I didn’t wake up with a fever (thank goodness!). However, I did wake up with an awful case of spring fever! These milder days between the winter weather make me so ready to be out in the yard. I’m ready for some green grass on the ground and green leaves on the trees!

Taking a break from a morning of running J to school, chopping vegetables, and a *tiny* bit of cleaning to put together my weekly planning post. Joining in as always with Sandra from Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather 

Honestly, even as I gripe about having spring fever, not bad for February. Mostly in the low 40’s all week. A chance of something on Wednesday, rain, snow, or both depending on the TV channel. I see a 47 degrees for Saturday. Sold!

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Pretty good and motivated to get lots done today. I think I must have slept pretty well as I woke up just before the alarm today.

On My Mind

The many things I’m hoping to accomplish today. What our Valentine’s Day is going to be (my husband has to work late all week including Friday). A bit of panic about this week starting the 2 week countdown to my long-term substitute teaching time at work.

On My To Do List

1. Wash J’s bedding (started!)
2. Clean and chop up vegetables in fridge DONE
3. Clean out fridge/freezer
4. Go to grocery store (weekly thing though I’ll have to shift this back to Sunday nights soon)
5. Clean off the top of this desk, sort through some bills and papers (pay bills)
6. Schedule some blog posts
7. Vacuum basement
8. Valentine gifts for my husband and the boys (nothing big…probably just some candy)

On The Breakfast Plate

Apple cinnamon oatmeal, two sausage patties (left-over from Saturday’s breakfast), and coffee

On My Reading Pile

I finished Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate last week. And I loved it! Been a while since I read a book where I lost track of everything around me. Also, read one called Bad Memory (Jessica Shaw, #2) by Lisa Gray. Also enjoyable, especially the bits of late 80’s nostalgia sprinkled throughout the story. Now, I’ve started on The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, The Japanese Way by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles.

TV Viewing

Hoarders. Yes, still.

On The Menu This Week

I want to try and maybe plan some double meals this week so I can freeze things for busier days.

MONDAY:  Chicken sausages, rice (or left-over spaghetti/meatballs) *J has a baritone lesson at 6*

TUESDAY: Tacos or maybe taco salad *making a double batch of taco meat* MNO for me

WEDNESDAY:  Steak bites, baked potatoes *I work 7:15 to ?10 maybe*

THURSDAY:  Copy Cat Chik-Fil-A sandwiches *J has pep band*

FRIDAY:  Roast in the crock pot *J has pep band*

From The Camera

I ended up working quite a bit more and longer hours than expected last week (a teacher had the flu) and falling quite short of my “pick up my camera every day” goal for 2020.

Looking Around The House

Did I mention I’ve been watching lots of episodes of Hoarders? It looks pretty good. Also, my husband’s birthday was Saturday so I cleaned for that.

Chore I’m Not Looking Forward To Today or This Week

Got the big hassle out of the way over the weekend (rescheduling jury duty…SIGH). I’m not too excited to start sorting through all the papers on this desk today but I will be excited for a clean space again.

To Relax This Week I Will

Read in my book, have a cup of tea, and probably binge-watch some more episodes of Hoarders. 

On My Prayer List

Family, friends, my co-workers and the students at my school.

Devotional/Bible Verse/Quote For The Week

I read something very hurtful on Facebook earlier this week. And it made me quite angry (and sad). The temptation to type this particular bible verse in all caps was very great. I didn’t, choosing instead to take a deep breath (or 10) and ignore it.

However, the verse is a great reminder for everyone (including myself).

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  (Matthew 7:3)

**********

What’s on your agenda for this week? Do you have spring fever as well?

 

 

 

Guess what? The Chiefs won the Superbowl!

Such a great game. And so fun to just listen from the kitchen and hear how it sounded so almost like Arrowhead stadium there. Our city is just a little excited about things. Last night sounded like a wonderful combination of New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July merged into one.

And yes, we may or may not have added to that noise. (Celebration noise so loud it showed up on The National Weather Service Radar.  Schools have already started closing so teachers and kids can attend the parade on Wednesday.  Our local superintendent was on the first ones to cancel declaring a “red snow day.”

Now, it’s time to sleepily plan the rest of this week. Joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

It’s been absolutely beautiful. I even had the windows open for a bit yesterday. However, the forecast tomorrow is for snow overnight into Wednesday. We had a lovely spring preview but winter is returning for this week. Aside from today when we are supposed to hit 60 (!), the rest of the week is in the 30’s with some snow tomorrow.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

In a good mood but TIRED! I went and worked just for few hours from 7 until 10 this morning. Glad it wasn’t a full day or even really a half day.

On My Mind

Starting at the end of this month, I’m going to be doing a long-term substitute position for roughly 8 weeks. Thinking about the things I need to do to make sure things go smoothly around here.

On My To Do List

Brought this category back. I need it!

1. Get birdseed
2. Go to grocery store
3. Pay a few bills
4. Look into getting a few more work clothes
5. Figure out what we’re going to do for my husband’s birthday (Saturday)
6. Get my husband’s birthday present (he wants a Superbowl shirt)

The Breakfast Plate

I had a strawberry cheesecake flavor of the Chobani Flip Yogurt. And coffee.

On My Reading Pile

I read a novel called The Lady In the Lake by Laura Lippman which didn’t do much for me and a short Ted talk book called Judge This by Chip Kidd which was fun and enjoyable. Yesterday, I started in on Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.

TV Viewing

Hoarders still. My husband can’t stand it though. I watched a few episodes of Flea Market Flip with him. And we finally got around to watching The Bohemian Rhapsody movie. Loved that one!

On The Menu This Week

Did I mention I need to go to the grocery store? And I’m not sure what exactly happened last week (I did work a lot more than planned) but we only ate one of our planned meals and not on the day I planned it.

MONDAY: Honestly, probably left over pizza and salad maybe. *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Pulled Pork Sandwiches (from freezer) *I work 3-6* *J has pep band at 6*

WEDNESDAY: Chicken sausages and potatoes, rice *NO SCHOOL for J and I’m not working!* *I have a hair appointment at 9 unless it gets rescheduled*

THURSDAY: BBQ chicken (planning on throwing it in the crock pot), baked potatoes *J has pep band at 6*

FRIDAY: No idea. (Depends on what husband wants to do for his birthday on Saturday)

From The Camera:

Looking Around The House:

I put up a little Valentine’s Day decor and cleaned a tiny bit but it still needs picked up and cleaned a lot.

Chore I’m Not Looking Forward To Today Or This Week

I really need to clean out the cat box. Yuck-o but it must be done.

To Relax This Week I Will

Today’s answer is leaning toward take a nap! Read my book and pick up my camera are the other two options. And spend some time outside today soaking up the sunshine.

On My Prayer List

Some friends, family, and preschool students who’ve been sick with the flu. All those dealing with illnesses. The safety of the people in this city (and the K.C. Chiefs) as they celebrate the big Superbowl win.

Devotional/Bible Verse/Thought For The Week

How’s that cliche go? Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words…

**********

How are you spending your first week of February?

 

 

While it’s time to start saying things like “I can’t believe it’s already the last week of January!”, I’m feeling a bit more like the meme I saw a few days ago on Facebook. It said something to the tune of it being the 95th day of January, 3 years since Christmas, and pay day somehow still being 6 weeks away.

January hasn’t been a bad month. Not at all. Just a very long one it seems! I’m excited to welcome February, the month of love, on Saturday. Has January felt like it’s going on forever to you?

Time to join in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom to do a little weekly planning.

The Weather

Yep, it’s still winter! Thankfully, this week is looking a bit better and warmer weather-wise. Highs in the mid to upper 30’s all week until Superbowl Sunday when it’s supposed to be almost 50! Of course, there’s also a chance for a slight dusting of snow overnight Tuesday into Wednesday but nothing serious.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Cautiously, optimistically motivated. Got lots to do today and hoping to get it all done (and not get called into work, though I’ll go if I do get called. Unless my son’s car doesn’t start, looked like something in the interior stayed on all night….then, I’ll be the nice mom giving him a ride to his college classes.

On My Mind

The things I need/want to get done today/this week. I’m debating adding the “On My To Do List” category back into these posts. I miss it.

Also, still debating calling and/or switching blog hosting companies. Apparently the PHP of this blog needs a serious update but my host company is way behind (unless I, of course, pay more money). Since I’ve been a customer for years, I should call and see what kind of deal they’ll give me or I’m going host shopping since I see more for less many places.

I know my host provider isn’t alone in this business practice but it’s still very frustrating and annoying. Rewarding loyal customers as well as new ones cannot possibly be that hard.

The Breakfast Plate

Out of oatmeal (really need to go to the store today) so I had a Chobani Flip yogurt. And of course, coffee. Just made a new pot as I’m trying to use up the Starbucks Holiday Blend that my husband doesn’t like.

On My Reading Pile

Lots of library books! I’m between books for the moment though I’ll pick one up to take to J’s lesson tonight. Last week I read Bitter Falls (Stillhouse Lake #4)  by Rachel Caine and loved it. It’s a great series.  l also read Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan. A great, although intense, non-fiction read. Oh and I finished Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen. It was well-written but it didn’t WOW me like it seemed to do with other readers.

TV Viewing

Finished watching The Librarians, sad it didn’t go past season 4 as I really enjoyed it despite it being a loose rip-off on the Dr. Who theme. Nothing really bad in it as far as “mature” themes. Didn’t care who walked through the room when I was watching.

I’ve moved on to a bit more reality-based TV. Thank you, Hulu for adding the Spring Baking Championship on there. I enjoy this series of baking competition shows. And I’ve discovered Hoarders. Can you believe I’d never seen it before? I knew of the show but had never watched an episode. And now, I cannot stop watching it.

On The Menu This Week

I am in desperate need of a proper grocery store trip. We’d survive but the snacking teenagers are starting to revolt a bit.

MONDAY: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread (carry over meal) *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: BBQ chicken, rice, mac & cheese for the boys, salad

WEDNESDAY: Pork chops, baked sweet potatoes

THURSDAY: Pulled Pork Sandwiches, French Fries (All in freezer) *I work 3-6*

FRIDAY:

From The Camera

Winter Wonderland from our snowfall last week.

Looking Around The House 

Considering I’ve been watching Hoarders…it looks fantastic! And my Amaryllis is about to bloom again? However, in reality…I need to do some cleaning. The bathrooms and kitchen floor really need a bit of attention.

Chore I’m Not Looking Forward To Today Or This Week

I need to dust the vent fan in the main bathroom and the ceiling fan in the living room (probably the kitchen as well). Don’t like to do it because they’re hard to reach and I always end up covered in dust no matter what method I try.

To Relax This Week I Will 

Keep watching my birds, pick up a new book, and probably watch more TV. Maybe though…it will be warm enough (and not so muddy) that I can go on a walk somewhere. That sounds nice.

On My Prayer List

Family, friends, strangers. Those dealing with scary illnesses. Those with hardened hearts that they find some kindness and forgiveness.

Devotional/Bible Verse/Thought For The Week

Let all that you do be done in love. ( 1 Corinthians 16:14)

************

 

 

 

 

Fifty years to do it but the K.C. Chiefs are finally Super Bowl bound again! I’d love to say I watched every minute of that last game but like a dedicated fan, I took one for the team and read my book. (Every time I’ve watched the game, they’ve lost.)

It sounded like New Year’s Eve all over again when we opened our door after the game yesterday. J and my husband even added a bit to the festivities by shooting off a small firework. Miami sounds really nice and warm about now. Of course, so does an extra roughly $10,000 dollars (estimated price of two tickets to the big game).

On to the week ahead for those of us without quite that much money in our fun accounts. Joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

COLD. It was 12 degrees when the cat shuddered after meowing for the human to open her door to the world. Right now it’s snowing.

Glad we don’t have to leave the house until later. Last week was ice on Friday morning which gave most of us (my husband excluded) a 4 day weekend. This week is more winter weather: snow today but nothing serious, cold all week, warmer as the week ends with a mix of snow and rain and maybe the “advisory” kind of weather. Tomorrow is the only sunny day in the forecast, may need to brave the cold and soak up some of that.

How I Am Feeling This Morning

Honestly, I woke up with a headache and it’s still lingering a bit. And I’m lacking a bit of motivation. Happy the Chiefs won and that this week (so far) isn’t looking nearly as busy as last week.

On My Mind

Lots of stuff. Mostly the stuff I need to do today. Pay the bills. Laundry! Move the trash bag I put just outside the back door on Friday (too icy to walk to the trash) over to the trash. Watering the plants. Whether I want to attempt to go out and run errands today (probably not…might save that for tomorrow).

The Breakfast Plate

Coffee, Cereal (Okay, I had a Rice Crispy treat but that’s still cereal, right?), and whole wheat toast with apricot jelly.

On My Reading Pile

Still doing lots of reading! Finished the Jen Hatmaker book (enjoyed it) and then read three books in a row by the same author.

Read all the books in Brian Freeman’s Frost Easton series: The Night Bird (best one of the three probably), The Voice Inside, and The Crooked Street. They’re of the thriller/mystery genre. While not my favorite genre to read, the main character is engaging and kept me interested. Plus, he has a cat as a sidekick. How can you not like that?

Now, I’m working my way through Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I’d like to say it doesn’t feel like a high school English class assigned reading but I’d be lying. That’s not to say the book is bad by any note…just different than my quick to read thrillers I’ve been blowing through.

TV Viewing

Not much. Didn’t watch the Chiefs game except in very few glances. A few episodes of The Librarians (I’ve reached the fourth and final season…sad as I really do enjoy the campy vibe of the series). And the morning news plus snatches of the morning talk shows if I don’t turn the TV off in time.

On The Menu This Week

No idea and I need to go to the store again. Basing this menu off what I know we have on hand.

MONDAY:  Chicken sausage, potatoes, and cabbage salad (depends on package date) *J has baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY:  Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread *I have Bunco*

WEDNESDAY: Honey teriyaki chicken bites, rice

THURSDAY: Roast in the crock pot *I work 3-6*

FRIDAY: Steak salad *I work 7:15-3:30*

From The Camera

Still doing pretty good with picking up the camera every day.

Looking Around The House

Not awful but needs attention. I do have a big box of kitchen stuff donations now sitting in the middle of the living room. It’s starting to look like part of the decor, not good.

Chore I’m Not Looking Forward To Today Or This Week

Paying the bills! Of course. I’ll probably do it first just to get it out-of-the-way.

To Relax This Week, I Will

Watch my bird feeders and pick up my camera.

On My Prayer List

Friend who just had family member diagnosed with cancer, family near and far, strangers. The nice lady I chatted with in line at the Dollar Tree last week. No reason, I just had a sudden thought I should add her to this list.

Devotional/Bible Verse/Thought For The Week

While I know I should probably share a Martin Luther King, Jr quote here in honor of his holiday, I really want to share something else instead. My word for the year in 2020 is home. And I stumbled across this sentence while reading Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmaker:

There is nothing more meaningful, life-giving, or lovely than home. 

********

 

Happy Monday! 

Ready for another week? This one seems a bit busier than usual around here. 

Just going to get right to the post. Joining in as always with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.  Sandra switched up the categories for the new year/decade!

The weather

We had a winner (Go Chiefs!)/Winter weekend.

Bleak picture belies the festive mood of our city. This week is back to our normal all over the place weather with highs mostly in the upper 40’s and another chance of snow/rain (depends on the temperature) on Friday.

How I am feeling this morning

Woke up tired. Slept okay but was not ready for that 6:00 AM alarm. Feeling a bit overwhelmed when I look at the calendar.   I work every single day except tomorrow and J has an activity (lesson/Pep band) every single night except Wednesday.

He also needs new shoes and a hair cut which we now have planned for Wednesday evening. And we’re out of many household supplies meaning tomorrow my “free” day is also slated to be spent mostly running around.  Guess I’m feeling a bit grumpy this morning.

On my mind

All of the above things on the calendar.

My job, the school changed quite a bit in the past few years, it has grown which is a good thing but I’m really missing the small feel of the beginning. I’m not a fan of some of the newer changes (even though I understand the need).

Plus, one of my very favorite teachers is leaving at the end of the school year. She taught me so much as she was there from the beginning and so I’m so sad to see her go. Another newer teacher is also moving on so I’m starting to wonder about things. I have to remind myself I work in a field with a high turnover/burnout rate and yet….hopefully, today will be a good day as I do work at 1 PM.

The breakfast plate

Apple cinnamon instant oatmeal and too much coffee

On my reading pile

Went on a bit of a reading rampage over the weekend since Good reads told me I was behind on my goal for the year!

Finished reading Home Sweet Maison: The French Art of Making a Home by Danielle Postel-Vinay. Then picked up The Testaments by Margaret Atwood and finished it in a day. Read one of my Amazon Prime, first read choices, Thief River Falls by Brian Freeman. And finally, yesterday, I read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Reviewed the first three over on Good Reads. 

I only have one library book left to read this week: Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmaker.

TV viewing

Didn’t watch the Chiefs game except in glances (I can’t officially watch or they tend to lose…ahem, yes I did watch for the first few minutes).  Mostly, I’ve been watching The Librarians on Hulu. Not sure what I’ll watch this week.

On the menu this week

Did I mention this week seemed busier than normal?

MONDAY:  Chicken legs, rice *I work 1-3:45* *J has a baritone lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY:  Pulled pork sandwiches, homemade sweet potato chips *J has pep band at 6*

WEDNESDAY:  Taco salads?  *I work 12:15-3:45* *Haircut/shoe shopping with J*

THURSDAY: Chicken sausage/coleslaw/potatoes  *I work 7:00-3:45* *J has pep band at 6*

FRIDAY:  French Toast (freezer) and sausage *I work 7:00-3:45* *J has pep band at 6*

From the camera 

I’ve been doing pretty good with my goal of picking up the camera every day in 2020!  

Looking around the house

I cleaned a teeny tiny bit yesterday morning but you can’t really tell. It’s in need of a deep clean especially the bathrooms.

Chore I’m not looking forward to today or this week

Clearing off the kitchen table. I’m working through the kitchen in a big clean out/clear out project. I have one upper kitchen cabinet to go. However, it means this is very close to the current state of our kitchen table:

I’ve put away some of the items but the table remains covered with new discoveries.  I also need to pay bills, never a fun task.

To relax this week, I will

Listen to some peaceful music at home. Turn up my 80’s tunes in my car! Take my time in Target (maybe…that might get expensive).

On my prayer list

My children, all the college kids returning to classes this week, some sick friends and their family members, neighbors, strangers.

Devotional/Bible Verse/Quote For The Week

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)

I finally hung this picture up in our bathroom. It hung in my husband’s grandparents’ bathroom for years. So, seemed a fitting place to hang it up in the bathroom off our bedroom. A nice reminder for us all:

*******************

What does your week ahead look like?