The Week Prior To Happy Chaos

This past week was pretty busy. Either we had things planned, or we were busy getting ready for Thanksgiving week. I will be so happy to see everyone. My only expectation for the week is for everyone to have fun, with zero conflicts. And I do hope Alabama wins the Iron Bowl (rival football game between Alabama and Auburn)

There is a possibility I will be reading your blogs late at night while I am in bed, but will not be responding.
I am concentrating my time and energy in the 3-D world with the people I love the most.

Wishing everyone in the States a Happy Thanksgiving and wishing the rest of you a Happy Thursday.

What was planned for the week:

1. Grilled tuna steaks, tossed salad, baked potato

2. Chicken enchilada soup, tortillas, tossed salad

3. Meatloaf, squash casserole, brussels sprouts

4. Out to eat

5. Crack chicken, coleslaw, rice

6. Vegetable beef soup, cornbread

7. Sandwiches TBD

vs:

What really happened

 Monday joy: It was a much needed stay at home day. I was able to do several small chores and a few big ones. The rug under the kitchen table is an indoor outdoor rug bought specifically to be able to hose it off. I have only vacuumed it for a while and was due a good cleaning. It did mean I had to have it outside by about 7 am so I could get it cleaned and allow it time to dry before bringing it back in the house. While it was out of the kitchen I did a super mopping of the floor. I see no reason to bring something that is clean and put it on something that is not squeaky clean also. 

Once that was done I moved to the outside windows on the back of the house and cleaned them. While I was out there and dirty anyway, I knew I needed to clean the deck and the screened porch. 

Now that all surfaces were washed, pillows and cushions vacuumed, and some furniture rearranged the deck and porch were ready to roll, and my tail was dragging. 

Monday dinner: Neither of us were particularly hungry. I made a quick pot of soup and called it done.

Chicken enchilada soup

Tuesday joy: Another day, another pot of tomatoes to cook. 

My Beloved Sister and I were supposed to go to Independence Place, but we rescheduled it for Wednesday. 

She had an artificial tree she got from Mom's house and it was really too much for her living room. She had planned to take it with us and give it to one of the workers at IP who did not have one.  Mother Nature had other plans and rains came. I don't mind getting wet, but the tree was heavy and would take both of us to move it. We could have been soaked in the process. The forecast for Wednesday had no rain, so shifting the days was a no brainer.

I did a lot of work upstairs to get things ready for the family. Also when I was changing over my clothes I realized I have entirely too many. I started thinning the herd and got a big donation bag ready 

Tuesday dinner: The Hub was not in the mood for what I was going to cook so he bought a rotisserie chicken instead. I was able to add things I had in the fridge for a meal.

Rotisserie chicken, leftover baked beans, coleslaw

Wednesday: My Beloved Sister and I were guest at Independence Place. They were having  Thanksgiving appreciation week for all of the volunteers who help them throughout the week. Little do they know that most of those who volunteer would much rather have an appreciation day for them instead. All of those who help there is various ways love going as much as I do. 

Once I got home I intended to make and freeze sausage balls for Thanksgiving week. It did not happen. 

Wednesday dinner: TheHub had received a congratulations on retirement card with a 

Chik fil A gift card inside. We decided to use it in the drive through for dinner.

Spicy pimento cheese sandwiches, coleslaw(from home)

Thursday joy: TheHub and I were up and at the church early to pack Thanksgiving dinner bags for families who need a little help this year. The team would up packing about 200 bags with additional frozen turkeys that would not fit in the bag. After packing we delivered them to specific locations for later pickups.

As soon as we finished TheHub had time for an quick haircut while I sat in the car refining my grocery list.

TheHub decided he was hungry and to satisfy his need to eat lunch out, we stopped by a new to us Thai place, Charm. We had just ordered when Son2 called. He was in the area near the restaurant so he joined us. We good food and enjoyed having him eat with us.

Next it was on to Aldi to do the brunt of the shopping. Since I was trying to do nearly all the shopping for Thanksgiving week it took a while to shop and then a good bit of time putting everything away, including creating space for some of the overload.

Once home we did a few light tasks, then got dressed to go to a funeral visitation. It was not joyful, except it was for one of my dearest friend's Mother, and there is no way I would not have been there for her.

Thursday dinner: On the way home from the visitation, TheHub had a sudden craving for Taco Bell. I thought those cravings were reserved for college kids after a night of imbibing. I guess he is young at heart.

Crispy tacos, mixed greens (from home)

Friday joy: I was able to stay at the house all day and do some serious work. I was still not ready, but some things were finally starting to fall into place.  

Friday dinner: I was busy all day and did not give two hoots about planning a meal or cooking. I scoured the freezer (which I could actually do after the big defrosting) and found a bag of of previously cooked food. It was easy, and quick. 'Nuff said

Picadillo over instant brown rice.

Saturday joy: Saturday's are ball game days around here, though this was an especially bad game day for Alabama. Oklahoma slaughtered them. I mainly listened to the games anyway while working upstairs.

Saturday dinner: Another look through the freezer was fruitful. Unplanned, but fruitful nonetheless.

Chili, coleslaw

Sunday joy: We woke early and went to the 7:55 communion service, followed by the regular 8:30 service, then went to our Sunday School class. Once we got home we had just enough time to eat a quick lunch, change clothes and head downtown to see the play Chicago. This is either the 4th or 5th time we have seen it, but it is part of the season and we buy season tickets every year regardless of the plays. We have tickets center stage 8 rows up and the only way we can be guaranteed those seats is to continue buying the entire season, and if I buy them I am going to go.

The cast was an Equity cast and very good, especially the woman who played Velma Kelly. She had an exceptional set of pipes and dance moves to match.

As soon as the play was over, we made a beeline to Publix to buy everything on my list from there. 

Sunday dinner: And of course, before we even got out of the parking lot, TheHub was starving for something from The Purple Onion. It is just across the street and down about a couple of blocks (if there were actually blocks on that road).

Gyro salad and whatever he had (I forgot)

Planned for the week: (Thanksgiving week rules exempt me from the freezer)

1, Pulled pork, baked beans coleslaw, potato salad, collards

2. Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, asparagus, green beans, cranberry relish, pie

3. Chicken Lasagne, tossed salad

4. Leftovers

5. Balsamic mushroom and spinach pasta*, tossed salad

6. Vegetable beef and/or pumpkin sausage soup, sliders

7. Who knows?

I read nothing this week and most likely will read nothing next week. It's going to be pretty full and I had much rather have a full house this week than read. 

Have a great week staying on plan, going off plan, or with no plan at all.

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

* May or may not happen. Depends on my mood and if I am tired of cooking or not