Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Friday, July 14, 2017

A Deserving Day Off

This bird is annoying the heck out of me, and trying to take over my front porch.  I have no idea what type of bird it is, but the beak on it is longer than most birds.  The sound it makes is sooooo annoying.  It would come all the way to the door when I was inside, squawk, and fly off before I could get a photo. I keep ringing my dinner bell to keep it away.

....just another day in the life of our homestead.

So?  Did we get more rain? 


Just so you all know.  I rested yesterday.   I really did.  I couldn't do outside work obviously, but I sort of had a "pamper me" day.  I give myself one day off a week from intentional exercise.  Typically it's Sunday.  This week it was yesterday.  I sipped herbal tea, made homemade ginger-ale (good for my gut and a kiddo needed it too), did my stretches, cracked walnuts, and ate leftovers - no cooking or baking either.  No meal deliveries.  No hospital visits.  I spent a bit of time on the porch after the humidity lifted.  The flood out front receded by a little after noon, and the rain stopped.




I even sent our 18 year-old out for my library pick-ups/returns, and to the store for club soda.  I had one sick kiddo, and needed it for the ginger-ale syrup.  Which makes me wonder if I have to wait so many days before I can even visit sister "L" at the hospital.  Same with Hubby (having been around a sick person).



I did some handiwork and flipped through some library books (will share those soon).  Yep.  Porch time, time to sit and take a few breaths of fresh air, and rest and relax.  Mama Pea and Susan, thank you for reminding me to slow down and rejuvenate.  There is no way I want to get sick.  No, no no no no!

I even told myself to not worry about the garden being under water.  I took a few look-sees at it, and told myself to stay out of there until it dries up for a few days.   

Today, the sun is shining, no sign of rain (so far) and we are all letting out a long sigh of relief.   There will be no meal deliveries today either.  I just can't do it all.  I'm sure I'll be the "black sheep" now, but I won't allow negativity (unsympathetic, unrealistic expectations) to wear me down either.  Hubby and I both agree. 

Update on sister "L"....

...her heart is working 50% on it's own now (as of last night) and they have taken her off one of the heart medications successfully.





13 comments:

hoosier girl said...

Hope everyone continues to get better!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks, hoosier girl

Amanda said...

Your bird looks like a Carolina wren. That upright tail is the hallmark of the wren family, and they are the largest of the lot. That long bill is for digging into bark and looking for insects, when they aren't snatching them off the ground. Yes they are bold and very noisy. It probably has a nest nearby and as far as it's concerned, you're too close for comfort.

Amanda said...

Your bird looks like a Carolina wren - that upright tail is a hallmark of the species, and the Carolina is the biggest of the lot. That long thin bill lets it dig into bark to find bugs, when it isn't pulling them off of vines. They are bold and very noisy - big sound for a small bird. It probably has a nest nearby and you're too close for its comfort.

Mama Pea said...

Good to hear that your SIL is making good progress. Hoping it continues and continues.

Good for you for taking care of yourself! Susan and I were all set to come beat you into submission with a wet (organic) noodle if you didn't stop trying to be Super Woman. (None of us can do everything, although we sometimes keep trying. And trying. Are we dumb, or what??)

One thing you must remember about what other people say to you or think about you, they will never, ever, ever be pleased no matter how you try to please. (They will make sure of that.) So what we're doing when trying to please everyone is simply impossible. Your actions are none of their business. All anyone (even those nasty people) can do is take care of THEMSELVES and stop trying to bully anyone else into their way of thinking. If someone feels not enough is being done by someone else, he or she needs to keep their mouth shut and do it themselves. If they're not doing it themselves, they have no right to expect (or try to guilt) someone else to do it or act in a certain way. Nasty people will keep throwing jabs your way as long as they get the result of seeing it upset you. If you just smile and give a pleasant retort (even if it makes no sense), they may label you crazy (!) but they will stop trying to get the response they want out of you.

Pushing soap box back under the bed now. Hugs to you, Kristina, and keep your wonderful upbeat personality and attitude.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Amanda, thanks for that info. It just showed up a few days ago. It moved to the backyard yesterday thankfully.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, I just took a break to sip some hot herbal tea, and check my blog, and I just about spit it out laughing ha ha ha ha! Thanks for the good laugh today too. Hubby almost said word for word of what you said to me. Thanks for the pep talk today too.

Sam I Am...... said...

I think Mama Pea said it better than I could! I have never been so happy and at peace since I stopped trying to please others and/or 'fit in'....when you get to my age like Clark Gable in Gone With The Wind...you really don't give a damn! LOL! I've always been the 'black sheep' and now at my age I am proud of it! Good for you taking care of you for a change!

Nancy In Boise said...

Good for you! No one can take care of anyone else unless they take care of themselves first. And if other people don't understand that screw them, ha!

RB said...

So much good news here - about the water receding, about your SIL improving and about you resting. Praise and Praise and thank God!!! If only we could all learn to take one day at a time, but alas - life isn't always like that, is it. LOL
There is a mockingbird in the neighborhood that makes a sound like a cell phone - brrrring, brrrring. We can't help but laugh when we hear it. Last year there was one that sounded like a car alarm; haven't heard that one this year though.
God bless.
RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thank you for the support Sam I Am.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Little Homestead, you made me laugh. Thank you!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

RB, yes, there has been pretty good news lately. A bird that sounds like a cell phone? Funny!