First, yes, every week is a real life edition of my post. This one I just decided to show the nitty gritty messy house pictures with it. Just in case, someone else is feeling a bit overwhelmed like I am over here.
Not working today at work but oh at home, the to-do list seems endless this morning! And in true Monday morning fashion, my camera battery died right as I was taking my photos. So, not too many, all un-edited as well.
Hoping that joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday will help me get on track.
The Weather
Gloomy and grey. It also started misting just as I arrived home from the store. (We’re not supposed to get rain until Wednesday but I guess the actual weather had different plans). It’s above freezing at least, right around 40 degrees. It was in the low 30’s with a blustery wind when I opened the door for the cat in the dark morning hours.
Tuesday, now I guess is the big rain day with a high in the low 50’s and then, temps all over the place in the 40’s and 30’s. Next week the big cold front is due. Who knows what weather we’ll actually get. I’m just hoping to see the sun again sometime today.
As I Look Outside My Window
Gray skies, dreary day, birds waiting to be fed but may have to wait a bit longer. (I’ve started only filling my feeders every other days thanks to very greedy squirrels and a flock of house sparrows).
Right Now
Working on this post a minute after putting away the groceries I just bought at the store this morning.
Thinking And Pondering
Holy cow, did grocery store prices jump again, or is it just me? On a happier note, I’m thinking how thankful I am to be able to go to the grocery store without wearing a mask and make small talk (mostly about the awful grocery store prices, LOL) with random strangers/fellow shoppers again. Despite the crazy high prices, people were very civil, kind, and nice this morning. So grateful to live in an area where that is the norm.
How I Am Feeling This Morning
Physically: My back is hurting a bit, no injury, just slept on the couch for a bit last night. I was having trouble sleeping and bothering my husband (who had to go to work very early) so I opted to sleep on the couch so he could rest. 
Mentally: A bit overwhelmed with everything. So much to do before Christmas, the house is a mess, my to-do list is a million miles long. Just needing to clear some clutter and take a few deep breaths. Hoping I get a chance to do those things this week.
On The Breakfast Plate
Coffee, vitamins, a chocolate chip granola bar (before the grocery store), more coffee in the form of a Starbucks caramel brulee latte and a cheese danish as well (after the grocery store).
On The Lunch Plate
Probably going to use leftovers from last night to make BBQ pork sandwiches (we had pulled pork and rice last night)
On The Dinner Plate
I’m not sure, currently at this point in my post I’m trying to decide between: Korean BBQ meatballs, stuffed peppers, or white chicken chili. Leaning toward the stuffed peppers to use up the rice I made last night as well.
What I Am Wearing Today
A purple v-neck sweater, jeggings, purple alpaca socks (found some on sale over at Etsy and wanted to try them…still undecided), and tennis shoes. Probably going to change into a black t-shirt as I do things around the house as I’m already getting hot in the sweater.
On My Reading Pile
Just finished re-reading one of my Christmas favorites. I highly recommend this one if you are looking for a sweet, Christmas romance escape kind of book. Really wish the author would write a few more books in English! (She’s a Norwegian author and the book is set on an island off the coast of Norway)
On My TV
If you need a break from Christmas movies, we all loved Bullet Train on Netflix. Very funny story of a bullet train full of assassins. Christmas movie I watched: Spirited on Apple Plus. Very good and also funny. Finally, finally finished The Walking Dead. Not the most impressive (by far) series finale I’ve ever watched. And so many spin off shows coming! Ugh. Will I still watch most of them? Sigh. Probably.
And of course, Football. An ugly win is still a win. The Chiefs better step it up a notch if they have any hopes of beating Buffalo or (ugh, Cincinnati). Or pretty much any other team.
On My Menu
Talked to my brother on my birthday last week, he’s doing spaghetti for Christmas so….need to keep that off the men for the next couple weeks.
MONDAY: Leaning toward stuffed peppers *J has a lesson at 6:30*
TUESDAY: White chicken chili
WEDNESDAY: Roast in the crockpot *J has an appt at 11* *I work 1:30-6*
THURSDAY: Hot dogs, chips, veggies *J has a dentist appt at 1*
FRIDAY: Korean BBQ meatballs, rice, maybe I’ll get fancy and go get some spring rolls from Panda Express (I don’t like much else from there but I love their spring rolls!)
Looking Around The House
I’ve already shared that ugliness with you in pics throughout this post.
On My To Do List
- Grocery store *DONE*
- Target/Sam’s Club
- Pay bills
- Clean the house
- Finish Laundry
- Fill out forms for J’s appt on Thursday
- Order some Christmas presents
- Inventory of stocking stuffers
- Blogmas catch up (this will help motivate me for #8 as that’s where I’m at in the days)
- Bit of Christmas baking
- Finish decorating for Christmas (seems to be a cycle, I want the house clean and by the time the house is clean, I’m too tired to decorate. By the time I’m ready to decorate, the house is a mess again)
- Spend some time on a de-clutter around here
From The Camera
Didn’t do a good job picking up the camera last week. Only picture I took last week was of my birthday cake. All other pics in post are from today.
Quote For The Week
Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Happy Birthday!!!! Are we the same age?! Yay!!! Your cake looks delicious. And festive! You know, I have had trouble sleeping a few nights lately, and I do the same thing. Head to the couch! Have a cozy evening, my friend!
Thank you! Possibly? 53? I’ve been going around in my mind thinking of the grinch and the line “for 53 years now…” LOL. The cake was good, a little dry but hey for a first attempt at a from scratch cake, pretty good. Hope you are having a great start to your Tuesday!
Happy birthday! I will be 53 in April! I am going to have to make some Korean BBQ meatballs! Do you have a recipe for those? My sweetie and I plan to watch Bullet Train this weekend. Glad you enjoyed it! Have a wonderful week!
Thank you! Um, my Korean BBQ meatball recipe is pretty top secret but I’ll share. Frozen already cooked meatballs (we use the bag of Italian meatballs from Sam’s club), as many as you want, jar of Korean BBQ sauce (I find this at Target). Put meatballs in crockpot, add sauce and cook on low until heated all the way through. Serve over rice. To fancy things up, I add some fresh chopped green onion and sesame seeds (my oldest and I like it this way but my husband and youngest skip the sesame seeds). Not much of a recipe but super easy and everyone here likes it. Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!
Hello Dearest!
Sorry so late. I’m feeling the same crunch and overwhelmed too my Lovely. So know you’re not alone. And I’ve had this back issue for weeks and it’s getting old! And it doesn’t help my to-do list. Lol But we Momma’s always put too much on ourselves and need to give ourselves grace and know it doesn’t have to be perfect! It’s our holiday too! 😉
I wish you so many blessings for this year ahead dear Birthday Girl! You’ve only got me beat by a couple years. I love seeing your real life and even unedited pics. From here looks like someone I think is wonderful and relate with very much. xoxo
Thank you so much for all your kind words! Your comments always make me feel better and leave me with a smile. I sure hope your back issue lets up in time for your to truly enjoy the holiday season! And I saw that the Duluth area is under a blizzard advisory (I follow the canal camera or something like it on Instagram, closest way I could figure out to bring that big beautiful Lake Superior home with me, LOL). Hope you stay safe if that is hitting your area as well.
Happy belated birthday. I too have slept on the couch last week so as not to wake dh with my coughing. Being sick for a few weeks before Christmas is not helping my plans to be ready. Next year, things will get done even earlier.
I like seeing pictures of a ‘real’ interior and not something pimped up for pictures!
Have a great week
Thank you! I’m sorry you spent time sleeping on a sofa as well, it doesn’t help in regards to a good night’s sleep at least not here. Hope you are feeling much better & will be back to 100% by Christmas!
Happy Birthday!!!! I think we are the same age? I am 52……
I love real life unfiltered pictures!!! YEP!!
I think we both have that same never ending to do list….lol.
You are a blessing!
I hope your back feels better soon.
Julieann🤍
Thank you! I think I beat you by a year, just turned 53 🙂 My back is back to normal over here thankfully, we need to invest in a more comfy couch perhaps. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!