October 19, 2005
Dinners in our house have never been a very organized or exciting thing. Up until this last year, we were both working full time, so we were pretty busy and dinner was always just thrown together. Occasionally I might have something planned or make something special, like enchiladas or something, but most of the time, it would be 6:00 and we would be hungry and I would search through the cupboards or freezer for something to make. It was frustrating and never very good and a lot of the time, we ended up eating out. I didn’t mind eating out. We had the money and it was so much easier and tasted so much better. Along came Ethan. We have less money, we have less time as well and often don’t get to eat until after 7 or 8. Making dinner was a hard and very unpleasant thing for me. Until about three weeks ago, that is.
I don’t know why I never did this before. I think I was overwhelmed with the thought of it. “I can barely think of one thing to make, let alone a weeks worth of meals!” I would think. I have a friend who plans out a month at a time! Yikes.
I decided to try it when over at our bible study leader’s house. I saw a list for the week on the fridge. It was like, chili one night, chicken sandwiches the next, then left over chili again. I was inspired. It didn’t have to be fancy stuff! It could be sandwiches and leftovers! So, three weeks ago, I made a menu and it has been the most awesome thing ever! It has alleviated one of the stressful things of my day It makes grocery shopping a lot easier (and probably cheaper), we are saving money not eating out as much, Shane has liked everything we eat (including the sandwiches….) It is going very well and I am very proud of myself. I almost feel like I have bettered myself in a little way and it makes me happy. We are eating better, too. It is all just very good. And who knows, maybe some day in the near future I will start making a monthly dinner schedule.
