Thought I’d take the time to put together a Happy Homemaker Monday post today. However, it is a bit late as we’re already to Wednesday. Feels like a Monday though, does that count?
We were in the car returning from our trip to Nashville, Tennessee all day Monday, and then yesterday, was a whole lot of laundry and running around town. This morning, I’ve been trying to get caught up on all that stuff I was going to do before we left town but didn’t. Does that happen to anyone else? Plans to have everything done and the house spotless before a trip but somehow those plans never quite work out? Ha.
Still going to link this post up with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.
The Weather
HOT. Crazy hot. It’s not supposed to feel like 100 degrees at 10 in the morning. Seems strange that it was cooler south of here. Of course, our heat wave is supposed to be moving their way. Heat warnings all around. Husband left for work before it was light out this morning. Heat is supposed to last until the weekend, then it cools down to normal.
As I Look Outside My Window
It just looks hot out there. Garden didn’t fare too well while we were gone but these tomatoes on the front porch managed. (Note: this is the only picture from home, all others are from our trip) 
Right Now
Working on this post while doing a load of my “hang to dry” laundry, thinking about how I forgot to text my boss back (she did text me on Monday so we were technically still on vacation…I chose to ignore until we got home, then forgot to reply).
Thinking and Pondering
A lot of gratitude this morning: the kids (okay, young adults) managing so well while we were gone. The living room was even clean when we returned and the rest of the house passable. Glad we were were able to go on our trip and get there and back safely. The blessings of having air conditioning and clean water in this heat wave. J’s excitement at starting college courses (so much running though, gotta get him his license, we’re waiting til the heat wave is over). All of G’s help with so many little things.
How I’m Feeling This Morning
Just a bit tired. And maybe this should have went under thinking/pondering but I’m still feeling a bit burned out with my job. Guess we could turn that into more gratitude of my husband convincing/wanting me to wait a year on doing a full-time option.
On The Breakfast Plate
Is it ever too hot for coffee? Not yet. Coffee, chocolate chip muffins (from a box mix, oven on early in the morning and then, no more!), some reheated sausage.
On The Lunch Plate
Not sure. Been craving a peanut butter and jelly sandwich so maybe that.
On The Dinner Plate
Nothing that requires oven/grill preparation. I did have my husband get a big bag of salad at Sam’s Club yesterday so maybe some sort of salad, maybe a blt chicken salad?
What I’m Wearing Today
STAR labs t-shirt, black shorts, leopard print shoes.
On My Reading Pile
Mostly between books though I’m still working on the Intuitive Eating book, I read a bit, and then stop, read a bit, then stop. While on vacation, I read The Wife Before by Shanora Williams, it was okay. Don’t tell me a book has a big twist when it really doesn’t have that great of one. And yesterday, I finished up The Wedding Planner by Danielle Steel. I enjoyed it for what it was, basic chick lit type stuff. The kind of book you don’t really need to think to read. Sometimes we need that.
On My TV This Week
Yesterday, I watched the beginning of Catch Me If You Can, an older movie that I’d somehow never seen. We’d watched the end of it last week so I had to see the beginning. Also, watched a couple of Doctor Who episodes. Not sure what I’ll watch this week, lots of half-watched shows in my que. Probably going to finish Dopesick on Hulu. I’d watched the Netflix documentary on the opioid crisis called Painkiller only to find out Hulu had already made a (so far) much better one with Michael Keaton as the lead. Then, I have Jack Ryan to finish, Only Murders in the Building, and who knows what else, oh, Locke and Key. Too many.
On The Menu This Week
Not even sure I’m going to plan out a menu at this point. It’s just too hot and there’s so much running around with everyone’s new schedules. Going to have to figure things out but maybe not until next week.
MONDAY: We were on the road, ate at Steak and Shake in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It was okay, not the best but not the worst.
TUESDAY: Rotisserie Chicken/Pulled Pork/Taco Bell. Everyone was going different directions. I actually ate a handful of pistachios and a yogurt for dinner. *J had a class at 6, G was called into work at 4, so it was a bit crazy*
WEDNESDAY: I’m leaning toward BLT chicken salads or maybe taco salads but no idea really as J has a college concert band practice at 6 about 30 minutes away.
THURSDAY: Maybe some sort of pasta?
FRIDAY: French toast? No idea…
Looking Around The House
It’s ready for a good round of decluttering. And cleaning. However, it really doesn’t look too awful, just needs attention.
On My To Do List
- This post and a few trip report posts
- Rest of the laundry
- Pay bills (most are done but things wigged out while I was trying to renew my car tags online)
- Figure out J and G’s college schedule/mostly J’s so I can figure out my work availability
- Clean the house, then start a room by room declutter
The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson
From The Camera
I actually took more cell phone photos on our trip than “real” camera photos this week. The camera pictures are throughout the post but here are a few from the cellphone of our stop in Metropolis, IL on our way. Fun accidental find. 
Quote For The Week
I loved your post and all of your photos! Looks like you had a wonderful trip!!! I hope everything calms down a little bit! I’m with you on the room by room decluttering, I desperately need to do that as well! hope the rest of your week is great!!
Thank you! We did have a nice time. It’s a new thing figuring out where the kids are with these college schedules, lots of coming and going. Hope you are getting ready for a great weekend!
You had a wonderful holiday. I’m so glad your children (adults) did so well in your absence. We found the dishwasher and kitchen sink full of dirty dishes. 🙂
I think we came home to a somewhat clean house because my oldest had a little get-together on Saturday night and had cleaned for that 😉 Hope you had a wonderful time before returning to the dishes, bet they were just getting ready to wash them all right? Hope you are getting ready for a great weekend!
Exactly! No wonder you know so well. It seems our young people are alike, even though we’re on a different continent. :))))
Sorry for the late response! Can’t seem to get back in the swing of a routine over here. Yes, I think you are right 🙂
Thank you for your post and nice photos. Glad to read that everything went well at your home while you were away. The heat isn’t fun, right! We’re having the last humid, warm day here. Tomorrow will be cooler and I’m looking forward to it.
Oh, and I often can’t manage to have the house completely clean before we go on vacation either. You know, if you try that, it just adds stress. Just tidied up for appearances is fine.
Warm greetings from the Netherlands!
😊🏠🌞
Aritha
Glad you enjoyed the post! I’m struggling to get back into my routines over here, thus the late reply. We’ve managed to make it through our heat wave and are enjoying some nicer days finally. Though no rain which we do need. Happy new week!
SO sorry I’m late (as usual these days), but not for much longer! Glad you had a great trip. See you tomorrow.
No apologies! I’m late replying to most comments on here so really, according to my schedule, you’re right on time 😉 Hope your new week is off to a great start!