tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post8551052603092667497..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Comfort and function and how I get thereUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40658234145959268252022-07-31T11:16:08.709+10:002022-07-31T11:16:08.709+10:00Hi Rhonda thank you so much for your wise words an...Hi Rhonda thank you so much for your wise words and optimism they are, as always, inspiring. I am travelling an unexpected path in my life and your words help me to believe each step each day i can build the life i want even if its not the one i thought it would be Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45059398986830798612022-07-21T21:44:48.271+10:002022-07-21T21:44:48.271+10:00So pleased to see you back at decluttering, organi...So pleased to see you back at decluttering, organising and living fully. I find things are much easier to keep tidy as I continually reassess the clutter in our home, questioning purchases in the first place, and re-purposing things. It's a delicate balance, isn't it? We have those night-lights built into the main hall, originally when children were younger, for similar ease and safety. I'm really happy to see you back here, in whatever capacity suits you. Much love from my family to yours.Tracy (Sukayna)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74466433291490618172022-07-21T10:02:41.802+10:002022-07-21T10:02:41.802+10:00How great to see you writing again! Have two of y...How great to see you writing again! Have two of your books and am a long time blog reader. I was sad to hear that Hanno has passed. But to everything there is a season, now at age 67 I know that to be very true. I have a visual that I use in my life, the visual of being a salmon swimming in a river, swimming beside my husband. Now at age 67 (and 74 for my husband) we are on the upstream trip, and I know I can’t control what we each face on our swim upstream, we can only do the best each moment. I wish you all the best! Thank you for your writing. Hilogene in Arizona.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65325318154578348032022-07-21T08:11:17.992+10:002022-07-21T08:11:17.992+10:00I've decluttered as I grew older. Your cute ...I've decluttered as I grew older. Your cute dog.....I always tell my husband that if he goes first, our dog would be very sad (we don't have the dog anymore though). I can't imagine how sad I will be and I feel it is a hard fact of life to take. But we have to trust in God. Your kitchen is beautiful. Contentment is in the home and homemaking and we must cling to that and of course you have your kids and grandkids that love you so. AndreaAndreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446323359240074689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45099794296597428142022-07-20T13:03:54.086+10:002022-07-20T13:03:54.086+10:00Great to know that about Apple watches; plus the s...Great to know that about Apple watches; plus the small easily doable things to aide safety around the home! <br />My dear friend lost her husband early June and she has been doing exactly what you have been doing; decluttering and reorganising things to work better for her now she’s in her own. I directed her to your blog and Instagram account yesterday… <br />An earlier comment echoed my thoughts regarding your writings….‘I feel so blessed to have found your blog…..cherish your point of view….always encouraging and giving me peace in the journey to self reliance…’ much love xxxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26935905002525582692022-07-20T12:13:59.336+10:002022-07-20T12:13:59.336+10:00Rhonda, I am very grateful that you continue to sh...Rhonda, I am very grateful that you continue to share your life. What happens in your daily life is important to many of us who are having a similar experience. Thank you!<br />DiannaLynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01281466878512112727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56403116290492488932022-07-19T23:26:30.405+10:002022-07-19T23:26:30.405+10:00I'm on a similar journey of decluttering. Aft...I'm on a similar journey of decluttering. After two house moves last year, the final one being into my new much smaller home, at first I found a space for everything I thought that I needed, now this year after a full year of using what I use and reaching past what I don't to try and get to it, I have a clearer idea of what can go. Hopefully this will be my last decluttering.<br /><br />Gracie looks very thoughtful in that position, as though she is pondering your new lives as a duo. She must miss her Dad dreadfully, but knowing how close the two of you are must bring her as much comfort as she brings you.Sue https://www.blogger.com/profile/04947919568474743963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77920028192478440072022-07-19T20:48:10.130+10:002022-07-19T20:48:10.130+10:00Hi Rhonda, thanks for the inspiring update. I will...Hi Rhonda, thanks for the inspiring update. I will be fully retired in a few weeks and plan on making decluttering my focus for quite some time! Have been in our home for 44 years and inherited 3 households along the way so lots of stuff! I am glad you have Gracie to keep you company, looking forward to your next post already. Love the new kettle!Karen from CTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17500666350281559262022-07-19T17:34:46.252+10:002022-07-19T17:34:46.252+10:00Rhonda you are an inspiration! You are taking con...Rhonda you are an inspiration! You are taking control of your new life and making it work as well as you can, for you. Hanno would be so proud of you. I can only imagine how much you are missing him but keeping busy and making plans is a positive way to cope with it all. I'm in awe of you, but not at all surprised. Your can do , get up and on with what has to be done attitude has always been one of the things we admire about you. Decluttering is on my list too. My youngest chick has fledged and flown all the way from Ireland to Canada so it all change here too. Aisling Kiernanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16034797167435186191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14518161610476717132022-07-18T20:44:32.871+10:002022-07-18T20:44:32.871+10:00Hi Ronda, Your kitchen looks so clean, tidy ,brigh...Hi Ronda, Your kitchen looks so clean, tidy ,bright and inviting. Love the new kettle! After following you for a long time years ago I switched to electric tea kettles and I love them. For me they seem to heat the water faster (maybe because you don’t need to always fill the “stove kettle” so full? Anyway I do love the look of a kettle sitting on the stove…have a great day!Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-28243443440565784692022-07-18T15:42:11.283+10:002022-07-18T15:42:11.283+10:00Hi Rhonda, I never knew Apple watches had these fu...Hi Rhonda, I never knew Apple watches had these functions. Very useful to know as I know many older people living at home. I love your photos as they are so pretty and Gracie is adorable. I've been watching Nami's Life on Youtube that you recommended last year. It's been a revelation to see how she lives day to day on her own, making the most of each moment. Thank you so much for writing about the changes you are making in your life. I feel Hanno is still smiling as you write and post. Thank you for sharing with us. xxHelena C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75448193538952856612022-07-18T14:27:13.834+10:002022-07-18T14:27:13.834+10:00Hello Rhonda! I'm so happy to see you're s...Hello Rhonda! I'm so happy to see you're still positive, and I think the changes you made years ago are helping you today to live this new life without Hanno .Decluttering is our big project for the coming months. You say you have a very cold winter, and in France we have a heat wave ! more than 41° announced today and we have three of your grandchildren at home ...<br />Have a good weekpatdubnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63342061352166943732022-07-18T07:53:35.720+10:002022-07-18T07:53:35.720+10:00Hi Rhonda, thankyou for the update. You are often ...Hi Rhonda, thankyou for the update. You are often in my thoughts, these last few weeks especially. It's lovely to hear how you are moving forward in the vastly changed landscape of life. Much love Tammy Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-17919116313371329482022-07-17T14:43:42.880+10:002022-07-17T14:43:42.880+10:00Hi Rhonda, It's great to hear that you are do...Hi Rhonda, It's great to hear that you are doing so well. I love your new tea kettle; I noticed it right away. Your kitchen is so pretty...you designed it so well. Glad that Gracie is at your side. The Smart Watch sounds like a wise thing to have. TheAwakenedSoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11636961399581011120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5092385581928420372022-07-17T04:01:06.311+10:002022-07-17T04:01:06.311+10:00Hi Rhonda, I am very proud of you for pushing on!...Hi Rhonda, I am very proud of you for pushing on! I took care of both my mom and moved my dad in with me 3 years after mom died and took care of him. I found the hardest thing was not the grieving as much as staying active and busy and keeping in touch with friends. It is good to see you keeping busy with the things you love. And I so agree with decluttering after a major change. I have been working on decluttering (mine, mom's and dad's stuff) for almost 2 years now. Every time I think I am finished I find another layer of stuff that needs to go!<br /><br />I love your idea of motion detectors!! I am also "old lady proofing" my home so I can stay here the rest of my life. This is a great idea as I tend to not sleep well and roam around at night. I went to Amazon and began researching them immediately. <br /><br />Keep on keeping on Rhonda. Jackie MPeascodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950203914710533372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62881142819939119852022-07-17T02:08:22.307+10:002022-07-17T02:08:22.307+10:00The decluttering seems to be a constant here as st...The decluttering seems to be a constant here as stages of life change and things I once used almost daily I find I don’t use anymore. <br />I was not aware that the Apple Watch had a fall feature, good to know. I’m certain Gracie knows that Hanno expects her to watch out for you and she will do so very well.<br /><br />I’m glad the “special” dishes are being used daily, every day is special.<br /><br />Whenever you post I will be happy to read. Your schedule is your own and we are all blessed to get a little glimpse of things.<br /><br />Take good care.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-1494838894637121102022-07-17T00:53:21.056+10:002022-07-17T00:53:21.056+10:00So glad to see that you and Gracie are plowing on ...So glad to see that you and Gracie are plowing on in your new normal. What wonderful lessons you share with us all! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38903873073890926652022-07-17T00:25:20.796+10:002022-07-17T00:25:20.796+10:00Good to hear from you, Rhonda. Looks like Gracie i...Good to hear from you, Rhonda. Looks like Gracie is doing well; I know what you mean about decluttering and giving old things up. I just went through a cupboard and although there was not a lot to get rid of, the act was quite cleansing and I am going to go through a few more now. Your kitchen looks great.hopflowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06114510834437210015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55431933003137868562022-07-16T23:02:28.998+10:002022-07-16T23:02:28.998+10:00You really do seem to be doing so well with gettin...You really do seem to be doing so well with getting on with your simple life. I agree that as we age, no matter what. we must simplify. I am a minimalist for the most part but I do still declutter routinely things that I'm no longer using. I'm going to check on the iPhone watch. I havent had any type of fall but better to be safe than sorry. I also think its great you're able to be realistic about things like preserving, bread making etc, and keeping it current with how your life is now. The tea kettle is a wonderful color and that china( my weakness) is beautiful.christinahttp://tahoegirl.blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4431599752367068182022-07-16T19:44:01.879+10:002022-07-16T19:44:01.879+10:00Hello Rhonda,
Lovely to read your news and pleased...Hello Rhonda,<br />Lovely to read your news and pleased to see that you are keeping busy with Gracie as your loyal companion. They are so special at times like this. Decluttering is a task that I seem to be putting off but I know that I must get down to it sometime soon. The idea of the watch that you are wearing is very sensible. I can imagine it also puts your families minds at ease. Have a good week.lornahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07514245014626380298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13188191186817659012022-07-16T14:16:39.276+10:002022-07-16T14:16:39.276+10:00Happy to hear that you and Gracie are going well. ...Happy to hear that you and Gracie are going well. It's always good to hear from you Rhondajomcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36327143484454630392022-07-16T13:02:50.101+10:002022-07-16T13:02:50.101+10:00So glad that you are keeping busy. My mother alwa...So glad that you are keeping busy. My mother always felt that the way to survive was to keep moving. She also pared down after my dad passed away. She just didn’t need as much stuff. Nice that you have Gracie to keep you company. I really like the nightlights. I have never seen any that were battery operated. Since plugins are always at a premium those are a really nice idea. Nancy in the Pacific Northwest, I could get myself logged. For some reason Blogger just doesn’t cooperate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71328718234039447272022-07-16T12:32:10.318+10:002022-07-16T12:32:10.318+10:00Hello Rhonda, you are sounding peaceful and steady...Hello Rhonda, you are sounding peaceful and steady. It must take some work to adapt to your new life without Hanno. Most glad that you have your constant companion at your side. I often think that it is amazing how we love a little creature so different from us and how they love us back unconditionally.<br />That is a pretty kettle and I also do like your dinner set. I am using very fine cut glass glasses in the kitchen, no point in them just sitting unused.<br />I am lucky that some of my younger generation cousins love family heirlooms, so I have passed some items to them. <br />Keep looking after yourself, love Jude xx<br />( anonymous keeps appearing although I am logged into to Goggle)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61941820013296774932022-07-16T11:40:01.784+10:002022-07-16T11:40:01.784+10:00Hi Rhonda I LOVE LOVE LOVE your kettle. Years ago...Hi Rhonda I LOVE LOVE LOVE your kettle. Years ago I had a gas stove and had one of those kettles you put on the stove and whistled when it was ready. I loved it and yours is so pretty. The motion sensor lights sound like a great idea having them. Also your apple watch with a fall sensor these are things you have to have for your safety and as long as you wear it all the time too. Glad you are planting a small veggie garden of things you use. As for oregano you can't kill that plant. Mine always takes over the veggie garden and I have to cut it back. That and rosemary are the same. Using the good china, removing things that you no longer use but once used would be very therapeutic too. Have a good week. Kathy A, BrisbaneKathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13278810299840471966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84687134156035083852022-07-16T11:22:15.386+10:002022-07-16T11:22:15.386+10:00Nice to hear from you 🙂 Nice to hear from you 🙂 Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com