saturday

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the first thing to do upon returning home from the grocery store is to put the frozen foods away and then, those items needing to be refrigerated.  once the cold cuts are in their proper place, a large pot is filled with cold water.  gently add a dozen eggs to the water and then move the pot to the stove top so that the water can boil over medium-high heat for five minutes.  after five minutes is up, move the pot off the burner and let sit for 15 minutes then rinse the eggs in cold water.  now they can be added to the fridge full of food.

in the meantime, the cherry tomatoes need to be rinsed.  the little guy has a habit of walking around with the entire container and snacking on them at odd hours of the day.  knowing they're rinsed the moment they arrive in the home brings the wife and mother peace of mind.

while the cherry tomatoes drip dry in the colander, the pantry/cupboard items are sorted and put away.  any empty bags or boxes are broken down and put in the pile for the blue garbage bin.  one part of sorting includes consolidating items as an attempt to save more space. 

now that all of the food is put away the reusable bags are broken down and put back in the car for next time.  the wife and the mother realizes she still hasn't had lunch. there’s a mango needing to be used from the last trip to the store.  pull the blender out and chop up the ingredients for a smoothie.  while the blender is blending, take the pile for the blue bin out to the blue bin.  the trip to the bin is short so it’s not surprising that the blender is still turning once back inside.  

a spare moment.  

grab the new bottles of shampoo and conditioner along with the rubbing alcohol (a request from the 6 year old so she can keep her pierced ears clean from infection. apparently, the old bottle is empty) and take them to the bathroom.  before returning to the kitchen, stop by the laundry room to start the dryer on “fluff” cycle. now another load can be finishing up while the fresh chicken is rinsed, trimmed of fat and the breast cutlets divided among 6 freezer bags for the next weeks dinners.  

the smoothie is done.  the chicken is trimmed and divided. the mind of the wife and mother fills with sudden worry, “if they ever have to, will they be able to do these things without me? who should i teach? daughter or husband?”  the ridiculous thought leaves her mind almost as quickly as it came, right after she reminds herself not to be so self absorbed.

once the air is out of the bags of chicken and once the bags are placed in the garage freezer, the work is almost done but not before the sink is disinfected as well as the hands that have been hard at work.  oh the work, it’s so very hard necessary.

"ding, ding, ding" sounds the dryer. fold the clothes and start a new load.  drink the smoothie after rinsing the blender. if anyone asks for a snack, get it for them.  the dog needs to be fed, feed her.  when the phone rings or the doorbell chimes, get up and answer it.

how wonderful the cycle is of this and that, back and forth, up and down. again and again. she has another thought, "maybe there will be time, before the next need arises, to flip through one of the magazines from the overflowing stack?"  first make a trip to the restroom.  it can’t be put off any longer.  

oh! remember, rice krispie treats were promised.  they won’t take long.

wouldn’t it be awesome if the dishes magically cleaned themselves?  they can wait.  dinner will need to be made soon. more dishes will be added.  what’s that called? killing two birds with one stone?

treats are done.  dishes are soaking. finally, a moment to relax before dinner preparations.  the sound of every car coming up the road brings hope that it’s him.  usually, it’s not but one time, it will be.

hopefully sooner than later. after all, it is saturday. 

dinner now.  children don’t want what the adults are having.  the wife and mother doesn't feel like engaging herself in their fight for grilled cheese.  grilled cheese for them, lettuce wraps for her.  

when he comes home, he's tired and hungry. he eats warmed up food.  he tells the small people he’ll take them for a walk before considering the time. it’s already 8:00 p.m. it’s too late and the wife and mother has other plans.  at 9:00 p.m., she’s going for a run.

to relax and unwind.