4 bananas
bacon, precooked
2 packages Grill Master Marinade, Mesquite, $1 each
2 half gallons a2milk $7
gal. vinegar, $2.48
2 bananas
5 lbs. red potatoes
qt. strawberries
I am using an ultra-cheap/reduced steak and marinating it in the Mesquite marinade. Exbf loves the marinade. I will cook it in a baking bag with onions and potatoes. The huge steak should make at least 6 servings for him. I may put carrots in, too.
Since I have bread, tomatoes, and lettuce, I want a BLT. I cannot stand long enough to fry bacon and cannot put a pan in the oven. So, I paid $3.98 for 2.2 oz. of cooked bacon (9-11 slices). So that you don't have to get out the calculator, that is $29/lb. I know it is outrageous. Or, was it $28? This should make four BLT's. I think I bought one package of the pre-cooked bacon 20 years ago. So, I may never buy another, ever.
Spent: about $25.
This almost sounds like meal-planning!
Have you ever bought shelf-stable, pre-cooked bacon?
Friday, June 29, 2018
Free Shipping Codes
This site has codes for free shipping. I did not check it out because I had to move along. Has anyone used this site? Do you use free shipping codes from elsewhere?
I don't feel well, so this is all I can eke out, something I started last week.
I don't feel well, so this is all I can eke out, something I started last week.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Rough Weather and Food
We had some bad storms today in AL. During all this, 156K in Alabama are without electricity. I hear trees are down all over roads and houses in Birmingham. Something was said about Birmingham being city with second largest number of trees in the US.
In my city, torrents of rain were the problem. I was indoors in a lobby of a one-story building with offices. The rain did not start gradually, but the bottom dropped out and the rain was at its maximum from the first moment. The wind blew the rain sideways, part of the time, but no trees that I know of were down.
I overate cookies Heath Bar cookies this afternoon, so I will not be eating bread today. Have you ever had these cookies?
This evening, I went to the free dinner. We had pizza, salad, loaded potatoes, unsweetened tea, salad dressing, and individual pies and cakes like Walmart carries. By the time I ate a bit of one pizza, the loaded baked potato, and salad, I did not want to eat the other 3 pieces. However, I did want the loaded potato, so I had more. I definitely over ate from 2:30 to 6:30.
The loaded baked potato was a casserole. I paid attention while eating to figure out what was in the casserole. This is what I think they did. The potatoes were baked, sliced in half and flattened into a huge casserole. Sour cream and butter were mixed together or put on as they were on the potatoes. So much cheese was put on the top and bits of ham or bacon were sprinkled over that. The casserole was covered and baked. Servings were carved out in squares.
Oh, there were what seemed to be French fries, uncooked, over the top of the baked potatoes. One person said she thought it was potato sticks, the little crispy things. No idea.
Well, that is how I think it was made. Maybe the potatoes were not baked first. I don't know.
The casseroles were catered. The pizza was in boxes from a pizza place, The salad greens were from bags. I did not eat croutons on my salad, but they were purchased, too, I think.
The meal was exceptionally delicious, especially the stuffed baked potato casserole.
I brought home a little peach pie. Pizza is in freezer. So is the peach pie.
Oh, the heat index was 115 here today because of 94 F and 81 % humidity. It was hot!
Have you ever eaten loaded baked potato casserole or made it? What did storms do in your town today?
In my city, torrents of rain were the problem. I was indoors in a lobby of a one-story building with offices. The rain did not start gradually, but the bottom dropped out and the rain was at its maximum from the first moment. The wind blew the rain sideways, part of the time, but no trees that I know of were down.
I overate cookies Heath Bar cookies this afternoon, so I will not be eating bread today. Have you ever had these cookies?
This evening, I went to the free dinner. We had pizza, salad, loaded potatoes, unsweetened tea, salad dressing, and individual pies and cakes like Walmart carries. By the time I ate a bit of one pizza, the loaded baked potato, and salad, I did not want to eat the other 3 pieces. However, I did want the loaded potato, so I had more. I definitely over ate from 2:30 to 6:30.
The loaded baked potato was a casserole. I paid attention while eating to figure out what was in the casserole. This is what I think they did. The potatoes were baked, sliced in half and flattened into a huge casserole. Sour cream and butter were mixed together or put on as they were on the potatoes. So much cheese was put on the top and bits of ham or bacon were sprinkled over that. The casserole was covered and baked. Servings were carved out in squares.
Oh, there were what seemed to be French fries, uncooked, over the top of the baked potatoes. One person said she thought it was potato sticks, the little crispy things. No idea.
Well, that is how I think it was made. Maybe the potatoes were not baked first. I don't know.
The casseroles were catered. The pizza was in boxes from a pizza place, The salad greens were from bags. I did not eat croutons on my salad, but they were purchased, too, I think.
The meal was exceptionally delicious, especially the stuffed baked potato casserole.
I brought home a little peach pie. Pizza is in freezer. So is the peach pie.
Oh, the heat index was 115 here today because of 94 F and 81 % humidity. It was hot!
Have you ever eaten loaded baked potato casserole or made it? What did storms do in your town today?
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
A Bread Decision
For a week or so, I had no bread in the house. I fought myself not to buy any. I overeat bread sometimes--not always. After I sold the aluminum cans for $1.80, I bought a loaf of bread for $99 + tax, telling myself I would never eat more than two slices each day.
I had one slice at the lunch yesterday. Today, I had another slice and plan to have one in a few minutes--pbj.
I have mostly done this for the last fifty-years--consciously limited bread. Okay, for various reasons, I have fallen off this wagon over the years. Some times, the slip is for a day, a week, or for a long time.
Plans are in place to eat bread--pimiento and cheese, blt, scrambled egg sandwich, peanut butter and jelly, egg salad. However, I will only eat two slices each day.
Your turn
Do you ever decide to limit a food instead of swearing it off forever? What food items do you decide to limit? Are you successful?
I had one slice at the lunch yesterday. Today, I had another slice and plan to have one in a few minutes--pbj.
I have mostly done this for the last fifty-years--consciously limited bread. Okay, for various reasons, I have fallen off this wagon over the years. Some times, the slip is for a day, a week, or for a long time.
Plans are in place to eat bread--pimiento and cheese, blt, scrambled egg sandwich, peanut butter and jelly, egg salad. However, I will only eat two slices each day.
Your turn
Do you ever decide to limit a food instead of swearing it off forever? What food items do you decide to limit? Are you successful?
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Lunch and Dinner From the Market
Tuesday was a free lunch day: baked beans with sliced sausages in the dish, two slices tomato, two slices onion, buttered hot bread, and cake. We were not inspired to get a go plate.
We took two garbage bags of Coke cans to salvage yard. For 2 garbage bags of aluminum cans (3 lbs.), I got $1.80, enough to buy a loaf of bread with money left over. I went to CVS to use a 30% off coupon. When I could not find what I needed, I went to WM. Then to bank and a trip to drive around the park and lake. Everything is so green, cool, and peaceful.
Hives have been appearing all over me for about a week. They have been small and few. But, on Monday larger hives were appearing on my neck. THAT frightens me. I was too exhausted to stay awake and monitor myself. I am alive.
Dinner tonight: chicken, potatoes, squash, onions, tomatoes, field peas with snaps, strawberries. He will take some home, too. Most came from the market.
When I bought tomatoes for $5, I had $1 left on a coupon, so I asked the guy for $1 worth of squash. He gave me four nice squash for the other $1, a good deal. I do buy lots from him, so he takes care of customers.Canntt find glasses. cannot see to edit.
I am so hot I cannot search for glasses! I put on my big girl panties and searched even though I was in pain! So, I found them.
After cooking beans and corn, I was so hot and exhausted, I did not eat with him. Once I rest and it cools off, I will eat.
We took two garbage bags of Coke cans to salvage yard. For 2 garbage bags of aluminum cans (3 lbs.), I got $1.80, enough to buy a loaf of bread with money left over. I went to CVS to use a 30% off coupon. When I could not find what I needed, I went to WM. Then to bank and a trip to drive around the park and lake. Everything is so green, cool, and peaceful.
Hives have been appearing all over me for about a week. They have been small and few. But, on Monday larger hives were appearing on my neck. THAT frightens me. I was too exhausted to stay awake and monitor myself. I am alive.
Dinner tonight: chicken, potatoes, squash, onions, tomatoes, field peas with snaps, strawberries. He will take some home, too. Most came from the market.
When I bought tomatoes for $5, I had $1 left on a coupon, so I asked the guy for $1 worth of squash. He gave me four nice squash for the other $1, a good deal. I do buy lots from him, so he takes care of customers.Canntt find glasses. cannot see to edit.
I am so hot I cannot search for glasses! I put on my big girl panties and searched even though I was in pain! So, I found them.
After cooking beans and corn, I was so hot and exhausted, I did not eat with him. Once I rest and it cools off, I will eat.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Groceries--June 17-23, 2018
tomatoes, $5
peaches, $6
zucchini, $1
~~~~~~~~
corn
salad
2 half gallons milk, $9.98
half gal orange juice
2 bananas
pint choc milk
chocolate ice cream
I spent around $30 this week. The first three ingredients came from the market. The corn came from the grocery store, five for $2, shucked and ready to eat, silks gone.
I gave up for two reasons. Corn I get from the market sometimes is not full or has a worm. Plus, it is beyond difficult to pull off the shuck and cut the cob. Exbf did do it for me for years, but he cannot stand well. He shucked the corn standing at a table. I just won't ask him to do it. He would struggle to get to the table and back in. I won't ask him.
When corn comes in at the market, I will ask one of the guys to shuck the corn for me. They also shell beans. They do it all day long sometimes. There is an office building nearby. The ladies stop by in the morning and place their order and pick it up before the market closes.
Do your market vendors shuck corn, shell peas? They do this whether I ask or not.
peaches, $6
zucchini, $1
~~~~~~~~
corn
salad
2 half gallons milk, $9.98
half gal orange juice
2 bananas
pint choc milk
chocolate ice cream
I spent around $30 this week. The first three ingredients came from the market. The corn came from the grocery store, five for $2, shucked and ready to eat, silks gone.
I gave up for two reasons. Corn I get from the market sometimes is not full or has a worm. Plus, it is beyond difficult to pull off the shuck and cut the cob. Exbf did do it for me for years, but he cannot stand well. He shucked the corn standing at a table. I just won't ask him to do it. He would struggle to get to the table and back in. I won't ask him.
When corn comes in at the market, I will ask one of the guys to shuck the corn for me. They also shell beans. They do it all day long sometimes. There is an office building nearby. The ladies stop by in the morning and place their order and pick it up before the market closes.
Do your market vendors shuck corn, shell peas? They do this whether I ask or not.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
After the Dentist Visit
A cashier at WM and I were making small talk as I checked out. She said she had her teeth cleaned that morning. She had her last cleaning four years before. The tech had told her she should floss regularly. However, she knew she should but just doesn't. I told her not to worry about it, just floss the teeth she wants to keep.
It would be hard to describe the look of horror on her face. Her voice was small, "I want to keep them all!" I told her, "Okay, there you have your answer."
She asked what brand floss I used, wrote that down, and was going to buy dental floss before she went home. I floss no less than six times each day, usually more.
Have you heard the line when discussing flossing, " Just floss the ones you want to keep."? Do you floss regularly?
It would be hard to describe the look of horror on her face. Her voice was small, "I want to keep them all!" I told her, "Okay, there you have your answer."
She asked what brand floss I used, wrote that down, and was going to buy dental floss before she went home. I floss no less than six times each day, usually more.
Have you heard the line when discussing flossing, " Just floss the ones you want to keep."? Do you floss regularly?
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Solutions
When it is hot, I do not want much to eat. But, when I am hungry, I do not want to cook. Plus, I was having a reaction to med that upset my stomach. So, what did I do? Spend money I should not.
In the meantime, mosquitoes are getting in somewhere. I was puzzled and horrified. I sat up after sleeping and a cloud of mosquitoes rose up from my sheet-covered body. Plus, fleas attacked me. Fleas attack me all the time! All this leads to uncontrolled itching and scratching. I was still bloodying my legs with toenails, scratching in my sleep or just when I itch. I was a mess. This has been going on for at least two months this year.
I have bad reactions to bites!
Putting Vicks Vaporub on itchy places no longer works as there are too many bites. I can have one mosquito bite on my arm and end up a bloody mess. My sheets are bloody , too! I tried Chiggerex with 10% Benzocaine. Initially, it worked. Well, it still did, just not as strong as I needed. However, it does work very fast.
Finally, I called my allergist, requesting something strong for the itches. He called me and talked for 20 minutes. He suggested Benadryl cream which I do have. I have too much itchiness from bites. Besides, I have tried the Benadryl cream and it is not sufficient. I won't take Benadryl tablets because it makes me too sleepy and out of it.
Surprisingly, he suggested Zyrtex and Allegra. I take Zyrtec and did not realize it would help with itching bites. Since I take one and have not noticed any relief from itching and am not drowsy at all, He told me to take two each day, one at a time twelve hours apart.
Plus, I am using, at his suggestion Gold Bond cream with 4 % lidocaine. It is a miracle. After one day, the sores on my legs and ankles and arms and hands are no longer messy looking. I don't rub it in much, just sort of glob it there, so I have a white film on the many bites and the scabs. However, it does not bother me, and it is better than the messy, bloody scabbed skin I had before. It is in a bottle with screw-on top and a tiny pinhole to squirt it out. It is neat and I don't have to poke my finger in a pot of cream as with the Chiggerex.
Other than for the looks of my skin, this has lowered the possibility of infections--two good things. The infected sores have since lost their angry look. They are practically unnoticeable now.
If anyone is having problems with itchy bites and scratching, everything I used worked. But, since there were so many, only the Gold Bond has has met the test and passed. I think that is because there are so many bites. The other things worked for a few bites.
This has not been a frugal journey. However, most of the solutions have only been around $7. Being hot and itchy has been miserable. Plus, I broke out in hives at one point. The hives went away before I got the Chiggerex and Gold Bond cream. Gold Bond that I purchased can be used for sunburn, cuts and scrapes.
When I was a child and scraped myself, the only thing my mother used was mercurochrome. And, it stung so badly! I hated it turned my skin orange. Mercurochrome and calamine lotion were all we had for skin boo boos. I don't recall using anything other than calamine lotion for itches. Right now, I have my own little pharmacy of itch creams and antibiotic creams!
I remember sitting looking at the mercurochrome bottle and learning to spell the name long before I should have learned to spell a word that long.
This has been expensive. But, Zyrtec from Sam's Club costs $16 for 640 capsules. That last for two years. So, exbf will get me a package of those before he comes up. We checked prices, and this is the cheapest place per pill. When he worked at Sam's, he always bought this for me, cheaper than WM or other places.
The hot spoon and cold spoon thing does not work on this many bites, I would take about 80 minutes to heat or cool bites on my body. I got to itchy to continue.
Okay, I solved the mosquito problem, where they came from.
What works for you when you have a bite that itches forever and scratching it makes it worse? Do you ever bloody yourself scratching? Have you tried Chiggerex or Gold Bond with lidocaine? Did anyone ever get mercurochrome dabbed on your cuts and scrapes by your mother? Or Calamine lotion on itches?
In the meantime, mosquitoes are getting in somewhere. I was puzzled and horrified. I sat up after sleeping and a cloud of mosquitoes rose up from my sheet-covered body. Plus, fleas attacked me. Fleas attack me all the time! All this leads to uncontrolled itching and scratching. I was still bloodying my legs with toenails, scratching in my sleep or just when I itch. I was a mess. This has been going on for at least two months this year.
I have bad reactions to bites!
Putting Vicks Vaporub on itchy places no longer works as there are too many bites. I can have one mosquito bite on my arm and end up a bloody mess. My sheets are bloody , too! I tried Chiggerex with 10% Benzocaine. Initially, it worked. Well, it still did, just not as strong as I needed. However, it does work very fast.
Finally, I called my allergist, requesting something strong for the itches. He called me and talked for 20 minutes. He suggested Benadryl cream which I do have. I have too much itchiness from bites. Besides, I have tried the Benadryl cream and it is not sufficient. I won't take Benadryl tablets because it makes me too sleepy and out of it.
Surprisingly, he suggested Zyrtex and Allegra. I take Zyrtec and did not realize it would help with itching bites. Since I take one and have not noticed any relief from itching and am not drowsy at all, He told me to take two each day, one at a time twelve hours apart.
Plus, I am using, at his suggestion Gold Bond cream with 4 % lidocaine. It is a miracle. After one day, the sores on my legs and ankles and arms and hands are no longer messy looking. I don't rub it in much, just sort of glob it there, so I have a white film on the many bites and the scabs. However, it does not bother me, and it is better than the messy, bloody scabbed skin I had before. It is in a bottle with screw-on top and a tiny pinhole to squirt it out. It is neat and I don't have to poke my finger in a pot of cream as with the Chiggerex.
Other than for the looks of my skin, this has lowered the possibility of infections--two good things. The infected sores have since lost their angry look. They are practically unnoticeable now.
If anyone is having problems with itchy bites and scratching, everything I used worked. But, since there were so many, only the Gold Bond has has met the test and passed. I think that is because there are so many bites. The other things worked for a few bites.
This has not been a frugal journey. However, most of the solutions have only been around $7. Being hot and itchy has been miserable. Plus, I broke out in hives at one point. The hives went away before I got the Chiggerex and Gold Bond cream. Gold Bond that I purchased can be used for sunburn, cuts and scrapes.
When I was a child and scraped myself, the only thing my mother used was mercurochrome. And, it stung so badly! I hated it turned my skin orange. Mercurochrome and calamine lotion were all we had for skin boo boos. I don't recall using anything other than calamine lotion for itches. Right now, I have my own little pharmacy of itch creams and antibiotic creams!
I remember sitting looking at the mercurochrome bottle and learning to spell the name long before I should have learned to spell a word that long.
This has been expensive. But, Zyrtec from Sam's Club costs $16 for 640 capsules. That last for two years. So, exbf will get me a package of those before he comes up. We checked prices, and this is the cheapest place per pill. When he worked at Sam's, he always bought this for me, cheaper than WM or other places.
The hot spoon and cold spoon thing does not work on this many bites, I would take about 80 minutes to heat or cool bites on my body. I got to itchy to continue.
Okay, I solved the mosquito problem, where they came from.
What works for you when you have a bite that itches forever and scratching it makes it worse? Do you ever bloody yourself scratching? Have you tried Chiggerex or Gold Bond with lidocaine? Did anyone ever get mercurochrome dabbed on your cuts and scrapes by your mother? Or Calamine lotion on itches?
Friday, June 22, 2018
My last nerve frazzled, in debt, and in pain
I awoke this morning about 10:30 after not getting to sleep until waaaay after midnight. The sun was coming up if you want to know the truth.
Exbf came Tuesday, and I only had four hours sleep the night before. We do practically nothing, and I am exhausted for three days. Today, I finally awoke without my skin hurting.
When I opened the refrigerator, there was no light on. I took out the light to replace it but could not find a replacement. Of course, I kept an ear attuned to the refrigerator. NO, it was not working!
A friend was coming to take something away and then had to go to work. No, he knew nothing about refrigerators and did not have time to check breaker box. Another said he would come at 3:30 and has not called or anything.
Last resort or first line of defense--electrician. Breakers were fine. So, he pulled out the refrigerator and I found things I had lost. The refrigerator was UNPLUGGED. For this information, I paid $140. While he was here and for same price, he replaced the outlet.
I had to borrow most of that, and will never get a water heater at this rate.
At least, he was very nice.
Now, I have to go check everything in the freezer to see what thawed. I hope my $10 gallon of milk is okay.
Did you ever have one thing after another happen where it drained your wallet, mental, and physical reserves? Does a service call for an electrician cost $140 where you live?
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Bar soap vs liquid soap
"Also consider ditching the liquid soap, which now accounts for 70 percent of hand-and-body soap sales. Bar soap costs a lot less per wash than liquid soap and has a lighter environmental impact. Still, soap bar sales continue to slip. Among the main reasons for this depressing shift, which only began around 1980, is the belief that liquid soap is more hygienic. Not true, according to authorities such as the Mayo Clinic. It may be easier to handle liquid soap because the bottle doesn’t leap out of your hands or get gooey. If that’s an issue for you, try the recently invented SOAPSTANDLE, a nifty little plastic gadget that fits onto a soap bar. It elevates the bar just enough to prevent it from getting soggy, while also helping you maintain a firm grip on the soap. "
Liquid soap is referring to soap used in bath or shower and soft hand soap for the bathroom sink, I suppose. Since I use cheap, cheap shampoo as my hand soap, I doubt I spend more. Plus, I have been using the same pump for ten years or more, so I am not buying new plastic.
I still stand by my frugal practice of using shampoo I do not like or shampoo bought on a super cheap sale, often gotten for free. In the past I had a friend who gave me her shampoo she hated. It was good for hands.
As for the Soapstandle, I am still using the little pink soap "stand" I bought from TG&Y in 1966. It has little feet-like spines on both sides and the soap dries perfectly. I put the little pink thing in a flat soap dish that can be washed and drained if necessary. I also have a white one, too. I used one in the tub and one at the sink. People have suggested I get rid of one or both and get a new plastic dish that has a matching stand. Matching? Why?
Oh, my little and very old soap "stand" is hard enough to poke it into the soap, but I won't/
For the rest of the Sierra Club article Read here.
Have you abandoned bar soap? What do you have that is still useful and works just fine that is over 50 years old? Okay, how old is your oldest thing, something that can be replaced by something new and improved?
Liquid soap is referring to soap used in bath or shower and soft hand soap for the bathroom sink, I suppose. Since I use cheap, cheap shampoo as my hand soap, I doubt I spend more. Plus, I have been using the same pump for ten years or more, so I am not buying new plastic.
I still stand by my frugal practice of using shampoo I do not like or shampoo bought on a super cheap sale, often gotten for free. In the past I had a friend who gave me her shampoo she hated. It was good for hands.
As for the Soapstandle, I am still using the little pink soap "stand" I bought from TG&Y in 1966. It has little feet-like spines on both sides and the soap dries perfectly. I put the little pink thing in a flat soap dish that can be washed and drained if necessary. I also have a white one, too. I used one in the tub and one at the sink. People have suggested I get rid of one or both and get a new plastic dish that has a matching stand. Matching? Why?
Oh, my little and very old soap "stand" is hard enough to poke it into the soap, but I won't/
For the rest of the Sierra Club article Read here.
Have you abandoned bar soap? What do you have that is still useful and works just fine that is over 50 years old? Okay, how old is your oldest thing, something that can be replaced by something new and improved?
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Blueberries and My Son
June 1975--My son went to day camp. He had just turned seven-years-old in April.
The first day he came home breathless, bringing home something he made. Then, he remembered. The staff had taken the children into the woods to pick blueberries. As he dug in his pocket where he stashed them just for me, his joy turned to such sadness.
You can imagine how fresh blueberries fared in the pocket of a little boy. He was crushed. The hurt look on his face broke my heart. I tried to console him, telling him blueberries were fragile. I ate the blueberries covered with pocket lint. The expression on his precious face changed to much less hurt and sad. Yes, I would eat squashed blueberries covered in pocket lint to take away his pain.
He had tried to bring me a present. It was spoiled. I praised his generosity to everyone who would listen. But, the crushed berries that stained his pocket blue were never mentioned.
I think of his little face full of happiness that changed to sadness and his sweet gesture every time I eat or think of blueberries....."Look, Mama. I brought something for you."
……………………………………………………………………………..
Two weeks ago, I was given a gallon of dried blueberries by a friend who did not want them.
……………………………………………………………………………..
Last week, I drove by the house of a woman who planted blueberries bushes--three. The couple who brought the house were out picking blueberries from the three-year-old bushes. I wondered if the squirrels were enjoying the blueberries. No, the homeowners said they had to fight the birds the birds for the fruit.
She offered me blueberries. I declined them because I did not stop for that reason. She insisted and gave me a half-gallon of fresh blueberries still warm from the sun.
One problem--even the ripest and bluest of these blueberries are bitter. Why?
Your turn
Did your child ever bring you something as a surprise or gift and find it was ruined like the blueberries in my son's pocket? Why are ripe blueberries so bitter?
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Lunch
Today, we went to lunch at a church, free of course. Lunch was a plate full of taco salad:
chips,
lettuce,
seasoned meat,
tomatoes,
cheese,
sour cream
No salsa, onion, or cucumber. I had them put it on his plate.
His plate had my onions, chopped cucumbers, salsa and what mine had. I had his sour cream. I went into the line late and they were not stressed, so they made both salads like we wanted them.
We had unsweetened iced tea and two homemade chocolate chip cookies. We both had a go box with lettuce, chicken nuggets, and chips. They ran out of everything else. He took his home for another meal sometimes. Since he also took home tomatoes, zucchini, and yellow squash, I am sure it will be a salad.
We drove around the lake that is in the middle of town. It was a pleasant interlude. The water was mesmerizing.
The Farmer's Market was open: tomatoes, peaches, squash.
Dinner tonight was some sort of very hot sausage. I did not know what I was cooking! . In the crockpot, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, onion, garlic cloves.
I forgot to give him strawberries!
I am so hot I could die. My freshly washed hair is sweaty, all wet.
Nothing new or exciting but a pleasant day, nonetheless.
Okay, I have to take a nap, right now.
chips,
lettuce,
seasoned meat,
tomatoes,
cheese,
sour cream
No salsa, onion, or cucumber. I had them put it on his plate.
His plate had my onions, chopped cucumbers, salsa and what mine had. I had his sour cream. I went into the line late and they were not stressed, so they made both salads like we wanted them.
We had unsweetened iced tea and two homemade chocolate chip cookies. We both had a go box with lettuce, chicken nuggets, and chips. They ran out of everything else. He took his home for another meal sometimes. Since he also took home tomatoes, zucchini, and yellow squash, I am sure it will be a salad.
We drove around the lake that is in the middle of town. It was a pleasant interlude. The water was mesmerizing.
The Farmer's Market was open: tomatoes, peaches, squash.
Dinner tonight was some sort of very hot sausage. I did not know what I was cooking! . In the crockpot, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, onion, garlic cloves.
I forgot to give him strawberries!
I am so hot I could die. My freshly washed hair is sweaty, all wet.
Nothing new or exciting but a pleasant day, nonetheless.
Okay, I have to take a nap, right now.
Monday, June 18, 2018
More Sanitary in Bathroom and Kitchen
The bathroom had several flies. Well, this grosses me out. For a long time, I have worried about my box of Johnsons Q-tips as they have a little flap where they are open. The other day, I noticed a gnat flying close to the opening.
I think the guy who put in the ac left an entry for flies. Hope to see him soon!
Sunday, I used an amber pill bottle, or rather three amber pill bottles, to secure all the remaining Q-tips. The bottle is about four inches high and about two-inches across. I already have one in my bag with medications so I can use a swab to apply some meds.
I do not want any glass container in the bathroom as it can be so easily broken. Otherwise, I would use a short Ball canning jar. And, I did not want to buy the plastic containers I see for this purpose. Since I don't like the look of the amber pill bottle on the shelf, I will either paint it with paint I already have or cover it with cloth or pretty paper already here. It is behind a lace curtain, but I still do not like seeing the amber bottle.
Also, toothpicks in the kitchen are now kept in a pill bottle. I never use a toothpick for my teeth as I cannot stand the wood in my mouth. So. toothpicks last forever around here. The paper boxes fall apart. And, the boxes have been dropped, squashed, and pretty much have become useless at holding toothpicks. I have to tape the boxes back together occasionally. I have thrown away so many toothpicks that land on the floor or counter. No more.
Two locations, two uses, two sanitary applications.
I did have a tiny little creamer jar like restaurants used 50+ years ago sitting on the counter with toothpicks in it. Since no one comes here that asks for a toothpick, I got rid of that. Well, I kept the creamer, just not on the counter.
Last night, I had a rough night with no sleep. But, I will be reading others' blogs soon.
Added amusement--When I visited my sister, I needed a Q-Tip. She said they were in the top drawer of her chest of drawers in the bedroom. She had to put them there because her cat pulled them out one by one and scattered them around the house after he got them on the floor.
What do you use to contain Q-Tips/swabs and toothpicks?
I think the guy who put in the ac left an entry for flies. Hope to see him soon!
Sunday, I used an amber pill bottle, or rather three amber pill bottles, to secure all the remaining Q-tips. The bottle is about four inches high and about two-inches across. I already have one in my bag with medications so I can use a swab to apply some meds.
I do not want any glass container in the bathroom as it can be so easily broken. Otherwise, I would use a short Ball canning jar. And, I did not want to buy the plastic containers I see for this purpose. Since I don't like the look of the amber pill bottle on the shelf, I will either paint it with paint I already have or cover it with cloth or pretty paper already here. It is behind a lace curtain, but I still do not like seeing the amber bottle.
Also, toothpicks in the kitchen are now kept in a pill bottle. I never use a toothpick for my teeth as I cannot stand the wood in my mouth. So. toothpicks last forever around here. The paper boxes fall apart. And, the boxes have been dropped, squashed, and pretty much have become useless at holding toothpicks. I have to tape the boxes back together occasionally. I have thrown away so many toothpicks that land on the floor or counter. No more.
Two locations, two uses, two sanitary applications.
I did have a tiny little creamer jar like restaurants used 50+ years ago sitting on the counter with toothpicks in it. Since no one comes here that asks for a toothpick, I got rid of that. Well, I kept the creamer, just not on the counter.
Last night, I had a rough night with no sleep. But, I will be reading others' blogs soon.
Added amusement--When I visited my sister, I needed a Q-Tip. She said they were in the top drawer of her chest of drawers in the bedroom. She had to put them there because her cat pulled them out one by one and scattered them around the house after he got them on the floor.
What do you use to contain Q-Tips/swabs and toothpicks?
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Groceries June 10--16, 2018
I have gone out to get something to eat when I wanted warm. I could not stand long enough to cook and felt so horrible. Better now!
There was some food waste that I do regret.
a2milk 1/2 gal.
zucchini
tomatoes
1 yellow bell pepper
yellow crook neck squash
gal vinegar
pkg. hotdogs, favorite brand
chocolate milk, Tru Moo, 16 oz.
All the vegetables came from the Farmer's Market. I love Zeigler's hotdogs, the original ones with red food coloring. They were $1.50.
I still have several of the salads left.
Today, Saturday, it is 94F and scorching!
There was some food waste that I do regret.
a2milk 1/2 gal.
zucchini
tomatoes
1 yellow bell pepper
yellow crook neck squash
gal vinegar
pkg. hotdogs, favorite brand
chocolate milk, Tru Moo, 16 oz.
All the vegetables came from the Farmer's Market. I love Zeigler's hotdogs, the original ones with red food coloring. They were $1.50.
I still have several of the salads left.
Today, Saturday, it is 94F and scorching!
Saturday, June 16, 2018
The frugal thing to do
It is 93F at about 7 pm. The day has been brutal. I have mostly avoided sweating by doing nothing or next to nothing.
The new ac is working and appreciated. It took two whole days and "help" from four people to figure out what was wrong.
Piddling consisted of potentially sweaty situations. But, I avoided sweating mostly.
*putting groceries together instead of having like things in different places
*picked up trash in the yard...only three pieces, thankfully
*returned various items to rooms where they belong
*tried to get stuff off the floor that someone dropped
I did nothing to clean or cook. Using little energy was the goal along with not sweating or having trouble breathing! Things look a little better and all is more organized. How is this all frugal? I spend less time looking for things. I did not waste time.
Have you had a frugal day today? Did you have hot hot hot weather today? Do you find that occasionally after being ill that you need to just get things back in the right place?
The new ac is working and appreciated. It took two whole days and "help" from four people to figure out what was wrong.
Piddling consisted of potentially sweaty situations. But, I avoided sweating mostly.
*putting groceries together instead of having like things in different places
*picked up trash in the yard...only three pieces, thankfully
*returned various items to rooms where they belong
*tried to get stuff off the floor that someone dropped
I did nothing to clean or cook. Using little energy was the goal along with not sweating or having trouble breathing! Things look a little better and all is more organized. How is this all frugal? I spend less time looking for things. I did not waste time.
Have you had a frugal day today? Did you have hot hot hot weather today? Do you find that occasionally after being ill that you need to just get things back in the right place?
Friday, June 15, 2018
Overheard in the grocery store
The first instance was in late 2005 or early 2006. I presumed the couple were from NOLA because of their accents, his in particular. I suspected Katrina had thrust them together. He was so happy, appeared in love with the woman with him. He smiled at her a lot and his body language told volumes about how he felt about her. He was tall, well over six feet tall and lean. She was probably 5'5" and seemed to be soaking up his attention. He was effusive; she was silent. He did not touch her or violate any societal norms with his attention, but he was within a breath of her.
"Just buy whatever you want. Anything. Here, let's get potatoes." He heaved a big bag of potatoes into the cart. Soon, he had loaded up the cart with all sorts of good fruits, vegetables, nuts in the shell. Soon, I moved on and could hear him cheerfully talking about the food to get.
She did not seem to return his smiles or body language that would indicate they were a couple, unlike him. He always referred to what "we" will do at home.
We passed each other several times. Soon, I circled back and was shocked when I saw their cart. There were no more fresh vegetables except for tomatoes. Everything else was canned--beans and such. There were dehydrated potatoes and shelled nuts and boxed cornbread mix.
He did not look happy at all, no smiles, no hovering over her in an intimate way. She seemed less stressed looking once she was relieved of the burden of actually cooking.
I certainly wished I could have been witness to the dumping of fresh vegetables and gathering of canned goods, boxed dinners and boxed desserts. The flour was gone but there were canned biscuits.
I wanted to tell him to run fast.
Last week or maybe the week before, I was slowed down in WM by so many carts and "family reunions" and overheard another conversation. An older woman, maybe 60, was pushing a cart and gathering groceries. A younger woman, maybe 35, was with her and a teen girl. The older woman picked a box off the end cap and said, "This is good." The younger woman took the Hamburger Helper from the cart and slammed it back on the shelf.
"Get macaroni and cheese. It's the SAME thing and cheaper." (HH was not on sale, so not a good deal at all.)
Your turn
Do you ever hear funny or telling conversations as you are negotiating the grocery aisles?
"Just buy whatever you want. Anything. Here, let's get potatoes." He heaved a big bag of potatoes into the cart. Soon, he had loaded up the cart with all sorts of good fruits, vegetables, nuts in the shell. Soon, I moved on and could hear him cheerfully talking about the food to get.
She did not seem to return his smiles or body language that would indicate they were a couple, unlike him. He always referred to what "we" will do at home.
We passed each other several times. Soon, I circled back and was shocked when I saw their cart. There were no more fresh vegetables except for tomatoes. Everything else was canned--beans and such. There were dehydrated potatoes and shelled nuts and boxed cornbread mix.
He did not look happy at all, no smiles, no hovering over her in an intimate way. She seemed less stressed looking once she was relieved of the burden of actually cooking.
I certainly wished I could have been witness to the dumping of fresh vegetables and gathering of canned goods, boxed dinners and boxed desserts. The flour was gone but there were canned biscuits.
I wanted to tell him to run fast.
Last week or maybe the week before, I was slowed down in WM by so many carts and "family reunions" and overheard another conversation. An older woman, maybe 60, was pushing a cart and gathering groceries. A younger woman, maybe 35, was with her and a teen girl. The older woman picked a box off the end cap and said, "This is good." The younger woman took the Hamburger Helper from the cart and slammed it back on the shelf.
"Get macaroni and cheese. It's the SAME thing and cheaper." (HH was not on sale, so not a good deal at all.)
Your turn
Do you ever hear funny or telling conversations as you are negotiating the grocery aisles?
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Ignorance of the Bible is no excuse
If I am not mistaken, the statement below was made by Sessions here to justify taking children from their mothers. One infant was removed from the mother's breast...what I read.
Anyway, the biblical verse below is taken/used out of context.
"I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order," he said. "Orderly and lawful processes are good in themselves and protect the weak and lawful."
The Apostle Paul was responding to the Roman Christian people often converted from Judaism who complained about the Roman authority over them. In all the years that Jews had been in exile, they were ruled by one of their own. No one who ever captured and took them away had controlled them. One of their own gave them orders. So, when Paul wrote, he was defending the Roman government, telling the people to quit complaining.
(In POW camps, didn't the highest ranking captured office tell his men what to do?)
The Romans were benevolent protectors of Roman citizens. Since Paul was writing to Roman citizens who were also Jewish, these Jews benefitted from the fierce protection of Romans. NO ONE could bothers Roman citizens without suffering severe consequences. Therefore, the Jews were free to preach their new religion founded by those who followed Christ, making it much more likely the religion could gain ground when the Jewish Roman were protected.
Some have said that Christianity might never have survived and spread the way it did if the Christians had not been free to preach as they did.
Now, I learned this when I was about 16 and now I am 71. I have spread the above message and no one has ever refuted it. If you agree, good. If you disagree, prove me wrong. When you study the Bible, you must decided who said it, to whom it was said, what was the situation, what was the historical context.
I am sure you are well aware that slavery was justified using the Bible. Other things have been proved by misusing Biblical passages out of context
I would love to teach Bible as Literature.
Do me a favor. If you agree with me, will you just say "agree"? You can say more, write more if you please. If you disagree and agree with Session, just say disagree. If you want to explain why you disagree with me or agree with Sessions, you can explain or not.
If you want to respond, respond only on this post. If this is discussed or commented on any of my other posts, I will delete the comment. I am trying to contain this to one post. Thanks.
I cried when I first heard children, even babies were separated from their mothers.
Anyway, the biblical verse below is taken/used out of context.
"I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order," he said. "Orderly and lawful processes are good in themselves and protect the weak and lawful."
The Apostle Paul was responding to the Roman Christian people often converted from Judaism who complained about the Roman authority over them. In all the years that Jews had been in exile, they were ruled by one of their own. No one who ever captured and took them away had controlled them. One of their own gave them orders. So, when Paul wrote, he was defending the Roman government, telling the people to quit complaining.
(In POW camps, didn't the highest ranking captured office tell his men what to do?)
The Romans were benevolent protectors of Roman citizens. Since Paul was writing to Roman citizens who were also Jewish, these Jews benefitted from the fierce protection of Romans. NO ONE could bothers Roman citizens without suffering severe consequences. Therefore, the Jews were free to preach their new religion founded by those who followed Christ, making it much more likely the religion could gain ground when the Jewish Roman were protected.
Some have said that Christianity might never have survived and spread the way it did if the Christians had not been free to preach as they did.
Now, I learned this when I was about 16 and now I am 71. I have spread the above message and no one has ever refuted it. If you agree, good. If you disagree, prove me wrong. When you study the Bible, you must decided who said it, to whom it was said, what was the situation, what was the historical context.
I am sure you are well aware that slavery was justified using the Bible. Other things have been proved by misusing Biblical passages out of context
I would love to teach Bible as Literature.
Do me a favor. If you agree with me, will you just say "agree"? You can say more, write more if you please. If you disagree and agree with Session, just say disagree. If you want to explain why you disagree with me or agree with Sessions, you can explain or not.
If you want to respond, respond only on this post. If this is discussed or commented on any of my other posts, I will delete the comment. I am trying to contain this to one post. Thanks.
I cried when I first heard children, even babies were separated from their mothers.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Take a Picture of Your Stove
This is a great idea-- take a picture of your stove before you go on vacation.
This is the best I can do--something I found last week.
The med I am taking has my gastrointestinal tract torn up. I cannot stand it. I am not sure what my stomach can handle, since everything causes a violent reaction.
Yesterday, exbf got me a new ac since I had been drenched in sweat for three days and nights. Today, he came up and a neighbor, same one who mowed, put it in. Now, I am sooo cool. I think I need a waterproof /allergy proof mattress cover and pad to put on top of that. The mattress feels like it is on fire as I lie there. I paid exbf for some of the ac. I will never get a water heater at this rate.
I did not cook dinner today, just asked him if he minded leaving. I sent him home with some yellow bell pepper, tomatoes, and zucchini to put on the last of his salads. He was gone by about 1:30 pm.
Will you be taking a picture of your stove before you leave on vacation or anytime you leave the house? Is this a good solution for you or others you know? What is the one thing you worry that you left on or unlocked at your house?
This is the best I can do--something I found last week.
The med I am taking has my gastrointestinal tract torn up. I cannot stand it. I am not sure what my stomach can handle, since everything causes a violent reaction.
Yesterday, exbf got me a new ac since I had been drenched in sweat for three days and nights. Today, he came up and a neighbor, same one who mowed, put it in. Now, I am sooo cool. I think I need a waterproof /allergy proof mattress cover and pad to put on top of that. The mattress feels like it is on fire as I lie there. I paid exbf for some of the ac. I will never get a water heater at this rate.
I did not cook dinner today, just asked him if he minded leaving. I sent him home with some yellow bell pepper, tomatoes, and zucchini to put on the last of his salads. He was gone by about 1:30 pm.
Will you be taking a picture of your stove before you leave on vacation or anytime you leave the house? Is this a good solution for you or others you know? What is the one thing you worry that you left on or unlocked at your house?
31 Frugality Measures at My House
These are frugal things I have done this last couples of weeks or so:
*wash clothes in cold water
*wash full loads when possible
*hang all I could to dry in the house or on clothesline
*use dryer minimally
*eat all leftovers
*use washcloths instead of tp for wet
*eat food given to me--salads and greens, no wasting because it was free
*or give it away to avoid waste
*cut down on driving
*read books from library
*take Styrofoam to Publix to recycle
*use recycling bin, even though I was going to quit
*by owning the means of production--machine to mow, so I get it done my way and more cheaply.
*used crockpot to save electricity
*cooked meat and vegetables for more than one meal in crockpot
*eating from freezer and cabinets
*wasting no produce
*used a few high $ coupons
*use led bulbs to save money
*used led bulb outside the door to cut down on bugs waiting to come inside
*do not flush the commode for #1 every time
*color my own hair
*used a coupon for free haircut
*cut my own bangs
*mending to save buying new
*doing my own pest control
*planting to hopefully produce food
*gave myself a manicure and polished nails
*always style my own hair
*found cheap labor to install new ac
*found free labor to put in water heater when I ever get one
I am quite sure there are other things, but I am tired.
How about you?
*wash clothes in cold water
*wash full loads when possible
*hang all I could to dry in the house or on clothesline
*use dryer minimally
*eat all leftovers
*use washcloths instead of tp for wet
*eat food given to me--salads and greens, no wasting because it was free
*or give it away to avoid waste
*cut down on driving
*read books from library
*take Styrofoam to Publix to recycle
*use recycling bin, even though I was going to quit
*by owning the means of production--machine to mow, so I get it done my way and more cheaply.
*used crockpot to save electricity
*cooked meat and vegetables for more than one meal in crockpot
*eating from freezer and cabinets
*wasting no produce
*used a few high $ coupons
*use led bulbs to save money
*used led bulb outside the door to cut down on bugs waiting to come inside
*do not flush the commode for #1 every time
*color my own hair
*used a coupon for free haircut
*cut my own bangs
*mending to save buying new
*doing my own pest control
*planting to hopefully produce food
*gave myself a manicure and polished nails
*always style my own hair
*found cheap labor to install new ac
*found free labor to put in water heater when I ever get one
I am quite sure there are other things, but I am tired.
How about you?
Monday, June 11, 2018
Stay Away
I hate to be tricked into opening the door. When the guy was mowing, someone knocked on the door. I looked outside by way of slightly moving the door curtain. A woman was there. I told her to back off the porch. She did not want to do so. So, I yelled loudly, motioned, and she backed down one step. Idiot. So, now we are navel to nose.
My porch is larger than I make it to be. However, there is a bookcase pulled near the door so exbf can use it to lean on as he gets out of the door. The step up to the door is too far. So, I put two cap blocks side by side to make a place for him to step on to get up and down. I have to be careful because it is unhandy for me and makes the place my feet land awkwardly small.
Since the guy was mowing, I thought this might be his wife. No, she was a religious person and had her little girl with her. Both were dressed in church clothes and shoes and out in the sweltering heat. I did not want the brochure she held out, but I took it out of curiosity. It was for a three-day church convention in a Civic Center 50 miles away. Now, I wonder how many contacts on these cold calls attended that?
Unfortunately, I fear my apparent receptiveness will only lead them to return. Bummer. I need to put a note on my door.
If the guy had not been mowing, I would have yelled at her to tell me what she wanted. I would have said, "No thanks." I would not have opened the door.
Then, there are the guys with a lawnmower in the trunk of the car. One reeked of bad breath, had few teeth, had not bathed in a week and asked me if I wanted a date. Aaaagh! Unfortunately, I was in the front yard for some reason when he drove up.
Another looked me up and down and asked if I lived alone. "No, my alcoholic father lives with me and just sits and drinks and loads and unloads his gun when he is sober."
How that summer is upon us, people will find many reasons to go door to door.
Maybe I should go out cheerfully with a yardstick in my hand, and say, "Hold on. Let me knock down this wasp nest while I am out here. We can talk in a second."
Do you ever have people come to your door unbidden? Do you know why the group who visits with brochures sends only women out? How do you thwart the unbidden visitors? What kind of excuses do people find for coming to your door?
My porch is larger than I make it to be. However, there is a bookcase pulled near the door so exbf can use it to lean on as he gets out of the door. The step up to the door is too far. So, I put two cap blocks side by side to make a place for him to step on to get up and down. I have to be careful because it is unhandy for me and makes the place my feet land awkwardly small.
Since the guy was mowing, I thought this might be his wife. No, she was a religious person and had her little girl with her. Both were dressed in church clothes and shoes and out in the sweltering heat. I did not want the brochure she held out, but I took it out of curiosity. It was for a three-day church convention in a Civic Center 50 miles away. Now, I wonder how many contacts on these cold calls attended that?
Unfortunately, I fear my apparent receptiveness will only lead them to return. Bummer. I need to put a note on my door.
If the guy had not been mowing, I would have yelled at her to tell me what she wanted. I would have said, "No thanks." I would not have opened the door.
Then, there are the guys with a lawnmower in the trunk of the car. One reeked of bad breath, had few teeth, had not bathed in a week and asked me if I wanted a date. Aaaagh! Unfortunately, I was in the front yard for some reason when he drove up.
Another looked me up and down and asked if I lived alone. "No, my alcoholic father lives with me and just sits and drinks and loads and unloads his gun when he is sober."
How that summer is upon us, people will find many reasons to go door to door.
Maybe I should go out cheerfully with a yardstick in my hand, and say, "Hold on. Let me knock down this wasp nest while I am out here. We can talk in a second."
Do you ever have people come to your door unbidden? Do you know why the group who visits with brochures sends only women out? How do you thwart the unbidden visitors? What kind of excuses do people find for coming to your door?
Saturday, June 9, 2018
What do you use?
Numerous flea and mosquito bites are plaguing me. I itch. I claw. I bleed. I don't want to take Benadryl because I would be too sleepy all the time.
I have tried Benadryl cream and a hydrocortisone 10% to no avail. Finally, the pharmacist suggested Chiggerex. I still itch. In the night I use toenails on one foot to bloody the other foot.
This is not just a maddening itching and bleeding. Some places where I have dug into my skin have gotten infected. Last year, I had to get an oral antibiotic and topical antibiotic so I would not develop sepsis in the open sores that had become red and swollen two inches across beyond the smaller edge.
What do you use for itch that is otc? If you use a prescription for itches, I can get that prescribed.
One particular itch was between my toenail and first joint. Chiggerex barely eased the itch at all.
Monday, I can get a prescription, but Sunday, I can get an otc. This anti-itch does not have to be an anti-itch application. I use Vicks Vaporub to stop itch, but I have so many bites so close together that I need something stronger. I won't use anything with ammonia because I am allergic/sensitive to ammonia and won't be able to breathe. My lungs will become congested.
Today, it was 94 F at 4 pm. Monday, I have to start the process of buying a new ac. It's too hot for the crockpot, and no, I cannot put it outdoors.
Right outside the backdoor, there is a wasp nest. Someone offered to knock it off. No, they would just want to sting me. And, I am allergic! So, I have to buy wasp spray. It's always something!
Your turn
Remedies for itch that does not involve oils or something exotic? I don't care it is weird right now. I don't need advice on getting rid of mosquitoes and fleas. Well, Anne, I forgot about the branches of hickory trees, but I will get those tomorrow. I hope no one sees the limbs and thinks I am a little crazy.
I have tried Benadryl cream and a hydrocortisone 10% to no avail. Finally, the pharmacist suggested Chiggerex. I still itch. In the night I use toenails on one foot to bloody the other foot.
This is not just a maddening itching and bleeding. Some places where I have dug into my skin have gotten infected. Last year, I had to get an oral antibiotic and topical antibiotic so I would not develop sepsis in the open sores that had become red and swollen two inches across beyond the smaller edge.
What do you use for itch that is otc? If you use a prescription for itches, I can get that prescribed.
One particular itch was between my toenail and first joint. Chiggerex barely eased the itch at all.
Monday, I can get a prescription, but Sunday, I can get an otc. This anti-itch does not have to be an anti-itch application. I use Vicks Vaporub to stop itch, but I have so many bites so close together that I need something stronger. I won't use anything with ammonia because I am allergic/sensitive to ammonia and won't be able to breathe. My lungs will become congested.
Today, it was 94 F at 4 pm. Monday, I have to start the process of buying a new ac. It's too hot for the crockpot, and no, I cannot put it outdoors.
Right outside the backdoor, there is a wasp nest. Someone offered to knock it off. No, they would just want to sting me. And, I am allergic! So, I have to buy wasp spray. It's always something!
Your turn
Remedies for itch that does not involve oils or something exotic? I don't care it is weird right now. I don't need advice on getting rid of mosquitoes and fleas. Well, Anne, I forgot about the branches of hickory trees, but I will get those tomorrow. I hope no one sees the limbs and thinks I am a little crazy.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Indian Veggie Burgers and Turkey Sausage Kale Sweet Potato Soup
When I went to Publix, I did as I always do. I checked out the sale racks and sale freezer space. Only one thing caught my eye.
Tandoor Chef (brand)
Authentic Indian Cuisine
4 Vegetable Masala Burgers.
One word--SPICYHOT
Ingredients:
potatoes, canola oil, carrots, green beans, bread crumbs, Bell peppers, corn, salt. green peppers, spices, turmeric, mustard seeds. I might try to replicate this one day, minus the heat.
This was pretty good except for the extreme heat. The texture was like the 'burger' had a hashbrown base for everything else.
Four veggie burgers were $1.25, not a bad price.
I tried a new soup--Turkey sausage kale sweet potato soup. It was not bad, but I would use pork sausage since it is what I have. It had Great Northern Beans in it, too, just a few.
The guy was coming to mow at 8 am, so I got up at 7:30 and got dressed. He showed up at 9:45. He did a good job and charged me the $23 I had on me even though I was going to bank to get money. He is a nice guy overall and did a great job. I will have him back since he can walk here and this will not be a problem for him.
When I went to the doctor on Thursday, I complained of nausea. it still is with me and I have to fight to keep from throwing up. I called at 12:30 today, Friday, and asked for Zofran. I sat at WM from 1:35 until almost 4 pm. He sent the message that I should go to the urologist if the medicine for uti made me throw up. I could scream since nausea was my chief complaint along with chills, pain, and malaise.
A trip to the PO and standing in sun to pump gas almost finished me off. I may nap this evening.
I called. Okay, tomorrow I can get med. whew.
I will not be planting anything today. I am dizzy, limp and it is 92 F. My planting will done in full sun with a rock wall nearby that has been heated for a good five hours. No thank you.
Do you like Indian food with masala seasoning? Has anyone ever had Turkey sausage kale sweet potato soup? Have you been out in a hot yard or garden today?
Thursday, June 7, 2018
A Few Answers and a Few Questions
Today, I went to the Farmer's Market and there were no tomatoes. Bummer. I looked around and got two small cups of crookneck squash. I paid $6 for the two of them. Because I was out and had things to do, I did not go home.
My question: Was the price exorbitant? While I had the bag in WM, I stuck it on the scales--2.64 lbs. That makes the cost per pound $1.52. In WM squash was $.99/lb.
I know all the positives of Farmer's Market--local food, supporting local farmers. However, I know for a fact they use pesticides.
Not bringing the bag home meant I carried a bag of squash into the doctor's office. I did have a bit of a problem in urine, but doctor downplayed it. I cannot think of anything else that causes this malaise in me. I continually have problems with gastrointestinal tract. I feel queasy all inside. So, now I have ten days of meds for uti.
So, after this ten days, I will start taking the prophylactic does of meds to keep bladder sterile. I refused to take small doses without first clearing things up entirely.
My question: have you ever taken a prophylactic dose of meds for uti and not had a full prescription to make sure bladder contents are sterile before you start taking the lesser dose, prophylactic dose?
Since I have been queasy, I have not eaten salads. I feared it would keep me in bathroom more than I already am. So, I gave away more of the salad.
My ac is dying, so I suppose I will, too. It's a scorcher today, up to 90 already.
The tomato plants I bought had not been hardened off. The seller is not a good liar. He did not even know what it meant to "harden off" a plant. He said in reply to my question and under his breath, "I set them out at night." That did not answer my question. He quickly and cheerfully volunteered, "I picked off all the suckers for you." WHAT?
These were leggy plants and he had stripped all but a few top leaves off. Do you pick suckers off plants are a foot high? I think you wait until they are planted and are surviving to even look for suckers. These plants were looking puny, so he pulled off all the leaves that looked less than healthy!--my belief. This man retired and decided he wanted to make money--what he told me and said he could figure this out.
I bought the red and white onions from him, just took the bag. When I got home, the onions had dirt all over them. I wonder when he pulled these. Did he lay them out to dry? I do not want my vegetables washed because they rot faster, but do you think knocking off the dirt would have hurt? I don't think he laid them out like they are supposed to be done. The dirt seemed too fresh.
Okay, I am going out now to buy a squash plant and a zucchini plant. Hopefully, I can handle the sun and heat to plant them tomorrow along with the two tomatoes and two cayenne plants. Today, it makes me dizzy.
I bought a yellow and a black container of Plaid paint and sponge brushes. In a few moments, I am going to look for things in the yard to paint black and yellow since I was inspired by the bee theme from Tuesday.
Remember the garbage can that was crushed and the guy said someone would bring me another? Well, a brand new can showed up next to the crushed one. The crushed one sort of healed itself. It did not seal itself, but the bottom is not so gapped as when it was crushed. I am going to keep it since it does have a lid. It was the one kept right outside the chicken pen so I could drop things in it after I fed the hens. I did not tell the mower to put the garbage can on the street. I should have told him to empty it like I TOLD him to do in the beginning.
I feel lousy but ambitious!
After I wrote the above, I went out again. Before I did, I used the bathroom and the uti symptoms showed up and I screamed a bit. I am so happy I did not wait until tomorrow.
Plant shopping is so much fun. I love squash and zucchini, but the Farmer's Market vegetables are too large. I just won't buy them. Small ones are the ones I want. If I get 7 small squash off my squash plant, I will have broken even considering the price I paid today for squash.
I bought one crook neck squash plant, one zucchini plant, and one bell pepper plant. Exbf was eagerly listening and gave a little grunt of approval. He like all three. It will be six weeks before it get any produce from them, but that's okay. I will just purchase what vegetables I want until then. Everything I plant will go in buckets, even the squash.
Someone is coming to mow the lawn in the morning...yaaay!
My question: Was the price exorbitant? While I had the bag in WM, I stuck it on the scales--2.64 lbs. That makes the cost per pound $1.52. In WM squash was $.99/lb.
I know all the positives of Farmer's Market--local food, supporting local farmers. However, I know for a fact they use pesticides.
Not bringing the bag home meant I carried a bag of squash into the doctor's office. I did have a bit of a problem in urine, but doctor downplayed it. I cannot think of anything else that causes this malaise in me. I continually have problems with gastrointestinal tract. I feel queasy all inside. So, now I have ten days of meds for uti.
So, after this ten days, I will start taking the prophylactic does of meds to keep bladder sterile. I refused to take small doses without first clearing things up entirely.
My question: have you ever taken a prophylactic dose of meds for uti and not had a full prescription to make sure bladder contents are sterile before you start taking the lesser dose, prophylactic dose?
Since I have been queasy, I have not eaten salads. I feared it would keep me in bathroom more than I already am. So, I gave away more of the salad.
My ac is dying, so I suppose I will, too. It's a scorcher today, up to 90 already.
The tomato plants I bought had not been hardened off. The seller is not a good liar. He did not even know what it meant to "harden off" a plant. He said in reply to my question and under his breath, "I set them out at night." That did not answer my question. He quickly and cheerfully volunteered, "I picked off all the suckers for you." WHAT?
These were leggy plants and he had stripped all but a few top leaves off. Do you pick suckers off plants are a foot high? I think you wait until they are planted and are surviving to even look for suckers. These plants were looking puny, so he pulled off all the leaves that looked less than healthy!--my belief. This man retired and decided he wanted to make money--what he told me and said he could figure this out.
I bought the red and white onions from him, just took the bag. When I got home, the onions had dirt all over them. I wonder when he pulled these. Did he lay them out to dry? I do not want my vegetables washed because they rot faster, but do you think knocking off the dirt would have hurt? I don't think he laid them out like they are supposed to be done. The dirt seemed too fresh.
Okay, I am going out now to buy a squash plant and a zucchini plant. Hopefully, I can handle the sun and heat to plant them tomorrow along with the two tomatoes and two cayenne plants. Today, it makes me dizzy.
I bought a yellow and a black container of Plaid paint and sponge brushes. In a few moments, I am going to look for things in the yard to paint black and yellow since I was inspired by the bee theme from Tuesday.
Remember the garbage can that was crushed and the guy said someone would bring me another? Well, a brand new can showed up next to the crushed one. The crushed one sort of healed itself. It did not seal itself, but the bottom is not so gapped as when it was crushed. I am going to keep it since it does have a lid. It was the one kept right outside the chicken pen so I could drop things in it after I fed the hens. I did not tell the mower to put the garbage can on the street. I should have told him to empty it like I TOLD him to do in the beginning.
I feel lousy but ambitious!
After I wrote the above, I went out again. Before I did, I used the bathroom and the uti symptoms showed up and I screamed a bit. I am so happy I did not wait until tomorrow.
Plant shopping is so much fun. I love squash and zucchini, but the Farmer's Market vegetables are too large. I just won't buy them. Small ones are the ones I want. If I get 7 small squash off my squash plant, I will have broken even considering the price I paid today for squash.
I bought one crook neck squash plant, one zucchini plant, and one bell pepper plant. Exbf was eagerly listening and gave a little grunt of approval. He like all three. It will be six weeks before it get any produce from them, but that's okay. I will just purchase what vegetables I want until then. Everything I plant will go in buckets, even the squash.
Someone is coming to mow the lawn in the morning...yaaay!
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Farmer's Market
After the lunch on Tuesday, I had time to stop by the Farmer's Market at 1 pm before it closes at 2 pm. Most of the people were gone, sold out, or tired. I wanted tomatoes, so I will have to go back Thursday.
However, I did get two Better Boy tomato plants and two cayenne plants for $1 each. Plus, I bought $2 worth of red and white sweet onions. So, I spent $6 and brought home four plants and onions to eat.
I have lots of seeds, but never got them planted. I decided to just buy plants from Lowe's, but they were almost $4 apiece. At Walmart, they were not much cheaper, still almost $4 for two plants.
After trying a taste of the honey, I now want a biscuit to eat with it.
Honey chokes me. A taste of honey, honey on toast, Bit-O-Honey, Baklava or Greek honey cake. I am not sure why. I seem to be the only one choking when I am eating honey or anything containing honey!
The beekeeper said a person only needed to eat 1 tsp honey per day to reap benefits for allergies. So, this will be a test.
Wednesday? I had my hair cut at a beauty shop for the first time since August 2016. It feels good to run my hand through it since it has been butchered. I finally grew out most of the 3" ezbf cut instead of the 1/2" I asked. Yes, I cannot let it go.
Does anyone else choke on honey?
However, I did get two Better Boy tomato plants and two cayenne plants for $1 each. Plus, I bought $2 worth of red and white sweet onions. So, I spent $6 and brought home four plants and onions to eat.
I have lots of seeds, but never got them planted. I decided to just buy plants from Lowe's, but they were almost $4 apiece. At Walmart, they were not much cheaper, still almost $4 for two plants.
After trying a taste of the honey, I now want a biscuit to eat with it.
Honey chokes me. A taste of honey, honey on toast, Bit-O-Honey, Baklava or Greek honey cake. I am not sure why. I seem to be the only one choking when I am eating honey or anything containing honey!
The beekeeper said a person only needed to eat 1 tsp honey per day to reap benefits for allergies. So, this will be a test.
Wednesday? I had my hair cut at a beauty shop for the first time since August 2016. It feels good to run my hand through it since it has been butchered. I finally grew out most of the 3" ezbf cut instead of the 1/2" I asked. Yes, I cannot let it go.
Does anyone else choke on honey?
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
The Birds and the Bees
why can't I center this?
Forgot about the birds. This is all about the bees. BEES! This church has the most interesting programs.
Today was the lunch with a program at a church. A beekeeper was the program. First the menu:
two butterfly chicken breasts with something delish on them, a blend of spices
largest butter beans I have seen in a while
fried okra
cake squsare, one layer with dab of Cool Whip on top (he gave most of the whip to me)
salad with strawberries
roll
unsweetened tea
Of course, I gave all the fried okra to exbf. He offered me a few butterbeans. Lunch was great. After I took two bites of the salad, my stomach heaved and I almost passed out. I managed not to empty my stomach! A sudden allergic reaction is the only thing I can think of that would have caused this. Since last night I have had a severe case of hives that I cannot explain. I spent the rest of the day dry heaving.
The women who decorate for these meals do a really good job, trying to have a theme for the program. Today, all the paper placemats were bright! yellow. A black napkin was laid catty corner on the yellow placemat. On top of the black napkin was a yellow bookmark with a black ribbon at the top and a bee stuck on the front.
Every table had flowers and a container, glass or galvanized, with 6 honey sticks and a huge bee and flowers. Our table had a bright yellow and black striped metal container. Another had a yellow watering can, yellow with black polka dots, about six inches tsll. A honey stick is a tiny tube of honey. Strewn on the table around the centerpiece were 6 tiny pieces of candy--Bit-of-Honey.
I thought of Kylie when I saw the decorations. The yellow and black stripes on the centerpieces make my want to paint something with yellow and black stripes.
Do you remember Bit-O-Honey? I ate lots of those today. At the end of the program there were door prizes. All the bookmarks had a bee stuck to the front, the puffy stickers on a sheet. Two of the bookmarks had a bee on the back, also. Those two people were the winners. Their reward was a box of Honey Nut Cheerios. Fun!
Everyone received a 2 0z glass bottle of his honey. Nice.
This guy works a regular job, so he only has about 160 hives. He eats honey every day, is 85 and looks 60. He says it is the honey.
Do you buy honey from a local beekeeper? Do you like honey? How do you use it? I like it on buttered toast. The price here is $12 quart or $8 pint. What is the price you pay.
Monday, June 4, 2018
Busy and Frugal and Tired
The crockpot ran for a long time to cook four times.
Cooked hen in crockpot
Cooked ten chicken drumsticks in crockpot
Cooked potatoes in crockpot
Cooked more potatoes in crockpot
It was a long day of cooking, but once each cooking session started, I only had to take cooked food out and put more food in the crockpot. There were hours of wait time so it was not labor intensive. I took the breasts off the hen and froze the rest for him to take home and pick out the meat. Half the potatoes go home with him. The potatoes were cooked in chicken broth.
Washed hair and bathed.
Prepared mail for PO. I managed to take longer than necessary for this tiny chore.
Took clothes from dryer, put wet clothes in dryer or hung them up, loaded up machine, put in dryer 2 times more. Folded and folded and folded!!!
Hung panties on clothesline. Plus, all the clothes in the dryer were not many. Hung more clothes in the house.
I took garbage out twice and went to mailbox. The day is very warm (85F or so) with low humidity and a slight breeze. The walk to trash cans and to mailbox is in the shade, so it was not a warm walk. On high humidity days the walk is suffocating.
Washing dishes is excruciating for my back, so even though I tried, I got few done.
All this involved frugal methods. I love the fact the crockpot makes it possible to avoid the heat and expense of using the oven. Plus, the ac is more successful at keeping the house comfortable with less cost when I use the crockpot.
Not using the dryer and hanging clothes saves money, too.
I can call the trip to mailbox and to garbage exercise.
Nothing exciting here, just frugal wins.
How about at your house? What frugal happenings?
Cooked hen in crockpot
Cooked ten chicken drumsticks in crockpot
Cooked potatoes in crockpot
Cooked more potatoes in crockpot
It was a long day of cooking, but once each cooking session started, I only had to take cooked food out and put more food in the crockpot. There were hours of wait time so it was not labor intensive. I took the breasts off the hen and froze the rest for him to take home and pick out the meat. Half the potatoes go home with him. The potatoes were cooked in chicken broth.
Washed hair and bathed.
Prepared mail for PO. I managed to take longer than necessary for this tiny chore.
Took clothes from dryer, put wet clothes in dryer or hung them up, loaded up machine, put in dryer 2 times more. Folded and folded and folded!!!
Hung panties on clothesline. Plus, all the clothes in the dryer were not many. Hung more clothes in the house.
I took garbage out twice and went to mailbox. The day is very warm (85F or so) with low humidity and a slight breeze. The walk to trash cans and to mailbox is in the shade, so it was not a warm walk. On high humidity days the walk is suffocating.
Washing dishes is excruciating for my back, so even though I tried, I got few done.
All this involved frugal methods. I love the fact the crockpot makes it possible to avoid the heat and expense of using the oven. Plus, the ac is more successful at keeping the house comfortable with less cost when I use the crockpot.
Not using the dryer and hanging clothes saves money, too.
I can call the trip to mailbox and to garbage exercise.
Nothing exciting here, just frugal wins.
How about at your house? What frugal happenings?
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Groceries May 27--June 2, 2018
ice cream
cut watermelon
2 bananas
2 12-packs Cokes $3.33 each
24 pack Dasani water, $3.98
4 bananas
half gal. a2milk, reduced to $3
After having been giving the 18 bags of salad, it would have been foolish to buy anything else. Since I cannot carry a watermelon into the house or handle it to cut, I buy the tiny bowls of watermelon chunks. I spent about $21 dollars this week.
The regular price of Cokes in a 12 pack has been the same price of $3.33 for a long time at WM. I am sure the price will rise again. Having bought these at a really low price, but not the lowest ever., I will have these for a while. Eventually, a sale will come about where the price will be four 12-packs for $10. However, I will have to purchase four and go into a different store. Buying at the present less-than-perfect price will assure I don't have to get out of car at another store and buy four packs at once. I rarely drink Coke.
Since price-matching went away and exbf cannot help me at all with heavy things at home, things are more difficult and a bit spendier.
I will forget my water at home, and I will buy it when out. I need more water than when I was young, it seems. So, I have no apology about buying water since I only occasionally get a bottle from the trunk and refill it a few times before discarding it. I know other brands are cheaper, but some water is just disgusting. I will drink the occasional water that draws my mouth, but not a whole case full.
I drove over into the housing projects and gave lots of salads and breads to people who really needed food.
Today, Sunday, I ate a whole Spinach salad kit that contained two servings.
Contents:
baby spinach
shredded red cabbage
shredded carrots
little bags of:
honey roasted sliced almonds
dried cranberries
sweet onion Dijon vinaigrette
cut watermelon
2 bananas
2 12-packs Cokes $3.33 each
24 pack Dasani water, $3.98
4 bananas
half gal. a2milk, reduced to $3
After having been giving the 18 bags of salad, it would have been foolish to buy anything else. Since I cannot carry a watermelon into the house or handle it to cut, I buy the tiny bowls of watermelon chunks. I spent about $21 dollars this week.
The regular price of Cokes in a 12 pack has been the same price of $3.33 for a long time at WM. I am sure the price will rise again. Having bought these at a really low price, but not the lowest ever., I will have these for a while. Eventually, a sale will come about where the price will be four 12-packs for $10. However, I will have to purchase four and go into a different store. Buying at the present less-than-perfect price will assure I don't have to get out of car at another store and buy four packs at once. I rarely drink Coke.
Since price-matching went away and exbf cannot help me at all with heavy things at home, things are more difficult and a bit spendier.
I will forget my water at home, and I will buy it when out. I need more water than when I was young, it seems. So, I have no apology about buying water since I only occasionally get a bottle from the trunk and refill it a few times before discarding it. I know other brands are cheaper, but some water is just disgusting. I will drink the occasional water that draws my mouth, but not a whole case full.
I drove over into the housing projects and gave lots of salads and breads to people who really needed food.
Today, Sunday, I ate a whole Spinach salad kit that contained two servings.
Contents:
baby spinach
shredded red cabbage
shredded carrots
little bags of:
honey roasted sliced almonds
dried cranberries
sweet onion Dijon vinaigrette
Saturday, June 2, 2018
What do you do when someone gives you 18 bags of salad?
I am talking about the salads with dressing and add-ons all in the same bag. All these salads have a use-by date of June 5, 2018. I got these on June 1.
Color me stunned! I can eat one each day. I will give them to exbf when he comes Tuesday. But, the rest. Never mind eating them. They will not go into the freezer. So, I gave 5 away. I think it was six. Maybe not.
If there are any left, which there will be, they will go into a soup well before they start to go off. Some are heavy on red cabbage and green cabbage. Canned tomatoes and ground pork will finish off the soup. Maybe I will freeze a couple, but the freezer is full. I could empty two into a freezer bag and at least save two for the future. Well, those are plans for now.
Contents:
green cabbage
Romaine lettuce
red cabbage
carrots
green onions
Greek yogurt poppyseed dressing
dried cranberries
pumpkin seeds
I emptied one bag for dinner last night and could not finish it, of course! The bag states it contains 3.5 servings. No wonder. I did finish it for lunch today, Saturday.
The little bag of pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries made for a free and nutritious snack later.
Also, there are three hugs bags of collards waiting for me. I really need a larger stainless steel pot. This is not the first time I have need a huge pot. And, it won't be the last time, I am sure.
I had planned to go to PO and farmer's market today, but I am not. Instead, I am going to torture myself by going into the den of WM today, full of Rock the South crowd. I do need something there.
Color me stunned! I can eat one each day. I will give them to exbf when he comes Tuesday. But, the rest. Never mind eating them. They will not go into the freezer. So, I gave 5 away. I think it was six. Maybe not.
If there are any left, which there will be, they will go into a soup well before they start to go off. Some are heavy on red cabbage and green cabbage. Canned tomatoes and ground pork will finish off the soup. Maybe I will freeze a couple, but the freezer is full. I could empty two into a freezer bag and at least save two for the future. Well, those are plans for now.
Contents:
green cabbage
Romaine lettuce
red cabbage
carrots
green onions
Greek yogurt poppyseed dressing
dried cranberries
pumpkin seeds
I emptied one bag for dinner last night and could not finish it, of course! The bag states it contains 3.5 servings. No wonder. I did finish it for lunch today, Saturday.
The little bag of pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries made for a free and nutritious snack later.
Also, there are three hugs bags of collards waiting for me. I really need a larger stainless steel pot. This is not the first time I have need a huge pot. And, it won't be the last time, I am sure.
I had planned to go to PO and farmer's market today, but I am not. Instead, I am going to torture myself by going into the den of WM today, full of Rock the South crowd. I do need something there.
Friday, June 1, 2018
I am Melting
The humidity is so high that I am definitely melting. The new leads for the heart monitor just fall off my damp skin. I had to go out to buy medical paper tape, hoping it will work. The monitor is useless if the leads are always falling off and the cell phone with the heart monitor keeps beeping me and sending a message to "check the white lead" or "check the red and black lead."
I started out early this afternoon to try and miss the Rock the South concert crowd and got sidetracked. So, about 5 pm I was fighting the crowds. The woman who put my groceries in my car said the next times she saw boobs or butts, she might throw up.
The WM parking lot was full, more cars there than any Christmas crowd. Beer was flying off the shelves at WM, so you can imagine the crowd is a little loose. I am so glad to be home!
Somehow, I spent $75 and none of it was groceries. But, all of it was necessary.
The only way I am not damp is if I am lying perfectly still on the bed, and of course, that is not possible most of the day. Typing makes me sweat.
At least there were no bad storms at my house or in town. There was a clap of thunder that shook me so that the mattress was bouncing. Thunder rarely rattles me, but this clap did.
How is the weather where you are? Full summer weather? Hot and humid?
I started out early this afternoon to try and miss the Rock the South concert crowd and got sidetracked. So, about 5 pm I was fighting the crowds. The woman who put my groceries in my car said the next times she saw boobs or butts, she might throw up.
The WM parking lot was full, more cars there than any Christmas crowd. Beer was flying off the shelves at WM, so you can imagine the crowd is a little loose. I am so glad to be home!
Somehow, I spent $75 and none of it was groceries. But, all of it was necessary.
The only way I am not damp is if I am lying perfectly still on the bed, and of course, that is not possible most of the day. Typing makes me sweat.
At least there were no bad storms at my house or in town. There was a clap of thunder that shook me so that the mattress was bouncing. Thunder rarely rattles me, but this clap did.
How is the weather where you are? Full summer weather? Hot and humid?
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