Kitchen Towels that Stink and The Solution

 It is Friday again? I am not losing days, but it seems the weeks have been flying by. I cannot believe it is Friday already! Has the week gone by quickly for you?

I have complained before of kitchen items keeping a greasy, nasty smell even after washing in hot water and detergent. I forgot which detergent actually killed the stench. But, it seemed to keep returning. Yesterday, I was folding the kitchen linens and was NOT overwhelmed by the clean laundry. Usually, I have a throw over my lap and have kitchen laundry on it and folded items on one arm of the chair. I really don't want the smell to seep into the clothes I am wearing. 

I put a dishcloth to my nose and could smell nothing. I don't even like the smell of any laundry. But, I was relieved not to smell rancid greasy cloth. 

 I usually use Oxyclean along with All Free and Clear. Now, I use the Odor Blaster variety powder in a tub. 

When I bought Oxyclean last time, I bought a different variety. The type I use now that has no smell when used is Oxyclean Odor Blaster--purple top. (sweaty, musty, body odors) Urspo, sounds like what you need. The last type of Oxyclean I used was good, "No dyes or perfumes." green top. But, still I could smell it on my clean clothing. 

For stain spot removal, I use Oxyclean Laundry and More liquid in spray bottle. Attacks tough dried-in stains. No chlorine. 

Tommy uses some strange washing powder that is pink and in unmarked, five-gallon bucket. Someone he helped to move gave it to him and he has used it for 7 or 8 years. I have no idea what it is. He uses what he wants to and I use what I want to wash with. I realize I ended the sentence with a preposition. 

I know that others have had this same problem. Some people say they throw the towels away. Does anyone use Oxyclean Odor Blaster?

It Is a First

 Last night, I was so tired I went to bed at 10:30. Of course, you know that means nothing to my body. So, at 12:30 I awoke to go to the bathroom. I fell. This is the first time I have fallen, not tripped, mattress threw me out of bed, or something like that. Last time it was a tall screw that Tommy refused to let me screw down in threshold of front door! This time, I just fell over. Don't worry. I landed on a laundry basket of towels and sheet ready to be folded--nice, fluffy sheets out of the laundry and not folded. The fall was not even jarring.  But, this time I was lucky I did not hit the dresser. From now on, I stand a minute.

My big problem after 911 was called was that I still needed to pee. So I did! I stuffed a folded towel under me and then a pair of pants behind me. At least, there was nothing on the carpet. 

Thankfully, I did not hit my head on anything. From now on, I will get my balance like I usually do instead of just start walking. I usually stand and wait a second after I flip over and bounce off the bed. Yes, I am fast on this new extra-mattress. 

We had gone to Cullman yesterday to the lunch at a church. Not many people who came before covid were there. The guitarists and a woman on tambourine were there playing during the meal. There were hymnals to sing from. I had never heard the first four or five songs, so did not sing or try. 

The huge round tables were well-appointed. Pink and pale green table cloths were on the tables with a pretty bouquet of flowers and little decorations around the vases. 

My 93-year-old friend was there, too. Her husband fell going up a slippery ramp and the side of his face was very bruised. They were going to the beauty shop where she was getting a perm. After he fell, he insisted he was okay, so they went inside.  The people in the shop insisted 911 should be called. The EMTs checked him while she got her perm. 

Then, friends left and took him to ER just to be sure. After that, they picked up BBQ to take home for dinner. She drove after he fell and they left the beauty shop. 

When they arrived home, their son and daughter were waiting on them. They took the car with them so they cannot drive anymore. They children never tried the parents' cell phone. They never called the police to see if they had been involved in a wreck. They never called the ER. Just "could not find them." I was incensed for her.

The day I called her I found out this happened the day before, she was still furious. Plus, she had to cook dinner because they had nothing to eat. Usually, they go get one plate and share it or a relative brings dinner. Now, she was angry she could not go out to take care of herself and not have to cook. She said by the time she got dinner done and on the table, she was exhausted. 

Son did take her to this lunch, one he has always attended. Everyone there to whom she related her story agreed with her son and daughter. I felt for her. We can always take her if we are in Cullman. Even when we go there without a luncheon happening, we will call to see if we can take them anywhere. 

We had bbq pork, baked beans, and slaw at the lunch. And cake. However, I could not eat the slaw as there were diced cucumbers in it. I never eat baked beans, not a fan. I had to have a tiny burger to make it home.

By the way, I have no residual pain anywhere to remind me I fell. But, it was scary because it was first fall without mitigating circumstances. The other falls were like all falls in my life except for the fact I could not get up! I am a faller. 

Have you ever had falls that had nothing to do with age, weakness, or losing balance? I have had many!

Strings on Bananas

 I hate strings on bananas. HATE them. I almost choked on one today.  So, when I saw this article, I read it and had to share it with everyone. 

Today was spent in telephone hell. So, I cannot write anymore than this.

What Are The Strings On Bananas, Anyway? | HuffPost Life

Do strings on bananas annoy you? or not?

Lyrid Meteor Shower

 

Tuesday was slow. That makes it an excellent Tuesday! We offered a woman food, mostly meat and vegetables, bread and a pie. She responded so vociferously that I thought she was yelling at me for something I did wrong. Well, no. She said she had no money and had to borrow money from her niece because they were low on food. She was almost crying but smiling and grabbed me and hugged me. That made it a better Tuesday. She saw the four containers of meat, about ten pounds. Then she saw the cookies. That was why she hugged me. She went on and on about giving her cookies. 

I wished that I had gotten her number to give her more food and other things like soap and shampoo. 

There is a meteor shower for the next two weeks. I will try to catch it, at least for a few meteors. Don't expect to step outdoors for five minutes to see a meteor. Go out, let your eyes adjust, put away the phone because it has a light. Being in an isolated area where there is no light pollution is best. Face the expected direction of the shower. Do not use binoculars! 

"This is the first time since 1861 has been in the inner solar system, and it won’t return until 2278." 

The Lyrid Meteor Shower Will Illuminate Skies For The Next 2 Weeks (inspiremore.com)

As a child, Mama and Daddy spread a quilt on the ground at night and we lay watching the skies. I have watched meteors which we knew by 'shooting stars' or falling stars.' They also taught us the constellations while watching for a display. Did you call them 'shooting stars' or 'falling stars' when you were young or even now? I still refer to them as "shooting stars' when I am engaged in watching them. Yes, my parents knew they were meteors. 

Tonight, I put color on my hair and somehow did not get a spot right in the top of my head. I don't know how that happened. But, it is done. I have more color...lol. Next week...

Refunds, Tree Limb, Olive Oil

 For at least 24 hours, I had not eaten correctly. It seemed everything bad for me was all I wanted. I was sluggish, sleepy, and not motivated to do much. I don't know why I felt so compelled to eat bad stuff. But, that phase is over. 

I did not feel like typing anything on my blog. I did read and comment on others' blogs. Of course, I did put things in new posts to share. 

Sunday night, I went to bed at 10:30 and woke at 2:30. Well, that was it for sleep until noon on Monday. Then, I was up at 3 pm. Still, I got little sleep and just as little food. Around 10 am, I had less than 8 ounces of milk. 

I am back on track. At 4 pm, I had a huge salad with Romaine, tomato, cheese, chopped chicken and dressing. I used half olive oil and half Italian dressing and marinated the chopped chicken in it while I grated a bit of cheese, and diced tomato. I was stuffed when I finished. About two hours later, I had a banana. 

Funny Tommy story--one day I was going to make a small batch of brownies. I asked him to bring me olive oil. He brought vegetable oil, saying he knew I meant that instead of olive oil. Well, no. He was distraught that I was going to put olive oil in brownies, saying he would not eat them. Of course, I knew the bottle open was not aromatic. He tried the brownies and has never doubted me using olive oil for anything since. I do realize he knows nothing about olive oil and had never used it for anything before. It was funny. 

I had an appointment to have teeth cleaned in Cullman today. My heart was beating funny, and I was exhausted from no sleep, plus I felt like I was going to throw up. So, I cancelled and rescheduled. I do brush twice a day and floss at least a dozen times. So, maybe my oral health has not disintegrated to the point I need extra measures to keep my teeth. I do not cancel lightly, so these were extreme circumstance to cause me to cancel.

You would be proud of me as I am making a concerted effort to keep this decluttered table clear of stuff. Tommy has paid attention to it and helped clear things away that I put down. And, I am slowly clearing off the table on the other side of me. Tommy's table and bookcase are worse than mine. I will tell him she can clear his flat surfaces, too. That will put ambition into him. Really, once a surface is decluttered, the surface needs to be dusted/cleaned. He sees no sense to this...lol. 

In the decluttering this last week, stuff in living room, I gave away one book. I bought it new but on sale. It was awful. I did give that to cleaner along with a child's t-shirt, and something else. I must do better. 

Today, I got refunds on two items. The first was a2milk Real Dairy Protein+Collagen from a2milk.  It mixes in nasty. Lumps remain on the top even though the milk tasted like chocolate. I have been trying for several months to use it. Somehow, the milk I put it in just gets foam or something thick on top. It is hard to believe this can be good or good for me. The cs I talked with was amazed and kept making sure I did not put in too much powder. I will get a coupon that will buy another 1/2 gallon of milk. 

Then, I called about Chips Ahoy that were scorched and the chocolate chips were actually burned tasting. They were nasty, but of course, I ate them, albeit slowly. I have not had any in four months or more, trying to break that habit. They are sending me two coupons to replace the two packages. 

Today, I received in the mail four coupons for Miracle Whip for the two I bought. One was orange MW and the other is not tasting right. These have an expiration on the coupons for next year at this time. 

I had to call because points were not put on my account at a business. All I wanted was my points, but they added another $7 that was on my account for the next purchase. 

Today was profitable--4 jars of Miracle Whip, 2 packages of Chips Ahoy, $5 coupon from a2milk, and $7 in points. That is a $42 value altogether. 

Right now, he has decided to inventory meat thawed and decide what to do. Well, he let one spoil! No, I cannot get that stuff off the bottom shelf. I will cook a pork loin tonight, to eat or store for other meals in freezer. I will cut it in portions for one and freeze. Also, he will brown and chop 3 lbs. ground beef for freezing. I thought the meat tasted like vinegar, so Tommy can eat it since he liked it. Chicken breast suits me. 

Do you ever face a stack of books or anything, fully committed to decluttering and just want it all the stay with you? I do have other books to sort, so all is not lost.

The tree limb will cost $1350 to remove and carry off. Now, to get two more estimates. 

Do you call and tell manufacturers when a product does not meet expectations? 

My friend turned 93 last week. I forgot her birthday! For tomorrow, I have a tragic tale from her.

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid

 My email inbox always has things I have won from places I have never been, never dealt with, not in my area of the country. No, scam. 

Sam's sent me one of those emails. I wondered. Could I have won those pots and pans? Is the internet reading my mind? I know it reads my emails and blog. 

I pulled out Tommy's Sam's cc and plunged right in. I 'only' had to pay $8.98. So, I did it. Then, ten seconds later I got an alert that this may be fraud. 

I am so cautious and so skeptical. But, I had slept two hours and up for four hours. My stomach hurt so, my esophagus felt full. I am no longer sleepy, just dopey. In my defense, I have never fallen for a scam. In my defense, I felt defenseless. 

I started to wake Tommy, but did not. I told him when he got me up at 11 am. He called at my insistence. Then, he got a woman who could only keep reading her script and kept saying there was nothing to do but wait a week. This was the number on the back of his cc, and she was no help. I had taken the phone and finally slammed down the phone. 

Isn't that a satisfying feeling to slam down a house phone?

Five or ten minutes later, someone who could do something called from his cc company. It appears that the $8.98 and another $34 and change had been put on his card. Now, both cc have been cancelled and new ones issued. And, I suppose I won't be getting cookware in the mail!

I am so wary over the phone, with mailed offers, and even in person. Scammers or liars never catch me off guard. I am strong. Now, I need to know when I am weak and without sleep and in pain. I feel stupid. 

At least, I figured it out quickly and told Tommy. He was not mad at all, just fixed it. I would have fixed it, but my name is not on the card. Well, it is but the whole account is in his name. 

I had a new cleaner today. The other one can only come seldom, maybe every six weeks. We need more days than that. She is superb! Of course, there is a box of things to sort. I need to maintain the level of uncluttered, too. That is hard. 

The day has been sunless and dreary, but, it seems brighter indoors with dusting and decluttering done. 

EDIT: I have just won high dollar items from Kohl's, Lowe's, Harbor Freight, Macy's. Sure, I did. /s

Have you ever fallen prey to a scam? 

Do you think a dusted and decluttered room seems brighter?

Don't Eat This Fish

 We often choose it, and it's one of the worst fish. It contains a lot of heavy metals (msn.com)

I went to bed at 10:30 on Friday night because my stomach hurt. Now, it is middle of night and I am sitting up after a med to help stomach.  I read the article about Tilapia. I don't have my glasses on, so I cannot see if this is typed correctly. 

New cleaner coming tomorrow, so I need to sleep!

Do you eat tilapia?

Tree Situation

 Mower came today. Before he went into the back yard, I told him about the tree and asked him to tell me exactly what is going on. He said the tree is bent and bending the clothesline pole. NOT good. He can only trim a few feet, that a tree trimmer will have to get the rest. It is not several limbs, just one limb that is at least 24" diameter. Good Grief! He has to dodge to get under part of it to mow. The rest he uses the weed eater underneath to get the grass.

Now, the mower can barely mitigate the situation. So, we have to deal with the backyard neighbor. We can be civil about the situation. However, any problem I had with the myriad neighbors in the tacky rental house were always very hostile.  A paid tree trimmer is only option here.

I have choices. 1) speak to them civilly. Leave if they get cranky. 2) have it done, pay for it, and take bill to them. 3) let/expect them to get the tree person and hope it all turns out okay, 4) Expect the people to pay when we have it done.

The tree is a monster with the huge branch bending from about 40' above the ground. So, this is not something for a person with a chainsaw. I want someone licensed and bonded to do the work. This is not my first rodeo with a tree. This will ruin Tommy's fence if the huge limb falls on it. 

We drove by the house behind here and the yard is immaculate front and back. Not a blade of grass out of place. They have two grills out back on a patio along with furniture. There is no way they have not seen this problem. So, I suspect they will not want to pay for this removal. I have never seen anyone outside, so who knows whether they are old or young or what. I have to lean forward to see out of the dirty kitchen window and through a screen and through a dirty storm window. 

This makes me anxious. I will get a quote first. 

Mower raised the blades another inch for four-inch cut. The St Augustine will keep weeds from sprouting. Plus, it looks lush, like it should. It will also survive better any bit of drought or heat this summer. I have tried to get Tommy to let it grow higher instead of scalping the lawn, exposing dirt where weeds thrive. Maybe he will let me get a tree or three planted next--crape myrtles. 

Tommy has heard my plan for his lack of noticing his condition before he passes out. I will be at his appointment with Endocrinologist. I will have his monitor info on my phone even if he has a monitor in his pocket. Before this, he has said he does not need me to help monitor. If I don't, his diabetes will land him in hospital with head injury or broken bones, OR in the morgue. 

I made a list from the Publix ad and Tommy went in. Tomorrow. 

We have been watching Elkhorn. Anyone else? I love it.

Things like this tree bending my T-pole to hold my clothesline are what disturb my sleep at night. 

What would you do about the tree branch leaning? This is a branch that is tree sized and very wide.

$68 Million in Coins

 Tommy's eye is barely discolored. I thought for sure he would have a real shiner. He is not hurting anywhere after the fall. I had trouble sleeping after all the excitement. I slept two hours, awoke and could not sleep. I went out at 7 am and put the car back into the carport, so that the predicted rain would not get it spotty. Then, I watched TV for a bit and went back to bed for another two hours' sleep. Then, I stayed awake for two hours, lay back down and slept three hours. So, my sleep was in three sessions. 

Thankfully, we had plenty of cooked food for dinner--chicken breasts, potatoes, carrots, squash, onions. Yep, we had that last night, too. 

The mower did not come as he said today. He got something in his eye and had to go to eye doctor after work. He usually comes on Thursday, anyway. That way, he can pull the trash to the road for Tommy. So, he will be here on the right day. 

At the very back of the yard are many limbs of the tree behind us, hanging down to the ground on our side. I wonder if the mower cuts them, will it be okay to toss them over the fence or are we supposed to carry them to the road in front of my house? I cannot get back to the fence to talk with them and do not want to annoy them by cutting their branches. 

When I was eight, somehow I became the owner of an buffalo nickel. When my grandson was eight, I gave it to him along with a coin book. I really, really, REALLY wish I had another buffalo nickel. But, I don't regret giving mine to grandson. 

I have been wanting Tommy to go to an endocrinologist when I go to one so he can better manage his diabetes. He always yells. Today, I was on the phone telling a friend the plan. He did not say a word during my conversation or afterwards. So, finally, maybe we will find answers and get a Dexcom monitor to stick on him. 

Today, I read an interesting article about coins, lost and found.

Americans Throw Away Up to $68 Million in Coins a Year. Here Is Where It All Ends Up. (msn.com)

Do you have a coin collection, large or small? 

Do you pick up pennies?

A Fall

 About 9:30 on Monday night, Tommy came into the living room, was looking around and saying, "Where did you...where is it...what did you do with...on and on, over and over. I was wondering what he wanted, so I kept asking him and he said, 'nothing' or 'never mind' or just went back to the kitchen. Then, he would come back, wander around and not answer me. He was ill with me. Finally, after about 15 minutes of this, I heard the biggest crash ever in this house. I rushed into the kitchen. Remember, this chair is slow lifting and then I have to make an extreme effort to get out. So, rushing into the kitchen takes a long time. 

Tommy was lying on the floor with blood on hand and head. Briefly tried to talk with him, but he was barely conscious. He made no sense when he muttered. I called 911 immediately. Ambulance and firetruck came screaming. 

They treated Tommy where he lay. I asked the two women with him if one of them could turn off the eye where food was burning. His blood pressure was very high. His blood sugar was 32...32! They immediately put in an IV of sugar. Their words not mine. 

The guys asked if he had high blood pressure. Since the doctor prescribed high bp med before he had high bp, I never know how to answer, so I said he did take bp med. I showed it to them and gave them water and they served it to him. My bp was sky high at that point! 

He landed on his stomach but managed to turn to his back before anyone came. He could not tell me if he was hurt. I gasped at the blood on his hand. I came back and there was blood on the other hand and the outer corner of his eye. He was in the narrowest place in this house by far, right as he was still in kitchen and heading to door to living room. I could not get close. I could not step over him and keep my balance. Besides, I wondered if he would trip me thinking I was stepping on him. 

I heard squeaking from where he and four EMTs were standing as I sat in my chair. One guy came in here, and I asked him what was the squeaking. I feared it was Tommy. One of the women had laryngitis. Fifteen minutes later when Tommy was recovering, he asked what was squeaking. He said he was really troubled, thinking something was wrong with him still that he could not hear things right. 

So, once they got Tommy up, they sat him on his walker. Then, they helped him up and wanted him to push his walker to living room. They commented about his pb by chair and said he needed that in a pbj sandwich, asking him if he had bread. He started making a pb sandwich. He refuses to eat jelly on it. After the people left, I got him a warm real Coke. I told him it was warm and to drink it anyway. He did. 

I was exhausted from the drama and worry for Tommy. I finished the burger I had half cooked. I gave him that on a bun and heated a bowl with all the leftovers of potato, broccoli, and green beans. There was little of each.

The reason his blood sugar was dropping was that we wanted to watch Antique Road Show. I know he should manage his own health, but obviously, he won't. And, he just now told me F*** Off! 

I had to wake him at 2 am to take meds and his insulin because he did not even take meds! He is so exhausting. And rude. This is why I didn't do anything to help him when he was wandering around just before he fell. I knew abuse would follow. I would have done more if I actually thought he would fall. He tells me he knows what he is doing and does not need help! He is too big to manhandle as if he were three. 

It is 3 am, and I cannot sleep!

Do you have experience with someone with diabetes who will not listen? He will get the little dexcon thing to wear, but will not allow it on my phone because he "can do it himself" because he "knows what he is doing."

He had a boarder about 20 years ago who found him unconscious in the living room. She called an ambulance and he was taken to the hospital. He complained that all she needed to do was put food in his mouth. He did not know about the tubes of gel to squeeze in a person's mouth and said he did not need  to keep those around because food would work, too. Seee? If I do try to force anything on him, he will hurt me because he is strong. Remember?

Tuesday now. So, he lived through the night. I always worry about that. 

Between the two of us, we cooked three packages of sliced chicken and sliced turkey breast, potatoes, carrots, squash and onions. I did put garlic powder and onion powder on all. 

We ate late, too late. I had Tommy eat pb that he put on crackers. He did not argue as he usually does. I suppose his cut eye still hurts. The cut is right on his brow, right on the bone. I bled lots and then quit. He has a few other small bruises, but I forgot where. He was not hurt so it affected his walking. 

I have the name of a new Endocrinologist and will get an appointment for Tommy, too. 

Do you or have you dealt with a diabetic in trouble who does not know it?

Surprise Find

 I have not cleaned out my car since 2019. No, the car is not filthy. There was less in the back seat, so I had Tommy bring that in when he went out for the mail. Mainly, there was an Eastport backpack in a disintegrating garbage bag. There were lots of good and useful things in it. Some things had been destroyed by 5 years closed in a car that had full sun from noon to sunset. 

There were two good umbrellas and an ice scraper.  One umbrella had a sticky handle that I hope can be cleaned. Also, there was a windup radio and a windup flashlight that were tossed. Fire starters made in a cardboard egg carton were tossed. A makeup pouch holds two sets of utensils. I hate eating a nice meal with flimsy plastic utensils. Two duffle bags were folded and new, keeping those. Now that I am here, I use bags to keep like items together since I have less storage pieces and shelves. There was a red man's bag for shaving and stuff. 

I have a cheap pair of binoculars that I found in the bag and will keep by my chair to watch flowers and hummingbirds right outside the door. Speaking of which, there was a beautiful yellow butterfly trying to land on a swaying basket of pink petunias today. 

The last two things I found was a planter that is a figurine. Then, gloriously, I found my Notary Public stamp. I wondered where it was.  Now, I won't have to buy another. 

Everything in this bag was new except for the planter. It still had the Kress sticker for 49 cents. 

The binoculars have a sticker for Nature Valley Nut Clusters, so they were definitely free from somewhere, same with windup radio and windup flashlight. One duffle bag had ad for Marlins, new in plastic. One umbrella was something I won from ABC3340. 

Size 12 black velvet, sleeveless dress with sparkles on high bodice, little girl's size. good hanger. Soap in wrapper, pretty well disintegrated--tossed.

Only the umbrella and ice scraper which I did not mention will go back into the car.  These items have never been in this house. Now for the trunk! 

I am overjoyed to find Notary stamp. I am also overjoyed that the day is sunny and 82F. 

By the way, I called Kraft about the orange MW. This was something for which they had an answer. It was a problem with the machine sealing the jar. Apparently, it overheated the seal and caused it to fail. Usually, a company will act surprised and say no one has complained about that.

Now, Tommy is bringing in items from the car trunk. I had 6-pack of Ball, blue, wide-mouth jars, 6 tiny Halloween vases with dead plants and dirt. I bought these for a dime with the dead plants. Now, he says they had ladybugs on them. Unbeknownst to me, he cleaned them out for me. Great. 

It is so late, and I am just now cooking burgers to eat with leftover vegetables. 

All in all, it was a very good day. I talked to a cousin and found he had his second heart attack. I did not have to wear a coat or sweater out since it was 82F.

There is very little left in the trunk now. 

Do you ever find a cache of very good things you thought were lost? 

One other thing happened late, but that is for another day.

Fake Meat Could Negatively Impact Heart Health/ Taxes

Sunday was a slow day, with pretty sky that soon became really overcast in one direction. We sat in the park for a bit before we rushed home to watch America's Funniest Videos, always hilarious. 

We went out and returned the battery and got core money back on my cc. Then, Tommy took orange-tinged and stinky MW that was spoiled back to Publix. He got one with a date of August. Only car parts store gave us a problem. Tommy went in there, too. 

Sometimes, I have looked at the labels of fake hamburgers and such. So far, I have not eaten any fake meat. I did have some in refrigerator accidentally. Tommy ate them. Do you eat fake meat?

 Plant-based products could negatively impact heart health: Study | Watch (msn.com)Fake M

Tommy finished his tax return yesterday. Sunday, he finished mine in 15 minutes since it is much less complicated. I completed two birthday cards, one to grandson and another to son, father of grandson. So, we had six pieces of mail to deposit inside the PO. Only when I have Christmas cards, do we have this many pieces of mail to go out. 

Today, I took a good look at my botched haircut. I think what I did was cut one side twice and left the other side alone! Of course, I sat in my chair without a mirror and cut by feel. Why am I surprised I goofed? 

Do you eat fake meat? 

Are your taxes done? In the mail? 

Sleep and Weight

 Friday night, I slept 12 hours, maybe more. I have lost another 5 pounds, making it 20 pounds lost. I must get an appointment to see what this is. Plus, my neck hurts and is swollen. I suspect it is my thyroid and cancer from the nodules behind it. But, I hate to borrow trouble. 

Friday, I had mower come by here to check on my tire. He came from work since it is much closer than going home and then coming back. He drove my car to tire place that he chose, not a chain. The guy took off tire, dumped it in a tank and found the glue holding tire to rim was not holding, plus tire stem was loose. Now, I know why the tire lost all its air, down to 3.5 pounds. He went right to door and said he watched them to make sure it was done right. It only cost me $12. He saved me money. 

He drove it through the scary car wash. I told them I wanted a $10 wash, but woman put it on a $16 wash. Car was still very dirty. It was covered in pollen, so maybe this was as good as it gets. 

Overall, he was here for 1.5 hours, and Tommy gave him a check for $35. I hope it was enough. K said if he had the money, he would take the car right now. Hope the woman friend is so positive. The only thing wrong with the car is that driver door will not lock when all the other doors lock. You have to push down the lock. And, I cannot set the clock. We both tried, then both used instructions. That is the last $63 I will spend to sell this car. It sells 'as is.'

Tonight, I cooked hamburger, no bun. We had slaw with it. I think I must have eaten more than a cup, maybe two cups of slaw. I had no breakfast and only chicken sandwich for lunch. I got up for 20 minutes, ate lunch and went to bed again. 

I think both of us will get a new car if we can find a new one deeply discounted. Tommy seems okay with it after the exorbitant prices we saw on used cars, high mileage. Of course, we may not. 

Tonight, as I was making slaw, I had to open a new jar of Miracle Whip. As I pulled the paper and foil seal off, I saw orange. That is not good. I pulled more. Not only was the seal and orangey-red, so was the Miracle Whip inside and it stunk. The use-by date was May 24. Tommy got out another jar, same date, bought at same time. No orange, no swoosh when the seal was broken, smells great. So, that goes back or I will call Kraft. 

What sealed commercial food have you opened that was obviously spoiled? How gross was that?

The jar of MW I finished yesterday had a date of Feb 24. It still tasted and smelled good when I last ate it yesterday. 

Have you ever had to repair a car you were selling? I only fixed the tire because it was dangerous. 

Now, I am limp again. 

Eclipse Camera

 This is my little camera with a lens from eclipse glasses taped over the lens of the camera. I turned on the camera so the lens would extend. Then, I taped the eclipse lens over the extended camera lens.

Below, you can see how the camera lens is retracted, yet the glasses lens is taped above the camera. This way, I did not have to keep reattaching the eclipse lens. 

It worked to take pictures without having to hold both in place every time. After I took these pictures, I could rip off the tape over the lens. 

I have been dealing with the car, so I am too tired to write more. I really did nothing and not for long, but the mental load was heavy.

Does a serious mental job feel more stressful than hard work?

Escalation and Refund

 The deal. I bought a bed four years ago. Maybe three. When the company warehouse was going to deliver it, they said delivery people did not deliver it inside the house.  This had nothing to do with Covid. Since neither Tommy nor I could get the heavy bed frame inside the house, I wanted my money back. Well, this never occurred. 

Three months ago, I talked to M, the person in the store who promised this would happen. Every time I called to ask, she was on the verge of refunding the money. She said they could take it off the price of the lift mechanism. However, she still could not find any record of the frame purchase. 

After three months and promises from all the very nice people, I called corporate. At about noon, I explained it all. Around 4 pm, the chief operating officer called me. At 4:15, very nice M called and said she needed my card number to refund the money. 

Today, no one at corporate needed explanations beyond my initial request. So, I suppose the people on the ground floor received "a good talking to."

Oh, I did inform corporate we took our ~$2000 to another store. 

Right now, I am sitting here trying not to talk because Tommy is working on his taxes. Then, he will do mine. 

Cleaner came today. The order of the day--change my bed and help me get things off the floor to spray for fleas. I sprayed my bedroom and hall down to furnace return. As I sat in the living room, I looked for the flea spray I had just used. Well, Tommy brought me roach spray, some sort of kitchen spray that is not toxic, but "don't breathe it or get it on food." Sounds toxic to me. 

He said I had asked him specifically for roach spray. Well, since I was bit three more times this morning, and I was suffering and complaining, he should have asked me what I meant. He told me he never questions me, just does what I want. Well, hardly. I laughed and then yelled at him. 

So, everything was removed from the floor and fleas not addressed in bedroom and hall. I tried to nap afterwards to no avail. 

I am sitting here, wanting to talk and about to burst. I just need to ask for remote and other nonsense, but know that will disturb him. 

Corporate is an entity I know exists and use, but not for name calling, accusing a person of not helping. I will complain to corporate for other things, like quality of an item. There was no pushback and denial putting me off. The refund happened.  

Cleaner was short on time and could not look at car. She was disappointed and will come next week. There is something wrong with one tire. It has lost air since I bought the tires. Finally, it was down to 3.5 lbs. Tommy has just ignored my pleas to put air in it. I am afraid that sitting with no air has caused the rim to ruin the tire. I am afraid it will have a blowout. So, I am having someone replace tire with spare, a good tire but not like the other three new Michelins on the car. I know driving on the rim with destroy a tire, but not if the tire rim sits on the tire. 

Tonight, we watched Elkhorn. Well, I went to bed halfway through, but we enjoyed it and will follow the series. 

Rain is going away for a few days. I love to see the suns on the weather report. 

I cut my hair a few days ago. Both sides are different. One side is a blunt bob, the other is a longer layered, wispy look. Both look great, but not on one head. I sat in my chair with feet up to cut it, no mirror, just feel. Why, oh why, do I do these things??? As it turns out, cleaner cleans for woman who goes to people's homes to cut and style hair. Since she is recovering from surgery, it will be a few weeks until she can fix my mistake. 

Do you ever cut your hair and ruin it? My only consolation is I did not pay a professional. 

Do you ever resort to calling corporate and calling names? 

I Had to Say It

 Today, I decided today was the day. One way or another, I was going to talk to nurse who was supposed to call me a month ago. The person who answered the phone demanded to know exactly what my questions were. I told her I could get off the phone, write the questions out and call her back with 20 questions she could write down, plus there were questions with follow up questions. She said she would have her call me. I asked when. She did not know. I told her I had been waiting for a return call for over three weeks. This fact was what I just had to say.  I said this with no rancor. 

Lo and behold! The nurse called within the hour. It seemed we talked for an hour. But, it was a bit over 19 minutes. The latest tests show no sign of Barretts esophagus. The last doctor said I did. She said, NO. 

It went on like this with the first doctor telling me things that were not true. The nurse said there was nothing in his notes or in the test results. I may even have office notes saying so.

I had gallstones before or shadows of gallstones. Now, there is nothing, no gallstones. I was given bad news about my liver; now liver enzymes are fine. So, I am glad I am out of there with the first doctor. I have been told by other doctors he will not send test results, will not cooperate with other doctors. Well, cannot worry about that. 

Plus, present doc had sent a referral to an endocrinologist twice, and they were surprised this ENT had not contacted me. I now have a name and number to call. 

I did forget to alert the nurse to my unexpected weight loss, so I will just leave a message tomorrow. I feel looser below waist like I can feel the loss. 

I called a certain dealer about having a lift attached to a vehicle to lift and lower a scooter or wheelchair. First dealer--leave a message. Second dealer--no one came to phone afterI asked for manager, and I was switched to leave a message. Third dealer--sweet thing got her feelings hurt because she did not know anything about anything that lifted a vehicle. She got smart and said I was rude when I thought she was being rude and she would not let me talk to anyone else. I suppose she needed to sell a car. Now, all three of these were the same manufacturer, just different locations. I gave up for today. She was the one sour note in the day after making a dozen calls. I will switch to another manufacturer tomorrow. 

I even called about the bed I ordered that I changed my mind about. This has been going on for four years. The woman who was going to make it right three months ago, is not calling. The delivery would only put it on the front porch, so I told them I did not want it. Even after I explained neither of us could lift it to bring it in, they refused. 

The company that delivered and set up the wrong base and mattress promised to call me today. I have heard nothing. 

We went to Publix to get Diet Coke Caffeine Free for me and Diet Pepsi for Tommy. Both were b2g1. I bought two other bogo things, forgot what, plus milk for both of us. I need to go back for a few things. 

While we were out, we got all three store ads. There is nothing we want or need.  However, we both look over the ads at home and sometimes find something we overlooked. 

The weather was supposed to be worse south of us, but there was nothing to mention and even less rain here than expected. However, the thunder yesterday and today was scary sounding even though it was not particularly close. The wind ripped my hair around so that when I finally got into Publix, it appeared my hair grew down over my face. 

Dinner: Whopper Jr. while out,  huge salad with tomato at home, plus an orange. Later, I will have blueberries and Greek yogurt. Even later, I will have a bowl of kale. Tommy had Whopper Jr. when out,  ground beef on bun later at home, broccoli, and salad. We have so much food prepared! We never have anything on the Whopper, Jr. except for cheese, lettuce, and tomato. 

Today has been quiet, cold, rainy, damp feeling indoors even though the temperature was in the high 60s. This post may not be important to anyone else, but it is to me. I know--boring.

Have you ever had a doctor tell you something that was not true? This is the only one for me. 

Doesn't it seem car salesmen would answer the phone? 

Eclipse and Tuesday

 The eclipse is over. Clouds came over just before the end. We had 88%  totality, but never got that far thanks to clouds. I still consider the experience as spectacular.

I told Tommy to wake me before noon. No, he ever heard that even though I said it all day long on Sunday. I awoke so hot I thought I would faint. He turned on the heat in the night "because it was going to be 'down' 54F  outside." I was suffocating! 

I took the eclipse glasses, phone, a colander, and a camera. I did get shots with camera but have not downloaded them, so have no idea what I caught on camera. The colander provided no eclipse shaped shadows. Of course, my prescription glasses kept sliding off my lap onto the concrete driveway. 

Since I was late getting up, and I was outdoors or in here trying to wake, dress, and eat, I never had a chance to call the bed place. I will. Two months after the bed was delivered, I received information intended to be delivered before the bed. Strange. 

When I removed the sd card from my camera, I was shocked to find this laptop has no sd port. So, no way to try to put a picture up. Maybe this is one reason I don't/can't post pictures. Ooops, I found the sd port.

I had things to do beyond the eclipse, so I was busy and napping. 

Today, Tuesday, I awoke after Tommy called me at noon like I told him to do. We went out and it was raining, so I had him go in and get bscb for $1.99/lb. They were out. Tommy washed a load of clothes for me. So, not much done today, and no problem with that. 

When he woke me, he was acting strangely. He swears he is not, but we all know differently. I grabbed a sandwich, made him eat a little meat stick, jerky-like snack. Then, I had him bring two more. He was confused about where to go so we had to get off interstate and go to right place. He ate the two jerky sticks and seemed okay. 

How he was acting strangely before we left--he was halfway in here and needed to go back out of the room. Instead of coming all the way into the room and make a circle and to back out, he tried a new move. He raised the walker and hit two table hard as he twisted and tried to turn them around. I was yelling to stop, but he kept beating up the furniture, shaking it with the walker as he lifted it and tried to turn it around. I was just horrified. He scared me. Plus, it exhausts me. 

We came home and he cooked in a pot the two packages of ground beef. I decided that that was good enough for dinner. I had had a chicken sandwich for lunch. 

I am not ready to show the car! Doing stuff in the rain is not going to happen. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and stormy, so I will stick tight indoors. 

Has anyone checked Lowe's for reduced flowers that are not marked? I may do that tomorrow if the rain lets up for a bit.

Has anyone found that cinnamon causes heartburn and much stomach hurt? I think cinnamon is affecting me adversely, something I have never experienced. 

Somehow, I have not been in the writing mood even though I read blogs and commented. 

Identity Theft and More Flowers

 This is a horrifying tale of stolen identity. This man is committed and forced to take psychotropic drugs because he will not say he is the person he is not. 

Click Here. Impersonated, imprisoned and sectioned – man gets identity back after 30 years (msn.com) 

This is scary--

Saturday, I slept lots because I did not sleep much on Friday night. We did two things. Since the $11.98 pink petunia was marked down to $7.60, I went back for a white petunia. I still did not see the Stella d Oro. We spent a lot of time looking for the white petunias marked down. The white petunia for $11.98 was marked down to $8. Good deal. Tommy used his canes to walk and help me. Check Lowe's for lowered prices not marked on plant or a sign.

We went by Publix and bought bananas, bread. I found small cans of Dole pineapple for $1 each and bought ten, five crushed and five chunks. There were no Red Delicious apples, and I was sad. There was a Christmas display of Lindt truffles for $5.37 instead of the original price of $9.99. Just before Christmas, the Lindt truffles were bogo. That reduced price won't tempt me. 

We came home, and I deadheaded the white petunias. Lots of the flowers are ready to burst into bloom. So both should be prettier soon. 

Oh, I meant to say that Tommy used the BullseyePro to air up a tire. It is much better than the one I bought before and returned. This is advertised on TV. 

Tomorrow, the plan is to call about the mattress and base. I did place an order and called back and changed it. The salesman was a dream. When I called back about not getting what I ordered the second time around, he said coldly, "You got what you asked for!" I refuse to debate him or CS. I do not want to get upset. But, I will prevail. I asked for 'zero gravity." This bed only raises about six inches at the foot.

Around 11:30 am, I will make sure I am ready to be watchful until around 4 pm, the time it is possible to see a partial eclipse here. If there are clouds or rain, the whole four hours might not be best for viewing. So, I am giving myself four hours to catch it. 

Dinner for me: kale, yellow squash/onions, macaroni and cheese, applesauce-1/2 cup. Tommy: ham, squash/onions, kale, last piece of zucchini, macaroni and cheese. I am stuffed. 

One of my favorite sandwiches is bread with Miracle Whip and pineapple. I usually use slices. However, it has been over two years since I had a pineapple sandwich. 

Today was a cloudy day at different times. There was plenty of sun, too. Hopefully tomorrow will be at least as pretty out as this one was. 

I am ready for the eclipse, just need to make a pinhole viewer. It is a simple job. 

Check Lowe's for plants reduced and not marked down on sign or plant. Have you found any accidentally like I did?

Have you ever eaten a pineapple sandwich, one of my favorite school lunches to take? 

Did you read about the identity theft? The article skips down two or three times before it ends. 

Have you ever been a victim of identity theft?

Books and Helpful Employee

 Bibliophiles Aren't Ready to Accept the Bookshelf Wealth Trend—Here's Why (msn.com)

My books are a part of my life, not mere decorations. They are part of my furniture, however. I need books to be on display just like I want pictures of my children. Books are a way of life for me. I saw a space where you could buy books in certain colors so books would be in your color scheme. How bizarre. 

Today, we cruised by Lowe's to see if baskets of flowers were out yet.  No, not really. But, I spotted a basket of pink petunias that I wanted. We were having to wait behind a trailer trying to load a patio door. We watched as a male employee and two male customers, and a female customer tried to get the door into a too-small trailer door. The female customer finally figured it out. 

We were looking at flowers, not just waiting for them to move. Finally, they finished. Before the male employee could escape inside, I asked him for help. I pointed to one hanging basket of pink petunias. Then, asked him if he could find a better one, so he enlisted the help of a young male employee. Both concluded that I had picked out the best. 

He took my Lowe's card in, came back for driver's license, took Tommy's, came back for Tommy's cc instead of mine, then returned with plant and receipt. He did not show one bit of concern for all the running and answering my questions. When he put the basket into the backseat, he did not just place it in the car and shut the door. He was muttering that he would put it in between to hold it up, then that he would 'hook it' somewhere. He was concerned it would fall over. Wonderful! 

The whole time I kept thanking him for helping and apologizing for his trouble. He had many patches all over his vest, so not just an employee in the aisles. 

So, I am still wondering where the multitude of flowers are for Mother's Day. 

Last night, I slept two hours in my chair, sitting up with laptop in my lap. I have no idea how I fell asleep! When I awoke, I watched a video because I was not in the least bit sleepy. Then, I went to bed before the sun came up. However, I had a rare night of tossing and turning in the bed. When I finally woke at 1:30 pm, I could barely walk. My left knee was so sore, probably from the poor sleep and sleeping with knee is a position that was not good. However, I felt rested. 

I would have gotten out at Lowe's, but I barely made it down the ramp to the car. That was why I enlisted help from an employee. Ordinarily, I would have made it to the flowers about 10 feet away.

A customer had told me the flowers were $12 or $12.98, forgot which. Well, the receipt said $7.60. I may go back tomorrow for a white basket and Stella d' Oro. Pink tulips, white tulips, and yellow lilies will work.  Maybe there are other flowers there on sale. Maybe I can secure a cart to ride. 

I just now put on yellow squash and white onions for dinner. We may have the leftover ham and chicken. Maybe I will cook a hamburger. Plus, there is kale and potato salad, both a definite part of dinner. All this talking is making me hungrier than ever. 

After he had eaten his dinner, he asked if the squash was done enough to eat. I told him as long as the squash and onions were soft enough for him to eat, they were done. So, he had a bowl of squash. Mine was delicious. 

Since my knee was so sore, I did not want to go to the church yard sale today. The thrift store near here is closed due to a fire. My goodness. The sign says they will be open soon. I hope they don't get rid of smoky items. Maybe they will have a great fire sale reduction. Amway's LOC removes smoke stains and smoky smell. 

Do you like books as part of your heart and soul? Or, do you just like decorating with books? 

Wasting Food and Selling a Car

The friend who wants to buy my car still wants it. I drove it today, and my back did not hurt getting in or out. Of course, my back was rested when I got in and drove it so little that my back was in good shape when I got out. Maybe I can drive it after all. 

I sent her an email that I could not allow the car to go that far. I think I said they could bring their mechanic. The husband and wife are coming when she cleans. I don't roll that way. I can only handle one person at a time. This is the way I always prefer dealing with people. Otherwise, I cannot keep up with people doing their own thing and me trying to keep up. I cannot deal with selling a car and telling her what to clean.  Actually, the problem is she is going to help me sort and put away Christmas and other things. So, I need to be there and with husband during car looking.

I wasted food--my precious pot of spaghetti. Last night, I told Tommy I would put the spaghetti away when he asked what to use to store it. He had put pasta away. Today, about 2 pm, he asked me what to do with spaghetti sauce. So, it had to be dumped. I was so crushed because I wanted spaghetti, and not only did I get a second helping, it had to be wasted. Next week, I will make another pot. 

Tonight, I wanted tuna. I had one boiled egg left since I did not make myself a deviled egg, well, two deviled eggs. I had about two cups of chopped salad. I put a Tablespoon of MW, the chopped egg, and a can of tuna, stirred together and placed on top of the chopped Romaine. It was delicious, and just what I needed. 

Tommy had ham, kale, green peas. 

I put on a huge bag of kale earlier. I could barely get them in the pot, yet after simmering with a bottle of water, they were soft and delicious, about two inches high in the same pan. I may have some kale later. 

I have retained the 15 pound weight loss. I deliberately overate for about three days. The scales don't move. Doctor has not returned my call from 3 weeks ago. I am worried. 

Today, we bought groceries at Publix. 

a2milk was $4 for 1/2 gal. rather than $4.99 bought 2

white onion $2.12 @ $0.71/lb

Beefsteak tomato $1.92 @ $3.49/lb (exorbitant price/lb)

Nature Made Vit D3, 2000IU, 250 count

    Had $4 coupon for NM Vitamins, and $2 Publix coupon

3 bananas $0.96

Welch Grape Jam $3.09

2 Lindt bunnies, 2 for $5.19

I forgot to buy apples for me. Tommy never eats apples. I eat banana, apple, and blueberries every day. We will put lots of my milk in the refrigerator before The sale goes off on Tuesday night. 

We got the ads for other two stores while we were out but did not examine them for our cherry-picking trips.

I stopped at a yard sale today. I bought Keto for Life, by Mark Sisson with Brad Kerns, 2019 ed. It may not be any good, but it was only $1. I found a spaghetti strap top, pink sequins in rows, for $1. I plan to use this for Barbie dresses. Plus, I got a tiny buttery cake square for $1. On Saturday they will have new merchandise. I plan to go.  

So, that was our day. Nothing much, all calm. All calm is a good day for me after the last two! Even the wind calmed down! 

Do you dislike people descending on you when both people need your attention in order for things to go smoothly? Plus, I am paying one by the hour and she is involved with the other person? This is only in my home, since I have managed multiple when on other projects. I can handle two or more people in same location, just not in my home.

Do you ever feel sick when you waste food that is a favorite? 

Do you eat Keto and why?

Never mind all this stuff below. I cannot get it to go away!

Companies Not Helping

 Like I said in the post I wrote this morning, I had lots of good sleep on Thursday night. That is where the good things ended. 

Tommy opened the door and found something hanging of the doorknob. As it turns out, the pest control came by eradicated fire ants, and put a sign in the yard. He was so angry. I spend until five o'clock dealing with them. We called the police who came out. The guy on the phone said we had to retain any trespasser until an officer could arrive. ??? Well, the cop who showed up said that was not true. But, we had to have proof they were here...a sign in the yard and bag on the door stating someone had been here was not enough. I finally talked to someone in home office who said no one should have come here since the contract was cancelled in March. So, that ended that.

I went out to look. One fireant mound was no longer used. There were three other mounds not sprayed that had fireants in them. I poked each with a stick to be sure I was correct. Worst pest control ever!

My car battery was dead, so I called my insurance company. My policy does not cover putting in a new battery that I buy. But, the person said she would just put in a battery charge and if they accepted it, it would be covered. The person came while I was gone after me saying to let me know before she came. She was angry and said she did not have the tools to do that. I wanted to replace the battery before mower looked at it. So, that did not happen. 

Auto Zone said I did not buy a battery there. Then, found I had purchased one in 2018, so it was not under a three-year warranty. I finally got the area manager who said he could check into it tomorrow. 

Now, along the way there were obstacles. One guy barely opened his mouth, so I could not hear him. He finally said he was yelling. Liar, liar, pants on fire.

One said I had to explain problem to her before she could submit a ticket. The problems happened at the three companies. 

Hopefully, we are rid of pest control company. At one place, my patience was worn thin and I asked the person if they were recording what she told me. She said in a petulant voice, "And, they can hear you yelling at me." I told her I could handle it but wondered if she was okay with them hearing her lie.

I have only told about  1/10th of the problems with these three companies. 

Oh, a tow truck charges $123 to take out battery and install the new one. Finally, I was emotionally and physically drained. We sat and rested while we waited on mower. He mowed and we talked about what a handyman could do for us. I mentioned that we needed someone to put a new battery in the car, a battery that was in the Rogue for the Impala. He said, "Oh, now that is something I can do." So, he did, and Tommy wrote him a check for $25. 

After he put the battery in and started the car, he stood and listened to it, saying it sounded good. But, he needed some money to come in. Tax return? I wonder but did not ask.

He left a bit before five, I think. I had left the key in the car, so went back out to get the keys about 7 pm, I found the motor was still running! It was so quiet that neither mower, nor Tommy, nor I heard the motor running.

I did survive the day, barely. I made spaghetti using the beef Tommy cooked. I had toast with butter and a huge salad. I feel much more relaxed and less stressed now. Spaghetti will do that to me. Facing off with three companies was too much for one day. 

So, the car did not sell today. Tomorrow, we will run it through the carwash and do a bit of spiffing it up. I looked inside with a critical eye. It is immaculate. I have not cleaned it since I bought it in 2018. 

The woman who wanted it is ill and trying to recover for her job next week. Like I said, if these two do not buy the car, the price goes up. 

The carwash is so scary! The car is covered with pollen, so I wonder if it will come clean. 

The wind was stirring my hair today like it did yesterday. As I got up from a chair in the yard, I was shocked to see the shadow of my hair, all standing up and whipping wildly. 

Two days ago, I bought eclipse glasses. Last night, a company in Bartlett, TN was on the news. My eclipse glasses were made there, so I suppose I got authentic glasses. 

When will CS actually give service?

Car Shopping While Hungry

 Yesterday, Wednesday, we went to a lecture we have attended before. Before, it was free and included light lunch. Now, we have to pay $10 apiece and lunch is even lighter. However, we were served a vegetarian lunch which left me rather ill because of the lack of protein, unless you count the cream cheese on the piece of bread. If we ever go again, we are forewarned and will bring something substantial. We both had cereal and milk for breakfast. 

As we were getting dressed and ready to leave, a woman with whom I was to meet called me. We had to talk several times in thirty minutes, making us late leaving here. It was a mess but she is trying to work cleaning houses, needs a car, and had a funeral to attend and people who needed her out of town. Eventually she got to us in a car lot where we were car shopping. Later, she was so ill she could barely leave the bathroom. I just hope I don't come down with same thing. 

We looked at cars again. I forgot the one Tommy found that he liked. Used cars are so expensive! We only drove two and then only on the lot. There was one car that had its twin sitting right beside it. We finally told the guy we needed two cars. 

I have gotten ahead of the story. When I talked to the woman before we left here, she started talking about buying my car. I didn't remember telling her I wanted to sell it, so I was confused but discussed her buying my car. Finally, I asked her when we talked about this before. She said, "Oh, you did not. I just saw it the day I cleaned and wondered if you wanted to sell it. She was thrilled it was an Impala because that is what she always has driven. 

The catch is she said her husband would have to take it to his mechanic and have him go over it with fine tooth comb. She wants to take it for 12 hours and 50 miles away. I bought this car behind the courthouse and without anyone looking at it. So, I will have to say NO to her request. It seems I am being mean. That is how I feel about refusing her. I only know her because I know her mother, the woman who died last fall. 

Yesterday was so windy that my hair was blowing every which way as I got out of the car at the car lot! Our masks blew off the dashboard and onto the gravel lot. Plus, the disabled tag flew right off the mirror. The salesman chased it down and put it back. My hair was washed before we left and had no product, so the fine hair was torn about. I believe that is the worst wind I have encountered outside of trying to escape tornado winds! I have done that a few times!

Last night, we were exhausted. Between no protein for lunch, very sweet homemade honey dressing for the salad, honey in a drink, and tension of car buying. I just could not find my brain to type. After spending $20 for lunch and another $8 for protein for a Whopper Jr, I was annoyed. Plus, it upsets my equilibrium and gives me a headache to not eat something with absolutely no protein in it. Homey and cream cheese will not help me in the protein department. 

I had chicken and potato salad for dinner. Tommy had a plate full of food, no idea what. 

Sleep came easily but in fits and starts. After nine hours sleep, I sort of feel better. Today will be a slow day. I intend to take the car to car wash in case the mower who is coming wants to look it over and buy it. He was very interested last week. I am asking firm $6Kfor 2008 Impala LT with 60K miles on it, no mechanical problems, no oil leaks, no dings. 

If neither of the two people interested want it, I will start asking 8K so we can have fun and dicker with next people who look. After looking at cars with 180K miles, 8 years old, and $23K, I am ready to raise the price of mine.  

Car shopping would be more fun if we had more money. Besides, my brain hadn't had enough protein. Next time, we carry food with protein. 

Tommy's Episode

 "Episode" is the only one word I can use to describe what happened.

I could not sleep last night, sort of back to my old ways. I went to bed a 1 am, rolled around, something I almost never do. I got up around 4:30 and turned on the living room lamp farthest from Tommy. This never bothers him. As I sat in my chair, Tommy roused and turned on his lamp. 

This was not concerning as I thought he needed to go to bathroom. No. He partially raised his chair, then sat there, laid it back a bit, then sat there. This went on for about ten minutes. Finally, I was exasperated and asked him what he was doing. He repeated the question several times. I was getting irritated and told him to go to sleep after almost an hour. He said okay and let his chair back and covered up. I thought maybe his blood sugar was off. 

Around 11:15 I had slept well and got up. I don't remember what started it, but he was strange. He took the sheet and blanket from him and just balled it up in his arms around his face and under his chin. Then, he started pulling the quilt from under him. He refused to stop and then started pushing his legs on the leg rest while I kept telling him he was going to break it. I asked him repeatedly what he was doing. He would repeat every question. Finally, he said, "I don't know."

I told him to put his little bone pillow down. I meant beside his chair. He took it and threw it onto me. I told him to put his blankets beside him. He gathered them sheet and blanket to throw to me. I was so exasperated. Only by talking to him in small words and pointing did I get him to put the blankets beside the chair. 

I questioned him for many minutes about his birthdate, his father's name, his brother's name, the president now. Finally, I asked him if he would drink a real Coke. He did. Then, I asked what else to eat. He tried to explain that Coke would make it all better. So, I explained in detail that was sugar/carb and how he needed protein and fiber or his blood sugar would plummet again. So, he sent me for cheese. 

Finally, he could remember his birthday, his father's name and birthday, president's name. I was exhausted and went to bed at 11:15 am and woke at 3:15 pm. He has seemed fine since then. 

He has never descended so far just out of the blue. But, he has walked around almost out of it and insisted he was okay. I have noticed he gets something to eat and is better. 

Our course, some days I have had to call 911 because of his actions. I still wonder what happened in the middle of the night and later in the morning. I am happy that he does not fall. 

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The type of onions may be part of my problem potato salad other than too many onions and chopped too coarsely. These were yellow onions. I might get white onions next time. At any rate, I picked out onions again tonight. This dish may last me another three days!

For dinner: ground beef with cheese melted on top, tomato, Miracle Whip, sort of a cheeseburger of chopped meat with no bread and potato salad. Tommy had ham, peas from a can, potatoes with onion in them, the potatoes with onions I used for potato salad. 

For some reason, I ate for the first time today at 5:30 pm. It is not often I got 19 hours between meals or snacks of some kind. When I ate dinner at 7 pm, it made me feel stuffed. Wonder why? 

A bit of decluttering has happened, just enough to call it decluttering. 

We are presently facing bad weather with a chance of tornadoes. 

It seems the storms are widespread. How is Tuesday and the night at your house? 

Have you ever had to deal with a person suffering a blood sugar problem that is sort of out of it? Tell me how bad it gets. How do you handle it? Especially if the person will not listen?

Harm from LED Lights

 This is disturbing. I have asked eye-care specialists if what I hear about blue lights and damage to eyes is true. All, so far, have said there is no harm from LED lights. Now, I do believe what I have heard for a few years. Thankfully, I have a lifetime supply of incandescent bulbs.

Click here->LED Lights Can Cause Irreversible Eye Damage, According to French Health Authority (msn.com)

Do you use anything to protect your eyes or skin from LED light bulbs? I know Tiffany does, but who else uses a blue light blocker or believes the blocker is necessary? 

I am removing the led bulbs from lamps next to me. 

From the Mayo clinic:

Click here->Are blue light glasses effective? - Mayo Clinic Health System

For dinner tonight, I ate chicken breast, potato salad, and green beans. I chopped an onion almost the size of a softball. I intended for Tommy to put part in the potato salad and store the rest in the refrigerator. Well, I have a lot of onion in the potato salad. To make matters worse, I did not chop it finely enough. I ended up picking out lots of chunks of onion. Then, Tommy got me more potato salad and put the second helping on top of the chunks. I was not happy since several bites of the potato salad were only onion chunks. But, I did specify to store part of the onion. Yuck! 

Today was very warm, almost 80F and very cloudy, high, thick clouds. We are expecting rain Tuesday. 

Did you have Easter leftovers today? 

Do you have glasses or screens with blue-blockers?

Or, do you believe there is no harm? 

Easter Day Past

 Easter dinner did not go as planned. I had a plate ready at 8 pm and finished by 8:25. Yes. it was late, but no fretting about that. 

Tommy awoke at about 1 pm. Just now, he said he woke twice to go the the bathroom and could not go back to sleep for an hour or so. 

I needed celery for potato salad, so we left. At one store, there was only one working electric cart. But, The horn had to be depressed to make it drive. That lasted about ten minutes. My left thumb was having spasms, so we left. 

At the next store, I quickly gathered the list. First, I was going to get celery, but the list grew in the car. I got celery, 2 onions, hornet spray, RainX antifog, Oxyclean, Oxyclean for black, Precise V5 pens, Pack of Sharpies. Tommy said it only took me 45 min or less.

We were home by 4 pm. Then, we started on the rest of dinner, which meant finishing the potato salad. Tommy did three loads of clothes which I assured him could wait. He watered the plants. 

I always put the hot, drained potatoes on top of the onions in the bottom of the bowl since I think the onion flavor is distributed in the potatoes better when potatoes are hot. I asked Tommy to bring the bowl of onions and potatoes to my chair since I fear dropping them. I asked him to bring the Miracle Whip and put mustard on the top of potatoes, about a teaspoon. Well, he brought it in with a full two Tablespoons of mustard. But, it was okay. Long ago, I used gherkins and dill chips chopped for potato salad. When I injured my left hand, I could no longer use a knife. Then, I switched to dill and sweet relishes. Using pickles is so much better. 

We had for dinner: ham slices, potato salad, and green beans. of course, Tommy had no potato salad, just potato salad without eggs. He started complaining about have celery in the potato salad. I had no idea that bothered him. 

I bought a Lindt gold bunny for us. Usually, I surprise him. This time he knew. When he woke, he went in and brought our bunnies in. I wanted to eat it, but knew it was too much sugar. So, I ate chopped celery between bites of dark chocolate bunny, hoping there was enough fiber for sugar I was eating.  There are no more bunnies, so no temptation beyond today. He had milk chocolate bunny. 

So, it was Easter, one of the prettiest Easters in a long time. There were families in yards, eating and children running about, no doubt after an egg hunt. Our dinner was rather late, but it was done and eaten with a good mood. There were only the two of us. Hopefully my ill friends had a good Easter. They all have multiple children and grandchildren living within a few blocks. 

I was going to make a lemon dessert, but I had a big juicy apple between our lunch and dinner. It was so juicy it ran down my arm and chin. It was a wonderful Red Delicious apple. I suppose I will have Greek yogurt and blueberries later. 

Tomorrow, I have a huge tomato to go with the potato salad that I hope is as wonderful as it looks and smells. 

Now, I have to hang up wet clothes and fold the ones from the dryer. 

How was your Easter?

Did you cook? 

Visit?

Entertain?

Happy Easter!

 

Saturday, it appeared children and parents were enjoying egg hunts, bounce houses, and picnics since it was near 80F, dry, and sunny. I expect Easter Day to be the same. 

Is your Easter happy?

This is tiny planter at my house several years ago.

Essential Tremors Treatment

My  92-year-old friend has essential tremors. The med she takes is only partially effective, according to her. She worries because her two children have the same thing. 

I read an article about a new treatment to cure it. I knew brain surgery was available. But, this new treatment is incisionless. It involves ultrasound. Click Here to read about this new treatment. 

Tommy woke me early since I had to do damage control for something I did, bad mistake. However, all is well. Then, I cancelled dermatology appointment because I could not get an appointment for him at the same time. Since I was up too early despite sleeping well last night, I needed a nap. I slept well Thursday night but not long enough.

Friday, we were homebodies. Tommy washed, dried, and folded two loads of his clothing. I usually see this. But, he was finished by the time I got up from a very early nap.

I froze 3 baked chicken breasts, chopped onions that Tommy cooked with 4 pounds of ground beef. Tomorrow, I will make spaghetti with part of the cooked ground beef and freeze the rest. 

I called my friend about the treatment for essential tremors, and she was thrilled. She wants it especially for her children. She has been sad because they have to go through what she is going through. 

We went out today to get bread, milk, and bananas. Tommy bought ice cream, too. He goes for the cheap stuff and it is slimy with gums. Yuck. That will keep me from eating it. 

As we were getting into the car, there must have been a dozen wasps flitting around trying to get into the car. When we came back, he opened the door, and one was coming in. He is so slow to react since he does not hear well. I had to tell him to shut the door several times! Maybe Saturday I can buy wasp spray. They are building nests under the porch ceiling. Of course, this is what wasps do this time of year. 

Today, I have been going through papers, either saving or put in waste basket for recycling. I have a basket in front of me where I put all recycling. Tommy then takes it and sorts it into separate bags. Today, he took many bags of recycling to Rogue and we took all that to Publix where an employee unloaded it at the curb and put into proper containers. Tommy tipped the guy since it was so much. Removing that cleared out a huge space in the dining room. Good! I don't know why we don't take it to Publix when it is just one bag of paper or bottles or Styrofoam. 

I have filled that wastebasket twice today, and now I have another being filled. It holds water bottles, mail and paper, anything recyclable. I use the short reacher to make sure it goes in. Most of the time, it does not if I don't use the reacher. 

Tomorrow, I will continue the mail/paper recycling. Maybe I will sort books I picked up years ago and find a place for them. I want to get wasp spray and other things, but I don't want to brave the stores with Easter shoppers. 

Do you know anyone with essential tremors who might benefit from this new treatment? Are you familiar with the ultrasound method? Or, do you know about it and I am the last to know. 

Are you lucky enough to have recyclable pickup at your home?

I Hate This Purse!

 

Genuine Leather Cross Body Bag - Super Soft & Durable Crossbody Bags For Women & Men - Classic Bronze Hardware With Adjustable Strap (Red): Handbags: Amazon.com

I really dislike this purse I am carrying. See the three red tassels for zipper pulls? They were at least four inches long if not longer. So, I cut over half of each tassel. It improves the look a little. The vertical pocket will barely hold a flip phone and will not hold an Android. My glasses barely fit. I doubt cigarettes would fit. I had to mash the whole purse to get the snap shut. I suppose that is a good thing if you have put something into it. But, to just close it empty, I was annoyed. 

Look at the two pouches to the left, both with tassels. The larger pouch has a little pocket on the front. Well, the larger pouch has a zipper that shows the whole cloth part of the zipper. Not cool. The inside of the little pocket has lining that is already picked and has tiny holes in it. I wonder how long it will be until it just shreds. 

The two buckles at each side near the top zipper makes the purse too busy for me. The top zipper on the front has a matching one on the back. Those zippered pockets are over half the length of the purse, so it seems top heavy when I put things in them. 

The zipper in the top of the purse had a huge tassel, too. The zipper end of the zipper end is okay, but the other end is loose. I cannot close the zipper with one hand, so I have to hold each end of the zipper. It is such an annoyance! 

Inside the purse, there are two open pouch pockets on the front and another zipper on the back inside. There are too many pockets, pouches, zippers and tassels.

The color is the only thing I like about this purse. I hate wearing it and carrying it. I realize I saw a picture, but basically, I feel like I bought it sight unseen. Plus, I put too much into it because I can. It is about 9"x10"x2", way too large. Thankfully, I only paid about $29 for it, I think. I will not toss it or just keep it. Hopefully, I can sell it or donate it. 

The strap is too wide for my taste. The whole purse is made of soft, thin leather. The long strap was folded like long straps usually are folded. It has never lost the folds, so it looks cheap and not leather. 

Tommy left a cheesecake on the counter for over 24 hours, okay--31 hours. I only ate a piece late Wednesday night. I noticed it was not firm and not at all even cool. When I asked where he stored it, he said on the counter. Yet, he knows to put cream cheese in the refrigerator. I told him that information about the refrigerator was on the box. He came back and said it was on the bottom. I guess he was justifying his action. He is learning. No, I did not yell at him, quite the contrary. 

It is 24 hours later, and I did not suffer from eating cheesecake stored wrong. Dinner: chicken, green bean casserole for me. Tommy: chicken, potato, kidney beans, zucchini, potato and carrot. Everything was leftover, fine by us. 

My 92-year-old friend is much better, no longer coughing with much congestion. But, her husband fell last Friday, so he is having physical therapy at home. I still worry for them. 

I called a Master Gardener friend about the irrigation for flowers and food in pots. She at least gave me two names to add to my vocabulary when trying to say what I want. I know I do not want soaker hoses or overhead dripping onto plants. What I need has to do with tubes and emitters. 

The lunch at the church with meals and musicians starts back up. We will go, sit, pack up meals to take out. We still wear masks so no eating! 

Did you ever acquire a purse that was so annoying that you developed such a great dislike and unhappiness with its very existence in your life? 

Do you water with the setup that includes, tubes, emitters, time and outdoor faucet connection? Anything I need to know?

So Excited!

 

                       Delightful Little Finger Carrot: Petite & Sweet (thegardenmagazine.com)

I looked online for the ad for Piggly Wiggly. Found it. Pepsi products were $3.49 for the 12-pack if you bought 5. So, I was excited for Tommy. I went in so I could put the five 12-packs in the electric cart basket. No, not at this Pig. I bought four pounds of carrots and left sorely disappointed. The carrots were cheap, we like them, and we eat lots of carrots. 

On to Food Giant. Tommy went in for the ad. We bought nothing.

Publix was our sweet spot. I had a list and told Tommy not to get certain items. Nature's Honey Wheat Bread was bogo again. Since we still have half a loaf left, we can still get this deal later in the ad week. He bought Philadelphia Cream Cheese bogo again, but the original like I wanted. I will use the 1/3 less fat version he bought for something where it is not evident. The mouth feel of the 1/3 less version is not good. Eggs were $3.71 for Grade A extra-large. We needed eggs, so I thought Easter would bring a good price. I suppose this was it. 

Yet to get for various reasons, but bogo at Publix: Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, Cheerios, bread. Red potatoes are 5# for $3.99. Tommy said we have plenty of potatoes. Maybe by next Tuesday, we will need potatoes.

We sat at green shrubs in a parking lot and had a chicken snack.  

Then, we stopped at Walgreens for a prescription for both of us. There was a wait, but it was bearable. 

We arrived home just in time for Tommy to see Jeopardy. We both love it. 

While I was waiting for Tommy in Food Giant and Publix, I managed two fruitful calls. I have an appointment with dermatologist to have growth removed below my eye. Oops! I forgot to make an appointment at the same time for Tommy. I called friend for more info on storm door she said gave her friend fits, trying to keep it repaired. I try to make my waits in the car count. 

Moreover, I slept well last night, and the day was beautiful, dry, and only had a slight breeze. 

After we watched Jeopardy and 30 minutes of the news, we went outdoors. I sowed the Cosmos seeds in a pot where something died off over the fall and winter. If it comes up, it comes up. I have pink Alyssum to plant anywhere there is a pot that looks dead. We may have two flowers in the same pot. Then, there are the carrots. The seed packet says,"12" pot, container variety." We do have empty pots and potting mix. I still want to get cayenne to grow and make pepper jelly.

We went out together to garden...lol...ten minutes of sowing flower seeds and more for carrots. We are such great gardeners. I lost the carrot seeds before we went out. I wanted to sow the allysium. As I opened the package, I realized it had been opened before and was taped. I shook out two seeds. TWO SEEDS. So, where and when did I sow the rest. I decided to sow the Cosmos in the same pot. Why not? 

There were still bits of root and plants above ground when I sowed both those. I used a gardening fork to pull out some of the dead growth above ground. We will see what happens.

After I could not find the seeds, I searched high and low. I even shook out my day planner. Tommy helped me search by using a flashlight to shine under the footrest on my chair while I held up the quilt. We do this all the time. Not there. When we came in, he wanted the other remote. I did the same thing, putting up the footrest and holding up the quilt. He saw the remote AND the carrot seeds. Mostly, I had searched on the left side of my chair. The seeds were on the right side! I have decided I will put the seeds on toilet paper to get them into the 12-inch pot without spilling them or hurting my back. 

I put a fake snake over the flower seed pot. When I plant the carrots, I will put a snake over that, too. I don't want birds to have carrots seeds for a snack.  Have you ever planted Petite Sweet Little Finger carrots? 

It has been a pleasant day with lots accomplished except for planting carrot seeds. We have heard nothing from the pest control company. Maybe manager listened to the phone call like he said he would and heard me being told someone would come Wednesday or Thursday.

Any advice about carrot growing? (other than the info under the carrots above)

How was your day?   

Tuesday After the Storm and Pest Control

 When I awoke this morning, I thought Tommy was watching tv. No, he was talking on the phone. He called the pest control. He was talking to the fourth person after he called. The manager of the whole shebang was trying to convince Tommy he could not back out of the contract. Tommy was denying signing the contract, saying I did it. That did not appear to be a very good argument since Tommy had given my email to them. 

I got on the phone and we were back and forth. He said we owed $200 for the mosquito spraying. He said we would have to pay $99 to breach contract. So, I pointed out they were the first to breach our trust since they never showed up for the inside service. I pointed out that Tommy had excellent credit and that reporting us would not hurt his credit since we could then tell our side of the story and how this company was more interested in signing people up for service than providing services. So, he was going to listen to the initial call to see what happened. We have heard nothing. 

We are going to spray the whole house well for fleas. I will put out glue boards to see what insects show up. We can pay cleaner or handyman to do what we cannot do, like moving things. 

The handyman can close up the huge hole under the sink. I was unaware of the hole until Tommy warned me. Oh my! He says it is huge and any kind of critter can come in. We will have people we can pay to do things to keep bugs and critters out of the house. 

I was not fond of the spraying to rid the outside of the house of wasps. I know where the nests are, just cannot reach them. They are under the metal ramp. We have managed to control wasp nests under the eaves, so we can continue without killing bees and other pollinators. We have already put out bait for fire ants. 

We have no idea what they intend to do to "punish" us for their lack of attention to commitments. 

Tommy went to Publix for bananas I forgot yesterday. He bought two containers of the best flea killer. Other than that, we have been at home. 

Tonight, I cooked two packages of chicken breasts and one package of thighs in one bag, no vegetables. I used frozen whole green beans for green bean casserole. I used the 'no sodium' Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup. Lots of onion powder and garlic powder took the place of the sodium. I used less French's fried onions than the recipe recommended. It was delicious. Tommy had a thigh and potatoes, carrots, and a huge salad along with his green bean casserole.  Of course, I had half a breast. 

Monday night, in anticipation of losing power, I put a battery-powered candle in the bathroom and turned it on. At least we can find the bathroom door, orienting ourself with the light. It is faint, but it works. We did not lose power, thankfully. 

After the storm and rain on Monday, today was beautiful, blue skies and high thing clouds. I think it was about 69 today, a day to make my heart happy. It appears there will be no rain until early next week. The children can have a dry Easter Egg Hunt. I always am sad when it rains Easter weekend. 

It is time to check the ads online. We still get ones from the store. Some of the ads are illegible to me. Plus, Tommy looks them over, too. Sometimes, he sees something we are low on that I don't know or forgot. I am hoping there is a sale on eggs. I want to make deviled eggs and potato salad. This will be the last week of ads before Easter, egg season. I don't think the freezer will hold more meat! I still need to put some of the breasts we cooked tonight into the freezer. 

Are there any deals in your grocery ads? 

What have you planned for Easter dinner? 

Will you be traveling? Don't go over bridges.