Menu Planning for May

I’m trying really hard to plan ahead for the next three weeks of May.  After you quit laughing, please keep reading.  I have been so diligent these past two months, trying new recipes seeking something different to add to our favorite standbys.  I’ve had a few hits and quite a few misses. 

I can’t be the only person that gets tired of cooking the same thing, over and over.  I keep trying to tell my three little darlings, we can try something new.  I promise not to poison any of you.  Just keep trying. 

Tonight’s requests: spaghetti from one, taco night from another.  Again?  It’s just not happening.  I may revert to another old main stay of the Thorpe house, little (as in mini) hamburger steaks with homemade mashed potatoes and green beans.   But for the rest of the month, I am going to find at least one more ground beef recipe to try and one more crock pot recipe.

What to do with this?????

The only way for us to stay out of the drive through is to work on that meal plan.  We are well known at the Dairy Queen.  I guess it is a good thing that my crowd has never met a cow they didn’t like.  They love hamburgers.  We do grill a lot this time of year but right now I’m looking for “inside” recipes.

So if you have any suggestions or a family favorite that doesn’t involve hamburger helper, please send it on.  Preferably really quick while I’ve got out this calendar!

The hated Chore of Grocery Shopping

Am I the only one that detests grocery shopping?  I don’t think it’s just the RAD even though lifting cases of water and jugs of milk can be painful.  Partly I don’t like spending the money and then having to unload the stuff, generally by myself, and finally put it all away.

Last week, I managed to stay out of any large grocery store except for one small trip Wednesday.  I wouldn’t have gone then had I not needed one item to complete our meal.  Sigh.  I did a pretty good job of using what we had in the large freezer and the pantry.

But this week I had to go.  And I went alone.  Of course most of what I needed was for Scott.  I hate for him to have to work all weekend on the trucks and trailers and then have to do his own grocery shopping for the truck.  Plus, I probably spend less than he does and buy him healthier stuff.  Except the Oreos, I caved on the real, name brand Nabisco Oreos. 

I don’t count the specific items I buy for Scott for the truck in my budget.  The poor fellow has to eat, right?  I would like to be able to save a little more and cut our weekly grocery budget down to about $50/60 per week without extreme couponing and eat healthy.  Is that asking too much?

I had hoped that by planning menus and shopping wisely, I would be able to avert the dreaded weekly shopping trip.  That’s all good, but unfortunately, none of my “help” plans to eat next week.  So I had to lift all the heavy items and load them in the bus myself.  Then, unload it all by myself.  Do you have ungrateful little grocery eaters at your house too?

I am continuing to adjust our budget to reflect one income.  Of course, next to housing and utilities, food tends to be the next largest expense for us.  So, how do you buy groceries? Especially my fellow autoimmune sufferers…do you go once per month and stock up on everything? 

Do you go once a week because you like to escape?  Scott use to accuse me of that when the girls were very little.  Do you use a menu plan to save money?  I'm open to suggestions.  Got to get those dollars and our budget tighter!

And it's a Hit

     It wasn’t my intention to instantly please the picky eater.  On this one, I just got lucky.  In moving around stuff in my big freezer, I found a sirloin roast.  I thought hmmm, haven’t had a roast with onions and carrots in a long time.  And this is something that can cook while I do other stuff…namely my new admin duties for CST.
    
     I decided to drag out my electric skillet.  It is a marvelous gadget that currently resides in the camper.  It is versatile and great for warming up spaghetti sauce or taco meat at the lake or for cooking Sunday breakfast.  It is sold at Wally world and we use ours a lot.

          
    This is about as simple and easy as it can get.  It doesn’t take long to assemble and get back to your to do list.  So gather up a couple bags of carrots, an onion, and one can of cream of mushroom soup, and your choice of seasoning. Preheat the skillet to about 250 and lightly spray or add a couple tablespoons of olive oil.  If you have never used an electric skillet, the heat will cycle so don’t freak if it seems to turn itself off. 

    I normally chop the onion and lay it around the roast.  While the roast begins to cook, I wash, peel and slice carrots.  Rheum tip: I will probably buy the mini bagged ones next go round.  My wrist was worn out after chopping two bags of carrots.  Also, if you can't chop, most larger grocery stores carry the chopped fresh onions.

    Once the roast has cooked for an hour or so, I added the can of cream of mushroom soup and a can of water.  (I have been using my own cream of soup mix.  However, I had a few cans in my pantry that I need to use.)  Whisk around the soup and it will eventually thicken and make gravy.  Then add the carrots, cover and go roll over your laundry.

    I let the roast cook on a low temperature until the carrots are done.  This is great served with mashed potatoes or rice and leseur peas. 

Spiritual Consequences

I am convinced that every Monday morning while planning his week, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and St Pete all discuss what sermons are needed in which congregations for the next Sunday.  While They are having this discussing, God points out to Pete that I, Rebecca Newton Thorpe, need a certain message.  During this time my Pastor is busy in his study, reading the Word and meditating on his next sermon.  He then receives a knee mail strait from God who lays on his heart what we all need to hear that particular week.

Now that might be a bit simple minded for some of you, but please consider that I am the source.  You also need to know that I truly believe that each message we hear on Sunday is special and sent to each of us straight from above.

This past Sunday, I opened up my bulletin and my head probably spun around.  Bam, He got me again.  The title, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  Of course, there had been a lot of bad in our world lately, but this spoke to me on a really personal level.  With my diagnosis of RAD, I’ve never said “why me?”.  I pretty much know that if not for grace, it could be a whole lot worse, especially if I got what I deserved.

I see my RAD as a consequence of making a very poor decision and not having the faith to trust that if God told me to do something, that He would also handle all the details.

The school year of 2009-2010 was a very bad one for our middle child.  I was basically an absent parent, having chosen my job over parenting and my health.  Of course, I felt that I had no other choice.  Or at least this is what I rationalized in my mind.  Wrong.  We have choices.

In August of 2009, my workload increased significantly right along with the start of the new school year. I was working so hard and such long hours that I didn’t get the depth of how my child was struggling.  Pretty bad for a parent to admit, huh? 

In November of that school year, Scott and I visited The Bedford School in Fairburn, GA open house for summer school camp.  It was a wonderful school specifically for LD kids.  I knew in my heart that she really needed to attend school there.  After a great deal of prayer and more work related hardships, in May of 2010 God said quit.  So I wrote my letter of resignation and rode it around on the dash of my car for two or three weeks.

I simply didn’t have the faith to do it and financial fear paralyzed me.  Seven months later, in January of 2011, I had what was my first flare of RAD.  Of course I had no clue what was going on.  It took about two months to get diagnosed and two years and 3 months later here I am, crackling and popping with every step.

I am not angry at God. I am very annoyed at myself for lots of reasons.  But through a lot of prayer and meditation I realize that forward is the only way to go.  I can’t undo a bad decision that I made nor can I change the results. I can take it for what it is, give it all over to God and go the way He directs.

Cimzia Update

I was the dart board like recipient of my 3^rd round of injections this past Sunday.  My mother is still getting way too much pleasure out of these injections.  I may have to find another nurse! My injections were running one week behind due to finishing up some taxes.  This last go around, I didn’t have any major symptoms, just felt really yuck and tired.  The headache didn’t show up until later in the evening.  This morning, I’m still tired but up trying to check a few to do’s off my list.

The only symptom benefit thus far has been a reduction of the sjogrens: less dry mouth and not having to use the eye drops daily.  I am supposed to take injections every two weeks.  I can assure you that stretching that out to three weeks was too far.  By the end of the 3^rd week, the sjogrens symptoms had retuned.  At this point, I can’t say that the RAD pain has lessened any.

So I went to the discussion boards, reading up on this biologic.  There don’t seem to be as many people taking it.  And it does appear to take several months, 4-6 by some accounts, to get noticeable relief.  And most people are taking it in conjunction with other medications such as methotrexate.  Which makes me shudder just to type.  MTX was a horrible treatment for me.

I am still using the white knuckle approach to the pain.  However, the inflammation has become “system” wide and now I think it’s time to call the doctor and get some type of steroid kick.  Have I mentioned that I’m not fond of steroids?  Mainly the weight gain, but I get extra cranky when on them for an extended time.

So some more research later I found that many patients routinely will take a 3-5 day course of prednisone starting with a 30 mg punch, then 20, and finally 10.  Or even starting with a higher dose and stepping down over the 5 days.  These patients are stating that a shorter course of prednisone is enough to give a 3-4 week relief from their current flair.   The benefit is NOT taking prednisone at a lower dose for an extended time.

In the meantime, I’ve decided to add walking a few days a week and light weight lifting on the opposite days.  Light, as in 15 minute walks and maybe 10 minutes of weights and so far so good.

Budgeting…Yuck

This post will have to have a sequel...it just went on and on and on.  When I quit work, the number one question people asked me was how could I afford it? Well, I had a plan and a budget.  Plus I'm only out of the workforce temporarily, while I rest and get my RAD under control.  I have every intent on returning to some type of employment within the next year.

If I’ve learned anything the last few years it has been that money, and managing it, is more psychological than financial.  Everyone brings their on idiosyncrasies into how they earn and spend.  Without a budget, you lack a financial road map.  And without a map, you are liable to just meander along and “fritter” away your resources.

I’ve worked since the beginning of time, inserting newspapers, babysitting, flipping burgers, waiting tables, Wally World…you name it and I’ve probably done it.  I also spent most of what I earned…clothes, college and racing. Maybe a little more racing.  From all of this, I did learn a great work ethic…work hard or have no money.

It wasn’t until I graduated from college and was officially out on my own did I discover the power of budgeting.  And I basically figured it all out for myself.  Yes, even with a financial related degree, I had very poor personal finance skills.  A few years down the road, I married, had a child and chose to quit work and stay home.  Again, without a concrete ( yes, folks, I mean set in stone with mortar) budget I would have been stuck working full time in the ATL with small children.

During this time my time as a SAHM, I used the Dave Ramsey approach to snow ball debt and save for us to buy our first home.  I am not endorsing Ramsey’s products, because even though I find his message on track I don’t like his “selling” of financial products, especially to people who may be financially vulnerable. There are tons of financial blogs and resources out there today.  So if you are struggling with your finances, put some work into figuring it all out.  But start with a BUDGET.

Today I use an excel spreadsheet to budget each month.  I didn’t say I stuck to it, but it is a starting point.  At least I know my targets and how much is going out. 

I also like the plan found here 50/30/20.  I also recommend the msn money website as a place to start working your way through some financial planning.  This plan comes from the book "All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan" by Elizabeth Warren.

I also read a lot of blogs like Get Rich Slowly , especially the older posts.  I also like Surviving and Thriving and The Simple Dollar. These are real people who have overcome a lot of debt and other financial barriers.  So read and come up with a budget solution that will work for you.

Now, more than ever, having a life altering illness means that Scott and I have to also alter our financial plans.  I know that we have to stay on top of our budget and know what it costs to live...and eventually retire...

It is a tradeoff...how much money is enough for how much life you want to live.  Luckily, I've realized I control those choices.  It goes back to the psychology of money and personal goals all within the framework of a budget that works for my family. 

 

 

Santa Fe Chicken Update

It was OK.  Nothing extraordinary, but OK.  Boo and I had our chicken over rice and the finicky eater made chicken nachos with hers.  We had homemade salsa and sour cream to "dress" it cup a little along with nacho chips.

It was definitely missing something.  I just can't quite put my finger on it.  Maybe I should have added ranch seasoning. I am open to suggestions on this one.  Boo recommended that we add some “soup” to it and make taco soup out of the leftovers.  I thought it was a great idea, but beginning to get a little warm for soup.

However, we did try the chicken as a filling for quesadillas and it was great!!  Even Miss Picky ate one!!  I warmed enough of the chicken to make about 3 small quesadillas, sprayed a non stick pan and added a little taco seasoned cheese.  It was very quick and easy.

Will I make this again?  I don’t know…maybe as the base for taco soup with chicken instead of beef or deer.  We had lots of leftovers, so I have put the rest in the freezer for another night.  Maybe we can have a build your own quesadilla night and break out the electric griddle!

Making Powdered Homemade Laundry Detergent

Here are a few things I learned as I made the detergent:

1.      It takes hardly any time at all.

       2.      Start with a small batch.
       3.      My food processor is going to be amazingly clean

How this all got started…I ran out of liquid clothes washing detergent for my ginormous front load machines.  And I do a tremendous amount of laundry with 3 girls and a husband who believes in extreme dirtiness.

I figured it couldn’t be too hard to make my own and it has to be cheaper.  I spend about $15 a month on detergent alone, plus $3 on spray and wash and about $6 on the big bucket of oxyclean.  That is a whopping $24 a month on laundry.  I consulted with the Web’s and Facebook’s most knowledgeable on homemade laundry detergent.  I also perused pinterest.

I concluded that the liquid would be too much work for a very tired mama.  Two consultants recommended the powdered detergent.  I figured to make a small batch for a test run.

I had previously purchased the ingredients…one box of washing soda, one box of borax and one bar of Fels Naptha.  It took me longer to get out the food processor and put it together than to shred the bar of soap.  I selected an old ready to be trashed Rubbermaid container to store this batch in, mainly due to being lightweight.  These days, ease of use far outweighs price.  But it is awesome to have both!!

 

First Step…shred that bar of soap.  Again, I used my old food processor because my wrist couldn’t handle using my old box grater.

 

Add one cup of borax (per Aunt Gigi don’t inhale at this point), then add one cup of washing soda.

 

Look at those lovely layers.

Last give that container a shake. 

 

So far, I’m on my 3^rd load of laundry.  I have been using two tablespoons and putting it directly into the machine along with the clothes.  They smell great and look clean!!  I’ll update as we use this and let you know how it handles the diesel grease and grime from Scott.

Faith and Health

It was raining this morning and I was sleeping sooo good. My bones were achy and for a slight minute I was so tempted to roll over and keep on sleeping. I have been very busy this past week working on taxes, running children around and trying to get our trucking business better organized.  I’m also known as Scott’s secretary and bookkeeper, errand runner and parts fetcher.

But I rolled out of bed and prepared to go to early church services.  Early, as in 8:30 a.m. early. And it was raining, you know I might melt.  Or get lumpy.  And my knees hurt.  I gimped into the Warehouse through the rain thankful for a hot cup of coffee, delivered by the best teenage coffee maker in South Georgia.  After a great music service and message, not only was I in a better mood, I felt better.

I am very grateful for a contemporary service where I can dress down and not worry that someone might be offended by my casual attire.  There is nothing like attending church in blue jeans and a hoodie in the winter and capri's and sandals in summer.  (My fellow RAD folks know how difficult just getting dressed can be!)

I really don’t care what science says, I know that there is something about a great worship service and Sunday school lesson that makes you physically feel better.  No matter what type of chronic illness you may have, faith can lift your spirits and well-being.

Our scripture this morning was from Hebrews 12 about perseverance and running a race.  Pastor Ken used a marathon as an analogy of faith.  What a perfect reminder for those of us that have chronic illness...approach that illness like a marathon, train daily, be steadfast and persevere through the hard days. 

 

 

Biowhats?

BioSimilars and RAD treatment

 

Part of "getting better" for me has involved learning more about RAD.  I am trying to take the time to read about treatments, research, etc.  And I have been learning a ton of stuff.  I found the following article link on facebook Flordia bio similar article.

 

I read, then read some more.  At first I was livid.  Then I read some more plus the sidebar in the article.  And it got me thinking, what are the other 14 states?  Could Georgia be one of them?  So of course, the little journalist in me began digging.  And digging.

 

So far I've learned that Virginia passed a bill allowing biosimilars, but with a lot of restrictions.  Also  (gasp!) California appears to be heading in the same direction. It looks like FL and Oklahoma will pass a bill proposed by big pharma lobby.  Other states with some type of pending legislation are Illinois, Mississippi, Indiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and I'm sure others. 

 

I can't find Georgia on that list, but I'm sending out an email to my state representative to ask for any updates.  I also want him to know my position on biosimilars for future treatment.  I am going to continue reading and researching on this area and will try to update any new info later.  Also go to GaBi to read some big pharma reaction. 

 

My intent has never been to write about the technical aspect of RAD treatment, just my journey and how this chronic illness has affected my entire life and my family.  And that is still my intended direction.  However, the idea that more affordable treatment is out there and our government in the interest of big pharma would block patient access is just outrageous.

 

Here is the estimated cost of RAD treatments...stew on these dollars for a while.

 

 

 

Nothing like the good ole FDA screwing patients over. My biologic treatment would cost me $2800 per month. When I had insurance, I had to go through a course of several drugs before it would even approve treatment. So it has taken two years and four months for me to get to the point of being able to take a biologic.

During that time I've "lost" my right wrist, both knees mainly the left one, my hips and now my lower back. While all this damn time there have been cheaper/similar drugs available. But not in the good ole US of A. 

 

So where do we go from here?  Maybe a European vacation for the Thorpes, all tax deductible? That would be great, but not likely, even though this is highly possible for the wealthy.  Plus I'm pretty sure I'd be the one to get caught in customs trying to smuggle my meds back into the country.

 

I guess the answer, at least for me, is more involvement with the statewide RAD group and letting folks in the ATL on the hill know that this is more than a big pharma lobbyist issue.  (Ay Tee El...just trying to help out the northerners.) And I want my representatives to know that RAD patients have faces and families and lives.  And we need access to affordable treatment.

 

 

 

 

Sante Fe Chicken

Crock Pot Quick and Easy

This is one of those recipes that comes together quick.  As I worked on menu planning yesterday, I wanted to try something new in the crock pot and it had to be chicken.  After searching around pinterest and the net I found several versions of Santa Fe Chicken.  So I basically tweaked it to fit my family's taste.

First I went through the pantry and the kitchen table looking for ingredients. (Don't ask, I've been trying to organize the pantry. Sigh.) Lucky me...this recipe calls for basic pantry staples and I had them all.

If you can open cans, you can make this.  I layered the ingredients: homemade chicken stock, diced tomatoes with chilies, corn, black beans and spices.

homemade chicken stock





A word on the homemade chicken stock...I have several chicken casserole recipes that call for boiled chicken breast.  I season the chicken while cooking and normally have this huge pot of seasoned broth.  So I freeze it for use later.  Either strain through cheese cloth or let chill over night in the refrigerator.  After skimming any fat from the top, dip out with a coffee cup and put in freezer proof container.  You could also use a freezer bag.  It is lower in sodium than the canned stuff and tastes better too.

Place the chicken in the pot on top of ingredients and cook for 6-8 hours on low.  I am cooking on high for four hours.  Once chicken is done, remove and shred.  Return to the crock pot and give it a quick stir.  At this point, I plan to cook on low for about two more hours.

We will have this with leftover rice from last night and corn tortillas.  I've also got my homemade salsa to serve with it.  My girls should really enjoy this.  I also like that it can be served over the rice or as filling in tacos or burritos.

Recipe:
3 to 4 skinned chicken breast
1 can chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes with chilies
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can black beans
1 tsp of dehydrated onions
1/2 tsp of cumin
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1/2 tsp of onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
**note** if you have made the homemade taco seasoning a teaspoon of it would probably work too.  You can also add some "heat" if your family lots hot with their spicy!

I will update y'all with a review tomorrow.  Now go drag out your crock pot and let it work while you enjoy this gorgeous day with your family.

Gettin my kilter strait

Not only was last week spring break, we also had a death in our family.  So it was a very busy week.  The girls and I tried to do what we could for my Mama and her sisters.  Mainly, we cleaned her house Wednesday and Thursday and did some shopping for her.  Visitation was Thursday evening and Services were Friday morning. 

The girls were close to their great uncle and I felt it was important that they spend as much time with our family as possible.  I am very proud to say that for the most part, they behaved very well and were also a great help in cleaning Mimi's house.

We have had a very hectic week and I'm feeling a bit off kilter.  A lot of the "list" for spring break didn't get accomplished.  This week might not be much better because I have quite a few tax returns to get done. So we are going to punt and revise the list.

First is the menu plan...we were either with family or eating on the run last week.  I tried sooo hard to stick with Weight watchers, but had a few temptations.  I just can't refuse a krispy kreme doughnut!  I've got to find some more healthy crock pot recipes. We will be trying a new one out this week...crock pot Sante Fe chicken. I will let y'all know how it turns out. But in the meantime, if you have any suggestions, please send them on.

Then we have school activities and practices. HC1 starts back her conditioning program after taking last week off, so I've got that schedule to work around as well as JV track meet Thursday (at home: smiley face!) and 6th grade concession stand duty Friday.

No it doesn't stop there...At the lovely hour of 8 a.m. HC1 has sports physical...in Oconee county Saturday morning.  There is no rest for the weary and I am beginning to wonder when I ever had time to work a full time job.

And the weeks after that are just as hectic. The end of the school year is just as busy busy as the beginning.  I pray that as we are all getting our kilter's straitened out and back in our regular routines, that we have a safe and blessed week!

Not Really Goodbye

Please pray for my Aunt Jeanette, cousins Janet and Berry, my mom and her sisters as we say our earthly goodbyes to my Uncle Malcolm Fussell.  He was the eldest son, the light of my Granny's life.  Throughout many hardships, he was a rock to his sisters and many nieces and nephews.

He was a war hero and remembered by many in this area as an upstanding law officer.  He took me on my first trip in an RV, but I don't remember where we went.  He also had a 57 Chevy that stayed under a shelter and I loved that car.

He loved my rowdy loud children, maybe because he couldn't half hear the noise.  I know that today we are saying goodbye to his earthly presence and that he is already in Heaven with his Father.

Boston Butt in the Crockpot

This is by far simplicity at its ultimate best.   I don’t think it can be messed up, it cooks itself and it is something everyone in my family eats.  All five of us. 

Pictured is a very large, purchased on sale, pork butt roast.  Place the nekkid butt in your crock pot.  I seasoned with garlic salt, paprika, black pepper and a little olive oil.  However, you choose the seasonings that your family prefers.  They don’t like garlic, leave it out.  Try sea salt instead.

I then poured some BBQ sauce I had in the fridge over the top.  This also got me reading the label (yuck) and looking for recipes for homemade BBQ sauce.  I’ll follow up with a recipe for that later.  Naturally it will be a sweet tangy southern style sauce.

Once seasoned, set your crock pot on high and cover.  It is an Aunt Jo thing.  But really, covering the crock pot with a clean kitchen towel helps keep the heat in.  This was a fairly large roast and I originally set it to cook for 4 hours.  It was not quite fork tender and the bone had not completely pulled away from the meat.  So it cooked for about another two hours.  I then left it on warm until the girls got home for school.

We had pulled pork sandwiches and broccoli for dinner.  The original game plan was to have the rest at the lake.  Due to Godly intervention, we chose to spend the week of spring break at home.  So the rest of the meat made a quick and easy dinner and allowed me and Mimi to watch some excellent NCAA Women’s basketball game.

This is easy to put on before leaving for work.  Just cook on low and when you get home, an easy dinner is waiting.  It's also great on those busy weekends when that yard work leaves you too tired to cook.  And unless you are feeding a tremendous crowd, leftovers are great with a baked potato!

Of course, it would have been much better with some Uncle Malcolm ribs.  He was the original BBQ king in our family and he will be missed by all. 

Spring Break Plans

Our Plans Have Changed. Again.

Well the weather and Scott’s trucking schedule just would not cooperate with our camping plans.  And I am not going to sit in the camper with three kids, my mama and the dog while it storms. 

There are other variables like I can’t put the awning down by myself quick enough in a storm.  (Learned the hard way at the beach.) So we will mostly be home this week with some trips to here and there sprinkled in.

In anticipation of spring break, I had cooked ahead plus grilled over at Mimi’s house Saturday night.  You might have heard a lot of ruckus Saturday and Sunday evenings over on Stadium Drive.  Mimi, HC1 and I were watching some amazing NCAA WBB upsets.  Like the Lady Dogs and Lady Cards.

We have lots of leftovers to get us through the week. Which means the kitchen is closed. There won’t be a lot of cooking going on this week.  Ahhh, the kitchen will stay clean for more than one day.

To make this a productive week, I have settled on three goals.

1.  Find the pool table.  I know it’s under there.  Somewhere. Under the Mount Mitchell of laundry.  I have done a great job of keeping it all washed and dried.  But we are suffering on the fold and put up side.

2.  Bake bread.  Yes Sir.  I plan to bake some bread.  I’ve assembled all of the ingredients and am trying to build up my confidence.  Baking real homemade bread is very intimidating.  But I am going to overcome this.

3.  A visit to Oconee County.  I’ve found about 4 or 5 rentals to look at and it is time we made a visit to start planning our transition for next school year.

4.  A weekly rotation of basic chores list.  My children are going to love this one. And I'm open to suggestions of how you have combined household duties/chores into your family's schedule

We have the usual dusting, sweeping and mopping to do.  Those jobs never seem to go away.  I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing week and enjoy your family time.  Where ever you choose to spend your time.