For the rest of my time living here with my parents, I think I've finally figured out something that works. Since I can't contribute to dinner during the week, since my lunch is literally my family's dinner time, I'll cook one of the weekend days instead. And knowing me, I"ll likely bake at least one thing as well, so everyone gets dinner and dessert out of it. It's still a hell of a lot more than my sister does, which is absolutely no help whatsoever at any time, so my mom will at least get one day where she doesn't have to cook.

I also like to change up the menu from the standard American/Italian options we grew up with. Yesterday I made Filipino chicken adobo with coconut rice, and have made Thai soups, beef stroganoff, chicken paprikash, and other experiments from America's Test Kitchen's or Mark Bittman's cookbooks. I'm actually impressing myself with my ability to turn out a decent meal for four people. And of course I baked an apple blueberry crumble pie for dessert during the beginning of the week. 

Part of the reason why this is important is because my dad is scheduled to have a hip replacement this coming Friday, so my mom will be spending more time taking care of him. Plus, she doesn't handle stress well so there are bound to be many times where I would have helped out getting chores or cooking done, but now that I'm working full-time it's just not an option anymore. At least not at a time when I won't be waking them up - I'm up until 12 or 1 every night and would love to take a couple hours after work to get stuff done, but that will have to wait until I have my own space and won't disturb anyone.

I hope everything goes as well as it can on Friday. It's a major surgery, but one that he absolutely has to get done or he will be in pain and at risk of fracture for the rest of his life. Recovery will be long and hard, but I really hope that within a couple of months he can walk again without pain.