In my home this week, do you remember the song by Herman Hermits, "Henry the VIIIth I am"? After the first verse is over, the singer says, "Second verse, same as the first." That's how I feel the entire month has been thus far. It's more about what I didn't get done than about what I actually accomplish. It's about what I keep thinking I'd normally do but don't have time for or patience enough for or mental space to give. I attempted to order one, the only one gift I was going to order, but John disliked every single version of the gift I found. Each had something he disliked about it. I gave up.
Never mind.
Work:
Cookies. Three of four of the adult kids like one certain cookie I make each year and I've already been asked if I'm making them this year. My mind came to a mental halt at the question. "How? How can I find the time?" I asked myself, but you know what, I'm going to make the time somehow. I thought about how John only wants one cookie for Christmas, the one cookie that his mom and stepmom both made for him each year and to which he looks forward. Dadgum all this being overwhelmed and no gifts, and the bah humbug attitude. At some point the lack of Christmas spirit is just wearying. It's too much effort to continue carrying that attitude. I'd rather give in and push through.
Grocery shopping. Without accompaniment. Not sure what I'll buy nor where we'll end up going but I'll do the best I can keeping in mind what we're going through the heaviest at the moment and trying to remember that Christmas is next weekend! Done
I'm going to be real here. Beyond that my goals are simple. I have an appointment on Tuesday I must go to and an errand that is associated with that. Just found out I might need certain papers to go to this meeting. I'm hoping like heck I've gathered what is necessary. I've emailed the party who might inform me of this fact. Now hoping she replies before it's too late to retrieve things.
I need to stay atop my checkbook better. It's a mess. I know about what we have but nothing lines up correctly and I haven't had time to get it straightened out.
Just keep up the routine indoor housework.
Put up the Cwismas Tree.
Kitchen:
I'm finding it very challenging at the moment to make three meals a day. As you all know, I cook from scratch. We seldom use any convenience food except for the occasional box of mac and cheese or pack of hot dogs. In fact, I generally refer to our leftovers as 'convenience' food. Here of late, there are fewer leftovers.
I have seldom planned for lunch. John would prefer a steady supply of sandwiches. I seldom buy sandwich meats. In the past I've had roast or chicken, hamburger, tuna, eggs, cheese. One family member can have no cheese, so that's off the list. Roasts of the sort that I'd typically slice for sandwich meat are no longer cost effective to purchase. I want to use quiet time this week to figure out how to make a suitable budget-minded lunch. Hot soups suit me but for a little one they can be difficult to eat. So, it's all about figuring out what's going to work for us and insuring I have those things on hand.
Bake Cookies. I'm going to try to do this during midday quiet time just to avoid the 'help' that is always forthcoming. Little hands are just not quite ready to be in the kitchen just yet.
Meals:
Homemade Chinese: Sweet and Sour Chicken, Rice, Oriental Vegetables, Mini Pot Stickers, Egg rolls
Chuck Roast, Roasted Cauliflower, Salad, Biscuits
Brenda's Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage and Au Gratin Potatoes, Peas, Sliced Tomatoes
Beef Enchiladas, Rice, Green Salad, Fruit. I don't know if I'll use leftover roast beef in these or if I'll thaw and use ground beef.
Chicken Parmigiana, Pasta, Zucchini, Green Beans, Toast. John isn't fond of zucchini, so I'll give him green beans.
Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Steamed Broccoli
Potato Soup, Broccoli/Apple, Cranberry salad
Personal/Leisure:
Read.
Listen to seasonal music.
Journal.