Alas, I will not be able to retire from paying work in the foreseeable future. My retirement funds were drastically reduced the first years of caring for Coy, and I also couldn't work that first year.

Except for a few youngsters, all my friends are retired. My cousins are retired. My college classmates are retired. BooHoo, I guess I'd throw a pity party but everyone has more interesting things to do than to come.

So ... I've decided to retire from the kitchen. More and more I've been using frozen entrees, deli selections, and take-out from restaurants. I've felt slightly guilty. I've decided more prepared food, no more guilt! I do enjoy cooking (but not pot scrubbing or dishwashing) so I'll still do it when I feel like, or when I get a craving for homemade meals, but it is no longer one of my many jobs -- it is just something I'll do when the mood strikes.

Ah, retirement does feel good! (And if I do throw a pity party, I'll have it catered.)

Jeanne, Good for you!! I still make most of our meals but I do order an occasional pizza. Frank lost his interest in eating, most of the time, so I cook and then end up throwing it out. I hate to waste but I can only eat so many left overs. Now that all the local produce is available our meals have been simplified, sliced tomatoes, cucs and corn, small piece of meat that's it. My youngest daughter hates to cook so she comes out a couple times a week and with her husband on weekends, so at least I can cook and someone will eat it.

Other's have a cleaning person, another way for you to "retire".

Take care,
Gerry

I did the same thing, Jeanne, while Mom was at home. Working full time and coming home to take care of Mom was just too much. When it started to take too much time, often interrupted, to care for Mom, I started using frozen foods and take-out. I did find that throwing some unmarinated chicken, even frozen chicken, was also quick. Nuking some frozen veggies and 90-second rice was also good. The toughest part of that meal was to slice the cooked meat to make it easier for Mom to eat. (I had to do the same to mine or she'd get mad at me for treating her like she needed the help.)

I think that the only way you can work full time and be a primary caregiver is to take advantage of any convenience that makes life easier!

Hang in there.

Kate

Throwing the chicken in the oven, I mean.

Kate

I wondered at whom/what you were throwing that chicken Kate! LOL