Happy Homemaker Monday - 30/11/2015

I saw this from last year and it's taken me this long to get around to joining.
I have been thinking about my being at home/out of work a lot lately. In some ways I am much happier at home, my health is far better than when I was at work. The boys are much happier (one of the man reasons for leaving my job) I can spend time with hubby and work on keeping our marriage healthy too.

I'm trying to be the best me I can, in every area of my life, I find making lists, setting goals and taking part in challenges keep me on track and help me from getting overwhelmed.

My thinking is that Happy Homemaker Monday will help me organise my week and lots of fun also.

The weather:::

Windy, cold and rainy.

As I look outside my window:::

It's amazing how dark it is so early. It was sooo dark at 5pm today. 

Right now I am:::

Sitting on my bed with two boys (the oldest of which is teasing me) talking to hubby who has just arrived home from work.


Thinking:::

About making dinner and organising youth Christmas Dinner.


On my reading pile:::

His Baby Bond.
Daily Devotions: Walking Daily In The New Testament and Proverbs.
8 Reasons Your Life Matters. 

On my TV - programmes I'm loving:::

Empire
Blackish
Doctors 
Step It Up



On the menu for this week:::
**will add changes if any apply**
Monday - Chicken and Prawn Stir fry and Seasoned rice. (middle son requested Chinese so a compromise)
Tuesday - Cottage Pie. **Paella and Haddock fillets**
Wednesday - curry Goat and Rice. **Beef Stew with Butter Beans and Rice**
Thursday - Pasta Bake.
Friday - Pizza for the boys, Chicken Wraps for parents.
Saturday - Hot Dogs and Oven Chips or Wedges.
Sunday - Beef Stew with Butter Beans and Rice.
 
On my to do list:::

Chirstmas decorations (buy and make)
Buy hubby some socks.
Make a new cleaning schedule for Christmas countdown. 
Sort out planners. 
Sort out Christmas Elf and "Days Until"
Buy and decorate Christmas Tree 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Christmas Decorations and Cards



Looking forward to this week:::

Thursday - Mid week church project
Friday - Youth Group
Sunday - Church 



Listening to - Songs I'm loving:::

I'm loving Noel Robinson's Outrageous Love album. Being at the live recording was awesome. I purchased the CD at a Prophetic Worship course where he was teaching one of the nights. The album is amazing and we all listen to it in the car when we go out. Each boy has there fave. I like all the songs but the ones that I play over and over are - 
You give me life.
Rain, 
Outrageous Love, 


From the camera:::

walking amongst the fallen leaves, golden and pretty.

On my prayer list:::


My Friend's Sister.
Thursday Church Project.
To enrich my relationship with God, to be closer and spend more time.



Bible verse, Devotional:::

Verse:
2 Chronicles 7:14 - 
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Inspiration/devotion: 
I'm not sure who the author of the quote is but I saw it on instagram and it really resonated with me. As someone who is fighting low self esteem this was a right time, right now encouragement.

I'll add the link to the main blog when it goes live as my timezone is different.

***Edit ***
Here's DOASAHM's HHM Post

Product Junkie Rehab: Use Up The Stash.

In an effort to curb my product junkieism(yes that's a word...now) I am trying to use up what I have instead of buying something else. I realise that I may well slip and buy an item here or there - I already succumbed to a new organic conditioner this week (gah!!) - but I have the habit of stroking and smiling at my stuff and not wanting to use them (argghhh the struggle of a recovering hoarder).

Sooooo..... I am making a big effort to use up items I've had for a while, have very little left in the pack, bored with, have back ups for or have something of the same "type" on my wishlist.

Here's my current "Use up list":

I will post when I finish an item and maybe review it at the same time.
hmmmm I as I wirite this my bag of empties is calling to me.... I'll deffo do an empties post soon. I need to throw them out and clear space.

Wash Day - A tale of two sessions.

As usual life is running at an amazingly fast speed. I have hasd a couple of wash days which were both very different and not on "normal" wash day days.
As mentioned previously, I do like to have a record of wash days and hair styles/ routines so I can see what is working or even not working.


Wash Day 1 - Wash and Go

I wanted to try a different approach this time round, instead of having my wash day stretch all through the day and dry over night, I decided to wash my hair before bed and do an overnight Deep Conditioning treatment. I thought I could style my hair and let it dry in the day time.
In essence the same amount of time would be taken but the timings would be different.

I needed some protein so pre-pooed with Motions Deep Penetrating Silk Protein Conditioner, clarified with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo and used a blended tea rinse.
After removing the excess water I needed a super moisturising deep conditioning treatment so I mixed Kanechom Karite Butter Hair Moisturising Cream, Baba de Caracol Intensive Hair Conditioner (the snail slime lol), Avocado and Pumpkin Seed oils and some EO's. I s ectioned my hair into 4, applied the mix, put on a shower cap and scarf and went to bed.

Conditioners in mix and hair before rinsing out.

I thought the shower cap would be too noisy as I remember the plastic rustly sound being so anoying but I didn't hear it at all, It may be becasue it was an ordinary cap as oposed to the conditioning cap which is thicker. 
My hair felt amazing in the morning, really soft and springy.


I opted for a wash and go as I couldn't wait to try it out with my new Jane Carter Solution Creamy Leave In Styling Smoother (why do these hair stuff have such long names?!) a lovely "curlfriend" gifted me with it. I was sooooooo chuffed so lovely of her. I tried it out the very next day as a moisturiser and really liked it. It felt like it would be great in a w&g.
I teamed it up with my beloved Aunt Jackie's Curls and Coils Don't Shrink Flaxseed Gel. I realised that I forgot to add oil so I grabbed my Organics Kukui Oil Spray and carefully lifted the curls, spraying as I went. I left my hair to air dry.

Items used for Wash&Go and hair after applied.

The rain was falling on the school run which didn't help much. I ended up camerowing in two for my evening Church project.




Wash Day 2 - Blown Out

It's been ages since I stretched my hair out after washing. I still have the urge to straighten/flat iron my hair so decided a blow out with cool air may be a happy medium.


I started with an overnight pre-poo with Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner.
Washed with my sulphate free L'Oreal Professhinnel Serie Nature Riche Macadamia Shampoo.
Tea rinsed with Nettle and a mixed blend and removed excess water.
Deep Conditioned with a mix - Capilo La Aplanadora Macadamia Treatment, *new*Aunt Jackie's Curls & Coils In Control Anti-Poof Moisturizing & Softening Conditioner (wow!! could that be any longer?!), JBCO, OCO, EO's.


When I rinsed out my hair it felt very soft and smooth. I allowed my hair to dry a little then applied leave ins - CHI Keratin Mist Leave-In Strengthening Treatment for protection. Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I detangled with my wide tooth shower comb, smoothed a little Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Liquid Glass Serum.
I used my dryer on full power but cool heat my mummy gave me one with a pik at the end so I used that instead of my own. The pik stretched my hair out much more than the tension method and my hair was smoother too.
When I finished I was amazed at my BIG hair! I wasn't trying to get my hair straight with the dryer so it wasn't sleek but it was super stretched! I couldn't believe the growth too. I've been keeping my hair in a curly state for so long the length is often hidden. Unfortunately to picture I took wasn't clear and quite dark*gah*
I was going to my weekly church project and felt my hair was getting in my way so flat twisted the front and bunned the back.


I enjoyed having my hair blown out and plaiting and twisting it was so much easier.


I twisted my hair up Saturday night so I could wear a twist out for church. I was curious how it would look on blown out hair. It was super fluffy. Not as defined as it is when twisting in it's curly state but definitely more stretched.

Fluffy Twistout on previously blowdried hair.

It was very nice receiving lovely compliments and encouragements to keep up with my natural quest lol. More of my length could be seen and a few friends were as surprised as me with my hair growth.
I will trim my hair very soon as the ends are crying. I realise that with this next trim I will be all Natural!! Whoahhhhh!!!

#Thehourhascome

Last weekend I had the absolute privilege to attend the live recording of Volney Morgan and New Ye and what an awesome evening it was!!
Now seriously, I knew it was going to be awesome, I knew there would be worship, energy and all out fabulousity and WHOOOOOO!! I was not disappointed, in fact the night was that and more.

From the start with an amazing dance group opening the night (I'll add their name asap) to the hilarious compère. Oh I was thoroughly entertained but it was far more than a happy feeling and a good night. The anointing was dripping off each and every person who ministered. The guest ministers were top notch.

I need to take a moment and mention the fantastic band!! My goodness they played with excellence, the skill of each musician was breathtaking.

New Ye have gone to another level..... no scratch that they have hoped, skipped and leapt for joy to another 20 levels! I am still buzzing now. I literally cannot wait for the DVD/CD to come out.
Every song was genuine, each one different but with the same vibe running through. There's something there for everyone from high octane, up-roaring praise songs to mellow heartfelt worship songs.... A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Volney Morgan and New YE

I am sooooo pleased and extremely proud of Volney and the group. I remember the early years and I know the hard work, sacrifice and dedication that has brought them to this achievement and I have no doubt will bring them so much higher.

I pray they continue to flourish and go to higher heights and deeper depths.


There are sooo many moments I can share, but I'll leave you with a taster of group member (and Volney's wife whoooooop)  Angel Ife Morgan singing a sweet rendition, please excuse the shaky footage, worship hapened *blush*