UNDER PRESSURE

Shaun called early in the morning to tell me he and his crew would be out today to pressure wash the house and start prep work for next week’s paint job; so, I moved everything back away from the back of the house and pulled everything out of the breezeway. I hope the weather holds and the house gets done on time so I can start putting my transplants in the garden boxes:

Everything moved away from house

Breezeway cleared

The guys are here to pressure wash and prep for house painting next week

After the crew finished for the day and left, I noticed that they had pulled my sedum planter (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/07/sedum-lantern-planter.html)

 that Bob placed next to the porch railing and laid it in one of the planter boxes. At first, I was upset that they had moved something Bob put in place for me, but after I calmed down, I realized it was a blessing in disguise and relocated it into the end of one of the planter boxes. I hope I did not damage the bottom of the box when I jammed the stake firmly in place – it has to be firmly in place or the river winds will knock it over.

And I hope Shaun gets the LED lights touch-ups done too so I can start really living in our home …

Since Bob and I moved into this house at Heron Pointe 22 months ago (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/06/new-home-d.html), all we have been doing is getting this place livable for us (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/07/downtime-day.html, https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/09/2-state-hop.html, https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/10/3-week-house-review.html), putting our mark on the place (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/07/day-by-day.html), replacing what needs to be replaced (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/09/water-damage.html, https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/03/yesterday-was-very-busy-day-here-house.html), and repairing what the previous owners let slide for 20+ years; hence the paint job – they painted 4 years ago, but it was not quality paint and it was not done by professionals … and it shows; so now it needs to be repainted.

Since Bob left earth, I have been under a lot of pressure as a homeowner – a solo homeowner now – hoping and praying I make the right decisions to make Bob proud of my moving forward to continue our life as we had planned it before the Park insanity that destroyed our life together (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/12/that-woman.html).

This paint job will pretty much clear out the tax return $$$$, so I hope it lasts at least 10 years: and I pray that it is the last big-ticket expense concerning this home for a looong time.

Please Elohim!

I know You and Bob have faith in me and my abilities to make decisions based on all gathered information and fervent prayers, but I would really like to catch a break in 2019. To rest my overtaxed mind, heal my broken heart, and relax my aching body.

Thank You, Ruach Ha’Kodesh for guiding me in all my ways. I appreciate You.

Thank You for always being with me Yeshua; I love You.

Always.

Thank you for giving me confidence and encouragement Babe; I love you.

Always.

OX

MY DOGS ARE BARKING …

I have literally been on my feet all day long, and my dogs are barking (aka: my feet hurt).

I woke up this morning to a high pitched chirping and realized that the battery on our home security system had a low battery – we’ve had this system since 2015, so I guess the system felt it had been left out with everything else falling apart and needing replaced in the house since Bob left me to deal with it alone: he did not leave intentionally, the death angel paid us a visit in August 2018, and collected in December 2018.

And e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. that could fall apart, need replacing, or corrected from the previous owner’s slap-dash-sell-quickly actions on the home-front has been doing so on a continual and irritating basis. This morning was the home security’s turn >:-P

While I was in the kitchen, I decided to repack the panty goods. Most of everything had been stored in repurposed coffee cans, but the cans were taking up a lot of space that could be used more effectively, so I threw the cans out and repacked everything into freezer bags. The freezer bags work better for me anyway: I don’t horde my food stuffs with an eye towards storing it away for 20 years … first off, because I EAT my food stuffs – I don’t pack it to look at; and secondly, for the simple facts that foods stored that long spoil no matter how they are packed. Natural wholesome and healthy foods are not meant to be shelfed that long! A year’s supply of anything is about all I care about. Tomorrow is never a guarantee, and a year is a good stretch of future hedging.

I started with the pastas, moved on to beans, then rice, and finished up with dry milk, sugar, and flours:

REPACKING/REORGANIZING THE PANTRY GOODS. Most of this stuff was bought just before Bob went into ER in August: I really haven’t looked at it since, and it had just been tossed into the pantry and forgotten once we got stuck on the hospital hamster wheel … it really needed to be tended to. Today was as good a day as any to get at it.

REPACKING PASTA. Multicolored spiral Braids of the Garden Pasta. This pasta is almost too pretty to eat ;-)

RIBBON EGG PASTA. Spinach Pasta w-Wild Garlic. Bob would have liked to try this one.

TROUT BEANS

PASTAS AND BEANS REPACKED. Pantry looks neater ... and there is more room in the pantry without the coffee cans – glad I ditched ‘em.

BAMBOO RICE.  Pretty green color and a very pleasant sweet odor.

ARBORIO RICE. Used for rice dishes where a creamy texture is desired.

A VERY FLAT RED RICE. Looks and feels like grass seed heads. Brilliant red color.

TUBULAR TYPE OF ANOTHER RED RICE. Actually looks like dyed white rice ... and the red color is duller than the flatter type of red rice.

JUBILEE RICE MIX. A mix of rices with dried peppers and spices.

WILD RICE. I love the texture, taste, and smell of wild rice; the pungent earthy odor of wild rice reminds me of the outdoors … and the river.

RICES REPACKED. Plenty of room now for more. LOL

FLOURS, DRY MILK & WHITE SUGAR REPACKED also.

After these things were repacked and no longer a boobytrap hazard, I gave my poor complaining feet a rest and took the time to unwind before bedtime by beginning to piece together this lapghan …

I like to cook and I like to try interesting and tasty food stuffs – and Bob liked what I cooked. But now that Bob is no longer here to cook for, or to enjoy meals with me, I have pretty much avoided the kitchen unless forced to acknowledge it.

Today was a step towards healing in that area of my new status in life.

This month marks a third of the year gone already without Bob being a physical part of it. It is hard ... but I find that being physically active helps stave off the overwhelming sense of the loss of his physical presence. 

Activity in the kitchen is physical/mental activity.

Cooking for 1 will be a challenge to wrap my mind around, but at least now I am looking forward to cooking again :-D

Thank YOU, Yeshua, for gently prodding me back to enjoying life again.

I love You, Yeshua.

Always.

Don't let me fall away.

I love you Babe.

Until I see you again, I'll be loving you.

Always.

OX