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Thursday, May 31, 2018

Remember J? Drug Addict

The drug addict resurfaced. I owed her money when she was not allowed by her evil, abusive bf to come here ever again.

She worked knowing I would have the money the next day. He would not allow her to come back. I texted her at least a half dozen times, exhorting her to come get her money. She no longer had a phone, so sent text to her bf several times during November, December, and January.

Actually, she worked one hour, got mad and left. Came back another day, had cramps and left after two hours. Then, worked part of a day later on, all the while wanting me to wait until she had a $25 money order to send to keep her from being arrested. I even paid for the money order, but that cost will come out of her money I owe her.

Today, he texted me saying neighbor told him I owed her money and he was going to come get it on his lunch. I texted back that I would only give it to her since I have no idea if she would get it. Besides, had I told him to never come back to my yard again, EVER.

He texted back that she was going to be really mad because she had no cigarettes and he was supposed to bring cigs on the way home.

I don't even have enough money to buy a pack of cigarettes!

This is the last day of the month. They both know I get ss check on first day of the month. They have not bothered to collect what I owe her since last November or December. No, I did not put it up to pay her. I got a money order to pay her since she would bring an envelope and it would go to money she owed from things where she was in jail. This is second time a money order was about to expire. So, I cashed it.

Now, neighbor is mad, saying he does not want to get in our business. ??? He put himself there, it seems to me!  Her bf was trying to get money from neighbor for cigarettes today.

She still has not gotten a job. She is still waiting for fast food place to call her back. The manager said she would call her back in December.  And, she now lives 25 miles south of the place, 40 miles south of me. And, he still drives here for a minimum wage job.

Oh, I have had fits of diarrhea most of the day, so there is no way I would have gone to bank if I had had money in there. He need for cigs right NOW does not trump my cramps and need to stay near the bathroom.

I have never had dealings with an addict before for this long, so this is all a mystery to me.  My being supportive will only go so far to help her. She has to grab hold of the lifeline I extend.  I suppose doing meth is hard if you are being irresponsible.

I do know some of you deal with addicted relatives. It must be maddening and so sad.

Tree Limb Truck, Meet My Garbage Can

I just happened to come home as the limb truck was picking up limbs in front of  another house on the block. I got the mail and hung out, hoping my stack of limbs would be picked up.. As it turned out, the truck was only two minutes finishing the other house on my block.

It was fascinating watching the finesse with which the guy handled the huge piece of machinery picking up limbs. Now, I would have to wait on the truck that sucks up leaves and grass clipping. Oh, NO. WAIT! He was picking up my garbage can and crushed it. I started waving my hands. It was no use yelling because the truck was too loud.

The guy dropped my broken garbage can. Bummer. Another guy got out and I tried to yell at him, but he come to me. I told him I did not want the can taken. He said that he told the guy not to take it but it was crushed and they would bring me another. I wasn't even angry, just bummed that the mower put it out there. I never told him to leave it out there. Oh well.... Never put anything on the curb that you care about. They take everything....really, a good thing.

One time, 20 or more years ago, I put five gallon buckets alongside the garbage cans. The buckets were full of trash, and I had every intention of using them again. Scratch that!

Our streets are pristine and we have no street cleaners and no one has to move the vehicles they own to the other side of the street. This town is cleaner than other small towns. We all pick up trash in front of our houses instead of letting it lie.

I went to the ENT this morning. There is nothing wrong with my outer ear. He told me never to use acetic acid in my ear again. When I asked him why not, he said because it is acid. Come here and let me get out the ear wax or use...something I don't remember.

The tiny little bottle of acetic clearly says it is for ear wax removal. I still don't understand. I did not find a can of hydrochloric acid and decide on a whim to clean my ears with it.

He said it was quite possible that I had broken the cartilage in my nose. But, he will not x-ray because he has no intention of operating if he found it broken. Why? Because too much of my septum is gone already and my nose would collapse. That would be a novel look. He advised me to take an NSAID. But, I never take those. The pain in my nose is terrific, so I have to just ignore it. It's hard to wash my face!

I do like his conservative approach!

Did you ever have something removed from the curb that you were just using as a container? Has anyone ever broken the cartilage of the nose and what happened after you broke it?


Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Tuesday Look-see Into the Refrigerator

As I pondered what to eat for breakfast on Tuesday, I thought about oatmeal and milk. Maybe cheese toast. Maybe I will look in the refrigerator.

I had shell pasta left from a pasta salad, 1 inch of pasta sauce in a far, about 1/4 cup grated Italian cheese, and about a half cup of Parmesan cheese in the green shaker. I combined all these, added about two Tablespoons of olive oil and called it a meal. Delish!

I emptied the container of pasta, shredded Italian cheese, and pasta sauce. I got a meal from leftovers. I still have the olive oil and a bit of Kraft Parmesan.

Tuesday, bbq chicken and cole slaw will be for another meal. Wednesday, I will look in the refrigerator to see if I can clear out more food by making a meal of smidgens of food.

Wednesday, I found the grapes were dying prematurely. One roll and chicken with lettuce plus grapes was another clear-out meal.

Do you ever look into the refrigerator to see what there is to eat before it goes off and so you will not have to cook? Maybe this does not work well with a family to feed. Or, maybe it is called "leftover night."

The subtropical storm was a nothing event with little rain where I live. Did it affect you? It did delay yard mowing!

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Memorial Day Ice Cream Disaster

The tubs of Breyer's Chocolate Truffle, 1.5 quarts, were the same price as a pint of other brands of ice cream. So, I thought I would splurge for the holiday. Bad idea!

First of all, the ice cream tingled my tongue, like something soured. I tried to get past it. No luck.

Second, the truffle was chunks of the hardest chocolate I have ever eaten. Of course, it was frozen. And, they were not chips but chunks, huge chunks. As I bit down on a chunk, it cut my gum. Then, later, another chunk somehow got wedged between two teeth--not the whole chunk, just whatever managed to get between my teeth. That hurt until it melted.

Third, I gave up on eating/chewing the chunks. AND, they were not melting like a Hershey bar. So, this was a long, arduous process that I soon gave up.

Fourth, giving up on the chocolate was worst of all. As I sat in bed eating ice cream, I decided that getting rid of the chunks was a good idea. So, I tried to pick them out with a spoon. Nope, cannot cleanly get the chocolate out, just knocking it all over my lap.

I had a bowl nearby, so I just let the chunks through my lips into the bowl. This chocolate was like syrup, stuck to my lips and went everywhere, and the chunks ended up, one on my arm that slid off leaving a trail like a chocolate slug, one chunk on the front of my nightgown, and one down my nightgown!

Remember, I have on a heart monitor? So, there is a satiny strap around my neck with the monitor suspended and four leads like spaghetti across my stomach. Well, soon it was all over all this and my fingers as I tried to find that chunk and remove it. However, I could not find the chunk, about 1" x 1/2".  I followed the sticky chocolate path that was on both legs and finally found the chocolate chunk between my legs on the bedspread and with chocolate on my panties.

And, I have bee-stung looking lips!

Okay, you are either laughing or wondering when I get a keeper.

This was not the eventful Memorial Day anyone could have wished for!

Have you managed so much agony over eating something as innocuous as ice cream? Yes, I needed a bib.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Groceries on hand besides what I bought last week

It occurred to me that the groceries I bought and posted did not seem sufficient and were lacking in fresh vegetables and fruit. I do have other fresh food in the house.

In the kitchen:
apples
potatoes
carrots
red bell pepper
onions
sweet potatoes
smidgen of cabbage

Besides all the fresh foods, there are a few things in the freezer, lots more dehydrated, and the commercially canned food.

Tuesday, the market will be open so I can see what there is that I want. Probably tomatoes are not in.

All this last week, I have been confused on what day it is! Sometimes, I was a day ahead. Some days, I was behind. I blame this confusion on odd sleeping hours and sometimes no sleep. I even thought Memorial Day was next weekend for a long time. The Monday holiday confused me.

Allergy season is lingering longer. Everyone is happy for rain because rain will wash the pollen from the air. Yes, and mold spores grow in soil and everywhere, AND new weeds and flowers will bloom. There is always something in the air in the spring to cause me allergy problems.

Chicken, carrots, potatoes, and onions are in the crockpot. Dehydrated celery and bell pepper are added tothe crockpot for flavor. I put the mesquite marinade into the crockpot without using it as a marinade.

I am making a Jello salad with apples, bananas, and fruit cocktail.

Memorial Day will be all indoors around here. I was not going to grill out, anyway!


Saturday, May 26, 2018

Groceries May 20-26, 2018

Miracle Whip, qt
16 oz. Kraft Medium Cheddar Cheese
Leaf lettuce
12-pack Coke
doz. eggs
2 bananas
1 single Oui, a treat
5+ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
5 bananas
1 qt strawberries

Because of heat and fruit flies, I buy few bananas at once. The first two I bought were eaten Monday and Tuesday. It is easier to buy bananas often than fight fruit flies. In the winter, I can buy six and never see a fruit fly, plus they do not go bad easily.

There are still Cokes here from the last 12-pack of cans I bought.  The MW here at my house has an August use-by date. There is only maybe 1/2 cup left. The contents have changed color, texture and taste, so away it goes. blech! Of course, this coming week I have found MW on sale!

I am eating too much cheese! So, I will cut back.

I spent about $30 this week.

Do you change your banana-buying habit from winter to summer?


Cereal and Eight Mosquito-Repelling Plants and $1 deal

On May 1, 2018, I bought 17 boxes of cereal at Aldi for exbf in order to save $5 on an order, $35 order, I think. About a week later, I asked him how it was coming, how many he had eaten--two boxes and he was on his third. I was amazed,  showed it, asking how much he ate at a breakfast--a large Cool Whip bowl. He measured with his hand--one of the huge tubs of Cool Whip.

At this point, well, when I asked 22 days into the month, he has eaten 5 or 6 boxes of cereal!

The first of this week I found a markdown box of cereal, called him to see if he like that one. He said he did, so I told him I would buy it for him. Then, I thought better of it and put it back since I had bought 17 boxes. Obviously, he could have eaten it with no problem before it became stale.

So, I am still on the lookout for cereal deals. He will give me the money when I find it. He is not fat at all! If I ate that much cereal and whole milk, I would gain weight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I always knew there was a plant or two that repelled mosquitoes. However, I just added a few to my short list thanks to an article.

basil
lemon balm
catnip
pennyroyal
citronella
lavender
marigold
garlic

To find out more info, you can read Eight Mosquito-Repelling Plants.  I plan to keep basil by my bed...lol..just kidding. As I lay here this evening without the sheet over me, I found five bites just below my elbow. Now, I am miserable, scratching, and will probably end up with blood on the sheets and nasty sores on my arms. Hence, basil by my bed.

As soon as I received the hypoallergenic supplies for the heart monitor, I switched them out on my body. That was a relief. I ordered them about 2 am on Friday morning, and at 10 am they were delivered to my door. St. Louis to Alabama so soon. I wonder how UPS does that. Rosemont, IL is the return address. The monitor makes me itch where it touches me. So, I pull it out of the top of my blouse or nightgown. That makes the one lead that plugs into it come loose and my blouse is too low. I used one of the sticky things for my body to hold the lead in the monitor. I just keep pulling my blouse up.

Thursday, when I was in WM in the women's clothing, I saw a tiny yellow sticker with $1 on it.  I could not stop and back up fast enough. These were t-shirts with a slight scoop neck and little v in the scoop.  I got two different sizes in two colors, a blue and a pink blouse.

Friday, I went back and ended up with a total of 6 dusty rose, 2 sapphire blue, and 2 blue and white striped, These are nice enough to wear to store and cheap enough to work in. Oh, I found a larger and longer camisole in the dusty rose for $1. Last month, I found a white one, also for $1. Ten t-shirts may sound like extravagance, but for a dollar, I can have house/yard clothes and good clothes. I won't wear the camisole until winter, but they won't be $1 then. Yay for cheap clothing.

Do you think 6 boxes of cereal in three weeks is a lot for one person? Who actually plants any of these for mosquito repellent?

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Thursday Dinner and Addiction

Thursday night was the day of the free dinner: ham, slaw, green beans, roll, key lime pie, unsweetened tea. It is a good thing I love green beans and slaw. This was the third time this week.

This venue serves its purpose for me. I met a man who knew a friend from church and his wife and kids. When he mentioned where he worked and had retired from, I asked him if he knew this man I knew. His mouth fell open in surprise. He laughed and said he knew him well. He had to know how I knew him. We both shared the same opinion of the guy and of his wife. I go there for the conversation.

Every time I go to this dinner, I have a conversation, short or long with an addict--alcohol, meth, different addictions. The closest thing I have ever had to an addiction was caffeine in Coke. I don't think I have an addictive personality. Since I met Hershey's gold, I may have developed an addiction.

I am still checking with people (not in public, just here)  to see where in relation to their navel, or belly button, if you like, their waist lies. When I talked to exbf today, I asked about his. His immediate response was "below" his waist.  I am quite sure he checked after all the discussion with the guy on the phone Tuesday, a conversation he could hear through speakerphone!

There are serious burns on my chest and abdomen, five in all. Sometimes these sores from tape cause open sores eventually. I may go to the doctor for those. sigh

I am out of bread but will resist buying any since I may be addicted to bread...lol. I gave exbf about 3/4 of a loaf. It was cheap, nasty white bread, his favorite kind.

Tonight, I bought a family pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I have really missed chicken breasts. I pull off a piece of chicken for a snack. Since my snack is supposed to be protein, this works great.

Last Monday, I mailed gifts to g-daughters. I hope I got daughter's address correct.

Okay, same question as yesterday's post--is your navel below or above or at your waist?  Do you ever have the opportunity regularly to talk to a recovering addict?  If so, do you learn something new each time about the human condition? Or, anything?

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Tuesday, Wednesday, My Waist

Tuesday was lunch day at the first church I ever went to for lunch. We had chicken fingers, broccoli slaw, green beans and potatoes, unsweetened tea, and cake.

Two to-go boxes came home with us. I ate most of it about 10 pm Tuesday night. I did not get one bit of sleep Monday night so I was exhausted Tuesday. However, I slept about 12 hours Tuesday evening and night, getting up at 6 am Wednesday morning. I only awoke to eat the dinner, use bathroom, and watch 30 minutes of the news. I was exhausted. I slept most of Wednesday, too.

Of course, I sent his box home. Plus, I gave him the only piece of cake. I packed up about three cups of the taco casserole and topped it with the Italian cheese I bought. So, he can eat it and mix in the cheese when he does. I forgot to put the taco seasoning in the taco casserole...oh well.

Tuesday, I finally put on the heart monitor with the help of exbf and company (over the phone) that sent it. The descriptions of the body did not fit with my body...lol. Directly to the left of my navel is on my waist, but not according to the company person directing me. Exbf just read to me. I stuck on the little things to attach the leads.

The monitor has one wire which divides into four leads. Somehow, the single wire disconnected from the monitor. I could not figure it out as the cell phone said to check leads which I was doing one at a time. Nope. The one main lead was disconnected.

The cell phone makes noises when I need to check something. Plus, there is a message for me on the screen. It is loud enough to wake me up in the night. Ask me how I know.

Tuesday was beautiful with no rain and only a tiny breeze. I think it sprinkled on him as he neared his home many miles South of me. Wednesday has been equally dry and pleasant.

Maybe I found someone at the lunch to mow who will be more trustworthy. The brother of the last guy has not responded.

Since the advent of low-riding pants, I don't think the younger crowd knows where the waist on the body is located.  One day I asked J, "Where is your waist? Show me." She put her hands down on her hip bonesn not on the top of hip bones, but down on the side of the bones. I was astounded. She was puzzled and told me that no, her waist was lower than mine. I told her that her pants were lower than mine. I don't think she believed me. I am long-waisted. Well, before my fatness appeared I was.

When I told the guy on the phone that 4 inches to the left of my navel still was under my waistband and was bothering me. He said,"No. " I should put it to the left of my navel. Well, I don't know here he thinks navels are in relation to waists." Okay, maybe my navel is a smidgen higher than my waist. No, it's not!

He kept correcting me on the waist location. He also kept correcting me on another placement. I was to put another lead three inches below my breast  in line with the nipple and on last rib. Finally, I told him that was not working on my body. So, I put it sort of where he said. I suppose it all works.

Help me on this--Is your navel basically at your waist or a smidge above or below? Inquiring minds want to know. Check the others in your household who wear pants at the waist, not below. Thanks.
Have you ever worn a heart monitor?

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Surprise Payout to Me and Then Another

Two envelopes containing checks were in my mailbox Monday. It was no manic Monday, just an ecstatic Monday. Plus, I awoke feeling very well today.

You know how entities have problems that result in class action lawsuits? Well, months ago I received a card/letter to opt in or out. I did neither. I have had no association with this company in 10 years, much less any problem that would make me eligible for any payout. They never wronged me.

But, I will go to the local grocery and cash the check sent me and arrived today--$64.87.

Then, I received another $26 credit on a card that I expected but did not know how much or when. It was not earned money, either. Honestly, I would have been happy with only a few dollars. I hate using dribbles on a card then having to call to see how much is left. So, on Tuesday, I made a purchase that was $5.75 and got $20 in cash. That leaves me $0.15 on the card, easy to remember.

This day, this May Monday was good to me to the tune of $90.87. You have no idea how broke I was before the mail came! I have a place to put this!

Monday, I did practically nothing, but that's okay.

Do you ever get a payout/money that surprises you? Do you ever get unexpected money from class action suits? Are you as ecstatic as I am? Do you always have a place to put it, or do you figure it can be used for a frivolous purpose?


Monday, May 21, 2018

Groceries May 13-19, 2018


16 oz Kraft Medium Cheddar Cheese
12 oz pkg Zeigler thick bologna $1.19
Duncan Heinz Vanilla Bran Cake $.75
Duncan Heinz Banana Bread Mix $.75
Duncan Heinz Chocolate Cake Mix $.75
McCormick Good Morning Slow Cooker Seasoning Mix Peaches and Cream Slow Cooker Seasoning Mix--for oatmeal
Gigantic Supreme pizza half price--$4
2 bananas
8 oz. pkg Kraft Italian blend shredded cheese
salad
strawberries


This week, my goal was to find cheese on sale or a coupon to use, preferably both. Plus, I need the same for Miracle Whip.

The Heinz Cakes are for making in a cup and there are four mixes in each box, so that is about $.16 for each dessert. I suppose I will try this overnight oatmeal.

My favorite brand of bologna was on sale, so I got it. I rarely buy bologna.  I will wait six months and only buy it on sale. I cannot eat the pizza because it has pepperoni, so I will bake it and freeze it for my freezer when I need a quick lunch for exbf.

No sale found for cheese or Miracle Whip.  The salad was a bowl for $2.98 that was sold on the best-buy-date for $2.09. It is still very fresh and was eaten within a few hours.

I did see an ad for "Tortiyahs." I checked the brand on the internet, and yes, this is a thing.  They also sell tortillas. I don't understand.

I spent about $20.

I was given:

4 Vidalia onions
Gal. milk
3 lbs potatoes
loaf of bread
windmill cookies

I was making progress on the cookies and threw them out on the way to the house so I would not eat more. Yes, I do have self control. I got rid of them instead of believing the voice in my head that tells me I will only eat two a day. NO, I would have eaten them all before bedtime! There was no one to whom to give them.

There are chocolate chips that I can show self-control in eating--ten each day. And, I do not eat them every day.

Your turn
Do you believe that voice that tells you that you will ration cookies or other foods?


Saturday, May 19, 2018

Hornet and Pizza

I talked to the mother of the young man who mowed. She has been very ill, and I had not seen her at her work. Before I was going to hang up, I asked her what the son had said. "Nothing. He said nothing." At that point, I asked her to ask her older son, the one I know, to mow. We will see. I guess the one who mowed knew we were friends and did not want to say anything to get him in trouble.

As I tried to descend the steps from the porch, a hornet was in my way. I backed up. He backed off until I started down the steps again. Then, he came back. We played this game for a while. I think I have hornets under my porch. This is scary.

About 2 am, I cooked the pizza for exbf. It was huge! Instructions said to put it on the oven rack sans pan. No way. I will not cook directly on the oven rack. Instead I put it on the paper with foil on the back. When I tried to take it out by holding two sides of the paper, it folded almost into itself. At any rate, it is cut into crazy pieces and into freezer bags with slices kept apart from each other by waxed paper.

Since it had black olives and he hates them, I picked them off and ate them. I was hurting to much to stand any longer, so I left a few.

I was still awake at 3:30 when the royal wedding coverage came on TV, and I am still awake 10:30 am.

When I take a nap, I will tell you exactly how I feel about Meghan.

Do you ever cook directly on the oven rack?

Friday, May 18, 2018

Breaking in the New Crockpot/Wasting Nothing

After I took back the last defective crockpot,  I have missed having one. The one I got had to live in the car until I could get it to the house. Finally, I made a Taco Casserole that will end up looking more like taco soup.

Everything I needed is right here, so I had to buy nothing.  I think there are several packages of shredded cheese lurking in corners of the refrigerator, so I will use those, no matter what kind of cheese. No, only  bit of one package.

ground pork
can corn
can black beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
1/4 cup brown rice
2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
shredded cheese

This recipe calls for one can of tomato sauce, but I use two cans diced tomatoes. I like the bits of tomato. The rice thickens up the liquid from the tomatoes and the tomato sauce from the bits are not lost. It calls for spices, but taco seasoning packet works for me.

Exbf got four meals from the steak and potatoes I sent home with him and two salads from the lettuce and tomatoes. He has cans of food he opens to complete any meal I send him.  I will probably send enough of the Taco Casserole next Tuesday to make two meals for him.

I know all of you have had crockpots for years. Someone, please tell me the crocks on your new crockpots are damaged out of the box like mine were.

Thursday night, I needed something to eat. Since the salad from the Tuesday Spaghetti lunch was still here, I ate that with a can of tuna. Surprisingly, there were lots of tomatoes in this salad as opposed to the one I had at the lunch. I did waste the cucumber since exbf was not here to claim the pieces of cucumber. I forgot to buy more cheese for the casserole, so I did not want that.

In order to not use the dryer and not hang clothes outdoors in the pollen, I have been hanging clothes in the house. At some point, I will use the dryer. My utility bill was at an all-time low. Of course, since I am using the ac, the utility bill will go up from ac use.

Right now, I am so excited about the royal marriage spectacle. Since I plan to get up at 4 am and watch tv for a long time, I hope to get a good night's sleep before 4 am. Who else is getting up to watch the royal wedding?

Thursday, May 17, 2018

What's happening here?

The new post does not show up on anyone else's blog/ ??? It has been up for three hours. Look below this.

She is at it again and we are all happy

If you would like to enter a giveaway where you choose your prizes, go over to Sluggy's and enter. This giveaway sounds really good. I mean, what can be bad about chocolate?

When we had to rush to Birmingham to get my heart monitor, I was in the midst of  making taco casserole. We left the ground pork cooking in the new crockpot. When we got back, it was too late to finish and let him leave with the finished product.

Luckily, we had the to-go covered plates from lunch, so he had dinner to take home, same as lunch. Since I finished the casserole, I will freeze some for our dinner next week. I love cooking so I can NOT cook every day.

I am taking bets on how long this crock lasts. Anyone?

On the 19th, I will be up at 4 am to watch the royal wedding, so I may not have a post that day.

I am excited. Are you? I planned to watch Kate and William marry, but that was the day after the tornado tore up our town and there was no electricity in my home for five days. ugh

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Nothing but complaints here, so how about a funny story?

First of all, we went to the free lunch on Tuesday: spaghetti, bread, green beans, large salad, cookies, unsweetened  iced tea . I also got two to-go boxes.

Let's skip the complaints for right now. No complaints about lunch or church, just later occurrence.

You may remember that I planned to study another language to keep my brain nimble in an increasingly less nimble body. Well, the only course taught at the local community college is Spanish. I studied Spanish for two years in hs and two semesters in college. Back then, college had more stringent requirements, but language requirements no longer exist except for a PhD.



I was thinking back to things I have wanted to study. Statistics is at the top of the list now. Since exbf is an engineer, I talked to him about this today for the first time.

(Oh, I was struggling with algebra when I decided to learn statistics.)

He said that even though he took four quarters of statistics, he could not remember anything.  He did not take the Lord's name in vain, but there was a bit of profanity when I cheerfully said he could help me....lol. I kept cheerfully and insincerely and relentlessly begging him to help me. I teased him until I could barely breathe because I laughed so hard and long.

It seems he and a team of two other guys took three weeks to figure out the correct answer to a problem they were given to solve. Remember, he was in an engineering program in a prestigious school. I will not be taking a full year of statistics if I do this.

Okay, maybe it was not a funny story. Maybe you had to be here to hear all that was said. He only told me "no" once. The rest of the time his objections were telling me horror stories of statistics classes and courses and about the location of classes.

I wonder if I could learn this from a book. No, I am not going to try to learn it from a video.

Life got in the way yesterday, and we ended up making a flying run to Kirklin clinic. He drove me there and back and had another 65 miles to drive home, arriving there about 8 pm.

My two g-daughters have May birthdays. Yesterday, I was going to mail their gifts, but did not, so I need to get onto that today.

Your turn
Is there anything you have wanted to learn that never happened? Do you love teasing about something until you are laughing and breathless? Did you ever study statistics?




Tuesday, May 15, 2018

21 Unhealthiest Breads on the Planet

I am exhausted with a story to tell. However, this  below is all I have right now.

Since my favorite breads are on this list, I was shocked, appalled, and disappointed. Are any of your favorite breads on this list?

Monday, May 14, 2018

Salvaging Pants/Retro Refrigerator Hangs on Wall

I found a pair of pants with a bleached place on it, so I had black pants that had places bleached to a rather pale peach/orange. I have no idea what was on them, but it was disgusting, so I took them to the laundry a week ago. Then, I rewashed them here at home and hung them to dry.

This pair is a good pair. I took a black marker and colored on the bleached places. The marker places appear darker than the surrounding undamaged area. However, the largest stain is about 9 inches below my waist on the back with smaller places in different places.

When I say "bleached," it was not laundry bleach.

Even if these pants are not wearable outside the house, I will not be wearing a better pair. That is a great win for me.

I use markers all the time to salvage clothes. Do you ever use a marker to salvage something? Other than mending, alternating, using scotch tape or a stapler, do you have a favorite method of salvaging clothing?

I could handle these refrigerators, but I wonder about shorter people.

This ARTICLE has refrigerator styles I have never seen or heard of.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Mowing Disaster

His mother was bringing him at 9:30 am Saturday. They arrived at 10 am. I was not happy as I had planned for him to take about two hours, and at 11:30 we could leave to stop by bank and get cash for him.

I had plans for the day and this screwed it up since I had to go to Publix, buy something, wait in line,  write a  check, and get back to car. I bought one banana for 25 cents.

He mowed down every last daffodil, so I wonder how many I will have next year. However, I did not show him daffodils. He mowed down a Hosta last time. This time, I showed him the Hosta nearby and told him I was not angry, but he mowed down one last time and watch for them. I pointed to the chopped off hosta. He exclaimed, "It was dead!" It was still green, though hacked up. He lies. He cannot take instructions or corrective criticism. He makes excuses.

This was about thirty seconds after his mother pulled out of the driveway! It portended the tone for the rest of the day.

He lives in a trailer with no grass, only weeds but mostly dirt, and not one shrub or flower.  He mowed down my monkey grass and left weeds all over the place.

At one point, I told him not to try to get all the wisteria out of a doomed crape myrtle, just to get it where he could walk under it to mow. He said, "I will if you will just let me do it." That did not set well with me.

He was carrying the crockpot to the door for me. I did not want him walking onto the porch because there is only a small space to stand and I needed to get my hands on the crockpot while mostly facing the door and keep my balance as I turned to go into the house. I kept saying as I motioned, "Come right here." Exbf always put things on the porch rail for me as he stood by the steps. So, this is not new.

He kept not coming to my side and the side of the steps. I said, "Now put it right here where I can handle it. I motioned to and patted the iron rail where it makes a ninety degree turn, making a right angle where something can be set down and not have it fall off. Instead, he held it about a foot above the rail and it was moving in the air as he could not keep it steady. I had to tell him twice more to set it down while I was patting the rail.

When it is on the iron rail and steady, I can get the grasp I need. He said to me, "If you don't quit being impatient, I won't come back." What? Threaten me? I told him I was exhausted and if I sounded impatient, it was a function of my lack of energy and the pain. I did not tell him I was impatient because he tried to do things as he pleased when I gave a specific instruction!

He mixed wood and tree limbs which will cause the city not to get the limbs! He claimed he did everything right, things I specifically told him to do! I looked out at about 2 am and found wood where I told him not to place it, still in the backyard and not in the street where I told him to place it for pickup. Earlier in the morning, he explained in a patronizing tone that he would do it later. NO, SHIT, Do it now...but I did not say that.

When I left him at his mother's home, I said, "Well, if you or your brother want to mow, it will need mowing in two weeks. He said "okay"  and left fast as he could.

Having missed what I wanted to do Saturday afternoon, I came home and took a nap. When I got up, I checked the other side of the yard. He did not even mow what I told him to mow! It is not like he missed it as it was about 20' x 30'.

He told me he took all the nails out of boards that clearly had nails left in them. He continually dragged a bistro table as I was yelling, "Don't drag the table, Pick it up!" That annoyed him to no end!

I paid him $23 for 2 hours and 15 minutes and lots of aggravation! So, that makes $35 for all the mowing and other stuff. Oh, I had told his mother there were things other than mowing, things in the yard. So, he was not quoted a price for mowing and then came and found there was more to do. He was not told it was only pushing a mower and was tricked. Actually, the other things than mowing are mowing related, like moving something to mow underneath.

I told him to move two chairs and two tables, mow under them and move them back before he left. He only moved back one table. When he stacked the chairs, he did not stack them. He just sort of laid one on the other. He piled the stackable chairs. However, when he "unstacked them," he put them all over the yard, just wherever he happened to stop with them.

His mother warned me he had to be reminded sometimes, that he did not focus. She also said he could not hold a job because he became angry over something and just walked off the job or was fired, often on his first day of work. He is 21, no diploma, has a girlfriend and two children, and they live with his mother. He has many tickets and has lost his license after spending time in jail. Enough said?

The yard can now be mowed in less than one hour. It took almost three hours for cleanup and mowing and I paid $35. I suppose he will want $35 for one hour next time if he came here. He won't get it. He will not come back.

I had him move a 24-pack of water, turning it up instead of my leaving it upside down as a clerk put it in the trunk. He was going to close the trunk hinges on a long box. I frantically said, "wait, wait." He yelled, "WHAT!" Rude?

In the car as we passed a car wash by teens, I asked him how much he would charge me for washing my car in my yard, using my car wash liquid, my water, just the outside of the car. He said $10 or $15.  ???!!! For 30 minutes work?

Exbf said he agreed I should be disappointed and said do not ever have him here again. Your thoughts? I do not need suggestions of who to get! People are over-priced, lazy, or rude and sometimes all three.


Saturday, May 12, 2018

Groceries May 6-12, 2018

qt. strawberries
white grapes
Grill Master Mesquite Marinade
loaf of Sara Lee Bread--$0.85 after tax
2 half gallons a2milk
3 bananas
1 banana
one slice Honey Baked Ham
Hostess cupcakes, a 2 pack.

About the ham slice. I wanted a sandwich on Saturday, but had no meat to put into it. So, while I was in WM, I bought a slice of ham for $0.63.

I finally got someone, guy who mowed, to bring the crockpot from car to house. So, when I wash it, I can cook in it. It is a little too warm for oven cooking. Plus, it does hurt my back to put anything in the oven.

There was nothing I wanted at a good price for stocking up. I spent about $20 this week.

Where moms can eat free on Mother's Day

All of these places are out of town, so I will not be getting free food.

Friday, May 11, 2018

Worse for you than sugar

I have long thought that one food source was not healthy. The link is a video, so there will be sound. I avoid the food like the plague.

On Wednesday, I marinated a chuck steak in Grill Mates Mesquite Marinade, a $1 envelope to which I added water and olive oil. After marinating for 12 hours, I put it in a turkey bag and cooked in oven for about an hour.

He took that home Thursday, along with a salad. Usually, I have to ask him how was his dinner. Tonight, when he called, he opened with, "That was a definite win on the steak." Since it was beef and lots of spices, I only took only one tiny bite and loved it, too.

A friend's child (21) mowed the yard Thursday. We went to get him and took him home. I had lawnmower and gas, After an hour and ten minutes, he finished picking up sticks and limbs and mowing the front yard. I gave him $12, hoping it was not too little. We drove 20 miles picking him up and taking him home. Considering he only mowed, did I pay him enough?

He mowed down a Hosta, but left everything else I wanted. It was a tiny Hosta amongst weeds! So, it is okay.

Exbf took me to hospital Thursday before the mowing and sat in the car and waited with grapes, strawberries, and a bottle of water.

Friday morning, I have another test at the hospital.

I am slow reading and commenting on blogs, but I will get around to it.

Do you avoid soy or embrace it? Did I pay the guy who mowed enough money?



Thursday, May 10, 2018

Little Things Really Help

~~When I wanted to take any medicine or supplement., I was frustrated as I searched for the right bottle. Instead of having them in the kitchen cabinet where I did keep them, I put them all on top of the dehydrator. I kept knocking them off. So, I put them in a little bag, the rectangular kind that has a zippered top.  That works so well.

For the last year, I have tumbled these around in the bag when looking for the med I need to take.  Wednesday night, I bought little colored 3/4 inch sticky circles, the kind sold for yard sale use, blank ones. On the tops of the bottles I put green circles with the name of the med. Green is for anything that controls allergies.

Yellow dots are for other meds--prescriptions or supplements--I take regularly for whatever.

Red/pink circles are for a prescription that I take for a finite time, like an antibiotic.

Of course, I wrote the names on each colored circle, too. Now,my frustration level will diminish greatly.

Instead of putting new stickers on new bottles of meds, I will just switch out the old cap to the new bottle if they come in the same size bottles. So far, I have only gotten bottles that use one of two sizes of lids. That will save having to use a new circle each time I get a new med--prescription, otc, or supplement.

~~Since my cell phone slipped out of my pocket  all the time years ago, I hooked an id badge clip onto the lariat on my cell phone. I clipped the cell phone to the front of the pocket that is made into the side seam of my pants. Often, I would get up and my cell phone would be hanging by the clip!  Finally, the clips all broke. I had been taking the clips off id badges I had collected in a junk drawer. Wednesday night, I bought a package of 12 Id badge clips.

The badge clip on my cell phone was really handy the few times I was in the hospital or ER since I could just clip my phone to my pillow. Until the last clip broke, I did clip my phone to my pillow here on my bed. That way, I did not have to stand on my head to find the cell phone when it slipped off my bed.

Both of these fixes will help me immensely even though I did have to spend money. I have run out of people to ask for the badge clips!

~~Remember the key safe I bought for $25? I have used that twice in two days. On Tuesday, the key alarm did not go off as I got out of my car at WM after midnight. The key was in the ignition! A woman who works there was on supper break and brought me home where I got the key from the key safe and we went back to WM.

Wednesday, I left the house to get into the car. As I reached the car, I realized the side seam in my pants was ripped open just a bit. I would keep my hand over it, I thought, too tired to go back to the house. As I left the house in the car, I realized the whole crotch was out. Sooo, I came back in and changed my pants, leaving the phone in the house, too. The key safe saved the day!

I called publix Corporate and was told that as long as the meat trays were thoroughly cleaned in order to not attract animals or insects, they were acceptable. It seems I have typed that before. ???

I washed out the meat tray from a chuck steak so I can recycle it. I put the steak in marinade for a turkey bag on Thursday. Potatoes will go in there, too. Potatoes will be peeled on Wednesday. Exbf gets that to take home. I will eat a boiled egg for dinner tomorrow night.

Six eggs went into a pot Wednesday night to boil. Thursday morning, exbf comes and I will be hungry out doing things with no breakfast. I can gobble down an egg before he comes. I got a sausage and biscuit last week, but a $0.17 egg beats a $2 biscuit from Hardees and it is better for me.

That's not much, but it is all that happened on Wednesday. I did not feel well enough to do anything much.

Thursday--I have a mower attached to my mower. Hopefully, he will get the front lawn done before I have to take him home so I can get ready to go have a ultrasound. Whoopee for getting the lawn mowed. At least the front will be done.

What have you spent money on like the sticker labels and id bag clip that saved you a lot of frustration. And, you had looked for cheaper or free fixes.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Recycling Clarification + Mindless Entertainment

Last night, at about 10 pm, I posted about recycling at Publix. It appeared from the wording on the recycling bin that meat trays were not welcome in the bin.

Today, I called and the person at Publix Corporate said if the meat trays were well-washed with no residue to attract animals or insects, the meat trays were welcome in the recycling bin labeled "foam."

When I came back in the room, there was a very amusing program on the TV. It is on the Justice Channel-Parking Wars. The program is about meter people giving tickets for parking in Philadelphia. Also, these people but boots on the cars.

You can imagine the comments, screaming,  and threats. Sometimes, the city is wrong about the boots.

Just now, boots were put on two or three vans from a company that sent vans to pick up dialysis patients. The vans have over $1000 tickets for each! Lots of people are begging and demanding that the person have mercy on dialysis patients who need to go home. Like one woman said--That is a business who sent the vans. They know the rules.

I don't look for this program! It is amusing and could be addictive. One woman is screaming relentlessly, "Get out of the neighborhood!"

This will not be a habit. Do you have a mindless TV show?

I cannot imagine getting a ticket I consequently ignored!

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

New Recycling Opportunity

Supermarket Tray, Foam, White, 8-1/4x5-3/4x1, 125/bag GNPW1002



When I go into Publix, I see three recycling bins outside. I "see" them, but I obviously do not see them. Or, they have changed the bins. I did a double take yesterday.

One bin is for "foam trays and egg cartons." Now that I am buying store eggs, I have cartons to get rid of. The foam trays under meat are thrown away. So, now I can keep those out of my trash and the landfill. I looked again today, and the sign says "foam produce trays and egg cartons." So, it appears that foam meat trays are not welcome. I will wash them.

Even if I could put the foam meat trays in my recycling, I would not. Animals would plunder the recycling bin.  Besides, according to our town's recycling website, Styrofoam in one of the things specifically listed that they will not pick up.

I steer clear of fruit on Styrofoam, so this may not be a great win. But, I do buy meat on foam trays.

Wouldn't it be great if everything in my trash can could be recycled?

Do you have a specific place to recycle foam trays? Are vegetable or meat trays welcome?

Monday, May 7, 2018

Two Recipes: Mesquite Maple Steaks and Vegetables, Watermelon Coolers

After my doctor's appointment I went to Publix for a2milk and had their samples the woman was preparing.

Mesquite Maple Steaks and Vegetables

2 medium red bell peppers
6 oz presliced portabella mushrooms
3 Tablespoons dry mesquite marinade mix Grill Masters Mesquite Marinade
2 Tablespoons coconut or olive oil
1/4 cup maple syrup, divided
1 1//2 lb grilling steak


The entre sample was very good. However, after the second bite, I started sneezing uncontrollably right in the middle of the produce department. I was sneezing into a handkerchief and breathless, trying to say "allergic."


Watermelon Coolers

3/4 cup frozen limeade, thawed
4 cups seedless watermelon chunks
(about 1 1/2 lb.)
cherry lemon-lime soda, chilled

Cooking directions for both Here

The cooler was delicious. It had a slightly Slurpy texture, but was not frozen. We discussed how it would be great in a punch bowl with sherbet floating. YUM!

Someone told me to never post a recipe that I had not prepared. Whatever!


Sunday, May 6, 2018

Groceries this week

5 bananas
leaf lettuce
2 Roma tomatoes
5 lbs. carrots
jar of spaghetti
doz. eggs
bread
frzn field peas and snaps
lemon
avocado (88 cents)
4 more bananas
12 oz. bag dried apples reduced from $2.98 to $1
Hostess cupcake, a 2-pack
12-pack Caffeine Free Regular Coke

While I did not make guacamole with the avocado, it was time to buy an avocado. Exbf always makes a fuss when I comment I have bought avocado, raising his voice, saying he does not like avocado or guacamole. When we went to the last lunch and there was avocado in the salad, I offered to take it along with the black olives he was wanting me to remove from his salad. He commented, "Oh, I can handle the avocado better than the black olives. Never mind." ???

If he does not want avocado, I certainly will not press it on him. But, why all the fuss all along? Such a mystery. I don't announce the purchase of an avocado, I just name it when telling what I got at the grocery store. Of course, I am sure his heart is beating faster at the mention of carrots and field peas.

The avocado has turned black and it is still rock-hard. I saw a recipe once for deviled eggs. An avocado had been mashed with the hard-boiled yolk. I may try that with a couple of the eggs I have boiled. He will not get any of that since he does not like eggs or avocados. He never eats up all my bananas because he hates those worse than he hates eggs, thankfully.

There were few bargains in what I purchased. Bread from the bread store was $0.99 with a date of May 08, 2018. Bananas were $0.44/lb. Everything was purchased at WM except for the bread. I only look for bargains at Publix when I go there for the a2milk.

There are two bread stores in this town, both close by. I had a bad experience at one and just quit going.  Now, years later, I tried it again and it is calm there now. Bread is cheaper and quality is better. Today, since it is Saturday, it was closed when I decided to go. That's okay since Nature's Own is a bread I really like.

The food I bought is not indicative of what I have eaten. I have apples and cabbage, and there is always canned or frozen food. I spent around $20. The last 5 lb. bag of carrots lasted me over a month. I cooked them once a week and had several meals off what I cooked each week. The jar of spaghetti will make three meals. The bananas I bought today will last into next week.

I put a piece of the Christmas ham in the refrigerator to use in the salad or sandwiches or whatever for this next week.

The only way I kept up with what I bought was to start a post and add to it each time I made a purchase.


Saturday, May 5, 2018

This Honey Bear Is NOT Honey


8 oz clear PET honey bear bottle (12 oz of honey) with 38-400 neck finish


I was given a Honey Bear from Aldi, their brand, Berryhill. I assume all honey bears are not honey.  The label convinced me otherwise. THEN, I saw the honey bear label had an expiration date.  Aha, I was correct. I am positive real, pure honey has no expiration date! Pure honey never spoils. At this point I was absolutely convinced the honey had been filtered of all pollen. If the pollen has been filtered out, it is not really honey.

Naturally, I googled Berryhill and found it mentioned by name as filtered honey. Other companies besides Aldi's have been implicated. This ARTICLE lists other chains than Aldi's that sell honey that has the pollen filtered out.

Some honey has other things less expensive added. So, beware. The reason that honey has the pollen filtered out is that honey is regulated. Foreign honey can be located by the footprint of the pollen. China honey is imported illegally.  It can be traced if the honey is filtered.  Besides, it may have substances you do not want in your food.

(The honey bear pictured actually is empty. I did not want to picture a brand and have to argue with the company.)

Money is the root of the illegal honey trade, the smuggling. Meanwhile, the consumer is cheated and overcharged. The person assuming he or she is eating a food that is healthy is overpaying for a food that is not what it seems.

I wrote this post last week. Today, I was in a store I rarely go into. I happened to go buy the honey displayed and backed up.  Altered honey is clear not murky like honey really appears. This was from  a local honey person, if you can call North Carolina local. However, it was murky and not clear. That made me happy even though I was not going to purchase it.

I buy my honey from a person in the country, someone I know personally. Do you buy honey from the beekeeper? Do you buy it with a store label or from a farmer's market?? Did the article help you, give you any information that will help you to determine what kind of honey to buy?

Friday, May 4, 2018

Allergies ARE Getting Worse

For those of you who believe your allergies are getting worse and allergy season is longer, you are absolutely correct.

LOVELY!

I read the article below yesterday and heard it on the news today.

Look HERE for more information. The statistics about Alaska are shocking to me.

Today and tomorrow are the Strawberry Festival, but the allergens are bothering me so that the joy of the festival would be marred by misery, even with meds.

Can you tell allergy season is longer and your allergies are worse?

Found Money and Aldi's Quarters

Last week, I found a quarter and a penny right beside each other in front of Walmart. Somewhere else, forgot where, I opened the car door and found a penny.

When I went to Aldi's, I was stymied as usual as to how to get a cart. A woman was approaching the cart thing and I yelled to exbf to give me a quarter and to the woman to let me give her a quarter. So, I did not have to figure out how to work that thing. I have been in the store 3 other times, and have never gotten this right. Two times, I just gave a quarter to someone bringing back their cart. The other time, someone did it for me.

When I came out of Aldi's I watched closely to see how another woman was getting her quarter back. She shoved the cart into the cart rack and walked away.  That was puzzling until I realized she did not get a quarter.

I pushed the cart into the rack and tried to use that little piece of metal on the chain to dig out the quarter. It was not even long enough. So, I looked to the next cart which still had a quarter in it. Finally, I figured out the cart with the quarter had a piece of metal on its own chain. I rammed it into the slot behind my quarter and my quarter was loose.

Since I had his quarter back, I used the chain and metal on the third cart to extract the quarter on the cart the woman shoved in before me. HA!

At the car, he got his quarter. Now, I had a quarter. And, I finally figured out how to work Aldi's cart system.

On Wednesday, I was to receive something like $1.64 in change. The young guy said, "Oh, let me go get ones." I told him to just give me four quarters instead. He did. Later, I dipped into those six quarters to use two quarters to get a Coke from a machine. One quarter would not work no matter how many times I shoved it in the slot. Finally, I looked closely at the quarter that had many sides. I had been given a Susan B. Anthony dollar coin. So, I can add $0.75 to my found money.

That makes $1.27 cents in less than a week. I need to save this, or at least keep a record of found money and then use that much on gifts.

What do you do with money you find? Did you have trouble figuring out the Aldi's quarter system?

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Fire Ant in Potted Plants and Raised Beds

The question I asked the county agent: How do you get rid of fireants in pots of food plants on the patio or in raised beds.

First of all, the county agent said not to put bait on the ant bed, even if it is on the ground. He said all you did was warn the ants to get the queen and run with her to form a new bed.

Throw a handful of potato chips (yes, that is what he said) around the nest before you poison. Do not put potato chips in the pot or raised bed. This is to determine if the ants are feeding. It should take twenty minutes to see if they are feeding because they will come to the potato chips. If the fire ants do not come, do not poison right then. Sometimes, they are not out foraging, just inside tending to babies and the queen.

Once you see the ants are feeding, then is the time to bait (kill) them. Do not put chips in pots with fire ant beds or in raised beds with fire ant beds. Do not put potato chips or bait in pots or raised beds.

Potato chips are not the bait to which he refers. More on that later.

There are two good baits, and it will say bait on anything you use to kill the babies and all the fire ants.

When you put the bait (poison) out, do not put it on the bed! Put it about two feet around the bed where you put the potato chips. Remember, chips or bait on the bed is the signal to grab the queen and find a new home. Pick up the chips before you put out the bait.

The best two baits to use:

*Extinguish Plus
*Come and Get It (expensive)

Neither can be found in Lowe's or Home Depot. You might have to go to a Farm Store type place. He did emphasize that whatever you get must have "bait" on the bag. This is the type that the ants carry back to the nest to eliminate all fire ants.

I have been worried about the pots in the back yard and wondering what to do if I get fire ants in them. Plus, First Man had fire ants in his raised beds.

Of course, this works on the lawn or in a garden.

Any questions? I can ask him. Have you ever used either of these or a "bait?" What do you use?

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

I Won Again

I went to the church dinner where I won the book last month. And, I won a begonia this month. A woman who sat with me last month said, "You always win!" After we left, I asked exbf if I won lots. He said, "More than most people." I always have. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket.

Everyone signed in. Before the sign in, a woman picked numbers. The person whose name was beside that number won a door prize. There were only eight door prizes and probably 75 people.

Lunch: Chopped pork on a bun; bbq sauce; slaw; potato salad; banana pudding; unsweetened tea. The bbq and slaw were so delicious.

Before the lunch, we went to my bank and I withdrew the $50 he lent me yesterday. After lunch we went to Aldi's where I went in and bought 17 boxes of cereal for him. I had a $5 coupon when $30 is spent. I suggested to him he could get cereal. He thought that was a good idea. He also thought that spending $28 for 17 boxes of cereal was a good deal.

The county agent answered questions. I have info about fire ants, but that will be for tomorrow.

I was lying down with laptop propped on lower abdomen. I moved wrong and the top edge of the screen crashed down on my nose, giving me a nose blood and severe pain. This happened about ten minutes ago and my nose is so swollen, it is hard to breathe through my nose.