Dear Neighbor . . .

 

FRIDAY, January 9th, 2026

Estate Lane, Nova Scotia

-2*C/28*F partly cloudy 

Dear Neighbor,

What a difference just a few days can make in the weather. On Wednesday we had torrents of rain. Most of the snow which was lining our roadways has melted away into puddles and much of the snow on the lawns has shrunk down from the huge piles that were there. Massive pot holes have appeared on many of the roads. You really have to be careful where you drive and need always keep an eye out just in case. I read yesterday where there was a huge pile up of cars with flat tires lined up on one of the roads just up country a ways from here. A man with a torch was trying to guide cars away from this huge pot hole which had been the culprit. They don't seem to do much other than cold-patch the potholes here. Nothing permanent is ever done. You see the same ones appearing season after season. Much care needs to be taken when driving on our roads. You drive down them like you are in a dodgem car, weaving back and forth to miss them.

 

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I had purchased a Hello Fresh box earlier this week. When it arrived, every single bit of produce in it was frozen solid. Spring mix, spring onions, fresh tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, carrots, etc. Every single piece. The meat was frozen as well, which is not a bad thing, unless it had previously been thawed out. (You have no way of knowing.)  I ended up giving them a 1 star review on Pilot as this is not the first time I have had issues with them. They did end up issuing me with a credit, but I would have to buy another box in order to redeem it.  I would have been much happier if they had just refunded my money for the box, as I am not likely to get another box from them again. They have a very poor track record with me.  Meat arriving broken open, or thawed having been previously frozen with no use by dates on it. You feel pressured to use it up or cook it right away for fear of food poisoning, especially with the poultry.

I miss grocery deliveries like they had in the U.K. You went online, did your shopping and then it was delivered to your door for a small fee, or free if you were a member.  That is how I bought most of my groceries. Occasionally there was something that wasn't fit for purpose, but they always refunded your money in that case. It did not happen very often.

I could order meats, cheeses, dairy, produce, etc. from individual suppliers as well and have it arrive basically overnight. I used to get beautiful tomatoes from the Isle of Wight.

I know this is a much larger country and it is a lot more difficult to do here.  But I do miss it.

I discovered the most charming channel on YouTube yesterday. Ruth Aisling. 

"Rediscovering my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. Join me as I explore Scotland in my campervan Ernie."

I watched only one video and I was instantly charmed.  The one I watched she stayed in a remote Scottish Farmhouse on the Orkney Islands for a week.  The house was just like a museum. I found myself wishing that I could stay in it for a while. She also explored bits of the Island that she was on. It was really fascinating and I quite enjoyed it. I am looking forward to watching more of her content.

 

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I had so wanted to have a video channel like that for myself, where I could share nice bits of my life with people, but I gave up on that idea. First of all I was not very good at it, and secondly I got scared off after what I saw happening to another lady I watch on YouTube called Anna and the incessant bullying that I saw occurring. I do not have that thick a skin. It would break me. Thirdly, I realized I was building a rod for my back. I have barely enough time to get the things I need to get done now, adding another  task to my workdays was seemingly impossible for me. I take a great deal of pride in what I do. I like always to do my best work in everything.  I was sadly lacking in the talent and knowledge to put together a decent video and I had nobody to show me how to do it.  I am usually not a quitter, but I had to admit in this case, I couldn't continue . . . the videos, in all honesty, were just really bad, and my life is just not all that interesting.

 

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I was finally able to call my next door neighbor and wish her a Happy New Year yesterday. I had been wanting to do it since the first of the year but every time I thought to do it I would check and she had company so I thought to do it later, and then the time would get away from me.  I finally made it happen yesterday. For once when I looked out nobody was at her place and so I gave her a call. I had not been over either because of the snow and the slipperiness. I am so afraid of falling now, and they do not do a very good job of clearing the snow on this street. We had a nice conversation and I think she was pleased to hear from me. I know I should be a better neighbor and check on her more often. I usually do when I bring her over a meal or whatnot, but I haven't even done that since before Christmas due to the bad weather and having company, etc. I must do better. I had always planned on going down to visit our mother's friend Will and didn't and then it was too late. She was gone, and I was regretting my failure to visit her. I have no excuse really. 

 

(source)

My middle son Doug and his oldest son Jon are coming over next week to spend a few days with me. I am looking forward to seeing and spending time with them. I really didn't get to spend too much time with them last summer as they were at that Camp. They are coming over to it again next July with the whole family, but this time it will just be those two.  

Jon recently built his own computer. That is quite an accomplishment!  This is a photo of it.  I am very proud of him. I could not do such a thing.  I think he did a great job!

And speaking of grandsons  . . . 

Today is my grandson Josh's 17th Birthday.  The boys are all growing up so quickly. I don't have a really recent photo of him as he is very camera shy.  I was able to talk to him the other day however and wish him a Happy Birthday and I sent him a card with a gift, which he had received. He is my grandson who loves to cook and experiment with food, recipes and science. He also loved playing Battleships with me when they were over last.  I know I am a bit biased, but I do think I have lovely grandsons.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I now have to be able to spend time with them and foster relationships with them. I did not have that when I was living in the U.K.

 

We were able to get out for supper with Dad on Wednesday night this week.  We went to the usual place. I decided to play it safe this week and ordered the fish and chips as they usually don't mess that up very much. It was good.  Dad had the fish and clams and Cindy had the fish and chips, same as I did. His favorite waitress (Audrey) was there and made a big fuss over him. Giving him a big hug, etc. He was really pleased with that. He should soon be able to order his new hearing aids which hopefully will make a big difference in his hearing and ability to hold a conversation. It is so difficult at the moment.

Anyways, we enjoyed our time together. It is going to be his 92nd birthday on the 17th. which is a week from tomorrow. I don't know if we are going to do anything special or not. Probably just have a special meal at home.

 

(source)

Not much else has really been going on here. My days are very similar with one passing much in the same way as the last with a bit of this and a bit of that and a whole lot of nothing.  I cannot seem to get control of the rash on my left arm. Nothing I have tried seems to work. I have ordered some Zostrix from Amazon and I will see if that makes a difference.  It is very itchy and is not going away. I try not to scratch it but find myself doing just that often without even thinking about it and of course my arm is still very painful, but I think that is more down to the fall I had rather than the shingles as it feels muscular and not superficial. The calamine lotion is not helping at all with anything other than making a mess when I try to apply it.

I had ordered some yarn at the end of November to make a tea cozy to replace this one that I had to leave in the U.K. when I left. I still have not received it. I did make enquiries. I usually order my yarn from Love Crafts. I like British yarns better.  Anyways when I ordered it I accidentally ordered it from the American site and so it has had to go from the U.K. to America and then on to Canada. It has only just left the American postal service. Usually when I order it on the proper page I get it within a week.  This has been a real nuisance.  I need to be more careful in future when I am placing my orders.

 

(source)

Cindy and I have plans to take Dad this afternoon and pick up his friend Maryann for their weekly visit to A&W. They have not gone since before Christmas, what with the holidays and bad weather. Dad is really looking forward to it as am I.  It is nice to get out and about a bit.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day.

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Happiness is not

by chance

but by choice.

~Jim Rohn 

In The English Kitchen today, Country Farmhouse Breakfast Baked Oatmeal. This is a deliciously different way of preparing your oatmeal in the morning by baking it in the oven. It is rich and creamy and loaded with lots of dried apple and cranberries.  It is low in fat and sugar and full of fiber. Its also really delicious, especially if you serve it with cream to drizzle over top!

I hope you have a lovely day today.  Stay safe. Stay warm. Be happy!  Don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

My Favorite Things . . .

 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens . . . these are some of the things in life that I enjoy, and which make me happy, inspire me, or put a smile on my face. Maybe some of them are yours too.  Let's share!   

 

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Chimney smoke on a cold winter's day. It makes me think of warm kitchens and toes toasting by the fire.

 

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Crisp, fresh, flaky, buttery croissants. The best ones are in France. I used to love to have one on the ferry on the way over. So good!

 

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Homemade Caramels.  I had a missionary friend from Utah whose mother made the best caramels at Christmas.

 

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Pretty Embroidery Scissors . . . so long as they are sharp.

 

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Crisp ginger cookies  . . . 

 

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The Scriptures  . . .  a true story of redemption.

 

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Wooley wooley  . . . the best alarm clock.

 

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Comfy, cozy  . . .  I could very easily just sink into that  . . . 

 

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Winter jewels  . . . 

 

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Friends for life  . . . 

 

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Jars in flowery caps  . . . 

 

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Candlesticks . . . Jack be nimble . . . Jack be quick . . . 

 

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Snowy vistas . . .  such a pretty view.

 

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A pretty bed skirt  . . . 

 

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Wooden recipe boxes  . . . . 

 

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A well dressed pancake  . . . 

 

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Snowmen  . . . 

 

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Snow capped  . . . 

 

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Home Baked Beans  . . .  and bacon . . . 

 

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Wooden drying racks   . . . 

 

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The girls   . . . 

 

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Maps and atlases  . . . Love them.

And those are my favorite things for this week. Mayhap some of them are yours also.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*How many lessons of 
faith and beauty we should lose,
if there were no winter in our year.
~Thomas Wentworth Higginson

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

 

In The Kitchen today . . . Curried Spam Fried Rice. Simply delicious. Truly.

I hope you have a lovely day today. It rained like the dickens yesterday. It is supposed to be clear today. Fingers crossed as I need to get out and go to the shops.  Whatever you get up to today, stay safe. Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

(source)

 

It takes an open mind and a steady heart to enjoy and appreciate a Canadian Winter. The wind blows, the snow piles deep, pipes freeze, cars slip and slide and get stuck. It is all too easy to dream of Caribbean Islands with coral beaches, sapphire water and tropical fruits jumping into your hands. In fact there are many Canadians who simply won't tolerate the cold and who escape and fly South each Winter, like the birds, migrating to warmer climes. Snow Birds. I am not one of those. It has never been in my budget to escape. I endure.

I also happen to enjoy it. The winter. Under it's hard and bitter rind, there is much loveliness. The white mystery of snow is a splendid thing; all the landscape being muted to deep silver laced with shadows. Fields and meadows become seas of pearl with scattered dark masts of brier riding the foam. The air smells cool and clean, the smell of snow in the air, a fragrance known only to winter country. On a good day the air is laced with the smell of woodsmoke which emanates from local chimney's. I love it.

 

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I also love the sounds of winter. The ring of skates on the pond, the laughter of children making snowmen, the way the snow crunches beneath the feet when it gets really cold, the way the branches and trunks of the trees groan and snap with the cold, the scrape of the shovel across the porch, the snap, crackle and pop of logs in the fireplace . . . 

January. Could there be a more dramatic month? With sleet and snow, the wild winds that blow gales and sweep the snow off the roof tops making it dance to January's tune. The skies are all pewter and grey, sometimes quite dark and the drifts roll under it.

And then there is the peace after a particularly heavy fall of snow. The air rings with quiet, broken only by the occasional snapping branch. 

I love it all. I think I would miss it were I to live in a country without seasons to enjoy.

 

(source)

Dark comes early. So does dinner. I am usually well done by the time the dark settles in, everything being cleared away. There is more time to read.  The books we somehow never got around to reading in July now come into their own. I confess that in the winter months I love to revisit the classics.  Jane Eyre, Little Women, Pride and Prejudice . . . I have read them many times through the years. And, more often than not, during the depth of winter, snuggled under the weight of a warm throw.

Sometimes I get lazy and watch the films instead. I have my favorite versions of each. I cannot stand to watch Kiera Knightly as Elizabeth Bennet and so I avoid that one. It is something to do with her hair. It looks so unnatural and drives me to distraction.

 

(source)

Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of our summer labors. I probably eat more toast and jam in the winter months than I do any other time of year.  And marmalade.  That bitter yet sweet taste of sunshine.

Little treasures. I had bought myself a Bonne Maman Advent calendar in November thinking about how much I was going to enjoy each little pot of jam, but in truth I only ended up popping open a few of them.  I think I bought it more for the little jars than anything.

In the winter we give ourselves permission to indulge more than a bit in comfort foods. Soups, stews, baked beans, pancakes and bacon, to name but a few. For some reason they taste better at this time of year than they do at any other. Baked apples . . .  can there be anything as delicious as a baked apple sitting in a pool of cream, its flesh having burst through the skin in the most delectable way?? I think not.

 

(source)

I have been trying very hard to pin my mind down on a topic for the talk I am to give later this month. I keep changing my mind. One day it will be one thing, and then the next I have switched my thinking to something else.  This being able to pick your own topic is a very difficult thing. My thinking has danced from one area to another and back again without being able to actually settle. I have a restlessness of thought and am easily distracted. When it does finally come to me, the thoughts will flow, but until then my thoughts are like flotsam on the waves being tossed to and fro.

Today is our Eileen's birthday. She is 48, which is very hard to believe.  I can remember the day she was born as if it were yesterday. I was absolutely thrilled and elated at having a little girl. I think she has plans to go out for lunch or some such with her friends. I have promised to take them, both she and Tim, out for supper at the weekend. They want to go to the Chinese Restaurant in town so that is where I will take them.

When I was a teenager it was not a Chinese Restaurant, but a place called The Shaker Restaurant. Its walls were lined with collected salt and pepper shakers. It was the epitome of cool to be able to go in and sit in a booth  with your friends and buy a coke and share some fries.

I do not know when it turned into a Chinese Restaurant, but it has been one now for many years. Our mother always loved to go there. I don't believe the same people still own it.

We are expecting a mix of rain and snow here today. It is already quite a bit milder than it was yesterday. Usually on Wednesday nights our dad likes to go out for supper, but I am not sure if he is planning on it today. A lot will depend on the road situation. They are still filled with the slush and snow from the weekend. The town did spread grit but it was too cold to melt the snow, so it's been a bit like driving through sand. Thankfully I have not really had to go anywhere. The Doctors on Monday, but my sister drove me. Yes, I know how lucky I am.  Blessed really.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Let me do all the good I can
to all the people that I can
As often as I can
for I will never pass
this way again.
~J Wesley• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Clean Out the Fridge Stir Fry.  Simple. Quick. Easy. Delicious and a great way to use up all those bits and bobs in the crisper drawer.

I hope you have a lovely day today. Be happy. Stay warm and stay safe.  Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

A Day Book . . .

 

FOR TODAY, January 6th, 2026

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Things are decidedly wintery. Right now it is -10*C/14*F. It's not supposed to snow today, at least according to the forecast, but I have noticed recently that more often than not what it says on my weather ap doesn't correspond with what's going on outside my window. I am not sure how reliable it is. I think I will stick with the window. It seems to be much more accurate!

I AM THINKING ...

 

(source)

I woke up with sparrows on my mind. The hymn "His Eye is On The Sparrow" was going through head. I have been working on my talk to give on the 25th and I have been looking up scriptures, etc. and taking notes about sparrows.

I AM ALSO THINKING ...

I could change my mind. I have changed it several times already since I was assigned the talk. Two other topics I have played with in my mind have been Grace and Forgiveness. Sigh . . .  having to pick out your own topic as inspired to speak about is a lot harder to do than it seems on the surface.

 

(source)

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ...

A place to shelter. It's warm and cozy and safe. I am blessed. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be homeless at any time, let alone at this time of year.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Creamy Butterbean Soup. Perfectly hearty, delicious and warming on a cold winter's day.

 

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

Molasses Soda Bread.  Rhubarb & Lavender.  I love soda bread. I love molasses bread.  The two together, well I am sure I will love that as well!

THIS I BELIEVE ...

There isn't anything that a good playlist can't make more tolerable.

 

(source)

SOMETHING THAT IS NICE ...

Red house, blue door, white trim. I am in love.

 

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SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NICE ...

Cinnamon rolls. I like my mom's which were made with biscuit dough. I would rather have one of those than any other kind.

I AM WANTING TO CREATE ...

 

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Tiny houses made from postage stamps . . . 

 

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DIY paper ornaments  . . . 

 

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Envelope Books  . . . 

 

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Watercolor button cards . . . 

 

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A tin filled with watercolor flowers  . . . 

SOMETHING I ENJOY ...

 

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Toadstools and mushrooms  . . . 

SOMETHING ELSE I ENJOY ...

 

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Teacups and flowers  . . .  people are just so clever.

I AM READING ...

MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE, by Rhs Bowen 

Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love by the bestselling author of The Rose Arbor and The Venice Sketchbook. 

 Surrey, England, 1938. After thirty devoted years of marriage, Ellie Endicott is blindsided by her husband’s appeal for divorce. It’s Ellie’s opportunity for change too. The unfaithful cad can have the house. She’s taking the Bentley. Ellie, her housekeeper Mavis, and her elderly friend Dora―each needing escape―impulsively head for parts unknown in the South of France. 

 With the Rhône surging beside them, they have nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Until the Bentley breaks down in the inviting fishing hamlet of Saint Benet. 

Here, Ellie rents an abandoned villa in the hills, makes wonderful friends among the villagers, and finds herself drawn to Nico, a handsome and enigmatic fisherman. 

As for unexpected destinations, the simple paradise of Saint Benet is perfect. But fates soon change when the threat of war encroaches. Ellie’s second act in life is just beginning―and becoming an adventure she never expected.

I am thoroughly enjoying this. Thoroughly.

THINGS THAT CATCH MY FANCY ...

 

 

(source)

Tweed knits and those buttons  . . . 

 

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Birds and snowmen  . . . 

 

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Little black toe beans  . . . 

 

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Scandinavian architecture  . . . 

 

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Embroidered white linens  . . . 

MAKES ME SMILE ...

 

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Owl love  . . .  owl love you forever.  (Sorry couldn't resist.)

SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

Law and Order U.K. on Britbox.

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*Ah, how good it feels

the hand of an old friend.

~Unknown  • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。

And that is my daybook for this week!  Thanks always for being here!

  ⋱ ⋮ ⋰

⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆

  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆ 

✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•. ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥╬

░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░ 

Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!    

   

 

PS - Forgot to tell you how my doctors appointment went.  He told me to get some calomine lotion to put on the rash. Take 1 to 2 Tylenol 1's every four to six hours, get some voltarin for any pain and then to come back in two months time if I was still in pain.