I'm all In and it's a New Day

 May 1st was the big day and now it's the 15th of May and I have just a few boxes left to unpack but lots of stuff to find a place for and of course there's the Craft Room to be completely organized...Oh Happy Day!

This is the before shot.

Draft, another Draft and I'm fixin to write another....Oh No!

 Wull...who kew. I just pulled up my blog to write a new post and found 3, maybe even 4 drafts that I had not pushed the publish button on!

So, I just published my last which is about the move and "I'm in" story. But right now, this post is about finally....all the unpackable boxes are unpacked. Wa-Hooo!

And there are wall hangings up in every room, curtains are up where they should be and a couple of windows with 2" blinds only ( I love the look and the light). I'm taking a couple of days off and then I'll be straightening and organizing the closets one by one and the rest of the rooms as it goes along. My car is finally in the garage every night and on one side of the garage inside is a row of empty boxes and on the other wall has a few opened boxes with stuff to be distributed still inside...small boxes. There are now 2 shelving units in the garage on the inside wall where the door to the kitchen is that are almost full. Actually I could use another one and there is room without impeding movement from the car to the kitchen door.

Hopefully this time next week all the empty boxes will be gone. I don't mind saying I'm tired and ready for a couple of days off from what I've been doing for months now.  Milo and I walk most mornings around the complex but in the evenings we just walk around the back yard. Also sit on the porch in the late afternoons around 6pm and enjoy the breeze.

The one thing that has stuck out in all this moving process is that I went from my 70's to my 80th Birthday last month.  It's the first ever age change number that has noticeably ddchanged how I feel. On the inside instead of thinking of myself as in my 30's it changed to now thinking of myself as being in the 60's. Honestly it's quite odd that there should be such a noticeable difference from last day of the 70's to the first day of the 80's.  Kinda funny I think. Instead of getting up out of a chair I now unfold out of a chair. Instead of rising out of bed and move along, I rise up and stand for what seems like a long time just to adjust to the vertical position from the horizontal position...odd. Then there's the act of unfolding after sitting for a while. That never use to be. Seems like when I wanted to get up out of a chair, I got up out of a chair. Now, not so much. When I'm ready to get up out  of a chair, it's a skoot to the edge of the chair and with great effort finally rising up on my two feet and then stand there for just a little bit. WHAT? You're Kidding, right?

Nope...not kidding! It's different and it happened all in one day! Don't get me wrong...I'm glad to be 80. Feel like I've earned it and frankly never thought about being 80 and what that might look like. I've got the picture now and it's not too bad, so far. 

Gonna turn out the light now. It's 12:32am March 24th Saturday Morning. So sorry about the drafts not posted. I'll post another one as I leave tonight. They will just be out of line that's all. Oh, and Milo seems to be feeling better, not so jumpy so I guess he's beginning to settle in too.

Good night and until next time have fun every now and then...This is Judy sitting on the edge of the bed typing on my laptop with Milo laying up against my back asleep. Sweet dreams....

My imagination grew and grew until nothing fit....

 I called the manager of my new apartment complex and asked if I could get in my new apartment to see it. And she said Yes!!! So I grabbed a friend and we drove out there and got the key and went inside. The whole experience was a wonderful, fun time. I had not been in MY apartment only in another with the same floor plan so there were some questions I had and wanted to have a look see. Especially since I've been placing furniture on copies of the floor plan that I had made.

As you probably have guessed by now my imagination had so enlarged the areas even though I had the measurements of each room. To actually stand in the master bedroom was just plain funny and as my friend and I guestimated where things would go I realized that the vanity I have which is a regular wood desk that I had painted as was using as a vanity will not fit in the bedroom...it's too long! So now as I write myself to sleep I'm coming up with all kinds of ways to make a vanity that will fit!

I do love doing this sort of thing. It's actually more fun than just buying a piece that will fit the space and the reason for that is that I have to figure it all out and then do it and as far as I'm concerned the process fits right in with crafting.  I have to tell a story...

When we were stationed in Hawaii in the mid 70's we were invited to a party at a fellow worker of my husbands. The acquaintance had built his own home! That in itself was reason for us to go to the party besides the opportunity to enjoy the party. Not sure how many couples but probably at least 10. I'm saying that to give an idea of how large the home was.  It was absolutely amazing. The owner/builder took us on a tour and actually pointed out to us all the mistakes he had made in the process of building. Corners that didn't match, flooring that wasn't even, on and on. The home was absolutely awesome regardless of the mistakes that didn't show. We only saw them because he pointed them out to us.  When we retired and were no longer in the military we bought some land and proceeded to build our own home. It was nothing like his because number one it wasn't in Hawaii! The point is, after seeing what he had done gave us the courage to try it ourselves figuring if he could do it, we could do it.

Well with that same enthusiasim and delight at the prospect I have continued to do such things even now that I no longer have my other half. The posibility that I could do something, anything like build a table or use a cordless drill to make something instead of having to buy a readymade table or whatever is still with me and so...I will be making my craft room furniture or if not making it entirely, rearranging a piece of furniture and adding or subtracting to it to make it into what I need is an exciting prospect and part of my crafting!

Just a few more days and the projects will begin. And by the way I don't buy the best, I buy what will work and is within my budget and adapt or make do. If you are unaware...it's amazing what paint can do. I will be decopauging some things and changing the appearance in other ways with paint once the item has been built.

Of course I will post pictures along the way.  BTW, I met a couple of my new neighbors. This is so much fun. I was concerned my dogs blk rod iron fence wouldn't work on the patio just outside the back door but it's gonna fit just fine and we will both be able to sit on the back porch together safely and even have some potted plants around and atleast one hanging plant...a spider plant to be precise.  I had dreamed of having some plants inside all gathered infront of the living room window but not so sure it's going to be as large as I'd imagined. Of course everytig is smaller than I iagined...time does change what I thought saw but to be honest, the apartment is perfect, cozy comfortable and has all the elements in it to make my life comfy. Did I mention there's a garage? LOL! Oh, and a dishwasher, garbage disposal and built in microwave... The saying we've all heard about not appreciating what we have until we no longer have it is really true, just incase you didn't know that!

May 1st is the day the truck will haul my stuff to the new place. It's an absolute gift, certainly undeserved and I'm indeed thankful to the giver of all good and perfect gifts from above. 

Blessings to all who read and please leave a comment or even just a Hi!

Thanksgiving 2023

 There's lots to be said for such a day as the first of the winter holidays "Thanksgiving". All my family left town except for my 18 year old grandson. Let met tell you what a very special day we had yesterday. With all the family gone one would think it would be a dismal and lonely day. NOT!!!

My daughter had invited me to use her home to have and serve dinner for some of my friends. We all live in small apartments. It just so happened that the grandson was going to be home and was going to help with the meal. He may be just 18 but...he's quite the grandson and my husband's name sake. So...together we cared for the turkey in the manner of the Grandfather who enjoyed all our married life fixing the turkey and dressing, stuffing as some say. Chase provided the turkey and made sure it was thawed. I arrive with all the stuffing ingredients except for the major ones which I forgot at my place and had to return home to get. Isn't that what's suppose to happen?

I put all the ingredients in a very large iron skillet, mixed it all up and after the bird was rinsed out well and patted dry, stuffed the bird. Wrapped it in extra strong foil and in the oven it went. The grand was watching the time and thermometer. Company came and some helped in the kitchen while others watched White Christmas. Dinner was served...pretty much on time!

We sat down to turkey and stuffing, green beans, mashed garlic potatoes with bacon, cranberry jelled sauce, gravy, my favorite salad of cool whip, baby marsh mellows, pistachio instant pudding dry, pecans, and crushed pineapple, all mixed in a large bowl, and 7up with cranberry juice in a goblet and lots of pleasant remarks about the food and the day. Being the only male in the group Grace was said by Chase. Desert followed quickly which included, home made banana pudding, lemon pie with whipped cream, pumpkin squares and pecan pie with a different molasses take. 

It was a day filled with thanks for all and ended with take home containers filled, full tummies and hearts ready for that special nap. A truly thankful day for all of us.  I hope for you as well.

And now...?  Merry Christmas!

Judy here at zero dark thirty, the day after...and dishes to be washed! And Black Friday too. 'till next time. Happy December. From me and Milo.

Been a little busy have you?

Boy, I sure have been busy.

I'm currently leading two Bible Studies on Revelation, Life Lessons series by Max Lucado. That means I do the same thing in both groups. Actually it makes it some what easier because I prepare twice for the study and then present it twice.  So in the real time of it I study twice, the second time to refresh what the class will be about. I also meet for counseling purposes with one senior lady once a week for which I pray and study for according to the leading of Holy Spirit for the particular individual.

I also keep up with friends regularly calling and visiting every week. Once a month I meet my cousin on my Mother's side to get to know each other. For me, other than my immediate family she is the only first cousin I have contact with. I have some nieces and nephews but do not regularly get to visit with them. I do have a daughter and grands living near by sorta. The grands have left the nest mostly. One is studying with her new husband to become missionaries, the middle daughter is in college and plays on the JV basket ball team so she is away from home but close enough to come home on the weekends. I don't see them often and the youngest is in college but lives at home. I do see him at church.

Not sure why I'm telling  you all this personal stuff except to give you a since of my life at 79. I continue to keep busy on things I believe are helpful in the Kingdom of God. My life is rich at this age and I'm continually amazed at what God continues to do in me and my life and that He continues to use me, maybe more in some ways. The point is I'm not done living life at this stage. I'm excited to meet a new day each morning though, I do creak a bit some mornings when I first swing my legs out from under the covers and set my feet on the floor. But, that soon passes as I keep moving.

You could say I have kind of a new life.  I never in a million years (I like that phrase) did I think I would write a book and it be published...self published but never the less published. Some look down on that manner of publishing but a good deal of those people haven't written a book that is on the shelves and on line for purchase. I'm just say'in.

I wanted to post so anyone who checks to see if I have a new post would find one. I've already decorated my apartment for Christmas. But, keeping with the calendar, I'm meeting with my grandson to discuss Thanksgiving Dinner. He and I are cooking the turkey, a couple of pies and other side dishes for some senior lady friends of mine. My daughter will be out of town so she offered her home for the dinner. This morning will be a planning session so that we will be set for the big day. I'm excited to cook with my grandson.

So, here it is, Happy Thanksgiving to all and blessings for all the things you do during this season. May God bless you and keep you.

It's early in the morning on Friday before Thanksgiving and I'm Judy. up and at 'em while Milo is sleeping on his circle bed just behind me. We're in the cottage and it's still dark out this morning. Until next time, stay warm if it's cold where you are and be careful in traffic.

Got a new Blog

 I'm trying to figure out how to combine this blog with my new one www.jchasewrites.blog. I can switch from one to another but I can't combine them. Maybe I can link them. I'll look into that in a little bit. But, just in.case there is anyone that still checks this one I wanted to give you a heads up that I'm back.  

I do have a couple of other blogs out in space but they haven't popped up anywhere. Sure wish I had known how to keep the stuff I did on those. Well, apparently I backed this one up because it's still here.  

Yay.  

Come see me at my new place. I'd love to have you, you are always welcome!

It's Judy in the cottage, still here with recliner. Gotta new pooch, you'll have to come and see.

Thought I'd resurrect this!

It's a short one for a re re new entry.  After all it is 2018 a very long time since my last writing.  All I can say is life happens and it's been happening all this time even though I haven't been writing.  So what's new...It's 12:19 on April 18, 2018.  That's 12:19 am. So this is gonna be very short.  I'll tell ya what's new tomorrow.  I'm gonna go to bed.  It's Women's Bible Study in the morning and then work later in the afternoon.  But I'll explain that later.  There's a specific reason that I'm back but again, I'll tell you about that tomorrow.  I'll give you a hint...it's a new adventure!  Later gator, good night and God Bless your sleep too.

I Am Rejected

Hi on this Wednesday before Christmas,

I now must read up on how to blog.  I thought it was about writing but, apparently I'm misinformed or not informed at all.  I applied for ads to be posted on my page but....I didn't pass so for now, no ads.  I am going to improve tho.  It is fun and I'd like to be seen and I haven't fully done things that will get my blog in a position to be read, my blog isn't out there, view-able.  Of course I did know that I wasn't getting comments and was missing anything that was offered in the comment section.  You won't regularly be seeing new posts while I read and study up on this thing called blogging.

For now though, I mean since I'm already here I might as well chat a little bit.  I've finished all my gifts for my family and have thought about making a couple more gifts but not sure I want to.  I'm awful tired and I should have thought about this earlier but I was busy with family gifts.

I worked outside because of the temperature.  I wanted to take advantage of the warm weather while it was still available.  Suppose to turn cold again tomorrow.  So, I cleaned out the front flower bed and worked on the back as well.  Not completely finished but it's a good start.  Gave a few things to the flower lady.  I am going to take all the rocks, whole bricks and the few pavers, plus 1 good size barrel planter and 1 pottery pot and two metal tubs for flowers.  Taking my shepherds hooks but giving her the 2 trellis and a fence stake.  One of the shepherd hooks is stuck so I'm gonna work on it as I can and hopefully I can take it with me too.

If I don't get back to this no worries, I'll just be reading up on how to do it right.

ox's and blessings,   Judy...the studying widow   Merry Christmas

I Like Pentrest

It's still morning and I've been lazin' around but the thing is I'm up.  Good morning to ya!

Excuse me for just a moment while I take my morning pills...K, done.!

The kiddo's classes and extra curricular activities and done for this week and next so no taxi service.  I do have tasks to do around the apartment getting ready to move.  It's suppose to be nice this afternoon so I plan to work on cleaning up the flowerbeds for the next resident and tidy up the outside.  Called the apartment manager but didn't get the info I wanted, No move in date yet...BUT I do get new carpet.  Yay.  I'm terrible excited about the whole move thing.

My creative tasks are to paint my newly acquired lamp which is presently gold to silver.  Also want to find out how to change the shade color which is now beige.  That will all be fun.  I worked on my watch band last evening and it looks nice and it fits, but it's not really how I want it so I'm going to keep looking around for the right bits and pieces that will be the right stuff.  I used blue moon stones and crystals and I like that.  It was my husbands Seiko.

Christmas is closing in and I have 2 more gifts to complete.  I'll get those done today too.  Then I'll make the short trip across town to deliver some to the kids house.  My wrapping color this year is blue with white ribbon.  All are wrapped the same, no doubt who they are from!!!

I have some reading to do also.  I found some articles on blogging at the Pentrest website and saved them.  I'll be reading up on how to set it up, what not to do, what to do, what to write about, etc., etc., and etc.   Hopefully I'll get better at this.  So far what I read encourages one to write sorta the way I'm writing and I'm glad about that.  I'll be growing and growing in this creative adventure.  But I'll tell you about what I'm learning as time goes on.  Of course, I'm excited about it!

Time to walk with Wendy...my blood pressure was really good this morning...yay!

Blessings today to all......Judy a Senior new blogger.... and Merry Christmas

My living room!

The lamp I will paint

I Have a Plan

Good Evening,

After some thoughtful consideration, I think I have a workable plan that will work for me in the weight loss predicament I find myself in.  A little warm up here.  Seems like what I've tried in the past was something I suddenly had to adapt to immediately.  Not a gradual moving into.  I just had to change overnight so usually I had a couple of days to eat all the things I wouldn't be able to eat.  Like all the chocolate and ice cream, fried chicken and french fries, well you get the idea.

This idea of mine helps me to move slowly into the mental place where I will be ready to, in a couple of weeks, be able to in a natural way, eat the right amounts of the right things and stop at a regular time every evening.  I just began to write down what I've eaten for each meal and no in between food. Next Saturday I will begin reading labels and counting calories, measuring and all that.  I will eat 300 calories per meal and 600 split between 4 snacks.

Meal planing will be my mode this next Thursday and Friday...  I will log it all each day and hopefully this whole process will have tuned me up to follow the 1500 calorie eating plan.  In the past, once I begin eating well I feel better day by day.  Increasing my exercise should help that as well but I haven't really figured how that's going to work.  Yesterday it was 6 degrees and started out that way today.  Tomorrow it starts at 18 degrees, 37 degrees at 3 pm.  That's pretty cold.  I've done it before so I'll just have to set my mind and do it.

I'm looking forward to success.

Blessings to ya'll.     Judy             P.S. If you are in a battle of this sort, may God Bless you and give you the strength to pursue your goal and the continued encouragement to take it a day at a time.

Little by Little

It's me again,

Twenty pounds.  I think I've done nearly every diet out there and I have lost weight from time to time, but mostly just been disillusioned and frustration.  I lost a good deal of weight once but is was not a life style change so not long after I'd reached goal the pounds began to slowly re-appear.  I weigh about 30#s less than my heaviest weight ever.

So, when I think about the doctor saying I have to lose weight...I am befuddled.  Lose it or you are looking at a stroke not too far off.  Okay, now what!  I'm not in a financial place that I can pay to join a group or pay for a product or anything like that.   I'm thinking that until I can find and settle on a way to accomplish a steady weight loss I will eat what I have in my fridge and pantry and watch the portions.  I've already cut out the candy, cake, etc.  Don't drink soft drinks at all.  Just water and coffee.  Nothing in the coffee.  Cut off the salt.  Started monitoring the blood pressure as the doctor asked, recording it in the morning and at night.  Began reading the label on what I'm eating and trying to stay within the 300 calories per meal and the rest of 1500 daily calories is for snacks.  Snacking on fruit so far, and eating salad at least once a day so far, with vinegar and oil dressing.  I'll have to go to bed earlier to help stop the munching before bed.  For now probably thru Christmas this is what I will do.  Christmas Dinner will be watching my portions but to indulge in all I like.  Hopefully by the day after Christmas I will have found a diet I can abide by and begin to follow it on purpose.

I don't have a problem increasing the exercise part, it's not too much for me.  Half I'll do with Wendy and the other half by myself.  Probably in the mall.

Got all but one gift finished and wrapped and I hope to finish it all up by the end of tomorrow.

Blessings as always to all.       Judy, still learning to do what I'm told!!!

Half Is Gone....already!!!

Hi again,

Wow.  I knew I hadn't written, but I didn't realize that the month is half gone already.  I have 3 more gifts to wrap.  I told the grands I'd be over with their gifts sometime this weekend.  Time just seems to be moving so fast... In the mean time...

Packing and more packing. I heard from my boss today that I'll get to work 4 shifts during this month which is a Godsend. There's the funds to complete the funds required for the move.  God is sooo good. My very good friend helped me pack again this morning.  I'm believing the apartment will be ready in time and no extension will be required.  

Had a follow-up cardio appointment yesterday.  Of all things...he wants me to lose 20#'s and wants to see me in February, I have to take a log of my blood pressure with me for that time.  Also have to exercise more than I'm doing now.  I walk a mile and a half most days.  I'll have to up it, but to challenge that, it's suppose to be unreasonably cold for the next week. 

Christmas celebrations are in process and I've missed two of them so far.  The next is a pancake breakfast Sunday morning before service, then Wednesday night will be a candlelight service. And, I'll keep packing and packing.

I sure hope all is going along well for you and yours.  It seems the Christmas season is always full of the regular things in life plus a whole series of additional things to celebrate the birth of Christ. I know it can feel overwhelming, but when you consider it's all part of His birth month and all the "to do" is in celebration, it can make it all fun and uplifting that we get to celebrate the most special of all birthdays.

Blessings as you celebrate.     Judy, celebrant  

It's A New Day!

Hi everybody,

The sun is shinning, and I woke up this morning...IT's A NEW DAY.  Did you realize that this morning?  We get to start all over and though things may seem the same, there's an opportunity to be different.  To be positive in thought, to smile and not frown, to sing and not mumble, to get up and do something that needs to be done, to be active and not procrastinate.  To get up do and not just think about doing.

He is new every morning, new every morning, great is His faithfulness oh Lord, great is Your faithfulness Oh Lord.

There is a temptation as one seniorize's to sit and think.  After a bit, that thinking turns into remembering days past.  I've noticed that I can actually think of things and remember things that I've not had need to remember from a very long time ago.  Even conversations.  Sometimes it's actually a good thing because what I'm thinking about may be how to do a particular task.  If the thinking goes on longer it may not be so good and can turn my mood sour.  With God's motivation I've been able to turn the negative off when I realize that's what's going on.  

If you have issues with that, turning on music greatly helps...  The TV might not be a good choice if it is presenting negative talk or pictures.  Stepping out the door and just looking around and taking a couple of deep breaths, even just a short walk can change what's going on in your head.

I've determined not to just sit.  I tried that during my mourning days and it's just not a good thing.  Not productive in a good way.  It actually turns your mouth down, or at least I think it does.  So, I decided NOT to just sit.  Having said that....I'm done here, been sitting long enough, so I'm gonna get up and do stuff after I turn on some music.

Blessings to all.....            Judy, senior widow

Life Sure Does Get Exciting!

Hellooooo,

I'm telling you it really does and the sun is shinning and I'm fixin to eat lunch at 3:15 pm.  Ho Ho Ho
Why do I think life is exciting?  Because it's Jesus' birth month.  In our family we start celebrating our birthdays at the beginning of the month until the end, so that's what I'm doing.  Celebrating the birthday of Jesus, my savior and Lord.

Went to church this morning and had a wonderful time, singing, dancing, clapping, hugging, laughing and loving.

Now, after lunch it's gonna be about....intermission time!  Had to go across the street to a friend and look at her apartment inside and make note of where I might put things as I'm moving which might be tomorrow for a start.  I'll know about that in the morning.  So, now that intermission is over, a bowl of soup and then it's about packing the bedroom closets as much as I can in a couple of hours.

After looking at the new apartment look a like, I've reconsidered whether or not I will have to downsize.  Maybe just use things for a different purpose when I get there.  It's a challenge, but then I like a good challenge.  All for this Sunday folks.  Just remember and know:

The angel said in Luke 2:10 "Then the angel said to them (the shepherds), Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." nkj emphasis mine.

Blessings all........Judy, senior

I've Always Loved Saturdays!

Happy Saturday,

Don't ya think we are kind programmed to like Saturdays.  It starts when you go to school (unless you were home schooled).  Then, when you had a regular M-F 5day a week job.  Now, being retired, I'm just so use to Saturday being an automatically happy day that it still makes me happy.  I don't watch cartoons, I sometimes watch the animal shows.  Looking at the clock on the wall it's 10 am and I'm still in my jams!  Oh happy day.

My very loose plans for the day include my hobby, beading; packing; piddling around, and listening to Christmas music thru Roku.  Gotta walk with Wendy as it warms up some.  It;s 24f right now, but it's suppose to warm up considerably as the day goes on.

Oh, I might do some outside clean up too.  I forgot about that and since it's gonna get really cold again in another day or so, now is a good time to work outside for a bit.

I noticed yesterday that I'm being prompted by fb to build a website.  Now, why would I do that?  Really!  I mean since I write on this blog, seems like I'd be doing nearly the same thing on a webpage.  I have enough to keep up with now.  I have an Etsy shop, plus this page, and then there's email and fb, pentrest, and of course google. So, again, I ask you, why would I want a website?

Speaking of this page, I guess you noticed that I finally figured out how to get my two pictures lined up and resized.  It looks much better I think.  I still haven't figured out how to get my "comments" box working so that comments can be made by readers and read by me.  But I do continue to work at it so who knows...

I'm getting hungry and Wendy is getting restless so I'm going to sign off and eat breakfast, get dressed and get moving.  Blessings to you and yours,

Judy.....Single and adjusting day by day....even liking it more and more!  Go figure  :)

Dinner Is Ready...

Hi,

Is it dinner time where you are?  My usual dinner hour is around 7pm, but sometimes 8.

At the beginning of the month I package meals in foil for the whole month.  Each evening I take one main meat/dish and two vegetables from the freezer, lay them on a cookie sheet.  The oven is preheated to 425 degrees.  When the oven is ready, I put the meal in the oven and set the timer for 45-55 min. depending on past successes.

The timer just went off for the spaghetti, and time to put the garlic bread in for about 8 min. or so.  While the garlic bread is in the oven, I'll just keep writing.

The process has been working really well for about 3 months and I'm about to change it.  The electric bill has been more than I'd like so I've decided to use the microwave instead of the oven.  I haven't fixed the meals yet.  I'm still eating last months meals which is a good thing.

I bought some freezer paper and tape to use instead of the foil I was using for the oven.  So, when the time comes to fix more packages, I'll use the paper and tape.  I didn't mention that the pieces of chicken, pork, and beef are seasoned but raw.  That's why it takes so long for them to cook.  That will change of course, because the mail course will cook in the microwave.  I'm a bit anxious to see how this will all work out.  I think I have enough meals to last another two weeks.

Well, I've finished my spaghetti and garlic bread and a bit of  cranberry sauce so I'm about ready for the green grapes I've chosen for desert.

Hope ya'll had a good dinner tonight.  Until next time, be Blessed.    Judy...contented senior

Another Day Closer!

Good evening Post Friends,

It IS another day closer, speaking of Christmas of course.  I've tried to make a couple of gifts using peppermint essential oil.  Wouldn't ya know it, I used too much.  That was two days ago.  So for two days I've hung them around the apartment, even laid them outside, trying to air them out and make the very strong peppermint smell die down a good bit.  So far it's not working.  I hope by the time it's Christmas Day, the gifts will be tolerable. I hope, I hope.

I use to be pretty good at crafting!  Oh well, what can I say?  I do have a few other gifts in the works too.  They are beaded projects.  I've been learning how to make jewelry for a couple of months, but these gifts are more of creative art done with beads.  So, hoping they work out.

In the mean time time the days are moving fast, even though it's only the 8th, the 25th will be here before I know it.

Not to change the subject, but I can't remember how many times our family moved during the Christmas Holidays.  So here I am again, moving during the Christmas Holidays.  I didn't mean to set it up that way, it just kind of worked out that way.  I stopped at the grocery store and picked up some milk carton boxes.  The're the best for moving because they have a cut out on each end for carrying.  So for me, they are perfect as long as I don't make them too heavy.

 My plan is to start packing up the messiest closet first.  Some of what's in it will need to be either thrown away or given away.  It's my craft supply and general catch all closet, so you can probably imagine what it might look like.  Any way that's one of the big reasons that the days are going to move pretty fast.  It's possible I might be moving just before the holiday, so I've got to be ready.

I'm excited about the new place.  It's a bit smaller than where I live now, but it will be much more pleasant and peaceful.  I'm looking forward to that.  I've been moving most of my life.  My Mom, I guess, taught me how to look forward to a new place, a new home.  She always brought home maps and books about our new town, new state.  The whole family would get involved looking up all the information she could find about our new town.  Then when we got to move into our new home we were all involved in putting our things in place.  It was exciting and fun because she made it that way.
When I had my own family, we moved often as well.  Always something to look forward to and because of my Mother, the decision to like our new home, new town, new state, new friends, was already in our hearts because of my Mother.  Deciding where to put things and where to hang things, it's all good.  I'll be busy and I love it!!!

Happy planning and shopping for the big days ahead.

Blessings as you go..... Judy, the packing widow!

It's All About Jesus

Hi all,

Another busy day that was suppose to be full of nothing scheduled.  It soon was full of things and people to do and see.  Never the less, a good, productive day!

This Christmas is already much happier and lighter than the last one.  The answer is to focus on the reason for the season.  I haven't always done that.  In the past (10 years), I've focused more on myself and the songs about missing you at Christmas and I'll be home for Christmas, and many other songs that talk about being lonely.  Some of the songs are ones I listened to when my husband was in Viet Nam so that's what they remind me of when I hear them every year.  As these years have gone by, less and less I have spent time listening or remembering.

This year is a year of refreshment for me.  Remembering good things and forgetting the sadness.  Focusing on Jesus instead of myself and being sad...I expected myself to be sad so I was.  I've decided not to treat myself that way this year.  I've decided to change my behavior and thinking.  To enjoy the lights of the season, the colors and sparkles everywhere.  Even the cold weather is reminiscent of Christmas in the snow when I was young and when my family was young.  How very much laughter and red noses, and seeing our breath going before us.

The celebrations of the birth of Jesus, singing carols, parties with friends, gift giving, hot chocolate with marsh mellows, ice skating, snowmen, all in celebration of the birth of the Christ Child.  This is a good Christmas.  I'm so thankful for my Savior and so glad to celebrate His birthday this year.

Merry Christmas all.   Blessings, Judy             And, enjoy these days of this season, focus on Him.

I Just Don't Know What Happened!

Good Evening Readers,

I thought I had retired!  I thought that meant that one didn't have a lot to do so I could maybe watch TV during the day, snooze during the day in the recliner or on the couch, do a little bit of chores around the place, read, maybe do a hobby, and that's a day in retirement mode.  I just don't know what happened to that whole concept.  It sure isn't working out for me.  NOT this gal!!!

I've just been busy doing all day long.  And now it's nearly time to hit the sack and there's still more to do if it weren't bed time.  I could stay up and do that stuff but then I might mess up my sleep schedule and they say that seniors should keep a regular bed time and wake up time.  I do try to do that very thing so I must then, keep the bed time.

The thing is, I still have stuff I could be doing and it's not suppose to be that way.  Guess I'll do that stuff tomorrow.  Oh, guess I'll tell you what the stuff is that I could be doing.  I've been crafting Christmas gifts and I need to get those things wrapped and the mess cleaned up so that tomorrow I can start on some more gifts.

I know I sound like I'm whining but really, I love it.  I love that I've been busy most of the day, got some things accomplished and I'm tired and will be able to fall asleep quickly.  Even visited with a neighbor, so was a bit social too.  So, as for retirement, well I think this is it since this is what I do.  I just don't know how that happened!

I'll be back....goodnight and God Bless!     Judy, Senior, Widow, Single, Sleepy!

Ladies Only

Goodmorning all,

This is about some things I've changed in the way I take care of myself since becoming alone and senior.  That's why this post is for ladies only.  Men can read it but probably don't care about it because it's all about make-up and stuff like that.

Some of the changes I've made is because of finances being limited as well as opportunity to research, which I just hadn't thought of because at the time there wasn't a need to pay less for things.  So, here's what I've changed about my daily routine and what products I'm now using.

For facial cleaning it's Unrefined Coconut Oil, and for an astringent it's Witchazel with Lavender.
For deodorant it's a small amount of Unrefined Coconut Oil because aging changes that area.
For tooth brushing it's a recipe for toothpaste using Unrefined Coconut Oil and Peppermint EO.
For oil pulling (google can tell you what this is)
For hair dry conditioning it's a very small amount of Unrefined Coconut Oil.  Brings shine as well as     vitamins, antioxidants phenol compounds.
For some cooking, although I'm not as good about that but it does enhance the workings of      metabolism which aids in weight loss among other things.
For whole body moisturizing.
For nail cuticles
For hand and body moisturizing.  Pintrest is loaded with recipes for all things coconut oil.

Let me just explain just a bit why I picked coconut oil instead of cheap creams etc from my fave department store.  Coconut oil is cheaper right off the bat than buying all the different items that fill the above needs.  Plus, it's actually truly good and clear of chemicals.  What's in it is straight from the coconut, unrefined.  All natural and it performs like no other.  I challenge you to read labels just for fun and see how many products use coconut oil as part of the ingredients, along with chemicals you can't pronounce.  And...I'm noticing a difference in my skin, a good difference.

Obviously I'm not a doctor or scientist of anything so what I know is from actual use.  If you want to know about that kind of knowledge you will have to google it :).   I've googled most and also used Pintrest and articles from misc. publications.

The fragrance is a different strength depending on the brand.  Mostly faint and not overwhelming so that you can wear your favorite perfumes.

I google almost everything. :)   How's that for a post.  All for this time.  Try it all, I think you will be surprised at how much you like it.

Later gator,     Blessings, Judy          BTW, I still haven't figured out how to downsize my photo.