Thanksgiving 2022: Review

 

So how did it go?  In the end, did I follow my rules for Thanksgiving 2022?

Every year, as we end a holiday, I make a few notes of what worked and what didn't.  I usually do this in my general homemaking pages of my personal notebook and not online, but since I was so bold as to profess my "Survival Plans..." for this Thanksgiving, I thought I'd be equally as bold and tell you how those plans went.

Menu:  I stuck to my menu plan. I did make one concession for an onion allergy, so I mixed up a portion of dressing without onions and set aside a portion of the green bean casserole mixture without any added onions.  I topped that with cracker crumbs.  Might as well have let it stand as I was informed by the one with the allergy that it's more a dislike and if they are cooked in smaller pieces, he didn't mind them so much.  Live and learn.

Budgeting: You Do You, I'll Do Me

A few years ago, a well-known and much-loved blogger with a real ministry for others to feed a family on a tight budget mentioned buying margarine on sale during a group chat.  The furor that arose over that seemingly innocent statement was terrible.  Within 24 hours, the blogger had been attacked so much and so viciously over that one sentence, that she seriously considered deleting her complete body of work and leaving blogging behind forever.

Another popular blogger that I follow off and on, once made a post stating why she was no longer buying organic meat.  The post lasted two hours before the blogger removed it and all the comments following it.  She never reposted that particular post, nor made mention again of the lack of organic meat in her household.  Again, public opinions were harsh, hateful and hurtful.  Never mind the very valid reason she had for her budget adjustment.

Budget shaming is a real thing.  Seriously folks!

The Homemaker Plans Her Week: Ch-Ch-Changes

In my home this week, I am considering the options of housework, Christmas decorating, gifting, first of the month tasks, and a change of circumstances that I didn't predict.  I'd laugh at it at this point except I'll admit I was tossed for a loop and haven't quite untangled myself yet.  So, there's that.

I'm also contemplating the handful of projects I'd just added to my list of homemaker projects.  Scratch that.  Scratch the remainder of the list.  They aren't going to happen this year.  Regrouping is getting to be what I'm really good at. 

Diary of a Homemaker: Thankful

 

Saturday:  The above picture is to inspire me to remain calm and enjoy the week...We had an opportunity to see Caleb late this past week and thoroughly enjoyed his visit.  Not so fun for him.  He's still sick and Katie thought it best if he was seen by his pediatrician here.  Poor little fellow still has ear infections and complications to his system from the previous round of antibiotics.  We tried all sorts of natural home remedies prior to the doctor visit, but the doctor assured his mama that none of them would have eased Caleb's way in the least.  Here's hoping he feels better with the new medications.

After they left today, John and I quickly cleaned house and then took a formal Sabbath rest through the afternoon.  That said, we both did some other tasks that would be considered quiet work, simply because it was necessary.  

The Homemaker Plans Her Week: Begin Again

 

In my home this week, I am determined to begin over again.  This afternoon when we'd had time to settle down, I felt overwhelmed at the unknowingness ahead.  Well, that wasn't going to do, now, was it?  Just because others refuse to make firm plans doesn't mean I should skate along and make none either now does it?

So, what to do?  Go back to Plan A.

Diary of a Homemaker's Week: Ho Ho No

 

Saturday:  We had a miserable night last night for both of us, though John slept a bit more than I did.  I've no idea why I was wide awake, but I did manage to keep my mind quiet which is restful in itself.  It's the nights when I'm awake and my mind races that I find very exhausting.   We finally got out of bed at about 5:45 this morning.  I told John about that time I was tired of pretending I was sleeping, and I thought I'd get a cup of coffee.  He quickly agreed.  I didn't think he was asleep.

I was sitting in the kitchen watching Instagram Reels as I sipped coffee, when I heard the unmistakable sound of Scrooge.  Yes, the annual showing of A Christmas Carol has begun.  I confess that between watching vloggers decorate their homes for Christmas and now viewing A Christmas Carol, I am feeling far more of the Christmas spirit earlier than I have in years upon years.

Coffee Chat: Love, Hope and Thankfulness

 

Do come in dears and let us have a nice hot cup of something and have a talk.  It feels like it's been forever since we had a visit.  In looking back, I see that we've not had a proper chat since the end of September.  Weeks ago.  I suppose it's to be expected given all the stuff to be dealt with these past few weeks.

I've done periodic updates of sorts in the Weekly diary, but I am ready for a right proper chat, aren't you?  Soon we'll all be stuck in the holiday preparations and I'm afraid time will fly even faster than it is at present, and it will be 2023 before we have a visit.