I Tried To Write This Post Yesterday . . .

I did try.  I tried to come up with something clever.  I tried to find some pretty photos to include but it just didn't happen.  I have nothing clever.  I only have the truth.   And sometimes it hurts

The main reason it hurts and is hurting is my mother (that I wish 

I could call MaMa but that is another post).  Visited with us 

4th of July week.  We took her home on Saturday only to go back and move her into our house on Tuesday. 

It was our hope that with love and some good food and supervision

she might begin to feel better.  

But that didn't happen.  Last Monday we had to call an ambulance to take her to the hospital.  She was there until last Friday when she moved to Rehab.  

Mother was diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection.  In addition her 92 year old heart is just acting its age.  Because of the UTI she 

is very confused and showing signs of Dementia.

Because my work is flexible I have been able to spend alot of 

time with her.  She cannot feed herself.  I have to help her or an aide can help but they have so many folks that need to help I go 

for lunch and dinner to relieve them and encourage her. 

And so I didn't get a Happy Homemaker in Texas post written the last couple of weeks.  On Sunday I was super late posting the 

Fabulous Party.  And I've just haven't been able to really get any posting down.  

I don't know when our life will be back to normal.  I really don't 

know if it ever will be.  If mother improves she will come live with us.  If she doesn't she'll be staying in the rehab and moving to 

long-term care. 

Either scenerio opens another whole can of worms in dealing with her apartment and closing it up.  Sorting through her things and deciding which kids and grand kids get what etc., etc., etc.

I hope to be back soon.  I hope to be able to visit you and share something of value with you.  

I am looking forward to 

August and . . . 

The Fabulous Party

Please forgive my delay in 'pinning' and choosing the features.

I'll be working on it tonight

Link up!

Happy Homemaker in Texas-The New Norm . . .

Things have changed here.  MaMa has come to live with us. 
Today (Saturday) we are waiting for the 1st visit from Home Health
Care.  Taking care of an aging MaMa has changed our schedule and lifestyle.  

But all is Happy here in Texas

and now to here's the HHM post

This week all Sandra's prompts

The weather

An early heat wave. Usually we have a couple of hot days in July.

But this year it has be up to 110 a few days and we still have a few more days over 100 coming up.  Where's fall.

Right now

I am multi-tasking.  Washer/Dryer/Dishwasher going.  Keeping my

ears open in case MaMa needs something.  And writing my post. 

Thinking

too much.  I need to let my mind shut down a little.

Something fun funny to share

Oh my.  Must be really, really hot there.  I got this in my email.

Linda at Best of Long Island shared it.  Click here to visit her. 

On my reading pile

I have books!  Real books.  A couple came in the mail last week. 

I got both of these for tours coming up soon. 

On my t.v.

MaMa's here so there is some t.v. watching going on. 

I leave her watching Full House all morning wall I work.

We begin the day with Andy Griffith while I am getting breakfast going and getting ready/dressed for work.

The food channel is on most of the day. 

And then the 4 o'clock local news.  (then a nap)

On the menu

Monday- Fried Chicken,Green Peas, Mashed Potatos, Cream Gravy

Tuesday-Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, Green Beans (MaMa can't eat salad.  Bummer) Garlic Bread

Wednesday-Pork Chops, Rice, Black Eye Peas

Thursday-Bar-B-Q Ribs (MaMa can't get enough)Pasta Salad,

Deviled Eggs, left over Black Eye Peas, Corn on Cob

Friday-Beef Stew and Biscuits

Our life style has changed dramatically in the last week. 

Because MaMa is here I have to plan  meals a day.  I'll be sharing my meal plans on Monday.

On my to do list

Finish planning meals and grocery shopping

Monday taking MaMa to cardioligist (s) to sign hipa forms

Keep notes on MaMa's day and activity (schedule memory test with doctor)

Work 

Schedule help (nursing and family help)

In the craft basket

Not much maybe get into some paper crafts to entertain MaMa.

Looking around the house

Changes,  moved furniture, more clothes and 1 more person 

living here. 

Scripture/Devotional

Enjoy your week

linking with Sandra and a few others my list is below this post.

Wordless Wednesday-Add A Caption

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday

Add A Caption (s)

Add A Caption (s) _________

Have A Good Day

Menu Monday-Why I Plan My Weeks Menu

Welcome

I hope your week has started out Beautiful!  I wanted to start this 

post by sharing a sweet Zinnia from my garden.  Speaking of the 

garden the Zinnia's are the main focal point now.  Everything else is suffering from the heat.  But if I keep thiese little guys watered they are giving me lots and lots of Beautiful Sweet blooms!

I went back to planning a menu this week so I thought I would

share my plans with you. 

Monday

Burgers with Guacamole (grilled inside in a grill pan that I am loving)
French Fries a simple yummy meal 
Watermelon just yummy

Tuesday
Tuna Casserole 
Brocolli Salad and more Watermelon

Wednesday
Chicken Thighs (found on sale) need a recipe

Thursday
Fajita's, Spainish Rice and Beans

Friday
Probably left over Chicken Thighs

The last few weeks have been busy and I've been trying to 

clean out the freezers so I haven't planned anything.  Just 

going with whatever I could pull together. 

But winging it doesn't work for me.  Never has.  I just seem to get 

frazzled and frustrated and then the meals turn out less than special.

Do you plan your weekly meals?

I try to make our evening meals yummy and as nutritious as I can.

And I try hard to be frugal with my spending.  Buying on sale etc. 

Sometimes it is an uphill battle. 

For me menu planning really helps me cut down on forgetting leftovers and ending up with science experiments in the 'fridge. 

I am not good at labeling food especially in the freezer.  I am always pulling something out early in the day to thaw for dinner

and have a meal of who knows what because I couldn't tell what 

it was till it thawed. 

I wonder to myself why since it is only the two of us it is such a hard thing to do.  Actually I know why.  I am busy.  Over worked. 

And so I have to choose small things 

like menu planning to get me through the week

Planning a menu may sometimes

seem daunting to me.

But in the end I feel accomplished when I don't have leftovers to throw away.

Do you plan your menu for the week?

I'll be linking at a few parties today like 

And I might share at a few others if I get around to it!

My list is below this post. 

Have a Great Week!

Just had to add this in my mind I was thinkg Grrreat Week.

I love Tony the Tiger

Do you?

Slow Start To A New Week-Happy Homemaker In Texas

Welcome

 I hope your are having a Beautiful start to your week.
Over here it's a slow start hence my afternoon Monday post which normally posts on Saturday.  

I googled Slow Start and found a couple of quotes. . . 

Slow Start Strong End

The Hidden Blessings In A Slow Start

Pretty good quotes to lean on today.  And there is a scripture I am focusing own . . . 

On with today

Joining Sandra.  She provides prompts.  I add a few of my own.

The weather

it's been hot but it is supposed to be in upper 80's most of the week.  Cloudy all week except some rain maybe on Wednesday!

Right now I am

On the breakfast plate

I did not work today.  I have been on the computer most of the morning.  No breakfast today.  I did drink my usual Dr. Pepper well today it was Coke it was cheaper.   I am planning on reheating a plate of homemade spaghetti from last night that was so yummy!

On my reading pile

I seriously am getting to the Becky Wade book this week.  I have been talking about it for a couple of weeks. 

A few others for review the end of this month and July . .  . 

Reading this one now on my phone.  A page turner!

And for later on . . . 

I read the first one it was a good clean romance.  This one follows up with some of the other characters a good series I am enjoying.

In the kitchen 

Last week I mentioned I wanted to try a new Mac/Cheese recipe.

It ended up being super yummy.  I made a few changes.  I called for Panko I didn't have any so I crushed croutons.  It was even better the next day heated in a skillet!  Click here for the recipe.

The menu-last week/this week

I pretty stayed on track last with week the menu with the exception of cooking tacos on Friday instead of the Tuna Casserole.

This week I don't have anything planned just eating out of the freezer.  

I do want to make that Tuna Casserole on Wednesday so I'll have leftovers for work on Thursday.

Skipping The Fun To Share/  Something You Need to Know

A couple of months ago we found out that there was an outstanding student loan for our daughter.  The thing was it was in The Cowboys name.  We thought we had consolidated all of the loans many, many years ago.

This one wasn't paid off.  It was a government loan and ended up being attached to his retirement.  We were hit with a $268.98 deduction from his monthly social security check.  We were not expecting and not planned for.  

So with that said before you plan retirement do some more digging and make sure that there is nothing like this hanging out there!

In the garden

The Sunflowers are blooming.  The make me smile.

My Ta Da moment

I finished the quilting Saturday on my Patriotic quilt and finished the first step of the binding.  I dislike binding.  

Here's something fun to share after all

The biding tutorial I always go to because.  I don't do it often and forget how to start/finish. This is a great tutorial.

Click here to visit Cluck Cluck Sew (I love her blog name!) she is one nifty quilting.  There is lots of eye candy there. 

Simple Sunday-The Fabulous Party

Have a Blessed Week

Here's the party

Happy Homemaker in Texas

Welcome back.  I have been AWOL and hopefully this will be a 
better week for me.  Alot has been going that has distracted me from my normal posting.  Let's hope it's all behind me.  Hmmm. 
We'll see.  And no onto Happy Homemaking!

 

by Sandra at Family Corner.  Sandra provides the prompts

I add a few of my own.

The weather
Hot.  It is that time of the year in Texas.  But we had a really nice rain shower after a very heavy storm on Thursday.  Trees down in the neighborhood.  My garden loved the nice rain!  
Today it is 85 now and mostly sunny.  
Creeping into the triple digits for the week ahead clouds and no rain

I am thinking
That I have missed posting.  I missed writing and visiting other blogs. 

Right now I am 
Enjoying a peaceful Saturday.  Except for the sound of the washer going all is peaceful. 

On my breakfast plate
If I can make it till I am done writing this post.  Pancakes with
Cranberries.  I might not get this post done till noon.  HeHe.

On my reading pile
I have been slowing down a little just too busy to read. 
Here's a couple I'll be reading this week.
 Actually I am reading this one now. 
To be read next week 

And one I can not wait to read


Sandra's prompt  On my T.V.
I watch very little t.v.  What are you watching?

On the menu for next week
This seems to be harder and harder for me to do.  But so necessary!

Monday
Burgers with Guacamole (grilled inside in a grill pan that I am loving)
French Fries a simple yummy meal 
Watermelon just yummy

Tuesday
Tuna Casserole 
Brocolli Salad and more Watermelon

Wednesday
Chicken Thighs (found on sale) need a recipe

Thursday
Fajita's, Spainish Rice and Beans

Friday
Probably left over Chicken Thighs

In the kitchen

Trying to get these made today!
On my To Do list
Planning fall planting
Finish getting room ready for mother to stay/visit (?)
Put away July 4th decor. 
Mail July 4th Giveaway.  The winner Debbie Dabble

My Ta Da moment
I made it through the week!

In the craft basket
What's that?  I miss crafting.  I did see this really sweet 
angel quilt I have started peeking at me.  Maybe I could work on it a bit.  Who knows maybe we will be having a new baby in the family soon!

A fun moment this week

Free Slurpee's and $1.00 hot dogs on 7/11 day.

In the garden
Any idea what this plant is?
    
I took a clipping from a pretty bushey looking plant at a clients.
The flowers when opened look like Cosmos.  When closed they look like a small Rose bud.  I hope it will root.

Fabulous Features from The Fabulous Party

 The Bearded Hiker joined us again with another Fabulous
recipe.   

Briskit in a Hot Pot.  Yum. Yum. Click here. 

And our Fabulous winner of the July 4th drawing Debbie Dabble.
She shared a couple posts. 

Click here to visit her blog.

From the camera
From my Daughter In Love's camera

My son's garden at his work.

Scripture/Devo