This Week With Dee – where I share our menu, my planned home tasks for the week, what I’m reading, self care plans and more. I hope it will give you some ideas for planning your own week or at least a glimpse of one homemaker’s life.
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THIS WEEK WITH DEE
Relaxing Starbucks Inspired Coffee Music
MENU:
Monday…
- grilled hot dogs
- french fries
- Crunchy Broccoli Slaw
- green salad
Tuesday…
- tacos
- refried beans
- Mexican rice
Wednesday…
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- carrots
- salad
Thursday…
- spaghetti & meatballs
- salad
- garlic bread
Friday…
This will be our third recent attempt to get sushi. Wish us luck!
- sushi
Saturday…
- bbq chicken drumsticks
- corn on the cob
- coleslaw or potato salad
- baked beans
Sunday…
- “breakfast for dinner”
IN MY HOME:
REVIEW OF LAST WEEK
Last week was *interesting*. Early Tuesday morning, David received a call from an employee who was running a fever, had a headache and body aches. David told him to go get a Covid test. Yep. Positive. A second employee tested positive later that day and a third in one of his other locations did, as well. That meant David and Chris had been exposed. They do stay in David’s office with the door closed and air filter running. And they always wear a mask if they have any contact with anyone else. Still…
So we instituted our isolation protocols at home. Chris brought his computer to his house and worked from home. David went to work as both of the office employees were out sick and he would be alone. When he came home each evening he’d come in wearing his mask (I’d put mine on, too) and go straight upstairs. I moved downstairs to the guest room. I masked up and brought his meals up to him. I made Chris’ meals and handed them to him on the front porch. I also avoided any contact with my elderly mom.
Fortunately neither David nor Chris caught it which was a huge relief since it seems everyone in town has it. All that to say that last week was pretty much a bust when it came to my own plans. Between fixing meals for the guys separately, bringing meals to my mom’s front porch (20 minute drive each way) and all the kitchen clean up without the usual help from David, and a HUGE grocery order for us and for my mom, it seemed to be another week of just focusing on food. I also didn’t sleep well at all. I decided to just cut myself some slack and not worry about any of my goals for the week.
THIS WEEK
I’m determined to get back into a productive routine this week. I’m washing sheets from two beds today (another downside to sleeping in separate beds last week!), watering all my plants (no small task), and some general tidying up.
Tuesday, I plan to clean bathrooms. On Wednesday I’ll focus on the kitchen. The refrigerator needs some major organizing after that huge grocery order last week. I will dust and vacuum on Thursday and hopefully, if all goes well, take some time off on Friday.
OFFICE
I am trying to get back into the habit of doing my blogging and other work in my home office rather than sitting in the library with my laptop on my lap. I tend to be much more focused and productive when sitting at my desk. I’d like to begin working on organizing my office closets.
READING
I didn’t finish A Tree Grows in Brooklyn but I’m getting close. I did listen to a very short audio book while driving back and forth to my mom’s. It was about “cottagecore” but I wasn’t very impressed with it. Not worth recommending. I’m also reading an Amish fiction book, The Secret, by Beverly Lewis. I’m nearly half way through.
SELF CARE
I participated in a “digital simplicity” challenge last week and as a result I’m taking some time off social media, other than what I need to do related to my blog or our nonprofit. I hope this will free up more time for me to focus on the things that bring me more pleasure than simply scrolling on my phone.
Each day I want to read, work on French on Duolingo, do at least one episode of a class on Masterclass, meditate and play the piano.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Water, exercise, better sleep…you know the drill.
FUN ACTIVITIES
We did enjoy one of our Zoom cocktail “parties” with dear friends last Friday night. David and I were still isolating from one another so I was on my laptop downstairs and he was on his upstairs. A little weird but still a nice way to end a stressful week. There isn’t much we can do these days other than Zoom parties and watching movies at home. Maybe David and I could play cards one night. We haven’t done that in ages. Or maybe work on a puzzle together. Tell me what you are doing to have fun these days. Any suggestions?
HABIT OF THE WEEK
In order to even begin to do all the things I want to do each day, I need an earlier start. And of course that means an earlier bedtime. I’d like to be up and starting my morning routine by 7:30 a.m. I did today and hope to keep it up.
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What’s on your plan for the week ahead? Home tasks? Menu? Fun? What are you reading?
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Phew! Glad you all dodged the Covid bullet. It’s scary. We’re all vaccinated and the adults are boosted, but I don’t want anything to do with this virus; I’ve read too much about all the different ways viruses can come back later in life- and my husband is a molecular biologist, sooooo… It’s so hard with a kid in school, though. Fortunately, masks are mandated, but I see SO many kids come out of school with their noses not covered. It makes me feel like screaming in frustration.
I did a LOT of work around the house this weekend, so it’s mostly just basic upkeep and cooking this week. Working on some craft projects, my regular virtual volunteer work, reading, and hiding from the frigid temperatures as well. 🙂 Have a great week!
We are vaccinated and boosted, too. Like you, I do NOT want it. Long Covid is a terrible thing. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome many years ago and suffered with extreme fatigue for several years. I gradually got better (not totally well, but better). I also have Sjogren’s, an autoimmune disease that also causes fatigue. I truly do not need anything else.
We live in Oklahoma where no one is mandating masks and very few people are wearing them. Unsurprisingly, cases are skyrocketing here.
Enjoy your week and stay warm!
I’m glad neither Chris nor David got sick. Smart move going in to isolation mode “just in case” though. I hope this is turning out to be a better week for you.
As regards doing things for fun: most of what I’m doing is actually happening via Zoom. I’ve become very active with ACB calls. Honestly, when I’m not doing that I’m happy to just do things quietly by myself, like practice the piano, work on crafts, read, etc.
Last week I wasn’t feeling too great, and then I had my Haematologist appointment, and the blood they took for tests was apparently missed very much by my body, because I was feeling incredibly weak and exhausted for days afterwards. Still feeling a little drained, though I think I’m back to about as good as it gets these days now. Coping with actually getting things done better anyhow.
Here’s this week’s menu:
Monday: tofu omelette, and chips.
Tuesday: chickpea sausages, onion gravy, mashed potatoes, and peas.
Wednesday: leftovers from Tuesday.
Thursday: jackfruit tacos.
Friday: leftovers from Thursday.
Saturday: sesame tofu, rice, and green beans.
Sunday: leftovers from Saturday.
And – disregarding the things I do every day, since there’s a certain ACB check-in call I go to each day, and then the obvious like daily chores, etc – my week looks like this:
Monday: take advantage of it being a quiet day to catch up on all the eMails and post notifications I didn’t get to while resting over the weekend.
Tuesday: two different craft-related Zoom calls (one with Cosy Craft Club, and one with the crochet group from the ACB Crafters)
Wednesday: grocery delivery coming. Piano lesson via Zoom. Plus another Zoom call I like to go to on Wednesdays.
Thursday: ACB Crafters loom knitting Zoom call.
Friday: the book club I now co-facilitate via Zoom (also with the ACB).
Saturday: late night kareoke.
Sunday: ACB Crafters book club via Zoom (a new thing they’re starting… And how can I resist when it’s crafting and reading in one?)
I’m glad you are doing a bit better. I think one of the good things that has come out of the pandemic is Zoom. We now know that there are things we can do without leaving our homes. That will come in handy in the future, I think. No more cancelling meetings because of icy roads – just do it via Zoom. Less traveling to conferences which will save a lot of money. I know some people are tired of Zoom and look forward to in-person gatherings but there are still some benefits.
Yes, there are plenty of benifits, even for those who miss in-person gatherings. I think for a lot of people though it’s that they’re tired of not having the choice more than actually being tired of doing things virtually. I also think there are several people who feel as I do and would gladly keep things to virtual gatherings even once we’re free to mingle in person properly again. Hopefully we can get to a situation where people can have the choice, and those who prefer the virtual option can keep doing it that way, while those who prefer physical interactions can have those.