FINAL DENTAL VISIT ... FOR NOW~Self-Care; Castle Rock-WA

2026 is turning out to be a very expensive year 💸

This morning was my final dental visit 👏 … for now; I am wanted back in the dentist chair November 10th: same time, same place. The next visit won't be as spendy, but it will still carry a hefty price.

While my teeth were being worked on, I was hoping that since the hour was so early - I'd be able to kinda doze a bit (I did). I was also praying constantly that Elohim would be merciful 🙏 and keep my throat clear of asthma mucus which would catapult me into a coughing fit: He was 😁 … and my body behaved during the entire 2-hr. procedure.

When we got back home, Holland got busy outside; & I checked my FB Page, where several Memories popped up reminding me that today is "Gorgeous Grandma Day". I didn't feel - nor did I look glamorous today, but, I am thankful I have the privilege of being a grandmother; & I am thankful for Elohim's blessings on me, in that regard; even if the situation is hard, given the situation, currently.

Fingernail polish - but, no makeup; I was sitting in the dentist chair for 2 hours … making time with a curling iron & makeup, would have been pointless.

Gorgeous Grandma Day 2026

Elohim is a faithful God … I may not get to see or spend time with my grandchildren, but that is not His fault. I am truly blessed ❤️, and I never forget my blessings 😘

Krisa, 1990

Alyna, 1995

Briana, 1996

Azariah, 2014

Then, I did a short, inside dumbbell workout, while waiting for the numbness of my mouth to dissipate:

Do EA set reps, as instructed x3.Upperbody Works Plus Workout [ How-To ]:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2-BKQf_tB4)

Dumbbell weights 3-, 5-, & 8-lb~changed out with each set; starting small - ending large.

Alternative = Seated Dumbbell Bicep Curls~Aim for 8 reps x3

Alternative = Dumbbell Lateral Raises~Aim for 8 reps, x3

Alternative = Dumbbell Upright Chest Rows~Aim for 8 reps x3

Alternative = Dumbbell Seated Shoulder Press~Aim for 8 reps x3

Bodyweight Glute Stepup~In & out of Betsy x6 today.

Then, I read a couple chapters of the Clive Cussler novel while I did a couple loads of laundry.

And just as I was finishing chapter 55 … the water dried up & Holland informed me that the Park Manager was informing everyone that there was a water leak and emergency repairs would take 3 hours to complete.

3 hours!

I had a "hand wash only" blouse soaking in the back bathroom sink - it was time to rinse it out. It couldn't stay in the sink for 3 hours. I rinsed it out with 4 bottles of bottled water 🤨, hoping all the soap was being flushed from the fibers.

I hung it up, and decided to go for a drive to stem my frustration. This is the 2nd time there has been a big water leak in the Resort. Of course, the pipes are 30 years old - Bob, me, & Alyna were staying at the Paradise Cove RV Park (directly across the overpass, from here), when it this RV Park was designed & layed out, in 1998.

I drove over Delameter Road from Castle Rock - and as I was coming off Woodside Drive, which ties into the Ragland Road & Coal Creek Road junction, in Longview … a mama doe with 3 fawns was standing in the middle of the junction: then an oncoming car spooked them and they bolted, jumping both sides of the road. At one point, as they ran over the hill flanking Betsy's driver side, I honestly thought they might jump into Betsy's truck bed - they were so frightened. They didn't, thank the Lord; but it was a real concern.

WHAT??? No water … broken Park waterline.

Mama doe & 3 fawns.

I had just pulled into the Willow Grove County Park, when my watch alerted me of an incoming call: Holland.

The water was back on.

So, I turned around and went back home.

It was a nice country drive & a refreshing half hour drive; the drive was not wasted time.

Tomorrow, we drive north on I-5, where Holland will get an injection in his knee that is promoted to be "beneficial" - we'll see. The injection is a Band-Aid, it is not a cure; but right now, in this moment, any relief is a major improvement. We are hopeful. We are thinking he will more than likely have to get a series of shots, every 2 months, for the "benefits" to really  kick in: each injection carries a hefty price.

MOD PEACOCK HAIR CLIP~Crochet Pattern; Castle Rock-WA

MOD Peacock Hair Clip

The weather is hot enough … and my hair is long enough now, to pull back into a little bun at the back of my head - and the plain clip was  needing some color: so, I designed and crafted a peacock feather [eye] to affix to the hair clip.

Peacock feather [eyes].

It didn't take long to make up, & the instructions are pretty basic & simple.

Metal Alligator Hair Curl Clip & MOD Peacock feather [eye].

Materials: Small balls of Worsted weight yarn in hues of Purple, Black, Blue, Gold, Light Green & Green; Crochet hook size #F/5; Scissors; Tapestry Needle; Metal Alligator Hair Curl Clip; Glue Gun w-Glue Stick

Terms Used:

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

dc = double crochet

sl st = slip stitch

sp = space

st = stich

EO = end off

Feather Eye: With crochet hook & purple -  make a magic circle & work into it, as follows: 2 sc = purple, 2 hdc = purple, 7 dc = black, 2 hdc = purple, 1 sc = purple; EO purple & black.

2) In last st worked, attach blue & work 5 sc (do not cut yarn - carry it along the backside of work), attach gold & work 1 hdc + 1 dc in next st, 2 dc next st, 3 tbc in next st, 2 dc next st, 1 dc + 1 hdc in next st - EO off gold & pick up blue, to work remaining 5 sts in sc; EO blue & gold.

3) In last st worked, attach light green - ch 3 & sl st in same sp … then, work as follows: 6 sc, 2 sc in next st, 3 sc, 3 sc in same sp, 4 sc, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 6 sts; EO light green.

Ch 3 & sl st in same sp …

4) In 4th st from bottom of work, attach green & working in back loops only, work as follows: sl st in 5 sts, 2 sc, hdc + dc in next st, dc +hdc in next st, 2 sc, sl st in remaining 5 sts; EO green.

Work green in back loops, only.

Finishing: On backside of work, weave in loose ends for a tidy finish.

Plug in glue gun, and when glue is hot - squeeze a good size glob onto the top of the metal hair clip, & place the crochet piece on it … pressing down firmly, to "set" the glue into the yarn fibers.

Heat glue gun.

Press crochet piece firmly into the glob of hot glue.

MOD Peacock Hair Clip

QUICK WOODLAND DAYTRIP~Self-Care; Castle Rock-WA

Thanking Elohim for my ordinary Tuesday - and for the quiet blessings that often go unnoticed.

This afternoon, we drove to Woodland - to the Wal*Mart Superstore there, to see if we could find there what we can't find anywhere else: we had found it 2 years ago when up here, and it was really the last chance to find it again.

The trip to Woodland was uneventful on the freeway.

Wal*Mart Supercenter, #1486 Dike Access Rd, Woodland~WA from Toutle River RV Resort, #150 Happy Trails Rd, Castle Rock-WA; via I-5 S, 28 min (30.4 miles)

The item was nowhere in sight.

The item must have been discontinued … or there isn't enough interest in it, to stock it on the shelves; so, Holland is going to see if he can find an online supplier.

But, we didn't come back home empty-handed: except for that one thing, I was able to find everything else on the List and tuck it securely in Betsy's back seat area. Time spent in the store running items down, was quick; Holland opted to stay outside in Betsy, relaxing his knees from yesterday's shopping & listening to his big hair bands … I speed walked through the store - and again, a short workout was in play:

Bodyweight Glute Stepup~In-n-out of Betsy x4

Bodyweight Standing Abs Twist in aisles, collecting items = constant.

Bodyweight Overhead Triceps Extension; overhead reaches in aisles, collecting items = constant.

Bodyweight Floor Calf Raise; overhead reaches in aisles, collecting items = constant.

Hand & Finger Flex~Collecting & paying for items = constant.

Farmer's Walk carrying shopping bags to Betsy, & from Betsy to Independence.

Then, we drove under the overpass to DQ, for individual Blizzard's to enjoy under the shade of the familiar 100+ old Maple tree. We enjoyed the cool, refreshing Blizzards, with windows open and 80-degree warmth feeling good on our exposed skin (hands, arms, face).

Thanking the Ruach HaKo'desh for opening our eyes to the goodness our faithful Father threads through the little things … a warm cup of morning coffee, kind words spoken softly between us, the sunny beauty outside our windows, & the gift of another Day - to simply enjoy, together.

Tomorrow I'm planning a trail walk at Willow Grove & a Keenagers revisit. Thursday, I have a scheduled 2-hr. morning Dentist appointment. Friday, Holland has a 10 AM appointment in Centralia, for a knee injection we are both hoping will help relieve the pain. Neither of us expect perfect in our union … but a steady, gentle, companionship is most welcome.

Thanking Yeshua, as He comes alongside us; reminding us that we don't have to wait for big moments to experience blessed faithfulness - because the Holy Trinity is present in every ordinary moment of our Life.

Thankful that our hearts, in the moment, are filled with gratitude; our minds are at ease with peace, and our Day colored with pleasant & gentle joy.

Some of life’s sweetest blessings don’t come wrapped in extraordinary moments. They quietly show up in the ordinary rhythm of our days, reminding us that God’s goodness is woven into everyday life if we’ll simply slow down long enough to notice.

When we got back home - I put things away, Holland enjoyed a little siesta … 

… & I stretched my lower back muscles to relieve an achy pinch:

Lower Back Pain~Do Sets as instructed, x2

Today has been a beautiful, peaceful Tuesday.

TOPS, CAPRI'S, & SKIRTS - OH, MY~Self-Care 2026; Castle Rock-WA

Monday, July 20th: We drove to Chehalis this afternoon for shopping 🚘🛒🛍️ - I came home with a whole new wardrobe from the thrift store, there  😊 I prefer thrift store shopping because the clothing items are more eclectic than trendy, or age specific. I'm not ready for granny clothes, but I'm wise enough to understand that I have to wistfully bypass some appealing clothing that whispers, "buy me": I'm between the 2 timeline slots; so, I walked the aging line & made wise choices today. While walking the aisles & filling my cart with tops that fit comfortably & smoothly over my massive mammas (the main reason I went shopping today), I remembered Holland saying he likes women wearing skirts; so, a few went into my shopping cart, too - along with a skort. Skirts were making sense to me as I made my item selections: they are easier to wiggle into than the leggings threaded with lycra that mimic wrestling with a girdle. Not fun. And, at my age (70, in December) - I'm preferring the easy, fun, side of life rather than the stress-inducing, vain, side: clothing that slides easily over my love handles without needing the boost of a smooth shoe horn, or a full cardio workout of yanking, pulling, and jumping … works for me now.

I've outgrown much of the clothing in my closet - literally & figuratively. My husband likes to eat manly meals & we are living a sedentary life … it is showing on both of us; my body has aged, my hair has grayed significantly, & my life has changed: my wardrobe no longer [fits] on any of those points, & needed updating.

Though the change of scenery, & the thrift store was the main reason the drive was made, we also did some shopping at the Wal*Mart Superstore there, in Chehalis-WA; & enjoyed a Sonic Chili Dogs & Tater Tots, before coming back home 🌭🍟

Centralia Goodwill Store from TR RV Resort, Castle Rock~via I-5 N; 30 min (30.7 miles)

Centralia Goodwill Store; #519 Harrison Ave, Centralia, WA - next time I come here, if I come solo lobo … I'll get a Rueben sandwich @ the Country Cousin Restaurant, & visit the Fort Borst Park - which has paved walking trails.

Chehalis Wal*Mart Superstore from Centralia Goodwill Store~via I-5 S; 10 min (4.6 mi)

Chehalis Wal*Mart Superstore; #1601 NW Louisiana Ave, Chehalis, WA

I had gotten a workout with the in-and-out of Betsy activity; the arm & hand activity of sliding hangers back and forth (and then, items shopping at Wal*Mart = same motion, different activity) - the continuous actions of lifting clothing items held up for viewing before decisions were made to place said item in my cart, or back on the rack (and then, items shopping at Wal*Mart = same motion, different activity); the torso twisting activity as I walked down aisles (and then, items shopping at Wal*Mart = same motion, different activity); and then the bag toting actions of shopping in the stores … it may not seem like much of a workout, but shopping can actually engage muscle groups, beneficially. That's my story & I'm sticking with it:

Bodyweight Glute Step-up; in & out of Betsy, x7

Body Twists

Bodyweight Standing Wringing The Towel Exercise

Hand Strengthening Grip Exercises

Farmer's Walk; several, heavy, grocery bags from store to truck & visa versa.

Today was Holland's first experience of buying clothes with & for me … and I told him to be brutally honest with me when we got home, and I tried everything on for a show & tell session 👀 - I want to look presentable, frontside & backside: he agreed to be the judge & jury 👍👎 as to what goes into my closet; and what goes back. I assured him that his honesty in this situation would not hurt my feelings 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨; I do buy what I like - but I don't want to look like an aging fool when I go out in public. And I don't want to embarrass my husband, who will sometimes be seen with me in the public square. I was sure I had shopped & selected with a discerning eye; but a second opinion is always beneficial 😘

New tops = my breasts were no longer squished.

Capri's = no greased shoe horn needed to pull them up my thighs to settle comfortably over my love handles.

Skirts = freedom, all the way around; what a glorious feeling - oh, my!

Everything got a showing 👀, an approval 👌, & goes into my closet 😊

I'm glad, because the newer, updated clothes, were really needed; nothing fancy, but everything road gypsy stylish … as well as the compact mini printer we also brought home with us - which can be utilized in Betsy's cab, if necessary; Holland has been talking about this printer for as long as we've been on the road.

Now, he has it.

Mini Printer

I noticed a rash on the inside of my arm - probably an allergic reaction caused by preservatives in the food I ate, earlier.

I have noticed that my Tablet screen has a few scratches on it: nothing serious, but seeing them motivated me into designing a simple cover for it.

MOD Open-End Tablet Cover; no pattern written up … stiff cardboard cut to protect screen, & covered; creating a pocket to slide the Tablet, into.

And we saw a lovely sunset this evening as we were fueling Betsy up. We may be driving to Woodland tomorrow.

Lovely sunset seen at the Space Age Travel Center, in Castle Rock-WA

This Monday - as the intro picture for today suggested, was truly a marvelous blessing.