NECESSITIES; Ocean Park-WA

August 12th: The Day dawned bright and full of promise 💖

Blinding sunshine coming through the fabric window blinds = a good & welcome thing 🌞

Coffee ☕️

(1) Body toning exercises 🏋️‍♀️

Star Stretch Toe Touch Exercise

These exercise formats are only a guide! Use wisdom and do only what you are capable of.

The Split lunges primarily work the quadriceps (muscles on the front of the thigh are responsible for extending the knee), glutes (gluteal muscles [gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus] are engaged in hip extension and stabilization), and hamstrings (muscles on the back of the thigh are involved in hip extension and knee flexion). They also engage the calves (muscles that help to stabilize the foot and ankle during the movement) and require core (abdominal and back muscles that stabilize the torso and maintain balance) activation for stability.

Side Lunges exercise strengthen your legs. They work your quads, abductors, glutes and hamstring - similar muscles that are worked with traditional lunges, just at a different angle and with more stabilization involved = stretching your inner thighs, while improving your overall hip mobility. You don’t necessarily need to add weights to your side lunges, but this "a plus" as added dumbbell weight puts stress on your muscles and bones with the goal of getting stronger: Just keep the weight light to avoid injury.

When doing these lunges, keep your back straight when you’re doing standard side lunges; and don't go too wide with your lunge: you should feel a slight stretch in your hamstrings and glutes, but not pain or a lot of tension in the area.

The Dumbbell Deadlifts primarily work the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back muscles. They also engage the quadriceps, core, and upper back muscles to a lesser extent, as well as forearms due to grip strength requirements. The upper back muscles like the trapezius and rhomboids are activated to maintain proper posture and shoulder stability.

The Side Leg Raises exercises primarily work the hip abductor muscles, which include the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus on the outer thigh and hip. They also engage the gluteus maximus, hip flexors, hamstrings, and core muscles to a lesser extent. This movement helps strengthen your hip muscles, improves balance, and promotes bone density in your lower body.

I like working my body. I am glad I am back at it.

(2) The sun was so welcome, we were lured out of Independence; we didn't have to be coaxed too hard 😁

Vitamin D is necessary for over-all health (https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d). Focus on exposing your face, arms, and hands to the sun; aim for 10-30 minutes of midday sun exposure (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) a few times a week. Be aware that sunscreen can block UVB rays, which are needed for vitamin D synthesis.

Leaving the RV Park, we watched a big yellow  butterfly dance with a big, fat, bumblebee as they fought over the same Butterfly Bush flower head 😉

The large, yellow butterfly commonly seen in Washington state is likely the Two-tailed Swallowtail or the Western Tiger Swallowtail, both of which are prominent yellow and black swallowtail species in the region: (https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2018/07/30/yellow-butterfly-boom/ & https://wabutterflyassoc.org/species-profile-two-tailed-swallowtail-papilio-multicaudatus/)

It was a beautiful sunny Day, today, despite the heavy fog layer hanging over the Columbia River - near the North Head Jetty which is located at the mouth of the Columbia River, near Cape Disappointment on the Pacific Ocean-WA. The temperature was only 66-degrees, but felt like 100-degrees because the humidity was so high and the sunrays were really hot. The sky was blue without a cloud in the sky - just the fog hanging over the water, and shrouding the ocean cliffs towering over Dead Man's Cove, Waikiki Beach, and the North Jetty.

And the bonus of the Day was … that all totaled, we walked a mile together - it was in spurts because of Holland's disability pain level (but he needs to walk more = he knows it, and is doing the best he can to do what he can when he can), and that's what my watch calculated 👏

Heavy, thick, fog bank on the Columbia River; Ilwaco Marina-WA

The fog was so thick, the Coast Guard was diligently active & the end of the North Jetty was swallowed up by the greedy fog; Ilwaco Marina-WA

(3) And a determined break of a generational cursed cycle 🙏👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 

I am SO PROUD of my husband 👏😘

He is breaking the cycle, on his end.

We will not be attending the Redmill gathering on Saturday: this should not be news to Jake, who KNOWING his mother and Holland adamantly refuse to have anything to do with Bob Redmill - Jake, by insisting his father's Celebration of Life take place in Bob's den of vipers (Willow Street {church}) … is blatantly 😈 disrespecting his mother by taking advantage of a highly emotional situation, flipping his mother the flying eagle 🖕, and trying to blackmail his Uncle (my husband) into a building they do not want to cross the threshold of.

Out of personal necessity, Holland is not having that familial push forced on him: and knowing the background story, I agree, support, and stand by his side in this regard.

We're opting o.u.t. of the flying monkey madness.

Bob, and his sister Barbara, did everything within their power to ruin Holland's mother's reputation - and actively went out of their way to destroy Holland's siblings, 4 of which are dead as power struggle fallout.

Holland has risen above the anger: he does not want to mingle with any of them that pay homage to Bob - he is breaking the generational curse.

I am proud of my husband.

The crazy is always on full display; we don't want to be part of it.

He will be the talk of "the family" for a while, but in all honesty they are not in way a Family; rather they are more like vultures & pariahs always on the lookout for who they can ruin or destroy.

Holland doesn't need that.

I don't want that … and am thankful I will not be put in a position where I will have to pull out my Bad Ass Card and remind any of them that they are not my family (thank the Lord), and I do not feel the need to feed Bob's destructive ego. Holland will be spared that public moment 😉

I actually knew Jake before I knew Crystal, or was friends with Holland. I am surprised and admittedly a little angry that Jake would so totally disregard his mother and his uncle's aversion to being in close proximity to Bob, who has hurt Lana and Holland so severely with his overbearing egomaniac behaviors.

I am glad Holland is separating from that toxicity and actively cleaving to his wife (moi); so we can go forward in building a good Life together that is apart from the Redmill treadmill of angry, hedonistic, heathen bitterness that always leads to death.

In case anyone is missing the fine point: there is no Christian behavior in this dysfunctional family headed by Bob - and that den of iniquity is NOT "a Church".

I have said this - and I do not apologize to a.n.y.o.n.e. for having said it. Out of real necessity, it needed saying, and should have been acknowledged loooong ago. I am glad Holland is finally seeing the light, and leaving it all behind.

Staying away from that circus atmosphere is what's best for US.

I am proud of my husband ❤️

Harry Connick Jr. (1989) - 'I Could Write a Book' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l93B5EI1L8)

A GOOD WIFE~Self-Care; Ocean Park-WA

The "house" in this verse can be interpreted metaphorically to represent not just a physical dwelling but also the entire structure of a life, including relationships, reputation, and overall well-being.

August 11th: A lot of stuff going on in our Life 🙏

We are both investing in self care activities: physical 🏋️‍♀️, emotional 🕊️, & spiritual ✝️

Holland is taking care of the provisional 🤠 & upkeep end … I am taking care of the cozy vibe 😘 & the spiritual gatekeeper end. Together, we are guardians building our personal empire 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 

I started my morning out with coffee & body toning:

The Standing Rear Deltoid exercises primarily target the posterior deltoids, which are located on the back of the shoulder (making up 1/3 of the shoulder, the rear delts are responsible for arm extension and external rotation = think the gesture you make with your hands when you say 'I don't know'); they also work several other muscles in the upper back and shoulders, including the trapezius, rhomboids, infraspinatus, and teres major and minor - working rear deltoids in the female body is crucial for posture, injury prevention, and balanced upper body development. They help counteract rounded shoulders, improve shoulder stability, and enhance overall upper body strength and aesthetics.

The Dumbbell Bent-Over Rows exercises primarily work the latissimus dorsi (largest muscles in your back, responsible for pulling your arms down and back), rhomboids (located between the shoulder blades, these muscles help retract and stabilize the shoulder blades), and trapezius muscles in the back (a large muscle that runs from the base of the skull to the middle of the back, involved in scapular movement and posture = the motions of the shoulder blade (scapula) around the rib cage; these movements are crucial for proper shoulder joint function and overall upper extremity movement), as well as the biceps and rear deltoids. The exercise also engages the core for stabilization and can indirectly work the hamstrings and glutes.

The Side Dumbbell Raises primarily target the middle part of the shoulder muscle; additionally, the exercise can activate the rotator cuff muscles and muscles in the upper back like the rhomboids and serratus anterior, as well as the core muscles for stabilization. By strengthening these muscles, side dumbbell raises can contribute to improved shoulder strength, stability, and a more sculpted appearance.

This is only a guide! Go at your own speed; I cut the exercises down to suit my needs (ex.: instead of 5 repetitions = 1 do 1 set & done). I am toning my body, not wanting to look like a female version of The Incredible Hulk. 10 reps may not seem like a lot … but believe me, you feel feel muscles firming up - and you will see toning improvement over time.

The Flutter kicks primarily work the lower abdominal muscles, the hip flexors, and obliques (the the sides of the torso). They also engage the quadriceps, hamstrings, and lower back as secondary muscle groups.

The Scissor exercise, also known as scissor kicks, primarily works the core muscles, including the lower abdominal muscles, obliques, and transverse abdominis (the transversus abdominis is the deepest of the abdominal muscles, acting like a natural corset to support the trunk and internal organs. It wraps around the abdomen horizontally, helping to stabilize the spine and pelvis = contributes to good posture, core strength, and efficient movement), as well as the hip flexors and lower body muscles like the quadriceps, adductors, and glutes. It's a dynamic core exercise that also improves hip mobility and can be a good addition to a cardio workout, according to some fitness sites.

The Crunches work only the abdominal muscles: makes them ideal for strengthening your core, which includes your lower back muscles and obliques.

The Back Extension exercises specifically focus on the low back muscles - which help you support, protect, and extend your spinal column and entire back.

Exercises done, I went online to post a recipe … and saw that my knitted afghan had been highlighted for a featured mention on one o the Blogs I frequent 😊

MOD Knitted Afghan was featured on 'Butterflies in The Attic' Blog Hop.

When Holland woke up we discussed the Kelso gathering coming up on Saturday. Holland has been yo-yoing about attending since Scott died last Wednesday afternoon & Jake informed us that he was holding a family gathering at Bob's in Kelso this coming Saturday.

The decision came to a head this afternoon: we will not be attending. Holland does not want to be anywhere near his Uncle Bob, has been very vociferous about never crossing the threshold of Bob's church building, and has really felt the pressure of Jake's phone call the other day. So, I asked, "Well, I'm not going - I won't know 95% of those people, and those I do know I'd rather not know. But if you feel so strongly about being forced to go, yourself; why are you even going? Considering the rotten things they all have done to you, personally, why would you even go?" He said, "Because Mark asked me & Jake expects it of me." I counted to 10. Then I said, "Is Mark going to do what you ask of him? Of course not, he's going to do what is best for Mark. You don't owe any of those people anything, Holland. You've been snappy for days due to the pressure of being emotionally blackmailed to do something you do not want to do, and it's wearing on us - personally, I'm of the opinion that our peace of mind matters more than they do. You don't need to keep jumping every time one of your dysfunctional family members demand you jump to satisfy their selfish aims. It would be different if the Redmills actually behaved as family, but they don't know the meaning of family. You owe none of them a demanded appearance. And honestly, I'm pretty mad at Jake right now for prodding his mother - as well as you - to do something he knows you both are both loathe to do, purely for selfish reasons. You know you're going to be under immense pressure to mingle with people who have stabbed you repeatedly in the back. Lana is going to be a nervous wreck, trying valiantly to keep herself in check being that close to Bob - God help him if he even looks in her direction or attempts to talk with her; she's a new widow and new widows are pretty emotionally volatile - if he pushes on her thinking her too weak to respond, he'll get what he deserves: a brawl may ensue if there's drinking or smoking going on. You're going to bristle every time Bob opens his mouth. You're going to be fuming at Jake. And you're going to be bringing all that chaotic angst back here … as well as subjecting your compromised lungs to cigarette and pot smoke. I'd really rather you didn't go. You'll take heat for sure, from gossiping mouths that don't know the backstory, but eventually those devils will adjust and get on with their own miserable lives running to raise hell on some poor unsuspecting soul. You don't need to subject yourself to any more of the hellish behaviors Babe - and our Home doesn't need any more aggravation." He nodded before saying, "They'll talk trash if I don't go." I said, "They've been talking trash for decades, and you know that they'll talk trash even if you do go. I'm not worried about how they'll try to damage me; I'm just concerned about your blood pressure once you get among all of them under the same roof. They are trashy people without a conscious or any moral aptitude at all."

So, we are staying home Saturday.

The dead can bury their dead; we are going to get on with living a Life with as much peace in it as possible. We have our own stuff to work through; we don't need, nor do we want theirs to deal with, as well.

Some people you just need to set firm boundaries with. And let Elohim deal with them.

AMEN 👏

You have got to protect your peace.

Forgive and release.

Don't let a.n.y.o.n.e. pressure you to keep devils in your life - you have to do what is best for YOUR soul's peace; they are not walking your walk. Their experiences are not yours - and maybe they share the same mean spirit.

If they deliberately create havoc - do not let them gain entrance.

If they deliberately mean ill-will towards you, your spouse, or your children; you are not obligated to invite them into your home's sanctuary - it doesn't matter who they are.

If they use manipulation tactics to force you to bend to their will … you do not have to tolerate that 'soft abuse'.

If they deliberately go out of their way to seek & destroy you, or your loved ones - you do not have to "overlook it, and engage anyways" to "keep familial peace". Oft times your worst enemies are intimate family members.

Yeshua never taught that you have to entertain the devil-spirited.

Holland & I have been engaging in sporadic spiritual battles for 30 months, ever since we got married, and it became clear to me the severe dysfunction I married into. Since coming back to WA State this April, we have had several heated verbal exchanges centered around familial fallout after he spends time in Kelso - I stopped going because my lungs can't handle the smoky atmospheres & the stressful visits result in painful angina flareups; and I really did not appreciate Holland exasperating his COPD, either, with those visits. I have been praying that my husband would distance himself from self-destructive Redmill Crazy Train.

The generalized Christian meaning of a wife as the "keeper of the home" reflects a historical and cultural view of gender roles (my husband is big on gender roles). Understood as Biblical, as well as Historical, [Wife role] is viewed as woman managing household duties and wisely caring for the family (man & woman without children refers to "family" as well). A healthy Christian attitude is that "a godly wife is not merely the heart of the home, but a warrior at its gates" reflects the characteristic complexity of strengthening influence a wife can embody within a Christian household - never above her husband, but wisely strengthening him to carry out his duties to her, and their home environment.

A Wife who is 💯 woman of God gives special attention to the safeguarding of her family from negative influences (physical & spiritual) by diligently secure the sanctity of the Home - in all it's implications. A godly wife is not only a source of love and comfort for her husband … she is also a spiritual warrior, a formidable force who actively defends and champions her Home, reflecting Yeshua's love and Elohim's protective nature; highlighting her God-given strength, resilience, and willingness to stand ground for the well-being of her home and family. In this her husband rests securely, knowing he can fully trust her in the big things (eternal) - as well as the small things (every day life) concerning the kingdom life (private marital empire) they are building together. He knows with confidence that she stands with him, beside him, and has his back at all times, in all things.

Proverbs 18:22: “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.” The meaning of this proverb is that whoever is blessed enough to understand that every good gift is given by God … and the greatest treasure a man can have is his Wife.

TALK TO ME ABOUT TODAY; Ocean Park-WA

Talk to me about TODAY; talk to me in the present.

Talk to me about US - who WE are, what we're doing.

Talk to ME like we are WE.

SNAKES MAKE ME NERVOUS; Ocean Park-WA

Yep.

Skipping next Saturday: I chose the way of peace.

Eventually, he will catch up with me.

But for now, I chose peace for me: I haven't come this far to go backwards.

Nazareth - 'Please Don't Judas Me' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuOxdHrnaUE)

And … SNAKES MAKE ME NERVOUS.

LOOK CLOSER; Ocean Park-WA

August 8th: The sun showed strong today 🌞, so we escaped the 4 walls that echoed with oppressive news all week long.

Getting out of the house this afternoon - nothing in particular planned.

We knew we'd end up at the Ilwaco Marina eventually - and we did; but we made a slight detour along the way 😉

As we were driving along listening to tunes and glancing around … I spotted a van with a "Swamp Thing" banner sprawled across it's upper front end, so I asked Holland if we could backtrack and get a closer look at it:

The Pirate's Keep in Long Beach-WA, from Ocean Park-WA; 17 min (10.8 mi) via WA-103 S Pacific Way

This caught my eye, so Holland turned around so I could get a closer look.

The Pirate's Keep; #105 13th St SW, Long Beach, WA

The Bigfoot is a new thing out front - it wasn't there a week ago.

The tchotchke (pronounced: choch-key) business even has a Facebook Page, featuring it's strangely weird offerings 😂🤣

Leaving that roadside oddity, we continued forward. Coming into Ilwaco, the parking lot in front of the large wall-sized mural was pretty vacant and afforded a good photo op, so I collected a picture 😊👌

Then we crossed the street to the Marina … even behind windows, the sunshine felt wonderful: outside Betsy's cab it was very breezy despite the warm sunrays, so we kept the windows closed to keep hair from blowing under my sunglasses or into my mouth while we talked back and forth; and looked closer at things and people around us.

Building Mural; 1st Ave. N, Ilwaco-WA

Coastal WA Tsunami Alert Towers; Ilwaco-WA

Tsunami Alert Towers-Coastal WA: 

(https://pcema.info/be-informed/outdoor-warning-system/#:~:text=AHAB%20sirens,Siren%20Locations%20map%20(right).)

Holland explained to me that these huge concrete structures are for lifting hefty boats in-&-out of the water, and for lifting heavy, full, fish crates off fishing boats.

On our way back to Ocean Park, we were passing by Sid Snyder Drive, when our curiosity led us to the distillery alongside the Adrift Hotel. We were curious ✅ - neither of us had ever seen a distillery before; we decided to go inside for a closer look.

While there, we sampled a couple tastes; and weren't overly impressed with any of the tastings 😕

But, we want to experience (within reason) everything the peninsula offers that piques our interests. We did come home with a few purchases; for years I have been unable to find bitters anywhere, so when I saw these - I bought them. Long Beach-WA is known for it's cranberry bogs, & one branch of the Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice business operates in Long Beach-WA … so, I bought some of the Cranberry Liqueur (it's strong, but Holland says it will make a good mixer & I'll find some way to cook with it, too). The Coffee Liqueur appealed to both of us, and it will be a comforting additive to coffee or cocoa - to ease aching bones on cold winter days.

This was an experience; an experience we won't be repeating, but at least it's been checked off the Bucket List 🎯

Adrift Distillers; #409 Sid Snyder Dr BLDG #3, Long Beach, WA

Sid Snyder Dr, Long Beach, WA to Ocean Park WA; 16 min (10.3 mi) via WA-103 N Pacific Ave

Most of the samples were too strong! The Gin, & Moonshine, was like swallowing turpentine! $1 for a drop in each tiny cup.

This was awful! Nothing 'loving' about it.

Our purchases; the Bitters was the most expensive buy.

Interior of the Distillery.

Then, we nipped in at the Klipsan Beach road, and instantly caught sight of two water skiers skipping across the ocean waves before they frog-hopped out of sight - then with a closer look, we watched a high-flying kite for a while.

While we talked back and forth, Holland mused that we might not be coming back this way once we leave. I was surprised: the ocean is his thing - but having a wife now puts a while new spin on things; he says living so close to the water is "just too risky, Baby". He's feeling the pinch of responsibility that he hasn't had to think about those 35 years before the happenings of 2022 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 changed "me" to "we". Now, we both, have to think in terms of 2 instead of 1.

A localized earthquake could possibly cause a local tsunami … and wipe Hines, Oysterville, Nachotta, Ocean Park & Long Beach totally out, in a quick 30 minutes time: advisories to "go 2 miles inland & 100 feet in elevation" is worthless here. These low-laying peninsula elevations are below sea level, at sea level, or slightly above sea level; very flat terrain, and surrounded by water on all sides - the 28 mile Long Beach Peninsula is approximately 1.5 miles wide - short of the 2 mile safety estimations.

Symbolism in the Klipsan Beach sky.

Blue Oyster Cult - 'Don't Fear The Reaper': 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GAylAoRR2A&list=RD8GAylAoRR2A&start_radio=1)

Coming back into Ocean Park, we noticed that Tu-Tu's was open for business … so we backtracked around the block and placed a supper order: 

Tu-Tu's Lunch Wagon was open today, so we nipped in; #1505 259th Pl, Ocean Park, WA

Holland had the Pineapple Meatball; I had the Teriyaki chicken.

Holland doused his meal with black pepper, as usual; I took the pineapple pieces out of my coleslaw, & put it in the rice, with the sauce.

Supper was tasty.

Evening cocoa was comforting.

Life is good: enjoying the now, this Shabbat Eve 💕🕊️