The Homemaker Plans Her Week: I Try My Best

In my home this week, I am trying again.

Pilar brought me a lovely red sweater for holiday wear, and it came in a cute Christmas shopping bag.  The front of the bag was a checklist:  Nice/Naughty/I Tried My Best.   It was the last that was checked.  I laughed, a rueful laugh for sure, but a laugh, nonetheless. I feel like I've done nothing but 'Try My Best' all year long and I'm uncertain I've done a thing right or well.  John has a saying, "Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."  And we all know that in either one, you lose.

But I keep trying.  "E" for effort, right?

Going back over my past week's goals and the week itself, I think I accomplished one thing:  I booked our tickets for next weekend's big Christmas show at the church.  Ta da!

I stopped going to the guest bath and started using our big garden tub as my bathing spot.  John's still making the trek.  I checked the issue with the drain best I could and darned if I can see anything wrong with it but he swears it's shifting about so...

The hot water as suddenly began working as it stopped working properly.  So, for the moment it's resolved itself.

The refrigerator is still making a horrific noise.  Caleb said it was a dinosaur.  Indeed, it does sound a bit like a roar of some sort.   John has chosen to ignore it.

I haven't had two minutes when I wasn't half worn out to even consider looking at finances, thinking of Christmas plans, doing Christmas shopping, etc.  I did get the checkbook register set up for this month.

Christmas decor is just a matter for deep sighs.  No one is encouraging me in putting it up and that's fact.  

Work: 

This morning I took the Christmas cards from the drawer so that I can begin working on them.  I just happened to find them because frankly I had no idea where they were.  Now I know and I can physically see them which will be reminder enough that it's time to get them squared away.

I took time this past week, after December rolled around on the calendar to clean the kitchen really well.  This week if I have spare moments, I'd like to get the coating of dust off the living furnishings.  Two weeks ago, we vacuumed all the edges of the room and moved furniture etc.  That was just after Thanksgiving?  Just before?  Recently enough I don't see the need of repeating just yet.  I think we should vacuum the crevices of the furnishings though. 

Small bites decorating?  If I have time to get out to the shed, I'll see what I have and what I might use to decorate the mantel and buffet, perhaps make a centerpiece for the dining table.  Hang wreaths on the doors?  I don't know, but I'll try to do something if any time is mine to claim.  I'm having a difficult season where time is concerned.   But I'm going to try.

Keep up with routine housework.

Kitchen:  

I got all the Thanksgiving leftovers dealt with.  No waste there.  Biggest hit this week was using the Green Bean Casserole leftovers as a Tater Tot Casserole.  Lots of compliments on that.  Even the leftovers earned lots of praise.  I guess Tater Tot Casserole just might go on the menu now and then.

The weekly clearing out of the fridge is very necessary if we are to avoid wasting foods.  So that will definitely get done, likely tomorrow after lunch.  That's my usual time for attending to it.  At that point I'll have to determine how we'll be using anything in the fridge, but we'll need lunches and there's almost a space in the freezer for them...

Make something sweet.  I think I'd like to make some caramel corn.  It's been a long time since I made that.

I'll need to make bagels this week.  

Meals:  

Pepperoni Pizza, Salad, maybe some breadsticks with Marinara sauce?  We'll see.

Gramma's Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Mac n cheese (kids), Squash Casserole, Stuffing

Red Beans and Rice, Coleslaw, Corn Bread OR Black Beans and Rice, as that is what John counter suggested.  In which case I'd skip the coleslaw and likely make a Green Salad and Pico De Gallo

Almond Chicken over Rice, Steamed Broccoli (Chinese wasn't possible this past week...I'm glad I can make my own)

Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Peas

Spaghetti Di Ablo, Garlic Toast, Green Beans

Pigs in Blankets, Tater Tots, Coleslaw.  Coleslaw will be fresh if I have Black Beans.  If I have red beans, then I'll double up.    Pigs in blankets were never eaten last week.  Caleb actually requested burgers for supper, and since he seldom asks specifically for anything it was easy enough to switch menu plans.

Leisure/Personal:  

Uplifting music every morning.

Read

Journal

Rest. 

Amazon Associate Affiliate Link: