SET FOR ANOTHER YEAR and REMEMBERING ONE OF MY SUPER POWERS

THE YEARLY PHYSICALS WENT SO WELL I WAS REJOICING.  Couldn't have gone any better.  I am still obese, but I knew that.  I'll continue to work on reducing my weight.  God will have to help me through this.  YES, LORD.  My A1c was very good, blood pressure alright, lipids inside the box.  PRAISE THE LORD.

Although the doc did not check my Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D levels at this Summer Physical as he said he would last February, I walked away with a smile on my face when leaving the doc's office.  It was a relief to have this appointment under my belt.  So pleased.  I will go to Quest Labs soon and have these levels checked for my own peace of mind.  

My A1c will be checked again by the doc in 6 months.  Wouldn't you know it, this 3 month period where the blood glucose will be averaged will be during the Christmas Holidays. 🎄🎅🤶  I will have to stay disciplined about not going overboard on the sweets, eat protein, veggies and walk, walk, walk.      

I'll continue to research recipes that create nutritious meals that are better for our health. Walking will be my exercise of choice and water my preference to drink.  5 a day fruits and veggies aimed for.  Lean protein and healthy fats.  A few nuts and seeds.  Avoid seed oils because of how they are processed, avoid high fructose corn syrup, avoid highly processed foods, no soy, no GMO foods, less use of caffeine and cow's milk, natural flavors is a no-no, less carbohydrates in diet, nuts and seeds hello, continue grilling with avocado oils, using extra virgin olive oils that are from one country to avoid evoo being blended with other oils, more protein in the form of legumes which are lentils and beans.  CAN I DO THIS?  Yes, I can.

Aiming to walk more.  The outside weather isn't always the best conditions to get a walk in so I need to watch Jack LaLanne videos and go through the motions with him.  Know what I mean?  

SALAD for SUPPER.  Will get started fixing it around 4 this afternoon so we'll have an early supper.

I am pacing myself in slow-mo.  No rushing around or heavy activity.  Wednesday was a social activity for me as I met up with my friends from a ~once upon a time~ singing group.  When we get together, we pick right up where we left off.  Amazing group of friends to connect with during our birthday months.  We had two birthdays this month to celebrate.  We chatted for FOUR HOURS NON-STOP and closed the restaurant down.  grins.

I ate a Friendship House Turkey Sandwich SPECIAL with a pickle on the side actually eating the pickle first.  From a critical point of view the bun was overkill on the sandwich, not very much turkey and little veggies to top the turkey with.  I drank lemon water.  The CONVERSATION CARRIED ME.  We exchanged some gifts and enjoyed the day together.

Days gone by photo of us singing.  My FAVORITE photo of us.  I took this selfie.

This was after I had Thyroid Cancer Surgery so I wasn't sure I could even sing.  We were recording a couple of songs for a CD.

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

AFTER our lunch and visit, I did go to the Kreme Cup solo and treated myself to a chocolate ice cream cone. 🍦  Was it worth it?  yep.  Drove HOME in an air conditioned car.  Hubby took the other car that has no air conditioner right now to get his hair cut.  Waiting to get it worked on.   

Worked on the budget after I got HOME.  We've gotten HIT really hard this month with additional expenses.  Makes me sigh and ask questions.  Car repair, doctor bill balance paid off, dental bill payment, auto insurance, but I justified my 70th birthday celebration.  Bills come and go.  Sometimes they are hard to take.  More planning needed as I grow older.  Tighten the belt. Waste NOT want NOT.  

Financial dealings are a delicate issue in this small household.  I have been blessed to stay HOME all these years, but it wasn't without sacrifice, planning and making do.  You know that saying,  MAKE DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE or DO WITHOUT?  It is prevalent more than ever. I will continue to bargain shop, do my best to prepare inexpensive meals, plan, repurpose things, shop my HOME, look at free activities, continue to cut expenses where I can, etc.

I developed a SUPER POWER of juggling bills.  This muscle got lots of practice and was well developed over the years.  I'd really like to NOT retire this way of doing things especially at 70 years of age.

Do you have a super POWER?  One of mine is making messes and dropping things.  
I'm so good at it, I should patent it.

~d

 

  

Carol Hill's Tomato Sandwich | Try this one trick to make the BEST tomat...

SANDWICHES ON MY MIND,

~d

WE WERE DANCING!

 OR AT LEAST TRYING TO.

I have a farmer's tan on my feet.  Not sure how long it will take for it to fade away.  grins.

~d

REMEMBERING MY BIRTHDAY WEEK

GOSH, I HAD A TERRIFIC BIRTHDAY WEEK CELEBRATING MY OLD AGE.  70.  It has soaked in.   It was a mini vacation sorely needed.  We are back HOME now and I feel so refreshed.

Back to living in the real world in our RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  I'll work on the laundry as I can later.  I have some treasures that I collected that I'll need to put away.

A Birthday Week to remember.  A mini vacay.
Sunday.  Brookville Restaurant in Abilene for a fried chicken dinner in style.
Visited 2 Antique Shoppes and came away with some treasures.  Ironstone China with Tea Leaf Motif Oval Platter and 6 piece silver-plated Tea Service with large serving tray.  Beamed with delight that these treasures were discounted especially the Tea Service with tray.  Oh my goodness...did I do well.

Monday.  On my actual BIRTHDAY I treated myself to a STARBUCKS Trenta unsweetened Iced Green Tea and a pink Birthday POP.  Just what I wanted.  Read Birthday cards and enjoyed phone conversations with loved ones.  
Woke to two large helium balloons tied to my dining room chair.  Cheered me right up.  HAPPY 70th TO ME.

Tuesday.  Yearly Medicare Physical under my belt with a great report.  If there be a next time, I will not schedule medical appointments before, during or after an important Holiday or celebration.

Wednesday.  After Hubby's Medicare Physical we drove to the HAY'S House in Council Grove, Kansas to eat an old fashioned, all meat Hamburger with fat fries.

Visited two Antique Shoppes.
Drove across the spacious Kansas Prairie admiring the beautiful scenery with gentle rolling hills covered in seasonal colored plants and native grass.
When I drove up the long drive to the front porch steps of the Clover Cliff Ranch Bed & Breakfast it made my heart sing.  We're here.  Time to unwind and relax.

The Lincoln Suite stay was for two comfortable nights with delicious gourmet Breakfast served in the veranda of the Clover Cliff Ranch Mansion.  

 

Jetted Tub Time for water therapy two nights in a row.  The power of water helped me to accept how old I really am.  Managed to get out of the tub in one piece having peace.

Thursday.  A Lunch at the Grand Central Hotel and Grill in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.
Stopped in to see some local Art talent.
Drove around Cottonwood Falls gawking at some gorgeous historical houses.

Friday.  Drove to Peabody, Kansas for a Lunch.  The Antique Shoppe I wanted to visit was closed.  whah.
Drove to Marion, Kansas to visit the Hospital Auxiliary Shoppe which is one of my FAVORITE THRIFT SHOPPES.  I was looking forward to this stop.  

I hit the Mother Lobe on Junk Jewelry or should I say COSTUME JEWELRY that sparkles like diamonds and three Boyd's Bears priced just right...chhheeeeaaappp.  They are weighted and it's been awhile since I bought one.  

I still would like to try my hand in sewing a long limbed teddy bear.  Coming down the road.  Okay, I will sew one this year.  No more excuses.

I picked up a sweet framed victorian picture that I'll hang in my Cottage, a white 100% Cotton Double Size Bedspread to add to my bedding stash, and a couple of books.  I felt accomplished getting what I did.  It was an adrenaline rush kind of moment.

This shopping place is a favorite of mine.  I know I'll get a bargain there every time.  It's a sweet treat for when I want to go JUNKIN.  I don't know where they get their stash, but I am never disappointed with my visits.  

One of the sweet little houses in Marion.

While in Marion, I always drive the neighborhoods announcing like it's the first time that I've seen the places in along time...That's Aunt Ann's house, there's Uncle August and Aunt Bertha's bungalow, Mom and Dad lived there, there's Grandma Helmer's green apple trees, Denice and I use to play there, etc.  Stepping back into my childhood with fond memories of days gone by.  I am at the age where all my Aunts and Uncles are gone.  Only a few cousins still live there.  

Am I to be sad they're gone or pleased that I have so many good memories in which it feels like I am HOME again?  It's a mixture of feelings.  For today, I choose to be happy.

Time well spent.  I feel whole.  

AND THEN the long, gorgeous drive HOME across the beautiful prairie to our COTTAGE to unload our luggage and treasures took place.  I was a bit tired, but oh so happy and contented.   

God watched over us and we had no car issues and safe travels.  

Happy Birthday to me!  What a blessed and carefree Birthday WEEK.  I am now the big 70. 

Onto enjoying this HOT SUMMER where we stay indoors shuffling furniture again at our place and the remodeling CONTINUES.  Praise the LORD.

SO glad and thankful I am still alive and learning,
~d

'LIFE JUST GOT A LITTLE EASIER' PECAN PIE TREAT

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' PECAN PIE TREAT.  I need all the help I can get where easy to prepare calls my name for this whipped dessert.

HERE'S TO THINGS BEING CONVENIENTLY EASIER.  

INGREDIENTS

2 bricks of Cream Cheese
Maple Syrup
Light Brown Sugar
Pecans
Cool Whip
9 "Graham Ready Crust

2 Cream Cheese Bricks placed in mixing bowl

100% Pure Maple Syrup squeezed over bricks

1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar

Blend mixture until creamy

Add about a cup of pecans to your liking 

and stir into mixture

Add small container of COOL WHIP 

and stir until well blended

Graham Ready Crust to the rescue

Fill crust with mixture

Sprinkle additional pecans on top of pie then place in the fridge to chill for 3 to 4 hours before cutting.

Ready to serve and enjoy this easy to prepare PECAN PIE TREAT.

Life just got a little easier,
~d

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE AT THE CLOVER CLIFF RANCH BED & BREAKFAST

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE was extra special for me since we were at the CLOVER CLIFF RANCH BED & BREAKFAST for two days and two nights celebrating my 70th Birthday.

Arriving on Wednesday afternoon, there was a Fruit and Cheese Platter chilling in the fridge for us to snack on for Supper.  Hubby requested it in advanced.

THURSDAY MORNING'S Breakfast was served in the Mansion's Veranda where we sat at a small table beside a large picture window allowing us to look out at the open prairie.  Spectacular view.  We dined on Quiche, Cherry Pastry and Apple Crisp topped with Granola.  Hot Tea, Orange Juice and water to drink.  Not only was the food delicious, but the presentation was lovely.

No make-up so no close-up of a 70 year old me that needs 8 hours sleep, but didn't get it.  I figure I would just be a tired old lady eating well on the prairie.

Friday morning in the Veranda, for Breakfast we were served a hot Mexican Enchilada in a skillet, Apple Puff and Fruit Compote in vintage Peanut Butter Glass.  Beverages were Hot Tea, Orange Juice and Water.  Everything was as good as it looked.  Everything and the presentation was beautiful.  Service with a smile.

~DINING ON THE PRAIRIE~ 

was outstanding this go round.

Happy dining for sure,
~d