I'm so tired. I apologize for not posting anything yesterday. I intended to post a homemade fig newton recipe, but my in-laws arrived, announced that they couldn't eat my planned beef recipe, owing to being a Friday in Lent (not being Catholic, I do not observe the no meat on Fridays in Lent, so wasn't expecting it), and we went out to eat at Red Lobster instead. I do not like seafood. Or blackened chicken. Red Lobster has NO vegetarian options on their menu (except for a side salad). The non-seafood options are limited to blackened chicken and steak.
Anyway, I didn't get home until after 9 p.m. and didn't feel up to the task of creating homemade fig newtons. I'll make them sometime this week.
And all day today, allllllll day today, we were out shopping. I was out shopping with no money. I hate going shopping without money. And, I had a headache. And no headache medicine.
Then, I came home (around 4 this afternoon), took a couple Motrin and went upstairs to watch a couple episodes of Friends (the ones where Ross and Rachel finally become a thing). An hour later, I felt better, so I came back downstairs and made dinner for four adults and two children. I made, all from scratch, my sweet potato yeast rolls, chicken-fried steak, salad, mashed potatoes, and corn. Plus I made an appetizer (coming up later in this post). And then I served dinner.
And everyone got their food before me. Which is fine. That's what a good hostess does.
But there were no more forks or knives for me to use. So I had to wash a set for myself.
And the only gravy left was the sticky stuff that develops a skin at the bottom of the gravy boat.
And there were no chairs left to sit on. And no one thought to grab me one from another room. So I went and ate in the living room. Alone.
And no one said thank you. And no one complimented my cooking.
And no one has volunteered to put away the leftovers or do the dishes. Guess what I get to do after I finish typing this. While other people read, color, watch television, and play computer games.
What do you do when this happens at your house? It feels rather unappreciative. Mom, if you're reading this, I love you and I thank you for every single meal you ever cooked for me. And every dish you ever washed on my behalf.
What You Need:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 2 large onions, peeled and diced
- Combine all ingredients. Pour into an ungreased 8" square baking dish.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.
- Serve hot with chips or crackers.
Well, that just suckaroos! Not the cooking & recipes, that's fab. It's the unappreciative family that gets to me. I think in the past I would've done like you and gone into the kitchen and put things away while everyone played. Maybe even now, but only sometimes. These days, I'm making myself ask for help. It's hard to do without sounding angry, without being angry. Today is a good example, my hubby hadn't done the dishes from yesterday even though it's his job. I wanted to cook dinner but I didn't want to have to clean the things I needed first. So, very nicely, I said "hun, would you rather eat leftovers tonight or do the dishes. I was going to make that new chicken recipe but I'm too tired to clean up plus cook." He cleaned up with a great attitude.
ReplyDeleteYOu might try humour as well, depending on your personality. Something like "Phew, I'm beat! I'll be in the living room waiting for my foot massage when you all are done with the dishes."
I really encourage you to work on this, I feel for you a LOT. Hang in there!
Hi again, I just told my husband the whole story and he couldn't believe it! He said too bad you live so far or else we would invite you over for dinner and he would do the dishes while you put your feet up. Hugs from Canada.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Chelle. I know how you feel! If I were you I'd give it the hubby with both barrels tonight. His parents and he doesn't even help out? GRRR!
ReplyDeleteThink about what Rachelle said too. I know it's hard to have to ask for help, but for goodness sakes a home cooked meal WITH an appetizer on a day that they KNOW that you have a headache and still no offer of help? Unbelievable!
Sounds like you are having a day like mine. So sorry to hear it. I was almost in tears reading it as I can totally relate. I hope it goes better for you! I've told my hubby that tomorrow I'm sleeping all afternoon after church....so heads up...I just put a door knob on our door with a lock ;) I plan on using it! Fingers crossed your day is much improved for tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWow, I feel bad for you. You handled it a lot better then I would have, I'm blunt like that though. I would definitely discuss it with your husband when your alone and let him know how hurt you are over it.
ReplyDeleteToo bad they are in-laws, I'd tell you to make sure they never were invited to your house again! Ugh.. that's tough, Michelle, sorry to hear about that. I have had something similar happen to me and all I did was just get more and more upset and never said a word. I always wished I had said SOMETHING. Maybe bringing it to at least your husbands attention, might be the way to go? Rule in my house, whoever cooks, doesn't clean the kitchen!!
ReplyDeleteI too hate when a meal is unappreciative! I know when a meal isn't that great when no one says anything...its usually my inlaws too! Sorry it was such a rough night! And I've totally left the dishes over night esp lately as guess what? they are still there in the morning! Sometimes I'm just beat esp if everything is homemade!
ReplyDeleteCompliment your own cooking...."Wow...that was a good dinner", sit and chat for a few minutes after dinner then announce..."Well...time to clean up...any and all help is appreciated" while looking at hubby & daughters. Enter the room and say..."oh, nobody got me a chair...I'll just eat in the living room...by myself...all alone". Say nothing at all and blow it off, the in laws will soon be gone and then you will be missing them again.
ReplyDeleteDo you need me to come out to GA and kick some ass for you? Cause I will. Give me a few days to drive out there and its on! Seriously who doesn't compliment the cook????? Or even offer to help clean up? Me, being the uber Witch that I am (LOL) I'd have left those dishes for am and then looked at hubby and said have fun! Sorry they don't appreciate your greatness. I sure do.
ReplyDeleteOh and I want this onion dip. I want it now. Maybe I'll make a big batch to eat on my road trip to GA to kick ass for you :) (((HUGS))) I hope the rest of the visit is better than today!!
I'm coming with Andrea and kick some GA @ss!!!
ReplyDeleteI so totally related to your post..this is exactly what happens at my house to a certain degree. My husband has gotten better at making sure he compliments my hard work, cause Dad never does, and I made sure I let my husband know how unhappy that makes me.
BUT... to eat in the living room alone?!! I can't imagine that your family didn't notice and do something about it. I am appalled!!
My suggestion? Serve everything family style instead of getting the bottom of the barrel (or gravy boat for that matter). Someone mentioned that if you cook dinner, someone else cleans up. I think you could consider applying this rule in your house.
I am still just appalled at your family's disregard for you.. I mean 4 adults not noticing you eating alone in the living room? My other suggestion would be that you change the way you approach dinner... everyone eats it.. everone should participate in that venture (setting the table, putting away leftovers, washing dishes, taking out the trash, etc). It might take you and your family a while to adjust, but it would certainly take some of the pressure off you.
I know that I am a homemaker, and as a homemaker I sometimes feel as though I should do the bulk of home projects like cooking and cleaning. But the reality is, a homemaker's job is so much more than just that. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders and should not feel at all bad asking to share in the most important time of your family's day.. the dinner hour.
You are wonderful... a great cook... a great blogger... and the recipes and pictures prove that every day that you post. I hope the next family get together is much more productive and appreciated!
"imagine a teenage voice please" RAH-OOOD!!!! how RUDE of your husband and guests.
ReplyDeleteMe again ;o) I have looked around and love your blog so I am your newest follower. I got here thru frugal hackers.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! I feel so bad for you. Definitely let the hubby hear about it!! Hugs from Michigan!
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like my house! ((hugs))) Glad I'm not the only one that goes through that, but it's sad that the people in our life don't see how hard we work! I like some of the suggestions people have made and I'm going to try them too. My dh quite often doesn't do all of the dishes, so then the next day, I'm hunting for dishes/pots/etc to cook with, grrrr!!
ReplyDelete