A SATURDAY daybook

A Saturday daybook~

It's been a few weeks since I last checked in.  Let's just get right into........

Gratitude:  Spending almost two weeks with our two oldest grands visiting us from California.  Their flights were right in the middle of the limited flight schedules, and after having to stay one more day (😀) they arrived home safely last Sunday night. 

Speaking of gratitude, I have ONE WEEK left of my "100 days of Gratitude" posts on Facebook.  I plan to make that a post here as soon as it's over.  

Listening to: Nothing at the moment, but I've spent a good part of today out on the back porch listening to the birds and the rustling leaves blowing in the breeze.  It's a magnificent day here at Terra Dulcis and I want to be outdoors as much as possible before the rain and cold temps move in, probably next week.  

Here at Terra Dulcis: We've started having bonfires with the Solo Stove we received two Christmas's ago.  Right after it was gifted to us, well.....that's when stuff hit the fan and I was in no position to enjoy it.  But we're making up for that now and plan to make it a regular thing.  Last night was absolutely perfect for it.  Although it was only the two of us, I served him a bowl of spaghetti next to the fire, and we recited the rosary together.  The stars were beautiful; and it is already a sweet memory. 

What's cooking?: We've been invited out to dinner tonight, so no cooking.  As a general rule we have tacos, spaghetti, chili, occasional take out on a weekly basis.  Yesterday, I had 3 bananas that were screaming banana muffins.  They turned out great and were so delicious. (Don't worry -- I shared some with my neighbors.)  I'm still trying to eat more health consciously and one of my absolute favorite dishes is the taco bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, cottage cheese and avocados.  Oh, and I've learned I really like the hot honey.  My grand-daughter made me avocado toast when she was here.  That's a new breakfast treat for me. 

OOTD:  I have to include this today, because this week, I bought a pair of jeans in size 16.  I haven't been a size 16 in over 30 years!  They feel like they were made just for me.  One thing I'm learning is just because something fits, doesn't mean you should wear it.  I've been trying on my older blouses and donated about a half dozen just yesterday. I don't want the big and baggie look any more. 

Pondering: Wow! How quickly 2025 has passed.  Seems like yesterday it was the 4th of July.  Or Valentine's Day.  Or New Years.  Actually, Y2K!  Pondering Scripture, always a wonderful thing to ponder.  I've started reading the Psalms a little each day.

Praying for: all the sick; anyone who is in danger of dying an unprepared death this very day; all those who have asked for my prayers.  For travelers, for the unborn.  The poor suffering souls in Purgatory, and all my family friends and benefactors both living and dead.  Praying that the upcoming Advent season will be efficacious and beneficial to myself and loved ones.  Will begin the St. Andrew Christmas Novena on November 30.  Praying for a young man I've known his whole life who became engaged this past week.  

Misc. stuff around here:  Will be celebrating our youngest grand's first birthday tomorrow.  He will be one on Tuesday.  He keeps both Tommy and I laughing most days as he gets to spend weekdays with Grammi and G-Papa.

We had a great time at the Marine Corps Ball earlier this month.  Our grand-daughter got to attend with us, and she was thrilled to be part of the party.  What a special evening with family and friends. 

I'll close with this meditation, and I hope you have a blessed week ahead.  Until next time,   kellie

"Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of hell.  Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who have most need of Thy mercy. Amen." 

 Daybook for October 21st 

Listening to:  Youtube music.  BeeGees, Capaldi, chant.  Yeah, I'm a complicated thing.  Anything to help raise my mood.  (See below a couple of paragraphs.) 

Wearing:  a cute skirt made from a dress.  I just cut off the bodice - it has a drawstring. No sewing necessary.  Good decision.  I like it much better as a skirt. 

Feeling:  Had a boo-boo yesterday, and it was ALL my fault.  No other cars involved, no other people involved.  Just me and my truck.  But I feel stupid, humiliated, ridiculous, sad, irritated at myself.......etc.  All the feels.  Oh well, now it's just onward and upward getting it repaired.  It can be driven, but driver side door won't open and I have to climb over the console.  Not pretty.

In other news at Terra Dulcis:  Got our new floor beams put under the house.  Nothing shimmies, nothing shakes.  Mama can dance.  I just don't feel like it right now.  But now this hundred plus year old house can stand for a good time into the future.   Tommy is working on getting our septic system rooted out.  Enough said about that.  Then, he's going to shore up the kitchen at the back of the house (which was added probably in the 50s).  Oh, and we finally got the pool closed for the season!     

Looking forward:  Tonight is sister dinner and we're going to an old standby place one small town over from me.  It's our final regular dinner for the year until Christmas party the Saturday after Christmas.  My birthday is Saturday.  Two of my grand loves arrive next week!  Marine Ball is fast approaching and I finally made a decision on what to wear, and I am pleased!  Now to decide what to do with my hair..........

Pondering:  *How blissful sleep is; what a blessing not to wake up in the middle of the night.  For some reason that's been happening a lot (even b4 yesterday!)  With the help of melatonin the alarm woke me up this morning.  *Thinking how time just keeps on ticking, even when we're in the middle of something.  I'll just be glad when I feel myself again.  *Scripture.  I love hearing something read in Mass that feels like it was written for just me to hear.  That's powerful. 

In closing I leave you with a meditation:

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Blessings and peace be with you.  kellie

  

Daybook Oct 13

(pic cr: unk - from facebook)

Listening: fan, washing machine drain. Looking in on a sleeping  babe- his breath softly rising and falling.  While typing this I hear him rousing from sleep. After a diaper change he's back to playing and babbling, taking part in conversation.

Terra Dulcis: in a cleaning/clearing phase. Some people spring clean; I jump in when I get the bug. Still weeding out clothes that are way too big now. Some of those old things are now shop rags. But that's ok. Almost all of them came from thrifting and served me well. 

Deep cleaning the bathroom today.  Washing shower curtain with bleach) because I like to extend its life instead of just toss when it's dirty.  Organizing storage in the house so I know for sure what's where when I need it.  

Replaced carpet in walk- through closet between the bedrooms. Wow, that made a huge impact! And it was a piece of remnant.  Yessss! For the small wins. Closing pool for the season.  Good thing we waited. It's been an unusually warm October. 

What's cooking: left-over grilled steak and baked potatoes. Trying to stick with less carbs and more protein the next couple of weeks. My weight loss has stalled, but not gaining, so another small win.  I saw a nacho based recipe using sweet potatoes instead of chips and, I call it a huge success. My weekend dinners are solo, so I can do what I want. 

Pondering: the gift of friendships, old and new. Loving, engaging conversations over the simplest things....bagels, banana bread and fruit.  Recent international events and the promise of peace. Answered prayers. I'm living every day in the place I once only prayed for.  Smiling is an every day thing for me because I love the simplest things, and life is simple and quiet. 

Looking forward: a possible thrift day this week with sisters and sister night dinner next week. Family arriving late October,  Marine Birthday Ball. Oh! my birthday this month. Taking Lulu for shots on Friday. My social calendar runneth over!

In closing: Ps 116 1, 2

LAUDATE DOMINUM.

O Praise the Lord all ye nations and praise Him together all ye people. For His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever. Amen. Alleluia. 

A Tuesday daybook

 

Gratitude for:

* Melania's recovering from surgery

* cousin play-dates

* getting Lovey, the Parakeet into his smaller cage -- that led to several changes I'd been wanting to make in the dining room, but everything hinged on that cage!

* the stillness of early morning 

* edifying sermons from the pulpit

* confession and forgiveness

* light shining through stained glass

* every little thing my Tommy does for our family

* being able to shop, cook, clean, do the laundry, wash dishes all on my own again!  

* baby gates (IYKYK)

* roast being on sale so I could get dinner into the crockpot for tonight

Listening to:

* Romus waking from a long, much needed rest

* several minutes later, hearing him babble at play

Praying:  

* making sure I say a rosary every day this month - month of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary  (in fact, today is the feast!)

* praying more of the Divine Office daily -

I don't read every hour, every day, but I'm getting better at some of it. 

Terra Dulcis:

* getting estimates on fixing the sagging beams that run under this century (plus) old but humble house we call home. (if this happens, Grammi will no longer live in 'the bouncy house')

* and if it happens soon, it will be a great excuse to FINALLY get those dining room walls painted!

What's cooking:

* roast, potatoes and carrots

* home-made enchiladas Friday because my friend and I are planning a movie night

* left-overs to ensue

Pondering: 

* how fast time is passing by

* how fast we'll be in the throes of holiday activity

* we'll be in Advent before you know it

Looking ahead:

* I won't have Romus during fall break, so I might go thrifting in Tulsa and just make a day of it!

* my birthday is this month

* may go on a little overnight outing in November, so will probably board Lulu for the first time. 

* sister dinner (our last official monthly 'sister night' will be at a restaurant this month.  It's become our tradition to do that in October.  We won't be altogether again until our Christmas party, the first Saturday after Christmas.  

I leave you with a reflection:

"Study to be patient in bearing the defects of others, and their infirmities, be they what they may; for thou hast many things, which others must bear withal."  (from The Following of Christ)

Pax tecum,

kellie

A Daybook

 A daybook

**Listening to:  Washing machine draining; dryer cycle spinning;  grand-baby babbling; Gregorian chant.  (Oh! those ads on YouTube come at the most inopportune time.)

**Gratitude: It's official! My 2 oldest grand-loves are coming in October; my 4 year-old grand-love is out of surgery and in her hospital room; Lovey (my remaining parakeet - I lost his mate Dovey last week) is singing again! He had stopped singing in his grief, but is doing better.  I've ordered him a smaller cage and it arrives soon.  

**Praying: for the victims of yesterday's violence in Michigan; for all the sick; for the poor souls in Purgatory; for a happy death; healing for Melania after surgery and that she can adapt to her g-tube feedings.  Praying for our troubled world. 🌍  

**Terra Dulcis: Well, we haven't closed pool yet --- still hitting some 90s in recent days.  But soon.....  I rearranged some larger items in the dining room finally. I love the change. I'm trying to be more diligent and regular in the deeper cleaning of floors, vacuuming, etc.  Grandbaby is extremely mobile now!  Starting to pull up and stand up to anything he can.

**What's cooking: in coming days I have planned......Spaghetti, chili verde,  - flying by the seat of my pants this week, as is often the case.  In my defense though, I usually cook a good hearty breakfast for Tommy.  You know, us 'older folks' tend to change eating patterns.  

**Pondering: I'm beginning to sense God's hand and some fruit being produced by being moved to a different parish to attend our most beloved Tridentine Mass. Just glimpses of God's Divine Providence at work.  A deep peace.  Some I can't even put into words, but the feeling is real. 

**Current project: I've started a fall-themed blanket (I'll post a pic next week), finished my sister's winter beanie, and sent a baby gift off to new home.  

**In closing, a meditation: 'That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts; that being rooted and founded in charity, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth and length, and height, and depth.  To know also know the charity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge.'  (from Epistle of 16th Sunday after Pentecost)

Pax tecum,

kellie 

Monday - a daybook

 A daybook for reflection from Terra Dulcis ~

Gratitude ~ 

*thanksgiving for Kastl's first birthday celebration.  The miracle baby was celebrated in great form yesterday after Mass with the family

*Az allowed back to work (with restrictions)

*soaking rain

*this summer I was healthy and able to swim again

*Fall has officially arrived! The most wonderful time of the year! 😎

*Keeping up with my 100 days of gratitude posts (on facebook) - there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for. I think I'll finish up the 100 days posts mid-November. 

Listening to ~

*clicking of keys, birds hopping around in their cage, the fan in the living room circulating air, AC just clicked on

Praying ~

*continued healing of Az's knee

*Kastl's continued good health

*Melania and her being able to tolerate the ng feedings

*all the sick; grace and blessings for all my loved ones

*the poor suffering souls, especially those of my family and friends - and those who have no one praying for them. 

*for the soul of Charlie Kirk - and for his sorrowing family

Around the house ~

*keeping things tidy and clean

*staying on top of laundry and dishes (THAT is not a little thing, even with just 2 people living here)

What's cooking ~

*leftovers today but I have "planned" for next few days:

*tacos or taco salad 

*'breakfast for dinner'

*maybe suggesting take-out sometime this week

*I'm not always the best weekly planner and wing it more than not. Keeping it real. 

Pondering ~

*Life is short, and we don't know when our time is over.  

*God's grace.

*We are all His children. 

*Wasted time can never be recovered.

Current project ~

*Finishing up with scrappie 

*Starting on a requested beanie hat immediately after that

*Looking through stash to start a baby-girl gift for a newborn 3 weeks old

*I may have 2 works in progress simultaneously (something I rarely do)

Encouraging word~

Because it is evening while I'm writing this, a beautiful hymn from Compline (evening prayer)

Before the ending of the day, Creator of the world we pray

That with Thy wonted favor Thou, would be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our eyes, from nightly fears and fantasies.

Tread underfoot our ghostly foe, that no pollution we may know. 

O Father, that we ask be done, through Jesus Christ Thine only Son.

Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee, doth live and reign eternally. Amen.  

{I wish you could HEAR this sung in Latin by Harpa Dei - google it! You won't be disappointed}

Pax tecum;

kellie 

 

A return to Daybook!

I've been recently inspired by a friend's posts to return to the Daybook here at Terra Dulcis!  Years ago I first saw her Daybooks on her blog and really enjoy the format.  Let's just get to it, and thank you JH for the reminder!

GRATEFUL FOR:

* still cancer free 1 year later.

*AC (feels muggy this mid-September morning).

*started a "100 days of Gratitude" album on my Facebook page.  "There is always something to be grateful for."  

*our new parish home.  It never felt foreign, but like 'home' from the beginning.

*the little things..........so many to list.  The little things really are the big things. 

*care-taking of my youngest grand - he's starting to crawl from room to room now!  

PRAYING FOR:

*Our wounded world; our heartbroken people.

*My son - he sees a bone and joint specialist today.

*All the prayers for my husband, children, grands, friends, benefactors. The sick, those in danger of an unprepared death. 

AROUND THE HOUSE:

*Well, if my rooms weren't baby-proofed before I need to get cracking!

*I keep talking about painting our dining room (talked about it for 3 years!) but I REALLY am ready. 

*Going through clothes that look ridiculously large on me now.......

WHAT'S COOKING:

*Getting some of that freezer food used!  

*My shopping hours are sparse these days with bubba - so a list is started.

*Tomorrow is our sister dinner and it's stew and cornbread, the ultimate comfort food.  (I planned that when it had cooled down a bit.)

*I have some rotisserie chicken so thought I'd try a verde chicken bake.  Yeah, I don't know what it is yet either but I'll let you know. 

*last night was grilled steaks - something I'm actually getting better at.  (grilling, that is)

PONDERING:

*Where we go from here.

*How do we 'go across the aisle' without compromising?

*When am I going to get another sip of coffee? 😀 (hey there has to be some levity)

READING:

*started the St. Bridget prayers June of 2024.  That gets priority over anything else right now.  

*trying to use the Deliverance prayers daily (Fr. Ripperger)

Well, thank you for visiting Terra Dulcis.  May your week be blessed and peaceful. 

Pax tecum,

Kellie