Happy Homemaker Monday #25

It has been a really busy last couple of weeks. Phew...
I feel like I'm still catching my breath! Good news is we at least got up on time today. The last few days our schedules have been so out of whack we've been getting to bed late and waking up late. I do love to sleep in, but when there's things to be done it makes me feel like my WHOLE day is off kilter and I find myself struggling with simple day to day things. Plus being out of schedule does not do well for kiddos. I'm glad they'll be able to resume their normal schedules starting today. Maybe it will help calm them? We've been dealing with some serious sibling rivalry. It doesn't even matter if they have the same thing it's still something to squabble over. Last night we were eating popcorn and they had the exact same amount in the same bowls and they still said one bowl was nicer, or one had more than the other, etc.

My computer crashed last week also which explains why I haven't been on much lately. I tried going to the library to do my posts, but I have to take the kids with me and it didn't go well. I didn't even get one word typed before it was time to zoom out of there before we got kicked out! hah! I did get a new one which I love, but it is taking me some time to get used to it. It's a Toshiba and so far I'm really loving it much better than my Dell.
Anyway, I'll go ahead and get to the Happy Homemaker Post. I'm joining up with Sandra this week as it's Monday again. If you want to join in also just go on over and visit: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, read her post, and add your name/url to Mister Linky if your doing a HHM post.

CREDIT: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

::The weather in my part of the world::
It's 37 degrees and so far we had rain in the morning and snow flurries just a bit ago.



::Right now I am::
Sitting on the couch typing this post. Sitting near our beautiful tree. It's so gloomy outside the tree is lit up and it feels so cozy in here. I'm getting ready to get dinner on and get the boys fed, bathed, and settled.
Cartoons are playing on TV for the boys as they play blocks on the floor in front of me.



::Thinking::
How much fun this December has been so far. We have been doing the whole Advent calendar with a special activity, treat, story, or surprise for each day leading up until Christmas. Not only that but we've had the elf on the shelf with us this year. Our elf is Jingle. He's actually a type of heirloom. He is mostly stuffed with wire in his arms so they can move and hold stuff. He has jingles on his shoes and hat. My grandmother had him when I was young and he would always sit on her shelf or mantle. He didn't do the mischievous things he does these days back then, but it's nice to have him around. While the boys still have their tantrums they have been behaving better through the day. I only have to remind them that the elf is watching. LOL
Both are going to be a yearly tradition for us from now on.



::On my reading pile::

Description from the back of the book::  From the author of the number one Canadian bestseller The Birth House comes the story of a young girl abandoned to the streets of post-Civil War New York City.

"I am Moth, a girl from the lowest part of Chrystie Street, born to a slum-house mystic and the man who broke her heart."

Set on the streets of Lower Manhattan in 1871, The Virgin Cure is the story of Moth, a girl abandoned by her father and raised by a mother telling fortunes to the city's desperate women. One summer night, twelve-year-old Moth is pulled from her bed and sold as a servant to a finely dressed woman. It is this betrayal suffered at the hands of her own mother that changes her life forever.

Knowing that her mother is so close while she is locked away in servitude, Moth bides her time until she can escape, only to find her old home deserted and her mother gone without a trace. Moth must struggle to survive alone in the murky world of the Bowery, a wild and lawless enclave filled with thieves, beggars, sideshow freaks, and prostitutes. She eventually meets Miss Everett, the proprietress of an "Infant School," a brothel that caters to gentlemen who pay dearly for "willing and clean" companions—desirable young virgins like Moth.

Moth also finds friendship with Dr. Sadie, a female physician struggling against the powerful forces of injustice, who teaches Moth to question and observe the world around her. The doctor hopes to protect Moth from falling prey to a terrible myth known as the "virgin cure"—the tragic belief that deflowering a "fresh maid" can cleanse the blood and heal men afflicted with syphilis—that has destroyed the lives of other Bowery girls.

Ignored by society, unprotected by the law, Moth dreams of independence. But there's a high price to pay for freedom, and no one knows that better than a girl from Chrystie Street.

::On my TV::
cartoons at the moment
Later I'll probably watch the newest episode of Restaurant Stakeout once the kiddos are in bed.
I also have some movies I want to catch up on this week with one being: The Lucky One.



::On the menu for this week::
Monday- Baked potato soup, salad
Tuesday- Marinated baked pork chops, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese
Wednesday- Fettuccine chicken Alfredo, garlic bread
Thursday- Tuna casserole
Friday- Grilled steaks, loaded baked potatoes, corn on the cob
Saturday- Irish Stew
Sunday- Mexican Lasagna



::On my to-do list::
I've mostly covered it all besides dinner, and I still have some laundry to put away. Luckily I got it all folded.
I also need to write a letter to one of my best friends. We still try to stay in contact via handwritten letters.



::What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting, or creating::
Nothing really at the moment, although today we made handmade Christmas cards which was really fun for the boys and me. I really need to get to Walmart and pick up some yarn though. I have been yearning to make something. It's been almost a month with no crocheting and I'm going crazy! LOL



::Homemaking tips::
Peroxide has so many uses. Did you know that many doctors use peroxide to clean their offices? You can use peroxide to clean your counters or tables to kill bacteria and leave a fresh scent. You can just pour a little on a dishcloth and wipe.
You can also soak your toothbrushes in peroxide to help kill germs and keep your toothbrushes fresh.
And last but not least is if you have stained coffee mugs or teacups you can add a cap or so of peroxide to your dish load and it will help lift tea and coffee stains away.



::Looking around the house::
The boys are playing blocks on the floor while the Christmas tree glows brightly behind them. I have the blinds open in here, but it's still gloomy despite. It's so frigid outside and at only 37 degrees I'm not sure if I'm ready yet to see how much colder it will get!



::From the camera::

The Christmas Tree at Lucas's preschool. All the kids handmade everything on it (aside from the lights of course)
It's very adorable! Lucas made the gingerbread with the pink hat, he gets to come home right before Christmas break where he'll have a home on our tree next! LOL

::On my Prayer list::
Praying for all those in need this time of year.



::Bible verse/devotional::
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.