And yet, it’s still going to be a busy week! I’m actually starting my Happy Homemaker Monday post on Sunday. Who knows how much computer time I’ll have tomorrow.

This week definitely needs a plan.  My oldest son is leaving Tuesday to go on a trip with his high school band. My youngest has already, the day before the last day of school, said THOSE two words.

The Weather This Week

Is it March or is it May?  I asked that question on Sunday morning. It’s pretty nice this morning with a shining sun although still a bit cool out. Rain is supposed to come this afternoon.  Upper 60s the rest of the week until the weekend when the chances of thunderstorms return.

On My Reading Pile

I finally finished reading The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins but haven’t started anything new yet.

Movies Or Television Shows I Watched This Weekend

I attempted to watch Bad Moms but turned it off after about 10 (if that) minutes.  I had to turn it off due to content since I was trying to watch it while my boys were home but it was so raunchy in the first 10 minutes that I didn’t want to risk them coming into the room where I was watching it.  Honestly, I have no desire to see the rest of it and I usually love stupid comedies.

My husband has been watching Last Man Standing on Netflix and so I’ve been watching that with him.  It’s a fun show we can watch together without worrying about the boys being around while it’s on the TV.

On My TV

No idea except for the season finale of The Flash.  If you watch the show, you’ll know what I mean when I say, I hope that didn’t really happen!

Menu

It should be an interesting one to plan this week since it will just be the 3 of us but then J will probably have friends staying over sprinkled in throughout the week.

MONDAY:  Roast in the crock pot, carry over from last week

TUESDAY:  Tacos again probably (J has a friend staying over so it may also be out)

WEDNESDAY: ham steaks and potatoes

THURSDAY: Lasagna (from a box), salad, and garlic bread

FRIDAY:  Breakfast for dinner, either French Toast from the freezer or pancakes and bacon

To-Do List

1. Finish paying the bills
2. Grocery store!
3. Dollar Tree for body wash
4. Laundry
5. Make sure G has everything he needs for his trip
6. Any last-minute errands for G
7. Clean out fridge (every week)
8. Make a summer plan (it doesn’t “officially” start in my mind until next week)
9. Clean house

Creating

Still planning the flower areas in the front yard. This door just sort of “magically” appeared at the base of a tree in the front yard.  Can’t wait to see what the tiny homeowners do with the rest of their space.

Looking Around The House

Pretty much, the usual.  If you’ve been reading the blog for any time, you know that means it needs a good cleaning which I probably won’t do this week.

From The Camera

My Mother’s Day gift from my boys makes the expected rain a bit more bearable and exciting.  Into every rain barrel, a little rain must fall: Yesterday was G’s birthday, he wanted a very low-key celebration plus his traditional request of cookie cake: Queen of the neighbor’s fence:

What I’m Wearing Today:

Black tee-shirt (high school band shirt from G’s freshman year), green Capri pants, and tennis shoes

Simple Pleasure

Working on this blog and connecting with all the other wonderful bloggers out there.

Quote For The Week

In your calm is your strength.  (German Proverb)

 


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Don’t forget to check out all the other great blogs at the Happy Homemaker Monday link up, hosted by Sandra from Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom!

It’s another where has the year gone post from me!  Really though…where has the year gone?  This is the boys’ last week of school, not that I’m complaining about that. 

Last week of school equals super busy in these parts so I definitely need to get a planning post going this week.  Be sure to pop over and check out the blog of our Happy Homemaker Monday host, Sandra.

The Weather This Week

Hot! Hot! Hot!  It’s supposed to be 91 degrees later today but I’ll take it.  Mid to high 80s the rest of the week with odd chances of thunderstorms.  I love this kind of weather, finally warm enough to be outside without worrying about jackets.

On My Reading Pile

Did manage to take back my overdue books and renew my library card last week.  I’m reading The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins right now.  I like it but it takes a bit of concentration so I’m not breezing through it like I thought I might.

Movies or Television Shows I Watched This Weekend

We were visiting family out-of-town over the weekend so I didn’t watch much television.  I watched the Jason Bourne movie (yes, again) Thursday night/Friday morning. We watched some HGTV and some sort of live police show as well.

On My TV

Probably, just going to watch The Flash or something random on Netflix.

Menu

The word of the week for my menu is EASY.  I am not in the mood to be messing with fancy dinners or even dinners that require lots of effort.

MONDAY:  BLT’s, Chips or French Fries (depending on my motivation level…probably chips), Fruit  *G has a band meeting at school at 7*

TUESDAY:  Tacos *G has early morning band practice* *J needs a sack lunch*

WEDNESDAY:  Chicken legs, rice, salad *Open house at the middle school for J*

THURSDAY:Roast in the Crock pot

FRIDAY: Spaghetti or Fish…or most likely OUT to celebrate the last day of school *I work 8 until 4:45*

To-Do List

1. LOTS O’ Laundry (In progress)
2. Whole House Clean Up
3. Still need to clean out the fridge and freezer
4. Have teenager fix my cell phone so the annoying notification sound will stop
5. Water flowers/garden
6. Target or somewhere for soap and shampoo
7. More Vacation Planning
8. General Summer Planning
9. Whatever other stuff I didn’t do from the last list
10. Whatever other stuff I’m forgetting to list here

Creating

Still working on the landscaping in the front yard but haven’t done anything new to it yet. My aunt gave me a beautiful pot of flowers for Mother’s Day so I need to figure out where I want to put it.  The boys (and my husband) gave me the rain barrel I wanted.  We still need to get that set up (I haven’t managed to get a photo of it yet).

Looking Around The House

Looks like we left it a mess when we took off for the weekend and then added to that mess when we returned.  Yikes!

From The Camera

I already shared this on my personal face book page but I really do love this photo of a group of windmills in Oklahoma at sunset. 

What I’m Wearing Today

I opted to start laundry before showering so right now I’m in the clothes I threw on to run G to school: flowered tee-shirt, khaki shorts, and tennis shoes without socks.  I still need to shower and put on “real” clothes though.

Simple Pleasure

The smells of spring/summer flowers blooming, freshly mowed grass, the neighbors’ (or own) dinner on the grill, hot asphalt, baseball stadiums, amusement parks, etc.

Quote For The Week

The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.  (John Wooden)

A loving heart is the truest wisdom. (Charles Dickens)

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Is it a busy time of year for you as well?  What do you have planned for this week?

 

 

Glad to be back to writing a Happy Homemaker Monday post on an actual Monday.  It’s going to be another busy week ahead but maybe I can get a head start on things this time.

As always, don’t forget to check out our host, Sandra’s page, Diary of A Stay At Home Mom!

With 10 days left in the school year, a band concert, Mother’s Day weekend, and I’m sure 2 or 3 other things I’m forgetting, this week really needs a plan!

The Weather 

Beautiful! Finally, my kind of weather.

Highs in the low 80s and sunny the first couple of days this week.  Pretty good chances of thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday but it’s not going to be cold so it will be okay.  Back to sunny for the weekend.

On My Reading Pile

Same stack of overdue library books as last week.  I may have flipped through some magazines last week but that was about it.  I just need to set aside some time every day when I plan to read.

Movies Or Television Shows I Watched This Weekend

Sadly, we had a visitation and funeral for the mother of good friends of my husband to attend on Friday evening/Saturday that took up most of our weekend since the graveside service was out-of-town.  I watched a few episodes of Breaking Bad (watching it again) and my husband was watching Last Man Standing last night.

On My TV

Probably just The Flash.  I thought last week was the season finale for some reason but there are a couple of episodes left in the season.  I thought last week was pretty hokey so hopefully, they can redeem themselves for me.

Menu

As much as I needed a menu plan last week, I’m still struggling with any desire to plan one.  I’ve decided to do another sugar detox (basically I’m just following the same plan as 2 weeks ago) because I felt pretty good when I was cutting the sugar out of everything.

Still trying to switch us over to lighter, healthier fare. 

That’s the goal anyway.  Last night we had dinner at Quick-trip so it’s obviously going to be a bit of a process around here.

MONDAY:   Ham steaks, potatoes, maybe macaroni and cheese for the kids, salad *G may have a meeting at school*

TUESDAY:  fish for us, macaroni and cheese for the kids if I don’t make it tonight or frozen shrimp for them, baked potatoes, asparagus if it doesn’t cost a fortune when I go to the store

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread or I may throw a roast in the crock pot *haircut day*

THURSDAY:    Probably just leftovers or OUT *J’s band concert & I work until 3:45*

FRIDAY:  OUT (we’re going on a road trip)

To-Do List

1. Whole House Clean Up
2. Grocery store
3. Review Calendar and make sure I have everything on it
4. A Little Bit o’ Laundry
5. Renew Library Card (I’ll do this while hanging my head in shame and returning my now very overdue books)
6. Mother’s Day shopping
7. Work in the yard/garden
8. Clean out freezers

Creating

Still working on my flower garden area in the front yard.  Added to it yesterday. I have plans for the back half of this but as much as I want to buy all the things, I need to do it in phases.

Looking Around The House

Cue the Jaws music, or whatever music it is you find scary.

From The Camera

I didn’t have the heart to mow down these little white flowers that sprung up wild in the backyard so I left them over here by the swing set.  I have no idea what they are called? 

What I’m Wearing Today

Pastel colored flowered tee-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes but I’ll probably change into shorts if gets hot later.

Simple Pleasure

Vacation planning, really enjoy the process of researching and learning about new places.

Quote For The Week

Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.  (French Proverb)

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What kind of week do you have planned?

 

 

Well, my plan to do my weekly planning post on Sunday night changed to Monday night and then, to Tuesday.  Except now it’s Wednesday! Finally, a bit of a breather and time for some much belated weekly planning.

I’m not sure if it’s too late to link up with Sandra’s Happy Homemaker Monday post or not but you should go check it out anyway.  Her posts and the link up are always very inspiring.

Time to plan what’s left of this week:

The Weather

It’s raining AGAIN! It rained pretty much all weekend (there was horrible flooding in the southern part of our state) with a brief respite on Sunday afternoon.  Yesterday, we had a beautiful sunny day at least.  Rain all day today it seems. Looks like the sun will shine for the weekend though.

On My Reading Pile

A stack of overdue library books! I did get notice that the e-book I put on hold (not even sure how that works) is ready.   Curious to see how the Bourne Identity books compare to the movies.

Movies Or Television Shows I Watched This Weekend

You know you’re the mom of older kids when you start watching kid’s movies on Netflix by yourself.  I watched Kubo and the Two Strings.  I really enjoyed it and thought it had a bit more depth than most children’s movies.  It might be a bit scary in parts for much younger children although I think it’s rated PG.

On My TV

Watched The Flash last night.   The show has some explaining to do for me to accept the latest plot reveal.  Not sure what I’ll watch the rest of the week.

Menu

Halfway into the week without a sound menu plan is not a fun place to be.

MONDAY:  It lived up to its name as a Monday so I came home from work and threw a frozen pizza in the oven.

TUESDAY: My husband had pulled pork (store-bought ,yuck!) but the boys and I ate chicken legs

WEDNESDAY: G has a band concert tonight and I’m debating between throwing a roast in the crock pot or just grabbing something out.

THURSDAY:  French Toast or BBQ sandwiches (I work all day)

FRIDAY: Spaghetti

To-Do List

1. Take overdue books back to library
2. Get printer paper
3. Go to Sam’s Club
4. Clean out fridge!
5. Confirm June schedule at work

Creating

Would like to be finishing my garden area by the front porch.

Looking Around The House

It rained all weekend, I worked Monday, planned to clean all day yesterday.  Then, I was called into work all day.  I’ll just leave it to your imagination.  Maybe I’ll imagine it’s sparkling clean as well.

From The Camera

One of the peonies bloomed despite the gloomy, rainy weather.

What I’m Wearing Today

Long-sleeved sage colored tee-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.  I’ll probably change before the band concert but I’m not sure what I’ll wear to it.

Simple Pleasure

Sleeping in on a rainy day.

Quote For The Week

“Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”  (John F. Kennedy in a 1963 speech at American University)

Ever have those Sunday nights where everyone in the family just pretends it’s a 3 day weekend?  That was our Sunday night last night.  We just weren’t quite ready for the weekend to end I guess.

Monday came though.  It came just the same.  Interestingly, even the non-morning people weren’t terribly grouchy this morning.  They (I mean me) may need naps later though.

Time to get on with the business of planning this last week of April!

The Weather

Today is supposed to be warm and windy.  Highs in the 70s most the week except on days it might thunderstorm (then, it drops to the 50s): Wed, Fri, and Sat.  I’ll take it.  I am loving these warm, windy, and sunny spring days.

On My Reading Pile

I renewed my library books but sadly, I didn’t do much reading outside of working my way through a bunch of my April magazines. I need to make reading more of a personal priority.

Movies or Television Shows I Watched This Weekend

After finishing up season 2 of Better Call Saul on Friday night, I didn’t watch anything the rest of the weekend really.  Spent most of it outside (and at the grocery store and playing Monkey City on my phone with J).   My husband and I are split on Better Call Saul.  I love the slow, subtle storytelling pace of the show but he can’t stand it.

On My TV

The Flash is new on Tuesday night and I have a Netflix movie to watch (Jackie).  Maybe The Voice but it’s not “have to see” TV for me.

Menu

Another rough week to menu plan.  I know this is going to be a thing as the weather gets nicer.

Of course, a full week of snacking on Easter candy hasn’t helped any of our appetites either.  I actually signed myself up for a 5 day sugar detox challenge.  Wish me luck on this one!

Trying to get us turned back around to “real” food this week.  Of course, I’m also trying to clear out the pantry (AGAIN) so we’ll see how it all works out.

MONDAY:  pork chops, potatoes, iceberg lettuce wedge salad *car to dealership for service*

TUESDAY: steak bites (special request from husband), baked potatoes, asparagus, (grilled cheese sandwiches for kids)

WEDNESDAY: Spicy lemon chicken, veggie rotini (carry over from last week)

THURSDAY:  Fish (may try to make this orange shrimp for my husband and myself), probably fish sticks for the boys *coffee with a friend in a.m.*

FRIDAY: chicken enchiladas (special request from G), tacos for the rest of them *I work just the afternoon*

To-Do List

1. Take car to dealer for routine service
2. Fill the pepper shaker so I can quit pouring pepper out of the big container (You would think I’d have done this after the first time I enjoyed? “peppered” eggs for breakfast but no…)
3. Confirm Thursday plans
4. Clean kitchen
5. Take care of poor houseplants in need of re-potting
6. Make list of my summer “unavailable” dates for work
7. Get G registered to take ACT in June
8. Make master to-do list of house (inside and out) projects
9. Make list of 3 choices for Mother’s Day weekend activities to give to husband and kids
10. Pay bills?

Creating

Working on landscaping and adding a small flower garden in the front yard.

Think I may need to add some of those fairy gardens around the area.  The boys won’t care but they look so fun that I think I need one.  Maybe in this pot of lavender on the front porch?  We bought some marigolds for the garden but I decided a few needed to go in this pot by the front door (still working on my spring refresh from a few weeks ago). 

Looking Around The House

Same old. Same old.  Need to clean the kitchens and bathrooms, clean off kitchen table, etc.

From The Camera 

Yesterday’s progress on the flower garden area.  I have some summer bulbs planted and was super excited to find a milkweed plant at the local hardware store.

What I’m Wearing Today

Blue Black Hills/South Dakota Tee-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.

Simple Pleasure

Driving.  I don’t mean just to the grocery store or work but I do enjoy a longer car journey and noticing new things along the way.

Quote For The Week

 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3-4)

Also, I noticed this bumper sticker on my way back from the car dealership: Got Jesus? It’s hell without him.  (Thought it was pretty clever).

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Have a great week & don’t forget to check out all the other great blogs linked up to Happy Homemaker Monday hosted by Sandra from Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom!