TAKING MY DEAR SWEET TIME

My Sister's best friend's Husband's Memorial Service in Manhattan, Ks was streamed to where I could watch it from HOME.  I noticed that my sister wasn't in attendance, but her Husband and Son were and I immediately thought she must have gotten sick where she couldn't attend.  Telephoning my Mom and then my Sister, I found out that she was ill at HOME unable to travel the distance.  She also watched the service from HOME.

This was horribly difficult for my Sister to not be able to attend as they have been good friends for over 50 years.  We chatted for an hour and a half.  She is ill.  I knew she was having tests the day before the service to check her out.  She still does not know completely what is wrong with her health.  Issues with Gastroparesis, Diverticulitis, possibly Kidney Disease.  I am familiar with Diverticulitis, but the Gastroparesis was something I was unfamiliar with until she started having problems about 10 years ago.  Sorry she is ill.  Very sorry.  As we age, there will be challenges.  She is a heavy Coke drinker.  She'll drink it and coffee before having a nutritious meal as with this Gastroparesis she feels full and not hungry.  She probably is full because the system slows way down with this condition and the stomach is actually full.   

She will not give up her Coke.  It will kill her first.  Drinking DARK sugary sodas are part of the problem of developing KIDNEY DISEASE.  The phosphoric acid in the dark sodas is a huge problem.  I tenderly told her that because I love her I'm telling her that she needs to give up her COKE.  This is a joke to her and she's not going to listen.  Years ago, I had told her that she wasn't sick enough to give up soda.  I think she is sick enough now and is playing a denial game with herself about giving up soda.  Nobody wants to be told they are doing harm to their body...it's my body to do harm to so leave me alone.  I will have to gently tell her again about this drink and if she makes fun of it, I will simply say then you're going to suffer when you don't have to.  You don't love yourself.  She will not like this, but I guess it's the way it will go.  Is it callus to say then you are going to suffer?  Probably.  Perhaps I will just remain silent and pray.   Should she change what she is doing, what she eats and drinks or will this be something she will have to tell herself? 

TODAY, I am at HOME... still exhausted.  It's a way of LIFE which I am struggling to make better.  I decided that I would go ahead and end the Daniel Diet/Fast and eat eggs for BRUNCH. I think I will simply eat modest meals with little bread, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and meat.  I'll continue to bump up the veggies, fruit and legumes.  I already do not drink soda, seldom have alcohol, easy on the caffeine.  When I do have meat, I need to abide by eating only a palm size amount of it.  Increasing legumes needs to take place.

Chew, chew, chew...seriously.  Chew every bite of food extremely well before swallowing.  Eat slower and take my dear sweet time.

I've been doing laundry.  In between loads, I do other things like work at clearing off the Dining room table which is stacked with things that need dealt with.  This is the pits.  Slow work.

We have stacked a pile of Christmas boxes in the middle of the Living room floor so when the weather cooperates, we can take the boxes down into the cellar.  It's way too cold today.  Maybe on Tuesday we'll venture out carrying box after box of decorations.

With putting away the miniature Christmas Tree, it should be in a storage box instead of just sitting out for more dust to settle on it.  I'd better go to town to get one.  

Getting our STUFF organized and in better condition to store it all, is taking some effort. Everything about organizing is an ongoing journey with me.  

While working in this small COTTAGE, I think a great deal about how this place needs such and such done to it.  LIFE is good and figuring this place out is an honor.  I'd like to have more fun at it instead of dragging my feet.  I know I shouldn't take my dear sweet time on getting settled, but I am.  I'd better improve on this.  My attitude needs some help.  HELP!

~d

MEAL SUGGESTIONS

 

Could be worth imitating,

~d

FOOD ON THE BRAIN and FOOD FOR THOUGHT

WHEN I LOOKED OUTSIDE THROUGH THE LIVING ROOM WINDOW THIS MORNING, newly fallen snow dusted the landscape.  Not a deep snow.  Barely any at all.  Still, it's SNOW.  January and February usually have quite a bit of this white stuff that causes such havoc.  The ICE is what I seriously don't like as it's easy to fall when hitting a patch.  You can't always see the ice as it takes you by surprise.  

This morning, temperatures were dipping into the teens outdoors and there's a chill in the house. As I was doing laundry, it felt colder in the utility room on the other side of the house.  Working on the mountain of laundry that has appeared.  Making progress at emptying the large laundry basket by the back door.  When it is finished, there are three more to go so I mustn't get overwhelmed that I am so far behind it hurts.  I know how this happened and won't make up any excuses as to why.  I know. 

Which reminds me, I'll need to pay the City Bill this week on the 20th of the month.  Checking on the calendar making the 20th a Tuesday.  While looking at the calendar, I counted the days until I have labs for A1c for my primary doc.  Counted 40 days until my appointment.  Trying to lower my A1c and cholesterol some.  If my A1c comes down, I know that what I eat is the culprit.

My goal is to lower my A1c to 5.8.  I've been there before when I upped my veggies and fruits, stopped sugar, dairy and meats.  When I went from a 7 to a 5.8, nothing was said to me about my success with lowering my numbers.  Nothing.  It didn't bother me at the time, because I didn't know any better, but looking back at the numbers, I should have been encouraged to continue doing what I was because the numbers were excellent.  I have to be my own cheerleader.  I look back and see that I was on the right track and I'm the one responsible for maintaining.  Still an encouraging word would have gone a long ways.  

In the long haul, I am the one doing the work and I can either pout that the doc didn't compliment me or I can cheer myself on and be satisfied that I was victorious.  Amen.  Victorious is the way to health.  I should embrace the victory.

CHOLESTEROL.  I was so happy to be within the range box concerning lipids, but the pleasure disappeared when my doctor informed me that I needed to be way lower on the LDL as I am diabetic.  THIS burst my bubble... as hard as I had worked at having lipids within the range box and to be told that I would probably have to take meds to get there made me feel bewildered.  I was stunned that there was no comment on how great my numbers were.  Who comes up with these numbers anyhow?  Who says your numbers need to be lower?  This just furthered my cause to research and get my hands dirty.  Who has lobbyist to get what they want?  What organizations are behind controlling numbers that in order to get there you must take their drugs making BIG PHARMA very happy because you are spending money.

Putting one and one together I came to an understanding that certain medicines cause additional health problems.  Health organizations can be bought and they promote things that are not healthy for ya.  Donations come in from industries that want their way and it wags the dog making the ones in the know promote whatever the industry wants.  humpf.     

Watching what I eat is an everyday thing.  After the Daniel Diet/Fast concludes on the 21st, I plan to eat some scrambled eggs and toast.  I'll return to eating eggs!  and I'll probably continue eating eggs until I die.  

With the Daniel Diet/Fast, meats, grains, dairy and sugar are discouraged along with caffeine and alcohol.  We're to take a leave from these.  I have not completely stopped everything on the DD/Fast as we associated with family, but cut way back on these things.  Not scolding myself. With 5 days until the end of this fast, I'm doing pretty well with honoring the plan.  10 pounds gone.  From here on out, I am focusing on fruits and vegetables, lean meats, seeds, nuts and legumes ALL THE TIME.  

I need to increase legumes in my diet.  This is one food type that I have seldom worked into my menus.  Instead of so much meat, the legumes can be used.  I love Chick-peas/Garbonzos so no issues eating these.  The Chick-pea recipes are abundantly out there.

Substituting other kinds of foods for wheat is happening.  Today's wheat isn't like the Biblical wheat that was grown.  Through the years man has molested the crop by changing the DNA structure making it very unhealthy for so many.  in my opinion, WHEAT has been changed for the worse.  IMO, I believe this is part of what is causing gut issues, the diabetic dilemma and the crisis facing so many in America contributing to obesity.  If a crop looks like it will yield loads of money it becomes a stronghold to the market and so what if it causes health issues?  LUST and GREED does a great deal of damage.

I've taken an interest in avoiding genetically altered foods of all kinds.  The United States is a leader in promoting GMO foods by changing their original structure.  This is troubling to me as I grow older knowing how many have health issues because of the types of foods and beverages they consume.  I believe that foods are not the only cause of health issues, but a huge part of it none the less.  We are bombarded daily with radio frequencies and electromagnetic forces.  The air we breathe has been tampered with by the government.  The type of fibers in clothing affects us as well and off gases come from the building materials we have in our structures including interior items like carpeting, furniture and bedding.  Over medicated.  Over fed.  Over done. What's a person to do?  Where do you begin when you have not been raised in an environment that is healthy?  One must be reeducated in a different way and it hasn't been a piece of cake for me.  Where do you draw the line to do LIFE differently?

So much of the food used in the U.S. isn't healthy.  You'll have to grow it yourself, look for others that sell the healthy non-GMOs including foods from foreign countries that have not been changed. 

FOCUSING ON EATING DIFFERENTLY.  I personally know that when I deliberately go on the DANIEL DIET/FAST that thoughts come to mind about foods I haven't eaten in years.  Why is that?  Part of a distraction to come against doing well.  I'd say spiritual warfare crops up in my mind and I have taken notice it's happening.  

While on this DD/Fast, I see first hand how much food is available to us or at least how much highly processed food can easily be reached.  

Health Nuts are a plenty, but they do not seem to take an interest in what is healthy for their spiritual LIFE.  Heavily concentrated on what is called a healthy life style food wise then go full force into moral corruption not thinking anything of it.  humpf.      

DANIEL DIET/FAST:

On the Daniel Fast, you can have brown rice, but white rice is forbidden, along with other refined grains, sweeteners, leavened bread, and all animal products; the diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains, with rice often paired with beans or vegetables in recipes like stir-fries or Cajun-style dishes. It's a plant-based fast emphasizing whole foods and avoiding processed items, caffeine, alcohol, and added sugars, with rice serving as a permitted whole grain staple. 

What You Can Have with Rice:

• Vegetables: All fresh, frozen, or dried veggies (broccoli, peppers, onions, etc.).
• Legumes: Beans (kidney, black, pinto) and lentils.
• Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, sunflower seeds, natural nut butters.
• Oils: Olive, coconut, canola (used minimally).
• Seasonings: Herbs, spices, salt, pepper, Bragg's Liquid Aminos.
• Liquids: Water, unsweetened plant milks (almond, soy, coconut). 

What to Avoid:

• White Rice & Refined Grains: White flour, white bread, etc..
• Sweeteners: Sugar, honey, syrups, artificial sweeteners.
• Leavened Bread: Yeast breads.
• Animal Products: Meat, dairy, eggs, fish.
• Caffeine & Alcohol: Coffee, tea (unless herbal), soda, alcohol.
• Processed Foods: Chips, additives, preservatives. 

Easy Rice Meal Ideas:

• Brown Rice & Beans: Cook brown rice with sautéed onions, peppers, celery, and kidney beans for a simple meal.
• Vegetable Stir-Fry: Sauté veggies like broccoli, zucchini, and bell peppers with garlic and ginger, then add cooked brown rice and a splash of tamari or liquid aminos.
• Coconut Rice: Cook brown rice with water, unsweetened coconut milk, and a pinch of salt for a slightly sweet base. 

What is the Daniel Fast?

What the Bible Says + Helpful Tips

What is the Daniel Fast? 

If you’re wondering, “Where did the Daniel Fast originate?” That’s a great question. 
The Daniel Fast was first observed by the prophet Daniel in the Bible. On one occasion,
Daniel was greatly concerned for his people and sought the Lord’s wisdom during a time
of prayer and fasting.

Daniel 10:2-3 says, “At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food;
no meat or wine touched my lips.” The meaning of “choice food” is not clear; however,
most commentaries conclude that Daniel avoided bread and sweets. The Message translation
sums up Daniel’s eating habits during that time: “I ate only plain and simple food.”

The idea behind the Daniel Fast is not to replicate Daniel’s menu but to imitate his spiritual hunger.
Daniel’s passion for the Lord caused him to seek spiritual food rather than physical food, which
should be the desire for anyone doing the Daniel Fast.

Daniel Fast Approved Foods: 

• Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley, Whole Grain Breads, Grits
• Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas, Soybeans
• ALL Fruits: i.e. Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries,
  Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew
  Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples,
  Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
• ALL Vegetables: i.e. Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage,
  Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger Root,
  Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes,
  Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips,
  Watercress, Yams, Zucchini, Herbs, Spices, Olives (Olive Oil), veggie burgers are an option
  if you not allergic to soy.
• Nuts & Seeds
• Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% Natural Fruit Juices, 100% Natural
  Vegetable Juices, Protein Drinks, Decaffeinated Beverages in moderation
• Sweeteners: Honey, Stevia & other Natural Sweeteners

Foods To Avoid

• Meat
• All Dairy Products
• White Rice
• Fried Foods
• Caffeine
• Carbonated Beverages
• Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives, Refined Sugar, or Sugar Substitutes
• White Flour and All Products Using It
• Margarine, Butter, Shortening, and High Fat Products
• Desserts, Candy, etc.

How can I be successful in my time of fasting?

Fasting sounds easier in concept than it proves to be in practice. It can be surprising
how on-edge we feel when we miss a meal. Here are some simple pieces of advice. 

Plan what you’ll do instead of eating. Fasting isn’t merely an act of self-deprivation,
but a spiritual discipline for seeking more of God’s fullness. This means we should have
a plan for what positive pursuit to undertake in the time we normally eat. We spend a
good portion of our day with food in front of us. One significant part of fasting is the
time it creates for prayer and meditation on God’s Word.

Before diving headlong into a fast, craft a simple plan. Connect your fast to a specific
purpose, or something you are believing God for. Identify what that is and design a
focus to replace the time you would have spent eating. Without a purpose and plan,
it’s not fasting; it’s just going hungry.

So as you plan your fast, consider how it will affect others. If you have regular lunches
with colleagues or dinners with family or roommates, assess how your abstaining will
affect them. Consider letting them know ahead of time instead of springing it on them in
the moment.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT,

~d

NO GYM REQUIRED

FRIDAY.  What will this day bring?  The phone rang.  Twas my Mom.  She was asking if I would pick her up in Manhattan when my sister drives down for a funeral for a dear friend?  Yes. She'll telephone back with the details.

She did and since this is a one day trip, she changed her mind and is staying HOME.  I can now slow down my day about cleaning.  This would have been a 10 hour traveling trip in one day.  She made a wise decision to stay HOME.  I'm 70 and traveling 5 hours in one day was hard on my ole body and energy level.  Can only imagine what this does to an older vessel. 

I will still work on laundry, clearing off the dining room table and tidying in the Kitchen.  What ever else comes to mind while I am walking about the COTTAGE.

The Kansas wind is blowing with cold temperatures outside hitting the high of 42 degrees at noon.  brrrr.  I shall stay indoors being comfortable with domestic work to do.  I just dusted some metal tea/coffee sets and placed them in a nice, heavy duty storage tub.  I had to do something with them as they lost their resting place in the Library case.  I've put my Tea Leaf Dishes in there.  The collection is growing.  PTL.

Tee-shirts galore are getting washed.  Aint that exciting. With each load finished and put away, I grow stronger.  Things like running behind in the laundry bother me and with this I get tired. Mental aerobics.  Funny, how digging into the bottom of a laundry basket has such power over me.  Ridiculous.  

MENU:  Late Breakfast.  OATMEAL with almond milk, almond slivers and blueberries for BRUNCH.  A big salad for LUNCH.  SUPPER?  Roasted cauliflower and butter beans.

If we are to eat 4 to 5 veggies and fruit servings a day, I'm falling behind.  Still on the Daniel Diet/Fast until the 21st.  I have had a few cheat items during this time, but very few.  Last night we had supper over at our grandson and his new bride's HOME.  They made smash burgers on Hawaiian rolls with caramelized onions and potato slices.  I enjoyed my meal.  I wasn't about to say to them who graciously invited us into their new home that I couldn't eat what was prepared for me.  I kept my portions small.  Everything worked out just fine.  I was able to see their beautiful new house.  

Now as I carry on with mindful eating, I will continue to eat the way I should as best I can all the time and be thankful.  Listening to my daughter and her daughter-in-law talk about food prep and items enlightens me and I learn as I go.

ON THE HOME FRONT:  Being inside all day long needs some adjustments for the body.

Petra shows some exercises to do at HOME to help with belly fat.  I'll give it a try.  These seem easy enough.  Just do them.  No GYM required.

Hold onto a counter raising knees up 
to walk or jog in place.

 Push-ups against a counter.

Elbow to knee and switch.

Sit and stand up.  
Up then sit.  Repeat.

Walking in place.

I'm going to print these images out and make a exercise notebook where I refer to these exercises without a GYM.

A key to a healthy mental and emotional LIFE is to have something to look forward to and have goals to work toward.  Amen.

In God I will trust.

It's getting NAP TIME so I shall close my eyes for a short time before returning to the chores. Amen.  Happy thoughts as I snooze.

We're one day closer to SPRING!  

~d

PROVERBS 22:4

 

TINNITUS, CELL PHONES, HEALTH RISK and SHOPPING LIKE I MEANT IT

OH MY...oh me, oh mio.  I am an addict to the internet having to pace myself to stay balanced.  I'm not glued to my phone, because I don't have a 📱SMART PHONE.  If I had a SMART PHONE, I'm not sure what would become of me.  

📵I have a trac-phone that I only use when calling HUBBY at HOME if I'm out an about needing his help.  We have a landline at HOME and HUBBY carries his trac-phone when traveling.

Phones are incredibly helpful when in search of information, but I understand carrying them on your person carries harmful issues that may cause cancers.  Electromagnetic Field at work.  One should hold the phone out with it on speaker phone not being held right up to the ear.  After long usage, Brain cancer may happen when holding the phone right up to the side of the head and if you carry it in your pant pocket you are in danger of injuring the family jewels or hip issues. Then if it is carried in upper pockets or in bra, the threat of breast cancer occurs.  

👂If you hold the phone up to the side of the head, I wonder if TINNITUS happens?  My Husband when working in Tulsa carried a business cell phone all the time and used it continuously while working. Like being on a lease.  He developed and suffers from TINNITUS. Is there a connection? Research says YES. 

Can the damage be reversed?  Shall read some more on this ringing subject matter.  

HOME FRONT.  I seem to do chores even when I am supposedly resting and taking it easy.  I've done this most of my adult life.  It takes me longer to recover from trips and very busy days such as shopping over 5 hours visiting a variety of shops/stores.  Yesterday, I rushed off to TOPEKA to pick up some supplies and groceries.  The day caught up with me and I AM TIRED TODAY.

I hate to admit it, but my lifestyle is hard on my energy level.  The ride even to TOPEKA and back makes me tired.  Being around large groups of people takes a toll on me.  Stress and more stress. TOPEKA was extremely busy and the traffic was heavy.   The interstate traffic coming HOME was busier than usual.  Don't know why.  Not a HOLIDAY or spectacular event taking place in the area that I know of.  

When we have to go shopping I try to make our trip count.  The shopping is necessary and a form of entertainment or at least I try to make it such. 
🫖First STOP was TARGET for speciality Tea purchase and a present for a HOME WARMING Gift.  The tea could have been ordered through Amazon, but the gift was needed right away so I personally did brick and mortar shopping.
🧋Drove to a grocery store with a STARBUCKS in it for our medicinal unsweetened iced green tea.  I could have made up our tea at home and brought it with us, but this splurge is just that a splurge. 
👚GOD'S STOREHOUSE where I purchased some clothing.  Entertainment for the day.  
🥬🥑🫒Natural Grocers for 🌽veggies, 🍏fruit and 💊CoQ10.  This is considered my gardening.
🍽SAMS. 🥤Paper plates, coffee cups.
🥣Drove over to St. Marys to purchase special BOB'S RED MILL Scottish Oatmeal from SUGAR CREEK.  Again this could have been ordered, but I love going to this store so I can't order that.

🏠Drove HOME, unloaded items, cleaned out the fridge, restocked the fridge, rested and watched a movie.  Evening done.

TODAY, plans for a couple loads of laundry will be done.  Tea Leaf Dishes will be washed, dried and stacked in the Library Case.  Gift wrapped.  Paper work done.  Correspondences written out.  Some cardboard boxes broke down and grouped.  A POWER NAP taken.  Nap time.

I don't believe I have fully recovered from our week-end trip and baby sitting then the shopping adventure on Wednesday which  causes some fatigue.  Aint it grand to be so easily fatigued?  No. Gotta pace myself all the time.  

Just the way it tis.  Embrace it.

~d

 

BABY SITTING THAT'S ENTERTAINING

HOME again and unpacking the suitcases from weekend trip to Oklahoma for a Granddaughter's Baby Shower.  We returned on Sunday and slept in a tiny bit on Monday morning.  I will be watching Lil Dude in a few minutes.  I have things we can do to be entertained.

While he plays, I'll do a few chores checking on him constantly.  Like a hawk I watch my grandchildren when on my watch.

I still have not unpacked the antique dishes I purchased last Thursday so I'll do this today. They're sitting in the a box in the living room.  I will make sure all the stickers are off before washing them.  I believe I can unwrap these while he plays in the same room. 

LIL DUDE arrived and he showed me what he has in his dinosaur backpack for his lunch and snacks.  Graham crackers, Babybel Mini Original Cheese, pepperoni and noodles.  He brought his thermos of water with him.  

As soon as he took off his shoes and coat he headed toward the tubs with toys.  I have a stack of tubs in the Dining room that I downsized the toys into which he knows Grandma has toys for him to play with while he stays with me.  He's playing with some trucks and cars and then took an interest in miniature pots and pans, faux food, cups and plates.  He made some make believe Breakfast and served it to us on miniature plastic plates with make believe coffee.  He's a busy little guy able to entertain himself, but likes it when we interact with him playing along.  Then came the toy dinosaurs all over the Living room floor.  I hear, "Will you play on the floor with me?"

🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎🦎

Grandpa showed him on his phone some pictures of dinosaur skeletons and volcanoes.  LIL DUDE requested to watch PAW PATROL with dinosaurs on the TV.  Lunch was served and movie time.  

Shall see how the day progresses.

~d

BABY SHOWER

My first born granddaughter is expecting a baby girl in March 2026.

A sweet BABY SHOWER was given in her honor.

We drove to OKLAHOMA Saturday morning to attend.  

Hubby went off with our son and grandsons while I attended the SHOWER.

Thinking about becoming a GREAT Grandma.  Wow.  

Tis a great honor.

The new Grandmas to be and they are really excited for this baby.

I had a lovely time in Oklahoma.

 Prayers are welcomed.

Thank you ever so much.

Her docs are carefully watching this pregnancy 

because of some issues that have arisen.

Babies are precious and sometimes things are delicate 

needing a watchful eye and attention. 

This is one of those pregnancies.

PRAYERS are coveted. 

Granny Nanny Chronicles.

~d

TOYS AND A MOVIE

THINNING OUT THE TOYS.  I had been putting it off until this evening.  I went through the toys rather fast and made quick work of it.  As for the dinosaur items I have for lil Dude, I found a better tub for these.  This tub is completely for dino things.  A pillow with dinosaurs on it and a blanket will stay in the tub.  A backpack full of plastic dinosaurs that roar, a pull apart jumbo egg holding more dinosaurs, a large book about dinosaurs.  

Between toy trucks, cars, faux food, dishes and dinosaurs, he has plenty of toys to play with when he comes to visit.  He's at the age that he likes playing with play-dough, coloring and having books read to him.

Yesterday, he stopped by to say hi and he saw a jar full of sea shells.  He wanted to take one home with him, but I told him these were Grandma's and he can look at them.  This gave me an idea that when he comes to visit next I'll let him take the shells out of the jar and look at them closer.  I forgot that last Summer his folks took him to the beach.  

I also have a jar with rocks that have words engraved in them which I will let him look at next time.  He might like this as we can read the words on them and begin to identify some letters.  At 4, I think he is old enough to start recognizing letters.  

I continue to tidy on the house and think of when the house will be like it should be.  Oh HAPPY day, I shall be waiting for that day which hopefully will come sooner than later.  

This evening, I watched a good 2024 movie, THE PENGUIN LESSONS.  I liked it.  Based on a true story.

~d

 

THRIFTY THURSDAY WAS A THRILL

TIS THURSDAY AND I WENT THRIFTING.  What a thrill!  My mouth with stitches is tender and I pretty much have to take the day easy.  No debate about that.  Last week I came across a nearby shop shared on FACEBOOK in which I spied Alfred Meakin Copper Lustre Tea-Leaf Ironstone china.  My thoughts were 'come next Thursday when they're open I'll venture there.'

Even with the sore mouth, I mustered up some gumption to go.  Hubby came with me to the shop in Wamego, Kansas.  The shoppe was charming inside.  I told the clerk I saw some Tea Leaf dishes on Facebook, but didn't know which booth the dishes were in.  She knew right away and said that these pieces are across the shop.  

She took me straight to the booth with the coffee pot I had seen.  Bingo.  I'll take it.  Some bowls and dishes were to follow.  This afternoon I'll take the stickers off and wash the pieces then play at placing them in the Library case that holds my COLLECTION.  Tis growing.  This shoppe had the most Tea Leaf pieces I have ever seen in one place.  I look when we go on the road and stop at antique stores.

The Alfred Meakin Tea Leaf Ironstone are on my radar these days.  I've got to read up on these again as my recall dims.  I'll snap some pics later of what I snagged to share. 

I've got some reading to do to get better educated about Tea Leaf.

https://guide.tealeafclub.com/body-styles-handbook

I am one tired woman.

Too much excitement for one day,

~d 

MID WEEK

MID WEEK.  Mid week.  I managed to go for a mile walk at noon knowing that I had an afternoon surgery scheduled for removing a bump in my mouth.  I knew that if I didn't walk before the appointment I probably wouldn't walk for a while.  There was a nice breeze and the weather was wonderful.  I had the track to myself and it was perfect for walking.  I felt like I was walking slow, but my time was good.  Walking at the track is by choice as I like knowing how far I have walked and with each lap, I know.

Cleaning up after the walk meant my hair needed shampooed.  My hair air dried as I went about my business getting ready for the medical appointment.  Hubby stayed home painting on our porch making progress.  It is turning out so cute.  So very pleased.

~COTTAGE PORCH~

My medical appointment was at 3 and I walked out of the office at 10 minutes after.  I had a fat lip.  A couple of stitches are inside the mouth.  I suppose swelling will take some time to go down.  In a week or so I should know the results about this nugget that was cut out.  The doctor did not believe it was cancerous.  

We drove over to TARGET needing a BABY GREETING CARD and gift card for a Baby Shower I'm going to in a few days.  We purchased 4 oversized silver Christmas ornaments discounted 70% off.  A nice addition to our 2026 front porch decor.  The garland will be loaded with giant ornaments.

My mouth began to hurt.  Supper did not sound good.  Not sure how'd I eat.  SO glad to be HOME.  5 medical appointments in three days is a bit much.  FIVE.  Five.  I believe I will take my time getting up in the morning.

~d

   

THE PINK HOUSECOAT, HEALTH, THIS 'N THAT and DEEP CLEANING

Still in my pink housecoat, I was being brave this morning when I opened my front door to a neighbor who brought over some HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS that she had made me.  No make-up, hair in a messy pony tail and wearing a really OLD, stained housecoat.  I'd scare anyone looking this way.  

She was so sweet to fix these for me for a Christmas gift.  She's truly a talented Baker and I look forward to eating some rolls when I have a day off from the Daniel Diet.

We chatted for about an hour.  She's easy to talk to and this visit was very uplifting to me. Having a friend is such a blessing.  

GORGEOUS WINTER DAY THAT WAS MORE SPRING TIME with vibrant clear, blue skies. Temperatures in the 60s.  TWO Doctor's appointments this afternoon.  We ate baked potatoes for lunch before we left to travel the distance to the medical appointments.  I believe I will do more baked potatoes while on this adventure for weight loss.  Salt and pepper, no butter.  Just salsa.  It was rather good.  Supper will be butter beans and corn on the cob.  I have thoughts of scrambled eggs, but remind myself the eggs will come later while on this diet there are no animal products allowed while fasting.

Hubby needed to have the doctor look at a place on his chest that needs removed.  After this appointment, he had another one with a different doc to groom his old toenails.  I sipped on a green tea as I waited.  Off to Menards then Home Depot to look for some more storage boxes. When at HD, they had huge ornaments for 50% off, so I purchased 4 of them for our front porch for 2026. They will look festive when the time comes.  While we were at HD we looked at kitchen cabinets and appliances.  Fun to look about.

Headed HOME after we checked out.  Tired and ready for supper.  Hungry.  6th DAY on the DANIEL DIET/FAST.  Amazing how fast this fast is going.  We've been at it for a week tomorrow. The whole idea of doing this diet again is multi-purpose as I'm hoping to break a weight plateau and start losing weight for health purposes.  I'd like to see my A1c lower below 6.8.  Closer to 5.8. Also I wouldn't mind my cholesterol being lower.  So I'm working on this.  I'll hopefully fast until the 21st of January then take a few days off before doing round two.  Labs will be in February. Smiling, I am anxious to see where my levels are.   

Hubby weighed in 4 pounds lighter today at the doc's office.  He told me he was surprised and I said I wasn't.  Happy for him and he was as well.  Since he retired 6 years ago from employment, he has reduced his weight close to 30 pounds.  I am in such hopes that I can continue to turn loose of weight as he has.  I have a goal weight in mind and I know it will take TIME to get this extra weight off of me.  Walking and watching videos of people who have lost over a hundred pounds naturally without surgery or meds.  After seeing pics of me from the past, I frown as I am entirely too heavy.  humph.  Lord, I'm praying for help.

I've been drinking tea so I asked google if caffeine raises blood glucose levels and of course it does.  Tomorrow, I'll skip drinking caffeinated tea.  More water.  The caffeine does something to the insulin and this is problematic.  Being insulin resistant is part of the problem leading to obesity.

This evening, I wrote Thank you notes for the Christmas gifts we received.  The 35 page letter to my Mom was mailed today.  Some laundry was done.  A Christmas ornament was made with a snapshot of my youngest grandchild posing with Santa in it.  I'll give this to my daughter when I see her next.

Another medical appointment for me this week as I will have a bump that is inside my mouth removed.  Not looking forward to this, but need it removed.  It'll have a stitch or two.  hum.  

Thursday, Hubby is having a car clinic.  So while he is doing this, I'll go to a new store that I haven't been to hopefully to purchase some Ironstone.  They have a coffee pot or they did that I'd like to add to my Tea Leaf Collection.  I hope it's still there as I saw a pic of it on Facebook a few days ago.  If they've already sold it, I'll look around in their store and that will be that.

Laundry is very slowly getting dealt with.  I decided when deep cleaning that it will be alright to do a little here and there.  I'll leave the dust spray and rag on the kitchen counter top and when I walk by, I'll clean a cabinet door.  Polish it and return to do another one later.  My short attention span and lack of energy levels work well this way. 

As we drove across the Flint Hills, I admired the beautiful landscape.  Once again I need to stop and truly look at the rolling hills, crops, livestock, plants and skies.  I don't quite understand why I don't do this more often instead of viewing the surroundings as we are traveling 70 miles an hour down the interstate.  It doesn't seem right to only be sight seeing when going to a doctor's appointment.

I believe God would be alright with me admiring the nature He created.  Shame on me for not taking advantage of the beautiful scenery.  Okay, it's a new day and I will stare on.  When doing the Daniel Diet, I am to depend more on God than what I am eating.  I am thinking thoughts of food.  All kinds of food.  This happens when I fast.  Not fun.  Drawing closer to God is part of this Diet/FAST.  It isn't just about lowering my A1c or cholesterol or losing weight.  Although all of this would be welcomed.  I can meditate on nature and scripture.  Need to, anyways.

Blessings to you,
~d