Bone Dry and Chilly and Tommy Falls

 That sure beats the frozen precipitation and frigid predictions of the past few weeks. So, it is mid 50s and will be in 60s, so we are doing well in the weather department. 

Today, when we went out to collect ads and milk for Tommy, the wind was mild and temps warm, especially as I was sitting in the car in the blazing sun, thinking I had ac on. 

Last night, I was sitting in my chair while Tommy searched for a can of corn for the taco soup. I heard what sounded like cans falling and falling and falling. It takes me a bit to get up as I wait for the lift to lift me. I was terrified. Tommy was lying face down across boxes and spilled cans. After I asked him if he was hurt and what he wanted me to do to help him, I noticed something else. He was holding onto a file cabinet that was in danger of falling completely on its side. 

Plus, lots of canning jars and boxes of rings were spilled all over. My Excalibur dehydrator was lying where it fell off the file cabinet. 

Finally, he told me to straighten him up by pulling his shirt. I did and he righted the file cabinet as he came. Then, his feet were crossed. He cannot uncross his feet at all once they get that way. So, I did that even though it hurt him. Then, I tried to help by grabbing waistband of his pants and his belt and pulling him. Well, that hurt me. Finally, he had me get two canes so he could lift himself by putting hands on top and lifting himself up. All this was excruciating to me. I hurt for what he went through. 

Then, he got up and said he was fine. He was not hurt anywhere at all. ME? My back hurts twice as bad as ever. Now, my spine hurts further up than my injuries cause it to hurt. Arms, shoulders, neck, and especially my hands. Over my objections he spent a long time righting everything. I wanted him to sit and relax a bit. I hope the Excalibur is not broken.

This is an opportunity! I have not told him, but we are getting some sort of furniture with doors for the far end of the dining room. Maybe he will allow a lot of the junk stored there to be tossed. There are too few cabinets in the kitchen, and we cannot access stuff we put in the bottom cabinets. Then, he insists on keeping the tiny table there on a long wall. So, doors in the other end of the dining room will not be handy because of the distance. But, it beats having to unload boxes of 100 cans to see into the box underneath. I noticed that this unwieldy situation has allowed some food to become very old. 

Last night, I went to bed at 9 pm and slept until 12 pm. Then, I could not sleep until 9 am and slept until 11am. I also started feeling really ill. Not sure if it is reaction to covid vaccine or uti. 

Through all of this, we have cleared out more Christmas items, baked cookies, gotten taco soup in refrigerator, and I am ready to cook chicken and vegetables in a bag. The deer are still in the carport. 

Amazon tossed a box over the ramp. What is the problem? Maybe others are happy with deliveries in the shrubs and all over, but this is not getting it for me. Amazon has made it clear to me that this is not how it should be. 

Supposedly, prisoners have the choice of execution method in Alabama. I wonder if they can choose a firing squad. Some people who die in prison are sent to relatives without organs. That is creepy. 

Did say that I finally was able to reach someone at cardiology after the phone answerers not giving them a message? So, I have a day of tests scheduled which I am not looking forward to attending. 

Okay, Tommy wants me to come and put stuff in the cooking bag. It's done, and he is washing dishes. He uses vinegar and Dawn to wash dishes now. I suppose I finally got 'germ theory' across. Once I teach him how to do something, he does a superb job! 

Today, he washed and I trimmed a quart box of strawberries. I had him use the ground meat chopper on them and he made them mush. I was commenting and he said it happened suddenly. It will be fine. 

I am still recovering from the horror of Tommy's fall and a slight temp, chills, and general malaise. I suppose by morning I will be better from the covid vaccine or worse from a uti. 

I found a dirty penny Monday.  

Tonight, we baked two small breasts and a few vegetables--carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, celery. 

Tuesday, we talked about making a trip to Cullman just to shop for a car at the place where he bought his Rogue. It was a good shopping experience. So, we will try again. Maybe they will have two vehicles we like.

Okay, it is 8:30 pm and I feel awful, so going to bed now. 

Did you feel ill when you had a covid vaccine? 

Do you dread shopping for a car? 

 

Tuesday Accomplishments and a Fall

 I awoke at 10:30 and suggested we go to Cullman. I needed my mail. We left here at 11:30 and got to town and bought a Chic-Fil-A sandwich, only chicken and bread. We had a diet drink with us and ate at a nice place that normally would be green. Well, we parked with a dead tree right in front of us, not tall enough to fall on us. 

We headed across the road to a salvage place and off-loaded drink cans, the whole back end of the Rogue, 6 kitchen garbage bags. Tommy got $8, almost enough to pay for the sandwiches. I got him started on this. He refused to do it when I moved here but finally got with the program. Hueytown does not have a recycling program. 

We went to one grocery store and found that the same item at The Pig was 6 cents less. Several months ago it was much cheaper. So, I did not buy it. 

We went to Publix where I looked for something, trying to figure out if Publix had eliminated it. No, they have not. I bought an apple to eat in the car and went to bathroom. 

Finally, we had an air compressor to use on tires, a tiny one. I wanted our money back. Tommy was sure they would not refund it because it had been so long and we had no receipt. Well, I got the money back. Tommy originally paid for it, but I played dumb and tried to keep it. He said he had not had money in his pocket for a long time and to give it to him. Well, I was laughing and trying to keep $5. I did give it to him. I intended to all along. So, he got money twice today. I actually need to give him $2 that is him from Publix yesterday. Change is always mine--my rule. 

We got a lot done by just driving from one place to the other. We did not linger after we ate is our want. 

We collected my mail and headed home, arriving here at 4:45. We have been recovering before making taco soup. Then, Tommy fell. He is okay, but we are both shaken. However, I hurt worse than he does s I was trying to help him up. I have to go cook, so will tell you about it tomorrow.

The day was wonderful, bright, and warm. However, when I came out of Publix, my jacket was unzipped but still hooked at the bottom. My coat filled with wind, and I thought I was going to blow away. 

Oh, last night, I had a short nap and awoke after the news went off. Then, I slept again. Woke up, slept again. So, between three sleeping episodes, I had a full nine hours of sleep. Weird. Then, I dreamed I was cooking a vat of kale, yellow squash and tomatoes and we were going to either can it or freeze it. I was certainly busy during that dream. It would have taken all day to run that through a canner. 

Was your day fruitful? 

Sunny? 

Monday Happenings and Covid Denier

 Sunday night, I went to bed at 9:30 because I knew a nap in my chair was inevitable. I thought, okay, try bed and maybe you will sleep longer. Well, two hours later I was awake for hours. Then, I wrote the post which had no title.

I have been up since 5 am. Tommy was awake reading when I came in here. He could not sleep. So, I fear my watching tv has bothered him even though I watched it with the sound on 10 instead of our normal of 59-63 volume. 

He did go to the bathroom earlier and pushed my laptop back onto my lap. I was napping and the laptop was sliding off. I need to start all over again trying to get through to the np at cardiology and the lymphedema place. Neither answer my calls. ???

I called cardiology. A woman answered right away. She was puzzled as to why I kept calling her. I told her the np gave me the number. She said she was in research and had nothing to do with the tests I needed. She was extremely nice and said she would help me. It turns out that I had an appointment that I was not aware of. So, this is progress. 

Also, I now have a mammogram appointment. 

We need to stock up on my milk that is $3.99/half gallon and each need to mail something at PO. So, phone calls, milk, and PO are the biggies for today. Plus, we need to cook. We did not. 

About 1o'clock, we took off for Publix so I could get my three half-gallons of milk, and a couple of other things. Plus, we took the latest Covid vaccine. We mailed our letters at the PO. Overall, it was a fruitful day. 

A woman waiting outside the pharmacy had to interject herself in our medical decisions. She declared how the Pfizer vaccine was the worst, Pfizer was worst company for drugs, and "oh, are they still giving vaccines? She annoyed me to no end. She regaled me with tales of her experiences and why she never gets any vaccine. She tried to convince me Covid was a hoax, that people died from the vaccine, not covid. 

She had so many friends who had bad reactions, rashes, ill with whatever. I told her I had friends who died from Covid. She doubted it was Covid. How annoying! 

I kept talking back to her, asking her among other things if her minister the one who told her this, did she vote for Trump? Then, she praised Trump. Neither of us had overtly aggressive tones. Tommy said I was antagonizing her. Finally, she got whatever she came for and left. As the pharmacist was giving me the shot, she returned to "apologize." Right! /s No, she was just getting her last shot in. 

Finally, I told her to go away because I was busy. Then, she said that this is why people cannot talk. "I just wanted to apologize." She finally left shaking her head in pity for me and muttering. It is not like we could leave her talking since we were waiting where we were told to wait. When she returned, I was interacting with the pharmacist who was administering the vaccine. 

The sun was so brilliant today that we had a hard time seeing. On the way home we were facing the low afternoon sun. Of course, when we came into the house, it took my aged eyes a long time to be able to see. I must get prescription sunglasses. 

At home, we settled down and eventually ate leftover bits for dinner. Tommy had the last of the chicken, potatoes, bites of macaroni and cheese, salad, and squash casserole. I had goulash and squash casserole and salad. Tomorrow, I must cook. How disappointing!  

I had an hour and a half nap. I always wonder how my night will go. We will see.

How did your day go?

Have you bee trapped by someone so annoying?  

Have you had your mammogram?

 Dinner Sunday night was the worst ever. The squash casserole was not good at all. With it we had some chicken nuggets with bad macaroni and cheese. 

 This was a frozen entree, nasty little thing. I had one bite of the mac and cheese and four of the nuggets which had a nasty coating. I had a moderate helping of the squash casserole. I finished eating and had no satisfaction in having eaten a tasty meal. Later, I had Greek yogurt and blueberries.

My sleep habits are back. I slept none at all Saturday night, went to sleep at 1 pm on Sunday and awoke at 3 pm. ugh! Two hours sleep in 24 hours is not good.

The weather lady said it was 78F on Saturday and thirty degrees less on Sunday, around mid 40s.

It is 9:15, and I am off the bed.

Sleep Reversal

 

Sure, this is a great storage box for my wreath. It is for a 24' wreath. I suppose mine is that size since it fit the Sterlite container. However, the was the hardest thing I have tackled in a long time. If I did not have it on my lap, it would have been easier. Since I left the velvet poinsettia leaves clipped onto the wreath, I had to make sure they were all inside and would not get squashed in the two pieces of the storage. I am certainly glad I paid $6 instead of $19.95. I do have a wreath in storage with the perfect sized cardboard box. 

There is still a stack of Christmas stuff, a small stack that needs to be tackled. Maybe before Valentine's Day, I can get it done.

Tonight, we had the pork chops and potatoes I was going to freeze. I cannot eat the potatoes and enjoy them as they have such a sharp taste that it makes my jaws hurt. Tommy says they are not a problem. So, I had the chop, a few bites of potato, and a salad. He ate my potatoes with his potato and pork chop.

The receipts from grocery trip are somewhere I cannot find. However, I bought 4 bags of frozen broccoli florets bogo, one onion, halos. I picked up the bag of Halos and was shocked at how heavy the bag was. Plus, I was puzzled as to why Halos kept coming. Now, I had emptied a little box. I was so tired that an empty box puzzled me. When I got home, I realized that I had bought five pounds of Halos, more than I had ever bought. The box should have come with me. I only bought one onion because the last bag I bought was full of onions that were green inside with no clue when I bought the bag. The florets were as cheap as fresh broccoli with no chance of going off before I can use them.

Tommy assured me he won't be helping me eat the Halos. I have seen him eat three at a time. I have no idea why he is not going to eat these, too. I only bought one navel orange for me and ate it as soon as I came home. It was just starting to dry out! But, the pith was delicious. 

Thursday, Tommy browned a package of ground beef and drained it. I put on an 8 oz. package of large elbow macaroni, and opened two cans of unsalted chopped tomatoes. One had basil and two other herbs. I combined the ground beef, elbow macaroni, and two cans of unsalted tomatoes--Goulash. We ate it with shredded cheese. I have not made this in 30 years. It was so delicious. We still have leftovers for one person. 

I bought squash to make a squash casserole and cannot remember the recipe. I found some online that had everything but the kitchen sink. Not what I want. One day, I tried to remember, and the result was awful and dry. I think I used the wrong kind of cheese. So, I bought different cheese.

Good news! Friday night, after having been out of the house for six hours, I went to bed at 10:30 pm. Of course, I awoke at 4:30 am, got up and went back to sleep in my chair at 9 am. Then, I awoke at noon and figured I had seven hours sleep. Good deal. I know it is not an ideal sleep pattern, but at least I am not awake all night and asleep all day.

My sleeping problem? I need to watch something funny to relax. So, I am going to get a cd of Third Rock and a cd player. We can watch this early instead of my waiting until 2 am. Laughter relaxes me. I might get Frasier and Mike and Molly, too. Tommy has boxes/cases of VHS tapes and no tape player. We need something to play those, too. 

We went to the pharmacy to pick up two meds, one for each of us. My prescription was ready. So was Tommy's. He was just going to pay for it when I reminded him to ask the price--$70 for his insulin. This is the third time he has discussed this at the pharmacy. He almost went ballistic, and he is never upset with people. Well, he keeps it under control except about this. He was punching his finger toward the tech behind the window as he fussed. I told him to have her get a pharmacist. It went better after that. Finally, it was $35. His doctor refuses to write it so he gets the lesser price. So, pharmacist has to adjust the amount dispensed to make it $35. This is an ordeal. 

Next week will be a good week because the temps are about 50F and it will be dry. We have had to use the ac this week. 

What's happening with your weekend?

Do you like goulash? 

Galileo Thermometer

 

Tommy has a Galileo thermometer, but not this one. It does not work, though.  The fixes are on the internet, so got that. If I cannot fix it, he will sell it. Well, he might sell it anyway. His is over 40 years old. Maybe my friend who has a shop will buy it. 

Today, we got so much done. We left home at 12:30 and arrived home after 6:30. It almost did me in. I was thwarted by electric carts that did not work at two places. A time crunch caused me to just leave one store for an appointment. 

As I was hurrying along in a slow cart, I came upon a wreath storage that was reduced from $20 to $6. I snatched that up along with a red bin with no lid in sight. I will go back to search for the lid later. 

We shopped at Publix, forgot some things and came back after we abandoned the pharmacy that screwed up both our prescriptions. My prescription has been there for three days, at least. They told me it would be ready in 25 minutes. Shock! Tommy talked to a person this morning there who told him that his new insulin would be $30, just like the old one. Well, it is $70 now. While he was talking to the person, I tried to get him to get name and if she were a pharmacist or tech. Soooo, he could not say who told him his med price. And, they could not fill it until Saturday, yet Friday morning at 10:30, it was supposed to be filled and waiting. That is when we left to go back across the street to Publix. We decided to just come home. 

We bought so much food we can barely get it in the refrigerator and freezer. Tommy was distressed I bought so much. But, I cannot bear to relate that because I am exhausted. This post will not be edited at all. I am beyond tired. 

Do you have or have you ever had a Galileo thermometer? 

Jesus and John Wayne

 Noon Wednesday.

The plumbers have been here for over an hour. We are getting a new commode. This one is only two or three years old. The jets in the bottom of the commode are clogged, so that the least bit of solid will not go out unless the commode is flushed up to six times. The water on the floor is from a worn-out gasket between tank and bowl. The alternative to purchasing a new commode was as expensive as the new commode. The bill today was $800. On Dec. 28th it was $389, so right at $1200 in less than a month.  

We agreed to get an American Standard last time in order to get it done and over with. Well, this time, I told him we only wanted a Kohler. He is not going to want to replace this commode in another two or three years. 

He abuses commodes! He will listen to me from now on.

On Tuesday night, I lay down a little after 6 pm. I told him to wake me a little before 7 pm. I really wanted to watch The Night of the Hunter. I was motivated to get up. Well, he called me at 7:30, 8:30, and 9 pm. I awoke at midnight with 6 hours sleep. It is noon on Wednesday, and I have still not slept. Ugh! This is a problem for me. Of course, I have nowhere to go. 

They have the water off, installing the commode, so I cannot eat what I want. I had tuna salad with no eggs. I washed the celery with bottled water. 

Thursday

I was exhausted yesterday. I took a long nap right at dinnertime, sleeping for another six hours right before bedtime. So, I slept none on Wednesday night. Today, I lay down at 2 pm and got up at 4 pm all on my own. Maybe I will be able to sleep tonight. I certainly need more sleep. 

The guy who put the sealer around the base of the commode left the product smeared all over the floor. I have no idea how to get it off. It does not matter since I cannot get down there to get it off. The first time I sat on the seat, it creaked, so I wonder if it is breakable! It continues to creak, certainly not Kohler standards. 

This weather is wonderful. It has been 68F for hours today or above. Of course, as soon as I arrived at Publix, it started pouring. Thankfully, it was only sprinkles by the time someone brought me a cart. Everything I went to buy was bogo--frozen broccoli florets, Chobani low-fat Greek yogurt. Bread and bananas were not on sale. My a2 milk was on sale, but will get that another day--$3.99 for half gallon. We did not look at ads yet. Nor did we collect the ads from The Pig, and Food Giant. 

I just received a book I ordered--Jesus and John Wayne--How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. 

"Jesus and John Wayne is a sweeping, revisionist history of the last seventy-five years of white evangelicalism, revealing how evangelicals have worked to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism―or in the words of one modern chaplain, with “a spiritual badass.” from the back of the book."

It looks to be a page-turner. Have you heard of this book?

The weather prediction tonight has temps in 50s next week and NO RAIN? I can handle that! 

Ads + Cat or Dog

 We ate the second helping of the pork chops and potatoes tonight. The potatoes are so bitter I cannot eat them. I asked Tommy if they were bitter and how could he eat them. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "I just eat them." Well, I could not. I sliced cheese thinly over the top and reheated them. That made the potatoes much more palatable. 

I intended to use onions over the whole thing today but ate very late. Everything happened late today! ugh

For a while, my computer had so many ads popping up. Finally, after the McAfee person eliminated all ads, I can actually read without having to scramble to delete them all the time to see the page. The person signing in from Russia was the last straw. 

Wednesday, the plumber will come to fix whatever water leak is on the floor by the commode. I would guess that the leak is the seal failing. I thought Tommy was dribbling until the damp spot on the rug was over six inches across one morning. 

We went out for a bit today. It was almost balmy at 65F. The driveway was damp, but it was not humid out. This is so much better than sub-zero temps. One dandelion decided it was spring. Midnight here and 58F. Wow! Tommy is outside barefoot and in his boxers taking out the garbage. More boxes are gone! I don't feel the need for two throws over me. It is very warm.

Tommy and I were talking, so I will let anyone register their opinion, too. If you could come back as a cat of dog, which would you choose? I chose cat. Tommy chose dog. How about you?

New Recipe with Edit

 Monday, about 1 pm, I went out for the first time in two or three days. I needed bananas, OxyClean, celery, and pork chops. Tommy went in and found OxyClean was bogo. Good deal as that made it $3 each. I had him shop for pork chops since I wanted to cook a new-to-me dish.

I went to bed at 3:30 with him having potatoes peeled by 5:30. He woke me at the time I asked and I wondered why he was bothering me since I had not slept a wink all  night. I sliced the potatoes into rounds, put into casserole, seared the center cut, boneless pork chops. He mixed two cans of salt-free mushroom soup with half a can of water. 

He added the garlic and onion powder I told him to add. Well, that was very bland, so we sprinkled other spices. The potatoes went into the bottom of a 9x13 casserole and into a rectangular Snapware smaller casserole. After I seared the pork chops, I put four in the large casserole and two into the smaller. 

I plan to cook the smaller, cool, and put the snap top onto it ad freeze. That will be two meals to eat and once to freeze. Actually, the pork chops could be used for two meals. It depends. I saw this casserole in one of the recipe sites I perused yesterday. I hope this is as good as it sounds. We have not had pork chops in ages. 

Edit: We ate. I asked Tommy how he liked it. He said it lacked something. Well, that is sodium. If I had an onion, that would have helped. I was afraid I would over spice it, so held off with spices. Plus, we can share a pork chop. 

Sunday, I spent two hours trying to get McAfee protection on my laptop. If I had written this yesterday when I finally finished, I would be ranting. However, let's just say this woman sounded about three and timid. She had to repeat things six times, with me urging her to speak up. Finally, I had Tommy take the phone and see if he could understand. He could not. Now, it tells me something is infected and may cause the hard drive to crash. So, I need to call back and have them take over the computer. The messages pop up to the point I can do nothing. I am not sure why I can type this in peace. 

Today was sunny, cold breeze, mid 40s, and a relief from sub freezing temps. So, now we get up to almost 70 and rainy. 

Has the grip of freezing weather eased for you?

I have never had a computer crash. Have you?

Have you ever had the potato, pork chop, soup recipe? 

This and That

 Friday night, I fell asleep in my chair. This was not sitting up and then waking up later. No, I pushed the chair almost all the way back, took a hand towel from the clean clothes sitting in front of me that I should have folded and put it over my eyes. Tommy said I slept two hours and he slept 45 minutes. We had been out, so I was still dressed instead of in my nightgown. I awoke all cuddly feeling in my jacket and even house shoes. 

We had leftover tonight AGAIN, and I love it. Choices were chicken or pork loin, yellow squash, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, onions. There may have been other vegetables. All were baked.

We still have not collected the ads for the week. From what I saw on the internet, there were no good deals. I found two red tubs, the last two in the store. At a 90% off section, I found two items--sparkling strawberry Jello for 25 cents, and Halloween edible glitter gel for 74 cents. The section had Halloween and NYE items, too. I doubt I will be baking for the glitter gel, but this stuff is good until Nov 2025. I can decorate plain cookies for Tommy...lol. He likes little touches of holidays. 

Called guy who gave me numbers of two cleaners. He was shocked the last one did not return calls. He will come over and do things electronic. Tommy never plugged in his cd player. Neither of us can reach the back of the tv. Best cleaner I had last spring messed up new printer she was connecting. I need a better setup so I can reach it. 

Thursday night as Tommy was raising his chair to get up, it started beeping like a truck backing up. He could not hear it, claiming it must be from the TV. No! So, he muted the TV and could hear it. He was so angry. We were told and read that the charger would last about a month. We have had it nine days. He managed to change back to the wall-wired box the chair had originally. I checked the lights on mine and the power is very low on it, too. Neither of us can put mine back on the wall outlet. So, I will still have to be hauled out of the chair by firemen. 

Today, he forgot to call the company number on the box and instructions that came with it. Maybe he won't be yelling when he calls. Maybe he should. lol But, for over $600 and promises, a charge on the power pack should last longer. Now, we need to get the kind that is plugged into the wall and also carries an emergency charge.,,I think.

Thursday night, I picked two fleas from my foot. I felt the first one bite and picked it off. I saw the second one and picked it off. Today, I sprayed the living room floor with Raid that kills flea eggs before we left. I will spray the bathroom and hall and edge of dining room on Saturday. Yes, I know I should spray it all at once. 

Tomorrow, I go to Lowe's for solution for the drafty windows. But, since it will not be anywhere near freezing, I will probably go Sunday or Monday. Tommy said to make sure it is something we can do ourselves. At this point, I know he will be willing to hire someone to do what we cannot for the windows. 

I finally had a call back from my doctor who said they faxed a referral for lymphedema therapy to the therapist. They have had it for 11 days with no contact with me...sigh. So, I called therapy place. No reply. 

Temperatures will be in 60s next week. Happy dance here.

Have you ever used a car or furniture charger? 

Why can dogs take a pill or wear a collar to keep fleas off and I cannot? jk

Chicken Salad Chick? & Drafts

 Did you get the scoop from Chicken Salad Chick? I didn't as I could only do one thing Thursday afternoon. So, maybe another time.

Wednesday, I needed to cook the squash we had for a week. Then, there was broccoli that had been here a few days. The last of the Brussel's sprouts were too long gone. So, I grabbed an onion. It all went into a cooking bag. There was plenty of protein. Tommy had ground beef with onions. I had chicken breast with onions. I forgot, I cleaned one red potato and baked that with the vegetables. Yummy dinner and we saved produce that was ready to be eaten. We both had the broccoli and squash. 

Of course, I had trouble sleeping. I finally slept about 5 pm on Thursday in my recliner and with the laptop on my lap. 

At one point on Wednesday or Thursday, Tommy tried to put air in a tire on his car and could not remove the little cap. So, he gave up on that and we stopped by the oil change place for them to air it up. He can barely reach the stems and not at all if they are near the ground. 

I checked the store ads online. There is nothing we want to buy for now on sale. Nothing bogo or a stock up price. This week is usually weak. Stores wait for closer to ss checks to run good ads. Well, that is my opinion. Tommy went in for milk for both of us. 

One day when the temperature was in single digits, I went to the half bath we never use to check out the water. As I turned to leave, I looked out the bathroom window. As my hand neared the curtain to pull it out a bit, my fingers were met with frigid air. I was shocked. I need to stop that draft. There is another window right outside that bathroom. I felt the same strong, frigid draft. I told Tommy and he said, "Yes." I am not sure what that means. So, he knew of the drafts? Yes, he did. I have heard about aluminum window being drafty, but this is my first encounter. Why did he or the people who lived here before him not ameliorate the problem?

All my windows were wood, including the over one-hundred-year-old ones and the two that were forty-eight-years old, windows we put in. So, now I need to go to Lowe's to determine what kind of stuff to put in those cracks. I repaired so many things in my house that were within my reach to repair. Or, I had a friend fix problems. 

Guys in hardware stores are helpful. However, sometimes they tell me off-the-wall things. I know better or can read or ask another guy who confirms my doubts. 

Even though it was around 44F today, I took a throw to put between me and the car door. I had a throw I keep on the floor to put my feet in, so I was set. 

Did you get a free scoop of Chicken Salad Chick?

Was it your first? Did you enjoy your scoop?

Have you ever stopped the drafts around windows? 

Putting a Light Bulb into the Washing Machine

This is not the exact article I read, but there are many articles that talk about higher sleep temperature for Sleep Study What's The Ideal Sleep Temperature? New Study Offers Answer (today.com) adults. 

Sue thought it was weird Tommy putting a lightbulb into the washer to keep the washer from freezing. So, I asked him how he came to do that. I just thought it was strange, but I did not question or try to dissuade him.

He explained that there is water in the motor or something under the tub. That will freeze the pump and burst. He said the washer repair man showed him the split pump. He told Tommy to just put a bulb in the washing machine. Tommy said it worked in the blizzard we had in 1993. His washer is in an unheated utility room.

So, now we all know. Have you ever heard that about the pump having water that will freeze and split the pump?

The weatherman just said we will be back in the 60s next week. Thank goodness! 

Remember the free scoop of chicken salad at Chicken Salad Chick tomorrow, Thursday. I may not be able to go. 

So, this Wednesday, another day I have not stepped foot outdoors. Tommy got the mail. I am content.

Have you ever heard of the pump freezing and bursting in a washing machine?

Have you ever heard of putting a light bulb into the washing machine? 

Will you be able to get out to go to Chicken Salad Chick? 

Hindsight--Can You Relate?

 

13F and COLD

Everything is all frozen up--interstate, roads, ramps. 

I got one thing mostly done today. The table next to me is a mess with stuff--receipts, tags, floss, nose sprays, tubes of stuff, pens, coins, you name it. I cannot get the trash off by reaching or by standing and bending. So, I had Tommy bend and put it all in a shallow box. Then, I sorted it. No, I did not finish it. However, the lion's share is done. Table top has been thoroughly cleaned.

One thing I did was to put all tubes, sprays, bottles, pots of self care into a tiny train case. Yes, I will have to dig in there, but it is contained and will not fall off the table. Lots of pieces of paper went into recycling. 

When I finish this table, I have another on the other side. However, it has a lip that keeps things from falling off. That means it can hold more! 

I told Tommy I thought that somehow closing the vent into the bedroom between my bedroom and the living room was making heat or ac not reach the bedroom as well. I mentioned that on Tuesday I would really like the vent open. He went right in and opened it. Guess what? The room was warmer all night last night and today. Usually in really cold weather I am faced with arctic weather at the door. In hot weather, the air right at the door is suffocating. No more. 

I read today that older people need temperature from 69F to 77F in bedroom to sleep. The thermostat is set at 69, so Tommy thinks it is 69F in all the rooms. 

I will fix this justification thing tomorrow. 

It is still too cold and frozen to get out. The pipes are doing fine. How are things at your location? I hear it is going to warm up in some places. 

Don't forget free scoop at Chicken Salad Chick on Thursday. If the temp is too low, we will just skip it.

The card today and yesterday are from TEMU. No, I won't buy them, just popped up. 

@#$% I FELL

 

Actually, I slumped all the way down and could not get up. 

Once again, I 'fell' coming in the front door. My shoe caught on the loose screw in the metal strip under the door, on the threshold. This is the same place I have fallen twice before, the same screw Tommy forbade me to remove by just pulling it out. I was going to put a bit of a toothpick in the hole with wood glue and replace the screw. Well, now I think he knows it is a problem.

Lest you think I came crashing down like I did the last time, let me dissuade you of that idea. I was holding the doorknob with my right hand and slumped to the right, leaning on the door as I started down. I grabbed the doorknob with my left hand. Then, I slowly sank to my knees which hurt my good knee. Then, I very slowly sort of slumped to my left side, the side of the shoulder with rotator cuff tear and another tear across chest muscle. 

The only problem was that I could not lay my head down and I could not straighten my left knee because of the way I was lying. Of course, Tommy cannot help me get up. And, I cannot put weight on either knee. Otherwise, I would just get up on hands and feet like a baby and straighten up. I can still manage that but not getting on my knees! 

One of the firemen had done this last year. When I told them I did not just fall, but the same loose and sticking up screw caught me again, he asked me if I had a screwdriver. He attempted to screw it in after putting a yard stick in the hole. He put in too much wood, I think. Anyway, he asked if he could just remove the screw. So, it is not in the way anymore. Tommy would not allow me to take it out. The strip is stable, so it is not a big deal. 

We had just come in from the grocery store. I went to the bathroom after they hauled me up, and we headed out again...lol. We may be in for a couple of days. Roads are closed, the interstate north of here. 

I went out for red storage tubs and found a 90% off sale. Of course, I had to shop that after there were no red tubs. I spent $1.66. for six items. 

Spring nightgowns are in the stores. I now have two and was trying them on for looks once home, not fit. Both have pockets!!! This is thrilling. 

Grocery store--red potatoes, broccoli, carrots, apples, milk, eggs. The French toast people were out en masse. I wanted to run screaming, but I cannot even walk. I did not want to yell at anyone, just shriek to get away, sort of a primal scream. 

Tommy 'plugs in a light bulb and puts it in the washing machine,' took spray cans we are returning to Lowe's, covered the outdoor faucet. We are prepared. We are set. We will have to go to a motel if we lose power as this is too cold to stay home and tough it out. The upside of losing power for a few days and going to a motel? He will finally be convinced we need a generator! 

He washed kitchen laundry this morning, so that is done. Everything else was clean. 

The light bulb idea works since his washing machine has never frozen. I was lucky that I had a basement below my washing machine, so no frozen pipes ever and they were not insulated at all. 

What preps do you make before a freeze? 

Do you or someone you know have a stumbling block that causes a fall or trip?

Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies

 

This is technically not a Christmas cookie, so I am not out of bounds here, refusing to let the holiday go. With all the snow right now, these are right in season. These were the best pictures I could grab. But, the video has better visuals. 

Melted Snowmen Sugar Cookies

I awoke late in the day. It was 11 am before I could sleep. I was mumbling to Tommy as I tried to clear my chair of mail. When I sat down, I was still mumbling. He was not here. He was not in the house. A note said '1 a.m. putting plants in utility room." It was after 4 pm when I found this note in my chair. So, I wondered if he were alive or dead in the yard. 

The note actually said 'I am putting plants in the utility room.' He was not dead, thankfully. 

He had also gone to neighbor's or the neighbor came here. Not sure. At any rate, now the wreath is cut in half to go over the mailbox next Christmas. I have plans stored in my head. Okay, It is a small wreath. Once it is fluffed, I will add other, longer pieces of greenery. There are very small decorations on this wreath. All will come off. I have 50% off plastic balls, red. I will wire those on, add greenery, add bow that is here. Then, I can wire it on the mailbox, maybe a string of lights with timer that I already own. 

I was trying to figure out where I got this wreath. Maybe I did not buy this wreath? Maybe it was here? Tommy volunteered at that point that he had a wreath that he put on the door. I knew I had to bought this at a yard sale as I would never purchase such a tiny wreath. So, solved. I had his wreath cut up. He did not object or even realize it until now. But, he is not unhappy at all. 

Today, Amazon delivered three purses I ordered, one black, one red, and one hot pink like the sandals I bought two years ago. The plan was to keep one and send back two. Well, these are better than expected even though they are extremely cheap for a leather purse. These are three different styles. I was going to send back the styles I did not care for. I have never heard of this brand--Krediz. 

Have you?

Do you decorate your mailbox at Christmas? 

I think the cute cookies could be made with store-bought cookies. Do you?

Saving Money

  On Friday. Amazon delivered a package that will save us money. Good deal. We use Reynold's Cooking bags, the large size for 8 lbs. Bought at the store in a five-pack, we pay 88 cents each bag. Bought from Amazon and in twelve five-packs, we paid 46 cents each. This is a savings of 48%. It would be great if we could save this much on everything we buy. 

I suppose it is wasteful to buy these, but it would be equally wasteful to spend time, energy, water, Dawn and vinegar scrubbing the pan. My friend who is 92 no longer cooks, goes out for meals, or someone in the family brings food. So, maybe we are doing okay by spending a little bit.

This is a small economy, granted, but eating out or buying ready-made meals would be more. I am lucky Tommy will scrub the dishes he does. He very much approves of and pays for these items to stop burned on or sticky messes. 

Tommy mightily objected to my using olive oil in brownie mix. He informed me it would not taste right. He is so funny. When I told him I used olive oil in other things, he still was not convinced. Now, he brings it to me without objecting. 

Yes, I made brownies from a Betty Crocker pouch. It doesn't make many brownies, so it limits us.  When olive oil I want to buy is bogo at Publix, I buy it and store it in the freezer. 

In the floor is a red bin, with two cardboard boxes on top of it. Beside those boxes are two other smaller boxes and a box of Christmas cards. Tommy moves the whole stack around anywhere from four to ten times a day, depending on if he wants to go outside or to his chair. He still has not handed me the two small deer and Santa that I cannot reach...sigh...I have not mentioned it today. 

Dinner was all leftovers. I had chicken breast with bbq sauce on it, large helping of slaw, one piece of carrot, and one small piece of baked potato. Tommy had chicken breast with bbq sauce, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. 

Cleaner has not returned call, so on to the next one. This is depressing. 

Do you ever use Reynold's Cooking Bags? 

Have you found any deals this week? 

Small economies? 

Nothing Happened Today

 I was asleep, but Tommy said maybe there was 20 minutes of rain and terrific wind. There was gently rain for a bit after that. No one lost power. So, preps and worry for nothing. But, I would rather be prepared. 

Today, I went to pharmacy to pick up four prescriptions. One has been there for about two weeks. Something about a PA and then there is no such med. Well, I doubt the doctor is stupid. Then, another has been there for a week. There is always a reason it is not filled. Finally, I was told I would need a new prescription. Well, doctor did not call it in. So, I had another one today and called it in. When I went to the pharmacy, it was the only one ready. 

We cooked six bscb tonight along with the rest of the nasty, bitter carrots and some better carrots. That was dinner for me. Tommy ate the rest of the honey baked turkey and the rest of carrots and potatoes cooked the first of the week. Tomorrow, I will freeze 3 of the bscb. 

I will be shopping in person or online for blouses. The last one that fits me is in shreds. I am so disgusted with my body. 

The other cleaner the guy recommended called and I was getting out of the car. So, I asked her to call back. She has four children, two very little, she said. So, she probably called when she had time. Now, I have to wait for her to have free time...sigh. 

She said she would charge $350. I was shocked since I did not want or expect for the whole house to be cleaned in one day. I would never be able to find anything. She would either just stuff things somewhere or throw it in the garbage. I have no idea what this guy is telling these women. 

I finally got the whole story on the light by front door. When Tommy bought the house, someone had painted over the screws so Tommy could not get them out to change the bulb. Forty years because of paint on a screw! Four years of my being terrified in the dark! I wonder if the fixture is rusty and unsightly. 

We cannot find the lights from Lowe's I was charged 50% off instead of 75% off. That is annoying. 

Tommy keeps telling me he will help me with Christmas decorations still out. No! 

It is supposed to be a cold, long 10-15 days according to the weather guy. Lovely, not. We might even have a bit of snow. If we are lucky, it might stick for a day and then melt. 

Tomorrow, I might make soup with hamburger meat and all sort of vegetables. I just wish I had home canned tomatoes. Maybe cornbread for Tommy.

How was your day? Cold? Wet? Snow? Freezing?

Who still has Christmas still out and stacked? 

Outgrowing clothing? 

Thursday Nothings and Being Ill

 Thursday, we planned to go to Cullman to collect the mail, buy Ball canning jars with a bee on them, drive by my lot  and a few other things.

When Tommy woke me, I felt as though I was getting really sick, no other symptoms. This happened back in early Fall, too. As then, now I have no concrete symptoms--one place on face has a slight pain as though sinuses are full/infected,   body aches, cough about once an hour--a slight, pitiful cough that is not productive, nothing else except this malaise. When full-blown symptoms finally appeared, I was on way to getting better.

I went back to bed at noon and told Tommy to wake me at 3 pm. When he did, he said I groan and flopped my arm. He called me at 3;30, 4, with me moving a bit. When he was coming at 4:30 to wake me again, I was up. Still, I felt ill. 

We went to the store for milk. That effort, with him shopping, wiped me out. 

For dinner I made slaw. I ate chicken with bbq sauce, slaw, and potato salad. Tommy had honey baked turkey, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. There is still more of everything except the baked chicken I had. 

The potato salad was as bad today as it was yesterday. Tommy did not put enough water on the potatoes to boil, and then boiled them almost dry! I should have given better instructions. He did not know. The potatoes on top got gray, and very hard. They were awful in the potato salad, so I took them out of my mouth. Chewing them was hard to do and gross. 

One day this week, forgot when, I bought one chicken tender to eat. I had trouble with a bite and finally swallowed it. The next bite I found a hard piece of plastic and fished it from my mouth. I wonder if I should call an attorney or just get a new chicken tender. I think the offending plastic was in the breading. I have no idea what I swallowed. 

We both called the guy who had a cleaner in mind. He will call back. I asked him about doing a few things himself. I need the printer connected correctly. I have no idea what the last cleaner did, but she said after the fact, that she had never connected a printer. I have done dozens, but I cannot get to it to work.   

Guy with cleaner friend finally called me. He said he told her about the house (mess I suppose) and she said $350. Well, I want someone to only stay four hours because it exhausts me. So, she would probably fill the garbage can, and we could find nothing we needed! Just NO.

He said he another guy could come help with yard things. He said he could do the things in the house, too. That might work, too. 

Tommy has not had a front porch light since 1986. He told me he was not going to spend money on a new light or electrical work. Well, tonight, while I was talking to the guy, Tommy said he could not get to the light to change it. So, what is the truth? 

This is some progress. He can take apart the deer, too. He will put out the Amdro correctly, too. Tommy gets it on the fire ant mound and scares them away. It appears you kill the mound, but they just evacuate and set up house somewhere else close by.  They take the queen and run. It needs to be put in the yard so they take it to queen to eat. 

Plus, I need the St. Augustine grass sprayed with weed killer. A special application does not kill the St. Augustine grass, just the weeds. 

Things are looking up. Typing tonight has made me incredibly exhausted. It also exhausts me thinking about the chance of losing power on Friday. I know some of you are in the same area or other areas of the US facing the threat of bad weather. Maybe you have a generator.

Tonight, Tommy promised he would get the Santa and two small deer from the bookcase to be boxed. Hurray. 

later

I leaned back and slept three hours. I awoke a bit groggy with both arms numb from sleeping in that position. And, I felt well once again. Who knows why I recovered? (rhetorical only) 

At least I feel well for whatever bad weather happens tomorrow. Have you ever had a day of coming down with something only to have it mysteriously go away?

What would you do about the food with something extraneous that you swallowed and the piece I took from my mouth? 

Rainchecks, The Ads and Saban Resigns

Tommy had a doctor appointment at the other end of the county. I only slept 1.5 hours, so the trip was rough. We did nothing else that we could have down there. The only thing we did was go to our three stores around here and collect the ads. At The Pig he was charged $1.70 or something for the 10% and did not pay $0.85 for being 'over 60.' This is a small economy.

This week, there was very little to tempt us to grocery shop. Instead, I pulled out three rain checks to redeem. This chore was harder than grocery shopping. I did stock up on 'no salt' cream of soups. The foil I needed was still out. I now have some Eagle Brand Condensed Milk. I rarely use it. But, I have two cans now. 

To make matters worse, everything but the foil was out of reach on the bottom shelf. Then, I needed help to get Tommy's Diet Pepsi. I spent a lot of time at the service desk talking about the foil rain check. 

When we came home, I decided to work on soups, sorting, that is. I won't use the sodium-laden kind. Tommy said he would leave it alone, too. Now, I have more than a dozen cans of soup, all late 2023, to give away. It makes me sad, but it has to be done. Really, one of these days, I will make it myself, so I do not have to eat soy or the oils in them. 

Christmas is still out in living room and ready to be boxed. 

Tommy and I are both using unused pages in our 2023 day planners for notes--a small economy. 

Dinner: I had chicken with bbq saucenand potato salad. Tommy had chicken tenders, green bean casserole, baked potatoes, carrots. 

I asked Tommy if his mother ever made cookies. He said occasionally she did, using the rolls of cookie dough from the store. I was wondering if she ever made cut out cookies. I laughed inside. She made pies. 

Tonight, after dinner I was typing. I noticed bbq sauce on the back of my left hand. It hurt to lick it, and I could not wipe it off. Somehow, I whacked the back of my hand, cutting it 1/4 inch and leaving a bruise! I don't bruise easily nor do I scrape myself. Skin is not thin. It is a mystery. 

I forgot. I did have Tommy take me to Lowe's. I still cannot light the grill. I went for long matches to stick through the hole in the front to light it. Well, I finally found the long matches, but saw the long lighters and decided that would work, too. So, I can try that. If it still won't light, I will get rid of the grill. Of course, Christmas decorations were 75% off, but I was charged 50% off, so I need to rectify that. I bought two strings of lights to put on the other two tomato cages. 

The wind was up again today, but less than the last few days. Tonight, it is 35F. I am so cold I have on my summer nightgown and the long-sleeved fleece nightgown. My hands are cold typing. I also have a heavy fleece throw over me as I sit in my chair. When I napped here, I used my jacket lying nearby to put over chest and around shoulders. I am still cold! I won't sleep in both nightgowns as I will remove the winter, long-sleeved nightgown. 

My hair is finally long like it was before Tommy whacked it! So, I suppose I can get a haircut to even it all. It has grown over 8 inches in a year. 

EDIT: Coach Nick Saban of University of Alabama and Roll Tide resigned. While I must be loyal to Auburn, I am a big fan of Saban. It is all over the news. Tonight, Channel 13 had a brief weather report, and the remainder of the news cast was devoted to the Saban development. 

It was a busy day, probably boring, but we accomplished things that needed to be done. I had my nap and small economies. 

How was your day? 

Any small economies?

Large ones?

Good food?

Are you an Alabama fan?

Free Scoop Now at Chicken Salad Chick

 Chicken Salad Chick

January 18, 2024, next Thursday. Be there. No app needed. 

Monday night, we stayed up late once we had everything set for bad weather. I heard terrific wind and rain hitting the house, but I went right to sleep. This morning, there was no more rain when I got up, just wind. Tommy had to fight the door in the wind with his walker. 

He said he was trying to avoid the head of the baby deer that was lying on the porch trapped by a pillar, grill, and house wall. He put the two large deer in beside the car and house, straight. He said both were sort of crooked. So, I suppose that the wind got to them. Nothing seemed moved by the wind. Of course, he never looks in the back yard. Sooo

I called the guy about the cleaner he knew. I got voice mail and left a message. 

Tommy is peeling potatoes and carrots. We will put bscb and vegetables in a cooking bag for dinner and future dinners. 

We will, at least, box the two deer and Santa on one low bookcase. 

Tommy finished the potatoes and carrots, and I trimmed them, cut them, cut an onion. We got it all into the oven. I retired to my chair and promptly went to sleep. The potatoes on the stove for potato salad boiled too long, almost burning. They were almost dry and the texture of mashed potatoes. 

Dinner was not as good as usual. The potatoes baked in cooking bag were mealy, carrots were bitter, and the chicken breasts were chicken tenders that somehow were tough. It cooked long enough and was seasoned as always. Strange. But, it was food. Nutritious. Now, I am making potato salad.

I called the guy who knew a house cleaner. No return call. I am disappointed. 

Tonight, we are set to have a windy night, so the storm is not over. People did lose power in Birmingham. One person died when a tree fell on this car and killed him. "Just wind" is dangerous. 

So, a lot of nothing this post. 

For the past two weeks or so, when I get sleepy feeling, I lean my chair back just a bit, not all the way or even far. I take off my glasses and put a dish towel used for a napkin or something else I have in here over my eyes. I have the TV volume lowered just a bit. I always go to sleep and never sleep more than an hour. Today, Tommy woke me because the food had been in the oven for over an hour. ugh

Since Christmas, I have been saving in "favorites" recipes for single recipes or whole collections. You know the Christmas Santa and penguins I saved. Some of the recipes are whole meals, casseroles, chocolate, diabetic. I must have saved over 5,000 recipes. Now, all the recipes that show up are for Valentine's or Easter. Some of the recipes are possibly the same or variations. I will go through the ones for diabetics and for chocolate first. Recipes I might make will be printed. I did not save fish recipes or one that are hot or spicy. Hopefully, I can find some good recipes, good and good for me. Plus, it is good brain exercise.

Don't forget your free scoop at Chicken Salad Chick. 

Satisfied

 My day is not over and it is after 8 pm. I only had 2.5 hours sleep! Today, we had two missions. Tommy returned the purse he picked out for me. It was fine except for the fact the top was narrower than the bottom. That went off without a hitch. 

This will not be edited because I am too tired.

Tonight, the extreme winds mean we might lose electricity. I do not want the firemen to have to hoist me out of my chair again. So, we went to Ashley Furniture to purchase these boxes that hold a charge so the lift portion of my chair works when the electricity goes off. That was another $646 for two rechargeable power packs. Tommy said he was not getting one, he could get out of his chair. No, he cannot without ruining the footrest part. Actually, I could get out better if I did not care what damage I did. 

Tommy asked if they had someone to install these devices. The guy selling them said he would come. I have no idea what he will charge. He was going to come after he got off work at 7 pm. I had Tommy call him at 8 pm. Thankfully, the guy just had a late customer and was leaving the store. 

Now, I worry. These have lithium-ion batteries. These have burned several houses in the news. Tomorrow, I go buy several smoke detectors and put one down by the chair where the lithium ion batteries are located. 

Formerly, Tommy screamed and yelled, saying I was not allowed to put smoke detectors in his house. Today, he did not say a word. Seventy-three years ago, I watched my house burn to the ground. It left an impression, a great fear. 

So, we wait. At least two firemen won't have to hoist me out of this chair. The occasion might arise that the firemen were otherwise engaged. I might have to sit here and pee in my chair. Yuck! 

Next 2024 project--buy bed and mattress and box springs. First, I must get the refund from Ashley for a bed I paid for in 2020. 

Yesterday, we packed up two candy dishes. One ornament candy dish held ornaments. The other dish held nothing until I put kisses into it on Christmas Eve. Today, we have put nothing away. Well, he did give the reindeer a ride on the walker. 

The neighbors are probably watching, wondering, and laughing as Tommy hauls these reindeer around the yard. He took them down and put them on the porch where I told him to put them. The baby on the table, buck standing in front of the table, doe on other side of door and in front of grill. Then, with the wind expected, I had him lay buck and doe and baby down on porch. Then, worse predictions came. I had him put the two adults standing between my car and carport/house wall. The baby deer was moved to side of door and lying in front of the grill. So, we will see what gets damaged by wind. 

Tommy suggested we move them indoors and stand them in the dining room. The spectre of glitter all over the house horrified me. Hopefully, I won't regret not bringing them indoors. He wants to bring the three stack tomato cages with lights on them indoors and put into a closet! NO! 

So, we wait for the guy. 

He arrived at 8:45 and made short work of plugging in the power packs and placing them where we could actually see the indicator lights and actually remove them to recharge the power packs. At 9:45 he left after we talked for at least 30 minutes. He knows someone who cleans, a friend. And, he is available for handyman work and yard work. He previously had a landscape business. So, this contact may be great. 

We are set for losing power. Dishwasher is going now. He heats water with gas, so we will never lose hot water. I am going to get out the paper plates. We can use the few disposable utensils that have accumulated. Plus, we can put reusable utensils in a bowl in the sink and use hot water to wash those. There are plenty of candles--battery-powered and led and even tealights and matches. Clothes and towels and such are mostly clean. Hopefully, we won't lose all the meat in the freezer. I will put blankets and pillows on the freezer if need be. 

Dinner for me: chicken with bbq sauce, green beans, sweet potato. Tommy: roast beef, green bean casserole, sweet potato, cabbage. 

So, I will post before we lose the electricity. 

How is the weather at your house today/tonight? 

Do you have a power pack for a lift chair or a sofa?

I Could Have Been a Cookie Baker if I Had Known!

 I tried to bake cut-out cookies. They were so cute. But, I was sick of dough rolling around the rolling pin, sick of cookies not transferring to the baking sheet neatly, sick of failure. So, I just made drop cookies or ones that were to be rolled into a ball to bake. 

There were things I heard, but, until now, I had never read a comprehensive means of baking cut-out cookies. So, Baking Cookies. Who knew? I suppose lots of people, just not me. 

This would have been a great skill to learn in Home Economics in hs. But, noooo, they only taught what I knew. Of course, most of the girls did not know the basic of cooking. 

For some reason I deleted lots of comments today, comments from two posts. So, maybe I can reply here.

Belinda, Good to know there is another avid Mike and Molly fan.

Debbie, thanks for pointing out that Chef was talking about tubs and not chicken sign. 

One, sign was probably made in China just like the one on Temu. So, cheaper from Temu.

Sandie, correct--yum blueberries.

When I find more unanswered questions, I will comment. occasionally, I will accidentally delete a comment, but not so many as today. 

Did you know all these tips for mixing, cutting, cooling, and baking cookies? 

Did you, like me, just giving up on using cookie cutters? (well, I use cookie cutters for other things)

TEMU Redeems Itself...sort of

 

This metal sign redeemed Temu's reputation for the time being. Yes, I ordered it from China. But, you can probably go to a local farm store and buy one. Nothing was broken. The sign is thick metal and the paint is rusty around the edge.

I TAKE IT BACK! The sign has dings on its back. The thin little packaging does not protect anything. 

We ventured out on this dank, dreary day to get two of my meds. And, then the meds were not there. Different story for both, but I don't have them. Some days, getting meds is a real pain. First world problem? At least they will be forthcoming, so I suppose I should not complain. 

Laughter is good for a body. Today, we got our belly laughs and snickers. Mike and Molly has got to be one of the funniest shows around. The writers outdid themselves on the four episodes we watched today. I would highly recommend this sitcom, but delicate ears should not be allowed in the room.

Christmas Note: I will unstack the three tomato cages so I will have three trees next year. I had two cheap strings of lights, but gave away one string.  I left the cages stacked for convenience this year. 

By putting back together the vacuum cleaner, I saved having to buy a new one. Tommy took it apart to empty the dirt. He said he put it back together, but the first time the cleaner touched it, it came apart in three pieces. She tried to put it back together, but I took it because she was not even putting the right pieces together. I tried for a few more minutes, and we all gave up. Finally, on Friday, I decided I would get it back together or we would buy a new one. 

I took all the parts off that Tommy had put back on. Well, he had not put them on correctly, so the rest would not fit. It took me two minutes, and the vacuum is whole again. I am good at putting things together, fixing broken things. So, now he did not have to pay for a new vacuum. When I take things apart, I pay attention so I can get the thing back together!

Tonight, I made a blueberry cobbler with fresh blueberries and twice the amount called for in the recipe. Delicious.

Dinner: honey baked turkey, cabbage, green beans, sweet potato. 

Tommy is considering getting a different tub or shower, something we can actually use. Does anyone have any caveats, recommendations, or thoughts on brands or dealers, anything?

Do you watch Mike and Molly?

My Brain is Still in Creating-Christmas Mode

 When we see mailboxes decorated for Christmas, I always "oooh" and "ahhh." Since my brain will be in Christmas decorating cheaply mode, I had another thought. I have a small wreath that I bought cheaply. Well, I hated it and bought a wreath of greenery only and put poinsettias on it. I found that small wreath and decided I could remake it for the mailbox. Maybe I will cut in in half and put both the halves, backs together, over the mailbox. It has a very full sparkly, gold bow. If the bow will not last in the weather next year, I can replace the bow the next year with a durable, red bow. 

Maybe you would prefer to have me save it all for December. ??? I will move on, but I must create all year long to have decorations made cheaply ready by next Christmas. 

Not much was planned for today. Not much was accomplished. But, that is okay. Tommy laid the deer on the porch since wind is forecast for tonight. Rain and wind. Hopefully, the electricity stays on. 

We did do one errand. Then, Tommy went to Publix and bought milk for both of us and a few other things, mainly two bags of chips for him and cookies for me. I will ration them...lol. Everything but the milk was bogo. 

An hour nap was followed by dinner. 

Dinner was still leftovers--turkey breast or chicken thigh, sweet potatoes and cabbage. Tommy also had green bean casserole. 

We are discussing putting away Christmas decorations. Hopefully, action will follow. Maybe tonight. Keep your fingers crossed. 

Reading more, I learned a few things about lymphedema. It is all interesting and shocking. My friend died of lymphedema, diagnosed on her deathbed, undiagnosed for many years by multiple physicians to whom she turned.

So, it is too late to put away decorations. Maybe tomorrow. Tommy's arm where he was vaccinated is really hurting him. Mine does not hurt at all. Neither of us feel any other adverse effects, thankfully. Only one covid vaccine left us feeling blah and lying around. 

I was sitting here thinking about the mailbox decoration. I thought how nice the greenery would look on a red mailbox. I asked Tommy how would it be if I painted the mailbox red. He said, "I don't care. You can paint the post, too, if you want to." I am so happy. I will wait until a hot, dry summer day, wash it, let it dry, wipe if off just before I want to spray paint it. It will look good and work for Christmas, too. I may not paint the post it is on, just spray it black. 

Do you think a red post would look good?

How is the first week of 2024 treating you?

Are you working on your goals for 2024?

Situationships--Messsages as Blurry as Your Relationship + Health Progress

 

I do not like Sweethearts at all, but I love this CONCEPT.

"Messages as blurry as your relationship." They might sell more of these than the original ones. 

Of course, I did not sleep at all last night and then only two hours after dawn. All the dogs next door barked furiously for over thirty minutes! 

I have been trying to get in touch with the lymphedema therapist during the holiday, leaving numerous messages in, I suppose, the wrong places. At any rate, I made one call that worked. So, I needed a referral with the diagnosis on it. Of course, I have no diagnosis. I told the woman that doctors and nurse practitioners said I needed to lose weight, that I did not have lymphedema. 

So, called my doctor and asked for an appointment. Two Weeks! So, I told her what I needed, that I was willing to come in, but if he could refer me, I would appreciate it. 

A few hours later, the woman called and asked me what exactly I wanted. Finally, I offered her the fax number. So, that is done. I am elated. I almost cried. 

Today, Tommy and I collected the grocery ads. Then, we went to Publix and got a pneumonia vaccine.  We have had RSV and flu vaccine this year. Next, and lastly, we will have the covid vaccine. And, we still wear a mask. After my first pneumonia vaccine, I was ill a lot less. Fewer sinus infections and not such a bad problem. Hopely, we are bullet-proof with good nutrition. 

We brought the bread I like bogo. This is not the keto bread. We were out of carrots, so 2 lb. bag was $2.19.

When we were through, we went to sit in the park and shared a deli sandwich and water. While there, a policeman came in and parked, taking a break, I suppose. We pulled up next to his car and I told him how I wanted to file a complaint against the cleaner. He could not imagine why the other policeman would not take a complaint. So, he did. I feel much better after being told I could not complain. He was puzzled, too. The policeman called it harassment in addition to a threat. 

The Christmas decorations sit. But, that is okay. I need a pre-dinner nap. 

Do you like Sweethearts? 

How clever is this idea? 

Have you ever had a breakthrough in getting healthcare that left you grateful and teary-eyed?

Temu Orders Disappointing

 The first order was a disaster. I ordered tiny items 1:12 for a dollhouse. The order was in a thin bag, thinner than Amazon bags. The bag had been ripped in transit and taped with a lot of tape that became attached to the items inside. Also, there was another rip in the bag. 

The sleigh bed was broken. The Barbie dress was really beautiful. The sewing left a lot to be desired. The skirt was long with a shorter layer over it. The shorter layer did not meet in the back, barely going around the side of the dress. 

A dollhouse chandelier with a center globe and three other globes around it was all glued flat and would not lie any other way but flat with all globes in a row. A table lamp was broken. 

Obviously, I ordered two treadle sewing machines. One was tiny for the dollhouse and fine. The other was a music box about 5 inches wide, plastic and very disappointing. 

I placed three orders and all were in plastic bags! Right now, I cannot remember what all I ordered and what was broken or disappointing. The little pots and pans were very cute. The fireplace tools were broken. 

A set of dishes is precious and makes me happy. The tea set is cute. The bed and lamp can be repaired. I am going to test them for lead this next week. 

I wonder how old the children were who assembled these items.

Dinner tonight--turkey breast for me and chicken thigh for Tommy. We both had cabbage, blackeyed-peas with Vidalia onion chow chow, sweet potatoes. The cabbage, blackeyed-peas, and sweet potatoes were eaten plain--no salt, sugar, or seasonings. The turkey had only pepper and ground sage. I did not check the chow chow. Do you like chow chow with peas? Have you ever had Vidalia onion chow chow?

Temu carries all sorts of items, purses, clothes, etc. 

Have you ever gone to the Temu site? 

Have you ever ordered from Temu? 

Were you satisfied? What did you order?

Down but Not Up

 Today, Tommy and I went to the courthouse to renew his driver's license. On the way back, we checked to see what was happening at the church where we bought a great meal--bbq sandwich and sides. Another time they had great desserts and other items. 

We got the attention of a guy. He came to the car and took our order. We both had a cheeseburger, mine with lettuce and tomato and grilled onions. Tommy' had grilled onions. When they came back, both had lettuce and tomato, so I had Tommy's. The lettuce was dark green and generous, and the tomato slices were huge and red through, no white inside. 

We ate at home. The cheeseburger was so thick I had to use a knife and fork. Somehow, Tommy was biting from his. His side was French fries, mine--potato salad. 

As he took the cc to charge us, he asked about a donation since this was for the building fund. When we gave $5, he then asked about giving $25. each month. We declined and told him we would come eat. He was a very amiable fellow, not too pushy. 

The red meat exceeded my anticipated amount for the week. I was planning on sausage balls as my allotment of red meat this week.

I did get the black-eyed peas cooked just in the knick of time. So, I suppose we are okay for another year, our luck being secured. 

We started removing Christmas decorations. It should rain tomorrow, so I at least wanted the deer under cover so they would not be damp to store. So, I mentioned it to Tommy as dark approached. By the time he got out there, he needed a flashlight. So, they are standing on the porch. He brought the tomato cage tree, too. I told him to leave the extension cord. This morning, he took all the ornaments from the tiny tree and put it in a box. 

When the obnoxious cleaner was putting the long pins into the deer feet and hammering them into the ground, I saw she did not catch one foot but hammered the pin in. I told her about missing the foot, so she took the pin from the ground and did the same thing. Once again, I told her about it. She was adamant that she knew what she was doing and refused to listen. So, Tommy only got 11 pins, saying she must have just hammered it into the ground. So, now we have to find it in the ground. I had not even mentioned this to Tommy. He was the one who said she missed a pin or missed the deer foot. 

Today, we came home with burgers and found a huge box and two smaller from Amazon. This was not all of my subscribe and save. Yet, I got things I did not order. Yes, my name was on the boxes. The one large box had three smaller boxes in it. Now, I have a box for the deer. 

The rest of the Christmas items are in living room, ready to put in the red boxes. I dread it. It seems as though I become more tired as the days go by. 

At least, I did not have to fix dinner. Nor did Tommy have to go find all the leftovers. I had two Wheat Thins. Later, I had yogurt and blueberries. And, black-eyed peas.

I will miss the lights and ornaments! The red Kiss with fairy lights will stay. 

I am too tired to edit this at all. It is time to turn up the heat, disrobe, and get my daily brushing. Tommy says I wait too late. So, I have missed several days rather than ask him. Now, my legs are very swollen once again. It is very relaxing. 

Anyone else still have Christmas up? 

Did you have your black-eyed peas? 

2019 Picture and 2024 Goals

 

I found this picture I did not know I had in my email. It was taken at some event in Cullman.

This year, I have a few goals. My health is at the top of the list. 

I need a new mattress before I am lost in the lumps in this old one. 

I need to buy a new vehicle, one that is easier to drive and get rid of the Impala. I love the car, and it is in pristine condition. But, it is almost impossible for either of us to get into or out of it. 

Sewing is another big thing I need to do. I have things to repair including clothes, dishcloths, towels of all kinds. Mending saves money. Maybe I will make some blouses. 

Finding Tommy a new vehicle and selling his present one is an important thing to get done and not just talk about it.

 

Oh--return expensive laptop I hate, find a new one I like before this slow, old noisy computer just dies of old age, and I cannot get my info out. 

I am so exhausted that even little things are a huge chore, but we have to do these things! However, no amount of sleep leaves me feeling rested...EVER.

Today, we saw a special about M*A*S*H, my favorite series ever. Now, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is on with a favorite actor, Steve Martin. Last night, we stayed up until 5 am to see Airplane 11: The Sequel since I had never seen it. Tommy never can stay awake that long, but last night he did not nod at all. I was the one wanting to sleep. (I did get 8 hours sleep.)

I suppose we will start taking down decorations tonight. I dread taking down the deer outdoors.

We will continue our frugal ways.

Have you taken down your Christmas decorations yet?

Do you make resolutions? Or, do you have goals? 

Can you share your plans?