Monday, May 27, 2019

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 05/27/2019 }

EDIT:  Sorry about the linky confusion, it is now up and working.  Thank you for the heads up ladies :)

Good morning everyone, and a very happy Monday.

First and foremost, hope you're all having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and no matter what you are doing, my hope is that you're keeping in mind the real reason why this holiday is celebrated.

So, first things first....I've been MIA again from the blog and regular post.  The reason?
Still haven't got the new lens, it was a crazy week let me tell you.  I bought the lens, it was shipped out within 2 days and made it's way to the USA, went through customs and all that stuff, and then I tracked it all the way to Friday.

It was out for delivery, I was beyond excited, and then suddenly  - DEAD MAIL/DISPOSED BY POST OFFICE.

What in the world???

After numerous calls to the post office, they told me they didn't have it, it wasn't scanned into their system, no idea what package or where (even though it SAYS USPS accepted it 3 times through different cities).

I got in contact with the seller and he was extremely helpful, went above and beyond and is actually sending me another lens at no extra cost.  So hopefully, soon we get back on track.

BUT, with that said, it's been two weeks of no actual posts on the blog, and I can't handle that, so I'm going to use what I already have and work with it and get back to daily blogging for you guys.

Anyway, now you know what has been happening.  Let's get on with our post for today. 


www.familycorner.blogspot.com




The weather:::
We have had a rough tornado season already.  For the first time in 4 years of being here, the sirens started blaring last week and we had to go into the storm shelter.  We actually had rotating clouds above our house and a tornado did indeed touch down nearby, but thankfully went back up again.  It's been pretty hot though and intermittent rain here and there.  We have yet more storms this week, so please continue to keep us and everyone in tornado alley, in your prayers.

Monday - Partly cloudy, wind, 88º
Tuesday - Scattered thunderstorms, 87º
Wednesday - Thunderstorms, 74º
Thursday - Sunny, 82º
Friday - Mostly Sunny, 84º
Saturday - AM thunderstorms, 85º
Sunday - PM thunderstorms, 87º


On my reading pile:::
Realm by Alexandrea Weis.   

Movies or Shows I watched this weekend:::
Well, I have just binge watched the first season of Lucifer.  I have held off on watching it for a very long time, years actually.  Everyone kept saying it is brilliant and just so good and need to watch and so on, but I'm kind of weird with shows like that.  My husband though, started watching it this past week and was hooked on it, so yesterday since I had a down day of doing absolutely nothing, I decided to give it a go.  I'm hooked, it is such a good show.

On my TV this week:::
General Hospital
Homemaking vlogs
The Spanish Princess
When Calls the Heart
60 Minutes Australia
True Crime Daily
Lucifer Season 2

On the menu for this week:::

Monday
Pulled Pork with Homemade Mac and Cheese

Pulled Pork Sandwich with Mac & Cheese,

Tuesday
Olive Garden Fettucine Alfredo, Garlic Bread


Wednesday
Cowboy's Meal



Thursday
Asian Beef Wraps



Friday
Deep Dish Pizza and Hot wings


On my to do list:::
Empty and reload dishwasher
Vacuum and dust
Change bed linens

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
I fixed a skirt that was way too big on me, so pulled that in and it now fits so much better.  Also am re purposing some dresses.




Looking forward to:::
Fingers crossed that I actually get my lens in this week.  I'm dying over here folks, I need my camera fully functioning lol
Hubby is in training the next two weeks and then he is actually away for a week TDY, but thankfully he is not going far from home, which is wonderful, he will be but an hour away.

Looking around the house:::
It is quite dark, we have cloudy skies and gloomy weather again.  I haven't even opened my bedroom blinds or curtains yet because hubby was still asleep.
The kids are sleeping, of course.  The smell of fresh coffee is wafting in from the kitchen and I may need to go and refill my cup.

From the camera:::
View of my desk yesterday afternoon.     


What I'm wearing today:::
Still in my nightgown, haven't thrown on the workout gear yet.  I missed two days last week which really annoyed me, but it's ok, one bad week and we are going right back at it.  I've lost 2 pounds so far and I'm super proud of myself, although it's been HARD. 

One of my simple pleasures:::
Having a down day, doing nothing but watching a show and not even having to worry about cooking because everyone tells you not to, and end up snacking all day long.  lol                

Bible verse, Devotional, prayers::: 
Today's prayer is specifically for Memorial Day:

Heavenly Father, as our nation pauses today to remember those in the military who have given their lives for freedoms we enjoy, we pray you would have us all look to you for strength, comfort and guidance. Be with all who serve in our Armed Forces. Bless them and their families. Grant your loving protection. Let peace prevail among all the nations, O God. Especially let your mercy rest upon our land, even as we acknowledge with thanksgiving your past goodness on this country. If it is your will, preserve the lives of the men and women in uniform as they defend our citizenry. Most of all, we pray that you would turn the hearts of all – military and civilian – to your holy Word where we find the true peace for our sinful souls that surpasses all understanding. Keep us repentant of sin. Move us to know, take hold and treasure your saving grace. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Your beloved Son, who alone gives this peace and hope for eternity, we pray. Amen.

Monday, May 20, 2019

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 05/20/2019 }

Good morning everyone, how was your weekend?

Welcome to another Happy Homemaker Monday.

When I came up with the idea for HHM many years ago, I had no idea that it would go on for this long, or that anyone would even want to join in with me.  It started as a way for me to put down my plans for the upcoming week and have it all in one place, but over the years it has turned into so much more than that.  I am truly thankful for each and every single one of you, who come by every Monday and participate.

We've been able to create a community of like minded women who care for, and support each other.  Thank you for that ladies, really :)

I appreciate you all and I appreciate the comments you leave down below as well.  If you participate, all I ask is that you don't change the categories or the little Happy Homemaker Monday image, because then it really isn't a part of my blog anymore.  I also ask that if you are joining in, please leave a comment below, even it it's just a quick hello I'm here and joining today.  I would love to see a lot more interaction between the ladies, and as the host of this feature, I too love knowing who is joining in and how they are doing.

Anyway, now that we have that out of the way, let's get right into our plans for this week, shall we??

www.familycorner.blogspot.com


The weather:::
We are expecting quite strong storms today, but the rest of the week is supposed to be clear, albeit cloudy.  The temperatures are staying in the high 80's though which is quite nice.

Monday - Strong storms and wind, 82º
Tuesday - Partly cloudy and windy, 80º
Wednesday - Partly cloudy and windy, 87º
Thursday - Cloudy and windy, 87º
Friday - Cloudy, 85º
Saturday - Cloudy, 87º
Sunday - Partly cloudy, 87º


On my reading pile:::
Moon Rush and Whatever it Takes.  I'll be putting up a post with my summer reading list, this week. 


Movies or Shows I watched this weekend:::
Just a lot of 60 Minutes Australia, I enjoy podcasts and documentaries in general, so I usually pop on something like this on Youtube, to listen to while I do my housework.  


On my TV this week:::
General Hospital
Juana Ines
Homemaking vlogs
The Spanish Princess
When Calls the Heart
Documentaries

On the menu for this week:::

Monday
Pickle Brined Chicken, Potato Salad ( New Recipe)



Tuesday
Ninho Recheado (Meat filled pasta nests), Garlic Bread



Wednesday
Curt's birthday so I'm making Steak, Baked Potatoes and a side salad

Image result for cast iron steak


Thursday
Portuguese Bean Stew and Rice (this one has been shuffled back and forth the past 2 weeks, but I'm finally making it)

https://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/560x315/351366.jpg


Friday
Deep Dish Pizza and Hot wings


On my to do list:::
Empty and reload dishwasher
Iron a load of clothes
Sewing - am making and re purpose some dresses for summer
Have an ENT appointment on Friday morning
Take Jasmine to work two days this week


What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
I pulled out my sewing machine so that I can re purpose some old dresses and skirts as well as make a new dress for summer.



Looking forward to:::
Hopefully my lens coming in so that I can get back to taking tons of pictures and blogging the way I'm used to. 
Also looking forward to seeing the ENT and hopefully get some answers on this ear of mine.  It has gotten a LOT better, I definitely feel it's well on it's way to being 100%, but it's not quite there yet and I'm frankly over it at this point.  It has now been 3 months since it first went bonkers. 


Looking around the house:::
I've opened all the blinds and curtains in the house, but you wouldn't really know it since it's so dark and gray outside.  There is however a nice breeze coming in and it's always amazing seeing the curtains blowing in the wind.
The house is tidy from the weekend so I don't have much to do. 


From the camera:::
The culprit of not being able to blog this past week.  I love my 50mm 1.4 so much and it breaks my heart to see it damaged.   



What I'm wearing today:::
Workout gear at the moment, I'll be starting my Monday workout soon.  By the way, I've updated the sidebar with this week's routines.  As I explained before I'm changing it up every day so that I don't get bored, and also because it's the best way for your body to lose weight.  When you do the same exact workout each day, your body gets used to is and does nothing but hit a plateau.  I need to get my body going so each day and each week is something different.  Over the weekend my sciatica has flared up, so I'm keeping it simple this week with shorter workouts but just as equally good to lose weight. 


One of my simple pleasures:::
Believe it or not, working out.  Getting to it is a whole other story, but once I'm doing it or after it's done, I love it.              


Bible verse, Devotional, prayers::: 
The prayer below is for all of us who are trying to change our lives in a healthy way, who are wanting to workout but sometimes lack the motivation.  I found this prayer and thought it so poignant because truly, I can't get through these workout routines or creating this new habit, without the Lord's help. 



Sunday, May 19, 2019

{ Sunday - 05/19/2019 }

_MG_5197

Hi everyone, welcome back to my blog :)

I know, it's been a whole week since I've posted, aside from my Happy Homemaker Monday.  I really have missed blogging, but as I explained previously, it hasn't been easy without a properly working camera.  Or rather, properly working lenses.  The camera body itself is old as well, and that's due to wear and tear over the past 8 years, but it works just fine.

With that said, you can't exactly have a functioning camera body if you don't have properly functioning lenses, and that is the issue I'm faced with.

It's honestly just not given me any motivation to blog or put anything up, because as you know, especially if you've followed me from the beginning, I absolutely LOVE taking photos and sharing them with you all.  It's an imperative part in my blog and without it I feel slightly discombobulated.

Monday, May 13, 2019

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 05/13/2019 }

Good morning everyone, happy Monday :)

I feel like this weekend just flew right by, but it was a good weekend, I did some gardening, got the patio ready for the summer and started pulling weeds out front.  That is a never ending job, and after about an hour, I gave up.  I'll get back to it this week though.

We are done with school, so aside from driving Jasmine to and from work, I have a pretty easy week coming up.

Also, I wanted to quickly mention my sidebar.  If you noticed, last week I had a whole week's worth of workouts posted and I marked them done as I got through them.  When I redid my template yesterday, I added this week's all new workout routines.

I plan on doing that every week, for myself.  It helps me stay motivated and holds me accountable too.  But, if they motivate one of you to also start a home workout routine, then all the better, right? :)


Anyway, let's see what is going on in our households, shall we? 



Sunday, May 12, 2019

{ Happy Mother's Day }

2010_05090225

Twenty years ago, I joined the mother's club.

The Lord had seen fit to give me the responsibility of birthing and raising two human beings, two little lives that I would guide through life, love and nurture.

I am incredibly blessed with the two children that I have.  I often look at old photos like these and I miss the times when they were little and needed me more, or rather, needed me differently, because even though they are now 20 and 16, they still need me in different ways and I'm only too happy to be here for whatever that may be.