The Rhythm of Sunday

Good Morning Swarm Single Moms

This is one of those lazy mornings for me. Even though it is thee day that will set the tone for the upcoming week.  I start out by reading the Sunday paper, clipping coupons, creating the food plan for the week and then, grocery shopping.  Many folks seem to make this day their grocery shopping day as the store is always busy, unless I go early in the morning.  The advantage to shopping early is that the sales usually begin on Sundays and the store hasn't run out of sale items.  The earlier I go, the less congested it will be.  Often, the only shoppers early in the day are me and the local firefighters who are beginning their three day 'on' shift.

In my kitchen I keep a running list of items to buy that any household member is encouraged to add to.  I ask that they look for and place coupons for their items in a coupon basket that I placed on a desk in the kitchen.  They do not always do this, so I do find myself looking for them as I cut and organize the coupon basket.  This task of organizing coupons is ongoing, as coupons come in the mail, are printed from on-line and even age out of the basket (expire).  Because of this ongoing need for updating, I continue to spend time on shopping day sub-organizing.  My goal with couponing is to buy only what I need and will use.  If I purchase items we will never use or if I have to purchase more than what I will use, it is wasted money and that is the anthesis of my goal.  Always use your oldest and aged coupons first.  I shop weekly for staples and sometimes during the week I may go and pick up fresh meat or fish.  I like my protein fresh and the store where I shop most frequently, the fish are delivered on Tuesday and the meat on Tuesday or Wednesday.  This is information you should have about your stores if you are also carnivores.

After my meal planning, I refer to the list other family members have added for their lunches and snacks for the week.  They pick out their drinks, snacks and meal.  I add the fruits and veggies according to what is on sale.  Rarely are there coupons for veggies and fruits, but when there are, I jump on it.  You can do so much with fruits and veggies and Sundays are a good day to experiment.  I'm thinking pies, cobblers...caramel apples (it is fall after all!).

The Sunday evening meal is a good time to talk about the upcoming week and deviations or additions to our regular schedule.  Doctors appointments, school activities...you name it and we will discuss it.  So when I mention that today is a day of leisure, it really means that we are off the clock.  We set the pace; our schedule less defined and we can enjoy the day being together, even if that means that some of us are coming and going.   It is a good day to connect!