I, for one, am glad the 4th is over!!!! Oh my. I can not even begin to describe the noise and the anxiety.
My flowers are all blooming. Many are just starting - but things of color are popping up all over. That is lovely. So far the garden plants are doing pretty well.
I just haven't been able to get too excited about my yard and garden this summer. I have left many things go, so unlike me.
I am sure it is all the effect of such a life change. Many days I just have no gumption - it's like someone let the air out of my balloon!
This week I have been feeling sorry for myself, and I am trying hard to snap out of that. I am sorry to mention this to you all - I don't mean to dwell. I just need to get it out somedays.
I am working hard on this. I know I am very fortunate and I thank God daily (many times a day) for my blessings. Just feel lonely sometimes.
It has been hot this week. 90* and up all week. Humidity has been high. We got 2 little rains (just a few minutes each) - so I have been using rain water from barrels on the plants.
I knew when it was chilly and rainy - this would happen. One extreme to the other.
This next week they are predicting 80's and less humidity. YAY!
My week:
- I cleaned out the hall closet. It is medicinal/herbs/vitamins and health & beauty stuff. I do believe I have enough soft and regular soap to last me for the rest of my life!! There sure is a lot in there, as well as deodorant and toothpaste. I have herbs and vitamins to last for ages.
- Been working on getting more donations together - will donate a bit of the H & B stuff to the shelter.
- Using rain water for watering
- Washed up all the cat bedding from the greenhouse. It is all fresh and clean and folded and ready for this coming winter.
- Colored my hair at home
- Stopped at Goodwill hunting for a specific item and my goodness they are pricey. I ended up buying brand new for less than prices they were charging. I needed a few camisole type undies and I found 4 at Shopper's World for $2 ea. on sale. (There is a story behind this for another day!) Used ones at GW were 3.99 each!!
- Baked up 1 1/2 lbs. of bacon - some in the freezer now
- Raked leaves (yes leaves) and used them as weed mulch behind the shed. Tulip poplar always starts shedding in July - sigh!
- Cut & dried basil and mint
- I wanted a watermelon this week. I had many choices of places to go and decided on Save A Lot. I got my melon and walked through the store - and behold there was marked down ground beef - $1 PER POUND!!!!!! I still have plenty in freezer - but it is so versatile - so I bought 15 lbs. I came home and repackaged into 1/2 lb. bags (perfect for 1). If I need more for something I can just thaw extra packs. Quite the deal!!!!! I think I was guided to that store for a reason.
- Finally set up an eye doctor appointment (for Monday)
- Finally set up my "spring" AC check (for Tuesday) - better late than never
- Picked 3 more cucumbers (4 now)
Meals this week:
Pasta with buter and parmesan cheese
Chicken strip and coleslaw roll-up (these are yummy)
BLT
Homemade meat & olive pizza (ended up freezing half for another day)
Fried green tomatoes
Steak burger and cuke/tomato/purslane salad
Soft tacos
Watermelon, salsa/chips or ice cream for snacks
My fried green tomato was wonderful. I bought a large one at farm market last week. Mine don't get picked green until after I get some red ones! Simple and yummy dinner along with a small bowl of melon!
How was your week? Did you get any good frugal deals? What's happing in your gardens?
I hope you all had an enjoyable week and enjoyed time with your families and friends.
I did talk to several relatives this week and enjoyed those conversations - but chose to stay home.
May your upcoming week be healthy and happy and frugal. Prayers being lifted for healing to all that need them.
I just want to say thank you for being a part of my life - it means a lot to me.
Blessings from my little humble home to yours.
I am so sorry you have been down this week, Cheryl. I can't even imagine how hard it must be. Hugs. I raked this week too. Magnolia leaves. I made my first batch of garden spaghetti sauce yesterday! It is yummy!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteNever thought about those loosing their leaves early too! It's a job.
Yum, spaghetti sauce. I bet your home smelled so good.
You got a lot done, Cheryl, in spite of dealing with grief. I think it is an ongoing process. I woke up this morning missing my only sibling/brother so much. He has been gone 5 years and every once in a while it just HITS ME HARD that he is really gone. I get busy and move forward so I don't succumb to the grief. It sounds like you do something similar. Blessings and love to you-xo Diana
ReplyDeleteYES - that is it! Somedays it hits in waves. I have so many gone and it is sad.
DeleteYes mam, I get busy and that gets the endorphins or whatever going again!!!
Hugs to you too my friend.
You are just expressing the feelings of grief! You need to let yourself heal....and it takes time.... sometimes you have to feel like you are sliding backwards...butt it is a process you can't rush. Our area holds grief support groups...it is sponsored by hospice but open to anyone who has lost a loved one in the last twelve to eighteen months, I believe. They support you, talk about the grief process and others there share their stories. I, personally, think you are so admirable and strong! But, you don't have to always be strong....it is okay to lean on others and mourn....you have lost someone so precious to you...and suddenly. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all you share with me...you are indeed a blessing in my life!!
ReplyDeleteI know this is quite normal and there are many stages to go through. I guess I have never been known for 'patience'. LOL
DeleteIt will get better. Not sure about going to a group - I feel bad enough for me and in a group I would feel sad for others too.
Yes I need to allow myself to just BE somedays!
Thank you for your prayers - they are truly appreciated. I love I have so many friend here.
Blessings.
You're on a roller coaster, lots of ups and downs in the emotions. Don't beat yourself up about it - as you know it's normal to feel that way.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly got a lot accomplished. We don't get the sustained heat and I'm not sure I'd be too ambitious especially outdoors. Have a good week!
Yes it is a roller coaster for sure.
DeleteThe humidity is what gets me. Somedays going outside is like trying to breathe water! It is oppressive. I can handle heat OK - just not that darned humidity.
Have a good one.
You are suffering from grief brain. Remember how bad I was last year at this time? I am sorry you are lonely. I wish I was close so we could just go out and have an ice cream or something. I know I could make you laugh. I think about you all the time, my friend, know that you are loved.
ReplyDeleteGood name for it. Yes, you had a very bad time too and I am sorry for that.
DeleteI really don't mean for people to feel sorry - it just sometimes helps to get things off my shoulders.
I laugh a lot when I read your posts and smile as well. You are one strong lady!!!
Thanks
You are allowed to be sad. You are allowed to be mad. As long as you don't stay that way. What happened sucks. Feel free to tell us . We are here for you.
ReplyDeleteOreo(my dog) has not been happy with all of the fireworks. She hates them. She has been a mess all week. I have been giving her extra love. I hope all of your fur babies are OK.
I haven't really been shopping this week. I did clean out the freezer in the basement. It looks great. I know what I have now. Using up the old items first. I hope you have a wonderful week. Take it day by day, hour by hour. You will get through this.
Yes, it sucks. Thank you for understanding.
DeletePoor Oreo. Hugs and kisses!!!! My babies are doing much better. Maybe a bit more skittish, but that will pass. They all gets lots of loving!
Doesn't it feel good to stand back and look at a neat freezer or pantry? You will get a lot of tasty meals from it I am sure.
Thanks for caring!!!
Cheryl, you don't have to aplogize to us,we come to your blog because your real. You are going through the hardest thing anyone can go through. You may feel lonely,but your not alone.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I've become rather fond of you as well.
Aahhhhhh what a sweet thing to say.
DeleteI appreciate all my blogger friends so much - I feel like I personally know you all. You are all appreciated.
Blessings.
You really need to give yourself a break. I lost my grandmother suddenly over 33 years ago and I still miss her every day. I have lost MANY other relatives since and before her but I miss her the most. The key word in that sentence about my grandmother's passing is "suddenly". When you lose someone suddenly the people left behind do not have the proper time to say goodbye and therein lays the biggest problem in the grief process. I know this because I actually wound up going to a psychologist because I wasn't myself for a very long time after her passing. He explained a lot of things to me and it really helped. I still do miss her even today but I have moved forward and have a wonderful, happy life that I know she would be proud of. Please continue to share your experience with us. We do care very much and want to help you any way we can. I hope my words have helped you today. HUGS!!!!
ReplyDeleteMore than you can even know. I have not even thought about that aspect! I have lost siblings and parents and all were sick and it was somewhat expected. THIS WAS NOT.
DeleteAs silly as that sounds that truly makes so much more sense to me. Such a tremendous shock to every part of my soul - and probably still haven't totally admitted it is true.
You make so much sense and I thank you for that insight. That is eye opening and maybe that will help me move forward a bit. I need to work on the unexpected and suddenness.
Thank you so much.
Your weather is very close to ours..we have relief today too. Goodwill is pricey but to think you bought new for cheaper than used is unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your garden is producing some. That's great-fresh veggies! Have a great night Cheryl.
I hadn't been to GW for a long time and was truly shocked at the prices!
DeleteI love fresh produce. I hope you get something soon.
Nothing like walking out back and picking produce!!!
Have a good week.
I enjoy your blog too! Please tell me how you baked your bacon and freeze it. I would love to try it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteI line a sided flat pan - like a jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with sides - with foil. Foil needs to rise around all edges. Place your bacon in the pan side by side and bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes. I usually go 20 because I like crispy. Just bake till it is right for you. Repeat if necessary.
I remove bacon on paper towels to drain.
Then I make a spout on one side of the foil and pour grease in my bacon grease jar carefully.
Throw away foil. Keeps things clean and easy.
I then just bagged several pieces in a baggie - remove air and freeze. Pull out what you need when ready and microwave for a few seconds to warm.
ENJOY
Thank you so much.
DeleteHang in there, Cheryl. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this incredibly difficult time of huge change and grief.
ReplyDeleteI live about 2 hours north of you and our weather has been pretty much the same as yours. I'm looking forward to a little cooler weather this week, too. And that fried green tomato looks so good. A real favorite of mine!
WOW I didn't realize you were a Hoosier too!
DeleteYes cooler this morning already!!!!!
I love tomatoes in all forms - but mmmmmmm fried!
Thank you so much.
Cheryl, I am sending you hugs. It is so hard and you want it to end NOW. It will take a long time. We are all here for you. Write your grief and let us be here for you. I know Linda M mentioned it but think about a group. It does help a lot. Your concerns about a group are normal but trust me when I say that all who attend a grief group feel that way.
ReplyDeleteI giggled about your soap. I was rearranging my soap cupboard last night thinking the very same thing. I have enough to last a lifetime.
DH mowed and weeded the lawn this weekend. He came in with these large pretty purple pinecones. I realized those were not pinecones but blackberries. We have the biggest blackberries this year. It is so amazing. They were so good. Still snacking on them. Will be snacking on them probably till Autumn.
Thank you for your thoughts and words.
DeleteWell, at least we know we will be clean for years to come!
WOW, must be the year for berries. I bet they are super tasty! Enjoy them while you can.
The amount of grief seems to be linked to the amount of love. May this wave soon end.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love that sentiment! Yes mam - he was my world.
DeleteThank you
You are so wise to be staying so busy, but it is ok to take your own time to feel sad and to grieve. Tears are most healing---God gave them to us to shed. Hugs, dear brave Cheryl, and know that you are in thoughts each day.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words. They are so appreciated.
DeleteI know what you mean about Goodwill prices. Some items are priced higher than the original price tag. I've been very disappointed the last couple of visits.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I will be going back any time soon!
Delete