Monday, April 28, 2025

Sometimes Monday . . .

 

. . . is a day to enjoy the fruits of your labors over the weekend. I made split pea soup (it turned out a little thick, but that's how I like it) and some bread that we had for dinner last night and there are plenty of leftovers for dinner tonight. 
 
 
I also did a couple of loads of laundry so there aren't too many household chores for me to feel guilty about not doing. Yes, I could vacuum, dust, clean out the refrigerator, and mop the kitchen floor, but I think I'll leave those chores for another time. John is away for much of the day and I've found that for my sanity I need to take advantage of the time when he's not here. He used to travel a lot and I got fairly used to figuring out how to do most things myself. Now that he's retired, he can often be found hanging around in the kitchen telling me how to dice ham, and he's also offered me advice on how to hang laundry on the clothesline, how to fold clothes, the best way to water my plants, and when the best time is to go to the grocery store. (Keep in mind, he hasn't been to the grocery store in at least five years.) I love him dearly but there is a limit on how much advice I need (or want). There are times when I can't seem to do anything right, so today I'm reading, knitting, and not cleaning out the refrigerator. I bet I'll do those correctly!

13 comments:

  1. I'm over here laughing with you, not at you -- I have heard of many men doing just this sort of thing when they're retired and don't know what to do with their time! With any luck, he'll soon be outside tending the garden. Or maybe if he has such strong opinions about your chores, he should take over responsibility for them?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love split pea soup and my husband does not so I rarely have it but when I do it's delicious!! My father in law (RIP) used to tell my mother in law how to peel potatoes....Ugh.

    ReplyDelete
  3. YAY for a day just for you! I'm glad you are taking advantage of it. Enjoy your time. Your soup and bread look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am smiling at your unsolicited advice from John. He's bored. Find him something to do, if possible, a preemptive chore strike. I think alone time is underrated in a marriage. You know how much I miss my husband, but I always relished the days he was gone all day fishing. A quiet day doing exactly as you like is very restorative... until you have too many of them. Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my, that's the thing that everyone dreads/experiences when their spouse/partner retires, isn't it? I'm glad you're taking the day for yourself!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I made split pea and lentil soup last week. I read somewhere that you can make it in a rice cooker so I tried it out and it was perfect.
    I hear you about the mister hanging about. Mine can't do a blessed thing unless than I am standing right next to him anymore and it's getting very old. If he doesn't get out and go play some golf soon I just might end up on Dateline.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope you don't end up on Dateline! :-)

      Delete
  7. I need lots of alone time so I feel your pain on this one. Get out the way, John!

    ReplyDelete
  8. When my dh first retired (he was in engineering management) he was in the kitchen making suggestions while our college age son stood by. I turned around and told him that if he felt the need to manage someone, then he could just go back to work because it wasn't happening here. He had a consulting job within two weeks.
    It's been a number of years and he did get the drift.
    good luck, hope you enjoyed your day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. haha! you'll need to let us know if John does pipe in with some knitting advice :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm another one who needs time alone to replenish my energy and spirit. I am certain you are an expert at all of the above activities.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tom would LOVE your split pea soup! (He likes it thick like that, too.) (Also with fresh bread . . . ) XO

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment! :-)