Homeschool year winding down.

We are nearly done with homeschooling 6th grade. I wanted to be done at the end of May but a few weeks of intense pain in my back has thrown me behind. But a few more weeks ought to do it. I am asking hubby to finish up math for me. I have other things I need to attend to.

We have missed several goals for getting the house listed as well. Hubby has been doing repair jobs around the house and has more to do. It's amazing what you find to mend or paint when you want your home to look spiffy so that you can get top dollar for it.

I have lots of packing to do. I want to sort out stuff I don't want to keep as I go along. That will make the job a little longer and makes it more of a job that only I can do. Who else would know what to keep, what we could sell, and what needs to go to charity. I have had offers of help from many people, but I keep putting them off. Now, when those boxes are all packed, I will gladly accept their help to get them to our storage unit or hauling boxes of items off to our favorite charity. So this week, along with homeschooling, I am making packing up a priority.

So, that's where things stand at this time. And thanks to my doctor and many prayers, my back is doing much, much better.

Blessings,

Pam

Menu for week of May 30th

Monday: Going to Aunt's house and everyone is bringing food. I'm bringing my spinach and strawberry salad, watermelon, chips and turkey pastrami.

Tuesday: Asparagus and Ham Casserole, Fruit

Wednesday: Grilled Smoked Turkey Sausage, Broccoli and Bacon Salad, Watermelon

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Fried Green Beans, Onions, and Bacon (new recipe-will post if it is good), Stewed Tomatoes, Fried Potatoes and Cornbread

Saturday: Grilled Chicken, Grilled Yellow Squash, any leftovers from Friday

Sunday: Pasta, Red Lobster Cheese Biscuit, Sauteed Squash

Menu for week of May 23rd

Monday: Mixed Beans cooked with Ham Bone, Turnip Greens (a hubby favorite), Fried Potatoes (we really like Yukon Gold) and Cornbread

Tuesday: (Freezer Meal) Sausage Quiche, Strawberry and Spinach Salad, Biscuits

Wednesday: Franks and Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Mayonnaise Rolls

Thursday: (Freezer Meal) Ziti, Salad, Texas Toast

Friday: Pizza Night, Rice Krispie Treatshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Saturday: Grilled Chicken Tenders, Corn on the Cob, Wacky Mac Pasta Salad, Watermelon

Sunday: Hamburger Helper (made with ground chicken), Corn or Green Veggies, Salad, Rolls

That's my plan and I'm stickin' to it! Go to orgjunkie.com for hundreds of menu ideas.

Pam

Thought on Monday

We returned from a restful week in Gatlinburg, TN on Friday. It was more restful for me because I didn't move much. My back has been hurting me so much. I went to the store with my hubby so we could eat in the condo and not have to get take-out on Saturday and I rode around the store in one of those motorized carts. It made the shopping so much easier for me. On Tuesday, we drove through the Roaring Fork Trail Way and it was beautiful. I did the driving so that hubby could get out and take photographs along the way. But just sitting in the car seat was very uncomfortable for me. Fortunately, our unit was equipped with not one, but two recliners! That's a first. Normally I find our vacation condo furniture to not be so comfortable. It was nice to sit back and elevate my feet and rest my back. We drove back home this past Friday and I was in horrible pain. I thought I was going to pass out it was so bad. I had a doctors appointment today but had to cancel it due to not having gotten much sleep last night and I just didn't have the energy to shower and dress to go to see him. Please pray for healing for me and sleep. I need it badly.

Hubby is still attacking his to-do list to make the minor repairs around here and get our house on the market. I still am hoping this will happen by the end of the month. No job in site for him and we do not know what the future holds. But He does! I am trusting Him and praying daily for Him to send a job to my husband. Pray with me, won't you?

We did a couple days of school this week, even though, technically we were on vacation. I am still plugging away and hoping to finish up daughter's sixth grade year very soon. Her SAT results came in and she is average to above average in everything and we were very pleased and she was very happy too! It affirmed to us that we were doing okay in our homeschooling and that we were able to teach her. It's our first year and it has been a learning experience for all of us. I have enjoyed it. Daughter likes it too and that makes me happy.

I didn't post a menu last week since we were out of town and this week, I am depending on hubby to do the cooking. I know he can grill out chicken and we will eat that a couple of nights, hot dogs, chicken burgers and the like. I also have a couple of frozen meals in the freezer to eat, such as Sausage Quiche and Baked Ziti. So he should be able to keep us all fed this week while my back heals. We have plenty of cereal and milk and sandwich makings for breakfast and lunch. He even did laundry yesterday, which is something I am very particular about, and even when I am ailing I either let the laundry pile up until I am better, or hobble down there and muddle through it. It's a control thing, and I am learning to let go. He did just fine.

Pam

Thoughts on Tuesday

Hard to believe that today is May 3rd. Seems like this year has gone by quicker than any previous year. It hasn't been the best year for me. Sore knees and back, sleepless nights, an unemployed husband, first year of homeschooling, etc. But I am trying my best to put a smile on my face and count my blessings. I know I have been blessed and I do trust that God has a future and a hope for my family. Really, I do. It's just been difficult.

I have started packing boxes of things to clear out the dining room of dishes and crystal and all sorts of serving pieces, and that sort of thing. We are going to sell our dining room suite. I am packing up other things to make our house look picture ready for the listing. I don't want visitors who are interested in buying our house to see how we really live. Oh my! They would turn around and just walk right out. I'm not kidding. That's the thing. We live like we want to, most of the time. Prospective buyers need to see a more neutral home so they can visualize themselves living here. Little by little, day by day, it will get done. Repairs that have been on the to-do list for a long time, are slowly getting done and I am seeing progress, finally.

I was blessed this weekend with several families from church who came by early Saturday morning and worked very hard at weeding my beds and pruning my hedges and spreading mulch. It looked just like a professional team had been here. They were awesome. Then, Sunday morning, I walked out to go to church and new flowers were sitting in my flower bed out by the mail box, ready to be planted. And the flower angels came by early Monday morning and planted them for me. I feel so loved. I am so grateful for them all.

Hubby is still working in the garage sorting toys and the like. We have given several items to the little boy next door. We gave several bags of almost new stuffed animals to a friend for a medical mission trip to South America. Little children in the hospital will receive a stuffed animal from the U.S.A. It feels good to know that these pets will be loved by someone else. We still are donating a lot of things to the Knoxville Area Rescue Mission, which is one of our favorite charities. They operate numerous thrift stores in the area and a downtown homeless mission.

On Friday we are going out of town for a little while. It will be good to get away and have a little rest. We have so much to finish when we get back so we really need to appreciate this little get away. My plan is to have my friend list this house before May is over. I keep saying to myself "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

Say a little prayer for us that we accomplish all these things in a timely manner and that my husband will be blessed with many interviews for employment and that God gives him the job that He wants for him.

Love you all!

Pam

Menu for week of May 2nd

What? May? When did that happen?

Here is my plan for this week through Thursday. We're going out of town on Friday.

Monday: Chicken Shepherd's Pie

Chicken Shepherd's Pie


* 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
* 1 cup frozen peas
* 1 can cream of chicken soup
* salt and pepper to taste
* 2-3 cups cooked, chopped chicken
* 3 cups mashed potatoes (I used instant)

Boil carrots in the broth till tender. Stir in peas, cream of chicken soup, salt & pepper and cooked chicken.

Pour into a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes. Dot with butter. Bake 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Tuesday: I didn't make the Ham and Asparagus casserole last week because I ended up grilling the asparagus. It was so good. So I'm going to get more asparagus and make that recipe today.

Wednesday: Cajun Beans and Sausage, Collards, Cornbread

Cajun Beans and Sausage

2-15 oz. cans kidney or pinto beans
1 smoked sausage, cut into 2 inch pieces (I use turkey sausage)
2 t. Cajun seasoning

In slow cooker combine all ingredients. Mix well. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours or high 1 1/2-2 hours. Serve with white rice. 4-6 servings.

Thursday: C.O.R.N. (Clean Out the Refrigerator Night)

See ya next week!

Pam