Category: HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY

We had quite a bit of progress on the master bathroom this past weekend and I’m looking forward to refinishing the shower on Tuesday. Once the shower is finished the only thing left to do will be the last coat of paint, at least in the master bath!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is WAY too warm for the first week in March!  I’m hoping we cool down a bit for actual spring when it hits.  We are supposed to get hit with a HUGE storm thus week.  As of now they are predicting over 3 inches of rain each day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but today is just overcast and getting a bit windy.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Today I will be running ALL my errands for the week, so it will be a long day.  I also want to go see my aunt today. She is home from the hospital (which I think is a mistake, but Medicare will only pay for 2 weeks of a rehab facility despite the doctor saying she cannot put any weight on the leg for 8 weeks).  Rehab now comes to her and my uncle is left with trying to keep her off her leg.  With hr Alzheimers this is a difficult task for him – she just plain forgets.  With the storm they are predicting I don’t want to be ANYWHERE out in traffic this week.

CURRENTLY READING

• Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever happens our way as we collapse in exhaustion each day.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I have been acquiring the parts to make some beautiful wind chimes, decorative wall crosses, personalized pillow cases, homemade dryer sheets and fun pincushions.

HOUSE PROJECTS
This week we are hoping to finish painting the last coat on the living room, install the new living room fan and do the walls in the spare bathroom.  I have tons of “detail” work to finish in the master bathroom, but we did finally achieve running water, a flushing toilet and even a door this past weekend.

KITCHEN WISHES
The washer and dryer are REALLY on their last legs.  I’m praying they hold out another month so they can be part of the April budget, but we found our new ones by accident on Saturday and wish we were more ready for them, but we still need to do the walls, ceiling and move the water heater to bring it to code and that will take time and money.  I didn’t used to be fond of stackables, but these I think I will like.  They will also give me 36 inches more of kitchen counter space!

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	EGGS in the CLOUDS	BACON & EGGS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	C.O.R.N.	C.O.R.N.	C.O.R.N.	POTATO CRUSTED BEER BRAISED CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE	SMOKY ROAST CHICKEN	SPAGHETTI CHILI	DETROIT CONEY DOGS
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• NOT having to go to the other end of the house to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Completed projects

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
I was in need of some spring color and LOVE Lantana so bought a couple to plant near the front door.  They grow and spread so fast, are easy to keep pruned and are ALWAYS full of color!

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 VERY productive week around here! I hope you had a great week too. We’re on day 125 on this house and getting VERY exhausted, but hoping to complete the living areas by Easter which we volunteered to host.  I also found some fun new recipes for Easter that I’ll share soon.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
LOL it’s TOO warm and drizzly.  I’m ready for spring, but definitely not for these pre-summer temperatures.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Hubby’s birthday is this week so we are going to actually take a WHOLE day off and do something fun. After that we are hoping to finish the living room paint and molding.

CURRENTLY READING
I’m still reading the same book LOL.  Maybe I’ll actually finish it this week.

• Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever we stay awake for at the end of the day.

HOUSE PROJECTS
We are starting to see serious progress – at least we were! I was looking for something yesterday which made a HUGE mess of things still packed that I will have to clean up today.  We did do something though that will make things better – we hired a contractor to paint the Atrium.  Every now and then you have to realize that just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you HAVE to.  Hubs and I both have been dreading this room as it as a 20 foot apex that is a pain in the butt and we just decided that it was smarter to pay someone else to do it.

Unfortunately we still had to do all the repair work from the dry rot.  Fortunately, it went smoothly and hubby and I knocked out all the repair work in one day.  Next week I hope to show you a truly finished room.  We have the floor and 3 cabinets to install next Friday. They’ll be here Thursday! YAY!  

Before and after the repairs.

 I can’t wait to finish this room! Well, I actually can’t wait to finish ANY room in its entirety!

We did manage to get the vanity in place in our bathroom but unfortunately the faucet didn’t fit so that will get exchanged later today.  So we decided to install the toilet instead, but that was too big for the back of the wall so we’ll go in search of a different style later today also.

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	BACON CHEDDAR PANCAKES	QUICHE LORRAINE
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	ROASTED PEPPER BEEF GOULASH	INSIDE OUT CHICKEN POT PIES	C.O.R.N.	HONEY WALNUT CHICKEN	SWEET & STICKY PORK CHOPS	TUNA CASSEROLE	TUNA CAKES
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Donating unused items to organizations that do for children
• Spring like weather

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.

I had a horribly busy week between the house projects and my aunt’s surgery and I think I overdid. Even yesterday morning I woke up pretty good, but ended up sick by the afternoon.  I’m still feeling a bit under the weather today, but will try to get a few things done anyway.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s too warm for February and we’re having cloudy days with a big storm on the way.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
It looks like we’ll finish the master bathroom this week and be well under way to completing the spare bathroom.  I’m hoping to also have the living room painted by the weekend.

CURRENTLY READING

• Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton

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	BAKED EGGS	BREAKFAST ENCHILADAS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	PEANUTTY PORK & NOODLE SALAD	BAKED SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS	C.O.R.N.	SWEDISH MEATBALLS	SNAPPER WRAPPERS	BLACK BEAN CHICKEN ENCHILADAS	CADAILLACS
DESSERT

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• PAN SEARED SALMON with KIWI LIME REDUCTION

ON MY MIND
I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed at ALL there still is to do here.  My logical mind KNOWS we are making progress, but I’m just so tired that some days it stills seems insurmountable.  That said, here are a few pictures of what we did get accomplished this week.

Playing with the pattern.

ALL glued down and setting up!

We STILL don’t know what ALL those holes in the wall were for, but hubby did get the thermostat moved to the living room side of the wall and got the piece of drywall cut out and replaced.  I will get it patched and get this alcove painted this week.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Pretty Sunsets
• Long walks with the dog
• Small project completions

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I ordered this pillow from a friend this weekend that sells Thirty-One products.

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 productive, but also a lazy weekend here. I was able to catch up on a bunch of paperwork though I am NO where near done! I was able to complete more of my “reading” corner in the master bedroom and hung my newly stained shelf in there also.  I read somewhere that your dresser an nightstand tops should be clear for a more soothing “air” to the room.  Well, a clear dresser top will NEVER happen at our house, but the shelf is going to help A LOT!  I need to make another one for hubby’s side of the room.

We had a quiet Valentine’s Day dinner at home, but went out for lunch at one of my favorite seafood restaurants and were not disappointed.  We also rented the movie, The Martian.  We really enjoyed this movie – the possibilities of space and the will to survive are so mind boggling.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is gray and overcast with a threat of a thunderstorm soon.  It’s supposed to be warmer this week and I am NOT ready for warm weather!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY	5 year oncology check up ZOO
TUESDAY	unload studio of all boxes and such
WEDNESDAY	hospital – my aunt is having surgery to replace the knee she shattered recently – ALL prayers welcome as she has a heart condition, an aspergilus allergy and is an Alzheimer’s patient.
THURSDAY	paint studio & begin again LOL
FRIDAY	Organize studio items be available to help hubby with wainscoting and bathroom fixtures installation
SATURDAY	Farmer’s Market install kitchen molding and paint it
SUNDAY	cleaning and laundry

CURRENTLY READING

• Barbara Bretton – Someone Like You

TELEVISION / DVR
We’re still just watching whatever comes our way.  We’re still working long days.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I made a few prototypes this past week for some really neat things, but want to perfect them a bit more before I share them.

HOUSE PROJECTS
LOL this is a never ending category, but we are hoping to have the house in working order by the time we host Easter.  It is possible. It is even probable. WE WILL SUCCEED!

KITCHEN WISHES
I’m getting a replacement stove on Tuesday as I’m having a continuous issue with uneven heating.

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	BUTTERMILK WAFFLES	BREAKFAST ENCHILADAS
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	C.O.R.N.	12 HOUR SALAD	SNAPPER WRAPPERS	HOBO FOIL STEWS	BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN	BAKED WHITEFISH	CARNITAS
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• LESS stress
• Project completions
• MORE energy

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

There is still A LOT of trim work to do, but I love my “Tom Sawyer meets the Waltons” look for the kitchen.  I did get a few shelves done in the kitchen and LOVE having ingredients at hand!

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.

I don’t want to be ALL sappy or anything, but today is a HUGE day in my life. 5 years ago today I lost 10 pounds in the form of a volleyball sized ovarian cancer tumor.  I know how INCREDIBLY blessed I am to be here and to be in complete remission.  So without soap box lecturing or anything I want to remind you all to get your yearly well woman exams.  They could save your life.  Mine did.

We had a beautiful and productive weekend.  What a difference a day makes.  Each day is looking better and better with projects getting accomplished and packing boxes going away!  We are still a long ways from being done, but we do feel more like we have a house now – even with the BIG BANG lawn furniture for the living room.

Our goal is to have the living room, master bath, atrium and laundry area done by the time we host Easter dinner. We had a fortunate find yesterday. The wall in the living room with the biggest crack from the foundation issues also had the ugliest dated paneling on it and it was painted a yellowish color that had become a pukey looking color with the added nicotine staining. We had decided that we would just work over it with a wainscoting wall board and with nothing to lose I decided to take a “peek” under it and was pleasantly pleased to find a beautiful finished sheet rocked wall that just needs the crack patched and paint!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
The weekend was gorgeous and today is going to be great, but we’re supposed to be taking a serious (15-20 degrees) dip on Wednesday.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• MONDAY – errands, grocery shopping as well as parts and supplies gathering for this week’s projects. The parts we need this week are going to take several trips because of their sizes. Install last 2 living room entertainment center cabinets and get them stained. Order the rest of cabinet handles and track lighting for the atrium.
• TUESDAY – Costco and more parts and supplies gathering for this week’s projects. Second coat of stain on new living room cabinets. Install last cabinets for hubby’s “BAR” as well as the linen closet cabinets. Get cabinets stained.
• WEDNESDAY – Prep and prime living room for painting.
• THURSDAY – Paint living room.
• FRIDAY – Stress test and we’ll see from there.
• SATURDAY – Master bathroom walls and ceiling and paint if all goes well.
• SUNDAY – SUPERBOWL COMMERCIALS AND FOOTBALL FOOD.

CURRENTLY READING
I’m still trying to finish Sinister – Shaye Archer Book #2 by Jana Deleon.  I’m just too tired at the end of each day to get much done.

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever happens our way at the end of each day.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Still just acquiring prts and hope to share some things 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	BAKED EGGS	CINNAMON RAISIN BANANA FRENCH TOAST
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	CHICKEN MARSALA	CHARDONNAY CHICKEN	C.O.R.N.	BUFFALO CHICKEN & LOADED BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE	SLOPPY JOES	PINK LEMON CHICKEN	MARRY ME CHICKEN
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Everything having a place and being in its place!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

 A little paint will make EVERYTHING brighter! PLUS the new fan will be better.

This is the most wonderful smelling Hyacinth!  So pretty too.  My uncle brought it as a bread and butter gift when he came for dinner Saturday night.

We’re building an entertainment area that will house the games, DVDs and CDs. There are a few more cabinets to be installed here and will look SO much better after they are stained.

A little patch and paint and we ill have a brand new wall.

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.

With the playoffs yesterday we tried to cram everything into Saturday and boy am I tired!

Last week did NOT go as planned thanks to the unprofessional plumbing team working on the foundation plumbing repairs under the house.  The plumbing is 40 years old and a week ago Friday they broke loose the drain in the tub.  They were supposed to fix it THAT day and of course left without doing so.  We made a temporary type repair so we could shower since it is our only working shower.  Monday came and went and then Tuesday and Wednesday without the actual plumber showing up, just the diggers under the house.  My week wasn’t going on schedule as it was and I had just finished moving everything from the sewing room into the spare bedroom on Thursday and was patching walls, cleaning corners and demolishing molding when the plumber arrived to fix the tub.  Several minutes after he began he announced that he was going to have to punch an access hole into the wall to be able to fix it since today’s standard sizes are different from 40 years ago.  No big deal right? Except the wall was inside the room that I had just filled to the hilt!  I told him he’d have to come back tomorrow as it would take me several hours to clear a path.  He told me I couldn’t use it in the meantime and I told him he better find a way to temporary it as I was not going without a shower because of their lack of communication and follow through.

Friday and Saturday went much more productively thank goodness.  I’m even seeing some serious organizational progress.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
The forecast has changed every hour for the last 2 days so I’m taking this with a grain of salt.  Supposedly today’s clouds will give way to 2 days of rain and then we will take a cold drop again.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
While I’m being more realistic this week, I still have high hopes in meeting my self imposed deadlines.

• MONDAY – Grout entryway, Paint walls in refrigerator alcove, Set tiles for under refrigerator so we can get it moved out of the living room, Texture kitchen wall and get it painted, Paint bathroom walls with gripper paint to get it ready for texturing, Finish sorting through kitchen utensils and organize 1-2 cabinets.
• TUESDAY –  Get blood drawn, Walmart and grocery store. Finish the migration of “things”.
• WEDNESDAY – We’re getting a little more realistic with projects and because of the size and shape of the living room with the cathedral ceilings we’re going to do it one wall at a time starting with the wall that the TV will mount to.  LOL must have the TV by Superbowl.  This wall will also have the built in cabinetry for the DVD’s, CD’s, games, etc… So today I will get the ceiling painted in the center so hubby can get the new fan and lght mounted.  I’m hoping to also get the TV wall painted.
• THURSDAY – Laundry, clean and a bit of spray painting to be done.
• FRIDAY – Tonight and tomorrow night we will have company and I get to really cook for the first time in a long time! Cook and prep for Brent and Carlie’s stay.
• SATURDAY – Cook and prep for dinner with George.
• SUNDAY – Not sure yet.

CURRENTLY READING

• Sinister – Shaye Archer Book #2 by Jana Deleon

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever we can find time for.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I came up with a few more ideas for those Christmas presents and have ordered a few parts I needed to get them started.

HOUSE PROJECTS
LOL see to do 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	Blackberry Souffles	Cinnamon Raisin Banana French Toast
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	SANDWICH	MEAT & CHEESE	LEFTOVERS	SANDWICHES
DINNER	RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT	Moo Shu Chicken – Crock Pot	C.O.R.N.	CADILLACS – Parmesan Roast Beef	ALOHA RIBS, BAKED BEANS, BEER BREAD  & SALAD	ALOHA RIBS, BAKED BEANS, BEER BREAD  & SALAD
DESSERT					DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE	DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

• BREAKFAST BURGERS

HOMEMAKING TIP
I keep a square block of soap around to stand my widget in so it’s safe but always ready for duty.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Having the space to be a bit more creative.
• Hubby’s garage is almost empty of gramp’s and my uncle’s things.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
We were able to finish removing the dated paneling from the atrium which was NO easy feat on the 20 foot tall wall. And this is the first time the dining room table has been completely clear since we got here 90 days ago!

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 an eventful and productive weekend with having to adapt the kitchen sink base for all the plumbing reroute issues, but FINALLY we will have a working kitchen sink yet today and hubby even got the old dishwasher working.  LOL when we took out the dishwasher to begin the cabinets we found that whoever installed the dishwasher originally had it running off of the cold water so no wonder it didn’t clean the dishes.  We decided to reinstall it for now (to the hot water) and give it a chance.  I’m just so excited that I won’t have to wash dishes on my hands and knees in the bathtub that I won’t even mind doing them by hand! I admit it, I’m exhausted!!!!! It’s been 76 VERY LONG days of manual labor and emotional strain.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
This past weekend Old Man Winter came roaring into town Friday night with threat of tornado.  Fortunately all we had was torrential rain, MEGA wind and hail and a 25 degree temperature drop over night.  This week is cold and windy, but clear though there is supposed to be more storming later in the week.  I have learned not to take the weather report too seriously though – just stay prepared.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Monday – Idiot Plumbers will be back to begin finishing their tunneling under the house and repairs. Many phone calls including the foundation company to have them come check up on the plumbers as the plumbers have undermined work that the foundation people just did and are claiming otherwise despite my pictures proving differently. Stain the new 3 kitchen cabinets that we decided to add. Grout front entry floor. Lay master bath floor tile. Pick up cleaning and run a few errands.
• Tuesday – Hang new cabinets. Grout master bath floor tile and start sanding shower for refinishing. Laundry. Tile floor under stove, refrigerator and dishwasher area.
• Wednesday – Hopefully today is the day we get a stove! LOL Or at least get it ordered. Also buying the new toilet for the master bath and hopefully will have it set by end of day.
• Thursday – Wash pantry containers and organize pantry and cabinets.  Doing this will get LOTS of things off the tables in the other rooms and make it easier to work.
• Friday – Start refinishing shower and possibly do floor tile in spare bath depending on the idiot plumbers.
• Saturday – Flea  Market, Farmer’s Market and Football playoffs
• Sunday – COOK! and Football playoffs

CURRENTLY READING

• Marie Force’s Celebration after Dark

TELEVISION / DVR
We still have no cable and are getting used to this central time zone with prime time starting at 7PM.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
WOOHOO I have actually started my homemade Christmas gifts for next year and believe I have come up with some pretty neat ideas that everyone will appreciate and really like.

HOUSE PROJECTS
LOL See my to do list!

KITCHEN WISHES

• flooring
• counter tops

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	??	??
DINNER	EXPERIMENT NIGHT	COCK-a-LEEKIE soup	C.O.R.N.	Sloppy Joes	MALIBU CHICKEN & VEGGIES	Cream of Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese	Pastrami Burgers
DESSERT

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
This is the first time in quite some time that I took some time off this past weekend and actually read a few magazines and cookbooks.  With the weather having turned so cold I was really interested in some stews and soups and I just happened to have a magazine of recipes I received at Christmas.

• Cock-a-Leekie Soup
• Chicken BLT Soup
• Chicken Soup with Potato Dumplings
• Brazilian Black Bean Soup
• Goulash Soup
• Ham & Vegetable Stew
• Mexican Potato Soup
• Stuffed Baked Potato Soup
• Edamame Soup
• Creamy Cabbage Soup 
• Buttermilk Pecan Pancakes with Bourbon Molasses Butter
• Filet of Beef with Horseradish sauce

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• Seeing the progress in the kitchen.
• Seeing less and less packing boxes in the living room!
• Having less laundry to do.

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.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
We are starting the week cool and clear which I love because I want to get the “Christmas” tree planted in the new planter today and set outside where it will do well.  We are supposed to temporarily warm up for a bit later in the week with thunderstorms, but they keep saying not to get used to it as mid month we will turn quite cold for the rest of the winter.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• Monday – Remove cabinet and 2 walls in master bath to assess plumbing needs. Remove hot water heater wall in laundry area to asses parts to redo the platform and bring things up to code. If there is time I will put the second coat of stain on the insides of kitchen cabinets and then shower to run errands and go to grocery store.
• Tuesday – Going to IKEA to pick up lazy susan and rug for dining room as well as have lunch, nightstand shopping and central market. Then off to home depot to pick up last parts for the kitchen sink plumbing, stain for cabinet outsides and the flooring tiles.
• Wednesday – Installing last cabinets in kitchen and hooking up kitchen sink (hopefully) finally!
• Thursday – Laundry and some more unpacking I hope.
• Friday – moving water heater and starting the kitchen floor.
• Saturday & Sunday – Football playoffs and a few

CURRENTLY READING

• It’s only Love (Green Mountain #5) by Marie Force
• The Heartbreak Cafe by Melissa Hill

TELEVISION / DVR
Not much, but I do want to see a few of the returning and new shows beginning this week.
 
CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Making a list and compiling what I need to begin Christmas gifts for next year.  We’re planning a BIG Old Fashioned Christmas for 2016 and I want to get an early start to doing it right!

HOUSE PROJECTS
See below
 
KITCHEN WISHES
Hoping to have the range 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	CORNED BEEF HASH and OVER MEDIUM EGGS & TOAST	QUICHE LORRAINE
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	??	MOZZARELLA CHEESESTICKS
DINNER	EXPERIMENT NIGHT	SOUR CREAM MEATLOAF & VEGGIES	C.O.R.N.	HOBO FOIL STEWS & SALAD	MALIBU CHICKEN & VEGGIES	KIWI ORANGE GLAZED CHICKEN & RICE PILAF	DANISH CUBE STEAKS and GROWN UP MAC & CHEESE
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• The kitchen will be done soon!
• The entry way is almost done!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
There are several this week as we progressed through the kitchen. Green board is mostly up, cabinets are level and attached to the walls and quite a few boxes have been unpacked.  For now I’m just stacking everything behind closed doors to get rid of the packing boxes (which we use for trash like taking out walls) and I will do a major clean and organization in a few weeks.  I have found a few broken pieces, but all and all everything has done well for having been packed nd stored for so many years.

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.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! My cousin hosted this year since we are in such a disarray, but I promised I’ll do next year.  We had a WONDERFUL day with a terrific meal and TONS of laughter.  It’s great to be around family with lots of memories and stories.

I love Christmas and it was EXTREMELY difficult for me this year to not be able to put up a tree or decorate, but especially not be able to make all the goodies and applesauce for neighbors and friends.  I’m already looking forward to and planning for next year.  I even threatened to start in July in an effort to make up for this year.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
FINALLY it’s cold enough to call it winter which makes think, “Be careful what you wish for!“

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

• MONDAY – We’re getting up super early to get to Lowes and Home Depot before we have to be back  to let the plumbers in. The plumbers bailed last week and NEVER finished announcing they would be back today.  Needless to say they will be getting NO more work from us ever! They left me without running water anywhere near the kitchen and I’ve been doing the dishes in the bathtub! We’ll spend the remainder of the day green boarding the kitchen back splash area and installing kitchen cabinets.
• TUESDAY – Painting and tiling the entry way.
• WEDNESDAY – Peeling wall paper in the master and spare bath.
• THURSDAY – unpacking kitchen items.  The idea is to get them unpacked and put behind close doors any way possible for now so we can get rid of the boxes and start on the living room.  The electrician can’t begin to figure out the dead plugs until he has more access to them.
• FRIDAY – Taking the day off and watching the rose parade and whatever else we want to do.
• SATURDAY – HOPEFULLY working on restoring order to the backyard and maybe installing the bedroom window.
• SUNDAY – FOOTBALL and relaxing!

CURRENTLY READING

• It’s only Love (Green Mountain #5) by Marie Force
• The Heartbreak Cafe by Melissa Hill

TELEVISION / DVR
Whatever happens our way though we’re looking forward to getting cable in the next week or so.
 
CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Nothing new, but hoping that can change in the next few months. I’m really hoping to start next year’s Christmas cards and projects early.

HOUSE PROJECTS
Everything!

KITCHEN WISHES
A stove by mid month.
 
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	CORNED BEEF HASH and OVER MEDIUM EGGS & TOAST	QUICHE LORRAINE
LUNCH	FRUIT & CHEESE	SOUP & CRACKERS	SANDWICH	OUT	MEAT & CHEESE	??	??
DINNER	Beef Vegetable Stew	Wagon Wheel aka Winter Soup	C.O.R.N.	Creamed Sweet Corn  Soup	Black Eyed Pea Chili	C.O.R.N.	Meatball Stew
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

• SAM the elf was a success!
• I’m starting to see daily progress in the remodel though we are seriously sweat rich and penny poor at this point.  It was never supposed to be like this. 

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

The donations are piling up and since I took this picture you can no longer see this room. I’m so glad to be giving so much to the women’s shelter.

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.