“Recreational shopping” AKA browsing, has become a thing of the past. Any shopping trip is like planning an op—go in, carry out mission, and get the heck out.
The other day my wife started browsing the book tables at BJ’s and I felt my anxiety rising–I just wanted to get what was on “the list” and get out of there.
I miss just wandering in interesting shops just to see what cool stuff they carry. We traditionally take an early December road trip to Freeport Maine, stay a couple of nights at a very nice inn, have some very nice meals, and complete most of our Christmas shopping at many of the interesting shops and stores there. Sort of our last mini-vacation until spring. I find myself missing the relaxation of that little trip.
I’m learning how to do more planning and strategic grocery shopping. I am much more used to walking around the store to see what looks good and/or is on sale.
I’m cooking a lot more and my D is as well. We are dining a ton more at home, tho we do have takeout from time to time to support local restaurants. We are saving a lot more money by not dining out and pretty much not shopping for much other than food to cook and home improvement stuff that H buys.
My kids have spent more time with us this year than any year since they started college in LA. We have loved their company and they’ve helped us declutter and tidy our home.
Mom is also rotating between our homes, so we are all seeing more of her and sharing messages with one another so we can all provide good care for her. I’ve also been getting to spend some time with my sister’s grandkids when I pick up my mom from her house.
I food shop much less frequently but seem to spend so much more when I go (logical but never fails to shock me when I see the total.) I bake some type of bread at least 3x per week.
I was laid off due to Covid so I spend much of my day online applying to jobs and projects. I’m also taking a few online classes to try to freshen up my resume with current buzzwords (e.g. machine learning, data analytics, etc.)
Enjoying spending time with my kids, all home until at least mid-January.
Agree, I’m always shocked at how much I’m spending buying food. Used to spend far more at restaurants but really not that much at a time on groceries so am very surprised each time—often over $100. We are using all we buy and eating healthy and well, but I am surprised and worry about folks in tight budgets. Guess it’s time to donate to our local food bank again. I’ve cash to them more than ever during covid.
I have learned to cook. I make very good ginger and scallion poached chicken, steamed fish, white wine clam/mussel. I can tell how well done a steak is by gently pressing it.
I never cooked while I was married, and I dined out or did take out before the pandemic.
Humans are definitely different. I learned how much I don’t like cooking. I told my boys they can get me a personal chef someday well before Covid came. It’s more true than ever now.
I like my recipes, so the cook would need to learn some of them, I just don’t like actually doing it. Fortunately, H has taken over cooking a fair number of our meals. He’s really good with salmon.
I like cooking, but I like recipes that are complicated and have too many ingredients. So if I try to cook two or three of them at once it’s very stressful. I know I can do the whole mise en place thing, but I’m not very organized. DH got into BBQ this spring/summer getting himself a Big Green Egg. He’s a good sport about using it most weekends and doesn’t mind putting on a coat if it’s cold.
Biggest non essential bother is we didn’t get to Maine this year. It’s not that far and D2 and I have done day trips. But a longer time there, planted in a rental, is a family thing.
I do like to cook. But the isolation is tough. We used to meet at a local cafe, even during covid (a place vigilant about cleaning/sanitizing, with outdoor tables.) Now, not.
We’re on the phone to each other more (reminds me of high school.) But that’s not the same.