IT'S UP TO ME TO MAKE THIS FUN

UGGGGGGGH.  Still at it.  Dealing with placing snap shots, photographs and framed pictures into the antique walnut chest that sits in the Living room.  It's up to me to make this FUN.  Still working on that part.  grins.  Not laughing yet.  More like struggling along and indecisiveness.  Where do I go from here???  I'm going round in circles.

When I pull a group of snap shots out of the envelope it brings back so many memories it stings and the water works start filling my eyes with tears.  Where did the time go?  One day at a time.  I have so much to be THANKFUL for.  I will feel so much better when I have these pics in order and accounted for.  If I had been doing this all along, it wouldn't be so laborious as it is today.  Oh well. Maybe I should just be thankful we still have these pics to look at.  

More boxes of negatives and snap shots are still popping up.  Here's another box to deal with.  The chest is nearly full.  uggh.  Getting the negatives and snap shots all grouped together will make phase two of dealing with the pics easier.  Ready for easy.  

I'm seeing quite a few pictures that I want to have framed and hang on the walls.

The going through these snaps will be a WINTER PROJECT where I sit and go through each pic while crying I'm sure.  Perhaps some laughter will come out of my mouth as well.  HOPE SO.  I think I will store the pics in photo boxes and yellow envelopes.  This will probably change as I go along. 

For now, the mission is to clear out the TV ROOM.  This is a slow activity.  Very slow.  

Late last night, my daughter phoned me to let me know that one of her co-workers and husband were killed in an auto wreck where a semi-trailer truck hit them.  Same way my favorite cousin and her husband were killed 4 years ago.  The roads are increasing in truck traffic.  I hate it. One has to really be on the defense and alert when driving around here.  Each time I enter onto the interstate's ramp, there seems to be a semi traveling on the road.  I've noticed this.  

The couple that died were on their way to SAMs in Topeka.  Praying for their children left behind.

Lord willing, I will continue digging out from this mess making the chaos turn into order.  Like God took chaos and turned it into order except on a much smaller scale. 

We need to go to MENARDS for porch supplies as hubby is getting ready for the steps.  Taking my hat off to him as he continues to work so hard on this project.  I'll drive on a slower pace than the road demons go and I'll stay out of their way.

This afternoon, I will continue working on the TV room, rest some and dream of when this task is finished.  I need patience and drive to get all of this done.

TODAY, Dad would have been 99 years old.  When I look at the pictures, I remember days gone by that were wonderful.  I am so blessed to be able to say this.  There have been some tough things to go through in LIFE as well that I cannot completely forget.  Still praying about these.  Lord HEAL me.  Amen.  

Here's to a beautiful day,
~d

EYES DARTING ABOUT THE ROOM WITH BRAIN ON AUTO PILOT

THE WEEK-END WAS A PRODUCTIVE ONE with us working away in the front Bedroom which I refer to as the FRONT ROOM or the NEW TV room.  The Living room was manipulated some as well.  I did not get as far along on this escapade as I had HOPED, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.  🍪

Having nausea and dizziness slowed me down so much that I have to extend GRACE to myself as I was ill.  Wonder if I have a mild case of coVid.  Not to get ugly about it, I will praise us for what we did get done. At least we can walk through the room as before the room was so crowded you couldn't go through it.  This is progress.  Today, I am still slightly nauseated and tired.  The dizziness is gone. 

Hubby fell from a ladder as he was clearing out the top cabinet above the closet.  He lost his balance holding a heavy box, started to fall, twisted his body as he was falling, did his best to jump while twisting and landed sideways on a box of magazines.  No harm done on the magazines and he wasn't seriously hurt, but will be sore.  All I could do as he was falling was to watch him fall.  I was across the room and there was no way that I could get to him quick enough to stop him from falling.  He rested some and took some Ibuprofen then returned to helping with this heck of a messy room.

Trying to make some sense out of this downsizing in a crowded room with so many boxes is exhausting.  I wish I were more flexible and not so emotional about this.  Here goes.  Praise the LORD and move forward. The sooner this is done, the sooner the HOUSE will be in better shape to enjoy.

I believe I am moving into a different decorating style and a change of what I will collect or have sitting out.  I'm not fond of knicky-knacky stuff sitting about so, here goes a change.

I gathered some dolls that I will get rid of placing them in boxes and putting the boxes on the sofa.  Researching on the internet about them took some time.  I want to know what I'm turning loose of. On top of the buffet that sits in the front room are a stack of long, plastic, see-through storage boxes full of dolls and parts I plan to keep for the time being.  At least they are stacked together.  This helps me stay the course.  Still have a long ways to go.  

Went through other boxes and downsized the contents.  Trying to get more organized with having things grouped together of like kind.  Plastic storage boxes are being gone through.

Worked on family photographs of various sizes that are in boxes, on the shelves and just scattered here and there.  I figured that I can empty the Living room's antique walnut chest that stores my antique covered casserole and serving dishes collection in it and put the snap shots that are in envelopes and loose in it.  

Here goes the mental gymnastics AGAIN.  These casserole and serving dishes will temporarily go into boxes to free up the chest for photographs.  I'll empty the bottom cabinet in Grandma's Hutch that holds my BLUE GARLAND CHINA and place the china in some cardboard boxes for storage in the garage.  I'll photograph these pieces first taking inventory and then carefully bubble wrap them to sell.

I'll then put the BLUE WILLOW CHINA that's in my Mom's China Cabinet where the BLUE GARLAND CHINA was.  I'll take inventory and photograph as well.  THEN, my collection of covered casserole/vegetable dishes will go in the China Cabinet for displaying in the Dining room.  THERE...I have it figured out.  It's going to take some time to pull this off.

By the end of the week, I should see great results.

I work awhile, sit a lot.  Work awhile, sit a lot.  While I'm sitting, my eyes are darting about the room trying to figure out where the next puzzle piece will go.  My eyes are darting about and my brain is on auto pilot about to burn out.  

When this is said and done, will I feel like I accomplished SOMETHING or will I be disappointed that this has taken too long?  My mindset needs an overhaul.  Is there such a thing as being rewired so more happiness comes?  Is there something spiritual that will cross the blood-brain barrier?  I pray so.  Focusing on the Lord should improve my feeble thoughts.  The middle of the road happiness is somewhere in here.

Gotta get back to it.  I have some photo albums on the bookshelves, but need more.  When shopping for them a few years ago, they were nowhere to be found.  So I may just store these pics in photo boxes and keep some in frames to display or hang on the walls of our quaint COTTAGE.  Gosh, who'd of thunk it that one day would come and I'd be in over my head with snapshots?  There are far worse things to have to deal with.  So I should be rejoicing that this is the task I am in charge of. Amen.

Hubby is working on the porch making preps for building the steps.  The weather is being kind to us today.  In fact the rest of the week is suppose to be nice spoiling us before the bottom falls out where the cold winds blow.

Tis almost the middle of the week.  We will be celebrating our youngest grandchild's 4th birthday this week.  I have a cute greeting card for him and I need to get some $2 bills for his gift.  He'll get plenty of toys from family and friends so the cash can be saved for a rainy day.  The older he gets the more he will understand the importance of cash instead of a TOY.

My girlfriends will be getting together for a meal and conversation this week to celebrate two birthdays.  We always have lots to talk about. Looking forward to talking and listening to what has been going on in their busy lives since July.  I know one lady has been in Nevada working on her book.  Another will share about her Husband's injury breaking his pelvis in 4 places.  Not sure about the other one.  Me, I will be the boring one I'm afraid.  Working on getting this COTTAGE tidied isn't very exciting, but then I'll try to make it sound better than what it is. Life goes on and I want to as well.

Looking at the room, it still looks like I have done nothing to it.  sigh. This has been a huge job for me.  Slowly making progress and I do mean slooooowwww.

I find myself looking at old photographs.  Takes me back.  After I get further along with the settling in of this COTTAGE, I will go back to the envelopes that are full of snap shots and see if I want to get these all in order.  That's for another day for sure.  I know I have some pics I want to frame.  I'd like to give each child their own envelope of pics and when I come across pics of the grandkids get the pics individualized.  

My goal for the rest of the week is to make sense out of this front room mess, fill the walnut chest full of photographs, and start clearing out the Living room boxes.  

~d

Christmas Morning In The 1800s - A Victorian Christmas

Designer's 3 Bedroom Tiny House w/ Main Floor Bedroom

THIS IS ONE OF THE PRETTIEST TINY HOUSES I HAVE SEEN.
~d

JUST PASSING THROUGH

WE GOT UP EARLY SO WE COULD TAKE CARE OF THE financing PART OF GETTING A DIFFERENT AUTO.  Hubby drove and took care of the banking then we went next door to purchase a car.  A 2016 model.  Love the car. 

Hubby wanted it and I agreed.  Saw it on Thursday, drove it and put a deposit down to hold until Saturday.  She's ours now.  We drove through a car wash and vacuumed the car out.  Added fuel to the tank.  She's a beaut.  

On the health front.  DIZZY.  I wasn't as dizzy after a good night's sleep. Thankful for that.  Still took it easy as when I bent over I would get dizzy all over again.

NOT SURE WHAT made me so dizzy so quickly.  The show must go on.

Fixed turkey sandwiches with arugula, mayo and salt with pepper for our affordable LUNCH.  Some chips and cheese.  Twas good.  I think while we're working on the house and porch that we'll eat more sandwiches, have salads and soup for quick and easy meals.  I need easy. Using Chinet paper plates to cut back on the dishes.

🌬The rest of my day, I will work about the yard and inside the house. COLD WEATHER is rolling in.  Will cover the mums.  Not ready for this blast of cold weather.  So not ready for it.  The wind has been blowing the leaves off the trees to where some are naked.  sigh.  Not ready at all.

Back at HOME.  I bought some more mason jars to store food in.  I'm really liking the FARM HOUSE LOOK with these jars in the fridge, in the food pantry and on the counter top.  Going for it.  

After being in the real world, I'm having thoughts about Christmas. 🎄🎅🤶  How can one ignore Christmas decorating when the stores I visit have decorations galore already to sell.  Hobby Lobby's Christmas stock is 50% off.  Menards has a Christmas section where you walk through their WINTER WONDERLAND of twinkling lights on artificial trees. The videos on Facebook are full of Christmas ideas which occasionally I do watch.  Christmas music and movies are popping up. 

It isn't too early to think about Christmas decor as we are fast approaching the middle of November already.  Blink and the snow will be blowing.  HOT Chocolate will be for sipping.  Praying the Living room is cluttered free for this big event.  Always something to do especially around our fixer-upper COTTAGE.

🎄Going to go simple with our Christmas tree.  She'll have burgundy colored velvet ribbon and twinkle lights.  
🎄The Nativity Scene will go on the antique walnut chest in the Living room.  
🎄Garland will go around the Dining room Chandelier and giant pinecones will dangle from it.  
🎄Thinking about greenery around the Kitchen windows.  
🎄Garland hanging on a rod between the Dining room and the Living room on the cased opening.
🎄Christmas themed towels in the Kitchen and the Bathroom.
🎄Keeping it super simple.  
🎄If the porch gets completed in November, I might set up a tree on the porch.  Should be pretty.

THE PHONE JUST RANG.  Brother-in-law had a stroke on Friday.  He'll have surgery Sunday morning.  Lost the use of his left arm.  Prayers appreciated.  Life is so very short.  May we not take life for granted. Handle LIFE with prayers and forgiveness.

It seems like yesterday that we were so young and in better health. pause. 

We have a Savior to help us through LIFE who gives meaning and purpose.  His name is Jesus.  So very THANKFUL I know HIM as my personal Savior and LORD.

I know that tragedy is a terrible thing.  It does put a spark under my feet to get my HOME in order.  Turning loose of things we do not need is easier to do. 

Earth is not my forever HOME.  Heaven is.  We're all just passing through.  My prayer is that we live as God would want us to.  Amen.

~d

A CRYING FIT

THE DOWNSIZING GOT TO ME THIS MORNING.  Tears were shed.  CRYING TIME.  Frustrated and troubled over this ordeal.  I'm further along than the day before and I should have good feelings about that, but it has been a headache for too long.

Eventually I will get where I need to be.  Just gonna take some time.  The rub is that I have been struggling with a huge mess for too long.  I so need to be wrapping this project up in the front bedroom then the entire house needs cleaned and decluttered. Lord willing by Monday, the front room will be organized, the pink bedroom functioning and the Living room better than the day before. Praying and dealing with it. 

By the end of the day, I woke from a nap with extreme dizziness and nausea.  TWAS AWEFUL.  I know from previous 'what I call' episodes where I am very weepy that I genuinely have an infection in my body and this is how I react, weepy.  If it's some kind of weird migraine headache that has made me dizzy and nauseated, I dunno. Not sure the two had any connection at all. 

TODAY, I woke at 4 this morning and tried in vain to fall back asleep. No luck so I stayed up and got around about 7.  We were going to Kansas City to pick up another print of my Husband's artwork.  It's about a 2 hour drive so we headed out around 8:30 AM arriving to the print shop early to where we could just sit in the car for a few minutes before our 11 o'clock appointment.

When we walked through the door, the owner had made a mistake about which artist was coming so Hubby's print wasn't printed.  Oops.  Hate it when this happens.  We were told that the print would be done after 1 so we went elsewhere for goof-off time. LUNCH. 

We ate at Billie's Grocery for LUNCH.  Tis a restaurant and not a grocery store at all.  Gluten-free food.
BEET VEGGIE BURGER for me today and it was quite tasty.

https://www.billiesgrocery.com/
https://www.facebook.com/billiesgrocery

I had been wanting to eat at a place that provided cleaner choices and we found one.  A little pricey, but expected this.

Thought we'd close our eyes at COSTCO's parking lot.  NAP TIME, then the phone rang, the print was ready so we went back to their shoppe.  It wasn't stretched on a frame like ordered so the owner said she'd get it stretched and expedite the finished piece at her expense.  May it go well.  

Decided to go HOME.  The heavy traffic got to me.  Made me really nervous for some reason.  Driving HOME with heavy eyelids wasn't safe so Hubby took over the driving and I napped.  Went straight to laying down when I got to the COTTAGE.  I had trouble waking up and when I did the room was spinning.  Nauseated to beat the band.  Upchucked and rested.  So if this is a migraine, it's a doozy.

Skipped supper.  Just sipped on a CELSIUS and nibbled on potato chips with bean salsa.  Pray I make it through the night and wake refreshed.

ON THE HOME FRONT.  AS FOR THE DOLLS that I have been displaying on the bookcase, I will box up the dolls that I will get rid of.  I do believe I am ready for being a minimalist.  Amen.  Tis long overdue.

Busy day expected this Saturday.  Very busy.  Think we are getting a different automobile.  🚗

Way to go, Martha.

~d👵

Tiny house Full Tour w/ Plans! Perfect Interior Layout!

GROCERY SHOPPING IN SLOW MO AND PROGRESS ON THE COTTAGE PORCH

WE HAD A VERY FULL DAY.  Worked on the TV room until early afternoon.  For Breakfast, I ate some chili pistachios and drank Hot Lemon Water with Cayenne Pepper.  I just wasn't that hungry.

I'm tellin' ya, I am more than ready to be finished with this hard shuffle and pack.  I worked on it in the morning and early afternoon.  The small books and CDs that were in small boxes were placed in extra small boxes as the small boxes were way too heavy when full.  Almost done switching sizes.  GOOD.

I have to go through all the boxes that I had packed already to see if I needed to downsize some more.  This isn't necessarily hard, but time consuming.  I should see results soon.  Then I will move these boxes to the Living room just to get them out of the TV room.  More dolls are being placed on the shelves. 

I figured a couple of more days and the room will be comfortable for us.  Praying I can keep my energy up.  I felt like I couldn't go on.  

While driving to Topeka, I was admiring the hillsides and the gorgeous trees.  Beautiful to see.  

In Topeka, I treated myself to an unsweetened Iced Green Tea before going to GOD'S STOREHOUSE.  Their Christmas Shoppe is open and it was crowded with shoppers.  I picked up some greenery sprigs. A rectangular red and white pillow of Santa in a sleigh with four reindeers flying through the air over houses came along.  All the other little nic-nacs did not appeal to me today.  This is progress.  

No quilts this time.  Instead, an oversized sweater jumped into my shopping cart for $6.40.  For thrift pricing this is higher than a few years ago where a gently used clothing article probably could have been bought for $2.  Still this will be cozy with jeans this WINTER.  

After checking out and loading my spoils into the back of the car, I went to Natural Grocers where I looked for close to 20 minutes for BLOOD PRESSURE SUPPORT supplements.  Couldn't find them.  This product had been relocated to a different spot in the store.  There you be.  I still like shopping this store.  

SAMS was next.  Needed some bottled Spring Water and picked up some veggies such as Romaine Lettuce in a large packages, Dates, Asparagus, Honeycrisp Apples, a large bag of Italian Croutons, trash bags, lens wipes.  Hubby likes Romaine so I'll be using this up as fast as we can.  Out of Cottage Cheese.  I didn't look at the Christmas decor.  Surprise, surprise, surprise.  🦌

ALDI.  Lemons, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Spinach with Arugula, Cranberries, French Fries, shredded Cheeses, Boxed Dressing, $15 Butterball Turkey, frozen Green Peas, Chocolate Candy Bars, Basil.  Out of Cottage Cheese.  Loaded up and drove Home too tired to go to Walmart and Menards.  Better luck next time.

The interstate was very busy for a Tuesday evening.  Before I reached my HOMETOWN, I decided to go walking at the track.  I walked a half of a mile and added this to the walking I did while shopping.  1 and a quarter mile?  Tomorrow, I'll walk earlier in the day at the track so I am not completely worn out. 

November 5th.  Surely the musical tapes and movies will be all boxed up and sitting in the Living room.  Surely.  Laundry, a walk, more dolls displayed, more boxing and rest.  

The day will come when this HOUSE is in order and I won't be talking about it so much.

Hubby worked on installing the porch post.  When I got HOME for the evening, he had all four post in place!  A thrill to see.  Looks great.  He thinks he'll paint another coat of grey paint on the porch boards.  Next, he'll build the steps.  The spindles and spandrels will be the last phase of the porch plus a new hanging light and the ceiling painted HAUNT BLUE.  Aiming for the end of November.  Ptl.  This has been quite a project.  

NEXT YEAR, the COTTAGE will get painted?  It sorely needs it.

  

THIS IS WHAT A 70 year old man looks like when he is exhausted.

Truly, we are fixing this place up,

~d

SLOW SHOPPING TRIP, SON'S BIRTHDAY AND MY MAYBERRY

GETTING READY TO GO TO TOPEKA FOR A NOT SO QUICK SHOPPING TRIP.  I plan to slow this down some and journey at a slower pace than usual. I need some goof off time to get refreshed from having had quite a few out of town trips recently, medical appointments as well and digging out from under the moving mess.  I'd like to slow down and let my mind and body rest some.

I get worked up and I know the adrenaline starts pumping and then I hit a wall sort of speak. The tireds hit hard.

STOPS ON THE WAY.  GOD'S STOREHOUSE just to browse as it's Senior discount day, Natural Grocers for Blood Pressure Support supplement, ALDI for veggies, Menards for mason jars and SAMS for bottled water, etc.  All stops are fairly close together.  I'll be going SOLO today as Hubby will be working on the porch.  He has to get the window on the door repaired.  He has a couple of folding tables to take to storage.  He's on the go.

I sometimes wish I lived in Mayberry, USA that had little traffic where the downtown had all the things one needed to make do.  Some place where I could go back in time when people dressed nicely and demonstrated manners toward one another.  For now, where I presently live is as close to small-town America as I can get.  My MAYBERRY.  I'm not Aunt Bee, but pretty close to it.  I'm missing my childhood longing for a more carefree era.  Slowing down.  

Today, temps are suppose to be in the low 70s.  Awesome.  Next week it's suppose to chill.  Not ready for this.  I don't mind the low 70s, but the low 40s is a different story.  Brrrrrsville. 

I walked yesterday and plan to walk again today around the track.  I wonder if I should get my walk in before going shopping?  I might be too tired to go shop afterwards.  Better go shop first.

TODAY IS MY SON'S 48th BIRTHDAY.  My Son was born in the early morning hours at 5:37 AM.  Bitter cold outside.  

I timed the contractions as I sat up in bed and then remember walking about the house having contractions.  I woke my Husband and told him to go wash his hair as I was in labor.  He took such a long time so I checked on him.  There he was standing in front of the mirror shaving.  I asked him, "What are you doing?!" I raised my voice and told him we needed to go NOW!  He went out to start the car and the lights wouldn't turn on.  He hit the hood of the car and the lights came on.

It was bitter cold outside compared to today's weather with the sun shining.  We lived in Hugoton, Kansas.  As we drove to Liberal, I was pressing hard on the ceiling of our car.  It was a 30 minute drive in the cold.  He dropped me off at the Maternity Ward of the Hospital and waited for his mom in the Lobby to arrive from Guymon, Oklahoma to sit with our 2 year old son. When he entered the Ward, the nurse told him he could see his son.  I was at the Hospital 17 minutes when my baby was born.  A lot of excitement took place quickly.  

On my end of things, I recall being taken to a Hospital room where the nurse examined me and asked me if I could VOID?  VOID???  I had never heard that urinating was VOIDing.  I asked and she said yes.  So there I was sitting on the toilet having a contraction.  My WATER broke while I sat on the toilet.  I told the nurse as I climbed back on the bed.  She checked me again and squealed that I was crowning.  Off to the delivery room.  I was told not to push.  Haha.  Tell that to a pregnant woman in labor.  

My son was born and he was wide awake looking about the room.  He was a chunk of a baby, but the easiest of the three babies I had.  Weighing in at almost 10 pounds with light brown hair. Sweet memories that I am missing.  I am probably HOMESICK because it's his birthday.

I wished I had enjoyed LIFE more than I did and do.  I tend to go through the actions and don't take in more of the enjoyment that can be there.  Hummmm.  I want to change.  With God's help I can.  Amen.

Our son is out west looking for employment as I type.  Prayers would be appreciated.

                          

I can hardly remember being 48.  Had to stop and think about it for a minute where I was living.  It was in Manhattan, Kansas and I started having horrible health issues.  If I could turn back the clock, I would have taken better care of myself by exercising and eating Whole Foods, clean foods.  I have to pick up and take care of myself now in the present. 

Our lives are all unique.  Each one of us has a story to tell.
Blessings,
~d

JIBBER JABBER, BROKEN GLASS and GREAT GRANDMA ALLIE

THE TIME CHANGE HAS HAD AN AFFECT ON ME liken to so many others.  Very tired.  The weather is beautiful today at 66 degrees with blue skies and no wind.  GORGEOUS DAY.  I can expect an early sunset on the Prairie horizon.  It'll be dark by 6:30 PM.

I went walking around 3 this afternoon then took a drive about town to cool off.  I walked 5 laps around the track and struggled to make it today as my hip and knee were worn from walking previously yesterday and the day before.  I warmed up and the knee stopped aching.  The hip, well that took a little longer.  I suppose until I get my body broke back in from walking will take some effort.  TODAY, it took me a good 30 minutes to make 5 laps.  I am determined to walk each day this month except around THANKSGIVING.  Then I'll take a HOLIDAY BREAK.  

JUST NOW, I let out a high shrill of a scream that came from deep within my belly as I am typing and sitting in my recliner.  Glass just flew into the room through the door's window with the end of a porch post sticking through the window.  Hubby has been working on the front porch posts AND one of the post came through the antique glass on the door faster than lightning.  Scared me half to death.😖  There goes my heart kurplunk.  Welp, this just means I get different front doors sooner than later.  

I hate accidents.  I had hoped to save the antique glass that looks like lace, but that's not going to happen now.  Take a deep breath and sigh.  I'll live.  I was going to have this antique lace glass framed and then hang it in the Living room window after different doors are purchased.  I'll just have to get an old stained glass window to replace this idea.  Nobody is hurt and that's the important thing.  Now for clean-up.

THIS WEEK.  My GOAL is to have the TV room completely cleared of BOXES.  What a goal to have.  I have been boxing up books that will go to storage as the shelf space where they were is now where my dolls are sitting.  I have three units.  One for dolls, one for framed family photos and one for quilts and bedding.  Looking good.  Now if I can get all the books reboxed into extra small boxes, I will have made another dent in this task.  I hit a moment that I felt like I cannot lift one more thing.  I am only human, huh?

This settling-in-thing is a beast.  Heavens, it's awful.  This isn't the end of the world.  I have to take the emotions out of this and forge ahead, but I sense the emotions still on the back burner.  Going down memory lane creeps in.  I found a Sugar Cookie Recipe that was my Great Grandma's.  I'm going to try it.  She was a small woman that was a farmer's wife, had a large family, never left the house without wearing a brooch at her neck, walked with her arms behind her back, and went by the name of Allie.  She was married less than 50 years when her Husband died.  She had pull down shades in her house and disliked curtains as she felt they made the interior of her home too dark.  She loved Lilacs and Irises like I do.  

My Grandpa ran her farm after his Dad passed away and my Aunt lived with her for over ten years as a child where they slept outside all Summer long.  Arthritis struck her body putting her in a wheel chair.  She was determined to walk again so she pushed a chair about to help her and eventually she would walk again without the chair.  I think my Mom must take after her Grandma as she is one determined woman as well.

GG Allie was close to 90 years old when she went to heaven.  

This was an interesting read to me as I did not know her, but she was family.     

ON THE HOME FRONT.  Synchronized tidying will take place in the Living room and Dining room.  Wish I had some short cuts on how to do this quickly, but I DON'T.

🎄🎁 I work awhile and I sit awhile.  This morning I gathered small items for CHRISTMAS GIFTS for my girlfriends.  We get together to celebrate birthdays and Christmas each year.  This month, we're getting together to celebrate two of us.  I'll need a couple of gifts for their birthdays. Have the cards already.  As for the Christmas gifts, the little bags I bought came in a package and as I was opening them up, they appear to be worn.  Maybe I can touch up the marks with a red flare pen and use them anyways.  I need some tissue paper.  Not sure I have any in my wrapping paper stash.  Need to check.

At any rate, I'll have this much done and be ready for our luncheon in the middle of the month.  

As I go through our STUFF, I still talk to myself about being a minimalist.  It is the way I need to be.  Amen and amen.

The religious books I have are grouped and placed in the other room's smaller bookcase that's beside the bed in the pink room.  This is orderly and I so long for this again.  This move made a complete mess out of everything and I do mean everything.  My body doesn't always want to work.  This morning my lower back started acting up and down I sat.  

I weighed myself this morning as I do on Monday mornings. The scales are not budging.  Makes me go numb.  My breakfast today was a cup of HOT LEMON WATER with cayenne pepper. Snack was a dinner roll and a sugar-free strawberry candy.  Late lunch/early supper will be left over pizza and a salad.  Dessert will be a small ice cream cone.

I have been reading about weight loss again as I often do.  I believe the best way for me to lose weight is to avoid, meats, dairy and carbs.  It's a hard way to go, but I don't want to use Ozempic. A large variety of fruits and veggies are important.  I may eat lean proteins as I understand that one must have an increase in lean proteins and lower the carbs to lose weight.  Drink water and exercise.

Working on laundry, boxing books, organizing the fridge, putting canned goods away from our grocery shopping late last night and putting things away that are looking for new places to go.  I am tempted to take a nap.  I'll forge ahead and work on the boxes.  Tonight will be TV time for watching OFF GRID WITH DOUG AND STACY at 7 pm CST.  Wonder what he'll have to say? 

Jibber Jabbering along.  God Bless and may we have a quiet and peaceable life.  Amen.  

~d 

HODGE PODGE IN MOTION

FALL BACK.  

TIME CHANGE and I forgot about it until a friend reminded me.  OOPS.   Wished the time would be left alone.  Truly, I DO.  No such luck,  it'll be darker sooner with earlier evenings.  pause.  

HALLOWEEN HAS COME AND GONE.  Ours was a very quiet one.  About 5, we went to watch the lil goblins on Main Street.  After we saw our loved ones, we went for a short drive then went HOME for some television.  

When we got HOME we watched a thriller.  ICE ROAD: VENGEANCE with Liam Neeson.  It made me a tad bit nervous.  Got my blood to pumping.
Mike McCann travels to Nepal to scatter his late brother's ashes.  While on a mountain tour bus, he encounters a group of mercenaries who hijack the vehicle.  He must then fight alongside a local guide to save the passengers from the ruthless enemies. 

Double feature.  A chick flick.  THE WRONG PARIS.   

She signed up for Paris, France. She got Paris, Texas. In this feel-good Netflix romantic comedy, Miranda Cosgrove plays an aspiring artist who joins a dating show hoping for a free trip to Paris, France, but ends up just a few miles from her hometown in Paris, Texas.

Fell asleep during this one.  Guess I was just plum tuckered out.  When I woke up, it was time for bed and I couldn't fall back asleep.  I tried with no avail until 2 or so which means I probably will oversleep in the morning and I did.  Hubby and I both did. 

SATURDAY, I STAYED STEADY working on the book cases making room for framed pictures of family members and another case for my doll collection.  Nice and slow.  Very slow.  

We are further along in getting settled than yesterday!  That's promising.

My energy level is very low.  Figuring on going for a walk at 3 PM.  The temps are in the low 50s and it's not raining so I should be alright walking at the track where I can look at nature in the far off distance and pray as I go.  Therapy of sorts.  

October was my worst month for walking due to the rainy weather and being out of town.  I walked about and definitely stayed in motion, but not at the track.  My exercise was in carrying and lifting heavy boxes, bending, stretching, dodging boxes on the floor, and shuffling large pieces of furniture from one room to another.  I was busier than I remember.  A good thing to be in motion.

I pray that this month I do so much better on walking. With it being the beginning of the month I will strive to walk every day.  Shall see.  

Struggling to place my doll collection on some shelves.  I'll not be able to display them all as I will not have enough shelves for that.  Some will remain boxed until the floor to ceiling bookshelves are constructed and that may be a year or two off from now.  AND this is alright by me.  It has to be. 

I wish I were more ambitious and productive in the flesh than only mentally.  When it comes to actually moving about I am not as active as I'd like to be.

What does one do when the energy just isn't there?  Pray.  Sit and research on the computer. Look at magazines.  Read.  Stretch from the sitting position.  Watch movies.  Stand and wash dishes.  Stand and do laundry.  Stand and prepare meals.  Push shopping carts.  Drive a car.  Talk on the phone.  Write letters.  Take naps.  Wipe down the dash board in the car.  Draw.  Sew. Organize the fridge.  Close my eyes and dream.  Go for a short walk at a slow pace.  Take a bath.  

For now, unpack large boxes and think about what to do with the contents.  

Hubby is at a place on the porch project preparing for the porch columns to go in place.  It's too cold to paint a second coat on the porch boards, but tomorrow is looking like better temps for that.  

He has worked so hard on this porch project.  It takes us a bit of time to get things done, but we are determined around here.  Keep going strong even when we are challenged with old age and ailments.

🖼 I have been thinking where to go with our STUFF.  Extra pictures will go in the top of the small closet that this bedroom has available.
🛏 The extra bedsheets that have been stored in a cardboard box for two years! will be neatly folded and placed in the chest of drawers in the pink bedroom.  Right now it is loaded with sweaters which will be relocated to the walk-in closet we have.  That means rearranging the shelves in there.  Oh heavens another task to complete.
🪆📚 Not sure where I will store my books and dolls that cannot be displayed at present.  Maybe in the SHE SHED.

Lord, I pray that you will guide and direct me with where I am to go with our earthly positions.  I need help.  IJNIP

This will be a memory one day on how we were rushed into moving into a very small fixer-upper cottage with way too much stuff.  May it be a happy memory that gets better.  As I squeeze things into place with a ton of boxes about, we still appear to look like HOARDERS.  Tired of this.  May this adventure come together quickly.  

UPDATE:  I did go walking, but it was later in the day than 3.  I finally made it to the track close to 5PM and walked 5 laps.  That's one and a quarter miles.  When I got finished, my legs were wobbly.  It felt awesome to walk alone at the track.  Nobody there, but me and GOD.  Beautiful outside.  Lovely environment.  Now to walk again tomorrow.

After walking, I stopped by the Dollar Store and picked up some Peach Vibe for my Huny, some birthday cards, Christmas bags for small gifts, sugar-free candy, black beans.  I need to go grocery shopping this week-end and stock up on canned beans as we sure like them.  A trip to ALDI is needed.  Drove to the Post Office where there was a card from our Alaskan friend, Maxine.  Putted HOME to cut some herbs from our garden.  It's suppose to FREEZE tonight and I wanted to cut some of our harvest.  I might try to plant some of the herbs in small pots to winter this year.  I'll try to salvage some Coleus.

🌡With it freezing overnight, the urn plants will be done and so will the small container garden.  Our pumpkins did super this year as my Husband's count was about 100 pumpkins.  Fantastic.  He pulled up the large leaves and vines from the two plants we have.  Now the yard can be mowed and returned to a lawn and prepped for chilly weather.  

I'm not much of a gardener.  Wish I had been taught, but I was a city gal.  So this is something I can learn as an old woman.

HERBS are a must.  The more the merrier.  I love Geraniums, Coleus and Irises for our flower gardens.  I have been looking over pictures of beautiful gardens to give me some ideas for future gardening.  

When I came indoors, I flopped in my chair.  I'm done.  Hubby suggested PIZZA for supper. How could I say no?  Salad tomorrow for sure. 

I've been following along with THE IRON VICTORIAN.  These two young people are an inspiration to me as they have transformed an old mansion.   

 Good to know...

There was a strong emphasis about 20 years ago or so to bad mouth eggs.  They were suppose to be soooo bad for ya.  Now they are encouraged to eat for high protein.  The golden treasure.  I choose to eat them! 🪺🐔   

  Welp, the week-end continues and so must I.  
I want to continue.

~d

NOVEMBER

HAVE MERCY.  Tis NOVEMBER!  There is much to do in order to survive the HOLIDAYS.  My main focus this month is to declutter and deep clean the COTTAGE then have it orderly before THANKSGIVING.  

THIS BLESSED MONTH I have a bunch of boxes to go through, weight loss resistance will be worked on and plans for THANKSGIVING COMPANY.  Our youngest Grandson turns 4 this month, our oldest Granddaughter turns 24, our middle child turns 48 and last but not least my dear dad would be turning 99.  The Bathroom will need a deep cleaning this month and so well the KITCHEN.  

Much to do.  

I have been starting my morning routines with drinking HOT LEMON WATER with cayenne pepper which gives it a punch.  This drink is suppose to help with detoxing and aiding with digestion.  Soooo, I iz drinking it in the morning before eating anything.  I decided that I would continue doing this plus do a water and soup diet to see if the plateau I've had for over a year will budge without OZEMPIC.  Actually, the plateau has lasted longer than a year.  Tis frustrating and with this being the start of a new month, I will consider it a fresh start.

 This year I did well on avoiding the HALLOWEEN SWEETS.  I had 2 miniature Hersey Bars and that was it.  Hubby gave them to me and I willingly ate them.  I won't be buying discounted candy.  

NOVEMBER.  AND WE'RE OFF.
~d