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.

Snail Mail Surprise and other Tidbits

 

I went to the porch to get the garden cart, to fill with wood, and found 2 boxes delivered.  One contained sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies, which were sent from Daughter K's boyfriend's mother and grandmother.  What a nice surprise (sent due to the passing of Mom/Grandma).

The other bigger box was sent to Daughter K from the business she works.  It was a grant that they had for employees getting covid.  They were a month late, but it was mostly food, but also contained disinfectant wipes, tissues and chapstick.

We woke up to a very cold morning, snow and a lot of ice.  Lovely.  

My green bell pepper seeds are finally sprouting, as well as some of the hot pepper seeds.  I am looking forward to spring.

Thank you . . .

 

(Mom and Aunt J at her favorite place - the beach)

Thank you all for your condolences, kind words and prayers during this difficult time.  I really do appreciate you all.

I know there will be things/places that will come across in my future that will bring back memories of Mom.  Her favorite travel spots, foods, books, flowers, popcorn from Amish country trips, wine, color....all good memories.

If any of us missed a family get together she would be mad for a few days, but I can guarantee you'd make the next one (ha ha!).

I know there will be things/places that will come across in my future that will bring back memories of Mom.  Her favorite travel spots, foods, books, flowers, popcorn from Amish country trips, wine, color....all good memories.

 

If any of us missed a family get together she would be mad for a few days, but I can guarantee you'd make the next one (ha ha!).

 

It's been a huge whirlwind of grief and emotions.

 

She absolutely loved the crocheted lap afghans I made her and always told me she got so many compliments.

 

I will be donating them to the home where my husband's (recently passed) sister used to live.  Many of the residents are in wheelchairs there.

 

She also bought (because she refused to take anything without) anything I crocheted in heart.  She encouraged me to crochet new things like the XL hotpads, thick dish scrubbies, the newest was the jar openers....just loved anything I made.  

 

One of her friends told me that Mom's purchases filled a drawer, where her friends could come if they needed something to gift (did not know this, ha ha!).

 

 

Heaven Gained an Angel

 My mother passed away on Saturday, February 19th.  It's been a whirlwind of emotions.  I'll be back when I am able to.

Ice Storm ~ New Recipe Tried

Here are a few photos from the ice storm.  The sun was shining and everything looked so beautiful.  These photos do't show the true beauty that it created.

I finally made dinner for us three.  I tried a new recipe too, and it was delicious  - Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower (Ahead of Thyme).  I used home grown garlic and it was so good.  I can't wait to make it with summer bounty and add fresh herbs to it as well.

It's only going to be a high of 20 degrees today.  Our low around 9 degrees.  I can hear the nasty wind whistling outside already.  I tried to sleep in, but yeah 7am was it.  My husband however, is snoring.

 

Ice/Snow Storm ~ Hanging On

Our rain turned to ice, sleet and snow.  It's an ice rink out there today.  Windows are frozen over and we can't even see out them.  There is a level 1 road emergency in place today, and roads are slick, some schools closed, and many, many power outages around our area.  Thank goodness ours is on.

Daughter K has secured an apartment with her boyfriend (until they buy a house of their own).  I hope I'm not repeating myself, but my brain is over loaded with emotions right now.  She's been filling up her car with items to donate before the big move.

We are literally hanging on emotion-wise.  Hospice is taking good care of Mom.  I have been up to sit with her almost daily, and all of us are overwhelmed with a roller coaster of emotions.

Most nights we don't even eat dinner.  I still haven't made dinner, but tonight I will use every last energy zap I have to make something.  I was reminded to take care of ourselves, and eat properly, take breaks, take vitamins, drink kefir (or eat yogurt), and hang on to our health right now.

I was once told that giving can keep your mind at peace, so I have printed a few patterns and wrote a few notes on what I can be giving as a random act of kindness.

On a side note, I discovered one of the employees that works in the nursing home salon, is a friend from high school.  Yesterday I met someone that has worked there for 29 years, and will be there 30 years this coming April.