Happy Homemaker Monday, Spring Fever

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 

Beautiful Monday last week followed by a very cold, snowy Wednesday!

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.

My new candle scent for February.

A second blooming for the amaryllis!

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)

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

 

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday, Happy Day After The Superbowl!

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…

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How are you spending your first week of February?

 

 

Home Love Plans For The Last Week Of January

I must admit all my kitchen clearing has left me feeling a bit accomplished. Even if I didn’t get every single thing on last week’s list completed. I made great progress! And we almost have our kitchen table back. If only we could keep that surface clear.

My husband took the big box of kitchen item donations to the thrift store on Sunday. And I took this little box yesterday. (Note, the gumball machine is actually from G’s room. He wanted the space back on his dresser.) 

Last Week’s List:

  1. Clean out final cabinets, the two under the sink. I don’t think this should take long as it’s mostly storage of cookie sheets and a few cleaning supplies. Not a lot of room there.  DONE
  2. Clean out last kitchen drawer. It’s a true junk drawer and I’ve been avoiding it. DONE 
  3. Clean out all the freezers. Upstairs, the deep freeze downstairs, and see if anything is lurking in the extra fridge freezer (we mainly use the extra fridge for water, drinks, etc). Almost Done. Upstairs Freezer is done. 
  4. Wipe down front of all the cabinets and appliances. Ha! Not even close. Yet.
  5. Look into getting cushions for the kitchen chairs. I looked into it but am still deciding whether I want cushions. So, I guess….DONE

This Week’s List:

  1. Decorate small white tree for Valentine’s Day
  2. Clean off small shelf above and below rolling pin. Funny I thought I had it on the list last week. Guess not.
  3. Clean off front and sides of refrigerator
  4. Tackle top of the refrigerator *shudder*
  5. Sweep and mop kitchen floor

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As happy as I am with my kitchen progress, I admit I’ll be happy to switch my focus to a new room for the month of February. I’m still deciding on my February focus. Our bedroom is still in a bit of a remodel status so I’m not sure I want to go that route. Most likely, I’ll start in on the living room as well as the office/teenager hangout space in the basement.

 

Happy Homemaker Monday: Goodbye, January!

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)

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Home Love Plans For A Wintry Week

Looks as though winter is here for a while after all. Hard to believe less than a month ago, we were enjoying warm weather around the fire pit in the backyard without coats. On Christmas! Wouldn’t want to go out there now on this 12 degree day without coats and hats and gloves.

Good week to stay inside, warm and cozy, at home. Except I have to work.  Somehow, now every day except today. How does that happen? Thankfully, mostly afternoons so I should still be able to get some home love in during the mornings.

Let’s see how I fared last week.

My Home Love Items From Last Week:

  1. Put out the Valentine’s Garden Flag. DONE
  2. Clear out last upper kitchen cabinet (one with coffee cups and glasses) DONE
  3. Clean and clear out silverware drawer. DONE  Here’s the before:

    AND AFTER:  

  4. Clean and clear out one lower cabinet. DONE Did both plus the two drawers above them. Lighting is bad on that side of kitchen so only took an in progress photo of all the stuff:
  5.  Figure out new staging area besides kitchen table. Didn’t succeed at this one. However, did get it cleared off enough for us to eat dinner there one night so not all hope is lost!
  6. Get some nice smelling dish soap. DONE Used a Target gift card to buy some Mrs. Meyers cleaning products including Lemon Verbena dish soap. I like the dish soap. However, confess to still preferring my Method cleaning supplies. 
  7. Drop off box of kitchen stuff donation. Weather got in the way on this one. Hopefully, I can get it done today. Pretty big box of stuff to go:

Going to keep the list for this week a bit shorter, I think.

Home Love Items For This Week:

  1. Clean out final cabinets, the two under the sink. I don’t think this should take long as it’s mostly storage of cookie sheets and a few cleaning supplies. Not a lot of room there.
  2. Clean out last kitchen drawer. It’s a true junk drawer and I’ve been avoiding it.
  3. Clean out all the freezers. Upstairs, the deep freeze downstairs, and see if anything is lurking in the extra fridge freezer (we mainly use the extra fridge for water, drinks, etc). Here’s a peek at the current state of the regular attached to the fridge freezer:
  4. Wipe down front of all the cabinets and appliances.
  5. Look into getting cushions for the kitchen chairs.

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Next week is my last week in the kitchen for my home project. So far, I’m excited about the progress I’ve made. Starting to think about what room (or rooms) to tackle next.

Are you doing any major home cleaning/clearing out projects? How’s it going?

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