It's Warmer and I'm Happier

This week was mostly a lazy week with a couple of fun things thrown in. I would have liked to sleep later than I did, but other than that the week was pretty good. And now it is warming up and the sun is shining. 

Monday, Feb. 2: This was a stay at home day, mainly because I had a lot of work to do in the house. I did more work in the MBR closet and is it ever a mess. Other than that I just worked around different parts of the house including one section of the laundry room. It is out of control and I am reining it in one section at a time.

What I learned: After doing some work my closet I learned I have entirely too many clothes***

Dinner: Conecuh sausage, cabbage, green beans, cornbread

Tuesday, Feb. 3: More work was done in the house, including hitting the room of horrors. Now it is mainly just a task of putting everything in it proper bin, then place it in the closet in order of the things I like to decorate first toward the front of the closet and the later items to the back.

What I learned: I learned TheHub wants to go to TheHoly Land and Egypt in March.'27. (I don't really want to go)

Dinner: Air fryer fried chicken, baked potato, coleslaw

Wednesday, Feb. 4th:

I woke, had some coffee then had to get read to go to a funeral across town from where we live. TheHub's right hand person (at work and working for him once he officially retired but continued to work) had been taking care of her mother. Her mom passed away after a brief illness and we both felt like we needed to go pay our respects.

Once home I had a phone call from Sluggy. She is still having a difficult time but could at least be a tiny bit humorous. If you feel inclined she could use positive thoughts headed her way.

Wednesday night we had a fundraiser banquet for a local organization whose program uses sports as the hook for underserved youth to join. They teach teamwork as well as sports skills, then work with the kids on their math and reading. 

They have tracked the difference the summer program makes for the participants the following school year and the results are quite amazing. 

I know there are national organizations who do similar things but I had rather put my money in programs like this that are local, have small administration costs, and have a direct impact on kids who live in my area.

What I learned: The recipient of the scholarship at the banquet, started going as a kid and continued working as a day counselor when she aged out of the program. Kudos to her and wishing her the best on her next step in life.

Dinner: Typical banquet food, chicken in a Cajun sauce, rice, zucchini, small salad, cheesecake

Thursday, Feb. 5: I stayed home all day, worked in my closet some more, worked in the laundry room, worked in the guest room, then stopped.

What I learned: I learned I cannot do what I used to do. I have to take breaks that I did not need to do before. I know age hits us all differently, and I know I had rather wake up on this side of the grass everyday, but I find slowing down is rather irritating.

Dinner: Chicken fajita soup, tortilla chips

Friday, Feb. 6: This was a great day., I woke got dressed, met up with My Beloved Sister and we headed out to pick up DIL2, and two of my cousins for a day trip. We headed to The Dutch Oven Bakery in Faulkville. Only MBS and I had been there before and it was fun for them to explore the store. 

After we had shopped (and spent too much money) we headed to Cullman to have lunch at The Steak House. We had a very nice meal, and even better conversations. I do love all of them, and plan to start creating things for us to do together possibly every other month. After all none of us are getting any younger.

After I got home for the day, I just hung out and read. 

What I learned: If I have to be the social director/organizer, I will do it. There are people in my life who mean so much to me, and I don't mind doing the inviting and making arrangements if it keeps me in contact with others. I think we all get too comfortable doing our day to day things, but jump at the chance to be social if someone else plans everything. I am perfectly fine being a planner and inviter.

Dinner: TheHub was hungry before I was, and I had not gotten anything out of the freezer for dinner. We just picked up some takeout.

Chopped pork plate, beans, collards

Saturday, Feb.7: Other than doing some cooking and a little personal organization, I did little other than read and doze off a time or two.

What I learned: I learned how nice it is to have my cabinets organized and how easy it is to find things when everything is in its proper place. Two or three times on Saturday TheHub needed a particular item and I could tell him not only where, but which shelf, and the actual position on the shelf

Dinner: Pork tenderloin, baked potato, spinach

Sunday, Feb. 8: We woke, went to our communion service, the early traditional service, and Sunday school. Once home we ate leftover soup, watched a bit of the Olympics before heading out to shop.

Kendra Scott is a jewelry store favored by mostly pre-teens through college age girls/young women. They mostly sell very nice costume jewelry.

The Parkinson's Association's Jr. Board was having a fundraiser there, and received 20% from things sold during a specified time. I texted our granddaughter and ask her if she could see anything on their website she really liked. And yes! She managed to have 4 things she would like to have. We did not buy 4, but we did walk out of the store with her valentine's gift, birthday present and a Christmas gift.

She does not mind being the only grandchild.

We had to run a couple of other quick errands before getting home and settled in the watch The Super Bowl while flipping back and forth between it and the Alabama women's basketball game.

What I learned: Having never been in Kendra Scott before, I learned (from observing the crowd) young women must have a lot of disposal income, or wants bigger than their wallets. There was lots of jewelry buying going on there.

Dinner: Super Bowl demands a specific meal at our house.

Hot dogs, coleslaw

Potential remaining meals for the February plan:

Crock pot beef brisket, mashed potatoes, green beans

Spicy pork bowl, chopped salad

Hamburger patty, broccoli, mashed potatoes

Gumbo, coleslaw, cornbread

Persian chicken, rice, broccoli

Tuscan chicken bake, mixed green salad

Veggie frittata, berry compote

Pizza in a bowl, side salad

Grilled tuna steaks, baked potato, tossed salad, dinner rolls

Spaghetti, tossed salad

Creamy pork tenderloin, marinated cucumber salad

Hot dogs, coleslaw, "fries" (Super bowl meal)

Pork chops, sautéed cabbage, cornbread

Pickle Poppers, chips (Basketball game meal)

Eggroll in a bowl

Steak, baked potato, tossed salad

Mac and cheese,  black eyed peas, turnip greens, cornbread

Chicken fajita soup, tortilla chips

Kraut and franks, green beans, cornbread

Greek style chicken, rice, spinach salad

Meatloaf, new potatoes, brussels sprouts

Used from the freezer this week

4 links breakfast turkey sausage

1 pack conecuh sausage

1 pack chicken tenders

1 pork tenderloin

Groceries Bought this month:**

1 bell pepper

1 loaf cinnamon raisin bread

1 loaf cheddar bacon bread

1 pack sesame sticks

1 pack ham base

1 pack chicken base

Jar pickled green tomatoes

2 oz, lecithin

Cucumber dill dip mix

Sugar free chocolate coated pecans, cashews, and peanuts*

1 broccoli crown

1 bag coleslaw mix

Books read this week: 

In Winter's Kitchen (thank you Lori)

The Old Magic of Christmas

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

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne

*I bought 6 packs total (two each). These are a stock up purchase and will be eaten in very small amounts over several months. The bakery is not a place we go often, and these are a delicious occasional treat. I am including them because they are food items, but not truly grocery items for this month.

** I bought some food for my volunteer days at Independence Place, but that is not part of our groceries, and will be made and eaten by the participants. Not counting them in my monthly purchases.

***3 bags of clothes ready for The Exchange Club pick up next week.

Hopefully more will be added.