Caregiving and meals

I've been preparing my brother's meals now for about 8 years.  I make 7 dinners and 5 lunches a week.  I've learned a few tricks that really help with this and one of them was purchasing a George Foreman indoor grill.  It is small and it says you can grill 4 servings at a time but the most I've been able to do is 3.  I love this little grill though.  It's perfect for two people or for one.

 This is one of the best purchases I've made.  It has removable grill plates and nothing, absolutely nothing sticks to them.  So easy to clean. I've had mine about two years and it still works like a champ.  It is so easy to grill on and really helps me prepare Mike's meals.  And it only cost about $27.00 at Walmart.

Another thing I discovered is single serve instant potato cups.  I get the Walmart brand because they are a little cheaper but you just add water stir and microwave for 1 minute.  Mike just loves them and I don't have to make a whole pot of mashed potatoes.  

This is the brand I started with and they have 3 flavors.  Garlic & butter, Loaded (with cheese) and buttery homestyle.  These are great for people living alone.

About once a month I will cook all day things like small meatloaves,spaghetti sauce, soups, chili anything I can put in single serve portions and freeze. I've also prepared several menus for each season.  Winter menus and summer menus that I then rotate.  That way I don't keep preparing him the same thing every week.  And I don't have to think about what to cook each week.  This has really made it easier especially when I go to the grocery store.  

I've really gotten it down to where it only takes me about two to three hours to put all the meals together.  I usually only have to cook twice a week for us as well.  

We purchased insulated bags to transport his meals. 

I purchased meal trays from Amazon and each meal is labeled with the day, contents and heating instructions.  I learned over time that Mike isn't able to make even small decisions like what he wants to eat.  So I prepare a calendar for him each week with the weekly menu on it.

MONDAY Lunch –    Ham Sandwich	Supper –       Salmon Patties                       3 minutes
TUESDAY Lunch –   Bacon Cheeseburger	Supper -  Chili                                                                                           3 minutes
WEDNESDAY Lunch –   Bacon Cheeseburger	Supper -        Beef Pot Pies                      3 minutes
THURSDAY Lunch -    Thanksgiving dinner 1pm	Supper -       Sandwich
FRIDAY Lunch –  Freddie's	Supper -     Pulled Pork                     3 minutes
SATURDAY Lunch –   Arbie’s	Supper -       Pork Chop                     3 minutes
SUNDAY Lunch –  Bacon Cheeseburger	Supper         Brisket                     3 minutes

Two days a week Ron takes Mike out to lunch.

Anyway, if you are a caregiver cooking meals for someone maybe this will give you some ideas. 

The Meal Train

This afternoon I prepared my brother's meals for next week.  On his menu was salmon patties, Mike's chili, beef pot pies, THANKSGIVING, pork chops, pulled pork and roast beef.  I prepared 5 lunches as well.  

Later I wrapped all my daughter's Christmas gifts for her.  I have always enjoyed wrapping gifts.  When I was in high school I would work at J.C. Penny's during the Christmas holiday wrapping gifts.  I've enjoyed wrapping them ever since.  I've already done all my shopping and wrapped them as well.  Early bird I guess!

Tomorrow I'm driving Mike to the doctor.  He has a rash from something he is allergic to and I think he will need a steroid pack in order to clear it up.  Thankfully it isn't causing him any discomfort.

We are planning a fairly low key Thanksgiving dinner this year.  There are only 7 of us for dinner this year but we will have about 20 for Christmas.  Can't wait.......should be lots of fun.  My daughter and son-in-law will have their four girls this year.  That is just one of the hard things about divorce.  The division of time and holidays.  Thankfully the girls live in Norman as well so it makes it so much easier to see them.  They are all 13 years old now.  The triplets turned 13 in July and Emma was 13 in April.  A houseful of teenage girls!  Yikes

I hope everyone has a safe and blessed holiday!

It's all in a day!

I have the house to myself for awhile tonight.  Ron has gone to watch a football game with Mike and Ellie and I are home alone.

I don't know why I haven't written anything in so long.  Retirement sure takes up a lot of time.  I go from one doctor's appointment to another and not much in between it seems.  Nothing new to report on that front.  Lung specialist hasn't cracked the code to my well being yet.  If anything I cough more and harder.  The coughing has gotten so bad that I'm too embarrassed to go to church.  The last time I went I started coughing and at least 5 people started passing me cough drops and mints.  I finally had to leave the sanctuary before I disrupted the entire service.  Since then I just volunteer for things.  We are doing the recycling and communion preparation.  Neither requiring me to sit quietly............

Piper had her 3rd birthday.  We spoiled her to death with princess dresses.  She was so cute!  I just don't know where the time has gone.  I've been so lucky to be in her life.  Her daddy told me the other day that by all accounts I am her grandmother.  That touched me so much.  I am blessed!

Ron is doing pretty good.  He has had his seizure med adjusted several times but he still falls asleep every time he sits down.  Yesterday he had Mike with him and they were driving on highway 9 to the Indian clinic. Ron fell asleep at the wheel but fortunately Mike saw him doze off and tapped  him on the shoulder.  Ron slightly over-corrected and hit a hole that bent the hubcap and messed up the struts.  About $800.00 to repair but thank goodness they are both alive.  Ron has agreed that he should limit his driving to town only and preferably with a passenger.  I'll be doing the majority of the driving from now on.
I know it frustrates Ron but it's for his safety as well as anyone on the streets! 

Aging is not for the faint of heart!