I'll be using the slow cooker for a Pot Roast with root vegetables.  I'm prepping for another round of the DANIEL FAST/DIET starting on Monday.  Quick eat some ice cream.

I am aiming to lose ten more pounds and lowering my A1c before December 1st.  Wish me luck.  No dairy or meat for 21 days.  

I hope I can do this again. 

Halloween has snuck up on me.  Tomorrow is that day that many ignore, but to me I look forward to the little ones who are wearing costumes ringing our door bell for a treat.  We didn't participate last year due to co vid.  I have candy on hand this year and will share.

ANOTHER WONDERFUL DAY,

~d👵 
   

BRRRRRRRR HOT CHOCOLATE PLEASE!

THE HEATER IS RUNNING INSIDE as the cold October winds howls outside.  Brrrrr...tis colder than I like.  Not comfortable.  Has been raining as the trees lose their brightly colored leaves.  Twirling to the ground, the leaves will leave messes on the lawn that will have to be raked up if they don't blow away first.  The wind is howling through the cracks in the doors and windows.  Almost spooky sounding.

I haven't forgotten that HALLOWEEN is SUNDAY.  Between now and then I will be cleaning houses getting ready for NOVEMBER.  Paint brush in my hand.  

Hubby is looking forward to the day that he does not have to rake leaves in a pile and bag them up.  Not even our Grandchildren can keep up with this task that happens every AUTUMN.  Our yard is large with mature trees.  I haven't snapped a photo yet of the Maple tree this AUTUMN.  Her leaves are just now turning to bright red.  If I don't get out there to take a pic, I may miss my opportunity to capture the beauty fully dressed for FALL.  The leaves will blow away and that will be that.

Last night I could hear the winds howling outside which reminded me of WINTER STORMS.  The rain was moving our direction.  Today, Mother Nature isn't calm or mild mannered.  Her LOVE LANGUAGE is rather loud today.  I'm taking notice of her.  

I requested a HOT CHOCOLATE this morning.  I can't help it, my Husband's is the best.  He has the touch when it comes to HOT CHOCOLATE.  His Lemon Meringue Pie and Chocolate Chip Cookies are out of this world good, but his HOT CHOCOLATE can't be beat.  He ranks right up there with the best of Chefs.  Not bragging.  Being honest.

TODAY is THURSDAY.  I'd love to just stay HOME and not get out in this cold weather, but I need to go back to the COTTAGE and continue clearing out the KITCHEN.  We didn't get as much done yesterday as I had imagined we would.  Slow as we go, but moving.  Steady is the race.  

I throughly cleaned one of the chairs from the dinette set and the table which has 5 legs with side leaves. The other chair will get cleaned today.  Boxes are still dominating the floor space in the Kitchen.  We are boxing up silver plated pieces that need cleaned.  I have a few trays that I use all the time, but so many pieces aren't being used.  Through the years, I have indeed collected many pieces.  Another COLLECTION I'm guilty of having.  Guilty as charged.

I decided to view images of how others decorate using these old pieces of metal.  Welp, I will keep my pieces until I'm sure I don't need them anymore.  I don't have pure silver service anything, but I learned the trays with little feet on the bottom are probably called SALVERS.  Didn't have a clue since I am a Kansas hickette.  CULTURE isn't one of my strong points.  Oh shucky dern. 

Some chalk paint the area of the tray that's flat and not the trim to make the cutest signs or actual chalk boards for written messages and menu updates.  I think I will make me a couple and see what I think about this hanging on the wall somewhere in the COTTAGE.  

    

Oh, to be more creative and enjoy it!

STAY SAFE AND WARM.  

Blessings,

~d👵

MIDDLE OF THE WEEK

WEDNESDAY MORNING I WOKE TO GRAY SKIES as it rained during the early hours with distant thunder slightly rumbling. The moisture is needed.  Overcast skies seem to help relax me some.  The only thing that would have made this morning better is if I had the windows open letting fresh morning air inside to fill my lungs with a morning breeze and gently touch my face.  A wonderful way to wake in the mornings.   

Expecting colder temps later this week with some light frost.  Not ready for this, but nature doesn't ask me if I am ready or not.  It's here without my permission.  I know that it's going to turn off colder sooner than later.  I will get over this and all will be well.  Thankful we can decorate to celebrate the seasons.  This decorating lifts my spirits.  So be lifted.

HERE WE BE...the middle of the week.  Plans to take out yesterday's purchases from plastic shopping bags removing price stickers from the faux AUTUMN gourds, pumpkins and squash.  I visited my favorite THRIFT STORE and had fun looking through FALL items that I will decorate two AUTUMN WREATHS for the front doors plus add some AUTUMN CHEER elsewhere in the house. 

 

Wanted to keep the price down when spending for touches of AUTUMN color.  I believe I did that shopping there.  Gathered faux items and AUTUMN leaves plus some pretty twig pumpkins already dolled up that I will display for as little as $2 a pumpkin.  Glittery and shinny. 

Last night I took my Spring/Summer wreaths off the front doors and pulled the lavender picks out.  I will reuse the grapevine wreaths with AUTUMN colors and decorations.  I should have removed these wreaths earlier, but didn't have anything to hang that looked like the new season. This time I will hot glue the faux picks and reuse the wreaths.  

Our present HOME has side by side front doors.  Next year when living in the Cottage there will be two front doors to decorate as well that will be dolled up with these AUTUMN wreaths.

I purchased a faux white pumpkin.  I like these and wouldn't mind having more, but for now my $4 purchase sits in the entry way.  It was new still with a store tag on it at $29.99.  Previously, I looked at these at HOBBY LOBBY stunned at the price.  Not sure I would ever pay almost $30 for a fake pumpkin, but would go $4, so I did.  Brand new pumpkin and I welcomed HOME to display on the wood buffet in the entry way.

Almost forgot...$6 for a pair of leather slip on clogs that are so comfortable they feel like they were made especially for Oui.  Oui oui.  $6 for gently used clogs made me a happy camper.  Since it was Senior Discount day, my clogs cost $4.80.  That's a bargain.

Hubby treated me to a large silver plated serving tray.  I will polish it and use it soon.

Yesterday was a much needed play day.  AS I drove the car across the Kansas Flint Hills, I listened to French CDs hoping to learn how to speak fluent French.  grins.  I am a very bad student and sound like I have gravel in my mouth.  Phelgm in the throat.  Wee wee instead of Oui.   Perhaps, if I am blessed to live to be 70, I will be able to speak some French that actually sounds like I know what I am saying.  Oui.  

Today, we will return to the COTTAGE to clean out Kitchen boxes full of odds 'n ins.  I'm hoping that by the end of the day, the Kitchen will be emptied of all the clutter and the throughly cleaned dinette set will be placed by the window. 

HALLOWEEN CANDY is ready to go for the little kiddos on Sunday.  I still have to bag some up for my Grands, Mom and brother in a nursing home. 

As the month comes to an end, November is waiting to be announced.  I have to have a paint brush in my hand come November 1st.  The Dining room must be painted.  I have not gotten around to this for about 6 months.  Have mercy...hanging my head.  It seems to be easier than ever to let other projects get priority.

THANKSGIVING will be here and the Dining room needs fresh coats of paint.  It's safe to say that November's goal is having the Dining room painted.  Cross my fingers and put my painting clothes on, I have to have VICTORY with this goal.  Oh please, oh please, oh please.

Blessings to you and yours,

~d👵

    

WILL YOU BE STOCKING UP?

DO YOU STOCK UP ON NECESSITIES AS BEST YOU CAN?  There are shortages showing up in some of the stores already.  Seeing it for myself.  Not just rumors.  What are some of the things you stock up on or should???

Regular meds, vitamins, Ibuprofen, aspirin, Tylenol, migraine meds, sleep aides, etc. 
antibiotic cream, bandaids, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, hydrogen peroxide

Rice and beans
bottled spring water
toilet paper, paper towels, sanitary supplies, baby wipes
disinfectant wipes
lysol disinfectant spray

canned beans, chickpeas
coffee
canned fish and chicken
canned vegetables, diced and stewed tomatoes
ramen noodles
dried noodles
dried fruit, raisins, dried cranberries, craisins
powdered milk
powdered eggs
peanut butter
nuts
cooking/baking supplies, spices, baking soda, baking powder, sugars, flours, corn starch, corn meal, salt, pepper
olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil
aluminum foil, wax paper, parchment paper, ziplock baggies, trash bags
stamps, paper, envelopes, pencils and pens
liquid and bar soaps
dish detergent
light bulbs, batteries, lamp oil
seeds

PAY DAY IS HERE AND I NEED TO RESTOCK SOME GROCERIES.  There are a few things that I don't want to run out of this coming WINTER.  Planning ahead.  Like the Biblical virgins with their oil, some planned and some didn't.  I'd like to have an adequate supply of necessities.  Though these scriptures are about being prepared for the bridegroom, I believe it applies to being prepared in general as well. 

   Matt. 25 Verses 1 to 13

[4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ... [8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. [9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Are you stocking up for WINTER 

or already stocked up?  

~d 👵

WELCOME HOME

TODAY IS THE 5th Anniversary of our 2016 house fire that was a life changer.  We were working at remodeling our Master Bedroom at the time.  The previous September, we were opening back up a middle window in the room that had been closed up with a wall.  From what we could tell someone along the way closed this window up to make a wall to divide the room into two smaller rooms.  We could see activity on the wood floor where a wall had been, but when we bought the house, the room had been opened back up to its previous size making a nice size room for a Master Bedroom leaving the boarded up window closed.  

This room originally had 6 nice sized windows.  A very sunny room to have in our 1885 two story, native limestone house.  The day we worked on it was a beautiful AUTUMN day where Hubby had successfully removed the plaster off the wall in front of a window.    

https://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2016/09/mystery-window.html

WE WERE BOTH SO HAPPY TO HAVE A WINDOW THERE ONCE AGAIN.  

As we were remodeling the Bedroom, September turned into October.  Because the bedroom was such a mess with the remodeling, we were camped out at what I called RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  Our cottage had a bed and all the niceties we'd need while away from our main house. 

On October 25th, Hubby was at work and I was sitting in the COTTAGE Living room when I heard my daughter walk up on the porch at 10 till noon.  I thought how sweet...she has come over to eat lunch with me.  She rang the door bell and I answered the door where she had a very serious look on her face.  She said to me, "I need your house keys.  Your house is on fire!  Get dressed!"

What she had said did not register with me as I became almost numb and I questioned, "My house is on fire?"

Handing her my house keys, she ran to her car and drove away.  Someone had telephoned her at work to tell her that her Parents' house was on fire.

I was still in my pink housecoat taking the morning easy as I was tired and in slow mo.  This news caused an adrenaline rush and I was now moving quicker than normal.  Walking to the bathroom to get dressed, I began to shake.  My house was on fire!  It was like a nightmare.  I was in the twilight zone.

I only had to walk a block to see the backside of our house.  Chocolate brown smoke was bellowing from under the roof.  I thought I'd see the house a blaze, but it wasn't.  The stone house had contained the fire like a kiln.  I walked down the side street and crossed over to the other side of the road to stand beside my daughter watching the firemen work on our place.

The front door was open where a water hose was being held by a fireman spraying water into the house.  One of the upstair's windows was open with another water hose going into the structure.

My Husband had been contacted at work to come home, but drive safe, as the house was on fire.  Wife was safe.  Daughter told me my son in law was on his way as well.  

I stood and watched this fiasco taking place and said, "I don't think I can watch this."  I went and sat in the back of an ambulance truck parked down the street.  The lady there was very nice and said that she had experienced a house fire.  Pictures were what she missed the most.

I sat there thinking, how on earth did this happen?  How did this happen?  

Son in law showed up telling me he was sorry for our loss.  And Hubby arrived home.  After the fire was out and the firemen were outside, we thanked them for fighting the fire and shook their hands.  To this day, I have not taken them a basket of goodies.  I will, but for five years I have not been able to wrap my head around all of this.

Hubby and snl went inside to open some living room windows after the firemen left.  The smell was beyond words...horrible.  

That evening, Hubby and I would return to the house to get some jewelry out that I didn't want the cleaners to handle.  My wedding ring was in cloth bag inside a container.  The diamond in my wedding ring had shifted after a prong broke and I didn't want to wear it until it was repaired by a jeweler so I wasn't wearing it at the time of the fire.

I'd open the container that was in a drawer, take out the cloth bag and shake the ring out.  The smell of the house fire was inside this cloth bag that had rested inside a container that was in a well sealed drawer.  

Later I would learn that the smell and smoke had made it's way everywhere.  Papers we had stored in boxes the basement were smoke stained.  How on earth did smoke go through cracks in the walls and floors making its way to the basement?

The fire originally started in our kitchen in an old outlet that was in the stonewall.  An outlet.  We had told the investigator inspector that we thought maybe the fire had started with our microwave malfunctioning as the week before this horrible fire, we found a bag of potato chips shrink wrapped inside the microwave.

Both of us thought the other one had accidentally turned the microwave on not knowing that a bag of chips was inside the microwave.  When we both acknowledged that we had not done that, we didn't give it anymore thought about it and went on, but after this fire we told the inspector that we thought maybe the microwave had started the fire as neither one of us was home at the time of the fire.  We'd been sleeping over at the Cottage because of the remodeling we had going on upstairs.

The inspector believed that the outlet in the wall was the culprit starting this fire.  He couldn't say if the microwave was at fault because all that was left of it were a couple of copper wires.  

When I looked at the devastated Kitchen, the box springs from the antique bed were in the Kitchen.  I was still in a type of shock as I looked bewildered that box springs were in the Kitchen.  The fire had destroyed the bedroom which was above it and the springs had fallen through the floor into the Kitchen.  duh.

My favorite cook books that were on top of the fridge were destroyed.  I have tried to recollect the ones I lost.  

After two weeks, the cleaning crew showed up wearing hazmat suits to remove the burned appliances.  One man came out of the house carrying the refrigerator door with a jar of olives that were in the fridge door still intact.  If anything were funny about this trauma it was the jar of olives still looking like they could be eaten.

We had to sit outside waiting for the interior contents to be carried out to the dumpster.  We were allowed to say, "Don't throw that away."  Or we want to keep that. 

I wasn't there the day our Living room camel back sofa and wing chairs that I had saved up for 12 years to buy be broken apart and tossed into the dumpster.  I was there to watch the upstairs furniture be pitched from the upstairs windows.  That hurt and left a mark.  

The furniture that the refinishers would take went out on a different day on a different truck to be ozoned and refinished.  We didn't lose everything, but everything was molested by the smoke if it weren't burnt to a crisp.  I think this is one of the reasons I don't want to give up any of our furniture when we do relocate to the Cottage.  What the fire didn't devour, was repaired and returned to us about a year after the fire.  Because of insurance we replaced the sofas and wing chairs,   bed mattresses and box springs, towels, sheets, blankets, underwear, dishes, silverware, small appliances, cookware, stove, fridge, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, some clothing, area rugs, sewing machine and an antique bedroom set.  

Our four poster bed and dresser were refinished.  My Husband's Grandparents' bedroom suite was refinished.  A cedar chest.  A dumb waiter table, a buffet, dining room table, a hutch, antique china cabinet, 2 antique parlour chairs were all refinished.

I know that furniture can be replaced.  People cannot.  We were blessed to not be home at the time of the fire.  No one injured or killed.  To God be the glory, great things He has done. 

We have spent the last 5 years rebuilding our estate.

5 years has passed since the fire.  We have lost 3 of our 4 Parents since then.  We settled into a 1883 two story house in a different community not far from where we were living and have been here almost 4 and a half years already.  Both of us having had thyroid cancer, we continue dealing with challenges from this.  Hubby retired from his job in 2019.  COVID reared her ugly head in 2020.  We were isolated at HOME for a good six months then wore face masks when out in the world.  Learn to do somethings a little different.  Horrible knee and feet pain attacked my body which contributed to studying up some more about health issues.  Terrible back pain pounced upon me in which I had to do physical therapy in a face mask.  We are both diabetic now and Hubby has been diagnosed as having Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  We have watched our children and their children grow and flourish.  We continue to cook and bake and get better organized.  I have taken an interest in healthy lifestyles and changing eating habits.  I lost 42 pounds wanting more to fall off of me.  I can tell that I am 5 years older for sure.  We're fixing up RETIREMENT COTTAGE for a HOME COMING next year.  It's like LIFE is saying WELCOME HOME, kids.  You still have much to do while here on planet earth.

TODAY MAY BE OUR 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEVASTATING HOUSE FIRE, but it hasn't completely kept us down.  We have God, a HOME and we have each other.  What was meant for evil has been turned to good.  We continue to grow and be real people.    

SO with that said, I will say LIFE goes on 

and so must I.

~d 👵          

Please join me at 

https://familycorner.blogspot.com/2021/10/happy-homemaker-monday-10252021.html

WEATHER:  Chilly with overcast skies.

HOW AM I FEELING THIS MORNING:  Nostalgic.

ON MY MIND:  5 year Anniversary of house fire.

ON MY BREAKFAST PLATE:  Egg Omelet and thinly sliced Sirloin Steak.

RIGHT NOW I AM: Getting ready to go work on projects at RETIREMENT COTTAGE.

ON MY READING PILE:  Too much.  The pile is growing right before my eyes.

ON TODAY'S TO DO LIST:  Laundry, and working over at the COTTAGE.

ON MY TV:  Nothing right now, but watched a movie last night, WE BOUGHT A ZOO.

ON MY MENU:  Lots of organic veggies and fruit.

FROM THE CAMERA:  Cross Country pics.

LOOKING AROUND THE HOUSE:  Messes everywhere needing some tender loving care.

NEW RECIPES:  Nope.

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:  I will eat chocolate, watch some movies, and pray.

ON MY PRAYER LIST:  Daughter is expecting a baby in a few weeks.  Praying for a healthy baby and a easy delivery for her.  Grown son is wanting a girl friend.  I'm praying that she be a balanced Christian woman.  Energy and enthusiasm to work on RETIREMENT COTTAGE.

God bless you all.  

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS | what I eat every week

INFLAMMATION IN THE HUMAN BODY IS CAUSE OF A MULTITUDE OF HEALTH ISSUES.  So I must take into consideration what to put into my body to combat inflammation as well as to assist in a healthier body concerning nutrition and well being.  

I have watched a few of this young woman's videos and have found them very helpful to an ole woman like myself that's rearranging and changing my lifestyle from everything that I eat, living environment, well being in general plus mind sets.  A collection of sources has been helpful and I am enjoying the changes taking place in my life at the age of 66.  I'm not a young chicken, but I am new at so much that is necessary to being a healthier individual that desires to be healthy.

If we think of ourselves as thoroughbreds because we are children of the most high God then we need to fuel our bodies with healthy foods and beverages to maintain a healthy temple.  

I am learning as I go and grow. 

Blessings to you, 

~d👵

I CAN WALK

MORNING CAME ALONG SO EARLY that I opened the French doors allowing fresh, cool air to float indoors.  Had to shut the doors around 1 in the afternoon as it was too cool inside and the chill not welcomed.  As the winds were blowing, it reminded me of days gone by when I was a child delighting in twirling about in the piles of fallen leaves and allowing the Kansas wind to blow madly onto my face.  A sweet memory for an old woman who has to sit more often than twirling these days.  

Thinking about when the Irises first bloomed in the Spring being 7 months ago which means we are about 5 months from when the Irises will bloom in April.  That makes me smile.  Looking forward to looking at them and taking some clippings to display in the Cottage.  Perhaps we will be living in the Cottage come Spring.  We are so hoping to be.    

I can walk today with a little bit of pain in the back of my right foot.  I am waddling some, but it's considered walking.  Off to the COTTAGE I will go this afternoon taking my potted geraniums to Winter inside in a sunny room.  Taking the ladder with me, so I can climb up to reach the wood fan blades to clean and polish.  I hope to vacuum the Dining room and shuffle the exercise equipment in there.  That'll be my afternoon so I can return HOME to rest, work on paperwork and launder two more loads of vintage tablecloths.  Pleased that I am just about finished washing all the vintage tablecloths.  Tonight will be TV night munching on popcorn.   A very pleasant day. Reading Psalms 24 today.

  

24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. 

                           🙌🙏👏

Aiming to lower calorie count today as I went over my limit yesterday.  Today I have had an apple for breakfast and a warm meal for lunch.  A small combination salad with dressing, small baked potato with a pat of butter, 3oz. of grilled steak and water to sip on.  This evening, supper will be skipped and will eat popcorn with seasonings.  This is a low cal day for me and I'm willing to eat this way for the week.  

My weight has plateaued which means I need to have a break through to continue dropping weight.  Hoping to drop another 10 pounds by December. 

TODAY, is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Amen.  I choose to rejoice and be happy.  A decision to be happy.  We can become addicted to being unhappy and not allow happiness to come forth.  Choosing or by making up one's mind to be happy is possible.  BE POSSIBLE.

LOVE,
~d👵