SUMMER TIME WITH DOLLS

SO HOT OUTSIDE.  HIT 100 plus today.  We decided to go to TOPEKA after eating lunch at Sugar Creek.  I had a Rachel Sandwich made into a salad.  Bottled water.  Delicious lunch then shopped the aisles in the store.  Ginger Balls, Ginger Slices, Local Raw Honey, Black Licorice, MOON PIE.  Happy shopper.

Walked over to the Health Food Store to check out their vitamins while Hubby went to MJ's to get us Almond Milk Steamers.  My favorite.  Stopped by Family Dollar and off to Topeka.

GOD's STOREHOUSE was first on the list.  For little of nothing I purchased two Elke Hutchen's porcelain dolls.  Their hairs were a mess, but overall they are in very good shape.  I'm not familiar with Elke's dolls, but thought they were expensive looking.  I felt blessed to be able to purchase these for what I did receiving a 20% off DISCOUNT on SENIOR DAY.

These pics were found on the internet.  

Also picked up a small lamp for the COTTAGE, a small black and white vinyl handbag and a leather messenger bag.  Today was a very good shopping day for me!

Went to Natural Grocers for fruits and veggies.  Tomatoes, lettuce, green bell peppers, small bag of miniature peppers, potatoes, asparagus, celery, strawberries, broccoli.  Purchased Vitamin A, Vitamin E, L-Tyrosine, avocado oil, olive oil.  

As I have been sorting through old papers, I came across an article about the Delany Sisters both living into their 100s.  The Vitamins they took were Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Zinc, Tyrosine, morning garlic and cod liver oil.  The vitamins I got today were ones I did not have.  I think they knew what they were doing when it came to nutrition.  

They'd take their cod liver oil and garlic before Breakfast.  A glass of water before taking the cod liver and garlic.  A glass of cold water after and a glass of hot water.  They'd exercise then eat a Breakfast consisting of a scrambled egg, hard roll, some fruit, and oatmeal.  Lunch was a larger meal where they had beef, chicken or fish.  Supper was a large vanilla milkshake.   

I already take Vitamin D3, Vit. C, started Vit. B Complex, Zinc, Apple Cider Vinegar, Co-Q-10. Believe taking the ABC Vitamins is doable.  They both lived into their hundreds.  105 and 107.  They did something right...good Christian Ladies.  

The week is getting away from me.  Hoping to get some paint on the Cottage Pantry shelves this week.  Yesterday I managed to paint in the corners.  The actual shelves will be next.  By the end of the week, I hope I can say the pantry is painted.  

Still washing mason jars and sorting through loose papers.  Slow progress.  I work a little on sleeving the papers, then do something else.  Eventually this task will be done and I will be ever so glad it is.

Asthma is acting up.  Guess it is due to rag weed.   

Crockpot is on with bison, potatoes, onions, celery and carrots.  Sure smells good.  The aroma is filling the house.  Tomorrow we will eat well.  Thankful.     

Welp, I need to get to bed.  My LIFE on the PRAIRIE today was super good even with having fatigue.  Super good.

~d  

NOT GOOD

Scripture draw today is:  1 John 2:25

"This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."

Flip side of the card prayer:
Dear Father, teach me to give priority to the eternal values which make life worth living.  

I needed a slow paced week-end.  Sleeving loose recipes took most of Saturday.  On Sunday, I went through boxes of family pictures and papers.  This will take more time through-out the week.  Throwing away papers is easier now. 

It is most important to have my household in order.  Life is short and I know ones home should be in order ALL THE TIME.  Death can come at anytime.  It is weighing heavily on my mind.

Today, I finally got some paint on the pantry shelves in the Cottage.  Hubby continued gutting the Cottage Bathroom. While we were over there working, a phone call came in from my sister telling me that mom had fallen.  She didn't have all the details yet.  Will call me when she knows more, but mom was taken to the Hospital Emergency Room.

What she could gather was that Mom had gone shopping and when she got home, she started sweating and fell.  She wears a HELP, I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP necklace.  Don't know if she passed out or what.  Was told that she was dehydrated.  Nurses were checking her for a urinary tract infection and x-ray her pelvis.  She broke her hip last March.  So if Mom has a broken pelvis or whatever, it's a game changer for sure.  

Hubby and I have to forge ahead on the Cottage.  Having two locations to tend to is too much for us.  If Mom continues to fall then I believe she will have to go into a HOME to live.  I am in no shape to be her caretaker.  Hubby and I are elderly ourselves.

Will be talking to my brother later tonight to see what is going on with our Mom.  He is at the Hospital this evening.

He just called.  Shall see what info he can give us.

Mom has been told time and time again that she needs to drink water.  She ignores the medical advice.  She drinks coffee and milk.  Very little water.  SO what's a person to do?  She's 90 and very stubborn.  

Okay, brother is saying she has a small crack in her pelvis, no surgery needed, do a follow-up with doctor in a few days.  Take Tylenol.  She's back home. 

Think my Mom's time for moving into a Nursing Home are here.  Reading up on pelvic cracks. Not good.   

What do you do with a stubborn Mother?

~d 

FAVORITE COUSIN GONE But not forgotten.

TODAY REMINDS ME OF HOW SHORT LIFE CAN BE.  One year ago, my favorite cousin died.  She was 65 for a week.  Life as she knew it on earth ended and she woke on the other side with her husband.  My favorite cousin was in a terrible automobile crash.

When my Sister telephoned me with the news I burst into tears.  Weeping out loud I had no shame.  The shock and disbelief was overwhelming.  I searched on the computer for information about the car wreck.  So much was written already.  I was stunned.  

She wasn't raised Catholic, but would convert when she married.  The stories I could tell you about the differences in our FAITH.  We had a few conversations along the way.  What we had in common was the main focus of our relationship and it was for the best to not to correct one another as we'd never agree completely with each other.

Her last words to me were, "When nature calls, you have to go."  I said to her, "You look good.  I love you."  Off I went to use the throne in which I was called to use.  She went to visit with her Mom. This was on a Friday afternoon.  The next day, she'd be gone.  She entered eternity.  

The double funeral.

She was such an active woman ever since I can remember.  She and her Husband had a large family together and each time she got pregnant her mother and father objected.  They were not happy with the pregnancies.  I'm not sure when they decided their daughter had enough children.  Which grandchild would they send back if they could?  Why would they want to?  All beautiful babies with a multitude of talent.  

After nine children, why did it matter so much to her parents?  My cousin was a fantastic mother and her children never went hungry nor did they go without clothing.  All very clean and well groomed.  All were healthy and extremely athletic. 

Denice cried easily.  It was one of her super powers.  She said it cleansed her.  Made her feel better.  When one's mother doesn't show affection toward their own child, it can leave a deep hurt.  It's a deep hurt that God can help put into perspective.  Denice came from a family with four children.  She has a twin brother.  Three brothers altogether and the boys could do no wrong, but not Denice.  All the good she did and her mother constantly put her down.  When my mom said to Denice, "I'm not sure I'd go visit if my Mother did what yours does."  Denice said, "The Bible says we are to honor our parents."

I understand where she was coming from and to her, I'd have to say, "Sometimes we have to honor them from afar.  Same with other family members that have added insult to injury.  Sometimes we have to love them from afar."  She told me once that we are not to be door mats.  I agree.  But allowing a mother or father to be constantly mean to us, we must not be willing to be an enabler that allows them to abuse us as adults.  As a child living under their roof, it's a different ball game.  When fully grown...we shouldn't be an enabler that allows them to hurt us anymore.  

There was friction between her and her parents.  Tis sad, but that's the way it was.  She said that her Dad was the one to give emotional comfort to her.  That her mother was a injured woman that her Dad constantly was trying to comfort.  

I believe that there was such friction between Mother and daughter because the mother was upset with what her own father and brother did to her and also her daughter.  Angered that she had a daughter that she needed to protect and failed at it taking it out on the daughter.  If the daughter hadn't been there then the mother wouldn't have to deal with what her own father did that was wrong.  The boys are a different story.  They apparently didn't need protected from the monsters that violated the females in the family.

Denice is at peace now and knows more about death than I do.  She knows what happens when you die.  

I so admired Denice.  She could decorate cakes like nobody's business.  I have awesome childhood memories of us growing into young women getting married two weeks apart from one another.  

Blessed to have her in my LIFE as long as I did,

~d  

DIS IS WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT

PERHAPS IF THERE WERE THREE OF ME 

I WOULDN'T BE RUNNING SO FAR BEHIND.

Perhaps.

All of these papers I'm handling are making me rethink what to keep and what to pitch from here on out.  It's tiring having so many pieces to deal with.  Better now then later.  I saved just about every receipt, medical invoice, check, etc.

This is just something I am going to have to go through to get where I need to be.  The Spring/Summer of 2022 is one I probably will remember as an older woman.  

And away I go.

I'M FURTHER ALONG ON THIS PAPER JOURNEY THAN I WAS THE DAY BEFORE.  Still, I have a long ways ahead of me sorting through the individual boxes.  Take a deep breath.   The hat I'm wearing today is a Filing Clerk.

After gathering ALL the paperwork from various locations, I have already thinned out quite a bit. Now it's downsized to this.  Each box will still take hours to go through to thin out.  We had so many papers saved in an old nine drawer oak file cabinet.  After the fire, many of the papers were just boxed and placed in a storage shed.  I didn't have the heart to deal with all of it until recently.  Praise the Lord, it's happening.

I mustn't drag my feet.  Forge ahead.  This is the day the Lord has made.  Rejoicing.  Be glad in it. I want to be excited about life and not let this task drag me down.

Smile and carry on.

~d

MAKING HEADWAY TAKES TIME

CAN IT BE FRIDAY ALREADY???  This week flew right on by.  Maybe we'll watch a movie tonight with popcorn.

Just got back from a very busy day.  Hubby edged the lawn this morning and spent time sweeping the sidewalk.  Just a little more to do tomorrow.  The temps were too HOT at 102.  He came inside as I was sorting through papers.  Hallelujah.  I made huge progress on this paper thing.  

The large yellow envelopes I had planned on using to help itemize subjects turned out to have rusty clasp.  Not wanting to use these,  we'll need to make a special trip to Manhattan to get some at Staples. Also need sheet protectors.  Then I can continue creating more order. 

We went to the COTTAGE to work today.  I had planned on painting the pantry, but didn't have the energy to be so physical so I sat and shredded papers as Hubby worked at gutting the bathroom.  He managed to get the old jacuzzi tub out of the bathroom.  I managed to shred papers and more papers.  After he got the tub outside, he was resting and I went to the closet to look to see if there was anything in there that I could gather to donate. 

The gutting continues.

A large box up on a tall shelf got away from me and fell on my head.  I tried to stop it from falling, but down it went and landed on the floor behind me.  It hurt some, but I managed to go through it as I sat in the TV room.  I suppose my back, neck and head will feel some discomfort tomorrow.  Ouch.  It didn't knock any sense into me.

It was early enough to go to Manhattan to Staples because I wanted to get large envelopes and sheet protectors.  As we walked up to the door at Staples, the clerk said they were closed.  His help quit on him and he couldn't keep the store open.  Oops.  Off to Walmart to find out that their envelopes and sheet protectors were not a bargain.  Their prices made my jaw drop.  

Soooooo, off we drove to Topeka.  First we grabbed Raising Cain Chicken to eat as I drove across the prairie.  It was HOT outside, but other than that we had a nice trip to Topeka.  I guess this isn't my day to find envelopes and sheet protectors as we walked into Sams we were told the store was closing in 6 minutes.  I asked the clerk when did they start closing at 8pm and she said since Co vid.  I had it in my head we had until 8:30.  So very quickly we shopped finding yellow envelopes, but no sheet protectors.

Fueled the car.

Next was OFFICE MAX and they had the protectors.  Felt like we finally had a busy and successful day with Hubby edging the lawn, me shredding more papers, getting the old tub out of the COTTAGE and purchasing envelopes and sheet protectors all in one day.

When arriving HOME, I washed a Mason jar and filled it with sweet cherries.  There was room in the fridge for the jar.  No plastic for storing the cherries.  I filled a glass jar with a honeybee on it from Dollar General with organic raw honey.  Getting these little details taken care of makes me smile.  Finally my little Kitchen is taking on a different look with the use of glass jars.  

Now to relax and watch a flick.

d  

JUST ANOTHER THURSDAY OR IS IT?

TODAY STARTED OFF WELL waking at a decent hour where I started making plans for the day.  It's my 67th Birthday!  67...that doesn't seem possible.  I'm officially OLD.  
OLD
LADY
DEANNA

What will I set out to do different as it is the first day of being 67?  
Walk? Diet? Exercise? Read?

What have I got to work toward?  What have I to look forward to?
67 isn't young, yet it is younger than 80ish.  I must do somethings differently and that is the way the cookie crumbles.

Having my household in order is a must.
So I continue with the paperwork.  It's not the end of the world, but it is taking a substantial amount of time and effort to recover from such disarray that it hurts.  Put some good music on, light a candle, have a cold drink to my side and forge ahead.  I don't have to dread it.  Make it fun and the time will fly right on by.

I do have hopes of having our household in order, tidy and neat.  Letting go of much lightens the load.  Getting this done is what drags on and on.  

I asked my Husband what he wants to do...about our lives.  We're working on thinning out junk.  The COTTAGE will be remodeled so we can downsize into it.  This will help with our financial health.  He'd like to have a Art Studio.  I'd like to have order in our HOME and go travel a bit to see some sights in the United States.  BE healthier and relaxed about getting older.  Aging.

So far, I got off to a great start this morning going through the old papers.  I'd like to empty these boxes full of loose papers to where they have migrated all together into individual boxes of a HOME ESTATE BOX, FINANCIAL BOX, MEDICAL BOX, CHILDREN AND GRANDS BOX, Misc. BOX.  Then another round of going through each box and getting even more so organized to where the papers can once again be filed. 

Some of the envelopes I pulled out are smoked damaged.  Using new envelopes, I put the hair trimmings of my children and baby teeth I kept into different envelopes.  Talk about going down Memory Lane.  grins.  The fire didn't get everything.  Praise the Lord and move forward.

Today is Thursday.  I was born on a Thursday.  How's 'bout dat?  This day was about 24,472 days ago.  What have I gone through or done with my 24,472 days?   That sounds like a lot of days.  There's 170 days left in this year.  

President Eisenhower ruled.  
Aint That A Shame sung by Fats Domino was being heard on the radio.
I was considered a BABY BOOMER.
It was about 95 degrees hot that day.
I was born in the morning so that would have been in the cool of the day.
From here on out is HISTORY.

This evening, Hubby is fixing me a steak, baked potato and grilled veggies.  No cake.  Maybe ice cream.  All sounds good.  

Happy 67th Birthday, Ole Lady.
~d

  

PROGRESS AT A SLOW SPEED

BY EVENING I WAS ZONKED.  Took a nap.  Hubby was so sweet and fixed supper while I slept.  Out came a Bison Burger and potato chips.  He put spring greens, grilled onion, tomato, mustard and ketch-up on it.  What a nice thing to wake up to.

The burger was delicious and I enjoyed every bite.  So good.  We generally use ground beef for our hamburgers, but this bison was in the freezer.  It was delicious and I did not miss ground beef at all.  We still have some bison pot roast in the deep freeze.  Later this week I will try my hand at a pot roast made out of bison.  A first.   

I haven't used bison for pot roast so it will be interesting none the less.  Supposedly bison is a sweeter meat than beef.  I'll marinate it over night with strong coffee and garlic, slow cook it in the crockpot and see how things turn out. Let you know later.

Planned on going to the COTTAGE this afternoon.  Getting out of the house and taking a drive will lift my spirits.  The front porch plants need watered.  I need to sort through another huge box of papers as well.  A table will be set up in the kitchen to place items on so I can paint next week.

The pantry will be a very light grey color and the kitchen cabinets will be bright white with silver hardware.  Got this far after bantering back and forth on what colors the cabinets will be.  I have flipped flopped back and forth with a lengthy battle going on in my mind about this.  Going to go white cabinets with soft gray tile floors for the kitchen that has stainless steel appliances.  Pretty sure the backsplash tile will be white subway tile.  Not sure what type of ceiling will go up.  This is still in the works.  The pantry will have a mason jar hanging light.  

So many decorating ideas have come to mind about how we will fit inside this COTTAGE.  Many hours have gone into thinking things through on this.  I started gathering ideas from the internet to help with this task.  Fitting all these ideas into my head have caused massive discomfort. 

AS FOR KITCHEN STORAGE...Found some gallon sized Mason Jars.  What a relief. Locating oversized Mason Jars made me a happier camper.  Hobby Lobby had only two, but they were 50% off.  This made me smile. Located another two at a Ace Hardware.  

Filled the jars with All-purpose Flour, White Wheat Flour, organic Sugar and organic Brown Sugar.  

Placing Bay Leaves in with the flour helps keep bugs out.

I'd like to have some more mason jars for cereals and tea.  They will be filled with fruits, vegetables, spices, pasta, bread crumbs, corn meal, etc. and possibly left overs when needed. I don't want to store left-overs in plastic if I can help it.

Got motivated to drive straight over to HOBBY LOBBY in a different community in hopes they'd have some of these gallon size Mason Jars.  They had ONE, but it wasn't marked as being on sale. I didn't want to pay $28.99 for one.  This just about made me sick.  I stood there and decided okay I will bite the bullet and pay this for one jar.  As we checked out, the price on the cash register said the mason jar was half off!  I was glad I went ahead and decided to get it.  The 50% off helped.  

Before leaving town, we went for our Starbuck's unsweetened Iced Tea and as we drove off the car over heated.  We could hear a bubbling noise.  That's not good.  I found a place to park in the shade on this hot Kansas day to let the car cool off.  

One thing I remember from what a minister told me once was if your car overheats, turn the heater on.  Now, this was miserable as the day was in the mid 90s anyhow, but the car's temp did start to cool off.  I reached a place under a shade tree and had my ice tea to sip on as we waited for the car to cool down.  

I was so glad that my smart hubby was with me.  She cooled and Hubby said to go to a Auto Parts store to get some coolant.  We weren't too far so that's what I did.  We drove back to the shade tree and he filled the thirsty car up with coolant under the hood.  She cooled.  The air conditioner even started cooling better.

I wanted to go to Walmart to see if they had any of these gallon size Mason Jars.  They had ONE priced super good.  Now I have 2 more Mason jars for my Kitchen Pantry.  I felt like we had a successful shopping day.  That's 6 jars altogether in two days.  

Drove across the Flint Hills Prairie to the COTTAGE to water the plants, set up a folding table to place dishes on it, gathered up a couple boxes of MORE papers to take to the main house to go through and drove HOME.  I day-dreamed while I sat in the COTTAGE.  I think we will move forward on remodeling this week.  Both Hubby and I are feeling more like ourselves.  

When I got HOME, I washed the two additional jars and will fill with cereal and oatmeal later this evening.  I have to reorganize the small pantry I have at the main house so the jars will have a place to go.  Makes me want to organize my kitchen AGAIN.    

SPIRITUAL READING...Decided to start reading the Book of Leviticus.  Read Chapter One very slowly and out loud.  It helps me to hear the words as well as to read them at the same time. I want to read about the levitical laws concerning food.  Food doesn't save our souls giving us salvation, yet it aids us with good health which makes our earthly bodies better equipped to function staying healthy for the journey.    

HEALTH...Vitamins and minerals continued.  Vitamin C, Zinc and Vitamin D3, Ceylon Cinnamon, Garlic, Berberine, Co Q-10, Apple Cider Vinegar.   I was looking at my fingernails today and noticed that a nice color has grown in with the darker pink growing out.  Just estimating as I think the difference in the two shades of pink started happening when I started taking better vitamins and eating organic foods. 

This made me more hopeful that the vitamins and organic eating truly are helping with my health journey.  We have bounced back from having co vid and I believe our vitamins/organic foods helped with that.  Praise The Lord.  With the co vid, I only had a slight fever for one day. Blood oxygen levels stayed high.  Nausea was mild.  The cough was awful and the fatigued draining for a few days.  I believe we are on the mend with little if any side effects.  I did have to stop taking the antiviral meds three days into it as they lowered my heart rate.  A day after I stopped taking the meds, my heart rate returned to normal.

THANKFUL that I am feeling better and back to getting some things done.  Praise the LORD. Back to the details.  What is said about God is in the details? 

Blessings,

~d 

     

FEELING MORE LIKE NORMAL

TIS TUESDAY and I am feeling more like normal since this co vid thing got me down.  It's been rough coughing for 8 weeks.  Doesn't seem possible that two months has passed.  Better days ahead I pray.  

During this time, I have managed to rest and find time to gather up more things to donate.  This is on going.  Started yet another bag that rests in the Kitchen.  Very little housekeeping took place as I was beyond tired.  So fatigued.     

AS FOR PAPERWORK...I emptied a laundry basket full of papers needing attention to shred or file and emptied the Victorian Desk drawers.  I started by picking up a pile of papers, going through them and then placing them in individual piles on the floor.  A HOME and AUTO PILE (anything pertaining to home payments, utility bills to items purchased as well as for the cars), A FINANCIAL PILE (anything pertaining to spending, checking, savings, retirement), A MEDICAL PILE, A GRANDCHILDREN'S PILE and a misc. PILE.  

Next, medium size boxes were located and the papers will go into individual category boxes. After I have grouped all the loose papers in each box, I will begin to organize into individual subjects just what is there and then put in order of dates.  File away.  I will be ever so glad when this is completed.  It has been a heavy weight.    

Today, I felt like I made huge progress which is very uplifting after months of getting nowhere.  I can see light at the end of this messy tunnel.  Thankful to finally feel some relief.  I was bogged way down for so long. 

 

Beautiful sight!

If my health continues to improve, I plan on making a trip to Topeka or Manhattan to go hunting for extra large mason jars to store flours, sugars, cereals, tea bags and coffee pods. WEARING A MASK, I plan on going to Hobby Lobby first.  If they don't have any that will work then it will require hunting at Menards, Target, Big Lots, Walmart, Michaels, Family Dollar.  Not sure where else.  Perhaps I should check the internet first.  

Smaller jars will be used for spices and herbs.  Won't that be wonderful?  Awesome.  

At any pace, I know the direction I am headed concerning Kitchen storage and decor.  Praise the sweet Lord.

On the HOME FRONT: 

We purchased a large light from the thrift store for at the top of the stairs.  Got a super good price on this and Husband wasted no time installing it.  Sure like it.

Blessings,

~d    

 

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE: SUPER SALAD

Spring Greens is the base of this SUPER Salad.  Filled in with diced celery, green bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, Kalamata olives, craisins, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, croutons, shredded yellow cheese, one beef weiner, walnuts, salt, black pepper and Olive Garden Italian Salad Dressing. 

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE MADE EASY!

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE has a multitude of salads these days as the MAIN EVENT for a meal.  Boy, have I ever changed.  A salad for the entire meal has crossed the barrier of Bon Appetit.  Not sure Julia Childs would approve or Martha Stewart...which doesn't bother me.

Enjoying cold and crisp salads as a meal is a perfect for someone like me wanting to get more veggies and fruits in a day.  Thankful I can eat one and have no problems later.

Making one salad at a time is divine,

~d  

ALWAYS NAP TIME

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

-Luke 1:37

The scripture card pulled from the scripture box today is Luke 1:37.  

On the flip side is a short prayer.

Lord, help us to speak to others in a way that will help them see you.

I was thinking about when I bought this small acrylic box filled with little cards that have scripture printed on them.  I'm not sure.  I believe I ordered it from one of my kids when they had a fund raiser years ago.  Maybe when we lived in Texas.  That's been a while ago.  Sometimes I think about what it would have been like if we had stayed and not moved away to a different state.  I wonder.

The scripture helped me today as I am exhausted and recovering from co vid.  I hope to improve, but for right now the fatigue is eating my lunch.  Always nap time.

Blessings to you,
~d

TURNING POINT...xenoestrogens are harmful to humans.

ENERGY LEVEL EXTREMELY LOW.  Red flags waving.  Red lights flashing. Fatigue abounds.  There's an abundance of ideas in my thought life of what I can be doing, but the lack of energy rules the roost.  

Since I don't know when this co vid thing truly hit me, I have to go off of when I started coughing wet coughs then nearly passing out which came two days later.  If I go by the coughing, then I have been ill for 9 days.  If I go by the nearly passing out, then it's a week.  If by chance I had co vid when I was coughing dry coughs the past 6 weeks...well then I have no idea when I was stricken with co vid.  

I telephoned the Doctor's office to visit with their nurse about having a very low heart rate and was advised to stop taking the PAXLOVID.  Over the week-end my heart rate should return to normal being about 67 beats per minute.  I don't think I would have paid any attention to having a 40 bpm heart rate if I hadn't been checking oxygen levels.  Oxygen level excellent.

Since I couldn't find my blood pressure monitor, we had one delivered from the pharmacy.  BP is high.  If it isn't one thing, it's three other things.  I won't be taking my evening dose of PAXLOVID in hopes of raising my heart rate back to normal.  Since my oxygen level is good and I have no fever or chest tightness and it's not difficult to breathe, I am fairly confident that I am on the mend.  The coughing fits hit ever so often and I am overly tired.  The tiredness could also be attributed to having a super low heart rate.  I don't want to go into cardiac arrest so I pray to improve.

Not reading anything on the net about death occurring because the heart stopped due to taking Paxlovid at home.  I wonder if this is being censored.  Hush hush because it's so new.  Hum.  I don't plan on being a statistic.  

Health is a precious commodity isn't it?  I'd like to be as healthy as possible.  When I read up on how to achieve this, there is no mention in the articles that having peace with God and following His commandments contributes to having superior health.  I know it does.  I truly want to be at peace with God.  Living a clean life contributes to being healthier.

This is just some of the ways I have changed the course of living and some on what I was already doing.  Not bragging or boasting when I say I do not smoke.  I seldom drink alcoholic beverages.  I don't do recreational drugs.  

I do try to eat healthy...believe I can continue to improve as it is an ongoing adventure.  Cut way back on milk consumption.  Occasional ice-cream.  Cheese and butter allowed.  Almond milk from time to time.  Nuts allowed.  Eating leaner meats.  Eating healthy fats like olive oil.  No high fructose corn syrup.  Avoiding sugary drinks such as colas and fruit juices.  Cut out drinking coffee.  Seldom eat cake, pies, donuts, cookies or deep fried desserts.  Eating multi-grained breads when I do eat breads.  Seldom eat pork.  Soy-free eggs instead of typical eggs out of the grocery store fridge.  Mostly eat organic fruits and vegetables.  Eat more grass fed beef than not. Wild caught salmon.  Avoid fluoride.  Use more organic, chemical free products.  Avoiding plastics, working at using glass for food storage.  Xenoestrogen be gone. 

I have never used non-stick cookware with teflon, but that doesn't mean the many places I have dined hasn't.  I wouldn't know.  Now to pray more, worry less, walk more, talk less.  Look for the good in LIFE and continue researching. 

Endocrine Disrupters is a whole different animal that I know exists, but need to study up on.  This will take some doing to be aware of EDs and stop using products that harm people.  

SO what is the harm with XENOESTROGENS?  They mimic estrogen causing an overload on the body.  

Xenoestrogens are “foreign” estrogens, substances that are close enough in molecular structure to estrogen that they can bind to estrogen receptor sites with potentially hazardous outcomes. Sources of Xenoestrogens include plastics, pesticides, chemicals, and water systems.

What are the effects of xenoestrogens? Xenoestrogens may temporarily or permanently alter the feedback loops in the brain, pituitary, gonads, and thyroid by mimicking the effects of estrogen and triggering their specific receptors or they may bind to hormone receptors and block the action of natural hormones.

https://womeninbalance.org/2012/10/26/xenoestrogens-what-are-they-how-to-avoid-them/

How do I detox my body from xenoestrogens?

Detox: Help the body get rid of harmful xenoestrogens by consuming foods with nutrients that eliminate harmful extrogen metabolites. Flax seeds, sprouts, and cabbage family vegetables; broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, cabbage, kale, bok choy.

https://thechalkboardmag.com/what-are-xenoestrogens-dangers

The effects of harmful xenoestrogens isn't a issue discussed or encouraged to investigate by the secular world that encourages homosexuality or being able to identify as a woman...too high of estrogen exposure causes harmful affects on the human body morphing body chemistry.  This messes with the hormones which seriously affects the human body in strange ways.  Sex changes are sought after as the golden standard of dealing with xenoestrogens damage, but the greatest deception is that I WAS BORN THIS WAY and there can't be any other reason that could possibly have caused issues with someone or convinces them otherwise.  

Could being exposed to too many Xenoestrogens while developing in the womb be a concern to the developing baby?  What about after being born then developing as a toddler throughout childhood into teenagers and adults?  How can this not be wondered about?

Endocrine Disrupters is something I will be reading more about.  

We are born with free will and have the ability to sin, but to ignore  life changing damages that xenoestrogens do to the human bodies should not be ignored.  Is it easier to believe that we are born this way than to investigate the damage excessive estrogen does to humans even in the mother's womb?  This environment we are born into and live in is challenging.  What other deceptions does the devil want us to believe as truth when it isn't truth at all?  

Earth was once viewed as square.  It wouldn't be until much later that the reality of a round planet was the way it is.  Using hormone replacement therapy on women was viewed as helpful not so long ago.  Every hysterectomy patient was placed on hormones and told that the hormones would protect the heart and prevent strokes.  Now studies show that extensive hormone replacement contributes to dementia, stroke and heart attacks.  SO which is it?  They are good for women's health or they are harmful when taken too long?  Which way does the pendulum swing?          

How harmful are XENOESTROGENS?  I heard about the awlfuls way back in 2000.  That's 22 years ago and I ignored what I was hearing.  If I had harkened to this info, I truly believe I would not have experienced so many unhealthy issues and would be healthier than I am today.  Why did I ignore the info I was hearing?  Not wanting to believe I was living in such an unhealthy environment.  Pride?  Fear?  Thinking myself more superior than I should have?  

The use of highly processed foods laced with chemicals, pesticides, GMOs, environmental issues....chemicals used for grooming, chemical laced fabrics, etc. contributes to additional health issues.  I have a decade long history of urinary tract infections, huge fibroid tumors, gall bladder issues which led to having a gangrenous gall bladder, thyroid cancer, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, OBESITY.  As much as I'd like to think that I am basically healthy, I think this would be delusional.    

Because I didn't want to believe what I was hearing concerning xenoestrogens, it was easier to ignore the truth than to believe it.  I am stubborn and lazy that way.  

My journey in changing the way I am eating has been in slow motion like pushing a rock up hill. I am not very eager to change.  The studying and researching has to soak in deep before I respond to changing.  What would have a hold on me so tightly that I would not change for the better?

After I had a decade of urinary tract infections, I was grasping at straws trying to figure out why I was suffering so.  Use white toilet paper, wipe front to back, urinate before and after sexual intercourse.  Wear cotton underwear.  So I did not knowing that cotton products are some of the dirtiest crops on the planet due to being heavily sprayed with chemicals that do not wash out, but remain in the fibers.  If the cotton used to make the undies is chemically treated then there will be health issues.  

I went so far as to visit with a sanitary pad company representative that poo poo my concerns about what the pads were made of.  Umpteen years later there is more evidence that the bleached cotton in pads is extremely bad for The WHO HAA of a female's anatomy where the sun don't shine.  

Are there harmful chemicals in sanitary pads?

The researchers also detected potentially harmful VOCs in the products tested. Xylene was found in all 11 of the menstrual pad brands tested, toluene in nine, and methylene chloride in two. Toluene and xylene were detected in all four diaper brands tested.

Today, there is much discussion about fibroid tumors being formed from the chemicals coming off of the bleached cotton from sanitary supplies, underwear and toilet paper.  Should we be concerned about what our underwear is made of?   There's concern.  Same with toilet paper that is treated with chemicals and bleach.  What about ovarian and uterine cancers?  Makes me wonder if men's prostate troubles has to do with chemically laced cotton underwear and all the xenoestrogens in soaps.  In cleaners, detergents, etc.

When foods are stored also warmed in the micro-wave inside plasticware, there is evidence of harmful chemicals leaching into the food.  Plastic bottles do the same with bottled water.  Heat causes the plastic chemicals to leach into the water even if it's spring water.

Doesn't sound very healthy does it?  Overwhelming I understand.  Perhaps this is partly why I wanted to ignore the bad news and pretend that everything is alright just the way it is.  How could so much evil exist in this world right up my alley?  How can so many want to profit from their products that are harmful to people and the environment?  Surely there aren't that many uncaring people out there or are there?  So many are more interested in making money than being concerned of the ill effects of what has been done to products.  I was extremely naive.  Not so much anymore.

What is it that the Lord says about the root of all evil comes from the love of money?  Does He mean what He says?  Yes, He does.  I must believe His words.

1 Timothy 6:10
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  

I know that this post is rather vague on much.  Just skimming the cream off the top, but that seems to be where one starts before diving into a subject matter getting to the nuts and bolts of it.  I've mentioned Xenoestrogens, Endocrine Disrupters, chemicals which are an interest to me in this modern world we live in.  Getting more familiar with organic foods and cleaning products is part of this journey.  What if avoiding Endocrine Disrupters made way for healthier people?

A turning point for better living and health.

Blessings to you,

~d

MORNING WORLD

MORNING WORLD.  My mental attitude about getting better is very good today.  I am hopeful that we will recover from co vid without side effects.  Hopeful.  Even though I have a lingering cough, awful fatigue, I am relieved that I have little pain.  The nausea is bothersome and the metallic taste in my mouth is troublesome.

Keeping an eye on oxygen level and heart rate.  Oxygen is very good, but the heart rate is lower than I'm comfortable with.  Below 50.  DON'T LIKE that.  Have to walk about to get heart rate up some.  The antiviral medicine PAXLOVID can cause bradycardia.  I may be a candidate. 

This morning, as I sit in the living room with the French doors open letting fresh air inside, I am a happy camper.  The sky being grey overcast with temps 78 degrees, makes it so very pleasant. SO pleasant.  It's wonderfully relaxing this morning.  Love it.  Hubby and I had a financial meeting early this morning with the breeze blowing in which helps keep the peace in our HOME. SO that we can be on the same page means much.  

I had the energy to work on the bills this morning also washed some dishes.  Didn't feel like eating breakfast as this awful metallic taste is still in my mouth.  My appetite has been way too progressive the last few days and I have been over eating.  I need to pull back for three days to allow my body to balance out.  

Last night I gathered up the energy to clean on the miniature oven that sits on the countertop. Scrubbing the wire racks was overdue.  I like having my appliances kept clean.  Emptying two pull out drawers made room for bakeware.  I now need to get extra large mason jars to house the baking staples.  I will go get some in a few days when I am no longer isolating from the outside world.

The sooner I can get these, the better as they will serve a purpose in the kitchen.  Having my fridge and kitchen cabinets clean and orderly makes me a better person.  Hallelujah.  This is a very small price to pay to be HAPPY.

Decorating ideas come to mind.  Watching youtube vids helps.  Lighter colors, less clutter.  Less is more means what actually?  Fill your spaces with imagination and thought.   Earthy and organic.  Greenery, raw wood, white walls.   

This down time due to co vid is allowing me time to think making mental preparations for working on the Cottage and our main house.  Physically unable...more waiting.  Not running a fever.  Will re-evaluate how I'm doing after the ten day period is over.  My gut feelings about this...that I should wait until I have stopped coughing on my own.  I haven't had a fever for days now.  I don't believe I should be around others while still coughing and then I will wear a mask keeping my distance.  On day 3 of antiviral.  After the morning dose was taken I figured that I was half over the treatment.  I will be thankful to be over taking this when the time comes as it is rough having this raunchy taste in my mouth.

Scripture verse drawn today: James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Blessings,
~d