We are letting our bodies rest up after the stress of painting (and trimming wisteria).
Not even sure I will make it to yoga tonight.
This blissful inactivity corresponds with a cold front bringing rain to our area. I sure feel for the kids who want to trick or treat. From my childhood north of here, I remember some pretty darn cold and rainy Halloweens.
How are you spending All Souls Eve and All Saints Day?
Happy hump day
Now we just have sides and rear. But I am happy to report we lived another day after doing some steep ladder and roof work.
I dread the south side. Will post photos soon.
DH did 2 parts and I was so nervous. At one point he shut me up, just told me to stop and he went on up the ladder, on to the roof.
I insisted after we got all the front finished, we rest and eat. It was taxing for me and I know for him. He has a bad back.
Fixed a yummy pasta dish with roasted eggplant I saw on Rachel Ray. Just lounged and watched an old Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones movie called Blown Away.
Wed and Thurs rain...more pain Friday.
Happy Halloween to all of you out there! We don't have Trick or Treeters...impossible when you have chihuahuas.
Well, I finished the entire front side of our house exterior trim, except for 2 of the steep roof angles and the dormers.
DH repaired couple pieces of wood around dormers and caulked. We will paint trim around dormers tomorrow.
We are not exactly how to reach the steep pitch of the roof angles...stay tuned.
The day is just beautiful outside and we are inside...watching NFL. Big rivalry today, my cousin and I go back and forth. She roots for opponent. Looks like from social media she had Halloween party last night. I was falling asleep by 11.
I did take a nice walk with our pup this morning. Its sunny in the 70s today. Trees are just gorgeous.
I finished painting trellis my friend gave me from his late mom's lake house. Yesterday we hung a couple bird houses.
Today I am taking my moms pumpkin roll and my sister's choc cake to her house for my nephew's bday dinner.
Enjoy your Sunday!
"The minute you begin to do what you really want to do, it's really a different kind of life."
- R. Buckminster Fuller
Today I am going a little of what I dont and a little more what I do...
Trim other wisteria arbor, a short walk...then couch potato.
No check today. So we are on tight budget for another week. We can get into svgs, but I really want to maintain that for emergency and home projects. It is no big deal.
Talked to my Granny Wednesday. She is good. Has stomach 'fullness'. Doctor doesn't have any ideas. My aunt thinks maybe liver. Ironic, my DGM has never had a drop of alcohol. But she has had problems with gal and liver ducts.
Told her not sure when we will get back to city...soon. we need a check first. Have to arrange for the dogs...
Today is cool and overcast here. Have a great Friday! What are your plans?
Today we slept in. Did yoga after golf Wed and was out if gas by 9pm! Ran couple errands. Walked the dogs. I walked pup about 3 more miles after we walked 2 chi's. Just as I got home it rained in earnest.
Great day to rearrange bookshelves. Cleared out few more things. Have taken trunk full each week, now I have another to take to Goodwill!
Sat with blankets and hot tea on covered back patio and read for an hour. I like listening to the rain. We are feeling more "pinch me" moments. I guess it stinks in slowly, this idea of retirement. That's ok, I want to savor it and be in the gratitude as long as I can.
Tonight, we signed up for Netflix and binge watched Schitt's Creek. We enjoyed it and are finally feeling like we aren't facing endless to-do lists.
I will feel better when we get our dormer windows trim replaced (couple places worn out), get edge of siding called at foundation edge and get all our trim outside painted...oh, and finally get a check. We picked up inexpensive saw today. We decided we want to paint our gas fire pit so we can enjoy the patio a few more weeks. We need to ssndvoff some rust and get it spiffed up a bit.
Tomorrow's Friday, not that it matters.
Well I didnt win the lottery, did you?
God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (GNT)
Have a great Wednesday. Going to enjoy the day out golfing. Supposed to turn cool Thursday.
This morning I paid off my credit card and froze it. Literally. My DH just shook his head. I am not worried about spending, but moments of unplanned panic could lead me to grab it and spend.
He called about his benefits, 2 more weeks to be sent to our investment company. Hopefully that wont mean 2 more weeks after that. We are planning on ss/pension checks end of Nov. Sure would be nice to get his last check...anytime now we have been told.
So ones mind spins and works...we will be fine, I know...but sure will feel better when income stream in place. We are going from 3 cards to 2...and next year before annual fee on Amex we will shut it down.
Yesterday after trimming wisteria we watched a movie and short walk. Breakfast for dinner. Today I am putting straw on empty raised bed, doing a walk and coffee with friends.
Tomorrow we may try golf course at place we are thinking of joining. DH to call later and set up a time.
Today we are having leftovers and I have an antenna to return...need to buy few things at the store thursday.
Have a wonderful tuesday!
After my company left, I headed north hauling a few pieces for my friend who is moving, delivering to my friend diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May. I was so happy to see him and another good friend and hug them and give my friends girlfriend my number and support.
Then I saw my Florida friends, spent the night at their cabin. Then we had breakfast this morning and we went our separate ways to get home.
I am depleted but hopefully gave away some of my love and hope. I love these people so much.
Had a relaxing, reflective drive home. Listened to Sally Field's memoir. I am enjoying it. I stopped at a antique mall to look for couple books and ended up with a cool watering can for my plants I brought in.
Fixing a chicken and rice casserole and roasted veggies. Afyer I walked the pup and wore her out.
Enjoy your sunday!
My cousin and her husband from OK came to visit! We had such a nice visit! Friday we went to War Eagle with my sister. It was cold and rainy, but we had boots and 4 wheel drive, thank Goodness.
Then, we had nice lunch at AQ Chicken and another show in Bella Vista. My DH bought me a hunting jacket and pants. I am not sure I could kill a deer, but I could hunt fowl.
Anyway, it will be more time spent with DH. Even I just sit and listen to nature.
I mentioned fear, but indirectly...I just hinted that it is something always waiting for me when I get lazy or distracted.
I have fear...about losing people, about having enough money (esp on our new retirement budget), and I worry about our health and how to do less and not feel less...
Tues this week was rough, our to do lists where long, things either broke or multiplied. I felt DH frustration along with my own. We lost 2 really nice leather Harley bags, which both contained 2 pair binoculars and our bird books. We aren't worried about the bags, but binoculars are expensive to replace and DH was fixated on it. I am disappointed the book we wrote our bird sightings was gone.
Last night I finally made a yoga class that I loved. It was great. The people nice, the setting lovely and the challenge just right. Today I am sore!
Cooking for my cousin and her husband who are coming to visit 2 nights. We will go to War Eagle tomorrow with my sister. My family has done this for 25 years.
Wed was much better than Tues. We went to get our DL transferred and had a nice lunch. DH used his gift cards for a new ser he really likes. We had a nice lunch. We used our amex points to buy me a bow, which I have wanted for years. And came home to only find a sheepskin duster and a roll of shipping tape destroyed. Could be worse.
Also the move could be much worse, if we only lost the bags, binoculars and books during our move..then that isn't bad.
Have you ever lost or broken something during a move?
Today we installed a wall mount TV in our kitchen with a little interior antenna. Well the TV looks great and we can use the smart streaming capabilities to watch shows or movies through apps such as Amazon or Netflix. We watched an NBC show pilot directly thru NBC!
But the antenna is barely getting ANY signals! So frustratimg. We are thinking of getting Roku to use on our older living room TV...guess its it's worth a little more trying before qe give up. It's hard but things worth having sometimes are. Dont want to follow the mindless sheep of cable...paying so much money...dont want to make adjustments either I guess we can't have everything.
What do you out there do?
Got 5 pair of boots listed for my girlfriend. I also sold DH motorcycle jacket for $80! Last night had DH family over and we had delicious tacos/nachos/taco salad. I had bunch of beans I cooked up all night and made my own refried beans. I had no idea how easy!
See ya Monday!
I blame the rainy cold weather. Not really, but I was waiting on internet provider and electrician (to finish up one small thing left from our kitchen wiring job). I think waiting around not having any idea when they would get here that made me frustrated, along with things waiting to be done with internet (log in, check accounts, do some maintenance, etc.).
Plus, I have sold 3 things on PM and needed to print the labels and get them shipped. I ran to take load to thrift store and grocery shopped and when I got home internet was done! Got most of my stuff done. Including getting all my photos off my phone and backed up.
Now I have to do DH phone and he has 3 times more than I. I regularly take mine off and back them up. My big 4 include both houses and all projects with both, all the stuff I have sold or given away and forth...any trips/events.
Today, electrician came by and did quick task. Later my friend who is moving into this state to be near her mom and sister. I am going to help her sell some of sister's shoes. Sister had corporate job, dressed well. Now disabled with muscular disorder. Can't wear her designer heels any longer.
I hope I can help with this. First I have to finish 2nd batch of apples. You all have a great Saturday!
I heart this post...I hope the link works. But if not, Google this excerpt below.
https://zenhabits.net/paring/
This excerpt I esp relate to: "...We use full lives to distract ourselves from being fully present...It’s understandable that we overfill our lives — we are usually acting on desires, and not giving full contemplation to what we want in our lives and what we don’t want..."
But I am much better than I used to be. Big step is realizing this and being open to learning and improvement. I cannot improve what I do not acknowledge. Ok, I might have heard that on Dr. Phil, but I agree. And knowing this is a pattern, I understand some decisions I have made and actions taken that I would do differently know, if I had the chance.
I also believe in tge importance not of just identifying and receiving what we want in life, but giving it voice. Telling our lived ones, partners, friends...writing it down. I have seen friends and family so focused on what they didn't want, that that is what they gave energy to...and that is essentially what they got.
Am I saying all we need in life is The Secret? No, but I want to know, plan for, get and enjoy what I truly want in life. And right now, part of what I want is to be truthful to myself and strip away my detractors and excess. Then I hope to understand more about myself in solitude. Solitude I either never had, or never handled well in my younger years.
No covering up, shopping away, over eating, exercising away, substance distractions...just me.
I hope you have a stripped down, slow Friday. IF you want that. Otherwise, get busy...time's awasting!
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
DH and I went to other side of the county to pay our taxes today. We also got parts to fix our old dryer. We bought a very nice set last year for city house...where they still live happily. We hope to get fww more years out of this set. I bought new range and dishwasher last year for retirement house, so I hope to space out another new appliances.
My problems are scarce and few. I feel blessed that so many things have come together (along with planning and hard work) for this wonderful time in my life and retirement with DH.
I know there are many people out there suffering. Animals suffering. Less fortunate. I say my prayers every night. Thanking God and asking for his help in the morning.
My heart goes out to all affected by Hurricane Michael. If you or your loved ones are affected, comfort and safety I wish for you.
Yesterday we walked the pup to the park and played. Later, it was rainy and we couldn't do much outside, so I sat on our porch and read.
Today is was sunny but cool. The sun dried up the yard enough to mow. We could not get push mower to start, so I took it to small engine repair.
DH thinks he diagnosed why our dryer stopped heating. We go pick up part tomorrow.
While DH mowed with big mower, I dug up whole line of large rocks along one side of the house. Now We are relaxing our tired muscles and I am enjoying a cup of pumpkin coffee with pumpkin coconut creamer.
Internet provider (#2) could not get wiring at our house to work, so he has to come back Friday. Since we waited for him today, I still haven't grocery shopped or taken our large bag to thrift store.
If we can get dryer to work tomorrow, I will consider it a victory week.
We also gave up on trying to get trimmer started. We are going to ask DH BIL if he will look at it for us. Today was sort of frustrating, but yard is mowed now and those stupid rocks are gone.
Joy is not a constant. It comes to us in moments - often ordinary moments. Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we're too busy chasing down the extraordinary moments. Other times we're so afraid of the dark we don't dare let ourselves enjoy the light. A joyful life is not a floodlight of joy. That would eventually become unbearable. I believe a joyful life is made up of joyful moments gracefully strung together by trust, gratitude and inspiration
~ Brené Brown
P.S. I am going to help my girlfriend sell some of her disabled sister's old designer shoes, so I got my Poshmark restarted and sold a blouse and a pair of my own shoes! I just need internet so I can print the labels...Oy vey!
I told DH that he picks the next trip. Before we left the city, my aunt mentioned fancy train rides you can take in the Canadian Rockies...hmmmmmmm.
On the way home yesterday. We looked at a different car for DH. It wasn't what they described so he passed. DH is going to sell our large SUV and small sedan and get a larger sedan.
Today we are going to get SUV ready to sale. DH brother is selling couple of his cars to buy small sedan.
It rained here this am, just in time to prevent me from mowing.
Last night, we unpacked and worked on our closet. DH got rid of a trash bag full. I ran around the house and did a round of grabbing stuff also for Goodwill. We will just have to keep working on it.
House still too much stuff, but it is at least somewhat in order.
I said to him last night, what a problem...too much stuff. So many blessings we have. But clutter is a real problem for me. One day at a time...
We get back 5:30pm last evening. We had to keep tabs on our football team before and after flight. We won! 0 and 5! Bought my Aunt dinner. Then spent some time with her in her basement helping her with couple minor things.
Got an alert on our phones middle of the night. Flooding alert. They have gotten 5 or 6 inches in our former city, expecting 2 to 3 more.
DH has appt to get his perm crown then I get some labs done, then we drive south.
Our pet sitter/house sitter has been sending us pics of our dogs each day. We really miss them.
Heavenly Father, how great the variety of living things, You have put at our disposal! You told our first parents: "I give you all the animals of the land." Bless this animal. May it carry out the function it has been given and may it aid us to think of You its Creator and give praise and thanks to You forever. We ask this in the name of the Father. Amen.
-Lesli White
This has been longest since I started writing my blog to post. It is also the first vacation. So, it was hard to take time to stop and write posts (plus I am still working off my phone only).
We fly back to our city today from NYC. I will write more about our wonderful long weekend soon. I just have to say the concert last night was just amazing and we both really lived it all.
Madison Square Garden, the walk to and from the show from the Kn Marriott Marquis, the opening artists (Jimmie Vaughn and Gary Clark Jr.) Were so good. If you have a chance, check out Gary Clark Jr.
Then Eric Clapton came out in his true lack of fanfare style, played some great old bluesy numbers, then Layla and Tears in Heaven and couple others acoustic. He had great sound, timing perfect, same voice...he had a great guitar player paying some of his riffs, but understandable considering EC is in his 70s. He even did White Room, which is one of my favorite Cream songs. Then Wonderful Tonight, Crossroads, Cocaine...The audience loved it.
For encore, he came back out and they played a number that keyboard player sang (he had an amazing voice) and piano guy was literally top notch! Vaughn and Clark, Jr. played guitar with Clapton...made us all want more.
Best concert of my life...the end.
See you Monday!
