perfect rest? yes, if my mind is set on GOD...

sister's love...pure perfection... decisions...decisions...decisions...

Setting priorities is a ways a challenge...

When my boys were little it was easy... They were first even when they didn't think so...they were... Now there are grandbabies and parent needs that are a part of the mix... I want to be helpful and available for them all... only kink is they are 1100 miles apart!!! So now I am working out logistics to be there for them all... I have a partner in all this. He is quite strong and knowledgeable, and available anytime I need a shoulder to cry on or a new idea or just to know someone is in this situation with me... no it is not my sweetheart (his is all those things as well). It is my GOD... He is always there and can watch over all my little family here and afar and keep all them tucked under his wing of protection. He is always ready with a new idea or plan if I will take the time to let him whisper it into my ear... I just have to remember that he is willing if I am ready. He can protect them all and lead them when I am not right there...he is... I often wonder how others do it all without his support...it must be so hard... well I will go get busy.

you be blessed today...

james birthday

happy birthday to you...

happy birthday to you...

happy birthday dear sweetheart...

happy birthday to you!!!

today is your birthday we are so glad you came along...

today is your birthday so we're singing you this song...

you are older and you are wiser since you lived this long...

today is your birthday so we'te singing you this song!!!

you be blessed today...

to the beach!!

trip to the beach!!!

all the grandbabies together for a change...

mom and dad too!!!

it was a nice day... I enjoyed it...

even went for ice cream after...

you be blessed today...

new car!!

I am so excited...

Haven't written in a few days because I have been running around in my new car...

We needed it to be able to run to and from Texas when the mood strikes us...

It is also much better on gas than the old '93 ford Econoline 250...

So now I have Penelope Texas Cruiser...my pt cruiser...

can you tell?

I am excited?

Here is a pic of the guy who helped me...

Jose Tirado at JD Byrider...good to do business with here in Ashtabula OH...

Certainly made my day a happy one...

Go see him if you have a chance...tell him misscathy sent ya!

banana bread

morning has broken... (i liked that song) today sweetheart and I get to go to the doctor... his first visit and me to find out all the news from the tests last week.

I bought groceries yesterday and tried to plan for me to be healthier. Shopped the perimeter more than the interior and so got more fresh foods than processed... this means more work but healthier food and maybe less poundage for me... I am back under 270 again...was 269 this morn... the water pills are having an effect and trying to be more careful seems to help as well. Now just to keep it up... please GOD help me keep it up... I feel so much better when I am smaller and stronger and healthier...*:)

Made banana bread this morn...no sugar, no fat, some whole wheat flour, this is not a sweet bread but uses the banana for fat and sweetener. Serve with melted butter or applesauce on it. Sweetie expecting sweet banana bread was not impressed... had good texture... I packed one of the loaves not sure yet if it will go to the freezer or the grand babies...*:) I will decide after Andy wakes up and tries it.

Here is the recipe:

Minted Banana Bread

2c white flour

2c whole-wheat flour

2tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1/4c chopped fresh mint (didn't have so left out)(DO NOT USE DRIED MINT)

3/4c plain yogurt or buttermilk (used yogurt)

1tsp grated orange rind (didn't have so left out)

1&1/2c mashed ripe bananas (3 large)

(took mine out of freezer in Ziploc bag-microwaved 3 min-mashed in bag)

mix dry ingredients in large bow.

in small bowl combine remaining ingredients and mix well.

pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir to mix but do not overwork.

pour into greased floured 9x5 loaf pan or 2-7x3 loaf pans (i did this one)

bake 375 degrees for 50 to 60 min until they test done

(ya know a knife in the middle coming out clean)

cool a few minutes and then turn out on rack to complete cooling.

enjoy

you be blessed today...

Today goal... prep for move... pack 5, recycle 5, trash 5... or such is the plan... am looking for the best way to move my son's 10 years of comics...*:)
Monday morning... sometimes it feels good to have a clean slate like the beginning of a new week. Of course I know the week actually arrived on Sunday... but... that was the weekend right...
I am going to try to make some more progress in my paring down project. I know there are more things that need to be shared and will be truly used and enjoyed by others... so that is the plan for this week.
I am running out of steam in this area though...have been doing it slowly but surely for over a year and am down to what I really want to keep in many areas. I know it is time for me to use a fine tooth comb and work inside some of these cabinets to purge and pass along some of the bits and pieces of my stuff... so here goes...
be blessed today...

oatmeal, walnuts, honey

chad and his turkey leg

chad & zoe happy meals

chad and raisin bread

Just wondering how would I go about simplifying my diet? There is so much written about what we eat. What would a simple diet consist of. Some say it would be maybe vegetarian. Some only what you make from scratch. Does it mean simple to prepare or simple to eat. Simple to eat might be drop by the window and place my order...not the best for my health. So what do you think a simple diet would be?

• fruit
• veggies
• grain
• protein
• water

how simple do you make it and not get bored... does it matter if it bores us... are we eating for entertainment? "eat to live or live to eat?" is a comment heard in a diet group or two over the years... just wondering... be blessed today...

simple life?

pics show simple contentment at it's best...imho

where is my simple life? Hidden behind all the stuff my life holds... things, projects, plans, people... simplicity disappears behind life... so it is time to dig it out...

• set priorities
• purge unnecessary projects
• plan for simplicity
• ease away from the draining people (embrace the uplifting ones)

priorities... family, health(physical, mental, spirituial), food, clothing, shelter...that looks like a good place to begin... focus on these priorities...if it does not contribute to these things then ease it or throw it out of my life...

be blessed today

lost son...found...*:) shavin with grandpa in '76

lost son found...at the beach in'76

son lost in cleveland... search mapquest... son found in cleveland...

going for his second appointment to have the stomach surg in January...

he is braver than I am...

ain't these puters wonderful...

puttering around the house and looking to stay out of trouble...

will go get grandbabies and play at the beach this evening...

or that is the plan anyway...

be blessed today

naming property???

grand baby #6 chad took this pic of grandma laughing...he is 5...

this is mom & dad a few years back...

Years ago I was looking for a name for my property. I knew it came from GOD... just too many coincidences fell in place for it not to be a true blessing. I remembered a verse that says "GOD inhabits the praise of his people". I wanted him to be welcome and live at my place so it became "praise place". This has been the name of many physical places since then, and the name of my ministry, but truly I think it is the name of my heart. We will be moving once again and I know I will carry the name with me. It is interesting how a place will get a name. My dad lived in an area that the kids all called "rainbow" because of the HUGE rainbow bread sign on the tiny local store in that community. Where my parents live now...mom named "rainbow's end". I need to get busy today...taking a few more steps to get ready to move... be blessed today

july 09 grandma's job

the water was chasing her...

she will pose for this one...

sharing the great lake with grandpa

going for a trip with grandma...

moving is by nature complicated... so how do you simplify it?

plan, plan, plan... I am tired of planning...

I just want to be taking action!

I am ready to take action even if it is the wrong one...

just quit planning and move!

I guess that is why I am blessed to have my sweetheart here... he is the calm, slow, and steady type that keeps my impulsiveness in check... he is a good choice...

Today we start the taxi for taking the #1 grandson to band practice M, T & W night. Has to be there by 6. It is good that his dad is on days and can pick him up this week. Last week it was over there by 6 and pick him up at 9... of course if we picked up a baby grandchild for 3 hours it made the time fun...exhausting but fun...

Here I go to do more planning... you all be blessed today.

MorningRamble: Nature Deficit Disorder - KQED QUEST

This is a link to a wonderful video on reasons to include nature in you life.
I do enjoy the MorningRamble Blog...
Take a peek.
MorningRamble: Nature Deficit Disorder - KQED QUEST

still mowing

grandbaby #6 chad and grandma resting in outdoor swing (bed mode)

Today my sweetie put a running board on our old van "bertha" (name provided by my son). Now I can get in from both sides!! While he was doing that I took on the mowing chore... (he made this suggestion...he is trying to keep me moving) I did it all without taking a break... (mind you we live in a trailer park...not much lawn) I am 43lbs lighter than my last mowing blog was written... I did work up a sweat (or glistened) but I did not have to go sit for a while to rest before I finished... I am getting stronger... I still have MILES to go before I reach optimum health but I am making progress... in a book I wrote years ago it said over and over...Progress not perfection... I need to practice what I preached... this pic is from our most recent visit with Chad... we were resting after he took grandma for a walk... he grabs my hand and pulls me all the way...to see every animal, leaf, and especially any worms that my cross our path... *:)

mowing grass...

my sweet seat to rest from mowing

(this is an old postfrom my space, just thought I would share it.)

Just thought I would share this...Actually NEED to...I got a new reel mower and was so proud of myself...No gasoline...more exercise...quiet...simple...Now mind you it took me 3 rest periods to get my tiny(trailer park) yard mowed...but I DID IT!!(Being disabled and over 300lbs poses a problem sometimes)Anyway...I was coming around from the back of my house.I had emptied my grass catcher into my little compost bin...when the lady next door was beginning to mow the front of my yard!she stopped and came to me just smiling so happy!She said "I didn't know if you had a mower so I am just gonna get this front and side for ya!"and she didn't hear me over her mower that she left running say "I just did my yard..."She then said "The neighbor on the other side is gonna do the back and other side for you!"Should I mention this woman is about 20 years older than I am...I just went in the house...I am trying to be good and not fight with these people right off the bat!So I mowed my yard...and now it is being mowed "right" I guess...So I will try again next week...maybe I need to set it lower???Y'all have a wonderful week...and be grateful for all the land you have...How far away are your neighbors?

one more day to simplify

one more day...sunset at walnut beach ashtabula...

cleaned out the drop leaf table by my bed yesterday... it definitely counted as packing 5, throwing away 5, but did not give away 5... i should go through the box and pick out 5 things to give away...

took care of myself with the bone density test yesterday and gave blood... so the new doctor can know a bit more about me...*:)

spent some time at the beach and gave all my money to the various bill people that hold their hand out at the first of the month...

been taking my water pills again and lost 6 lbs in 3 days... 3 weeks without them had me swollen like a water balloon... at least my skin is not hurting from the pressure of the water now...

will be searching online for a natural substitute for these pills... any suggestions?

well onward and upward... how will you simplify today?