Here we are in November! Hope this finds you all well and safe. It will be another nice day here. We started out with a very cold and frosty week for sure. We even had flurries on Halloween. Now the tide is turning again, and the weather is warming. YAY! It started warming a bit by Thursday and should last most of this week. It is a definite make hay while the sun shines around here.
I have tried, and I did a bit much on Friday and well my back let me know. It was hurting Friday - but Saturday I was going about my business, and just 'moved' and oh my. I haven't had such pain in years. I had a hard time walking, and I about got sick at my stomach. The pain was horrible. The spasms were severe! Tried pain ointment, wraps, laying, anti-inflammatory meds, heat, and finally remembered the massager. Years ago, Glen bought a professional massager like the chiropractor had. It has helped much!!!! I still hurt a little this morning, but nothing at all like it was. I think another day of rest - then I should be back to about normal.
My trick for me - is leave the wall clock in bedroom the same - so when I wake and look at it, I feel normal. It is actually an hour earlier on all the other clocks - but this keeps me sane for a couple weeks.
I hope you are all well and that your families are well. Those that have been having troubles - please check in and let us know what is going all. We all worry about each other.
This is an election week as well - for many, many areas. I hope everyone takes the time to vote.
Gosh, I saw more robins this week! Amazes me, as they are never here this long. (good sign???)
I had a HUGE limb come down finally. It had been hung up in the tree since our big wind storm this summer. Luckily it hit nothing or no one - it would have been very damaging!
The winds are just nuts lately!!!!!
I had some pretty serious family issues happen this week with a couple family members - thankfully all is well now. So very thankful for that!
This week:
- Worked on deep cleaning some more
- Plugged in the water bowls outdoors for several days, so they wouldn't freeze. They got all scrubbed as well
- I was gifted 6 gourmet cookies from my gr. niece from her new cookie company. YUM. They sure aren't cheap - but they are yummy.
- I did go out and fill my tank before losing my points at the end of the month. Because of shopping on certain days and getting bonus points - I saved $1 a gallon!
- I received my new monthly coupons from Kroger
- My niece brought up her tote of baby clothes that she wants me to use in a throw/blanket for her. Once Christmas is done, I will start on that.
- I got 2 smallish boxes of donations ready to go out
- Some stuff from the garage out to the curb for the taking
- Froze 3 containers of leftover soup
- Still eating garden tomatoes
- I did go out and got some grocery items for gift baskets. Things were on sale, and I know they are well liked. NO groceries for me - just gift items.
- I mowed entire yard, mulched leaves, raked and bagged other leaves (those will be used later).
- Got one rain barrel emptied and put away (this is what got my back!). One more to go.
- Actually got to turn off any heat and aired house for 2 days
- Just doing all the normal stuff
My meals this past week:
Country gravy over toast and bacon
Chili Mac (chili from freezer)
Mashed pots w/leftover gravy and chicken strips, sliced toms
Loaded potato cakes and salad
Broccoli cheese soup (homemade)
Broccoli/beef/gravy over rice with sliced toms
Broccoli cheese soup
SNACKS: fruit, toast/jelly, cheese slices and crackers, cookies
So that was my week! Busy, but all turned out well. How was your week? Did you get any great deals or Christmas done? Did you decorate at all? Not that it is a clear pic, but my neighbor across the street put up her outdoor decorations on Nov.1. I guess w/kids, you may start early!
I wish you all a good week.
Blessings to you and yours from my humble little home.
**************************
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Psalms 32:8
Dear Lord, thank You for all our many blessings. Please help us to listen and follow Your loving and wise counsel. We pray for peace and love for all humanity. We pray for the end of hate, lust and war. May all people follow Your teachings and come together in love. Amen
I am glad your back is better today. My hips and back are bothering me this morning, probably because a change in the weather is coming. You got lots done for the week.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I guess age is creeping its ugly head in my life!!!! LOL I hate it when that happens! It will be fine.
DeleteHave a wonderful week.
Cheryl, you don't have to be old to throw your back out! Glad you're feeling better.
DeleteMaryB
Mary - no - but being older doesn't help either!!!! I haven't done this in ages - so I guess I will say I just over did it!!!!!!! LOL
DeleteI am so sorry about your back! That is miserable! I am so glad you are on the mend. Both the weather and the time is crazy. I guess we will all get through it once again whether we want to or not!
ReplyDeleteWhat has happened to Linda @ More Parsimony?
I pulled up her blog and she posted on October 8. Seemed to be just fine.
DeleteShe's been having computer problems. Her laptop was fried. She's okay, though, and has posted in comments. --Elise
DeleteP.S. You've been on my mind and in my prayers, Lana.
DeleteLana she is commenting here as 'Linda' - her name. She had a problem with computer and got locked out of her blog somehow!
DeleteHope all is well on your front. You both take care.
Have a good week.
Linda is back at her old blog:
Deletehttps://practical-parsimony.blogspot.com/
SUE - thanks - I changed the site on my sidebar!!!!!!!
DeleteOh, Cheryl, take care of that back. Isn't it annoying how simple movement can set it off. Re: emptying rain barrels - I use a small electric submersible pump connected to a hose. Saves lifting full pails or tipping a barrel. I think it might save your back. I committed to a NOvember. So far, so good. Staying in my pjs 'til I feel otherwise. That doesn't mean I don't get stuff done around the house. The wood is finally stacked & covered. Big accomplishment. My SIL fell a year ago & suffered a brain bleed. She's fallen again & suffered a fractured hip. She'll have surgery tomorrow. It's hunting season with lots of traffic on my rural road. I was up way too early with the time change but I've made surprise spread, prepped for fried rice, tidied the fridge. In the kitchen: pork chops with onions/peppers, potato lentil soup, choc chip cookies, dressed cauliflower. I've thought about Christmas & even capitalized on a few sales for outerwear, sleepwear for my family. Later today, a friend will join me at a craft sale. Wishes for a good week to all.
ReplyDeletePrayers for your SIL for a successful surgery.
Delete--Frances
Yeah, when your back hurts - it make life not fun! I need to get one of those pumps. Smart.
DeleteGood for you on the NOvember!!!! Take care of you and do what you want. Hope all goes well for you SIL.
That is one nice thing about getting up earlier - I will get a lot more done! You got a lot done! And it sounds yummy!
Have fun at the craft sale.
Have a lovely week.
Oh Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteI feel ya....I threw my back out one time when I sneezed. It was probably the worst it has ever felt. I have a massage mat and it is what got me thru the pain. My comfrey salve helps so much and I use it quite often. It is a gift from Nature.
I don't like the time change either but I hate the one in Spring, I feel discombobulated for a month.
Getting a lot done outside in this weather, yesterday was such a blessing. I have been able to get the leaves away from the parking area and the house with my electric blower while waiting on the big leaf removal later this month.
Made 8 half pints of HOT pepper jelly with the last of the jalapenos from my garden and some from an office mate of DD.
Processed 3 large pumpkins from DD's office Halloween display made a bit over 20 cups. I scrubbed the outside of the pumpkins really well because they were beside the street. I have to assume that vehicle exhaust was all over them.
Meals this week were whatever I could find in the fridge, 2 times it was cottage cheese with fresh pineapple and raspberries. I can't drink milk but I can eat cottage cheese.
Have a great upcoming week.
JC
Ouch - a sneeze!
DeleteI don't mind the spring one - as it get me more light in the evening.
You have been busy!!!! Goodness, you got a lot done. The jalapeno jelly sounds tasty! That and cream cheese on crackers - yum.
Have a great week.
Excellent devotional! We definitely need the Father's counsel.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your back. That can sure slow you down. You have enough common sense (a rarity with folks these days!) to take it easy until you are healed. Changes in the barometer cause problems with my overall wellbeing.
We are enjoying these warm days. I think the Farmer is going to mow up and collect the leaves from the front yard. He uses them on the gardens and around plants that need a blanket for winter. There are a ton of things I could do outside but I'll work inside today to get caught up. Or do we ever get caught up?
Going to have stir fry for lunch. We bought some small chicken egg rolls from Costco so that will go with the meal. The freezers don't allow for any freezing of leftovers.
BTW, I am with you on the time change.
Donna, I'm convinced we never actually catch up. It's like laundry... as soon as it's all clean and put away, there's more.
Delete--Elise
Yes, I will rest and take care until I am better. Wouldn't get much done the way it felt!!! The leaves I bagged will go out on the garden when it is totally cleared out. I still have a maple tree to fall yet. So there will be plenty.
DeleteGood day to stay in and do whatever. Caught up? Never happens!!!!! Stir fry sounds good.
Have a lovely week.
So sorry about your back, Cheryl. Is there an easier way to drain the remaining rain barrel? Glad you found G's massager. And it sounds like you accomplished a lot before your back went out. As always, your meals sound delicious. And as always, thank you for the verse and prayer today.
ReplyDeleteMy week started badly--I was sick and in bed a few days--but ended on a GOOD note. Shocked the staff when I walked in wearing the walking boot (with a cane). No pain walking in *it*, but hurt when I had to take it off and walk/stand for x-rays. Healing is excellent. Bone will eventually form over all the metal in my foot. I'll be in the boot a few more weeks + physical therapy. Recheck Dec. 15th. It was an excellent day out with everyone everywhere so friendly and just good to get out of the house.
Once I could eat, our meals were simple and healthy; last night was ham (from the freezer), broccoli and biscuits. Minimal groceries bought--just sale/coupon items needed. OTOH I've let my fingers do the shopping with the great sales/clearance + coupon codes + rewards "cash" that happens before Black Friday. Learned years ago the best sales are earlier. Most of the Christmas shopping is done, then, some of it FREE. While out Friday, bought 2 huge cans of yams, sandwich bags and a 2024 calendar (split into to purchases) to get 2 FREE wall clocks at Big Lots.
Hubs made a trunk-full donation drop of clothes (we've both been loosing weight). We went through the linen closet when replacing old towels (now in the shed) and now have another donation stack started. We'll start wrapping gifts soon with wrapping supplies leftover from last year. Oh... and Poppy is in her 1st heat, so we'll schedule her spay for December. She's a big girl now, a little bigger than Blue. Both are healthy, strong and loving.
Continuing prayers for everyone. Blessings for the coming week to all.
--Elise
Thanks - I did get a lot done UNTIL! Glad your appointment went well and you are healing nicely. That is wonderful.
DeleteGood going on the purchases and the clocks! I am going to go through clothes this week - just way too many hanging that haven't been worn in forever.
Think about animals shelters if donating towels! They love them.
Have a great week.
We'll look into that (animal shelter), Cheryl. We always buy thick, beefy towels, and although these are 20+ years old and kind of faded, they're in solidly good shape. Buying new towels (on sale + coupon code + free shipping) in beige for our house here (bathrooms are gray and beige) gave me enough store cash to get 2 mens' sweatshirts, 2 mens' reflective knit hats, 1 pair of men's gloves, 2 throw blankets and a cookbook as Christmas gifts (Pre-Black Friday pricing + coupon code) for free. Hubs will give me a nice, Sieko solar watch for my Dec. 62nd b'day (closeout pricing + coupon code + double rewards + free shipping) and that provided many more free gifts in another order. It's a skill I honed over the years; our sons call me "The Queen of the Bargain."
DeleteOnce upon a time I'd have sold the too big clothing items on ebay, but it's easier for me now to just donate them. If you (or others) have stuff in good to like new condition, you might consider Poshmark or Thred Up. My niece/Goddaughter does that and swears by it. --Elise
Elise, how fine that your foot is doing so well! Still take care, be mindful not to overdo.
DeleteGreat job on the bargains!
MaryB
You got some nice deals. I don't have the energy to sell stuff any more - and I sure don't have the know how on doing any of the computer stuff. I will donate and bless others.
DeleteYes, Poshmark and ThredUp are phone apps, which I tend to avoid. And ebay takes up a lot of time. BUT... if there's someone reading who has clothing and/or accessories collecting dust--and know how/can learn how to do it--that could be a little extra $$ at the holidays. Which is why I shared the info. --Elise
DeleteElise, my eldest son’s girlfriend works at a veterinary clinic and they always accept blanket and towel donations.
DeleteGlad to hear you are walking the road to recovery. I expect to hear you will be training for a marathon next. Louise
I'm sorry you injured your back. Time for daily back care (Nurse's orders). Especially 2, 4 and 10 but do all if you are able. Yes, every morning. Hub hurt his back about 15y ago. I took him to my favorite Neurosurgeon who said he would do surgery but recommended waiting 6 months to see if he felt well enough to NOT do surgery. Hub swears by these stretches and if he skips 3 days he feels that achy pain again.
ReplyDeleteWe forget to stretch and care for our bodies as we age. Why oh why do we outgrow toddler brilliance!???
Happy Sunday ya'll.
Stretching guide here:
https://www.aetnainternational.com/content/dam/aetna/pdfs/aetna-international/Explorer/12-easy-exercises-for-lower-back-pain.pdf
Thanks - I will check it out. I was thinking about that this morning, I need to do stretches again. Yes, age takes a toll on these bodies of ours! UGH! Hate to admit it.
DeleteHave a lovely week.
Hope your back is feeling better soon. I've suffered back spasms, and they're no fun!
ReplyDeleteELISE, I was glad to read that your ankle is healing well.
Our weather is to be around 60F for a few days. Walked 2.5 mi. on the trail yesterday. Pulled the annuals that I didn't leave for the birds and raked leaves Friday. Mulched the flowerbed and covered the strawberry and vegetable beds for the winter. Will work in the leaves in Spring.
Cleared out my food storage of things that I won't eat now that I'm not cooking for Husband and reduced the quantities of what I do eat to more reasonable levels. I donated everything to the trailer park's food drive for the local food pantry. For now I'm eating a lot of convenience foods, basically anything my stomach will tolerate, but will get back to more frugal ways in the future.
HUSBAND UPDATE:
Monday night, Husband was admitted to the Trauma ICU at a large hospital in the city. His injuries from the falls last Sunday were more serious than first thought. He suffered 5 broken ribs and a cracked vertebra in his lower back near the base of the spine. None of these required surgery. He was also diagnosed with a serious UTI.
Although he was initially responding to treatment and respiratory therapy, Wed. evening the doctor found a large amount of fluid around his left lung and installed a chest tube. The fluid turned out to be blood. He was given a unit of blood and responded well.
My neighbor took me to see him on Thursday. (My anxiety won't let me drive in the city or in claustrophobic parking garages.) Husband had good color but was obviously very weak and tired. The UTI (a drug-resistant bacteria) had spread and was not responding to the antibiotic. They were hoping to trf him out of the ICU to a step-down bed the next day and release him Monday.
As of noontime yesterday, he was still in ICU with the chest tube and on oxygen. They were going to try adding yet another antibiotic for the UTI and had inserted a new catheter. They had him sitting in a chair and he was eating well (he does like his food!) No estimated discharge date.
As you can imagine, this has been a nightmare week for me. I'm trying very hard to physically take care of myself: eating right, taking walks, taking naps. Emotionally I'm being comforted by prayer and the incredible support of so many people praying for us and by my neighbor and nightly calls with my mother. I try to stay busy to keep the anxiety at bay.
--Frances
BIG (((Hug))) to you, Frances. This has been so difficult for so long now and I imagine you're getting wrung out. So very glad you have people to count on. You and your husband are in my prayers every day. Eat whatever you can and take care of YOU. Sounds like you are. --Elise
DeleteFrances, saying prayers for you and your husband.
DeleteGlad to hear from you. You do what works for you right now - frugal can come again later.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about all the problems he is going through right now. Dang it, that just makes me sad for both of you. It sounds like they are keeping a close eye on him and trying to help him heal. Glad he was up and eating and sitting in a chair. That is a positive!!!!!
Keeping busy will help you a lot. Active minds can just work for us! You take care and know that you are both still in my prayers daily. Gosh, I wish I could come and help you!!
Try to have a good week.
Prayers for you and your hubs, Frances. It must be terribly worrisome and it is out of your control. Pray, rest, take care of yourself. The whole thing is In the Lap of the Lord.
DeleteMaryB
Frances, healing sparkles headed your way for your husband and also for you. When my husband was in ICU and after he passed, the stress was huge. I ended up writing down when I ate, drank, or slept just to make sure I was doing some of all of that. So I am happy you are paying attention to yourself. I wish you peace and calm at this time, and the strength to see it through. All the best, Hilogene in Az.
DeleteMy neighbor took me to see Husband this afternoon. He seems to be getting worse, with fluid around both lungs and a cough. He barely ate any lunch (except the chocolate chip cookies, his favorite!), and that is not like him. He was complaining of pain and the nurse gave him a pain pill right before we left and was going to get him back into bed. I am grateful I got to see him, and he was very happy to see me.
Delete--Frances
Thank you everyone for the prayers and well wishes.
Delete--Frances
Frances, prayers he gets to feeling better. Sounds like pneumonia may be setting in. I sure hope not. My heart sure does ache for you. I am sorry he has to suffer through this awful illness, and I am sorry you are going through so much. Hold tight your love, hope and prayers. Blessings to you both.
DeleteFrances, I have been praying and will continue to pray. I can understand how you feel not being able to drive in those places. God be with you and your husband.
DeleteFrances, one thing you may want to be careful with sugar, sugar does reduce our immunity by a huge margin (I learned in a lecture by Dr. Nancy Appleton). She suggested we do not go over 3 grams of sugar, anything over that throws our bodies out of homeostasis, the ability to heal itself. I'm not trying to go over boundaries but I would feel bad not saying anything in this case.
I'm praying, Frances. Gentle ((((hugs)))) coming your way...Healing in Jesus name.
Also, Frances. Any dairy with regular cow's milk also increases mucus in the body. I hope this helps in some way.
DeleteI do hope your back is better this morning. It's never a good thing when our backs give us grief. A massager sounds like a great item to have on hand.
ReplyDeleteYou'll laugh, I'm sure, but I had to look up country gravy. I've never eaten it - brown gravy is the norm for me.
It is some better. Slow and steady.
DeleteI think it is an American thing. I know a lot of other places have no idea what country gravy is. It really is tasty. May not look it - but it is! So no, I understand.
Hope your move goes well this week!!!!
Have a good week. Don't over do it.
Praying for the smoothest move possible for you and your son, Maebeme. Hang in there! --Elise
DeleteP.S. Country gravy over buttermilk biscuits is the BEST.
Discombobulated. Love that word! And may describe my week even though Arizona doesn't do Daylight Savings Time. Apparently we have enough daylight here. I've been tempted to stay in my pjs until I feel otherwise, but alas no. Mr Chez is up and ready to go for his daily walk. Yes, the animals love their routines. We saw 15 deer on yesterdays walk, none today.
ReplyDeleteOn the medical front, we are in the frustrating place of waiting waiting, waiting for one person or another to call us about medical appointments. Fill out 50 forms on both sides.
Great news Elise. And happy for you that you no longer need the walker.
I suggest keeping the old towels for dog beds or baths. + Wipe down furry friends after rain and snow adventures.
Ellie
Central Az
I am glad your time doesn't change - sure wish we could stick with something.
DeleteWow, 15 deer - that has to be amazing.
What a mess - I think of the old saying "hurry up and wait". Dang, I wish they would just get it together so you both have answer and a plan. Hugs - and many prayers.
Take care and keep us informed.
Have a good week.
Ellie, Hubs wants to hang onto the towels (or at least some of them) for that purpose. Want to hear something funny? I bought 2 sets of new *before* our move and just found them. Ordered 2 more sets of new. Every 20-25 years a person really ought to, I suppose. ;-)
DeletePraying for your husband, too. Daily. Hope things get moving steadily soon, and I'm praying he's one out of ten.
--Elise
I think your suddenly "remembering" that massager was a little loving nudge from Glenn. :^) :^)
ReplyDeletePrayers for your continued recovery! And prayers for all your readers in need.
Sue, I kind of thought the same thing. I was laying on the bed just about in tears - and boom it was in my head. I literally hadn't thought about it in a few years!
DeleteThanks I am doing better today - just taking it easy.
Have a lovely week.
Wow, you saved $1 per gallon on gas, that is amazing! I love it! I'm glad the tree limb finally came down with out hitting anything on the way down. I'm sorry you hurt your back, but glad it feels better already and hope it heals quickly. Bailey is gone to the free Trade Day today and took a full bag of stuff with her to donate. I love giving to others items we no longer need. I hope you have a terrific week, Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteYES, that was a first for me!!!! Never had I had that kind of savings. I just hit enough double point days, extra points for this and that - that it added up!
DeleteThanks, I will be OK.
How cool on the Trade Day - that is really neat. I wish more places did things like that.
have a great week.
Hi Cheryl, Oh my goodness, boy can I sympathize with a hurt back! I'm so sorry that that happened. That is great you got the memo from God to use that massager...Maybe Glen too, not quite sure how those things work but I know there are a great cloud of witnesses and have heard many widows having dreams and everything else of answers from their husbands, and of course God allows that. : )
ReplyDeleteOne thing I used that helped me was Move Free Advanced, the red bottle with the small green label that says "Supports 5 signs of Joint Health". The other thing was sublinguel B12 2500 mg. twice a day. That worked wonderfully, a friend's nutritionist told him to do that and it got him out of bed. My husband just purchased an inverter from Academy store and it helped him hugely. I got on it for just 30 seconds and it helped relieve my back pain a few months ago. ...Those are just ideas that have worked for us, and yes, that massager is a great idea. So smart to get the same kind the chiropractor had!
I'm very happy to see Christmas lights! Yes, yes, yes. I need it! The other day at the Greek restaurant, they had a blue lit wreath on the door and blue light garland all around the inside. Yes ma'am, loved it.
I actually like this time change, it's the daylight savings time I can't stand hahaha....I don't know why they ever messed with things!
Hope you are feeling better soon! And is that the neighbor who lost her husband who put up the precious Christmas decor? If so, I bet her children love that. God bless them.
~Amelia
Thanks - I do believe we are nudged about many things. Not sure exactly who - but we are nudged. I am feeling better by the hour. Thank you.
DeleteI am seeing lots of Christmas commercials now - and noticed yesterday more neighbors put up lights. It was a warm day - so they took advantage.
I am not sure why we have to mess with the clock - it just doesn't seem to have the reasoning today it did in the past.
Yes, it is the family that lost husband/daddy. The kids seem to enjoy it. They are just so sweet.
Have a great week
I am still unpacking in my new house. i have had to replace some things that i didn't have through the move and ordered some from Amazon and Walmart. Just a word to the wise, start your Christmas shopping now. I have had quite a few problems getting the products I needed and they aren't even for Christmas. I fear the closer it gets to Christmas, the more problems they are going to have.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, just unpacking and PURGING, again!
How exciting Barbara on the new house. Congrats. The job of unpacking and putting away is more daunting IMO than packing! What a job you have.
DeleteGreat tip on shopping now. I don't order much online, but even at the stores - things will go fast. Now is the time.
Happy purging and setting up the new place.
Have a great week.
My bad knee is sending your bad back sympathy. Take care, Louise
ReplyDeletePlease Read.You have a great post here, Have anyone here know Goji Berries... yes... I tried those too.For my health conditions, Those sweet, red berries seemed to help, but only during the time when I consumed them. I don't want to take a drug for the rest of my life, so why would I want to take a natural supplement everyday for the rest of my life (although Goji berries are very tasty and are highly nourishing). To me this was not a cure either (and I'm LOOKING for the CURE).
ReplyDeleteUp to that point, I hadn't found a cure. I felt like a young jumbled mess. I continued to have extreme pain, but continued on my path to healing. I started to focus on myself and not everyone else. When I was a young adult, I took on too much responsibility out of a sense of obligation. This was no longer healthy for me, so I resigned from all my projects and groups. Those days to come were the best [and worst] days. I took a lot of time off work, yet begun to feel so extremely exhausted. Many health professionals "diagnosed" me with adrenal fatigue & Hiv,Prostate Cancer so my situation was annoying then I keep searching for permanent cure online that's when I came to know of Dr jekawo herbal doctor hands whom god has blessed with ancestral powers and a gift to heal people with disease like .Cancers,Alzheimer's disease,HPV,Men & Women Infertility,Melanoma, Mesothelioma, Diabetes, Multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease,Neuroendocrine tumors,Herpes, Hiv/Aids,Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,, chronic diarrhea, COPD, Hepatitis... So I made a purchase of his herbal medicines and I have been watching my health for 6 years now and I actually confirmed that his herbal medicines are a permanent cure and I'm so happy that I came to know of his herbal healings.You can contact Dr Jekawo herbal doctor Email: drjekawo@gmail.com if you went through exactly what I go through in terms of health conditions because to be honest there is more to learn about natural herbs than medical drugs.