CHRISTMAS BABY

I TOOK MY CHRISTMAS BABY out of town for a BIRTHDAY MEAL in Kansas City. He is turning 69 on CHRISTMAS EVE.  The weather was very agreeable and the traveling went well.  We dined at PIER POINTS in a alcove dining room one we had not been in before.

I think this is the 6th time we have dined here.  Three times in a back dining room, twice in the area with a high ceiling and now this alcove area.  I wonder if there are more areas I don't know about?  

I don't like loud people in expensive restaurants as it is annoying to listen to them while I dine knowing this meal is for A SPECIAL OCCASION costing a great deal of money and I don't want to listen to them.  JUST SAYING.

By the time the steak came to the table, the loud diners had exited the place.  That was a blessing. Hubby and I could talk to each other and enjoy the rest of the meal.

We started out with an appetizer of Baked Pimento Cheese with Cotija Cheese and Artichoke, Rosemary Focaccia bread and our favorite SMOKED GRAPES.  We had this for the first time a year ago when eating here at CHRISTMAS.  Liked it so much we had it again.

My salad came with sourdough bread and whipped butter.  This could have been enough of a meal to satisfy, but it wasn't over because I ordered a small Filet Mignon and Woodland Mushrooms.  Because it was my Husband's Birthday Celebration, a complementary Dessert was shared.  White Chocolate Bread Pudding.  

THE BUTTERNUT SQUASH SALAD was pretty good and I believe I could copy it at HOME if I tried really hard.  I drank water.  

The base of the salad was sweet baby kale, with diced butternut squash, green apple slices, pine nuts, dried cranberries, feta cheese, and maple cider dressing.  The dressing MADE the SALAD.  Truthfully, I could have stopped eating after having the appetizer and this salad.  If I were at HOME, I would have just ate the SALAD and called it GOOD.  

Hubby's Dinner Salad.

Hubby had a HUGE steak cooked just the way he likes.  14 oz. of steak is more than a man should have at one setting, but it was his Birthday choice.  

My 5 oz. chunk of steak looks HUGE here, 

but in reality it was VERY tiny.

By the time the meat is prepared, it has shrunk to a tiny delicious portion of meat.  I sliced the bitesize pieces extremely thin and chewed slowly.  This worked very well for me. 

Hubby always has after meal COFFEE with cream, no sugar.

THEN comes the DESSERT!

UNION STATION at CHRISTMAS is decked out and a pleasure to see in person.  So beautiful.

 I THINK EACH YEAR WE LOOK MORE and more LIKE MISTER AND MISSES CLAUS.
Merry Christmas from us to yous. 

THIS YEAR's TREAT IS A HALOGRAM OF A COUPLE SINGING.

ELF ON A SHELF made of LEGOS.

Just before entering the Station is this sweet RUSSELL STOVER truck.  

Oh so cute and clever.  Wish I had one.

We had a lovely evening in KANSAS CITY
together celebrating my HUSBAND's 69th Birthday to come. 

On the way HOME we stopped in TOPEKA to view the POTWIN PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD's decorated houses.  We drove through the neighborhood three times.  Perhaps next year we will park the car and walk the neighborhood.  A slower pace to see up close and personal all the houses that shine so bright.  

Marking off the TO DO LIST 
before the HOLIDAY is over for the year.

Merry Christmas and a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you who celebrate that special day around CHRISTMAS TIME.

By the way, my HUSBAND's Mother's name is MARY.
I miss her.

I prayed the other day to be delivered from being such a harsh individual.  That God would transform me into the woman HE wants me to be.  I've had enough bah humbug moments in life.  Let me be the woman of God that I should be.

GOD BLESS US ONE AND ALL,
~d

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

Will the KITCHEN ever be neat again?  Again the floor to ceiling cabinet beside the walk-in pantry has changed what it will be holding.  I have not worked 24/7 on the KITCHEN, but it feels like I have.  Trying to figure out where each item will rest in the KITCHEN has caused hours of entertainment in which I tax my brain and design concepts avenue.  I have traveled down the tunnels of my mind wondering where the daylight has gone not being able to find my way out of the maze.  

BINGO.  I think maybe this go round I have found a compatible arrangement.    

I have tried to make this tiny KITCHEN work for me, but it hasn't panned out so I took some time off and worked on other things.  After more thought, I decided to make the floor to ceiling cabinet the PANTRY instead of the actual pantry holding the food.  The cabinet is changing becoming a place for stored food allowing the actual pantry to hold ALL of my pots 'n pans, bakeware, cookware plus the small appliances.  Mystery SOLVED?  THIS SURELY WILL WORK, won't it?

I hope this works as I am on the verge of freaking out that this has taken so long to settle in. We've had much to do.  We have been living in the COTTAGE about 8 weeks now and my KITCHEN has been a mess the entire time.  Just when I think I am making progress I get set back.  Like a deer caught in the headlights, I am in disbelief that we have been here for 2 months and still not settled.  

I have to exercise patience and grab ahold of the fact that I am OLDER, move slower and time speeds up.  It's a double whammy.  Moving slower when time speeds up.  Where's the grace?  I mustn't forget to be gentle on us as we have gone through much getting here.

I worked some on the KITCHEN pantry yesterday and today, but I have a ways to go.  I'm craving order and am in hopes of getting there soon.   

Hubby's birthday is Christmas Eve and I wanted to do something very nice for him early as he turns 69.  I suggested that we go to PIER PONTS in Kansas City at UNION STATION.  We headed out around 1 in the afternoon on Wednesday, drove to Kansas City, looked around in Union Station decorated for CHRISTMAS and checked in at PIER PONTS for an early supper.

Afterwards, we looked around some then headed HOME.  A long ways to go to eat steak, but for a very special occasion...well worth it.  He has not stopped talking about in x days, I will be turning 69.  I believe he is trying to grasp the fact that his birthday is actually coming where he is nearly 70 years of age.

I look at him and listen to his very familiar sounding voice.  I've known him 50 years.  50.  How can that be?  We were just kids when we fell in love.  Yet, we were young adults that craved each others attention.  

Four years ago, he retired after being employed nearly 20 years at Kansas State University working in various capacities in different departments.  I was blessed to remain a full time HOMEMAKER.  Praise the LORD.  I have been a HOMEMAKER a long time.  I'd do a few things different if I could, but I cannot turn back the clock.  So the changes must be NOW.  No time like the present.

He commented this morning while we were talking about his retirement 4 years ago that we are NOW debt free.  DEBT FREE.  It took great sacrifice and time to get here.  I am still letting this all soak in.  Drinking up the situation.  Praying that we can remain debt free.  Praying.

BACK TO CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY.  We stopped off in TOPEKA at NATURAL GROCERS for white vinegar in a glass container and yes, the had some.  Organic even.  I was pleased. Before returning HOME, we went through the POTWIN PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD with the car windows down as it was 54 degrees out.  Tuned into the radio station they suggested and to my surprise CHRISTMAS tunes were playing songs that I grew up on about the birth of CHRIST.  

There was a group of Christmas Carolers that we stopped to listen to.  They must have been High Schoolers and they could carry a tune.  They were terrific.

Such a lovely evening to go look at CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.  Also drove past the TOPEKA ZOO with their spectacular lights, but we we're too late to buy tickets as they had already closed to the public. Drove on HOME in the dark.  We were blessed to see absolutely no deer.

By the time we arrived HOME, we were both so very tired.  No TV watching tonight.

WINTER is here and I am in disbelief.  I will mark the season with doing something new like....not sure what that will be, but will figure it out.  Got it.  Eating more ORGANIC FOOD and using more natural cleaning supplies.  That didn't take very long to figure out.  Maybe go to natural fibers in clothing?  This one would take some time and effort to pull off as my closet holds polyester and other synthetic weaves.  Cotton, wool, silk will be considered.  

If I were to downsize my wardrobe even more and I had to choose only a few colors to have, it would probably be light blue, grey and white.  For now I don't have to pick a color.  I wear blue jeans so much of the time.  My WINTER sweaters are stored in a piece of furniture I cannot get to as the room is crammed with boxes, a mattress and box springs, etc.  It will be Spring before I can get to them and then I won't need sweaters.  grins.

Up early today.  I'll work on rearranging the new food pantry and changing out the old pantry. When the sun comes out and I have had my morning tea, I will help my Husband pull heating duct through the floor into the bathroom.  He'll have to crawl under the house and I need to assist him.  

With the weather being warmer than usual we have not frozen without the heat going into the other end of the house, but it will get COLD with WINTER being here.  Better to be safe than sorry.

As I rearrange the pantry, I'm hoping some tulip bulbs and a mum plant will be planted by my Gardener.  I will work in the garage to see what's out there.  I know I will not be done at the end of the day because there is way too much to deal with, but it will be a start!

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT.

~d

CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE DONE with NEW YEAR THOUGHTS

THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER!  What shall I do different?  

Ending AUTUMN with the CHRISTMAS CARDS AND GIFTS in the mail. Relieved.  No snow in the forecast this year.  Wish it were incorrect.  I'd love a WHITE CHRISTMAS.

Perhaps we will all be surprised and snow will fall anyways.  The time slot between CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR'S would be enhanced by a surprise SNOW.  That would be wonderful.  

I'll be staying away from the stores and relax that I am prepared.  I want so badly to drive the POTWIN PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD in TOPEKA to see the beautifully decorated houses for CHRISTMAS.  Perhaps we will go over this evening and take a peek.

We've done this for about 10 years and I look forward to it each time as the the theme is changed yearly.  They have islands in the middle of the intersections that display a theme.  As fast as this year has flown, I recall vividly last year's theme and can see the houses lit.  We ooh and ahh.  We drove the neighborhood twice and admired the Victorian houses all lit up.      

DO you have TRADITIONS for CHRISTMAS?  I hang CHRISTMAS wreaths on the front doors. The Nativity Scene is displayed.  Usually a tree is decorated.  Set some nutcrackers, Santas and angels out along with snowmen.  Christmas cards are mailed. Christmas shop.  Gifts exchanged. Some greenery is placed about the house.  Sometimes Christmas lights are placed on the exterior of the house.  Drive the neighborhoods to look at the decorations.  SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Attend Church Services.  Listen to CHRISTMAS music.  Sip Hot Chocolate.  Make cookies, fudge and pretzels.  Etc.    

A SLEIGH RIDE is over due.  Looking at the illuminated houses decorated for CHRISTMAS throughout communities always is a treat for me.  

Through the years receiving CHRISTMAS CARDS was and still is a treasure/gift.  The number of cards we receive have dwindled to only a few this year.  My CHRISTMAS CARD LIST has dwindled as well.  pause.  The family and friends I have grow more precious to me than ever.

I am already thinking about what I should do differently this coming year.  SURPRISE. SURPRISE.  What a great time to begin a NEW HABIT.  I will begin a walking journal and actually walk.  Going to do a few minutes of exercise 3 times a week.  OF COURSE eat more salads and dark greens.  More veggie SMOOTHIES.  Work on a quilt, sew, remodel the house, draw, write a book, get organized, downsize, meditate on scripture from the Bible, send Grandchildren a monthly card.  What else?  BE HEALTHIER.  That dreaded thought...work at losing weight.  One day at a time.  One morsel of food at a time.  Mindful eating.  Mindful.  A new habit to practice.

Okay, the day has begun and I must get after it,

~d

SANTA BABY

MY THRIFT PURCHASE of a POTTERY BARN CHRISTMAS Folklore lumbar pillow put a smile on my face.  Red with white coloring.  Oh, it was such a great price!!!  I felt bless to find this one.  In mint condition and under $5.

If I had a Santa Claus room, this one would be there.  Perhaps next year, the floor to ceiling book cases will be built and I can display all my Santa Clauses and place this pillow on the bed.  

Merry CHRISTMAS!  Santa will come to town because he knows who's been naughty or nice.  My behavior has been a mixed blend of good and bad.  

I'll say, I'm going to have to work at being nicer especially this time of year.  Being a more pleasant woman is what I want for Christmas.  Keeping a cleaner and tidier HOME is desired.  

Let the bargains continue to come,

~d  

 

WANTING TO STAY HOME AND THAT'S ALL FOLKS

SOMETIMES I JUST WANT TO STAY AT HOME and let the world pass me by. This was one of those days, but my Hunny needed assistance with picking up the car from the mechanics.  We had a short drive over to the community we use to live in.  The car was waiting for us to pick it up.

A HEFTY BILL was attached to the work they did.  Over $4200.oo.  I am numb about the bill. The highest repair bill ever.  I don't want to think about it.  It was paid and Hubby drove the car off the lot.  

He wanted to go to our old neighbors to give them some steaks as a THANK YOU for all they had done to help us while we lived across the street from them.  After I dropped him off at the mechanics I drove to the Hardware Store to purchase some glass top stove cleaner.

I didn't want to go to the old neighborhood as I do not want to see the house we lived in for at least a year.  Just one of those things.  Hubby and I met up at the Library and I left the little car there as I joined Hubby in the bigger car.  We needed to run some errands and of course I got some green tea.  Back to get the other car and drive HOME for the evening.

HEAVY TRAFFIC as we drove the highway.  The traffic has doubled since we moved to the area in 1999, but then again that's been over 24 years ago and I can hardly believe it's been so many years.  

We arrived HOME safe and sound.  

Starting the day by finishing wrapping my Mom's Christmas present to mail, I realized that I needed to fix White Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks to mail to my St. Louis son.  The pretzels actually turned out well. I also needed to bag peanut brittle and pecan turtles as well plus write out his Christmas card.  Hubby was so good to run these packages to the Post Office for me as I needed to get dressed for the day so we could get the car.  It was a relief to get the packages in the mail.

CHRISTMAS IS FAST APPROACHING and I need to get all the gifts in the mail so they will arrive in time for CHRISTMAS.  Can I do it?  Sure going to try.  

It was nice to get out of the house.  We finished our errands and returned HOME to eat left over Cheesy Broccoli Soup and watch a Christmas movie.  THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS was our pick and we enjoyed it. 

 

We did a double feature.  

I loved playing with Barbie and Midge when I was a child and I still have my dolls.  Sister got a Skipper doll and I a Scooter.  I guess I was too tired to fully appreciate the Barbie movie.  Some of the scenes were funny to me, but towards the end of the movie, I was glad it was over.  

Looking forward to tomorrow as I will work on the CHRISTMAS CARDS and the KITCHEN.  As I see progress, it lightens the burden I have about unpacking before the month of December comes to an end.

My Mom's dishes will be repacked and placed in storage for now.  I have some work to do on what I store in the cabinets.  I asked my Husband how hard would it be to move the cabinet to the right of the sink?  He'll take a look at it.  

The cabinet is too close to the edge of the window to where I cannot hang rods for a curtain above the sink.  I hope he can move the cabinets slightly over so a curtain rod will fit.

Praying for a neater KITCHEN by the end of the week.  When I think about it, I pray for those that come to mind.  SO many are hurting for one reason or another.  

Looking at the 2024 calendar, I see that it will be a LEAP YEAR.  I'd like to do something special about this day.

I will plan on staying HOME and working.  The temps are suppose to be in the upper 60s on Wednesday so I have plans of going through boxes in the Garage before the freezing weather returns.  We need to take the air conditioning window unit out of the Dining room window while the weather is nice.

Praying,

~d  

RED DOOR AND SIN

ADVENTURES IN PRAIRIE LIVING doesn't stop because we are old.  Each day is different.  Prayers go up and adventures continue.  After the CHRISTMAS boxes disappeared from the Living room floor, I vacuumed the filthy carpet.  Eventually the carpet will be pulled up and the wood floor underneath exposed.  Then we will decide if we carpet with new carpet or do something different with the hardwood floor that has to be about 123 years old.

At the present, we are working at making some order from this move.  After I empty a box, I let out a hoot.  Whahoo...another box emptied.  Next.

We shopped today and when I returned HOME, I took one of those much wanted NAPS.  When I woke, I felt so refreshed that I emptied a large box that was in the Bathroom full of shampoos. More shampoos.  I have a hoarding problem when it comes to shampoos.  I will have to work on mastering this issue.  Shampoos, purses, lipsticks and nail polishes are on the naughty list as I seem to go overboard on these.  

CHRISTMAS is in about a week, so I must get the gift boxes in the mail on Monday.  Gotta make this happen.  I am stunned that once again I am not running as fast as I wanted.  

With needing to drop the Utility payment off at the City Building across the river, we drove through the old community where we lived.  We're expecting one more bill next month and that should end the relationship we have with where we lived.  The final bill.  

We drove on over to MJs in ST. MARYS for our Almond Milk Steamers and biscuits with gravy. We sat in the car and ate the biscuits then drove to TOPEKA.  We managed to go get that much coveted PEANUT BRITTLE from SAMS in TOPEKA.  They had plenty stacked for all to buy it. The store was buzzing with peeps.  So busy that finding a parking space was a challenged.  We had to park way out with a long walk to the front door. Commenting that it is good for us to walk getting our exercise.  

WHILE INSIDE, I couldn't help myself, I sprayed some RED DOOR PERFUME on me.  I have some of this at HOME, but thought I would simply spritz myself with their sample bottle. This fragrance agrees with me.  I smelled wonderful, if I do say so myself.

Returning the too small house slippers for my Husband, we shopped some in SAMS.  We were going to exchange these for a larger size that would fit, but changed our minds when Hubby found a cardboard box the night before labeled boots, shoes and house slippers in the bathroom. He tried the three pairs of house slippers on and all fit well.  The new slippers I bought a week or so ago were not tried on until we were home and were too small.  As luck would have it, he found his old slippers!  That was a blessing on the pocket book.  He was missing his slippers and I didn't have a clue where they were.  Mystery solved.  Going through so many boxes is like CHRISTMAS.  Surprise...you have this.

WE WENT TO NATURAL GROCERS for a few supplies.  I realize as I type that I didn't look for white vinegar in a glass container at all.  That was one of the things I wanted to get.  grins.  I'll have to try again.  My brain sometimes has senior moments.  I did get Rosewater, Witch Hazel, some vegetables, taco shells, some seasonings and some SIN from the cosmetics section of this nice store.  SIN is the name of a lipstick color that caught my fancy.  It has a shine to it.  A nice addition to my collection that I carry in my handbag.  SO I bought some SIN.  

What a wonderful shopping gig, Red Door and SIN.

SUPPER WAS ORGANIC TACOS.  Hubby fixed them.  We had gone to NATURAL GROCERS for a few things and he wanted to fix tacos for supper which was fine with me.  He selected a organic shell and they are  c r U n c h y  good.  NATURAL GROCERS brand shell.  Sodium free.  These are THE BEST TACO SHELLS I HAVE EVER EATEN.  He has mastered his tacos!  He loves to cook and I let him.  

I have put this off, but after the New Year begins, I will go to the doctors and request that he find out what the cause for a cough I still have.  Last April/May I was told I had staph infection.  Did a round of antibiotics, but the cough has lingered.  It had improved, but I think I have gone long enough not knowing.  Before I had the July hysterectomy, I returned to my doctor and he just listened to my lungs.  No X-rays or other tests.  The cough has lingered.  Is it asthma, long covid, allergies, cancer, staph infection still hanging on?  At the luncheon I attended last Thursday, one of my friends mentioned a sister.in.law of hers has a nodule in her lung that has not gone away and she was told it was long covid.  I hadn't't heard of such a thing before.  My Mom was told she has a nodule in her lung.  SO when I visited with her last time, I told her about my friend's sister.in.law's situation.

I believe I will return and ask more questions with an iron fist.  I am too timid at times when it comes to doctors.  DOn't rock the boat, but sometimes the boat sinks and it's a sink or swim mentality that takes hold.  

I have a special mailing box for my mom's Christmas just about ready to go.  I need to locate another one for my St. Louis son.  With all the boxes lying around, it shouldn't be hard to find one somewhere that will work.  I'll get these ready to go and be the better for it.  Off they will go early Monday morning with the start of another work week.

I did fail to get my Christmas letter and cards done this week-end.  I may be doing a late night to get these finished.  

Let the CHRISTMAS season continue.  
It will be the most wonderful time of the year.

~d  

HALF A CENTURY

WHAT SHALL THE DAY BRING?  I managed to go through boxes in the Bathroom putting things away.  Next came all the medicines, vitamins and supplements placed in the KITCHEN cabinet.  It's like a tiny pharmacy holding the items.  I just have to figure where the coffee mugs are going to go now.  Tiny cabinets promotes problems.

The new pile of boxes in the Living room will be taken to the cellar since it isn't raining outside.  I know I have an abundance of CHRISTMAS decor that I don't want to get rid of.  The decor is neatly stacked in the cellar now.  The storage shed that they were in will be used for HUBBY's ART STUDIO until the other side of the garage is remodeled.

This morphing along is a FACT OF LIFE here at the COTTAGE.  By SPRING TIME, we should be better settled.  That's only about 94 days out.  Working inside the COTTAGE during the cold months is doable.  When I read that there are about 17 days left to 2023, it didn't register.  That's not very many days until 2024 rings in.  Have mercy.  Our 2023 flew by.  The days are doing that since I am 68 years old.  The older I get, the faster the days fly.  To take school classes now would be more enjoyable as the days would not drag on and on.    

Sunday afternoon will be dedicated to making chocolate covered pretzels, making up some goody boxes for family, filling out Christmas cards and getting ready to mail CHRISTMAS packages.  

HUBBY will not let me forget that he has a birthday coming up where he will turn 69.  69.  I have known him for 50 years.  Half a century.  I look at him and remember when I first met him back in 1973.  We were almost babies.  grins.  He's a Christmas Eve baby.  I'm sorry that he has felt bad about being born so near to CHRISTMAS where as a child he felt cheated on his gifts from his mom and dad.  This is some baggage that I wish he'd stop carrying around with him throughout his adult life.  He was born and spent his first Christmas in the hOspital and he cried a great deal about it.  The fact that he was born is more impOrtant than when he was bOrn. Praise the LORD.  He was bOrn.  That little baby would grow up to marry me and we'd build a LIFE and HOME together as HUSBAND AND WIFE having three awesome children that we would raise and would bless us with Grandchildren to love.  That's a story to be told.  

CHRISTMAS is in eight days.  Bingo.  Maybe I'll make a white cake with coconut topping.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LORD JESUS.  You are the reason for this season.  THE REASON.    

Blessings to you and may you know that you are loved by a loving GOD that wants good things for you!

~d

  

WHAT A NICE SURPRISE

AS WE WERE EATING CHEESY BROCCOLI SOUP, I saw a parked car through the window curtains that got my attention.   On the porch popped an image of Lil Miss.  She brought us HOMEMADE Cinnamon rolls.  Yummers.  She hadn't eaten LUNCH so we offered her some soup.  She accepted.

Hot Soup Weather.  

Got a nice visit in as well.  The rolls were delicious by the way.

Hubby is taking a NAP as I type.  We'll go to TOPEKA on a different day to return his too small house slippers.  Perhaps we should wait until TUESDAY?  No I need to get some Peanut Brittle to mail to my MOM.  I'll have to sacrifice and not go on Tuesday when there's Senior Discount Day at the thrift shoppe.  ha.  

CHRISTMAS is quickly sneaking up on me.

Lil Miss coming over was a nice surprise.  Being that I am still in my navy blue velour housecoat with messy bun on top of my head did not defer me from opening the front door to let her inside. There was a time in LIFE that I would not have been caught dead doing this.  NO MAKE-UP? Mercy, I would have never been seen.  These days I rarely wear make-up.  Lipstick is common, but the whole eye glam workout, rarely.  

I truly have relaxed about wearing make-up.  I'm surprised I have changed so much and am comfortable with it.  Fresh scrubbed face and smiles is the norm now.  Some perfume.  I look more AMISH than anything.  I look like what a 68 year old use to look like before botox and facelifts became so popular.

I have moved from using facial cleansers with lots of chemicals to more natural substances. WITCH HAZEL for stringent which cleans additional dirt off the skin.  ROSEWATER to moisturize and freshen up.  Olive oil or Coconut oil for hair moisturizer.  Same with skin moisturizer.  As for natural treatments, I think this week I will pour white vinegar over my feet and soak them in a oversize pot.

In the Summer on a hot, sunshiny day, I will pour lemon juice over my hair and sit outside to let the sun bleach it lighter.  That will be awhile though.  Lemon juice works pretty well for a facial wipe.  

Staying natural...can you believe it when added chemicals to products was supposedly going to make LIFE easier for us poor, backwards peeps in the midwest.  In 2023, there is a back to nature MOVEMENT to be sauve in all areas of life.  Foods, cosmetics, hair products, medicines, furniture, dishes, flooring, building supplies, cars, etc.  

Interesting times we live in,

~d

    

DISCOMBOBULATED WITH AN AMAZING DAY !!!

I HAD AN AMAZING DAY THAT LEFT ME ABIT DISCOMBOBULATED.  Perhaps the two shouldn't go together.  After the banking was completed for the day, I didn't feel a sense of relief.  Instead I felt something altogether different than I anticipated and so did my sweet Hubby who was with me the entire time we were taking care of business.  

My stomach talked to me about what we had just done by paying off large amounts of debt.  A uneasiness took hold and I questioned why this happened with my stomach when I should be rejoicing with the FACT that the debt is paid off.  By evening I WAS ALL BETTER and ate a hotdog at a Basketball Game.  Comfort FOOD isn't always healthy is it?

I topped the dog with mustard instead of ketchup which is one of my favorite things to eat in all the world...Catsup/Ketchup.  Maybe I'm stretching out with some adventures in the FOOD WORLD, but Hot Dogs are pretty well an AMERICAN staple when it comes to fast foods.  AND I like eating Hot Dogs every now and then.  They don't even have to be all beef.  The buns aren't healthy either.  WHITE FLOUR, SALT, FAT and of course SUGAR.  I won't be watching videos about the gross ways that Hot Dogs are made.  It's alright this time to avoid being so educated about this.  Turn a blind eye and forget about it.

AND POPCORN.  At least 4 cups of popcorn with a butter substitute plus lots of salt in a paper bag.  All mine.  Every kernel in the bag.  

I can brag that I drank water instead of a cold soda pop.  I am doing far better about drinking only water.  I do like my green tea, though.  Second on the list.

Having debt for so long began to be the new norm over time that I tried to adjust to having it hanging over my head.  Trying to justify it wasn't satisfying.  It was sickening to have so much. With paying it off, I think it's going to take a little time to accept that it is gone.  The debt never was like a good friend hanging around.  It was more like someone that wore their welcome out long ago and I was held captive not being able to do anything about them being there.

This is the birth of a new creature that I have ahold of by the tail.  I mustn't let go of him.  He has to stay around so I can live as I should.  I LOVE thrifting when I go to town.  I'll continue this within reason.  I think we will be far better off living LIFE differently than we have for so many years.  It seems foreign to me.  

Perhaps the bad case of the nerves comes from the thought that we might not stay out of debt.  It truly is going to be a new way of living for us as a married couple.  We're old now.  Getting closer to 70 every day.  God bless the old ones.  We need HIS blessings as much as anyone. 

I don't feel discombobulated at the moment.  PRAISE THE LORD. 

~d