Happy Homemaker Monday {3/30/2020}

Good afternoon Friends! I hope everyone is doing well. We are on day #16 of social distancing/self isolating. So far we have watched Frozen 2 about 1,000 times, we have had many dance parties, played every board game the we have, put puzzles together, learned some new card tricks, and we have been playing outside whenever the weather allows it. So far we are all doing okay. I have had a few breakdowns (mainly because I worry about not be able to feed my kids), I cry for a few minutes, take some deep breaths, put on some of my favorite music (80s rock is my favorite) and have a dance party in the living room with the kids. It's the only way I know how to deal with everything that is going on in the world.


This is something that I know we will get through. It's tough, but we will get through it one day at time.

Anyway, let's get to Happy Homemaker Monday! Shall we?

Weather:

It looks like we have quite a few rainy days this week. I sure the warm weather from last week.

Monday: Rain 55
Tuesday: Sunny with clouds 66
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny 72
Thursday: Cloudy 76
Friday: Rain 61

Saturday: Partly cloudy 71
Sunday: Rain 71

On the breakfast plate this morning:

French toast with some fruit

Outside my window:

It's raining at the moment with some dark scary clouds in the sky.

Right now I am:

Sitting at the dining room table working on this post and watching my youngest play with her stuffed animals in the living room

On today's to do list:

Laundry
Clean the bathrooms
Mop
Steam carpets

On the menu this week:

Monday: Hamburgers and chips

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, veggies, rolls
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Baked potatoes, veggies
Friday: Pizza with breadsticks
Saturday: Creamy chicken with rice and veggies

Sunday: Beans, fried potatoes, cornbread


Currently reading:

Small little things by Jodi Picoult

Big Little Lies

On the TV today:

We are going to watch some more movies on Disney+ and we will be catching up on The Masked Singer on Hulu. I am also watching some older shows on Hulu (America's Next Top Model, BH 90210, Full House)

On my mind at the moment: If the weather gets real bad, you know Tornado season is coming, where are we supposed to go since we don't have a cellar. Just something else to worry about, I guess. 

Inspirational Quote:

Trying Not To Break Down

I'm still having trouble processing everything that is going on in the world. It's hard to explain to my daughter why she can't go to school or even play with her friends. It breaks my heart when my kids get upset or even cry when they can't eat what they want to eat. Grocery shopping has become stressful and reminds of the supply runs that are taken on The Walking Dead.

The four of us have been social distancing for the past week. Which means we have been at home just being together. It's hard. I break down every now and then. I have a good cry, take a deep breath, listen to some music (80s rock is my favorite), and have a dance party with my girls in the living room.

It's a difficult time right now, but I know we will get through this and come out stronger than ever. We just have to stay home because it does save lives.

Good night and I will "see" you tomorrow!

Happy Homemaker Monday {3/23/3020}

Good morning Friends! I hope everyone is doing well. We are on day #9 of social distancing/self isolating. So far we have watched Frozen 2 about 1,000 times, we have had many dance parties, and we have been playing outside whenever the weather allows it. So far we are all doing okay. I have had a few breakdowns, I cry for a few mintues, take some deep breaths, put on some of my favorite music (80s rock is my favorite) and have a dance party in the living room with the kids. It's the only way I know how to deal with everything that is going on in the world.

Oh, and we wash our hands a million times a day!

This is something that I know we will get through. It's tough, but we will get through it one day at time.

Anyway, let's get to Happy Homemaker Monday! Shall we?

Weather:

This week's temps are going to beautiful!

Monday: Sunny with clouds 72
Tuesday: Sunny 77
Wednesday: Sunny 81
Thursday: Sunny with clouds 89
Friday: Partly cloudy 87

Saturday: Partly cloudy 65
Sunday: Sunny 70

On the breakfast plate this morning:

Homemade pancakes with some fruit

Outside my window:

Sunny and beautiful outside

Right now I am:

Sitting at the dining room table working on this post and watching my youngest play with her stuffed animals in the living room

On today's to do list:

Laundry
Clean the bathrooms
Wash sheets and blankets
Mop
Steam carpets

On the menu this week:

I'm still working on the menu. 

Monday: Pizza and breadsticks
Tuesday: Beans, fried potatoes, and cornbread
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Chicken broccoli aflfredo, veggies
Friday:
Saturday: 
Sunday: 

Currently reading:

Small little things by Jodi Picoult

Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark (still reading, but almost done)

On the TV today:

We are going to watch some more movies on Disney+ and we will be catching up on The Masked Singer on Hulu

Inspirational Quote:

4 Reasons to Start a Bullet Journal

If you've ever talked to me at all over the last few months, you've probably seen the blue and white striped notebook that never leaves my side. Now, even though I'm not keeping a diary or keeping a journal of all the things that I hear and see throughout the day that blue and white striped notebook is still very important. That's because I've recently put myself into the family of bullet journalists.

Bullet journaling is a fancy way of saying "I'm making my own planner out of to do lists and habit trackers". Now, don't get me wrong, I loved the Life Planner and the Lily Pulitzer planner. It's just that neither planner worked for me. Taking a notebook and a pen and designing my own layouts is what has started working for me.

If you are finding that it's difficult to keep your life on track and regular planners are just too hard to keep up with, then here are four reasons why you should start your own bullet journal.

4 Reasons to Start a Bullet Journal

1. You can make it how ever you like.

Even though there are general guidelines for bullet journals, ultimately the journal is something you create and work on until you're pleased with what you have created.

 2. It's just a bunch of "to do lists".

To do lists are a whole lot more satisfying to check off then just writing your tasks in your planner.

3. You can keep track of anything and everything.

I tend to keep track of meal plans, books that I want to read, movies and tv shows that I want to watch, habits, bucketlists, routines, and cleaning tasks.

4. It will definitely keep you organized.

Even though I still use a planner, my bullet journal also helps me stay organized.

Do you use a planner or a bullet journal?

How To Make Time For Each Other (when life gets crazy)

It can be hard to make time for each other as life gets busier. You get married, have kids, buy a house, and things just add up. When you do have free time there are a million things to get done. But relationships have to come first. They have to be the foundation for everything else. 

I want to share how to make time for each other when the rest of life can get crazy.

How to Make Time for Each Other (when life gets crazy)

• Schedule it in: Some people need to schedule their workouts in so there is nothing wrong with scheduling in date nights or time together. We make it a point to put date nights or potential date nights on the calendar. We are far less likely to skip them or cancel them.
• Unplug: When you are spending time together, put the phones away. This is something we are constantly working on being better at. The social media will always be there.
• Do a project: Maybe you need to organize a closet, or paint a bedroom or something else around the house. Doing a project together is a great way to spend time as a couple.
• Take advantage of days off: My husband teaches psychology part time at a local University so hours a very flexible and I work for myself so I can take a day off whenever. 
• At home date nights: When you have kids, an at home date night is sometimes the best you can do. While we make going out on dates a priority it just doesn’t always work. We’ve had to cancel dates because the kids have been sick. So cooking a meal together, or even picking up take out is fun. We have done puzzles, watched movies, played games, or just talked.

These are just a few examples of how to make time for each other. I would love to know if you have anything you’d add?

Friday Favorites {3/20/2020}

Hi Lovelies,

Oh man oh man!! Am I glad it's Friday. My biggest little celebrates her 10th birthday on Monday. She is growing up so quickly, time needs to slow down! This year we will not be having a birthday party for her due to the Argentine situation in our state. Everything is closed so we will be celebrating at home with her favorite meal (chicken tenders and mac and cheese) and her birthday cake. Hopefully once everything is back to normal we can have a birthday party for her.

Anyway, here is this week's edition of Friday favorites: 


Favorite throw back: Homemade Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli.  This was one of my favorite meals to eat as a kid. I'm so excited to have finally found a recipe for this!!

Favorite must have:  Chocolate cloud cupcakes. When I saw these I knew that I had to make them. I love chocolate and anything chocolate filled.

Favorite dip:  Peanut butter S'mores cheesecake dip. OMG!!! When I stumbled upon this recipe I laughed out loud at how insanely delicious this looked!!

Favorite bite: Italian meatballs.  No words needed!!! 

Favorite funny: 25 Husbands that must be stopped. I laughed until I cried reading through this.

Favorite sip: Slow cooked spiced white hot chocolate.

Have  a great weekend!!

Motherhood is.......

To me, it is---

- waking up every time she makes a noise on the monitor and find it nearly impossible to go back to sleep.

- finding new and creative ways to get her to eat because she is such a picky eater. 

- sneaking into your child's room when they are sleeping to watch them dream.

- kissing boo boos and telling them it will be okay.

- cleaning up the pile of toys and books only to have them scattered all over the floor five minutes later and realizing that it is okay and to just go with the flow.

- crying at random times because you hope you are not screwing them up.

- going shopping only to find yourself spending money on clothes for your kid instead of on yourself without even realizing it.

- loving another so unconditionally and knowing that you are willing to sacrifice anything just make sure that their needs are being met. 

What is motherhood to you?