Fun at the Kansas City Zoo

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fun at the Kansas City zoo

Fun at the Kansas City Zoo.

Hi, I had a fun birthday weekend with my family at the Kansas City Zoo. Happy birthday to me!

#14 Go the the Kansas City Zoo
and #38 visit the grand girls once a month

fun at the Kansas City zoo
Click image to see the images taken at the KC Zoo!

The morning began with eating breakfast out. I ordered a two egg omelet with cheese, bacon, green onion and tomato. After breakfast my daughter and her family picked me up to go to the zoo. It was for sure a fun birthday. It did make me realize a few things.

Firstly, I want to do better of taking pictures through out my adventures. There were things the grand girls did that I never took a picture. For example when they slid down the slide instead of using the stairs. I never took images of our lunch, what we ordered and the menu to show the high cost of ordering on zoo grounds. The thought of bringing a picnic lunch didn’t even come to mind until I saw the prices. One bottle of water was $5.00. Ouch, a family of 4 would be 20 bucks.

Secondly, my weight. My age, working from home, not getting out among other things I have been telling myself when I look in the mirror. This adventure to the zoo made me realize how my weight is affecting me. And it is not good. From this day forward, I will take more responsibility to do something for myself to improve my health. I want to be like my Aunt Phyllis was. When she was 80 she could keep up with my dancing when I was 50. She looked amazing. That is how I want to be when I am 80.

favorit aunt Phyllis
My inspiration in aging, my Aunt Phyllis.

#52 Walk two miles 3x a week.
#53 Do nightly excersizes 3x a week. Opposite nights from above walking goal.

These two will be a work in progress. And to keep a journal of progress, I will include a selfie of me each post. And hopefully this will show the change/progress of my efforts.

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo
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Fun at the Kansas City Zoo

The Serenity Prayer

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The Serenity Prayer

Serenity prayerHi, I have the Serenity Prayer hanging on my diningroom wall. A reminder I need to keep reading and re-read. Times like now when I hit a funk (depressed) is when I have to stop and remember the prayer.

I take “happy pills” daily for depression. The pills help keep the tears at bay. But the funk can creep up on me and that is where I am now. My funk is about things I can change like my weight and how I think about myself.

After many years I have come to the conclusion, I simply love and enjoy eating. My favorites (weakness) donuts, hot chocolate, ice cream, macaroni and cheese, pastas, baked potatoes, meats and so many others. Fiber does not fit in my diet for Crohon’s.

I am working at home now after COVID. Not getting out, no excersize and my love to eat. Guess what, yep, I have gained weight. And I am down on myself. So what am I doing about it you may be wondering. I have a plan.

I am beginning with this blog. An online diary of sorts. Working at home now, the idea of having a project and selecting a location such as a coffee shop, restaurant or the library to work on this blog/online diary. Getting out of the home, socializing will certainly be uplifting.

The thought of where I will go to write my next post is already exciting. Living near a college town, there are many different coffee shops and restaurants to choose. Heck, I can pick a different location each week!

Exercising is another goal I am interested in doing. Not that I plan on going hulk, but taking a walk or walking on the treadmill. Drinking water with my meals. I don’t like the taste of water. Water washes food down verses calories in sweet tea.

Just this past Saturday, I spent the day with Kevin. First we went to breakfast and drove the long way home, a scenic drive. Once home both of us took a nap. And to end the day we went grocery shopping. Proof we are now part of the senior group. Most of the shoppers were our age. Getting out of the house felt good.

Sunday the library was my chosen location to write my post.

Best wishes, Debra

tonganoxie library

2022 Holidays | Merry Christmas!

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Hi, Merry Christmas 2022 to you. Our holiday festivities will be celebrated over a two week time frame beginning last weekend Saturday, December 17 thru next Monday, January 2, 2023. Funny how the older I become, the more I enjoy going slower. Enjoy the present a little more! The grand girls are the opposite, they have been so excited for Christmas morning and seeing what Santa brought.

We kick started the season with meeting up with my husband’s family on Saturday, Dec 17, 2022. Our Christmas gathering was at the Hollis Renewal Center. Our family has outgrown going to one family’s home to celebrate indoors during the chilly holiday.

Holiday in laws

Kevin’s siblings all were able to join; something I am truly grateful for! It was the second generation we missed. As the family grows time together is a commodity cherished when we can be together! They were missed as we had a wonderful time eating, playing games and celebrating this holy holiday Christmas.

Merry Christmas 2022 games

Christmas with my parents was moved to Monday, January 2, 2023. Erika and her family had caught a cold from their travels the week before to Branson. Not wanting to pass the bug on, the decision to reschedule was made.

Kevin and I joined Erika and Shaune (and girls) on Saturday as previously planned; not to celebrate Christmas, but eat ham and beans and watch the Chiefs play football. The Chiefs won! Each time I am with the girls, I do my best to get our selfie. This day Brynlee was given the selfie stick and was in charge to take our picture this time.

Holiday selfie

Merry Christmas 2022!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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Killdeer Nest of Eggs, Can You Find It?

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Hi, can you find the Killdeer nest in the image below?

killdeer nest
EXP: 1/1000 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100

It was last weekend when I was with Kevin while feeding the cows that he asked me if I could see the Killdeer nest. As I was looking everywhere, Kevin just laughed. He said it’s out in plain site. I had to admit that I didn’t know what I was looking for- never seen a Killdeer nest before. Heck, I wasn’t sure what a Killdeer even looked like!

You might see the nest right off the dot. But when you are out in the open pasture the nest isn’t easy to see. This is down by the pond/cabin, Kevin marked the nest with two bigger rocks so he wouldn’t mow over them.

killdeer-eggs
EXP: 1/640 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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Homemade Weed Killer Grandma’s Weed Control

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Hi, they say April showers bring May flowers. Right now I need weed control! Kevin uses Roundup. But with all of his chores, he doesn’t spray as much as I would like. It was Easter weekend, my dad was telling us of the homemade weed killer he tried and said worked. So this is what I am going to try in a selected area of our driveway. Our driveway is gravel and all those pesky weeds are growing up between the rocks.

homemade weed killer
The Recipe:
White Vinegar 1 gallon
Table Salt 2 Cups
Dishwashing Liquid A good squirt.
Hot Water I used half a gallon to dissolve the salt before mixing with vinegar.
Sprayer I bought a 1 1/2 gallon sprayer.

It is not recommended spraying this homemade weed killer on concrete (sidewalk or driveway) or where you do want plants to grow (in your garden).

As you see, I will need to give it one more application.

Have you tried this homemade weed killer recipe? How did it work for you?

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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