COMING TOGETHER ONE PIECE AT A TIME SO WE DO NOT FALL APART

GOING FROM THE SPACE WE HAD A YEAR AGO TO WHAT LITTLE SPACE WE HAVE NOW, is making me rethink some serious storage things.  This Sunday I can drive past the house we said good-bye to a year ago.  It will be my one year anniversary of walking out the door and driving away.  sigh.  I am preparing myself to not get upset.  The last year in the COTTAGE has had many challenges.  Many.  I will have to remind myself the reasons we decided to downsize with good cause.

We celebrated last THANKSGIVING in Oklahoma and CHRISTMAS in Kansas with our daughter's family.  No cause for panicking about the COTTAGE being a mess full of moving boxes.  This year, I'm not sure what we will do for the HOLIDAYS as the house still has messes about.  We're still shuffling.

The year was full of challenges.  Hubby danced on a bean can in the snow which injured his foot. He was carrying groceries into the house dropping a bean can which he did not see until he did the tango with it in January.  With his foot injury plus the weather being icy cold, we did not work in the garage or storage units.  The following months would be spent dealing with x-rays, MRIs, special shoes and inserts made, specialist visits for foot care.  10 full months of tending to an injured foot.  With time, prayer and VOLTAREN cream applied to foot, he is so much better.
THEN there was an eye episode.  I mustn't forget the eye issues requiring eye surgery and keeping a close look on his eye.

I fell in February which aggravated my tailbone.  Still uncomfortable when sitting.
I had two cataract surgeries in March.  
Still recovering in April, but made a trip to Des Moines for my Mom's 92nd birthday and visit.
In May we had the flu.  High School and College Graduations.
June was an emotional trip to St. Louis.
Co vid hit in July.
In August we were still recovering, BUT we managed to clean out a storage unit.  
We celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary.
September meant a trip to Iowa.
Here I be in October eating Halloween candy like there is no tomorrow.  Hubby's working on bathroom and we are shuffling our belongings.  
The year has been busy.  Deliberately slowing down to smell the roses, stare at the stars in the sky, sit quietly and pray.  Think on the goodness of God and not worry about a thang.  Make plans and play.  Continue to declutter and donate.  Dream some about a finished cottage with order.  Work as I can.

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MY BLUE WILLOW DISHES HAVE BEEN BOXED UP FOR OVER A YEAR.  Long over due to unpack them and place them where they belong in the antique china cabinet.

HUBBY HAS BEEN SHUFFLING THINGS IN THE CELLAR AND GARAGE where he said he located all of my BLUE WILLOW dishes that are in boxes.  When do you want them brought in?  This made me fade out as I have no idea how to pull this off where all the glassware will go that the Blue Willow will take over. 

We have 4 monster racks in the she shed that need relocated to the cellar to accommodate my overflow dishes.  Right now one of the large monster racks is being set up in the cellar for glassware and dishes overflow.  I have to wait until there is a place to store the overflow before the glassware disappears from the dining room.  Poof.  Make it happen.  

Hubby is working at clearing monster racks out of the she shed and sitting them up in the cellar to hold HOLIDAY DECOR and dishes galore.  He has to disassemble the racks, carry the parts to the cellar, reassemble them THEN we can load the spoils on them.  It really is a BIG assignment overall, but I know it will truly help with getting organized.  What a work out for two old peeps. This is all a part of the plan to be downsized living in our paid for COTTAGE with no mortgage to our name.  I'm still getting use to not having a mortgage after so many years of having one that made finances tight.  It became a way of LIFE being in debt.  pause.

I'll clear out the things that are in my Mom's china cabinet making room for the Blue Willow CHINA.  This other stuff from the china cabinet will be carefully boxed up and taken down to the cellar.  I'll need to do this this week-end.  Carefully the dilapidated cardboard boxes in the garage that have the Blue Willow will be carried to the house and unwrapped placing all the china in the antique china cabinet.

One piece at a time, the china will be placed just so so and I will marvel at it being oh so pretty. I've got to get on with it.  Sometimes I feel like I am stuck and can't get moving the way I need to in order to be IN ORDER.  Know what I mean???

I have to find a nice place for my amber colored Depression glass dishes that I recently purchased for a fantastic price at an antique store in Council Grove.  Do I display these in the corner cabinet or place these old dishes in the bottom of Grandma's Sideboard?  I kind of like the idea of storing them in Grandma's piece.  I love my Blue Garland china that are in the bottom of Grandma's piece, but think the use of space needs to change.  When boxing the Blue Garland, I may sell it.  Can't believe I'm saying this as I have had these dishes since my middle child was a baby and he's about to turn 47.  Almost an antique set of dishes on their own.

I'll be figuring this out this week-end.  I've got to get on with.

Busy day today for an old woman.  Waking late today as the alarm was not set.  Laundry taken out of the machine to fold towels.  Bills written out and ready to mail.  Some research done on the computer.  Dishes soaking in the sink.  Making plans for the day with a list of things to do. Tis Friday.  Off to see the WIZARD, the wonderful WIZARD of OZ. 

~d 

JIBBER JABBER

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WAKING AT A DECENT HOUR this morning, I was determined to get a great deal done because I will be HOME all day long.  Looking forward to this as I have had a full week of medical appointments and not yet done.  When I do go to my next out of town medical appointment that's in a city with stores, I want to purchase pomegranate for health reasons and a rebounder.  

Just gently bouncing up and down on the rebounder for ONE MINUTE every hour will help with my lymph system.  I believe this will help with all kinds of health issues that plague me.  Eating healthier and sipping spring water will always HELP.

I've got to get around to the post office and mail a birthday card to my grandson who turns 15 this week.  Gosh 15.  🎂 

Today while I'm out and about, I'll get some fresh air and some exercise on a cool day.  Thankful for the cooler temps.  Refreshing my AUTUMN soul.  🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

ON THE HOME FRONT.  I decided that I want my vitamins and minerals easily accessible which means I need to have them out in open sight.  I know they need to be away from heat and sunshine, but I have a shelf in the Kitchen that is presently holding herbs and spices.  I'd like to do THE SHUFFLE and place my vits/mins on this shelf.  Will try living with it for awhile and see what I think.  Tadah.  Gonna do it.

Another round of clearing off the dining room table. THE catch-all.  This means I have to find a place to stash my antique Depression amber colored glass dishes with the Madrid pattern that have found their way to the table.  I love my dishes.  I truly do.    

Got the pile of laundry folded and put away.  Another mound is appearing.  👚🧦👚🧦👚🧦👚🧦👚🧦👚🧦🧦🧦🧦🧦🧦🧦🧦

I CONFESS I have ate way too much chocolate HALLOWEEN CANDY.  I have overdosed on the candy vibe.  How do I feel about this?  Umm, I should be ashamed of myself, but I'm not.  I have the understanding that dark chocolate is good fer ya.  I must have a lot of good in me now.  🍫🍫🍫

Tonight I will balance it all out with a huge salad.

I remember one year where I had absolutely NO HALLOWEEN CANDY at all.  That was a while ago.  I think I can ignore the candy wrappers in my Longaberger basket that's holding the candy by the front door.  

I will buy some packaged pretzels tomorrow so I have a give-away stash come OCTOBER 31st.  The Spooky HOUR comes and goes so quickly I sigh.  We'll go watch the trick-or-treaters parade on Main Street then come HOME and wait for the young ones to come by during the evening.  It's getting dark around 7 these days.  🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

Better go and get some chores done.
~d

MOUNJARO IN THE AUTUMN

AS I TYPE, it's gently raining outside and the fragrance is lovely.    I can hear the trickling of raindrops bouncing off the leaves of the trees.  Pitter pat.  The front door of the COTTAGE is open with the storm door's window raised allowing fresh air indoors.  Wonderful treat for nature as she needed some moisture.  

Strolling down memory lane.  When I was a young girl that got to spend time outdoors playing, I loved this time of year where the light cast a different shadow upon everything.  These present Autumn days brings fond memories back to me.  Oh, the rain is so refreshing.

The leaves of the three trees out front display Autumn at her best with the changing colors falling to the ground covering the grass in the lawn.  Fall y'all. 

 

 

GOT AROUND EARLY TO DRIVE TO MANHATTAN FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENT.  Arrived and was weighed and got to see the doctor almost immediately.  Disappointed about my weight.  Sigh.  

I checked out fine and had a good visit with my primary physician. Secret is out.  8 weeks ago, I started MOURNJARO with the hopes of losing some weight.  I have been managing my type 2 diabetes by diet, but was hoping some weight would come off by taking Mounjaro.  Knowing it is a very expensive medicine, I was willing to sacrifice to lose weight. I stopped taking it last week as I had horrific side effects that were very unpleasant.  

Severe abdominal cramps
nausea
headache
constipation
indigestion
fatigue
irritation
sadness

I wasn't willing to have the side effects to lose weight.

Long term effects are not known and some say that taking this medicine will injure you.  I decided that I would be better off doing this weight loss thing the hard way.  So if it happens...time will tell.

I was one of those supposedly few that have terrible symptoms with Mounjaro.  I am working at changing by eating differently and walking.  AND AWAY I go.  No Mounjaro for me.

~d

SENIOR MOMENTS

I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE SO IT DIDN'T SURPRISE ME THAT I DID IT AGAIN.  Making sure I had the house/car keys in hand, my big black purse in the other hand and wearing my big grandma sun glasses on my face, I stepped out the front door standing on the cold wood porch to lock the door.  I knew the wood was cold as the bottom of my bare feet felt the cold.

In hurrying out the door, I had forgotten to slip my black patent shoes on my feet.  👟duh!  I'm so use to going barefooted that it is second nature to me.  I realized the second I stepped onto the wood that I had no shoes on.  This is alright if you're not driving a car to go someone.  I had forgotten.

A senior moment.  oops.  I walked inside to slip my shoes on and away we went.

OKAY.  I had a senior moment.  Hubby did as well.  He had cleaned the car out so we'd have room to haul the kitchen sink we purchased in a different community.  In order to open the trunk lid on the PT Cruiser, you have to use the car keys.  He did.  He cleaned out the car so nice and purdy ready for our haul.  Since I was driving, we went to the bank first to get some traveling cash.

Off we went to a another community to the bank.  Onto the highway we went.  Stopped at the traffic light when a white truck pulled up to the left of me honking its horn.  I turned to look rolling down the window so I could hear the man telling me that car keys were left in the car's trunk.  🔑Oops.  Hubby forgot to pull them out after opening the trunk earlier.  A senior moment for sure. 🚗

We looked at each other and laughed.  We've gotta keep a eye on each other these days as we are approaching our 70s.  

When we get ready to leave the house, we'd better read off a check list.  Keys?  Cash?  Shoes? Phone?  Purse?  Billfold?  Jacket?  Water?  Meds?  Is the door locked?  Now where'd you say we were going?

Life is interesting.  

Senior moments do happen,

~d 👵

SHAZAM! I'M SO HAPPY!!! 💞 BATHROOM REMODEL

💞 SHAZAM...I'm so HAPPY THAT THE BATHROOM IS COMING ALONG.  Hot and cold water runs from the faucet now.  I can soak in the tub!!!  PRAISE THE LORD and THANK YOU HUBBY. 

OUR 1900 white porcelain enamel Clawfoot Tub 

with nickel plated feet.  

It has been a long time in the coming.  Over the last few years the Bath room was completely GUTTED.  Completely overhauled from top to bottom the ceiling, walls, floor, fixtures.  The whole shebang.  Hubby and I agreed to take a break on building the linen closet until after the SHE SHED is cleared out and bedroom furniture moved in so the pink bedroom can be changed into a TV room.  

CHRISTMAS will be here before I know it and the bedrooms need arranged before company arrives.  So the linen closet will be on pause so we can comfortably get the two bedrooms arranged and the living room being a clean parlour.  All the rooms being rearranged will take some time to repurpose.  I hope to have a Christmas tree in the front parlour this year.

Getting the large screen television out of the living room will allow the bay window to show off the cuteness of the living room.  Moving the tv out of the room and into a different room will help brighten up the living room and lift my spirits.    

Mentally, seeing the TV as you walk through the front door into the living room is a headache. The big black hole will disappear where we will have a formal parlor once more.  My psych will be better.  Know what I mean?  Having things just so-so in my COTTAGE makes me a HAPPY CAMPER and HOMEMAKER.  

I have had so many messes to deal with and it is about time that we have order like civilized peeps.  Going on a year since we made RETIREMENT COTTAGE our main residence.  One year! We knew we had an ongoing fixer upper COTTAGE when we moved in.  It didn't make it any easier for us as we have projects running out of our ears.  Squeezing into a small COTTAGE is full of awkward challenges right up front.  No denying this.    

We'll return to building the linen cabinet after the TV room is up 'n goin' and the front bedroom is organized as it has not been dealt with this entire year.  What a year it has been.  Truly one of a kind.  The outside of the tub may be painted a soft gray to cover some ill affects from the last 124 years of existence after we get this other stuff completed.  

Returning to living a simpler LIFE. 

SO THANKFUL that we have progress and can actually use the tub.  Running hot and cold water and flushing toilets are a blessing!  Amen.

SHAZAM.  I am really HAPPY,

~d

CHERRY PICKIN' RELIGION AND TRAVELING ACROSS THE PRAIRIE TO GET A SINK

THE CHURCH BELLS CHIMED ON THE CORNER OF THE BLOCK TO WHERE I HEARD THEM AT 8:04 AM.  Time to get around for church.  The bells rang again around 8:30.  They'll ring them again around 9:30.  I guess they figure an hour and a half is long enough to get ready for church and be there in time for services to begin.  It's a comfort to me that the bells are rang each Sunday morning at about the same time.  Old fashion way of calling in the sheep.  

I don't attend this particular church, but have talked about visiting one day.  Just to visit and sit in the beautiful sanctuary to listen to a godly sermon.  With CO VID, many churches starting streaming their services for peeps to watch from the safety of their HOMES.  I found this helpful when wanting to watch a variety of services throughout the country.  Just pop in and listen.

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This could be interesting.  I can tune in live stream of the local churches all at the same time or rewatch them afterwards.  All day long I could tune in and listen.  It isn't the same as being an actual warm body physically present in the sanctuary, but one that listens when I want.  I can cherry pick whichever church I want to.  hum.  It's not the same as being a someone that is actively involved with the live members or ministering to the lost.  

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Yesterday was another ON THE ROAD AGAIN day for us as we needed to go pick up our kitchen sink from a different community.  A 42"x20" AMERICAN STANDARD white cast iron enameled farm house Kitchen sink with left drain board and back splash circa 1920!  It has hardware, but I think when we get ready to install it after the remodel that we will want a different faucet get-up.    🚰🚰🚰🚰🚰🚰🚰🚰🚰 

TIRED AS I WAS, I climbed into the car anyways as we knew the kitchen sink would fit and would be the right fit for us aiming toward a FARMHOUSE KITCHEN LOOK.  Hubby took the measurements to make sure the sink's back part wouldn't be too high for the wood work on the window.  Fits nicely.

This is a 42" x 20" American Standard white cast iron enameled farm house sink with left drain board and back splash circa 1920. Shazam, I'm HAPPY!

We returned to Council Grove, Kansas to purchase our sink that awaited us.  The drive was spectacular overseeing the warm hues that cover the grounds of the Flint Hills this time of the season.  Beautiful colors of straw, butterscotch, deep greens, yellows stretch out over the countryside.  When the winds blow, the grasses sway to the rhythm of an invisible source.  It's comforting to me as I prefer this scenery over watching the television.  

Thoughts of the courageous pioneers that crossed the land decades ago without the benefit of asphalt roads curving in the direction of the next community come to mind.  I can imagine how some felt ready to get off the Santa Fe Trail and settle down where conveniences were.  I don't believe I would have been an enthusiastic pioneer adventuring out west to make a better life for myself, but then again maybe?  

We ate lunch at the Hays House again and sat in the dining room until we were full.  A large salad for me and then 1/4 of a piece of chocolate peanut butter pie that I split with my husband. I left a quarter of the dessert on the plate.  It was rather creamy and sweet with a crunch. Delicious, but I needed to only have a small portion. Water to drink.

Afterwards we went to the store to purchase our sink with a side drain board. We'll order different hardware when the time comes.  The sink is in excellent shape and very heavy.  I was wondering how we would load it into our little PT Cruiser's rear compartment.  I drove the car down the alley to the back door where it could be easier loaded into our car.  A nice man offered to help carry it to the car with my husband.  Truthfully, I do not believe I could have carried it to the car as an assistant.  Way too heavy. 💪

I had the easy job of driving and not being a muscle man on board.  They managed to heave-ho and load the kitchen sink into the back of the car.  Shazam.  She was safely placed in our care. We drove the scenic route HOME and viewed the stunning scenery that God had made for us to marvel at in our human bodies.

Once we got HOME, Hubby unloaded the sink onto a hand cart two wheeler dolly by himself and away he went to the garage to place in storage.  I should have taken a photograph of this.  Should have.  

TODAY I WILL BE GOING FOR A WALK.  A slow leisurely one in no hurry to break a speed record.  Cottage cheese with blueberries and nuts on top for breakfast.  Lunch will be a huge salad with boiled eggs, chickpeas and black beans mixed into a bowl full of veggies. Lettuce being the base.  Supper...not sure.  This will depend on my energy level.  

Our Lord is gracious to us. The church bells just chimed.  About 7 times.  Time to tune into their church service on the computer.

Having HOT TEA with the LORD today.

Blessings to you,

~d

MUCH NEEDED HISTORIC MINI VACAY IN THE FLINT HILLS

DRIVING THE DISTANCE TO THE CROSS COUNTRY MEET WOULD MEAN THAT WE'D GET HOME SUPER LATE after it was over.  Decided to stay overnight at the lovely 1860s CLOVER CLIFF RANCH BED AND BREAKFAST.  It is a short distance from where the meet was. 

We went early enough in the day to stop for lunch in Council Grove at the TRAIL DAYS restaurant that is full of history and conversation.  I had a BISON BURGER with baked beans and a delicious Cherry Berry Iced Tea.  The McClintocks are very special people where the history flows with delicious homemade meals.  I sat at a small table taking in the ambience of the lovely house they remodeled many years ago.  Gosh, it is so nice to eat and relax.

THE CROSS COUNTRY MEET STARTED AT 4 AND OUR GRANDDAUGHTER WOULD RUN AT 5.  Bless her heart, she took FIRST place running Varsity.  League Champion!  What a thrill to see her run across the beautiful Flint Hills.  It was incredibly WINDY and then the temps began to fall where we needed jackets to stay warm.  I believe I got my walk in for the day as I am sore and stiff.  

OUR CHAMPION

 

Took off after the AWARDS CEREMONY and drove to the Bed and Breakfast ready to collapse on the bed.  I was almost too tired to take a bath when we got there.  I wanted to watch the new television series MATLOCK with Kathy Bates.  I made myself stay awake then soaked in the deep tub getting out ready for sleep.  In the morning I took a hot shower so I could shampoo my hair.  After being at the Flint Hills event, my hair was dirty with a Kansas dusty residue.  Refreshed and ready for more adventure in Kansas on our mini-vacay.

We stayed in the Lincoln Honeymoon Suite.  A gorgeous room indeed.  

We had a delicious breakfast at Clover Cliff in the enclosed, wrap around veranda.  The house is a masterpiece of comfort and beauty.  Looking out of the window, the scenery was pleasant and oh so beautiful.  I could just park myself and stay put. 

After our wonderful and peaceful time at Clover Cliff, we drove over to Council Grove where Hubby got his chicken fried steak at the 1857 HAY's HOUSE.  His favorite dish.  

The Hay's House is the oldest restaurant west of the Mississippi.  I had an old fashioned hamburger.  🍔After I ate the whole thing, I critiqued my meal on how I could have cut calories to save face.

If I had taken the beef patty out of the bun and ate it with the toppings of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, I would have cut close to 128 calories not eating the bun.  I had a few French fries with ketch-up.  I was alright with the amount I ate.  I drank water.  A bonus.  NO DESSERT.  

Next door was a Antique Shoppe.  Went in and oohed and awed.  Very nice shoppe.  Clean and spacious.  I spied a amber colored Madrid Pattern dinner plate for $2.  I thought they had made a mistake, but hadn't.  As I looked about, I found a 8, 4 piece place settings of the same pattern with dinner plate, bowl, cup and saucer for $30.  About 94 cents a piece.  Woot woot.  Again, I thought they had made a mistake.  SOLD.  Hubby found an antique artist easel.  We were very happy with our purchases.

Drove over to another Antique store where we spied an old kitchen sink that could be an addition in our COTTAGE KITCHEN for an old farmhouse look.  Took measurements and pictures.  Needed to come home first and take more measurements before buying the sink with a drain side.  As we drove HOME, I said I think we found our sink!  The price was right.  Probably 1920ish 42" wide Antique American Standard White Cast Iron Enameled Farmhouse Kitchen Sink with left drain board.  20 " deep.  Makes my heart swoon.💗  

The route HOME is very hilly with a multitude of curves.  With it being windy, I had to drive with caution.  

Picked up the mail from the post office and came home to measure the space in the kitchen to see if it would work for the old sink.  Yep, it did.  Hubby phoned the shop and told them we'd come back to pick up the sink.  Hurray.  When we get ready to style the Kitchen, the Kitchen Sink will be ready to go.

A prosperous mini-vacay where I saw lots of history and loved it.  Looking out at the Kansas scenery was a treat.  Beautiful landscape of tall butterscotch colored grass and we took it all in.  Now that I am HOME, I can rest.

Recall.
Drove across the Flint Hills.
Drove to Council Grove for lunch.
Cross Country Meet.
Drove to Clover Cliff Ranch Bed and Breakfast.
Spent the night.
Breakfast.
Drove to Council Grove.
Lunch at the Hay's House.
Antique Mall.
Antique Shoppe.
Drove across the Flint Hills.
Mail pick up.
Home to rest.
Unload our spoils and overnight bags.

Over the last two days, I have seen a great deal of Kansas's beautiful landscape to admire and enjoy plus historic buildings.  Oh, to stay for a long time.  
~d