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

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.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

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.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Beautiful Sunrise and other ramblings



Beautiful sunrise and a morning visitor.


We decided to put the trail camera out to know get proof of exactly what was tearing up the yard.  Mainly, to put my thoughts to rest on entering the barn (ha ha ha!), and not find any surprises (although we have a solar barn light that deters visitors at night).  Absolutely no activity.  I think they or he/she moved on.  I'll set the camera one more night and double check.

I finally got my new fitbit watch to sync with my insurance program.  It was not a fun job.  Now I know why my Mom doesn't like technology and changes.  The watch they sent me could only be set up via a mobile device.  Sigh.  I could not sync it to my computer until I downloaded the fitbit app to my phone, signed in, and set up the device.

My husband helped me do that, and yes, it will still track steps if it's in my pocket.  I am not wearing that thing on my wrist so they can monitor my heart and sleep and whatnot.  They get steps and that's it.  I'll remove the wrist band and just stick it in my pocket or sock.  The things we are required to do just to keep our insurance at the price it is, is ridiculous.

Daughter K helped me muck the coop and we rigged a piece of twine and hook to hold the water unit up off the blocks they were on.  Oh I do not like the coop we have, but am thankful for a safe place for them.  My husband works too much to get a new one built.  Sigh.

We woke up to a very foggy morning.