Monthly Self Care Project: March

 March 11, 2018

I was at Michael's and I was alone. My girls were with Gabe. I had debated taking some time and putting on makeup and what not, and taking this picture later this afternoon, but decided against it. 
This is reality, and sometimes, reality ain't pretty. As most of you know, my Dad's battling multiple myeloma again. 
My kids both have the cold, my husband has the cold, and I have it too. 
I'm in the process of spring cleaning my house, and I work ridiculous hours and I just don't have time for makeup and primping and that's okay. 
Do you know why it's okay? 
Because I'm still standing.
Because my family is fed and happy, despite their cold. 
Even though you can't tell in the picture, my shirt says "Strong Like Me", and I do feel strong, because my strength comes from God. 
I decided to take the picture in front of these silk flowers because even though I don't feel very pretty right now, they sure are.

Butterflies

This is our 3rd year raising Painted Lady butterflies. In 2016, I thought it would be a cool thing to try "just this once."

My daughter, of course, fell in love with watching them emerge from the chrysalis, and last year, we did it again. I was pregnant and it had even more meaning for me.

6 days after our release, I gave birth to Miss Josie.

Our 2018 batch of caterpillars arrived last week. They are sitting pretty on top of my mantel (don't worry, I don't turn the fireplace on with them up there), watched over by my "Chrysalis" Willow Tree Angel.

Stay tuned for weekly updates!

And remember...

Happy Homemaker Monday: March 5, 2018

Good afternoon, friends! It's been an odd weekend. My Dad went back into the hospital, with more vomiting and nausea. We found out that his cancer has returned. He is ready to fight, thank goodness, but I know he's having a rough time.
Please include Dad in your prayers. That said, HHM is definitely helping to keep me sane. 

Breakfast Time, what's on the plate: I guess I should say right now that stress and I are not friends, and that the first thing to go when I'm stressed out is my appetite. So, nothing.

On today's to-do list: Work. Clean. Exist.

Currently Reading: My Bible. I finished "Paper Roses" over the weekend, and now I'm waiting anxiously for the next book in the series.

On the TV: I started watching "Retribution" on Netflix, but goodness, that was some dark subject matter. As a loss parent, seeing a pregnant woman get murdered...oh, it did something to me. Instead I'm watching "Girls Incarcerated" and re-watching The Great British Baking Show.

The weather outside is: Bipolar. It's supposed to be nice today, decent tomorrow, and then boom, 30's with teens as nighttime lows. What is going on, NC?

On the menu this week: Bear with me here, friends, as I try my best to actually cook for my family in the midst of this insanity. While I cannot guarantee that certain meals will fall on certain days, I will tell you that today, before I leave for work, I will throw a few seared cube steaks into the crockpot with mushroom gravy and small potatoes. At some point this week, we will have a meatloaf casserole, a "catch whatever can be caught/leftover/whatever" day, and a spaghetti squash, as well as chicken tacos and breakfast for dinner.

If I get a few minutes to myself, I will probably: Cry. Or read. Or both, ya know, multitasking. Or sleep. Both of my girls have the cold, and I fear I am next.

What I am creating this week: At the moment, nothing. I'm focusing on keeping my sanity. Maybe I need to break out the sketchbook?

New Recipe I tried or want to try: I made beef curry over the weekend. I love Indian Food, and I have no idea how I went over 30 years without every trying it. Goodness!

Favorite photo from the camera this week: 

My youngest turned 9 months last Wednesday. We took some pictures outside. Yes, Ella has blue in her hair :)

Bible verse, Devotional 

Have a beautiful week, and stay well my friends!