Friday, March 1, 2024

For March 1st, 2024

 


Spring is a time of plans and projects. 

Leo Tolstoy


March 1st 

When March arrives, my thoughts always turns to Spring!  It is my favorite season of the year.   

It is a season of New Beginnings.  The earth comes alive and leaves appear on the trees.  flower start growing and daffodils and tulips bloom.  The birds return from their winter habitat and we can hear them singing when we wake up in the morning!  The sunny and warmer days make everything seem better !



It will definitely be a time of new beginnings for me.  I’ll be moving to Texas to live with my daughter and her family.

I’ve lived by myself for quite a long time now and I hope this move is the right one for me.  It will be different because I’ll only have a room in their house, no longer a whole house to myself. I’ve gotten used to being by myself and it will be different sharing my days with a family.  I’m thinking it will be wonderful to have people to do things with once more.  I’ll no longer eat meals by myself but share them with someone else.  Instead of a book or TV, I’ll have actual people to keep me company.

I won’t have the responsibility for making meals or cleaning the house anymore.  My daughter will be in charge of that.   I know I’ll still be on my diet because she always fixes healthy meals and is very innovative in finding new things to make.  She searches Pinterest and has found very good recipes.  

I’ll be taking it very easy but I know she won’t let me get too lazy. She thinks I should be getting more exercise than what I do, so she’ll probably have me out walking more.




She wanted me to live with them so she could make sure I was being taken care of in my old age.  It was hard saying good bye to many of the things I used to have, but they had to go in order for me to make this move. 



Some old fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Many new beginnings for me as I begin the next 20 years of my life.  I’ll be 80 this month so that also means this will probably be the last 20 years of my life.  We never know how many years we’ll live, but I cannot imagine living more than 100 years.  I really never thought I’d live to be 80.  But here I am.  

This is a Leap Year and I’ve really taken a Leap of Faith to do this big move.  When I moved into my present house, I’d said I’d never move again.  But now I am and I’m very excited and happy to do so.

I won’t miss the Ohio winters at all. The weather is much milder in Texas than it is in Ohio. When I get there it will be spring and really warming up. My daughter says they’ve had quite a few days in the 80’s there already.  


I don’t know if they plant daffodils in Texas or what blooms when.  Maybe their birds don’t migrate south for the winter?  I don’t know a lot, but I know I’ll love being with my daughter and my best friend. 




No matter what happens she has always been there for me and I’ve been there for her too!  




And as an extra bonus I’ll also be living with a dog again. She is the sweetest dog ever and loves my daughter too.

My mom and grandmother live to be in their 80’s. Who knows, I may not make it to 90, but we will have to wait and see.

I’m not worrying about it but just trying to enjoy each day as it comes to the best of my ability.

New beginnings always mean the end of something.  And my solitary days  are ending, not a bad thing at all. 

I’ll be keeping you posted as the days roll by.

Love, ma 


Spring is far more than just a changing of season: it is a rebirth of the spirit.

Toni Sorenson

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

For Tuesday, November 21, 2023


The Next 20 years, 11/21/2023 




It’s time to say goodbye but I think goodbyes are sad and I’d much rather say hello.  Hello to a new adventure..

Ernie Harwell

I’m going to be saying good bye to Ohio, and be saying Hello to Texas.  When I moved into my present home, I had thought I’d never move again, but here I am preparing to move again.

This will be a lot of work because I can’t take much with me, Only my clothes and a few precious treasures.  My daughter and her husband invited me to move in with them in their new home in Texas.  After working for 30 years at Ford, my SIL is retiring and they are moving to Texas close to where DS#2 lives.  He offered a retirement job to my SIL and they are moving as soon as they sell their house in Ohio.  I rent and do not own the home I have now, but I do have to empty it out.  Thankfully I do have DS#5 to help me do this, but he cannot do it all alone, some of the other members of my family are going to have to help out at one time or another.  

All my furniture, pots and pans and dishes will be either sold or given away.  I also have lots of decorations I use every season of the year, and it will all have to go.

I have a lot of framed pictures and I will have to take the pictures out of the frames in order to take them with me.  I’ll sell or give away the frames, but keep the pictures.

Everything has to go…




Meanwhile I’ve been sorting through the linens they cannot be moved as my daughter has her own. I have a friend coming over to help me, she knows of a place that will  take them and she’ll be carting them away from me.  I have all sorts of linens, blankets, towels and tableclothes that she’ll help me get rid of.  

Some are stored in the bathroom in the linen closet there, but there are also seasonal ones in the spare bedroom.  That is where I store them until the appropriate season comes.  I have a bag full of Christmas towels alone.  Over the years, I have collected a lot.

We’ll be using minimal Christmas decorations this year, so their won’t be much to take down. The rest is going to be gone, rather than packed away to be stored in the storage shed outside. It is full too.  I have seasonal decorations stored in their, plus my lawnmower and weed wacker. I have snow shovels, flags and a whole tub full of what I call funeral flowers.  I put these on my loved ones graves on Memorial day.  But I won’t be here to do that anymore. I have wreaths for all seasons to hang on my door and flags to decorate my flower boxes with.  What isn’t given away or sold will have to be thrown out in the trash.  We have a bulk pick up service here with our garbage removal and at some point I imagine, I’ll be setting out a few, if not many things to be taken away by the garbage men.




Along with that I’ll need to find new prescription insurance.  The medical insurance can go to Texas with me, but the prescription insurance I have is not accepted in Texas.  My insurance agent hopes to be able to help me with that.  She’ll recommend people for me to call.  There is no need to change my bank accounts and every thing can be done on line, I’ll just change my address with them.  There is so much to think of, I’m trying to make a list.  That will also including cancelling my car insurance as I’m selling my car.  I won’t need it when I move in with my daughter and I’m incapable of driving it all the way there.  I’ll miss the convenience, but I’ll be saving a lot of money.  

What will be likely my last 20 years is going to be very different than what I thought they would be.  

I’ll try to keep you all updated and I continue to prepare to move.  And when I move, I’ll continue to blog too.

It’s going to be adventure, and I’m getting very excited to see it all happen.  I’ve always wanted to live in a warmer location and now I will be.  I’ll miss every one I leave behind, but I’ll be with family so it shouldn’t be too bad at all.



This will be my last Thanksgiving and Christmas at home, so I’m going to make the most of it!

Love, 
ma

 

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

For Wednesday, September 13th, 2023

 


ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER  13TH, 2023

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades.  May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks,  and boring grays of your every day.


Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals


10 DAYS UNTIL FALL

In Ohio
 Sunrise:   7;06 am
   Sunset:  7:41  
pm






Life is a special   
occasion!

Hallmark!


Today is a Happy Birthday to my granddaughter our Northern Belle!

Happy Birthday ♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday  ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you♥ ♥ ♥ 

May the dear Lord bless you today and always!

Happy Birthday to you♥

Today is also National Peanut Day which is a celebration of the peanut, which really isnt a nut at all.  Technically they are legumes - simple dry fruits of the same family as peas and beans.  But we can still celebrate.

George Washington Carver discover over 300 practical uses for peanuts. Carver a graduate of Iowa State University, found ways to use peanuts in shampoo, fuel, dies and flours.  Ironically, historians suspect that Carver never tasted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  What a shame!

To celebrate today, bake some peanut butter cookies, watch a ball game with a bag of whole peanuts, enjoy a nice chunk of peanut butter fudge, or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch.  Enjoy!  

If you cannot see the bright sidepolish the dull side





 
THOUGHT FOR TODAY 

Peanut butter is the glue that holds my life together.

Author Unknown


Peanut butter is a staple in my kitchen, I often eat peanut butter sandwiches I don’t often but  I have made peanut butter cookies.  They are delicious!  Peanut butter is something I can eat. I use it as a dip for apples, carrots and celery.   It’s good for us! It’s full of protein that makes us strong.  I usually get the Natural peanut butter. It’s low in sodium and it’s made by JIF.

It’s a satisfying sandwich and fills me up. I don’t always have mine with jelly, but when I do it is sugar free jelly. 

Today is my day to make a new menu for next week which is what I use to make my shopping list from.  It’s supposed to rain some today so I’ll try to get out when it’s not raining.  It’s supposed to be only partly cloudy this afternoon, with rain this morning.

Menu for Next week

Monday - Avocado, Tomato and Chicken Sandwich
Wednesday- Slow Cooker Pork Chops 
Friday - Red Pepper and Parmesan Tilapia
Weekend - Homemade Apple Cider Beef Stew 


On the menu for today is:

Slow Cooker Pork Chops.

Makes 4 servings

1/2 cup flour, divided
1/2 tsp ground mustard 
2/3 tsp. garlic pepper blend
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
4 boneless pork loin chops
2 Tbsp Canola oil 
1 can, 14.5 oz. chicken broth

In a shallow bowl, combine 1/4 cup flour, mustard, garlic pepper and seasoned salt.  Add chops, one at a time and dredge to coat.  In a large skillet brown pork chops in oil on both sides.

Transfer to a slow cooker . Pour broth over chops.  Cook covered on low for about 2 hours or until chops are tender.

Remove pork to a serving plate and keep warm. Whisk remaining 1/4 cup flour into cooking juices until smooth, cook covered on high until gravy is thickened.

I will have mine with  sides of applesauce and and brussel sprouts with bacon. I even found some sugar free peanut butter cups to enjoy for my dessert 

As I hoped my Doctor appointment went well.  I lost over 10 more pounds which means I’m now down over 20 lbs since I started the diet I’m on. No salt, no sugar for me will continue the rest of my life as I have a tendency to be a diabetic. I did celebrate after the appointment at McDonalds and got my favorite meal, a fish sandwich meal  with a vanilla milkshake. It was delicious!


I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!





COUNTING MY BLESSINGS 

Happiness is a spoonful of peanut butter

Author Unknown

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

11,649. for peanut butter which is very good for us
11,650. for a break in the rain today
11,651.for our Northern Belle, it’s her birthday today!

.  
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!




PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.
 
Almighty and eternal God,
Protect our military
as they discharge their duties
with the shield of your strength,
may the power of your love
enable them to return home in safety
that with all who love them
they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters and EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!






ADVICE FOR TODAY


You can spread jelly on the peanut butter, but you canspread  the  peanut butter on the jelly.

Dick Van Dyke


a smile, a word of cheer, 
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,
ma




Tuesday, September 12, 2023

For Tuesday, September 12, 2023

 

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER  12TH, 2023

The moments of our lives may be bright with possibility, dark with fear or sadness, or even plain everyday gray, but God's glory never fades.  May God's glory shine into the exciting lights, upsetting darks,  and boring grays of your every day.


Slightly adapted from one of my morning devotionals


11 DAYS UNTIL FALL

In Ohio
 Sunrise:   7;04 am
   Sunset:  7:45  
pm




Life is a special   
occasion!

Hallmark!

Today is Chocolate Milkshake Day which is a day to appreciate the ice cream, mainstay of ice cream shops throughout the country.

To celebrate today, enjoy a delicious milkshake for dessert tonight.  To make your own at home, combine 2 cups chocolate ice cream, 2 bars of chocolate candy and 1/2 cup whipped cream in a blender. Garnish with more whipped cream and chocolate shavings .  

Enjoy!


If you cannot see the bright sidepolish the dull side






 
THOUGHT FOR T
ODAY 

Today’s good mood is sponsored by milkshakes.

Author Unknown 

My favorite shake is vanilla, but I have had chocolate before and they are good too. When I was expecting my 1st child, I had cravings for a vanilla shake and a McDonald Fish Sandwich meal. I  still love both of them.

For today, I might just have to splurge and have one of my favorite meals and an ice cream shake for dessert. Normally I wouldn’t get the fish sandwich because of the carbs but every now and then one has to splurge.

I have a doctor appointment with my primary care Dr. today.  We’ll see what he has to say.  I might have something to celebrate

This is also one of nieces and newphew’s anniversary, so I’d like to tell them, Happy anniversary today!  They got married on my Dad’s birthday, matter of fact they may have helped celebrate his birthday at my wedding, someone paid the band to play Happy Birthday to my Dad, after we left for our honeymoon.

I hope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!




COUNTING MY BLESSINGS 

Joy in every sip!

Author unknown 


Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.


11,646. for delicious milk shakes 
11,647. for a Dr’s appointment so I can get checked out
11,648.for treats to get me through my no salt, no sugar diet.
.  
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!




PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.
 
Almighty and eternal God,
Protect our military
as they discharge their duties
with the shield of your strength,
may the power of your love
enable them to return home in safety
that with all who love them
they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters and EMT’s.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!






ADVICE FOR TODAY

Life is sweeter with milkshakes.

Author Unknown 


a smile, a word of cheer, 
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,
ma