Planet of the Apes, Saturday, and Trump Wishlist Project 2025

 Friday night, we discovered saw four Planet of the Apes movies were showing. Three were last evening, lasting all night. So, we watched them until almost 5 am this morning. I had only seen the original. I refused all these years to watch the others out of order. Then, after sleeping most of the day, or trying to sleep we watched the fourth this evening. Now, I am anxious to see the others. 

When I saw it on the onscreen tv guide, I wanted to see it but Tommy told me we did not get that channel. I made him try. Yes, we can now get that channel since I lowered the cost while getting 25 new channels. 

We rushed to the pharmacy, boiled eggs, boiled corn and got back in time to see the last POTA movie. Today, it cooled off considerably and rained. Tommy does not have to water. We did ot go back to the dealership as planned due to our 'busy' schedule today. 

Cleaner called that had not come this week. She is coming tomorrow, thankfully. 

Meg, I reread the post where I was talking about Tommy having two walkers and how he beat up furniture and walls with the larger one inside. The walkers both have wheels, so we won't be using the skis or covers to solve that problem. The house is carpeted except for kitchen and bath, so no way to use either to improve his experience. Outside, concrete, asphalt, grass, and the ramp are not conducive to skis or covers. So, those two are absolutely not the solution to any problem. 

Project 2025 - Wikipedia

Project 2025 Mandate for Leadership The Conservative Promise

2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf (project2025.org)

This pdf is 900 pages. Pick a subject you would like to read if you cannot plow through this. Presidentially appointed people will take the place of elected officials in most cases. 

Dinner--slaw that was lettuces and cabbages among other things. It was not good at all. I ate it because of it was good for me. Next was corn on the cob, barely above room temp and would not melt butter. Small piece of ham that was barely warm, cold when I finished it and too salty. Tommy heated it all as I said. Otherwise, it would be boiling from the microwave. But, the temperature was not the problem. Tomorrow, I will cut the corn from the cobs and freeze maybe two portions for us for later. 

For lunch today, I had a whole can of tuna with three mashed deviled eggs, MW, and celery. It was delicious. 

Have you seen all the Planet of the Apes movies? 

Any plans for the 4th?

Car Shopping--Cookie Crumbl and Found Money

 As I stated, we shopped for a car on Thursday. The initial contact with each car was whether I could get into the car. She was saying to come into the showroom to talk. I pointed out that walking to the door was going to be almost impossible for me, and Tommy struggled to get out of the car. So, she suggested she pull cars to my side and let me get into them. 

One car was tight getting in and very difficult. So, any car that I had to struggle so much to get into the car was out. Tommy waited in the car until I told him I might like it. I need a car with a flatter seat back, not so curved. Plus, I need a deeper seat so it does not feel like I am sitting on a bench with front of seat punching my thighs. 

We found one--2023 Pathfinder, 38K miles, for $40K. I did not let any emotion show. We came home and I called today saying the price was out of line with what we would pay for that car. She asked what was a reasonable price. I told her $30K. She suggested an older car. Or maybe mid 30s for that one. Nope, not mid. You know how car talk goes. 

We told her we really needed two cars. She was puzzled. Wanted to know if we were married, if we lived together. She wanted driver's license for some nebulous reason. I told her I was not going to be an owner, so she did not need mine. She looked worried, but accepted she was not getting my license. Like I told her, the state sent my plastic license to some place up north, so I do have valid license is anything is looked up, just do not have it in my possession. This next week, I am going to get another license. 

She offered us water when we drove up. I always say 'yes' and Tommy tells people he has enough. He now knows to say 'yes.' So, two waters. I got out of our car to get in one she brought us and found two pennies. As I got out of that car, I found another. So, two bottles of water and three pennies. As it was after five, I needed something to eat. I asked for cracker or piece of candy. They brought me a  Crumbl Cookie. I didn't know there was a Crumbl Cookie shop around here. Cookie was huge. 

Tomorrow, we will go back to see her. But, first I want to try another SUV slightly larger than the Nissan we have now. 

Tomorrow, I will post something about Trump!

Chicken or Not Chicken

 Tommy and I have had a discussion off and on for about four days. I asked him if he put the whole chicken in the refrigerator to thaw. He said no, that he put it in freezer. I told him I wanted it to thaw. He said I told him to put it in the freezer. I looked in refrigerator for milk and saw a bulging chicken-like thing. I felt it--smooth like a chicken and not too hard, maybe thawing?

When I sat down, we discussed this. I asked him why he put chicken in a plastic bag on the top shelf. He said the chicken was sitting on a small cookie pan. I calmed down then. 

Wednesday, I wanted to roast that chicken. He once again told me there was no chicken. I reminded him about him saying it was sitting on a pan. I described exactly where it was located. Then, he knew what I was talking about. He declared:

"That is a cabbage!" 

We had a good laugh. So, I won't be roasting chicken or cabbage. 

He did not want the freshly shucked corn on the cob, so it did not get cooked. I think we finished the squash and cabbage we cooked earlier this week. I hope the tomatoes are still good. 

Tommy now has two walkers. The one I ordered in a hurry because his broke and he had to use mine is huge and very heavy to lift in and out of the car. Besides, he was beating up furniture and doors. Then, he was given a replacement walker for the one that broke. I suggested he use the heavier. larger one in the car and use the lighter. smaller one in the house. So, now he drives the lighter one to car, unloads things like our water bottles to car, then turns around and leaves it on the lawn next to the ramp. 

Usually, when we get home, I push his walker to him so he does not have to walk to it and then back to the car to get groceries and stuff from the car. This will all work as long as it does not get ruined in the rain or this winter. When I have to hold onto the car, like when I get in, I think I will get burns on my hands. I don't know how he holds onto the hot car all the way across the back of the car and then to driver door. 

Today, we finally made the return at a store and dropped off the UPS. I said for the fortieth time, "Why don't we stop and look at a car," as I gestured toward a Ford dealership. I finally found an SUV I could get into and one that did not hurt my back. We found many that won't work for us. More tomorrow.

Do you hate shopping for a car? I do.

We are still laughing and joking about the cabbage chicken.

We watched the debate. Did you?  

Frustrating Start to Day & 101F

 Two positives from Tuesday have turned to complete frustration on Wednesday. I felt so positive until I opened the mail later Tuesday. I was up to the challenge, but this has turned out to be an ordeal.

When we went to far away UPS store, Tommy was turned away as they needed a QR code. So, this morning I was going to call and see what happened. Now, I realize I received two emails from Amazon. One is for a scheduled pickup. The other is to take the package to UPS store. As I looked at the pickup notice, I found I must pay for pickup. Not happening. 

I made a call to the same number I called for the return. I got one of those messages--If you are over 50, press #1. If you are under 50, press #2.  Since I have made the mistake of pressing #1 before and have been subjected to a sales pitch, I pressed #2. That backfired since I got ten minutes of sales pitches. Then the sales pitch hung up on me. 

So, I decided to call Verizon. I had the bill reduced to $25 instead of the almost $75 per month we pay now. Well, they raised the amount of our bill. How does that happen? Now, it seems my calls to rectify this won't go through. So, we will drive to the phone store! 

This is not how I wanted to spend Wednesday. We did plan to go to Cullman, but it is so hot and we don't want to be out if the predicted storms catch us on the interstate. 

Tommy has been on the front porch for thirty minutes shucking 6 ears of corn. He does it the hard way and then completely removes all the silk by hand. I have told him to use the vegetable brush. Maybe he enjoys removing the silk this way. The sun has not reached him yet, so he will just shuck and silk how he wants. He reported worms in the last two ears last week, so these must be okay since he is still working on them. Good! I want corn and tomatoes and slaw for dinner. He just came in and said the sun was about to get to him. He had been sitting in shade of porch

The pizza is still bothering my stomach. So, my stomach medicine will have to calm my stomach before I eat.

Today's plans are to make tuna salad, make pimiento and cheese, mix the slaw. Maybe I will cook a protein. I want nothing to stand in the way of watching every second of the debate on Thursday night. So, I will at least have leftovers to heat in a hurry. 

Yesterday, after the pizza about 5 pm, I only had a small apple the rest of the night. It is 2 pm on Thursday, and I still have had nothing except water! I hurt and am not hungry yet. 

We went out to get the ads but came home before going to phone store. A bad storm warning was for this afternoon. The clouds were so dark and there were sprinkles. We went to park for a bit and came home just as the sprinkles were starting. I found a return label for the return that Tommy had not seen, but I have no idea when it was left. 

It was very hot and humid when we left the house, but actually cool when we returned, even before the sprinkles. At least Tommy won't have to water the flowers. I just found out that after all the rain in the area, my flowers only got a mist of rain. However, without my asking him, Tommy watered all the flower. The purslane blooms are so beautiful and prolific. 

Oh, the dogs are still next door. We think they retreated to the back of the yard under trees to escape the torrid conditions where they love to lay. I am sure the close proximity to Tommy's brick house and the full sun where they lie and where dog houses are located keep them hotter than normal. We have not heard one bark. They just sit or stand, never play, and look sad. 

Dinner--country fried steak and gravy, cabbage, potato bit, carrots for both of us. 

It's a bummer to have a day of accomplishments all turned on end the next day. Right? 

Church Sign

 Do you love God like you love your cellphone? 

Mostly, I hate the sayings on church signs for varied reasons. This one was funny and pithy. We had laughs with it. 

I am tired, having not enough sleep and a pizza. 

The dogs are gone. There is another dog that barks, but do not know where he lives. At the very least, he is one house over. That dog does not bark for hours or at every person who passes on the street. He barks less and I can cover that with music. We have not seen the dogs' owners, either. 

Today, it was 101F. The humidity was less than 19%, so the low humidity kept the temperature and the misery down. 

We went a long way to nearest UPS and they refused to take the return package. It seems I need the QR code from an email. That was discouraging. Domino's was in same shopping center. I was weak.

Did you know that Domino's has a slot in their dumpster especially for recycling pizza boxes? 

Our yard looks so luscious since I had the mower mow the St Agustine Grass 4" high instead of much lower like he did. I have been talking to Tommy about how much cooler it would be with crape myrtles planted in the front yard to ameliorate the amount of sun and heat we experience. He seems closer to agreeing. The mower works for a landscaping service, so we will ask him. 

I am not in a writing mood.

Do you find most church signs annoying or do you love them? 

This and That and Dogs

 As Tommy was about to come in the house, I saw several wasps trying to get in with him. I yelled and him to watch out, but he never saw them. Several days later, as I was about to push the storm doo open a wssp rushed the door and came in. Somehow, the wasp went right back out. There were three or four right behind the initial wasp. Now, I am afraid when I go out.  I have not seen any nests, but I suspect some live under the ramp.

I cannot move fast enough to spray them and dodge and run. Tommy is not a good sprayer. The mower is not here at dusk. The cleaner might not want to do this. Every year, I have sprayed for wasps, so this will be nothing new. 

Monday, the temp was 99F, and we can expect similar temps all week. I think it might rain on Wednesday evening. It is the South--hot and humid.

Late last night, Tommy was looking at the footrest on his chair. He was standing in front of the chair with the whole thing tilted back and trying to use the control. He said the footrest would not go up. That worried me. He cannot sleep if he cannot get the footrest up. He kept looking underneath. Then, he took the reacher and tried to remove a plastic bag caught in the mechanism. I went over and gingerly got in a little space, trying not to fall. I managed to reach the plastic bag far in the back of the undercarriage of the chair. It pulled out easily. The footrest still did not come up as it should. 

Still, he fiddled with the control since the removal of the plastic bag did not help. Then, he started digging around for electric cord. He showed me how the lights on the control faded away when he tried to use it. When he finally sat down, he said the lights on the remote kept going off. Well, it was not plugged into the wall securely. The control would not work without enough electricity. Whew! I think that was also what was wrong that the footrest could not be controlled. This was a 30-minute ordeal. At least he is good at troubleshooting. 

Today was another leftover day. I had chicken breast, carrots, and a tiny piece of potato, plus cabbage freshly cooked, squash and onions I cooked over the weekend. I used on tiny slice of butter, less than a pat over the vegetables. It was very little, but just enough. I ate about half the butter because the vegetables were not reheated enough to melt butter. 

When we went to SAM"S, I had to go into a little room to get milk. The entrance was huge with an air curtain to keep in the cold. The curtain was frigid. I have never seen or been in a room like this. There was another cold room that held other cold items like orange juice. It felt good on a hot day. I wish my bedroom were that cold. Have you ever been in a room like this?  

Tommy says he has not seen or heard from the dogs since Saturday, so we wonder if the owners took the dogs or if Animal Control got them. Either way, hopefully, they are safe and with people who will care for them. Still, no one from the city has come to clean up the place, so now the weeds are high again. 

The hat umbrella and the toothbrushes are set for return to Amazon. However, we went to UPS place and it was no longer there. I felt it was too late to go to new location in close, dangerous town. So, that is set for tomorrow.  We still have a return to make elsewhere. So, those are tomorrow's chores. 

Have you seen a cold room for milk or anything else at SAM's or elsewhere?

I hope you are staying cool and safe.

Hot Time Summer in the City

 

Yes, I bought one of these, a hat umbrella from Amazon. I sent it back. Obviously, my head is too big. I could get it on, but I feared my skull would burst like a watermelon with a rubber band around it. 

I also bought two toothbrushes. One tore up taking it out of the box it was packed in, so I sent it back. 

We went out today for a short trip to store. But, we ended up going across town to SAM's Club. We bought two 180 packs of 18 oz. disposable cups, double pack of Cheerios, generic Claritin, Vitamins for Men, gallon of milk for Tommy 16-pack of hamburger buns. THEN, we went to buy a piece of pizza and Coke. Yuck, they only had Pepsi, so we had a Diet Pepsi. There was no pizza today, so we had a wonderful hotdog. I only eat mustard on mine. Tommy ate catsup, mustard, and relish on his. 

Then, we drove straight home, passing Jared's where I wanted to go. So, that is another trip we will have to make. I did not even want to go to Publix where we started out to go. 

I froze the buns 2 in a quart bag. Well, Tommy put them in the freezer after I bagged them. Dinner for me was chicken breast with carrots, potatoes, and an apple. Tommy had meatballs, carrots, potatoes, and squash. Everything went into the microwave to prepare since it was all leftovers. Someday, I will have to cook!

Tommy washed and dried a load of clothes. I am picking up stuff from my tables, slowly cleaning bits from it along with continuing decluttering. 

Ugh! It was 99F today. I wish I could hang clothes to dry. 

If you go to SAM's Club, do you buy the hotdog and Pepsi or Pizza and Pepsi for $1.38 each--total for both with tax $3.02. Tommy says it is now less than when he worked there six years ago. 

If you shop there, what do you get regularly? 

Hot in your town? 

What's on the Porch? Places to Read

 Tommy received a box of the monitors to stick on his arm with one of the receivers.  Cost for three months' supply? --$53.  A three-month supply gotten one at a time would cost $1350.00. The cost for three months will be something like $53, much better price than $450.00 for one month he has already paid.  

Not going to the rodeo is still disappointing. We would have missed mower if we had gone. He was coming in the afternoon until he checked the heat forecast for this afternoon. It is dangerous out there with heat index over 100F. 

My friend who has suffered some debilitating injuries from falling has a son who is very ingenious and helpful to her. Her son Macgyvered a way for her to get to bathroom without falling. He attached a rope about 2" thick to one side of her bed and pulled it taut and attached it beside her commode. She said she has no trouble staying on her feet. Maybe he should patent these. Yes, she said the rope looked like something to be used on a ship. 

Decluttering has begun again. It is just never-ending, especially when I never finish and have to sort of start all over. 

It is 7:30 and 87F. Yuck. I went outdoors, and the heat was oppressive.

I have a stack of books that is growing. I will not move it. When I get new glasses, I can read. I have the prescription, just need to fill it. But, the book pile grows! At my house, I had three places to read a book in progress each place.  

Do you have a make-do way of staying on your feet or safe from any hazard? 

How many places do you read? Is there a book at each place? Do you read more than one book at a time? 

Is the heat dangerous where you live?

Bad News and A Winner of Giveaway

 I called my friend who works where the rodeo will be held in order to find out where on the grounds to find door which causes me to walk the least. 

Be the way Chef Jules wins. I was going to a fork lift rodeo. Actually it has trucks and other big machinery for the rodeo. 

The parking lot is not available. The trucks will rodeo there! So, everyone has to park in a big field and walk a long way to the building where forklifts and pallet jacks have their part of the rodeo. I forgot the other pieces of equipment that will be participating. 

The news really disappointed me! She said they have other events and she will let me know.  

Today, we collected more food for the family. Today, the guy who takes it to her said she only eats chicken. Of course, we had four huge gallon bags of beef or tpv, not sure. The guy can eat it for all I care. She has pancreatitis and sticks with chicken. 

We did nothing else today. I am not sure why since I had things I wanted to do. 

For dinner I baked three small sweet potatoes that just happened to be my favorite, Beauregard. I had meatballs, sweet potato, and cheesy Brussels sprouts, and an apple. I scraped the cheese away. 

This past Tuesday, Piggly Wiggly had the Kraft Medium Cheese on sale, finally! But, I had four pounds still cheaper at home. I told Tommy to get White Cheddar, but there was no white cheddar in any brand n the shelf. Strange. Publix carries white cheddar.  ??? I wonder why The Pig does not. 

I tried to call about the dogs next door, but I was told to call back Monday when dog guy was back. And, the grass is high again, weeds even higher since they were never cut...think 4 feet high, and in front of the shrubs, hiding the piano that has been on the front porch since they moved into the house. 

Has anyone ever seen a rodeo with 18 wheelers, pallet jacks, and forklift events? Chef, mail me your address again to lgd113@yahoo. com . I know I had it but do not know where it is. 

What other kind of rodeo have you seen that is not horses and cows? 

Difficult Day with Pleasant Result & Giveaway Hint

 We had to be out of the house by 9:30 this morning. Of course, I could only get 3 hours sleep the night before. I gulped down Special K, bananas and milk. Tommy had eaten breakfast earlier. We both made a sandwich the night before, packed those with yogurt cup for me, the other half of my banana, and applesauce cup for either one of us and a spoon. We were set. 

I knew of a food giveaway and was determined to get some for the family of five little girls. We got there at ten and were behind blocks and blocks of cars. My feet were so swollen 4 hours later when we got to food. The truck must have been late. 

Two boxes was my allowance. I asked the guy loading if I could get another box. He said he did not make the rules. I said it was okay as he apologized that he could not do that. I said I was wanting it for a family of five little girls. He closed the trunk and said, "Wait a minute." He came back with a box and a bag of chicken thigh quarters and a whole chicken. I thanked him profusely for the half-second I had before we had to drive away. 

Now, we got three boxes, 3 hens, 3 10-lb bags of chicken thigh quarters. 

We only kept one hen, a snack pack, a box of Kraft Velveeta mac n cheese, and 6 tiny Red Delicious Apples, and twenty snack cups peaches.  For this we were gone from home 9:30 to 2:45 and the car ran for the whole time. Tommy loves the little snack cups of peaches.

We gave to the family:

2 hens, so large they must have been capons

3 10-bags of chicken thigh quarters

3 #10 cans of baked beans

5 snack bags (contents below)

3 frozen bags of turnip greens, maybe 2 lbs.

3 bags frozen cream style corn. maybe 2 lbs. each

2 bags with 6 apples each, so 12 tiny and very crisp Red Delicious apples

10 snack cup peaches

3 boxes Kraft Mac n cheese Velveeta

Now, for the snack bags. I think maybe these are meant to appeal to children. Each snack pack had:

1 meat stick, one string cheese, one tiny pack Cheezits, one juice pack, straw/napkin/spoon sealed in little package. There is a candy bar shaped 2 oz white cheese. Tommy eats all this stuff. We kept one of these bags and gave them five bags. 

The guy said to Tommy, "This is amazing! Thank you so much!"  Knowing five little girls will eat well makes the brutal day with all the heat and overbearing sun and swollen feet worth it! 

About 3 pm, I went to bed for a nap and could not sleep, I will go the bed early tonight. 

The celebration at Rickwood Field in Birmingham is quite the professional spectacle of entertainment. Plus, there is a ball game, not an exhibition game. 

Remember the giveaway? I will give you a hint. There will be no cowboy hats. Hardhats will be required. You have to get this exactly correct since I gave you a hint. Enter again if you already entered and want to guess again after the hint. 

I am so tired and braindead that I don't know how to make a link. Just go to yesterday's post and enter with that link. 

At this rate, I will not be up to going to the rodeo! I am going to bed.

It was a pretty day here, very warm. How was your day?

What did you do? What are your plans for tomorrow?

A Very Few Wednesday Items

 I did get 8 hours sleep by 4 pm...lol. Of course, I had/have energy to do other things rather than be a slug for the rest of the day. I did wake after 4 hours last night and stayed up and went back for a long nap. 

We collected all three ads and bought bananas and milk for me. I didn't know he bought Fritos until we got into the house. CVS had not more Oral B Sensi Soft toothbrushes. Tommy filled car with gas. We still did not get the refund. 

We do lead a thrilling life. Right?

The dogs next door look so lonesome! I cannot imagine leaving animals for so long. They still bark day and night. Someone sprayed Roundup on our side of the yard, not on theirs. The mower uses a weed eater on the fence line every week, so not sure why she would do that. Now, it is ugly brown and weeds will grow where grass was killed. I won't say anything to them.

 We are going to a rodeo next week. It is not the kind with horses and cows. If anyone guesses what kind of rodeo, I will find a prize to send you. You have until 5 pm next Friday, June 21. You have to follow my blog to guess and win. So, guess only on this post. I cannot guarantee the prize since I am still thinking what it will be. 

Enter HERE

Protect Heels When Walking in Summer Grass

 

This product would have helped me when I was younger and wearing high heels.

Once, a few years ago I was invited to a wedding held in a church with the reception in the yard of my friend, the mother of the groom. I wore a polka dot dress to the wedding with very high white heels. I planned ahead. I wore a shorter pair of heels with less than skinny heels. The heels on these were sort of scuffed, but I wore them. My friend and many of the young women were impressed with my shoe change as they hobbled around in heels in grass. I doubt if I will ever need these on my shoes as I am over wearing high heels.  They look handy. What do you think of them? 

Zara Tindall’s shoe trick to protect her favourite heels | Woman & Home (womanandhome.com)

Onto Tuesday

By Tuesday evening, I was just too tired to compose a sentence or three. Then, once again, I could not sleep. I cancelled Wednesday plans in Cullman. That's okay. Well, we were looking forward to going to the lake. 

I did call both friends in Cullman who are older and cannot get out to remind them of the pickup lunch. Neither cooks. My one friend will drive short distances but not even into Cullman. Her son can pick up the lunch. The other whose son took her car away, can let him pick up lunch. My other plans can wait.

So, let's see if I can manage Wednesday with a bit of sleep. At 5 am I came in and wrote a note to Tommy telling him the time and the fact I had not slept, saying I did not want to go. I finished, looked at him only to find he was staring at me. I gave a little yelp. It scared me so that it is a wonder I ever slept. 

We need to make two returns. We need to get ads from three stores. As far as I can remember, the rest of my things to do are on the phone. My laptop exploded with ads and virus threats. I tried to view the ads online but could not see the ads for popups. I just hope it does not take five days to get this resolved. McAfee may have lost me as a customer. We need milk and bananas. 

It has been three days since Tommy exploded or argued about anything. I am trying to teach him that an argument is not the end of everything, to eventually let it go, quit explaining to me how I am wrong. Just get over it like I do. It helps immensely that his blood sugar is controlled with the monitor. Even when I concede I am wrong, he usually keeps up the harangue. 

Willie Mays was in Birmingham for a celebration at Rickwood Field here in Birmingham. But, he died of heart failure. I definitely know the name, but all the specials on TV have helped me know so much more of his history. 

Gotta go. Since it is noon, I need to eat my breakfast. 

Are the heel protectors clever? 

Food

 Today, even though I slept a lot, I did get a few things done that I needed to do. There were things I did not do, either. 

I did call my dentist to talk with tech who cleaned my teeth. I did not like the toothbrush she had given me. Well, she gave me two, so Tommy will get the one I opened and stuck in my mouth. This is a toothbrush I can recommend since the best brush ever was discontinued. If you need a toothbrush, I recommend Oral B Sensi Soft. It is not baby toothbrush soft, but not brutal on my gums. They were @/ at CVS. Tommy kept putting off going when they were 40% off last week. I do need to call back and get xray. 

We bought two ears of corn and 4 huge tomatoes last week, Tuesday, at the farmer's market and cut a tomato yesterday and the corn today. The corn had many worms and the tomatoes need to be eaten by tomorrow, market day once again. The corn was tossed. My chickens would have loved the worms on the corn and the corn.

Tommy only was asked to water the three hanging baskets. He watered the knockout rose and reported a rose about to bloom and more blossoms appearing. Good, all the ones fell off that were on the bush when I brought it home. He watered the Stella d' Oro, too. It is ready to bloom again. I hate for him to go out in the heat to water plants with half-gallon juice bottles. 

Today, I made a concerted effort to declutter the two tables beside me. They are cluttered easily and all the time, it seems. 

Tonight, I made cole slaw again. It is some of the best I have made. I quit putting so much vinegar in my slaw, so it tastes sweeter, not sugary, just not vinegar-y. Dinner--chicken tenders baked and coated with taste, two helping of slaw, tomato on the plate. Then, I made an open-faced tomato sandwich with one slice of bread, thick slice of tomato that covered the whole slice that had Miracle Whip on it. I ate it with a knife and fork.  Since I did not want to eat two slices of bread, I decided open-faced would work. It did. 

Tommy had chicken thigh, carrots, potatoes, and slaw. 

When I was about 15 or so, I ate 7 tomato sandwiches after dinner--bread, tomato, and Miracle Whip. My mother kept asking me if I was still hungry each time I made another. Yes, I was. I still did not weigh a hundred pounds yet. I only weighed 110 lbs. when I graduated. Maybe I just loved tomato sandwiches after the second one. But, I was 5' 7 1/2 inches. Maybe I will cook bacon tomorrow. 

When we cleared the freezer of food we did not need, I found a huge turkey breast. Cleaner said it looked so large she thought it was a turkey. When we have enough room in the refrigerator, we will thaw it and cook it. Then, I will slice some and leave some in chunks for meals. Of course, most of it will go into the freezer. But, I will be able to freeze my ice-cream freezer and make ice cream. I need to go weigh myself. 

The Giveaway. I am going to a rodeo this week, but it has no horses or cows. If you can guess what kind of rodeo, I will send you a prize. Look for the rest of the information here and put guess here--PRACTICAL PARSIMONY: I Finally Did It and a Giveaway (practical-parsimony.blogspot.com)

I will try to sleep tonight instead of all day tomorrow. I don't actually sleep all night, just get up without enough sleep, stay up and then take a nap.  Tomorrow, I have a few plans as well as phone calls to make.

What is in your future tomorrow? Heat and more heat?

I Finally Did It and a Giveaway

 Today, I timed my nap so we could get dinner done before America's Funniest Videos. Usually, Tommy misses most of AFV. He says he does not care, but I hate he misses. So, I had him wake me from a little nap at 5 pm with carrots and potatoes peeled. I have to trim the carrots and cut eyes and bad places from the potatoes. He remembered to get an onion for me to cut. I reminded him of a piece of celery. 

I was in the dark trying to get the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and boneless, skinless tenders into the bag along with the vegetables. I thought I nicked the plastic bag on the bottom of the pan. I put water in the bag and we closed it and left it to bake. When Tommy took the pan out of the oven and opened the bag, he said, "You did." Consequently, The tiny tenders were dry and hard on ends. The huge pieces of potatoes had a harder outside than originally. The carrots were fine. I never did see the celery and onion. In all the years I have used the bags, I have never punctured the bag. 

Tommy is really serious about this monitor. He forgot to get it from the pharmacy yesterday, so was anxious to get it today and put it on. He walked straight to the kitchen and got it done immediately. He does not want it to run out. Of course, that was another $150.

We are going to a rodeo next week. It is not the kind with horses and cows. If anyone guesses what kind of rodeo, I will find a prize to send you. You have until 5 pm next Friday, June 21. You have to follow my blog to guess and win. So, guess only on this post. I cannot guarantee the prize since I am still thinking what it will be. 

Credit Score

As soon as his 90 days of minutes is gone, Tommy is getting a phone that does more than twitter so that he can hear it. In the meantime, I will get him a pouch to hang the phone around his neck! 

 I have had this blank page opened, waiting to write. I opened it Friday afternoon. Now that it is 24 hours later, maybe I can write. I guess this is writer's block. 

Nothing happened on Friday except I tried to sleep and feel like a person who can actually accomplish things. When I woke from a nap at 8 pm. I wanted a salad, tuna with MW on a bed of salad mix. Well, there was no MW, so we went to Publix to buy. 

I put a pair of pants on under my nightgown which was so soft I did not want to take it off.  Hopefully, neighbors did not see me. I had two coupons for MW, so Tommy took those. After a bit, I remembered I had no bananas, so called him. A woman answered the phone, but I did not recognize that. She said, "I just picked up this phone from a shelf and I answered it." My head reeled with questions. I told her it belongs to Tommy, and I would send him back into the store. At that very moment, Tommy was coming out of the store. 

I honked the horn at him and waved my phone with the lit side toward him. He kept coming. I was hurting for him because he started coming faster, and I could tell he was exhausted. He came all the way to the car and turned around and hurried even faster. The customer service guy handed it out the door. 

Why was the phone on a shelf in the store is what you want to know, right? Quoting him, he was trying to keep it where he could hear me call. ???? Well, that didn't work. As soon as his 90 days of minutes is gone, Tommy is getting a phone that does more than twitter so that he can hear it. In the meantime, I will get him a pouch to hang the phone around his neck! 

Friday, we did remove stuff from the freezer and gave it away along with about another 40 cans of food. The guy came and collected it for the woman and five girls. That was a real chore, plus we stayed outside in the heat talking to him. 

He often has his flip phone hooked into the neck of his knit shirt. This is so it will be close to his ear. The Miracle Whip was on the very bottom shelf, so he did not want the phone to fall out of his shirt neck. He put it on the shelf  to keep it secure. sigh sigh sigh

Then we came home for me to ruin my dinner. I put way too much lemon in the can of tuna! It was awful, but I ate it anyway. He had chicken thigh with bbq sauce, potato, carrots and something else. 

Another thing, I received notification of my credit score--805. I am stunned it is so high. Of course, I do pay off 2CCs on time, 2 store cards, and a debit card, all on time. I never have anything on all of them at one time. And, I always pay them before I have any kind of charge. The debit card is used all the time and CCs only occasionally. 

It is almost 5 pm, and cleaner was going to be here a little after 4 pm. There is a lot to do around here, but I will give out after about two hours this time of day. Okay, cleaner came at a little after 5 pm. She said she thought she would give me a little longer to sleep. In a nice way, I told her I had been up since she called at 3:45. That I wanted to be up when she came and dressed. If she had told Tommy she would be here when she actually came, he would have let me sleep. 

She changed my bed. I sat while she got the rest of the food out of the freezer. I suppose I gave her 30 pounds of food, all meat. There was lots of bread Tommy will go through. He said some of the bread we took out of the freezer last time just crumbled and fell apart when he tried to use it, just to crumbs. Plus, I found two old bags of mashed bananas ready for banana bread. Tommy hates banana bread; I don't need it even though I love it. So, the clearing of the freezer is done. 

Dinner--I ate meatballs we uncovered, last of slaw, and green beans. He had meatballs and sauce on a hotdog bun and a huge salad. 

I have almost turned my nights back to sleeping instead of staying awake all night and sleeping all day. YAY me!

My side slowly quit hurting. Today, leaning over the chair hard to pick up things while she was doing the same, it started hurting again. So, I won't be doing that again. 

It was funny when Tommy was watching a heavy rain. He said, "Good, I won't have to water tonight." We got 1.4 inches in short order, quite a gully washer. 

How is your weekend? Rain? Rodeo? 

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

 No, that was not my question. 

Where are all the cicadas? I have not seen one nor heard one. I did experience the last two swarms, but this one has eluded me. 

Sleep also eluded me on Wednesday night. But, I slept most of the day Thursday. 

It is early still, but I am making a list of things to do today. I need some things from Lowe's. We also need to fetch the other two store ads.

I cannot remember the other question. Today, we went to get the other two store ads late, left here at 4:30. There was no cheese on either one. I do not need to buy cheese, but I want to see how long it takes either of the three to have cheese on sale again. 

Tommy washed two loads of clothes today, towels and things for me and kitchen stuff. He is amazing, but I wish the washer and dryer were in the house where I can use them.

If you remember, in order to not have stacks of wrap boxes (waxed paper, two kinds of foil, Glad Wrap, different sizes of freezer bags, storage bags, snack bags) I bought two trash cans, sort of small and clearish to put all these items into and store on the freezer. For a long time, I have meant to put the little stubby stick-on things that will elevate the storage above the freezer. I know nothing should be place on or too close to the sides of freezers and refrigerators. Tommy said incredulously, "Since when?!" Since every one made, I suppose. So, I got those from Lowe's for a chore tonight or tomorrow. I know these should hold the trash bins further from freezer top. 

Oh, I remembered the question. I was talking to a friend I have known since 1974. We are not visiting friends even though her children know mine and I have done lots of business with her. We were talking since I was trying to reach her daughter. We got onto the subject of allergies, food allergies specifically. We have some of the same allergies and people around us who do not understand. 

While she talked, she said, "And Dr#### told me...." I listened with my mouth open and disbelief seething in my head and stomach. This is the same doctor who will not give me a bit of advice, walks out of room while I am talking. And, I have not been back in three years. I have another friend who went to him, too, and never went back after the first visit.

Anyway, to the point--the question. Friend said doctor told her to only eat white cheese. It seems the yellow coloring is in cheese and an allergen. I knew this but have never been told anything bad about it. I suppose I may need to find a2cheese to avoid the protein in milk I know that affects me and allergies. 

And, there is this history of the color of cheese--

Yellow Cheese vs. White Cheese: What's the Difference? (allrecipes.com)

Tonight, dinner for me is chicken/bbq sauce, slaw and green beans with no sodium. I used a hot dog bun to put the meat, sauce, and slaw to make a sandwich. I ate the rest without a bun. Tommy had chicken, bbq sauce, slaw, mixed vegetables, and a jalapeno cheese roll. It looks like a monkey bread muffin. 

Have you seen or heard cicadas?

Have you been advised to not eat yellow cheese?

Sort of Busy Tuesday Grocery Shopping

Tommy casually mentioned that he watered the flowers while I took a nap. He said he decided to check his blood sugar first and he ate because he knew it would drop too low. He is using it correctly, not just waiting for the alarm to sound. I sort of talk to him about how to manage the monitor and diabetes in general. He would yell about me telling him to have a carb to raise his blood sugar and then when I told him to have protein and fiber, he would get upset again because he said I was contradicting what I said--eat carb to raise his blood sugar. I had explained before that carbs raised his blood sugar and protein would keep blood sugar from plunging. He gets the low blood sugar raised so he can remember to have the protein. whew!

We went to Cullman today. I finally managed to get another appointment to get my teeth cleaned. I called Monday morning, Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning, and finally on Tuesday afternoon found an appointment for the cleaning. The idea was to eat before the 1 pm appointment, and I was getting woozy. We sat in BK line, got Whopper Jr and had ten minutes to get to appointment. I was going to floss in waiting room and run a toothbrush around teeth. Maybe do it in bathroom. But, no sooner than I sat down, she called me back. I was embarrassed and apologized for gunky teeth.

She gave me two toothbrushes. I think I have had this toothbrush before and it is spiky like a needle and hurts my gums. I said so, and she assures me this one is soft, that everyone loves this model. No, it is spiky and hurts. So, Tommy has two new toothbrushes. I was complaining about my dull teeth, not really yellow but, not white. It is from inside of my teeth. She said that Sensodyne new formula would brighten. So, I have two tubes of that to try. My teeth are not sensitive, but I can try it.

I have had one tooth with plaque so bad I was annoyed by the roughness on my tongue. After she finished cleaning my teeth, I complained that I could still feel plaque and put my tongue on the place. Well, it appears I have a little sliver of tooth broken off an incisor. That is annoying. She said I did not have much plaque at all for it having been two years since last cleaning. 

If anyone thinks I should get a dentist here, I will not because I have gone to this dentist for over 30 years. I am terrified of going to the dentist. I know him. He has not made me hurt ever. The fear of a new dentist would throw me right back to being traumatized at the dentist office. This is a deep-seated, and 65-year-old fear. Even with familiarity with him, I am still really nervous. 

We left without going anywhere else that I really needed to go. We got my mail and headed home. I took a nap and we went to Publix. 

I used only bogo or some other deal and coupons from Publix. 

*2000 IU, D3 $8.59 3 bottles, used on $4 coupon on 3 bottles making it 3 x$4.59. 

Specia K $6.71, I thought this was bogo!

Tomato Basil Wheat Thins, Family Size, $5.39 Bogo 1 @$3.39

Ritz Crackers, Tommy requested, $5.99 bogo 1 x$3.00

2 Bird's Eye frozen broccoli, $3.49 bogo 2@$2.00 each

Pillsbury Fudge Brownie Mix $2.49 bogo 2@ $2.00

Peter Pan PB $4.11 bogo 2@ $2.05

Blueberry Muffin Mix $1.69 bogo 2@ $0.84

Italian Salad Mix $4.99 bogo 1@ $2.50

5 lbs potatoes $3.99

Cento Marin artichoke hearts $3.79

Saving Summary from receipt.                                                                                                                       Store Coupon $14.00                                                                                                                                     Special Price Savings $22.45

Savings at Publix $36.45

It seems like I bought more, but this was the whole receipt. I also had a $2 digital coupon that came off the receipt. I got it for buying $10 worth of groceries. Total receipt--$54.

The sweet mixes will last for months. I put fresh blueberries in these along with the little hard chips included in the mix. They are so much better with an overflow of fresh blueberries. 

I was looking for Wheat Thins Lightly Salted, but found the basil tomato version had less sodium, too. I will not just eat these for the fun of eating them. These will be reserved for time I just want a couple of crackers with cheese. 

I have enough Vitamin D3 to last me a year and still be in date. 

Even though the salad is bogo, I get one and before the ad goes off, I get another. That way, the salad is very fresh, as fresh as bagged salad can be. 

Dinner--two hotdogs and enormous helping of slaw. Tommy--two chicken legs, larger helping of slaw than I had. And, I had a lot.

 Tommy washed a load of clothes before we went to Publix, so I have to hang those. 

Tomorrow's post is just two questions on two different subjects. I am tired of typing today.

Anyone else terrified of going to dentist? What happened to cause you such fear? 

Do you use a toothpaste to whiten teeth?

  

Tuesday Good Deed

 

Nothing makes a person appreciate AC until it is lost or almost lost. Yesterday, when the ac guy said the  thermostat was on HEAT, Tommy and I were stunned. He said he did not turn it. I, also said I did not do it. We did not blame the other or argue, something strange for Tommy. Several times since, we both have marveled at the fact it was just set wrong. 

I did not sleep last night after I awoke with just three hours sleep at 12:30. It is 6 pm, and I have not been asleep since then. This is so frustrating. 

We won't be eating out until we recoup the $89 bill for the ac 'repair.'  

One day, I met a man in the grocery store whose girlfriend is having a hard time. I told him about a food pickup here. He could not go because he works. She could not go because of something, forgot what, but it sounded plausible. I offered to get food boxes for him. While there I got boxes for us. 

We gave them most of what was in our boxes plus the full two for them. This woman has 13 yo daughter. She has her drug-user sister's 13yo daughter, and addict brother's three girls, 3, 7, and 10. She has custody of the four girls, her nieces. That is five girls. So, they now have about $200 worth of groceries- 6 lbs carrots, 8 lbs sweet  potatoes, 20 applesauce cups, 4 cans marinara sauce, 4 -1lb bags pistachio, 4 cans green beans, 4 qts blueberry, About 50 or more cans of food not listed, 20 pounds of catfish, 8 cans of carrots, 4 packages raisins, 4 cans collards, 4 lbs. cucumbers 3 gallons milk, 20 strawberry/applesauce cups,  and more items I cannot remember. 

Of my boxes we kept 20 applesauce cups, 4 bag raisins, gal milk, 4 qts blueberries, 4 cans collard greens, and four cans green beans.  We did not keep enough to pay for the gas we used. We both feel really good about helping these little girls. We will do this for him often.

Tommy was exhausted carrying so many boxes on his walker in this heat. He put all our food away. We sat and watched part of the news and then left again. He needed new prescription from new endo. We went to farmer's market and bought cup (4) tomatoes, 2 ears corn, and a strawberry lemonade for $9.50.

We needed bread and slaw mix, so I wanted to go to Publix. Tommy said he was too tired and his knees hurt. I said I would go in and remembered I had on a knee-length dress so legs looked horrible. I told him he would have to go in. He sighed and said okay. He was standing by the car as I was looking in my purse. I heard him say something and was confused. "Can you bring that to me because I cannot walk that far." I looked up surprised. "I am going to use the damn cart." He was asking an employee taking electric cart back to the store to bring it to him. 

Many years ago when we were in better shape and less pain, I made him use the electric cart in Lowe's. I needed it for pain, but he needed it more. Lately, I have been telling him to use an electric cart, and he refuses. Now, I suppose he will use it more. I hate to see him hurting and making the osteoarthritis worse. One of these days, I will convince him to go to a doctor for it. He has not been to doctor about osteoarthritis since diagnoses. And, he refused to have surgery. I feel like there should be something to help him. 

Today, the four gallons of milk were given to us in a black plastic milk carton, so we can use that around the house.

We did a good deed that makes me happy. I got about three hours sleep after having no sleep last night. We finally got home-grown tomatoes and corn, and purslane bloomed. So, it was a very good day, very hot and sunny.  

This morning, the purslane had 12 blossoms! It is spectacular. The blossoms made my day. 

Tommy has been sooo peaceable today!!!

How was your Tuesday? 

Do you ever come across people in need and help them? 

High Heat; No AC--EDIT

 I had not slept for 21 hours and finally slept. Two hours later, I awoke suffocating. I thought Tommy had turned the ac warmer. No, no heat. It is about 85 outdoors. We sit behind the brick wall with no shade. It is 79 in hall where the thermostat is located. Of course, it feels 5 degrees warmer. It is warmer in my bedroom and living room.

It felt like I was suffocating when I awoke and is worse now, plus the difficulty in breathing is horrendous. 

5 pm now, and it will be 8 pm at the earliest when they come. 

I was going to wash my hair, so that will cool me. Then, we are getting in car with ac and going for something to eat. 

This heat makes me feel nauseous.

6:15 81F at thermostat!

6:30 AC is on. The thermostat was set on HEAT!  Tommy swears he did not do it. So do I. 

Cardiologist cancelled appointment tomorrow. 

Tommy was willing to go out to eat. I think we can find food here. We will see.

A Nightmare

 Two nights ago or thereabouts, I dreamed I was talking to a very polished woman and I could barely hear her. As I asked her to speak more loudly, she looked puzzled and complied. However, I still could barely hear her. After a few embarrassing exchanges, it occurred to me I was deaf. That was a panic-inducing dream. Of course, I did not sleep after that. 

Last night, I did not sleep at all. Hopefully, I can partially straighten this out tonight. 

What I saw of today was a glorious, sunny, hot day. I hate that I did not feel well enough to go out and enjoy some of this June day. My flowers seemed to be happy, too. 

I was not up when Tommy ate dinner. He had a tiny pizza crust with spaghetti sauce, chicken and cheese with a salad of Romaine mix with sweet relish and mayonnaise. I had half a chicken breast that had been frozen previously and over half a can of green beans. Later, I will have strawberries and grapes. 

The cleaner obviously did not plan to come today since she never called or came. I was too sleepy, anyway. She sorted over half of the freezer, so I want the rest done. She sorts items as I want. If it is not working, she changes and sorts it differently. It's okay with me. 

Last time I went to podiatrist, I complained that I can no longer pick up a sock or anything from the floor with my toes. She sort of laughed. Bending over to pick up a washcloth seems like a lot of trouble...lol. My flexible toes were so handy. 

Maybe the people next door took their dogs. They barked all the time. It is quiet and the yard is empty. Wouldn't a dog accustomed to people get lonely when the people only came once a day to feed them, never any interaction from adults or children?

Have you ever dreamed you were deaf or something> 

Can you still pick up things from the floor with your toes? 

 

A Pain & A Project

 Saturday was a good day. Nothing happened which was okay. We did go out for bananas and bread. He brought out bananas, Chips Ahoy cookies, and ice cream. Oh well. I will be strong and eat little and not very often The bag said 'Improved" which I thought meant they had ruined the cookies. They did not, thankfully.

We stayed home except for the Publix trip and a cruise around part of the neighborhood. I wanted to see if any other yard was so awful as the one next door. I had no intention of reporting anyone. Nope, this yard is by far the worst. We just got lucky. 

I awoke with a terrible pain in my flank, not quite like a kidney. Within moments of getting out of bed, it was all down the front of my body on that side from breast to leg. Lifting my arm is excruciating. I can only imagine it is a pulled muscle. Sometimes when I lean over the right side of my chair, trying to get something off the floor, I have a muscle twinge. 

The AARP Bulletin, the newsprint edition June 2024, has a focus on pain. I intend to read that carefully. Since I was seven, I have suffered a particular pain that my mother fussed at me for complaining about. I had a cut on the base of my thumb that needed stitches. From then on, anytime a sibling touched it, I cried and complained. My mother told me to quit complaining because she thought I wanted attention. When I was about 30, she suffered a horrendous pain to her hand when she picked up a 2 L Coke bottle from a shelf in her pantry that exploded in her hand. A year later after a long and painful recovery, she said she needed to apologize to me for thinking I was trying to get attention for pain. She said it hurt her every time she picked up anything or a dishcloth rubbed across the scar on the back of her hand.  It took another injury to nerves in that hand to stop my pain at the scar in my fifties. 

Pain is weird in its manifestation. Having fibromyalgia does not help at all. Not every scar hurt past the healing, just the one on my hand. 

The cleaner was supposed to come at 4 when she got off work. But, she never came. I wonder why. She will probably come after church tomorrow. 

Tommy's monitor keeps him on his toes. His blood sugar dropped from 70 to 50 in the few minutes it takes him to grab something to eat. He is now wondering why he can tell nothing about what his body is doing. I do, too. But, it is much more pleasant around here and not frightening when he drives. 

Now that the gate is replaced, the next project is removing the shed on a concrete pad. It will be a multi-step project, so I must find an electrician first. It has a bulb socket in it. Hopefully, the electrician will be the only person we have to pay. Someone can have it for scrap to sell. First, I have to get the tools we want out of the ruins of the shed. It is metal, so someone should want it for scrap. I am considering a plastic shed. Has anyone had any experience with a plastic shed?

When we went out at 7:15 tonight to go to store, I was shocked it was so bright and sunny. No clouds helped. No one was in the park, so serene. 

Until June 12, Publix has a coupon for $4 off Nature Made vitamins, and minerals. I used one coupon on multiple bottles. Nature Made is my preferred brand for Vit D and such. It is in a separate ad for coupons, a slick ad. 

I saw a cute video of a toddler seeing her mother's postpartum body in a rather tight outfit. The little girl said something to the effect of "You have another one in there?" I don't think she was thrilled.

Have you had a pain that continues with no abatement no matter the effort you make to subdue it? 

Have you ever had a child comment on your pregnant or postpartum body? I have. 

Cheeeese!

 Hallelujah! We found my cheese at a great price--$4/lb, rather than $4.79/ 8 oz. My 8 oz. block of cheese is now worth $2! That is less half of the price.  

As we were leaving, Tommy was cutting the tags and other store stuff from his fake Crocs. I watched him put one shoe on. Then, he pulled out the other shoe--"Damn!" He said he had gotten two left shoes. That was hard to imagine because they were on a plastic holder with tags. We were going to pack them up. He was getting the old shoes to wear once more when he discovered there were two right shoes. We had a good laugh. So, one less chore. 

We both needed our milk. Mine was still $4.49 for a half-gallon at Publix. I got my yearly Nabisco Grahams Original. I like them dipped in milk or with peanut butter. 

I did not sleep well last night, so I cancelled something planned for this afternoon and took a nap. The mower came and the grass looks great. Tommy's gate to the backyard has been off many years. Someone took it off and never put it back. So, mower put it back on. It turns out that the gate only needed to be lifted onto the hinge part of the fence. I don't understand that, but whatever. It is done. I am fixing things that make this place look shabby. Now, Tommy lets me do what needs to be done. 

Last night, allergies attacked me again. I am worse, aching eardrums, tinnitus, sore neck, not throat. When I went to allergist and had tests when I was 21, he came back with results and said, "It looks like you weren't meant to live in this world!" That is how I feel right now. In spite of that, we have had a good day. The sun shone today and it was dry. 

Dinner will be late tonight--turkey breasts, broccoli, carrots, potatoes roasted in a pan. Then, I will have strawberries, blueberries, and grapes. 

Do you have allergies? 

Thursday and Elkhorn

 Today, we're focused. There was no browsing at all. We knew what we wanted and got it or left. Sometimes, I wander around looking for what is on a list in my head. Tommy's phone had no minutes, so I could not have done that if I wanted to do so. We talk back and forth to decide what was on the list. 

He wanted a card with minutes for his phone. But, he left one store to buy it at Dollar General. We needed plastic cups/tumblers for the house. He got cheap Crocs, 3 24-packs of Dasani that were b2g1. Then we were home and I took a nap. 

The mower did not come. I think it was dry enough, but he may live in a part of the county that got much more rain last night. He is supposed to come on Thursday every two weeks. But, that seldom happens. But, he will come eventually. 

We will eat leftovers for dinner and watch Elkhorn. I had baked chicken and green beans and a tiny chocolate cupcake. He had a highly seasoned piece of chicken, broccoli, and green beans and a jalapeno biscuit. That's as far as we have planned. Well, I will have 3 strawberries and about 8 grapes. 

After weeks of watching Elkhorn, I finally decided to look up Mason Beals, Theodore Roosevelt on the series. He has practically NO history. He is an amazing actor who looks like Roosevelt. Have you been watching this series?

Today has been lots of coughing and chest congestion. Not fun and tiring. 

June is the best month of the year in my opinion. The days are green, not too much heat, just enough rain, and overall pleasant. It is a happy month?

How do you feel about June? 

Have you been watching Elkhorn? 

Telephone Woes & Cheese Issues

 Today, Tommy spent another $150 on the device to stick on his arm, Dexcom G7, to monitor his blood sugar. As it turns out, the doctor's office only gave the diabetes supply place his cell phone number. I remember giving them his home number and saying to leave a message. He did, too. Why did they not leave a message? They only called the cell phone and hung up without leaving a message. He is out $300 now. Hopefully, he can recover that and the other $150 somehow. 

In the meantime, his cell phone cannot be paid over the phone. Last night, he called as usual to make a payment. The person entered his cc # wrong. He called back and they entered it wrong again. He called his bank who confirmed they entered the number wrong and told Tommy to tell them to re-enter. The phone company re-sent the number ten times and still the wrong information was sent to bank. He is without phone service and was really upset last night. 

I tried the same thing tonight, and his cc is worthless, the same cc he has used for the last month. His bank says it works. His bank says it is tracphone issue. I was told by phone company that there was no cs because they were cs and no one else in the world could talk to us or help us. I give up, and I am making him give up. Go back to store and see if they can help. He does not want to use any other cc because he gets back money with this card. The cost is only $19/3mos. Now, he is searching for the original contract.

On the internet, I was informed that the cell number belonged to someone else. Okay, I insist after more calls and more internet tries that we stop for tonight. This exhausts me. We check and recheck the numbers we enter. It is not us. 

Today, we collected the ads. None have a sale on Kraft Medium Cheddar Cheese. That is strange there has been no sale on it for at least a month.  

When I made Mediterranean Pasta, it was not right. I thought and thought, trying to figure out what was missing. No luck. Just now, it came to me--feta cheese. No wonder it was off. 

I managed to make no calls that I needed to make today since I slept too long. However, it appears all the head congestion is cleared or clearing out. So, I am not so exhausted. I no longer feel ill. No low-grade fever. Yay for me and people who read here and get frustrated my health is obstructed by severe allergies.  

Both my citrus trees appear to have died over the winter indoors. One time, I was sick with covid and did not get in the room where they are to be watered.  Next winter, I may keep them right here in the living room! Their apparent demise makes me sad.   

Today was a pretty day but tonight we had storms blow through, but not as strong as last night. Nothing exciting happened all day long, just like I like the day to go. We did plug up the larger chargers to our chairs in case of a power outage. 

Do you ever cook something and struggle to figure out what you left out? Or, maybe what you should not have added? 

Has heard anything about supply chain issues with Kraft cheese or any other issues? 

Found Our Market

 Today, I concluded my business with my paid-for-dearly computer protection. On May 31, 2024, I finally hung up waiting on a call from then in ten minutes. I forgot what day after that I called for the second time. But, today, I had it. Every time I call, I have to repeat the problem even though they are making notes, they say. I talked to the third person today who refused to pass me to the person who could help me unless I repeated my problem another time. Finally, not my finest hour, I yelled at him. He said petulantly that he was going to hang up. I hung up and was planning how to get in touch with someone besides a telephone answerer.

Then, Nikhil called and asked what the problem was. I told him the two issues I was having with my computer. Then, he repeated it back to me confusing the two problems by making it one strange problem. He tried to convince me the last guy had helped me. I watched the cursor. All he did was remove the ad blocker, something I did not want him to do! When he realized I had watched the cursor, he tried convincing me I did not understand. 

Then, since he did not understand the problem, he tried to convince me again that I just needed to advance to next line by using a key. I was fit to be tied. He said in a condescending voice, "Are you having trouble understanding?" He was treating me like the village idiot or some doddering old person. I told him I have had a computer for almost 40 years. He backtracked quickly. 

I pointed out that calling me back on May 31 never happened, nor call after that. He kept trying to explain that the people were doing what they were supposed to do. Never call back?...twice? Not good customer service! Finally, he declared he solved both my problems. Not so. 

We had just returned from several successful missions. We helped a woman, her two children, her brother's child, and the grandmother. We gave her our number to give her more help. That was satisfying. 

The Farmer's market where we shopped moved locations. We missed the first day. Then, the second time, we could not find vendors we wanted. Today, we went flying out fifteen minutes before the market closed. We fund them right off the bat about 7 pm as they were closing and packing up. We talked a bit and found they would be in same spot, something we figured. I was going to buy a fresh peach lemonade, but for some reason, they just gave it to me. The drinks are not covered by vegetable card. 

Since I have Medicaid, I get a card with $50 on it to spend only with approved farmers. These farmers have to be approved, farmers not people who buy from markets to resell. We had so many vegetables today, we really could not use more. So, now we know where to shop on Tuesday for produce grown in this county. This is a nationwide program. Write me at lgd113@yahoo.com if you want more information. 

A roaring rainstorm with thunder and lightning blew through here a few moments ago. Tommy and I were so shocked we just looked at each other. It only lasted five minutes, noisy and rain blowing. More is coming from down Tuscaloosa way. Here comes the rain forecast earlier. 

By the way, if you don't like me raising my voice after five hours on the phone over a week's time with guys refusing to send me to cs, don't tell me. And, don't tell me you have never raised your voice at an obstructionist, a man who knows better than you, who will let your laptop be infested with spyware. 

This has been a long day without a much-needed nap thanks to the heat. 

How was your day? Hot where you are? I just looked out the door, and it so muggy here.

Pooped!

 I am pooped! Today was a busy day. Not only was the day busy, but I did not quite get enough sleep, had no chance for a nap, and was involved in what was going on here. 

Tommy put together a carpet cleaner and used it in several places. We were both happy with the results. This was a cheap Bissell--$113. Neither of us has ever used one. This was almost as much as a rental. Plus, there is too much to do for him to do it in one day. This 44yo carpet is a mess. I have watched him spill stuff and just ignore huge coffee or hot chocolate spots on the carpet. Amazingly, the cleaner cleaned really old spots on which he used the carpet cleaner. 

Then, we had a chore out that involved me lifting small amounts over and over! The lifting is something a child could do but hurt me! 

The cleaner came and started emptying the freezer, sorting and replacing what we wanted. There were dates from 2020. There must be 50 or more items frozen that are cooked and in a single portion bag. Tommy will love having all this prepared and a variety at his fingertips. I found pecans, shredded coconut, frozen rhubarb, blueberries, and strawberries. 

I had bought baskets/bins to put things into and on shelves in the freezer. Of course, I forgot to empty them since I have used them elsewhere. I will have those ready when she comes to do the rest of the freezer. She left one job, went to doctor, came here, and then had to go to her other job. So, there was no more time. 

Any mashed bananas were thrown out. Tommy hates bananas. Besides, I cannot stand long enough to make banana bread, and don't need it tempting me. 

We sorted the door, too. About 1/2 of the freezer has not been touched and sorted. So, she will be back sometime for that. She took home a bag full of food, too. 

I gave away lots of frozen meats and frozen yogurt that I dislike intensely. Someone will eat well. I tried to give the meat to a man who was in cardiac rehab! He would not take it. Good for him.

While we were out, I bought more pimiento and cheese. When I finally get cheese, I will be all set. Surely, this week, some store, somewhere will have Kraft Medium Cheddar Cheese chunks on sale. 

I decided I could not stay up any longer so to nap from 8-10. I could not fall asleep until 10 and woke at 11:30. It is midnight now after having cold chicken breast and slaw. Two gallons of blueberries are on the stove. These will be delicious with yogurt or cottage cheese. 

I think I will go back to bed since I awoke with a sore throat. Yes, I know I am ill again. I am freezing and suspect I am running a temp. 

Do you have a carpet cleaner? Does it do a good job? Leave carpets too wet? One review said this one left carpet wet and it mildewed. 

When you empty your freezer if you have one, are you happily surprised by the food you unearth? I found two pineapple popsicles. 

Sunday Busy

 Do you remember Jamming with Sasquatch?

PRACTICAL PARSIMONY: Jamming with Sasquatch (practical-parsimony.blogspot.com)

He finds all sorts of good ideas and finds them at a much lower price. This is basically space foil below. Instead of the pink panther to keep house insulated, he uses the product below, like space foil. It is what is used to insulate the space craft. This is cheaper and lighter. He would have spent over $1000 to pay someone for this product and to insulate his attic. However, he bought two rolls of the foil because he needed a bit over one roll and did the job himself.

Perforated Radiant Barrier Foil - 4' x 250' (1000 SF) | EcoFoil

Has anyone ever used this insulation?

I was going to post today, but I spent time saving money getting rid of lying Spectrum, paid my bills, made arrangements to return irrigation products to Amazon. Then, we started a big project. Plus, I transferred three pounds of strawberries to glass containers to keep them from spoiling. So, this is it.