Day 103: Still Sick

 

I'm not going to spend my time whinging about being sick. Because let's face it, there is a lot of people worse off than I am.  I'm at the point now where I'm more wheezing and coughing than anything else. Though I did lose 1.1kg (2.43lbs) this week.

I don't have the energy to or wherewithal to concentrate on anything for long periods of time. So, I have been attempting to watch a bit of TV and getting up and checking on my mum (93). On a good note, I haven't had to look after Cyclone, Hurricane, and Monsoon.

I have done some looking for new recipes. I have saved them and over the next few weeks/months; mum and I will give them a go. Then I made a list of all the ingredients that I don't currently have; or seeing which ones are most recurring in each of the saved recipes.

I need to buy some more containers to be able to freeze the meals. I can tell you it was a good feeling while I was sick just to be able to pull out a frozen meal each day for Mum to have a hot meal, and for me not to have to stand at the stove cooking. Once I'm well again, I am going to have to restock the meals.

Day 102: Sick Again

 

I didn't get as much done yesterday as I hoped, because as the day progressed, I got sicker and sicker. Today I feel like I'm coughing up a lung, and I can hardly swallow or talk. My head is pounding. my eyes don't want to stay open... To quote a line from one of my favourite miniseries, "Those summer colds are the worst." Now if I start to see an abundance of crows I'm going to start to panic.

Though in all seriousness I really feel like crap so I'm probably going to rest today and only make sure my mum is fed, and she has what she needs for the day. I'm too tired to do anything else. I know I should suck it up and power on... but sometimes, your body just needs rest, and today mine does.

So, this is short and sweet, and I'll catch you all tomorrow.

Day 101: Back in the Yard

 

Today I have to get back out and do some more mowing. First, I have to do a stick pick in the section I want to mow today. I don't want another accident when a bit of branch shot out and hit me in the leg. Luckily, Monsoon came around and doctored me up. Meaning, she got one of her nappy wipes and wiped the crap out of my leg.

My driveway is still too wet to even attempt to mow. I hope it dries out soon, because I hate it being messy.

I also have to fold up all the dry laundry and put it away. Though once the girls go home, (after Monsoon goes swimming), I'm going to pull all the tubs out from under my bed and clean them all out. I'm looking for some story notes and I don't know where I put them.

I also want to get at least one of the venetian blinds cleaned in the house. It's too big of a job if I have to try and do them all in one day.

Day 100: Sleepover Night... Yay, What Fun

 

I only have Cyclone and Hurricane. Monsoon is going to be staying at their dad's house. Apparently, he can't have them all at once. So, I have to have the other two. I hate looking after them when they aren't feeling well because they are so bitchy to one another, and then I get mad... I don't like getting mad.

I'm just putting it out there right now that there will be no Captain Underpants... Because I am so over that show.

Cooking my sloppy peas to freeze today. Let's hope this is a good batch. Sometimes that they stay a little crunchy. Still edible, but a few crunchy ones among the rest of the deliciousness.

I have to duck downtown and grab a frozen pizza, because I know that's exactly what Cyclone will want for dinner. Hurricane may want the same, but then again, she may want pasta, or nuggets, or sausage and mashed potatoes.

Day 99: Meal Plans

 

Today I have been looking for different recipes to try. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to cooking/ eating. Mum and I have decided we are going to try at least one new meal a week/fortnight. All depends what ingredients I need. I might have to buy some.

So, I have been trying to work out meal plans for the week/fortnight. One where I can mix the days around, depending on what my mum wants to eat. She's 93 and trust me at her age she gets what she wants. She usually doesn't ask for much. I do have to cook a couple of things that I personally don't eat, (prawns, lamb, pork), but that's okay as long as she's happy.

I really have to do a thorough stock take of my pantry and freezer. though to be honest my freezer is mainly filled with meals that I have made. So, I know exactly what's in each and every dish. Today I made red Rice to freeze and put on the split peas to soak so I can cook them tomorrow to freeze, (so much easier to pull out and reheat) when I'm having a baked dinner, or silver side then having to stand there cooking the sloppy peas every time.

On another note: Cyclone, Hurricane, and Monsoon are all sick. Thank God, it is school holidays, and they can rest, and not be missing actual school days.

Day 98: Grocery Shopping

Today it's a game of how much is going to be on the shelves and what I'm going to have to pay for it to be able to eat this fortnight. I can't believe how much food has goon up since we've had all this rain. I can understand it, because of crop damage etc, but I don't have to like it. Especially when I'm a pensioner. But we have to do what we have to do to survive. It just means I get creative with meals... meaning, I make meals where I'm able to freeze a portion to have at a later date.

I also freeze left over pasta (un-sauced) and rice into portion sized packets to pull out and put into stews and soups... no wastage. Rice is always good to have already cooked in the freezer if I decide on the spur to make tuna patties.

This time I'm going through pantry, fridge and freezer so I don't buy stuff I already have. I know I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again. We all have to start shopping smarter. My daughter and I have taken to buying the big bags of carrots, and capsicums and just halving them because it's cheaper.

If I have extra gravy (homemade) left over, I freeze it and if my daughter asks hey mum do you have any gravy. I just point at the freezer. I usually just mark it with whatever it is. L, B, or C. As they say, sharing is caring. In this day and age every little bit helps.

So, wish me luck with my shopping and let's hope It doesn't cost me an arm and a leg, as well as my left kidney. Oh, to make matters worse; it's school holidays (Easter). We're going to have Cyclone, Hurricane, and Monsoon with us as well as having to contend with any other child shopping with their parents...oh what fun...not!

 

Day 97: Organization

 

I am one of those people who like to work from lists. whether it has to do with my writing, or it is the household chores, or even just the plain old shopping list. Yes, I has a notebook I keep in my bag just for that very thing (the shopping list that is).

I like to do at least three chores off the list per day. I have a big yard, and a small battery-operated push mower. So, I allot myself one battery life (Approx 20 minutes) of mowing each day and two other chores. With all the rain we've had the mowing has fallen by the wayside, but I'll be heading out there shortly to try and play catch up. So, today's chore list would be:

1. Mow 1 battery
2. wipe out the pantry shelves and put oldest stock to the front
3. Change mum's bedding for cooler weather (Add extra doona, her under blanket and flannel sheets)

In my writing I'm just hoping to get at least 2-3 K written, but that will have to come after I have done the other chores. It's coming up cloudy again, so I better go and at least get the mowing in before then.