SUMMER TIME WITH SUMMER PLANS

 Summer.  2026.  Summer plans in motion.

I already know that we will be working really hard to clearing out the two storage units we still have and a very messy garage.  Not to mention the cellar crammed full of seasonal decor.

We have our Queen size bed with mattress and box springs plus a triple dresser that will go bye bye.  The set has been in storage going on 3 years.  I can finally say good-bye and I hope you go to someone who will appreciate you.

RESTORE will bring a truck to our storage unit and haul it away.  They won't handle the mattress and box springs.  Have to go another route on this.

Several other large pieces of furniture are in one unit.  Also some chairs, a small buffet, a couple of night stands made by my husband, a curio cabinet, a tallboy, sofa, glassware, oriental end tables.

It took years to collect these pieces and it has been like pulling teeth to get to the place where I can turn loose of them.  It's been difficult, but I am getting there.

Right now Hubby is out tweaking on the headlights of our sweet ride.  I have been working on laundry, paperwork, shuffling vinyl boxes of dishes.  I think this afternoon, I'll go back over to the storage unit and bring home more dishes.  Eventually these will go to the garage until all the dishes are grouped with like kind and then I can turn loose of some more.

This is a work I cannot do very quickly for so many reasons.

I made a hair appointment for mid-week.

My colonoscopy has been scheduled for August.

Plans have been made for downsizing and turning loose of a storage unit.

Dreams and thoughts have been gyrating in my head for painting the rooms in this tiny cottage.  The biggest challenge here is prepping the room for painting.  Makes my head spin.

PLANS.  Being cautious of what I am eating.  Hydrating.  Staying active.  Resting.  Not overloading my schedule.  Devotions and prayers.  Cleaning the house and flower beds.

There is an urgency to get this estate in order and out of the chaos.

WITH GOD'S help I believe we will get there.

~d

HFD and FIRST DAY OF SUMMER

 HapPY Father's Day !!!

AND

WelCoMe to the first day of SumMEr.

The start to a new week and season.
Will you be doing anything special today 
and this week?

Plans made and goals achieved.

~d

Hello From Kansas and Chickpea Sandwiches

HELLO FROM THE KANSAS FLINT HILLS.  I woke at a decent hour.  Did a few chores and have been sitting sipping on hot lemon water.  I feel a bit off this morning concerning my health.  Not sure what's going on.  Just a bit off.  Maybe it's my blood sugar or migraine headache.

Shall see how the day unfolds.  We went to see our youngest grandson play a T-BALL GAME. What a hoot it is.  Afterwards we watched him at HOME while his mom and sister did a cross training thing.  We went to lunch with the girls and then I went HOME for a NAP before going to the storage unit to measure one of the pieces we have.  I want to see if it'll fit in the living room as I don't want to part with it.

If it fits, then we'll have to do some more shuffling.  Whah.  I wish it were done.

The temps are cooler today which is a welcomed thing and will make working at the storage unit better.  With tomorrow being Father's Day, I think we'll do something special.

~d

Yummers and oh so good for peeps.  

Chickpea Sandwiches from Facebook.

AND THAT'S HOW THE COOKIE CRUMBLES,
~d

AREN'T BIRTHDAYS GREAT? Yes.

Happy 51st Birthday, Son.

Love you,

Mom

 

WARDROBE MALFUNCTION AT THE GROCERY STORE

OH MY.  I have NEVER had this happen before and I'm not sure how it happened this time. We were shopping at the HY-VEE Grocery Store when I felt my bra shift and realized that it had completely come unhooked.  An actual wardrobe malfunction just took place and I wasn't even a part of a HALF TIME ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM in front of millions of people on television.

We were headed to the check out line when the show must go on moment happened.  I shared with my HUSBAND that my bra came completely undone.  Oops and he finished the check out of our groceries so I could take cover in the car.  I had forgotten where the heck I parked our little cruiser.  Hate it when that happens. 

I was slightly surprised that the wardrobe malfunction had happened in the first place.  I still had support, but not for long.  I needed to get out of there and hide in the car.  grins.  I guess I could have gone to the Ladies room to make a big adjustment.  Instead, HUBBY checked out and I sat in the car waiting for him.

GRINS.  

There was a time when I had my young daughter at the BABY POOL in Omaha.  The TIME OUT WHISTLE just blew which indicated it was time to take a break so all the children got out of the pool to rest.  As I sat there on a bench sunning, the strap of my halter top bathing suit went snap and the strap came loose from the hook exposing one of my full figured body parts.  I sat there stunned eyeballing my body part that was showing to the world and I very quickly pulled the strap back up to the back of my neck hooking it together.  This was not one of my finer moments as I had no idea who on earth saw the peep show and we weren't even at WALMARTS.  I am not a big fan of nude sunbathing.  This experience was embarrassing to me as I was a very modest female.  Accidents do happen though and I was a victim of showing too much skin.

BACK TO THE PRESENT DAY.  Our Thursday morning started out by a trip to the Manhattan RESTORE to donate some left over building supplies that had been stored in our tiny garage.  It felt good to have this out of our hair.  Hubby's spirits lifted as he was seeing progress with our estate clean-up.  We both have serious emotions about being so far behind on our clean-up.  This helped immensely.

It was my Husband's idea to eat at the HAPPY HIPPY, but when we drove through the AGGIE VILLE district there was no parking and we didn't feel like walking half a mile to eat at this restaurant.  He mentioned THE BLUE EARTH.  Off we went.  A little bit of a drive, but it was a nice trip there.  

As we drove the distance, there was a house for sale that I wanted to find out what they were asking for it.  Sticker shock.  The place is in a fun location, but the lot size is dinky and getting to the backyard garage would be a nightmare.  I enjoy looking and pricing houses anyways.  Tis fun to me.

We went to HOME DEPOT to get a Father's Day gift for HUBBY and then go to the grocery store where the wardrobe malfunction took place.  HOME was afterwards and I was tired by this time. I needed to put my feet up for a moment before putting the groceries away.

Spinach, chard, cherry tomatoes, oatmeal, oranges, onions, baby potatoes, asparagus, cabbage, canned tomatoes, carrots.  I'd have to clean out the fridge to make way for fresh vegetables. There are plans to eat more veggies this week to come.  We might try making black bean burgers and meatless chili.  This should be delicious.  

I'm already in my pajamas and resting for the evening.  I hope to get to sleep earlier than I have been, but waking at 6 in the morning is ideal for me.  ⏰

Our plans for the rest of the week include the yard getting mowed and chigger killer spread on it. There is a metal rack in the Kitchen that will be emptied and removed from there.  In storage is a dinette set that will be brought HOME and placed in the Kitchen.  Finally.  I'll polish the wood furniture and call it blessed.  We've been in the COTTAGE for two and a half years and it's overdue to have a small dinette in the Kitchen.  🧹 I'd like to sweep and scrub the floor before we place the set in there.  A HOME BLESSING IS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE.

Happy about that.  
We're inching our way
to living a more civilized life.  
Praise the LORD and thank you, God.

~d

DAY LILIES

THE KSU GARDENS IN MANHATTAN are gorgeous this time of year as the Day Lilies are in bloom.  Usually we visit when the Irises are in bloom in May.  This is the first year that we took notice of the Day Lilies and walked the grounds.  The variety of the different types took my breath away.  

Beautiful moments at the GARDEN.

AT HOME.  WE HAVE SOME ORANGE DAY LILIES GROWING IN OUR BACK YARD.  They're beautiful to see.  I have no idea what their name is, but they are in brilliant bloom leaning toward the sun rays as the sun changes location throughout the day.  Lovely to look at during the daylight.

Ideas to keep in mind.

Lily pads beside the reflecting pool.

Each year, I will keep this place in mind

 so we can plan our visits accordingly.

Lovely place,
~d

 

SNIPPET

AFTER A HARD WEEK OF WORKING ON THE STORAGE UNITS AND GETTING RID OF STUFF,  today came where we got up early and rumbled into Manhattan for Hubby's physical therapy appointment.  I stayed in the car parked under the shade tree enjoying the weather while he was at the appointment.

I brought some old magazines along with me to thumb through and took some time to redo my hair as I sat in the car.  The weather was really pleasant.  The last few days the weather has been beautiful and I can enjoy it as much as possible.  After a while, I got out of the car and rearranged the back of the car which had two boxes of faux fruit, bottled water and a few groceries.  Trying to make some sense out of it.

Stopped by the bank to buy some $2 bills.  I give $2 bills away to my GRANDCHILDREN for birthdays, Holidays, etc.

We tried something different for breakfast.  Felt like I was on a date.  Hy-Vee has a cafe inside and we get a discount for being SENIORS.  Two eggs, two pieces of bacon and two pancakes. Sipped on water.  We can afford a discounted meal from here and have plans of eating here more often.  

I picked up some oatmeal, chicken broth and Kalamata Olives.

We needed to renew our memberships to the Recreational Center while in town then went to Menards for chemicals to kill chiggers.  Being in the yard over the week-end, the chiggers dined on us. 

We stopped off at the storage unit to check up on things then found ourselves back HOME where I took a three hour NAP.  Worked on dishes and laundry afterwards.  Watched on YOUTUBE the program OFF GRID WITH DOUG AND STACY.  7PM on Monday nights.  They are HOMESTEADERS and ever once in a while Doug voices his voice about politics and current events with a different spin on things.  Hey you all.

Watched the 1984 movie PLACES IN THE HEART with Sally Fields.  Great movie about a widowed woman left to raise two children and save her property during the Depression Era.  It's is one of the best movies.  A plus. 

A VERY GOOD DAY and I feel like we are getting a lot done toward our ongoing project of DOWNSIZING.

Today will be another very full day and away I go,
~d

 

PSALM 104:14

 

HERB for the service of man: 

that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

I do believe I believe,
~d

STRIKING WHILE THE IRON IS HOT AND ONE DAY

THE ORANGE DAY LILIES THAT ARE IN THE BACK YARD ARE IN BLOOM and they are gorgeous.  They bloomed last week.  I just peeked outside from the Kitchen window to see their glory.  Gorgeous.  We may be planting some in the front flower bed along with Stella d'Oras as a flower boarder.  

The boxwood that went into the bed two years ago has not done well as the March frost did a serious number on them and they look semi dead.  Yellowed.  If we relocate the boxwoods that still appear to be alive elsewhere along the side of the house or in the back yard, we can salvage some, but I do not want to replace the dead ones in the bed and go through this again next year. They are too expensive to keep replacing.  I saw nice boxwood hedges and that's what we were aiming for, but apparently the type we got was for a different region?  sigh.  Live and learn. Learn to live.     

THE BAD WEATHER PASSED US BY last night.  We did not get the nasty wind and tornadic weather as was predicted yesterday.  Rested well during the night without a care in the world. RELIEVED!

SUNDAY MORNING.  No church services for me today.  Truly exhausted and oh so sore.  Taking the 7th day to REST.  Thankful we can do just that.  We are whipped from the last six days of the serious activity of clearing out storage units and in the garage in the intense heat of the day.    

This is very difficult for us as we are in our 70s and we have to cool off a great deal and rest as we go.  Working in cooler temps did not happen this year due to health issues and weather conditions, so we have to strike while the iron is hot and that's now.  Boy, did we.

Ideally, we would not be doing this at all.  It would have never needed to have been done, BUT...there's that BIG BUT WORD, we live in the real world where things do not always go as planned or wished for.  Know what I mean, Vern?

I have to be realistic and I know that this clean out of our stuff in storage falls on our shoulders and we're responsible for taking care of this as we have to go through the sentimental things as well that no one else can do for us while we're alive.  So many people I know have passed away and I do not want to leave our estate in such a horrible mess for someone else to take care of. sigh.  It has got to get wrapped up.  Hoping by the end of SUMMER, the storage units are empty. Please LORD.   

As this week plays out, Hubby is prepping for a colonoscopy.  He'll have to rest afterwards so I'll be working on catching up on ze laundry and tidying the house.  It'll be my turn next month on a colonoscopy.  Been 5 years for me.  Whoopie.  

I don't suppose I'll do much on the storage units this week.  A trip to the Goodwill and maybe God's Storehouse for drop offs might take place and I know that one of the units has two small boxes of faux fruit that I'd like to pick up today and group it with some I know I have at HOME. I'd like to keep these items together as ONE DAY I'll make some fruit wreaths.  Tadaah.  It's a plan.  

I can see in my mind's eye...no storage units, a tidy garage, a she shed arranged with my Victorian Bedroom suite and an organized cellar housing only the bare necessities of seasonal decorations.  Praise be to GOD it happens.  I need HIS strength and direction on how to get this all done.  

I move slower and time goes faster as I age. ONE DAY, we will not need any of this stuff we have. ONE DAY, we will be in a better place.  For now, we need to get on with it and strike while the iron is HOT.  

Sizzling,
~d

WHAT A WEEK!!!!!!!

We ended our work week on Friday sitting outside in the cool of the day. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were spent digging into two storage units and a garage.  Twas HOT, so we cooled off when we could, rested and worked all in one movement. We're inching along on the clean-up.  Inching very slowly.  

Hubby had Physical Therapy on Thursday and left with exercise instructions that he is to do between medical visits.  I pray these treatments help heal him as he has suffered with his knee. Shall see how this journey goes.

On Friday, we got up before the sun and sit up for a YARD SALE.  The traffic has been steady and now it's time to close for the afternoon.  We'll cover things up and do it all again tomorrow.  I might gather up some more things this evening and place them out in the morning.  I know that in a few months after we continue to clean out the storage units and garage that we will have more stuff to turn loose of.

As for the Friday yard sale, I met and visited with four of the neighborhood women that I had not visited with before so this was pleasant.  Janice, Janice, Elaine and Lisa.  New friends?

The heat takes a toll on me and I move really slow turning red in the face.  This morning it was awesome.  Absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside.  I lost count of how many people stopped by to check out the yard sale.  The best part of having a yard sale is visiting with the people.  After the hustle 'n bustle of gathering items, cleaning them, marking them and sitting up, the reward is visiting with the people.

I don't believe we have ever had a two day sale so this is different for me.  I'm not sure we'll do this again.  Ever, but for now, we are doing it.  Like I said...after we get the storage units cleared out, we may have some things to let go of.  I wish it were behind us.

We're nearly into the month of July.  June is half over.  Two family birthdays are approaching. Got my Son's card mailed to him.  A Sister-In-Law's needs mailed.  Time gets away from me.

Doing life in stages.  First we completely clean out the garage and storage units.  Reorganize. Downsize the SEASONAL DECOR in the cellar.  Remodeling will take place as I go.  This is the tricky one.  When we get this sale out of the way, we'll start in on the garage.  The TV room will be emptied and painted?  Shelves will be built.  The carpet will be torn up and a judgement call will be made about the flooring.  Do we carpet the room or strip the original wood floor and refinish it???  We have an area rug that would work.

This adventure is unfolding as I go.

TIME TO GO,

~d

HEALTHY IMMUNE DOC

LIKE ATTENDING SCHOOL CLASSES, I'LL BE WATCHING YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT IMMUNE NEWS.  I'LL NEED TO WATCH MORE OF HER HELPFUL AND HEALTHY VIDEOS.

SHE'S EASY TO LISTEN TO AND FULL OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION
CONCERNING ONE'S HEALTH.

HERE'S TO A HEALTHIER YOU AND ME!!!

GOD BLESS,
~d

 https://youtu.be/8ExdJmtaiJM?si=4NAGj2t8gSt4Wq_W

HOTTER THAN A FIRECRACKER

WORKED OFF AND ON FOR ANOTHER DAY of clearing out our STUFF from storage and the garage.  The temps are hot with a heat index and we took time for lots of cool off breaks.  I'm feeling my age.  I know we're doing the right thing by downsizing at 71 and 70.  I wish it were behind us.  I really do.  

SAFETY TIPS.  Stay hydrated and cool off frequently.  Take it at a comfortable speed and DON'T OVER DO it.  Wears gloves.  We are not super humans so pace yo self.  Staying focused is necessary when it is so easy to stop and check over this and that in storage.  

Everything will be dealt with as the days go by.

We have an antique wooden screen door that we were going to hang on the 1883 house's kitchen porch before we sold the house in 2023, but never got around to getting it hung so she has been in storage for close to three years.  Makes my head spin, but we have had so many detours on our move and getting settled.  That's sickening to think we have paid a storage bill for three years on stuff like this.  

Going to clean her up and find a new HOME for her as she will not work on our cottage.  Hauling her HoME was easy enough.  I'm the designated driver so after she was loaded in the car, I drove super slow as the back end of the car was left open. 

I typed a birthday letter to my oldest son today so I can get it in the mail before his 51st birthday on June 16th.  I was sharing with him what we have been doing and shared all the detours we have had in the last 2 and a half years since moving into this cottage.  Makes me realize that we have had many distractions and we have not been lazy.  Preoccupied with health issues.  Lord help.

TEA TIME.  Sipping an organic peach green tea.  Made it cold and it's delicious.  I'm staying indoors now to clean spider webs off items that gathered while in storage.  Things will begin to go to a different HoME soon.  Round ONE.  Next week, there'll be more to get rid of.  A little here and there.  It's the only way I can function these days.  Slow and easy.

I gave it a lot of thought how we are going to clean out the storage units and the garage.  Ran it past my side kick and he thinks this will work for us.  He's scheduled for physical therapy on his knee tomorrow and another appointment next week and also a COLONOSCOPY.  wOwzer.  What a life.  THEN we will work as a team on clearing out the garage.  I might sneak out there and pull a few things to pitch or what not without his help.  Truthfully, I know it will take longer than two weeks to get the garage cleared out.  We'll be into the heat of SUMMER and it will slow us down even more, but we have to stay the course. 4th of JULY will be here before we get done.  

Please, cheer me on as we get our act together.  Prayers appreciated.

God bless,

~d