Last Week of November

Sometimes when it rains it pours — or in our case, when life gets busy, it gets really busy.

 Sunday we did our unexpected road trip.  I did pack beverages for the trip, but didn’t plan on staying. Due to traffic and a change in plans en route, we stopped for a quick lunch.  Neither of us were particularly hungry so we split a meal.  We ended up buying beverages on the way back.  Since we were at the mercy of a convenience store in the early Monday morning hours we opted for sodas/waters that were on sale.  Not perfect, but we made the best of it. Monday evening found us home, and I made pizzas from scratch.  We baked sugar cookies, put up the Christmas tree, and watched movies.  A quiet night at home with no added costs.

 Tuesday I picked up produce from Sam’s Club.  I also picked up 24 pounds of dried beans.  (I’m hoping to do a series on here about using them.). My husband had an appointment with a surgeon — long story — and various tests were scheduled for Friday.  Tuesday night I found myself sick — I’m blaming fruit I ate on the road, but who knows.  No one else got sick, so had to have been something I ate.  I was up and down through the night.  My daughter in law saw one doctor this day and the cardiologist the next.  (On Thursday she had a stress test.)  The consensus at present is perhaps something viral.  

 Fast forward to Wednesday, I was supposed to have my annual physical and mammogram.  Needless to say my stomach was not about to cooperate.  I stayed home.  No spend day!  I did do laundry and wash bedding — everything except the bedding and the towels was hung to dry.

 Thursday we made plans to go to a Christmas parade with my sister’s boyfriend.  He was in a car accident.  (Please say prayers for him.  He blacked out while driving and they are looking for the cause). I did place an order for a few items from Amazon.  I searched for the best prices and Amazon won.  I was also able to use Prime membership to get free shipping.  This helped lower the price even more.  

 Friday my husband had medical tests a town over.  I roasted a whole chicken and baked some veggies with plans to take a meal with us for the ride to Maryland on Saturday. I chopped and dried 12 pounds of red onions.  I cooked gluten free banana muffins for snacking.  

 Saturday’s plans changed.  My daughter in law is still not doing well, and we will reevaluate midweek about a trip back.  I had to do a quick run for some more fresh fruit.  While I was at Sam’s Club I picked up mushrooms to dry — I’ve almost used up all the last I dried.    

 Various — throughout the week I worked on using up some items in the refrigerator.  We finished off half a package of bacon, used up some brown bananas, used up some shredded cheddar and some Velveeta, finished off the older carton of eggs, used up some fresh produce, and finished off a carton of milk near date.  From the pantry I used the oldest bag of beans I had (chickpeas), I used up a hodge podge of leftover pasta in mac and cheese, and I used up the last of a box of rice Chex.  I also used up a cup and a half of white rice in chicken and rice.  I cooked pancakes from a mix for my daughter and grandson to eat on all week. I’m trying to take stock of partially used items and make a concentrated effort to use them up.