https://youtu.be/rjkrjYitgeA?si=ZLYEmGhtYRool-oB
the aussie empty nester
living a new life without the kids while having to adjust to chronic pain.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Sunday, January 25, 2026
Jobs getting done

This is the perfect picture for how I feel
I’ve cleaned all the cobwebs from the back veranda.
Swept all the leaves that the gale force winds had deposited
Washed all of Teddy’s bedding. It’s dry now all i have to do is put it all back
Dragged the hose around watering all pots under the front veranda.
As well the normal daily chores
Finally after all that I had a nice cool shower
That pretty much finished me off.
All fibro warriors know that showering uses up lots of our energy.
It’s still really hot outside. My neighbour gave me some herbs to plant. He’s a lovely man. All our neighbours are
I’ll let it cool a tad before I go out to plant them out.
Crafting is continuing.
I’ve cut the scraps I found the other day, into 3 inch squares
I’ve pined some to my hexi papers and cut off the corners to make the hexi shape. I’ve even started to sew some, adding to the pile ready to sew
When I get sick of that I change back to the crochet.
That blanket is getting much bigger now.
I think 2026 is the year of finishing off WIP’s and busting my stash.
That a good thing indeed
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Day one
after all the carfuffle of last week we finally arrived at DDay
Both Ana and Georgia were dropped off in the morning.
Grandma had to set the alarm to give herself time to get organised
Fruit was cut up and in Ana’s snack box.
Variety of small packets containing chips, and crackers
Her big bottle was filled with water and it was all set in the coffee table ready for her to just pick and eat
I set up a change table section so I wouldn’t have to bend
And the new baby seat was brought out into the living room
I did but nappies but I got the wrong size. Lots were packed into her bag so nothing to worry about
The morning went very smoothly
And both girls were happy


I love that they both look at me while taking the photo
Soon enough Georgie was showing signs of needed her nap.
She pretty much cuddled into me and drifted of to sleep
Ana must of felt a little out of the loop and wanted cuddles too

When I wasn’t taking pictures my arm had to be around her which grandma was very pleased to do

Love holding and looking at a sleeping baby.
Once she was well and truly asleep I popped her into the cot.
Ana and I then spent some time together doing whatever she wanted to do.
Georgia slept for almost three hours
She woke happy.
I changed her and when she decided she wanted her bottle I defrosted some and started to feed her.
No way was she going to accept the bottle
I was warned that she might but I thought that was because of all the sights and sounds of daycare
Nope she didn’t want anything to do with it.
Her mummy did say she liked eating and sent a pic of what she was using
I did grab a few of the pouches. She nearly ate a whole pouch. Which I was very happy with.
But she still wanted milk. I knew this as she was turning her head towards me when I held her.
I was able to distract her for a while but eventually she was very upset and nothing I did helped.
In desperation I rang her daddy and asked him to come over as soon as he was done.
Georgia was taken home to mummy and fed. I was relieved
Ana stayed because she wanted to see grandpa
This morning mummy had organised new tests for the bottle and Georgia fed and fell asleep
Fingers crossed that the issue is now fixed and she will once again accept the bottle.
Grandma does not want her being that upset ever again.
I do not do well listening to one I love be so upset.
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Resting. Kinda

This morning I had a sleep in. I didn’t get to sleep until late last night because of the usual reasons.
I had planned on resting today in preparation for tomorrow.
Not only will Ana come to visit, but her sister will too.
My first double trouble day was supposed to have been last Friday, but we all know what happened.
Instead.today, I spent the day cleaning spiderwebs, dusting and vacuuming
I don’t know why but this year has been bad for spiders. I can clean a web today and tomorrow it will be back.
Even my car needs cleaning of the little buggers building endeavours.
Now I’m done for the day I’m continuing to increase the size of this granny square blanket. It will be added to the pile for the farm.
Hopefully the meds work better and I get some sleep. I’m going to need to be on my toes
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Getting things done
this morning hubby drove me to the doctors to get a fasting blood test
There were quite a few tests she asked for so they took two vials full.
Then a urine test was asked for, so she gave me the little plastic jar and sent me off in my way.
Once I had been totally bled of all liquids I left.
I had scripts to drop off at my pharmacy
Home again after that I turned in the radio in the kitchen and went to work.
There were plums that were very ripe so they were pitted and cut up. I also had half a tub of blackberries that had been pushed to the back and forgotten. They were added to the plums.
We had the last of the oranges from our tree and some mandarins. They were all cut up as well

They’re now in the freezer for future use. I didn’t get the seeds out of the citrus because I figured that when I defrost them they’ll be squishy and easier to de pip.
I then tackled a bag of peppers from the market garden across the road. I cleaned and cut them up. I had half an onion so that got sliced.
Some tomatoes that had ripened too much for salads or sandwiches, so they were put in also
I went into the freezer to get the last of the leek and cherry tomatoes to add as well.
It’s all cooked up and ready to eat. It’s a great side dish to steak or any BBQ. Plus I’ll freeze some for in the slow cooker to use during winter.

I then turned to the excess of eggs. I got some silverbeet from the garden. The last packet of feta cheese and the eggs to make my version of spinach pie

My eggs. They look like peaches in syrup lol
I ended up using 20 eggs in just one pie

I’ve messaged the boys telling them it’s ready to eat.
Finally I’ve organised my crafting corner.
I purchased a coffee table with a lift up top


Once closed all my craft paraphernalia is hidden. Making it look neater. Not to mention little people won’t be able to get at it.
Georgia won’t stay a baby for very long. So I’m getting ahead start with the baby proofing
I also have a basket to store the actual WIP’s I’m working on. It will be easy to pick up the whole basket and put it up out of reach
As you can just see, Trixies bed with her toys are just visible in the left corner.
This too will once again be moved when we have a mobile baby.
It’s now one in the afternoon and I’m very tired.
I went to bed last night after midnight. I was staying up to see this


You could actually see it with the naked eye. Not this brilliantly unfortunately but once it was viewed through the phone, magical
We have been so lucky to have seen so many Auroras. It’s been one good view every year for the last three years
I still would love to see the northern lights one day, but for now I’m just happy to have seen this.
Right now, life is good in the nest
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Forgotten treasures
I am please to say hubby had a good nights sleep and has woken up happy.
You really cannot sleep in hospital
Me? Well my sewing machine was being all kinds of mean. So i goggled different videos and went through every. From scratch. Elna 101.
I have used it and I seem to have “ fixed” the problem. I did ring a sewing machine mechanic and he gave me some advice.
If it continues to be a bugger it will be taken to the machine hospital to get looked at
While I was doing all that, I had to look for a foot on the sewing machine. I thought I was short one. So I pull out the old bag I used to carry it to class. I looked in every pocket no luck.
But I did find this

Squares I’ve quilted to make a quilt as you go blanket
I must of stored them in there when we had to pull down the old room and rebuild it again
Knowing me, I probably thought that the next time I go to put the machine in there I would find them
Obviously I’ve not used the bag
There was also more fabric to use

Also, the other day I was collecting quilts to be taken to the farm house and I found this

I had started it to use up my odd balls and then totally forget about w
I’ve added a dozen rows to it in the last few days. It was a nice change from sewing. A bit of a holiday
As for the EPP it’s coming along slowly but surely

Now I have plenty to get on with.
Should keep me out of trouble for a few weeks anyway
Monday, January 19, 2026
Finally
well the prisoner had been released. He was so eager to come home he waited out front for us
My lovely friends once again picked me up and drove to the hospital to pick him up.
I really do have the best friends
He has come home with a bag full of medical supplies so I can clean and change the bandages
He also has boxes of antibiotics to keep taking.
If he is good and listens to all medical advice he should be alright.
My work has now commenced.
Lord help me.