Super late with my weekly “planning” post this week. Coming off a weekend of being down and out with a nasty virus, followed by 2 days of working. Throw in an academic awards night on Monday evening and a high school band concert last night. Hello, Wednesday!

Let’s see about planning the second half of the week shall we? If the link is still open, I’ll go ahead and link my post up to Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom where Sandra hosts the Happy Homemaker Mondays.

The Weather  

Spring is almost here and definitely in the air! 54 glorious degrees. Thunderstorms likely today. Rained a lot yesterday.  Almost 60 and windy tomorrow. More rain chances for the weekend. Been a lot of snow when rain excites us. Seen a little sun here and there as well.

On My Reading Pile

Mostly, a bunch of over due library books. I’m just going to take them over and start fresh. However, my copy (won in a contest) of Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin arrived. I’ll start reading it next.

On My TV

Best thing to watch when you feel like a zombie? A show about them! Finished all 5 seasons of Z-Nation on Netflix.  Excited for Seal Team to return (finally!) next week. And I’m still watching God Friended Me on Sunday nights, rare for me to make time for a show and I’ve been making time to watch it.  Of course, it’s soon to be time to spend sitting outdoors instead of inside watching TV.

On The Menu For This Week

Menu planning on a Sunday night, while sick, for a busy week leaves this week’s menu looking a little uninspired.

MONDAY: We ate pork chops and baked sweet potatoes. *I worked 8:30-1:30* *Academic Awards night for J*

TUESDAY: We had Subway *I worked 8:15-3:45* *Band concert for G*

WEDNESDAY: Roast in the crock pot *Another Academic Awards night for J, this is a district one*

THURSDAY: Chicken of some sort, salad *I work 7:15-4* *Baritone lesson for J*

FRIDAY: BLT’s and French Fries *I work 7:15-4*

On My To Do List

Way too much!

1. Clean, sanitize, fumigate the house!
2. Return over due library books
3. Organize/pay bills
4. Make to-do list for upcoming trip
5. Clean out pantry/fridge/freezer
6. Find Spring clothes, put away sweaters
7. Finish updating calendar
8. Laundry
9. Call about getting Senior pictures done for G (yes, I know this is super late)
10. Call to reschedule hair appointment

Sure I could keep listing things but I think I’ll stop at 10.

What I Am Creating  

My own little patch of spring inside.  

Looking Around The House

Let’s not do that right now.  At least I’ve lit some candles and sprayed my Method cleaner in the bathroom sinks.

From The Camera

Beautiful sunrise on Monday! 

Something Fun To Share

May or may not have spent way too much time this morning reading this L.A. Times article rating breakfast cereals. The ranking of the Captain Crunch cereals as well as the omission of Peanut Butter Captain Crunch disturbs me. I feel for those living in a world where Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, pure comfort food for me, is not readily available.

What I’m Wearing Today

A mid-arm length white, black, blue, and gold tunic shirt I bought at CVS of all places as well as black leggings and tennis shoes. I’ll change into something else before the academic awards ceremony tonight.

One Of My Simple Pleasures

Being outside in the spring time.

Quote For The Week

********

What’s on your agenda this week?

The calendar might say March but it’s still “officially” winter. One only needs to glance out the window around here to know that.  Two and a half weeks until spring “officially” arrives.

My boys are off school yet again for a cold day this time. Sub-zero wind chills, not safe to let the kids hang out at the bus stops. Our road also doesn’t look great after Saturday night’s snowfall. The cold apparently makes the melting salts not works as well.

Lucky (?) me, I still get to go to work later. And for a full day. Let’s see if I can squeeze in planning my week with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom before I need to leave.

The Weather  

Already discussed it some. Current temperature is -1 degrees but windchill is -13.  News said 50 degrees below normal for our area at this point in the year. We are supposed to climb our way up to a balmy 37 degrees by Thursday but there’s a…wait for it….chance of more snow that day as well. I like seeing the 54 degrees and thunderstorms predicted for Saturday, that’s normal, I think.

Right Now I Am

Trying to get this post typed up before I finish getting ready for work. Also, drinking coffee and thinking about what to have for breakfast.

Thinking

I always think of great things for this category in the evenings and think, oh I should share that. And then, by the time I write my post. I’ve forgotten! Maybe I’ll start writing my thoughts down in draft form so I can remember what I’m thinking about each night.

On My Reading Pile

Started reading Crucible by James Rollins since the library sent me a courtesy notice about its due date on Friday. New release so no renewals. I had a bit of trouble getting into this one but now I’m enjoying it enough I’d rather stay home and finish my book than go to work!

On My TV

God Friended Me was finally on again last night so I took a break from the Z’s of Z-Nation over on Netflix to watch it.  Maybe it means Seal Team is set to return soon as well. Been watching The Voice with my husband, I wasn’t sure I would but I do like John Legend as a new judge.

Favorite Blog Post

Found this article entitled: Gratitude for My Teenager-Even When She Is Difficult to be thought-provoking.

Something Fun To Share

This Margarita Bark recipe made me think spring thoughts. I’d like to try it (probably sans the Tequila).

On My Menu

Probably going to be a dull week for our menus.

MONDAY: Husband’s choice *I work 9:30-6*

TUESDAY: Tacos

WEDNESDAY: Pork chops

THURSDAY: Chicken Legs *J has a baritone lesson at 7:30*

FRIDAY: Pizza

On My To Do List

1. Make sure all my work dates are in the calendar
2. Get my library book read and returned by Friday
3. Clean the house!
4. Write and schedule some blog posts
5. Figure out why some blogs I follow on Bloglovin quit showing up there
6. Pull out some spring/summer clothes (maybe it will help the weather?)
7. Get G a new winter coat
8. Go to Hobby Lobby and get one more picture frame
9. Get together with friends (soon, I hope!)

Creating 

My own spring! My indoor flower seeds are starting to sprout!

Looking Around The House

Unmade bed, covered kitchen table, muddy paw prints on the living room floor….still stuck inside and still winter outside.

From The Camera 

On Saturday afternoon while it was still kind of “warm” and not snowing with clear roads, I took a walk around the block. Saw two deer!

 

On My Prayer List

Family, friends. My blogging friend from Rebecca’s Hearth and Home, her son-in-law as he’s in the hospital. My blogging friend, Rachel, over at Living Better One Day At A Time, as she deals with some family issues. All of you who read this blog.

Quote For The Week

In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. (Albert Camus)

*****

What’s on your agenda for the week?

I’m so ready to be out of February and done with winter. Ready to welcome March and the happy sights of Spring it brings.

I was so ready for it last week I almost told an entire class of 2-year-old students it was the last day of February last Thursday. Oops! Glad the other teaching was paying attention to my line time & gently broke it to me the date was the 21st, not the 28th. SIGH.

Still February for one more week. And another “weekly Wednesday snow storm” is in the forecast. Let’s focus on something more fun like planning the week ahead.

Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the weekly link up. I find these posts so helpful in planning my week. And I also get lots of joy from reading her blog post as well as the bloggers who link to it.  On to the categories….I know it’s not March quite yet but I’m still making my headings green. Seems most of us could use a little green these days.

The Weather

Well, the sun is shining and it did manage to warm up to 32 degrees while I was out running a few errands. Don’t want to mention the weekly snowstorm chance again, really hoping they are wrong. And the local station seems to have moved it all to Friday perhaps. Cloudy and cold for most of this week.

Right Now I Am

Cooking a corn dog in the oven (lunch of champions!) while working on this post. A tell-tale sign of hunger while shopping: the clearance chocolate from Thanksgiving looks appealing.

**Updating this to say: It’s now 3:15 PM and I’m just now finishing my post. Ran off to do a few things and just now sitting back down to finish my post.

Thinking

I don’t think we’d survive a Zombie apocalypse around here as we’re barely hanging on with being cooped up and inside for most of February. Oh, and I’m also thinking about doing a sugar-free March. Also, wondering what J did with all his socks, hoping to find them under his bed.

On My Reading Pile

Did get out to the library last week and switch out my books (renewed the one I’m currently reading). Current titles from the library in my collection:

1. UnChristian: What A New Generation Thinks About Christianity And Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
2. Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
3. Cinnamon Toasted by Gail Oust
4. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker
5. Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
6. Crucible by James Rollins

On My TV

Did you guess I found a new show on Netflix? Yep, I’m making my way through Z-Nation and loving the campy style.  A zombie baby, zombie dog, zombie-tornado…and more, all in season 1. I’m hooked!  Also, no God Friended Me yesterday or Seal Team on Wednesday. UGH. 2 Shows. I make room for 2 shows in my week & neither one is on right now. More reading time for me. Or more Zombie watching.

On My Menu This Week

Trying to live out of the fridge/freezer/pantry for another week. Not sure how far we’ll get but I’m in the mood to clear it out and make room for fresh and new.

MONDAY: French Toast, Bacon (carry over from last week)

TUESDAY: Pork Chops, probably baked potatoes

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti and meatballs with new sauce! Garlic bread

THURSDAY: Chicken, not sure what kind yet

FRIDAY: Either on your own or homemade pizza

On My To Do List

1. Go to Target
2. Grocery Store for fresh produce
3. One bill to pay (site was down last week)
4. Clear out freezer/fridge/pantry & maybe cabinets as well
5. Start giving house a spring look/feel (no idea what this means)

Creating

Trying to give house a spring look and feel. Planted some little Dollar Spot flowers in pots on the windowsill. Hopefully, something will bloom.  

Looking Around The House

It needs cleaned but doesn’t look horrible. Bathrooms aren’t really company ready. There is a place to sit on the living room couch though.

From The Camera

Last week was a slow week for taking pictures. Hoping to do better with this one. 

On My Prayer List

Friends, family, all the staff and strangers in the library (just because), neighbors, fellow bloggers and their families…

Quote For The Week

Saw this on Pinterest yesterday & thought it was perfect for this week!

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. (Proverb)

(I did a brief search on the source but couldn’t turn up anything other than proverb for it)

*****

What’s on your agenda for the week ahead?

Holiday here for most of us.  Boys are off school and I’m off work. My husband decided to go ahead and work today. Left while we were all still sleeping.

Lazy, late start kind of morning. Nice but I think I need to get back to a serious morning routine. And soon.

Time to plan the week ahead with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom. Go check it out and join in the fun if you’d like.

The Weather  

You’d have to live here to even begin to understand it. Here’s a photo shared by a local news station last week:

And then on Saturday, just when we thought the weather couldn’t get any stranger, graupel fell from the skies. What? Now, you’re just making up words. I thought that while watching the weather on Sunday morning. Nope, graupel is really a thing. 

And moving on to this week’s new (and not improved) weather forecast:

Sixteen degrees and cold this morning with a high of 27 later, snow storm again tomorrow though warmer 31 degrees, regular winter days for Wed-Friday and then, rain for Saturday.

Right Now I Am

Working on this post, trying to decide what to eat for breakfast, listening to J and his friend who stayed over play the X-box (made them chocolate chip muffins and heated up a bit of leftover bacon for their breakfast).  And getting lots of help on my post from the little gray cat sitting at my side on top of the computer desk.

Thinking

It’s time to get back into shape. The scale read the very wrong number this morning. I’ve been eating too much of the sugary junk foods and now I’m paying the price. Maybe I’ll check out Sandra’s 7 minute exercises.  Definitely time for another sugar-free challenge.

On My Reading Pile

It’s not here yet but I won a book from Goodreads! Can’t wait for my copy of Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin to arrive.

Meanwhile, last week I finished Hippie by Paulo Coelho and made a bit of progress in UnChristian: What A New Generation Thinks About Christianity…and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons. The second one’s a little heavy on data but it’s still interesting.

On My TV

I was super excited to finally watch God Friended Me again last night. I don’t even mind it’s mildly predictive nature, it’s just nice to watch a happy, feel good show.  My husband and I also watched a couple of Gabriel Iglesias comedy specials on Netflix. He’s funny and fairly clean in his comedy, very refreshing.

Other things watched on Netflix/Amazon Prime: Left Behind (the Nicholas Cage one), Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and I started re-watching The Walking Dead.

Not sure what I’ll watch this week. Seal Team‘s been replaced for the winter it seems by yet another talent competition show. I’ll spare you my rant about that one.

Favorite Blog Or Blog Post This Week

I found this food blog called Dinner, then Dessert via Pinterest while searching for a recipe. I like how her recipes are so detailed and most of the dishes seem “normal” which is a big find living in a house of picky eaters.

Something Fun To Share

Just stumbled across this one. In honor of President’s Day, all the current and past President’s favorite foods. 

On The Menu  

Still trying to sift through some fridge/freezer/pantry items as I menu plan.

MONDAY: Tacos/Chicken Enchiladas (I have sour cream about to expire)

TUESDAY:  Chicken strips *I have Bunco* *G has Pep band*

WEDNESDAY: French Toast and Sausage *I work 1:30-3:45*

THURSDAY:  Flank steak, not sure what I’m going to do with it yet*G has Pep band* *J has a baritone lesson*

FRIDAY: Pizza, maybe homemade

On My To Do List

1. Pay bills
2. Laundry
3. Find some snow boots (for me)
4. Take books back to library (Tuesday)
5. Take down Valentine’s Day stuff
6. Start spring cleaning the house

Looking Around The House

It’s not terrible but I’m ready to give it a good spring cleaning and freshen things up a bit.

From The Camera 

On My Prayer List

Family, Friends, All the people involved in a huge crash on I-70 Wednesday afternoon, Strangers.

Quote For The Week

How about a song instead. I’ve had this song stuck in my head ever since I started reading the Paulo Coelho book, Hippie. (note: song is not referenced in book, just what popped into my mind when I picked up the book)

*****

What are your plans for the week ahead?

Late today as I unexpectedly went into work for a full day. It’s certainly been a bit of a Monday around here as well. Weather making us all crabby, G waking up not feeling well, me dropping my car key in the crack between the back door and porch. Oh, and it poured rain all day.

Better get a start, even if it’s a late one, on planning the week ahead with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

Blah! At least it stayed above freezing today. However, really I’d prefer snow to an all day rain.  The rain’s turned the ground into a bizarre slush (we had ice/snow last week). I do see some 48 and 50 degree days predicted this week, hope the sun shows itself as well. Need some outside time. We all do.

Right Now I Am

Waiting for the oven to preheat so I can throw the (box) lasagna in it. Working on this post. Stopping to let the little gray cat outside (hoping I remember to let her back inside). Trying to decide if it’s worth it to take off my wet shoes and socks (I need to run out again later).

Thinking

It’s taking pretty much all the thought-power I have left today for this post.

On My Reading Pile

Finished Dark Winter by Anthony J Tata and Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng last week and into the weekend.  Not sure what I’ll pick up for this week.

On My TV

Last week we watched Deadpool 2 and I really enjoyed it. On Netflix, I started (why?) watching The Ted Bundy documentary…creepy. Then, we (not the kids) watched Silence of the Lambs. And by myself I watched both Terminator and Terminator Genisys.  Really, I’m just waiting for Seal Team and God Friended Me to air again. I miss my regular shows.

On My Menu

This is not the week to invite yourself to dinner at our house. I have no idea what we’re having. Trying to live out of the freezer/pantry and use what we have. Let’s see…

MONDAY: Box lasagna, salad, bread sticks from hot dog buns *I worked 9-3:45*

TUESDAY: Fish, baked potatoes

WEDNESDAY:  Country Ribs in Crock pot (yes, same ones that have been on this list forever) *I have an am hair appt*

THURSDAY:  Steak bites  *I work 9-1* *J’s baritone lesson*

FRIDAY:  Leftovers *I work 11-3:45* *G has pep band*

On My To Do List

1. Go to grocery store for produce/lunch stuff
2. Buy toilet paper
3. Mail electric bill  (this is new, our utility now charges an insane fee for on-line payments)
4. Valentine’s Day stuff, mail a few cards
5. Clean out fridge/pantry/cabinets
6. Get back on track with the clutter clearing
7. Come up with a “get healthy” plan, maybe start with a sugar-free challenge
8. Write and schedule a few blog posts

Creating

Nothing but I should add a #9 to my list, find fun project for winter.

Looking Around The House

Not awful because we had a few rooms (the main three) clean for my husband’s birthday. Bedrooms need lots of attention. And there are muddy footprints and paw prints across the hard wood floors and on the living room table (just paw prints there).

From The Camera

Didn’t take too many photos last week. I was super excited about my husband’s birthday cake coming out of the pan easily! 

On My Prayer List

Funeral procession I passed last week, coworkers, family, friends.

Quote For The Week

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)

*********

Did your Monday start off well? What’s on your agenda for the week ahead?