Don Moen - Goodness of God

DIFFICULT WEEK

I HAD JOURNALED A LOT OF FEELINGS in a cheap spiral notebook.  Took me hours to get a grip on what has transpired over the years.  It was my time to deal with some pain. The LORD ministered to me as to why I have had so many unresolved feelings.  Fear.    

Husband and I talked through the feelings attached to events through the years.  There was a link.  We talked about 5 hours solid.  Slept well and woke being better.

Hubby and I both have issues with not having thyroids.  He was due to have a lab done to see where he is at on his TSH.  He had a MRI on his foot that has been difficult to walk on due to dancing on a bean can in the snow last January.  He had a chemical stress test done and this made him sick.  So he had a blood draw for TSH, an MRI on his foot and a chemical stress test for heart.  

I'll have my TSH checked again in 3 weeks when I have my yearly physical.  I have 3 weeks until then so I started the 21 day Daniel Diet again.  No tea this time.  No meat.  No animal products. No milk, bread, pasta, rice, cereal.  Hubby is doing it with me.  Lots of fruits, veggies, legumes, seeds and nuts.  Of course WATER.  

We ate a huge salad for our afternoon meal at JASON's.  This evening for supper was meatless chili with three beans like kidney, chili and pinto.  This was delicious and we can do this restricted diet.  

I weighed myself today to see where I am on the scales.  In three weeks, my yearly physical is coming up and I am hoping to have dropped a few pounds since I have changed my thyroid meds dose and eating more restrictive.  When the weight starts creeping up, I need to see if my TSH numbers are wonky.  I'm hypothyroid.

It's a bit much to have to pay so much attention to all the health issues.  Still have to have an interest in other things.  Still blessed.  

The week was challenging, but believe it will be alright come SUMMER.  Hot temps are here. Fireflies, lemonade and fans.  Firecrackers, flags and home-made ice-cream.  Music, fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans.  Sounds like a decent Summer.  Some patriotic banners can be hung.  I know where they are this year.  grins.  I'll turn one year older come the 14th of July. It will be a Summer to remember.  

I started watching the television series BILLY THE KID.  I couldn't help but think about the early days of America and the harsh reality of traveling across the country in hopes of a brighter future.  What we have now is far better than what the average person had in the late 1870s.  That present day saying, "Make America GREAT Again." reminds me that America is still GREAT. Hasn't stopped being great.  Such a long ways America has come and to say it isn't great makes me sad.  A brighter future arrived for the United States a while back.  Cannot you still see the greatness?      

~d

BREAKING

TOOK A BREAK.  Went to St. Louis to visit son and grandson.  Ended up needing some time alone for a few days after visit with son so I found a place to hang my hat for a few days. Praying to regain my strength.  I journaled my feelings.  

Today, I am HOME.  Serious side affects.  I made the mistake of agreeing to leave our big house before the place we landed was appropriate for living in.  It is best to get settled into the next location before starting BIG PROJECTS.  I knew this before I moved into the cottage and ignored it.  I seem to do this a lot.

Going to change the course of action or vacate all together.  I have moved so many times it is a chaotic life.  My husband thrives on chaos, I do not.  

Ready to rest at HOME before having a serious conversation with my spouse.
~d

LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE

TODAY I WAS IN THAT LANE.  I managed to bathe, fold some towels to put away, have a very serious and very long conversation with my hubby, visit with daughter, and two grands.  I did some paperwork, took a nap, washed some dishes and researched on the internet. The TV never came on.  I took my dear sweet time on everything.  I was officially in the slow lane. No hurry.  I didn't get in the car at all.  No day trips.  Peace at HOME.

In the evening I fell asleep in my recliner.  Hubby kissed my forehead and said good night.  I woke later, washed some dirty dishes and couldn't fall back to sleep.  This will hopefully happen in a few hours.  Shall see.  

I have some Father's Day cards to address.  I can do that and read.  Working on the computer makes me sleepy like a nap cap.   

Making plans for the week-end already.  Father's Day and a son's 49th birthday are coming.  Not sure what I will do for Father's Day for my Hubby.  

My earthly dad and father-in-law are in heaven.  I miss them.  In my head I can hear their voices with bits and pieces of conversations we had years ago.  One person can make a difference in this world.  I look at my husband knowing he is my children's dad.  The years of when they were little is long gone.  I am looking at a daddy that is getting close to 70 years of age.  His beard is nearly all white.  The hair he does have on the top of his head is salt and pepper colored.  He has a stoop these days and walks with a limp.  We are getting older by the minute.  We best make the best of it.

FATHER's DAY.  I have purchased my HUBBY a new belt and a really neat coffee cup with his initial on it.  Think I'll fill it with sugar-free candy. I have a nice greeting card for him.  Probably take him out to eat.  He'll like that.

What does a person do if they do not have happy and healthy memories of a earthly father?  A thought shift can take place.  Rejoice in a Heavenly Father that cares for you and desires good things for you.  I have to do this even today as I need encouragement to carry on.  

I don't have memories of me climbing up into my daddy's lap as a child or being held by him.  I don't recall being told I had value and worth.  I was never told that I was pretty or looked nice.  I didn't hear that my dad loved me until I was about 34 years of age.  That verbal sound that resinated in my soul took a while to reach me.  I don't recall Dad telling me about God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit.  How to get born again.  That I was a someone worth saving.  I do my best to focus on the good things as best I can that did take place.  Think on the good qualities that my dad had.  If a father fails to give godly instructions, it's a tragic thing that may have eternal consequences.  I believe this contributed to being starved for attention and wanting to be noticed.

There are times I grieve of what I didn't have, but have to focus on what I did.  When those words of godly instruction were not spoken over you or to you what should one do?  Grab hold of what Heavenly Father has to offer with HIS PROMISES.  Amen.  

I'm thankful for being able to have a LIFE in the slow lane these days.  Even if you're able to be in the fast lane taking time to pause and focus on God's instructions will be a blessing.  Take a deep breath and travel on.  Embrace the moment.

~d  

JEREMIAH 29:11

AMEN,

~d

COOLER AIR IS BLOWING

HEAT INDEX IS SUPPOSE TO BE OVER 100 ON THURSDAY.  Our new air conditioning window unit is in place in the kitchen window blowing cold air and we are feeling the breeze into our small COTTAGE living room.  Very comfortable.  Think it's a go for now.  It will get a work-out later this week.  

Yesterday, we went to TOPEKA to Menards as some things were needed so the installing of the window unit would be successful.  We had a wonderful late LUNCH, went to God's Storehouse to look around having a JUDEE peanut butter cookie and black tea then off to a grocery store.  I want to make the QUICK BLACK BEAN SALAD again this time putting some Vidalia onion in it, frozen corn and a big heirloom tomato that's diced to see if I like the recipe better.  Believe I will fix this for today's lunch. 

On the way HOME from TOPEKA, we had a life lesson arise as we traveled.  Cell phone rang and a conversation started that didn't end the best.  When it comes to dealing with family drama, I do not always react very quickly.  Not fast enough on my feet.  It takes some time to sort through the details.  It takes some time to deal with the information that has been revealed.  I am not a robot and I don't dance to everyone's tune.  I have to decide for myself how to deal with situations that need additional attention.  I don't jump through other's hoops like I use to.  Being a people pleaser isn't always the correct way to respond to others who want to run the show. 

It has taken me some time to talk through and not be affected by highly charged emotions from family.  Sometimes I am not the solution to their problem.  It's best that I don't react quickly to every thing that comes my way through a phone call.  It's for the best that I take some time to think about things and be slow to react. 

Dr. Phil has said before that family is not an entitlement.  It's a privilege and that privilege can be taken away.  

At the time I heard this, I wasn't sure I agreed with him.  I now agree with what he said about family.  It took years to get to this place.  Years.

Sometimes we have to separate from problematic personalities and chill a bit.  SO there are times we need to chill in a different way from just the air conditioner, huh?  

Cooler air is blowing all the way around.  Amen and amen.

The Bible tells us to protect our hearts.  

I'd better listen,

~d

SILVER CAKE RECIPE

 ~d

SUCCESSFUL STEPS TO BEING HEALTHIER

THE DELANY SISTERS.  Sadie lived to be 109 and Bessie 104.

I've written about 5 post already about THE DELANY SISTERS.  So impressed by their lifestyle and long lives they lived.  I own a few books by them, have read newspaper articles as well as watched YOU TUBE videos and watched a movie about them.  

My imagination has some part in interpreting their life sketches.

At any rate, I know they did something very well to have lived as long as they did and be in very good shape as they were.  

IN A NUT SHELL:

1) Christian women.
2) Sadie and Bessie lived in their own HOME that they were in charge of.
3) Boiled their water before drinking.
4) Drank cold water before taking garlic and cod liver oil and then when taking garlic and cod liver.  2 glasses of cold water together.
5) Drank hot water afterwards.
6) Exercised before eating Breakfast.
7) Took supplements and vitamins.
8) Took care of themselves.
9) Washed their hands when entering their HOME.

IN A NUT SHELL I gathered this information and will share.

A word to older folks:

1. Keep your own calendar. The most important thing in your life is your time, and nothing will make you feel as helpless as having other people run it for you.

2. Manage your own money, but be careful about it. Pay your own bills and balance your checkbook for as long as you can. When the time comes that someone has to take a hand in your finances, make sure you understand everything he does. If other people take charge of your money, it's easy to lose control of your life.

3. Have your own doctor, who answers to you. If you don't, when the time comes that you get mixed up with hospitals, they'll treat you like a fool. You're bound to lose your health at some point, but you don't have to lose your dignity, too.

4. Don't depend too much on any one person. If you have a lot of helpers, you can be sure that someone will always be available when you need it.

5. Don't be too proud to accept your limitations. The hardest thing is discovering that you can't do everything the way you used to. But make sure you hire folks who do what you want. It's still your house, and you're still the boss!

 

As I have been sorting through old papers, I came across an article about the Delany Sisters both living into their 100s.  

The Vitamins and supplements they took were Vitamin A,
Vitamin B Complex,
Vitamin C,
Vitamin D,
Vitamin E,
Zinc,
Tyrosine,
morning garlic
and cod liver oil.  

They'd take their cod liver oil and garlic before Breakfast. 
A glass of water before taking the cod liver and garlic. 
A glass of cold water after and a glass of hot water. 
They'd exercise then eat a Breakfast consisting of a scrambled egg, hard roll, some fruit, and oatmeal. 
Lunch was a larger meal where they had beef, chicken or fish. 
Supper was a large vanilla milkshake.   

https://homehavenministry.blogspot.com/2021/04/my-ships-coming-from-china-and-its.html

GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR HEALTH JOURNEY,

~d

SUNDAY SNOOZE AND SHUFFLING SO SOON

A SPOT OF TEA

A NEW SERIES FOR A SUNDAY POST ON MONDAYS.  SUNDAY SNOOZE.  It's got a ring to it.  grins.  I didn't take a NAP on this Sunday.  Surprise and praise the LORD.  I was BLESSED to wake early, take my meds, do some paper work, dishes, shuffle some things.  I didn't take my morning walk or go to CHURCH.  I didn't even watch any service on-line.  A quiet morning.

Hubby shuffled some things in the KITCHEN to make room to open up the Kitchen window where the air conditioning unit will go.  I worked on dishes as he worked then I braved it by taking the tea out of the cabinet above the stove.  I have to find a temporary place for the crystal stemware that has been in the Dining room corner cabinet.  When I started unpacking some boxes, I came across a white with gold trim antique porcelain chocolate pot with demitasse cups and saucers that I wanted to display.  Space is very limited here so I had to stretch my bean to come up with a place.  

I know I have another white porcelain chocolate pot with cups and saucers in a different box that I will display when I come across it.  Any who for the time being, I cleared out the tea cabinet above the stove and put the glasses there.  I think for now I'd be a happier person showing off the chocolate pots.  I'll find a place in the pantry for my stash of TEA.  That will come later.  It's shuffle this and shuffle that.

I've been looking high and low for important papers for our HOME OWNERS POLICY.  For the LIFE OF ME I cannot find all my papers.  I found a few, but not what I nearly need.  I greatly dislike my paperwork being out of order.  TERRIBLE.  It's like someone took all my papers and tossed them into the air and wherever they land is it.  Getting ALL the papers back in order is doable.  It's doable and I'm just the one to do it.  Get after it.

I started typing up a new list of our personal property to keep on hand so I know what we own. When I started typing it up, I was reminded that I have a few things.  PTL.  We are scheduled to visit with our insurance agent to review our policy on Monday at one.  As we downsize, it's a task to go from having much to scaling down to having so much less.  A skeleton.  Why bother to scale down?  Because I'm 68 and as I get closer to 70, I'm wanting to lighten the load so we settle in better here at the COTTAGE.  It has been one of the hardest moves I have ever gone through. Seven months here and we are not settled.  I'm allowing myself a year and a half for this task. Being gentle and extending some grace.  I know I have to stay on top of this, but I am allowing a slow pace process.  When I start to get irritated I remind myself to slow down and be real.  I'm no young chick anymore.  This is a reality.

 

MONDAY.  As we finished our insurance appointment we were getting into our car and we saw a man in a motorized cart tip over and he hit the sidewalk.  We walked over to help him as two other women were as well.  As we were helping his wife get him back in his cart, one of the ladies said to me HELLO DEANNA.  She had sunglasses on and I did not recognize her at first. My mind drew a blank.  I think this must be kind of like having amnesia where you do not recognize people.  Her name finally came to me, but this was my Senior moment for the week.  It was an awkward moment that I hope doesn't repeat itself.  Scary.  The gentleman made it back into his cart and off he went.  

We went to the bank to purchase some TWO DOLLAR BILLS and lucked out getting some newer ones that have not been circulated very much.  Drove to the DOLLAR STORE so I could get some Father's Day CARDS.  I want to get these into the mail on Tuesday. Went HOME and rested. There's that NAP.  Sipping some iced tea and getting ready to put some more things away.

Looking at my calendar as it is beginning to fill up for the rest of the month.  With my TSH out of range, I cannot seem to handle stress as well as I need to.  Cranky.  Tired.  It will take 6 weeks to get it back to the place it needs to be.  I don't know why my TSH will not stay at a good place. Maddening.

Hubby is still working on getting the window unit installed.  He prepared the area and the window.  Now the actual unit will go in.  Ready for some cool air circulating in the house.  He's still working on the bathroom tile.  He's so close to being finished.  He's one busy retired man.  

I'm still shuffling our belongings.  What a wonderful job to keep me busy.  Making this COTTAGE a HOME is a full time JOB.  I can continue to be HAPPY this is my lot in LIFE!

Remind me to stay out of politics.  It's a hot potato.  I know I'm older than ever before, but I have NEVER seen so many American citizens ready to attack people not affiliated to their party on both sides of the aisle like they have 4 years ago and now.  Like a rabid dog going for your jugular vein.  THE COME LET US REASON does not exist.  Perhaps it's always been this way and I didn't know it where the people have gotten so angry.  It's better to stay at peace then to ruffle their feathers.  Walk away and be alone in the hills to pray like Jesus did.

The week is off to a start.  If I can get the dining room table cleared off, the Father's Day cards in the mail, my oldest son's Birthday card in the mail, laundry done, carpet vacuumed, kitchen floor scrubbed...I will be a happy camper and of course some more shuffling done.  The air conditioner unit is going in and the bathroom tile going up!  All makes for a wonderful LIFE. 

~d

The Quickest Black Bean Salad

I CUSTOMIZED MY ATTEMPT TO MAKE THIS QUICK BEAN SALAD. I didn't dice the grape tomatoes in mine and I think if I do this again I will dice a large tomato so the tomato flavor is all around the salad.  I added arugula and chick peas as well.  OOPS...I forgot the onion.  That would have added some extra taste.  The salad was okay and I had seconds.  I guess, you just have to make some and try it.  I thought the flavor was alright, but I didn't like the water chestnuts at all.  I think these should have been chilled.

~d

First attempt at Quick Black Bean Salad.

Arugula.

Rinsed Water Chestnuts.

Rinsed Black Beans.

Getting started mixing ingredients.

Grape Tomatoes.

Rinsed Chickpeas.

Canned corn.  Frozen probably would have been tastier.

Cilantro.  I have never used so much cilantro in a salad before.

I added LIME JUICE, lemon zest and Balsamic Vinegar for zing.

Whaalah.  Quick Black Bean Salad that was not quick for me to make.

There was enough left over that I can have another salad for LUNCH.  That will be quick.

~d

How to measure blood pressure accurately

I KNOW BETTER.  Last visit to the doc's, the nurse didn't take my reading correctly.  As a patient, you've gotta be pro-active and help to get an accurate blood pressure reading.  Simple steps to success.

No caffeine an hour before doctor's appointment.

Empty bladder before reading is taken.

Sit quiet for at least 5 minutes before reading is taken.

Feet flat on the floor.

Back supported.
No talking or sudden movement while reading is being taken.
No clothing between arm and blood pressure cuff.
Use correct size of cuff.
Arm with cuff on it should be level with heart.  

God bless.  Have a healthy LIFE!

~d

SOUNDS OF SUMMER

THOUGH IT ISN'T SUMMER YET...it feels like it is and once you walk into the COTTAGE where the new floor fan is humming and two ceiling fans twirling, it sounds like days of old for me.  No central air running, just fans.  The plaster walls in the COTTAGE help keep the cool inside at the moment.    

Thursday, I went to LUNCH with my buds and ate a chicken wrap with chips.  Water with lemon. It's been half a year since we got together.  Time flies.

Wonderful conversation with friends.  It doesn't matter how long between our visits, we pick up where we left off.  Very special friendships.  Our voices made sounds of the seasons of our lives. Each one of us has gone through a thing or two.

I've had cataract surgeries with a Hubby that has a hurt foot and laser surgeries for PVDs.  One had knee replacement, has lost weight and talks of having dementia.  Another's Husband has had hip replacement and open heart surgery.  One more has been having physical therapy for injured feet from a dog accident.  Each of us has been through something substantial.  

Gal Pals!  Thankful I have a few.

AFTERWARDS, I went HOME and took a NAP.  That's 3 this week.  I found out my TSH numbers are too high meaning I'm very hypothyroid which means I have a very SLOW metabolism.  I should be a 2, but am a 7.8.  

I should know by now that being overly tired, gaining weight, having the sweats, too much hair loss, sleep disturbances and irritated are a tell-tale sign of Thyroid issues.  Now to change the dose of thyroid meds and get checked in 6 weeks.  

I wonder if being very hypothyroidism contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, edema?  YES.  Mystery solved.  Does someone that does not have a thyroid need iodine as well? Yes, I think so.  

My thyroid journey has been frustrating.  My numbers have not stabilized in the 14 years I have been at this.  Fickle.  Knowing this I believe I should check the numbers quite often and forget about only checking them once a year as the thyroid doc does.  SO I will do so.

Keeping paper copies of the blood work for my personal records is a must.  Tis best to be ones own health advocate.  I will fill the shoes.

As I type this post, the sounds of summer are out my front door and through the window.  Some type of cricket or circadian is making noise that cannot be ignored.  Summer is on her way.  I will return to walking at the football field in the mornings and drinking Eternal Water, take my vitamin supplements and eat a reduced calorie diet.  Exercising is next.  Keeping a tidy HOME a must.  I am free to enjoy LIFE and do HOBBIES and relax in the LORD.  AMEN.  I am free.

~d