{ New knives and a new muffin pan }

Hi everyone, welcome back to my blog :)

It is Wednesday morning and I've just finished making my bed and tidying the bedroom, sent hubby off to work and need to get dressed, get some breakfast and make Jasmine's lunch, then take her work.

My mornings used to be pretty quiet and slow, but since Jas started working, it's been a flurry of activity and running around.  I sometimes laugh because before this happened I would have days where I was missing my kids being little and needing more, and I would often tell God that I missed that.

You know what I mean, the school runs, the rushed morning breakfast and running around doing things before you're even fully awake.

Well, when we ask or miss certain things, we often tend to get them back but not always in the same way they were before.

I guess I'm back to school *work* runs and busy mornings.

The weather has been insane, we've had pretty severe storms and tornado warnings and watches, and even though it's scary I do have to say it makes for some of the most gorgeous skies I have ever witnessed.

Remember when we were stationed in Arizona, I would always take photos of the sky?  It was STUNNING, and I've missed those as well, but I have to say Texas has provided some equally visually stunning ones.  Just look at those clouds???

Driving around in these storms is not exactly a fun thing to do, but we learn to roll with the punches and just go with the flow.

I have to apologize for the photo quality, this is the issue I'm having with my lenses and hence the reason I am hoping to remedy it as soon as I possibly can.  But, I wanted to show you one of my newest purchases.

On Monday, Curt was home earlier in the day, he had been in training the past two weeks and was done.  I always love having him home during the day :)

We had to go pick up Jasmine from work, and decided to go in and have a gander around the store.  I ended up putting a few items on layaway.  Now, I never use layaway, I prefer to buy if I have the money on me, but it is quite helpful when you want to make use of certain sales items without paying it all off in one go.

I've been needing a new comforter set, we currently have 2 sets which are years and I mean YEARS old, bought both back in Arizona.  Over time they have gotten ratty with all the washing, and one of them is starting to tear.

We also need new pillows, they are quite old too and I believe that you should be switching pillows out every few months, and we just haven't been able to do that.  So I put a new comforter set and two pillows on layaway, as well as a new purse for me.  Why the purse?

Well I have about 8 purses, all from thrift stores and over time they have gotten worse and are breaking.  Only 2 of those purses were actually gifted to me as birthday presents, and those are my Cath Kidston which I don't use very often so they're still in perfect condition and I REFUSE to get rid of those.

But for a day to day, I don't have a purse left that is not either breaking, tearing, scratched up and so on.

So, 3 items on layaway and then I picked up two things that I really wanted, one is the soap dispenser and sponge holder you see above.  LOVE it, works so well.

The other one is again something I've been needing for many years.  A knife set.  My knives are all about 10 years old and some are starting to rust, and you know, when you cook as much as I do, having a good set of knives is absolutely imperative.

They are not only beautiful but work a charm.  I'm so excited about having new knives to cook with, it's the little things.

The brand I guess is Tomodachi by Hampton Forge, and they weren't super expensive, they were only $20 for the set.  I know what you're thinking, they're cheap, they are crap, but really they are very good quality, really sharp and the handles are soft and great to grip.

The last thing I purchased was this muffin pan, it had been marked down and I've needed one for a super long time too.

See this is what happens when you go years and years just making do and eventually realize that things start falling apart and you have to start replacing.

I've been *making do* with a 6 cup muffin pan which is fine, but a little frustrating when you're trying to make big batches of muffins or cupcakes.  This will definitely help.

So there you have it, my little purchases that will no doubt help me out in the long run.

By the way, I took a break while posting, and I got dressed, had breakfast, gave Jasmine some breakfast too, fixed her lunch and am now ready to walk out the door.  Only thing I'm going to do real quick is just a few dishes that I have in the sink from breakfast.

I can not wait to get a proper lens back, these shots are all so horrid and remind me of pre early 2011 before I got my nice Canon camera LOL

One thing is for sure though, this has taught me or rather reminded me, that just because I didn't have a flashy super awesome camera before 2011, I still blogged daily and still shared my life, grainy picture after picture.

So, I need to give myself a kick in the old behind and get cracking with more posts and not so great photos, until the lens situation is resolved.

Right, now I'm off to wash those babies and get my girl to work.

Hope you all have a fantastic Wednesday.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/03/2019 }

Good morning everyone and a very happy June to you.  Can you even believe that we are in June, halfway through this year already?

So crazy!!!

Well another week ahead, more rain in the forecast and a lens that has all but disappeared.  Such is my life at the moment  LOL

I am still blessed though, and that is all that matters.

I don't have much to chit chat about this morning, as I don't have much time before I have to run out and take Jasmine to work, so I'm going to try and get this post up as quickly as I possibly can.

Hope you all have a blessed week ahead and thank you again for always stopping by to participate in my Happy Homemaker Monday :)

The weather:::
Rain just started coming down about 20 minutes ago, and it's supposed to stay on and off for the rest of the day.  Looks like the week ahead is also filled with rain 

Monday - Scattered Thunderstorms, 88º
Tuesday - Cloudy, 88º
Wednesday - Thunderstorms, 83º
Thursday - Scattered Thunderstorms, 81º
Friday - Partly cloudy, 87º
Saturday - Sunny, 95º
Sunday - Mostly Sunny, 95º


On my reading pile:::
The Great Unexpected by Dan Mooney.





Movies or Shows I watched this weekend:::
Hubby and I spent all weekend catching up on Lucifer, we are now on Season 4, which for us has been the best out of them all.  We are eager to finish and have to pace ourselves because if not for the fact that get up at 6AM, we probably would be up well past our bedtime.


On my TV this week:::
General Hospital
Homemaking vlogs
The Spanish Princess
When Calls the Heart
60 Minutes Australia
True Crime Daily
Lucifer Season 4


On the menu for this week:::
Most of the recipes on this week's meal plan, come from the blog Life in the Lofthouse.

Monday
Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles

Tuesday
Teriyaki Chicken Casserole 

Wednesday
Baked Parmesan Pork Chops with Mash and Steamed Broccoli

Thursday
Chic-Fil-A Sandwiches, Homemade fries

Friday
Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme

On my to do list:::
Empty and reload dishwasher
Wash bed linens


What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Nothing at all this past week, and not sure what I'll be doing this upcoming one.  I honestly miss having projects on the go and being busy with my crochet, but I feel like I've lost a bit of that crochet mojo, or maybe I just need to find the project that will bring it all back for me.


Looking forward to:::
Paying off a few more bills.  We just paid off a big one on Friday and I'm so happy for that to be out of the way.  We are hoping to buy this house within the next 2 years and have been working really hard and paying off debt and putting ourselves in a good financial position to achieve this dream of ours.  Praying for that.


Looking around the house:::
Super dark even though it's almost 8AM.  I need to give the whole house a quick vacuum when I get back from dropping off Jasmine.  The living room needs put back together, Nick usually moves my coffee table out of the way when he is playing his VR, and then being the 16 year old he is, never puts things back where they belong. 


From the camera:::
You are all aware of my lens and camera issues, so I don't really have any new pictures to share, but I did take one of the cake I made my husband for his birthday.  It was SO good, one of the best ever homemade chocolate cakes I've made.     
 

What I'm wearing today:::
As always when I am typing this post up, I'm still in my pjs.  Soon as this post goes up, I will slip on some jeans, tshirt and tennis shoes so that I can do the work drop off.  Once I'm home I will most likely change from jeans into some comfy shorts and my slippers.   


One of my simple pleasures:::
Cooking for my family.  I know there are many people who don't enjoy cooking at all, so to even put this down as a simple pleasure of mine, may sound weird.  I really do enjoy it though :)
     

Bible verse, Devotional, prayers::: 

{ And there goes my clean driving record }

 

I debated writing this post, mostly for the shame of what happened on Friday morning, and moreso because I am still kicking myself over this.

I have been driving for a very long time.

I've always been a very safe and cautious driver, mainly because I don't ever want to be pulled over by cops (just the thought of the lights in the rearview mirror, give me anxiety).  So when I'm on the road, I go the speed limit, and only ever go maybe 2 miles above it.  I often have people up my behind trying to get me to speed up and I don't budge, they can go around me if they want.

I've always prided myself on being a *good girl*.

I never skipped school (my brothers often did), I always turned in my homework, I was always early, unless I was super sick my parents wouldn't ever call in sick for me.  Things usual people do on a day to day basis, I often steer clear of if I think in any way that it could get me on the wrong side of the law.

Law abiding citizen.  That's what I've always pushed myself to be.

Then Friday morning it happened, my first ever speeding ticket.  To say I'm ashamed of myself is an understatement, but then I've always been my toughest critic and can be quite harsh on myself over little things.  I think the disappointment feeling is the worst, that and thinking that my children and husband would no longer look at me the same way.

I know, a little bit of a stretch there, but just to give you an idea of how horrible I feel and just where my emotions are at the minute.

You may be wondering why I'm sharing this, it's embarrassing and I could have just kept it all to myself, but if you've followed my blog for any amount of time, you know that I am an open book and I share my life quite willingly, here for you all.

I guess the first thing I have told myself is that although the speeding ticket is real and I did break the law, it wasn't done out on the roads or the highway.  It was actually right at the base gate.  Can you even believe that?

I will be completely honest and tell you that I don't think I was speeding, but again, being the good citizen I am, I wouldn't dare question an officer, so  I just took what the base cop said and didn't even fight it or try to argue.  I apologized profusely, told him I felt awful as I've never been in trouble before, and if I was indeed speeding I guess I must have been spaced out because I've never done that.

He said I was doing 27 in a 15.  I don't know how.  Truly, I don't.  I turned into the base, and know that there is a 15 mph limit near the gate, but the thing is, the speed limit sign is not clear at all and unless you're specifically looking for it when you enter the base, you miss it.  (I know, because after this happened I looked for it and so did my husband).  And let's not mention the fact that the cop himself told me the limit is not clear and they catch people all the time.

Looking back, I guess they were on the lookout for anyone going over the limit, and I guess I was, there's no point in me denying it other than telling you I don't recall speeding (there's really no room to even speed in the time it takes you to turn on to the base and reach the gate).

While I was waiting for him to write the ticket, another military person was pulled over going out of the base, and later another one coming in.  Apparently they had just gotten a new ticketing system that day (that's what the cop told me).  I don't know if they were trying it out and I unfortunately was at the wrong place, at the wrong time.  Who knows.

I do recall that I texted my husband and was so worried that he would be upset with me.  He wasn't, of course, he just wanted to know that I was ok.

My kids had a good laugh at my expense, they were shocked that goody two shoes mommy got into trouble.

As for me, absolutely shattered and no matter how many times people tell me it's ok, it's common, most drivers get at least one in their lives, just pay it and move on and whatever.....I can't help feeling the way I feel.  It's making me not really want to get back on the road.

I will say one thing, my life has constantly been about learning lessons, and when this happened I asked God why, why me since I've always been so cautious and law abiding.....and the answer came almost immediately.

I needed to be knocked down a few pegs.

Let me explain.....since moving to Texas my driving has definitely changed, I'm not going to say I'm an aggressive driver, but I have had to learn to follow the masses or be in some serious trouble on these roads.  That has turned me from a less than confident driver to more of an assertive one, but mostly I've gotten complacent and too use to being out on the highways and back and forth. This is just what I needed to snap me out of that complacency and remind me to be even more cautious, aware, alert and defensive when driving.

So I paid my fine (which was only $45 plus $30 processing fees) immediately after I got home, and I've chucked this experience up to a learning lesson.

Oh don't be fooled though, this happened Friday and I've been mulling it around my brain since then, still feeling poorly about it, trying to deal with a bit of anxiety thinking about having to get back on the road to drive again next week.

But like my husband said to me "Why are you beating yourself up over this?  Can you do anything to change what happened?  No?  Then let it go, you've learned your lesson".

And although this is no laughing matter, I may have chuckled a bit when my daughter proclaimed "Wow mom, you're a criminal now, I never thought YOU of all people would be one."

The moral of the story?

Not a single one of us out here is perfect or immune to breaking laws.  It doesn't make us bad people, it makes us human, and sometimes you inadvertently do something that will shake you to the core, but it is how you react to it and how you act and learn from it, going forward, that makes the difference.

I've apologized, to the cop, to my husband, to my children, and I do need to apologize to myself for being so critical the past few days, but above all I've apologize first and foremost to God, and I've asked for his forgiveness.

I also thanked him right then and there (while waiting for that ticket), for keeping me safe, for it being at the base gate and not downtown, for nice cops who were quite understanding and sweet knowing that I had never been in trouble before and for the fine not being exorbitant.

Now, I need to stop feeling sorry for myself, and move on, but boy was this a tough lesson to learn. 

{ Realm by Alexandrea Weiss - TLC Book Tour }

• Paperback: 383 pages
• Publisher: Vesuvian Books (May 14, 2019)

When her homeland is conquered by the mighty Alexander the Great, Roxana—the daughter of a mere chieftain—is torn from her simple life and thrown into a world of war and intrigue.
Terrified, the sixteen-year-old girl of renowned beauty is brought before the greatest ruler the world has ever known. Her life is in his hands; her future his to decide.

Without formal education or noble blood, Roxana is chosen by the Greek conqueror to be his bride. Soon she comes to know profound happiness and unyielding desire in her warrior’s arms.

However, being the king’s consort comes at a heavy price. To survive her husband’s treacherous kingdom, she must endure continuous warfare, deadly plots, jealous rivals, victory-hungry generals, and the stigma of being a barbarian. Persian blood will keep her from claiming the grandest title of all—queen—but her reign will seal the fate of an empire.

History tells his story. This is hers.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Alexandrea Weis

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, CRRN, ONC, PhD, is a multi award-winning author of twenty-five novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured animals. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans. Weis writes paranormal, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance.
Connect with Weis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

My Thoughts:
 I absolutely LOVE fantasy books and Alexandrea Weiss is one of my favorites, so when I was given the opportunity to review her latest "Realm", I jumped at the chance.  I may have even gloated a bit to the hubby because he too loves this book genre.

As a history buff there are many great names that I have found fascinating, and Alexander The great is definitely one of those.

In Realm, we meet Roxana, the daughter of a great chieftain who is attacked by Alexander The Great and his strong army.   Upon the defeat, Alexander decides to host a victory celebration and once Roxana and her sisters enter into his sights, during a dance for the host, he knows he has to have her.

Roxana is not exactly thrilled at first, after all, this is the man that has attacked and conquered her homeland, and now she is being forced to marry Alexander.

What follows is one of the sweetest love stories.  Roxana is a mere teenager when her life is catapulted into a world completely unknown to her.  She is now the wife of one of the greatest men in history and has to learn to not only care and love for her new husband, adapt to her role as a wife, but also deal with constant threats and danger to her life.

We often are only privy to the side of the great conquerors and their story, their lives and so on, but very rarely do we actually get to see the women who are their side and how that affects these men.  It's beautiful to see the women who bring a sort of vulnerability to the big bad macho conqueror or years gone by.

Alexandrea Weiss did an outstanding job in this story, she clearly and vividly brings to light a part of history that we don't often get to learn about.  What an absolute thrill this story was to read.

{ Moon Rush by Leonard David - TLC Book Tour }

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (May 7, 2019)

Veteran space journalist digs into the science and technology–past, present, and future–central to our explorations of Earth’s only satellite, the space destination most hotly pursued today.

In these rich pages, veteran science journalist Leonard David explores the moon in all its facets, from ancient myth to future “Moon Village” plans. Illustrating his text with maps, graphics, and photographs, David offers inside information about how the United States, allies and competitors, as well as key private corporations like Moon Express and Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, plan to reach, inhabit, and even harvest the moon in the decades to come.

Spurred on by the Google Lunar XPRIZE–$20 million for the first to get to the moon and send images home–the 21st-century space race back to the moon has become more urgent, and more timely, than ever. Accounts of these new strategies are set against past efforts, including stories never before told about the Apollo missions and Cold War plans for military surveillance and missile launches from the moon. Timely and fascinating, this book sheds new light on our constant lunar companion, offering reasons to gaze up and see it in a different way than ever before.

Purchase Links

National Geographic | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts:

The moon.....an object of pure fascination for centuries.

My family and I have loved astrophotography and admiring the night sky, for as long as I can remember, to the point where both my husband and I have our own telescopes.

Summer nights are spent outside, in our backyard or in the front of the house (we live in the country), just admiring and looking, photographing and teaching the kids about our solar system.  But the moon has always been one of our favorites, and over the years I have taken hundreds of moon shots.

When I was given the opportunity to review Moon Rush, I jumped at it and could not wait for the book to arrive.

Once it did, I immediately dove into it's pages, reveling in the pictures, the stories, the information.  It's like a crash course on that beautiful big object in the sky.

Veteran Space Journalist Leonard David, sets before us a journey through the moon's past, present and future.  We dive into myths, what came before us, and what is inevitably before us.

We constantly hear news of future moon visits and what plans our humans here on earth have.  The book is filled to the brim with photos, illustrations, and first hand accounts of never before heard told stories from the Apollo missions.

If you love space and are fascinated with the moon in particular, this is a must have in your personal library.

Some of the things you will read in the book could be taken straight out of a sci fi movie, but being the nerdy space person that I am, they make me giddy.  Maybe it's the endless hours spent watching anything from V to Gallactica, Star Trek (every version and movie), Star Wars and any kind of space documentary I could get my hands on.  But, honestly, if I would ever have the chance of going to space, whether it be the moon or elsewhere, my behind would be first on that shuttle, no questions asked.

The moon is and forever will be one of the biggest mysteries and treasures of our solar system, but journalist Leonard David does a brilliant job of bringing it all into play and gathering a myriad of information that leaves you dumbfounded at the potential for the moon's future, and at the same time in awe of what we as mankind have already achieved.

 Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me a review copy of this book, in exchange for a honest review.