Happy Homemaker Monday May 6

Hi Everyone! It is nice to be back. I have been away so long that I forget about posting until I get on my computer and go on Facebook or Google Reader (which I need to do something about soon). This past week has been a rough one for me. I am finding life completely overwhelming and I know that I need to draw closer to the Lord to help me through. And I know I am not alone - everyone I know faces incredible trials and hardships so we need to be there for each other. That is why I love following Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. She is uplifting and inspiring, even when she is struggling with things. Join her for more of Happy Homemaker Monday.

The Weather

Oh, is it ever BEAUTIFUL today! The skies are clear blue, there is a warm breeze coming through my windows, and there are leaves on the trees! They are tiny leaves still, but they are there!

Right Now

My oldest is off hanging with friends as it is his day off, my daughter had her AP test in psychology today so she stayed after for a celebration that it is over! She has the car so I do not need to pick her up, yay! My two younger boys stayed after for track and field practice so I will have to get them at the middle school (which is closer) at 5:45. So, it is quiet, oops, scratch that, daughter just walked in!

Thinking

Last Tuesday when my father saw his doctor she told him it was time for hospice care. He finished radiation a month ago and his body is not recovering. He continues to lose weight, he has been struggling with pneumonia and blood clots, and he is losing strength. Thursday the hospice nurse came over to talk about his care and have him sign papers, and one of his legs was swollen, which may be another blood clot. So this may be quick, then again, it may be a long and agonizing process. Somewhere in between would be ideal.  My mom works part time two days a week and she would really like to continue. She can use the income (it is going to get really tough once my dad passes) and she will need the break. So, I have volunteered to be with my dad for those two days. I am not good at this kind of thing. Once he gets incapable of helping himself it will be tough for me. He is diabetic and I am not looking forward to having to give him needles, but it hasn't come to that yet, and maybe it won't have to, because he will get to a point where he will no longer have to be on insulin. And that is why last week was so hard. We had to explain to them, because he is worried about his swollen leg and that it might lead to amputation, that he would not withstand surgery. To have to tell him that there is nothing more they can do, nothing more they can fix, was a very, very hard thing.

But, the good news is that we had our parents over for my husband's birthday, and my dad was able to come. He didn't want to at first, but my sister (love that woman) and her husband (love him too) helped get my dad in the car with his oxygen and his wheelchair and he came. He and my husband's father need each other, and neither wanted to be here without the other. My father in-law is not in good shape either, although he does not have anything that is killing him, he does have lots of things that are wearing out.

On My Reading Pile

Too many things to mention! We are in 2 Peter in the New Testament - almost done for the year.

On My TV

Just Glee and Mad Men season 5.

What I Found While Surfing the Net

This is an interesting concept, and one that I might try:  cleaning your face with oil at One Good Thing by Jillee.com. I love her blog and have found many great things to try, and she posts every day. On Saturdays she revisits an old post which means that you will see the best of the best on that day, so check her out.

On the Menu

I love this feature because it forces me to face dinner planning - something I am very rarely in the mood for.

Monday pasta with meat sauce, salad

Tuesday grilled salmon, coleslaw, rice, salad

Wednesday fast food

Thursday grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans, salad

Friday leftovers/pizza, salad

Saturday possible Mother's day dinner with family

Sunday depends on Saturday!

On My To Do List

Saturday I worked hard cleaning the house, so today I am taking it easy. I have one load of laundry in the dryer now, dinner will be a snap, and I have to take my youngest to his piano lesson at 7.

Creating

I need to work on my seminary lesson for Wednesday because tomorrow I will be helping a client set up Quickbooks - work, wohoo!

Looking Forward To

Having time to read again this summer! We live such busy lives that I love the laziness that comes with summer. Now that my two oldest can drive, and my two youngest will spend most of the summer at scout camp (one as staff and the other as a CIT), I will have LOTS of time on my hands. Cannot wait!

Looking Around the House

There are some things to put away from yesterday's get together, but it is clean! I made up a batch of laundry detergent which is sitting by my kitchen sink. My daughter is now napping on the couch with the dog, and I have two bags full of fruit that I need to cut up and refrigerate. Not a bad day.

Homemaking Tip

Sandra has deleted this category, but I have one today, so I want to share. I have previously posted about the wonders of using the powdered Oxyclean on white laundry. I used to put items in a five gallon bucket and soak them for a couple of days until I got around to washing a load of whites. This can be problematic in the summer when we are all sweating more and staining our clothes. I have discovered that I can soak an entire load in the washing machine effectively! I put whatever clothes I want to soak in the machine, pour in two scoops of Oxyclean (this is a lot and this much may not be necessary, but I haven't experimented on using less), and start the wash cycle on hot water. I set the timer for 15 minutes, giving the washer time to fill with water and agitate awhile to get the Oxyclean working. Then I pause the washer and let it sit from about 4 hours to overnight. Next I restart the washer, letting it finish the cycle, rinsing out the oxyclean. Lastly, I throw in more clothes if necessary and run a regular wash with laundry soap etc. It works! Everything comes out clean and stain free (depending on the stains, Oxyclean works great on food and blood stains), and whiter too.

From the Camera

I have replaced the candy on my windowsill:

On My Prayer List

My kids, my father and mother, my in-laws, my friend and her children.

Bible Verse

Discovered this today in seminary and loved it:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope unto a resurrection by Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you"

1 Peter 1:3-4

I love the reminder that there is a place reserved in heaven for me!

Have a wonderful week everyone!