It’s a funny thing about weekends. On the one hand, I want to be relaxed so that I feel rested for the next work week. On the other hand, I like to get things done so that I don’t feel like a lazy bum when it’s all over. There seems to be a long distance to travel between wanting things done and actually doing them. It’s just that, oh, I hate to fold laundry, but I love having clean clothes and the satisfaction therein. All too often, I wind up asking myself how I squandered 48 hours of time by simply considering my good intentions of doing this chore or that project.
Happily, this past weekend boasted no such regret. Behold! Seven accomplishments!
- Attended the spring concert of our favorite a capella group from college.
I wanted to be a part of the Deltones all through college, but they had so few openings for altos that I never auditioned. I love singing back-up and harmony, but I am only an adequate soloist, so I doubt I would have made it. Instead, I settled for being a groupie, and JG and I try to make it to their concerts every semester. Our friends’ son is a Deltone now, so it’s fun to see him in that venue. The highlight of the night was hearing the “clap-clap…clap” rhythm and opening chords of the Counting Crows’ “Accidentally in Love.” I gave a little yelp of joy and happily found the alto line in my head. Every time I hear that song, it makes me think of the summer when JG and I got engaged. I’m listening to their newest recording now, but I hope that new song gets onto the CD next year. - Did two loads of laundry.
Sorted, washed, dried, and folded. Reward, please! - Made another batch of soft pretzels.
JG made a special request, so I obliged and whipped up the dough, which was a real pain to roll out and twist up. Luckily for me, pretzels taste good no matter how mangled they end up in the oven. I tried to make a cinnamon-sugar version for me, but the sugar burned. I should have seen it coming, but I wasn’t thinking. Farewell, dream of a dessert pretzel. - Got my palm henna-ed.
My book club discussed Jhumpa Lahiri’s first short story collection, Interpreter of Maladies, which I had read last year. Our hostess made a delicious lemon tart, and one of the girls, Tammy, applied henna designs to our hands and feet as we talked. I felt both literary and multicultural by the end of the night, and that’s pretty good for a Saturday. - Cleaned out the DVR.
How else can I justify watching What Not to Wear, House, and Ace of Cakes in swift succession? I say that deleting items from the DVR counts as a chore. - Rented, watched, enjoyed, and returned Enchanted.
Hooray for Redbox rental kiosks! And Amy Adams! - Made pasta sauce and an enormous three-cheese baked ziti with it.
I’m not much of a cook, but I can make pasta sauce and casseroles with my eyes closed. I will be microwaving my lunch portion shortly, and I am so looking forward to it. The fall-like weather today is begging for some comfort food.
Next on the list: account for 48 mixed-up references for an article about cerebral palsy. Sigh.
15 comments
Wow! So productive! I worked this weekend and got a lot done but you still totally beat me.
Also, I seem to be the only person in the world not to like Enchanted. I couldn’t even get through it, I was so annoyed.
You definitely deserve a reward for getting so much stuff done! Also, I am eternally grateful to you for the pretzel recipe, but it is also a huge incentive for me to get a Kitchen Aid mixer. Kneading dough by hand is for the BIRDS.
Wow, homemade pretzels sound amazing. And I’m with you on the desert kind, I love Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar pretzel!
Did I really just put desert? I meant dessert! Gah, why can’t spell check figure out what I mean!!
Look at all that accomplishing! Sounds like a great weekend– I’m glad you liked Enchanted (I was prepared to hate it, but was won over by the musical numbers and Patrick Dempsey).
This will forever be my battle: to relax, or to Get Things Done? Weekends, why must you be so short?
omg i freakin’ loved Enchanted! And i agree that cleaning out the dvr/tivo is totally a chore. Especially when you insist on watching half the episodes only to realize ten minutes in that you’ve seen that episode of family guy/simpsons/whatever at least half a dozen times before. Guh.
I’m listening to “Unaccustomed Earth” on CD right now. It’s the first Lahari I’ve ever read. So far, it’s fantastic. Gotta go back and read the rest now.
I wish I was productive this weekend!
It was full of booze and parties and friends though, so I guess I can’t complain.
I loved Enchanted! I watched it at the end of a particularly hormonal day and it was just the pick-me-up I needed. Tim didn’t love it so much, but he was a good sport and watched it with me anyway.
It sounds like you accomplished a lot AND had fun!
Perfect weekend!
p.s. My hubby and I have been learning how to rock climb. We are having so much fun!!
Your book club sounds much more fun (and multidimensional) than mine did. (Alas, it was finally, formally killed today over email.)
I hate folding laundry too, but I love when it’s all clean and put away!
Enchanted was adorable. So much fun!
The laundry, yes - it deserves a reward in and of itself. If that was the only thing I got done all weekend, I would have been proud of myself.
You were VERY productive! Am impressed!
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