NO TIME TO ARGUE

PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS.  I remembered the three words the PA gave me for my Medicare Exam.  🎾🍯BALL, HONEY, RUN👟.  Thankful I remembered. Drew a clock and answered questions pertaining to my health.  Labs followed and we left about an hour after we started.  I weighed about what I thought I would.  I weighed at HOME beforehand so I could compare with the Doctor's scales and it was seriously close.  I'm taking this as an opportunity to reclaim a healthier lifestyle.  

I'll carry on with this health reduction plan.  We shopped at the grocery store for greens.    

Our plans for the day were changed just like that as we both took ill while shopping if that's not the pits.  I've started coughing and can feel this moving into my chest.  VitaminC needed.  You know when the body says take me to the bathroom to visit the throne and it means like right now...we both had this happen.  There was no time to argue.  

Next week,  I'll have a one on one physical with my primary Doc and go over the labs.  The results are already in my portal.  Whoever did this so quickly was on top of their game.  I wasn't expecting the results so fast.  Now, I've got to write up my questions for my doctor.

I knew my numbers were going to be higher than I wanted.  I haven't walked in close to 6 months and can't believe that much time has passed, but it has.  I know the walking helped with my A1c and lipids.  Last February when I began having intense pain to my right hip, I couldn't walk. Thank God I got better after 5 Chiropractic appointments, but then my left ankle acted up.  Not sure why.  

It's better, so I need to ease back into walking again.  I love walking and hated that I couldn't.  

The week has flown.  Monday, we went to Paxico to get me a turquoise ring at the Antique Store for my Birthday.  Tuesday was my 71st Birthday and I took time to be alone, shop, rest and get my hair shampooed by someone at Great Clips.  I got an afternoon spa nap and then Hubby and I talked for a very long time.  On Wednesday, we went to a Topeka Hospital to visit our Grandson who was in a horrible accident where both of his legs were broken.  From there we shopped at God's Storehouse and drive over to Manhattan for another doctor's appointment.  Thursday was our Medicare Exams and Labs.  Came HOME and rested.  Friday, Hubby has two medical appointments!  I think I need to stay HOME and do some chores.  I am not in very good shape and am craving time at HOME.

Sometimes we get so runned down there's no time to argue about it.  I think I'm there.  Have mercy and stay in the recliner to think and pray in the quiet.  I think I had best do this.  Praise the LORD, I have a house to call HOME.  She's a mess, but she's ours.

Night,
~d  

SORRY, NO PEANUTS FOR YOU!!!

TIS MONDAY.  Plans for installing a small air conditioner window unit in the TV room window.  Hubby is outside right now gathering the things he needs so he can successfully install our little purchase to help cool this end of the COTTAGE off when the temps hit the nineties and beyond.

We've been using a window unit in the Kitchen which has truly worked well at cooling our small COTTAGE.  We spend so much time in the TV room and noticed that we need more cooled air in here.  A small unit was purchased and away we will go.

Our forced air quit on us a couple of years ago.  I'll be saving up for a new cooling system and heat through out this coming year.  Next year, we will see about having a new unit put in. Counting the cost.  Always something, huh?

MY BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW!  A whopping 71.  That is old.  I spent being 70 in shock most of the year not believing I am this age.  I was asked what I wanted and wanted to do?  I'd like a piece of jewelry!  Hubby said he'd fix a meal like MEAT LOAF, my favorite.  SO today while the Antique store is open until 5, we'll make a trip over to look at the gems.  I'll freshen up by shampooing my hair and shaving me legs.  Since Tuesday is the day of senior discounts at God's Storehouse, I think I'd like to go to Topeka, see a morning matinee YOUNG WASHINGTON with my husband, visit the thrift palace, grab a bite to eat and go visit our Grandson in the Hospital to give him well wishes and some balloons.  In the evening, a MEAT LOAF MEAL.  I did not really want anything over the top to celebrate other than to TAKE IT EASY.  Somewhere in here, I hope to start walking again at the track.  Maybe on Wednesday?  

It'll be back to working on the storage units and the garage come WEDNESDAY.  Hubby wants to go get his large metal tool box from storage and fit it into the garage in a special place.  A muscle rack will be disassembled, relocated to the in-town storage unit that will be reclaimed as our ATTIC and be set up there to hold CHRISTMAS DECOR.  Praying this is a success.  CHRISTMAS IN JULY will start as I take inventory of the decor, and move forward in this project of getting settled into the COTTAGE.  It's a long story about our move and I've talked about it way too much.  I NEED IT FINISHED.  It will take months before I can say that it is done.  MONTHS. sigh.  Gotta stay with it.

Last week I bought a bunch of different flavored peanuts, boxed them and had plans of mailing them to my brother-in-law that is undergoing chemo.  He loves PEANUTS.  

Today, the thought came to mind can chemo patients have peanuts to eat?  The article suggested no peanuts because they are not good for chemo patients due to causing the cancer to metastasize to other organs. Now I know.  Soooooo no peanuts for him.  We'll go ahead and eat them while thinking of him.  I bought him a baseball cap and will get it in the mail this week.

Instead of peanuts, it will have to be PEANUTS.

  

Heavens.  I need a break.  The week went something like this.  On Wednesday night ten minutes til eleven, we received a panicky phone call from our daughter needing our help to stay with her 4 year old while they dashed to the Topeka Hospital as their son was in a horrible accident when hit by a car, breaking both of his legs, bouncing off the windshield then being thrown into a ditch.  SO far he has had 4 surgeries and more to follow.  Fortunate to be alive.  I babysat Thursday and Friday a very active 4 year old.  On Friday, my Brother-in-law started aggressive chemo and wasn't handling it well.  On Friday just about midnight, a Great Grand baby was born.  The week-end arrived and I down played every thing and rested.  Wanting to be energetic and I am not.

This morning, I filled out greeting cards and will be getting them into the mail this afternoon.  A Congrats card to the new parents of our GREAT GRAND BABY, a GET WELL CARD to my Brother-in-law, a THINKING OF YOU card to my Sister along with a Prayer Book, a Congrats card to the new Grandparents.  Off I need to go to the Post Office.  

After the air conditioner unit is in the window, Hubby will cool off and we'll go to the Antique Store to look.  Some groceries need picked up so there's an out of town trip to the store.  We might stop off at the Storage unit and pick up a few items to bring HOME.  Humm.  Shall see.

May this week be wonderful.

To God be the glory.  
Great things HE has done.

~d🌿 

 

ABOVE ALL ELSE...

 Blessings to you,
~d

LIVING IN A THREE RING CIRCUS

ONE OF THOSE MORNINGS WHERE I COULDN'T REMEMBER WHAT DAY IT WAS.  Checked the calendar and then it came to me it's the week-end.  I really thought I would sleep later than I did, but miracles happen.  I was awake by 6:30 after babysitting a 4 year old for 11 hours the day before.  I think I will take the early morning.

Hubby is still asleep and I am starting my day by figuring out what needs done today in hopes of being successful.  I have some herbs that I got for free that need to be planted in some containers.  I will probably need to get some more potting soil so a trip to Manhattan is in order. I hope the baby plants do not die on me.  The lavender I had, did.  

We purchased a tiny, window unit for our TV room to help cool the room that needs to be installed this week-end.  By the time the cooled air from the Kitchen window unit reaches us, it's not so cool in the other side of the house when the temps outside are hitting the 90s.  We use fans throughout the house, but it's getting warm in the TV room.  Necessity calls.

If Hubby can manage it, he'll shuffle some stuff in the garage to make room for his oversized tool box that's in a storage unit.  This means a big heave-ho will have to take place with us old peeps transporting it from here to there.  The storage unit will get a rack put in the place where the tool box was so we can begin to place Holiday decor on the shelves. 

At present, we have two remaining storage units.  One unit is about empty and that's what we want.  Aiming to have it empty by the end of July.  The other unit will become OUR ATTIC, but first major tidying and rearranging has to take place.  Also, the garage is in serious need of being cleaned out for an art studio.  We have a three ring circus going on here in our corner of the world.  🤡🎪🎪🤡

This week adding to an already too busy life of Hubby doing Physical Therapy in Manhattan twice a week plus the HOARDER LOOKING interior of our COTTAGE and reworking storage units, a Grandson was seriously injured and is in Intensive Care at the Hospital, a new Great Grand baby is on the way and a Brother-In-Law started chemo in Des Moines.  My heart is going in different directions.  

In the next two weeks, we have eleven medical appointments to go to.  My head is spinning a tad.   

This morning I will start slow and lead up to getting some things done around here.  Laundry is in and Hubby is still asleep.  I think it's for the best.  Sometimes LIFE GETS WAY TOO BUSY. It's like a circus around here.  I probably ought to dress up like a clown and throw peanuts at people. 

You ever feel like this???

I read way too much about current events and spend way too much time on the computer clicking on celebrity crud.  I think I need to detox from this.  I know I can do better by being better. 

It has been a dream of mine to tour the White House in Washington DC.  I don't think I care to go at this time.  More upheaval.  With the East Wing demolished and a large hole in the ground, now the columns of the White House are covered because the President wants to change them.  I think it is one big mess.  Does our President have an attention deficit disorder?  Maybe he's a frustrated, closeted interior decorator? 

After the CLAW was removed from the lawn what was left behind?  A Helicopter Pad has gone in?  Jackie's beautiful Rose Garden has been replaced with a Patio and now the gorgeous Washington DC Cherry Trees are in the news of being removed so a GOLF COURSE can be worked over in DC.  A chain linked fence around the WHITE HOUSE is in discussion.  You know, around the People's House?  Does our present President LOVE chaos?  I don't.   

~d

BE KIND AND MOVING SLOW

LIFE CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT.  Just like that, it's different.  Last night at 10:50, we got a phone call from our daughter in a panic asking us to come to their house to stay with our youngest grandson as he slept because their 20 year old son was hit by a car and was on his way to the Topeka Hospital.

As my Husband spoke on the phone, my legs grew weak.  We were watching the movie, THE MAJESTIC starring Jim Carrey at the time.

We hurried over to her HOME to babysit.  Not having all the details we waited to hear back from her.  Grandson W would be having surgery.  I started praying immediately.  We slept on the sofas.  Daughter texted her Daddy with some news.  Morning came and Lil Dude woke to us being there instead of his Mom and Dad.

Without going into a lot of details with a 4 year old, I simply told him that his brother was ill and his Mom and Dad went to help him.  They'd be back later in the day.  This was enough info to quiet his curiosity.  He had preschool this morning so after breakfast and getting him groomed, we played before taking him to school.

We went HOME and took a morning nap.  I feel exhausted and probably will take another nap in the afternoon.  I asked Hubby if he'd go get us a bite to eat as I am exhausted.  He took off to get us spaghetti from Gambino's.

My plans for the day changed drastically.  This happens from tine to time and being flexible has to be activated.  

Think we'll pick up our Grandson from school and entertain him until evening falls then take him HOME.  His folks would have some quiet time to rest up.  They were up all night while their son was in surgery.  I know it's been a long day for them.  

As spurts of energy surge through me, I work at the organizing of our HOME.  Moving slow today.  Rest awhile, move ahead doing something pertaining to making our HOME more like a HOME and rest again.  Repeat.  Repeat.  Repeat.  Not getting to where I need to be very fast, but hey. 

Moving really slow,  

~d

4th of JULY KABOOMS WERE FROM THE SKIES NOT FIRE CRACKERS

WE BOTH WORE OUR 4th of JULY red tee-shirts and blue jeans.  MOOD FOODS were definitely Hot Dogs, chips, brownies with vanilla ice cream and we ate leisurely inside as the skies were thunderous with rain and lightning.  The BOOMS were coming from the clouds.  

I do not miss firecrackers.  Just my old age talking.  I have many fun childhood memories of days gone by, so hang onto these.

I was very content to be indoors out of the heat on the 4th.  The kabooms were reverberating so I stay quiet about the booms.  Hubby and I agreed to stay HOME in the evening and skip the FIRE WORKS over in BOOM TOWN.  Instead I worked indoors as Hubby shuffles the junk in the garage.  We are celebrating our freedom by downsizing and making sense of our messes that were created when we relocated from our big house to this tiny COTTAGE.

We have a plan to make the clean-up and downsizing as it becomes a reality in 2026.  There is an urgency in my soul of getting this task completed.  Too many deaths and illnesses in our family have made me think we have to have our estate in order.  AND WHEN IT FINALLY MATERIALIZES, I will be over the moon happy.  

The power just surged.  Lightning may have hit a source.  Blinked for a second.  Long enough to set off the fridge alarm signaling that power was off.   

As the day wore on, I rested most of the day.  Seriously rested and read.  Hubby worked in the garage and from time to time came inside to take a break excited about his progress.  It was best that I not be in his way as he worked.  I agreed and stayed inside.

The rains stopped and we stayed HOME and away from the big Fireworks Show, but the local neighbors made noise until midnight or so.  As we settled down for the night, we watched the movie PROJECT HAIL MARY. 

Project Hail Mary follows schoolteacher-turned-astronaut Ryland Grace, who wakes alone on a spacecraft with no memory, only to learn he's on a desperate mission to stop a cosmic threat that’s dimming the Sun. Blending hard science, high-stakes suspense, and an unlikely extraterrestrial alliance, this adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel is positioned as an epic, emotional sci-fi adventure. 

The movie was really interesting.  

Night happened and it was time to call it a day.

Sunday, I had a girlfriend's afternoon outing to celebrate the groups July Birthdays.  We purchased our movie tickets for YOUNG WASHINGTON first then went to a local eatery where I had a small salad.  The restaurant served us a free birthday treats!

   ~The Birthday Girls~

We walked over to the theater and watched the movie.  The theater was full.  I liked the movie very much, but it was not what I expected.  I thought it be more about his social life, but instead it shows how he became a Colonel.

Young Washington tells the untold origin story of a 22-year-old George Washington, set against the backdrop of colonial America. After a costly mistake sparks the French and Indian War, he must confront failure, loss, and the burden of leadership, forging the character that will define a nation’s first president. 

I liked the costuming and thought the acting in the movie was very good, but I question how truthful the story was as Washington became a Freemason at the age of 20 before beginning his military career.  The character George Washington starts out wanting to be a part of the British Militia and ends up a Virginian Colonel.

If one's persona can be made into something it's not, then the brainwashing was successful and one tends to believe a lie verses the truth.

PLANS for the week.  Two medical appointments this week.  Continue shuffling and downsizing. The sooner this is done, the better.  I'm getting antsy waiting for this project to be done.  Irritated would be a better word for it.  Boxes gone through.  Same o same o laundry.  Bills paid.  Hoping to see great results concerning getting the storage units and garage taken care of.  

Love,
~d

JULY

 

HaPPY 4th of JULY!!!

~d

HOT WEATHER, IBUPROFEN and THE WALTONS AT THE LAUNDRY MAT

TIS QUIET IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD considering that firecrackers can be popped.  I DON'T MISS THE SOUNDS OF POPPING FIRECRACKERS.  I really don't.  When we ran our errands in Manhattan, I noticed so many FIRECRACKER STANDS throughout the landscape.  Huge circus tents of various colors.  I've lived in the area since 1999 and this is the most I've noticed.  As for traffic...it has seriously increased.  

There's a back road part of the way between Wamego and Manhattan that I take sometimes.  As I sit in traffic waiting for a safe time to enter onto the highway with the parade of cars traveling at a high speed, it reminds me of when I lived in Houston and Tulsa.  I guess I am not a city peep, but rather a rural one that gets pleasure out of the countryside with plants verses looking at the tail lights of cars.  Having to be so much on the look out wears at me.  Just part of the territory.

I hope to have another productive day.  Yesterday was awesome as I woke up early, got around and headed out the door to get some chores done before the afternoon medical appointments. Before I snuck out the door, Hubby woke up and said if I gave him 10 minutes he'd go with me as I was going to go to the out-of-town storage unit to pick up the last load of tubs to transfer to a different location and then go do some laundry at the laundry mat.  

I gave him the ten minutes and then out the door we went.  First stop was to the in-town storage unit to drop off some Christmas boxes then I stopped at the Convenience store so Hubby could get a biscuit with gravy.  He does better with a full belly.  Drove over to Wamego and treated him to a donut.  I stayed away from this and drank a V8.  Good girl.  It's been a while since I had a V8 for a meal.  Only 60 calories.  Not much, but then I had planned on a very low calorie day as I diet and inch my way to my July labs for physical.  I am hoping to be 10 pounds lighter when weighed.  Right now, the scales have not budged.  

Our out-of-town storage unit is 25 minutes from our HOME.  The temps were bearable while we worked at the unit.  15 minutes is all it took to load the last of the storage tubs.  I had a box full of material that I wanted to wash in the jumbo machine at the laundry mat.  This cardboard box was an easy target for mice to get into.  Material can be washed so I did that.  Hubby was kind and shook out all the fabric before I loaded it into the jumbo machine.

Some Teddy Bears and fabrics were washed as I sat and watched the WALTONS on TV.  I was hoping it would be on.  I've used this laundry mat before and was familiar with the shows. Nobody else was in the comfy chairs that are for watching their tele, so I was lucky enough to be there.  Mary Ellen has a baby and her Hubby had to return to active duty.  I can't recall his name, but a neighbor of theirs enlisted and got married before being shipped out.  Yancy?

It is an actual treat to sit there while waiting for the laundry to get done and watch THE WALTONS.  

The drive HOME allowed me time to look out at the Kansas landscape admiring the greens.  I just need to sit and reminisce. 

Cleaned up before getting back in the car to drive to Manhattan for medical appointments.  I had enough time to get a WENDY'S baked potato for my lunch as I am trying to be GOOD at eating what is on my list of foods acceptable on this stricter diet plan.  Today it was harder to stay focused on my DANIEL FAST/DIET.  I did it, but it was overwhelming to me.   

I had a Vitamin B12 injection which doesn't take very long after I get to the SHOT ROOM. Hubby had a physical therapy appointment in the neighborhood, so I dropped him off and drove over to MARSHALLs.  Quickly I looked at shoes and picked up a pair of cute summer sandals.  I was looking for slip-ons with no luck.  A LEMON SCENTED candle and a glass pump jar of liquid hand soap with a honey bee imprint on the bottle were purchased.

The temperatures were rising outside with high humidity and I about cooked.  Yes, it's July and I knows it.  I went back to pick-up Hubby from his appointment.  They worked him over good this time and took longer than usual.

He wanted a coffee afterwards so he was treated to one.  I drank water and drove us HOME.  A NAP was in order so I took one in my recliner. 

I worked at putting some items away that had been in storage and made a pile of Christmas decor to go to storage.  Evening was slow paced and I fell asleep after surfing the net.  Today will be a new day and I'll be back at this ongoing project of downsizing.  Another load of boxes will go to the unit, I'll vacuum the floorboard of the Cruiser and head over to the Laundry Mat to wash another load of fabrics.  Maybe I can watch THE WALTON's again.

With the temperatures being so HOT, I'll work on going through the tubs in the house, wash some tee-shirts, go through some boxes of papers and take a break from it all.  This isn't very exciting, but it's my project for now.  I will praise GOD when this downsizing and organizing is complete.  Oh how I wish it were done.

This go round of settling into the COTTAGE has me thinking, I would be better off not having so much to do.  It's better to be able to put your things in a place that is ready for you to do so instead of having to completely clean an area out before placing different things into the area.  It seems like this is a big headache.  Hand me the Ibuprofen.

This feels like a difficult year as a Sophomore in High School.  Still not into going to High School, but trying really hard to fit in with the other kids, juggle classes that I don't really want to take, do some outside activities and make the grades.  I want to be successful at this downsizing and reorganizing, but my heart is elsewhere.  Gotta do it anyways.

Staying at it.  I am.

~d

JULY 1st

~HAPPY JULY 1st~

Just like that we are now in the month of July.  So much of June was spent working on the storage units and getting rid of the contents inside.  We're on the fourth week of staying busy with this operation.  Week 4.  Doesn't seem possible.  I'd rather be on a vacation. Hubby doesn't plan vacations so I had best do it if it's on the agenda.  The HEAT is on.

I know within this month of July, I'll be turning 71 years of age mid month.  On my birthday, I'll eat a piece of cake or maybe a donut.  Just this once. 🧁 

During the year of being 70, it didn't soak in that I am that person.  I am this old.  Living in the real world, I carry on.  We purchased a different automobile.  I endured such hip pain that required medical test and treatment with chiropractic appointments then intense pain in my left ankle continues to plague me.  My walking a mile every other day stopped.  I hope to climb back on the horse and get after it.  A GREAT GRAND BABY was born.  A Son started a different job after not being gainfully employed for 2 years.  My Mom turned 94 and we had a party for her. Hubby is suffering from knee issues.  A Brother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer.  We continue to work at downsizing.  We humbly live in a very tiny town in America in a very tiny COTTAGE where a house is being built across the street.  Continuing to eat organic foods as much as possible as we are concerned about our health, wealth and wellbeing.  Not a day goes by that my Husband doesn't check up on the current events concerning number 45/47 actions. 

Plans for the month.  The 4th of July will be observed.  I'll celebrate a birthday on the 14th. Annual Physical.  Continue emptying out our storage unit and rearranging a different unit closer to HOME to house Holiday decor.  Relocating the overflow dishes and glassware to the cellar. The garage cleaned out.  Inching along to the month of August. 

My day has started.  Laundry is in.  Clean dishes need put away and Breakfast made.  Medical appointments this afternoon.  More organizing done concerning storage tubs.  Prayers being said.  Amen.

Happy JULY to you,

~d   

BEING FLEXIBLE and A CHANGE OF PLANS

I MANAGED TO STAY HOME UNTIL HUBS WAS FINISHED WITH THE CAR REPAIR.  He came inside all smiles with success under his breath.  He worked on the car in an air conditioned work shop.  Our SIL has built a rather large shop with air conditioning and offered the use of it to him.  Huge blessing as the temps hit 95 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees.  

When he got HOME, I fed him a hunger saver of an apple and celery stalk.  I told him we'd eat in Topeka, but instead we took a NAP then went to Topeka.  grins.  Grabbed a bite to eat then went to GOD'S STOREHOUSE for thrift time, Natural Grocers for Apple Cider Vinegar pills and finally SAMs for paper products, ground turkey, butter and fruit.  For a Tuesday afternoon, the stores were incredibly busy.  I suppose because the 4th of July is approaching and the shoppers are ahead of the game.  

The interior of God's Storehouse was overly HOT inside and they had some doors propped open letting the 105 hat index creep in.  Too warm inside for comfortable shopping.  I left with some cute cardboard children's books, a pair of reading classes and a miniature, wooden Christmas sleigh from the 1940s for one of my dolls to sit on under the Christmas Tree come December.  

I took my time searching Natural Grocers for a certain brand of the Apple Cider Vinegar and found one bottle of it on a cap table.  Relieved I got one.  I'm so accustomed to going to town to get what I need that I forget the convenience of shopping by mail.  The traffic is dangerous at times that I should shift gears and stay HOME instead of being in traffic with others that I don't have a clue what their mindsets are. 

The heat was intolerable making me ready to be HOME so I did not make it to the Laundry Matt and I'll try again tomorrow.  A heat wave this week so it is best to go early to escape the heat.  I'll launder the Teddy Bears and then go for my Vitamin B12 shot.  Hubby has a Physical Therapy appointment.  He doesn't think his knee is improving.  After his appointment, I think we'll drive on over to the Laundry Matt to wash my bears and then go over to the out-of-town storage unit to get the last of the boxes to take HOME.  

Once we're HOME, I know we'll take an old fashioned rest and then proceed to unload the boxes at the other storage unit which will house our Christmas decor for now.  It'll be too hot to take very much time working the units so we will probably work inside the house.

I am in prayer about my Brother-In-Law who is deathly ill.  He is having another biopsy to find out what stage of cancer he is in.  He may be in Stage IV Pancreatic cancer which does not have good prospects.  My sister is beside herself.  My heart goes out to them over this situation.

Another serious reason to have our home in order.  I am not at peace about having so many loose ends regarding our belongings.  The sooner this comes to completion the better.  I believe my blood pressure will naturally come down.

If I don't stay flexible, I'll crack.
~d

FIRECRACKER HEAT, PARIS TEA, and DOWNSIZING

BLESSINGS TO YOU.  
Hello from the Kansas Prairie.

IT'S HOTTER THAN A FIRECRACKER OUTSIDE.  Yesterday, it felt like SUMMER for sure.  I drank quite a bit of water to stay hydrated.  No TEA for me until the latter part of July. Even herbal. Taking a break from it.  Prepping for my July Labs.  

Going caffeine free for now, but will treat myself to TEA later in ze month because I purchased some HARNEY & SONS Paris.  Haven't a clue what this is, but it sounded like OOH LALAA.

I must be dreaming.  I've been so busy that the days are a blur.

I stayed in my pink housecoat until NOON.  Said I was being lazy.  There was knock at the door.  SIL and Lil Dude stopped by for a quick visit with us.  My Grandson watched Dinosaur Train for a few minutes with me before he left.  

Hubby unloaded the storage tubs from our unit that we had in the car and placed them on the porch to disinfect them.  Next they'll come into the house for me to decide what to keep or get rid of.  

Later in the evening Hubby, Daughter and SIL will go to the out-of-town storage unit 25 minutes away to retrieve a curio cabinet in their nice size truck.  I'll babysit.  We're getting close to having the unit emptied.  Getting close.  Praise the Lord.  I think I'll drive over and gather all the boxes and haul them HOME.  One more run on the boxes then the larger pieces of furniture will disappear.  

JULY will be here before I know it.  I won't be making my goal of being completely out of his storage unit by July 1st, but if we can stay steady at this, we'll be done early July.  

This is a big project for lil 'ole me and my darling hubby.  Surely LIFE isn't just about hauling STUFF from one place to the next.  SO ready to call it done.  The heat index is climbing which makes working outside rather dangerous for us.  We have to pace ourselves.  SO much of my life has involved moving and relocating like a Nomad.   We've been working in the storage units all of June.  We're into our fourth week of this.  Proud of us for sticking to it.  This getting settled into our tiny COTTAGE has been an ongoing work for us.  Our 2026 SPRING/SUMMER PROJECT IS emptying the storage units, cleaning out the garage, relocating Holiday Decor and dishes/glassware to different locations then making some sense out of the cellar and SHE SHED. This all needs to be done before we step into the next stage of what we are doing.  

The inside of the COTTAGE will be in an upheaval as we work.  We'll start with the TV room with painting the walls and sanding down the wood trim to apply new paint to it.  Right now the ceiling will remain as is.  I'd like to add wide crown molding after we paint.  The carpet will be pulled up after the furniture etc. is shuffled to the Living room.  THEN we'll decide if we can salvage the 126ish year old flooring or lay new carpet.  Makes my head spin. 🤯  This is definitely a great exercise regime, huh? 

I woke early and have made plans for the day.  Hubby will remain HOME to work on the car. The horn isn't working and one of the headlights flickers.  He has already replaced the headlights and filters.  Before the temps rise too high, I'll be going to TOPEKA to Sam's and God's Storehouse for my Tuesday THRIFT TREAT.  

On my way HOME, I'll stop off at the Launder Mat and wash a load of teddy bears that need some attention.  They were in a cardboard box in storage and mice got into the box.  They found a comfortable place to do what not.  humpf.  Anyways, they'll get laundered in a jumbo machine at the Mat, semi-dried in a machine and then I'll let them finish air drying.  My Teddy Bears will come HOME and after they dry they'll be placed in a nicer storage box.  When we return the SHE SHED back into a Victorian Bedroom, I think my Teddies will stay there.  Downsizing the way we have has made me HAVE TO figure where to go with my collections.

Alrighty then. 

Lunch will take place and then I can rest a bit indoors.  With the temps rising, I will need to stay indoors in the heat of the day.

I started cutting back on certain foods on Sunday.  This is day 3 and day 3 is usually a hard one as my body protest and craves the foods I am avoiding.  I noticed a mild headache.  Probably caffeine and sugar withdrawal. 🧁🫖  So far, I have stayed faithful.  Breakfast has been crunchy celery sticks with peanut butter, an apple or cuties.  Kind of enjoying this for the time being.

This is supreme discipline for me as food is a weakness I have.  Especially sweets.  My attitude could click and finally say that it is alright to eat a different way and I am content.  I'm not there yet, but I could be at any second.  grins.

I've heard that if you have been diagnosed with cancer, you should  stop eating fruit, highly processed foods and avoid sugar.  Cancer feeds on sugar.  EAT BROCCOLI.  My Brother-in-Law has been newly diagnosed with cancer.  The medical doctor he visited with told him he should be on the KETO DIET.  Cancer feeds on sugar.  Another medical confirmation that sugar causes health issues.  

Way too much cancer.  Our environment, nutrition, quality of food, beverages, lifestyles are so important that I call them sacred.

Off I go to spend some time on my own and make progress.

~d

OVER THE WEEK-END and PRAISING GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

SATURDAY.  Got around to go to an out of town T-BALL GAME in Maple Hill, KS.  Cuteness overload watching the 4 year olds play T-BALL.  The sky was overcast and a gentle breeze blew as we sat on a bleacher seat.  It was a pleasant morning in the shade.

Our dear Grandson did not play in the dirt this time.  Last week he did.  He was concentrating on the dirt more than the game.  It was sweet though watching him run the bases when he did.

One little darlin' hit the ball and ran toward third base.  grins.

There were quite a few little players that after running to the HOME PLATE just stood there and looked around as if in another world.  Their young brains have to be rerouted to engage in the sporting event.  GRINS. ⚾

This week, the game flew and it was over with before I knew it.  We drove about town and looked at the sights then traveled to our daughter's HOME to eat lunch with them as a celebration that the SEASON was complete.  🍔🌭🍦Hamburgers and hotdogs with ice-cream.  An ALL AMERICAN MEAL.

I skipped the buns, had a few chips and crackers for hummus.  I overdid the carbs so I will cut back this week and eat more veggies.  Amen.

HOME for a nap.
Rise and shine.
Supper.
Another trip to the out of town storage unit to load storage tubs in the back of our PT CRUISER.
The drive there takes a good 30 minutes.  It took all of 6 minutes to load the car.  30 minutes HOME.
We left the tubs in the car and will unload on Sunday.
We watched a movie and called it a night.

SUNDAY.    Lord, Forgive us as we are not going to church today.  Here we be ready for Breakfast and getting ready for the day unloading the tubs from the car to the porch.  Time to wipe the tubs off.  They have to be disinfected as they have been in storage nearly 3 years.  I mustn't be lazy getting this done.

As we come across the Christmas tubs, they will go to an in-town storage unit as we are going to transfer all the HOLIDAY DECOR from one unit into another as we morph along.  That unit is full of odds and ins.  It'll take a good two weeks to clean it out.  Maybe longer.  We stopped by to take inventory.  It amazes me that when we take notice there is far more in the unit than I remembered.

The dishes and glassware will be stored in the cellar on racks.  The HOLIDAY DECOR that is presently stored in the cellar will be transferred to this other unit after it is cleared out.  Coming together, but rather slow.  Dear Lord, I pray we are done with this before the snow blows this winter.  sigh.

It's been a very difficult move due to health issues and the weather.  This activity with cleaning out storage units is the wrap up of our relocating into RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  I have to go through all of the tubs and make a judgment call as to what to keep and what to give away.  ONE DAY I'll say, "SNAP.  Tis done."

SNIPPET.  
*The sound of the neighbor's lawn mower is humming next door.  A very common sound this time of year.  Our lawn is due for a mow as well.  About once a week, it takes about an hour and a half of time. 
*Another train is rumbling in the distant background which I can hear over the lawn mower.  
*In a short time, the birds will sing songs that will be listened to as they rest in the front yard trees. They are generally very contented to sing near by chiming with other birds.  
*Outside the Kitchen window, the bright orange Day lilies are standing tall while still in bloom.  
*I have hopes of making another trip to the out of town storage unit to get more tubs to bring HOME.  It looks like we might have two more trips to make to where there are no more boxes in that unit.  I will stand there looking at our work and be ever so glad that we are this far along.
*BUSY SUMMER.  There's still furniture to deal with so the month of JULY will be a busy one working on emptying this stuff out.  I'm pretty sure we know what to do with the furniture.  
My plans are to have this unit completely cleared by the end of August.  Somewhere in this, the in-town storage unit will be cleared out and restocked with HOLIDAY DECOR and a few pieces of furniture.  The cellar will house the overflow of boxed dishes and glassware.  The garage will be cleared out and rearranged.

Maintaining a good attitude with this task is challenging.  I seem to have some ambition of getting it done, but the attitude is a different tale to tell.  I wish we were done.  

Plans for this week include potting some HERBS in different pots to place by the front porch steps, attend a couple of medical appointments, researching medical issues on the internet, standing firm on eating the DANIEL FAST WAY and working on the storage units.  AND ABOVE ALL, Praising God from whom all blessings flow.

~d

MONDAY.   I planted the Lavender and the Rosemary in black pots leaving them by the front porch steps.  Running out of bagged soil, I'll get some more today as I have Geranium and Peppermint plants to pot.  We'll be going to the physical therapist later then have some shopping to do.  As we drive the distance HOME, we'll stop by the storage unit and load our little car with the last bunch of storage boxes.  HURRAY.  There's still large pieces of furniture stored there that we'll deal with in July, but loading the last of these boxes feels like a huge VICTORY.  

The weight is coming off my shoulders.

As I work my way through the piles of paperwork, I came across a 1984 letter to my Husband from his Mom.  I read it and wept.  It was a beautifully written letter.  I gave it to my Husband to keep.  What he does with it will be his choice.  I have kept almost all of the letters and cards from loved ones that we have received through the years.  Some would say they take up too much room to keep.  Not I.  They have VALUE.

As we age, we make new memories.  Sometimes I just want to bask in the old ones.
~d