Cold but no snow . . .

The southern area of our state is being slammed with snow, however, we woke up to no snow here.  It continues to remain cold.

My husband is home today (holiday), and has wood split for the week (took great energy to do).

Talked to my Mom yesterday, and she is doing okay.  I plan to find some brain game books for her today online.  

There is another staff member at the nursing home that tested positive with covid.

Daughter K remains down and out.  She literally has been on the sofa for days now.  My husband is taking the dogs out, but he is now feeling fatigue.  We'll find out today if he has covid or not.  I myself, have not been sick for 5 years.  I feel horrible.  The fatigue is keeping me down as well.  We are pulling out all my tricks of the herbal trades, and taking immune boost pills.

I am thankful for crochet quarantine projects, but have no energy to read a book right now.  I am back to working on the baby blanket and watching movies and cooking shows. 

Finsished Halter Top and Not so good news. . .

I finished Daughter E's halter top.  I hope it fits.  If not, there is one size larger available to crochet.  It was the first time for me to create a "twisted cord" for a crochet project.  Very interesting.

Daughter K tested positive for covid, and she is very sick.  I am up early to make homemade ginger-ale, and start a diffuser in my own bedroom.  Unfortunately, I am congested and feel off.  We only have one home test left, and holding onto it for my husband if needed (he goes to work Monday, and if no symptoms has to work).  We need the last kit for if he gets symptoms.  We are having a terrible time find more home test kits (so they can test negative to return to work if needed).  Every place is completely out of home covid test kits, including the libraries.

I am back to working on the baby blanket and have another scrap lap afghan I can finish.  I may have to order some baby yarn today.  Thank goodness for Amazon.  I need supplies for another crochet project.  I have lots of books to keep me busy too.

i 

Reading and other tidbits . . .

 

I've actually been doing some reading.  I finished both of these books.  I passed the James Patterson book on to Daughter E, and I'm keeping the other one.  

Daughter K and her boyfriend are going to look at an apartment this month.  We didn't see this happening until a year from now, but that would help us with home repairs/re-model.  She'd have to re-home her rabbit, but we were happy to hear about this.

I haven't been to the nursing home to visit Mom yet.  I have been calling her daily though.  Daughter K is sick, and it took great lengths to find a home covid test to be sure.  Four people at her work are now out with it.  Her test however showed she was negative.  It's spreading like wildfire in our area.  In fact, I got an automated phone call from the nursing home.  It said two more positive cases at the home Mom is in - one staff and one resident (not what I needed to hear).

Mom has started physical therapy, and they also do a memory test with her.

There has been a lot of thefts in our downtown (little town) area lately, and last night a report of men in hoodies around someone's barn in the country.  Great.  Just what we need.

I called my doctor.  He will not order an MRI for my ankle until he sees me.  Sigh.  I can't get in to see him until the end of the month.  I told my husband, if it heals up before then, I will just cancel the appointment (what I am hoping for).

Snow is heading our way in a few days.  Not sure how much just yet.  I don't watch the news, I just check the weather update, but most days I just look out the window.

Daughter E wants me to gather some healthy crock-pot recipes, so that is on the agenda today.

I'm Back

I'm back.  It's been cold here.  In fact, we need to split wood today.  Brr.  The chickens continue to lack egg production.

My ankle continues to ache, so I'm calling my doctor today.  I'll update on that when I have any results of further tests.

Daughter K said 3 people are out at her work with covid.

Daughter E had to test due to someone at her work with covid.  She was negative and returned to work.

Update on Mom:  The heart clinic nurse had a serious talk with her.  Over the weekend, Mom fell 3 times in 24 hours and two ER visits.  She was kept in the ER until last night (due to no rooms and the hospital wanting her out). 

She was transported to a nursing home last night.  Her heart failure is worse and now she cannot walk.  She was talked to about hospice or continuing meds/doctor visits etc.  She chose meds/doctors etc.  I have yet to find out if (due to the wide spread of covid) visitors are even allowed.  I'm betting the answer is no. It's spreading so badly here, that people are unable to find tests when they are sick.  Daughter E was one of them.  She was off work for 2-3 days due to lack of finding  a test.

Not sure this is happening in your area, but in ours, medical people are told to go to work if they have covid and their symptoms are mild. I'm concerned over this, as Mom could be treated by a nurse with covid.

Random Bits

 

I'm making progress on the baby blanket.  I'm thankful I had a few very old unfinished projects in my closet.  I will need to ask Daughter K to check my yarn stash upstairs.  I will be keeping this one for any future grandkids.  

Updates on Mom are good thankfully.  

Woke up to a brisk 27°F this morning.  My wonderful husband got more wood for me.  I can load the wood stove, but getting the wood inside is a bit tough right now.

The Christmas meal is planned now.  My chickens are still on strike.  Not sure what the mailman did, but Daughter K found half of it all over the ground yesterday.

My wonderful husband, although rushed for time, made us breakfast before he left for work - sausage/egg/cheese breakfast sandwiches.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

I'm making progress with my ankle.  The top of my foot no longer swells at all.  I still need to do soaks, and now my knee on the same leg hurts from the boot.  I am bio-freezing the heck out of my knee and putting a epsom salt soaked rag on it when I soak my ankle.  My right wrist is getting sore from the constant crocheting (sigh).

Sunday my husband had errands to run, and while he was out, they called and said the wood stove door was done - $150!  With tax!  Ugh.  He however got a good deal on a brand new garden cart at a pawn shop for us (half the price that TSC was selling them at).  We will give the old beat up one to a biker friend to scrap.

Hubby was literally gone the entire day, and Daughter K was at her boyfriend's college graduation.  During that time, Mom fell again, so I asked my husband to buy her some flowers and check on her.  I called, but wanted someone to check on her physically.  By the way, Mom has an smart watch now, and when she fell she could call my younger brother on it and they stayed on the phone until she could get back up.  

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

I'll link up when she posts.

The weather . . .

Woke up to 28°F, high of 42°F/27°F

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Frustrated.  My ankle is still swollen, so today it's not just soaks in epsom salts, I'll apply a comfrey poultice.

On my mind . . .

The Christmas day menu.  The day is about quality time and food together this year.  

Something Christmas related I've done in the past few days ..

I embroidered two tea towels for Daughter K and I am finishing up a magnetic fridge notepad and pen for Daughter E (Christmas presents).

Christmas Movie I watched . . .

Unaccompanied Minors

California Christmas City Lights

Christmas in the Heartland

Holiday in the Wild

The App that Stole Christmas

Serendipity

Father Christmas is Back

Three days of Christmas

What I am wearing . . .

Pajamas

On my reading pile . . .

I won this on Leigh's blog at 5 Acres & a Dream.

On today's to-do list . . .

-put away dishes

-write up grocery list

-sheet pan dinner for tonight

On my TV . . .

Travel shows and cooking on Create TV

What I am listening to . . .

Christmas music on the radio

On the menu this week . . .

-sheet pan dinner 

-have no idea, depends on how my ankle feels

Looking around the house . . .

It's not looking like Christmas at all.

In preparation for the Holidays . . .

I sent my husband to the store for cream cheese.  If we want cheesy potatoes (I only make 1-2 times a year), we needed it, and the radio said there was a cream cheese shortage right now.

On my prayer list . . .

Greg (with covid) has passed away.  Praying for Mom, and my ankle to heal completely.

High Wind Warnings again and other chit-chat

I heard we were to get up to 50 mph wind last night.  We got it and I can still hear it from inside the house.  Last night I had to ask my husband to go latch a lock on a barn door.  I didn't want to, but the wind would have whipped that door upwards.  He did go out and latch it.

I am thankful for the easy meal ideas I put in the freezer.  I thought we had bought a cauliflower, but after looking around I don't think I ended up getting one.  If I remember right, the organic were sold out.

Anyway, I put meatballs in the crockpot yesterday, with home canned BBQ sauce, and then later roasted asparagus and made easy quinoa. 

We have enough of two meals to do all leftovers tonight.  Yay for that.

I called Mom.  We shared our high's and low's from her recliner and from my bed.  We got a few chuckles.  She has been looking for her favorite nail polish.  The stores are sold out.   I helped her find it online, and it's shipped and headed to her house.  Guess what the name of it is?

Aphrodite's Pink Nightie (OPI).  Ha ha ha!  She is happy now.  She is also toying with the idea of hiring a cleaning person once a week.  Her friend stopped in and said she would gladly do it for Mom.  I am concerned about her memory.  She told me she hasn't driven for 2 months.  I didn't correct her.  She hasn't driven since last July.

The egg supply is low right now.  The chickens are getting their winter break.  No word yet on wood stove door.  I'm okay with that.  I need more healing before hauling wood inside.

I guess it's going to be windy the entire day today.  I guess my goal today is a few soaks with epsom salts, and today I'll search netflix for some crochet time.  The cooking channel gets me into trouble.

I've come up with a small, new item to add to my craft show stash.  Once a get a few more made I will share.

If I can stammer up enough energy, I will work on an easy breakfast casserole.  I hate seeing my husband leave with a clementine for breakfast.  Maybe pre-bake eggs on a sheet pan?  I don't know.  I guess we'll see if it even happens, ha ha!

When it's the right time to ask, I will ask my husband to re-prioritize our spring work.  I know we have home repairs to do first, but we do need a dog fence up.  I could really use one right now with this bum ankle.

This and That ~ 5 Acres & A Dream Giveaway

I asked my husband if he'd stop and pick up some navy beans.  He came home with organic Great Northern.  They were sold out of navy.  All navy beans.

Update:  I used this recipe online found HERE, but after baking it felt it did need more chips added on the top at the end of cooking, or a powdered sugar glaze, or the whipped cream.  It was good though!

Dinner was bean and ham soup, butterscotch cake (new recipe tried), and skillet bread.

We are trying to set up a new vet.  Our vet retired and closed the business.  We called 4 now, and some are not taking new clients, and one never answered their phone.  Daughter K has 4 pets and Daughter E has one.  

Update on Mom:

She was admitted to the ER and is staying there until she gets a room.  The only family member that can see her while in the ER room is the person who admitted her.  Not sure what the rules are if she gets an actual room.  Her kidney function is decreasing.

Go to HERE to view and enter a book giveaway by 5 Acres & A Dream!  With everything going on in the world this is a great book giveaway.

I have no idea what day it is moment....

Woke up to 3 inches of snow.  Lovely.  I also woke up and asked myself what day it was, ha ha!

Daughter K's car is still in the garage on a jack.  Hopefully it will be up and running by tonight.  They kept running into problems, and now she needs a new battery.  

Since we are down one vehicle I had my Daughter K deliver the ornaments to the salon on her way to work.

A hunter knocked on the door and said he shot a deer and wanted permission to walk the woods behind our homestead.  I told him yes.  Later in the day I saw them dragging their deer from way out back.  I locked up the dogs (only way to get out of the house without them getting out), and told them they could drive their truck out there and get the deer.  They are thankful. Their 4-wheeler would not start.  Nice guys, and thankful they were respectful to knock vs. trespass.  I'm glad they found their deer too.  

Mom has been admitted into the hospital.  Her heart doctor is actually inside the hospital, but they could not admit her yesterday due to the hospital completely full.  Hopefully we'll have updates soon.

Different Thanksgiving Meal and a Crochet Mishap

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving day.  We literally stayed home the entire day.  It rained and was mostly a cloudy day.

My husband made tacos, I made black bean dip, and he also made queso.  Daughter K had to work, so we did a lunch "thing."  Daughter E came out and watched a movie with us and enjoyed some food.  Daughter T had a meal with her own family, and we never heard from the other 3 kids (yes we have six).

Just for the record, we have never done this on Thanksgiving.  We've either had a meal with family elsewhere or had a traditional meal here.  I actually enjoyed doing this.

While Daughter E was here, my husband changed her light bulb on her car.  One was out.  

We have a busy weekend starting today, but hopefully not so busy it's "stir crazy."

I finished the second sleeve to Daughter K's cardigan.  Guess what.  I put it up to the first one and guess who had to frog the entire first one?

Yep.

Sigh....

The whole sleeve.   What did I do wrong with a rather easy half double crochet repeat pattern?

Well, rows 9-13 were repeated, but row 13 was a decrease.  I am re-doing the sleeve, and using a highlighter over row 13.

Lesson learned.  However, this has been the first "clothing" pattern I have crocheted.  I'm pretty proud of myself for even doing it.  However, Daughter got wind of it, and wants a summer halter top next.  At least it won't take as long, or use as much yarn.

I am glad for colder weather outside, so I can focus on the cardigan and get it done.  I think going back and forth over summer and last winter just messed me up.

Thanks for stopping in.  I do appreciate my blog followers.

A Get-R-Done Day and other chit chat

Wednesday was a day to take back my home.   Well, it was a good start anyway. The morning sunrise was so beautiful, before the sun came out.

Keeping order to the house is tough when you live with an adult kids who (sorry gonna say it) is a slob.  Nicer words to describe her ....horrible housekeeping skills.  

I'm going to have to be a daily enforcer of house rules if she wants to continue living here.  I can't stand messes, junk laying around, and whatnot.

I put 3,000 steps on my fitbit by 10am.  I moved every tote I had downstairs to the upstairs, vacuumed sealed one camper pillow (need more bags for the rest), put away our travel bag, tossed some things out, started a box for donation, and put together two full boxes of stuff to take to Daughter E.  She's having a birthday party next month and I had a ton of stuff leftover from the graduation party we didn't have.  It's save her some money, and free up my space.  I totally forgot I had the stuff, because it was in a tote that was not clear.

I have more to clean in my walk-in closet, re-organize what crafting supplies are still in there, and move the rest upstairs to start purging clothing.

All of my craft show items are all put in storage for another year.  I will need to get more shelving units for upstairs though.  

We had plans to fetch some free firewood from Daughter T, but woke up to rain....sigh.  I guess we'll get it in the rain.  Last night Daughter K called from work.  Her brake line broke.  Today we go fetch her car, and well that can't be worked on today due to rain.  

My brother who is hosting our Thanksgiving this weekend, has a sick daughter.  A gathering may be debatable now.  My good friend from high school?  Who has a family with covid, now has more friends with covid.

My husband picked up ground beef for our tacos today (even though I have some in the freezer).  I guess he wanted fresh meat vs. waiting on it to thaw.  Anyway, he said he couldn't buy our normal organic beef.  It went from $6.99 to $10.99 within the last two weeks.  He's now on board with raising beef and pork.  I mean, how will we all survive over the next two years with these prices?  He is even considering dairy goats again.

Also, Daughter K was alarmed at the lack of canned cat food at the grocery store the other day.  She said it was almost completely empty.

Update on Mom.  Surgery went well.  They got all the cancer.  However, they could not stitch her up due to the swelling in her leg.  The healing process may be much longer than expected.

Something I learned ~ Randomness

Something I learned . . .

You can roast pie pumpkins whole!  I never thought of this until I saw it on the cooking channel.

We have plans to do work over the long weekend.  Although I'll be cooking a few dishes for the family Thanksgiving, there is much to do around here.  Thankfully, the leak under my sink has been fixed.

Our personal Thanksgiving meal will be tacos and black bean dip.  Seriously.  We are taking it easy, and do not want 3 big Thanksgiving meals.

I decided not to bake the delicious rolls this year.  There is less food being brought, so I may be adding a third dish to my list.

The camper is on the to-do list.  We would like to get one barn cleaned out and a cement slab poured, but not sure if we'll have the time.  The camper cover was not given to us.  They are telling us it had a rip in it, but I could have repaired it (so that is frustrating).

My good friend from high school, her husband, one of their daughter's and the daughter's husband all tested positive for covid this week.  It's getting bad again in that town.  I hope I have convinced Mom to allow us to shop for her vs. taking her into store.  Her memory is not good and she forgets what we tell her.

Lap Afghan ~ Ramblings

The finished lap afghan for Mom.  Now I can focus on finishing Daughter K's cardigan.  

Speaking of Mom, she has  5 appointments this week.  it's been stressful and a bit of a strain on life at home.  To take her, it's a 50 minute round trip, and some appointments last 1 1/2 hours.

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to create a charity that has transport vans and give free service to families at least once a week. Including shopping. Yesterday she wanted more boxes of tissues (her closet is bursting with them already).  I'm thankful I have a good friend from high school (who went through the same thing) to talk to, get advice, etc.

It's been touch and go with her as well.  She has refused to be admitted to the hospital 3 times now (when the doctor insisted).  The other issue now is that the local EMS is using a bypass system.  The hospital closest to Mom can refuse EMS patients if the hospital had full capacity of covid patients and lack of staff.  The send patients to other hospitals further away.

I've been so busy, I have been lacking on things that really need done before we are buried in snow outside.  I decided to make yet another list, but keep on it when I am home.

I've been so busy, I finally got around to wash the camper bedding.  Seriously.  I realized I put it to the side in my utility room.  Sheesh.

My husband is frustrated with the lack of time we have to split wood as well.  We need a weekend to say "no" to everything and focus on the homestead work.

Roaming thoughts ~ Question and other Ramblings

We have a couple of Thanksgiving meals planned, and I'm working on what I'm going to make and take.  We are actually having a meal with my side of the family this year.

Best and cheapest place (in store or online) place to buy Lion Brand 24/7 cotton yarn?  I'm currently looking at $4.99 a skein, but it'd be great to find it less than that.  I haven't been to our Wal-mart lately, so I haven't checked there in store yet.

I baked us a loaf of banana bread.  Kitchen smelled so good.

I found local pasture fed meat, and it is super close to the homestead.  I'm working up my order.  

Trying to keep up . . .

It's been sort of an overwhelming schedule.  I thought Mom having a visiting nurse would take the edge off us taking her to appointments, but that's not the case.  She still has appointments 2-3 times a week that require transport service, and she refuses to use the free transport service for seniors that is in her town.

Yesterday I tag teamed with Daughter K.  Took Mom to the wound clinic and then took her shopping.  She refuses to use the electric carts (she's very stubborn), so it takes two of us to take her shopping.  One pushes her in a transport chair and one pushes the shopping cart.  Then we take her home and unload her purchases and put them away.  It was an hour and a half at the wound clinic, and I kid you not, 1 1/2 hours walking around Meijer.  I could tell she was thrilled to get out to shop, but we were exhausted.  I think we rounded the entire store three times, ha ha!

Before that we have other stops she wants to do, and then it's pitch dark out when we return home.

Thankfully, Mom is signed back up with meals on wheels. The weather is changing.  It will become very difficult to deliver meals when I live a 50 minute round trip from her home.  The meals are also prepared for her health requirements.

These days require crock pot meals (all-in-one), and I'm trying to do my best taking care of things at home.  My husband hasn't had a day off in long time, and I also bake his breakfast and pack his daily food for work.

Also, my chickens are lucky to get 1-2 hours of daylight.  I don't have anyone to put them in before it gets dark out.  We have day light savings time, and it's dark very early anymore.

Meanwhile I left freshly picked swiss chard in the refrigerator, so I'm praying it is still good to blanch and freeze today.  

Oh, update on my Mom.  It is confirmed that her one leg has sickle cell skin cancer and it must be removed quickly.  This type of cancer spreads quickly.  Thank you for your prayers, good thoughts and good mojo.

Random Tidbits

I went to our closest grocery store yesterday, but was disappointed with the organic vegetable section.   Sigh.  I will need to make the longer drive in the opposite direction from now on.  

I've been cutting netting the last few days to make dish scrubbies for the upcoming craft show.  The are a big seller at the shows.  I added another new color - orange.

I'm focusing on buying USA made, and just ordered a board game for my niece and nephew for Christmas.  I don't think I'll be making homemade gifts this year, as with Mom's health and the way the world is, we most likely won't get together (sadly).  I could be wrong.  It is fun coming up with new gift ideas though.  I already have one idea just in case.

Speaking of Mom, she had another fall last night.  Her legs are being treated by a wound clinic now thankfully.  One leg was infected and the other has a growth, that they took a biopsy from. She also had blood come from her ear, in which I told her to immediately call her doctor about.  The visiting nurse didn't seem to think it was anything (but this is not normal).  The issues are communication right now.

I think yesterday was the first day in a long time to not stock up on something.  I'm back at it today though.  No pictures today for some odd reason.

Random Tidbits

It's been a busy few days for sure.  I took advantage of the weather and washed bedding and quilts and dried them outside on the line (smelled so good after bringing it in).

I pulled the bedding from the camper and got that on the line too.  My wonderful husband dismantled the dishwasher (cleaned it too) and fixed it.

Our trash pick up left me a "nasty gram" on the handle the other day.  Literally our mail system is a total mess right now.  I typically remember to pay regardless of a bill, but I did not get one this month.  At all.  They left me a nasty note with a late fee stating they will not dump our trash until it's paid.  Keep in mind the bill with the late fee was $24.00.  It was not like I didn't get a bill for two months.

I called and explained.  They are taking the late fee off, but I'm switching any bills I can to paperless for now.  I'm also using my planner religiously, marking due dates for utilities etc. so I don't get slammed with late fees for not getting my mail in time.

I finally got an email from my Aunt M.  She said it took 2 weeks to get my letter I wrote her.  We live an hour apart.

Something probably boring to you, but I signed onto our insurance points program the other day.  In order to keep our insurance at the current price, my husband and myself are required to earn 1,000 points.  The programs range from boring online classes (health related, financial related etc) to tracking steps with a fitbit.  

Well, my fitbit disconnected and I could not re-connect it to the program.  My device is so old they don't even make it anymore.  I sent a request via live chat (which takes more than a day) to get a new one.  I am still working on that, but it took much of my precious time.

Update on my last grocery shopping.  I could not find most of what I had on the list, but froze some fresh spinach, and froze some squash.  I have more produce to freeze today.  I can tell you the section in the store that had anything tomato canned, was almost bare.  Same with the canned beans (like garbanzo, great northern).  I'll be stocking up with dry beans from now on.  The bread section was fully stocked, although that was not on my list.  I typically bake that myself.  I could not find cauliflower, and bacon was almost $7.00 (I have another resource to check for that later).

The dairy section was fully stocked, but cream cheese was very limited.

Sadly, another bad news text I received yesterday.  The stepdad to one of our niece's passed away from covid.  He was only 49 years old.  I was asked to make a dessert for the celebration of life.

Just found out this morning a good friend of ours lost his brother as well.  Lord, help us all!

Putting Up Peppers

Froze the last of the green bell peppers.

Jalapenos and green bell pepper went into this breakfast, topped with freshly cut chives.

Froze the last of the mad hatters and some more hot banana peppers.

Made hot sauce with some of the habaneros.  New recipe.  I'll let you know if it's good or not.

Filled the dehydrator with a mess of peppers for more fire powder.

Dinner last night.  Something I haven't made in a long, long time - pumpkin/ricotta stuffed shells (recipe is still online with Country Living) with basil and sage.  I sliced home grown carrots and put them in the crockpot with honey, butter and thyme.

Sadly, another extended family member on my husband's side of the family, had passed away from covid.  

Dirty Dishes and Tragic News

 

I think I did about 5 rounds of dirty dishes, but then turned around and made homemade lemonade and a pot of homemade ginger-ale syrup for Daughter K.  She is sick.  Her throat was very sore, thus the extra dirty dishes.

Lemon juice can help break up the mucus and help a sore throat, plus it's packed with vitamin C.  Homemade ginger-ale has a lot of healing properties too, and helps with nausea as well.  

She was dealing with a very bad headache as well.  I surely hope she feels better this morning.

Tragic news.  My husband's first day back to work was not good.  He was told that a co-worker, 41 years old passed away.  A semi trailer crossed over the center line and landed his semi on top of my husband's co-worker's car.  I was told that it took 75 minutes to get the semi off of the car.  Mike (his co-worker) died at the hospital.  He leaves behind his high school sweet heart (wife) and two kids (7 and 9).

Life can change in an instant.....

We got our sad news about Patty while we were on a camping trip last weekend.  We relied on our cell phones to make arrangements from the camper.  We are thankful we visited her the day prior.  Enjoy your family and friends.  Life can change in an instant.  Although her nurses took precautions (mask, gloves the whole sha-bang), Patty contracted covid from a nurse in her home.

As for the camping trip?  Well, it was interesting for sure.  It was so windy we had to put the awning back up, and could not make a campfire until the morning we left.  We were thankful that the campground had a cement slab for our door way and chairs (we moved our chairs to the campfire the morning we cooked a campfire breakfast).  It rained the entire first night, but we still had a good time.

I made a few things for the meal for Patty's celebration of life.  It took some work, but we got someone to do the main meal for us (so very very thankful for that help). I baked a double batch of honey roasted caramel corn, a double batch of chex mix, and made two pans of cherry delight.  I'm glad I did though.  Only one other family member made 2 pies and all desserts went fast.

In fact, Monday we were so busy that we both forgot to eat lunch and dinner ended up refried beans and organic tortilla chips.  If someone had offered to deliver us a meal, I would have gladly accepted. It didn't happen though.

We are all totally mentally and physically exhausted.  In fact, daughter K left the meal early, and upon getting home felt sick.  She immediately, based on her symptoms, went to Urgent care.  She tested negative, but has a random virus.  We are keeping her upstairs, sanitizing and what not.

I joked that I'd tie her medications on the collar of her dogs and send them up to her.  Meanwhile, I'll get the diffuser out and have it going downstairs (now that we don't have a cat down here and we put a curtain on the stairway).

We had a beautiful weather day for the funeral.  Today, the thunder is rolling in with rain.  It's been over a week since I have been in the garden, and it can wait now.  There are still plants to pull, and hopefully some greens etc. to harvest and put up.

Now we are back to homestead work, and sadly my coop door broke.  It's been one thing after another.  My sink is over-flowing with dirty dishes, so it's first on the to-do list today.  I told my husband let it sit until today.  We just needed a bit of rest.  He is back to work today.

Thank you for all your kind words, thoughts and prayers regarding the passing of my husband's sister.  Had covid not been here, she would have probably out lived us all.  She has been through a lot in life, but also brought much love and laughter.