Planning meals and other crap

Quarantine succcckkkkkkssssss.

Remote learning and work is the worst. I miss people. I miss my family. I miss being able to sit with girlfriends at a bar, eating little snacks and bullshitting for hours. I miss my gym. I miss walking aimlessly through a shopping mall. I miss concerts. I miss a quiet house (but honesty...it has never been quiet).

We are all near the end of our ropes. Jack's teacher just told the class we've reached the 61st day of remote learning. 61 days of trying and hoping I'm not subconsciously ruining the minds of all three of these kids as we wander around the house trying not to combust.

As a last ditch effort to rewire my brain and become the Pinterest queen I have so longed to evolve into, I bought a notebook. In that notebook I am writing down a week's worth of dinners (sometimes breakfasts too) that I want to make and the grocery list for the fam and the dinner.

I am not even ashamed to say, I feel elite walking around the grocery store with a notebook of everything organized by department. It gives me such a high.

On Sunday's I go through my pinned list of meals and while JVE is either trying to sleep or watch TV, I randomly spout names of foods trying to elicit a reaction from him.

"Oooo Chili Lime Tilapia?"

"Creamy Lemon Tilapia?"

"Tilapia with Asparagus"

"Crockpot Chicken with Tomato and Basil?"

"Bang Bang Shrimp?!?!"

I also do this while I read my food magazines. I add a lilt to my voice when I read the name of a recipe and he responds with a "ooh" or " wow." Romance.

Also - Tilapia recipes on Pinterest are bleak - I mean, it is a garbage fish we are eating just to be healthy. No one looks at Tilapia and is like..."ohhh yaaassss. Give me that sad filet."

But, it has been actually pretty fun and have been trying to keep it slightly consistent.

Marine Monday - We just went through a round of cod recipes (loved this one with pasta! and are now moving into trash tilapia.

Crockpot Tuesday - Yesterday Jack yelled out "oh yea Crockpot Tuesday" when I brought it out of the cupboard...which warmed the cockles of my heart....also shows how bleak this lockdown has gotten. I freaking love crockpot meals and made Mongolian Beef last week. We all cuddled up on the couch to watch Wall-E and I was so happy with it, I didn't even critique my own food.

Wednesday and Thursday is when Stella comes back and I try to include her in the prep and decision making. A good idea in theory - last week she and I decided, shopped, prepped and cooked together....and she ignored the carrots, said the oven fried chicken was slimy and gross...and just ate the Mac and Cheese. So, we will get there. Tonight we are having grilled cheese and tomato soup as we decorate the tree.

Friday we have always punted for takeout, because we are tired AF....but trying every so often to do more. This week - planning to do a pizza bar and movie night.

I like pineapple on my pizza. I hope that doesn't offend.

We will see how long this lasts, but for now it gives me a sense of consistency and control I am otherwise lacking these days.

What are you all doing to help stay sane?