ALWAYS NAP TIME

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

-Luke 1:37

The scripture card pulled from the scripture box today is Luke 1:37.  

On the flip side is a short prayer.

Lord, help us to speak to others in a way that will help them see you.

I was thinking about when I bought this small acrylic box filled with little cards that have scripture printed on them.  I'm not sure.  I believe I ordered it from one of my kids when they had a fund raiser years ago.  Maybe when we lived in Texas.  That's been a while ago.  Sometimes I think about what it would have been like if we had stayed and not moved away to a different state.  I wonder.

The scripture helped me today as I am exhausted and recovering from co vid.  I hope to improve, but for right now the fatigue is eating my lunch.  Always nap time.

Blessings to you,
~d

TURNING POINT...xenoestrogens are harmful to humans.

ENERGY LEVEL EXTREMELY LOW.  Red flags waving.  Red lights flashing. Fatigue abounds.  There's an abundance of ideas in my thought life of what I can be doing, but the lack of energy rules the roost.  

Since I don't know when this co vid thing truly hit me, I have to go off of when I started coughing wet coughs then nearly passing out which came two days later.  If I go by the coughing, then I have been ill for 9 days.  If I go by the nearly passing out, then it's a week.  If by chance I had co vid when I was coughing dry coughs the past 6 weeks...well then I have no idea when I was stricken with co vid.  

I telephoned the Doctor's office to visit with their nurse about having a very low heart rate and was advised to stop taking the PAXLOVID.  Over the week-end my heart rate should return to normal being about 67 beats per minute.  I don't think I would have paid any attention to having a 40 bpm heart rate if I hadn't been checking oxygen levels.  Oxygen level excellent.

Since I couldn't find my blood pressure monitor, we had one delivered from the pharmacy.  BP is high.  If it isn't one thing, it's three other things.  I won't be taking my evening dose of PAXLOVID in hopes of raising my heart rate back to normal.  Since my oxygen level is good and I have no fever or chest tightness and it's not difficult to breathe, I am fairly confident that I am on the mend.  The coughing fits hit ever so often and I am overly tired.  The tiredness could also be attributed to having a super low heart rate.  I don't want to go into cardiac arrest so I pray to improve.

Not reading anything on the net about death occurring because the heart stopped due to taking Paxlovid at home.  I wonder if this is being censored.  Hush hush because it's so new.  Hum.  I don't plan on being a statistic.  

Health is a precious commodity isn't it?  I'd like to be as healthy as possible.  When I read up on how to achieve this, there is no mention in the articles that having peace with God and following His commandments contributes to having superior health.  I know it does.  I truly want to be at peace with God.  Living a clean life contributes to being healthier.

This is just some of the ways I have changed the course of living and some on what I was already doing.  Not bragging or boasting when I say I do not smoke.  I seldom drink alcoholic beverages.  I don't do recreational drugs.  

I do try to eat healthy...believe I can continue to improve as it is an ongoing adventure.  Cut way back on milk consumption.  Occasional ice-cream.  Cheese and butter allowed.  Almond milk from time to time.  Nuts allowed.  Eating leaner meats.  Eating healthy fats like olive oil.  No high fructose corn syrup.  Avoiding sugary drinks such as colas and fruit juices.  Cut out drinking coffee.  Seldom eat cake, pies, donuts, cookies or deep fried desserts.  Eating multi-grained breads when I do eat breads.  Seldom eat pork.  Soy-free eggs instead of typical eggs out of the grocery store fridge.  Mostly eat organic fruits and vegetables.  Eat more grass fed beef than not. Wild caught salmon.  Avoid fluoride.  Use more organic, chemical free products.  Avoiding plastics, working at using glass for food storage.  Xenoestrogen be gone. 

I have never used non-stick cookware with teflon, but that doesn't mean the many places I have dined hasn't.  I wouldn't know.  Now to pray more, worry less, walk more, talk less.  Look for the good in LIFE and continue researching. 

Endocrine Disrupters is a whole different animal that I know exists, but need to study up on.  This will take some doing to be aware of EDs and stop using products that harm people.  

SO what is the harm with XENOESTROGENS?  They mimic estrogen causing an overload on the body.  

Xenoestrogens are “foreign” estrogens, substances that are close enough in molecular structure to estrogen that they can bind to estrogen receptor sites with potentially hazardous outcomes. Sources of Xenoestrogens include plastics, pesticides, chemicals, and water systems.

What are the effects of xenoestrogens? Xenoestrogens may temporarily or permanently alter the feedback loops in the brain, pituitary, gonads, and thyroid by mimicking the effects of estrogen and triggering their specific receptors or they may bind to hormone receptors and block the action of natural hormones.

https://womeninbalance.org/2012/10/26/xenoestrogens-what-are-they-how-to-avoid-them/

How do I detox my body from xenoestrogens?

Detox: Help the body get rid of harmful xenoestrogens by consuming foods with nutrients that eliminate harmful extrogen metabolites. Flax seeds, sprouts, and cabbage family vegetables; broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, cabbage, kale, bok choy.

https://thechalkboardmag.com/what-are-xenoestrogens-dangers

The effects of harmful xenoestrogens isn't a issue discussed or encouraged to investigate by the secular world that encourages homosexuality or being able to identify as a woman...too high of estrogen exposure causes harmful affects on the human body morphing body chemistry.  This messes with the hormones which seriously affects the human body in strange ways.  Sex changes are sought after as the golden standard of dealing with xenoestrogens damage, but the greatest deception is that I WAS BORN THIS WAY and there can't be any other reason that could possibly have caused issues with someone or convinces them otherwise.  

Could being exposed to too many Xenoestrogens while developing in the womb be a concern to the developing baby?  What about after being born then developing as a toddler throughout childhood into teenagers and adults?  How can this not be wondered about?

Endocrine Disrupters is something I will be reading more about.  

We are born with free will and have the ability to sin, but to ignore  life changing damages that xenoestrogens do to the human bodies should not be ignored.  Is it easier to believe that we are born this way than to investigate the damage excessive estrogen does to humans even in the mother's womb?  This environment we are born into and live in is challenging.  What other deceptions does the devil want us to believe as truth when it isn't truth at all?  

Earth was once viewed as square.  It wouldn't be until much later that the reality of a round planet was the way it is.  Using hormone replacement therapy on women was viewed as helpful not so long ago.  Every hysterectomy patient was placed on hormones and told that the hormones would protect the heart and prevent strokes.  Now studies show that extensive hormone replacement contributes to dementia, stroke and heart attacks.  SO which is it?  They are good for women's health or they are harmful when taken too long?  Which way does the pendulum swing?          

How harmful are XENOESTROGENS?  I heard about the awlfuls way back in 2000.  That's 22 years ago and I ignored what I was hearing.  If I had harkened to this info, I truly believe I would not have experienced so many unhealthy issues and would be healthier than I am today.  Why did I ignore the info I was hearing?  Not wanting to believe I was living in such an unhealthy environment.  Pride?  Fear?  Thinking myself more superior than I should have?  

The use of highly processed foods laced with chemicals, pesticides, GMOs, environmental issues....chemicals used for grooming, chemical laced fabrics, etc. contributes to additional health issues.  I have a decade long history of urinary tract infections, huge fibroid tumors, gall bladder issues which led to having a gangrenous gall bladder, thyroid cancer, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, OBESITY.  As much as I'd like to think that I am basically healthy, I think this would be delusional.    

Because I didn't want to believe what I was hearing concerning xenoestrogens, it was easier to ignore the truth than to believe it.  I am stubborn and lazy that way.  

My journey in changing the way I am eating has been in slow motion like pushing a rock up hill. I am not very eager to change.  The studying and researching has to soak in deep before I respond to changing.  What would have a hold on me so tightly that I would not change for the better?

After I had a decade of urinary tract infections, I was grasping at straws trying to figure out why I was suffering so.  Use white toilet paper, wipe front to back, urinate before and after sexual intercourse.  Wear cotton underwear.  So I did not knowing that cotton products are some of the dirtiest crops on the planet due to being heavily sprayed with chemicals that do not wash out, but remain in the fibers.  If the cotton used to make the undies is chemically treated then there will be health issues.  

I went so far as to visit with a sanitary pad company representative that poo poo my concerns about what the pads were made of.  Umpteen years later there is more evidence that the bleached cotton in pads is extremely bad for The WHO HAA of a female's anatomy where the sun don't shine.  

Are there harmful chemicals in sanitary pads?

The researchers also detected potentially harmful VOCs in the products tested. Xylene was found in all 11 of the menstrual pad brands tested, toluene in nine, and methylene chloride in two. Toluene and xylene were detected in all four diaper brands tested.

Today, there is much discussion about fibroid tumors being formed from the chemicals coming off of the bleached cotton from sanitary supplies, underwear and toilet paper.  Should we be concerned about what our underwear is made of?   There's concern.  Same with toilet paper that is treated with chemicals and bleach.  What about ovarian and uterine cancers?  Makes me wonder if men's prostate troubles has to do with chemically laced cotton underwear and all the xenoestrogens in soaps.  In cleaners, detergents, etc.

When foods are stored also warmed in the micro-wave inside plasticware, there is evidence of harmful chemicals leaching into the food.  Plastic bottles do the same with bottled water.  Heat causes the plastic chemicals to leach into the water even if it's spring water.

Doesn't sound very healthy does it?  Overwhelming I understand.  Perhaps this is partly why I wanted to ignore the bad news and pretend that everything is alright just the way it is.  How could so much evil exist in this world right up my alley?  How can so many want to profit from their products that are harmful to people and the environment?  Surely there aren't that many uncaring people out there or are there?  So many are more interested in making money than being concerned of the ill effects of what has been done to products.  I was extremely naive.  Not so much anymore.

What is it that the Lord says about the root of all evil comes from the love of money?  Does He mean what He says?  Yes, He does.  I must believe His words.

1 Timothy 6:10
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  

I know that this post is rather vague on much.  Just skimming the cream off the top, but that seems to be where one starts before diving into a subject matter getting to the nuts and bolts of it.  I've mentioned Xenoestrogens, Endocrine Disrupters, chemicals which are an interest to me in this modern world we live in.  Getting more familiar with organic foods and cleaning products is part of this journey.  What if avoiding Endocrine Disrupters made way for healthier people?

A turning point for better living and health.

Blessings to you,

~d

MORNING WORLD

MORNING WORLD.  My mental attitude about getting better is very good today.  I am hopeful that we will recover from co vid without side effects.  Hopeful.  Even though I have a lingering cough, awful fatigue, I am relieved that I have little pain.  The nausea is bothersome and the metallic taste in my mouth is troublesome.

Keeping an eye on oxygen level and heart rate.  Oxygen is very good, but the heart rate is lower than I'm comfortable with.  Below 50.  DON'T LIKE that.  Have to walk about to get heart rate up some.  The antiviral medicine PAXLOVID can cause bradycardia.  I may be a candidate. 

This morning, as I sit in the living room with the French doors open letting fresh air inside, I am a happy camper.  The sky being grey overcast with temps 78 degrees, makes it so very pleasant. SO pleasant.  It's wonderfully relaxing this morning.  Love it.  Hubby and I had a financial meeting early this morning with the breeze blowing in which helps keep the peace in our HOME. SO that we can be on the same page means much.  

I had the energy to work on the bills this morning also washed some dishes.  Didn't feel like eating breakfast as this awful metallic taste is still in my mouth.  My appetite has been way too progressive the last few days and I have been over eating.  I need to pull back for three days to allow my body to balance out.  

Last night I gathered up the energy to clean on the miniature oven that sits on the countertop. Scrubbing the wire racks was overdue.  I like having my appliances kept clean.  Emptying two pull out drawers made room for bakeware.  I now need to get extra large mason jars to house the baking staples.  I will go get some in a few days when I am no longer isolating from the outside world.

The sooner I can get these, the better as they will serve a purpose in the kitchen.  Having my fridge and kitchen cabinets clean and orderly makes me a better person.  Hallelujah.  This is a very small price to pay to be HAPPY.

Decorating ideas come to mind.  Watching youtube vids helps.  Lighter colors, less clutter.  Less is more means what actually?  Fill your spaces with imagination and thought.   Earthy and organic.  Greenery, raw wood, white walls.   

This down time due to co vid is allowing me time to think making mental preparations for working on the Cottage and our main house.  Physically unable...more waiting.  Not running a fever.  Will re-evaluate how I'm doing after the ten day period is over.  My gut feelings about this...that I should wait until I have stopped coughing on my own.  I haven't had a fever for days now.  I don't believe I should be around others while still coughing and then I will wear a mask keeping my distance.  On day 3 of antiviral.  After the morning dose was taken I figured that I was half over the treatment.  I will be thankful to be over taking this when the time comes as it is rough having this raunchy taste in my mouth.

Scripture verse drawn today: James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Blessings,
~d

Hillary Klug - Swallowtail Jig - Irish Fiddle Tune

CO VID and ELVIS LEFT THE BUILDING WITH GOOD CAUSE

THERE ARE DAYS THAT SOMETIMES SEEM MUCH LONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL 24 HOURS ALOTED FOR A FULL DAY.  Yesterday, was one of those days as I sat in my chair late in the night recalling the day's events.  Only a few hours before I started the antiviral medication after receiving a positive reading for co vid.  

Number of naps during the day?  Can't even recall.  The fatigue comes and goes.  Sleep comes easy to me and I am blessed to be able to drift off to sleep when needed in the comfort of my own HOME.

Hubby and I both are ill with this oddity.  I have no idea when I was exposed nor do I know full well where it took place.  We went to the theatre a week ago to see the movie, ELVIS and ate a hamburger.  The theatre auditorium only had maybe a half a dozen viewers.  DOesn't matter as we breathe the same air.  I started coughing that day a different kind of cough.  What I would call a wet cough.  

When I coughed, it was a satisfying cough if a cough can be called satisfying.  When ELVIS left the building, so did we.  It has been three years since we watched a movie on the big screen at this theatre.  It may be another three years before we go to this theatre again.  Going to the movies has lost it's hold on me.  I'd rather stay HOME these days to watch a movie.  The extra large screen isn't always necessary to impress me.  I wasn't a fan of ELVIS back in his day.  I do remember the year he passed as I was very pregnant with my second child.  Oh how my mother-in-law LOVED ELVIS so much. 

She was such a huge fan.  When she did get the opportunity to see him in concert, she said he was very heavy.  I remember when I was first married, hubby and I were driving paste concert center where the line of traffic was outlandish.  Then it hit me, Elvis was in town.  The amazing Elvis Presley in Wichita, Kansas. back in 1974.  Monday, October 7, 1974.  We had an evening Art Class at WSU.  Heavens...a life time away. 

Watching the movie story of ELVIS was fun...it is a very good story for sure BUT it also lacks many truths about THE KING.  For entertainment sake, it was pretty good.  

ELVIS's mother believed that Elvis had his dead twin's energy.  In the movie, there is a scene where Jesse is asked to shine down on Elvis before he preforms.  I don't think this is necessary or appropriate for the living.  Especially a Christian.  

Elvis may have sang Gospels very well, but selling a album pays well whether you know the Lord or not.  It paid well.  Singing Gospel makes an easy impression for the general public to believe Elvis was holy hiding the fact he lived like the devil.  Listening to Gospel makes it easier to not look any further.  A shield protecting his loose ways from being exposed was a deceptive means to keeping his image purer instead of the way it was.     

Watching documentaries about him and the Memphis Mafia is enlightening how Elvis truly was.  He wasn't a mild mannered person behind the scenes.  In fact he had a violent streak in him.  In this 2022 movie, they didn't expound on the seriousness of his drug usage to the point it was.  Nor did they share all the sexual perversion Elvis practiced with a multitude of willing females that desired him allowing sexual activities.  He was a whoremonger and to many they still think he was a saintly christian that worshipped God.  Elvis was an oculist that dabbled in many religions.  He was not what I would call a repentant sinner that saw the light changing the ways that would lead to clean living.  Having too much fun being a pagan.  

He was known to have orgies, messed around with young virgins, had a foul mouth on him.  How did he not have illegitimate children in every town he frequented?  Thank you very much.  The group of men he kept near him would see to it that he had whatever he wanted including women.  If they were so mistreated and underpaid why would they remain with him?  Because they thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle that they possessed with him.  

The so called love story he had with Priscilla adds to the drama.  Though he promised her parents that she wouldn't be traveling outside of Memphis, his mafia mates would send Priscilla's parents Memphis post cards to give them the impression she was still in Memphis when she was off partying with Elvis elsewhere in different states.  Elvis lied and so did underaged Priscilla.  Can you believe a liar?  Yes, if you so want to, but the end results comes with pain.  Elvis left the building.  

His work and image definitely continues to interest people.  Now as for Col. Tom Parker...he did well for being an undocumented worker, didn't he?         

Back on the Homefront...We had worked in the Cottage's shed a few days earlier before developing this wet cough and I really did think the cough was brought on by working in the dirty shed amongst handling the dirty storage boxes.  When I started to cough, my thoughts were, I cannot handle the dirt that settles in garages and sheds.  The cough started on Thursday.  By Saturday afternoon, the feeling of faint and mild nausea made it's presence known.  This is when I went HOME and decided to use the HOME TEST KIT that the government sent me a few months before.  Thank you, Joe Biden.

POSITIVE showed up and I wasn't sure what to think.  Retracing where I had been the last few weeks seemed fruitless as we had been here, there and everywhere amongst so many people.  It never occurred to me to check earlier in the month with a cough hubby and I had.  Duh.  He was checked for co vid, but had bronchitis.  So we may have developed co vid earlier than when I took the HOME TEST.  Can't say.  

I am a firm believer in frequently washing hands, disinfecting door knobs, computer keyboards, phones, countertops, etc.  From here on out that saying that cleanliness is next to godliness rings in my mind.  Shouldn't be around cough-ers or those with fevers if one knows it.  

Wednesday seemed like a lot longer than just that morning going to be tested while sitting in my car in the Doctor's parking lot where the nurse came out to the car to swab our noses.  Driving HOME after that appointment was a long one.  The weather was nice, but the physical feelings of nausea, fatigue, horrific coughing fits and general discomfort made the trip HOME one that I just wanted to be already back HOME reclining in my chair taking a nap.

I've been fatigued before in my life knowing it's not a picnic.  Being zapped of energy is a very challenging way to go through LIFE.  Not having a thyroid being hypothyroid is one thing...co vid fatigue is altogether different.  I pray that this doesn't have long term effects.  Lord hear my prayer.

This go round, it is a different type of heavier fatigue.  Still fatigue.  Naps help.  I can feel it in my eyes as they do not want to focus.  I noticed when I was hit with this co vid come on last Saturday that my eyes didn't want to stay open nor did they want to focus.  This virus affected my eyesight.  This nausea is mild, but bothersome.  BOTHERSOME.  Nibble a cracker or two.    

After I took the antiviral medicine, I began to taste an unpleasant taste I had heard this medication gives.  It's nasty and stays with you.  Sipping on Sprite helps eliminate this awful taste as does sipping on hot Macha Green Tea.  I chewed some gum for awhile and that helped.  It's a metallic taste that stays in the mouth.  Time for my morning dose.  Into day two of this miracle drug.

I have purposed in my heart to rest and only do a few chores when the spirit moves me.  I washed a few dishes, put some clean dishes away.  Took some cookware out of a cabinet replacing it with a large protein container, some collagen and other supplemental containers that were sitting out on the countertop taking up too much room.  I have to figure out where to go with these nice corning ware baking dishes now that were in the cabinet, but now sitting on the countertop.  grins.  I believe I can clean out a deep pull drawer, taking out the staples and place the baking dishes in there.  I'll get new extra large mason jars soon and put the staples in there. 

Little energy to prepare gourmet meals or any meal.  We will be surviving on hot teas, diet Sprite, chicken noodle soup, saltine crackers, ginger snaps and nutter butter cookies.  I will try to eat a salad in here somewhere.  Greens just aren't highly favored when nauseated, huh?  I believe I could sip on some lemon lime water.  

I believe it will take another week to getting to feeling better if what we have is a very mild case of it.  I cannot take LIFE or HEALTH for granted.  I continue to thin out STUFF from amongst us and strive to be better organized and downsized.  All the 'One day I hope to get to that project,' can not be.  In a way this way of thinking is a type of procrastination.  Life is too short to procrastinate.  It's unhealthy.  Yes, we must plan projects out, but being on overload allowing things to pile up, isn't healthy.  Being a realist is necessary....so the downsizing continues.  Being proactive is a must.

I'll gather up some dolls that need some tender loving care.  I don't need these.  I'll place them in a grocery bag and carry to the car when I have a burst of energy.  While I am near my closet, I will take out an article or two to give away.  When I can, I will eyeball some books and do the same.  I'm not up to doing paperwork today.  Not up to it at all.  

No temp.  Slightly nauseated.  Coughing very little.  A little light headed.  Not hungry.  Tired.  Not achy.  Praise the Lord, my right foot does not ache when I walk.  A blessing to have as it has hurt so badly it affected my walking again.  I started taking a different apple cider vinegar tab and I can't help but think it is helping me out.  This anti-inflammatory substance does work for me.  PTLord.  

~d                                      

  

Ultimate Food Hacks Compilation

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP TIME

Not Campbell's

JUST HAD SOME CAMPBELL'S CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP FROM THE CAN WARMED ON THE STOVE. Crumbled some saltine crackers into the big bowl.  Guess I was rather hungry as I ate quickly and now I am ready for a nap.

Lots of rest needed.

This morning, we headed over to the doctor's office for an official co vid test.  POSITIVE results and waiting for antiviral meds to be filled.  Appreciate prayer.

I believe I will just take things easy and call it good.  Rest, drink fluids, take vitamins and they just telephoned to let us know our meds are ready.  Will be taking medication within the hour. 

The virus is real.  I never doubted that it was.  I will continue to study up on health and wellness. This is my newest HOBBY. 

For now...CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP and I are very close buds having fellowship/communion three times a day.  

Pass the soup,
~d    

CO VID

ON SATURDAY, I FELT FAINT while standing in the check out lane at the Dollar Store.  I had to go sit in the car.  Nauseated and faint just like that.  The sensation came on very sudden.  I was fading seeing white.  Walked to the car and sat with my head down until my dear Husband came to the car.  He drove me to Subway to get a sprite and went HOME.  

When I got HOME, I took a co vid home test saying I was positive.  Are you positive it's positive? Sigh.  It is.  Slight headache, little fever, kind of nauseated, coughing quite a bit, extremely tired, fatigue, stuffy nose, achy eyes.  Had trouble keeping my eyes open.  Hit me fast.  

Well shucks.  Son and Grandson were on their way from St. Louis to come see us.  Hubby called and text them.  Change of plans.  Think it best for them to not come.  They changed their plans and went to stay with Daughter.  This is nice for my Son and Grand to have a visit with his sister and her family.  He gets to see his newest nephew this way which is nearly 8 months old.  My two kiddos use to be rather close.  I pray that they can have a decent relationship as adults.  

Son drove by our house and we chatted using our phones.  Kept our distance.  I at least got to see them.  It's been since April since I saw them.     

Shall see how this co vid thing goes.  Taking vitamins, DayQuil, puffing on an inhaler, resting and staying hydrated.  If that don't beat all.  

The house was cleaned successfully and ready for company.  Food was all bought and ready to go.  Laundry was caught up.  Nice to have a clean house!  I really like having a clean house.  

Basically, I feel like I have a head cold with a horrible cough and flu like symptoms.  A tickle in my throat causes a horrible cough that rattles my cage.  

I knew I could wait until Tuesday to phone my doctor about getting a co vid test and maybe be given a antiviral medication.  Shall see.  Resting quite a bit.  Weak and fatigue. 

Hubby telephoned and visited with the nurse and they suggested taking OTC drugs.  Which I am. After thinking about it, I decided to phone back and ask for appointments.  I had to leave a message.  Even with a mild case of co vid, an antiviral should be taken to prevent the virus from advancing.  

I took a second home kit test just now...I am definitely positive.      

Lord willing next week, I will still try to go gung-ho gathering things to get rid of.  I have watched a few videos about becoming a minimalist.  I won't go that far, but decluttering is on the agenda.

Being healed in more than one way is allowing me to be made free so I am free and not in bondage to stuff.  I do not have to be held captive by the things I have collected over the years.  

There are some really neat youtube sights out there that I have binged watched episode after episode about decorating.  I'm thankful to God that I have been delivered from the religious word of faith cult and have liberty in Christ Jesus.  Praise the Lord, this glorious salvation God gives does not require works to save the soul.  It isn't a works salvation.  He is so good.  Our help comes from the Lord.  

I'm so glad that God isn't deaf and when I watch a church service where the preacher's wife is getting fired up strutting about the stage with her eyes closed hollering commands and demands from our Heavenly Father, it's time to sign off.  This is not a display of how powerful the woman is by how loud she prays.  She was getting into a frenzy and people mistake it for her being a powerful prayer warrior... which she isn't.  Bye bye.  This church community will be led astray by this silly woman.

Co vid be gone.  I'm thankful that this isn't worse than what it is.  Praying for continued healing, continued cleaning, continued peace and goodwill.  

God bless,

~d 

THE 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION

Here she is...the 4th of July!  

It will be quiet around here

for a few days as to enjoy Family, food, fellowship and the celebration of the 4th of July!

Next week I will be on a rampage to thin out everything.  The time has come at our HOME for this purging.  Praise God.  Great things He hath done.

Let freedom ring,

~d

Grocery Shopping On A Budget: 28 Tips to Save Money On Groceries

ARE YOU HERE JULY?

Scripture card drawn today...

"My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

 -Psalm 121:2

Dear Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit and for the strength he gives.  Teach me how to fix my thoughts on you and your love and power.

In our back door porch entrance, we have a robin's nest with 3 baby birds large enough to stand up and look around.  I suppose next week they will fly the coop.  

This is the second nest to have in this area this Spring and Summer.  We're careful not to upset the mother as we come and go.  

After these lil ones fly away, we will clean the nest area up and install an old screen door we bought a few years ago.  It will be functional as well as to keep more bird's nest from being made so close to the back door.

JULY 1st.  The month of July suddenly arrived.  It seems to have come out of NOWHERE and hit me between the eyes.  Where did the month of June disappear to?  One day at a time. 

I was extremely busy during the month of JUNE.  Thinning out everything.  E v e r y t h i n g.  NOW...I must work even quicker at getting items out of the house so not so much of LIFE is ate up by this course of events.  It truly is a very time consuming thing to go through and I do wonder if we'll finally be at the place where we say, "Finished...well done!" 

When thinning out, enough time must be allotted to the project.  I really do think if you have a move planned in the near future that the thinning out is a must because it makes the BIG MOVE easier.  A year in advance seems like fairly enough time.  I know it can be done in a shorter amount of time as I have done this in the past.  Being in my 60s is a different story.  

We've had some large items that had to be disposed of.  
*Childhood furniture of dresser with a mirror and chest of drawers
*Antique Gentlemen's Vanity
*Appliances
*Ping pong table
*Large leather sectional sofa
*Clothing, children's clothing
*Dishes
*Picture frames
*Glassware
*Books, records, movies, CDs
*Bedding
*Dolls
*Christmas decorations
*Stove
*Dishwasher
*Sewing machine in wood cabinet
*Bookcase
*Vacuum sweeper
*Old hats
*Teddy bears
*Misc.  too much to list

DOWNSIZING isn't a very popular subject matter to be sharing.  This is what I am going through right now which is bogging me down.  

Hubby has gone to the post office for me and as he left the house I mentioned that the two bags of give aways were in the car could be dropped off at the thrift store on his way to the hardware store.  Making the trips count.  That's two more sacks of goodies gone off the property.  Will I ever feel like the dam broke and the extras that we are donating washed away from our HOME PROPERTY?

With each load, there is little emotion that the stuff disappeared.  I suppose when this purging is completed that I will surely fell something.  Perhaps I am in robot mode.

AND AWAY IT GOES.  2 more large bags...gone.  Poof...like magic, gone.  I must continue thinning out and organizing.    

 It's important to have your household in order at all times.  Much fell through the cracks.  Health issues contribute to slowing me down which causes resistance.  Tis doable to get much done, but one must work with the reality of what the challenges do to the efficiency of getting things accomplished.  

I realize that I have challenges.  Sometimes, I just have to take a nap or sit until the next gust of energy comes by.

The waiting is something else.  While I wait, I research, read, search, study, do paperwork, write correspondences, etc.  Because I have to sit doesn't mean I am idle.  Fatigue is something I have had to deal with when not having a thyroid.  I pray that I can continue on and the energy returns.

The DOWNSIZING continues.  The gutting of the COTTAGE Bathroom continues.  The painting of the pantry continues.  I may be slow and I am, but I try really hard to stay at a steady pace.

I am amazed that it's July 2022.  I have hopes of accomplishing  

s o m e t h i n g.  Something may be housecleaning, thinning out, downsizing and working on the COTTAGE.  This is a busy season for an older couple.  Doesn't seem like we're retired at all, but needing to get fired up.  

I noticed a new house going up on the way to the COTTAGE.  When there's a crew, it sure can go up fast.  I wish our projects would happen as quickly.  

AFTER six weeks of coughing, I finally was back to normal.  Yesterday, I began to cough again.  This time from working out in the shed with too much dirt.  Doesn't help me at all.  I should know better about handling things from a dusty shed.  I wore gloves, but should have also wore a mask which would have been two days after handling the boxes and other things that have been in the shed 5 and a half years.  That's just long enough for the germs to incubate   I should know better.  A strong tickle in my throat.  Shucks.

Since I was working outside while sitting on a bench, I thought the fresh air would be a safe place to work.  Vitamin C, garlic capsules, sucking on ginger balls, and DayQuil will hopefully make me feel better speeding the healing up.  Dear Lord, here I am again asking for healing.  Company is coming.  The house needs to be ready to receive.

Today, I am washing two loads of towels, going to the Laundry Mat to dry them, tidying the Living room pile beside my chair where I have a stash of magazines and books, vacuuming the Living room, tidying the three Bedrooms, dusting the stairs and printing out my week-end menu, rounding up my FILE IT papers and placing in a tub for now.  What else?  Shall see as I go.

Psalm 121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Are you decluttering, downsizing, thinning out your belongings?  How is it going?  Are you surprised at the amount of time it requires to deal with turning loose of STUFF?  Are you feeling like a load has been lifted off of your shoulders when the clutter is gone or this is a big mistake to not have these THINGS anymore?  

July is a hot month and I hope we can get much done...

Peace be unto you,
~d

DOWNSIZING CAN BE REFRESHING IF YOU WANT IT TO BE

THERE'S ALWAYS LAUNDRY TO DO.  Just about to the bottom of the basket!  I generally allow the wet articles to air dry by hanging them on hangers and placing them on a rack.  After the HOLIDAY, I will be going through the closets and drawers again to thin out some more.  Later, I will thin out the sweaters before Autumn blows into town.  Jackets, coats and shoes are not far behind.

ANOTHER BUSY and FULL DAY.....quick trip to Manhattan.  Before we headed out of town, we went searching in the basement to look for more things to donate.  There was more.  

I will go through the organized storage boxes of Christmas decor after the 4th of July for even more decorations to get rid of.  I know this will take some time as there is much to go through.  As we continue gathering stuff, there's more to do.  I have watched videos where the majority of some people's belongings are parted with.  I'm not sure I care to turn loose of 90% of our belongings.  Possibly 50%.  As I think about turning loose of so much, I have to stop and take a breather.  A load at at time taken to the thrift shop is the pace I can easily do.

I truly have felt a burden lifted off my shoulders as I let go.    

We left a donation with Goodwill, then went to Endacote Lighting to see if they have candle covers for a hanging light.  They could order.  We're in high gear to get this new light hung and thought it better to look at MENARDS before placing an order.  Off to MENARDS and yes, they have them.  Purchased them and off we went.  

Then Aldi's.  Drove across the Prairie to the COTTAGE and took a few things inside for safe keeping.

The pile of trash we made after working in the shed a few days ago was taken to the curb so the trash pick-up will take place on Thursday.  That is a plus.  What a pile we made.  Have mercy.  Onto our HOME TOWN.  Ice-cream for a snack.  Too tired to fix a meal.  We will have a large SALAD for Thursday SUPPER to balance out this kind of day.

Drove to the Laundry Mat to place a large load into their large washing machine.  I have had good fortune washing other articles in this machine before.  Will allow things to air dry.  PTL the small dress that was found in one of the boxes came out smelling fresh.  Looked like new.  

Such a sweet little dress that belonged to Lil Miss.  No stains...no smoke smell.  Quite a few of my aprons came out fresh.  The tooth fairy pillows I made for my boys when they were young, came out smoke free.  Everything came out smelling wonderfully.  Only one crochet top came out with dark brown smoke stains still.  No unpleasant smell.  I will dye this pretty top dark brown and it will look good as new.  My stash of lovely scarves all made it.  What a fine.    

When we were going through the cardboard boxes in the shed, I found my small acrylic box with scripture cards of individual Bible verses.  Smiles.  The box needed cleaned, but the cards were all intact.  I draw a card out, read the scripture and meditate upon it.  The first card I drew since this box of scripture disappeared after the fire was

"The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied." -Proverbs 19:23

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of communion with you.

I'm looking forward to another day of LIFE.   I believe we will eventually be downsized after many long and busy days of hard work with care.  Praise the LORD. 

We still have hours to go.  I pray we complete this LIFE phase of downsizing.  I pray we can work quickly and see a difference in our HOME and storage.  It wasn't until we started going through things and donated that I began to fell refreshed.  It's been challenging to look at each article and say I can turn loose of this, place it in a to-go box or bag, carry to the car, drive it to the thrift shop and donate.  

We're doing this thing!

~d