FURNITURE SHUFFLING and ROLLING BLACKOUTS and ROLLING BLACKOUTS and FURNITURE SHUFFLING

I OUGHT TO HAVE A NIC NAME for being one that shuffles furniture each year or wants furniture shuffled.  The Shuffling Addict or something like that.  CABIN FEVER Plus.  It is just a part of living on the PRAIRIE where I have to shuffle in order to make everything fit in the house.  

Tadaah.  It happens every year just about this time of year.  Perhaps it's CABIN FEVER made productive.  All three bedrooms will have shuffling done this week, LORD WILLING.  The sooner I can get it done, the better.  Allotting enough time helps with the mental and physical pace of things.  February shuffle.  When I get this accomplished THEN I will tink in the new TV room. Hopefully by Spring.

YESTERDAY WAS PROOF THAT IT IS WINTER IN KANSAS.  Our electrical power went off at 12:56 PM returning at 1:30.  Immediately the Living room was chillier than normal.  Kitchen and Dining room not so bad.  

I had no warning that this ROLLING BLACKOUT would take place until it was happening.  I was out of the loop on this one.

I read that the power company was doing rolling black outs.  SO they did.  We might have some power outages during the night as well, but we didn't.  Thankful for that.  It isn't very often that we have an outage during the Winter.  Record setting temps during the night.  We stayed comfortable sleeping through the night. 

 

Daughter telephoned me this morning to tell me that we will probably have another rolling blackout today as the University is having one.  Daughter said they had one yesterday at their home and one this morning.  SO brrrr to that.  Closed our curtains in the Living room to retain some heat.  Expecting another rolling blackout sometime today.  Heads up. 

We are so dependent on electricity.  This I know.  I think I will prep my kerosene lamps so they are ready to be used at all times.  I have some spares, if I can just locate them.  I'd like to give each one of my children one for their estates.  

I remember the day as a young married lady that I wished I had a kerosene lamp. When we lived in Hugoton, Kansas there was an elderly gentleman that had a collection and he made the newspaper showing a small collection of his very interesting lamps.  I know he must be long gone, but the lamps remain behind for others to use while on planet earth.  I can say, that my simple wish came true about having a lamp and then some.     

IN DOOR NEWS.  THIS WEEK WILL BE DEDICATED TO SHUFFLING FURNITURE. Last evening, I finally got around to shuffling some furniture upstairs.  We have two Henredon side chairs that I really don't want to get rid of.  I have to find a different location for them in order to keep them.  They are in such good shape, I hate to part with them. 

They sat in the Vintage Bedroom.  I want to take the cedar chest that is sitting in the Victorian room and shuffle it to the Vintage room where the chairs were.  The chest is from the 1920s era and I think it would be better to have it with other vintage furniture than victorian style.  This is where the shuffle comes in and figuring out where to go with the Henredon side chairs. 

The Victorian room will be shuffled after the cedar chest moves to a different room.  I'll switch the vanity dresser with the red victorian sofa and the sofa will go where the vanity dresser was. The wash stand by the window will go where the cedar chest once was.  HEAVENS.  Will it be worth the mess?  I think so.  If I get this far then the storage boxes will have to be dealt with.        

So, I gave it more thought about our Master bedroom shuffle.  This week all three bedrooms will have had shuffling done in them.  As an older person, the shuffling becomes more challenging to my old body.  Ever so careful to move large pieces of furniture even with furniture pads under the furniture.    

The antique chair that is in our bedroom will be relocated to the Living room beside the fireplace. Hubby carried the chair down the stairs.  I spotted him.  My part in this was easy.

Two of the larger pieces, a dresser and highboy, shall be switched with one of the Henredon chairs sitting beside the Highboy.  I started shuffling by myself and Hubby came to the rescue. As I was moving these pieces I was barefooted with dust sheets under my feet so I could dust the floor under where the furniture sat.  That's when I snagged some wood and got a splinter in my foot.

Put the breaks on shuffling the rest of the furniture in the other two bedrooms for awhile.  Ouch. Hubby tried to pull the splinter out, but had no luck.  I had to sit out for the rest of the evening with antibiotic cream and bandaid on bottom of my foot.  Will try again to remove the splinter today with better lighting.

More to do.  Please and thank you.

Since I was sitting this one out, we watched more of the Danish Series with English subtitles.  SEASIDE HOTEL.  I realized that in this series no one is happily married. Series starts at 1928 and onward.  Some brief nudity and sexual suggestions which might offend younger viewers.  Just saying.   

At Andersen’s Seaside Hotel by the North Sea dunes, meet the chambermaid Fie, the merchant's daughter Amanda, and the local fisherman Morten, whose fates are intertwined, as they seek to emancipate themselves from the plans other people have made on their behalf. From Walter Presents, in Danish with English subtitles.

The story line is about wealthy people staying at the same Hotel every Summer for holiday.  Each year they all stay in the same suites that they had the year before.  All clientele have become friends  being catered to with fine foods, alcoholic beverages and always Mrs. Andersen's coffee. Swimming in the ocean is common, playing a game of croquet or a card game of Bridge, lying on the beach, taking long walks along the beach and sand dunes a must. 

I would love lounging on the beach beside the ocean watching the waves and listening to the sounds of nature.  A whole summer away from the daily grind of life elsewhere.  Meals prepared and served on fine china, no dishes to wash.  Bed sheets changed.  Rooms cleaned.  Alone time on the beach.  I can only imagine.

Being that Winter finally arrived, makes my heart yearn for SPRING.  She can come now. Winter has worn her welcome out.  By March, I will be longing for flowers, seeing trees bud out. Blossoms popping out through the ground.  Birds chirping.  Hello Spring!  Easter is in April this year.  That will be pleasant.

WE HAD MONDAY NIGHT MEATLOAF with mashed potatoes and broccoli.  Iced tea to drink.  I did well on eating the vegetable portion and didn't eat all my mashed potatoes, but I overate on the meatloaf topped with organic ketch-up.  Delicious and it's been a long time since we have had meatloaf.  A new recipe.  This recipe was made with more onions being this is the magic ingredient when making an extra good meatloaf in this part of the country.  Grass fed beef was used.

TODAY, I'll see about shuffling some more upstairs.  I have quite a few storage boxes to move out of the way so the cedar chest can be pushed down the hallway into the other bedroom where the Henredon chairs were.  I'll have to clean out my closet where extra bedding is so the other Henredon chair will have a sitting place for the time being. 

I don't suppose I'll get this all done today. The hallway linen closet will have to be cleaned out so the extra bedding will return to its rightful place...this place.  Snowball effect.  Then I will have to figure out where to go with all the stuff that is presently in the linen closet.  Ha.  Not laughing out loud.

If I can get the cedar chest moved, I will be pleased.  Here's to seeing what gets done today.  God, I pray for success.  Thank you.

SO far so good about having power.  It is still on.

I need to go to town to pay a utility bill and get out of the house for 15 minutes.  Then being back HOME will be even more welcoming.

STAYING WARM is a priority.  

HOME LIFE is for me,

🏠 d   

PARTY at

https://familycorner.blogspot.com/2021/02/happy-homemaker-monday-02152021.html

HEART FULL OF WISHES

Valentine's Day 2021

SATURDAY NIGHT WE STAYED UP LATE WATCHING A MOVIE until Valentine's Day.  I handed my Husband his card and he handed me a large box of Russell Stover chocolate candies. We kissed and wished one another a HAppY Valentine's Day.  Of course I sampled a chocolate and offered him some.

Sweets for a bedtime snack. 

Fell asleep.  I woke very late in the morning.  Wished one another a very HAPPY Valentine's Day.  It snowed some more and the temps are below freezing.

We stayed HOME and celebrated with each other dining with a early STEAK SUPPER. Hubby's prepared a nice meal for us.  I decorated with some candles for atmosphere.  LOVELY WAY to spend an ice cold day.

Hanging twine on the fireplace mantle, I used clothes pins and paper hearts to display cards from loved ones.  I have to pat myself on ze back that I actually did some decorating even with it being so basic.  BUT I did do  s o m e t h i n g!  grins.  Affordable decorating for someone on a tight budget.  

Valentine's Day pulls memories out of my thoughts of when I was in grade school where we decorated boxes for our cards and had a PARTY.  Anytime when I was young and we had a PARTY was a favorite time of mine because we were not having regular studies at school.  We used construction paper folders as well to hold cards.  This time of year brings back sweet memories of when I was young and when my children were young.   

I wish I had kept a journal to read as the years pass by to recall the events.  My blog in a way is a journal that I can go back and read about events.  Tis nice.

Fast forward to the present day.  Making new memories are needed.

SUPPER WAS DELICIOUS.  A quiet atmosphere for us and conversation.

 

DINNER MENU

Dinner Salad

Bread and Butter

Sirloin Steak

Baked Potato

Broccoli with Hollandaise Sauce

Iced Tea

Coffee or Pero

Wine

Russell Stover Chocolate Candy 

I hope your Valentine's Day was splendid.

♡d  

SUNDAY PRAYER

 

Sunday prayers,

d

BUNDLING BASICS

I DID BUNDLE UP as we headed across the river to RETIREMENT COTTAGE territory.  Needed to check on the cottage and wanted to hand deliver valentines to some loved ones.  It makes me smile to be out of the house for a little fresh air.  The air was more than crisp.  It was bitter cold.

The change of scenery was a welcomed sight.  I wore my parka that has fur around the hood.  I can see how uncovered fingers freeze so quickly.  NEGATIVE TEMPS are hard on the body.  We stayed warm in the car with its heater on.  This shouldn't be taken lightly because car heaters are known to go haywire in such temperatures.  Then where are you?  We have a couple of blankets in the trunk incase we need help staying warm.  I carry a pair of socks in my coat pocket for emergencies.  

We went to get some fuel for the car before venturing out of town.  At least we'd have a full tank of gas.  Our car did not want to run like normal.  It stalled a few times.  Air was needed in the tires as well.  After the car warmed up, she ran well.  Relieved.

I do not have insulated waterproof boots.  I don't know how I forget to purchase such a necessary item especially with these Kansas WINTERS.  This week it is suppose to be frigid.  Almost anywhere in the midwest, you are going to experience icy temps with snow by Sunday.

I did treat my HUSBAND a VENTI Starbucks and slice of banana bread with walnuts and pecans!  I was going to treat him after Valentines, but we needed to make a run to TOPEKA anyhow and what a nice time to have a hot drink.    

Successful trip.  Car looked over and fueled, tires aired, dropped off valentines, Starbucks treat, God's Storehouse, SAMs, drive across the prairie, HOME, unloaded, PIZZA night and a movie. 

Spending at God's Storehouse was under $9.  A pair of pretty dangling earrings, a trinket with ruby red slippers, a book on lawn care and one on health.  

SAMS spending was higher.  Emergen-C powder, also Elderberry gummies to help build up the immune system, art supplies, veggies, steak, bottled water, etc. 

Good to get out of town and good to be back HOME.   

Television time was SEASIDE HOTEL on PBS.  A 2013 danish film series with subtitles.  A first for me to binge watch 6 episodes of a DANISH series.  It was challenging to read all the subtitles throughout all 6 episodes.  I was trying to decide what the language sounds like to a lay person.  Tones of germanic language can be heard, but also sounded Japanese at times.  Chinese?  It did to me.  For lack of a better explanation, I was stumped.

The time era is set for 1928.  HOLIDAY.  I thought the seaside looked inviting and to have been able to stay a summer by the beach would be heavenly.  Interesting story line.  I will binge watch season 2 tonight.  

    

TRUMP's SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL has wrapped up.  You know when you were a high school child and you could not understand how some classes you were required to take in order to receive a diploma or to get a well rounded education were needed because you thought you'd not have to use the information when out in the world, but learned along the way that you really did need the classes?  This trial effected me this way.     

I did not like High School Government class.  I cannot tell you much about my time in this class nor what the tests were like.  My attention span wasn't into the class.  I knew I had to study to pass the tests to get credit to graduate so I took the class because it was a requirement.  I didn't like it at all.  I thought it to be BORING.  Well, this impeachment trial was not boring to me.  It was informative and I liked watching the process of the trial.

Onto something else.

Onto something else.

I am onto something else.

HOME LIFE is for me, 

🏠d

 

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE: Salisbury Steak, Corn and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE was covered in brown sauce making the Salisbury Steak extra tasty.  It was sooooooo gooooooood.  Melt in yo mouth good.  Tender, sweet corn and mashed potatoes with thick sauce for gravy.

Eat slower.  Take smaller bites and chew slowly. Savor the flavor. Smaller portions on a smaller dinner plate.  

HAPPY DINING where ever you are.

💜d  

GETTING BETTER EDUCATED AT 65

THURSDAY.  Have mercy.  The week is approaching FRIDAY already.  Time seems to go so much faster at my age.  It should be easier to take school classes with this.  The time goes faster, but recall seems to be more challenging.  

I have been watching off and on the Second Trump Impeachment Trial.  Finding it to be extremely interesting and very informative. 

Having taken High School Government class in 1972/73, I was not the least bit interested in government.  I can no more tell you what I learned from it at all.  Poof.  Gone.  All gone.  

Last year I tuned in to the 2020 Impeachment trial.  Watching hours of it and then more hours of the Covid 19 White House News Briefings where I watched President Trump talk over 80 hours leading into a campaign platform for him, I can say that I was awakened and illuminated somewhat.  Gather all the information together and I have to admit that I know more about government than I did back in high school.  

At 65, I am definitely better informed than at 17.  That's progress for me.  

As for the second impeachment trial...it is extremely interesting to me.  Extremely.  It sounds like this trial may be over on Saturday.

I have listened to the case be presented.  Tomorrow, Trump's attorneys will begin to defend him.  This will be as interesting as presenting the case.

We are to judge things righteously and rightly.  Will they?

💜d  

TWINE, CLOTHES PINS and HEARTS

For the challenged decorator?  Either you are too busy, finances are hurting, ill, not overly excited, or you just love it no matter what...THIS IS THE ONE FOR YOU!  Heavens, I could do this for the fireplace mantle and just L❤️VE it.

TODAY, I bought some construction paper for the hearts and clothes pins.  I already have the twine.  Up mine will go.

Blessings,

💜d  

A SPLASH OF YELLOW

TIS  -1 outside.  I sit here figuring my day and what I need to accomplish.  Buy a box of chocolates from the store so I can wrap it then mail it for my dear Mom.  I can't put this off even with it being so cold.  The windshield of the car needs cleaned off and the car warmed up.

Just a few more minutes here before going out to get the car ready.  To the store, buzz by the phone office to pay the monthly bill, back HOME to wrap the candy and then a quick trip to the Post Office to mail it. 

By then, this old woman will need to warm up and sits a bit before watching the Senate Impeachment trial.  Not sure how much I will watch.  History in the making.

After the Valentines are all in the mail, I will relax.  It seems like adrenaline gets to pumping to prep me to jump into action.  

Valentine's Day is SUNDAY.  What shall we do to celebrate our love for one another?  I have my card for my special someone ready, but need to do something extra special.  A meal.  A small gift of appreciation.  A special coffee and slice of banana bread...which he really likes.  Okay.  That's a wrap.  We're suppose to get more snow next week-end so the roads may not allow a trip to the Starbucks until later.  

ONE DAY CLOSER TO SPRING!  This is how I view Winter.  One day closer to Spring.  Ready to see those early season flowers.

  

The early Spring flowers will pop through the ground!  Makes me smile just thinking about it.  When do we plant daffodils in this part of Kansas?  The FALL.  Next Autumn, I will plant bunches of daffodils out front.  Pencil this in on the calendar.  Next AUTUMN...daffs to plant!

THIS SPRING I will admire others that are in their yards and in the parks.  Bunches of flowers amongst the Tulips.

Such a lovely sight this will be.

God richly BLESS you,  

💜d

      

AN ART FORM WORTH FIGURING OUT

FRESH NEW WEEK.  Staying bundled up inside the house as it is 0 degrees outside and when it is so cold outside, it soaks into the inside of of our house and stays chillier than normal. Certain parts of the house have colder spots than elsewhere.  

WINTER is here being on her best behavior with the icy temps as tiny balls of snow are spitting in the air.  The kind of cold that makes you hurt.  One day closer to SPRING.  I hope it comes sooner than later.  COLD WEATHER HURTS ME BODY.  I woke yesterday with a very sore hand especially around the right thumb.  Ibuprofen to the rescue. 

Needing some items, I had to go to the dollar store in the cold.  Like a breath of fresh air though because I got out of the house for a few minutes.  This is really good therapy for my mental health.  Perks me up to take a short drive through the park.  The pond was frozen and I could imagine ice skaters going in circles.  No skaters in reality.  Just in my mind's eye.  A nice thought.

I walked through the dollar store at a quick pace and picked up the goods.  Checked out.  On the Redbox machine that sits outside the store, a movie I have been wanting to see was a $2 rental. On the television, they want $20 to rent it.  So we Redboxed it.  

Watched LET HIM GO with Kevin Costner and Diane Lane.  It was a thriller and a half.  Made me think, what I would do differently if I were in their shoes. 

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY and I actually watched it this year.  It wasn't very exciting to me.  A few of the commercials were uplifting and laughable.  I was a good girl and didn't eat JUNK FOOD.  No snacks at all.  Wowzer.  

  

AFTERWARDS, we watched another movie.  SHADOW IN THE CLOUD.  I am convinced, it is one of the WORST movies of all times.  Right up there with an early days GODZILLA movie or KING KONG.  I remember when I first saw a Godzilla movie.  The special effects were terrible. SO were the ones in the early days of King Kong.  SHADOW IN THE CLOUD is no better, but what happens in the story line is beyond bizarre.  Gremlins and a injured woman hanging onto the bottom of an airplane wing in flight while carrying a baby in a leather box is not possible.  It isn't.      

     SO FOR A SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING, this was a lot of TV TIME for me.  

A lot. 

NEXT SUBJECT.

I have a cousin who sent me a video of an Italian man speaking Italian about vaccines.  No mention of who he is.  SO I asked her what his name is.  She never replied back to me.  He surely has a name.  I looked on the internet and found an Italian review about him saying that this was a video with falsehoods in it.   Why she sent it to me, I can only guess.

I think maybe she has gone over the edge.  I don't speak Italian.  In my opinion, she's a conspiracy theorist and wants everyone else to be one as well.  One day long before the pandemic happened, I was at my Mom's apartment when cousin came over from visiting her Mom in the same complex.  Because she was upset, she cried a river.  She let us know that she was upset.  As sensitive people are, we listened and watched her cry.  When she left us, she was in better spirits.    

A few days later, I asked her how she was doing.  She behaved as if nothing ever happened. Mums the word.  

Dealing with mentally ill people is an art form.  Was she crying because she wanted to be the center of attention while I was visiting my Mom or was she really upset wanting to be upset or was she complaining because I don't have the same challenges as she does or on and on? 

After putting all the pieces together, MY guess is she was throwing a fit because I wasn't having the same challenges as hers and she wanted to let me know how hard she has it. In her head, no one has problems like she does.  No one's issues are as challenging as hers.  Hers are the worst. In reality, we all have challenges and some of us are doing the best we can without being a drama queen about it.  Our drama is still drama, just not handled the same way.  My challenges are not a piece of cake.  She'd never admit it, because my challenges are nothing compared to hers.  SO she thinks. In reality, my challenges are draining when it comes to family issues.  I just don't go over to her place and have a mental breakdown every time a challenge arises.  

Figuring out how some peeps are wired is an art form.  I'm not sure I will continue dancing to her tune whenever she feels like performing.    Is this shallow?  No.  It's called protecting my heart from cruel people who want to upset someone else because they are upset.  It's called not falling into their trap that they have laid for others.  Control freaks come in every walk of life. 

An art form worth figuring out,

💜d