Simply Homemaking
Monday, September 15, 2025
Surprisingly good healthy cookies....
Monday, September 8, 2025
I love chocolate, but....
Friday, September 5, 2025
I want to tell you about something...
After this, I'll get back to posting about homemaking, but I want to share this with you... After my husband passed away in February, I had a mighty struggle with my mental health for a while. I tried counseling and medications, but I am extremely sensitive and the medications were a disaster to put it mildly.
Then, I found out about TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation.) It is FDA approved, non-invasive , with no side effects, and statistically helps 87% of patients who try it which is much much better than the medications available. The clinic where I had my treatments has been offering them for about 2 years and they have NEVER had a patient it did not help. It is used for anxiety, depression and OCD. It also has benefits for certain symptoms that can come on with Parkinson's Disease. Generally, here in the United States, if one or two medications have failed you, your health insurance will help pay for it. Mine did. It involved a series of 36 five - minute treatments. Very simple. And, it worked for me.
I think it must be one of the best kept secrets. It is amazing. Two months ago I was still a mess. Now I am fine. Of course, I still deal with the grief, but that is a separate issue. I am attending a GriefShare group and that is very helpful.
I just couldn't not tell you about this in case it might help someone else who is struggling. God bless you all.
Monday, March 3, 2025
Just to let you know...
My sweet Jim, the love of my life and husband of 53 years, passed away suddenly on February 18th. He died of heart failure in his sleep. There was no suffering. He was 78 years old. All 6 of our children gathered and we had several days together. The outpouring of love and support has been so wonderful. I really had no idea how many lives he had touched until the funeral. There were at least 200 people in attendance. Oh how I miss him. I know he is watching over me and when I am finished here on this earth, I will be with him eternally. He was the best man, the best husband, the best friend. I love him so. As one person said, "If Jim didn't go to heaven, there is no heaven." He will be greatly missed by many.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
The Kindness of Strangers....
I have heard before, the phrase, "The kindness of I sI have heard before, the phrase, "The kindness of strangers...." Well, I truly experienced it today. My husband and I drove to North Vernon to run some errands. The last thing we were going to do - he dropped me off at the Goodwill store and he was going to go to Bomgaars and I was supposed to call him when I was done. It was cold and rainy outside, and he didn't want to come into Goodwill, so he went to Bomgaars to window shop. I looked around and didn't end up buying anything, so I was going to call him. Oops. I had left my phone in my library bag, IN THE CAR. So, I couldn't call him. What to do... what to do... since my phone is way smarter than I am, I couldn't even remember anyone else's phone number to call to help me. I decided I'd have to walk to Bomgaars, so I started out from Goodwill on foot. Shortly, a very nice woman named Nancy opened her car window and called out, "Do you want a ride?" "Yes!" I said, so she took me to Bomgaars. I walked the whole store and my husband wasn't there, so I went out to the parking lot and our car was not there either. Oh... great... I guess he drove back to Goodwill to wait for me. So... I decided I'd have to walk back to Goodwill. The highway is not exactly pedestrian friendly, but I had no choice. Fortunately, it wasn't raining hard, just misting hard and a bit windy. After a bit I crossed over to the other side of the road and a man came across the road and asked, "Are you okay?" I told him what was going on and he said "Can I walk with you?" And I gratefully accepted his offer. His name was Michael. He walked me all the way back to Goodwill and my husband was there waiting in our car. I am 75 years old. Michael said I looked scared, which I was, a little. It wasn't the most fun experience, but I will always treasure it because of the two angels that helped me today.

Saturday, December 7, 2024
Do you ever "tweak" recipes?
Friday, December 6, 2024
Do you like Rice Pudding?
I have tried, many times, through the years I've been married (52) to make "Rice Pudding." It has NEVER turned out very nicely and I have used several different recipes. But now, I finally have a way to make it that is EASY and it WORKS!!!