that's just me

It worked! I cooked things from my menu--they ate every bite. I think cooking for them as if they were guests was the wrong approach. With my children, I cooked nice meals three times a day. If they ate--great! If they didn't--I never stressed about it. Typically, my children ate what I served without any problem. Apparently, my in-laws will follow suit.

For dinner Friday I made Fettuccine Alfredo, Savory Chicken Breasts, green salad, and bi-colored steamed summer squash. Very little was left of the meal. Everyone ate and was satisfied. The next morning for breakfast, I prepared poached eggs, toast, and berry smoothies. Same story. Lunch and dinner found everyone eating and happy. The secret to getting people to eat is not to cater to their whims and wishes but to offer well-prepared, tasty, healthy choices--then dig in and enjoy.

Next I tackled the dirt. Scrubbing, sweeping, and washing, I whipped the main level into shape. My in-laws like to save things. I know it's because they lived through the depression. But seriously, how many empty water bottles does a household need. I say none. That's how many are left. Monday, I pan to buy them each a stainless steel water bottle to replace all the ones I threw out. I cleared counters, scrubbed the pergo, and cleaned ground-in dirt from the fridge sides and handles. Things look and feel much, much better.

Monday, will find me hemming the drapes in the living room and cleaning the upper level of the house. Later in the week, I plan to move many of the things they have unpacked and not found homes for back out to the garage and come up with a storage system for all that stuff. If it were my house, I'd throw out a lot more than old water bottles. But that's just me.

Oh, the earplugs worked wonders!

“So we must [learn] homemaking skills, including practical ones such as cooking, sewing, budgeting, and beautifying... homemaking skills are honorable and can help spiritually as well as temporally. Making a home appealing physically will encourage loved ones to want to be there and will help create the kind of atmosphere that is conducive to the Spirit. Our homes may be our last and only place of refuge, as our prophets are prophesying. I am pleading with you to be exemplary leaders but not neglect your home responsibilities.” Susan W. Tanner, LDS General YW President, March 2004