Flotsam / Jetsam

Overwhelmed already

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Not too long ago, in a time known as Before Three Weeks Ago, I kept a daily to-do list. It was part of my effort to be a better housekeeper. I’m not a tidy person by nature, but I do love a good list. And I think I’d been doing a fair job of getting the things on my list done. By my admittedly less-than-Martha standards, the apartment has been tolerably clean.

Today is the first day I’ve been home alone with the children. We’ve been blessed with all sorts of help — Rockford parents were here the first week, my dad and his girlfriend came down the following week, Rockford worked half days most of last week and then his parents were back for a few days of Thanksgiving festivities. With all that assistance, today is the first day since Pete arrived that I’ve made a list.

Here’s what’s on it:

  • Laundry (wash, fold, put away)
  • Unload/reload dishwasher
  • Vacuum
  • Make bed in Pete’s room*
  • Move bassinet back to Pete’s room*
  • Sweep kitchen
  • Clean kitchen counters
  • Empty bathroom trash cans

    Here’s what probably should be on it:

  • Survive until 6 o’clock, when Rockford comes home.

    Say a little prayer for me, will you?

    * Pete and I tried to sleep in the master bedroom last night, but I think we’re going to have to move back to Pete’s room so Rockford can get some sleep.

    • Eating

    Our Thanksgiving menu

    I love Thanksgiving. It’s all about food and family, without the pressure of the gift exchange. In years past, I’ve prepared my Thanksgiving menus at least a month in advance. I’d send a few menu options out to our guests (Rockford’s parents) and let them vote on which they’d like. (My father-in-law inevitably wanting to mix-and-match the offerings.)

    This year, though, I had other things on my mind leading up to today’s festivities. As such, I didn’t prepare a menu at all. My mother-in-law and I tossed some ideas around earlier this week, and our menu sort of just shaped itself.

    And here it is:

  • All natural, hormone-free turkey with hand-crafted gravy.
  • Traditional sage-sourdough stuffing.
  • Sweet potato souffle crowned with buttery-crisp pecans.
  • Pomme de terre cuite au four.
  • Buttery green peas.
  • Pear butter pumpkin pie.

    My sister-in-law apparently had no trouble coming up with a menu this year. She also apparently has a team of sous-chefs at her service. Over-achiever.