Tonight I watched my daughter enjoy watching the season of The Saddle Club that she checked out from the library today. She watched every single episode, and one episode twice!
We went to Sam's Club to purchase potatoes, yeast, baking soda, brown gravy mix, vinegar and some meat. Total bill was $36 and change. Not bad for what we got. Everything but the potatoes and meat will last for a long time, some of it over a year. That may seem strange to stock up like that while trying to simplify but I consider it that many less grocery trips we will have to make - and the items won't go bad if stored properly. As for brown gravy mix, I cannot make that from scratch worth anything or I would - and four dollars for a container that will make several gallons is a whole lot better price to pay than a dollar for a little pack that only makes two cups!
I have kept to the goal I mentioned earlier, so in the morning I will awaken to a clean kitchen. I also managed to wrap the windows in the living room with the bubble wrap, sealing off a decent-sized air leak around the air conditioner. A quilt has been hung up over the door leading to the back room to seal it off better, and in a few days I will care for the windows in that back room. It isn't that cold yet, so no point in stressing and getting in a big hurry to finish.
I have turned the thermostat down to below 60F for the evening, and am preparing to snuggle down for the night. The kid is already in bed and I am enjoying the silence. Shortly she will be back in school and life will be back to "normal." - I will miss having her around, but will also be glad to have my quiet time back again.
Goodnight!