VETERANS ARE HEROS

OUR COUNTRY IS GREAT 

AND HAS REMAINED FREE 

BECAUSE OF OUR VETERANS.  

THANK YOU!  

THANK YOU!!  

THANK YOU!!!

So many have given it their all and we have many freedoms in this country because of them.

It bothers me that the saying
Make America Great Again is so popular.

America is great right now.

When someone says
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,
I question what that means when our country hasn't stopped being GREAT.  She has not lost her greatness.

Perhaps living in a third world country for a year to compare why AMERICA is great would change their minds.  Keeping it great is a concern.  If our Constitution is done away with then we will suffer.

OUR VETERANS MATTER,
~d

PRAISING THE LORD FOR WEEK-ENDS!!!

THE REALITY OF MOVING...Hours at HOME are needed to where I can focus on making some sense out of the moving boxes.  When we have been on the GO so much, working on unpacking STOPS and there's not much I can do about it since I cannot be in two places at the same time.  I will gladly stay HOME this week-end and do some unpacking.

TIS THE WEEK-END where I am relieved about this.  Busy week and I am THANKFUL it went so well, but now I'd like to stay HOME.  Not sure I can recall all that we did today.

Up early and once again in the car to travel to a medical appointment in a different community. Skipped Breakfast and thought we'd eat after Hubby's appointment.  I made very good time driving on the highway getting to Manhattan.  His appt. went well.  Off we went to eat at IHOP.

I had some crepes and water to drink.  Where'd we go from here?  Menards?  Yes, Menards to look at small chest freezers.  I liked the smallest one they had.  Will return to get one later in the day.  With Thanksgiving coming I always have the freezer full with turkey and hams.  I no longer have two freezers to store great amounts of frozen goods since one is for sale with the house. Getting a small chest like freezer has been on my mind for a few years.

We went to one of the storage units to dig out the old sink and toilet with a tank to turn loose of. We managed to get it loaded in the back of our Cruiser and take it to the Carriage House where the person that is to receive these things will pick them up later.  The Cruiser is a bruiser.  This small car has done wonders when we need to haul larger items somewhere.

From one community to another.  Back we went to Menards to purchase the freezer.  With the mail in rebate I think we got a decent price.  The back end door of the Cruiser had to be slightly left open so the freezer would fit in the car.  I drove slower than normal.  Back to the COTTAGE to unload.  A lot of driving today.  Hubby tidied the area for the freezer then hooked it up.  

Went to the Bank to fill out a change of address request.  Picked up the mail. 

While we were HOME, I finished a care package for my Mom.  Made it to the Post Office just in time for the box to get mailed today.  IN THE MAIL.  I packed about 8 word books, a journal, a small Longaberger basket, Boo Bag of candy, a pretty dish towel, a long letter with pictures of the grandchildren and individual pics of our empty house for sale so she could see what we have done.  I hope she likes the care package.  I plan to mail her one every once in a while and write very long letters so she gets mail.  She has moved to IOWA.  She left the town she had lived in for 50 years.  What a huge adjustment.  Her Husband and first born Son's graves were left behind. So many long time friends said good-bye and all the places she was very familiar with were left behind.  She sold her car and off she went.  I hope she is doing well.  I need to telephone her and touch base with her.  

Back to small town America across the river to meet up with the recipient that was picking up the sink and toilet.  I went to the Thrift Store and bought a stuffed snowman then visited the Library. I'll have to deliberately go to the Library after we get further along with the COTTAGE.  I have a soft spot for the Library as a place to get away to read.

Late afternoon plans.  We went to Manhattan for a special to buy a ham get a turkey free from Hy-Vee.  Enjoyed the shopping, but this meant driving HOME in the dark.  By 5 it's on the verge of dark.  It gets dark so early after the time change.  Have to watch for deer.  

As we were driving HOME, daughter called to tell us to come by and pick up some donuts she had made.  So we did.  We gave her one of the turkeys to keep in her freezer.  We'll have an early THANKSGIVING DINNER with her family next week-end.

HOME we came and I am ready to relax.  Maybe a movie after HUBBY gets up from a nap.  He's really tired today after what he went through with medical procedures this week.  Cheese and crackers, summer sausage and apple for supper.  

I grouped together in a cardboard box the items from the Grocery Store for our THANKSGIVING MEAL.  Getting started on the menu.

We didn't get the church pew out of the Utility room today.  Tomorrow we'll attempt to get this done.  Hope so.  I need this to happen.  The front porch is calling her name.  

With not having a recliner to elevate my 'ole feet they have been puffing up.  The recliners are on the agenda to get out of storage so we can recline in the evenings.  I hope this happens as well.  

Also would like to get the metal rack out of storage and placed in the Utility room for my plants that have been moved to the cellar so the freezing weather didn't kill them.  

So that's get the church pew out of the Utility room,
shuffle the sewing machine to its place,
get the two brown recliners out of storage and moved to the COTTAGE 
and bring HOME a metal rack for my plants.  
Sounds so easy, but it requires muscle and transportation to do all of this.

Shall see how much we get done with moving ahead with settling.  We have moved.  We have moved.  We have moved.  It's bitter sweet especially with this cold weather coming on.  

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is in two weeks?  Have to get after it.    

SO glad it's the WEEK-END.  

Thank you, LORD.  Thank you.

~d

   

                        

OLIVE CAFE FOR AN AFFORDABLE MEAL

TIME TO GO TO TOPEKA AGAIN.  We went to eat at a Mediterranean Restaurant where special hot dogs are $1.50 a piece and ate a Greek Salad.  OLIVE CAFE.  We hadn't been before so it was all a surprise.  They have a special eating area that I think I will reserve sometime and spend some time relaxing as we eat a very affordable meal. 

I had wanted to eat at this CAFE because of the Authentic MEDITERRANEAN Cuisine.  I wan't disappointed as the Greek Salad was really crisp and fresh.  Hot Dog fantastic.  Left with a LOTUS HEALTH DRINK for energy.  Coconut and Pineapple.   

We sat and ate.  I am extremely tired.  Wish I could get rested.  MANAGED TO DRIVE TO TOPEKA FOR HUSBAND's MEDICAL APPOINTMENT.   

Went looking for a special gift for our lil grandson who turns two on Sunday.  Bomgaars, Walmarts and Tractor Supply Store.  Back to Bomgaars for gift.  Stopped by Joann and ALDIs for bagged salads.  TACO TICO for the road.  Home we went and I took a nap before putting the veggies away.  Just about too tired to stay awake.  

Worked on a long letter to my Mom with pictures of the grandchildren.  

The house is a mess.  When I look at what needs to be done, I sink.  Figuring this one out as we go.  The house is so crammed full, it is difficult to walk through the house.  In order to move the church pew out of the Utility room I'm going to have to carry out boxes of things outside to get the pew out of the room then place the boxes back into the house.  It's suppose to be a beautiful day so this will be a good day to make this all happen.

Then we can go to the storage unit to get a metal rack to place my plants on in the Utility room.  If we get this far, it will be an accomplishment.  I think the floor space in the Kitchen needs clear so the boxes can be stacked to make some sense out of the mess.

I need more space for Kitchen things right now so clearing out the church pew will help with this.

Thursday evening with being so tired made for a weary evening.  I don't like this stress that has come from this move.  The chaos is too much.  I have to hang on as the organization will happen just not very fast.

~d

SMALL COMMUNITY SLEEPS

THIS EVENING AS I WALKED OUTSIDE IN THE DARK ON THE PORCH, I could hear the dried tree leaves falling to the ground.  That crispy, crunchy sound of cold weather approaching is invading any remaining AUTUMN weather we covet in the month of NOVEMBER.  SO many of the brightly colored leaves have disappeared from the trees covering the grounds.  I'm never ready for it.  Instead of protesting, I had best surrender and welcome the changing of the seasons.  The time change has made it known that the dark comes earlier and there's nothing I can do about it, but welcome the change.  So welcome.

Our front lawn is now covered with a blanket of crunchy brown leaves that fell from the Sweet Gum Trees.  We need to find a youth to rake and bag the specimens.  The three front yard trees are a lovely mature size which drops the hardest round seed pods that hurt when you step on them.  I said, I'd like to have these replaced with Maple Trees instead.  Hubby didn't support this idea as these Sweet Gum Trees provide shade in the Summer.  

I have some tubs of Iris bulbs that need hauled to the shed.  Not sure I will get them planted this Autumn as the priority right now is getting the house sold and unpacking at the COTTAGE.

This small community seemed like she was asleep.  So quiet outside that I wish I could have sat on the porch for awhile.  One evening soon I will. No longer than I was outside, the indoors was calling me back inside to work.

TONIGHT I managed to dig out from under plastic storage boxes an old square table that we carried to the porch.  I placed a basket full of faux AUTUMN flowers on it.  That's one table out of the Dining room.  There's about six Kitchen boxes and an oversized suitcase still in the middle of the Living room floor.  The Kitchen is still so crammed full of things that I will have to make some space in there over the next few days to accommodate the rest of this.  

During RESEARCH TIME, I watched a video of a man who showed how to fix wraps from spinach leaves.  He made it look so easy I've got to try this.  He blended spinach leaves with two eggs until creamy then poured the mixture onto a baking sheet.  Bake at 350degree for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then slice pieces of the spinach wrap to use for wraps.  

Nothing else in the wrap.  No additional chemicals or ingredients.  I wonder if it works?  If we get pickier on what we eat than this might be a winner.

The wrap could easily be filled with arugula, more spinach or lettuce then add cheese, chicken or turkey.  Maybe no meat at all just veggies like diced tomatoes, peppers, onions, shredded carrot, olives, avocado, humus.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper then wrap and add a topping like sour cream or salsa.

LAST NIGHT MOVIE:   Watched the 2023 Comedy/Drama PG 13 movie, ARE YOU THERE GOD? It's Me, Margaret.

I thought it was a gentle reminder of what young girls think about as 11 or 12 year olds wondering when they will become a woman due to starting their periods.  The not knowing of the exact moment keeps one guessing.  I know I wondered when I was that age.  The innocence of when I was a pre-teen came to mind and I do remember the exercise we did to increase the bust. We must, we must, we must increase the bust.

I found the movie humorous and entertaining.

My Husband was a good sport and watched what he called a chick flick, but I reminded him that there are some dads out there that have young girls and might find the movie helpful in understanding a 11 and 12 year old.

THINKING ABOUT THE DAY.  Did I get everything done that I wanted?  Almost, but not quite.  I will take the rest of the evening off and be THANKFUL that I got done what I did.  

PAPERWORK.  Early morning hours were available for writing out greeting cards and researching.  
DROVE TO MANHATTAN for medical appointment.
LABS.
BRUNCH AT CHEF. I had an English Muffin with homemade jam and a poached egg. Grapefruit juice to drink.
US POST OFFICE MAIL DROP.
GOODWILL DONATION DROP.
VACUUMED THE PT CRUISER OUT.
MENARDS for paper towels, Mr. Clean cleaner and bottled water.
DRIVE TO THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE MAIN HOUSE IS
EXTRA COTTAGE KEYS MADE AT HARDWARE STORE.
SPOT CLEAN THE MAIN HOUSE.
LATE LUNCH/EARLY SUPPER at the Grill.  Chicken Wrap and Sweet Potato Fries.  Lemonade.
DROVE TO THE COTTAGE.
FUELED THE CAR.
MAIL PICK UP.
HOME TO REST.
NEED TO DO A LOAD OF LAUNDRY.
CARRY TUBS FULL OF IRISES TO BACK YARD
REST. Took a welcomed nap.
EMPTY A COUPLE OF MOVING BOXES.
LOCATED SQUARE TABLE TO PORCH.
SIPPING CHOCOLATE TEA and blogging.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS...

TOMORROW WILL BE ANOTHER FULL DAY.
Will go by the Main House and check on her.
Off to MJs Coffee Shop for Almond Milk Steamer.
Medical Appointment.
Look for Grandson's Birthday gift.
Need more salads from Aldi's.
Short outing.  Probably go HOME to the COTTAGE.
REST.
Do another round of emptying boxes.

Keep my chin up.  This MOVE is really a work out.  I have to take time to think about what to do next.  I think it had better be working on the Kitchen and getting the church pew out of the Utility room.  Sounds so easy.

~d

DAILY RAMBLE

WOKE around 6 this morning which surprised me as yesterday I was beyond tired.  I got very little done as I just didn't have it to give.  I went to bed early for me and woke early.  A nice change.

Writing in my DAY TIMER early this morning, I jotted down what I need to get done and what I HOPE to get done.  Wrote out some THANK YOU cards.  Will need to get in the mail.  

DAY PLANS:  Post Office drop.
Drive across the Prairie to medical appointment.    

LAB STOP.  Hubby needs to have some labs done as he has a Cancer Appointment next week.  

Breakfast.  Think we should go eat a large Breakfast afterwards.  

Cleaning.  We have a HOUSE SHOWING later in the day, so I need to go over and spot clean after the OPEN HOUSE we had on Sunday.  That will be a priority.  

Birthday Gift.  Our Grandson's second birthday is coming so we need to get a nice present for him AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  I think we'll get him a TONKA TRUCK.  Now to find one in a store without a great deal of looking to do.

His birthday has snuck up on me.  I had better get after it or it will be a mad dash to get a gift. He loves things with wheels on it.

After our day out then I will rest and proceed on unpacking the COTTAGE.  Thinking about the COTTAGE, I need an additional house key made.  

In the distance I can hear a train whistle blowing.  It is a constant joke between my husband and me about the trains here.  We always say that the train whistle is just for us.  Where we lived across the river, we could also hear the train whistles.  It's as if we cannot get away from them.

WELL, I had better go and get cleaned up for the day.  Fog has rolled into town and driving to the city will go a little slower than usual.  The way people drive these days makes me a tad bit nervous.  They cannot be trusted to follow the law when it comes to driving on the highway or anywhere.  

ALL THE BEST,
~d

WELL, WELL, WELL...

MY DAILY PLANNER didn't see this one coming.  Hubby decided he wanted to get a rabies booster since the little stray cat bit him on Halloween.  He went through the rabies series back in 2012 when he was bitten on the top of the head by a bat.  Kitty bit him on the hand to where it drew blood.  

OKAY.  Where do we go to get rabies booster?  He called the doctor's office leaving several messages about wanting to see the doc.  They were so slow to reply back that he grew irritated.  I typed into the computer who gives rabies boosters for humans in Topeka?  The Shawnee County Health Department does, so I phoned them and visited about the situation with them.  

We made a trip to their facility and considered walk-ins.  I really thought we'd be there all afternoon, but we weren't.  They administered the booster and he'll have to return for the second shot later in the week.  All went well at their very nice facility.

FOUR medical appointments this week.  4.  Oh well.  Blessed to have medical attention.  

It wasn't in my plans to make a trip to Topeka, so I tried to make the best of it.  I was going to work at unpacking, but health is a priority.   

AFTERWARDS, we went to Jason's Deli for a Baked Potato.  Then stopped by GOD'S STOREHOUSE for a quick visit.  Dollar Tree and Target.  By this time I was getting extremely tired and wanted a NAP.  HOME we went and that's exactly what I did.  NAPPED for an hour then it was my Husband's turn.

BACK to going through more boxes on the HOME FRONT.  I took a cardboard box out to the car to load up stuff that was on the floor board from the move.  This moving thing is just about too much.  While the car was being filled with fuel, I washed the back end of the car to get the dirt off the back window and the backside of the car.  I am determined to make this the start of being squeaky clean.  A great place to start by cleaning the cars. 

I have to rest a great deal and that's alright, I am 68.  

Somewhere in here, I need to launder some new blue jeans for Hubby.  The utility room is crammed full of STUFF.  I cannot at this point get to the washing machine.  That will be a job and a half making clearance to get to the machines.  I figure I can sweep off the front porch tomorrow, clear off the church pew that's in the utility room, make a path to the back door and carry the pew outside to the front porch.  I have a little table that will sit beside it.  Right now this table is in the Dining room so getting it out of the house will free up some room as well.

After the pew is outside I will move the foot pedal sewing machine into this space freeing up room for a metal rack to sit so I can have a place to winter the geraniums and coleus.

This moving in is interesting.  A good kind of interesting.  By the end of the week, I wonder what we will have accomplished?  I hope I can stay HOME today and work on the unpacking.

It's cheese and crackers time.  Will watch some tele and have a peaceful time at HOME.  

~d

OUR SMALL COTTAGE BEFORE

 

Our small 1900 Folk Victorian COTTAGE

OUR SMALL 1900 FOLK VICTORIAN COTTAGE is definitely a fixer upper, but she's PAID for.  No mortgage.  She's rough right now, but we're alright with this as we gather decorating/remodeling ideas to think about using to make her a nice place to live.  Going from what we were in to what the COTTAGE is are different as day and night.  Kaboom.  We are taking DOWNSIZING very serious.  

Right now there are belongings everywhere about our feet crammed in each room.  

We are sleeping on a Victorian bed that doesn't have a full size mattress.  Challenging.  I toss and turn and hold on for dear LIFE that I don't roll off the edge of the bed onto the floor.

Until we get the other bed put together or figure out where to put my recliner, I will be tossing and turning.  I think this week I'll be working at clearing out the Living room and a corner in the Dining room.  Will the recliner go in the corner?  My energies will go towards clearing out the middle of the Living room and making a decision of where the recliners should go.

My Husband and I have both mentioned how we miss our recliners since being here this past week.  If I place them in the Living room, we could return to daily use of elevating our feet!  I think I'm going to have to place the wing chairs in the Dining room and bring the recliners from storage to the COTTAGE.  The small Living room will not be as dressy with the wing chairs gone that match the formal sofa.  Perhaps being less formal is the way I should go.  Comfort over looks.  

TODAY, a nap took place and I woke feeling like I couldn't wake up.  Way tired.  Hubby surprised me by taking the red porch swing down.  Step one in making way for getting the church pew on the porch.  I was planning on taking the swing down with my husband's help after the nap, but he went ahead and did the work.  I appreciated this so much.    

I managed to take a short walk today with the weather being beautiful for an AUTUMN day. Hubby went with me.  It would be wonderful if the weather was like this until after THANKSGIVING.  I pretty much have no strength this evening as my legs are weak and my lower back in pain.  I have plans of watching episode 2 of season two of THE GILDED AGE tonight.  

The more I rest, the better. 

We're off to making a difference in how we are LIVING.  There are times that one has to actually do something drastic to make a change in HOME LIFE and every day LIVING.  My drastic is to take moving in as a slow process so I can regain my strength and be set free from high mortgage payments as we sell our main house across the river.

I will share our progress on improving the COTTAGE as we go.  Step one is to get settled then continue with the remodeling.

I remember when I said years ago I'd downsize if I could live in a small stone house in the country.  There is one in the community that has a lovely floor plan, but it isn't for sale.  Our COTTAGE is small like the rock one, but not in the country.  I am downsizing to fit in.  Would I live in the country again?  I think I could and LOVE doing so.  Not sure where this journey will take us.  For now, we are downsizing and desiring to do things so different.

Praise the Lord, we are here.

For now, the bathroom is in the middle of a remodel.  We have running water and a brand new flushing toilet.  Already the floor has new light gray tile on the floor with a beautiful vanity for grooming and an antique mirror hanging on the wall above the vanity.

This Winter we will continue gathering ideas and turning loose of excess belongings.  The bathroom will be the first room to be completely remodeled.  The Holiday Decor will be moved to the cellar where the garage storage is cleared for a she shed.  A new front porch will be built in the Spring of 2024 then we hope to have a fence put up around the backyard. 

I've got to relax and trust God with what will get done.  

AND WE'RE OFF, 
~d

  

LAST MINUTE AUTUMN TOUCHES

VERY QUICKLY I dolled up the fireplace mantel with faux pumpkins, gourds and garland for our Sunday OPEN HOUSE.  I wanted to add some twinkle fairy lights to weave through the garland, but failed to see that the box I had was not clear ones, but multi-colored.  I didn't use them as they looked more like CHRISTMAS.

I liked how the overall AUTUMN LOOK turned out with faux pumpkins, leaves and gourds.

AUTUMN COLORS warms my soul.  Pumpkin spice and everything nice.  I think the earthy tones are comforting before the season turns to a cold WINTER.    

HOW MANY DAYS UNTIL THANKSGIVING?  About 17.  It will be here before I know it then we'll shift gears toward Christmas merriment.  

I want to wish you all a very blessed AUTUMN with all the fixings of a healthy THANKSGIVING and recalling all the good that God has shown.  Here's to eating turkey and dressing.

A couple of wreaths went on the front doors and a Autumn wreath with a faux candle in a glass globe for the Garden Window.  Failed to get a pic of the Garden Window.

Usually I have seasonal wreaths on the front doors.  These were 50% off from HOBBY LOBBY.

The OPEN HOUSE has come and gone and according to the Realtor,  a very nice turn out took place.  Now for a qualified buyer to come forth. 

~d 

TIME CHANGE and OPEN HOUSE

NOVEMBER IS HERE.  Daylight SAVINGS Time ended with turning back the clocks at midnight in our household.  Fall back...Spring forward.  The clock is turned back and I seem to function alright with the time change.  We'll be an hour earlier and my biorhythm does better with the FALL time.  

TIME CHANGES ARE NOTHING NEW.  I seem to forget that this is even done until the week-end it actually takes place.  Consider it done.  PAUSE.  One step closer to cold weather and CHRISTMAS.  Bundle up.  Bring out some sweaters.    

What do I hope to accomplish this month?  GETTING the interior of the COTTAGE to where we can move about freely and not have to zip zag about to walk through the house twisting an ankle and bumping a shin.  Working at a slow and relaxed pace getting the COTTAGE in order as we are exhausted from getting house projects completed at the big house.  It felt kind of like being on steroids to complete all the tasks.  They are finished.  PTL.  We stopped.  There were more things I would have liked to do, but didn't due to time restrictions.  Wanted to have the house on the market last MAY.  Well that didn't happen due to health issues.  May turned into June then July, September and October.  NOVEMBER IS HERE!  The year flew.  I usually ease up on things around AUTUMN and concentrate for the HOLIDAYS.  This year may be slightly different.  

I'm not sorry the house is on the market, but I am sorry about the pace we took getting there. We hurt our old bodies making this happen.  Hubby now walks very slow due to body pain especially his feet and bum knee.  Me...well, the back isn't so good.  

THANKFUL we were able to accomplish so much getting us to the place we are.  THANKFUL and yet what was required to get here took a toll that will take sometime to recover from.  

We are in the COTTAGE amongst the boxes that we will go through in the days to come. Knowing our lil COTTAGE will not be ready for THANKSGIVING or CHRISTMAS, we will do our best to function as normal as possible.  We will not be ready for the HOLIDAYS.  To make things run smoother for us there will be very little decorating and we will simplify LIFE.  Cash for CHRISTMAS GIFTS.  

It is for the best that the house is on the market though.  We are hopeful that God is on our side and HE will bring a qualified buyer.  Open House is TODAY.  

The weather is suppose to be in the 70s which is a very pleasant temp for an AUTUMN OPEN HOUSE in Kansas.

Here's to selling a house in a quaint town that is in the historical part of Wamego, Kansas.  The Land of OZ.  

I will miss our 1883 house.  I have enjoyed living here for 6 and a half years.

As the time change takes place, I will continue on watching fun decorating videos and getting ideas about organizing.  Occasionally I tune into political vids, current events and health videos.  ~d 

Hutterite Hymns | comfort for the good, the bad and the ugly days

SLOW GEAR and jOy

WE TOOK A SHORT TRIP TO OKLAHOMA TO SEE FAMILY AND VISIT.  Needed some time away from the MOVE IN.  For three minutes we watched our 14 year old grandson play basketball.  So glad we got to see him in action.  Ate some salty popcorn, drank bottled water cheering him on.  His team won 44 to 10.    

Once we got back to their HOME, I gave him his birthday card and gift, the three boys got some HARVEST CANDY from us and their CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS.

Great visit.  Our Son showed us around the GATHERING PLACE in Tulsa.  Super nice place.  He ran some errands for us and we ate really well.  

BACK HOME AGAIN thinking about cleaning the house for sale as OPEN HOUSE is on Sunday.  ROAD RAGE came in the form of a semitrailer truck that was displeased with me for driving the speed limit.

The truck got very close on my rear end and started honking its horn at me.   Excuse me, I was driving the speed limit.  After several times of doing this, I stood my ground.  He was bullying me.  Once we got into a town where I let him go around because I was in the right lane, Hubby took a picture of his truck tag and rig.  I'll be reporting him.  His rig is so much bigger than my PT CRUISER.  

On the way back into TOPEKA, we stopped off at the HOBBY LOBBY for a couple of Autumn wreaths to buy to hang on the front doors to add some splashes of color for the house's OPEN HOUSE.  50% off.  Great price.  

I'll hang the wreaths on the front doors on Saturday.  Quickly clean the house then come HOME to rest and continue unpacking our moving boxes.  I needed a break from the DOWNSIZING JOURNEY.  It did wonders to visit family and get away from here.

I've been walking.  That's a plus.  Eating nice big salads.

What do you do to make your haven a HOME?  Embrace it and call it my HOME.  Fill the rooms with necessary items and some things that bring jOy.

The Week-end is upon us and I think I'm ready to unwind and put LIFE in slow gear.

~d   

NOVEMBER 2023

OFF TO A FRESH START FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.  A walking program starts with short walks around the block bundled up due to the freezing temperatures in the mornings.  PLANS for a salad a day and MORE VEGGIES.  I will stretch upward towards the HEAVENS and stretch bend toward the floor for beginners in an EXERCISE PROGRAM.  As sore as I am, this is a safe place to begin.  

AFTER WE HAVE RESTED A BIT, the things in the storage side of the COTTAGE Garage will be relocated after the cellar is properly cleaned. The metal storage racks will be set up in the cellar to where the HOLIDAY DECOR can rest on the shelves.  As I move these storage boxes to the cellar I can evaluate what to keep and what to give away.  Another step in DOWNSIZING.  Not sure when this will take place as the weather has turned off severely cold.  May have to take this in phases until it comes to fruition.

As the storage side of the garage is cleared out, then I will sweep and wash the floor in there and begin the terrific task of making a SHE SHED with a sofa that is in a storage unit, the 2 recliners, a small TV on a stand, the Tall Boy and a file cabinet.  The Tread Mill is already out there.  This space will be better to exercise in since it has a cement floor and won't shake under the weight of a very heavy woman dancing or doing JACK LA LANNE EXERCISES on the TV.  I look forward to exercising 5 days a week with JACK VIDEOS.  I will make a new HABIT with this time in the COTTAGE.

NOVEMBER will probably turn into DECEMBER and JANUARY before the SHE SHED is a reality.  I have to stay realistic about these new projects that are in the back of my head.

One of the storage units will be cleared out then we'll have a closed account with them.  One less bill.  Our main objective was to clear out the Main House with a full basement and historic Carriage House so we could finish house projects before marketing the house.  We did that, but with that came an added expense of storage units.  

THANKSGIVING is on the calendar and we have plans of celebrating with family.  I will begin shopping for the menu this month.  This THANKSGIVING will be different as we have moved into our small COTTAGE which is a total mess with moving boxes.  There's little chance of having the COTTAGE ready in three weeks for welcoming family and have a comfortable place to sleep.  With being exhausted, I will not have the steam to get in gear making the COTTAGE look presentable at such a short amount of time.  SO different plans will have to take place.  

OUR YOUNGEST GRANDSON will turn TWO on November 12th so I will need to go looking for a birthday gift.  Maybe TONKA TRUCKS since he so loves playing with cars and trucks.  He'll be TWO.  It just seems like a few days ago that I was on a hunt for a nice rocking chair for him for his first birthday.  Time has flown.  

My goodness how he has grown and become so independent.  His vocabulary is increasing and I can understand more of his words.  He blows kisses and waves good-bye.  A very good eater and full of excessive energy.  

Going on at the same time as our move, my 91 year old Mother has relocated to IOWA.  This was huge.  We hope to go visit in early December.  I understand her need to be living closer to one of her children and will be living in a very nice retirement community.  She has a massive clothing inventory as my Sister can attest to.  In April/May 2022, I tried to get her to thin out her wardrobe and wasn't very successful.  Every hanging garment was taken out of her closet, carried to the living room and hung on a metal rack for her to view as she sat in her recliner recovering from a broken hip.

Yes or no...keep or get rid of.  Her clothing is like her babies and she hated to part with anything. We managed to maybe get rid of 40 articles.  Guessing, but I would imagine 400 articles were snuggly hanging in her closet to where it was difficult to pull an item out of the closet.  She has a multitude of storage tubs in the closet bottom in which she has rolled many tops and slacks to keep.  In her dresser, is the same with a multitude of clothing rolled just so so.  She has a way of getting as much as she can in every area.  On the backs of the bedroom doors were special hangers for clothing and I kid you not, the hangers needed to go on a diet as she had so many clothing articles hanging on them it was eye popping.  Under the bed were tubs.  In the closets were tubs.  My sister said she is a hoarder in a sense.  I have to agree.    

I hauled the cast offs to GOODWILL.  She has collected beautiful clothing over the years and hates to part with them, but how many clothing articles will she wear as LIFE has gotten more casual for her in which she no longer wears dresses to Church, but nice slacks with pretty blouses.  The new place she is living has a small bedroom closet and another huge closet for overflow.  She has the overflow.

Life is full of adjustments.  I am in need of getting better organized and downsized as I am 68.  If I should live to be 70, it's not so far off.  Time has come to get all my ducks in a row.  🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆

NOVEMBER.  Scheduled on the calendar is resting with a very slow pace for unpacking our belongings in an unhurried way.
🚚Unpacking to take place with DOWNSIZING IN MIND.
💉A few scheduled medical appointments peppered throughout the month.
🏅A walking program to begin along with some serious plant based eating meals.
🌹Planning on doing some landscaping.
🎂Son's 46th Birthday on November 4th.
🎂Grandson's 2nd Birthday on November 12th.
🎂Granddaughter's 22nd Birthday on November 19th.
🦃Thanksgiving.
🎄Christmas planning and possible decorating.

I can't wrap my head around how fast the months have passed since concentrating on packing and moving.  On to a new adventure. 

Hubby got the tv up and going.  THE GILDED AGE was watched and of all things I fell asleep. I'll have to watch it again when I'm NOT so tired.  The women's costumes are so gorgeous and the interiors beautiful.  If you like costumes and interiors then I think you might like this program.  

Today I stayed in my pajamas until mid afternoon.  I just worked in my pajamas until I needed to go to Walmart for some bluejeans.  The pile of belongings in the middle of the living room shrunk some.  It's going to take some time getting our HOME in order.  Moving can do that to a place.  Every ounce of order gets disturbed.  I took it slow today and that's about all I could do. Hubby had errands to run and work to do by replacing the headlights on our Cruiser.  Our dear Son.in.law did the repairs.  The new headlights look awesome in our 2007 PT CRUISER that a deer hit early October.  When Hubs came HOME, we made a quick trip to Walmart for some supplies.   

This downsizing movement continues.

Halloween has come and gone.  We watched from our car as my daughter and her family went trick-or-treating as lumber jacks down Main Street in a small town.  

🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬

My Oklahoma grandson went with his folks trick or treating and scored.  

Not sure what my St. Louis grand did for the evening or my Missouri grand.  

 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫 

I will have withdrawal from not eating chocolate, 

but will have to try to get over it.  

HOME LIFE is for me,

~d 👵🏠