STRETCHING BLESSINGS~My Senior Exercise Plan 2024; #5/Quartzsite-AZ

I kinda moved quickly through my exercise paces today because Holland is sick :-(

MY POOR LUV~SICK DADDY; Quartzsite-AZ: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/my-poor-luvsick-daddy-quartzsite-az.html

Today's exercises are low-key … and with the exception of the stepper, most can be done sitting down ;-)

Tonight's sunset; Quartzsite-AZ

RELAX~My Senior Exercise Plan 2024; #4/Shabbat Eve, Quartzsite-AZ: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/relaxmy-senior-exercise-plan-2024.html

MY POOR LUV~SICK DADDY; Quartzsite-AZ

Holland is pretty sick today with a chest cold; it started last night, but he refused to let me drive him into Yuma (2 hours away) for medical attention - Quartzite has a medical clinic just up the street … and Parker has a clinic too (about half an hour away) but Holland will need specialized lung ailment care - chest inflammation is a serious thing with him.

So, this morning, seeing how sick he was, I waved the Wife Card around telling him that if he isn't feeling much better by Tuesday … I'm driving him to ER in Yuma. NO arguments from him will be accepted.

Sometimes wives have to push through their husband's stubborn streak; there was a lot in that rib Yeshua used to make Eve ;-)

Chest colds with Holland can quickly morph into full-on pneumonia in short order.

Right now, as I am typing this post, he is shivering; and has pulled his heavy coat on.

Holland is sick - low-grade fever; hot to the touch, coughing, nauseas & very drained. He was shaking so bad with fever chills that he pulled his heavy coat on.

Bleu trying to comfort Holland … he loves his daddy and is concerned, too, that Holland is so lethargic.

He hasn't been able to eat, and he really isn't drinking enough fluids - he has swallowed some water, and drank an entire small bottle of Gatorade; but that is not enough fluids for a sick body … my man is 6'4" and very stubborn.

I am concerned.

He slept for a bit in the recliner.

So, when he tried to watch TV and some YouTube videos … and kept nodding off, even dropping things - I kissed him, and ushered him upstairs, to bed; checking on him every hour on the hour. He slept for several hours, thank God.

I have petitioned prayer from Prayer Partners, and we pray my poor luv will be much better tomorrow.

Totally healed would be a real blessing ;-)

Tonight's sunset; Quartzsite-AZ

STRETCHING BLESSINGS~My Senior Exercise Plan 2024; #5/Quartzsite-AZ: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/stretching-blessingsmy-senior-exercise.html

MOD SWIFFER JET MOP PAD PATTERN~Revised & Updated; Quartzsite-AZ

MOD Revised & Updated Swiffer Mop Top Pad~January 2024

MOD SWIFFER JET MOP PAD

Materials:

Cotton yarn - 1 skein MC; or 1 skein EA of MC & CC (I used my stash cache leftover odds and ends for this one)

#H size crochet hook

Scissors

Tapestry needle

Terms Used:

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

EA = each

ct = count

sl st = slip stitch

dec = decrease

tog = together

EO = end off

I was making up another of MOD Swiffer Mop Top Pads, when I noticed that the previously posted pattern was seriously off countwise!

I really sorry about that :-(

In both of the previous postings (2019 & 2023) … I had worked up my mop top pads quickly. The first time I designed this pattern, I was grieving the physical death of my first husband - so the pattern was designed as I crafted my work, without writing the pattern down. The second time I worked this pattern, I was on the road with my new bridegroom; and because there was no written pattern from 2019 … I did the best I could by counting out the sts of my original work (and hoping I got the count right): apparently I did not.

This time around, I pulled out the 2023 written document I had posted to my Blog (and Blog Hops - sorry!!!) in October 2023: that is how I found out the mistakes. As I worked this pattern (following that pattern), I made correctional notations - and those directions are true to the design ;-)

And this time, I've also added a few modifications that will make working the drawstring loops easier ;-)

The corrected pattern is as follows.

***************

PATTERN: With two strands of yarn together, ch 31.

Rows 1 - 12: Sc across foundation chain - work 11 more rows sc; after row 12, drop the extra strand of yarn and continue work with a single strand.

The start of MOD Swiffer Mop Top Pad.

Row 13 - Working corners: Sc in 2 sc, making 2 sc in the corner sc; then work (*12 sc, 2 sc next sc, 29 sc, 2 sc next sc*) around piece: 93 sc ct.

Row 14: Sc in each sc, making 3 x 2 sc for a total of 6 sc in EA corner sc: work should follow as written (*12 sc,  3 x 2 sc in next 3 corner sc, 29 sc, 2 sc in next 3 corner sc around piece*): 105 sc ct.

Corner increases …

Row 15: Sc one round even: 105 sc ct.

Row 16: Decrease row: Sc in each of next 2 sc; making dec in EA corner; then work (*14 sc, dec 3 sc tog next sc, 33 sc, dec 3 sc tog next sc*) around piece: 97 sc ct.

Corner decrease.

Rows 16 & 17: sc in each sc: 97 sc ct.

'Sizing' before continuing further …

First drawstring openings: Fold piece in half & count 16 sts from folded edge to top corner BOTH SIDE TO ENSURE EVENESS; now go back to the folded edge and count 5 sts upward - mark. The drawstring loops will be worked between these two markings: attach yarn at the mark, and *ch 2, skip 1, sc next st* for a total of 21 sc posts (20 ct. openwork loops); ch 18 and attach ch to opposite side of work. EO

Folding for accurate marking; and lining up edges for accurate marking.

Ready to begin the drawstring loops.

Drawstring loops; sides of mop top pad.

Foundation chains, for top-side drawstring loops of mop top pad.

Next row - working backwards across foundation ch: attach yarn at the EO spot, and work as follows *ch 2, skip 1, sc next st* (9 openwork loops); EO

Drawstring loops.

Second set of drawstring openings (opposite side): count 9 sc from first drawstring opening EO spot, and attach yarn in next sc. Work as follows - *ch 2, skip 1, sc next st* for a total of 21 sc posts (20 ct. openwork loops); ch 18 and attach ch to opposite side of work.

Next row - working backwards across foundation ch: attach yarn at the EO spot, and work as follows *ch 2, skip 1, sc next st* (9 openwork loops); EO

Drawstring loops, all around …

Drawstring: ch 4 & join to first ch with a sl st.; ch 85 loosely - count backwards 4 sc & join with a sl st. EO

The making of MOD drawstrings …

Weave in all loose ends; and then starting at the center of the top loops … weave the drawstring through all drawstring loops, meeting again at the center of the mop top pad.

Drawstrings threaded through loops.

This Swiffer mop top pad will easily slide over the mop head; tie in place by pulling drawstring to wrap mop top securely around plastic mop head.

Slipping MOD Swiffer Mop Top Pad over the mopping end of the Swiffer Mop.

A good fit ;-)

Securing the mop top pad to the mopping end …

Perfect ;-); topside & underside.

There will be some shrinkage after washing and drying cotton yarn, but just pull on it a bit to loosen it up :-)

RELAX~My Senior Exercise Plan 2024; #4/Shabbat Eve, Quartzsite-AZ

January 27th: Today was a relaxing laid-back kind of day :-)

My early morning hours were spent with Blue crowding my space, a brief reach-out-&-touch-someone text with a WA friend, and the beginning of working up another one of MOD Swiffer jet mop top … while watching the Dances With Wolves movie; it was nippy enough that I also added the RV's propane heat to the electric heater's warmth.

Bleu crowding my space …

Morning texting … & MOD Swiffer Mop Pad design.

MOD SWIFFER JET MOP PAD~Revised & Updated; Quartzsite-AZ: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/mod-swiffer-jet-mop-pad-patternrevised.html)

When Holland got up, and woke up, he suggested taking Bleu for a run in Tyson's Wash; so, off we went. But once we got there, we decided to investigate the road further. While driving along, we noticed what looked like a mining operation … so, we followed the road deeper into the desert to get a peek at the mine: what looks close across the desert landscape is a lot further away than people think. We had driven about an hour and a half before we got close enough to get a good look at what had drawn our eyes in the first place.

The road was good most of the way; some places were deeply rutted, and Holland drove off-road (which is always fun). We all (Bleu included) enjoyed the vastness of the wide-open desert space.

Then we just sat in the silence of the moment and enjoyed the peaceful vibes of desert solitude.

I didn't take any pictures - I was just enjoying the day out with my two favorite fellas, who both add a lot of joy to my life ;-)

When we got back home, I worked my body some; and relaxed a lot more :-)

Even Supper was a laid-back thing: I went to bed early and snuggled with Clive while eating a few celery sticks with peanut butter spread on them … and Holland fended for himself after he touched base with WA family & friends.

Read another 100 pages of a Clive Cussler novel …

Blue casting a jealous eye, and wanting my full attention ;-)

Bleu wolfed his food (he always eats like it's his last meal), then meandered back and forth between the two of us; settling for a bit on the bed with me before laying at Holland's feet, and eventually putting himself to bed in his kennel - we had considered ditching the kennel, but he likes it: it's his personal space. He'll still be getting his own corner of the bedroom, eventually, but we're thinking the kennel will still be around for a while, too ;-)

Sleepy snuggles …

"Have a good week!"

MINISTRATIONS~My Senior Exercise Plan 2024; #3  https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/ministrationsmy-senior-exercise-plan.html

MINISTERING MESSENGER ANGELS~Shabbat, Quartzsite-AZ

This morning, after I did my daily exercises, I got a little fancy with clothing: it was Shabbat Eve - and I wanted to welcome ministering angels into our home wearing something different than the pj's which have been my chosen comfy winter attire ;-)

This morning's exercise Post - MINISTRATIONS: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/ministrationsmy-senior-exercise-plan.html)

When I came into the livingroom, Holland looked at me like, 'are we going somewhere?' I laughed and said, "I want to get back to dressing a bit fancier on Friday's. I used to do this before … get a little gussied up to greet the Shabbat ministering angels." Holland shot me a blank look - and I asked, "You've never heard of ministering angels?" I know he has because his entire family can quote, verbatim, the entire Bible; but I said anyway - "Abraham and Sara, Daniel and the lion's den, Paul and his first missionary journey, Peter and the jail break …" He said, "Yes, I've heard of them; I just didn't know they were a Sabbath thing." I said, "They usher in the Shabbat peace. This winter hibernating bear feels the sunshine, and wants to welcome them in a little bit of style, on Friday's now." ;-)

The word for angel in Hebrew is malak (mal'ākh, מַלְאָך) it occurs 213 times in the Hebrew Bible. Because angels obey the Lord and serve Him (Psalm 103:20-21), Elohei Haelohim (el-oh-hey hail-oh-heem; The God of Gods) will often dispatch them to minister to Believers.

In the Scriptures, angels are described as “ministering spirits” who serve believers (Hebrews 1:13 & 14). Elohei often chooses to use angels to carry out His Will just as He often uses humans to bring about His divine purposes.

The scriptural truth that angels minister to believers is reassuring, but people must remember that God is the One who deserves the praise and glory.

Susana Allen - Shalom Aleichem song; Lyrics and Translation:

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H2-8IKIGlw)

Angels are divine beings used by Elohim, Who sometimes chooses to send His angels to assist His children - but the ministering angels are not the central focus of Scripture - nor should they be the focus in a Christian life: ministering angels are significant only because they display Elohei’s care for His Own. Angels can be sent to offer physical help to believers, but oftentimes they give spiritual aid to Christians who are undergoing hardships.

Although the Bible is clear that angels minister to believers, there is not much information about how this is conducted practically … although we do know that during Yeshua Ha'Mashiach's earthly ministry, He was often served by angels during - or after difficult trials.

For instance, angels ministered to Yeshua after Lucifer tempted Him in the desert following his water baptism by John the Baptist (Matthew 4:10 & 11; Mark 1:12 & 13). Also, when Yeshua prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest & subsequent crucifixion, angels attended Him there, also (Luke 22:42 & 43).

A few examples in Scripture do indicate that angels can be used to provide physical relief from suffering. In Genesis 21:15-20, we read that Yeshua, Himself, took pity on the rebellious Hagar and her son; and sustained them in the desert. It is recorded in the Book of Daniel, that Daniel’s life was preserved in a den of hungry lions (Daniel 6:19-22) and the apostles were released from prison by an angel (Acts 5:17-20). Also, Paul was safeguarded during his ministry by an angel sent by the Lord (Acts 27:21-24). The angels’ serving role is noteworthy not only because of the help provided to followers of Christ but also because it displays Elohim’s care for His children. Angels are not the ones who deserve recognition or glory because they are merely obeying God and serving Him by helping Christians.

As the Apostle John wrote, the Lord alone deserves the praise and glory of any help that Christians are given by angels (Revelation 22:8 & 9). Peter recognized this truth when an angel freed him when he was imprisoned by Herod (Acts 12:5-17). Instead of giving credit to the angel, he recognized that the Lord was the one who rescued him.

Bringing honor and glory to God is the significant work of angels who serve believers as ministering spirits - and what better service, than to be messengers of peace as Shabbat is ushered in :-)