NO GYM REQUIRED

FRIDAY.  What will this day bring?  The phone rang.  Twas my Mom.  She was asking if I would pick her up in Manhattan when my sister drives down for a funeral for a dear friend?  Yes. She'll telephone back with the details.

She did and since this is a one day trip, she changed her mind and is staying HOME.  I can now slow down my day about cleaning.  This would have been a 10 hour traveling trip in one day.  She made a wise decision to stay HOME.  I'm 70 and traveling 5 hours in one day was hard on my ole body and energy level.  Can only imagine what this does to an older vessel. 

I will still work on laundry, clearing off the dining room table and tidying in the Kitchen.  What ever else comes to mind while I am walking about the COTTAGE.

The Kansas wind is blowing with cold temperatures outside hitting the high of 42 degrees at noon.  brrrr.  I shall stay indoors being comfortable with domestic work to do.  I just dusted some metal tea/coffee sets and placed them in a nice, heavy duty storage tub.  I had to do something with them as they lost their resting place in the Library case.  I've put my Tea Leaf Dishes in there.  The collection is growing.  PTL.

Tee-shirts galore are getting washed.  Aint that exciting. With each load finished and put away, I grow stronger.  Things like running behind in the laundry bother me and with this I get tired. Mental aerobics.  Funny, how digging into the bottom of a laundry basket has such power over me.  Ridiculous.  

MENU:  Late Breakfast.  OATMEAL with almond milk, almond slivers and blueberries for BRUNCH.  A big salad for LUNCH.  SUPPER?  Roasted cauliflower and butter beans.

If we are to eat 4 to 5 veggies and fruit servings a day, I'm falling behind.  Still on the Daniel Diet/Fast until the 21st.  I have had a few cheat items during this time, but very few.  Last night we had supper over at our grandson and his new bride's HOME.  They made smash burgers on Hawaiian rolls with caramelized onions and potato slices.  I enjoyed my meal.  I wasn't about to say to them who graciously invited us into their new home that I couldn't eat what was prepared for me.  I kept my portions small.  Everything worked out just fine.  I was able to see their beautiful new house.  

Now as I carry on with mindful eating, I will continue to eat the way I should as best I can all the time and be thankful.  Listening to my daughter and her daughter-in-law talk about food prep and items enlightens me and I learn as I go.

ON THE HOME FRONT:  Being inside all day long needs some adjustments for the body.

Petra shows some exercises to do at HOME to help with belly fat.  I'll give it a try.  These seem easy enough.  Just do them.  No GYM required.

Hold onto a counter raising knees up 
to walk or jog in place.

 Push-ups against a counter.

Elbow to knee and switch.

Sit and stand up.  
Up then sit.  Repeat.

Walking in place.

I'm going to print these images out and make a exercise notebook where I refer to these exercises without a GYM.

A key to a healthy mental and emotional LIFE is to have something to look forward to and have goals to work toward.  Amen.

In God I will trust.

It's getting NAP TIME so I shall close my eyes for a short time before returning to the chores. Amen.  Happy thoughts as I snooze.

We're one day closer to SPRING!  

~d

PROVERBS 22:4

 

TINNITUS, CELL PHONES, HEALTH RISK and SHOPPING LIKE I MEANT IT

OH MY...oh me, oh mio.  I am an addict to the internet having to pace myself to stay balanced.  I'm not glued to my phone, because I don't have a 📱SMART PHONE.  If I had a SMART PHONE, I'm not sure what would become of me.  

📵I have a trac-phone that I only use when calling HUBBY at HOME if I'm out an about needing his help.  We have a landline at HOME and HUBBY carries his trac-phone when traveling.

Phones are incredibly helpful when in search of information, but I understand carrying them on your person carries harmful issues that may cause cancers.  Electromagnetic Field at work.  One should hold the phone out with it on speaker phone not being held right up to the ear.  After long usage, Brain cancer may happen when holding the phone right up to the side of the head and if you carry it in your pant pocket you are in danger of injuring the family jewels or hip issues. Then if it is carried in upper pockets or in bra, the threat of breast cancer occurs.  

👂If you hold the phone up to the side of the head, I wonder if TINNITUS happens?  My Husband when working in Tulsa carried a business cell phone all the time and used it continuously while working. Like being on a lease.  He developed and suffers from TINNITUS. Is there a connection? Research says YES. 

Can the damage be reversed?  Shall read some more on this ringing subject matter.  

HOME FRONT.  I seem to do chores even when I am supposedly resting and taking it easy.  I've done this most of my adult life.  It takes me longer to recover from trips and very busy days such as shopping over 5 hours visiting a variety of shops/stores.  Yesterday, I rushed off to TOPEKA to pick up some supplies and groceries.  The day caught up with me and I AM TIRED TODAY.

I hate to admit it, but my lifestyle is hard on my energy level.  The ride even to TOPEKA and back makes me tired.  Being around large groups of people takes a toll on me.  Stress and more stress. TOPEKA was extremely busy and the traffic was heavy.   The interstate traffic coming HOME was busier than usual.  Don't know why.  Not a HOLIDAY or spectacular event taking place in the area that I know of.  

When we have to go shopping I try to make our trip count.  The shopping is necessary and a form of entertainment or at least I try to make it such. 
🫖First STOP was TARGET for speciality Tea purchase and a present for a HOME WARMING Gift.  The tea could have been ordered through Amazon, but the gift was needed right away so I personally did brick and mortar shopping.
🧋Drove to a grocery store with a STARBUCKS in it for our medicinal unsweetened iced green tea.  I could have made up our tea at home and brought it with us, but this splurge is just that a splurge. 
👚GOD'S STOREHOUSE where I purchased some clothing.  Entertainment for the day.  
🥬🥑🫒Natural Grocers for 🌽veggies, 🍏fruit and 💊CoQ10.  This is considered my gardening.
🍽SAMS. 🥤Paper plates, coffee cups.
🥣Drove over to St. Marys to purchase special BOB'S RED MILL Scottish Oatmeal from SUGAR CREEK.  Again this could have been ordered, but I love going to this store so I can't order that.

🏠Drove HOME, unloaded items, cleaned out the fridge, restocked the fridge, rested and watched a movie.  Evening done.

TODAY, plans for a couple loads of laundry will be done.  Tea Leaf Dishes will be washed, dried and stacked in the Library Case.  Gift wrapped.  Paper work done.  Correspondences written out.  Some cardboard boxes broke down and grouped.  A POWER NAP taken.  Nap time.

I don't believe I have fully recovered from our week-end trip and baby sitting then the shopping adventure on Wednesday which  causes some fatigue.  Aint it grand to be so easily fatigued?  No. Gotta pace myself all the time.  

Just the way it tis.  Embrace it.

~d

 

BABY SITTING THAT'S ENTERTAINING

HOME again and unpacking the suitcases from weekend trip to Oklahoma for a Granddaughter's Baby Shower.  We returned on Sunday and slept in a tiny bit on Monday morning.  I will be watching Lil Dude in a few minutes.  I have things we can do to be entertained.

While he plays, I'll do a few chores checking on him constantly.  Like a hawk I watch my grandchildren when on my watch.

I still have not unpacked the antique dishes I purchased last Thursday so I'll do this today. They're sitting in the a box in the living room.  I will make sure all the stickers are off before washing them.  I believe I can unwrap these while he plays in the same room. 

LIL DUDE arrived and he showed me what he has in his dinosaur backpack for his lunch and snacks.  Graham crackers, Babybel Mini Original Cheese, pepperoni and noodles.  He brought his thermos of water with him.  

As soon as he took off his shoes and coat he headed toward the tubs with toys.  I have a stack of tubs in the Dining room that I downsized the toys into which he knows Grandma has toys for him to play with while he stays with me.  He's playing with some trucks and cars and then took an interest in miniature pots and pans, faux food, cups and plates.  He made some make believe Breakfast and served it to us on miniature plastic plates with make believe coffee.  He's a busy little guy able to entertain himself, but likes it when we interact with him playing along.  Then came the toy dinosaurs all over the Living room floor.  I hear, "Will you play on the floor with me?"

🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎

Grandpa showed him on his phone some pictures of dinosaur skeletons and volcanoes.  LIL DUDE requested to watch PAW PATROL with dinosaurs on the TV.  Lunch was served and movie time.  

Shall see how the day progresses.

~d

BABY SHOWER

My first born granddaughter is expecting a baby girl in March 2026.

A sweet BABY SHOWER was given in her honor.

We drove to OKLAHOMA Saturday morning to attend.  

Hubby went off with our son and grandsons while I attended the SHOWER.

Thinking about becoming a GREAT Grandma.  Wow.  

Tis a great honor.

The new Grandmas to be and they are really excited for this baby.

I had a lovely time in Oklahoma.

 Prayers are welcomed.

Thank you ever so much.

Her docs are carefully watching this pregnancy 

because of some issues that have arisen.

Babies are precious and sometimes things are delicate 

needing a watchful eye and attention. 

This is one of those pregnancies.

PRAYERS are coveted. 

Granny Nanny Chronicles.

~d

TOYS AND A MOVIE

THINNING OUT THE TOYS.  I had been putting it off until this evening.  I went through the toys rather fast and made quick work of it.  As for the dinosaur items I have for lil Dude, I found a better tub for these.  This tub is completely for dino things.  A pillow with dinosaurs on it and a blanket will stay in the tub.  A backpack full of plastic dinosaurs that roar, a pull apart jumbo egg holding more dinosaurs, a large book about dinosaurs.  

Between toy trucks, cars, faux food, dishes and dinosaurs, he has plenty of toys to play with when he comes to visit.  He's at the age that he likes playing with play-dough, coloring and having books read to him.

Yesterday, he stopped by to say hi and he saw a jar full of sea shells.  He wanted to take one home with him, but I told him these were Grandma's and he can look at them.  This gave me an idea that when he comes to visit next I'll let him take the shells out of the jar and look at them closer.  I forgot that last Summer his folks took him to the beach.  

I also have a jar with rocks that have words engraved in them which I will let him look at next time.  He might like this as we can read the words on them and begin to identify some letters.  At 4, I think he is old enough to start recognizing letters.  

I continue to tidy on the house and think of when the house will be like it should be.  Oh HAPPY day, I shall be waiting for that day which hopefully will come sooner than later.  

This evening, I watched a good 2024 movie, THE PENGUIN LESSONS.  I liked it.  Based on a true story.

~d

 

THRIFTY THURSDAY WAS A THRILL

TIS THURSDAY AND I WENT THRIFTING.  What a thrill!  My mouth with stitches is tender and I pretty much have to take the day easy.  No debate about that.  Last week I came across a nearby shop shared on FACEBOOK in which I spied Alfred Meakin Copper Lustre Tea-Leaf Ironstone china.  My thoughts were 'come next Thursday when they're open I'll venture there.'

Even with the sore mouth, I mustered up some gumption to go.  Hubby came with me to the shop in Wamego, Kansas.  The shoppe was charming inside.  I told the clerk I saw some Tea Leaf dishes on Facebook, but didn't know which booth the dishes were in.  She knew right away and said that these pieces are across the shop.  

She took me straight to the booth with the coffee pot I had seen.  Bingo.  I'll take it.  Some bowls and dishes were to follow.  This afternoon I'll take the stickers off and wash the pieces then play at placing them in the Library case that holds my COLLECTION.  Tis growing.  This shoppe had the most Tea Leaf pieces I have ever seen in one place.  I look when we go on the road and stop at antique stores.

The Alfred Meakin Tea Leaf Ironstone are on my radar these days.  I've got to read up on these again as my recall dims.  I'll snap some pics later of what I snagged to share. 

I've got some reading to do to get better educated about Tea Leaf.

https://guide.tealeafclub.com/body-styles-handbook

I am one tired woman.

Too much excitement for one day,

~d 

MID WEEK

MID WEEK.  Mid week.  I managed to go for a mile walk at noon knowing that I had an afternoon surgery scheduled for removing a bump in my mouth.  I knew that if I didn't walk before the appointment I probably wouldn't walk for a while.  There was a nice breeze and the weather was wonderful.  I had the track to myself and it was perfect for walking.  I felt like I was walking slow, but my time was good.  Walking at the track is by choice as I like knowing how far I have walked and with each lap, I know.

Cleaning up after the walk meant my hair needed shampooed.  My hair air dried as I went about my business getting ready for the medical appointment.  Hubby stayed home painting on our porch making progress.  It is turning out so cute.  So very pleased.

~COTTAGE PORCH~

My medical appointment was at 3 and I walked out of the office at 10 minutes after.  I had a fat lip.  A couple of stitches are inside the mouth.  I suppose swelling will take some time to go down.  In a week or so I should know the results about this nugget that was cut out.  The doctor did not believe it was cancerous.  

We drove over to TARGET needing a BABY GREETING CARD and gift card for a Baby Shower I'm going to in a few days.  We purchased 4 oversized silver Christmas ornaments discounted 70% off.  A nice addition to our 2026 front porch decor.  The garland will be loaded with giant ornaments.

My mouth began to hurt.  Supper did not sound good.  Not sure how'd I eat.  SO glad to be HOME.  5 medical appointments in three days is a bit much.  FIVE.  Five.  I believe I will take my time getting up in the morning.

~d

   

THE PINK HOUSECOAT, HEALTH, THIS 'N THAT and DEEP CLEANING

Still in my pink housecoat, I was being brave this morning when I opened my front door to a neighbor who brought over some HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS that she had made me.  No make-up, hair in a messy pony tail and wearing a really OLD, stained housecoat.  I'd scare anyone looking this way.  

She was so sweet to fix these for me for a Christmas gift.  She's truly a talented Baker and I look forward to eating some rolls when I have a day off from the Daniel Diet.

We chatted for about an hour.  She's easy to talk to and this visit was very uplifting to me. Having a friend is such a blessing.  

GORGEOUS WINTER DAY THAT WAS MORE SPRING TIME with vibrant clear, blue skies. Temperatures in the 60s.  TWO Doctor's appointments this afternoon.  We ate baked potatoes for lunch before we left to travel the distance to the medical appointments.  I believe I will do more baked potatoes while on this adventure for weight loss.  Salt and pepper, no butter.  Just salsa.  It was rather good.  Supper will be butter beans and corn on the cob.  I have thoughts of scrambled eggs, but remind myself the eggs will come later while on this diet there are no animal products allowed while fasting.

Hubby needed to have the doctor look at a place on his chest that needs removed.  After this appointment, he had another one with a different doc to groom his old toenails.  I sipped on a green tea as I waited.  Off to Menards then Home Depot to look for some more storage boxes. When at HD, they had huge ornaments for 50% off, so I purchased 4 of them for our front porch for 2026. They will look festive when the time comes.  While we were at HD we looked at kitchen cabinets and appliances.  Fun to look about.

Headed HOME after we checked out.  Tired and ready for supper.  Hungry.  6th DAY on the DANIEL DIET/FAST.  Amazing how fast this fast is going.  We've been at it for a week tomorrow. The whole idea of doing this diet again is multi-purpose as I'm hoping to break a weight plateau and start losing weight for health purposes.  I'd like to see my A1c lower below 6.8.  Closer to 5.8. Also I wouldn't mind my cholesterol being lower.  So I'm working on this.  I'll hopefully fast until the 21st of January then take a few days off before doing round two.  Labs will be in February. Smiling, I am anxious to see where my levels are.   

Hubby weighed in 4 pounds lighter today at the doc's office.  He told me he was surprised and I said I wasn't.  Happy for him and he was as well.  Since he retired 6 years ago from employment, he has reduced his weight close to 30 pounds.  I am in such hopes that I can continue to turn loose of weight as he has.  I have a goal weight in mind and I know it will take TIME to get this extra weight off of me.  Walking and watching videos of people who have lost over a hundred pounds naturally without surgery or meds.  After seeing pics of me from the past, I frown as I am entirely too heavy.  humph.  Lord, I'm praying for help.

I've been drinking tea so I asked google if caffeine raises blood glucose levels and of course it does.  Tomorrow, I'll skip drinking caffeinated tea.  More water.  The caffeine does something to the insulin and this is problematic.  Being insulin resistant is part of the problem leading to obesity.

This evening, I wrote Thank you notes for the Christmas gifts we received.  The 35 page letter to my Mom was mailed today.  Some laundry was done.  A Christmas ornament was made with a snapshot of my youngest grandchild posing with Santa in it.  I'll give this to my daughter when I see her next.

Another medical appointment for me this week as I will have a bump that is inside my mouth removed.  Not looking forward to this, but need it removed.  It'll have a stitch or two.  hum.  

Thursday, Hubby is having a car clinic.  So while he is doing this, I'll go to a new store that I haven't been to hopefully to purchase some Ironstone.  They have a coffee pot or they did that I'd like to add to my Tea Leaf Collection.  I hope it's still there as I saw a pic of it on Facebook a few days ago.  If they've already sold it, I'll look around in their store and that will be that.

Laundry is very slowly getting dealt with.  I decided when deep cleaning that it will be alright to do a little here and there.  I'll leave the dust spray and rag on the kitchen counter top and when I walk by, I'll clean a cabinet door.  Polish it and return to do another one later.  My short attention span and lack of energy levels work well this way. 

As we drove across the Flint Hills, I admired the beautiful landscape.  Once again I need to stop and truly look at the rolling hills, crops, livestock, plants and skies.  I don't quite understand why I don't do this more often instead of viewing the surroundings as we are traveling 70 miles an hour down the interstate.  It doesn't seem right to only be sight seeing when going to a doctor's appointment.

I believe God would be alright with me admiring the nature He created.  Shame on me for not taking advantage of the beautiful scenery.  Okay, it's a new day and I will stare on.  When doing the Daniel Diet, I am to depend more on God than what I am eating.  I am thinking thoughts of food.  All kinds of food.  This happens when I fast.  Not fun.  Drawing closer to God is part of this Diet/FAST.  It isn't just about lowering my A1c or cholesterol or losing weight.  Although all of this would be welcomed.  I can meditate on nature and scripture.  Need to, anyways.

Blessings to you,
~d

LIL MISS TURNS 19

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love,

Grandma

QUIET TIME AT THE ZOO

LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE SOMETIMES SEEMS MORE LIKE LIVING IN A ZOO.  Just an opinion.  It takes some skill and talent to calm the environment around here at times.  The tears fall as I look at our clutter still in the house.  I cannot believe we are living this way.    

Here it is the 3rd of the month.  Working some then resting a lot.  My patience is hanging on by a thread.  Stay with it and watch things make sense.

NEW YEAR'S EVE and beyond.

New Year's Eve was a quiet one with tidying in the house and eating popcorn while watching a double feature on the tele.  Ate a few sweets and stayed up to wish my sweetie a HAPPY NEW YEAR.  Lights out.  

New Year's Day was productive with cleaning and I walked a mile at the track.  Rested and started the DANIEL FAST/DIET.  Hubby and I both are aiming to lower our A1c, cholesterol and I'm wanting to break out of obesity bondage.  Praise the LORD.

Day 2.  I managed to return to Hob Lob to find their CHRISTMAS sales at 90% off.  The tree I was so pleased to purchase at 80% off was now 90% and they still had some.  They were down to a couple of trees and that's all. Still delighted that we paid under a hundred dollars for a 7.5 foot flocked CHRISTMAS tree.  I wanted to buy some more acrylic gems, but they were out.  I am happy I have as many as I do and will have to make this work next CHRISTMAS.  I did buy some jumbo ornaments that will work as fillers on the garland.

MENARDS had rearranged their store's merch to where it is thinning out.  SAMS was gone before CHRISTMAS DAY.  WALMART, TARGET and the other places I shop have thinned out their CHRISTMAS merchandise.  Bye bye.  Time for Valentine's. 💘

We're placing our CHRISTMAS DECOR for the exterior of the house in the SHE SHED gathering it together so we know where it is.  Eventually it will go to the cellar, but it will be grouped together for easier inventory.  Figuring out how to decorate will follow.  

Hardly mailed any Christmas cards in 2025.  I was late on some and let the rest go.  Since I had a head cold few sweets were made.  Skipped the fudge altogether as I had started the DANIEL FAST/DIET and did not see any need to fix fudge that I'd have to avoid.  I did make some chocolate covered pretzel rods and peppermint patties before New Year's Day.

DANIEL FAST/DIET.  I'm on day 3 of the Daniel Fast.  I have been drinking teas and need to turn loose of these while on this plan.  I will drink only water starting on day 4.  I don't think I'll have any issues with caffeine withdrawal. Sugar is a different issue altogether.  Boredom with not having meat will set in later on the diet.  This I know.

Weighing myself took notice so my weight is recorded as I start.  I'm walking every day and as the year progresses I'll be lifting hand weights and doing stretches.  That's the plan.  That's my HOBBY.

I'm going to take each month of the year and focus on different things to accomplish.  Each month my goal will be considered and worked on.  Since this is the month of January, CHRISTMAS decor will disappear and be boxed up.  New pull down window shades need purchased and hung.  Smoke alarms need the batteries switched out.  Deep cleaning throughout the house will continue.  Dreams will be dreamed.

As for health, mindful eating happens.  Exercise happens.  Quiet time happens.  Studying happens.  Writing happens.  Sewing happens.  Artwork happens.  Making plans happens. Prayers happen.  

Working at keeping calm, being de-stressed and getting organized will happen.  No ZOO. Pleasant thoughts and a pleasant LIFE meditating on the goodness of GOD and encouraging one another. 

Medical appointments are piling up.  Making the best out of each day though and when we have an appointment the time spent away from the house will be used wisely.  Let the joy begin. 

All the best and God bless,

~d

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 ~d~