
the aussie empty nester
living a new life without the kids while having to adjust to chronic pain.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Sewing
this morning I started in the craft room I wanted to finish those hand towels
The machine was giving me grief so I pulled out the new cheap one from Aldi.
I got it organised on the dining room table and started to wind a bobbin for it
I realised that the quilting machine wasn’t winding the bobbin properly.
After finishing the towels I wound some bobbins on the new machine and I’ll see if that makes any difference. If it does I’ll buy one of those small bobbin winder thingies
That’s the technical word for it

My machine all ready to go
I need to find a name for her.
My quilting queens name is Elly elna
Yeah not really original. But I do like it
Since I bought this at Aldi I think I need an old fashioned name starting with A
Suggestions welcome

The four hand towels are done
The have chickens on them, not that you can see them right now
They will match these

I also have one long mat in the set
Even though my chickens will be far away safe at home, I’ll still think them while I’m away
After all that I vacuumed all the tiled floors and moped them.
I still need to vacuum all the living areas. I’ve got the vacuum out and that’s where it’s staying right now
I need a rest
I’ve been cutting my expensive meds by half. The doctor was happy about that. Unfortunately the pain is now constantly breaking through the barrier
It’s still way less than before the medication, but definitely can feel the difference
I’m on 12 tablets a day!
So cutting two out has to be better for me.
Included in that number are the vitamin D and melatonin tablets. I hope to only need those for a few months.
I feel like I’m rattling as I walk around
The situation will be monitored and if I have to up the meds I will.
I guess we will see
Monday, April 20, 2026
Home
Yesterday I wanted to make some kitchen hand towels that you can hang on your oven or anyplace really that has a handle
I had made them before and I had made a pattern but I couldn’t find it.
It’s wasn’t hard making another one

I made this one out of cardboard. Hopefully it will be easier to find.

As you can see I’ve got two tea towels with chickens on them
They match the rugs I bought for the kitchen
These are for the farm house


I needed help choosing the fabrics
So I took lots of photos and asked my friend, who lives in Queensland,
To help.
We both liked the greens.
I wanted to use fat quarters that had some pieces cut out.
I didn’t want to use large pieces of fabric. Those can be used for bigger projects
The fabrics we chose came from the fabrics that I got from the lovely old lady.
She had cut bits of them for whatever it was she was making

I’m cutting the tea towels in half as they’re long. So o needed four topper’s
In my head I knew each towel needed to pieces of fabric
So I traced two pieces each.
But my brain told me to fold the fabric
So I ended up with eight toppers
I did sew those as well. I’ll use them to make Christmas presents.
I do like to start early.
Hubby arrived home around five.
He has taken control of the remote so we are currently watching a football show
Yep. Back to normal.
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Family birthday
today we had Annie’s family birthday.
We of the older generation just can’t do lots of children in a huge play centre
It was lovely to catch up with daughter in laws family. They’re lovely and I always get hugs.
Although I had given Ana her birthday gift. I didn’t want to go over empty handed.

I had saved this from when wonder son was young and had a single bed doona cover
I was thinking of making an ironing board cover, but then found those really cheap ones at the reject shop.
They
were priced cheap but they’re definitely not made cheap. They’re padded and have thick cotton. Lovely
Ana had been talking football at daycare and has decided to follow Collingwood
Makes grandma so proud
So to continue with the indoctrination I made her this pillow
She was so happy

She had a cupcake with a number 5 candle. She had the big birthday cake last week.
We all had. Cupcake each. Mummy had made them for her, and they were very yummy indeed

Her she is with her nonno
Bonding with balloons
Soon the elders of the family, including me, headed off home
I’ve given everyone their dinner, got firewood in for the night and Trixies indoors toilet too.
When I’m home alone I don’t open the door or go out after dark
Hubby texted and said he will be home sometime tomorrow.
So that’s the weekend wrap up.
It’s gone by so quick
I’ve not had the time to miss him
Saturday, April 18, 2026
All alone
this morning hubby went off on a motorbike ride with his mates. He won’t be home till Monday
I love being home alone. I don’t have to cook if I don’t want too and I get to control the TV remote
So I could enjoy my time I got up
And got stuck into doing all I needed to do
I planted the seedlings I bought on Thursday and covered them.
I didn’t use the pipes and netting as I had ordered some covers that fit nicely in the wicking beds

The black meshed cage was missing when I got out there.
I looked all over the backyard thinking maybe it was removed for weeding
Nope couldn’t find it.
Then I remembered who I married
I instantly knew where it was. I opened the back gate and found it. Just over the fence. We had those string winds the just picked it up and dumped it.
He hadn’t tied it down.
It’s now well and truly tied down with bailing twine
The farmers go to for fixing anything around the farm

I used two covers on this bed. You can see the zip ties I’ve used. I chose bright colours so that I can see them easily

This cover is small but it had covered the broccoli I planted.
I’ll plant some silver beet in the area that’s not covered. They’re hardy and usually pest free.

I had to pull out these kale plants and two spindly chilli plants, before planting the broccoli.


The girls appreciated them
Now the demon rooster is gone, even the girls are happy. He would constantly mate with them. One poor girl was his favourite and was getting bald spots due to his constant jumping on her.
Once I did all that I cleaned the kitchen and headed off to art. I also visited the pharmacy to get my prescription filled
Once home I cleaned the fire place and got it ready to light tonight if needed

Then I had to vacuum the mess
I’m now waiting on a woolies shop to arrive. Once that’s all packed away my day is clear
I plan to sit, watch movies and knit or sew. I’ve not decided yet.
I like to surprise myself lol
The weather forecast is for warm sunny days. At least for the next few days
Hopefully my seedlings will settle in and start growing.
I’ll wait a few weeks and plant out a second lot of seedlings
That way I won’t have all crops ready at the same time. I’ll be able to harvest as I need rather than because I have too
Friday, April 17, 2026
Another week gone
Fridays seem to be coming round faster and faster.
It doesn’t help seeing the girls growing so quickly either.

I had to get different toys out for Georgia
She loved pulling them all apart and banging them together. Grandma put some of those rings you can see in the largest box and rattled it
It took about ten seconds for Georgia to try and do the same

Ana decided to sit in the soft baby chair.
She said it was very comfortable

It’s still hard putting Georgia down once she’s asleep. Here she it literally hanging on to me

I was able to put her down on my chair by gently rocking it
She needed to be away from me as she was over heating. Her cheeks were very red.
She did cool down and woke much happier than she was going down
She still has a few teeth cutting though

I love the way the girls interact.
Georgia especially just watching Ana the whole day, and will yell at her to get her attention.
Ana and daddy left early to get to swimming lessons, and grandpa volunteered to give Georgie her bottle
Once she had finished she fell asleep.
It didn’t take long for grandpa to follow suit
I have to say I’ve frequently done the same over the years

Eventually mummy arrived to collect Georgia and they headed off home
Another full, and fun day
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Day out
this morning I had a doctors appointment. I needed to get a script for melatonin.
Because I don’t go out much these days I save all my needs to do on that day
After my appointment I needed to go to Bunnings. Which is right across the road
I needed to get some plastic piping so I can set up the net on the wicking bed

This was actually one long piece big no way could I fit that in my little car. So the nice man cut it in half for me


I’ve now got all the bits and pieces I need.
I also got some seedlings to plant before I put the netting on
I then ventured over next door to a big warehouse called panda mart
It’s kinda like Timu only you don’t have to order and wait. It’s all there
It is huge. I spent over two hours in there and still didn’t get all the way round



These were some oh the things you could buy. How fancy are the curtain rods
I needed to get some bedding for teddys

I got two new blankets and two cushioned ones for comfort

The second lot all nicely made for him to snuggle in

He did waste any time getting in
The bedding that was in there is in the washing machine
I also bought some kitchen items for the farm
New feed bowls for the cats
And new water bowls for trixie, Bella also uses the one inside the house.
The second one is going to the farm
I’ve got quite a bit to go down.
Once we get some one to help with the heavy stuff I’ll be able to start organising it all
By the time I got all that done I was exhausted.
I thought I’d have a little rest and go plant out the seedlings
Nope. It didn’t happen
It suddenly got dark and the heavens opened up
We even had thunder
As soon as I saw the change I brought in firewood and filled the wheelbarrow leaving it under cover so that the wood stays dry
I’m thinking dinner tonight will be something simple and quick
I do not have the energy to do much else today