"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.

Monday, February 28, 2022

Happy Homemaker Monday

 My siblings and I have been boxing up items at Mom's house, doing research on where to take what (her wishes were that nothing went to Goodwill, and no estate sale type sale at the house).

I located a place like Goodwill that helps area businesses.  Most nursing homes take flower vases, but not right now.  Due to covid they are not taking any donations.

We, in the midst of it all, got the brakes replaced on the Buick (used a friend's garage and hired someone), had to split more wood, and Daughter E came out to have dinner with us.


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


The weather . . .
Over the next few days we are to get up into the 50's.

How I am feeling . . .
Mentally exhausted.  Last night my husband and I were talking about how strong Mom was over the years.  We talked about Mom's surgery for breast cancer and how I sat in the waiting room with her friend from the bank.  We were there at the crack of dawn, and I was in her room after surgery until after 11pm at night.  We talked about Mom's first heart surgery and how my younger brother and I sat in the waiting room all day long.  We watched movies on a device he brought, and waited until we could see Mom.  My younger brother stayed the night in the waiting room, until Mom was fully awake to talk to.  

We also talked about the second surgery at Cleveland Clinic.  Those were very long days.  Mom was put in an out patient bed (not a room at first), so we had to drive back and forth for it, along with a long wait during surgery.  Mom wanted to pay for us to stay in a motel.  I remember we lied to her and told her we were (so she didn't worry), but drove back and forth to save the money on the cost of a hotel.  I remember it was me getting a migraine first from lack of sleep, then the next day my younger brother.



On the breakfast plate ...
Have no idea.  First the coffee.

On my reading pile. . .
Same book, but not reading it.

On my TV . . .
Whatever we find that we like.


The menu this week. . .
Have no idea.  My brain is not on full capacity.


From the camera . . . 



I knew this was at Mom's house, and I was the recipient.  It's an unfinished double sided crocheted blanket.  I have no idea how to finish it, but will do some research.

Looking around the house . . .
Considering all current events, and a kiddo moving out....it's a hot mess.

To-do list . . .
-bake a breakfast
-laundry
-floors
-work on messes in our bedroom
-water seedlings
-clean up computer area
-I have been on dog/cat duty since last Friday
-master bath
-plan the menu


Prayers . . .
Our family.  Losing Mom has been very difficult.

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Empty Nesters Soon

 Our house has been a mess since Christmas.  Covid kept us from tidy work, and before that a sprained ankle, then Mom's health and total focus on her.  I miss her already, and often reach for my cell phone a certain time of time, and realize I won't be calling her like I used to.  

Back to the messy house part.  I feel like the more I try to clean up, the worse it looks, as Daughter K has started the moving out process. Boxes of stuff everywhere.

We, due to limited vehicles (still), moved her bed last night.  It felt like it was a drive across country for us.  My husband and I slept in past the sunrise (almost never happens).

We are just exhausted with everything that has recently happened, that we just needed the rest.

I can't say, that I personally, have gotten enough rest.

In fact, things have been so out of whack, that I guess I missed paying the January internet bill.  The internet went out the other day, and when I called to report an outage, the automated call reminded me of the bill due. 

Sigh, I needed the internet to pay the bill, and once up that was taken care of.  It made sense though.  During covid, we barely left our bed, nor had energy for anything, and then brain fog.

I still have a mess on my office/computer area to clean up, and need to check emails I haven't checked since Christmas.  I apologize for that.  

The chickens are back to laying a bit more.  We are thankful for that.  More garden seeds are sprouting as well.  Now if we could just put winter behind, so we can get a break from splitting wood, that would be great.