Happy Homemaker Monday 4/15/24

Happy Monday! It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here.  On the Thursday before last we had a snowstorm with very heavy snow; which caused a large tree to fall across our driveway.  Praising God that there was no damage done and we were able to get in cleared quickly as we were heading to NYC that evening to visit friends.

Last weekend we spent time with some good friends who recently moved to NYC.  We arrived late Thursday evening.  On Friday we went to the MET; it was incredible but definitely not enough time to see even half of it.  We then walked in Central Park and had dinner at Ellen's Stardust diner.  On Saturday we headed back into the city and walked through Times Square, Chinatown and spent some time at the 9/11 memorial. It was so wonderful to see our friends.  We headed home late Saturday night and arrived home about 2:30am on Sunday

On Sunday, after getting some sleep and repacking, we made the trek north to the area of totality for the Solar Eclipse. We spent the night about 1 1/2 hours from where we wanted to view the eclipse. Monday morning we headed up there early.  We had a gorgeous and private viewing area!  The eclipse was breathtaking and pictures just don't do it justice.  It took us about 5 hours to make the same trip back to where we stayed Sunday night.  We had expected the high volume of traffic and made the best of it.  The kids did great and we all agreed it was definitely worth it.  We packed up and headed home that night since we all had things to do Tuesday.  

This past week was pretty normal until Saturday.  I was doing some cleaning and moved wrong which resulted in a pulled back muscle.  To say I'm frustrated is a huge understatement.  I've been working out, doing core exercises and staying active so that things like this don't happen. Sigh...I'm still in a lot of pain but it seems to be a bit better today.  On Wednesday, I'm supposed to have lunch with friends I haven't seen in about a year, so I'm really praying I will be able to drive by then. This is also April vacation for the kids so I want to be able to do things with them too!

Enough about that...let's jump into this week's Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.  

The Weather:

It is gorgeous here!  Sunny and almost 70 today!  I'm so glad for the warmer weather and that the kids can get outside.

Outside my Window:

The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the magnolia tree, ornamental cherry tree and other flowers are blooming. It's a beautiful spring day!

 

Right Now I am:

Blogging and trying to stay in a comfortable position for my back.    

Thinking and Pondering: 

 What I can still do with the kids this week even with the limited movement. 

  
 Health Goal Accountability:

I was doing really well with working out last week.  Knowing that I'd have to post about it today did help keep me motivated. I had a busy week of meetings, etc so I had been active as well...until Saturday afternoon. :( 

Podcasts I'm listening to this week:

None this week.

On my T.V this week:

Probably will just watch some YouTube as new episodes come out.  I really enjoy Location, Location, Location and also Tasting History.  I've also recently discovered that The National Gallery (Britain) has a channel and they do half hour talks on the art and artists in their collection.

On the Dinner Plate:

Big Mac in a bowl 

 

On the Menu this week: 

 

Need to do a menu.  

 

What I'm Reading:

Bible

Network Effect (Book 5 of the Murderbot Diaries) -This is the first full length book in the series.

Be Confident: Live by Faith Not by Sight by Warren Weirsbe

On my To-Do list today:

Workout

Laundry (kids are working on this)

Blog ✔

Continue work on school newsletter ✔

 

Plans for this week:

Hopefully meet up with friends for lunch

Spend extra time with the kids

What I'm Creating:

I made these waffle stitch facecloths to send down to our NYC friends as a thank you/housewarming gift.  I'm planning to add some fun soaps or face masks.  They have two girls so I thought this would be fun for them.

 

 

From the Camera:

A peek into our NYC trip and eclipse day.

Highlight from Last week:

Visiting friends in NYC

Seeing the solar eclipse with other close friends.

 

Bible Verse/Devotional Quote:

 

We so often hear Proverbs 3:5-6 quoted but I was struck by verse 7 this week.

On My Prayer List:

Family & Friends who are ill.

Kids away at college and kiddos here this school year.

Wisdom in parenting.

Direction, time & diligence for a project.

Peace & the willingness to let go of things that are not mine to carry.

Wisdom for how to deal with difficult things and to trust God with all!