Mountain of Grace Homeschooling and Life Thereafter

Monday, August 17, 2026

Happy Homemaker Monday~ August 17, 2026

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Good morning, dear friends! I apologize for missing last Monday. I had a chiropractor appointment and then our day was a little hectic running errands the rest of the day. I can't believe we are already halfway through August. Where has summer gone? I swear it was just June!

We went to the county fair on Wednesday. It was Peanut's first time, of course. We saw cows, pigs, sheep, goats, bunnies, and chickens. The other entries for the other exhibits were half of what they used to be. They were very few sewing projects, artwork, etc. Even the horticulture entries were small. It's sad to see how our rural county is changing with the new develop of houses and the people moving in from Northern Virginia and DC. I think I might be ready to move to a quieter country town!

We had an eventful weekend. I had an eye appointment on Friday followed by a trip to T.J. Maxx and Target for a few things. We got Peanut some outfits for the fall. When I got home Friday afternoon, I discovered Maddie, our almost 13-year-old Labrador retriever had eaten her arthritis meds... ALL OF THEM! Luckily, the bottle was less than half full. Unfortunately, these particular meds can cause Kidney failure pretty quick. I placed a call to our vet and then the animal poison control number. FYI.. it costs $110 just to talk to them! After talking to them, they recommended taking her to our local emergency vet. They ran bloodwork and a urine analysis. Her numbers were still good. They gave her fluids. We opted for at home care with medication and us watching her closely. For them to keep her for fluids, meds, and observation, it would have been $5000! If we took her to a specialist, it would have cost us $20,000! Who has that kind of money? We had to take her back on Saturday for more tests. They still looked good. She was acting fine, so we were hopeful.

On Sunday, I missed Mass due to a horrible migraine. I did get my list of students for Sunday school. So far, I have 16 students, 11 boys and 5 girls. In the afternoon, we took Maddie back to the emergency vet for another round of tests. Her lab results look great. The vet said they looked really, really good. She just told us to watch her over the next 2 weeks and if she shows any signs of kidney failure to bring her back for more tests.

So, let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess, Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and say hi.

The Weather in My Neck of the Woods~

We had rain off and on yesterday. It poured in the evening. This week looks beautiful. The temperatures are dropping a little. My flowers are loving the cooler temps. My rose bushes are blooming like crazy now that the temps are not in the high 90s.

Monday~ Sunny, 88/66*

Tuesday~ Sunny, 84/63*

Wednesday ~ Sunny, 87/68*

Thursday~ Rain, 84/68*

Friday~ Rain, 78/67*

Saturday~ Afternoon Thunderstorms, 80/64*

Sunday~ Partly Cloudy 82/62*

As I Look Out My Window~

It's 6:30 here, so the sun is still starting to peek out. It's supposed to be a sunny day today. My flowers are a little droopy from all the rain yesterday. I need to deadhead some blooms. I love summertime flowers. The colors just make the world seem more beautiful.

Thinking and Pondering~

I'm hoping for a less eventful week. Between the kitten and Maddie's drama it has been like a zoo around here. We did catch the one of the kittens running around. We only thought there was one, but after catching one we realized that it was a different kitten. It was still gray, but it didn't have a white tip. We're still trying to catch the other one, but sadly we haven't seen it. It's so hard out here with all the wildlife. A small kitten can easily become food for a mama fox and her kits.

Meet Blue!

He's about 9 weeks now according to the vet. He's had all the lab tests done and he's healthy. We've decided to keep him. Peanut loves him and he loves Peanut. They are very cute together. Blue loves Peanut's toys too.

It took him a whole 12 hours before he acted like he lived here. He's made friends with both Maddie and Ruby. Baby tolerates him, but the other two cats want nothing to do with him. Poor little guy.

How I'm Feeling~

I'm feeling pretty good. My migraine has dulled. I'll take some more meds today to hopefully get rid of it.

What's on My Nightstand~

My warmer, my Garmin watch, Meet Me at the Lake, and three Clifford books that I read to Peanut.

What's for Breakfast~

Right now, I'm drinking my coffee with my collagen added to it. I'll have 2 eggs and some toast later while I feed Peanut oatmeal and bananas.

Looking Around the House~

We need to finish up baby proofing the house. I need to mop.

On My To-Do List This Week~

Laundry

Organize the spice cabinet

Clean the bathroom

Organize sewing room

Happening This Week~

Monday~ Watch Peanut in the morning

Tuesday~ Watch Peanut

Wednesday~ Watch Peanut & Clean up my classroom at church

Thursday~ Watch Peanut

Friday

Saturday~ Watch Peanut

Sunday~ Mass & watch Peanut

On My Reading Pile~

I'm still working through the same books. Taking care of a 6-month-old cuts into my reading time.

I finished Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune. It was a nice romance. I love how she describes the setting. It always makes me want to visit!

Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews

Age Like a Girl: How Menopause Rewires Your Brain by Dr. Mindy Pelz

Fascinating Womanhood

I need to order the two books we are reading this year for our women's bible study group at church.

What I'm Listening To~

Country music. I've been focuses more on female country artists lately.

Classic children's songs

On TV this week~

Netflix

Grey's Anatomy (for the hundredth time)

Found

Sullivan's Crossing

Rizzoli & Isles

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Porkchops, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and peas

Tuesday~ Spaghetti and meatballs

Wednesday~ Leftovers

Thursday~ Tacos, rice, and street corn

Friday~ Date Night

Saturday~ Not sure yet

What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~

Still nothing. I need to figure out a time to work on a few things. Life is crazy with a baby. I wouldn't trade it though. It's hard to find the time to focus on sewing or crafts. I have quite a few things I want to get done, but they have been left sitting on the table. I have a quilt I want to start for Peanut. I need to get a few more fabrics to go along with the panel I found online.

My Simple Pleasures~

Baby cuddles

Baby belly laughs

A good book and a cup of tea (I'm looking forward to fall)

Clean sheets and a comfy blanket

From the Camera~

Praying For~

My parents

My sister and her family

My marriage

My husband and son

My daughter and her little Peanut

Our country

All our friends and family

Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Sunday Inspiration~ August , 2026

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

How Do You Grieve Someone You Never Knew?

Good morning, dear friends. I wanted to blog sooner. I always have the best intentions of getting back into blogging regularly but then life happens. Doesn't that always seem to happen?

A few days ago, I learned my biological father died. When I first received the text, I honestly didn't realize what father my sister was talking about. In my mind, I was like whose dad died? You left out an important piece of the conversation. Then it hit me. She meant our father (or her father). I don't claim him as my dad. My stepdad is my daddy. He supported me, raised me, and has always been there for me since he married my mom when I was 6 years old.

After realizing who she was talking about, I suddenly felt nothing. I was shocked, but I didn't feel any sadness or any pain. No tears flowed. I kept thinking was that wrong. There's something wrong with me. Shouldn't I feel something? This is the man that helped create me. I share his DNA for crying out loud. I have his eyes, his hair color.

I was nine the last time I went to stay with him. The custody agreement at that time stated we had to go every other weekend. I stopped going because he wasn't part of our lives. He didn't do anything with us when we were at his house. We were our stepmother's problem for the weekend. She took care of us. She baked cookies with us. After choosing to not go anymore, he never reached out again. Before, I stopped seeing he never called during the week or the times we didn't see him. After I stopped going there were no calls, no birthday cards, no Christmas presents, no calls to see how I was. He paid his child support most of the time. It was often late and at one point they had to go after his paycheck. When I turned 18, he literally calculated the amount for the first 6 days (my birthday is the 6th) and only paid that. I know this because I opened up the mail. How low do you have to be? What type of man slacks in his financial responsibilities to his child? My stepdad offered to adopt us, but our biological dad said no. I still wonder why he just didn't let him. He wouldn't have had to pay child support, and he would have been able to go enjoy his new life. He did remarry. They never had any children. I don't know if she couldn't or didn't want any.

I did see my biological dad one more time at 12 years old. I was at a friend's house for a sleepover. She lived on the same street as him. We were playing kickball in the street. He drove up and honked at us to get out of the road. I stood in the road until he honked his horn again. I slowly moved and stepped off to the side. He looked at me through his driver's side window and had no clue who I was. That hurt. It had only been 3 years, and I hadn't changed how I looked. The best part is I resemble him. You would have thought he would have recognized me.

Years ago, my sister started talking to him. She reached out to him. He didn't reach out to her or me ever. She said he had regrets. I would hope so. I felt nothing. Before kids, I might have forgiven him for walking out. He walked out on my 3rd Birthday. It's one of the first memories I have. After having my kids, I can't understand how you do that. I would walk through hell and back all day long before I would ever abandon my children. What type of person walks away from their child? You're the adult, act like one. Grow up and take some responsibility. It's your responsibility to be there, to support them, to love them, to show up!! It wasn't mine; I was the child who lost their daddy. I was hurt and confused. When I was younger, I often wondered what I did to make him not love me, not want to see me, not be a part of his life.

It's been 4 days since I learned of his passing. He was buried yesterday. I did find his obituary online. It came out a few days ago. It mentioned my kids and I. I was angry when I saw it. How dare they claim that he's survived by us. He doesn't know us. He never met my children. It's been 43 years since he even saw me, talked to me, acknowledged me. I realize now I'm angry. Angry at him for never apologizing. Never admitting he screwed up. He was dying from lung cancer and never had the thought to make amends. Maybe that's just television drama. You would that sometime during the past 43 years, he would have reached out, apologized, or admitted he messed up and was wrong.

I don't miss him. I won't miss. Someone has to love you to be a part of your life in order to make an impact on you. I won't grieve for him. I did that years ago.

I guess now, I'll just always have the question of why.

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Till Next Time,

Monique

Monday, August 3, 2026

Happy Homemaker Monday~ August 3, 2026

Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.

Good morning, dear friends! It has been forever since I've been on here. Life has been busy with the arrival of Peanut in February. Busy, but oh so much fun. I figured I'd share a rundown of the past few months in the next few days.

I hope y'all have been well and enjoying this summer. The weekend flew by again. It always seems to do that, doesn't it? After Mass on Sunday, I was blessed to meet one of my little first graders. Sunday school doesn't start until September, but this little bot was new to the parish, so his mom wanted us to meet so he'd feel more comfortable. He was very sweet and now seems excited for class.

So, let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess, Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and say hi.

The Weather in My Neck of the Woods~

Yesterday day we had rain in the morning. It was pouring when we got out church. The sun tried to come out later in the afternoon but didn't have much success. we got more rain last night. I'm good with that since that means I only have o water the hanging baskets on the porch. Unfortunately, it seems like it's going t rain all week here. We need the rain, but I'd like to see a little bit of sun. We're having a bit of a cool down this week. I'm fine with that after a few days in the high 90s.

Monday~ Sunny, 83/59**

Tuesday~ Partly Sunny, 83/66*

Wednesday ~ Rain, 82/68*

Thursday~ Rain, 88/68*

Friday~ Rain, 87/67*

Saturday~ Rain, 86/67*

Sunday~ Rain 86/68*

As I Look Out My Window~

It's still a cloudy, so it's nit that sunny out yet. Peanut and I will definitely be going outside to enjoy the sun before all the rain comes. I can see all my flowers on the porch. I love looking out and seeing the wide variety of colors. Isn't it amazing all the colors God has given us. It's so stunning!

Roses

Purple Petunias

I'm also keeping my eye out for a kitten Therese saw yesterday. It seems like someone has dumped another kitten here. She tried to catch him, but it took off. We're going to try and catch him. The poor little thing was searching for food. She's guessing it's only a few months old. I hate when people do that. That's one of the disadvantages of living out in the country. People just abandon animals here.

Thinking and Pondering~

Life has been chaotic since last year. Whoever said the terrible twos was the worst stage lied. Having adult children getting ready to launch is the hardest. You hope and pray they make the right choices and then you watch them make some of the dumbest ones. We can guide them, but we can't make them see the red flashing light screaming DANGER! My brain is in overload. I'm so mentally drained after the past 5 days. I feel like my brain could explode at any minute. Just when I think things are starting to calm down a bit something knew comes along. I miss the calm, simple days of when the kids were little.

Peanut helps me see what is important though. I can't express how much I love this little guy. He might not have been planned but he sure is loved. Therese has grown being his mother. I have to say being a grandma is the best. I get to spend a lot of time with him, since Peanut and her live with us. I get to watch him while she's at work and school. I guess you could say, I'm now a stay-at-home grandma. I'm loving it though!

How I'm Feeling~

I'm feeling pretty good. We were in Tennessee last week on vacation, so it's nice to be back home and relax a little. I forgot how much work it was to travel with a baby. My only complaint is bug bites. Mosquitoes are a menace.

What's on My Nightstand~

Nothing too exciting! I have 2 books I took on vacation but didn't have to read.

What's for Breakfast~

Right now, I'm drinking my coffee with my collagen in it. I use a chocolate collagen to give it some flavor. I'll probably have eggs and toast later while I feed Peanut oatmeal and bananas.

Gluten free doughnut

Looking Around the House~

I need to vacuum and pick up a little. We have to start baby proofing the house since Peanut is almost sitting up and then he'll be crawling. It's hard to believe he's 5 months old already.

On My To-Do List This Week~

Laundry

Clean the bathroom

Organize sewing room

Organize the pantry

Happening This Week~

Monday & Tuesday~ Watch Peanut

Thursday~ Watch Peanut

Friday~ Run errands & Concealed Carry Class

On My Reading Pile~

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews

Age Like a Girl: How Menopause Rewires Your Brain by Dr. Mindy Pelz

What I'm Listening To~

Country music. I've been focuses more on female country artists lately.

On TV this week~

Netflix

Grey's Anatomy (for the hundredth time)

Call the Midwives

Little House on the Prairie

The Crash

The Idaho Murders

On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Leftovers

Tuesday~ Steak and Chicken on the grill

Wednesday~ Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thursday~ Chicken Piccata and Pasta

Friday~

Saturday~

What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~

Nothing at the moment. Things have been a little crazy here and there just hasn't been much time to focus on sewing or crafts. I had quite a few things I wanted to get done over the past few weeks, but they have been left sitting there. I have a quilt I want to start for Peanut.

My Simple Pleasures~

Baby cuddles and baby giggles

From the Camera~