Tuesday, January 31, 2017



I'm working on all of my days being good ones, again. I've had enough of these last few months of trying to get my body back to rights. I swear, there should be recourse when the insurance company changes your meds on you, when you are stable and they KNOW you've had issues with other drug changes, for the pain and suffering they cause by it.

Having said that, I am thankful for 5 good days last week,with my blood pressure, and 2 "within normal limits, but high". It has been such a scary time for me since September, and hitting stroke level bp more than a few times has been terrifying. I am praying, now, that those times are past and my body is about back on an even keel.

I have a doctor appointment coming up on Friday, and will be discussing a few things with my darlin' doctor, then. She is the best! She may be a medical doctor but she also understands and is happy with naturals too. I can hardly wait to see what weight I have lost since last time. Every little helps though, so I'll be grateful for however much it is!

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Well, today, I have been working on my taxes again, for my AVON. I'm now on the last mile of that marathon! I have done a little and often since the beginning of December, and all that remains is to tally the figures on my last 2 lots of commission levels. My brain just cried out for a break, so I acquiesced. Then, it's just a waiting game for my 1099. I wish it was online, but no worries, should be here in the next few days, and then hubby and I can get it all filed.

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We've been getting more decluttering done, just little by little, box by box. It all adds up, and once gone, donated, recycled or trashed, depending on what it is, it's gone for good ... and it FEELS so freeing!

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Good to see the sunshine coming out. It was so cold earlier. Even in bed and under the bedclothes, wearing my sweater, my nose and hands were like ice. I had to break down and put the heater on, just to take the edge off. I know, I shouldn't be so cheap, but I hate my power bill edging up towards 3 figures, and with our local company just raising their prices by 14%, it's going to be doing that anyway, without me using more :(

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Have a great day, my friends. God bless you all, wherever you are. Be thankful, an be happy :)






Friday, January 27, 2017

Just enjoying my day!

It's a good one! Hubby's alternate Friday off, so I have him home (which I love!). This morning, he took trash and recycles to the dump, picked up some groceries and had himself a proper American breakfast at Cracker Barrel. My friend, Dimple, was here cleaning for me, and we caught up on chit-chatting. She has recently gone back to school, as well as being a full-time mom and working ... I have every admiration for her!

It's pretty cold outside but the sunshine is coming through my bedroom window, and the brightness is welcome. I'm listening to Willie, Waylon, and the boys (The Highwaymen), just good old fashioned singalong classic country and western. 

Hope you have an awesome day, my friends :)


Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Catching up!


I have had a pretty amazing morning!

I am seeing definite improvements in normalizing my blood pressure again, and am very thankful. All is not well yet, but every day that I have a good reading, is one step closer to that end. I cannot believe that one month of a substitute drug (by insurance company decree, just a generic for the Crestor that I take usually) could cause such a problem. I had been on it for about 4 years and the name brand had never affected by blood pressure detrimentally, and lo! one month on the generic and here I am, almost 4 months later, still trying to work to get my body back to rights! It is not a journey I'd wish on anyone!


Earlier today, one of my friends posted on Facebook about watching a programme, on the telly, last night. She's still in England, so I searched for the title on youtube and found it. I LOVE it! I've always been interested in history, and social history from the 1800s onwards is my favourite time period, so (for me) this is a must watch, as it takes a family "back in time" to live, for a while, according to the rules and ways of a long gone era. these types of shows have also helped me broaden my understanding of how my ancestors lived, as I delve into my family history.

Today, I've actually learned a few things I didn't know! My nan was born in January of 1908, one of the years featured in the above episode, and it was apparently a year of the Olympics, and in fact, of them being held in London where Britain won the most medals, of those Games. It was also a time when there were more women entrants. Obviously, I shall look deeper into all of that later.

Being that the family, in the show, is purportedly middle class, they have a maid, and it's pretty neat, as a friend and I were discussing domestic service on Facebook only a day or so ago, and I had mentioned that one of my nan's aunts had been in it. The conversation had veered off  from one about Downton Abbey, and in talking I'd mentioned that not all "in service" occurred in big country homes. This programme highlights that and shows the routine that a young woman working for a single family as an all-purpose maid, might have.

I like the insights from those taking part, as they compare their lives today with how things were back then, and their opinions. I'm also crazy over the Edwardian ladies' fashions, I have always loved those buttoned through, high-necked, beaded blouses with leg-of-mutton sleeves!

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So, over the past few weeks, as I've struggled to stabilize my body again, I found this resource
Foods that lower blood pressure naturally
and have added a banana, a kiwi fruit and a peach to my daily diet, and it definitely seems to be making a difference. I am thankful to be able to say that! Added to which, fruit is always good, and the roughage (does anyone use that word any more, LOL) helps digestion.

The weight loss is going well too. I only weigh at my doctor's office, at appointments, so have almost 2 weeks before my next visit, but I can feel the difference in myself, and am consciously aware of everything I choose to eat, and the activity that I do. it is hard, being disabled, to exercise, since I cannot walk well, or stand properly unaided, any more, BUT I have figured out a way to get some in whilst seated! They say, "where  there's a will, there's a way!" and that's true. My "exercising" may only be in snatches of a minute or so, but, throughout the day, they all add up!

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I spent some time this morning writing a post in my AVON blog, as with this one, it was affected by my ill health, so getting back to it was a good accomplishment, for me! Then I spent some time sharing it on Facebook and Google. Facebook is bad for me right now, I just can't get on there and see all the negativity. It pushes my blood pressure up and just makes me feel sad.

So many things people could be doing, to improve their lives and those around them, but would rather be snippety, and hateful. I guess I'm getting old, LOL, because I'm like "nah, give it a rest, please".

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Hubby and I are still working on our 2 year plan, and are some 7 months into it now. This year, I am trying to pay down bills and clear some (they have a never-ending ability to repopulate, LOL). No sooner do I pay one medical bill, for instance, than another pops up. Ah the joys of senior living!

We did splurge somewhat over Christmas, but with an added benefit that will save us money over the next few months. We took our cable box back, and said goodbye to Charter for another service. All we have now is the internet. Christmas 2015 we said goodbye to our landline through them, and simply stuck with our mobiles. It was slow, yes, we are older and weren't sure if we'd be ok or not, but really, it was freeing!!!! And has saved us beaucoup $$$ each month! That, of course, is a blessing and definitely not to be scoffed at.

We did get a Firestick, and a Roku box, and we have an antenna to pick up local channels, and it must be a good one as those little rabbit ears give us a better quality picture than the cable did! Isn't that something?

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Just fed ye animals, all except for "she-who-no-longer-listens", who refuses to come in until her daddy gets home from work. Hers is ready and waiting for her. I love her dearly but she is such an obstinate brat now. She has always been strong-willed, but being 13, she now feels like she doesn't have to do what she doesn't want to. Physically, I can't make her come in either, if I could walk, I'd go out and put the leash on her, and bring her in ... but being unable to walk that far means that's never going to happen, and believe you me, she KNOWS it too!

Look at that cheesy smile, when she was getting fussed by my friend's daughter and hamming it up for the camera!

I hate in rainy and cold weather, when she refuses to come in. I can just imagine people driving past seeing that "poor neglected dog out in all weathers" and not knowing that there is a nice cosy blanket and heat inside for her and the rest of ye 4 leggeds, that SHE chooses not to come in for! LOL.

At least today is sunny and bright, all 4 canines are out there catching the rays right now.

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Well, have an awesome afternoon, my friends. Please leave a comment below so I know you stopped by :)  Thanks!

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

I apologise

To all who are my friends and followers, but my health has been very rough since the beginning of the year, with my blood pressure issues, so I have fallen behind in my ramblings, and also my business (on my other blog).

I feel badly and just want to say I appreciate all the prayers and well wishes, and hope to be back in force as soon as I get this under control. Thanks for your patience!

Sunday, January 1, 2017


Wishing you all the very best for 2017,
health, prosperity and happiness,
and success in all you do 

Well, we have bade goodbye to 2016, and ushered in the newest 365 days of fresh opportunity. It's ours to do with, as we may. A roller coaster that we are just getting onto, what does it hold? What will we achieve? Nobody knows, but we shall find out as it unravels in the coming weeks and months.

I'm excited at the possibilities. Hubby and I decided upon a 2 year plan in Summer of this year, and have started working towards it, little by little.

One of our projects is decluttering - and we have made a good start on that but still have a long way to go. The Salvation Army has been benefitting from both of us going through our closets, a local safe house for women escaping from domestic violence received 20 gift bags of assorted AVON for the ladies there as I liquidated inventory, the recycle bins got boxes of papers (some from 2007/2008! Yeah, I guess I am a hoarder!) and I gave away other goodies to friends. All in the past 4-6 months! I'm feeling pretty satisfied with progress so far!

2016 was not all good for me, my blood pressure went out of whack when the insurance company decided to change one of my meds for a generic version. Unfortunately, I had all kinds of issues and a month later, my doctor changed it back to the name brand as a medical necessity, but the damage is done and my body is now taking its sweet time in getting back to normal.My doctor has had to double 2 of my meds, and the situation still is not under control and stable.

However, between adjusting my diet to accommodate as least sodium and acid as possible (this latter, to naturally appease and heal a hiatus hernia),since September, I have lost a total of 24lbs, which is def most welcome. I have a long way to go, as being very inactive due to my limited mobility, is def not conducive to being slim! But 24lbs is not to be scoffed at, and I'm thankful it's gone!

We got some bills paid off in 2016 and are looking at saying goodbye to even more in 2017. We just got a Firestick and Roku, and have said goodbye to $102 month cable bill through Charter.It feels so good!

Anyway, I hope that 2017 is a good one for you and that you achieve all you set out to do.

Be happy my friends :)