Green Chef – week 1

Back to trying other meal delivery services. There was a coupon code for Green Chef. Apparently it is “green” and organic! Whatever.

It did arrive promptly on the day it was supposed to. Something Dinnerly hasn’t been able to do recently. However… while the food might be “organic” – the packaging is definitely NOT green. Everything is prepackaged and in plastic baggies!

Another complaint: the chicken package was leaking a bit.

Meal #1 – Tilapia

OK… it has a mango and pepper salsa to make to go with it… but why are they already cut and in plastic bags??? I can cut mango and peppers. That’s why this is such an expensive plan.

I added an extra tilapia that I had in the freezer. I also added some brussel sprouts for me, since I’m not a fan of green beans.

We found this label funny! What did you expect would be in a baggie that says shredded coconut? Chocolate????

Cauliflower rice… what is the point?? It was very bland. I even added some extra garlic to it to try and make it tastier… didn’t really work.

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – very tasty. Great flavors. Run to eat. Appealing to the eye and the palate. Me ⭐⭐⭐1/2 – it was good. An interesting meal.

Meal #2 – Chicken

I added extra chicken and broccoli for a green veggie. It came with mushrooms. I don’t do fungus… but my mother likes it and Wayne tolerates it.

I was very UN-impressed with the chicken breasts. I have had better looking ones with the other meal services.

Barley – what is the point?? It is another long cooking thing like the rice and I am so over long cooking rice. Too tedious.

The chicken was to be removed from the skillet and put on a cookie sheet in the oven to finish it. I just put the whole skillet in the oven, so much easier.

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐ ⭐ – not very good. The broccoli was the best. Bland. Plenty of substance but no flavor. Me ⭐⭐1/2 – eh. Not the tastiest. Esther ⭐1/2 – not a fan of the barley!

Meal #3 – Greek Feta Burgers

I added extra burger and more potatoes. Good thing I was adding more potatoes because of the 2 they sent, one was completely rotten. 😦

Again with the pre-cut and packaged stuff. Why send me pre diced onions instead of an onion for me to chop?? After all, they sent an onion with yesterday’s meal. More trash created with the plastic bag.

The buns were very dry. Even the sauce on it didn’t moisten them.

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐1/2 – good, not outstanding. Me ⭐⭐⭐ – fine. Nothing spectacular. I didn’t ask Esther her rating. She had one of the extra burgers and only the potatoes. I’d guess her rating would be⭐ ⭐at best.

Another week from Green Chef and then I’m bailing on the other potential discounted weeks. The discount is not nearly enough to make it worth my while. Back to plan that I actually like.

Some PW History

Again… this is from the 5th anniversary. Since then, obviously, things have changed drastically. 2020 was the first year without an ornament exchange. 😦

PW Email List History

and other memories…

Amy Osborn originally began the Pastor’s Wives E-mail List on June 28, 1998.  According to the list at Yahoo Groups, the members that joined within the first 6 months that still are members are C.C. Almon, Connie Armstrong, Bev Bowles, Kerry Cirillo, Elaine Peters, and She Wren.  The original Pastor’s Wives website was created shortly after the list came into existence.

On September 12, 1998, we had our very first ICQ Chat.

In October 1998, we had Prayer Sisters where we were assigned a fellow PW to pray for.  Later that month, we all sent in information and Amy created “Getting to Know You” pages for everyone.  That tells you how small the list was at that time.  Can you imagine having pages like that for everyone now that the list is so huge?  That month, we had a then record number of 40 members on the PW List. Here are some statistics from that month:

We are on the average 36.6 years old and range from 21 to 57. Here is the breakdown:

21, 27, 28, 2 @ 29, 30, 2 @ 32, 2 @ 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 3 @ 40, 2 @ 43, 45, 55 and 57 years old.

The Fall/Winter of 1998 also brought about our First Annual Pastor’s Wives Christmas Ornament Exchange.  C.C. Almon has led that project every year.  ICQ Chats were also an event that everyone tried to participate in.  Jenny Lovitt posted our weekly prayer lists.  Various other areas of ministry opportunities for PW came about such as picture scanner, birthday lady, chat hosts, etc.

As the months continued, we talked about capping the number of list members, having “headers” in our subject lines, etc.  If only we knew what was to come in the next 5 years

.
Our mission statement was shared with the list on November 15, 1998:

PastorsWives in an international, interdenominational Christian email discussion list for Pastor’s Wives and Ministry Wives. At the heart of the ministry is the Biblical principle found in Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother (or sister 🙂 is born for adversity.” (NKJV)

This ministry exists to encourage and uplift Pastor’s wives and Ministry wives. This is done through:

1) Sharing prayer requests, praises, life lessons, humorous stories, favorite verses, and those trials and tragedies that occur in the life of a Minister’s wife.

2) Focusing on giving encouragement and lending a caring, nonjudgmental shoulder to cry on as needed.

3) Growing friendships with one another through group-wide, small group and one-on-one email discussions and on-line chats

The end of the year also brought about the Victorious Video Adventure where members signed up to have a video sent to their home, they video taped themselves, their families, their churches, etc. and then passed the video on to the next member.  I’m not sure where that tape is now, but I’d love to see how much we’ve changed in the last 5 years 🙂

In December 1998, we had our first “role call” where we shared all about ourselves with the list.  Late December also brought about the beginning of the Pastor’s Wives Webring for those of us with websites to link our sites together.

The first round of Secret Sisters started in January 1999.

5th Anniversary Poem…. 2003

I wrote this poem for the 5th anniversary in 2003. It is fun to look back on these things. Hard to believe I have been friends with some of the PWs for 20+ years.

Amy Osborn originally began the Pastor’s Wives E-mail List on June 28, 1998. 

Who would have thought five years ago The world would ne’er be the same. Friendships with women you did not know But all with the “Pastorswife” name. Together a community over 300 strong Has prayed and laughed through the years. Only God knew it would last this long And we pray an end isn’t near. Support and encouragement, love and hope, Are hallmarks of this “nation.” Women together helping each cope Regardless of race, age, or denomination. Rejoicing together and praising our Lord For the mercy and grace He has shown. Powerful prayers when in one accord We lift one before His throne. Friendships are forged across the miles With women we may never meet. But cyberhugs and cybersmiles Are what make this group so neat! So many memories over the years Stories and jokes and more… Surveys, laughter, and, of course, tears… What will the future hold in store? Though women come and women go The goal of “sisterhood” remains the same. Only God will ever fully know The impact of the “PW” name. The Heavenly Reunion we anxiously await Putting face with a name we’ll be able. All sisters because of our earthly mate Joining at the PW banquet table. God has blessed this group and ministry here With fishbowl living women. We pray for five or fifty more years… Until our joyous party in Heaven!

PW List circa 2010

Found a different listing of current members:

It says: This listing is as accurate as it could be when I posted it at the end of May…some new ladies may have joined since and some of these may have departed.  But, still they have been a part of this PW community. MAY 2009!!!!!

Aisha Walker
Amy Dare
Amy McCarver
Andrea Hollowman
BJ Relefourd
Barbara Cullimore
Barbara Feliciano
Betty Jo Allen
Beverly Bowles
Beverly Ann Cox
Bonnie Black
Brenda McLearn-Montz
Carla
Carla Bonine
Carol Freels
Carol Written
Carolyn Hunter
Carolyn Ritter
Carrie Espeseth
Cecilia Boomlied
Christine
Christine Koons
CeeCee almon
Christie Roberts
Cindy Loven
Cinnamon Hilton
Colleen Smith
Connie Armstrong
Connie Jardim
Connie Lambright
Crystal Adams-Jones
Danielle Cook
Darla Riddlesperger
Dawn Daly-Mack
Debbie Ragno
Debbie Robillard
Deborah Chamberlain
Debra Bucklen
Denise Manges
Diane
Dianne Frayne
Donna Brown
Donna Ceroni

Elaine Peters
Ema Resendez
Emily Sarmiento
“Esther” Kyung-ok-Park
Flora Dennard
Fondee Bruce
Gail French
Ginny Allen
Heather
Irene Brophy
Jamie Quarandillo
Jeanette Omarkhail
Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer Phipps
Jennifer VeStrand
Joan Farrar
Joann Johnson
Joni Seboe
Joy Eure
Joyce Harper
Juana Redding
Judy Gale
Judy Robinson
Judy Thompson
Julie Doepken
Karen Stiner
Karen Williams
Kate Nash
Katie Smith
Kathleen Reed
Kay Parrish
Kerry Cirillo
Kerry Northup
Kim Anderson
Kim Stanley
Kimberly Donalson
Kimm

Ladette Kerr
Laura Hilton
Leah Orgel
Linda Sue Johnson
Lisa Brogdon
Lisa Case
Lora Winn
Lori Canfield
Lynnette Hornberger
Margaret Scovell
Marilyn Walton
Mary Dotson
Mary Feliz
Mary Ingram
Maureen Townson
Melissa Ward
Mendy Boggs
Meredith Javorsky
Michelle Washington
Monica Rankins
Noelle
Nora Curtis
Pam Walker
Patricia Grable
Rachel Moore
Raine Rawls
Regina
Renee Williams
Reva Neese
Rhoda Burrill
Rhona Hathaway
Robin Savidge
Rose Drage
Rose Lewis
Ruth Easter

Sandra
Sandra Wellens
Sandy Haggard
Sandy Koch
Shanin VanBuskirk
Sharon Shirley
Shawn Rivers
She Wren
Sheila Shapley
Sherri
Sherri Butler
Sherri McKinney
Shirley Forsythe
Sivje Parish
Sonia McKeithan
Stacey Franz
Sue Mitchum
Susie Yarbrough
Teresa Critchley
Tracy Witt
Tricia Scott
Twila Long
Val Frania
Vicky Hopkins
Yolanda

I removed the email column for security purposes. This list has a last saved date of: 10/27/2010!! I’m sure a lot of this is no longer accurate, but for fond memory purposes, enjoy!!

NAME	HOME	B-DAY	ANN.	HUBBY	KIDS	DENOM/Church
Alexis Hudson	Jackson, Michigan	2/21	11/25	Robert	3	New Hope Missionary
Alisa Johnston	Eugene, Oregon	4/18	12/7	Neil	5	Norkenzie Christian ChurchNon-denominational
Amy Dare	Roseville, California	5/29	2/6	Ray	3	New Community ChurchNon-denominational
Angela Rogers	North Carolina	9/19	2/6	Tommy	5	Monticello Rd. Baptist
B.J. Relefourd	Lawrenceville, Georgia	10/13	7/4	Marion	2	Vision of Life Ministries, Inc.Non-denominational
Bonnie Lambert	Sebring, Florida	2/27	8/24	Ken	4	Faith Missionary Baptist
Bree Lenoir	Miami, Florida	11/16	8/14	A.D.	3	Westview Baptist
Carol Johnson	Carthage, North Carolina	3/15	5/15	Steve	Grown	Yates Thagard Baptist
Carol Written	Ninety Six, South Carolina	10/28	7/1	Mike	3	Cambridge United Methodist
Carolyn Hunter	N. Carolina	4/21	8/16	Jack	2	RetiredUnited Methodist
Carrie Espeseth	Crosslake, Minnesota	9/25	6/21	Gary	4	Crossroads Christian Assembly of God
Cecilia Boomlied	Prague, Czech Republic	6/1	11/20	Henrik	1	St. Bernard’s Mission of the Order of the Poor Fellow Soldiers of St. Luke Renewed Catholic Apostolic
CeeCee Almon	Abilene, Texas	10/4	9/20	Russell	1	Student                         Southern Baptist
Cheryl Ryman	Caldwell, Texas	7/22	6/14	David	2	First Assembly of God
Christie Roberts	Leaburg, Oregon	7/29	8/19	Dick	3	McKenzie Baptist
Christine Bonner	Wakeman, Ohio	7/23	12/25	Rodney	2	Southern Baptist
Cindy Loven	Dardanelle, Arkansas	8/9	11/4	Dave	2	Dardanelle First Pentecostal
Connie Armstrong	Kansas City, Kansas	2/21	10/22	Clark	3	Victory Hills Church of the Nazarene
Connie Lambright	Yale, South Dakota	8/14	8/16	Ernie	3	Mennonite Brethren
Crystal Adams-Jones	Chicago, Illinois	8/11	5/4	Jeffery		Emerging Spirit Ministries
Debbie Ferguson	Murfreesboro, Tennessee	10/16	9/13	Lee	3	Trinity Presbyterian
Debbie Ragno	South Mountain, Pennsylvania	10/5	4/23	Jim	4	Fellowship of BelieversNon-denominational
Debbie Robillard	Hearst, Ontario, Canada	5/10	9/7	Peter	2	Bethel TabernaclePentecostal
Debra Bucklen	Thaxton Virginia	2/11	12/8	Joe Shoop	6	EpworthUnited Methodist
Denise Manges	New Enterprise, Pennsylvania	3/19	6/28	Craig	1	Pulpit supplyFellowship of Grace Brethren
Dionne Ray	Hebron, Maryland	5/29	5/19	Troy	4	Freshwater Dream CenterNon-denominational
Donna Ceroni	Rock Grove, Illinois	5/20	12/20	Terry	2	Hillside Community Churchnon-denominational
Donna Kay Lutz	Beaverton, Oregon	6/4	11/6	Scott		Christ Community
Elaine Peters	Drain, Oregon	2/22	8/23	Phil	3	First Baptist
Elizabeth Wofford	Dittmer, Missouri	6/18	12/28	Jeff	2	Morse Mill Baptist
Ema Maria Bermudez Resendez	Nampa, Idaho	11/12	9/24	Raul(deceased)	1	Nampa Apostolic Assembly
Glenita Hawkins	Phelps, Kentucky	9/20	11/16	Bruce	1	First Baptist
Holly Stuckey	West Monroe, Louisiana	12/17	4/11	Timothy		Landmark Missionary Baptist
Jennifer Johnson	Chattanooga, Tennessee	1/31	6/24	Eric	1	Chattanooga first Church of the Nazarene
Joan Farrar	Middleboro, Massachusetts	11/20	2/15&18	Ernie	3	Central & South Middleboro United Methodist
Joy Pope	Prattville, Alabama	10/13	6/13	Roland(deceased)		Fountain  City Baptist
Joy Eure	South Boston, Virginia	1/30	9/22	John	1	Ash Ave. Baptist
Juana Redding	Leaburg, Oregon	2/14	7/18	Dean	3	McKenzie Baptist
Judy Thompson	Houston, Texas	6/1	12/22	Emory	2	West Little York Church of God
Karen Rasnake	Louisville, Ohio	10/27	4/12	Allen		New Life Ministries          Non-denominational
Karen Williams	Titusville, Florida	10/10	9/14	Russel	4	Chaplain, Brevard JailSouthern Baptist
Kathleen Reed	Kansas	10/30	9/3	Paul	5	First Baptist
Kerry Cirillo	New York	12/10	11/26	Tom	2	First Baptist
Laura Hilton	Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas	12/31	12/19	Steve	5	Searching…                    Baptist
Linda Sue Johnson	Bluffton, Indiana	12/19	2/28	Randy	4	Non-denominational
Lori Schmieder	Washington	1/11	7/8	Mike	2	View Ridge Community
Lyn Gosling	New Zealand	11/9	8/18	Les	5	Albury and Pleasant Point Presbyterian
Lynnette Hornberger	Eastview, Pennsylvania	7/8	3/30	Paul	7	Eastview Wesleyan
Maria Flores	South Boston, Massachusetts	9/20	4/22	Jose	1	Iglesia Bautista ChalomBaptist
Maria Smith	Copperas Cove, Texas	11/18	12/4	Scott	2	Crestview Christian
Mary Goss	Danville, Illinois	4/13	5/17	Tony	3	Ridgeview Baptist
Maureen Townson	Calgary, Alberta, Canada	3/17	12/28	Bob	2	RetiredChristian International
Mendy Boggs	Cumberland, Kentucky	11/12	1/12	Billy	3	Gilliam Chapel Baptist
Michelle Washington	Oktaha, Oklahoma	6/17	7/13	D. Van	3	Trinity Baptist
Mollie Palmer	Indiana, Pennsylvania	9/6	4/27	Everett	3	Friends in Faith Baptist
Pat Chester	Norfolk, United Kingdom	3/22	8/5	John	2	Mount Mizah Christian FellowshipPentecostal
Rachel Moore	Anderson, South Carolina	9/24	7/13	Barry	1	On leave…Southern Baptist
Rhoda Burrill	Apopka, Florida	2/18	6/16	Ken	4	Florida Conference of 7th Day Adventist
Sandra Wellens	Wisconsin	8/29	6/26	John	2	Pulpit supplyNon-denominational
Sharon Shirley	Camden, Alabama	3/10	6/10	Ed	1	Camden & Canton BendUnited Methodist
Sharon Simmonds	United Kingdom	8/17	8/31	Stafford		Adot Adonai
She Wren	Crawfordsville, Indiana	5/22	8/4	Mike	2	Army  Chaplain
Sheila Shapley	Goodlettsville, Tennessee	10/3	8/2	Daniel	4	New BeginningsSouthern Methodist
Sherri McKinney	Livingston, Kentucky	1/29	5/23	Steve	2	Livingston Baptist
Sivje Parish	Grass Valley, California	7/29	8/21	Don	2
Sonia McKeithan	Ladson, South Carolina	8/12	12/28	Randy	none	Marion Baptist
Teresa Critchley	N. Ridgeville, OH	9/1	6/25	Dale	3	Shepherd of the Ridge Lutheran         Missouri Synod
Teresa Matz	Cave Junction, Oregon	9/21	4/10	Frank	5	Illinois Valley Baptist
Tricia Scott	Massillon, Ohio	8/23	5/23	Wayne	4	Trinity United Methodist
Wendy Sprague	Roseburg, Oregon	12/7	6/3	Mike	4	Melrose CommunityChurch

Out of the Wipey Box…

I don’t know if you know it but since I have been keeping track of the “data” for the PW list, I have printed everyone’s information on 4 x 6 cards. When someone unsubs or departs the list for any reason, instead of putting them in the trash, I have stored them in a wipey box in my desk drawer. The wipey box is full of women who have been touched by this email list over the years. Some maybe only for a day – finding the volume too much, some for years – leaving only because of life changes, and some are still around. Have fun looking at this list of women and remembering….

Alice Ellerby
Alice Jean Tripler
Alisa Anderson
Alisa Gunter
Alisha Gratehouse
Ally
Alysia Nelson
Amy Barnett
Amy Bowen
Amy Knox
Amy Land
Amy Smith
Andrea Parker
Angela Mosley
Angela Norris
Angela Wilkison
Angelique Monterio
Anita Smith
Ann Dahmes
Annette Frontz
Antoinette Seymour
Barbarina Flohr
Becky Childress
Becky Phelps
Benita Robinson
Betsi Hill
Brenda
Brenda Abernathy
Brenda Gregory
Brenda Haynes
Brenda Henwood
Brenda Hudson
Brenda Rothauser
Brenda Sowers
Brenna Woolery
Cara Kuhfal
Carla Hason
Carla Wells
Carol Hinkle
Carolanne Moore
Caroline Bogel-Smith
Carolyn
Carolyn Antonis
Carolyn Elmore
Carolyn Lee
Carolyn Rosado
Cathy
Cendy Tarno
Charlene Ellis
Charlotte
Charlotte Goins
Charlye Vance
Chelle Aja
Cheri Shaffer
Cheryl Copeland
Cheryl Johnson
Cheryl Manis
Cheryl Priemeaux
Chris Walters
Christi Morgan
Christina
Christina Weimer
Christine
Cindy Herrmann
Cindy McDonald
Cindy Scoggin
Cindy Spellbrink
Connie Mashburn
Corina Treece
Crystal Green
D. Garnes
Danielle Langner
Darla Young
Dawn Clement
Dayna Croft
Deb Perry
Debbie Banks
Debbie Clark
Debbie Davis
Debbie Dever
Debbie Maas
Please excuse any typographical errors!
Debbie Metzger
Debbie Reeder
Debbie Townsend
Deborah Murphy
Deborah Walker
Debra Hazlett
Dena Hurley
Denise Young
Diana McLean
Diane Steenstra
Dianne Phillips
Dixie Phillips
Doni Ann Hatfield
Donna Densmore
Donna Flores
Donna Shepherd
Donna Watson
Dorothy Wray
Dory Culp
Dreama West
Elaine Goodwin
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Reeves
Elizabeth Smalley
Elizabeth Toews
Erma Turner
Gail
Gale Penny
Genie Nilsson
Georganne Murdock
Georgetta Holloway
Georgia Sawhook
Gertrude Arahams
Gin Jensen
Gina Dawson
Gina Stinson
Glenna Adamson
Gloria
Gloria Sanders
Gwena Chavez
Helen Singer
Hope Farrell
Iris Wilson
Jackie Galvan
Jan Dittman
Jan Haydel
Janalise Sievers
Jane Pierpont
Janet Elsea
Janet Kidd
Janice Ford
Janice Jenkins
Jean
Jeanette Meggers
Jeanne Parrish
Jennefer Gruenwald
Jennifer
Jennifer Lenning
Jennifer St. Clair
Jenny
Jenny Gonzales
Jeri Ramos
Jerri Moore
Jess Brown
Jo Anne Boldt
Joann Holland
Joanne Panettieri
Jodi White
Jody D. Mitchell
Joesy Pineda
Joy Alvis
Joy Braswell
Joyce
Joyce Goldthwaite
Joyce Ortiz
Joyce Taylor
Judi Edmonds
Judy
Judy Vanman
Julie Francoeur
Julie Spencer
Juleen
Kamala Pilgrim
Kareen Fredborg
Karen Austin
Karen Batykefer
Karen Berggren
Karen Garmon
Karen McGowin
Karen Rasnake
Karen Roudkovski
Karen Schoonover
Karla
Katherine Little
Kathleen Fehrman
Kathy Teal
Kelly Fidler
Kim Campoli
Kim Conrad
Kim Palmer
Kim Smith
Kimberley Condon
Kimberly
LaQuita Bristow
Latrell Smith
Laura Devaisher
Leah Loy
Leanne Smith
Leslie Carr
Leslie Trotter
Leslie Wilson
Linda Penewit
Linda Pope
Linda Rae Parrish
Lisa Davis
Lisa Isenhart
Lisa Ownby
Lisa Parchert
Lisa Schnedler
Lisa Tharp
Lisa Vitaniemi
Lisa Wiener
Lois Eubanks
Lori Knutsen
Luanne
Luanne Schnase
Lylah Ledner
Mara DePaoli
Marie Parker
Marie Wade
Marilyn Chapman
Marjorie Reinard
Marla Beeson
Marsha
Marsha Sadler
Mary Aman
Mary Heimbecker
Mary Ingram
Mary Meadowcroft
Mary Watson
Maxine Deruy
Mechelle Malane
Megan Hempel
Melanie Curry
Melanie Pruitt
Melissa Sack
Melody Terry
Melony Evans
Michelle Fitchett
Michelle Grimes
Michelle Richmond
Michelle Sandley
Michelle Vickers
Miki Scott
Milagros Vazquez
Missie
Monica Burt
Myrna Rhoads
Nancy
Nancy Ann Wilt
Nancy Farnum
Nancy Gipple
Nancy Winslow
Nichelle Nelson
Nicole Heidt
Norma Walker
Patty Powers
Peggi Billman
Phyllis Anderson
Polly Henry
Rachel Pinkerton
Rachelle Jacoby
Rebecca Barton
Regina Hogan
Richarda McNair
Robbin Trumble
Robin Clark
Robin Dunigan
Robin Hicks
Robin O’Hare
Rose Rogers
Ruth Davis
Ruth Perdue
Samantha Campbell
Sandy
Sandy Pitts
Sandy Spittka
ShanDey Page
Shannon Hill
Shannon Waterman
Shantell Ford
Sheila
Sheila Atchley
Sheila McFadden
Sheila Miller
Sherleen Scott
Sherri Melillo
Sherry Lawson
Sherry Ward
Sheryl Switzer
Shilo Marie
Stacy Hall
Stephanie Halland
Stephanie Holland
Stephanie Waters
Susan Holmes
Susan Smith
Susan Sukraw
Suzanne
Sylvia Ireland
Tabitha Caudill
Tami Gray
Tammie Davidson
Tammie Griffin
Tammy Price
Tara Sloan
Teresa Geske
Teresa Phillips
Teresa Richards
Teri Norman
Terri Cross
Tery McGhee
Tiffany Bergquist
Tina Adermann
Tina Bell
Tina Brazell
Tina Waddell
Tina Watkins
Tina Wright
Tracy Price
Trina Mask
Trish
Trish Chittams
Trish Collins
Vanessa Davis
Veleta Whitfield
Veronica Nash
Vicki Brown
Vicky Miller
Victoria Smith
Virginia Blue
Yvette Cooke
Yvonne
Zebad Kidanu

2 weeks of meals

I know… you don’t really care anymore… or maybe you do… or maybe you use this as a suggestion place for recipes to try on your own… I don’t know… I will be trying a new company in a couple weeks. That will be interesting.

Pineapple Salsa pork

• I added pork chops
• no jalapeños – to spicy for us
• long cooking rice is a PAIN!!
• there was enough rice for 3 decent servings and plenty of salsa

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 not as flavorful as anticipated. Me ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 not bad – simple good flavor

Meatloaf

• made extra potatoes
• and other veggies for me – I don’t do meatloaf either, so I’m having leftover pork

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – as expected for meatloaf!! Except he thought the carrots were bland.

Bruschetta Chicken

• added extra potatoes
• added extra chicken for our third person
• added another veggie too

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – very good. Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – tasty!

Shrimp and Green beans

• apparently this was a no carb meal
• added rice
• added extra shrimp
• added brussels sprouts for me, since I don’t like green beans
• the coating did NOT brown well. Not very happy with that.

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 – it has good flavor and he likes shrimp. Me ⭐⭐ 1/2 – eh. I don’t like the fact the the coating did not brown up.

Pulled Pork Baked Potato

• first recipe that actually used the microwave
• more than enough for 3 people.
• they sent 4 potatoes. I kept one for another day.
• added cheese to top them with

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 it was good but could have used more meat. Me ⭐⭐⭐ it was good but nothing earthshattering

Steak and Green Beans

• I added some oven roasted potatoes
• and some misc. green onion and leftover everything bagel seasoning that was in the frig
• steak is consistently good from this company (Dinnerly)
• I had found some small steaks recently, so everyone got one!

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 without the potatoes… ⭐⭐⭐⭐ SOLID with the potatoes. The potatoes should count because they are good. The veggies were good. Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐ should have had potatoes with it, but apparently this was another no/low carb meal.

The first 3 were EveryPlate… the second week was Dinnerly.

I have Dinnerly coming next 2 weeks. After that, I’m going to try Green Chef. That one should be “interesting.”

Final Blue Apron

I still had credits with Blue Apron for one more week. Finally used it. I won’t continue with them.

They are significantly more expensive and not any better quality than others. In fact, maybe worse quality. They over package things. There is so many plastic bags and small plastic bottles. Bottles of things that other companies assume you have on hand… like vinegar. Also, their menu choices are a bit more “exotic” and I struggled to find things we all would eat.

meal #1

Chicken, collard greens, and rice

I added additional chicken to stretch it. The chicken they sent was not as good quality as the ones I get from Dinnerly or Every Plate. The rice was plenty for 3 plates. Collard Greens??? Oh dear…

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – very creative, flavorful, unique. Loved the sauce. The apples in the rice was good. Me ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 – the greens were interesting. I don’t think I need to have them again. The rice was interesting. I didn’t have the sauce because it was too mustardy.

meal #2

Salmon Rice bowl

I’m not a big salmon person… so we shall see. There was extra chicken from yesterday for the 3rd person.

I also don’t do carrots (you should already know that) or spicy. None of us do spicy… I left the jalapenos out! I did add some leftover green onions from last week to the rice and carrot salad.

Cilantro! YUCK!!! It was to be mixed into this rice… not in my part… why would I want to eat soap??

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 – good, different, unique. A solid 3.5. Me ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 – the rice with just green onion was fine, broccoli was good (as always) and the salmon was fine. The sauce was good (minus spicy).

meal #3

Steak and Broccoli

I had an extra steak from last week when the box was to late and Lydia didn’t get eat it. I added baked potatoes to the meal to finish it out.

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – very good. Colorful and the toppings are good. Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – it was very good. The biscuit was pretty disappointing though.

I will not continue to get Blue Apron. I do have one more free box to give out if anyone else wants to give it a try for yourself.

Worry

I know that some… most… many of you are worried about me. I’m fine… I’m fine… I will be fine… I’m mostly fine… I’m OK…

I know I’ve tried to explain the version of dementia that I deal with on a daily basis. It is unlike anything you see on TV or that you think of as “normal.”

My mother is not forgetful of things, most people, places, etc. She is not acting confused or lost. She acts like she knows exactly what she is doing. She firmly believes that her mother is upstairs… down the street… anywhere but dead. She speaks with confidence, enough to make anyone believe she knows what she is talking about. If you have spent any time with her, you know this is true.

She is belligerent and willful. Yes, willful. She KNOWS what she is supposed to do or not do and yet she deliberately does it. And she knows that. Because you can ask her if she knows what she is supposed to be doing and she does and then deliberately doesn’t do it.

She refuses all the “normal” things that would divert someone (at home at least). She will NOT color, nor do crafts or puzzles, she will NOT watch TV or sit nicely. She will read… sometimes… Don’t even get me started on how she treats/ruins books. This is a woman who has always LOVED to read and have books and now she folds whole pages, not just corners.

I believe she interacts properly and can be engaged in things at daycare, but once she gets home she turns on the “escape mode.” That is really what it is. She is unsettled. She wants to escape (me too!). She doesn’t want to be here. Somewhere inside she knows this wasn’t her home and can’t just relax and be here. She has lived with us now since May 2018.

All of the escapism and unsettledness really ramped up after she was banned from going to daycare on March 13, 2020. The lack of interaction and stimulation made everything worse for her (and us).

I know that many of you think she should go to a facility. And I have given that serious consideration at times. While her quality of life (from my perspective) isn’t great here, it is SIGNIFICANTLY better than it would be in a facility. There are a number of reasons.

1. they wouldn’t control her blood sugar – because she speaks so confidently when she says “one cookie will be fine.” They don’t have enough aides/nurses to properly monitor that.
2. her blood thinner would be out of whack – same reason.
3. she would sit in diarrhea all day because she would eat salad (goes right through her) and then not change her diaper… and same reason… not enough caregivers.
4. IF she changed her diaper, she wouldn’t put a new one on and then she would pee her pants all over the furniture or hallway or bathroom or cafeteria…. same reason… not enough supervision available.
5. they wouldn’t tolerate her escape behaviour and she would be pumped full of “zombie” drugs.. which would exacerbate all of the previous issues because then she would definitely sit in poop all day.
6. if she sat in poop all day, she would then have infections and bed sores and all kinds of other issues.
7. she would fall when she was trying to escape and when they found her they would insist on sending her to the hospital for every little thing… because they won’t have her blood thinner under control… vicious cycle, isn’t it.

She doesn’t want to be here… physically here… in my house… she also doesn’t really want to be alive… but she is so stubborn, she also doesn’t want to die. Yep… the most stubborn woman you will ever meet.

Is she nearing death? Not really… her blood sugar is well controlled. Her blood thinner is well controlled. She eats well – even though she is still losing weight due to the anxiety. For the most part she is stable (balance). She rarely falls… like not hardly ever… mostly she doesn’t pay attention to what she is doing and hits her head, arm, leg on things from walking into corners/walls.

I know that the bad days go in cycles. Sometimes it has to do with the full moon. This week… not sure what is the cause. Last week wasn’t horrible. The last few days have been very bad. I’m hoping for a good nap today and then today will be not too bad. We shall see… check in on FB to see the results of that.

I know that my attitude contributes to it as well. When I am tired or stressed over other things, I can be short with her. Welcome to life. Thus, one reason, the walking really helps. AND the social interaction with others that I’m missing.

Thank you for worrying about me. Last night was particularly bad. Just keep us all in your prayers. Hopefully, next week will be better. I will check on getting a low dose of those “zombie” meds for the afternoon/evening.

Another disappointing week. :-(

The box was 48 hours late this week! I had doubled up the meals because the kids were here through Friday. The box was supposed to be here on Tuesday. It didn’t come until Thursday! Which means I have extra food since the kids only got to partake in 2 of the 3 meals.

On the up side? Because it was 48 hours late, I got the whole of the cost refunded. Which means my next 2 boxes from Dinnerly are basically free.

Meal #1

Chicken Alfredo

It was supposed to have penne pasta, but they sent rigatoni with an apology note that they had supply issues.

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 – it was good though. Me ⭐⭐⭐ It was not as creamy as I would have liked. Lydia ⭐⭐ disappointing. The alfredo was runny. Esther ⭐⭐⭐ nothing super exciting.

All of us agree the best part of the meal was the homemade garlic bread on left over hamburger buns!!

Meal #2

Chicken Lo Mein

There was sooooo much green onion/scallion. I didn’t use even 1/2 of it. The kids aren’t super fond of onion. There was also lots of cabbage. I only used about 3/4 of it. I made some frozen egg rolls to go with it. It still made 5 nice size bowls of Lo Mein.

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐1/2 it was good. Very flavorful. Me: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 It was fine. I’m not a huge Chinese food fan. Lydia ⭐⭐ 1/2 too much vegetables. (and I left a bunch out!!) Esther ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2!!!! WOW!! That was the highest she has rated anything for the 2 months they have been home!!

Meal #3

Steak and potatoes

I added some oven roasted broccoli as a vegetable. I had 4 steaks but only cooked 3. I have a steak meal coming this week too and I will now have 3 steaks for it!

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ very good. Then he queried what he has given a 5 to…. MEATLOAF! Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2. It was very good. The oven roasted potatoes were very yummy.

This week I have Blue Apron to finish out a coupon from before Thanksgiving. We are discussing trying Green Chef after the couple of free boxes from Dinnerly. Stay tuned.

Keep reviewing meals??

I have almost exhausted the meal delivery services that I’m going to try. I did a brief search the other day and the ones remaining have menus just so weird and not to our liking that I would struggle to even find 3 meals… IF I could find a coupon code.

So… what do I blog about? I can review the meals from the boxes we do continue to get … but… is that really interesting??

I could blog about the places we walk??

I wish I could come up with some great thing that everyone would find super interesting to blog about. 🙂

Last week’s meals:

#1 – Pepper Chicken

I added extra potatoes so we had leftovers for another day. The recipe called for skillet cooked broccoli. I did it in the oven instead. I also only used a portion of the onion and peppers.

Ratings: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – lovely. Loved the peppers and onions. All the veggies were excellent. Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐ it was very good… except I don’t do peppers (they don’t agree with me). Esther ⭐⭐⭐2/3 – no comments

#2 Steak and Brussel Sprouts

The packet of a sauce was crushed in the box this week… which turned out to be ok… it was too spicy for us anyways. Sadly, it was missing 1/2 the brussel sprouts… which I called about and got refunded a portion of the cost… it turned out OK, because the kids don’t really like them anyways. It was also missing the sesame seeds that were supposed to go over everything at the end… I used some leftover “everything bagel” seeds. I added the extra mashed potatoes from the previous meal to finish this one out.

Rating: Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ steak is always good. Love the brussel sprouts. Me⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ It was good. Could have used a little more flavor… not spicy. Lydia did eat it, but never gave me a rating. Esther does not eat beef, she just ate veggies.

#3 Chicken Fingers

I added some tater tots to finish out the meal. A bit labor intensive to coat the chicken, but it did turn out good.

Ratings: Esther⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/4 (no comments). Lydia⭐⭐⭐⭐ the chicken was good (which is HIGH praise because she is notorious for being chicken picky), the green beans were slightly underdone. Wayne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ very good. Me ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 I thought the chicken could use some flavor in the coating – maybe it just needed more salt? It was a good meal though.

If you have suggestions of what I could blog about… as always I’d love to know.