5 Things I Do Every Night

I don't know about you, but I HATE waking up to a messy house. I just starts the day off the wrong way. When you wake up to clean mess free home it just starts your morning off the right way. No tripping over toys and books, no dishes overflowing in the sink, and no rushing to pack Angelina's lunch in the morning. I am not a morning person and I don't pretend to be, however, I do stay up pretty late because it's the only time that I can do my evening routine, which is done once the kids are in bed. This is when i find that I can get things done and I am also more productive at this time as well.

Since I am not a morning person, I like to try and make things just a bit easier on myself the following day by doing 5 simple things the night before.

FIVE THINGS I DO EVERY NIGHT

DO THE DISHES

There is nothing worse than waking up to sink full of dirty dishes and cluttered counter tops. No one wants to maneuver around a sink full of dishes while trying to fix breakfast. So every night before I go to bed I make sure to wash any dishes that need it and put any dishes away that are in the dish drainer. Not only does this kitchen put together but it is nice to have one less thing to worry about in the morning.

PACK ANGELINA'S LUNCH

My daughter takes her lunch to school four days out the week. Either after dinner or while I am making dinner I pack her lunch. Usually she requests a lunchable or a peanut butter sandwich and when she wants something different I make her a homemade lunchable. By packing her lunch the night before it frees up more time that I could be doing something else.

PREP TOMORROWS DINNER 

If there is anything I hate it is dinner time rolling and I realize that I never took the meat from the freezer that I need for the next day's meal. How many times have I forgotten to defrost the chicken or even put on a pot of beans the night before? Too many to count!!! One thing that I do so that this doesn't happen is prep tomorrows dinner the night before. By doing this the night before bed,  I never have to worry that the items I need for tomorrow's dinner won't be ready.

WIPE DOWN THE COUNTERS

This goes back to the first point about waking up to a messy kitchen.  Plus, depending on what I made that night, I don't want all the germs just sitting on my counter tops. Every night before I go to bed, I wipe down all the counters in the kitchen. By doing this, it ensures that I have a clean surface to cook on the following morning.

PUT THINGS BACK IN THEIR PLACE

Having a 7 year old and a one year old this is a big one for me!!! You know how I mentioned that I hate waking up to messy kitchen, well, I also hat waking up to a messy living room. Now, I don't go crazy the night before but I do like to pick up things and put them in their place. Now, I try to do this multiple times a day because my house can get pretty messy. Usually I have to wait until the kids go to bed, and when they do, I quickly clean the kitchen and living room. It only takes about 45 minutes to complete this task, but it makes a difference knowing that I will be able to sleep in a clean house.

Is there anything that I you do before bed? Do you have a night time routine? I would love to here from you in the comments below!

A Load a Day: Why I Have a Laundry Routine

There are things that I've been doing every single morning, seven days a week: make myself a glass of lemon water, pour the girls their  milk, and start a load of laundry.

A couple of months ago a read an article written by a mom a loathed laundry day (much like I do), which was the one day a week where she set aside several hours to do 4 or 5 loads of laundry that had piled up throughout the week. According to the article, she set out to semi-eliminate the cumbersome chore and decided to do one complete load every day so that she didn't have one specific day each week that she was bogged down by laundry. Her article detailed what a positive impact this simple switch made on her routines as well as her attitude. Since laundry is my least favorite chore ( I mean I would rather clean the bathroom then do the laundry) I decided to give her "one load a day" practice a whirl.

I swear by this laundry routine. By following this routine it has helped to keep Mt. Washmore under control.

Here's how the routine looks for me:

1. First thing in the morning I gather up all the laundry. The basket in our bedroom is where all of the dirty clothes go (mine, my husbands, and the girl's clothes).

2. I separate the clothes two ways: whites and colors. If the load is small I just mix them together.

3. I throw the whites in to the washer and start the load. When that load is finished, I wash the colors.

4. A load usually runs for about 40 minutes, as soon as it's done I put it in the dryer and throw the next load in the washer.

5. When the first load is dry, I immediately fold it and put it way. This keeps the clean laundry from piling up throughout the week.

As far as laundry products go, the only one I use is All Free and Clear. I swear by this laundry detergent. I wanted something that didn't have a harsh smell to it and it is gentle and pure but tough enough to handle any stains that my husband and kids my get on their clothes.

What is your laundry routine? One load a day or once a week? Please share in the comments below!

Happy Homemaker Monday 3/20/2017

Good Afternoon Lovelies and Happy First Day of Spring!!  Welcome to another edition of Happy Homemaker Monday!!

The weather:::
Sunny and warm this week, but it looks like we will have some rain on Thursday.


On my reading pile:::
Still reading The Face on the Milk Carton


Movies or Shows I watched this weekend:::
I finally found Party of Five on the FreeForm app on my Roku. I loved this show and I am really enjoying re-watching the episodes. I am halfway through the second season.

On my TV:::
Gilmore Girls
Safe Haven
The Ranch
Party of Five

On the menu for this week:::
Monday March 20th
BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, corn

Tuesday March 21st
Baked potatoes and salad

Wednesday March 22nd
 Pinto beans and cornbread

Thursday March 23rd
Chicken tenders and meatballs with mac and cheese

Friday March 24th
Chicken fried steak bites, mashed potatoes, salad 

Saturday March 25th
Pinto beans and cornbread

Sunday March 26th
Pot roast, potatoes and carrots, homemade bread

On my to do list:::
Laundry
Schedule blog posts for this week and next week
Vacuum
Working on Angelina's party

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Working on some new inserts for my planner
Working on the format for my cookbook
Angelina's birthday invitation
Working on my new shop

Happening this week:::
Girl Scouts meeting
Planning Angelina's birthday party

Looking around the house:::
My house needs some serious TLC. It's messy and cluttered and it really needs to be cleaned.

What I'm wearing today:::
Pink jeans and a light blue t-shirt with black shoes

One of my simple pleasures:::
Sitting on the couch and reading a good book
 
Bible verse, Devotional::: 

Random Facts About Me

I thought I would do something different and fun for today's post. So I am answering some random questions about myself. I actually found this list floating around facebook and it seemed interesting so here we go!

Do you like blue cheese? 
No, even though I have never tried it. It just doesn't look very good.

Have you ever smoked?
No. Never have never will.

Do you own a gun?
No.

Do get nervous before a doctor's appointment?
It depends on what type of appointment. For a regular doctor's appointment, no I'm usually not nervous. However, with my C-section, I was very nervous.

Favorite Christmas movie?
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

What do you prefer to drink?
Water with lemon.

Do you do push ups?
Yes, but I do the girly kind.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
My wedding rings.

Favorite hobby?
Baking.

What is the one thing you hate?
Chewing with your mouth open. So gross!

Middle name?
Actually I have two middle names-- Rosa and Winnifred. I was named after both of my grandmothers.

Name three thoughts at the moment?
(1) I'm tired (2) what kind of activities do I need to put together for my daughter's birthday party (3) I need to go to bed

If you could be anything you wanted what would it be?
I would own my own bakery.

Current worry right now?
My daughter's birthday party

Favorite place to be?
Spending time with my family

How did you ring in the New Year?
Dinner  and a movie with my family

Where would like to go?
I would love to visit Ireland

Do you own slippers?
No, but I really should buy some.

What color shirt are you wearing right now?
Light blue eskimo joe t-shirt

Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Don't know, but I would like to. I have seen them and they do look slippery.

Can you whistle?
Nope

What songs do you sing in the shower?
I don't sing in the shower.

Favorite girls name?
Cadence

Favorite boys name?
Blaze

Worst injury?
I guess my worst injury would have to be injuring my big toe in high school

How many TVs do you have in your house?
One and it's in the living room

How many dogs do you have?
None.

What book are you currently reading?
The Face on the Milk Carton

What is your favorite candy bar?
Snickers

I would love to hear your answers to some of these questions. Feel free to leave them in the comment section!

Currently 3/18/2017

 Time and place: 9:23am and I am in the dining room, sitting at the dining room table, typing up this post.
 
Eating: I just had a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching: Party of Five

Reading: Still reading The Face on the Milk Carton

Loving: the planner inserts that I bought from Target and my Day Designer

Working: Right now, I am working on some more inserts and some planner bands for the shop and I am working on my first ebook. I am also planning to work on a cookbook at some point.

Listening: to the TV and the girls laughing and playing together

Buying: birthday presents for Angelina

Planning: my ebook and setting up a writing schedule, setting up a schedule for my cookbook and meal planning strategy guide. I'm also working on my meal planner and I am planning Angelina's birthday party.  Working on her invites as well. Whew! That's alot of planning!!

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

What are you currently up to?

Letters on a Saturday

Hi Lovelies!!

Good morning and Happy Saturday!!! I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far. I wanted to post this yesterday but life just got in the way....again. We did have fun, we took the girls to a fun museum where my oldest had fun making a craft. I took the littlest little to the Grossology exhibit. She loved it!!

Anyway, here is my edition of Friday Letters only on a Saturday. Enjoy!!

Friday Letters 

Dear God, thank you for giving me another day.

Dear body, I really need to pamper you more often. You deserve it.

Dear weather, thank you for being warm and sunny and for giving us some absolutely beautiful weather.

Dear Paul, I know I drive you absolutely crazy some days, but I love you and I would be lost without you. You are an awesome husband and an awesome daddy to our girls. We love you so so much!!

Dear Girls, you light up my life with your infectious smiles and laughter. I love being your mommy!

Dear Netflix, I need some new shows to watch.

Dear House, you need some serious TLC this weekend.

Dear Laundry, I loathe you.... why does it seems like you multiply everyday?

Dear Blog Friends, thank you stopping by and reading! I appreciate it!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Angie

Meal Plan- Week of March 13-March 19

Hi Lovelies!

Here is this week's menu!

Enjoy!! 

Monday- Beans, cornbread, ham, potatoes
Tuesday- smothered chicken thighs, mashed potatoes, cheesy green beans
Wednesday- Leftovers from Monday and Tuesday
Thursday- Baked potatoes, salad, bread
Friday- beans, fried potatoes, cornbread (dinner) leftovers (supper)
Saturday- Pizza, breadsticks, salad
Sunday- Beans (lunch) Burritos/Frito Pies (Dinner)

Now to plan next week's menu!

Have a great night!

XOXO

Angie

Survey Sunday

Good Morning and Happy Sunday Lovelies!! I want to welcome you to another edition of Survey Sunday.  Pull up and chair, grab your favorite beverage, and join in on the fun!!


Sunday Survey
 
When was the last time you saw a doctor?About 2 weeks ago

Which internet browser do you use?Firefox.

Have you ever lived on a university campus?No.

Do you know anyone who is a firefighter?No.

What’s your favourite alcoholic beverage?I don’t have one.

Do you have any piercings besides your earlobes?Nope, just he lobes.

How many push-ups can you do?20

What time is it right now?11:46pm

What colour are your eyes?Blue

Do you “binge-watch” tv shows?Yeppp. Right now I'm binge watching old episodes of Teen Mom 2

What is your opinion of clowns?I am not fond of them at all.

Did you wear a necklace today?No. I haven’t worn one in a long time.

Do you play any games on your phone?Nope.

Have you ever received a compliment from a stranger?Yes.

Is your wardrobe big enough for all your clothes?Nope, but I do need a bigger dresser

Do you plan ahead when it comes to your outfits?Nah.

Have you ever shaved your face?No.

What colour is your front door?White.

Do you take the stairs or the elevator?I always take the stairs.

What was the last vaccination you got?
The flu vaccine.

Do you wear open-toed shoes?Yes.

Have you ever been to a petting zoo?Nope, but I would like to take my  girls to one.

Do you know anyone who lives in Long Island, New York?No.

When was the last time you wore a button up shirt?Not sure.

Do you get motion sickness?Nope.

What’s your favourite song at the moment?Roar by Katy Perry

Currently 3/11/2017

 Time and place: 11:28pm and I am in the dining room, sitting at the dining room table, typing up this post.
 
Eating: Gold fish crackers and drinking a Hawaiian  Punch drink pouch.

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching: Old episodes of Teen Mom 2

Reading: Still reading The Face on the Milk Carton

Loving: the planner inserts that I bought from Target and my Day Designer

Working: Right now, I am working on some more inserts and some planner bands for the shop and I am working on my first ebook. I am also planning to work on a cookbook at some point.

Listening: to the TV

Buying: Nothing at the moment

Planning: my ebook and setting up a writing schedule, setting up a schedule for my cookbook and meal planning strategy guide. I'm also working on my meal planner and I am planning Angelina's birthday party.  Working on her invites as well. Whew! That's alot of planning!!

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy.

What are you currently up to?

Happy Homemaker Monday 3/6/2017

Hi Lovelies and welcome to another addition of Happy Homemaker Monday! 

One of these days I will post this in the morning instead of in the evening.  We are all finally starting to feel better!! It seems like we all have been sick for the last two weeks. Anyway, let's get on with this post, shall we?

The weather:::
It was cloudy and cool all weekend. Then this week it's supposed to be sunny and warm.


On my reading pile:::
The Face on the Milk Carton


Movies or Shows I watched this weekend:::
I finally watched Trolls this weekend. It was a cute movie with a great soundtrack


On my TV:::
Gilmore Girls
Safe Haven
The Ranch

On the menu for this week:::
Monday March 6th
Tacos with chips and salsa

Tuesday March 7th
Baked potatoes and salad

Wednesday March 8th
 Pinto beans and cornbread

Thursday March 9th
Smothered pork chops, mashed potatoes, cheesy green beans

Friday March 10th
Chicken fried steak bites, mashed potatoes, salad 

Saturday March 11th
Pinto beans and cornbread

Sunday March 12th
Pot roast, potatoes and carrots, homemade bread

On my to do list:::
Laundry
Schedule blog posts for this week and next week
Vacuum
Reserve library conference room for Angelina's birthday

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Working on some new inserts for my planner
Working on the format for my cookbook
Angelina's birthday invitation

Happening this week:::
Girl Scouts meeting
Planning Angelina's birthday party

Looking around the house:::
My house needs some serious TLC. It's messy and cluttered and it really needs to be cleaned.

What I'm wearing today:::
Pink jeans and a gray t-shirt with black shoes

One of my simple pleasures:::
Sitting on the couch and reading a good book
 
Bible verse, Devotional::: 

Currently 3/4/2017

 Time and place: 11:16pm and I am in the dining room, sitting at the dining room table, typing up this post.
 
Eating: Nothing at the moment

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching: Gilmore Girls (I'm on season 4). I think I need to find something new to watch

Reading: The Face on the Milk Carton

Loving: the planner inserts that I bought from Target.

Working: Right now, I am working on some more inserts and some planner bands for the shop and I am working on my first ebook.

Listening: to the TV

Buying: Nothing at the moment

Planning: my ebook and setting up a writing schedule, setting up a schedule for my cookbook and meal planning strategy guide. I'm also working on my meal planner and I am planning Angelina's birthday party. Whew! That's alot of planning!!

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy.

What are you currently up to?