This is going to be a busy week for most of us. I thought it might be helpful to some if I shared some of the daily tasks I have on my lists over the next few days.
Tuesday – To Do
Normal daily chores – Sort the dirty cloths and start one load of laundry, check the daily mail, wash the dishes, and clear the counters and table as needed.
Start an errand list. Actually mine is already started, it is a matter of adjusting the details. I make sure we have plenty of blank CD’s. Before everyone leaves we load all of their pictures onto the computer. We all get to trade pictures and it gives the guys and teens something to do during those moments they are out of things to keep them otherwise entertained.
This year I also want to pick up fall colored construction paper. I am hoping it will go on clearance. I mentioned the other day that I wanted to do a garland of paper leaves where everyone has written their “Thanks For” as my son says and string them up. I thought it would be a good craft for the kids to start while the cooking is still going full blast. We will see how it goes. Next year I may cut out the leaves in advance.
Pull out Christmas decor and review pieces. We get the whole family into decorating over the long weekend. I take any donation edits to the car to take to the donation drop off later this afternoon. I put the other edits into a box to make other Christmas crafts or give away later.
Put the laundry into the dryer.
Make sure we have batteries. All of the cameras take batteries, the kids all bring their electronic games, and some of the Christmas decor uses them. It is just easier to make sure I have a good supply of every size now to head off any whining, pouting or complaining. At worst it gives a bit of a jump for Christmas morning. Add any needed to the errand list.
Double check the medicine cabinet and the first aid kit. The house will be full of lots of activity. Inevitably someone will need a band aid, get a headache, or start sneezing before the weekend is out. While I am there I might as well check hubby’s prescriptions especially for his blood pressure. Lets just say I handle stress a little better than he does. Add anything needed to the errand list.
Pull out any extra donations for the food bank/soup kitchen. I take quite a few items during the last weeks of October when I reorganize the pantry. If I have made donation purchases or chosen last minute donations because I need extra room in the refrigerator or pantry. I go ahead and take them to the car.
Load the car and do all of the errands. Make sure to call hubby and ask if he needs me to do anything while I am out. After this trip I will not be leaving the house again for the rest of the week except for family time. Think about the errand route before I leave the driveway to take the smallest driving loop/shortest amount of time.
Fold the laundry and put it away.
Early food prep. There are many vegetables that need to be cleaned and cut up either for raw snacks or to be cooked in dishes. I have a lot extra chopping to do. We will also be eating a veggie soup in chicken broth for all of our meals tomorrow. Simple and good for those colds I was talking about. I have made other prep ahead lists for other recipes. Some for today and some for tomorrow.
Cook the extra turkey/breast in the big crock pot overnight. No matter how big the turkey is on Thanksgiving, I always run out of meat for the leftover recipes. Cooking an extra breast that I pull apart in advance ensures that I have extra meat and gives me plenty of broth to add extra flavor to many of the other dishes over the weekend.
Cook the veggie soup in the small crock pot overnight.
Bed time pick up.
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