This past week was an interesting week. TheHub stayed at home more often than going into the office, but there are some work patterns that he can't seem to shake. He has been going out for lunch nearly every day of his work life. Now with retirement, he still wants to go out every day. It does not seem to matter to him whether it is for lunch or dinner, but right now there is some internal need to go somewhere each day.
This has not been my m.o. throughout our life together. There are days when I never leave the confines of our house and yard, and those days suit me just fine. I do not like to be doing heavy chores than have to stop, shower and get properly dressed just to eat a meal. I had rather stay at home, cook, then get cleaned up after dinner to settle in for a night of reading or a movie.
If you read any further in this post, you will notice a recurring theme of restaurants and take outs. We must find a happy medium.
What was planned
1. Paprika chicken, broccoli, rice, tomato cucumber onion salad
2. Conecuh sausage pigs in a blanket, coleslaw
3. Grilled fish, hushpuppies, coleslaw
4. Big salad meal TBD
5. Fundraiser banquet
6. Sandwiches, tomato cucumber onion salad
7. Veggie meal TBD
vs.
What we really ate:
Monday joy: I slept late, but only got 4 hours sleep because I got lost going down rabbit holes on the stupid computer and didn't go to sleep until about 4 a.m. The sad thing is that I have absolutely no one to blame but myself.
The Hub did not go into the office, and rode with me to Independence Place. I had a bunch of birthday cards for several of the Monday participants and wanted to make sure they got them. I love seeing them even if it is just a brief visit.
While we were out, TheHub suggested we go out to eat lunch. (Eating lunches out is going to be a very hard habit for him to break.). At least we did manage to go somewhere I have never been before. Actually, I did not even know it existed, so I marked a new to me place off my list, even though it was never on the list to begin with.
Monday dinner: I had taken some sausage out of the freezer to thaw in anticipation of this easy meal.
Conecuh sausage pigs in a blanket with maple bacon jam and brown mustard, coleslaw
Tuesday joy: Tuesday was joyful only if you call scrubbing the primary bathroom shower stall until it sparkles, joyful. There is a certain joy once it is finished I suppose. Other than that it was just a routine day with laundry, chores and chocolate covered almonds.
Tuesday dinner: TheHub had to go to the office and stopped at Publix to pick up a rotisserie chicken because it was what sounded good to him for dinner and I had not cooked dinner by 4, when he was hungry.
Rotisserie chicken, potato salad, tomto slices
Wednesday joy: I was able to go to my happy place with My Beloved Sister. The cooking lesson this time was very simple since it is their biggest attendance day, and it is hard to keep that many different attention spans engaged. They made Muddy Buddies and we added a few extra things to the finished product so each and every participant could have a part making it.
Once I got home, TheHub wanted to run to Duluth Trading. I did all shopping for the kids clothes when they were young, and for myself since I was 16 and could drive. Now it seems I have to add shopping for him/with him to my list of things I need to do. I hate shopping as much as he enjoys it. Another retirement thing I am going to have to get used to!
Wednesday dinner: After we shopped, I suppose my reward for going with him was a meal at a local meat and three.
Pork chop, turnip greens, okra and whatever TheHub ate
Thursday joy: We drove to Westpoint Mississippi for a fundraiser. TheHub's brother and 2 nephews work for a company that hosts an annual charity event to raise money for St.Jude's, and 2 other smaller non-profits.
We stayed in a cottage overlooking the lake at the very beautiful Old Waverly Golf Club. The place was the epitome of lovely Southern lodgings. It had comfortable chairs for easy conversations in the shared common area, 4 en suite bedrooms, a porch overlooking the lake, and two ceiling fans on the Haint blue ceiling. It was the perfect.
There was a golf tournament that we did not participate in, but did go to the evening event (along with about 800 other folks) which had live music, a meal, silent auction, and live auctions to raise more money. (We heard afterward it was the most successful event they have had in the 10 years since its inception)
Thursday dinner: The huge buffet was filled with just about every wood fired game meat known to man, along with assorted sides (the peach, tomato and thyme salad was incredible). There was too much to choose from so we had just small bits of several things. Even so, there were scads of offerings we had to bypass. Below is what we actually tried.
Lamb, elk, snapper, boar sausage, brussels sprouts watermelon/jalapeño salad, peach/tomato/thyme salad, assorted desserts
Friday joy: We drove home from Mississippi, made it to Birmingham, unloaded the car, then promptly went out again. One of our stops was to our local fish monger, then we hit a couple of other places before we came home.
Friday dinner: Nothing I had on hand appealed to TheHub. so once again, during the week, I did not cook at home. Instead we went to Blue Pacific to pick up Thai food.
Pad Thai Shrimp (TheHub) Yellow chicken curry (me)
Saturday joy: We got up and did a few morning errand rounds after TheHub's work out, then we were home for the day, because after all it was a football day. We both worked on different projects off and on during the games stopping to eat lunch together before really watching the Auburn game.
Saturday dinner: We bought fish Friday to have Saturday night
Broiled pompano, tossed salad, dinner rolls.
Sunday: We went to church then decided to go out to lunch. We had either eaten out or brought food in nearly every day the past week, so why should Sunday be any different?
Once we returned home we changed clothes and started going through the upstairs closets. I plan on going by Goodwill Wednesday afternoon and would like to take as many donated items as I can,
Once we had a black plastic lawn bag overflowing with TheHub's clothes he never wears anymore, I moved into Pip's former room (she has a bigger room now) and started sorting through all the things that were put into it waiting to either be taken to Goodwill or put in their proper place.
The advantage of having a room at the top of the stairs that is really used for nothing is that it is a great place to stash things temporarily when headed upstairs. The downside is having a room used for nothing that is a great place to stash things because said room becomes a big closet.
I did find a bunch of Hocus Pocus themed items I no longer want. I offered them on our local Buy Nothing Facebook page and had a ton of interest. I decided to let it sit for a couple of days before randomly choosing whoever will get it.
Sunday dinner: While we were out Saturday morning we ran by ThePig. The forecast for Sunday was hot and sunny, which would be a perfect for grilling outside. We bought something to throw on the grill.
Steak, dill potato salad, sliced tomatoes.
Why even plan since it probably won't happen?
(We are having houseguest Friday - Sunday. Menu is for Monday - Thursday only)
1. Paprika chicken, rice, broccoli, sliced tomatoes
2. Hamburger patty/ w gravy, cauliflower chopped salad, biscuits
3. Big salad meal TBD,
4. Grilled tuna steaks, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, hushpuppies
5. Whatever
6. Whatever
7. Whatever
Books read in September
When Paris Went Dark
Old Girls Behaving Badly
The Wishing Game
The Collected Regrets of Clover
Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan or with no plan at all.
May all your weeds be wildflowers.
Anne
Sounds like a tasty and fun week!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I don't think I have ever eaten many of the fish that you get at your fishmonger. Guess that is what happens when you live in the mountains 5+ hours from the ocean. Are elk and boar tasty meats or really gamey? We tried reindeer chili on our Alaskan cruise and really liked it, but I'm not that fond of venison.
Hope you have a great week.
The Snapper Grabber (my nearby fish place) gets Gulf of Mexico seafood delivered daily, so the things I buy are always native to the Florida gulf.
DeleteThe elk was my favorite, but the boar sausage was pretty good too. Snapper is always good but we get that all the time so it was not particularly exciting. I love lamb but it was just lamb that was grilled over an open fire. It was very good, but we have lamb occasionally and was nothing new.
My partner enjoys shopping too. With the exception of books and plants I loathe it.
ReplyDeleteI would have loved at least a cuppa out when we did our excursion to Tulip Top Gardens. Guess who thinks the coffee is better at home?
I never have to worry about TheHub not wanting to go somewhere. I just need some brakes for him.
DeleteNext time do the driving and just pull in for a cup. If anyone object they can stay in the car or drink water!
It sounds like a wonderful week, although I'd have picked the chocolate covered almonds as my joy on Tuesday, as opposed to scrubbing the shower. :D
ReplyDeleteYour going out for lunch or dinner reminded me of my sister and her husband; they used to go out to lunch, practically daily. The other day, when I was talking to her, she mentioned that they've now cut it back to going out every other day because eating out has become more expensive. They can well afford it, but, I guess she felt the need to economize a bit. :)
I enjoy going out to eat every week, but not all the time. It would be different if I hated cooking but I really enjoy it, and I am pretty decent at it. I just don't want to have to get ready and go somewhere every day.
DeleteI used to live near West Poin about 35 years ago!! Worked there and in Columbus. Spent most of my time in Columbus though.Love Harvey’s! Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteAlso if you go back that way, Profitt’s Porch is delicious. It is kind of hard to find, it is on Stilts on the River backwaters between West Point and Columbus. Cindy in the South
DeleteThis event is annual and they have it at the same place each time, so I do think we will be going back next year. I am putting both of those places on my out of state try list.
DeleteYour husbands retirement is going to take some time to adjust and figure out the new normal. I guess progress has been made that he was at home more this week. Would it help if you planned a menu together? Does he play golf? Maybe that could be a way to get him out of the house. That worked for my friend.
ReplyDeleteHe does play golf and is ready to start playing pickle ball. We are just going to have to find some way to navigate life that fits us both. I am hoping he can get together with some of his friends who are also retired and start going to lunch occasionally.
DeleteI wish my hubby enjoyed eating 'out' more often. That book, "Olds Girls Behaving Badly" sounds like a hoot!
ReplyDeleteThe book was a fun read.
DeleteI agree about stopping work to get ready to go out to eat. That is the end of productivity for me!
ReplyDeleteMe too
DeleteYour husband might gradually become accustomed to staying at home to eat. I used to eat out almost every day. Then I got a job that didn't provide a sufficient amount of time for me to eat out and after that, COVID happened, which completely broke me of the habit. Now I don't want to leave the house and eating lunch during my work day is usually a quick sandwich.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I know he will adapt eventually, or at leat I hope he will!
DeleteGradually your husband will want just homemade food! We don't eat out anymore...restaurant prices these days are so high and quality is just solahlah...would rather use the money to buy some quality ingredients and make them at home.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind eating out occasionally, in fact I enjoy it. But this has been too much of a "good" thing.
DeleteWhen we were in the thick of it working full-time, long commute, homework etc. we got into the habit of eating out in the evening quite a lot because "it was easy", but in the end I think we all got tired of it and just stopped (and saved a bunch of money too)!! Lunch may be different because it breaks up the work day but I'm sure your hubs will get tired of it at some point - or at least you will find a decent balance!
ReplyDeleteAll I am looking for is balance!
DeleteMy exdh always wanted to be on the go, running around, never wanting to stay home and just chill in front of the tv. I don't miss that at all because some days I just enjoy staying at home.
ReplyDeleteTheHub is often like the energizer bunny and can't/won't stop. I have know that about him forever.
DeleteOn the bright side you don't have to clean up after the meals out. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not certain why, but retirement for some people is harder to become accustomed to than others. My previous next-door neighbour retired a couple of years before I did, and she lasted 6 months before she went back to work on contract. Another friend retired a year after me in 2020, has taken temporary contracts and keeps this one is the last (it ends in May). We'll see.
True! The kitchen stays a lot cleaner than it used to. I think TheHub will always have one foot in the door by consulting but this all day nearly everyday is getting old.
DeleteI miss Florida sea food SO much! Now that we're in the Midwest I buy from Sea To Table from time to time. It's not fresh from the Gulf but it is better than anything you can find in a store around here. Enjoy your week!!
ReplyDeleteI feel really fortunate that we can get fresh seafood any time we want it. Although I have been craving crab cakes, and right now a pound of crab is over 40 bucks. I will just have to continue to crave them until we go to the beach this fall.
DeleteI spend most of the year in a condo, in a big city. I don't have a balcony, so "going outside" means getting dressed, brushing my hair ... the whole nine yards ... so I can take the elevator to the street. And I just don't always get around to that on a Saturday. Which is a huge mistake. Last Saturday, we met up with a friend and went to a restaurant to which none of had previously been. It was wonderful. The crowds were also wonderful. I had forgotten how nice our neighborhood can be.
ReplyDeleteI do think gettting out in the world is important, but I don't need it every day like TheHub does.
DeleteI used to think I'd love to eat out every day but these days I eat out often enough to find it tiresome at times.
ReplyDeleteI eat out socially and I always like to see the people I see but some days I just want a simple sandwich or a salad that doesn't cost $20. Funny how things change.
I like that you can work all day and then shower and enjoy the evening. I can't motivate myself to lift a finger unless I'm showered and then depending what I'm doing I end up feeling grimey anyway
Most mornings right after the first cup of coffee, I take a quick shower and dress in house clothes to do chores in. Then I take quick shower in the evening if I have been doing dirty jobs.
DeleteBut always , if we are going out at night after i have been working, I take another shower and have to do the make-up thing. Unless it is a pre-planned event I get a little testy about it.