Happy Homemaker Monday - 02/29/2016

Good morning everyone, welcome to another Happy Homemaker Monday edition.  Oh my word, I can't believe I didn't get a single post in last week, other than my Monday HHM.

The cold really did a number on me, I can say that I'm feeling much better but I'm still not 100%, and now I'm dealing with this horrible exhaustion.

I dragged myself to the doctor on Tuesday, I honestly couldn't take it anymore.  I was tested for Strep and the Flu and thankfully they both came back negative, but the doctor still put me on Flu antibiotics because my symptoms were all very consistent with a flu and not just a simple cold.  Whatever it was, it was horrible and it's been hanging around my house and made it's rounds.  My poor Nicholas is the one with it right now and he is so sick and so unhappy, poor kid.

I'm just praying and hoping this goes away and fast.

The weather.....
We had a rain day last week, but beautiful weather the rest of the time.  For this week we are looking at slightly cooler temps, but still pretty nice weather.

 
Right now I am....
Sitting with my cup of coffee, working on this post and petting my Lola.  My poor girl had 5 seizures a few days ago, I just really hate this for her, it's heartbreaking.


Thinking....
I'm so glad that I've finally turned the corner with this sickness, I hadn't felt that bad in a very very long time and it just reiterated for me, the fact that I don't have the patience or time to be down with a cold.   


On my TV.....
Watched Deadpool with the family last night.  We also always sit down together to watch The Walking Dead, it's just a fun time to sit and watch and chat about the show and yell at it together etc hahah
I've also started Fuller House on Netflix, and I know there are mixed reviews on it, but I love it, it's just such a sweet show and reminds of the good family shows we used to have back in the day.


On the menu for this week....


Monday -  Pork Cebolada (Bifes de Cebolada but I'm using pork), Rice, Salad
Tuesday - Shrimp Curry
Wednesday - Roast Chicken and Potatoes, Broccoli
Thursday -Sausage Rice
Friday - Homemade Cheesy Garlic Pizza


On my to do list....
Washing the bathroom floors with bleach
Disinfecting the whole house
Homeschooling

 
In the craft basket....
Still have the blankets

 
Looking forward to this week....
Hopefully getting rid of all the sickness in this house
Catching up on homeschooling, everyone's been down and lessons are quite behind at the moment


Looking around the house....
Needs some major disinfecting, I've been doing it as I go but I've been so poorly that I haven't been able to do a deeper cleaning. 


From the camera....
This weekend, the girls wanted to take some pictures so I grabbed the camera and went out front to grab some shots.  I got so many gorgeous ones, but here are some of my favorites.

Absolutely gorgeous.  I love the contrast between the two, they are so alike but so different in so many ways, just love it.


On my prayer list.....
My Lola, I've already asked God to remove whatever it is that is making her ill and have these awful seizures, and I truly believe in the power of God.
For us all, for this virus to leave our house once and for all.
My brother and sister in law, for jobs.



Bible verse, Devotional....

Happy Homemaker Monday - 02/22/2016

Good morning everyone, well, I'm here, making sure I get this post up in time.

I am however, very very sick like I haven't been in a really long time, matter of fact the last time I had a cold or flu like this was back in Arizona.  So yes, long time, but goodness it has completely knocked me on my behind.  Sore throat, body aches, fever, horrible cough and all that fun stuff.  I have no patience for this, honestly.

The weather.....
Beautiful week last week, but cloudy and cooler temps this week. 

 
Right now I am....
In bed, got up and made coffee for hubby, took some more medicine and have crawled back into bed.  I got no sleep last night with my congested nose and the horrible cough, so I'm pretty tired today.


Thinking....
That I have no patience to be sick, that I just need it to go away and fast. 


On my TV.....
Need to clear out my DVR, there are far too many shows on there and I haven't the time to watch them.


On the menu for this week....
I may need to come back and add the meals in after, I forgot to bring the menu to my bedroom and I just don't feel well enough to get back up to do it.

Monday -  Shrimp Curry
Tuesday - Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread
Wednesday - Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Rice
Thursday -
Friday -


On my to do list....
Nothing, I am too sick to do anything

 
In the craft basket....
Have two crochet blankets I would like to work on, just haven't had time. 

 
Looking forward to this week....
Getting over this sickness


Looking around the house....
Needs some tidying up, but not too bad.


From the camera....
I haven't touched my camera in a while, but my niece wants me to take some pictures so I'll try to get that done some time this week.


On my prayer list.....
My brother and sister in law, they've already put in for some jobs, hope they hear back soon.
Me, I'm so sick, and I am not whining or making it more than it is, I really am not well so prayers would be appreciated.



Bible verse, Devotional....

The laughs we share

 
If there is one thing about family, and I mean, real family who cares, is that no matter how much time apart you spend, when you reunite it's just like old times.

As you all know by now, my brother, his wife and my niece and nephew, arrived on Monday morning.  They have been wanting to leave Idaho and move to Texas for a while, the truth is that there really are no jobs available in the area they were in and things were starting to get quite difficult.

When they first arrived in South Africa in 2013, we took them in, and helped them get started in this beautiful country.  I am not going to say that it was easy, it wasn't, and if you go back and read some of my posts you will understand that no matter how much you love family, when you have 8 people living in one small house, it's bound to cause some friction here and there.

But it's all part of the family dynamics.  With that said, the financial burden is not an easy one either, but it's one that my husband and I gladly took on.

Fast forward to today and we are doing it all over again.  The difference this time is that we are in a much bigger house, with a much better financial situation to be able to help them.

So, here we are again.

I've been so busy the past few days, not only getting everyone settled in, but catching up, chatting, and laughing like I haven't laughed in a long time.  It feels good, it replenishes the soul and it makes any stress you may be feeling, seem quite minimal.

I don't know how long it will be for them to find jobs, find a home, and get settled in for good, but I'm quite positive that it is not going to take them very long at all.  With that said, I would like to ask you all for some prayers for them, it would be really appreciated.

As for us, well, Curt is still loving his job and doing wonderful, the kids are doing well in school and I'm just plodding along as always.  Oh and I got my results back from my mammogram and everything is clear and normal, which was such a huge relief.  Thank you to all who kept me in their prayers.

Yes I've been busy and haven't had much time to be online, but at least it's for a good cause, right?

Right, well it's almost 7am and I am in desperate need of some coffee and sustenance, so time to hop on off this bed and get to it.

The Rain Sparrow - TLC book tour

Series: A Honey Ridge Novel

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: HQN Books (February 23, 2016)

New York Times bestselling author Linda Goodnight welcomes you back home to Honey Ridge, Tennessee, with another beautiful story full of hope, haunting mystery and the power to win your heart

Renowned yet private, thriller writer Hayden Winters lives a life colored by lies. As he is deeply ashamed of his past, his hunger for an honest relationship and dreams of starting a family remain unsatisfied, and he can trust no one with his secrets. He’s determined to outrun his personal demons, but the charming old Peach Orchard Inn and a woman whose presence is as gentle as a sparrow’s song stops him in his tracks.

Carrie Riley is afraid of everything from flying to thunderstorms, and pretty much of life itself. But meeting the enigmatic writer staying at the inn emboldens her to learn everything about him. When they discover a vulnerable boy hiding at the inn, Hayden is compelled to help Carrie protect him. Soon they’re led to a centuries-old mystery that haunts Hayden’s sleep, and his only safe haven is Carrie. As the secrets of the past and present cause their lives to become entwined, all that’s left to come to light is love—if the grim truth doesn’t tear them apart first.

*********************************************************

I have to say that I really enjoyed this book, it was a light, quick read filled with Southern charm.

The story is centered around a thriller writer and a librarian, both trying to get over certain things in their lives, and both trying to move on and not really wanting to be involved with anyone.

Hayden has come to the Inn to spend a few months in seclusion to write his next book.  Carrie had a pretty bad breakup after falling in love with a married man, which she had no idea was married, and is now the town librarian just trying to move on with her life.

They first cross paths at the library and seem to connect over a little boy who apparently as been abandoned by his drunk father.

As always, the story takes some twists and turns, the two forge a much deeper connection.  In the middle of all this, Hayden is having nightmares about the Civil War era.  We get a bit of history, we get a romantic connection, and human relations and a the Southern charm that we all adore.

Overall, a sweet story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me with a review copy.

Happy Homemaker WEDNESDAY???

I am so sorry for not getting this post up on Monday, but I didn't get a chance to even touch my computer until this morning.

My family arrived from Texas and we had to help unload the UHaul and get them settled in and such, I'm sure you understand.  It's going to be a bit busy around here, but I'm actually hoping to be able to keep posting daily, even if just to talk about what we're doing, how they're adapting etc.

So without further ado, here goes our Happy Homemaker Monday, on a Wednesday.  There's a first time for everything right? 

The weather.....
It's been absolutely beautiful here, this week we are seeing temps in the 90's, gorgeous blue skies and it really feels like we're headed into summer.

 
Right now I am....
Sitting in the girl's room chatting with them, typing up this post and helping my daughter with school.


Thinking....
About all these changes going on around me, and trying to keep myself grounded without becoming overwhelmed.


On my TV.....
Have to watch The Walking Dead tonight but other than that, just don't have time for anything else.


On the menu for this week....
Cooking for 8 people again so have to work on easy, good, filling meals.

Monday -
Tuesday - Fettucine Alfredo, Salad
Wednesday - Ajo Chicken and Rice
Thursday - Husband's Delight, Garlic Bread
Friday - Italian Sandwiches, Fries


On my to do list....
Getting the family situated.

 
In the craft basket....
Have two crochet blankets I would like to work on, just haven't had time. 

 
Looking forward to this week....
Spending time with family, chatting, catching up.


Looking around the house....
With 8 people now residing here, full time, things are bound to get a little nuts.  I have to make sure to stay on top of the cleaning otherwise......chaos.


From the camera....
My beautiful girl

On my prayer list.....
My family, that they are able to find jobs pretty quickly and get settled into their own house.  It's always so hard to have to make such a big move and restart over again.


Bible verse, Devotional....
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3: 5-6