Category: LIFE AS IT HAPPENS

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.
• Thursday – HAPPY 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

• I just finished THE BLACK SHEEP (North Moon Bay #1) by Patricia Ryan and am about to start the (North Moon Bay #2) THE MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT. I LOVE reading books in a series when I’m busy because you are already familiar with so many characters that books 2, 3 4… just seem like you’re reading a new chapter of the same story.

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

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• HONEY CARAMEL MACADAMIA TART
  
• HARVEST SOUP – PUMPKIN TURNIP
  
• RUSTIC CREAMY PARMESAN CHICKEN
  
• BUFFALO CHICKEN PULL-APART BREAD
  

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.

We had a fairly productive, yet lazy weekend here.  Sunday was the lazy part with A LOT of NASCAR since the races were both postponed due to Hurricane Matthew and Sunday being our big football day anyway.  The evenings have finally cooled off so we can enjoy the outside a bit.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The breeze is blowing and the temperature is absolutely beautiful this morning.  Our days are still heating up to the low 80’s, but the evenings are FINALLY cooling down into the 50’s and 60’s so it all equals out better and the humidity is finally MUCH lower so the little bit of heat is really tolerable.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Waffles and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see a HUGE mess! LOL it’s a GOOD mess though as I continue sorting and preparing Carlie’s room.  This week is the BIG craft room purge and looking for good homes for all the parts I no longer need.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

• Pick up the tub enclosure and get it installed for Carlie’s bathroom.
• Sort craft room 1 last time and organize new rolling tool box.
• Drop off the 2 HUGE boxes of Hallmark ornaments at the Children’s Hospital. 
• Buy new fabric storage boxes for quilting material.
• Paint Carlie’s closet.  While we got the rooms painted, we did not do the closets right off, but the time has come to do just that.
• Laundry and Cleaning.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We are trying all the new shows and will narrow them down soon – thank goodness for DVRs!

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

With everything else going on I’m in between books right now.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I really need to get going on the things I am canning and making for Christmas.   I did get my list made for what I will actually be making, now just to get it done.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• Loaded Baked Potato Soup
• Italian Garlic Supreme Pizza

ON MY MIND
Praying for ALL of those affected by Hurricane Matthew.  There are so many countries and communities fighting just to restore basic needs, Haiti in particular.

We are never ALL going to agree about EVERYTHING, but am thinking we should ALL be nicer to each other – especially in this politically charged presidential election season.  So many people seem to be adamant on serious battle lines being drawn and everything being black and white ONLY.  I hate to break it to everyone, but life is rarely black and white.  Learning to compromise and live in the gray area of intersected commonalities is probably the best we can do this season.  But seriously, BE KIND to each other no matter what your personal views are.  The other person’s views are just as important to them.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• LOL that the election is almost here and hopefully things will settle down a bit for everyone when it’s finally over.
• Progress on the house and the cooler weather so we can begin to work on the outside.

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.

DOUBLE WOW flew by and here we are back on another Monday. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for the first week of one of my favorite months.

We’re still here trying to finish this rehab!  You know the drill 2 steps forward only to take 10 backwards.  I did finally hear from the contractor and hopefully the last two ig things will be done by mid month and then we can order the carpet.  Looks like we really will be done by the 1 year mark.

I’m still working towards my new web page and hope to have it up and running soon with everything all combined.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER
The sun is shining and the temperatures as well as the humidity have ebbed a bit making life so much more enjoyable.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Oatmeal and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE I SEE & MY
WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I started cleaning over the weekend and some deep organizing as I try to combine two rooms together giving Carlie a completely empty room to move in to. I’ll try to finish the cleaning and de-cluttering today.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We are trying all the new shows and will narrow them down soon – thank goodness for DVRs!

• BIG BANG THEORY
• NCIS
• BLUE BLOODS
• THIS IS US
• BULL
• SCORPION
• THE GOOD PLACE
• THE PITCH
• LONGMIRE
• Z-NATION
• DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
• MADAME SECRETARY
• ONCE UPON A TIME 
• CHESAPEAKE SHORES
• ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

With everything else going on I’m in between books right now.
MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Hubby has been working like a dog on the garage. We are at the 11 month mark and it has been a long haul, but hubby finally reached his happy place.  Just to refresh your memory here are a couple of the before pictures of what we “inherited” with the garage followed by pictures from yesterday.

 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.

 

WHICH ONE DO YOU GUYS LIKE? 

Or do you think I need something entirely different?

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The sun is shining, FOR NOW, but we’ll see.  We are supposed to be a bit cooler this week with off and on thunderstorms. It is still not where I’d like for fall, but at least it is tolerable enough to get going on the backyard soon.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE I SEE & MY
WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

• I started cleaning on Saturday and got distracted so I’ll finish the cleaning and de-cluttering today. 
• I’m also getting more serious about donating as I’m beginning the “Make room for Carlie” changes.  We’re so excited to have her coming to live with us until her parents move this way. I keep wondering where ALL this stuff came from, but then I remember, sigh and get busy again.
• Finish the inventory and call the woman from Texas Children’s Hospital AGAIN.  I’m donating my Barbie and Hallmark ornament collection to them for the kids and am trying to coordinate a drop off.
• List a few things on eBay.
• Try and finish the Painted Churches tour post once and for all – I ended up with way too many pictures to edit.
• Start the drywall work in the living room.  Alas, the great contractor who was going to work us in before October is not returning calls or texts so I guess I’m just going to have to do it myself.  Hubby is busy working on putting up the interior walls in the garage.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
We are trying all the new shows and will narrow them down soon – thank goodness for DVRs!

• BIG BANG THEORY
• NCIS
• BLUE BLOODS
• THIS IS US
• BULL
• SCORPION
• THE GOOD PLACE
• THE PITCH
• LONGMIRE
• Z-NATION
• DESIGNATED SURVIVOR
• MADAME SECRETARY
• ONCE UPON A TIME 
• CHESAPEAKE SHORES
• ETC……. I’m sure I forgot a few…

With everything else going on I’m in between books right now.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

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.

It’s been a very long week and an even longer weekend and I’m just not feeling up to par. We worked outside several days on the backyard area and it is super slow going.  Digging in clay like mud/dirt and rock is horrible, but worse in the 90+ degree heat and humidity we are still having.  At least things are dry right now near the garage edge so we will be getting the garage sealed inside and out as well as possible and get things fairly level before they deliver the pallet of 100 bags of sand and pavers for the patio area.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The sun is shining and there are a few fluffy clouds, but it is already stifling with high humidity.  We are supposed to hit 95 degrees today so I’m enjoying the AC inside before I tackle outside again.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
French Toast and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE, WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I see tons of things I need to do, but things that will take a backseat to getting the bathroom floor and entryway grouting and a patio area done.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
Looking forward to the premiers this week. Oh and we found a cool new show (to us), American Pickers, on the history channel that we’ve been enjoying A LOT!

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
My brother and SIL got me 2 new cookbooks for my  birthday and I’ll reading those this week to fill this list.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Honestly I haven’t even downloaded the pictures yet so next week I’ll post double.

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.

 

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
The sun is shining, FOR NOW, but we’ll see.  We are supposed to be a bit cooler this week with off and on thunderstorms.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
A buttermilk waffle and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE I SEE & MY
WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS
I started cleaning on Saturday and got distracted so I’ll finish the cleaning and decluttering today.

CURRENTLY READING & TELEVISION / DVR
Dancing with the stars begins tonight as well as Monday night football, but other than that we have cleaned up the DVR and are waiting for new shows.

I’m in between books right now also.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

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.