Starry night on the prairie

A friend came over yesterday afternoon and taught me a work-out routine.  I am a tad sore today but not bad.  It was easier than I expected it to be.  I will do the routine three times a week.  Once I get it down my trainer will come back and make sure I am doing it correctly and teach me some different ones to do.

I have never been able to stick to an exercise plan.  I realized I need to treat it like I do flour and sugar.  For today, I choose not to eat food that contains flour or sugar.  Maybe tomorrow I will choose to eat it.  So for today, I choose to work-out.  Tomorrow I may choose not to.  Thinking about working out the rest of my life is too overwhelming and depressing.  One day at a time!

I watched the full moon rise.  It came up before the sun set so wasn’t a great moon rise.  As the sky got darker the moon got brighter and more beautiful.  Unfortunately clouds rolled in during the eclipse so I didn’t get to see the blood-red moon.  When I got up during the night the living room was very bright as the full moon light was reflecting off the snow on the ground.  My Match guy went out and watched the eclipse and called me and gave me a minute by minute description of what he could see.

This morning I went into Emporia and picked up a few groceries.  I didn’t do any other errands while I was in town.  I need to go to the bank but they were closed today.  I have my laundry done and am starting on doing some housework.  With all the mud outside my house has gotten tracked up and dirty.  I still need to get the two guest beds put back together.  I seem to be moving slowly these days.

The snow is gradually melting off the prairie today.  It is only 35 but there is a brisk wind.  I’m glad I need to carry a bucket of feed down with me when I go to the chicken coop so I don’t blow over.

I had to change a light bulb in the living room last night.  I have trouble with the extension pole.  It twists to keep it extended.  The top part of it came undone and was stuck to the light bulb in the ceiling.  Luckily it had a long string on it so the suction cup would let loose.  I couldn’t get it back into the bottom of the extension pole.  I got a suitcase to put on top of my short step-ladder and that was enough height that I could use just the top part of the extension pole and reach the light bulb.  I was able to successfully change the light bulb.  I am always ridiculously proud of myself when I figure something like that out and it works.

My Match guy sends me a letter everyday and I always send him one.  For some reason the letter I got from him this morning triggered something in me.  I can’t quite put my finger on what it was and why I got triggered.  I have finally learned when someone says something that triggers me it is a clue to myself to look within and find the range that has a tension point in it and expand the range.  I’ll have to sit with this one a bit more to discover what that range is.  I love learning new things about myself.

Still in my peaceful valley today although I feel like I am at the edge of it and occasionally step out of the peace.  So far I have been able to tip myself back into it.  I didn’t have a big reaction to the full moon this month which is a bit unusual for me.  I did have a crying jag last Thursday so maybe that released the emotion I had been holding and had little to come up during the full moon period.

Grateful my first day of exercise is done and it was easy, grateful I was abl to change a light bulb, and grateful for an opportunity to learn yet another range I need to bust open within.

I passed the two tax preparation class tests I needed to take.  One I had studied for and the other I couldn’t find the material to study but had a copy of the test.  The answers seemed pretty common sense so I decided to try it.  You get two tries before you are kicked out of class and only need 80% correct.  I missed one out of 10.  Trusting the tests we take during class this week will be that easy.

It is a beautiful winter day on the prairie today.  The moon was so bright last night I didn’t have to turn a light on when I got up to go to the bathroom.  I was awake for a bit before the sun came up and the pre-sunrise colors were amazing.  I fell back asleep before the sun came up.  The moon was close to setting in the west and was wonderful to watch.

I’m excited to see the full wolf moon rise tonight and then watch the lunar eclipse that will be happening.  Clouds are to roll in sometime this evening so trusting they will stay away from the moon.

After I do chicken chores I need to get after my income tax records and finish them up.  Once I start my volunteer job I won’t have as much free time and I would like to have my taxes done before I start that job February 4.

It was like an ice skating rink walking down to do chicken chores yesterday.  The pen mud had frozen over and was very slick.  Even the snow on the grass was slick.  I walked very slowly and carefully and managed not to fall.  It looks like things are melting a bit today so the trip down and back may be easier today.  I had to chip ice away from the door to get it opened yesterday.  They will need water today so am trusting I can get it down there safely and then not spill it all over when I fill their container.  I have been known to do that.

Tuesday I go to the foot doctor in Wichita.  It is to snow Tuesday late afternoon.  Hope I get down and back without weather issues.  I have tax prep class in Emporia that night.  I hate driving in snowing, ice or rain.

I need to go to town and go to the grocery store.  I’m waiting to see if I need to babysit Ellexia tonight if Michelle gets called into work.  I may wait until tomorrow to go if I don’t babysit as the roads will be clear by then.  I haven’t checked my driveway to see if I can get out.  Thinking I can as the snow really didn’t pile up too deep close to the house.

Still sitting in my peaceful valley today.  I feel refilled and balanced today.  I love when that happens and wish I knew how to make it happen.  Stopping and resting and allowing myself to be seems to help me find that space again.  Life seems to be in perspective for me today.  I can stay fully present in this moment and the worry about the future seems to have receded.

Grateful for the beautiful moon last night that lit my house, grateful for passing my two tests, and grateful for the peaceful valley I find myself in today.

Happy birthday to my grandson Tagen.  He turns 13 today.  He has grown into a sensitive, gentle young man who I am very proud of.  Love my little buddy!

It has been a lazy day so far for me.  I’m still a bit tired and unmotivated to do anything.  Guess it is a good thing I don’t have anything I have to get done.  I need some groceries but am not going to get out in this cold wind.  Trying to work up the courage to walk down and feed the chickens.

Roxy was scratching at the door so I went to see what she needed.  She was coated in ice so I let her come in for a bit.  She has been sleeping in front of the fireplace for over an hour now.  Her coat is nice and dry and warm now.  The other two dogs are hiding out under the heat lamp in the garage.  I closed the garage door so the garage will stay a bit warmer for them.  The cats looked outside and turned right around and jumped up to their warm spot above the washing machine.  I haven’t seen the chickens out in the pen yet today.  It is too cold for beast or man out today.

I keep telling myself if I go down and take care of the chickens I then can take a short nap.  So far even that carrot dangling in front of me hasn’t gotten me out of my chair.  I did manage to eat breakfast and lunch but that is all I have done today.

The prairie must have gotten about two inches of snow.  It is hard to tell as the wind has been gusting to 40 MPH or more and has blown the snow around.  I still had a bit of snow left from the last snow storm.  The sun has come out this afternoon so maybe that will help me find some energy.

I’m excited for the full wolf super moon Sunday evening.  There will be a lunar eclipse that night too.  So far the weather forecast is showing clear skies.  If anyone wants to come out and watch it with me holler.  I will be around and would love to have company to share it with.

Sitting in my peaceful but sleepy valley this afternoon.  Life on the prairie always seems extra quiet when I come home from being with someone for a couple of days. I love the quiet of the prairie but also love being with someone.  Wish I knew how to be in two places at the same time.  I do feel my soul being refilled and balanced as I sit in the sunshine in my chair this afternoon.  Maybe that is all that I can get done today.  Maybe that is enough!

Grateful for the sunshine this afternoon, grateful for my grandson, and grateful for a day of rest and recharging.

Home again after being with my Match guy since Monday evening.  We had a grand time.  We took several hikes, went to see a huge herd of bison, saw a bunch of deer, went to a concert, made a jigsaw puzzle, and enjoyed each other’s company.  It was hard to say goodbye and come home this morning.

He continues to impress me with his compassion and awareness of my feelings.  I had a moment last night and he handled it beautifully.

I stopped at Costco in Wichita to pick up two things.  The road construction in that area is terrible.  Ended up taking 21st Street North to get to a different Turnpike entrance as Kellogg is hard to get to.

I hit light mist and fog just north of El Dorado.  It has been lightly raining ever since I got home around 2:30.  The forecast shows it will turn to snow sometime this evening although accumulation is not predicted to be more than an inch or two.  The chicken coop is a muddy mess.  Most of the snow has melted and there is water standing in much of the yard.  It should all freeze up tomorrow as temperatures aren’t to get over 20 and will dip to single digits overnight tomorrow night.  Thankfully it is to warm back up Sunday and stay more comfortable next week.  I am not a fan of cold weather.

I have done three loads of laundry and have one more load to wash.  I so appreciate my friend staying in my house while I was gone.  The dogs and cats do better when someone is here all day and evening and not just have someone drop by for ten minutes twice a day.  All the critters seemed happy and content when I got home this afternoon.  One of the chickens had laid a fairy egg.

I am really tired this evening.  Betting it will be an early bath and bedtime for me unless I catch a second wind and find some energy.  I’m glad I have a quiet weekend planned so I can rest and recover.

Tuesday next week I go to my foot surgeon to find out what he says about my bunions.  They flare up and are painful at times.  Even a light blanket over my foot at night hurts.  Sure hoping the doctor recommends something besides surgery but not really counting on it.  Guess I will find out Tuesday.

I have tax preparation class next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.  That will make next week go by quickly.  I still need to take my two tests from this week’s classes that I missed.  I’ll do that either tomorrow or Sunday.  I’m too tired to do it tonight.

Sitting in my peaceful valley this evening.  Contemplating where this relationship with my Match guy is going and how it might unfold.  I am aware of the need to continue to choose each moment and not get ahead of myself by trying to figure out how the future will unfold.  It still feels complicated to look too far ahead which is my warning to stay present and not get caught up in the details of how the future will unfold.

Grateful for my Match guy and the many ways he shows great compassion for me, grateful for my house sitter that allowed me a chance to get away, and grateful for a safe journey to and from OK.

Getting packed and ready to head to OK this afternoon.  My trainer is coming at 1:00 to teach me my first set of exercises.  When she leaves I will do evening chores and head south.  Glad I decided to go today as tomorrow we have a chance for a freezing fog overnight.  Rain and more snow may be coming in later this week so may have to come home a day early – or stay a day or two longer.  I’ll see how it plays out.

Have been doing some housecleaning this morning to get my house ready for the house sitter.  Got the sheets on my bed washed and the bed made up so if she wants to use the master bedroom it is clean and ready for her.  Still have a few more things to take care and I need to finish packing and then I will be ready to go.

I am feeling much better today.  The restlessness from yesterday is gone. I only got one sleep though so am a bit tired.  My first sleep was a good four hours long though.  Just couldn’t get a second sleep last night so I have been up since 3:00 this morning.  May be a long day as I don’t have time to take a nap.

Not sure if I will blog while I am gone or not.  I may have other things to do.  I’ll see how the week unfolds.  We are going to a symphony concert in Oklahoma City Tuesday night.  Thursday we are going to the Osage Prairie which is about 80 miles away to see a herd of over 2,500 buffalo and to take a long hike if the weather permits.   I bet the week goes by pretty quickly.

Didn’t get my tax preparation test taken yesterday.  I was too restless to settle down and get it done.  I have until a week from tomorrow to get it done so will probably wait and do it this coming weekend after I get home.  Thinking I won’t want to spend time while I am gone doing homework.

Glad I was able to climb out of the muck pond I took a quick dip into yesterday.  I hadn’t visited the muck pond for quite a while.  Getting out and playing in the snow helped me walk out of it quicker than I have been able to before.  I’ll take that as a sign of personal progress.

Back into my peaceful, excited valley today.  I am full of anticipation today.  Looking forward to a fun couple of days away.

Grateful for my house sitter that will allow me to get away this week, grateful for clear driving weather today, and grateful to be able to see my Match guy this evening.

It is another cold, cloudy day on the prairie.  High is in the low 30’s.  The wind blew hard for a bit last night but seems to have quieted down this morning.  I went out to do chores and my footprints from yesterday were covered over on my path down to the coop.  There is a layer of ice below the snow.  I walked down my driveway to get my mail.  I can get out if needed today but will probably wait to get out tomorrow.  I’m glad there isn’t a big drift in my driveway that I needed to shovel.

I am having a restless day.  Getting out and doing chores and taking a short walk helped a bit.  I can’t seem to settle on doing anything today.  I feel like a cat on a hot tin roof.  This is my third day of staying in and not seeing anyone.  Maybe I do need to get out today.  Don’t really have anywhere to go except to dump my recycling and that can wait till tomorrow on my way out-of-town.

I need to settle down and get my homework done and take the two tests that I need to take.  One I studied for and am ready to take and the other I still need to read the information.  I am too restless to do so right now.

I quit eating cheese yesterday and my tummy is much better today.  I had been off dairy for almost a year and decided to try some cheese.  Evidently that wasn’t a good idea.  I had eaten some cheese on my trip to CO and NM and had noticed my tummy was loud then too.  The more often I ate cheese the worse it got.  Glad I figured out what was going on.  Wonder if other dairy products will bother me too?  Thinking they will but I am stubborn enough I will probably test it out.  At least if I get the same reaction I will know what is going on quickly.

Made a packing list for tomorrow.  Need to do laundry in the morning so I can get packed.  Hope to be on the road by 4:00.  It is a three-hour drive if I don’t make any stops.  Trusting the roads south of here will be clear and easy driving.

My trainer is coming tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 to teach me my first set of exercises to do.  I didn’t get to town to get my weights so will have to improvise with what ever we can find to use that weights two or five pounds.  I am looking forward to getting started and to see if I can stick to some sort of routine.  I have never stuck with one yet but am going to give it a chance.  I have been on Bright Lines for over 11 months now – the longest I have ever stuck with a dietary change.  If I can do that I can do this – right?

It does help to stick to my goals when I have a solid reason for the change.  I have a belief that processed foods that contain flour and sugar would cause me to have a remission of the thyroid cancer so avoiding them is in my best interest.  I also believe that if I can firm up my body and build muscle strength I will enjoy life more and life will be easier for me.  It will help prevent falls and will strengthen my bones.  That, at least, is my story and I am sticking to it.

I’m excited to see my Match guy tomorrow night.  Time goes so fast when we are together and seems to drag when we are not together.  I bet this week flies by and it will be Friday and time to come home before I want it to be here.

Sitting in my peaceful valley today although it feels a bit more restless than peaceful to me today.  Getting out and moving my body helped burn off some of the restlessness.  I still feel it bubbling up inside though.  I will allow it to be what it is and not make a story up about what is causing it.  It seems to go away faster when I can do that.

Grateful my driveway is driveable without having to shovel, grateful I discovered what was upsetting my tummy, and grateful tomorrow is Monday and I get to see my Match guy.

The prairie got about 5 inches of snow overnight.  There was no wind during the night so all the grass is covered which is unusual.  It is a beautiful winter wonderland outside today.  The wind has picked up this afternoon and is blowing the snow around.  Trusting it won’t cause it to drift my driveway shut.

The board meeting I was to go to at Pioneer Bluffs got postponed.  I’m glad as I now get to stay home all day and not try to get my little car out.  I don’t have any where to go tomorrow either so that will give the roads until Monday to get clear for me.

I went down to take care of the chickens.  There were places the snow was almost up to my knees as I walked down the yard to the coop.  The snow made the overhead fencing sag so I brushed the snow off the fencing.  I got a snow bath in the process.  I have a major repair job that will need to be done to the fence when the weather is better.  The chickens stayed inside today but gave me 8 eggs on this cold and snowy day.  Good girls!

I have been working on putting a jigsaw puzzle together today.  Got my housework done yesterday and didn’t really have anything else to do so I got a puzzle out to make.  I moved the table I am working the puzzle on in front of the fireplace and I have been staying nice and warm.  The snow makes the prairie feel very quiet and peaceful today.  I am enjoying the snow since I get to stay tucked up inside.

The dogs have been staying in the garage most of the day under the heat lamp.  That is a bit unusual for them as they love the cold weather and snow.  Don’t blame them though for staying where it is warm.  The cats wanted out until I opened the door and they saw the snow.  They both turned around and jumped up to their warm shelf they like to sleep on.  Smart cats!

I do need to make a packing list for Monday.  I don’t need to take much as I am only going to be gone for four nights.  Not leaving until late Monday afternoon so still have plenty of time to pack.

Guess I should give some thought to making sure the house is nice and clean for the house sitter.  I will wash my linens Monday morning and make my bed in case she wants to use my bed.  Maybe with the snow the dust will be settled for a bit and the house will stay clean a bit longer.

Nice to have an unexpected free day at home.  I was also going to babysit the grandkids tonight but Tim had to go to KY so they aren’t going to the dinner party they had wanted to go to.  I have had a fairly busy week for me and hadn’t had a full day at home with nothing to do until yesterday.  Now I get three in a row!  If I still baked this would be a good day to bake something.

My tummy has been making the loudest noises lately.  Trying to decide what I am eating that is setting it off.  Thinking it is either cheese or peanut butter.  I added both of those foods to my diet about the same time and am not sure which one is causing my issues.  I left the cheese off my salad today to see what happens.  So far my tummy is acting better.  I wonder if I am lactose intolerant and never knew before.  The cheese I had been eating is the only dairy I eat.  I don’t count eggs as dairy.  I will hold off eating cheese for a week or so and then try it again and see what happens.  May have to do the same thing for the peanut butter.

Sitting in my peaceful valley today.  It has been an extra quiet day on the prairie for me today.  Snow must act like a muffler for outside noises.  It was fun to get out and stomp around in the snow for a bit when I did chores.  My winter overalls came in handy today as I stayed nice and warm outside.

Grateful for the beautiful snow that fell overnight with no wind, grateful for a free day at home, and grateful the power has stayed on and my house is nice and cozy warm.

Went to my first training class to learn how to be a volunteer tax preparer last night. We quickly moved from one site to another so we could use computers.  We got signed on to the training sites and created our personal accounts and passwords.  Played with the site a bit.  Seems pretty intuitive to use.

Found out there are two additional classes next week.  I am going to be gone so will have to make other arrangements.  Luckily those two classes seem pretty simple.  I looked at one of the two tests today and feel really confident I can pass it.  I will be doing homework while I am in OK next week.

The following week we have three classes that teach us the heart of preparing the returns.  I am glad I will be here for those three classes.  Just wish they would have told us about the additional five classes when they told us about the first one.

I told them I would work lots of hours when I am in town as I will be gone some during the two and one-half months we will be preparing returns.  Not sure when I will get my schedule.  I was unclear if they do the schedule a month at a time or a week at a time.  They seem pretty flexible and welcome us to work only when it is convenient.

It was nice seeing my Marine and his wife last night.  Her daughter was also with them so I got to meet her.  We had a good conversation after they got here.  They had planned on staying until tomorrow but had truck troubles and needed to get home by early afternoon.  The weather was also a bit dicey as snow is predicted both in KS and MO for tonight and tomorrow.

I have sheets washing and trash done.  Will get the beds made and the floors and bathrooms cleaned this afternoon.  Don’t have any other guests scheduled at this point until April.  That can always change quickly though and I like to keep the rooms ready just in case someone books.

Today marks eleven months of being on the Bright Lines Eating Plan.  I lost 50 pounds during that time and have completely changed how I eat.  It gets easier everyday to stick to the plan.  My main two bright lines above all else is to avoid any type of flour or sugar.  I do cheat occasionally and eat a snack, although that is rare.  I no longer weigh and measure my food like I did at the beginning.  As long as my weight remains stable I am good to go.  I have set an upper weight limit for myself and if I hit that I have to go back to being much stricter with what and when I eat.  So far I haven’t gotten there.  It has been almost five months since I hit my goal weight and I actually am 9 pounds below that goal today.  I haven’t lost any more weight for over a month now so thinking I have hit my bottom weight.

Someone at the meeting last night that I knew and hadn’t seen since I lost the weight  commented on how thin I am.  That still feels weird when someone says something as I still don’t see myself as thin. I have read that it can take up to two years to change your own self-image after a major weight loss and see yourself as others see you.

I am staying tucked inside today.  The rain makes the prairie feel very quiet today.  The Pioneer Bluffs Board Meeting scheduled for tomorrow may get postponed depending on weather.  Some of the board members live in KC and it may be difficult for them to get there.  We are supposed to get up to five inches of snow overnight.  Snow seems to be hard to predict though so I will believe it when I see it.

I finally slept really good last night.  Got two good sleeps in – each about four hours.  As usual though when I get extra sleep I feel extra tired today.  May take a nap on this cold and wet day.  Perfect napping weather!

Sitting in my peaceful valley today.  Feeling a deep sense of contentment today and feeling all is well.  The rain is giving the earth a winter drink, the house is quiet, the critters are all tucked inside and content, and nothing needs to be done.  Nice to have a day like this.  I’m looking forward to seeing my Match guy Monday evening.

Grateful for the visit from my Marine and his family, grateful for a volunteer opportunity that feels like it will be rewarding and meaningful, and grateful for the rain on the prairie today.

There was a beautiful sunrise this morning.  It was shades of red and gray.  I thought it would be a cloudy day later and I was right.  The wind is picking up and the temperature is starting to drop.  Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow and snow on Saturday.  Guess it is winter time – I was confused for a bit and thought we had jumped right to spring.

Got the storage room cleaned out last night.  I must have brought up six loads of stuff to donate.  My little car was packed full when I took it in to Goodwill this afternoon.  Feels good to have that load of stuff out of the house.  I may find some more stuff now that I can get to it.  When I get the beds out of there I will do some more sorting and tossing.

I was equally loaded coming home as I stopped at Bluestem and got 200 # of chicken feed, 100 # of dog food, and 200 # of water softener salt.  I was riding low coming home.  I also stopped at Wal-Mart and got a few groceries.  Trying to get everything I need so I can be gone most of next week.

I also worked on the furnace room and got it straightened out a bit.  I still have some work to do in that room.  I listed the full twin set and the twin set of mattress and box springs on Facebook.  So far one person may be interested in the full twin set.  It would be nice to get those pieces out of the storage room so I can get to my yarn.

Gave the dogs their HeartGuard and charged their collars today.  The collar that wouldn’t charge two weeks ago charged today.  Not sure what the deal is but am grateful it charged today.  Those collars have worked well up until a month or so ago when two of the three got out of the border and went for a short trip in the pasture across the street.  Never did figure out how that happened.  They have been sticking close the last couple of days.

I have my first meeting to learn what I have volunteered for this evening at 5:30.  It will be one of those days that I make two trips to Emporia in the same day.  I try not to let that happen but decided to get the car unloaded and the critter food home before dark.  Trying to decide if I want to eat dinner before I go or eat when I get home.

My Marine and his wife and her daughter will be here later this evening.  Not sure if I will be home before they get here or not.  It will be so good to see them again.  They are staying until Saturday so we will have all day tomorrow to visit and catch up.

Thought about running to KC tomorrow so I could go to Costco but decided I will be going right by one on my way home next Friday and I can stop then.  No use driving miles when it isn’t absolutely necessary.

Still sitting in my peaceful valley.  It felt good to lift the feed sacks today on to the cart and then out of the car.  I got help getting them off the cart and into the car.  I am looking forward to getting stronger so that job is easy.  Got my first work out in today lifting 500 pounds of stuff.  Yesterday I did six trips up and down the basement stairs.  Guess I am off and running!

Grateful for the beautiful sunrise this morning, grateful for getting the storage room and furnace room straightened out, and grateful for the dog collar working correctly again even though I don’t understand why it started working again.

Went into coffee this morning with other Chase County women.  Had over 15 show up today so it was a big group.  Beautiful to see the women care for each other in big and small ways.  It makes one’s life much richer to have a wonderful support system like these women are for each other.

Have been working on cleaning out my storage closet.  I had cleaned the guest bedrooms around Thanksgiving time and had piled extra stuff in the closet and am just now getting to the pile.  I need to sell a twin sized box springs and mattress and a full twin bed set including frame, box springs and mattress.  Anyone interested let me know.  They are very clean and in like-new condition.  Just need them out of my way.

I have lots of extra bedding for twin beds to get rid of too.  If someone needs twin-sized blankets, bedspreads or mattress covers let me know ASAP.  Otherwise I am taking it all to the Goodwill.  I don’t like not being able to get into that room and need it out of my way.

My Marine and his wife are coming to visit me this week and staying overnight for two nights.  I am excited to see them again.  He still doesn’t know what his work situation is going to be and is still hoping to get assigned to work near by again.

This week is going by fast as I have been busy everyday.  Tomorrow evening I have my first meeting with my new volunteer opportunity.  I will be trained on how to prepare simple income tax returns – primarily for senior citizens.  I don’t know what the time commitment is so trusting I can work it in between my trips to OK to see my Match guy and his trips here.  Trusting they will be flexible with my scheduling.

Saturday I have my last board meeting at Pioneer Bluffs.  I will miss seeing some of the people on the board.  I plan on continuing to volunteer so I will be able to stay in touch with the board members that come to the events.

Sunday is my only free day this week.  I leave Monday late afternoon to go visit my Match guy for several days.  A dear friend is going to housesit for me this time while I am gone.  I prefer that over someone who just comes twice a day to feed the critters.  Since this is a short trip I was able to find someone that could come stay in the house while I am gone.

I hit my shin on the marble edge of the tub last night when I was getting out of the tub.  I had a big goose egg on my shin last night.  It is still there this morning although it is smaller and is tender to the touch.  I finally put some ice on it last night as it was aching and keeping me awake.  At least today it only hurts if I touch it.  Sometimes I am clumsy!

After I finish cleaning out the closet I need to clean out the furnace room.  For some reason stuff has gotten piled up in that room too.  Drives me crazy when I go down to get something and can’t get through that room easily.  I keep forgetting to sort it out.  For some reason I have some extra energy today and want to take advantage of it.  It is too cold to go hike so I will burn it off inside instead.

Anyone have any 2, 5 and/or 10 pound dumbbells they want to get rid of?  I need to get some before Monday and would prefer to get used ones instead of new ones.

Saturday afternoon I need to stock up on critter food again.  I am down to my last bags of dog food and chicken feed.  I like getting four to six bags of each at a time so I only have to get it every other month or so.  Guess if it snows Saturday as predicted all that weight will help keep my car on the road for the ride home.

Sitting in my peaceful valley today.  Loving the extra energy I have today.  It is about time my energy level rose back up again.  Nice to get a few projects done around here.

Grateful for the deep support system the Chase County women provide for each other, grateful for the extra energy I have today so I can get some projects done around the house, and grateful my Marine and his wife are coming to visit me.  I have missed them!

Another beautiful day on the prairie although it is a touch windy today.  For January I’ll take a day like this anytime.

Met the trainer today.  She is more of a Wellness Coach than just a trainer.  We had a good conversation.  Found out her mother’s dad was a brother to my step-grandfather.  It is a small world!  We just talked today and she is coming back next Monday to get me started on some exercises.  I need to get some dumbbells of different weights so I can be ready for her.

She is also working with a friend of mine who recommended her to me.  My friend wants to work out with me once or twice a week.  That will help keep me going.  Maybe I can finally find an exercise routine that I will stick to.

She is going to start me on light weight lifting three days a week and yoga type stretches three days a week.  I have lots of empty space and have the time to make this happen.  The challenge will be when I am with my Match guy.  He likes to walk but doesn’t do strength training.  Maybe he will join me?

Not sure how often I am going to meet with the trainer.  Guessing once I get started we will only need to meet monthly so she can evaluate my progress and change things up as needed.

She not only teaches strength training but also has her clients look at their emotional well-being as well as diet.  I have done a lot of that work and need to focus on the strength part.

She just got her Master’s in December and is figuring out what to do next in her life.  She is fun to visit with.  I wish I knew what she knows at 28 when I was 28.

Besides meeting with her for two hours today I haven’t done much.  A friend came by to bring me something and stayed and visited for a short bit.  Haven’t crossed anything off my to-do list today yet.  I sure seem to be stringing lot of non-productive days together.  Good thing I don’t have anything that has to be done.

Sure could take a nap this afternoon – I still may go lay down for a bit.  I was sleeping really good this morning when I got a text at 7:15 which woke me up.  I couldn’t go back to sleep after that.  One blessing from waking up that early is I got to see the sunrise.  Winter sunrises are spectacular on the prairie.

I have somewhere to go in the morning for a couple of hours but will have empty space in the afternoon.  Maybe tomorrow will be the day I can get something done.  I did get the trash pulled down to the end of the driveway for pickup tomorrow.  That counts as a half-mile walk – better than nothing I guess.

Last night I rolled over in bed and hit my bunion on the footboard of the bed.  It is very tender to the touch today.  It was a bit sore when I was walking to the mailbox.  I’ll be glad to get it taken care of and an anxious to see how the doctor proposes to do that when I go in two weeks.  Some nights I can’t sleep because my foot aches and the bunion part is so tender that even the weight of the blanket makes it hurt.

Sitting in my peaceful valley today.  Can’t figure out why I don’t have any motivation to get anything done but decided to just allow it to be what it is and not push myself.  Maybe my body just needs rest.  It has been a crazy couple of months around here.

Grateful for finding a trainer, grateful for empty space that allows me to “be”, and grateful for mild winter weather.

Got my car taken care of today.  I had the oil changed and the tires rotated.  As part of the oil change they vacuum and wash my car.  I almost didn’t recognize it when they were done.

Ran a few errands while I was in town.  I was gone for almost four hours which is two hours longer than I had planned.  Everything seemed to take longer than normal today.  Glad I got through my list.  The only thing I didn’t get was a new rain gauge – Walmart doesn’t carry them in the winter time I found out.  I was tired by then and didn’t stop somewhere else.

It has been a quiet afternoon at home.  I finished putting together a puzzle I had started yesterday.  That gave me a moment of feeling like I did something today.  I didn’t get anything else I was going to do done however.  It can all wait till another day I guess.  Maybe I’ll get motivated and do something yet tonight.

Tomorrow a personal trainer is coming to my house for a meet and greet.  I trust I will like her.  Setting up the appointment wasn’t easy though so I am cautious about her.  She didn’t communicate very easily.  I’ll see how she is in person.

The chickens gave me 10 eggs today.  I have three extra dozen if anyone needs eggs.  It was so warm today I thought about cleaning out the chicken coop but am thinking we still will get some winter weather.  I use the deep straw method during the winter and add fresh straw on top of the dirty straw each month.  It is always deep by spring and that first clean out is a hard one.  AFter that I clean it out once a month and those don’t take long.  The deep straw adds heat to the coop for cold winter days and nights.

Later this week I will need to replenish my chicken and dog feed as I am going out of town next week.  I buy a month’s supply at a time and am starting to run low.  I might have enough to make it through next week but don’t want to ask the pet sitter to have to go get some.  I think I spend more on critter feed than I do my own groceries.

Got a reminder that it is time to take Star in for her annual visit.  She is not leash trained and it is always an adventure taking her in.  I usually ask for the first appointment of the day so the office isn’t full of other animals.  Last time I took her in she pulled her collar off and went running through their office.  Maybe I need to find a vet that does house calls.

Still in my peaceful valley.  Life seems easy right now although my energy level is not as high as I would like it to be.  Not sure why my energy level has slipped down again.  Thinking I got too busy for a bit and my body just needs some quiet, down time to recharge.  I was able to hike over six miles Saturday so when I demand my body to move it does so.

Grateful for a clean car that has fresh oil and rotated tires, grateful for my productive chickens supplying me with a bounty of fresh eggs, and grateful winter weather has taken a long vacation.

What a lazy day this has been.  I woke up early but stayed in bed.  Got up to pee and take my thyroid pill and went back to bed.  Never did go to sleep but didn’t feel like getting up.  Wrote a long letter while I was in bed.  Finally got up around 11:00.  Took my shower and fixed breakfast.  I haven’t accomplished anything else today except to throw a load of laundry in and fold one load.

Thinking I need a rest and relax day today.  Seems like I need lots of those types of days these days.  I may even go take a nap this afternoon.  Feeling like I could sleep if I went to bed.  Talk about a lazy day!

Tomorrow I have an appointment to get the oil changed in my car.  AFterwards I will go into Emporia to have the tires rotated and pick up a few groceries.  At least those two things will get me up and moving tomorrow.

Tuesday I have an appointment with a personal trainer.  A friend recommended the trainer to me.  We will have a meet and greet to see if she is the one for me.  One of my personal goals this year is to get my body into better shape.  I can walk for six miles and more easily but I don’t have much muscle strength.  I have lots of saggy skin from the weight loss and am thinking it would look better if I had some muscle. I have never been able to stick to a physical fitness plan other than the walking I did to train for the Camino.  Maybe this will be my year for that to finally happen.  I hope to work with a personal trainer weekly for at lest the first half of the year until I can learn what I am to do to accomplish my goal.  I tried a trainer another time and it didn’t work.  Trusting this time I will have better luck.

Thursday evening is my first meeting to find out what my new volunteer job will involve.  I don’thave much information yet about it so am excited to find out what the training will be like and how much time commitment is required.  I have several small trips planned and need to make sure I can honor my commitment to them before I go too much further.

Sure glad the weather was nicer yesterday than it is today.  The wind is in a big hurry today and although it is in the 50’s outside it doesn’t feel like it is.  The sun comes and goes behind some cloud cover today.  Sure lucked out yesterday and had a perfect hiking day.

Trying to drink some extra water today.  For some reason I feel a bit dehydrated today.  I always forget to carry water with me when I hike.  The hike may have caused me to be a bit dehydrated today.

There is a chance my Marine may be coming back to stay with me.  He is hoping to find out this week if that might happen.  I don’t have any guests booked until April right now.  It would be nice to have company again – this house can feel mighty big and empty when I am here by myself.

Sitting in my peaceful valley today although I can feel some restlessness in the background.  Allowing it to be what it is and remembering not to write a story about it in my head.  If I can honor the feelings and allow them to be what they are they pass much quicker.  Choosing to stay present in this very moment also helps.  I find my mind trying to figure out the future sometimes and if I can bring it back to this moment in time I feel more grace and ease with myself.  Sometimes that is easier said than done though.

Grateful for a lazy day at home alone, grateful for my mentors and teachers that have taught me skills that I can use to make my life more full of grace and ease, and grateful for possibilities of all sorts that lay ahead of me.

My Match guy left for his home late this afternoon.  He had wanted to get on the road headed home by 3:00 but it was closer to 5:00 before he left.  Neither one of us wanted him to leave.

We took a six-mile hike at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve this afternoon.  65 degrees in January is perfect hiking weather.  We walked out to Windmill Pasture and the buffalo were right by the side of the road.  When they started acting like they might want to cross the road we were on we walked on.  We sat down about a mile up the road from the buffalo and talked for a bit.  Turned around and walked back.

On the way back we ran into two guys hiking.  We talked with them all the way back to our cars.  Made the walk back go really fast and easy.  One of the two we met has tickets to the Symphony in June.  I gave him my business card in case he wants to book a room.  So far that weekend I only have one of the four guest rooms booked.

Am doing some laundry and have a load of dishes running.  I need to get my house back into order a bit.  I was noticing this afternoon I need to do the floors in the kitchen and living room again.  May or may not get that done tonight as I am tired tonight.  I slept over six hours straight last night and am more tired than normal tonight.  That usually happens when I get more sleep than I am used to.  Maybe I can repeat that tonight and get two good night’s sleep back-to-back.

Nothing on my calendar I have to do tomorrow.  Next week is starting to fill in though and I have something everyday to do.  That is unusual for me but I’m glad I will be busy.  The house feels very big and empty tonight with me home alone again.

Sure had a fun couple of days with my Match guy.  We really didn’t do anything special – just hung around the house and did some hiking.  I enjoy the simple pleasures of life and so does he.  The weather was perfect to be out today.  We enjoyed the sunset and stars last night and the sunrise this morning.

I’m going to his house the middle of January so we can go to a concert together.  Plan on staying a couple of nights although I’m not sure what my definite plans are yet.  Still over a week away so I will figure it out when it gets closer.

Spending time with him makes me understand why finding a companion is important to me.  Life is so much more fun when you do it with someone you enjoy being with.  Wish we didn’t live so far away but maybe that is good as we have to make the best of the time together we do get.  In between face-to-face time we email, text and talk on the phone.  Somehow those conversations are different from the ones I have in person with him.

We are both taking this nice and slow and will see how it all unfolds for the future.  So far we haven’t found much to disagree about.  I’m sure those things will be uncovered in time.  Then we have to ask ourselves if one can live with our differences.

Grateful for the beautiful hike to see the buffalo up close and personal today, grateful for the time I had with my Match guy this week, and grateful for sleep last night.  May it find me again soon!

Another post a day late.  Had a wonderful day with my Match guy Friday.  We were lazy and didn’t even have breakfast until 11:00.  We finished putting together the 1,000 piece puzzle late last night.

We went to the Chase County Fishing Lake and walked across the dam to see the waterfalls.  They are running and were beautiful.  Went down to Pioneer Bluffs and toured the grounds there.  We had dinner at Ad Astra.

The stars were out in full force last night so went outside after we got home from dinner and looked at the stars.  We had watched the sunset earlier.

He will be going home sometime early afternoon.  I will miss him.  We have had another wonderful time together not doing much.  We both like silence and are comfortable sitting in silence together.  That is nice.  He makes me laugh so we shared many moments of laughter and fun.

The house will seem big and empty to me after he leaves today.  I’m going to his house in two weeks to go to a symphony concert.  I’m glad to know when I get to spend time with him again.

Grateful for a walk to the beautiful waterfalls, grateful for watching the sunset and seeing the stars with my Match guy, and grateful for this time we got to spend together.

This is a late entry as I am actually writing it early morning on Friday.  Yesterday got busy and I didn’t take the time to write.

My Match guy is here so my time was spent with him.  After a late breakfast I got the house ready for a Pioneer Bluffs Committee meeting that was held at my house in the afternoon.  We had a good meeting and got some plans in place for events that will be held during the first half of 2019.

After the meeting guests left my Match guy and I took a three-mile walk.  We were out walking while the sun set.  The colors were amazing again last night.  It was a bit brisk outside but felt good to get out and walk.  A car drove by while we were walking and stopped to make sure we were OK.  I appreciate the locals doing that.

After our walk we fixed dinner and then started putting a puzzle together.  We spent a quiet evening putting the puzzle together.

It was nice to spend a quiet day at home with him.  We have fun doing nothing together.

Grateful for a long walk yesterday, grateful for a beautiful sunset and grateful for a chance to spend more time with my Match guy.

My Match guy will be here any minute so this may be a short blog!  I have ham and bean soup ready and the cornbread is in the oven.  The house smells divine!

Delivered Chad’s Christmas treats to him today.  I only recognized one McDonald’s employee at the Turnpike store.  Sat and visited with Chad for about an hour.  Good thing his boss didn’t mind him visiting while he was working.

Stopped by and got some groceries and came home.  Dropped off my recycling stuff on the way home.  Had double the normal amount as I had driven around with the first batch in the back of my car for over a week.  Finally remembered to drop it all off today.

Cleaned the guest bedroom and bathroom as well as touched up the rest of the upstairs.  The house is all clean and ready for my guest tonight.

Sophia ran past me down the driveway chasing a stray cat this afternoon when I was out doing chicken chores.  Not sure what is up with her shock collar – maybe the thrill of chasing a cat overrode the shock she should have received leaving the yard.  The other two dogs didn’t follow her.

Grateful my Match guy will be here soon, grateful the new recipe for ham and bean soup turned out delicious and grateful more Christmas treats left the house today.

Happy New Year’s Day!  It is a cloudy, very cold day on the prairie.  At least the wind has slowed down a bit this afternoon.  My guests wanted to go to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve this morning to watch the sunrise.  They wisely decided to stay in bed and watch the sky lighten a bit instead as it was too cloudy to see the sunrise.  They left around 9:00 and were going to go on a hike.  The wind was in a big hurry this morning.  Hope they didn’t freeze on the prairie this morning.

They were a nice young couple.  They stayed in all night.  They had brought some champagne and snacks and they watched Milo and Otis.  That is about the most exciting movie I own!  They like to get away to some place quiet on New Year’s Eve and celebrate the new year together quietly.  My type of people!

I fell asleep around 11:00.  My Match guy called at midnight at my request.  We talked for a few minutes and then I went back to sleep.  I was able to sleep in until 8:30 this morning although I didn’t sleep straight through.   I did get more sleep than I normally get.  Trusting 2019 will be the year I solve my sleep issue.

It has been a lazy day again for me.  I started working on my taxes last night but haven’t gotten back to them today yet.  I have sheets in the dryer but haven’t gotten the guest bed made up yet.  Not much motivation to do much again today.  I did get my chicken chores done.  The girls gave me 12 eggs on this very cold day.  They even came out for their lettuce treat.  They have more motivation than I do.  I do have a loaf of banana bread baking.  Had some bananas that needed worked up and banana bread freezes easily.  I won’t eat it but it is nice to have a loaf on hand in case I need to offer something to guests.

A friend gave me the name of a personal trainer.  I sent the trainer a message but haven’t heard back from her yet.  Trusting I can find someone who will help me get an exercise plan set up and teach me how to do the exercises properly.  One of my two goals for this year is to build my core strength and build some muscle.  Hopefully it will help make all the sagging skin look better.  The main reason I want to do it though is so I have the strength to lift the chicken and dog feed sacks easily and to be able to walk even further than I can now.

My Match guy is coming to visit me tomorrow.  He had originally planned to come Thursday but moved it up a day.  We are both anxious to see each other again.  He will stay until Saturday.  It will be fun to spend more time with him.  He makes me laugh and laughter is a good thing for me.

Thursday afternoon a committee from Pioneer Bluffs is meeting in my house for our committee meeting.  I am almost finished with my commitment to Pioneer Bluffs.  My last Board meeting is January 12.  I will continue to volunteer for them but not be on the board.  Board work is not my cup of tea.

I shut the garage door with the dogs inside last night so the garage would be a bit warmer for them.  It was nice not to hear the dogs barking all night long.  May need to shut that door more often.  They hang out under the heat lamp on some blankets in the garage when it gets really cold.  I happened to see all  three of them under the heat lamp last night so I was able to shut them in.

I am going to fix ham and bean soup tomorrow for dinner.  Still have some ham left over from Christmas and Nicole gave me a good recipe so thought I would try fixing the soup a bit differently than I normally do.  It will be cold enough tomorrow that a hot soup for dinner will sound good.  Need to give some thought about what to fix for Thursday and Friday night since my guy will be here.  I normally eat the same thing every meal – not sure he would appreciate that.

Glad the New Year is here and the holidays are officially over.  Once January is done I always feel spring is close.  Counting the days until Spring already!  Guess I have a case of Spring Fever.

Sit sitting in my peaceful valley although the road through my valley today has felt a bit rocky.  Working to remind myself to stay present to what is and not get ahead of myself into the future.  When I stay present all is well!  What more can a girl ask for?  I don’t have a crystal ball and to look into the future and get nervous is silly.  Who knows what might happen?  Someone told me to “choose every moment”.  That feels like it has movement to it and I like that idea.  Right here, right now I choose to be present in this very moment and be grateful for all I have.  Beyond that who knows what may happen but I do know that right here, right now all is well!

Grateful for a good night’s sleep, grateful for lazy days, and grateful that right here, right now all is well!

My guests left early this morning.  Last night they didn’t think they would leave before 8:00 but they got gone before 7:30.  I came out in my pajamas to tell them goodbye.  He hugged me and is planning on returning in May when he comes to KS to turkey hunt.  They also booked a room for December 2019 when they return for her family Christmas.  They left the sweetest thank you note for me.  I love when my guests come as strangers and leave as friends.

I got their bedroom and bathroom cleaned today as I have two more guests coming in this evening.  They didn’t think they would be here until 9:00 pm.  I hope they can find my road – it is hard for me to find at night.  Not sure if they will be staying in tonight or if they are coming to go to a party nearby.  Check-out is at 11:00 tomorrow morning so they won’t be here long.

My baby brother Keith and his son Abraham came to pick up some New Year’s Cookies I had made.  I also gave them some fudge and left over cookies.  I have one more delivery to make and then most of the goodies will be out of the house.

It is a cloudy, windy, wet day on the prairie today.  Not looking forward to walking down to take care of the chickens.  I have to fill their water container every other day but think I will fill it today as it is to be bitter cold tomorrow.  That way if their door gets frozen shut they won’t run out of water.  The high tomorrow is only to be 20 with a wind chill pulling it down even more.  No precipitation is predicted at this point but that seems to keep changing.  Earlier today snow was predicted for Thursday this week but now that has been taken out of the forecast.

No plans for tonight as I don’t know what my guests will be doing.  Some guests I feel comfortable leaving them in the house alone and others not so much.  I never know which way I will feel until I meet them in person.  I am not a party person anyways so doubt that I would have gone out even if I didn’t have guests coming – especially since it is to be really cold tonight.  I am a wimp when it comes to getting out in winter weather.

Trying to convince myself to make it to town to get groceries today.  I won’t want to get out tomorrow in the bitter cold.  Maybe after I take care of the chickens I can convince myself to go.

Need to clean my living room and kitchen a bit more.  I think the guests are staying upstairs in the room with the queen bed but need to check the room with the double bed in case they decide they want to stay downstairs where it is more private.

May start working on my taxes this afternoon and tomorrow.  I got my planner so I can start filling in the blanks and pulling information together.  I like getting that task done in early February so it is done before the tax preparers get really busy.

Feeling much better today than I was yesterday.  Taking a long hike with my guest yesterday afternoon helped blow the cobwebs out and changed my mood for the better.  We were out walking during the sunset.  It was one of the top ten sunsets ever last night and even more beautiful viewed from the openness of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.  Back to feeling my normal self and so looking forward to 2019 and the changes it will bring me.

Grateful for guests that become friends, grateful this house cleans easily, and grateful I live close to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve so I can hike there and clear my head and fill my soul.

New Year’s Eve!  Time to do a final reflection of 2018 and look forward to 2019.

I started 2018 with a lot of doubt about my thyroid cancer that had been discovered after the removal of my thyroid in October, 2017. I had gone to MD Anderson Cancer Center in December 2017 for a second opinion about further treatment options and was waiting the results of that visit.  I had gone to Peru in December 2017 and had taken Ayahuasca and San Pedro and had done a lot of self-healing and purging.

I finally got the results and recommendation from MD Anderson mid January.  To my relief they changed the type of cancer from the scary type to the common type and their official recommendation was no further treatment was needed.  That validated what the Shaman had told me in Peru.

On February 11 2018 I stopped eating any food products that contain any sort of flour and any sort of sugar.  I had done some research and had come to the conclusion that sugar can cause cancer to grow (not saying that it causes cancer to start) and for me to be able to give up sugar permanently I also needed to give up flour to cut down the cravings for sugar.  I am proud to say it has been a successful journey and to my knowledge have not eaten foods that contain flour or sugar.  When one eats out you never know for sure but I do my best to order clean food.  I lost 50 pounds as a result and am smaller than I have been since I was in high school.  I had lost 20 pounds in 2017 so am down 70 pounds from my all time high.

I had a bit of heart problems in April.  However after all the tests were done the Cardiologist dismissed me from his care in August.  In hind site it felt like I was having a reset to my heart and all is now well with it.

In May I went to Spain, France and Italy with Nicole.  My favorite spots on that trip were Tuscany Valley in Italy along with Venice and Florence.  I didn’t care for Rome or Paris.  I am a small town girl at heart and have learned I prefer the smaller towns and the countryside to the bigger cities.  Many memories were made and it was a fabulous adventure.

The summer was one full of guests.  I only had two or three nights a month when I didn’t have a guest in my house from June through November.  The first summer of doing the AIrbnb was a great success.  I met so many nice people – some of whom have become good friends.  I especially fell in love with my Marine and his wife.  He stayed for six months with me and now feels like one of my kids.  There is a chance he may return in 2019 if he gets an assignment close by.

In November Nicole and I traveled together again – this time to Australia and New Zealand.  Of the four trips we have taken together I have to say this was my favorite sight-seeing adventure.  The countryside was beautiful.  Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef and seeing the fairy penguins come ashore on Phillips Island were the two highlights of the trip for me.

December found me traveling with my Match guy for over two weeks.  We explored CO and NM and had a grand adventure.  We are still seeing each other and text, call or email daily.  We are finding ways to be together – either he comes to my house or I go to his.  He may help 2019 be a very good year for me!

I don’t really set New Year’s Resolutions.  I honor Winter Solstice and set intentions for myself that way.  2019 is the year for me to secure “we”.  I have done lots of inner work on myself.  I have secured No, Done and I.  Now it is time for We.

In addition to We I want to become physically fit and strong.  I need to find a trainer and get myself in better physical shape.  Losing the weight has helped me want to become more active and move my body more.  I can easily walk 4 – 6 miles without becoming tired.  But I don’t have a lot of body strength and muscle and want to work on building my core strength.  If anyone knows of a good personal trainer let me know!

So looking forward to 2019 and the changes and adventures it will bring me.  I am ready for change!  Bring it on 2019!

Another night of little sleep.  This is getting old again!  I am tired today and have little motivation to do anything.  I went back to bed around 10:45 and slept for an hour.  I will take what ever sleep I can find at this point.

I was going to deliver my brother’s New Year’s Cookies to them today but can’t find the motivation to do so.  I will go to town tomorrow and take them.  Need to go down and give the chickens some water but am procrastinating by writing instead.  Where did my get up and go runaway too?

Got the house cleaned up and the trees taken down yesterday evening.  Christmas 2018 is officially in my rear view mirror.  I’m glad it is over.  My spirits are a bit low today – probably from all the fun yesterday.  Thinking my body is just tired and is asking for extra rest.  Other than taking care of my guests today, cleaning their room tomorrow after they check out and then checking in the ones coming in tomorrow I don’t have anything on my calendar until Thursday.

Feels like all I have done lately is sit and do nothing.  I don’t like cold weather and have been staying inside too much.  My guest said he was going to come back to the house around 4:00 today and ask if I would take a hike with him.  I’ll see if he shows up or not.  It will do me good to get out and move my body.  It is in the mid 40’s with bright blue skies.  The wind is in a bit of a hurry though so feels a bit colder than it is.  If I go for a walk I’ll have to dress warmly.

My left foot is still bothering me.  I don’t see the foot doctor until Jan 22.  I will be anxious to hear what he has to say.  The bunion part of my foot feels better if I don’t wear shoes and put pressure on any part of the big toe.  However, where I had the neuromas removed likes me to wear shoes or the bottom of my foot aches.  I might dig out my flip-flops and try those to see if I can please both parts of my foot.

I sound like a bitch today – I just reread what I have written so far and all I have done is complain.  After Christmas blues have struck.  Funny since I don’t like Christmas and don’t do much to celebrate it.  Betting it has more to do with the short days.  I keep reminding myself everyday is a little bit longer and the light is returning.

Got my tax planner in the mail yesterday so I can start pulling my information together to get ready to have my taxes done.  I like to take them in the first part of February so they are done and out-of-the-way.  Wondering how the new tax law will impact me this year.

I have volunteered to be a volunteer tax preparer for AARP.  I go to my first meeting Jan 10 to find out what I have to do and get my training process started.  I have been looking for a volunteer position and this one feels important and one that will use my skills.  I have no idea how much time I will have to commit to yet.  Should have some answers after my meeting Jan 10.  I do plan on being gone off and on so am trusting they can work around that or else I will have to back out.

My tummy is feeling a bit unsettled today.  I made myself eat lunch but am thinking maybe that wasn’t a good idea.  It is making all sorts of sounds and is singing to me.  I had ham yesterday and I don’t normally eat ham.  I was able to avoid eating any Christmas treats.  I’ll be glad when they are all out of the house.

Still haven’t gotten out my Christmas cards.  I need to dig them out and set them on the counter so I dom’t forget about them.  Maybe I should have gotten Valentine cards and sent those instead.  Not sure why I procrastinate on things like that like I do.  It really doesn’t take that long to do them.  I have spent more time thinking about doing them then it would have taken to do them.

One of those days I guess.  Better days ahead!  Today is just a tired and cranky pants day.  I’ll stay away from people so I don’t spread my sour mood to others.  Tomorrow will be a good day.

Grateful to be able to go back to bed when I needed to this morning, grateful for the quiet afternoon, and grateful this day is over half done!

Christmas 2018 is a wrap!  The kids, Craig and his girlfriend Nancy and the grandkids came over for lunch and presents.  We had a fun afternoon together.  I still have some dishes to do and a bit of clean-up to do and the house will be back in order.  I will take the Christmas trees down later today and can put Christmas 2018 in my rear-view mirror.

Still have too many Christmas treats left over.  I have enough New Year’s Cookies for my brothers left that I won’t have to make another batch.  That is a good thing!  I will deliver them tomorrow and give my brothers the left over treats too.  There is even enough fudge left that I won’t have to make another batch.  It will be good to have that stuff out of the house.  I managed to not eat a bite of the Christmas treats but need the temptation gone.

I made a big batch of ham salad with some of the leftover ham after lunch was over and sent it home with the kids.  Nicole took the ham bone home as they are going to make ham and bean soup.  Have one container of ham left that I will need to do something with.  Got rid of most of the other leftovers.

Fixed bacon and eggs for my guests this morning.  I don’t usually fix their breakfast but since I fixed dinner for him the first night he was here they expected me to fix it today.  No big deal – I have plenty of eggs and bacon on hand.  I have enjoyed my guests again.  They invited me to stay with them if I am ever in western NE.

Glad I didn’t clean house before the day started.  Sitting in my chair with the sun shining in through the west windows I am seeing lots of things I need to dust and am seeing all the dirt on the floor. Cookie crumbs, popcorn, etc got dropped from the days celebration and had I cleaned it this morning I would have had to clean it again tonight anyways.

We did a grab bag type of Christmas for the adults this year.  Seemed to have worked nicely and everyone didn’t have to buy so many presents.  Everyone already has so much stuff that no one really needs anything.  There was a nice assortment of gifts brought and it was fun watching people open them.  The kids opened their gifts while we were doing the exchange.  They each made out like bandits and enjoyed their gifts too.

I feel a big sense of relief that Christmas is over.  It is my least favorite holiday season.  I always get a bit depressed during this season.  Probably due more to Solstice and the darkest day than Christmas itself.  But Christmas has way too many expectations that seem to come with it and the commercialization of Christmas turns my stomach.  I try each year to simplify what I do and give.

Now I can turn my attention to the New Year. 2019 feels like it is off to a great start.  My Match guy is coming Thursday evening to spend two nights.  It will be good to see him again.   We have a lot to talk about.  I am planning on going to see him for a couple of days the middle of January.  He has tickets to a symphony concert and he wants me to go to the concert with him.  My life is certainly not boring these days!

Was good to see Craig and his girlfriend today.  Craig and I talked briefly and we both agreed we are both happier than we have been for a long time.  I am happy that we can celebrate Christmas as a family together and everyone feels comfortable.  Not all divorced couples can do that.  I shared with Craig that I had met someone.  He wished me well just as I had wished him well when he told me about his girlfriend.

Feeling a bit empty this afternoon.  It was a bit chaotic and loud in the house for a bit today when everyone was here.  The house feels very big and empty this afternoon.  My guests are out and about and probably won’t be home until late evening.  I will slow things down and take my time finishing up the cleaning and putting the trees away. I have empty space on my calendar except for caring for my guests and preparing for the guests coming the 31st.  I am sure I will get refilled quickly.

The sun is shining this afternoon which always lifts my spirits.  The grandkids helped me gather 10 eggs while they were here.  The wind has slowed down and it is beautiful although cold out.  I need to walk down and get the mail and get some fresh air.  That will help lift my spirits too.

Grateful everyone was able to come for the day and share Christmas together, grateful Christmas 2018 is done, and grateful for the possibilities 2019 is bringing to me.  Time to look forward to all the changes headed my way.  Feeling like I need to fasten my seat belt and enjoy the ride!

Another night of not much sleep.  I was really tired last night and was hoping for good sleep.  I slept for two hours and then was up most of the night.  Darn!  I’m tired today.  May take a nap later.

Went into Emporia this morning after my guests got up and left the house.  I finished my Christmas shopping and picked up a few groceries.  Still need to bag and wrap the gifts to get ready for tomorrow but I am oh so close to being ready now.

My guest ask if I would go hike with him this afternoon at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.  I told him I would go for a short hike.  It is only in the mid 20’s and the wind is still in a big hurry.  I’ll have to wear my heavy overalls if we go.  I’m not sure if he was serious or not.  I’ll see if he returns and wants to go.

Still need to make my New Year’s Cookies.  I got tired last night and decided not to make them.  I’ll make them this afternoon once I know if the walk is on or not.  I want some for Jason tomorrow as they are one of his holiday favorites.  The other two kids can take them or leave them.

Remembered to buy myself an electric knife today.  I’m not sure what happened to the one I had.  I must have given it to Craig when I divided the kitchen after the divorce.  I am fixing a whole ham tomorrow and it is easier to cut with an electric knife.

Lost the extra weight I had picked up.  Back down to my lowest weight this morning. My BMI was 19.5 so am at the lower limit of where I want to go.  I’m surprised the weight came back off as I have not been moving my body much lately.  This dance of weight is a challenge for me right now.  The more active I am the more I can eat but it is hard to know how much to add without adding too much or too little.

I will be glad when Christmas season is over.  I will probably take the trees down tomorrow afternoon after everyone leaves.  I do not like Christmas and am always happy when it is over.

Still want to make one more batch of fudge but I need the sun to shine for that.  Thought this afternoon was going to be clear but so far it is still cloudy.  May not get it made until Sunday.

Sitting in my sleepy, peaceful valley this afternoon.  Life feels easy again and like I am in the flow. Trusting tomorrow will go easy and will be fun for all that come.  It is always good to see all three of my kids at the same time.  I want to try to get some pictures taken tomorrow – I usually forget for us to do that.

Grateful my Christmas shopping is done, grateful I lost the extra weight I had gained, and grateful for my peacefully valley.  I trust I can hang out in it for a bit and completely refill and recharge my soul.

Had lunch with my neighbor today.  Always good to catch up with her.  I enjoy our conversation and friendship.

I had ordered the grandkids their Christmas gifts and both packages were delivered today.  I cut that a bit close.  Glad I will have something to give them.

Ran into Emporia to pick up three other Christmas gifts.  Getting close to being ready for our family Christmas on Saturday.  Need to make a final decision tomorrow as to what to get and get it done.  Will need to wrap a few things and then I will be ready.

When I got home from lunch my neighbor dropped me off at the end of my driveway so I could wrestle the trash can up the drive.  The wind was blowing around 35 MPH and it was spitting ice pellets.  I think that was the longest driveway walk I have taken out here.  My ears were frozen by the time I got to the house.  The trash can has bad wheels and in the wind it was hard to keep it upright to pull.  My hands are still cold from the attempt.  I got it done though.

The wife of my guest showed up as I was returning from Emporia.  They are nice people.  I enjoyed the conversation I had with the husband last night and this morning.  Feels weird to have guests in the house again.  I hadn’t had others except for my Marine since October.  This couple leaves Monday and another couple arrives for one night Monday evening.  So far I don’t have anyone else booked until April.  That feels OK to me right now.

It was raining hard when my guest showed up last night.  He had lots of stuff to unload from his truck so I had him park in the garage.  I had to move my car to the other side so his long, big truck would fit in the garage.  I gave him my garage door opener so he can come and go as needed.  I sure trust I remember to get the opener back from him before he leaves.

The wind is in a big hurry this afternoon.  The windows are shaking and the swings are rocking hard.  It is only in the mid 30’s.  The forecast had told me it would reach the 50’s today but there is no way that is going to happen.  I’m glad we didn’t get the snow Western KS got today.

I need to get brave and go down and take care of the chickens.  At least I don’t have to fill their water container today – just need to take them their lettuce and gather eggs.  I may need rocks in my pockets to get down to the coop without being blown over.

The dogs are muddy critters today.  They must have been rolling in the mud puddles in the back yard.  I still have water standing in the back yard.  They have been hanging out under the heat lamp in the garage this afternoon.

May get my New Year’s Cookies made this evening.  It is a good day to be standing over a hot pan of grease.  If I get them made I can get them delivered to my brothers on Friday.  They seem to enjoy them each year.  I always give them some fudge too – both recipes are from my mother.  Trying to carry on that family tradition while I can.

Ready for the sun to come back from the vacation it has been on the last couple of days.  Winter has arrived on the prairie.  Trusting it will be short-lived and allow the sun to return with a bit of warmth.  I don’t like cold weather.

Need to go get busy and get a few things off my list done.  I have been rather lazy this week and haven’t done much.  My body seemed to need rest this week after all the excitement and adventures I have had for the last two months.  Finally feeling better and more rested and centered.

Grateful for neighbors that become good friends, grateful for guests that become friends, and grateful for this time of year when getting together with family is important and we make happen.

Went into Emporia this morning to run some errands and get a haircut.  Tried to get a pet collar fixed but the lady at the store didn’t know any more about them than I did.  Her boss was supposed to be there at 11:00 so I left and went back after my haircut.  The boss wasn’t there yet so came home.  I had purposely purchased the collars in town so I could get help if I needed it.  That plan didn’t work out.  I could have saved a lot of money if I had ordered them on-line to start with.  So much for local service.

While I was driving home a relation of the couple staying here tonight called to tell me he left a package for my guests on my front porch.  I was a bit anxious coming home as I was afraid the dogs would open it.  Luckily he left it on the front porch of my neighbor’s house.  It was wet but safe.  I text him to let him know he left it at the wrong house and to let the guests know to come to the right house tonight.  I put in the directions what color my house is and which way to turn on the driveway.  Guess they don’t read all of the directions.

Need to do a bit more housecleaning this afternoon.  Also want to make another batch of chocolate dipped peanut butter balls and Ritz cracker/peanut butter things.  Then my holiday baking will be done unless I decide to do one more batch of fudge.  Can’t do fudge today – need a sunshiny day to make it turn out right.

Heard it start to rain around 4:00 this morning.  The rain stopped for the most part while I was in town but now it is very foggy and misty out.  More rain is headed my way according to the forecast. I went to check how much rain I had gotten this morning and found my rain gauge was gone.  Not sure how long it has been missing.  Will have to add one to my list and pick one up next time I am in town.  I like knowing how much rain I get.

Time to give some serious thought about our family Christmas that is happening Saturday.  As of right now I have two presents ordered but not here yet.  Still have some decisions to make and some gifts to figure out.  Nothing like waiting till the last-minute.  I keep changing my mind what to do for my kids.  Time to decide and make it happen.

I was concerned about yesterday.  It was the first Christmas Day that I spent totally alone all day.  Had a couple of phone calls and texts but didn’t see anyone else.  I did much better than I thought I would do with it.

Sitting in my peaceful, quiet valley today.  Feels like something has shifted inside again – in a good way.  I feel calm, balanced and life seems easy today.  Major changes are coming my way and I feel energized about them.  Time to take some risks and do things a bit differently than I have been.

Grateful for the pick-me-up a haircut always gives me, grateful for the rain the prairie is receiving today, and grateful for the changes that are coming my way.  Helps to keep life interesting.

Merry Christmas to one and all!  Trusting your day unfolded in a beautiful way for you.

I have spent a quiet day at home.  I didn’t sleep lots last night so I took a nap today.  It  is a beautiful day on the prairie today.  After I finish blogging I am going to go out and do chicken chores and take a walk.  Rain is to come in tonight and tomorrow and then it is to cool down a bit.  Need to take advantage of this beautiful day and get outside and move my body.

I charged the dog collars today and found one of them isn’t working.  I will have to go to town tomorrow and see if the store I purchased them at can help me fix it.  Not sure why the second dog was able to get through the electronic fence.  I put the collars on a bit tighter to see if that will help.

Did some housecleaning this morning.  Have a bit more to do but am almost ready for my guests to arrive tomorrow evening.

Plan on making some more Christmas treats when I get done with my walk.  I have the ingredients and need to use them up.  The kids will usually take home the leftovers for me so things don’t go to waste.

For some reason I have gained four pounds this week.  I haven’t been eating off plan so am not sure what is going on.  I did eat rice Sunday night and Soy Sauce.  Maybe that did it.  Grains don’t seem to agree with my body.  I felt very bloated last night.  It seems to be better today.  I’ll have to get my suggested menu out and double-check that I am not eating something not on plan if the weight doesn’t come back off quickly.  I haven’t had this happen before so am not sure what is going on.  It could be I have been lazy the last couple of days and haven’t moved my body much.

Ellexia FaceTime me and gave me a video tour of her presents.  She got a new phone so she called me on it so I would have her new number.  She likes to talk to me and share her day with me.  I enjoy talking to her.  Actually I don’t talk much – I just listen to her talk.

Kathy called me this morning and we had a nice visit.  Always good to hear from her.  She is having a grand time seeing her grandchildren and children.

‘Tis the time of year for reflection and planning for 2019.  It feels like 2019 will be a big year full of change for me.  I’m excited to see where 2019 may take me.  Time for me to break out of another box or two that has felt closed around me.  Time for me to get out into the world more and connect with others in a more meaningful way.

Grateful for this beautiful Christmas Day full of peace and quiet, grateful for family, and grateful for the potential 2019 offers me.

Sure doesn’t feel like Christmas Eve to me.  We are having our family Christmas this Saturday.  I haven’t caught my Christmas spirit yet – maybe by Saturday I will find some.

Went into Emporia around noon today to get groceries.  I waited longer than I should have to go to town and it was crazy busy.  I got what I needed and got out-of-town quickly.  I had thought about getting something for lunch while I was in town but decided to get out of town.  Too many people for my liking today.

Finished putting the puzzle together I had been working on.  Still haven’t gotten any cleaning done but I am getting my laundry done.  At least I can say I did something today – right?

I have been tired the last few days.  It hit me today I am feeling like I did when I first started Bright Line Eating.  I must have been eating some sugar and flour on all my travels and am going back through a detox process of some sort.  Trusting it will be short-lived and my energy will return quickly.  I fell asleep in my chair for a bit this afternoon – woke myself up snoring.  I hate when that happens!

Did a meditation this morning and thought about 2019 and what changes I want to make in the New Year.  I want to add in some strength training of some sort – haven’t decided what that will look like yet.  Also have another big change I am contemplating making.  I will do some research on it after the first of the year and see where it goes.  Time for me to change things up again.

Two of the three dogs got through the electronic fence barrier again today.  I am going to have to walk the yard and see where they are getting through.  Maybe the charge on their collars is not holding for two weeks and I need to start charging the collars more often.  I’ll have to investigate what is breaking down and get it fixed so they don’t get run over.

Received a gift today.  Something is happening tonight and tomorrow that feels like a strong message to me.  I feel like I have been given permission to make a big change now.  I smile when I think about it as I’m sure that isn’t how the person involved meant for me to interpret their action as.  I will take my lessons from the Universe in however they show up.  This one feels right on several levels.  2019 may turn into an interesting year for me.  Bring it on – I am ready to make some major changes.

Things are still going well with my Match guy.  We continue to text, email and talk to each other.  He will be coming to see me sometime the end of next week after his sons return home.  It will be good to see him again.

May make some more Christmas treats this evening.  Not a good day to make fudge as it is too cloudy but I can get two other treats made.  Got some oil to fry the New Year’s Cookies in so I will get those made sometime this week.  I need to deliver them along with some fudge to my two brothers that live in Lebo.  That is as close to giving them a Christmas gift as I get.

Sitting in my quiet, peaceful valley this afternoon.  I was rattled for a bit this morning until I realized what was happening was really a gift.  Makes it easier to accept their behavior when I can see it like that.

Grateful for meditation and the gifts it can bring to me, grateful for my Match guy and the way he makes me smile, and grateful for the peace and quiet of the prairie today.

I was surprised to hear it rain last night.  I had checked the forecast in the morning and nothing was predicted and hadn’t checked it again.  There was a light coating of ice on the ground this morning and it was foggy most of the morning.  The clouds have rolled on out and the sun has burned off all the ice this afternoon.  It was fairly nice out when I went out to do chores.

Got 11 eggs from my girls today.  They are earning their keep again.  It sure is more fun to gather eggs when I get a full bucket.

It has been another lazy day for me.  I have been working on the puzzle I am putting together and not getting much else done.  Good thing I don’t have much on my to-do list.  I am getting out of the house this evening to go to Ad Astra for dinner with some friends.  I haven’t been out of the house for several days so it will do me good to get out and be around people.  I think I have recovered enough that I can be around people again.  Sometimes I have to put myself into time out for the safety of those around me.

I slept like a rock last night.  I must have gotten at least six hours of sleep without waking up.  Wow!  So that is what most people do at night.  I felt well rested this morning when I got up.  I am tired this afternoon but I normally am when I get extra sleep.  My body seems to say give me even more sleep – I must be greedy!

Ordered the grandkids Christmas presents last night.  They are to arrive by Friday this week.  I will only have one day of grace as I need them by Saturday afternoon.  I cut that one too close!  May need to make a quick trip to town Saturday morning if they don’t show up on time.

Still haven’t gotten any Christmas cards fixed and in the mail.  I keep forgetting to work on them.  No big deal I guess if I don’t get them out.

Need to go to Emporia tomorrow to get some groceries.  I was going to go today and decided the stores may be less crowded tomorrow morning.  Don’t need too many things so I should be able to get in and out quickly.  Need the tires on my car rotated sometime soon – they are overdue.  Maybe I can get both accomplished tomorrow.

It has been a challenge to get back on my eating schedule since my two vacations.  I have eaten the same thing at home for several months and all of a sudden it is getting hard to eat.  Need to give some thought as to how to change it up a bit.  Sure is easier to fix meals when I know ahead of time what I am going to eat.  Grocery shopping was also much easier.  May give it another week or so and see if I can get back into my normal routine.  I got used to eating at different times each day and I ate a bigger variety of food while traveling.  I haven’t gained any weight but I liked my routine from before.  I’ll see how this plays out.  I will be glad when the Christmas treats disappear on Saturday.  I haven’t been tempted to eat them but if they are around much longer I might be.

It has been a good day today.  I haven’t even cried today – I did the last two days.  I watched the full moon rise last night.  It wasn’t visible for very long as it rose into a cloud bank.  Glad I got to see it for a few minutes before it disappeared for the night. I looked for meteors but it was cloudy again so I didn’t get to see them this time.

Grateful for lots of eggs from my girls, grateful for lazy days, and grateful for lots of sleep last night.  I almost felt “normal” for a change!

I seem to be stringing together days where I get nothing much done.    I have a puzzle going but other than making a batch of fudge and taking care of the animals I can’t say I have accomplished anything today. My body seems to want to rest and be quiet so that is what I am doing.

I didn’t see any meteors last night.  The clouds were restless and moving through the sky most of the night.  The almost full moon was bright when it wasn’t under the cover of the clouds.  I will check again tonight and see if there are any if the clouds clear out.

Jason called me this morning to let me know his step-mother passed away.  He was with his biological father when it happened.  I’m glad Jason was there but I sure hate for him to have to experience this.  Hard time of the year to lose someone.  She was a kind and funny lady and will be missed by many.  Rest In Peace Rita!

It hurts my heart to know one of my kids is hurting.  After I talked to Jason I had a good, messy cry.  Had one yesterday too.  Must be the full moon and Solstice working their magic on me.  While I was in the midst of my cry my Match guy called.  He got to see another side of me.  He was very kind and handled me well.  Sometimes a girl just has to cry to get rid of the emotion trapped inside.

I had a headache most of the day after my cry – one of several reasons I don’t like to cry.  It is finally going away.  I am tired now and sure hoping I will get a good night’s sleep.  I didn’t sleep very well last night.

Got a booking for two people who are coming New Year’s Eve.  Wonder if they are going to stay here to welcome the New Year’s or if they have a party near by to go to. They come in the day the other two leave.  I haven’t had a guest for a bit so it will be interesting to have guests again.

The two packages I had mailed arrived to their destination today – only one day later than promised.  As busy as the Post Office is this time of year I’ll take that.

Have the ingredients to make another batch of chocolate dipped peanut butter balls but haven’t found the motivation to do so yet.  I did make one batch of fudge today that looks like it turned out OK.  Still need to make at least two more batches of fudge before next Saturday.  It is one of the kids favorite Christmas treats and I like to send extra home with them.  I always make some for my two younger brothers too.

Need to get my Christmas presents for the grandkids ordered.  We are having Christmas a week from today.  I can always run to KC next week if I don’t find what I want on-line.  I don’t like to go into stores when they aren’t busy – let alone during this time of year.  It felt like I had lots of time to get them ordered but all of a sudden I am only a week away.  Time to get moving!

Sitting in my peaceful valley today.  It had a few rocks and boulders to navigate around today but came through and found my peaceful place again.  I feel my soul being slowly recharged.  It had gotten fairly empty with all my travels lately.  I always forget how much I need alone time to get fully recharged.

Grateful for the peace and quiet on the prairie and in my house, grateful and proud of my son for being present for his father, and grateful for being able to release my emotions and allowing them to be what they are.

I didn’t get home from babysitting until after 12:30 last night.  Saw several deer near the highway on the trip home.  Luckily they stayed off the road and I didn’t have to play dodge ball on the highway.  Had trouble falling asleep and if I did fall asleep I didn’t stay asleep very long.

Got up in a grumpy mood.  My Match guy text me and was able to help lift my mood a bit.  I finally was able to have a good cry and felt a bit better.  Sometimes it seems like crying is a good way to release what ever it is that I am holding on to.

I didn’t attempt to do anything today.  I could tell I wasn’t going to get much done so declared it a lazy day and did nothing.  I started a zig saw puzzle and have worked on that off and on all day.

Took a short hike this afternoon and then took a long nap.  Tonight there is a meteor shower if the clouds don’t overtake the sky and I want to go out and see if I can see any.  Tomorrow night is the full moon and today was Winter Solstice.  Thinking the energy of all of that pulled me down for a bit this morning.

My phone rang as I was waking up from my nap.  The dear friends I met on the Camino called to bust my chops about saying I was going on a retreat when I went away with my Match guy.  It is always a delight to talk to them.  They helped turned my day around.

Nothing much on my calendar for the next week.  I do need to clean the house for the guests that are arriving December 26 but I cleaned it really good before I left earlier this month so will just need to touch it up.

Nice to have a long stretch of empty space ahead of me.  I may get my income tax records updated and ready to go and get my files cleaned out.  I also need to clean out my storage closet and get rid of some things in it.  When I did a bed shuffle I piled things up in the closet and have never gotten rid of the extra stuff.  I don’t like not being able to find things so need to get that room sorted out.  Anyone need a twin bed set?

Found three eggs in the roosting area of the coop today.  I threw them out for the chickens to eat.  Not sure why three of them decided to lay their eggs while roosting.  I have seen an egg there before but this was the first for three at once.  I hate wasting eggs but that is a real dirty part of the coop and I didn’t want to use an egg that came from that part of the pop.  Chickens love to eat raw eggs so guess that will serve as their Christmas present.

Found my peaceful valley this evening.  It was a rocky morning but a nap gave me a new perspective.  Maybe my word for 2019 should have been sleep!  It sure seems to be a struggle for me to find good sleep consistently.  May go into music at Cottonwood Falls for a bit tonight.  I need to make myself get out and be around people more.  IF I go I will enjoy it – it is getting out the door that is hard for me.

Grateful for dear friends that call and lift my spirits, grateful for naps that revive my tired body, and grateful for empty space that recharges my soul.

Had a delightful Winter Solstice Celebration this afternoon.  Fixed and served a hamburger vegetable soup that was delicious.  I hadn’t used this recipe before but I will fix it again.  We each set our intentions for 2019.

My word for 2019 is Secure “we”.  My mentor had taught us how to do this but I don’t think I ever clicked it in correctly.  I have done lots of work on myself and now I need to turn to “we” and learn how to build myself a community.  It is hard to be of service to the world when I am not in the world.  It has been too easy for me to become a hermit and not people as much as I should.  2019 is the year for me to learn how to “we”.

The intentions I set are wrapped around “we”.  Relationships, being of service and building a community were the ones I choose for this year.  It will be fun to see where this all takes me.

Found out a person important to my son is critically ill and may not live.  It is a hard time of the year to lose someone.  I will send healing light and love to them and keep Jason wrapped in love and prayers.

Got a Christmas card from the dear friends I met walking the Camino.  They ask me to not leave them hanging about my Match guy.  So for Carolyn and Tom here is the latest scoop.  I have spent lots of time with him lately.  My retreat was time away with him.  We spent 16 days together touring Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico and ended at his home in Oklahoma.  It was a wonderful time getting to know each other.  We did a lot of hiking together, went to several museums, attended a Choral Concert, and put together two different zig saw puzzles.  It was one of the better vacations I have ever taken.

Not sure where this relationship is going.  We are both being cautious and taking our time to let it unfold in a very organic way.  He has family with him until after New Year’s Day so I won’t see him again until after the first of the year.  Where we go from there no one knows other than at this moment we both want to see the other again.  We live three hours apart so we have to coordinate schedules to make that happen.  He is going to be teaching two different six-week long courses starting the first of February that he has to prepare for.  I have guests periodically that I need to be here for.

He is fun for me to text with and chat on the phone with when we aren’t together.  He can read me better than anyone I have ever met before.  We laugh a lot and have fun together.  That seems to be enough for me right now.  I don’t need to know where this is going – teaches me to stay in the moment and enjoy life.

I am going into Emporia in a bit to babysit the grandkids for the evening.  It will be fun to spend some more time with them.  They were out Sunday but I will take all the time with them I can get.  They are both growing up so fast and am thinking the day they would prefer not to spend time with G is coming soon.

Thanks to lots of friends I have managed to get rid of the extra eggs I had.  Down to only one dozen left.  Thanks friends!  Glad to see them be used and not wasted.

It is a beautiful clear day on the prairie today although the wind is sure in a hurry.  It has been blowing around 30 MPH most of the afternoon with gusts higher than that. I went down to do the chicken chores and needed rocks in my pockets to keep from being blown over.  Glad I was carrying a five-gallon bucket of water to help weigh me down.  The trip back to the house was a bit of a challenge.

Sitting with a grateful heart this afternoon.  Not sure why I have been so blessed.  Life feels easy to me today.  So very grateful!

Grateful for dear friends to celebrate Winter Solstice with, grateful for my Match guy and the potential he brings to me, and grateful for all the many ways I am blessed.

Today is the second anniversary of the death of my son-in-law.  I think of him often and especially today.  I am struck today by how many people he touched and continues to touch.  My life was changed in many ways with his death – I like to think for the better.  I certainly have learned not to waste time and put things off.  No one is guaranteed tomorrow.  I went on four international trips with Nicole since Chris died – trips I would not have gone on.  The trip to Peru especially was life-changing for me.  Working to learn my life lessons and make positive changes happen as a result of what my family went through.  I hold Chris’s dads in my heart today as well as his extended family and friends.

I went to KC this morning.  Made a stop at Old Navy to get two more pair of pajamas and then met two dear friends for lunch.  Always good to catch up with friends.  After lunch I went to Sprout’s to get a few things and then Nicole met me at Costco.  It was good to see Nicole today.  After I left Costco I stopped at Hy-Vee and then came home.  Had to do chicken chores by flash light as it was dark by the time I got home.

I was surprised it rained in KC today.  I hadn’t seen rain in the forecast.  It was foggy and cloudy here today.  I’m glad I was in KC today as it wasn’t a good fudge making day.  The forecast shows that the wind will in a hurry tomorrow.  I won’t have time for a hike tomorrow so it is a good day for the wind to blow.

Found a whole ham at Hy-Vee.  I had looked in Emporia and could only find half of hams.  For some reason I think the whole hams taste better.  Don’t really need that much meat but I will figure something to make to use the leftovers up.  I like ham salad.

Tomorrow some friends are coming over at noon so we can celebrate Winter Solstice.  I am going to make some soup for lunch for them.  I love celebrating Solstice and Equinox.  When one aligns with Mother Nature good things happen.  I look back at where I was when I first started celebrating the Winter Solstice and marvel at my own growth.

Got the results of my Thyroid Antibody test results back.  My levels are back within normal limits.  There is absolutely no sign of cancer anymore.  I had been told it would take up to three years for that to happen so was a bit surprised after only fifteen months my levels are already at the normal level.  Feel like I got an early Christmas gift with those results.  I wonder how much the changes I have made in my diet impacted the results.  Trusting it helped.  Results like this provide the motivation I need to continue to resist eating foods that contain flour or sugar.

I had a UA done to make sure the UTI I had the end of October was gone.  The UA was on the high side of normal or slightly over the limits.  My Doctor decided not to treat me with another round of antibiotics.  Trusting he made the correct decision.  I will do my best to continue to drink lots of extra water to continue to flush my system out.  It was hard to drink enough when I was traveling.

I need to remember to go into Emporia tomorrow evening so I can babysit the grandkids.  Michelle and Tim have a work Christmas party to go to.

My heart is full of gratitude tonight for my dear friends and the way they support me.  It has been a day of remembrance of my son-in-law and honoring his memory.  He is so missed and loved.

Grateful for dear friends, grateful for the sweet memories I hold in my heart of my son-in-law, and grateful for blood tests that show my cancer is gone!

Finally got some good sleep last night.  Fell asleep a little after 7:30 and slept until 9:30 and then slept again from 12:30 to 5:30.  I feel much better today!  I was feeling a bit crummy yesterday.

Got two packages mailed this morning.  Dropped off my recycling stuff and cashed a check at the bank.  I was able to find what I needed at the Strong City Grocery store so I didn’t have to run into Emporia to get stuff to make soup for Thursday.  Got a big batch of Chex Mix made this morning.  Still need to make another batch of fudge and  do the chicken chores this afternoon and then I will have my to-do list completed for the day.  Feels good to have had a productive morning.

Lost another pound today – down to a new low for me.  I have now officially lost 50 pounds since February 11, 2018.  My BMI is still above 19.0 so still good.  I have been eating extra food but since I have more energy than I used to I have been walking a lot more and burning more calories.  My clothes all still fit and are not too loose so thinking the number on the scale really doesn’t mean much.  I don’t want to have to buy all new clothes again so really don’t want to lose much more.

It was a bright and beautiful start to the day on the prairie.  The sunrise was spectacular again.  The clouds have rolled in and rolled out and are rolling back in again.  No moisture is predicted so not sure why the clouds seems to want to hang around today.  At least most of the sky is bright blue right now.  Certainly can’t complain about temperatures in the 50’s for the middle of December.

The Solstice Ceremony needed to be changed to Thursday at noon.  Decided to fix some soup for lunch for the group.  If I remember to get some beer and self-rising flour while I am in KC tomorrow I will make beer bread to go with it.  I so enjoy gathering and celebrating Solstice with my dear friends.

I’m goIng to attempt to write some letters and get some Christmas cards ready to mail this afternoon.  Not going to do very many but I like to send some friends and family that aren’t on Facebook a card.  Cards seem a bit old-fashioned these days.  Sure don’t receive many any more.

Sitting in my peaceful valley again today.  I do have a tinge of restlessness in my background going on but thinking that is from the upcoming full moon that is happening Saturday night.  I’m glad I will be gone tomorrow with my trip to KC and then have my friends coming over Thursday noon.  I am going to babysit the kiddos Thursday evening so will be busy the next two days.  Friday things will slow back down for me.

Grateful for a good night’s sleep, grateful for a productive morning, and grateful to have found Bright Lines Eating Plan.

Went into Emporia this morning and made a good dent in my shopping list.  I stopped by the medical clinic and had my blood drawn for my quarterly thyroid test.  I also had a UA done to make sure my UTI has cleared up.  Went to the liquor store to get some Vodka so I can make some more vanilla.  Got the bourbon for our bourbon slush while I was there.  The lady that waited on me told me she didn’t drink either.  She was helpful and knowledgeable.  Went to Wal-Mart and got light bulbs, hangers, cookie containers, and groceries.

Stopped by and saw a friend I hadn’t seen for a long time.  It was good to see him.  I need to remember to drop in on my friends more often.  I didn’t stay long but it was nice to catch up with him.

Still need to get the two packages ready to mail.  I sat down to eat lunch when I got home and forgot I was going to do that today so will get the packages to the post office in the morning.  I want to make another batch of fudge and get the Chex Mix made yet this afternoon.  The batch of fudge I made yesterday turned out OK.  I could have cooked it for another three minutes but I prefer it to be a bit soft than too hard.  I didn’t taste it but it looks good.

Got one Christmas present today while I was out and about.  Still have lots to go though.  Wish I was a better gift buyer.  I don’t like “Stuff” and find it hard to buy stuff for other people.

Feeling a bit better today although my energy still seems a bit low to me.  Thinking my body is really tired and it is going to take a few days for it to fully recover from all my adventures.

I’m sitting in my favorite chair noticing how the sunlight coming in the west windows is casting light on all the dust that has gathered while I was gone.  Looks like cleaning house will be on my to-do list for tomorrow.  I finally got my kitchen cleaned up from all the baking I did yesterday.  I am going to go get it dirty again in a bit.  Good thing it cleans up fairly easily.

May go take a long walk when I get done writing this blog.  It is so nice outside I need to get out and enjoy it.  Thinking real winter weather will be here some day soon.

I have a very quiet mind this afternoon.  Hard for me to hold on to any thoughts long enough to get anything done.  After all the busyness of the last two months it feels good to have found my peaceful, quiet valley again.  I have nothing on my calendar for tomorrow other than mailing the two packages.  Empty space feels so good right now.  May call tomorrow a pajama day and do nothing but read and rest.  I haven’t treated by self to a day like that for a long time.

Grateful for the beautiful day, grateful my list is shorter than it was this morning, and grateful for my peaceful, quiet valley.  I have missed sitting in it!

Whew!  Survived this day.  Made a full table top full of sugar cookies.  They are iced and sprinkled.  I made the biggest mess in my kitchen today and it is almost cleaned up.  The floor has been scrubbed and vacuumed, the center island is clean, and the chairs have been desprinkled.  Still need to do a second load of dishes and clean out the sinks and then my kitchen will be back in order.  Always glad to get the sugar cookies made.  Ellexia vacuumed the sprinkles up for me – she likes to vacuum.

Made a pan of peanut butter bars this morning.  Still need to get a batch of fudge made but needed to wait until the grandkids went home to make that.  The kiddos just left so next on my list is my second attempt at fudge.  Trusting this batch will come out OK.

Tim brought the grandkids out this morning around 11:00.  They had spaghetti and meat balls for lunch.  Both snacked on Christmas cookies and peanut butter balls all afternoon.  Two cans of Pringles disappeared too.  It was fun having them here today.

Tagen carried up the tubs that had the Christmas trees in them and Ellexia carried up the boxes of ornaments.  I put the trees together and then they each took a tree to decorate.  I had to finish each of them as they both crapped out on me.  Both trees are up and almost finished.  Need to find the tree toppers and tree skirts and they will be done.  Glad that job is done.  I appreciated the help and motivation the kiddos provided me today to get the trees up.

I needed to fill the chicken water can today.  I thought I had it on right but when I picked it up I spilled three gallons of water all over.  It is a heated watering can and I sometimes have the hardest time putting it back together correctly.  Not sure what I do wrong.  Some days it goes on easy as can be – other days I fight with it.  At least it wasn’t freezing out today.

It was another beautiful day on the prairie with temperatures in the mid 50’s and no wind.  I wasted another good hiking day by staying inside baking cookies.  Maybe tomorrow I can get out and take a hike.  My body feels a bit swollen  and bloated today – thinking it is because I haven’t been out walking since Friday.

The fundraising dinner last night at Pioneer Bluffs went over well.  I had fun serving and visiting with the other volunteers.  I ate some of the food that was served – not sure it was all on plan as I felt a bit stuffed and bloated afterwards.  The couple that prepared all  the food sure worked hard to make it a nice evening for our guests.  The guests enjoyed at least four different wines or liquors with dinner.  They were all pretty happy and relaxed by the time they left.

I forgot to eat lunch until 3:00 this afternoon.  I fixed the kiddos their lunch and then started rolling sugar cookies.  It is going to take me a couple of days to get back on track with my eating plan.  My body is feeling sluggish and a bit icky so will be glad to get back on track.  It seems to be happiest when I eat my normal food.

Feels good to have gotten the sugar cookies made and the trees up.  I feel much more ready for Christmas now.  Still need to get some presents purchased, some cards sent out and a couple of packages mailed.  I still have almost two weeks before most of the packages need to be purchased so have lots of time left.

Have two empty space days ahead of me.  Should be able to finish the rest of my Christmas baking and get some packages ready to mail tomorrow.  Nice to have some empty space again.  Feels like it has been a long time since I had a nice stretch of empty space on my calendar.  I need to slow down and allow all of me to come together.  It has been a whirlwind of activity lately.  I need to get regrounded and find my center and prepare myself for Winter Solstice.  The light will start returning after Friday and the pace tends to pick up when that happens.

Grateful the sugar cookies are complete, grateful the grandkids came out today, and grateful the trees are up and decorated.  Let the Christmas season begin!

My Christmas cooking did not get off to a great start. I burned the first batch of fudge I attempted to make.  Still haven’t decided if I can save my favorite fudge making pan.  I remember years ago I ask my mother why she made fudge late at night.  She told me you can only make fudge and not do anything else and late evenings was the only time she could only do one thing.  I now understand what she was saying. I was making peanut butter balls and talking to Ellexia and Tagen on FaceTime when I burned the fudge.

I think the chocolate dipped peanut butter balls turned out OK.  They look good – I didn’t sample them.  I also dipped some Ritz crackers spread with peanut butter in chocolate to use up the rest of the dipping chocolate.  Made one pan of Peanut butter Rice Krispie treats.  Can you tell my family loves peanut butter?

The grandkids may come out tomorrow.  If they do I want to make sugar cookies while I have some helpers to frost them.  They said they would help me do so.

I will try another batch of fudge tomorrow.  I want to get some Christmas boxes mailed Monday and they need fudge in them if I can manage to get a good batch made.  Not sure why fudge always seems to give me trouble each year.

I am tired a bit today.  I slept hard for three hours last night but then had trouble sleeping the rest of the night.  Not feeling great this afternoon but thinking it is just because I am tired.  Trusting by tomorrow my energy level will start to rebound and I will be feeling better.  I have been trying to drink lots of water today as I feel a bit dehydrated.  It is hard to drink enough when one travels.

I need to shower and clean up and get ready to go to Pioneer Bluffs to help serve the fundraising dinner tonight.  After I finish blogging I will go down and gather eggs, give the dogs their HeartGuard and then take a shower.  I didn’t get out and take a walk today – too busy in the kitchen.  This is the first time I have sat down all day.

I did manage to get my suitcase unpacked and my laundry done today.  It always feels like it completes a trip when I put the suitcase away and have the laundry washed up and put away.  I’m sitting here looking at all the dust that came in my house while I was gone.  I had cleaned my whole house before I left but it sure got dusty while I was gone.

Feels good to have a start on my Christmas goodies.  Only have sugar cookies, peanut butter bars and several batches of fudge left on my list to make.  I will make New Year’s Cookies the day before our family gathering on the 29th so they are fresh for the kids to take home.  I won’t eat any this year.

Still need to put my Christmas tree up.  Maybe the grandkids can help me do that job tomorrow too.  I thought about not putting it up this year but I have some guests coming the 26th through the 31st and I feel like I need to have them up for them.  I’ll see how it goes tomorrow – may not happen.

I want to get a few Christmas cards and write some letters to put in them and get them out next week.  I used to send lots of cards but have really cut back on how many I send out now.  Most everyone I know is on Facebook and they can keep up with what I am doing.  I do have a few relatives and friends that aren’t on Facebook and I like to send them cards with a letter.

It is another beautiful day on the prairie.  56 degrees out in the middle of December!  I’ll take that anytime.  The wind is quiet today – it would have been a perfect day for a long walk.  Maybe tomorrow I’ll get away from the kitchen and get a walk in.

Got through the big pile of mail that came while I was gone.  Got a bill or two paid.  Filed the important stuff and added a big pile of papers to my recycling bins.  I think 90% of the mail I get is junk mail these days.

After Christmas I will get to start working on my income tax information.  I am anxious to see how the new tax laws will affect me this year.  Trusting I will not have to pay any income tax.  I haven’t really read the new changes so don’t have a clue.

Still sitting with all that happened on the retreat.  Feels a bit like I was in a different world for over two weeks.  I’m sure things will fall into place when the timing is right and I have had some time to process what happened.  Feeling like not all of me has returned home yet.

Grateful for this beautiful day, grateful that most of what I made today turned out OK, and grateful I was able to spend most of today at home in silence.  My soul needed that today!

I got home yesterday from my retreat.  It was so good to get away and so good to get home.  I had a wonderful time away.   It will take me some time to process all that happened while I was gone.  I’m glad I went and took a chance.  It may be an interesting year ahead of me!

My pet-sitter did a great job for me while I was gone.  I did get one phone call to let me know two of the three dogs had gone missing for a bit.  Both returned home later that day.  Not sure what happened – the electricity may have gone out or else the charge on their collars ran out.  Glad they returned safely.  I felt bad for my pet-sitter as she had looked for them for over an hour.  I was glad they returned for her peace of mind.

I hit the ten-month mark on Bright Line Eating Plan while I was gone.  I have lost 49 pounds in the ten months I have been eating on plan.  It was a challenge at times to stay on plan while traveling but I came home weighing what I did when I left.  I did do lots of walking while I was gone so that may have helped.  I have gone ten months now without eating any flour or sugar – at least to the best of my knowledge.  I don’t use artificial sugar or flours either.

I made an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon today so he can check out my bunions.  The one on my left foot is starting to cause my big toe to go numb and then it burns. I was able to walk through the pain but I am not sure how long I can do that.  I waited way too long to get the neuromas removed and I am not going to do that with the bunions.  I won’t see him until January 22.

I have 16 dozen eggs in my refrigerator!  The girls have decided to start laying again. Anyone need eggs?  I got a dozen eggs today when I went down this afternoon to the coop.  Glad to see they have quit being slackers.

I am sure enjoying the sunset tonight as I write this blog.  I missed seeing it while I was gone.  Today was absolutely beautiful with temperatures in the low 50’s.  I took a three-mile walk this afternoon.  The wind was a bit brisk when I walked north but in the lower valleys it was really nice.

It will be nice to get back into a “normal” routine again.  I don’t have much on my calendar for the rest of the month.  We aren’t having our family Christmas until December 29 so have two weeks of free time ahead of me.  I have been gone so much lately that I will really appreciate some down time.

I went into Emporia this morning and got the ingredients to start making my Christmas treats for the kids.  I need to give some serious thought to what I want to do for Christmas presents.  I haven’t taken the time to decide what I want to do yet.  Good thing I have two weeks to decide.

I need to get the treats made so I can ship a box to a couple of different people.  Hoping I will have enough made by Monday that I can get them out then so the people I am sending them to will get them by Christmas.  Still can’t wrap my head around the fact that Christmas is only 11 days away.  I haven’t caught the Christmas spirit yet.  Not my favorite time of the year.

Tomorrow night I am going to Pioneer Bluffs to help serve a fancy fundraising dinner.  I will be around some good friends so it will be a fun evening in service.

Sitting with a full heart tonight.  I really had the most amazing time on my retreat.  Feeling a bit like a let down might be in store for me over the next week or so.  The trip to Australia and New Zealand was so wonderful and then I followed it a week later with my retreat experience.  Time to slow things down and give myself some quiet time to process all that has happened.

Grateful for the beautiful sunset tonight that seemed to be saying Welcome home to me, grateful for the retreat experience, and grateful for the possibilities ahead of me for 2019.  Feels like it might be a year full of changes and adventures!

This will be my last blog for a couple of weeks.  I am preparing to leave on retreat and need to take a social media break as part of the retreat.  I will be checking text messages and email while I am gone as I have access to internet so if you want to get hold of me that is the best way to do so.  I will have my cell with me so you could call too.  I will accept calls as I am able to do so.  Leave a message if I don’t answer and I will call you back when I am free.

Walked my driveway this morning to check on the snow drift situation.  Luckily the propane truck made a propane delivery to me today and cut a track in the one big drift.  The drift is well over my knees deep.  After I shoveled for a bit I realized the drift is in a place that is easy to drive around and I really didn’t need to shovel it.  The sun is out this afternoon and the ice on the sidewalks is melting away already.  It will take some time before the deep drifts are gone though.

I went down and checked on the chickens and let them out into their yard to play.  They seemed to have survived the storm OK.  Had five eggs already this morning.  I’ll go down this afternoon and see if there are any more.

It was weird when the wind finally stopped blowing last night.  The house got very quiet.  I had trouble getting anything done yesterday as I was unsettled most of the day. I felt small and vulnerable during the storm.  Grateful when the wind slowed down and things calmed down a bit.  Last night was beautiful though as the almost full moon was shining brightly on the fresh snow and its’ light was being reflected.

Went to lunch today with a dear friend.  We had a lot to catch up on as I hadn’t spent time with her for a bit.  Always good to catch up with a friend.  The roads to town were nice and dry and clear.  Trusting my travel day on Wednesday will be as good.

I have started packing this afternoon.  Feel like I am taking too much stuff but won’t have easy access to laundry facilities while I am gone.  I have room to take stuff which may not be a good thing.  The outer wear takes up a lot of space.  It won’t all fit in my carry on bag this time.  Will have to take a second bag of some sort to fit it all in.  Add in some yarn, nuts, and miscellaneous stuff and I may need three bags.  I don’t like traveling that heavy.

Almost have my whole house cleaned.  I will finish up this afternoon and evening.  Always nice to come home to a clean house.

Excited to get this next adventure started.  Looking forward to the possibilities it may bring.

Grateful for surviving the blizzard yesterday with no damages, grateful for a dear friend that had lunch with me today, and grateful for the possibilities that this retreat may bring.

I have taken a day of rest today.  Can’t say I have done much of anything today.  Slept in until 10:00 again this morning.  I could get used to that!  So nice to actually get some sleep.  I woke up several times during the night but was able to go back to sleep fairly quickly.  But as is normal for me, when I get lots of sleep I am more tired during the day.  Could take a nap if I let myself do so but will try to stay awake so I can sleep again tonight.

I woke up this morning just as the sun was coming up.  It was a bright red ball on the horizon.  Clouds were just above it as it rose.  Took my breath away it was so beautiful.  I tried taking a picture of it but it didn’t capture the beauty very well.

The wind started howling around midnight last night and only picked up in intensity as the night progressed.  It started snowing around 8:00.  I haven’t seen a blizzard like this one for a long time.  Most of the day I couldn’t see the fence in the back yard or the road in the front yard.  Have a four-foot drift in the front yard on the fenced in area.  In the back yard the snow is to the top of the retaining wall where it is over six-foot tall.

Went down around 4:00 to check on the chickens.  Almost got blown over from the wind on the way down to the coop.  All is well inside the coop.  They even gave me seven eggs todays.  It was a struggle to walk into the wind coming back up to the house.  My new insulated pants came in handy today.  I stayed nice and warm.  Felt a bit like a stuffed teddy bear but what ever works – right?

I can’t get out of my driveway without shoveling.  Trusting by tomorrow or Tuesday it will be melted down and I can get out.  It is to be sunny and in the mid 30’s tomorrow and Wednesday.  That should take care of the snow.  Hard to tell how much snow we actually got as it has been so windy.  There are lots of bare places and lots of deep drifts all over the yard.  There is a layer of ice below the snow.

The sun came out for about ten minutes while I was doing chicken chores.  It has gone back behind clouds again.  Sure was beautiful when the sun was out and shining on the snow.  Forecast calls for the wind to slow down soon and the clouds to roll on out of here later this evening.  It will be beautiful when the moon comes up tonight and shines on the snow.

I still have tomorrow to get ready for my retreat.  I have some more cleaning to get done that I was going to do today and haven’t gotten done yet.  Sure glad I went to the grocery store yesterday and won’t have to get out tomorrow.  By Tuesday everything should be back to normal road conditions.

The dogs spent the day in the garage under the heat lamp – or at least fairly close to it.  They are getting outside now that things are calming down.  The chickens hadn’t ventured out of their coop.  I closed their door when I went down this afternoon so they will stay a bit warmer tonight.  I will need to remember to go down in the morning and let them out.  The cats went outside and turned around quickly and came back inside.

Spent some time having a good phone conversation with a dear friend of mine this afternoon.  Always good to catch up with her.  Not sure why I don’t call her more often.

Still sitting in my peaceful valley, full of anticipation and excitement about my retreat.  The jet lag feels like it is behind me.  Grateful it went away as quick as it did.  Feels like all sorts of possibilities are in front of me to step into.  Am working to stay present with this moment and not get ahead of myself.

Grateful for my fireplace to keep me extra warm during the blizzard today, grateful for the beauty that the snow provides, and grateful for a rest day so I can go into my retreat feeling rested and ready to go!

Another beautiful day on the prairie.  Mid 60’s with bright blue skies and lots of sunshine.  Hard to think there may be snow on the prairie by morning.  I like today’s weather better than the cold that is headed my way.

Cleaned the main part of the house this morning.  I hadn’t done that for a bit and it feels good to have it cleaned again.  Still working on washing linens and cleaning the guest bedrooms.  Have three done and only one more to go.  May finish yet tonight with the last room.  Always feels good to have a completely clean house.

Still need to do my bedroom and laundry room and then the upstairs will be done.  Have the great room and the coffee-room to do downstairs.  May get both done today.  I still have Sunday and Monday free to get to them too.

I went into Emporia a little after noon and was able to get in and out of Walmart without much hassle.  It was busy but not crazy busy.  Got what I needed and got out of there.

Went into Cottonwood Falls to check out Country Christmas this afternoon.  Ran into a couple of friends when I was out and about.  I love small town living for that reason.  I plan on going back in to watch the parade tonight unless it gets too cold.

Kathy called me this afternoon and we had a nice phone visit.  Was good to get caught up with her and share our lives again.  I miss having her around to talk to.

Monday I will need to do my laundry so I can get packed for the retreat.  I am leaving early Wednesday morning.  So looking forward to this adventure.

Back to being in my peaceful valley.  I sure miss it when I leave it.  I know it is always there waiting for me to return.  Life is easy in the valley.  Someday I am going to figure out how to stay here.

Thinking my jet lag is finally over.  I have had good energy all day again today and have been able to eat on schedule.  The fog is gone and I can remember what I got up to go do.  Couldn’t manage that task earlier this week!

Grateful for another beautiful day on the prairie, grateful for a clean house, and grateful for my peaceful valley.

Sleep!  Blessed sleep at last.  Although I didn’t fall asleep until after 3:30 this morning I slept until almost 10:00 this morning without waking up.  That is the longest I have slept in a row for a long time.  The day sure has gone by fast since I got up so late.

I went into Cottonwood Falls to take the recycling and to get some cash from the bank.  Stopped at Salty Cow and ended up buying a sweater coat that I had been looking at for sometime.  Unfortunately the Salty Cow is going out of business but fortunately for me the sweater was 40% off.  Also mailed Kathy’s mail to her.

Decided to drive on into Emporia and get critter feed.  Went to Bluestem and loaded up my car with four bags of chicken feed, two bags of dog food, one bag of cat food and a container of litter.  I wanted a pair of very warm coveralls to do chores in.  They didn’t have any in Women’s size small so I tried on a youth size 14 – 16.  They fit!  They are a bit big but the next size smaller was way too short.  I ended up with an overall type thing as that was all they had in my size.  They will be nice and warm on those bitter cold days coming up.  I will take them with me to CO next week so I can stay warm when I go hiking in the mountains.  I won’t be very stylish looking but I will be warm which is more important to me.

Still working on laundry from the guest rooms.  Almost have one more room’s laundry complete and most of the second room.  Found extra linens that I can remove from the closets.  I keep changing the bed configuration and forget to shift the linens to match.  Still need to get downstairs and detail the bedrooms and bathrooms.  I got a late start this morning but bet I can stay up later than normal tonight since I slept in. I still have one more bedroom to get linens from and to detail clean  Then I will need to detail clean all the other rooms in the house.

Stopped by and saw the grandkids before I came home.  Ellexia’s birthday will happen while I am on retreat so I had her get on Amazon with me and she picked out some leggings and socks for her present.  She wanted socks that didn’t have bumps in them.   I assumed that meant no seams in the toes.  Trusting what we ordered will work.  I had the packages shipped directly to her so she will have them before her birthday.  If they delivered it to my house and it got delayed the dogs would make quick work of the items in the boxes before I got home. That was easy shopping!  Both grandkids gave me their Christmas list while I was there too.  I’ll have to send Santa a note and find out what is left to get them and then I can get their items ordered and be done with my Christmas shopping.  Have I mentioned I don’t like Christmas?  Tagen was sick last night so I didn’t bring the kiddos home with me.  I didn’t have room for them in my car anyways as it was full of critter feed.

It is another beautiful day on the prairie today.  May get out and take a walk and move my body.  It is a touch windy but not too bad.  Snow is forecast for Sunday so want to enjoy the sun and warmth while it lasts.

I am feeling much better today.  The fog I have been in seems to have lifted a bit.  I feel like I have been in a complaining state for the last couple of days.  Thinking it was jet lag and the full moon combination.  Whatever it is I am glad it is lifting and I am back to experiencing more joy and happiness again.  I know the low levels are necessary but always grateful when they pass and I can zoom higher again.  The house doesn’t seem so big and empty to me today.

Grateful my errands for the day are complete, grateful my mood has shifted an I am riding high and easy again, and grateful I found some warm overalls to do chores in this winter.

We had a beautiful Thanksgiving Day with part of my family.  Only had 10 for dinner but all enjoyed it.  I am grateful for all who were able to join me today.  I managed to pull off dinner with ease.  My jet lag is still lingering so I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to pull it off.  I managed to send all the leftovers home with others.  Had way too much food for only 10 people.  I’m glad it all found a place to go.

Got the upstairs guest room and bathroom detailed cleaned and all linens washed.  Went downstairs and brought up the linens from one of the bedrooms to wash up.  I will get that room detailed cleaned tomorrow and finish washing all the linens.  May get started on the second room downstairs tomorrow too.  I love having a completely cleaned house.  It has been a bit since I have managed to get it all cleaned.

Next Wednesday I am going to leave for a private retreat for two or three weeks.  I am thinking I am going to not blog or be on social media while I am gone.  I found a person that will come take care of my animals twice a day while I am gone thanks to a referral by a friend.

I may be crazy for going so soon since I just returned home Monday.  This retreat will be a totally different experience and will be much quieter and will be on my schedule.  It feels right to get away for a bit and take a break from blogging and social media.  I will have my phone so if you need to get hold of me send me a text or email.

I really dislike Christmas and getting away from it for three weeks sounds like heaven to me.  I will have to get organized when I get home to get things ready as I haven’t given it much thought yet.  I have learned how to simplify what I do for Christmas.  We aren’t having our family Christmas until the 29th so will have two weeks to get it together after I get back.  No worries – right?  I haven’t decided it I am going to put my tree up this year or not.  May decide to do it tomorrow.  Seems a bit silly to put it up though since I will be gone and won’t be home to enjoy it.

Managed to eat on plan today.  I had fixed a big pan of roasted veggies so ate a big serving of those and some turkey.  I didn’t taste the other stuff I made so trusting it was all good.  Got rid of all six pies so I won’t be tempted to eat any of them.

I did miss eating a piece of pie mid-morning.  My mother and I used to do that together as we took a break from fixing Thanksgiving dinner together.  I really missed her today and that tradition we shared together.

I thought I had gained weight while I was in Australia.  I came home three pounds heavier than when I left but I am back to where I was when I left this morning.  It has been over nine months since I started Bright Lines.  Am so very grateful I found this plan and that it is working for me.  It is easy to do – even traveling and during the holidays.

Tomorrow I need to stock my critter food supply again so I can leave again.  Have a long list of things to get done this weekend so I can be ready to leave Wednesday morning.  The stores will be busy so will try to time my trip to town when I think the Black Friday shoppers are done.  There is no bargain big enough to make me want to get out and face all those shoppers.

My nephew is going to come repair my chicken coop fencing.  The snow that came while I was gone was heavy enough to pull out the staples that held the fence over the top of the coop.  He looked at it today and thinks he can get it fixed easily.

Jason saw a light bulb on the kitchen counter and ask where it needed to go.  A bulb had burned out in a guest room closet.  He is tall enough to reach it easily.  Thanks Jason!  I appreciate your help.  I am lucky to have people show up just when I need them.

I am a bit teary tonight for some reason.  Can’t decide if it because I am still not sleeping very well and am very tired, the effect of the full moon tomorrow, or if something else is behind it.  Doing my best to allow it to be what it is and not create a story around it.  I keep reminding myself the lower and deeper I can feel allows me to feel even higher levels of joy.

I have been surprised how big and empty the house feels to me right now.  Guess I got used to others being here.  Feels a bit heavy to not know when I might have others here again.  Funny because I really enjoy time alone.  I’m sure I will adjust to living completely alone again.  Didn’t anticipate it would feel like this though.

Grateful for a beautiful day with family and good food, grateful for the help I received today and will receive soon, and grateful for being able to go on a retreat and give myself some time to play.

A night of very little sleep last night.  So frustrating.  I thought I was really tired but I slept for one hour and was up for most of the night.  I did get another hour of sleep around 6:00 but it only lasted an hour.  Maybe tonight will be the night.

I did eat on schedule today.  I wasn’t really hungry but am trying to remind my body it is on KS time now.  My ankles aren’t as swollen today so I am on my way to recovery.

Went into Emporia around 11:00 and picked up my granddaughter.  She came out to help me bake pies and break the bread for the dressing tomorrow.  I fixed her blueberry pancakes while she scrambled herself some eggs.  We got six pies baked and three loaves of French bread broken into pieces.  She has been really good today and we have had fun.  Her daddy is coming to get her later this evening.

She helped keep me awake this afternoon.  I really wanted a nap but decided to try to get through without one to help increase the odds that I will sleep tonight.  That plan may not work but it is worth a try.

I will put the turkey in the oven late tonight so it will be done in the morning when I get up.  After it cools down a bit I will get it carved up and will warm it up before dinner.  That frees my oven for all the other stuff I will be making.  The house already smells divine from the pumpkin and pecan pies we baked.

Not sure how many people are coming for dinner.  Probably only have around 20.  I would prefer 35.  Come on over if you don’t have a place to go.  I will have plenty of food and would love to have a house full.

I haven’t gotten much housecleaning done yet.  May get some done yet tonight after the little one goes home.  I don’t want to go to bed at 7:00 so will need to keep myself busy.

I trust I have tomorrow under control.  I have my list – checked it twice.  It will be what it will be.

My Marine moved out today.  There is a chance he will get to come back after the first of the year.  He left some stuff here so he has to come back at least one more time for that.  It is going to be so weird to have this big house to myself again.

I want to do a deep clean again and wash all the linens and hand clean all the floors.  I don’t have any guests scheduled to come until December 26 so should have plenty of time to get to all the rooms.  It would be nice to have a completely cleaned house by Christmas.

We enjoyed watching the sunset tonight and then watched the almost full moon rise in the east.  What a beautiful day on the prairie this has been.  We had a fun afternoon together.

Grateful I had a helper today to get started on dinner for tomorrow, grateful for the beautiful day on the prairie, and grateful for the time my Marine and his wife spent with me.

I was up and showered before 5:15 this morning.  My body doesn’t know what time it is.  I went to the grocery store before 8:00 this morning and was home and everything put away by 9:30.  Ready to start cooking tomorrow.

I took a nap around noon time.  Decided to allow myself to sleep whenever sleep can find me.  Thinking it may take me a week or so to adjust back to regular sleeping patterns.  I wasn’t hungry at noon so waited to have lunch until 3:00.  Not sure when or if I will eat dinner.  Time is an artificial thing anyways.  Most of the clocks got reset for going off of Daylight Savings Time but found one or two that hadn’t been changed yet.  I am confused anyways as to what time it is and it doesn’t help to have clocks be off to add to my confusion.  I have to turn my iPad off to get its clock to reset.  I was gone when the time changed and haven’t gotten used to the new sunrise and sunset times yet.

The best part of getting up early was watching the sunrise this morning.  Nothing says welcome home to the prairie like watching the sunrise.  It was spectacular this morning.  Looking forward to watching the sunset this evening.

Still processing in my head the adventure I took.  I had so many wonderful moments during this trip.  Not sure I did a good job blogging about all of them.  I didn’t have a lot of learnings about myself this time like I normally do when I travel internationally.  Part of it was due to being part of a group and part of it was English was the primary language so it didn’t feel so foreign.

It was interesting watching myself interact (or not) with the other members of the group.  There were eight couples and one mother/son couple plus Nicole and I.  I didn’t have a lot in common with most of the other women on the tour.  Four or five of them have done lots of international travel.  Some liked to shop most of the time.  Some came home with expensive opal necklaces or rings or both.  I don’t think they knew what to do with me as I don’t wear make-up, I don’t drink, I don’t like to shop, and I didn’t change clothes two or three times a day.  That’s OK as I didn’t know what to do with them!

We must have been asked 10 times where the rest of our luggage was.  Nicole and I each only took one carry on sized bag with us.  Most had two huge suitcases and two carry on bags.

My favorite days were the days spent away from the cities and I was out in nature.  The cities were beautiful in their own ways but didn’t hold my interest for long.  Too busy.  Too many people.  Too loud.  I preferred the small diners rather than the fancy, pricey restaurants.

There was one couple that Nicole nicknamed “The Littles”.  They were both very short.  They were usually late coming back from our potty stops and were rather pushy about getting on and off the bus.  Every group seems to have a couple like that.  After a while it got annoying to be around them.  Did our best to not them push our buttons.

I had a few good conversations with a few of the people in the group.  Most didn’t want to go very deep and I don’t do small talk very well.  They passed a sheet around at the end where you could exchange email and phone numbers with each other.  I choose not to sign up.  I don’t think any of the group will be exchanging Christmas cards with me nor I with them.  Most were nice people but I really didn’t click with any of them.  Thankful Nicole was with me.

I didn’t bring many souvenirs home with me.  I did buy a book to put with my other travel books.  This one has pictures of the Maori people in it with an inspiration quote or piece of wisdom.  It will help take me back to New Zealand and the memories I made there.

Physically this was the easiest trip yet for me.  I was able to walk miles each day and didn’t have to stop and rest or even get winded.  I was able to eat foods that mostly didn’t contain flour or sugar.  Not sure I was 100% as when you eat out you never know for sure if flour or sugar was added.  I didn’t eat enough vegetables most days but ate what I could find.  Ate too many white potatoes but sometimes that was the only choice.  My ankles were still swollen a bit this morning when I weighed – I gained three pounds on the trip but thinking in a day or two when I release all the fluid I will be back to what I was before I left.  I will consider that a success!  I have been drinking lots of fluids today to help flush out my system.  I felt a bit dehydrated this morning.  It is hard to drink enough when you are on an airplane and there are bathroom lines most of the time.

Need to go do some housecleaning.  I took the trash down to the curb and gave the chickens some fresh linens today.  Did four loads of laundry today.  Feeling a bit sluggish this afternoon even with taking a nap.  Trusting I can pull off making a dinner on Thursday.

I am extending an open invitation to anyone that wants to join me for dinner Thursday.  We are eating at 1:00.  The more that come the happier I will be.  If you don’t have a dinner to go to that day please come to my house.  I always have lots of extra food and have plenty of room for more at my table.  Holler if you need my address and directions.  I would love to see you – and anyone you want to bring with you.

Grateful for this beautiful welcome home day, grateful all my critters look well taken care of, and grateful to be home on my little, quiet, peaceful corner of the prairie.

Home sweet home!  What an adventure I had.  One of my better international trips.  Worth the long flight to get there and to get home but I am exhausted.  I have a busy week ahead so will work in spurts and rest in spurts.

We had about an hours delay leaving Melbourne so sat at the Melbourne airport for several hours.  When we arrived in Auckland, New Zealand we had only 45 minutes to make our connection.  We ran through the airport for 35 minutes stopping only to wait in line through immigrations and customs.  Made it to the gate with 3 minutes to spare.  Nicole and I were seated in row 58 of 60 rows so it took a long time to get off the airplane.

We were in row 58 or 60 again for the 12 hour flight from Auckland to LA.  Sitting next to me was a man who must have weighed 500 pounds.  He overlapped into the aisle and they couldn’t get the carts past him.  The flight supervisor came over to us before we took off and told us she was going to move us after we reached cruising attitude.  We got moved to a Sky Coach row.  The middle seat was empty so Nicole and I got to sit in reclining seats that had foot rests.  We could even lay down together.  Neither one of us slept much on the 12 hour flight but it was more comfortable than the crowded back row.

We had four hours in LA to get through customs and immigrations, claim our luggage and recheck it with a different airline.  We hit the airport at the right time and didn’t have lines for either customs or immigrations.  Sat for over three hours waiting for our last flight.  The airport was crazy busy with people starting their Thanksgiving travel.  We arrived back in KC around 7:30.  Went to Nicole’s house and I picked up my car and headed home.  I was home by 9:45.

I took a hot bath and went to bed.  Managed to sleep until almost 3:30 this morning.  Stayed in bed until 5:30 but couldn’t go back to sleep.  Got up and unpacked my suitcase and started laundry.  I wanted to see the sun rise this morning.  Oh how I have missed that view.

I’m going into Emporia in a bit and get my Thanksgiving dinner groceries bought before the store gets busy later today.  I will spend the day cleaning and napping and doing laundry.  Oh so good to be home doing normal things.

My Marine was asleep by the time I got home last night but I saw him this morning.  I am so sad that he is leaving this week and won’t be back.  I will miss him!

Grateful for the safe trip home, grateful my luggage made it home with me, and grateful for the beautiful sunrise on the prairie this morning.

Tonight was amazing. Well worth the almost three hour bus ride to get there. Had a young bus driver that had a great sense of humor and he helped make the trip go fast.

He took us to see a field of Roos. I wanted to see the big Roos in a pasture. Mission accomplished.

We then went to Philips Island. The sea shore views were the best I’ve seen this trip. It is what I expected New Zealand to look like. If it does we didn’t see that part. They had a long boardwalk you could walk on and see the beach from different angles. That alone would have been worth the trip tonight. We must have walked several miles on the boardwalks.

We went down to the penguin parade viewing area. At 8:33 they started coming ashore. They are fairy penguins. Only about 12 inches tall with White bellies and gray backs. They came ashore in groups of 7 – 12 at a time. They have the cutest waddle and made cute sounds. The babies in the burrows were calling to their parents. The parents were calling to their mates. They estimated about a thousand came ashore tonight.

We watched wave after wave of them come in. They were so cute. Everyone watching had big smiles on their faces while they watched them.

Slowly the stars started popping out. I ask one of the rangers to show me the Southern Cross and he pointed it out to me. The moon was about 3/4 full and shining bright. By the time we left the night sky was full of stars.

This night was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me. Even if it makes the long trip home a bit harder it was so worth it.  Being outside, under the light of the moon and the stars, watching the penguins, and being with my daughter brought me to tears. One of those moments I will think of often and it will put a smile on my face every time!

We have to be on the bus before 8:30 in the morning to start our trip home. We fly from Melbourne to Auckland and then to LA and finally to KC. If all goes according to plan we arrive in KC at 7:30 Monday evening. Sounds like an 11 hour day but have to add 17 hours to that to adjust for all the time zone changes.

Lots of changes in store for me. Losing both of my long term guests will be an adjustment. The house will feel big and empty with just me in it. I haven’t been alone in my house since my sister came in Jan 2017.  Having an empty house feels like it gives me more options and possibilities.

Travel day today.  Nicole and I went on a walk this morning and ate breakfast at a cafe instead of in the hotel.  The food in the hotel was barely edible and we decided we needed a good breakfast.  We found it!  Too much food to eat but what we did eat was very good.

Went to the Saturday market for a bit and looked around.  Neither one of us bought anything but it was fun to look.

Met up with the group at 10:00 and traveled by bus to the airport.  We had a three and one-half hour flight today from Cairns to Melbourne.  Flight left on time and all our luggage arrived.  Traveled by bus to the hotel in Melbourne and got checked in.  This hotel is much nicer than the one we just left in Cairns.

Had a group dinner this evening.  The food was interesting.  I didn’t recognize much of what was in the salad.  The tour director forgot to bring down the sheet that recorded what everyone ordered.  We were the last table served and ended up with beef.  I’m sure I ordered chicken as I don’t eat much beef.  I did manage to eat the mashed potatoes and the beef for dinner.  Several at our table were not able to do so.

I came back up to the room and took a bath.  Nicole went out for a walk.  I needed some peace and quiet.  When we came in to the hotel the streets were crowded and I wasn’t in the mood to people any more tonight.

Tomorrow we have a group tour to orientate ourselves to the city.  Then we have free time.  We are signed up to go see the Penguin Walk but may or may not go.   We have to leave at 3:00 and won’t be back until 11:30.  Not sure when we are going to get dinner.  We leave for our long travel day Monday morning so not sure I want to be out that late.  We will see what we find to do tomorrow and may cancel the trip if we find something better to do.

Hard to believe we only have one full day left in Australia.  The time has flown by.

Found out my Marine is going to get laid off work next week so he will be leaving me.  My student left too so I will have my house to myself again.  It will be weird to be alone most of the time again.

Grateful for another safe travel day, grateful for some peace and quiet time tonight, and grateful for this wonderful adventure I have been on.

Another long, busy day of touring.  We left the hotel at 8:15 this morning on a bus.  Drove 20 minutes to a train station.  Boarded a train and traveled through the rain forest on the train for one and one half hours.  We then got back on the bus and went into Kuranda and spent an hour at the markets there.  We got back on the bus and went to the Rainforest Station for three hours.  While there we rode a Duck through the rain forest.  We traveled on rough side roads and through the river on the Duck.  The guide pointed out the names of trees and animals as we came across them.

After the Duck ride we had lunch.  We had a chance to taste Kangeroo meat if you choose to.  Nicole did- I didn’t.  The unanimous consent at our lunch table was the meat was over cooked and wasn’t very good.

After lunch Nicole and I got our pictures taken with a Koala.  Nicole held it while I petted it.  Nicole said it weighted more than she expected it to.  The Koala was quiet and cuddly.  They weren’t busy so Nicole got to hold it for a bit longer than she would have otherwise.

We walked through the animal park.  It wasn’t very big – smaller than the other one we visited earlier in the trip.  We were able to pet a kangaroo that was out in the yard.

Then we went to watch five indigenous men perform and dance.  One played the didgeridoo, three danced, and the other sang and play the sticks.  They were OK.

One of the performers then showed our tour group how to throw a boomerang and each person in our group had a chance to try their hand at it.  The performer than showed us how he played the didgeridoo and threw some spears.

We went back on the bus and went to the Gondola ride for the trip back to the city.  The Gondola ride lasted over an hour and was a beautiful ride over the top of the rain forest.  Our bus met us at the end and took us back to our hotel.

Our tour guide hosted a wine and cheese event pool side for a bit after we got back.  We only stayed for a bit and then we walked downtown and found dinner.  We stopped at the night market on the way home and then came back to the hotel.

It was in the low 90’s today and when one was in the direct sunlight it was hot and intense.  It was comfortable in the shade when there was a breeze.  Both of us are tired tonight again.  It felt like it was a long day.

The highlight of the day was being up close and personal with the Koala and the Gondola ride.  The rest of the day was OK but after the wonderful day we had yesterday certainly not as exciting as that.

Tomorrow we have over a three-hour flight to Melbourne.  We have a scheduled group dinner tomorrow night once we get to the hotel.  We plan on taking a long walk in the morning before we leave the hotel at 10:15 as we won’t get much chance to walk around again tomorrow.  We only spend two nights in Melbourne and then we head for home.

Grateful for the opportunity to get up close and personal with a Koala, grateful again for the beauty of the rain forest, and grateful this day is over!

I was too tired to write last night so I will catch up this morning.  I only slept for about two hours Wednesday night.  I was sluggish and tired all morning long.

We left the hotel around 8:00 and headed to the wharf where we boarded a catamaran for a 45 minute journey across the Coral Sea to the Great Barrier Marine Park.  There we had two hours to walk the rainforest path, swim in the pool, walk along side the beach or go snorkeling.

I sat by the pool for about an hour.  I found a place in the shade and away from most of the people.  The island was really crowded with several huge groups of school children from Asia.  I had trouble peopling in the morning.

i did manage to walk down to the beach and stick my toes in the sea for a bit.  It was a hot day in the 90’s and the skies were bright blue.  I loved the different colors of the ocean – ranged from a brilliant blue turquoise to a deep dark blue.

We then boarded a different catamaran and took a 55 minute journey to the Outer Great Barrier Reef.  There was a limit of 300 people on this island so had lots more room to explore.  They hooked the catamaran up to a huge multi-level pontoon boat. No land involved really.

We ate lunch and then got on our gear to go snorkeling.  I choose to put on the full body stinger suit.  I put it on more for sun burn protection than sting ray protection.  Nicole helped me get brave enough to get into the water.  I do not like to put my head under water.  I did manage to a few times and the views of the corral were amazing.  I had put a life jacket on and floated around more than anything.

I finally went back to the boat and ask the lifeguard if I could just float without the flippers or the mask.  The wind was rather high so he told me the area to stay in so I wouldn’t get blown out to sea.  I floated around for a bit and enjoyed the beautiful water.  It was very relaxing and fun.

Taking off the wet Lycra suit was a bit of a challenge though!  They had outside showers and a very small inside changing room.

They had an under ground observation deck and we saw several sharks while in there. We also rode on a partially submurged submarine that gave us great views of the coral and fish.  Nicole got some really good picture of that.

We took a two-hour ride to get back to Cairns.  We choose to walk back to the hotel instead of taking the bus.  After we dropped out stuff off in our room we went back out and found dinner.  Ate at an Irish pub and had the best food we have found in Cairns.  I had baked salmon that was cooked perfectly and served with veggies.

It was a nice warm evening and we enjoyed our walk back to our hotel.  I crashed early.  Woke up two hours later and thought I was ready to go for the day.  Got up and took a bath and was able to go back to sleep for a bit.  The sun came up at 5:30 this morning and woke me up.

Today we are going to ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway that goes through a rain forest.  We will see a native dance performance and have a BBQ lunch.  This afternoon we are going to the Koala Wildlife Park.  The evening will be free.

Only three more nights and we head for home.  Saturday we travel to Melbourne for two nights and one full day.  Monday we head for home.

Floating in the water at the Great Barrier Reef has been one of the better days of the trip.  The weather was perfect and the views spectacular.

Grateful for the beauty of Mother Nature, grateful for the chance to go down under and experience Australia and New Zealand, and grateful for my Marine and his wife back home that allowed me the chance to get away!