Last week was not the best. I envisioned this post being one long venting session about national politics, our underfunded public school system, the continuing unaffordability of just about everything, etc. I was feeling very sour. This culminated in a bizarre dream Friday night that I’m going to keep to myself because, even for me, it was frickin’ weird. It clearly had to do with me feeling like I’m carrying around a lot of worries.
But it’s amazing what one nice Saturday can do for one’s outlook.
Saturday was sunny and the high was around 72 degrees. Tom, F and I got up somewhat early. We went to Wawa and I took the opportunity to pop into the new bakery next door, Del Buono’s. Their doughnuts now have my seal of approval. We continued on to a big yard sale I’d seen advertised on Facebook. There, I snagged a new-looking front door mat and a bag of tea lights for $4.
We came across two more yard sales, but didn’t find anything good at them. We also stopped at the farmers’ market for corn, russet potatoes, lemons, garlic, plum tomatoes, and dog treats.
A few errands, then out to the yard where Tom worked on sanding and regrouting my flowerpot, and I picked beans and cleaned the bird feeder. I also brought up the Halloween decor and worked on putting that out, inside and outside. This involved washing glassware and dusting. I also used boiling water to clean out some candleholders from last year that are fall themed. One of our strings of spider lights quit working, so I stripped the plastic spiders off to use elsewhere.
I resisted the urge to buy pumpkins and mums. Picture to come of my in-ground mums, which have become huge and are about to bloom.
I used to have these adorable vintage Halloween postcards that my Aunt P. sent me. They were part of my decor for years, but I haven’t been able to find them. 😦
So it felt good to change up our interior and exterior a bit, for the first time since February. Too bad I don’t have any volunteer pumpkins this year at all. My new house flag arrived this week too! I think I will leave it up until Thanksgiving. It won’t fit with Christmas decorations.
Around 6 pm we walked around the corner to take in a Porchfest performance. All these years of Porchfest (day-long porch performances by local bands) and this was the first time I ever participated. I enjoyed the band, called Freeplay.
Afterward we hit the downtown brewery and then our favorite bar, where we had a bit of a heart to heart that made me feel a little better about the future.
Woke up to pouring rain today (remnants of Hurricane Isaias), but got together with my friend T for coffee and bagels at Kismet. Not planning to do much more. I broke down and had groceries delivered this morning.
It rained all of last Sunday too. I made gravy as well as chicken and dumplings for dinner, did dishes, did wash, and delegated other cleaning. I took Rocco for a walk at 9 pm, which was different. Peaceful. I roasted two big tomatoes and used them right away in the gravy.
As I recall, the weather was pretty good last week, with Wednesday especially nice (sunny, 78). Wednesday night I blanched and froze more beans. I also bought shoes from DSW for my trip, shopping through Fetch for points and using a buy one pair, get one half off deal. Thursday night I dropped off all our misdelivered espresso pods to my friend A. and dropped/picked up the kids from various places.
In the middle of the week I started to feel recovered from cold #2, but right now, unbelievably, I feel like I’m getting sick again. I hope this feeling passes
Last week our town passed an ordinance allowing backyard chickens. I was involved in the prior unsuccessful push to get them approved, so I’m glad it finally got through. But I think it may be too late for me. As enthusiastic as I was about it before, I just don’t know if I have the energy for it now. Not to mention I don’t know how we could have them with Rocco. But… glad to have the option.
Meals this week:
Sunday: Chicken and dumpling soup, using Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit mix. Had everything on hand except I bought fresh chicken. Everybody except F loved this and Tom wants me to make it again asap.
Monday: Rigatoni Bolognese with garlic bread
Tuesday: Premade chicken enchiladas (Tom)
Wednesday: McDonald’s (me and F only). I hadn’t had it in a while. Man, sometimes that tartar sauce takes me right back to the McDonald’s on the second level of the Cherry Hill Mall, ages ago, with my mom and Grandmom D. This was back before the chicken McNugget was invented–I didn’t like burgers and always got a Filet O’ Fish.
Thursday: Ellio’s pizza and sauteed green beans from the garden
Friday: Tom and T ordered cheese steaks, but I had mini-dumplings. N and F were out.
Saturday: bar snacks
Sunday: chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, grandma noodles and steamed broccoli. I had other plans, but the chicken breast I defrosted didn’t smell right. I’m pretty sure something happened with the freezer that messed up the meat in there. This is the second time this has happened.
Lunches: Tuesday: leftover rigatoni; Wednesday and Friday: bought (there’s a new guy in the cafeteria and I think he is undercharging me…)
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