Rough Week

Dad fell a couple times at home and had to go to the ER for evaluation. Because he was so weak, he was admitted to the hospital for a few days. Yesterday we moved him to a Transitional Care Unit to receive extra therapy in hopes of increasing his strength enough to go back home with Mom.

Dad's always been such a fighter, and it's been difficult to watch chemo take it's toll on him. Time will tell how much of his strength returns. In the meantime, they'll have to be apart from each other, and that in itself is hard.

It's been a rough week.

Forward

I finally got up enough energy to put Christmas away, and it feels good. Well, the poinsettias are still in the hallway, but that's okay. Poor Minnie will miss her tree, but I moved her little bed to over by the fireplace and I have a feeling that she might like it there, too.

It's been bitter cold this weekend, and nobody has felt like going outside. Except for the animals, but then they want back in right away. Tristin finally gave up bugging me to let him go out, and curled up by a chair to nap. I've been knitting hats for Little Bohemian Heart, making things like toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, and even found a new jigsaw puzzle downstairs that I had forgotten about!

We had another craft night, and Terri made us a Two Moon Wild Rice and Blueberry Bundt Cake. People worked on loom projects, too, so it wasn't all eating.  :-)

I think that Dad is slowly getting some strength back. He's been practicing his own version of physical therapy by getting up more often during the day, and using the walker back and forth from the kitchen to the living room. Mom faithfully encourages him to eat more and drink Ensure.

I have awesome parents.

Decisions

Dad has decided to stop chemo. After his fourth round, his legs were so weak that it became hard for him to get up out of the chair, let alone walk. We all supported him in his decision, and after his Dr. was notified, we realized what a huge sense of relief it was. It's a quality of life kind of thing, and although there are no guarantees to anything in this life, I'm hoping that after the chemo clears his system, maybe some of his strength will return. I guess time will tell.

In the meantime, they will need support. Today I made a couple batches of burritos that they can heat up in the microwave ... breakfast type ones of bacon/eggs/potato/cheese and Mexican style ones of taco rice/beans/cheese. It was comforting to make something with love that might help in some small way.

The weather has been arctic cold, too, and today I wore one of my Boho beanies I made for Little Bohemian Heart. It was warm and cozy, and I received compliments on it, which was fun!

Now hopefully another sale soon, but I've relaxed quite a bit about the shop in general, so it's all good.

Frugal Doings

Time to get back on track post holiday.

I do think we did a pretty decent job of not overdoing things this past Christmas, but I guess it never hurts to think about better ways to spend your money wisely so that it goes towards the things that matter the most.

I have noticed that we are no longer in the habit of eating out frequently. We cook most of our meals at home, and usually eat simple foods that are reasonably priced. We're also good about eating up the leftovers in the fridge, and frequently make do with what is already in the pantry before running to the store to buy more.

We've been drinking more water, too, not just because it's a frugal thing to do, but also because it's the healthy thing to do.

So eating at home most of the time and drinking water is big, but what else?

Shopping has lost it's appeal. I'm not sure what that's all about, but I think it might have something to do with simplifying things in general. I think I'd rather spend my time doing just about anything else besides taking care of stuff.

Maybe a frugal lifestyle isn't so bad?

Back To Routine

Katie has now gone back to Seoul, Jake has returned to college, and the house feels kind of quiet and empty.

I guess a return to routine is not entirely bad, it is what it is. Tomorrow will be a back to work, back to Curves, back to concentrating on Little Bohemian Heart  kind of day. I'm thinking that maybe the routine will feel good.

I thoroughly enjoyed my week of family, though, and luckily the weekend after had a couple of special things going on to help with the let down ... a holiday party at a friend's, and of course the start of the Final Season of Downton Abbey.

I suppose there will be a need to put all the Christmas stuff away, but maybe I'll enjoy the tree just a bit longer. No need to rush!