Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm back, in case you wondered where I've been.  It was a last minute decision.  Literally.  The vacation dates were set in May of 2021, and unknown to me, my husband did not cancel them.

He kept asking, and I kept saying no due to the situation, but my mental and emotional state was not good and he picks up on that pretty well.

So....off to FL we went.  We literally in one day borrowed a box trailer, loaded our motorcycle, and off we went to meet our friends, who were already there (and also encouraging us to get there).  They literally still had a room in the house for us.  Daytona beach (Bike week) was the most crowded we have ever seen it in the last three years.  Unbelievable.

We had a really good time, so I am glad we went.  What made me say yes, is that my husband's job is moving him up, and overtime will begin soon and we may not get another vacation the rest of the year.  So we went.

What I really didn't like, is getting text messages the entire trip, while on vacation.  However, our house was in the boonies, and cell service was about zero.  We all couldn't send texts, emails (I don't get those on my phone, and like it that way), and even calls.  My phone was either in the trunk of the bike, or charging.  We basically got service where ever we stopped or ate food.

I knew we both needed the wind therapy.  One of our sanity savers, and a way to decompress and rejuvenate.  

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

The weather . . . 

60°F and sunny.

As I look out my window . . .

All of the snow has melted.

Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee and trying to slowly wake up.  Daughter K took a car load to her new apartment last night, so I have dog duty today (all day), and wasn't happy about that, but.....

Thinking and pondering . . . 

Lots of stuff.  Too much stuff.

Homemaking tips . . .

Hm.  I haven't consumed enough coffee.  Will have think on this one. 

How I am feeling . . .

To be honest, exhausted from the second leg of driving home.  The first leg, we dealt with bad wind and we had to slow down (losing time to get going). Pulling the trailer with our bike was a bit rough, and traffic was crazy. Just after we left, a tornado went thru the area we were leaving in Florida.  We didn't find out about the tornado until the next morning.

I'm also cold.  90 degrees agrees with me much better, ha ha!

Also, while in FL, my chin connected with the end of the bed frame and boy it's so sore, my ankle is swelling.  I am back to hobbling around.

On the breakfast plate . . . 

Bagel, coffee

On my reading pile . . .

Finished this one.

Finished these two, but lesson learned....don't read this series out of order.  I read them all years ago, and wanted to read them again, but the ordered books haven't arrived yet.  I'll resume with them in order after they do arrive.

On my TV . . .

Anything really.

On the menu . . .

Have no idea.  I know it's pick up today, since we just got home yesterday.

From the camera . . .

Sorry for the bad photos, when I transfer from phone to computer they are just not the same focus)

A few photos from the dock of the house we all rented in Florida.  No, we didn't see any alligators, but I'm sure there were some in there.

Looking around the house  . . .

It's a hot mess.  I knew if I left town, it would be, but that will change soon.

To-do list . . .

- take an important phone call (pre-set)
-make an important phone call
-empty dishwasher and put away dishes daughter washed

-wash all our laundry, bedding

-take trash out 

-empty travel totes

-clean out truck

-get mail, go thru mail and pay any bills

-fold towels daughter left in laundry room

-wash dishes

-clean master bath

-get mail

-tend hens 

Prayer list . . .

...for all the folks in the Ocala, FL area who suffered due to the tornado that went thru over the weekend.  Jasper.   Daughter K's cat.  His health is not well, so she'll need to take him to the vet to find out what's going on.

Spring Clean Battles Move Out

 

I moved most of my yarn/craft supplies upstairs, but it's between Daughter K's room and the stairway.  I'm dealing with tripping over boxes and whatnot to move more up there (to clean out my room and closet). 

The quilt photo is a quilt from my Great Grandmother.  The photo was taken in 2011, when I attempted to donate it to a historical society.  It didn't happen.  I have had it in a bag on my bedroom floor since last fall.  

It was time to clean up my own bedroom.  I still have Christmas presents in there for the grandkids (not wrapped either).  I sent an email out to my siblings to see if they wanted it.  I do not want to store it anymore.  It's thread bare, and cannot be used or washed, and I have no where to hang it (and protect it from dust).

Heck, I just put away more Christmas decor my daughter left out, and today a small Christmas tree, and this weekend the outside Christmas lights come down.  Life has been that hectic, busy, and so forth.

In the midst of a snail's pace of getting order again, I have several lists going for the next trip to town, in either direction.  I think I will try and make my own arrangement for Mom's headstone, but have yet the chance to visit the craft store.  I have something in mind.

I'm planting new herb seeds for my indoor pots, and hoping it warms up so the window area is not so cold.

Beautiful Tablecloth

 My brain was on over drive yesterday morning, as I had one day to try and attempt to at least clean up the kitchen.  It was a bit tough to dodge packed boxes, but I'll deal with it all, and boxes will be gone soon.  

Be still my heart!  I had a bag full of tablecloths from Mom.  As I unpacked them, I found a Pioneer Woman one.  It made me so happy, it's on one kitchen table.  I have Pioneer Woman's kitchen curtains, glassware, and a trivet.  I am so blessed to inherit it.  I absolutely love it.  My napkin holder is being passed to Daughter K (doesn't match kitchen anymore), and I will soon find some goodies to add to my kitchen.  I can't wait for a shopping trip to beautify the kitchen. 

Speaking of kitchen, I spent the entire day cleaning it.  Oh my, crock pot put away, all of Daughter K's stuff off the table (she's terrible at doing that).....even started a box for my husband.  He's terrible (then again we've been dealing with a lot lately) of letting tools sit around.  I have a box labeled "Honey-Do Box."

New Recipe ~ Greens and Tibits

 

I am saving this recipe to try this summer.  I thought I would share it.  Has anyone made this?  I am just now learning about it.

I got some organic dandelion greens blanched and in the freezer.  There is only one store that sells them this time of year.

It was another day at Mom's house.  I made two trips to the re-sale store in town (benefits area businesses).  It's been difficult, but the busyness keeps my mind off things.  I've been able to pass on some kitchenware to our Daughter K, for her new apartment. Clothing has been donated to a soup kitchen.

My house is a crazy mess, so once Daughter K is completely moved out, we will start major repairs and updates.  We also plan to do a major clean up in the garage when the weather gets better.

This and That

 

We got a card from one of my cousin's, and it was obviously opened by someone in the mail system.  It's sick that this happens.  They probably thought it was a birthday card and were looking for money or a check to steal.

We also got cards and a beautiful wind chime from my husband's work.  Mom loved wind chimes too.  In fact, she gifted us one made of shells.  I can't wait to hang them on the porch this spring.

I finally got around to baking a healthy breakfast, but forgot to take a photo.  It involved sausage, eggs, bell pepper, onion, jalapenos, garlic and dandelion greens.

I've been slowly working on a menu this week, but I am slow joe fizz this week.

My asparagus seeds are starting to sprout.

My kitchen is filling up with packed boxes, for another move day for Daughter K.

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.

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.