Category: MENU PLAN MONDAY

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & 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

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
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
??
DINNER
EXPERIMENT NIGHT
C.O.R.N.
MALIBU CHICKEN & VEGGIES
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.

GOOD MORNING 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

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
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
??

??
DINNER


C.O.R.N.


C.O.R.N.
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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

With so much to do on this remodel I have been working 12-14-16 hour days and lost track of ALL time!I hope you are all ready for spending some quality time with your family and friends.  Don’t overdo so you can’t enjoy it.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
We’ve warmed up considerably (which I HATE) and are supposed to be having scattered thunderstorms all week.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • MONDAY – Finish the Christmas shopping and grocery shopping. After that I’ll be shifting furniture and boxes to TRY and create a living room area. Hopefully the plumbers will be done with the repair to the collapsed drain line.  The foundation guys strike again!  Evidently they piled too much dirt on top of the sleeve where they struck the line with a tool and it collapsed the line backing it up into the drain line in the wall.  I also need to call the restoration guy to seal the shower and refinish it as well as float the walls in the master bath.
  • TUESDAY – I’ll be having lunch with an IRL friend that began as a blog friend.  I can’t wait to see her. Cleaning up after the plumbers and trying to make some sense of the mess in the office area hopefully..
  • WEDNESDAY – Hopefully I’ll be doing laundry ALL day and finishing the furniture and box shift.
  • THURSDAY – Finish wrecking out the dated 70’s paneling in the office area to finish exposing the dry rot so we can deal with it.
  • FRIDAY – MERRY CHRISTMAS – dinner at my cousin Kevin’s house.
  • SATURDAY –  Try to clean up the yard – the plumbers have made a HUGE mess behind the house where they are tunneling under the house. We have to do this so we can install the window in the master bedroom and the sod the backyard.
  • SUNDAY –  Unpack what I can and begin to organize a bit.

CURRENTLY READING
I keep trying to read before bed, but am so exhausted at the end of the day that I doze off before I can even read a paragraph.

TELEVISION / DVR
Not much – not enough time!

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Hoping to find my Brother and SIL’s Christmas gift I’ve been working on and get it finished as fast as possible.  Unfortunately it WILL be late, but it will also be from the heart so I know they’ll understand.  This remodel and not yet having unpack has put a serious cramp in my style!

HOUSE PROJECTS
Finish wrecking out the dated 70’s paneling in the office area to finish exposing the dry rot so we can deal with it. Hubby still has a few pieces of molding to paint and install, but we did get the carpeting last Friday in the master bedroom

KITCHEN WISHES
Planning on starting the cabinets and flooring this next 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
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
??
DINNER
EXPERIMENT NIGHT
Grilled Hamburgers with Cole Slaw
C.O.R.N.
Ham Steak with Mac & Cheese
Dinner at my cousin Kevin’s house
??
DESSERT








HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP
So I tried the glass of vinegar in the freshly painted room trick and guess what?  It works!! Within 10 minutes the walls were still wet, but there was NO paint smell!

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • Being able to finally see past the mess from 55 days ago (that feels like years).

  • Sleeping in my own bed instead of a futon.
  • Spending time with friends and family.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I actually have 2 this week.  We finished the bedroom, well at least 95% and began putting away the clothes.  The spread I ordered is too small but fits perfectly in the spare bedroom. Now remember we have been traveling for the better part of a decade and A LOT of things were in storage so we HAD a lot of clothing and much of it cold weather. So we had a ton of decisions to make on what to keep and what to get rid of.  EVERYTHING is now in the closet, a drawer or the donation pile. We did keep quite a bit of cold weather clothing, but with the new walk in closet just stored it in totes on the top shelves. It’s going to take a while to inventory all of this for donation!

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

Good morning my friends.  I’m getting an early start this week.  Seems like my 14 hour days are just not enough to get it all done!  I hope you had wonderful weekends.  We had wind and rain and I loved it! I had plenty to keep me busy, so it was wonderful to watch out the window.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
We had tons of rain and wind over the weekend, but today is gorgeous! The rest of the week is supposed to be clear and nice also.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • MONDAY – Contact plumber about the leak caused by the foundation people, finish the Christmas shopping, grocery shopping, prep the boxes for mailing, finish hanging the clothes in the closet, 2nd coat of paint in the pantry, 1st coat of paint in bedroom and build framework for the kitchen sink so we can finish ripping out the lower kitchen cabinets.
  • TUESDAY – Electrician will be here to fix the problems in the kitchen and finish  – PROGRESS!, paper back walls of pantry, cut shelf paper for pantry shelves. Finish removing the vanity and sink in master bath to determine where the leak is coming from.
  • WEDNESDAY – If the plumber is done I want to tile the laundry room and refrigerator area as well as the pantry.
  • THURSDAY – PAINT!!!!! Make appetizer for the Holiday party at the clubhouse
  • FRIDAY – Carpet installation? 
  • SATURDAY – If carpet is done, finish the molding and move into OUR bedroom FINALLY.
  • SUNDAY –  FOOTBALL!!!

HOUSE PROJECTS

  • MASTER BEDROOM
  • PANTRY
  • LAUNDRY ROOM

KITCHEN WISHES

  • FLOOR 
  • LIGHTING
  • CABINETS
  • COUNTER TOPS 
  • BACK SPLASH
  • RANGE & HOOD
  • DISHWASHER

 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
WAFFLES
PANCAKES & BACON
LUNCH
FRUIT &  CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
??
MEAT & CHEESE
 ?? ??
DINNER
EXPERIMENT NIGHT
C.O.R.N.
OUT


DESSERT




CHOCOLATE SOUFFLE


HOMEMAKING TIP
As you know we have been doing a ton of painting around here.  A tip that REALLY works is to place a glass of vinegar in the room you are painting and it absorbs the paint fumes!

I know you have all seen this, but I’m actually doing it!  Turn ALL your hangers backwards at the beginning of the year. At the end of the year, any hanger that is still backwards should be donated.  I already filled 2 bags just hanging the clothes that had been in storage.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • FINISHED PROJECTS!!!!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

After 47 days here I can FINALLY begin hanging clothes in the closet!

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

This past week really flew by. These busy days are good, but also not letting me enjoy my favorite season the way we traditionally do.For now just thankful that we are healthy.  On that note all the manual labor has been really good for me.  As of yesterday I’ve lost 19 pounds.  On the bad note, I may need a new wardrobe!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Our evenings and nights are still quite cool and crisp, but our days are sunny and warm again really helping to get a few projects done.  It is supposed to start storming at the end of the week so am hoping to get as much of the trash pile out of our hair.  Thank goodness for 2 trash days a week.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • MONDAY – setting the tile in the master bedroom closet and painting the pantry.
  • TUESDAY – grocery shopping and errands, hanging clothes in closet and storing all the totes (YAY!!) then prepping more walls for paint.
  • WEDNESDAY – painting the bedroom and meeting with the insurance agent as well as hopefully meeting with the carpet people.
  • THURSDAY – 2nd coat of paint in the bedroom, pantry and 1st coat in the refrigerator area.
  • FRIDAY – Tear out wall behind laundry area where there have been sever leaks – what we find will decide how we proceed.
  • SATURDAY – Farmer’s Market if weather permits. Wrapping gifts and going to a friends Christmas party.
  • SUNDAY – still up in the air

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
We’ve seen a few movies and caught a few shows here and there, but the remodel is keeping us busy until late into the evening most days.
  
CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I wish there was something to report here.  I owe everyone BIG homemade Christmas gifts NEXT year.

HOUSE PROJECTS

  • Master Bedroom this week as well as unpacking a few more boxes in the office area.

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
OUT
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
??
??
DINNER
CHILI’S with my uncle

SOUTH of the BORDER CHICKEN WINGS & BEER BAKED BEANS
C.O.R.N.
 TERIYAKI CHICKEN
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT








ON MY MIND
There are a few things I’d like to mention, but need to mull over a bit more so I don’t speak from anger.  We’ll see how I feel next week.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • That we’re going to be sleeping in our own bed by Christmas.  This futon is breaking my back.
  • Our granddaughter will be with us for Christmas.
  • Starting to see a tunnel.  The light at the end is still a long ways off, but now that a majority of the clean out is done things are beginning to take shape and can be more easily visualized.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

I’ll get this recipe up soon.  It was one of the best things I have ever made in a slow cooker!

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

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Ours got a little mixed up and we actually ended up working part of the day before heading over to my uncle’s house for dinner.  LOL he called and said he was putting in the turkey (it was smoked and just needed to warm) and heading for a shower.  We were going to originally eat between 1 and 2 o’clock, but he and my aunt got hung up at church when they dropped off the turkeys they had prepared for the meal for the needy and next thing you know it’s 2 o’clock and they were just getting home.  Hubs and I got there and my uncle was still in the shower and my aunt (who has Alzeimer’s) was so surprised to see us.  After all the work at the church she forgot it was Thanksgiving and that anyone was coming over.  My cousin showed up shortly after we did and it occurred to us that we weren’t smelling turkey.  Long story short, as if that’s possible, Kevy and I started trying to throw together dinner.  He peeled potatoes and I cut.  We threw the turkey in to warm and started a search for a vegetable.  As the potatoes finished boiling, I drained them and he went for the milk.  LOL there was NO milk! Then we could find the mixer, but NO beaters. We ended up using Redi whip (made with real cream) and butter and they were good! It was NOT a conventional meal, but we had a good time and laughed A LOT!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
It turned cold on Saturday and rainy too. Looks like winter is finally here.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Lots and lots, but I find I do better with making lists!

  • Monday – Measure for the new bedroom window and get it ordered.  Finish wrapping the Christmas presents that need to be mailed, get them boxed up and addressed.  Start patch work in the bedroom and the carpet guy will be here to measure in the afternoon.
  • Tuesday – The electrician will be here to look at our screwy wiring and it’s trash day so have to be available to help the guys and give them their beer and soda.
  • Wednesday – We’re taking the day to visit all the Habitat for Humanity Restores in the area to seek out necessary parts we need, pick up the cleaning and do the grocery shopping.
  • Thursday – finish patch work on bedroom and begin removing vanity and kitchen cabinets for the dumpster which should arrive in the afternoon.
  • Friday – Load dumpster and it will probably take ALL day.
  • Saturday – Finish wrecking out and/or loading the dumpster!
  • Sunday – taking the day OFF! When we did our last remodel hubby set a rule that we would quit by 6PM every day and Sundays were to be days where we only did what we wanted and I didn’t cook.  The didn’t cook part didn’t last as I finally convinced him that cooking was something I wanted to do!

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
We’re catching up on a few movies we had been wanting to see and not much else – just too tired at the end of the day.

HOUSE PROJECTS
We are trying to finish the bedroom and the kitchen before Christmas.  If we are lucky that will extend to the living room, but I really doubt it.  So far each project seems to be plagued by the domino effect and each task is more difficult than it should be.

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
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
??
DINNER
 Crockpot Lasagna
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • wrapping gifts for my favorite munchkins
  • getting closer to sleeping in my own bed
  • cooler 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.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

We are closing in on 19 days since we arrived. To date hubs and I have logged 332 hours. We have found the house and there is only one LARGE piece left in the house to be moved and we found most of the side yard this weekend while preparing for the foundation work that begins tomorrow, but we have yet to find the garage!

We are beginning to see the light AND the potential again, but we ARE overwhelmed to say the least.  We knew it needed work, but until we got here and were able to get her things out we, including my uncle, had NO idea how much work.

We have decided that as soon as the foundation work is done we will do the master bedroom and bath first.  At least that way at the end of a hard day we will have a place of respite where we can close ourselves off from the rest of the work to be done.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
I noticed last night that I could see the stars to the east, but the clouds were beginning to shroud the moon to the west and then this morning the clouds are thick as mud so I think I believe them this time that there is a serious storm headed our way – right along with a tornado watch.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Shift furniture and boxes as needed for the foundation crew.
  • Try and find a few necessary cooking utensils I’m still missing.
  • Start removing carpet in manageable pieces where the non-carpet flooring will be installed.

CURRENTLY READING  
I have been too tired to do much more than fall in bed after the 10-15 hour days of serious manual labor recently, but am hoping to finish this book soon.

TELEVISION / DVR
LOL who has time?  We also can’t get internet and TV until after the foundation work is completed this week so have seen a few DVDs in the little down time we have forced ourselves to take.

HOUSE PROJECTS
I will have to keep you posted on this category.  There is so much to do that we are still trying to make a priority list for after the bedroom!

KITCHEN WISHES
LOL this category is HUGE right now, but I am getting my new refrigerator on Friday!
 
MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
Since it will be awhile before the kitchen is up and running I went looking for my cookbook box, more specifically for the cookbook box with the slow cooker cookbooks in it. We tried one last night that I am now calling Italian Ham and potatoes. LOL I had to adapt it though. Despite the title of the cookbook, Slow-Cooker Cookbook, I found after I bought the ingredients it was actually a recipe for the oven.  I was a bit more careful in reading the recipes for the rest of the week.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
TOAST & YOGURT


 AVALON DINER
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
??
??
DINNER
GARLIC   CHICKEN
BRAISED HORSERADISH BEEF
C.O.R.N.
BOSTON BAKED BEANS & PORK
SLOW BAKED BEEF with POTATO CRUST
CHICKEN IN SMOKY BACON SAUCE
APPLE & CIDER CHICKEN & VEGGIES
DESSERT






THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • Working side by side with hubby to make a better life.
  • Seeing potential in the house and backyard.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
The neighbor’s cat just loves sunbathing on the roof and will spend all day in the same place.

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

As you know hubby and I have been very excited about buying my grandparents house and our cross country move to rehab it to bring it up to date.

My cousin had been living here since my grandfather’s death in 1993.  Sadly, she passed away in 2014 and the house had been sitting here empty (or so we thought).  We thought from what my uncle said that the house was virtually empty, that he had been cleaning it out the past 6 months.  Sadly, that too was not the case.  I am so shocked by the state of the house.  My cousin was the creative type and I knew she wasn’t the best of housekeepers, but I am seriously shocked and appalled by what we found here.  Honestly, if we hadn’t had 3 aging animals traveling with us and spent a small fortune to move here, we would have turned around and gone back after what we saw that first day.

As you read this hubby and I have put in a total of 287 hours over the past 12 days and it is barely livable. The house is virtually empty (now), but the garage is still full. There is not a fixture, cabinet, faucet, wall or appliance that doesn’t need replaced or majorly repaired at the very least including the kitchen sink. The dumpster will arrive Thursday and then the fun will begin. I will post pictures soon to keep this chronicle up to date.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Looks like the weather will be all over the place this week.  I’m looking forward to some cooler wet weather.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Unload moving trucks.
  • Empty garage.
  • Wreck out ALL of kitchen and ALL appliances.
  • Wreck out carpeting.
  • Peel wallpaper from 3 rooms.

CURRENTLY READING
Read? Who has time to read? LOL I read every night as I fall asleep. This week is book #5 from Marie Force’s Green Mountain series and book #9 from Barbara Freethy’s Callaway series.

TELEVISION / DVR
No internet yet so we’re catching a few shows on stream after the fact.
 
CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I do hope to get some crafting for the holidays in after the worst of the clean up is done.

HOUSE PROJECTS
WOW Where do I begin?  

  • EVERYTHING!

KITCHEN WISHES
That the kitchen fairies show up while I sleep and help make this nightmare become a glorious dream.
 
MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT &  FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
 OUT
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
~~
~~
DINNER
 S#*% on a Shingle
C.O.R.N.
DESSERT







I may not have a kitchen, but I will have my hot plate, griddle, waffle maker and crock pots.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
On the upside I have lost 15 pounds from all the back breaking work this past 2 weeks.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
We bought a small dorm sized fridge, a hot plate and added the only surviving furniture and voila we have a makeshift kitchen dining area.  I’ll add a slow cooker, griddle, waffle maker and we will be fine for a few weeks.

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

Well after 3 delays for various reasons, we really are finally on the road to our new home.  This has been a complicated move with multiple legs, but at last we are moving forward.  We will be there on Wednesday and then the fun begins.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
Tonight is supposed to be quite cold where we will be staying on the northern route in mountains, but after that it should be good weather for several days.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK
Get there and get started on a thorough cleaning, paint prep and a project list!

CURRENTLY READING
I’ve been loading up my kindle app with lots of books for the trip.  Right now I’m finishing up the Barbara Freethy Series – The Callaways – I’m on books 8 and 9.

TELEVISION / DVR
LOL Whatever is on the motel televisions at night. I know we’ll be doing some on demand later in the month to catch up on our favorite shows.

KITCHEN WISHES
LOL, My biggest wish is that the appliances work well enough to get us started.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
On the road this week, but hoping to have a good menu next week.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

  • New Beginnings
  • Safe Trips
  • Happy Campers

FAVORITE most disgusting PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
One of the things I have always hated here were the snails and slugs!  I took the dog out last night and was horrified to see this! I had NO idea that they congregated like this. YUCK!!

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

It’s FINALLY going to happen. The MOVE is on! Our only concern now is weather along the way.  Next week I’ll be posting from the road and that should be some task – LOL just never sure about internet signals. For once I have also pared down to the bare minimum going in our truck.  Hubby would tell you that’s a first, but he’d be wrong LOL.

The church pew will be going in the BIG truck and the few things (pet food, coffee pot for the much needed coffee the week before the BIG trucks get there, cleaning and painting supplies, sheets and towels…) are behind it as well as our actual clothes are all that will go in our truck.

WEATHER OUTSIDE
FINALLY cooler and wet weather is expected this week.  Help me pray that Wednesday is sunny though.  I HATE loading moving trucks in the rain!!  We leave on Thursday first AM and then will load at our second location Saturday.  We are really looking forward to finally being under a single roof after all these years of traveling and taking care of others.

We have a wonderful friend that will be helping us here since the load is so much smaller, but we did hire people at the next stop, the BIG stop and then hired more people at the end to unload.  It was money NOT in the budget, but we know it will be money WELL spent saving our backs!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Pack the moving truck at this location.
  • Last minute laundry.
  • Pack our truck with the things going with us.
  • CLEAN!!!

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
Clean up the DVR and then whatever we can catch at night on the road.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS/HOUSE PROJECTS
BE PREPARED for this section to be full very soon after we get there and evaluate the situation.  I haven’t been there in over 3 years and my adventurous hubby hasn’t ever been there so we know we are in for a few surprises on this old place.  I LOVE that hubby is so willing to move cross country to take on a HUGE project sight unseen based on my memories.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
We’re going VERY simple this week using up the last of the freezer and pantry ingredients!
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
DINNER
SPLIT PEA SOUP AND CORNBREAD
SEAFOOD SALAD
CHICKEN AND NOODLES
 ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
ON THE ROAD
DESSERT






ON MY MIND 
Update from #UCCStrong – Justin Troxel along with Steel Outlet and some local businesses who donated supplies and tons of volunteers have continue to make amazing things happen. I know when I bought my sign it was still wet – they CAN NOT/COULD NOT make the signs fast enough.

It all started when ONE man had an idea and wanted to make 50 signs to sell and raise $500 to donate to the relief fund.  It is so beautiful when an idea blossoms and becomes a catalyst for healing also. With the help of his employer and the community to date they have made over 8,000 signs and donated over 102,000.00 dollars to the relief fund.

The college bookstore will be selling the key chains, stickers and small items and they are lining up a few other businesses to keep selling signs.
Our sign along with being still wet had a small imperfection under the heart and I was going to just paint it green, but my macho (sensitive) hubby suggested I turn it into a teardrop instead and make it a crying heart.  It is now dry and all packed for the move.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • That the next time I post I will be on the road to our new home.
  • That Fall is really here!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

GUN was SOOOOO deep in sleep it took him 
forever to notice the treat on his nose!
Amazing morning sky on Thursday!

INSPIRATION / QUOTE /HUMOR

and just for your amusement today:

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

It’s official- no more delays.  We’ll be leaving here finally in 10 days.  I cannot tell you how relieved we are that this is finally happening, how frustrated that everything is all packed and we’re twiddling our thumbs and how anxious and excited we are to be on the other end working on the house and unpacking.  It will be like Christmas unpacking!

WEATHER OUTSIDE
WARM DAYS AND COOL EVENINGS are back – IT’S OFFICIAL, it’s an Indian summer.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Truck to mechanic – power steering blew this past week.  Better here than on the road though.
  • Rotate the tires on the truck.
  • Power wash the power steering fluid from the concrete driveway.
  • Fix the ice maker.
  • Laundry.

CURRENTLY READING – I have been loading my kindle with extra titles for the trip

TELEVISION / DVR
We’ve weeded out a few of the new shows that just aren’t our cup of tea and trying to stay on top f those on the DVR so we’re up to date when we leave and only miss a few on the road.

  • BIG BANG
  • LIFE IN PIECES
  • CASTLE
  • HAVEN
  • BLUE BLOODS
  • GRIMM
  • LAW & ORDER SVU 
  • NCIS
  • NCIS LA
  • NCIS NEW OELEANS
  • SCORPION
  • THE PLAYER??
  • THE BLINDSPOT
  • QUANTICO
  • GRANDFATHERED
  • GRIDER??
  • THE STRAIN
  • Z NATION
  • SCANDAL 
  • CSY CYBER

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.
CHICKEN & NOODLES
DESSERT

ON MY MIND

NOTE, CORRECTION & EDIT:  LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING THAT THE FOLLOWING IS NOT AN ABSOLUTE ABOUT ALL PEOPLE.  THANK YOU TO ALL THE WONDERFUL SAHM AND PARENTS WHO ALREADY FEEL AND ACT THIS WAY!

We have a cultural decay problem in this country. Life as we once knew it will NEVER be again.  We have a lack of parenting problem in this country.  As parents our jobs are to raise children into hard working, contributing members of society and functioning adults first and to be their friend second. Teaching children to be independent, hard working, respectful, happy and gracious is the best thing you can do for them, you and for ALL he people the will encounter in the future.  Teaching them about the ups AND the downs of life is realistic.

There is an apathy, a lack of respect, a lack of accountability, a lack of responsibility, a lack of courtesy…  A silver spoon entitlement complex is taking over many people.  Political correctness has become as insane concept trying to make life fair.  WAKE UP PEOPLE! Life ISN’T fair and NO ONE every said it would be. Doing the best you can each and everyday is all you can really control.

Watching the news is not always just hearing the factual events as it once was.  Commentary and social media have taken over – everyone wants to be the first to break the “NEWS” whether it is complete or correct.  Fact checking seems to be a thing of the past in many cases. Spin doctors manipulate news every day.

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY 

  • A clean dog LOL
  • Uncluttered table tops
  • A happy, purring kitty in my lap

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
Our community suffered a real tragedy on October 1st.  No one would have expected such a dark mass shooting in our little small American rural town. 

A local welder, Justin Troxel, also a graduate of UCC wanted to make a donation to the relief fund for the victim’s families to help offset their costs.  He intended to make 50 signs, sell them and be able to donate $500. Justin Troxel has done so much more though, he has united a community in mourning and has become an unsung hero as the community has grasped his signs and with the idea he spearheaded a multitude of people have found a way to help him help others.  They have shown up to volunteer with his cause.  Last I heard they have raised over $90,000.00.  They were hoping for over $100,000.00 by the end of the weekend, but I haven’t yet heard the final count.

These signs, which many of us are personalizing, have been sent all over the country.  Ours will go with us when we leave.

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

WEATHER OUTSIDE
We are warming up this week again to temperatures I thought were in our rear view mirror and I DON’T like it one bit! At least the evenings after the sun sets are really cool!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Rotate Tires on the Truck
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Drop off dry Cleaning
  • Update Computers and Cyber Clean

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
Still trying some of the new shows this week as well as some of the old favorites. As always though we’ll DVR them.  We just don’t have as much leisure to watch them with the move about to happen so we’ll have to .

  • BIG BANG
  • LIFE IN PIECES
  • CASTLE
  • LAW & ORDER SVU 
  • NCIS
  • NCIS LA
  • NCIS NEW OELEANS
  • SCORPION
  • THE PLAYER
  • THE BLINDSPOT
  • QUANTICO
  • THE STRAIN
  • Z NATION
  • SCANDAL 
  • CSY CYBER


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
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
??
DINNER
Y.O.Y.O.
CHICKEN PICATTA & SALAD
C.O.R.N.
??
TUNA CASSERILE
STEAK & BAKERS
CHILE & CORNBREAD
DESSERT






ON MY MIND
As you all know we will be leaving here soon to rehab my grandparent’s house in Texas and on Thursday I was pretty happy thinking about that as I silently celebrated grams 100th birthday in my mind with wonderful memories of her and ALL she taught me in life and wishing I was already in her house doing my projects and cooking her recipes…  Then the bottom fell out of our local world as my neighbor stopped us on our way out of the driveway and said “DON’T GO TO TOWN THERE’S A SHOOTING AT THE COLLEGE”.  I have to admit at first I was dazed and thinking WTH? HERE? WHAT? REALLY?  You see we’re a sleepy little community, not a big city, not a hub of political activity, just small rural town America. This has been a horrific week here in our community.

article

I whole heartily agree with this sheriff’s decision to ignore the coward, HE DOES NOT DESERVE RECOGNITION – WE DO NOT NEED TO KNOW HIS NAME or anything about him-that is for the authorities and their investigation. If you need names, learn the names of the victims, the heroes like Chris Mintz and first responders that dealt with the aftermath. These are the important people in this tragedy. The fact that the shooter committed suicide means he was a chicken to me.

As horrific as this tragedy has been to our community, it is heart warming to see the spark it has brought to  the community response to help others. Banks, have set up generous funds and matching donation programs, Coffee houses are giving free coffee, even the pubs are offering free pints for giving a pint of blood, neighbors setting up meal plan programs for victims and their families, pay it forwards that go ALL day in fast food lines…  There must have been several hundred people in the blood bank line at any given time before they finally had to start turning people away due to a lack of storage facilities, local businesses setting up victim funds… Here is a link to ways you can help. Healing will take time, time that can and should be clad in human compassion and warm hearts to help others.

I PRAY that these attitudes become long term and daily reminders that we are all in this life together. On the flip side I am sickened by the politicians and legislators that are trying to use this as a soapbox for gun control and personal beliefs. The following picture kind of says it all:

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • SEEING THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER & HELP OTHERS DURING A TIME OF NEED
  • My cat curling up to cuddle with me in the morning
  • Finishing projects

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

Sady catching the last possible afternoon rays of sunshine.

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.