The foundation work began today on our house. Unfortunately they did not get as far as they originally intended and with the storm expected tomorrow they are predicting that they will not be able to get far tomorrow. As of now the 2-3 job is expected to take 4 or so. :SIGH: We will see.
It is amazing how hard these guys work and what a great job they are doing.
So we’re covered and hoping the storm doesn’t fill the holes with water that will need to be pumped out.
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
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.
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MONDAY
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TUESDAY
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WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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FRIDAY
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SATURDAY
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SUNDAY
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BREAKFAST
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
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FRUIT SMOOTHIE
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
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AVALON DINER |
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LUNCH
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FRUIT & CHEESE
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SOUP & CRACKERS
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SANDWICH
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OUT
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MEAT & CHEESE
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??
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DINNER
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GARLIC CHICKEN
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BRAISED HORSERADISH BEEF |
C.O.R.N.
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BOSTON BAKED BEANS & PORK
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SLOW BAKED BEEF with POTATO CRUST
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CHICKEN IN SMOKY BACON SAUCE
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APPLE & CIDER CHICKEN & VEGGIES
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DESSERT
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THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
The neighbor’s cat just loves sunbathing on the roof and will spend all day in the same place.
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’re at the 2 1/2 week mark of this new adventure and it feels more like 2 1/2 months. Hubs and I have a combined 315 hours invested and still have not completed the removal of my cousin’s and gramp’s “things” from the house, attic and garage. I even found my great grandmother’s financial and funeral records in the attic.
Bucky was my cousin’s first hunting kill, but relax the deer was eaten for family food. Bucky hung in the same place for so long that he has a permanent tattoo from the Mardis Gras beads that hung around his neck forever!
As you can see from these globes we will be purchasing a new ceiling fan and not even trying to clean this one!
On a REALLY happy note we did buy a new fridge today that will be delivered next week after the foundation work is done and we are extremely excited. It’s 28 cubic feet with all the bells and whistles and we were able to get it in white without an extra fee! I’m so excited that we won’t be living out of a dorm fridge any longer!
I am going to be able to salvage gram and gramp’s head board for the spare bedroom. It will look better than ever when I’m done. And trust me when I say EVERY piece of wallpaper in this house will be going away!
This is load 5, 6 and 7 of donations and trash with no end in sight!
While the house is now cleaner and free of all of her things the piles have now been replaced with our things from storage. We put the furniture into a spare bedroom and the boxes are stacked in the living room and master bedroom. We are not going to unpack any more items until after the foundation work is done this next week. We have 3 really large pieces left in the house from my cousin that we hope to get to the garage tomorrow for my uncle to arrange for their removal.
The first 2 weeks were tiring to say the least! Hubby and I clocked almost 300 hours just trying to make this place livable while we do the work.
I’m almost embarrassed to show you these before pictures, but it is what it is and the after pictures will be so good.
This is the master bedroom after 8 hours, but before vacuuming.
The master bedroom needs EVERYTHING! The paint on the walls is flat and at least 20 years old. There are cigarette burns everywhere in the carpet and the electrical is all original except for the jerry rigging everywhere else. I’ve already blown out 2 plugs just plugging in the vacuum. I am cleaning the nicotine layer off the head board and able to salvage it for a spare bedroom. It is my grandparent’s from the early 1930’s.
I use a Rainbow vacuum (water canister based) and after pouring off the water this colander holds the debris from the floor of the bedroom.
This room doesn’t look too bad – until you look super close. I won’t even tell you what all was found in this room.
There was “STUFF” everywhere. How any one person could stuff so much into one home is beyond me. After 12 days I still have more to send to donation and have used 78, yes I said 78 thirty gallon trash bags. It also has cost me $45 in beer and soda to get the trash men to take a little extra each time. Fortunately they come twice a week.
The kitchen is usually my favorite room of the house…until now! The kitchen also needs EVERYTHING! The cabinets are coated in nicotine and food, and are also dry rotted, the floor is chipped and peeling. No appliance is in the least bit salvageable including the kitchen sink.
There were fire ants all through the pantry and the refrigerator had become an overgrown science project. The construction dumpster gets here Thursday and EVERYTHING goes!
The water heater and AC are all that can be saved.
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
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?
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
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MONDAY
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TUESDAY
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WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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FRIDAY
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SATURDAY
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SUNDAY
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BREAKFAST
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
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FRUIT SMOOTHIE
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
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MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
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OUT |
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LUNCH
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FRUIT & CHEESE
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SOUP & CRACKERS
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SANDWICH
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OUT
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MEAT & CHEESE
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DINNER
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S#*% on a Shingle |
C.O.R.N.
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DESSERT
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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.
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
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!!
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
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!
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MONDAY
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TUESDAY
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WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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FRIDAY
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SATURDAY
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SUNDAY
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BREAKFAST
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
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FRUIT SMOOTHIE
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ON THE ROAD
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ON THE ROAD
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ON THE ROAD
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ON THE ROAD
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LUNCH
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FRUIT & CHEESE
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SOUP & CRACKERS
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SANDWICH
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ON THE ROAD
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ON THE ROAD
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ON THE ROAD
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ON THE ROAD
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DINNER
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SPLIT PEA SOUP AND CORNBREAD
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SEAFOOD SALAD
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CHICKEN AND NOODLES
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ON THE ROAD |
ON THE ROAD
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ON THE ROAD
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ON THE ROAD
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DESSERT
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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.
THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
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| GUN was SOOOOO deep in sleep it took him forever to notice the treat on his nose! |
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| Amazing morning sky on Thursday! |
INSPIRATION / QUOTE /HUMOR
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 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
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.
MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
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MONDAY
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TUESDAY
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WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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FRIDAY
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SATURDAY
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SUNDAY
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BREAKFAST
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
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FRUIT SMOOTHIE
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
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EGGS in the CLOUDS
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BACON & EGGS
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LUNCH
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FRUIT & CHEESE
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SOUP & CRACKERS
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SANDWICH
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OUT
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MEAT & CHEESE
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LEFTOVERS
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SANDWICHES
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DINNER
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C.O.R.N.
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CHICKEN & NOODLES
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DESSERT
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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
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.
This recipe just keeps getting better an better!
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| 2014 |
Glazed Stuffed Pork Chops
4 VERY thick pork chops
8 slices oatnut bread
butter
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup apricot pineapple jam, room temperature**
1 tablespoon peach schnapps
1 large lemon, juiced
*If you prefer, prepare 1 box of stove top stuffing instead.
**Tonight I used Lemon Curd and had a distinctively fresh flavor with the same consistency. Use whatever flavor speaks to you.
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
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 .
MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
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MONDAY
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TUESDAY
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WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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FRIDAY
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SATURDAY
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SUNDAY
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BREAKFAST
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
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FRUIT SMOOTHIE
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YOGURT & FRUIT
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MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
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CORNED BEEF HASH and OVER MEDIUM EGGS & TOAST
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LUNCH
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FRUIT & CHEESE
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SOUP & CRACKERS
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SANDWICH
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OUT
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MEAT & CHEESE
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??
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DINNER
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Y.O.Y.O.
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CHICKEN PICATTA & SALAD
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C.O.R.N.
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STEAK & BAKERS
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CHILE & CORNBREAD
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DESSERT
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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.
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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.
THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
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.