April Link Party
It’s time for our April Link Party with Sheryl at A Chronic Voice! This month’s prompts are:
Marveling
First, I have to say thank you to Sheryl for sharing the video of her baby bird hatching. I was surprised at how large their eyes were. I too marvel over the beauty and power of nature. Below left are some daffodil bulbs in a pot, that I’ve been watering for a month. They were a gift last spring. Every day I’ve looked at those dry stems and wondered if they would ever sprout again. Last week I saw a green tip peeking through the dirt. How do dry dead-looking bulbs sprout into beautiful flowers? It’s one of those mysteries that I marvel at each spring.
The second photo is of an African Violet plant that my daughter gave me last summer. It was just a new cutting then. Now it has about ten buds on it and it’s huge. I can hardly wait to see it in full bloom. I’ve never seen such a large African Violet before!
My daughter got this cutting from an acquaintance’s mother’s African violet plant. It amazes me that this cutting came from a plant decades old. Apparently, even old plants can create vibrant new plants.
Splurging
My simple flip phone died. So I recently splurged on a smart phone. I hope I won’t regret this decision. I’m definitely slow with technology. I’m so tired, however, having to tell people that I can’t see their messages because I have a “dumb phone!” Or having to log into group me to see pictures on my computer, because flip phones don’t let you share photos.
Continuing
I’m continuing to declutter and pack up my belongings for my upcoming move. We’re continuing to do home repairs, cleaning, and painting before placing my home for sale. It’s a huge amount of work and I’m TIRED! Below are some pictures of my kitchen. It used to have wide green and white striped wallpaper on the walls. Now it’s white. We needed to repair some broken floor tiles as well. The picture on the bottom is the contents of the pantry in boxes with the pantry cupboard laying on it’s side near the hutch. Making Easter dinner was stressful, because few things were in their usual places.
Once I get the baseboard heater painted, we can replace the pantry cupboard.
Balancing (or the lack there of)
I’m really struggling with balancing my health issues with the chaos of prepping my home to sell. Last week, Second Son used a week of vacation to help repair and paint the kitchen, and upstairs bathroom. Even though I used a dust mask and had the kitchen taped off, my lungs rebelled and I now have bronchitis. This has my usual tired exhausted! Exhaustion leads to not thinking clearly. I got confused yesterday about needing to pick Third Son up from school. A rushed twenty minute drive later, and I couldn’t find him, so I freaked out. I rushed back home, because Fourth Son needed the car to go to work. Because my cell phone is dead, he couldn’t reach me, so he freaked, and called around to find another ride to work. We were both frazzled!
Apparently, I was told that Third Son could use First Daughter’s car that day to get to and from school. I can’t remember that conversation at all. To top it off, the organization I volunteer with is having it’s annual fund-raiser this Saturday, and all I want to do is crawl into bed.
So how do I balance all this mess?? I cancel physical therapy. I eat leftover Easter dinner food. Hard-boiled egg anyone? Drink lots of fluids. Do my breathing treatments, and keep telling myself that it will all be okay one way or another. Breathe. Lie down more. Pray. Listen to Christian worship music. And share my struggle with you all, because I know you understand.
Investing
At this stage of my life, I’m investing a LOT of energy, thought and carefully considered, limited funds into preparing my home to sell. I’m hoping and praying that what gets painted and repaired will lead to a quick sell. Otherwise, paying rent and a mortgage each month is going to be a real financial struggle. I want to stay positive and trust that it will all work out easily, but I know from many experiences that things usually don’t work out smoothly. I guess that’s what we do when we invest in something. We expect a good return on our effort. Hope. What would life be without it?
Conclusion Of April 2018’s Link Party
Well, there you have my April Link Party responses. How would you answer these prompts? I’d love to read your answers!
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Till next time, Kathy
It was great to read your responses. I too marvel at spring flowers and their resolve to get through so much dormant time. It is difficult to leave a place that has been home, but forward is the only direction we have been given. With all that is going on in your life I am sending good thoughts your way in hopes that you may find some time to rest. I hope you are feeling better from the bronchitis.
Thank you for reading and commenting Albert!
So much going on for you right now, Kathy! I pray you will find pockets of rest and calm among the chaos and that you will have joy in the process.
I love African Violets! My mum always had some growing in our house. She used to cut leaves off and stand them in a glass of water. In a few days the leaf will have produced roots and you have a new plant to put in a pot! It’s clearly very happy in your care.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I found a pocket of calm yesterday. I stopped to watch a Blue Jay pair start a nest in my Maple tree. Today, I took a nap. Thank God for “little pockets of rest and calm among the chaos.”
Sounds like you have a full plate at the moment! I hope your preparation for moving goes well and a sale will come quickly! Hang in there! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Selina for reading and commenting!
Hi Kathy, thank you for participating in the April linkup, it’s always so interesting to read your responses! The birds are amazing reminders of the fragility and wonder of life, and so are your plants! And I’m sure you won’t regret getting a smartphone…now you can receive pictures of your children and stuff on the fly 🙂
When I move to a new place, it’s always hard work. Moving out of a bigger house where you’ve inhabited for quite awhile must be crazy tedious work! It doesn’t sound fun at all, but I hope the new chapter in your life to come will be a lovely one 🙂
I keep hoping that the next chapter will be easier without a big house to take care of. “Tedious” is a good word for all the decluttering and paring down that I’m doing. Thank you for reading and replying, Sheryl. It means so much to know someone is out there reading and responding to my writing.
Sorry for the late reply, but yes. Even taking care of a small house on a normal day is exhausting, what more moving out of a big one! So, you’re doing just great 🙂 And yes! That’s what the monthly linkups are for as well – to connect with others who understand just exactly how it feels 🙂 Sending lots of hugs and spoons xx
Kathy, I loved your responses. They are very honest and from the heart. I understand all too well the stresses of moving, not knowing if your old place will sell in time. I think you are amazing for juggling all that you do with family and chronic illness!
Thank you, Lydia for your kind words. Always when I wonder why I do this whole blog thing, along comes someone’s kind words and meaningful replies and I get the encouragement to keep going.