WEEK-END PLANS, WRAPPING WITHOUT TAPE AND SHEEP GRAZING ON THE LAWN

THE WEEK-END IS HERE!  SNIPPETS.

Plans are in order.  I'm working on gathering things to get rid of.  Decluttering AGAIN.  I wonder what I'll get done today?

Worked on a pile of things on the Kitchen floor that needed dealt with.  Not done, but if I can stay with it, it will happen.  The Kitchen will be tidied this coming week.  Went through four containers of old, outdated meds to trash.  I iced my ankle and shin this morning for an hour, ate a healthy breakfast of eggs, toast with real butter and Manuka Honey, sipped on Earl Grey Tea and BLOGGED.  Thinking about driving to the track and walking a lap.  Thinking about it.  I best not think too long on this or it won't get done.

Hubby has some work to do on a leaky, outdoors faucet.  Best get this done before the afternoon heat takes over.  When I get back from my walk, I'll see about working in the garage today. 

🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦 This morning, Black birds were squawking in the trees outside our window.  Incredibly loud with a constant attack on one another.  As soon as I walked out on the porch, they flew elsewhere.  They were having a convention of sorts at the COTTAGE.  Thankful they flew away.  To think birds can make so much noise it stop one's concentration.  🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦

THOUGHTS on the month of JUNE.  If I'm not careful, the days will get away from me and the cleaning won't get done.  I've got too many irons in the fire as one might say.  Too many projects to do.  

MOVIE NIGHT.  We watched PHENOMENON with John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Kyra Sedgwick.
Phenomenon   follows a small-town mechanic, George, whose life changes after witnessing a mysterious light, unlocking extraordinary intellect and telekinetic abilities. As he navigates newfound curiosity, suspicion, and love, the story explores human potential and the power of connection. With heartfelt performances and a blend of romance, drama, and gentle sci-fi, it’s a touching, uplifting film worth watching for its emotional depth and charm.

I remember going to the theatre in 1996 to see this one.  Watching it again was fresh and there was much about the film that was like new to me.  Overall, I think this 1996 film is FAMILY FRIENDLY and a good film.  

🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧

I have some gift wrapping to do to get packages in the Monday mail.  Then I saw these tips about wrapping without tape.  

Turned my crank.

Whalaah!  Pretty neat.  All these years and I knew not.

🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

POLITICS.  SHEEP GRAZING ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN. 

When Sheep Grazed on the White House Lawn. Sheep grazed on the White House lawn during World War I, specifically from 1918 to 1920 under President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Edith Wilson.

The idea came in the spring of 1918, when President Wilson reportedly suggested having sheep on the grounds. His friend Dr. Cary Grayson arranged for a flock to be brought to Washington, D.C. 

The sheep were kept to trim the grass naturally, saving manpower and equipment, and their wool was sold at auctions to raise funds for the American Red Cross.

The wool auctions were a major success, with some wool selling for up to $10,000 per pound, and the program ultimately raising nearly $52,823 for the Red Cross www.missedhistory.com. The flock started with about 12 sheep and 4 lambs, growing to 48 by 1920.

 This is a tad bit different than what's going on at the WHITE HOUSE these days with the East Wing torn down and a CAGE springing up on the East Lawn for a sporting event to celebrate AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY. 

 

I recall the 200th Anniversary where I was visiting my parents in Marion, Kansas and I was only 20 years old, married and with a baby.

  

There were fireworks in Washington D.C.  No massive construction going on or sheep grazing on the lawn.

Times have changed so much it makes me dizzy.

Here's to you,

~d

PLAYING WITH DOLLS AND DISHES AS AN OLDER LADY

Between rainy days and Mondays, I have been in a shopping mood.  Must be in the air.  Recalling the vintage and thrift shops I've visited.  Methodist Thrift Shop in Wamego.  Mill Creek in Alma.  Vintage Tulip in Wamego.  Vintage Round Up and Eclectic Charm in Manhattan.   

On Thursday, we stopped off at a spot in Manhattan that has a large selection of vintage goods. Every single time I see the inside of this little house with the darling Kitchen, I say I could live in a house like this.  

The 2 Bedrooms are little, but it has a nice floor plan where basement stairs are behind a door in the Kitchen. The main countertop is curved with cabinets to match.  With having a small Kitchen with little storage, I could imagine what I'd fill the cabinets with.  I miss my cabinets we had in the 1883 house we had before moving into the Folk Victorian COTTAGE.  I'm still adjusting. 

VINTAGE ROUND UP.  https://www.facebook.com/VintageRoundUpManhattan

I found a round, metal cookie cutter with a red knob.  Darling.  I thought I could also cut biscuits with this.  It has a ruffled edge and wouldn't that make cute sugar cookies and biscuits?  I think so.  

They sell quite a few baking miniatures and I do believe I could add to my collection.  Darling teenies take up less room in a small environment. 

Right off the bat, I picked up a small, metal tea kettle with stainless steel insert basket to hold loose tea.  Looks brand new.  I've not seen one like this before and I knew I needed it as I have loose tea leaves at HOME stored in amber colored glass jars that I usually use a spoon to hold the cup of tea amount.  This small tea kettle will be easier to clean after a use.  The spoon isn't the handiest.  

Behind this place is the Eclectic Charm filled with booths with various odds and ins the sell.  It's probably been a half of a year since shopping here and I was craving some time indoors looking at the neat items.  Only open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays so we hit it on the nail.

ECLECTIC CHARM.   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057352425490

I walked the store aisles and saw a 1930ish composition baby doll that was marked down to $12.50.  This was a huge bargain when dealing with these old dolls.  I took her HOME and she's now sitting on a Victorian Parlour chair that needed a doll on her.

Somebody has a green thumb there as the plants were priced at a very reasonable price.  I don't have an Aloe Vera plant.  I can't say that now.  I brought one HOME.  She'll sit on a table in the Utility room.  Very becoming.  

WE HAD TO RETURN TO THE WAMEGO PHARMACY ON FRIDAY as we needed to pick up some meds and greeting cards at the dollar store.  Returned a movie to the Library and ssssh, we picked up a donut that we ate at the City Park.  While sitting there, I visited on the phone with my baby brother to see how things are going in his neck of the woods.

https://www.facebook.com/vintagetulips.ks

From there, we went to get a couple of greeting cards and on our way HOME, we drove past the VINTAGE TULIP.  I have purchased some Tea Leaf Ironstone there before and wanted to just look around.  Welp, they had more pieces that I decided to add to my collection.  Hubby told me, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  My birthday is in July, but hey I won't stop him from treating me early.  If we eat a meal out, the expense of the food cost plenty and there isn't much to look at once we eat the food.  With dishes, they hang around for a while if we're lucky.

We stopped at another vintage store and more Tea Leaf was bought.  I shuffled the little Library Cabinet I have to fit the new OLD pieces in.  I played with dishes TODAY!!!

I knew this was going to happen, but I wasn't ready for it.  On Wednesday, ground was broke across the street on the empty lot.  When we bought the cottage in 2013, a very nice trailer was on the property.  The owners had a gorgeous yard.  The wife died and the husband stayed for a few years, then sold the property.  

The next owners allowed the trailer to get in poor repair and died.  The city condemned the property and hauled the trailer away. Someone else bought the lots.  Now they will be building a house.  The quiet of the mornings will vanish as they build.  I figure 4 months and then a house will be complete.  Neighbors will move in.

While they build the house, we will continue working on ours.

Hubby got the Hostas planted in the ground along the shady side of the house. 

Tonight, I am a little girl all over again 

playing with dolls and dishes,

~d 

JUNE SNIPPETS

NO READING GLASSES FOR ME FROM MARSHALLS.  Disappointed. Called the shopping trip short because the pot roast is HOME ALONE.  

Think back on the day.  Traveled to Manhattan to the coffee shop to get my green tea.  I walked into the doctor's office right at 2PM to get my Vitamin B12 injection and make next months appointment.  I only sat in the lobby for a few minutes before I was called back to the injection room.  Hubby stayed in the car.   Afterwards we went to MARSHALLS we went.

I'm wanting a free day where I go to Manhattan not because of a doctor's appointment where we're hurrying about, but because I want to goof off and go to a multitude of shops just because I can.  Tis needed.

Marshalls reminds me of the old TUESDAY MORNING stores except with more clothing and shoes.  I use to shop at TM a lot before they disappeared from the face of the earth here in the Flint Hills.  It was a sad day.

I was looking for the reading glasses and found nothing that I liked, but I found OTHER THINGS.  Imagine that.  Some Manuka Honey in a glass jar for an outstanding price.  Turkey sticks, two glass storage containers with lids, shortbread cookies, 4 pound weighted vest that I can wear while walking, tooth brushes, what else?  

Drove a ways to the Library to see if a movie on loan had come in and it was a no, not yet.  On our way HOME we checked out another Library to see what movies they had.  Checked out 3 movies and a CHARLIE KIRK BOOK.  This will be an interesting read.  Two weeks to make it through the book.

Finally HOME and checked on the POT ROAST.  The aroma is wonderful.  By 6 I think it will be ready to munch down on.  Hallelujah.  We're having Pot Roast tonight.

Beaming with joy,

~d 

Wednesday.  I knew we'd need to make another trip to Marion to remove the grave sight flowers from Memorial Day.  Dad's and brother David's flowers were needing removed.  Hubby had a haircut in Manhattan.  I stayed in the car while he had some spa time at the barbers.  His hair is short so it didn't take much time.  I stayed in the car and messed around with his camera. Snap. 📸

Afterwards, I wanted to buy some more faux sunflowers from Hobby Lobby for my Dad's tombstone.  I need to go back to HL and take time to look around real gooood.  

We drove over to Marion.  Beautiful scenery.  Lovely weather for us.  The massive blue skies above the luscious green landscape makes for a lovely sight.  It would be appropriate to pull the car over and park so I could observe the graphic landscape before traveling onward.  That pioneer spirit I have within is still very much alive.  Little House On the Prairie comes forth.

Arrived in time to stop at the Victorian House that has a Coffee Shop with eatery in it.  Spent a minute before going to the cemetery.

We went to the cemetery to do our part.  With shepherd hooks we could leave faux flowers in baskets for an all year decor.  I believe I'd like to do that when we visit next.  Said bye to my loved ones and began our trip HOME.

The drive HOME went well.  Was tired when I got HOME.  We skipped supper because we were full from earlier.  This is something to only eat two meals a day and be full to where a third one isn't necessary.  Old age I guess.

Watched a LOVE STORY.  

YOU'VE GOT MAIL.  
  

Slept well and have rested this Wednesday.  Plans for the rest of the day are to work on gathering items for decluttering.  We thought we'd participate in the City-wide Garage Sale this month, but it's been canceled so we will have to decide if we should just have one on our own or what. 

JUNE SNIPPETS.  June is the month of Birthdays for my sister and brother, my oldest son and sister-in-law.  June is the month of lawn care and garden clean out.  June is the month of clearing out an extremely messy GARAGE that will take hours and muscles to make sense of it. Tackling this isn't what I want to do, but have to do.

JUNE.  

~d

  

M&Ms FOR A TREAT BEFORE STARTING THE MONTH OF JUNE and SNIPPETS !!!!

JUNE 1ST.  HELLO!  I knew you were coming, but I didn't bake a cake.  Instead I ate some Peanut Butter M&Ms.  I didn't go over board with them!  This is improvement for me.  I have great plans to eat as little of sweets as possible during the month of June and the first two weeks of July BEFORE MY LABS ARE DONE FOR MY YEARLY PHYSICAL.  Plans for lots of greens, little meat, no dairy, little bread.

So in preparations for June, I deliberately purchased some Peanut Butter M&Ms to snack on and I did, but like I said, I went easy on them.  Surprised myself.

The ingredients are outrageous.  Oh my.  Welp, what can I say.  I occasionally have a sweet or two.

June has started and I have made some goals for myself.  Tadaah.  Here I go again on cutting back on sugars.

As I type the post for my blog, my legs are elevated with a bag of frozen peas on my left ankle and one on my right shin.  sigh.  More aches and pains.  Hubs as well.  Hubby's knee and hip are acting up.  Doc told him he thought he should have physical therapy.  Waiting for that phone call to say when they'll start.  Probably 2 trips a week for a while to Manhattan.  

Phone just rang.  Making plans for Hubby's Colonoscopy.  Fun, huh?  Gotta keep an ongoing calendar.  Praise the Lord.  

I got the gorgeous pot roast on this morning.  If you can say a chunk of pot roast is gorgeous than I'd say so with this one.  She soaked in coffee in the fridge a day and a half.  No garlic this time.

Petite, Tender Chuck Roast.  This morning, I poured olive oil in the bottom of the crock pot to cover the bottom.  Dumped about a cup of cut up white onions and placed the roast on top of this.  No water yet.  I did not sear the meat this time.  Baked for an hour before adding the potatoes and carrots.  Will add some celery as well.  The roast will be covered in spring water here shortly and will bake all afternoon while I'm in Manhattan for vitamin B12 shot.

After my shot, I need to run to Marshalls for some new reading glasses.  Will purchase a Trenta unsweetened Iced Green Tea when running errands.  Not sure what else will be on the agenda. Back HOME to check on POT ROAST.  

Snippets.  I'll take this as a day of semi-relaxing and enjoy the pleasant temperature and gorgeous day outside.  Supper Roast is on. This morning, I cleaned around the miniature oven that sits on the Kitchen counter top.  Icing ankle and leg while blogging.  Getting reading to lift hand weights for arm exercises. Trip to Manhattan. Vitamin B12 injection will be given this afternoon.  Unsweetened Iced GREEN Tea for medicinal purposes.  Trip to Marshalls for reading glasses.  I'll skip shampooing my hair until later.  A load of laundry will go in the machine this evening.  Meditate on scripture, read and watch a movie tonight.

Peaceful moments make for a healthier lifestyle for us.  What will you be doing for a healthier moment?  Me, just about what I have planned.  So glad JUNE is here.  I waited all year for this month.

God bless and count your blessings,

~d  

TOOK A SUNDAY DRIVE

SUNDAY.  I am watching the clock tick until we get in the car and go for a short drive to deliver the beautiful white with gold trim pots and pans set to go to their new HOME.  They look brand new, but have been packed away for over 30 years.  I said GOOD-BYE to them as I wrapped the 9 pieces with new paper and placed in a cardboard box to hold them as I wave bye-bye to them.   Nine more things out of our house/garage.  NINE.  Whoopie coyote.  Something like that.

We'll be taking a Sunday drive, dropping off some mail at the Post Office, fill the car with fuel, deliver the pots 'n pans to new owner, stop by the storage unit and pick up a few things to get rid of.  The weather was rather HOT for the last day of the month, but we managed to stay cool. 

This week, I'll walk about the cottage and put items in boxes so I can get these things off the property.  We will spend some time taking things out of storage and the garage to let go.  In the month of June, I hope the garage is rearranged and orderly with one of the storage units empty. We're getting psyched up for this.  I need huge amounts of prayer for the right attitude and strength to endure.

Yesterday, I put my work clothes on and went out to work on the contents of the garage and physically cried.  How on earth did this happen?  Too messy to even walk through the building. Stunned and left the place saying that I was not going to do this time.  Too many times messes have been created and I was left to clean the messes up.  More thought has to be put into this disaster.  There doesn't need to be such chaos...ever.  Things can be placed in a garage with thought.

This is way too difficult for my ole self.  I cannot stomach how awful it is.  Everything was crammed inside.  It looks like a tornado hit the place and demolished everything.  Horrendously awful.  If I take tiny steps in grabbing a couple of items and then walk away I might survive.  This messy nightmare is more than I can handle.  Too many times I have had to clean-up after a move, yet this move has been ridiculously MESSY.  I cringe at the mess.  GRINGE.

Out of the car, we grabbed a few things to clean up that came out of storage.  A 1980s Vintage Tudor Fischer Price Doll House was placed in the bath tub and I sprayed it off then took it to my chair to wipe the inside and outside of this precious doll house from days gone by with baby wipes.  Tis clean now and ready to be played with.  I found a PRINCE CHARMING inside.  He was the first to be sanitized.  There are no peeps or original furniture left.  I know a shop in Wamego that might have some peeps available that I'd add to this house.  Hope.  Hope.

Funny thing happened to me as I was watching a reel of the Osmond Family sing a song, I BELIEVE.  I was listening to it with my reading glasses on and as they sang, "Every time I hear a new born baby cry, I believe."  My glasses frame snapped and broke.  Got my attention.  The lens fell out.  grins.  Tomorrow, I'll go to Marshalls and SEE about getting a new pair of reading glasses.

I forgot to prepare the pot roast yesterday so I fixed some coffee to pour over the chunk of meat to marinade in over night.  Early in the morning I'll start the crock pot with the pot roast and while it cooks for the first hour, I'll peel the carrots and potatoes.  The slow cooked meat should be ready in 5 to 6 hours where it falls a part when slicing.  All the best.

~d    

SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

SITTING AND SIPPING HOT TEA AS I BLOG. The tea is from a MOTHER'S DAY gift my Oklahoma children blessed me with.  Planning out the day as I want to stop by the grocery store to purchase a POT ROAST for the week-end.  I'll need more organic carrots.  We have the potatoes and onions in the pantry.  After we get HOME later today, I will prepare the roast marinating it in the fridge soaking it in coffee with some garlic.  I'll marinate it for a day or so then bake it on Sunday for a wonderful Sunday DINNER.  I can taste it now.

Before I head out, I need to see what veggies are still in the fridge for the next few days for meals. Need to not waste these.  If by chance they are beyond use, I'll gather them and give to my daughter for her chickens.  🐔🐔🐔🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓

Hubby has a medical appointment this afternoon and he asked me to be there with him.  Last AUTUMN, when he was working on the front porch, he rolled over on a hard rock and it has injured his body.  He needs an x-ray then I think he'll go to our Chiropractor to check this hip out.  Mercy.  We have had a HIP YEAR.  His knee needs looked at as well.

I'm on my way to get groomed for the day.  We'll have to travel to Manhattan and get a salad for lunch then attend his medical appointment.  Afterwards is when I will go to the grocery store. What else should we incorporate into this afternoon before returning HOME across the vast FLINT HILLS?

Hubby ordered a movie from the Library from a different community and we can check on it to see if it is in their possession yet.  Around here you can lend a movie from one Library to another. It is taking longer than I thought it would.  I called our local Library to ask if they do this and they do.

I might buzz by the KSU GARDENS to see what they have in bloom.  Each year I visit their GARDENS to see the IRISES.  No different this year except it was a very poor year for the Irises. The late freeze did a number on their blooms.  They canceled their Mother's Day Event because the Irises were not in abundance. 

With the week-end here, I MUST WORK OUT IN THE GARAGE.  Suck it up BUTTERCUP.

Blessings,

~d 

BACK TO RAINING ON A THURSDAY AND WALKING THROUGH A WALL OF MOLASSES

THE RAIN HAS GIVEN CAUSE TO STOP CLEARING FURNITURE OUT OF A STORAGE UNIT.  ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL Curio cabinets we owned was cleared out of the unit a few weeks ago going to a new owner and the second one was scheduled to go yesterday or today.  The rain put a pause on the activity.  

As I stood on our covered porch this afternoon, the gentle rain that is falling is making a peaceful sound to listen to.  It's these gentle rains that make the environment a nice place to be living amongst.

Hubby is off to the Court House to pay for our auto tags and taxes then to visit the local newspaper office to pay for the renewal of our newspaper subscription.  

BACK HOME.  Each day things related to downsizing or getting better settled into our retirement cottage needs to take place in order for me to know that we are making progress on lightening the load around here. Everyday.  If I only get one thing moved, I have to pat myself on the back and whisper that something was done.  Amen.  We need to make progress because when days on end pass and nothing gets done, I get bewildered.  The show must go on and then some.  I have to have something take place.  If not, it is like walking through a wall of molasses.  

What a mess.

Each day I set out a plan of what needs to be done.  I'm not always successful in getting it done and then I have to get creative on an excuse as to why it didn't.  If the only ounce of exercise I get done takes place in the brain alone then it is not a complete failure.  Right?  Because I had the thinking going on like playing a mind game.

Getting the small cottage livable is a task that I am still working on.  I am beside myself and have to be a cheerleader of sorts to pave a way to get through this overwhelming work.  My mind is full of thoughts about what needs to be done.  Tis burning up my adrenals when I have all these thoughts on the back burner and nothing physically happens in 3D.  sigh.  It's more than being mindful of the events.  My mind is on overdrive.

I took a peek in the garage and stood still surveying the damage.  It will be a major JOB to clear this out.  For now, I think I should pull a few items out each day to make a way through the disaster.  I brought indoors a plastic back pack full of children's dry marker books.  Sanitized it.  

Wiped the exterior of the bag and placed it with other children's toys.  I have to wash down a Fischer Price Doll House that I want to keep that belongs to my 46 year old daughter.  I want to keep it and a FP Play TRAIN that my children played with decades ago.  Then in a large green plastic storage tub holds a beautiful set of white with gold trim cookware.  I took the tub indoors.

I purchased this cookware back in 1993ish when we were renting a small house in Marion, KS.  I gave myself permission to buy these at SAMS to encourage me to not get discouraged having left my gorgeous Texas house and now living in a run down rental.  I told myself I'd use these when we got into our own house again.  After we left Marion, we rented an apartment in Tulsa and then a dump in Jenks, Oklahoma.  From here we went to a small house in Manhattan, KS., left it to live in an old farmhouse and then ended up in an old stone house where the blogging adventure took place.  House fire and relocated in a different community and stayed for 6 and half years just to turn around to settle down in a small Folk Victorian COTTAGE where we are right now.  

I have never used these gorgeous pots and pans.  They have been in storage all these years.  33 years and they look brand new.  Do I use these, sell them, or give them away?  They have been in storage for so long, I forgot I had them.  This is something else.  8 moves later, I found them all over again.  sigh.  

🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳

ON THE HOME FRONT.  Yesterday, the lawn boy arrived and mowed our yard.  It looks so much better I could cry tears of joy.  He did a super good job.  You have no idea how uplifting this makes me feel.  Let me tell you, it lifted my worn down expression of reality to a higher vibration.  grins.  A BUZZ took place.  Something so simple goes a long ways these days.

🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

The flowerbeds will get attention this SUMMER.  They have to be overworked and completely de-weeded.  Presently the beds are thick with overgrown Bermuda grass.  The tops of Irises are poking out from the deep grass.  Last March, I had planned to work on this, but my hip pain took over my life where I could not walk well little else pull weeds.  This is when I should have hired a young person to do this task before NATURE TOOK OVER and did a number on my beautiful flowers.  We had a horrible freeze last WINTER and the overgrowth of grass may have been the saving grace for preserving the Irises all together so I shouldn't complain.  Count yo' blessings one by one.

🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞

The SUMMER will provide a heat wave to where working in the yard will have to take place in the early hours of the day.  I'll have to make a date with myself and set the alarm clock to where I treat it like a hired job.  If I can get these flowerbeds cleared out, I will have accomplished a huge task for an old woman like me.  👵

TODAY IS THURSDAY and I have to figure out what to do next.  How do I get things done when my energy level is way low?  I'll do my best to do some laundry.  I want to place a EASTLAKE TABLE in the utility room to get it out of my dining room.  I don't want to get rid of it just relocate it.  A major shuffle has to happen first, so I will slowly work on this project.  Hubby said he'd help me.

TODAY'S TASK WILL BE TO SHUFFLE THINGS IN THE SMALL UTILITY ROOM.  It is a cramped room with too much in there, but it is the way it is because of the size of the Utility room with an overload of belongings.  There's a metal rack in there to hold the overflow of small kitchen appliances that have no where to go in the Kitchen.  My old treadle sewing machine is in there with a computer printer on top of it.  A small upright freezer takes up space.  The washer and drier of course.  A clothing rack.  I sometimes feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.   I have to take control of this mess and make a difference.  I think I'm stuck in the mud.

Lord help me be successful in this endeavor.

~d

 

https://youtu.be/JnccBC_1qys?si=konc6CMvphmnHLrz

 https://youtu.be/JnccBC_1qys?si=konc6CMvphmnHLrz

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER.

Remember Erma Bombeck?
I do and then some.

~d

HAPPY 'BOUT DAT ON THE LAST MONDAY OF THE MONTH

AS I SIT INSIDE MY COTTAGE WITH THE WINDOW OPEN, I can easily hear the birds chirping a melody.  Tis music to my ears.  So peaceful.  I feel like it ought to be a Sunday morning, but tis Monday, the last Monday of the month.  Memorial Day is upon us as we can gratefully remember those who died serving our country.  

somber pause

OVER THE WEEK-END.  We had such a nice day going to Marion over the week-end to clean around the tombstones and wipe the stones down to decorate them.  

I crave more days like the one we had.  It was a great day considering what we were up to. Traveled to Marion, ate and had hot tea in a beautiful Victorian house, went to the cemetery to clean tombstones and decorate some graves.  Drove about the cemetery viewing the burial sights of family members.  Toured the town and remembered.  Drove to a different community to view my favorite cousins burial sight.  Ate a delicious hamburger at a small Mexican Restaurant in Hillsboro.  Shopped at Walmart before returning HOME.  

We cannot take any of our earthly possessions with us when we pass on into eternity so I am again reminded to live the best LIFE I can right now.  Simplify.  The decluttering our property seems more important than ever.

SUNDAY came and I received a phone call from my Mom telling me that my 67 year old sister-in-law had a stroke.  Stunned.  She's not heavy in any way.  Rather petite.  I phoned my brother and visited with him and then telephoned him again in the evening to get the details.  She's HOME now.  She'll have to do speech therapy.  Other than this, I'm not sure what lies ahead of her recovery.  She was still employed and working as a nursing instructor.  That may be on hold for now.  The path she is on now has changed directions.  pause.

In a split second all can change.  Praying for them.  My family is getting older and there is no time for grudges or having hard feelings.  It may take a life time to get to where I am a better and quicker at changing feelings about having no hard feelings about this 'n that.  Processing emotions. 

HUBBY IS PLANTING HOSTAS ALONG THE SHADY SIDE OF OUR SWEET LITTLE COTTAGE this afternoon.  In the last few days, he removed left over lumber from the porch rebuild and worked over the soil preparing it for the plants.

He successfully completed the soil prep and today he plans to get the Hostas in the ground. Happy 'bout dat.  Another sweet victory.

I'll be going to the track to walk that one lap after a OATMEAL BREAKFAST.  A medium sized bowl of oatmeal with sliced almonds, blueberries, cinnamon, cocoa, maple syrup, almond milk. Yummers.

If you're going to have a berry, blueberries it will be.  I'm actually getting excited about going to the track for my short walk.  I'm back at baby steps and working toward a mile.  My hip episode did a number on me.  LIFE does this, huh?

After the walk, I'll cool off and return HOME to take a peek inside the garage to see what has got to go to empty the place so boxes of our precious cargo can rest neatly there for the time being. Hubby suggested that the muscle racks we have be placed along the wall of the garage for the things we want to keep.  Getting to the place where we know what we're doing with the stuff is a VICTORY.

It has been a slow time in coming.  What a difficult move this was and still has been.  DIFFICULT.  

Plans for the week are in the making.  Today is our time for MEMORIAL DAY.  Will do.  Our special remembrance meal is planned for this afternoon.  

MEAL AND DESSERT ALLOWED.  All meat Hot Dogs on buns, potato chips, baked beans, potato salad.  Lemonade.  Dessert later in the day of chocolate cake and vanilla ice-cream.  

TO-DO LIST for the week.  
Memorial Day.  
Hostas planted.
Garage inventory investigated.
Clearing out the garage.
Decluttering/Downsizing.
Walking.
Exercising.
Eating greens throughout the week.
Paying for the cars tags at the Court House.
Working on the BUDGET on Wednesday.
Praying.

God bless you and your family,

~d

MEMORIAL DAY

Memorial Day is a time for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.  A time to appreciate them all.  Everyone of them.  

For our freedom, we have had so many give their lives for our country.  Wars and battles have killed so many and injured our people.  Even in times of peace, we have had many serve this country and gave it their all.  Honoring and remembering our soldiers and warriors who died during service.  

~d

THE SIT DOWN, THE MEMORIAL DAY CLEAN-UP and DECIDING HOW TO LIVE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST

BUSY DAY IF YOU ASK ME.  Up early.  Did a few chores.  Laundry.  Snipped price tags off of baby clothes I purchased.  Shampooed my hair and trimmed it about two inches shorter. Bathed, Groomed, Got dressed.  Figured the day.  Did my arm exercises with weights.  I have got to be faithful in doing this.  I can walk, lift light hand weights and walk through the Jack LaLane videos.  Eat my salads and drink me water.

Loaded up the car and drove over to Marion, KS to decorate my Dad and Brother's graves, but first we had time to stop at a new CAFE called THE SIT DOWN for some hot tea and ended up eating a Klobasneks in one of their Victorian House's sitting room.  Cute place, but I'm not sure how long they will stay open in Marion as I know this community to be rather tight on their spending.

This is GABE.

When we lived in Marion back in 1992-1995, this old house was being remodeled by an elderly couple from California and as the years passed it was ignored and left for someone else to complete this task.  Eventually the house took on a new persona and it became a Coffee Shop that exchanged owners several times before becoming THE SIT DOWN.

It was a great stop before we drove about town.

Next we went to the Cemetery to clean up around the tombstones, wipe down the tombstones and hang some geraniums.  I have some wreaths for the graves, but with all the shuffling we have done, we could not find the wreaths.  Oops.  To simplify this Memorial Day, we bought a couple of hanging white geraniums and called it good.

We drove the Cemetery roads and located my Grandparents, 

Aunts and Uncles and a few cousins.  This is a stage in life that seems odd.  SO many are gone.  I know more deceased people than alive.  I miss everyone of these family members.

By this time, it started to sprinkle and we drove over to where one of my favorite cousins is buried in a different community.  We stopped off in Hillsboro to eat at a small Restaurant.  Back on the road again to head HOME.  In Junction City, I needed to pick up our Memorial Day MEAL for MONDAY.  We arrived safely HOME to put things away and watch a movie.  

YESTERDAY, AFTER MONTHS OF NOT WALKING A MILE when possible, I headed out the door with specific instructions from my Husband that I was not to walk a mile, but only walk around the track ONE TIME.  I obeyed.  This would be a quarter of a mile.  My hip is feeling so much better than last February when I could not apply pressure on the hip at all.

HIP Journey.  I visited my Primary Physician for an X-RAY and ordered a MRI with a referral to Orthopedic Surgeon. Visited with Surgeon where he suggested a corticosteroid shot.  This whole problem of extreme hip pain came after I took FLUOROMETHOLONE, a corticosteroid.  Years ago I had a horrible reaction to Fluoroquinolone, a corticosteroid, where my calf decided to almost rupture.  I have no business taking corticosteroids.  No business.  When I heard that the surgeon suggested this for me, I decided that I would go to my Chiropractor instead.  SO I did and I had excellent results.   

5 treatments later, I am walking well with little pain.  Praise the Lord. 

I will have to treat exercise and food like medicine.  Be faithful doing it and that's that.

So many times, I feel like I am not doing LIFE right.  If I look at it from the wrong angle then I may be looking at it from the angle that isn't meant to be looked from.  Wrong angle.  Wrong thoughts.  If I need to speak to myself to clarify wrong thoughts then I had best do that.  

How does one live each day to the fullest?

All the best to you this sweet day,

~d

THREE PICTURES

AS I SCOURED THE INTERNET TODAY, I came across these images.  The first one is of my GREAT GRAND BABY turning 3 months.  When I look at this pic, I smile, say a prayer and proceed.  The second image is of a country road near me in Kansas.  The third one is an image of food that is mentioned in the Bible.

The only thread between them is that they caught my eye as I surfed the net.  Tadaah.

Have a blessed day,

~d