YOU GUYS. The delivery men got here with the new washing machine yesterday, and…it was dented.
Like, seriously dented on both sides. So it had to go back onto the truck.
BOOOOOOOO.
I was terribly disappointed, because I had been thrilled at the prospect of having a functioning washing machine again!
And I had waited so long for a day when a delivery option matched up with a day I was not at work.
I know this is an extremely first-world problem, but I’m not gonna lie, I was pretty sad. However, the good news is that a new one is scheduled for delivery on Saturday.
This time, though, I am keeping my hopes low. Because who knows? This next one may be dented as well.
I will hold my excitement until the new one is actually in place. 😉
Anyway. Hello from me and my not-really-working washing machine.
Hopefully, I will soon get to say goodbye to it for good.
What I Spent
I spent:
- $30 on a Hungry Harvest box
- $66 at Aldi
- $12 at Safeway
So, $108 on groceries.
What We Ate
Saturday
I cooked up the last of the bag of Trader Joe’s fried rice and topped it with some teriyaki-marinated chicken thighs.
Sunday
I made burrito bowls, using this chicken, plus cilantro lime rice, sauteed peppers and onions, some queso fresco, and a blended lime-cilantro sauce.
Some of you asked about the sauce, and honestly, I just eyeball it every time. I use about a 3/1 ratio of sour cream and mayo, add in a big handful of cilantro, however many green onions I have on hand, the juice of a lime, plus black pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
And I blend it all up. Oh, and I add some jalapeno if I happen to have one on hand.
It’s sort of a hard thing to mess up, honestly; give it a try!
I made enough burrito bowl material to pack for my Monday-Wednesday lunches and that worked out great.
I microwave this part, and then add the sauce and the cheese, which I pack in separate containers.
Monday
I threw some homemade frozen hamburgers in the fridge before work, and then grilled them when I got home.
Tuesday
We had chicken tikka masala on naan, using a jar of sauce from Aldi.
Wednesday
I had a wild day at work and didn’t eat my lunch until 3:30 in the afternoon.
(Thank goodness I had a granola bar in my bag to tide me over!)
Because I ate lunch so late, I wasn’t really hungry when I got home at 8:15. So I just ate some cottage cheese and fruit, left my dirty dishes in the kitchen, showered, and went to bed.
Sometimes, you need to prioritize sleep and just go to sleep with a messy kitchen. You can always wash your dishes the next day.
Thursday
Honestly, I was TIRED after all those shifts, which is usually how it goes after a long string of shifts: on that first day off, I get some things done, but I am nowhere near my usual levels of productivity.
By the second day off, I’m usually back to normal, though; I just need one sluggish day and then I’m good.
Anyway, I did not feel at all like cooking dinner, so we got takeout Panera with a gift card (from my credit card rewards).
Friday
I should be back in Regular Kristen mode today! So I will organize my fridge and get my kitchen life back together and make a menu plan.
Julie from GJ
Saturday 8th of November 2025
I think it's so interesting to see how your new job creates new routines, different patterns, etc. It's so NEAT to get to follow along with this new and exciting part of life with you! I am reading this from a regional airport in the deep south where my flights are indeed still in existence and on time...thanks for giving me something interesting to read while I pass the time!
Beth W
Saturday 8th of November 2025
That dented washer makes me so sad! How did they not notice it beforehand?
My meals this week have been pretty simple. I thawed some vegetable barley soup I made some time ago, and it was dinner for three nights. Finally it's gone! On another night I made a veggie platter of a baked onion, mashed potatoes, and green beans sauteed with almonds. Yesterday, I was gifted a bag of King crab legs that had been frozen after an event. I thawed them and scraped out the meat (quite a process!) and made crab salad. I didn't do too great a job because there were tiny pieces of the shell in the final product. Grrrr. There is some left for today, so I'm going to try to figure out how to get those shards out!
S
Saturday 8th of November 2025
I'm having trouble viewing your posts--no new ones will show up for days and days, then like ten days' worth all show up at once. I don't know why that would be particular to one reader, but have you heard of this issue before?
S
Monday 10th of November 2025
@Becca, Yeah, I know that trick--thanks. That isn't it. I tried it several times.
Becca
Saturday 8th of November 2025
@S,
It happens for me, too. If you clear your cookies, it usually fixes it, but then you lose other little helpful things that your computer remembers for you like log in user names, etc. You can also just refresh the most recent post page you read and then click on the next blog post icon at the bottom of the post before the comments.
It's me, Sam
Saturday 8th of November 2025
What we ate this week: Saturday - I was home alone. I made KD with butter and heavy cream... It was really good. Sunday- fish, roasted veggies and mashed potatoes. Monday - pork chops, rice, corn and salad Tuesday - we went out for supper. I had braised beef ribs. I ate half and saved the rest for lunch on Wednesday. Wednesday - I finished the ribs for lunch, and ended up with a gallbladder attack. I took my meds and slept off and on the rest of the day. The girls made pasta with smoked tofu. Thursday - I make chicken strips ( dusted in corn starch, dipped in ranch and milk, coated with panko crumbs and old bay seasoning). They were amazing! Mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli Friday - I used the rest of the chicken up with a shawarma marinade, Greek style pita, veggies and tzatziki. Salad on the side. The girls had leftover fries too.
I spent about 200 in groceries and 125 for supper out.
Bonnie
Friday 7th of November 2025
My dad had THREE OVENS that came that were smashed in on one or both sides. Finally he drove all the way over to the store and said he wanted to see the unit before allowing it to be delivered. The first one they opened in store after grousing about it - damaged. Then they got it. Based on that I went to a store to buy my oven a few years ago and they had to open three before they found one not severely damaged. I told my husband just blame me for making them do that. I was so frustrated.
This also happened with my husband's large toolbox. The store clerk said they just send them back and they're all shipped the same way and all arrive damaged.
Sorry for the long rant.
Selena
Friday 7th of November 2025
@Bonnie, no need to be sorry to us for the rant. Save your frustration with the supply chain not paying their staff to care.