The Homemaker Plans Her Week: Last Week of June

In my home this week, I've been shaking my head thinking of the week ahead.  June is nearly over and that means the year is half gone!  Would someone please put the brakes down hard on this year?!

We'll head into July by the end of this week, and the last holiday on U.S. schedules until Labor Day.  It's going to be a long hot haul ahead for those of us living in the more southerly states.  And if June has been any indicator of how July might look, Whew!  It's gonna be HOT.

This past week, as I've watered plants about every other day, I've been contemplating the brown dry grass.  I'm always torn when we have this extra hot summers.  Yes, it does dry out the grass and it makes it necessary to be very careful about watering gardens, new plants and especially potted plants.  On the other hand, realistically looking at where we are, it is a savings on gasoline if we don't have to use the mower as often.  And in our case, it also means we get a break from more repairs on the mower if we don't use it, too, lol.

I know summer here in the South is meant to be hot.  I got that memo years ago and I actually don't mind it terribly much, as long as I can retreat into air conditioning and cool down a wee bit.  Years ago, when we lived without AC, I wonder how on earth we managed.  I recall all too clearly that we didn't really.  We just suffered through until it was cool enough to sleep once more.  So happy to have the AC!

Work:

I designated this as a Zone 5 week at the beginning of this month.  Technically it's pantry/freezer/shed week.  Realistically, it's probably going to end up being pantry/freezer/patio or back porch week.  Let's just call it bonus time to touch on a number of jobs that I've missed this month, okay?  I need to clean the back porch, paint the front porch flooring, paint the furniture on the patio and back porch.   My pantry needs its bit of time to be straightened and for me to oversee what I have and what we haven't been using so much of.  The freezer is a continual jumble of things.  We're talking more and more about a larger upright freezer.  I think we've seen how we can save a bit on that and it's a solution that is just fine.

First of a new month at the end of this week, so time to get my checkbook sorted out for the month ahead.

Mow Katie's front yard and/or spread mulch.  Since this is a push mower job, John and I both cut grass.  

I found fabric at Walmart last week to make slipcovers for the two ottomans in the living room.   I'll probably work on that a little bit, if I don't finish them entirely.

And that's where I'll leave it.  I've made plans to take the children to the library on Monday, on Wednesday I'll take just the boys.

I think any housework I accomplish will be more than enough with the other jobs I've laid out.

Kitchen:

Same verse same as the first, second and third...Make up the Brownie mix and mix up some cookie dough.   John's starting to bemoan the lack of treats in the house.  I hate to spend money on cookies and such that just barely have any taste and he wants his little sweet treat.  So I'd better get busy!

Meals:  Every now and then I do this.  I just don't plan at all.  We seem to find plenty to eat.  I often get very creative with various things I find in the freezer, the pantry or the fridge that I know have been hanging around for a little while or that are leftover.  And that's what I'm going to do this week.   I'll go ahead and suppose that on Monday, especially if we mow Katie's yard and I take the three children to the library that I'll pull a frozen entree out to thaw and reheat in the toaster oven for an easy meal.  I'll plan that much and no more.  

Personal/Leisure:

Supposed to get another clothing order in from the new company.  If everything in this one is a size S, then I'm just going to cut my losses and stop the subscription.  If I do keep anything, it must be so cute I can't part with it, or go with something else that is already in my closet.  I've got my fingers crossed.  

Right now, my closet is looking very thin.  I think I have a total of six tops that are suitable for summer wear.  I've looked online at Stitch fix and I haven't seen anything I'd jump at if they sent it to me.  So if this next order isn't anything much, I am going to take myself off to Ross for Less and Cato and have a proper shop around for two or three new tops, some accessories, etc.

Mani/pedi at home.

I pulled out the adult coloring books last week and really enjoyed spending some time coloring while we listened to a television series we'd like to finish up before Netflix discontinues showing it.  

Watch an episode of Bridgerton and Season 9 of the Great British Bakeoff.

Read.