Just a little chat and update on MY life plus a review of my first Blue Apron recipe

THANK YOU Carrie!  My first Blue Apron box came today.  Such pretty vegetables and all the fixings for  the next 3 days. They also included wonderful recipe directions that were really easy to follow. I couldn’t wait to make dinner.  I let hubby choose the recipe and he chose the Chicken Under a “Brick” for our first meal. I have to say I was thoroughly impressed! Definitely a meal we’ll have again.

We also thought it might be a good idea to do a “Vision Board” for our search of the next house project. We would really like to find and old church, train station, fire station or school to rehab into an open floor plan and make a forever home.  Anyone know of anything in any of these states?

 

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY WEEK 14 of 2017

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was a whirlwind of road trip travel, surprises, a milestone birthday and memorials coupled with trying to stay out of the tornado warnings and weather.  It was a wonderful weekend of family, friends, love, loss, tears and laughter.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

It is beautiful and supposed to be quite warm and then cool off by the end of the week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

I really have to get to the grocery store today so it’s black cherry yogurt and coffee because that is all that is in the house LOL.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

Everything is in good standing.  The dog sitter was here all weekend and kept it quite neat.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Laundry
  • Ebay
  • Studio sorting

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

LOL I have NO idea! We’ll try to play catch-up on the DVR and go from there.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

My first Blue Apron order will be here Wednesday and I’m looking forward to trying some new recipes. A HUGE thank you to Carrie!

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
FRUIT & COFFEE
SCRAMBLED EGGS
QUICHE LORRAINE leftovers
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP
MEAT ROLL-UPS
SALAD
MEAT & CHEESE
C.O.R.N.
??
DINNER
CAJUN POT ROAST AND MASHED POTATOES
BLUE APRON CHICKEN UNDER A BRICK
BLUE APRON FONTINA STUFFED PORK CHOPS
BLUE APRON SPINACH AND FRESH MOZZARELLA PIZZA
WILTED SPINACH SALAD with GRILLED CHICKEN
POT ROAST HASH & EGGS
DESSERT

ON MY MIND

It’s been a long week and I’m still recovering, but just have to say, LIFE IS TOO SHORT to not enjoy your family and friends.  Don’t put off seeing your family and friends.  Don’t put off telling them how much they mean to you.  Tell them how much you love them ALWAYS!

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

Hubby and I are making very specific lists to begin researching where we will make home for our next project.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I haven’t gone through all the pictures, but this was one of the most interesting. It was a high rise on the San Antonio River Walk that creates this awesome optical illusion to make it look completely flat.

And this was one of my favorites I borrowed it from my IG account. It’s from the afternoon of the memorial and “surprise appearance”.  Love you LOLA, Happy milestone BIRTHDAY! RIP Ray, we love you!

#2ofmyFavoritePeople toasting to #1oftheBestMenEver #LifeAsItHappens

A post shared by 3 Sides of Crazy (@threesidesofcrazy) on

 

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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GARBAGE TRUCK RULE

EVERY time this story makes its way into my inbox, I smile.  I smile because it is SOOOOOOOO true.

GARBAGE TRUCK RULE

One day, I hopped into a taxi and took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly, a black car, jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed the brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, “Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!” This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck’

He explained, “Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. NEVER take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on with the routine life.” Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so…… ‘Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t.’

Life is 10% what you make and 90% how you take!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 4 of 2017

As many of you know I have been working to get my new website, Chasing MY Life, up and running.  Well, it’s up and it’s running.  It still needs some tweaking, but all in good time. I will mirror post for awhile and eventually just use Savory Kitchen Table as my personal recipe box. Tell me what you think about the new site.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We have had a torrential week of rain with major flooding in the area.  Fortunately we have not been flooded here in the house, only the garage, but we did end up with 2 fairly severe leaks that make me think of the old house in It’s A Wonderful Life when they first moved in.  All I can say is thank god for beach towels and buckets!  Hubby is waiting for things to dry out a bit so we can assess the damage and do the repairs.  Once the rain moved through we ended up with severe winds that required emptying the backyard of anything not nailed down, but on the up side it’s helping to dry things off up on the roof.

Today though is GORGEOUS! We are supposed to be sunny all week.  Unfortunately this close to the coast I NEVER bank on anything.  The torrential rain we had last week occurred while we were only under a 20% chance of rain and those days started out gorgeous too.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE

Ensure clear and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It looks pretty good.  I had a very productive week stuck inside last week’s rain.  I was able to go through the baking cabinet and the linen closet and took another 5 bags to the women’s shelter.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

I’ve been down with laryngitis and a cold or something last week also so will take it fairly easy this week.  With NO immunity because of the SLE hubby thinks I picked up a bug from all the digging in the filthy dirt (the local cats as well as my cousin’s cats had been using that area as a BIG cat box) it last week. I wore gloves, but evidently that wasn’t enough.

  • Paperwork
  • EBAY
  • Phone Calls
  • Make appointments
  • Sort China Cabinets
  • ERRANDS

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • WHEN CALLS THE HEART
  • PURE GENIUS
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • GRIMM
  • THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE
  • GOLIATH
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • HEARTLAND
  • HEART OF DIXIE
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAM SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ICE PILOTS
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

CRAFTS & PROJECTS

Probably nothing this week, but hopefully soon.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

BREAKFAST

YOGURT & FRUIT

SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE

FRUIT SMOOTHIE

YOGURT & FRUIT

MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS

PANCAKES

BACON & EGGS

LUNCH

FRUIT & CHEESE

SOUP & CRACKERS

SANDWICH

OUT

MEAT & CHEESE

LEFTOVERS

SANDWICHES

DINNER

GARLIC WINE CHICKEN

PEPPERONI MAC & CHEESE

C.O.R.N.

CHICKEN with MAGGI CREAM SAUCE

SLOPPY JOES

CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN

WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA

DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

  • 5 CHEESE GOURMET MAC & CHEESE
  • PARMESAN ROASTED CARROTS (recipe to come this week)

  • GARLIC CREAM CHICKEN (recipe to come this week)

  • SHEET PAN SWEDISH MEATBALLS (recipe to come this week)

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPSHOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

Between storms hubby kept plugging away on the fencing.  He was able to get the new downspout area done which I for some reason did not yet get a picture of as well as this section near the utilities.  Eventually there will be a short privacy fence keeping all these utility pieces out of sight.

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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BEFORE AND AFTER UPDATE ~ AKA WHAT DID WE GET OURSELVES INTO?????

Our original thought as we walked through the door (after braving the jungle of a backyard) 431 days ago was WTF did we get ourselves into here.  We were weary and tired, the dogs and cat were miserable after 6 days on the road.  We honestly considered turning around and going straight back to Oregon for about 10 minutes, but that made us even more tired when we thought about it. ALSO, we had moving trucks from where we had things stored in two different states already on the way and had already spent a fortune to get here.  PLUS this was to help family so we stayed to see it through and have been working REALLY hard ever since.  I know grams is no longer turning in her grave at what her house became and is resting peacefully seeing it restored.

Coming here was supposed to accomplish three things.  The first being a place for us to settle and re-group our life after the Cancer, multiple surgeries, years of care giving for multiple people and have time to deal with the VA claim from hell.  Well, that has YET to happen as we have spent every waking hour just making this place livable. The second was to be near family – the same family that now that we’re here can’t seem to take time to spend together unless there’s an emergency. The third was to help out my aunt and uncle after my cousin’s death.  My uncle had his hands FULL since my aunt’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.  We were glad we could be here to help him especially after the fall that shattered her knee, the surgery for that along with the hospitalization and skilled nursing for the infection that ultimately took her life.  We did NOT expect him to decide two weeks later he was getting re-married and moving 5 states away.

You know how people say you’ll never use algebra after you get out of school? Well, I’m here to prove them wrong.  I loved word problems and algebraic equations and find I really do use them all the time.  This house is a perfect example.

X (minimum cash outlay) + Y (reasonable sweat labor done at a reasonable pace) + Z (fair price) = (PLACE TO SETTLE at a reasonable cost while helping family)

Seems like a simple equation right? That was before when my uncle said all the fixtures, appliances and flooring were good.  He did say the garage and backyard needed some cleanup as well as the house needing cleaned up and painted. He did NOT say that the garage leaked like a sieve and would also need major work.

So now factor in the ALL the things he DIDN’T tell us about “correctly” – like ALL fixtures, appliances, flooring, windows and doors, electrical and plumbing needing to be replaced, city and county code infractions, major drywall repair, bug and rodent infestation, as well as the fact that my cousin was a pack rat/hoarder who didn’t clean and that it would take 2 1/2 months of 12+ hour days, 7 days a week JUST to clear out ALL her trash and potential donations, not to mention the $900 or so of beer and soda to keep the trash guys happy so they would take everything each trash day (which is twice a week fortunately) and that she was a chain smoker that left everything covered in a layer of tar and nicotine. So now the equation looks something like:

5X+ (maximum cash outlay) + 20Y+ (maximum sweat labor done at a breakneck pace just to make it livable) + 5Z+ (no longer a fair or reasonable price because uncle wants same amount he did originally = (PLACE TO FLIP because it has become a money pit) AND (leaving us completely upside down in time and financial means, but at least we helped family whether they appreciate it or not)

So on to the before and after pictures. Hubby is upset that the before pictures don’t truly show how HORRIBLY DISGUSTING this place really was. I just hope the after pictures show how truly GREAT it is now – it really is turn key now!

MASTER BEDROOM & BATHROOM BEFORE

There was “STUFF” everywhere!  The walls where all stained from who knows what and the carpeting was full of melted wax and cigarette burns even in the closet.  I have to say that my cousin was evidently suffering from some form of mental illness because this is NOT how she was raised!

The picture above is what I got out of the bedroom carpet on the first pass of available floor with my Rainbow Water Vacuum. Disgusting does not begin to describe how it looked or felt.  Below was just one of the cracks to be repaired that was caused by the foundation issues.

The master bathroom didn’t look too bad until you looked close or opened a door and saw all the mold in the wood. So, it ended up getting gutted too. It took me 2 weeks, but I did get the tile clean in the shower, but we still need to find someone to professionally refinish the tile.


MASTER BEDROOM & BATHROOM NOW 

Finally a new window and completed bedroom. We used wainscotting floor to ceiling for the new bathroom walls.

SPARE BEDROOM BEFORE

The spare bedroom was stacked to the ceiling with junk!  It also housed much of her “business” food products.  What was the city thinking when they gave her a food license to operate out of this house? Not to mention it is completely against the H.O.A. rules and regulations for this neighborhood. In the photo below the bottom left hand corner was mouse droppings. YUCK!!

SPARE BEDROOM NOW

KITCHEN/DINING/LAUNDRY AREA BEFORE
THERE WAS “STUFF” EVERYWHERE.  NOT ONE CABINET WAS CLEAN OR ORGANIZED .
THE CABINET HANDLES THAT WHERE THERE WERE GREASE AND DUST COATED. THE CABINET DOORS WERE HANGING BY A THREAD.

THE REFRIGERATOR WAS FULL OF SPOILED AND SPILLED FOOD, MILDEW AND MOLD – A SERIOUS SCIENCE PROJECT IN THE MAKING AND ONE THAT THIS IMMUNITY CHALLENGED GIRL WAS HAVING NO PART OF.  THE SEAL ON THE REFRIGERATOR DID NOT WORK AND HAD BEEN LEAKING OUT FOR SOME TIME. THE FREEZER WAS ANOTHER ISSUE TRYING TO GET THINGS OUT SINCE THEY HAD FROZEN INTO ONE BIG GLOB BECAUSE OF THE LEAKING SEAL.
This is the pantry floor as clean as it would get!  We scraped off all the linoleum and sanitized the foundation before re-flooring.
BEHIND THESE DOORS (which are off their hinges and just propped there) IS THE LAUNDRY AREA AND ONE OF THE SCARIEST LOOKING AREAS.  THERE WAS A RATS NEST UNDER THE COLLAPSING, NOT TO CODE WATER HEATER base.  THE DRYER WAS NOT VENTED TO THE OUTSIDE AND HAD NOT BEEN FOR SOME TIME AS THE LINT WAS EVERYWHERE AND THE WASHER LEAKED LIKE A SIEVE!

This 10 pound bag of sugar was spilled ALL over a pantry shelf and was one of the biggest sources for the ants, cockroaches and mice.

KITCHEN/DINING/LAUNDRY NOW
STUDIO BEFORE
STUDIO NOW
ATRIUM BEFORE
ATRIUM NOW

 

FOYER BEFORE

The door would no longer open due to the foundation issues and she used this 24 square feet (8×3) as a “CAT BOX” area.  I hate to admit that this was the MOST disgusting of ALL the house and required several bottles of hydrogen peroxide etcher after we removed the toxic 2 layers of tiles.

FOYER AFTER

New floor, new door and new paint are done and looking good. I LOVE how much light the new door lets in.

LIVING ROOM BEFORE

These are cracks, tears and stains in the atrium/living room carpeting.

It took weeks/months to get the living room to this organized point LOL.  Notice the crack near the vent?  It went all the way to the floor and was 3 inches wide.  It is also why we waited over 3 months for the highly recommended dry wall guy that turned out to be a HUGE joke. The picture below is the living room after we finally got it emptied and ready to start painting.

This is one of 3 sections of the living room carpet that had melted candle wax all over it.  She had just arranged the furniture over it.

 

LIVING ROOM NOW
We made built in cabinets in the living room to hold things like the DVD player, WiiU, movies and games, etc…

I could not get Whiskey to move so she’s in the picture! There are still many Christmas things sitting around as I get them pack up to put away, but all in all it’s looking good.

SPARE BATH  BEFORE

There was a funky built in area above the tub for linens that needed to be removed and the walls had to be re-done after the 2 layers of wall paper were removed and the wall board was peeling away. 

SPARE BATH NOW
GARAGE  BEFORE

This was after hubby spent 4 weeks cleaning and and making a path for donation and trash.

GARAGE NOW

Hubby has done wonders at creating a neat and organized garage!

It took months to get to this freezer and then weeks to get into it.  The key wouldn’t work!  Turns out the seal had failed and there was a HUGE layer of ice sealing it shut.  It then took hubby days to chip away ALL the ice and bag the food that was there. 

We are SO thankful for our trash guys.  For a case of beer and soda twice a week they took ALL we gave them.  Way more than they were supposed to or should have.  We thank them for going ABOVE and BEYOND!

ATTIC
From this point in the attic you can turn 3 directions, but they all look about the same.  We got as much stuff out of the attic as the house it seemed. It is now ALMOST empty except for some insulation that needs bagged and the storage boxes I added just around the opening for when we move.
I tried to salvage these globes covered in nicotine and dirt, but in the end it was a lost cause.
JUST A TYPICAL TRASH DAY.  It looked like this, sometimes double this EVERY! trash day (2 times a week) for 9 months!
The wiring had to be all re-done as gramps and possibly Beth’s boyfriend, Tom had done some really scary Mickey Mouse jobs that left us thankful the place hadn’t been burnt to the ground.  We found an awesome Electrician and while Tommy was expensive, he is a Master Electrician and left us with a safe feeling allowing us to sleep at night.

This was the path hubby created through to the back gate. We are anxious to get this area done next month.  Right now it is empty, but very uneven so we will begin with 100 bags of leveling sand and see where it goes from there.

Did I ever mention that the neighbor next door in a 2 story tried to buy this place because he loved the floor plan, but my uncle wouldn’t sell until the foundation work was done? In ALL honestly this house would still be sitting here in the same condition we found it if we hadn’t come long when we did.  Unfortunately for us it appears my uncle does NOT appreciate any of this. He still wants more money than it was worth and said if he’d realized it’s condition, he would have just dumped it.  If that is the case I have to wonder why he didn’t sell to the next door neighbor to begin with and honestly if he’s going to “DUMP” it why not do so to the people who spent the money for the parts and labor AND did the back breaking work for over a year?

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HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY ~ DECEMBER 12, 2016

I’m keeping it short this morning as my mom is here and we’re celebrating Christmas early. If the weather holds we are going to spend the day at Brazos Bend State Park, one of our favorite alligator parks.  I hope to post some great pictures later in the week.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s going to be a beautiful day!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
A banana, a tangerine and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I just don’t care.  I’ll tidy up after mom leaves Wednesday.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
MONDAY

  • ??

TUESDAY

  • ??

WEDNESDAY

  • Finish Christmas Shopping
  • Finish wrapping out of town gifts and prepare shipping boxes.

THURSDAY

  • Do shipping and errands.

FRIDAY

  • Laundry and Cleaning.

SATURDAY

  • Paint 2nd coat on wood work – hopefully it will be the last coat.
  • Dinner at an uncle’s house.

SUNDAY

  •  FREE DAY!

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • christmas movies
  • GILMORE GIRLS
  • WHEN CALLS THE HEART
  • PURE GENIUS
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • HEARTLAND
  • HEART OF DIXIE
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAM SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ICE PILOTS
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I’m going to start some jams later this week.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
PANCAKES & BACON
S.O.S.
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
1ST CHRISTMAS DINNER LEFTOVERS
OUT or C.O.R.N.
MEATLOAF & SALAD
GLAZED STUFFED PORK CHOPS
SLOPPY JOES
OUT
GREEN CHILI CHICKEN SOUP a recipe from facebook
DESSERT

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
This year I’m doing “long distance” elves on a shelf for my munchkins again.  I have so much fun trying to come up with new ideas.  This one was sentimental though as they are playing a game I played many a time with my grams and this was her board!

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

DAY 400 of the HOUSE FROM HELL

I’m still working on the before and after update that I hope to have done tomorrow or Friday, but we are elated today, day 400 of the House from Hell as we finally got carpeting!  It’s been a REALLY long haul and we are exhausted, but I couldn’t wait to get a few pictures and a brief update posted.

It was supposed to be installed on the 5th which I was dreading because it was supposed to be raining, but the phone rang yesterday mid morning and they said there was a cancellation for today and did we want it?  Hell yes we wanted it.  So we spent yesterday moving everything and stacking it anywhere it would fit to be ready for this.

While we were moving furniture out of the room to be carpeted, we “installed” sliders onto the bottoms of the heavier furniture. These are on the oak church pew. I have to say that it was an ingenious idea that we really appreciated today while putting the room back together.
We piled it as high as we could!
Empty to the slab and completely ready!
YAY! I love purple LOL don’t worry this is just the padding.
I’d never actually seen the seaming process take place – it was really interesting and the most time consuming part.
ALL done and ready to be put back together.
This is actually the table that usually sits in the atrium, but we removed the legs and tucked them underneath to use the table as a supportive base for the Christmas tree.
Working on getting it all put together.
EVERYBODY seems ALL settled in now.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY 11-28-2016

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We had a VERY small Thanksgiving, but it was good.

Now it’s time to go into full on Christmas prep! I did get Frosty and Rudolph out by the front door yesterday. We’re celebrating Christmas early with my mom on the 10th, on actual Christmas with just us and then again on the 27th with other family – I LOVE celebrating ALL month long!

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Absolutely beautiful. NOT! It was supposed to be a great week, but we woke up to wind and a severe thunderstorm.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Leftover Quiche Lorraine and coffee

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I still see a mess as we ready for the carpet installation next week, but at least it’s an organized chaos.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Monday – finish caulking new molding, painting new molding and doing another coat of paint on all baseboards that will be near carpeting.
  • Tuesday – laundry, vacuuming, clean oven and pantry
  • Wednesday – marblelize kitchen counters
  • Thursday – Errands, grocery shopping, nails
  • Friday – Plumber appointment, pest control appointment
  • Saturday – Install tub enclosure
  • Sunday – Empty living room and Atrium for carpet installation on Monday
  • Monday – Carpet installation and put rooms back together
  • Tuesday – Go cut Christmas tree and decorate
  • Wednesday – Central market grocery shopping for the prime rib for the first Christmas
  • Thursday – final cleaning before Mom gets here late that night

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • PURE GENIUS
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • HEARTLAND
  • HEART OF DIXIE
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAM SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ICE PILOTS
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CARROT & BEET SOUP with PARMESAN CRISPS
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
BBQ RIBS & SALAD
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND

  • Praying for peace for my mom as she lost her brother and my aunt Johanna as she is grieving my uncle’s passing last Friday. Mom was able to make it there in time to see him which I know was a blessing to her. Grateful that my uncle did not suffer for very long and his gentle passing.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • The holidays being upon us with all the baking and goodies
  • Chore list getting smaller (at least on the inside) of the house

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

It’s that time of year again.  I’m doing twin elves this year for my “nieces and nephew”.  Ralph and Walter here will arrive in their Christmas box for mom to do what she will on Christmas morning.
I’m so glad we did just a turkey breast for Thanksgiving.  It turned out gorgeous with my new apple cider brine and was the perfect amount of leftovers.

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, BLACK FRIDAY aka NIGHTMARE AT THE MALLS

Thanksgiving in the United States was observed on various dates throughout history, but by the mid 20th century, the final Thursday in November had become the customary day of Thanksgiving in most U.S. states. It was not until December 26, 1941, however, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, after pushing two years earlier to move the date earlier to give the country an economic boost, signed a bill into law with Congress, making Thanksgiving a national holiday and settling it to the fourth (but not final) Thursday in November.
The term BLACK FRIDAY appears to have been coined in Philadelphia by the police, where it was originally used to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic which would occur on the day after Thanksgiving. Use of the term began around 1966 and was used primarily on the east coast. It began to see broader use around 1975. Later an alternative explanation began to be offered: that “Black Friday” indicates the period during which retailers are turning a profit, or “in the black.
I know many of you probably love to participate in Black Friday.  I for one, can’t stand it.  I like to enjoy my Thanksgiving weekend in its entirety!  That means sleeping in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at least until 7.  I refuse to get up and go shopping at 3 AM for anyone or anything! More importantly, at least to me, is that I don’t want to rush through an important family holiday just so I can get up at 3 AM (if I got to bed at all) and go stand in line all day to spend money.
Traditionally, for me anyway, “Black Friday” has been spent sleeping in, eating turkey sandwiches, putting up the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts (because I am done shopping by Thanksgiving since most of my items need to be shipped), watching old movies, baking and any other thing that comes to mind.
So if you participate in black Friday, I hope it will be safe and enjoyable for you.  May I suggest next year though that you take it all a bit slower and enjoy the weekend long and leisurely?  Maybe take that weekend to make your gifts or holiday cards and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday AND the beginning of the Christmas Holiday season with your family.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY 11~21~2016

Good Morning everyone. I hope you had a great week.  Monday is upon us again and it’s time to kick it into high gear with Thanksgiving only 3 days away.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s absolutely GORGEOUS.  The overnight temperatures have been so low that the days are EXTREMELY pleasant and today will be no exception. The rest of the week is supposed to be ALL the same except for some rain on Wednesday morning. Thanksgiving should be PERFECT.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Oatmeal with brown sugar and golden raisins with coffee of course.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
It’s a managed chaos as I am compiling everything I can into the dining room to make the carpet installation go quickly and smoothly.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
The carpeting was supposed to be going in right after Thanksgiving, but there is delay – (of course there is) and it won’t be installed until December 6th  so we are doing double duty this week and next trying REALLY hard to finish up ALL the messy projects that require paint or grout. I’m still being a squeaky wheel trying to get them to move it up to the original date.

  • Monday – paint kitchen ceiling now that it has set for an entire week and should be really dry from the new mud.
  • Tuesday – finish caulking nail holes in all the new molding and paint as much as we can.  Molding and all the fine lines seems to take twice as long.
  • Wednesday – finish painting and do last layer of grout on entry way.
  • ThursdayHAPPY THANKSGIVING! It’ll just be the 2 of us so I have ALL day to cook and watch the parade and football. I’m going to try an apple cider brined turkey.  I figure with just the 2 of us, it’ll be a good time to experiment.  The rest of the meal will be tried and true traditional recipes
  • Friday – SORT, SORT, SORT in the studio.
  • Saturday – SORT, SORT, SORT in the studio.
  • Sunday – ?????  and Football

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • PURE GENIUS
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • HEARTLAND
  • HEART OF DIXIE
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAM SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ICE PILOTS
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
As soon as Thanksgiving is over I will get started for real – I have NO choice!

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
OUT
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
all from scratch: APPLE CIDER BRINED ROAST TURKEY, PARMSAN MASHED POTATOES, DRESSING, GRAVY, GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE, CRANBERRY SAUCE
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

ON MY MIND
Praying for my Uncle Bob and his condition.  He’s had managed (treated and then in remission) bone cancer for many years, but unfortunately it has now metastasized to his brain in a late stage form and we are on a day to day basis as he struggles with this.  My mom will be flying back to Pennsylvania to see him on Thanksgiving day.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • My ability to roll with the punches as we experience more delays at completing the house from hell.
  • A small, but planned relaxing Thanksgiving weekend.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
The wall crack is from the large vent to the slab and was more noticeable before the foundation work.  He has now taped it twice (the first taping was done poorly and bubbled and cracked immediately) and retextured the ENTIRE wall to match. Even with him here for 2 days he left imperfection “issues” that I was able to sand and patch.  I really didn’t want that man in my house a 3rd time.  After the first time I asked his boss to make sure he brought different tarps with him the next time as the tarps smelled to high heaven with mold and mildew and I have such a compromised immunity it was too much risk.  Well, he fooled me.  He just didn’t bring any tarps the 2nd time.

So much with waiting 3 months for the highly recommended contractor.  He won’t be receiving any recommendations from us!

These are the before and after from the recent dry wall guy hassles.  I was able to sand and fix his imperfection “issues” and they are no longer noticeable.

Once the carpeting goes in and the furniture is back in their proper places it will look more finished.
INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY 11~7~2016

MONDAY! HERE WE ARE AGAIN! 

A week ago was our 1 year “anniversary” of arriving here to the house from hell.  I’m still working on a post FULL of before and after pictures which I hope to have up yet this week.

Unfortunately we decided last Wednesday night to go to one of our formerly favorite TEXMEX restaurants to celebrate – BAD DECISION.  I say unfortunately because 10 hours later I was in the hospital with a severe case of food poisoning and a concussion from where I fell in the bathroom after I became violently ill. The ER doctor said it was the 2nd case that week from the same restaurant. So this will be a quiet and SLOW week for me and I hope to get back on track next week.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We had some SERIOUS thunderstorms last night and it is a little rainy this morning with a chance of more serious thunderstorms throughout the day. The temperatures have dropped into the 70’s (FINALLY!!) and so it is quite pleasant.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Honey nut cheerios with banana and milk and of course COFFEE!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m happy with the condition for a Monday after a week of issues.  I have tons to do, but as I’m on a modified bed rest will do it SLOWLY! AND I won’t be entirely upset if i doesn’t ALL get done.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Keep sorting craft parts in the studio.
  • Finish the marbelizing on the bar area and utility counter and hoping the delay of sitting several extra days before the top coat hasn’t changed the process.
  • Dust and vacuum.
  • Shade cloth for backyard behind our bedroom.
  • Prune roses and trim lantana.
  • Grocery store and errands.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We did find a new NETFLIX show, ICE Pilots, this weekend while I was forced to lay around and are really enjoying it.  Amazing show about keeping WWII planes in service in some of the harshest conditions imaginable.

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • HEARTLAND
  • HEART OF DIXIE
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAME SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
Unfortunately last week’s issues changed everything so I’m going to try this menu again this week.

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
PANCAKES or FRENCH TOAST
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
GRILLED STEAK and SALAD
CHICKEN & NOODLES
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

MONDAY! HERE WE ARE AGAIN! 

I was hoping to be redirecting you today to my new and improved website, but my webmaster has been called to do some photography field work and we are encountering another small delay while he is out of town.  That said, it has left me with time to continue my passionate “donation project” in an effort to clean out TONS of things.  I especially wanted to get jackets and blankets taken care of before any old weather sets in here.  I’ll keep those separate to take to the local homeless shelter along with towels and bedding.

This past weekend was our 1 year “anniversary” of arriving here to the house from hell.  I’m working on a post FULL of before and after pictures which I hope to have up yet this week.

We have been really working on this project with everything from tools to craft supplies and are EXTREMELY happy with the results over the past year, but especially the past 193 days with our total now over 8000 items.

One of the sad items I had to finally give up was my Girl Scout sweatshirt.  I was an advisor/leader for 3 sister troops – brownies through cadettes for several years and we had such a great time, but alas I have officially worn out this sweatshirt.  I will post this picture to facebook as I know it will make my niece/daughter smile.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is a little foggy, but is supposed to clear into a beautiful day.  We do have a chance for some showers later in the week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Honey nut cheerios with banana and milk and of course COFFEE!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m happy with the condition for a Monday.  I spent ALL day Saturday doing a DEEP DEEP CLEAN on our bedroom after I sorted the cold weather clothes and fabric stash so I’m happy with that room especially.  While I was doing that I also did 3 loads of laundry so have none to start the week with.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Keep sorting craft parts in the studio.
  • Last coat of paint on Carlie’s closet.
  • Dust and vacuum.
  • Shade cloth for backyard behind our bedroom.
  • Prune roses and trim lantana.
  • Grocery store and errands.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR

  • BIG BANG THEORY
  • NCIS
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • THIS IS US
  • BULL
  • SCORPION
  • SUPERGIRL
  • CHICAGO MED, PD, FIRE
  • THE GOOD PLACE
  • HEARTLAND
  • HEART OF DIXIE
  • STRANGER THINGS
  • LONGMIRE
  • Z-NATION
  • DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
  • MADAME SECRETARY
  • ONCE UPON A TIME 
  • CHESAPEAKE SHORES
  • ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

READING

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I spent a good deal of the week sorting through craft “PARTS” for the donation piles, but hope to get busy in this category within the next couple weeks.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
PANCAKES or FRENCH TOAST
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
GRILLED STEAK and SALAD
CHICKEN & NOODLES
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

HEALTH & BEAUTY TIPS

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I FINALLY was able to empty 2 steamers trunks of cold weather gear and re-load them with my quilting fabric stash – so even the fabric was sorted and some donated.
INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.