BLINK OF AN EYE

THE WEEK IS QUICKLY GETTING PAST ME.  Zoom.  She's gone.  Spending time each day to plan what needs to get accomplished.  I have to MASTER the DAY PLANNING knowing it can all change in a blink of an eye. 

Hubby's medical appointment went very well yesterday.  Thankful.  Afterwards we went to WAL-MART and MENARDS.  I thought my was Husband ill when he said, "I want to go to WAL-MART."  He greatly dislikes WAL-MART.  I was game to go as I like looking and go occasionally. He wanted to look at car covers for our small, non-operative OPEL GT that sits in a garage.

I look at most everything in the store as they are restocking and remodeling the store into having a better lay-out and floor plan.  I remember when the store was built and opened for business.  It seemed so huge that I would get lost. It doesn't seem so daunting these days.

I picked up a dying Gerbera Daisy for $3 believing I can help it thrive when placed in a larger container.  Colorful, pretty flowers were drooping, but that's alright.  I planted it into a larger container and placed it on our COTTAGE porch after we stopped by for the evening.  I needed to place my geraniums outside on the porch and water the plants.

SUPPER was early at a steakhouse as we decided to celebrate my Husband's good report from the doctor.  I had a large vegetable salad with grilled chicken.  Sipped water with lemon and over indulged with bread and butter.  I'm was not endorsing avoiding bread with this meal.  My throat hurt and the rough bread felt good on my throat.  I'll do better cutting back tomorrow.

We'll be working at the COTTAGE.  I'll need to move some boxes in the Dining room and rearrange a Kitchen cabinet today as some laundry is done.  Shall see how this goes as Hubby is installing bead board in the Bathroom.  I had a bad sore throat yesterday and wondered if I should be checked for strep throat if it continues to hurt like it is.  This morning I woke with the throat not as sore.  I'll wait another day.  It may be all better.  The Prescribed Burning on the Prairie continues and I think it's making me sick.  SPRING COLDS are not my cup of tea.  Not feeling the best cannot stop me from getting some chores completed.

PLANTS.  THURSDAY will come and go in a blink of an eye.  I hope to get some Day Lilies and Lily of the Valley plants put in the ground around the COTTAGE'S Garage out back.  

A heavenly scent is permeating into the yard from the Lilac bush that's in full bloom with lavender colored blossoms.   This bush will get trimmed after the blooms fade in a week or so. I'm not sure I will collect the petals for Lilac Jelly.  Not sure if I'll do this.  Ever had Lilac Jelly?  I haven't, but think it sounds delicious.

In the area beside the house, there is one Peony plant that has buds on her.  I will have to move some Siberian Irises that sit beside her and plant a couple of more Peony Plants in September.  The tall, slender Irises will be relocated in July to an area to make a Siberian Iris flowerbed.  Keeping an idea on what time of year is best to relocate and prune plants is a new thing for me as I never did this before as I was not interested in it, but NOW I am older and it does matter to me.  

IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER, I will be redoing the two flowerbeds out front of the COTTAGE.  Irises do well when planted in July.  I'll have to make the beds larger and move the brick border.  Doing this in July will hopefully be a time I can do this project after the main house is sold.  

SCHEDULE for plants:  Lilac bush pruned after buds fade.  Thinking this will be early June.
In July, I'll redo the two flowerbeds in front of the COTTAGE planting more Heirloom Irises in circles.  The Siberian Irises will be relocated to the side of the house forming a new flowerbed just for them.  I might try relocating a clump of Irises that are in the front bed now to the base of one of the tall trees out front.
In September, I'll purchase two peony plants and plant them in the side yard.  Maybe plant some mums as well for Fall.

I need to work as quickly as I can to make this HAPPEN as time gets away from me even faster.  Blink, she's gone.

HOME LIFE is for me,

~d🏡

  

GATE KEEPER

THE IRISES ARE BEGINNING TO BLOOM.  Makes for a happy moment in time to see this.  I look forward to the blooms each SPRING.  Splashes of color adds beauty to the scenery.  This simple pleasure adds volumes to the world.  There is so much ugliness promoted and focused on in the media that I have to chose to not watch or read about it.  Spending more time looking at flowers, plants and landscaping is a healthy must.

Through television programming, the world willingly comes into our homes with the messages that others want to invade our peace with.  Chaos.  There's an agenda promoted by those that own the media facilities to dethrone a Holy God and His healthy ways.  They want to rule the world by polluting the minds of people so they live like animals.  

The latest I have noticed are the words spoken in the television series where just about every other word is vulgar beginning with a F and G D.  As if this somehow expresses a more in-depth meaning to what they say.  Will I have to detox myself from all of this as well as what I eat? Probably with a capital P.  

As for the internet, there are images that give messages that are difficult to ignore while surfing on the computer.  There they are.  Go away.  I must be a gate keeper to what goes in the eye gate. A protector against inappropriate images polluting my mind.  I am a full time HOMEMAKER that has to also be a gate keeper.  That STUFF mustn't enter the property, but if I turn the tele on and it is in the programming then I failed to keep it out.  It is handled differently when using the computer.  Eliminating watching movies and spending time on the computer can be done. Silencing radio and television waves can be done.  Completely repenting and going a different way is doable.    

Today, Hubby has a medical appointment that he is dreading.  Each time there's one of these, he gets uptight and dreads going.  We need to know how he is is doing concerning Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  It was like getting hit in the gut to be told he had this.  

At that time, I was completely convicted that we had to do something.  Changing what and how we ate was necessary plus prayer.  We knew we had to do things differently.  Downsizing and leaning toward a less stressful LIFE.  We decided to move to the COTTAGE, but getting there is really challenging as we have to downsize, remodel and clean up our act.  The downsizing is taking lots of time to do.  This is a type of stress that we probably don't need, but stress is there anyways.  Life has stress, doesn't it?  Having to trust the Lord to alleviate the stress.

Working in the CARRIAGE HOUSE this morning, then cleaning up to go to his medical appointment.  Afterwards, not sure what mental state we will be in so I can't say what we'll be doing as of yet.  Maybe planting Day Lilies and Lily of the Valley plants.  I need to get the Geraniums out of the house and placed on the porch again as freezing weather has past for now.

A long, warm shower this evening will be just what the doctor ordered.

~d

  

I DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT OR A PERFECTIONIST TO GET THINGS DONE WELL

THE DAY WAS SPENT IN A BUSY WAY for us.  Found some get up and go to work on flowerbeds and general clean-up.  Lil Miss came over to help with the yard work.  Always good to see her.  She's raking up the last of the FALL leaves on the lawn.  I know we should have raked the leaves up last AUTUMN when they fell to the ground and through the WINTER months.  

Here in Kansas there is that HOPE that the strong winds will blow the leaves elsewhere than staying on the premises.  So many of the leaves liked it here, so they stayed put.  She's almost finished with the raking and bagging.  It is a large yard and we needed some extra help.  She's doing a very good job and we appreciate her help.  

ADMIRING IRISES AND DECIDING WHERE THEY SHOULD GO has been my part in our IRIS GARDEN journey.  Through the years, I was the one that just ohhed and ahhed about their beauty and looked forward to seeing them bloom each SPRING.  A yearly visit to the KSU GARDENS takes place to view the blooms and I'm finding it hard to believe that it has been a year already since our last visit.  We didn't make it to the July Sales in 2022 and here it is the end of April where July isn't far off.  We felt like we had a really nice selection of Irises and stayed away from the sale.

I wasn't the one planting our Irises or relocating them until yesterday on April 24th.  Hubby and I were discussing the empty flowerbeds and we decided to use some of the Irises we already had in the yard to fill in some empty flowerbeds so there would be no expense in buying bedding plants.  We had what we needed.  THRIFT.

My dear Husband dug up some day lilies and Lily of the Valley flowers so they can be relocated to the COTTAGE.  I did not want to leave these behind when moving.  He was finally digging them up and placing them in some plastics tubs I came up with.  I can't wait to get these over to their new HOME.

As we talked about the empty flowerbeds, we decided to move some Irises.  I rolled up my sleeves and started thinning out some.  With the proper tool, popping them out of the ground is made easy compared to using a shovel.

Quickly we filled in 4 flowerbeds.  It was amazing to see the beds fill up as if they had these flowers there for years.  Looks so very nice to see flowers where bare ground was.  

Our Irises are beginning to bud out and display their blooms.  This pleases me so much.  This time of year, is one I truly enjoy.  IRISES have become one of my FAVORITE FLOWERS!  Long story short...they helped save my MARRIAGE.  Not only are these flowers beautiful, they are hardy as well.  Makes for a great recipe for success in the garden.

My day was busy doing yard work with Hubby when I don't usually do the yard work, but this go round, I was helping.  

Afterwards, I returned to the CARRIAGE HOUSE to do some shuffling.  I didn't make a dent in this as there is so much to do amongst the messes.  Made my head spin.  Just one look at the inside of the place makes me shut down.  

Rising above the shut down, I put myself in gear and got busy.  I did manage to shuffle one of the fold up tables to going in a different direction making room for more tables to be sit up.  This will help when sorting through old boxes, grouping like items together for better organization, etc.

Because of the disarray in the Carriage house, it is difficult to move about.  It takes some doing to inch around.  Slows down the progress.  Just one of those things.

Over the next few weeks, the Carriage House will be dealt with one mess at a time. 

This time of LIFE has been one of the busiest I have ever had in my entire LIFE.  I'm going in so many different directions that our days are full of things to do as we DOWNSIZE, REMODEL and prepare to sell our main house moving into a small COTTAGE across the river.  

It can be done a little each day.  After I work on our bills, I am beyond ready to lighten the load. The reality of having too many bills hits me between the eyes and I have to work really hard to get these bills paid.  It puts some gusto under my belt to get downsized and moved.  I have a vision of being in the COTTAGE already.  Making it happen is requiring muscle and actually doing it.  

AS FOR A MONDAY...I was amazed at how much we got done.  PTL.  It felt so good to have the strength and energy to accomplish SOMETHING like we did.  Perhaps my iron supplement is kicking in since I take an iron pill with orange juice which helps with the absorption of iron. Avoid taking iron with milk (calcium) and coffee/tea (caffeine).  Drink these at a different time as they affect the absorption as well.  Gosh, I had no idea how complex this all is.  

MAYBE IT ISN'T PERFECTION YOU SHOULD BE STRIVING FOR, but participation.  It is one thing to do things with excellence, but when it gets in the road of participating in the first place, it becomes a stronghold that doesn't need to have such power over you.

How many times have I put off doing things because I knew I wouldn't be excelling at doing them?  Countless.  If the number one thing is being the best, then it can become an overwhelming task.  Practice makes perfect?  Doubting thoughts enter in and the attempt to even do something gets in the way of productivity.  Nothing happens.  If I can overlook the fact that I don't have to be the best or perfect, just participate, then I get a jump start on it and become productive.  I can strive for doing things well and not worry about being the best.  I don't have to be the best.

That saying I came up with of, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THE BEST...JUST BE."  helped to set me free so I could participate.  Striving for excellence can be a goal, but I don't want to be in bondage to perfectionism where it steals my joy.  The satisfaction of participating can comfort me.  I want to get some things done and as long as I put an effort in doing these things, the way of excellence can be birthed.  The way of excellence and perfectionism are two different realms.

Because I chose to live differently, I remember hearing, "What, you think you're better than me?"  The Bible mentions a more excellent way to live.  The better than me part can be eliminated or put into a different perspective.  It doesn't have to paint one into a corner rendering one helpless with no way of escape.  While embracing God's TRUTH, one can live a more excellent way.

                  NOW TO GET AFTER IT ALL for another day.  

HOME LIFE IS FOR ME,

~d 🏡

LIKE JET LAG GRANDPARENTS

WE MANAGED TO DO A FEW CHORES BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD TO SAINT LOUIS.  After hearing it would freeze during the week-end, I knew I needed to put our porch plants back inside while we were gone to protect them.  

Packed light for the trip to visit our son and grandson.  I was glad that we traveled a day ahead before the Grandparents Day event at our Grandson's school in hopes of being better rested before the event.  Traveling anymore effects me with something like jet lag.  In the past years we'd travel to SAINT LOUIS on the same day as Grandparents' Day so that when we arrived I had travel fatigue and couldn't enjoy to the fullest the day like I would have liked to.  I'd get through it, but was exhausted before it started.  With seeing our Grandson only twice a year, it is important to make the time together be the best it can be within such a short time frame.

TRAVELING does a number on me.  I didn't plan it this way.  JET LAG is real.  Not sure what it is called when traveling by car wears one out taking some time to bounce back.  

HARD, HARD RAIN poured while traveling which made me super tense.  I managed to get through this with a sigh and a prayer.  We stopped at Truxton, Missouri allowing the storm to calm down some.  It did and off we went.  I was relieved to be in the SAINT LOUIS area even with the SAINT LOUIE TRAFFIC.

Meeting up with family at a Mexican Restaurant for supper, we then went to Starbucks for more time to chat.  Went to my Son's apartment for the evening.  Last time we were there, the elevator was not working and climbing the flights of stairs with luggage was something else.  The elevator was working! this time as he lives in one of the upper apartments with walking the flights of stairs being really difficult on our old bodies carrying all our luggage.  Hubby's knee was hurting as he twisted it earlier and if we had to climb the stairs I believe we would have been crawling by the time we reached his floor.

Grandparents' Day had arrived and we were thankful to be with our Grandson.  The service was pleasant and afterwards we had refreshments, visited the BOOK FAIR, saw his classroom, checked out his desk and locker.  We were able to take him with us afterwards so we went to see a 3D movie.  It's been years since I saw a 3D movie so this was great fun watching THE SUPER MARIO BRO. MOVIE.

I'm not sure the movie would have enough interest at my old age being just a regular movie, BUT with the special 3D effects, it was great fun seeing the graphics.  SO much fun.  I thought it was intriguing being 3D.  Munching popcorn, junior mints, and sipping water made the movie all the better.  grins.

The main thing was that we were with our Grandson that we only see about two times a year.  

HOME GOODS was visited and I was having visions of being in a larger TUESDAY MORNING store that has closed in my neighborhood.  Vanilla, Everything Bagel Seasoning, and a plastic egg container were bought.  Off to the apartment.

If we lived in a city apartment where we had to drive miles on end to go grocery shopping then carry groceries from the car to apartment, I think it would make living in the city all the more challenging and tiring for old peeps like me.  I am not a city person.  Give me rolling hills and cows any day of the week.  MOOOOve over.  

Just driving into a city for activities then when done, return to small town life, is more my speed.  Not speaking for everyone.  Some love the city life and that's alright...just not for me.

For supper that evening, we went out for pizza at BLACK THORN in which I was the driver in the SAINT LOUIS traffic at night in the dark without radar.  It was more than I needed.  People drive so fast, it's crazy.  I wonder if things progress with the recklessness of drivers what it will be like driving as a 77 year old in 10 years?  If I should be allowed to live that long driving?  Not sure I will be able to venture into the city limits at that time.  People are like animals at times and it doesn't agree with me.  By the way, the PIZZA was some of the best I have ever had.  Their sauce is awesomely good.  

We had a nice supper then returned to our Son's apartment and I was more than ready to sit. Driving the distance from Kansas to STL at night in traffic, is exhausting to me.  I drive the speed limit with most flying by me.  

THANK YOU LORD that we were not in any wrecks and we made it to each of our destinations in tact.  Safely.

Saturday, we SPENT THE DAY in apartment watching old television programs while son went to health clinic with bronchitis.  THIS IS WHEN I WAS VERY TIRED LIKE I HAD JET LAG.  Would feel better the next day, but by Sat. evening I was toast.  Being Anemic with my TSH numbers too suppressed, traveling, stress, etc. caught up with me.  Like that I was down for the count. 

We'd have chili nachos for supper and watch a movie.  Ocean's 12.  Went well and was enjoyable. The week-end came to a close and off we were in the car again stopping at three Antique shops on the way back HOME.  We started out at 9:30 in the morning and arrived HOME around 10 at night.  Traffic outside of St. Louis and outside of Kansas City was thick.  I was so ready to be HOME I could have cried.  

When we were outside of TOPEKA, controlled burning or prescribed burning was taking place and the smoke was thick once again.  This will be the final week before the burning stops for the year.  I can say, " G O O D! "  as it makes breathing difficult.  It beautifies the prairie preventing certain plants from taking over the landscape.  Still, it's SMOKE that makes the eyes burn and difficult to breathe.

On the way HOME, we stopped off at ROCK GARDEN ANTIQUE BARN in Fulton, THE VERANDA ANTIQUE STORE in Columbia, and THE BRASS ARMADILLO in Grain Valley.  This was a SUPER TREAT for me as I LOOOOOVE to look.  Small vacay for someone who doesn't take vacations.  

Purchases were a bar of soap at the Garden, a Alfred Meakin Ironstone two handled sugar bowl or tea caddy with Tea Leaf motif at the Veranda AND at the Armadillo we bought a Coffee/Tea Service with tray and miniature kitchenware.  Left smiling because we had fun, got off the road for a while and got some bargains to boot.

Now back at HOME, I will rest a lot then proceed with downsizing and getting on with this moving thing.  Going to work in the Carriage House today shuffling things to make room to store boxes upon boxes.  GOTTA GET AFTER IT.  

Weather is suppose to be in the 60s!  Should be a great day for working outside.  I have to make progress on this as it is the final full week of APRIL.  April comes to a halt as MAY arrives.  Hubby will be going to get bead board for our COTTAGE BATHROOM and hopefully installing it this week with some painting.  THEN PTL the toilet goes in!!!  I can get extremely EXCITED about the porcelain Princess going in this week.  It will make my heart sing to have THIS NEW TOILET in place able to flush and use.  Praise the LORD!  

I much prefer a flushing toilet to an OUT HOUSE any day,
~d

  

DID I GET ANY VITAMIN D WHILE IN THE SUN?

IT WAS RATHER WARM on Tuesday while we were at a track meet.  I brought along some sunscreen and I wore a wide brim hat that was difficult to wear in the wind even with a strap under the chin.  Made it through the meet just fine, but still caught myself not walking the best.  Earlier I smeared on some sunscreen.  It works well for preventing sunburn, but when wearing it, I don't think you get the vitamin D.  So what ever D I got was soaked in before applying the lotion.

How long do you need to be in sun to get vitamin D?  In spring and summer, 25 percent of the body (the hands, face, neck and arms) is exposed to the sun, and in these seasons, about 8 to 10 minutes of sun exposure at noon produces the recommended amount of vitamin D. 

Ultraviolet B (UVB) sunlight rays go into exposed skin and create vitamin D. The problem, however, is that sunscreen and many clothing items block the absorption of UVB sunlight into the skin, hence blocking natural vitamin D production. 

Can you get enough vitamin D from sun in face?

According to the national Institutes of Health, between five and 30 minutes of sun exposure to your unprotected face, arms, legs or back between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. two to three times every week is enough for your body to produce all of the D3 it needs. Sunscreen can block vitamin D production.

ENJOYED THE TRACK MEET.

Lil Miss participated and took three first places.  So very proud of her.  I told her that she is a child of God and He has given her talent.  You've prayed and now you'll participate.  She told me, "I love you, Grandma."

It is thrilling to see her run.  

I get a thrill when I see all my Grandchildren and when they participate in an event or sport, it is up lifting.  Just seeing them makes me so proud.  Love bubbles up in my heart.  

The morning of the meet was busy as we moved some large pieces of furniture at the Cottage before driving to the town where the event took place.  I like getting a few things done before heading to a sports event.  Makes me relax some knowing some things got done for the day.

On the way HOME, I thought I would be able to do a few more chores, but by the time we actually got HOME I was too tired.  Slept like a baby.

MORE TRACK MEETS TO COME.

~d 

IRON SHARPENS IRON

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

IT SURELY DOES.  Iron swords and medicines are two different things though.  Ideas can be a type of sword.  Mind sets can be a sword.  Being better informed can be a type of sword. Putting on the whole armor of GOD is a sword against evil.  SO with this in place, I will allow iron pills to go to battle for me in combating ANEMIA.  My Ferritin levels were significantly LOW.  Have to raise the levels to about a 81 instead of a 11.

The normal value ranges for blood ferritin are:

• Male: 12 to 300 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)
• Female: 12 to 150 ng/mL

The lower the ferritin level, even within the "normal" range, the more likely it is that the person does not have enough iron.

The number ranges above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific results.

My Endocrinologist's APRN did run a Ferritin test when I ASKED for one so I would know if my storage of iron was within range or I was anemic.  Too much of my hair has been coming out.  I've been searching for an answer so I can stop unnecessary hair loss.  Being hypothyroid contributes to hair loss as does when having too little iron.  Sure enough, my Ferritin was way too low. He mentions my Ferritin is very low, but won't tell me to take iron.

It is way too low so I know I have to build my blood up to be at a healthier place.  Instead of the APRN telling me I needed iron supplements, he said I should see my regular physician. 

When dealing with the need of taking iron supplements due to being ANEMIC, I read that iron should be taken together with vitamin C or orange juice to get better absorption and NOT with caffeine.  Never heard this one before.  So I shall do this.  Two months of iron supplements should raise my levels to where they should be just in time for my yearly physical where blood work will be done and I will know where I stand concerning iron levels.  

Now, I find out do not take iron with calcium like milk.  Interferes with absorption.  Didn't know this.  Best to take iron on empty stomach.

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/taking-iron-supplements-food-decrease-absorption-7202.html

Iron sharpens iron.  Bouncing information off of others in the same boat may be helpful and allow a lead to a way of getting HEALED as close to being HEALED as possible.  

~d  

  

HOW DOES THE WEEK LOOK?

IT'S A FOUR LETTER WORD...b u s y.  I am alright with it being busy.  I have to take frequent breaks.  Plan ahead and stay on track.  Hubby is working on our lil car replacing a thingy-majober under the hood and the electric window.

Our other car will need to be taken to the garage as he cannot comfortably do the much needed work on the brakes.  This will have to wait until we can pay for the mechanics.  

When the car is up and going, I'll drive over to the COTTAGE with another food haul.  The pantry shelves are nearly bare.  Makes me happy knowing I made progress on this so quickly.  

Planning on working full force in the carriage house.  So much to do I should never be bored.

AFTER WE GET OUR LIVING SITUATION taken care of which will take months, I hope to have less active days to do retirement things like sitting and thinking in a calm environment.  Take slow leisurely walks.  Do some much needed stretches.  I hope to be able to clean the house quicker and not use up so much energy dodges boxes and trying to come up with a plan as to where THINGS should go.  Be more focused on other things.  Staying less busy.  NO RUSHING about like a chicken without a head.

I have to turn loose of much in order to achieve this.  Some have no trouble turning loose of things.  Me...well, it's complicated.

I still have to have a schedule and be productive!  

Sincerely, Queen of the HOME and my Husband's side kick,
~d 👑

OFF I GO

OFF I GO TO THE COTTAGE with a food haul.  I am clearing out our pantry transferring the food pantry to the COTTAGE.  Some of the food is in boxes and some in easier to handle totes.  I'm leaving a few canned and boxed items at our main house since we do most of our food preparations and eating here.  The fridge holds the brunt of our food we eat each day so I don't need to have a large stash of other things in the pantry.  I plan on dining on lots of salads this week as I forge ahead in TRYING to lose some more weight.

Another round of serious effort has to be birthed as I have been more lenient with what I have been eating the last few months which has lead to a plateau that I have had for a year.  Much effort has to go into eating a different way then I did growing up and as a young married with young family.  I tried really hard to serve balanced meals and healthy snacks to my little family, but I was not into organic anything nor did I have concerns about eating highly processed foods. The shame of it all caught up with us contributing to our health issues.  

I don't remember being too concerned about eating too much sugar until the late 1980s when Moms frowned about eating Halloween candy.  Too much sugar will make the kids rambunctious.  

There were no concerns about what harm sugar and highly processed foods would do to the human body.  Eating white bread being a no-no happened and whole wheat was beginning to be promoted at how good it was, but GMOs and altering chemicals had a ways to go.  High fructose corn syrup, food coloring and natural flavorings came into the light.  SO often I thought I was doing the GOOD THING for health and would find out I wasn't.  It has been a trip and a half.

I have concerns now and a few regrets about food quality.  Straightening this out has been hard to change.  It truly is like learning a foreign language and living a different LIFE.  I want us to be healthy so I HAVE TO CHANGE what we eat and be true.    

When I over eat carbs and sweets I get into a chemical imbalance problem also stored fat on my body and can't lose weight.  Even with how physically busy I have been lately in real time, I do not lose weight. Without a thyroid and being insulin resistant, I stay fat.

BACK to carrying food to the COTTAGE.  I'd better use a small wagon.  I'll be carrying all the food inside by myself so I have to have small loads due to the weight of the containers and weak body.  Slowly I go, but I am going.  In motion.  MOTION MATTERS.  I'm doing it.  After I arrive to the COTTAGE, I'll load goods inside the wagon, pull it up to the porch, unload then carry to the pantry.  Place the items in the pantry.  Arrange just so-so.  Smile and say THANK YOU.  

As simple as it sounds, it isn't.  I have a bad back and get winded easier than most.  SO I have to PACE MYSELF.  It'll take me a few days to get the one pantry emptied and transferred to the new pantry.  Another hurdle in the great adventure of downsizing and moving.  Not complaining.  It will be a comfort to have jumped this hurdle pertaining to our move.

When I return to the main house, I'll work in the carriage house making some kind of order out of the chaos in there.  Another big project.  Lord, help me be successful today and each day when dealing with the move, downsizing and having a change of heart about so much.  Please.

Hubby is working at planting new grass in our side yard.  After yesterday's rains, the ground is soft and easier to rake.  

We are both working hard at making downsizing and this MOVE a success.  
What can I say?  A lot.

~d 

Joining the party @

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

https://familycorner.blogspot.com/2023/04/blog-365-108-happy-homemaker-monday.html

 

weather: The last fews days, it has been horribly windy where driving on the highway was dangerous.  Rainy and windy.  Warmer temps are expected this week, but chillier during the night time hours.  Close to freezing warming to 60s.

looking outside my window:  Nature is greening up and blooms are present.  Makes for a happier woman when Spring is blooming.

right now I'm:  Getting ready to go work in the Carriage House to make some sense out of it.

thinking/pondering:  to when we have completely emptied this property and have relocated to the cottage.

on the bedside table:  paperwork.

tv this week:  cowboys and westerns.  

listening to:  silence.

lunch:  large salad.

supper:  steak, baked potato and broccoli

menu for the week:  lots of salads and low carb meals.

reading pile:  ?  

on my to do list: continuing to go through everything, packing and sorting what goes to charity/thrift.  Relocating items to the cottage.  Cleaning up the main house.  Possibly doing some painting.

what I'm creating:  messes!

my simple pleasures:  blogging and sitting!

looking around the house:  seeing messes!

from camera:  nothing.

Bible verse/devotion:  2 Timothy 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

 

King Charles cuts off the roots of the Monarchy from Jesus, at his peril...

ONE OF THOSE MOODS

I WAS OFFENDED BY SOMETHING MY HUSBAND DID.  He told me that he and I would talk about our plans on going to see our son and grandson before replying back to our son with our plans.  Well, he didn't and I took it badly.  He replied before we had our talk.  Due to some of our HISTORY together, this triggered a response from me that required a great deal of prayer and some time apart from him.

I had grocery shopping that needed done so I took this as the opportunity to get away for a few hours to process my emotions.  While I was out, it rained so I decided I did not have to be in a hurry shopping.  I sat in the car a great deal and talked to the LORD about it all.  He listened and I took my time explaining.

Checking Home Depot out for Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products, they were out.  Over to ALDI to purchase some organic things and then HY-VEE for more organic.  I didn't come away with green beans, cherries and there was something else I wanted to get, but have already forgotten what that was.  Oh well, it'll come to me later.

I'll make a trip to the Hardware Store and pick up Mrs. Meyer's Dish Detergent and liquid hand shop.  Pretty sure they have these products.  Topeka's Home Depot has a huge selection of her products, but I wasn't going to go to Topeka until later in the week.  Mrs. Meyer's Products Made With Plant-derived Ingredients & Essential Oils.  Is what I'm looking for.

There was a time I didn't want to spend the extra money for her product, but I think they are a worthwhile product safer for human use.  SO Mrs. Meyer's it is.

By the time I returned HOME from shopping, I took a break in my chair, rested and proceeded to put veggies and fruit in fridge after cleaning out the fridge to make room for the goods.  My fridge seems to get so messy quickly that it amazes me how two grown-ups can be so messy.

During the CO V ID Pandemic, I worked at being better organized with my Kitchen cabinets and fridge.  I managed for awhile then discovered that it does require upkeep all the time.  Tadaah...I'm still working at that.

I still feel GOOD about having a well stocked refrigerator and pantry.  Have for years and I hope to continue.  The HOME ECONOMICS of HOMEMAKING is an ART!  and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  It is.  

After I settled down for the evening in my chair and watched a movie, I was a more civil woman.  I did not go to bed ANGRY.  This was progress.  

Tomorrow, I hope to be in a better mood,

~d

MY CAR NEEDED A GOOD WASH

NATURE SOAKED MY TINY CAR WITH A POWER WASH as we drove HOME from the Kansas Track Meet.  She needed a good bath and I felt that she got it.  After lightning flashed we picked up our things at the meet and called it a night walking to our car.  The Sport's Announcer said they were going to have a weather delay.

By the time we left and headed HOME, our daughter text saying they had called the track meet.  It poured.  Hubby checked his phone for the weather radar to figure the best direction to go to avoid the huge thunderstorms around us.  It would take about two hours for us to get HOME verses what it usually takes.  

Due to the night darkness and rain, I skidded going too fast to make a curve in which I did not see the speed sign.  Managing to slow down, I made the curve, but not without adrenaline pumping in my veins.  I was driving slower than usual in the first place, but it was too fast for the sharp turn to the right which needed to be taken at 20 miles per hour.  I was going about 50.  This was a close call and the evening could have very easily ended awful for us in a ditch or worse.  Praise the LORD, we were not injured and made it HOME in one piece.  Scary, but we were safe and when I drove up to the driveway at HOME, I was relieved to be safely HOME.  

Driving at NIGHT is not one of my favorite things to do, but when it rains as well, well it really gets tense.  I have to drive slower than the average bear.  I think I will have to be really extra careful ALL THE TIME.  Getting shook up didn't happen.  Perhaps this activity of what could have been will soak in and I will get shook up later.

Granddaughter did well in the events she participated in at the Track Meet.  Her relay team came in first and she took a first in a 800.  It amazes me to see her run the way she does.  

On our way to the meet, we stopped off at MJs and got a Almond Milk Steamer to sip on the way to Lyndon where we ate LUNCH.  I was a good girl and ate a salad with grilled chicken.  Water to drink.  At the Track Meet I wasn't a good girl...I had a hot dog and half of a hamburger.  It is so easy for me to not eat right. 

 

I have to eat BETTER.  Less carbs, no sugar, no dairy, less meat.  Hello somebody.  I can do this, I know I can and I can stick with eating clean.  Watch me shrink.  It will be worth it.

We got a break today from working on the houses and I think we needed it.  We can't work all the time and stay well.  THIS WEEK-END, Lord willing, we will continue getting things done toward our big adventure.  This week-end, I will work in the CARRIAGE HOUSE shuffling stuff and start packing some of the things that need to locate to the COTTAGE.  I'll need to make a DONATION PILE for sure.  

The weather is suppose to be rather nice and this will help.  Hubby will be working on raking the yard to plant some grass seed.  Our lawn looks awful.  Mostly yellow dried grass.  Dead.  It doesn't look like SPRING TIME around here.  We will need to get some grass growing to improve the yard's appearance.  

He cleared out the patch of ground behind the carriage house where plants had overgrown looking like dried weeds.  It looks a million times better after the clean-up.  Lil Miss may come over, rake up leaves and bag them.  A busy week-end for sure.  Somewhere in here, I will empty the boxes out of the middle of the Kitchen floor.  The small pantry I have will need to be boxed and transferred to the COTTAGE.  Have mercy.  Much to do.

Overall, I had a wonderful day,

~d

Darfoulds - I'll Be Waiting (Feat. MAXWELL THORPE)