Wednesday, Ads, Movie

 Wednesday, we both had a doctor's appointment. The podiatrist trims our toenails and tells us how our feet are doing. Tommy is treated to a vibrating trim. I hate it because it hurts me so. She just gouges, pulls, and digs out the ingrown toenails. I highly approve. Once that was done, I went to Lowe's to talk to someone about an electrician. She was not there. 

As soon as the doctor came into the room, she said, "Oh, you have lost weight!" No, I had not, not one ounce. It was the outfit I was wearing, the striped pants and top. They are tighter than when I bought them five years ago. Still, they are loose and flattering. I was pleased and flattered by her comment. Now, I need to lose weight. I have an event next year where I would prefer to be lighter

While walking down an aisle in Lowe's, I saw a man approaching that looked very capable. I stopped him and spoke. He said he was a carpenter but could put in a light fixture. Daddy could safely put in a light fixture, so I was going to let him. Tommy said no. So, the search is still on. 

I bought a medallion to put above the chandelier in the dining room. Tommy has an Auburn banner that needs a dowel to hang. I cannot seem to find a ready-made one. I can stain it, make a notch on each end, and attach appropriate cord to hang. He has had it ten months just folded up. And, he got to pick out his gift with no input from me. 

Today, the heat index was over 100F at 7 pm. I need to paint the mailbox and have the urge but not the motivation with the heat so high. There was no rain today, thankfully. I want to paint the post black and the box red. This is in prep for Christmas. Besides, no one else has a red mailbox on this street or anywhere nearby.

For lunch today, I ate a portion of the bscb with the last half of a tomato and a bit of MW. The tomato chopped was almost a cupful. Amazing. The tomatoes are huge and juicy. Also, I had a half of a banana. I was satiated until 5 pm. 

We cooked 6 bscb and I froze 3. We prepared carrots and potatoes. He put them in the chicken broth in the crockpot. Almost an hour later, they were still hard and we were hungry. So, they are in the oven now. 

We collected the three ads today. I shopped in The Pig and Publix. I found Special K cheaper than bogo at Public by shopping at the Pig. They forgot to give me my 5% discount for being a senior and shopping on Wednesday. I bought very little--Special K, bread, and discounted salad that looked very fresh. I bought bananas and ice cream at Publix.

It hurts Tommy to get in and out of the car so many times, plus walking in the store. I felt well, plus my hair was clean and I was dressed to go inside. 

We will go through the ads more thoroughly and make a list to shop further. I need to find bscb at a price that suits me. I still hope to find it for $1.99/lb. We still have some in freezer, but I need to keep the supply stocked. 

Inside The Pig was shocking. Almost half the store was torn apart while they are getting it ready for sharing the store with Ace Hardware. I wonder if they will cut down on the number of food items they will carry. 

Dinner tonight was chicken, carrots, potatoes. I also had five strawberries. 

Tonight, we watched The Manchurian Candidate, a real shocker. Have you ever seen this movie? 

Feels like temp on Thursday will be between 105F and 110F. Wow. 

The Pig in Cullman has an Ace section. It is not nearly as large as the one here. 

Did you ever see a man in Lowe's or elsewhere who just looked capable? 

Do you shop at a Piggly Wiggly where Ace Hardware is sharing the space?

Are you always on the lookout for cheap protein of choice? 

Tired Tuesday, Dogs

 This has been such a hot, hot day, muggy. However, it has been a pretty day, blue skies and lovely, fluffy, white clouds, a bit of a breeze. 

We got food for the five little girls. I bought 24-packs of crayons for 50 cents, five packs. We saw a woman crying and asked her what the matter was. She wanted to get food and was late to work on her bike! Poor woman. She told us where she worked because we were worried about her being late. So, we will go by and give her at least $10. She has a camper but no electricity. Poor lady. 

We went out looking at cars again. One was a good fit, but I looked up and saw the sunroof. No way. This wears me out. I am tempted to go get the two we saw that we both liked. 

Last night, I think I stayed up too late. I was ready for bed at 9 pm, but I wanted to see the news. At 10:30 I went to bed. I was asleep for a little over an hour. I got up and down for the bathroom. Then, I stayed up for two hours, then slept fitfully. My feet are so swollen from being in car so long. 

I still cannot find an electrician. All the places I contact are for "projects." They are commercial electrical companies. 

CEREAL 

I want cereal but won't pay $7.50 for it. I am waiting on a bogo price for Special K. There will be no Special K bogo this coming ad. Boo! 

I had the other half of the tuna salad with 1/4 slice of bread. That was to sop up the rest of the tuna salad. If I were more comfortable eating tuna, I could have tuna salad every day. Then, I had a little applesauce cup. 

There were turkey slices with Hatch Chili. It was good and then it was so hot! So far, five hours later, I don't seem to be affected with any gastrointestinal issues. But, I did pick off all the green stuff, chilis, I suppose. I can eat cayenne peppers so this is much milder. I cannot eat jalapeno peppers.

The guy came to pick up the food. I called him later. He was saying he went to trivia night. I asked him if he knew any afternoon trivia because we don't do night driving. He said maybe girlfriend and her mother would let us sit at their table. They could pick us up. I said I had a head full of trivia and so did Tommy. So, he was eager for us to go. No free anything for winning. That is okay for starters. I am excited.

We just put three small packages of chicken into the crock pot. It is late to start something that I don't want to cook all night. But my midnight it should be done, and it can be put into a glass storage container and into refrigerator. If I had not talked an hour and a half to that guy, it would not be so late cooking. 

Neither of us have eaten. Just now, I asked Tommy what he was going to have for dinner. Very discouraged, he said, "I don't know. I will just scrounge around until I find something to eat." Maybe I will cook a hamburger for him. 

I may have a tomato sandwich and some strawberries. I have had vegetables and other fruit already. 

After I called the police today at 5 pm and got nothing, I called back at 8 pm to get a different shift.  Dispatcher told me the animal control officer was emailed once yesterday and twice today. She did not know what he was doing that he did not pick them up. So, that's all I know. 

Once, an animal shelter was supposed to keep a dog for six months due to the owner's work out West. I told them how the guy treated the dog. A month later I called to check on the dog. Well, it appears he got loose and ran away. That was okay with me. I am certain that dog did not run away. Too bad someone does not steal this dog. 

Tommy reported his dinner plans. He shredded the remaining bscb, put it over the bit of leftover spaghetti noodles, and opened a can of spaghetti, put that over the chicken and noodles. I know he has two vegetables to eat with it, not sure what. He is getting very inventive with his meals. Four leftovers will be gone. 

I always tell him not to eat the bscb since I cannot eat some things. Tonight, I told him to eat the bscb since I did not want to do anything. He is also eating my share of frozen blackeyed peas. So, he is happy. 

I am so sleepy I can barely type, so I need to go to bed. 

Are you familiar with Hatch chilis?

Anyone want to steal a dog?

Do you just avoid buying something you want by waiting until a good price comes along?

w

Car and Nightmare

 Monday, I received a call from the dealership asking for Mrs. (my maiden name).  I was confused. They could not explain how they got my name. They asked what my last name was now. I just refused and asked what she wanted. The salesman wanted us to come in and talk with him. I checked with Tommy and said 1pm. We arrived and they wanted us to come inside. We would not and they were not happy. I was told to call a certain number for him. No, his number is not working. Finally, I got hold of the dealership and the guy said he would give him a message. 

This time, the salesman went to Tommy's window and said hello to us. He was not his cordial self as the day we talked with him. He seemed to want us to say something. It turned out (he said) that the company called us without reading his notes and comments. We said an unfriendly goodbye and left. 

I think they are jerking us around, thinking they could act interested and we would jump through their hoops. 

We talked it over and think we might just go ahead and put down a substantial amount and get the cars. I know that is foolish. But, you don't know how tired I am, and Tommy gets exhausted, too. It takes him longer than it does me. Maybe not. Maybe we will still shop.

The electrician will not pick up the phone or call back. Dirty word to him. 

Tommy just looked out the door, but not the storm door and I heard a long grunt as he closed the door. I asked him what the matter was. He said, "It just looks hot." 

I went to bed again before 10 pm, woke at 2:30 am having a horrible, long-lasting nightmare that left me really shaken, went back to sleep at 6 am. I left a note for Tommy to wake me at 9 am. I thought I had a doctor's appointment today! It looks like I am back to sleeping at night again. 

This Holter Monitor is annoying me. It itches. I have another eleven days to go. 

Last week when I talked to the city about the yard and abandoned dogs, I said, "Oh, by the way." Then I told her about the weeds that obscure the view leaving the Publix parking lot. A few days later, the city had mowed the right of way at the house near the exit. I also told her about a coil of what appeared to be line from a tv cable service. She told me I would have to call the internet companies and find out who left it there. 

It is attached to an electric pole, attached at the top. I said it seemed dangerous for the children I had seen touching it. If a child died, I would notify the authorities I had voiced my concern. Well, it was gone, too. There is still a coil attached to the fence. I will have Tommy cut it off to throw away. Children have been known to accidentally hang themselves. 

The yard next door is back to almost the same shape as before--tall grass and even taller weeds. The vines covering everything are recovering, too.  And, we saw the big dog after hearing it barking. ah woo! ah woo! What kind of dog is that? I suppose it is spending time in a doghouse that is moved so it cannot be seen from the road or our yard. 

Has anyone worn a Holter Monitor? Did it make your chest itch?

Flooding, Deluge, Electrician, Cars

                                                                 Better goose picture

 Friday, cleaner came. Tommy made the spaghetti sauce from a box with my direction. It was delicious, but I had no Kraft's Parmesan in the green container. So, I had to eat freshly grated Romano. It was disappointing without cheese I wanted.

The cleaner was here with fresh surgery for her trigger thumb.  I never knew it had a name, but I had the same condition. I just slammed my thumb against my leg to loosen it so it would bend. It horrified her to hear it. It shocked other people, too, when I did this. 

Saturday, Tommy and I made a little progress with getting things out of the way so the electrician could put up three fixtures. I went to bed at 8:30, around the time I would have posted. Of course, I only slept until 2:30. I think I finally went back to bed around 4 am and woke at 9 am this morning, Sunday. 

I did not nap Friday, Saturday, or Sunday--amazing.

Tommy and I took things off the table behind sink, in window and both sides of the sink. We sat and waited, and the electrician never came. No response to my calls. I am so frosted over this. Just before 1 pm today, Tommy could not find the third fixture. So, we went about 4 to Lowe's, one that has better help and selection, I hear. 

As we went South, it appeared a storm was brewing. I told him to get off at University drive and it would be easy to turn around. NOOOO, he knew an easier place to turn around about five miles south, right into the storm. We could barely see to drive. Then, when he turned to go home, the storm was worse! We finally got back to our Lowe's and I bought a fixture and bulbs. We wanted bread, so went to Publix the long way! The rain was coming, so I just said to go home without bread. 

Tommy said he would go in. The rain got worse and worse! Finally, he came out with a guy holding an umbrella over the two of them. The rain was so severe that we could not see through the windshield as we sat. Out the side windows we could not see out of the parking lot. We sat for one hour. He was so wet and cold that he used a piece of material to keep him warm and we turned off the ac.  It was barely sprinkling when we decided to come home. 

On the way home, we passed over a drainage ditch/creek that usually has about a foot of water. Now, it was up to the bridge over five feet higher. It was scary. The entrance to the neighborhood was flooded with maybe ten inches of water. Thankfully, our neighborhood is higher. On the crawl at the top of the TV screen, Hueytown was listed as a place with danger of flooding. I have never seen this town listed in flood warnings. 

We still have not gotten our purchases from the car. Oh, I bought one under-the-counter light. If I like it, we will get one more. 

Saturday, I wanted a BLT. I had one and then the filling for another. It was all so delicious. Today, that is why we wanted bread--so we could have another BLT. Bacon is all eaten, but we have delicious tomatoes that will make a great tomato sandwich. 

Now, we need to find two more cars like the one place had that we wanted. However, I will not sign in and give my name, address, zip code and phone number to look. 

It is almost 9 pm, and I think I cannot stay up one more minute. Tomorrow, I will tell you about the cardiologist visit. 

I am still fretting over those two cars. We could knuckle under and buy them, but I don't want to do that. Should I give in and not get anything off, and just buy them? 

Tomorrow, I will search for new electrician. Plus, we need to move things so we can function in the kitchen. I will press on with the car search. 

Are you watching the Olympics? 

Duck, Duck, Geese and Car Dealer

 

These four concrete geese are dressed for every season. I did not take this picture. There are more, but I am too tired to post them. Maybe one of the others of  single goose will be better. 

Today, I went to cardio and talked to two nurses. I received the Holter monitor and found out important things about my heart condition. Too tired to type it. 

We went to a car dealership to buy two cars. They would not come down a dime on the listed prices. So, that is that! We will keep trying. 

Dinner was spaghetti that Tommy made all by himself. I told him what to put in but did not step foot in the kitchen. 

Thursday night, I went to bed at 8:30 pm, so tired I could barely walk. I woke at 2:30 am, stayed up until 4 am, and then slept until 8 am. 

After that, we went to dealer,  came home and cleaner came for two hours. 

This post has not been edited. 

Shouldn't a dealer come down some on listed price on a used car? 

Locked In! Locked Out! It was Costly

 Wednesday night, I went to bed but could not sleep. I could not get comfortable. I had a knot on the back of my head. No matter which side I lay on, it hurt. Plus, I had a 'place' on my back that hurt. Then, I had to go to the bathroom. I heard Tommy making an unidentifiable noise. 

When I came into the living room, he had four garbage bags of recycling. He was sorting the bag of plastics. I sat down to talk since I was not sleeping. 

He tried to open the door. We were locked in! He tried to take it apart, but the deadbolt was in the door frame and would not move. I was not sleeping in a house I could not leave in case of a fire. Yes, there is a back door, but it is five feet down and scary steps, no railing. He called a locksmith. The nicest man showed up about 2:30. He had trouble getting the deadbolt out, too. But, he had knowledge and tools. 

The biggest surprise of all--he had a replacement deadbolt in his vehicle. He got it back together and tried to send a receipt to my email. Finally, he went out and brought one back in. That was $275 for the call. I apologized to him for getting him out in the middle of the night, forgetting that was his job. 

Since being locked inside was high drama for me and him, too, I suppose, we were not sleeping. I think we went to bed just before five. Just before 7 am, I heard an awful noise that sounded like metal scraping on the asphalt right outside my window, except there is no asphalt outside my window. I ran to look out the fanlight. It was a piece of equipment digging in the yard across the street and down one house. This house has had plumbing problems for about four years. It seems they are always digging1 somewhere in the yard. It is a rental, so I wonder. I imagine they will be back early tomorrow! GRRR

I was up with less than two hours sleep. I let Tommy sleep until 11 am and turned on the news. Around noon we went to Publix and The Pig to buy items on sale. Tommy had loaded the recycling into the back, but he did not send anyone out to collect it. I asked someone to carry it in. We are rid of those at last. This city does not recycle. 

I added more turkey to my leftover salad. The salad greens were soggy, but I didn't care. I feel horrible and just wanted to eat something healthful, followed it with strawberries. 

Tonight about 5 pm, I finally put color on my hair. About 2 inches was grown out, meaning I had a four-inch wide patch right on top of my head! It was disgusting. 

Speaking of disgusting, Tommy bought some Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale. 

I have only been locked inside the house once before. I managed to get the lock unstuck then. I would have hurt myself trying to get out the door and down the steps. Tommy said he hung onto the screen door handle and eased himself down the steps until he could touch the utility room wall and then hung onto the door and wall to get the rest of the way down. 

Too tired to go on. Knot on head hurts. 'Place' on my back hurts. Going to bed.

Have you ever been locked inside your house? How did you get the door open?

Haave you ever tasted Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale? Did you like it? 

Plans

 Tommy saw two small birds swoop in and sit together on one end of the porch. One bird flew away from the house. The other bird flew to the direction of the birds in the flowerpot. He said she had food in her mouth. So, the little birdies are still there and doing well. I will get a bird house before next spring that will suit her for more babies. 

We left this noon to go and get the ads. It only sprinkled a bit, but we did not shop, just came back home. Tommy immediately looked over the ads and made a list. 

I have been using a bottle of Italian Dressing, Kraft, I believe. It has been too tangy for me, so it has been eaten slowly. Yesterday, it was almost empty. Today, I poured olive oil in it to break the tanginess that chokes me. It was still too tangy. I think the time has come to make my own dressing! Maybe tomorrow. 

I have felt well today, not shaky, getting my own food, and making plans instead of just sitting and trying to exist. Last night, I went to bed around 9:30, woke at about 2 am, went back to bed at 4am, and woke aat 9:30 am. It is amazing what a good night's sleep will do for mind and body. 

Tonight, I made a salad of the rest of the bagged salad, put a bit of grated cheese, and olive oil on it, plus a little bit of turkey, and a whole tomato. My eyes were bigger than my stomach. I also have strawberries to eat afterwards. I suppose what I cannot consume will the a snack later. 

I finally contacted the cleaner. She has not answered the phone. Well, she had surgery on her thumb. She had a trigger thumb. She might be here Saturday. I promised her light work and she can just not do anything that will bother her. I need her to dust and not pick things up, just dust around things I would normally have her pick up to dust underneath, get something down from tall cabinet. She is 5'11". 

Install my printer, show me how to send picture from phone and my camera to computer. Put a thing under the bulb by the door so it comes on automatically at night. Remember, she is tall. Straighten top of my dresser. There is two hours of stuff to do here that will not hurt her hand, hopefully. Oh, stuff needs to be moved from table in dining room so that electrician can get to the light fixture. 

I have installed every printer I have ever had, but this is in a location where I cannot stand and bend to do so. I do need a stool on wheels with a lock for the wheels. 

This tomato is delicious. Tommy cannot stand the seeds and the membrane around them. To me, that is the best part! That is why I like home-canned tomatoes.

He stays in the kitchen four or five hours a day. Tonight, I missed him and asked what he was doing. He was checking to see if some dark rolls were out of date. They were frozen. I took them, smelled to see if they smelled fresh--no moldy smell. Then, I checked each roll for signs of mold. He is cooking them. Then, I will put most of them in freezer bags. When I buy a loaf of bread. I put two slices in freezer bags. It is good to have frozen buns or rolls, or slices of bread. It saves a trip to the store. The Aldi rolls were delicious!

Someone in a comment asked me how much cheese I eat in a week. I finally know. I ate three pounds in eight weeks. I ate 6 ounces each week. Is that a lot? I just finished the three pounds, and just in time, the regular pack is on sale. We may shop tomorrow. I eat more cheese when I make pimiento and cheese. 

I forgot to make squash casserole or freeze squash!  Maybe tomorrow. I will slice one to put in the leftover salad I finally put in the refrigerator. I like raw squash in a salad.

Dogs are still here. Tomorrow, I will call humane society. The city is only removing them to mow the grass. I am afraid they will just put them back.

Maybe we will have a BLT tomorrow. Right now, I need to make a list from the three stores' ads.

Do you like raw squash in a salad? 

Do you like the seeds and squishy membrane around the seeds? 

Is six ounces of cheese too much to eat in one week?

Market Day

Tuesday, we went to the store and bought things while the present ad is good. My milk was $3.99/half gallon. Tommy bought 4, so a savings of $4. His gallon was also $3.99. He bought Chips Ahoy and I was so disappointed. He triumphantly told me he got the last package. That was sweet and thoughtful. Of course, I ate some. Six hours later they are still hurting my stomach. 

I had him buy three more quarts of strawberries--3/$10. He got bread he forgot yesterday. 

The weekly market was today. We decided to chance going, hoping it would not rain. It only started raining when we drove up. I really did not want Tommy to get out, so I urged him to wait. We finally got a parking place where our favorite vendor is. I opened my umbrella and stuck it out the window to shield me from the rain so I could get one of the women's attention to tell her what we wanted to buy--strawberry lemonade, two cups of yellow squash, cup of tomatoes, all for $21. Tomorrow, I will make squash casserole and freeze one cup. 

As we sat there waiting, a woman was leaving and stepping off the curb in the rain. She just disappeared and made a sound and a thud. Everyone was horrified and rushed to her. I wanted to get out to help her up. Now, you know what a foolish thought that was. Finally, with much effort, three or four women helped her up and she almost fell again! 

I called out to one of the vendors we needed. I told her when she got through with customers we needed items, that we could barely walk. She said she would do it right then.  All her customers were gone by then. Everyone was hanging around watching the woman on the ground.

Luckily, the rain quit as we were leaving, with only drops now and then on the windshield. And, it held off all the way home. Tommy had left his walker outside the house. There was no rain in our neighborhood, thankfully. 

Since my number shows as 'unknown' when I call someone, my friends don't pick up and answer. Verizon undid that. For some reason, my phone does not have the capability to block numbers. And, they raised the bill instead of lowering it. So, Tommy will take it to Verizon to straighten it out. 

I was going to sleep a bit ago. But, acid reflux was too bad. It is still a problem sitting up, so the raised head of the bed would have been useless right now. Earlier I took about three sips of strawberry lemonade. That and the Chips Ahoy earlier are hurting me. I have been awake since 2 am. It is 8 pm now. UGH!

Tommy and I were talking. I decided getting the right amount of sleep was more important than sleeping at the 'right' time of day. He concurred. 

We went next door and drove into the driveway to see if we could see if the dogs were gone yet. Well, one dog was in the yard next to carport, looking through the fence. He is the yappy one. It was pitiful. He stood there tentatively wagging his tale. It was not an excited wag, but a wag like he was wondering if something was going to happen. I suppose the other big hound is there, too. I suppose they won't remove the dogs until the guys come to mow the rest of the yard.

It has been much cooler outdoors, so my flowers are looking happy. The heat will be back too soon. This respite is lovely. 

What goodies have you gotten from your farmer's market? 

Do you ever suffer from acid reflux?

Poison Oak

 Lack of sleep and the national events of Sunday evening rendered me incapable of writing a post. I had been 29 hours without sleep when I finally was able to succumb on Sunday night. Then, I slept 8.5 hours and felt better than I have in weeks. 

Sunday evening, I finally opened a can of salmon for salmon croquettes. First, I had to get all the black stuff off the salmon. I could smell it and became ravenous. I must have eaten a quarter of the can as it came out of the can (not heated). It was delicious! Mama always put crushed saltine crackers in her croquettes. Decades ago, I decided oats were a better, more healthful choice. We had no saltines or oats last night. So, I used cornmeal. There were just enough chopped onions in the refrigerator

When I tried to form the patties to fry in olive oil, the patties were too dry to hold together, so I added a bit of olive oil. I should have used two eggs, but I only used one because I didn't have a whole can of salmon. They were good. If I had fried potatoes, gravy, and Great Northern Beans, it would be just like in my youth. But, I don't eat like that anymore. I had green beans with it. I forgot we had mustard greens ready to heat and eat. I only remembered when I saw them on Tommy's plate. 

Tommy took the ads and made a list. He actually put Prego Spaghetti sauce on the list. He uses it once I make spaghetti and puts it on other food items. He added an apple pie, just one at bogo for $3. It was only 6" across, thankfully. 

The main thing I wanted was a bag of salad mix. Fresh Express was bogo making it $3.50. I thought that was much more expensive than usual. So, I had him get only one. Dasani was b2g1, so we bought 3. He got bananas for me and forgot the bread. We need to go to another store tomorrow. Plus, we still have a bit. 

Where we were going to use the little chainsaw around the dogwood tree is a mass of poison oak. Now, we need to get rid of that! The mower wants to get rid of it in the fall when it dies back. I want it gone now. Besides, touching it in winter can still cause a rash/reaction. I took poison oak off little and large trees at my house when I noticed it. But. this is quite the infestation and won't be easily removed.

An electrician is scheduled to come and put up the three light fixtures in the kitchen this weekend. I saw a post on Next Door that made its way to the internet. At last, we will have proper light! 

Shockingly, he bought Life and Cheerios. Both were bogo. I didn't realize he had no more boxes stacked up on the bookcase by his chair. Yes, he wants them close. I gave up storing them on a shelf in the kitchen...lol. 

Well, I managed to sleep from 4-6:30 and could not even wake up. I have no idea, no remembrance of say, "Okay, I will be right there." Yes, I did come to the living room about 7 pm. 

I told Tommy we need to work every day to get the dining room where the electrician can get a ladder in there to work. He said, "I guess that means I have to do it." He is a good man. Actually, when cleaner comes, I will direct her what to do that will make it less onerous for Tommy. 

Tommy did not know how to buy strawberries. He has bought some almost dead ones. So, I finally instructed him to only buy shiny berries and to notice how some are dull, and not so plump. Now, he buys the best the store has. He washed them in vinegar, rinsed, dried, and stored them in a glass bowl with SnapLock lid. They are as good now as when they were bought last week. And, they are delicious.  Every night, I have about five. Yum! 

Tonight, I had a chicken tender, a salmon croquette, lots of green beans, salad, and strawberries. 

Have you ever battled poison oak? 

To Get Off the Floor

 

Amazon.com: WOESKCEAR Electric Chair Lift, Support Users get up from The Floor, Ground Lifts Help to Stand Up Again, Weight Limit 300 lbs, High Adjustable to 20”, Weight 29 pounds : Health & Household

This is just one of several of these I found.

I found this device. It lowers for use and has a device to raise it. Looks good to me. Has anyone ever seen one of these?

Gorilla Glue Call

 

This is sign is hilarious. I had a cat I loved that I carried from Jackson, MS to Memphis, TN. Mama said I had to leave the cat because it would just escape on the trip. I held onto her so tightly that she did not escape. I really loved that cat and held her all the time. That all changed when I learned cats could be an allergen. I only petted he on the head after that even though she wanted in the house. Even now, if I go into a house with a cat, I am all sneezes. 

Friday, I made a call that I forgot I made. Since the beginning of the lollipop-from-noodles journey, I have questions. I want to get this right the first time without having to try out the glue and make a mess if it does not work.  I called Gorilla company to see which glue will work. I talked to a very nice woman who was not only helpful, but hilarious while helping. She told me exactly what glue to use--Gorilla Clear Grip. This needs to be applied to both sides (I think) and let it air before joining. She said this was the equivalent of E6000. She said it is Walmart. Probably on Amazon, too.

No, Gorilla glue won't melt in the rain. I knew that but I had to ask her. However, fierce heat and sun can melt it. In December the sun and heat will not be so bad.  So, her recommendation was Gorilla Clear Grip.

The other call I needed to make was to Macy's, but I postponed that because of current problems they are having. 

Like I said, we bought paper towels, a six pack. I thought Tommy was cutting little pieces with a scissor. However, I could not fathom that he would cut good squares. But, the Sparkle paper towels have perforations to tear each paper towel into four pieces. There is even a picture of this feature on the front of the package. Next time I buy paper towels should be in a year or more, so I need to remember Sparkle.

Today, before I took a nap, I heard a bird chirping outside the window by Tommy's chair. It was thrilling to hear the mama bird. Tommy could not hear it at all, even with the door open. Finally, he said he heard a bird in the tree across the street when he went to get the mail. It was so disappointing that it was not my little mama bird. Tommy looked her up in a bird book. We have a house wren. 

Does the sign at the head of this post reveal the way your cat would talk if it could talk?

 

I know some of you don't use paper towels, so this question is not for you--have you ever used paper towels that can be cut into four squares?

It has rained on and off today, a gentle rain, for a total of about four hours? I can do without the wind, and lightning. How much rain did you get?

I Have Birds!

 Today, there was a high percentage of rain. We were in the car for four hours and saw nary a sign of rain. However, when we came home at 2 pm, and I took a nap, Tommy said it rained three times in the afternoon. 

I had to cancel my colonoscopy because I needed clearance from cardiologist. Called cardiologist, new one, who won't give me a clearance until I see him. 

On Tuesday I found the bird egg. I only saw one because I did not want to dig around. Today, Thursday, I checked on their progress and was so shocked by several furry birds. They are so cute. They were sleeping but started wiggling when I uncovered them. The mama bird went under something in the huge pot to make a nest and lay eggs. I still worry a rat might find them. I have not see a cat in several months, so maybe one won't sniff them out. The little house wren has done a good job so far. 

We collected two boxes of food today and gave all but two items to the family with five children. We kept a bag of nine apples and nine fruit cups. I will eat the apples and Tommy the fruit cups. In the boxes were ten pounds of chicken-thigh pieces. The guy was very pleased to get the food. So, that is our good deed for the day. 

Since it did not rain until later in the day, I am not sure why the dogs were not taken and yard and carport cleaned. We wait. Maybe tomorrow, Friday. But, there is a higher chance of rain.

I called my friend who is 93. She is plotting how she can get another car since her children came and took hers away. She says they just sit there at home and every day is the same, day after day, as she said. she and her husband are not taking their lack of the car well. 

So, I managed to call two friends and two doctor offices while in the car. I found out why the woman at cardio would not give me an appointment last December to get a Holter monitor. The np gave me a piece of paper with instructions that included a phone number to call and get the appointment and have blood tests, among other things. Well, it seems the phone answerers cannot make an appointment that is not noted in my records. That makes sense. But, the woman insisting I was wrong and was supposed to get another test is baffling. 

I suppose the np did not not schedule it. However, the woman has been an obstructionist every time I call. This woman today explained it all to me. How much easier would it have been to explain to me instead of arguing. The obstructionist told me she was going to note that I was uncooperative! That will color my treatment. I will take the paper that tells me to call and get the appointment so people will not think I am nuts next time I go in! 

Dinner: baked bscb, green beans, slaw, strawberries. I was not around when Tommy ate, so no idea what he had. I do know I ate from the bscb twice today, and Tommy ate for his dinner only. It was entirely possible for us both to have had the bscb for lunch and dinner, but he did not want any. 

I decluttered only a smidgen. But, I have managed to keep it from restarting in my bedroom. That is a plus. I will have the cleaner dust next time she comes. Everyone should dust at least once every six months. 

When I make two calls tomorrow, my list of calls will be finished. Maybe I will freeze the last quart of strawberries and buy more. They will be good one day this winter. 

Do you freeze strawberries for winter consumption? 

Do you ever have a mother bird build a nest where you can look in on her eggs and birds? 

 

Nothing to See Here

 Today, the only thing we did was to get the three grocery ads. We needed to go back to the farthest store. Rain came so quickly and was so hard, I suggested turning around. Tommy was quick to agree. Of course, by the time we reached home there was no rain here. We both went into the house. Then, when Tommy went back out to bring in more groceries, he came in soaked to the skin. That is how fast the rain comes and subsides and starts again. 

I did call tech services for my laptop. That was 1.5 hours of agony. But, the problem was cured. It caused other problems. It seems ad-blocker affects my home page to the point I can read nothing. Two days ago, I went to Don't Read This; It's Boring, sluggy's blog. It was awash with ads clicking on and off and all over her blog text. It was not just annoying; I could read nothing, click on none of the blogs. So, I went away, thinking all blogs would be that way. Not so, just that one. And, I don't think she was at fault.

Since I had my blog 'fixed' today, it has been one problem after another. I dread another visit to tech. 

The dogs were not removed and yard is still not cleaned and mowed. I suppose that the rain and threat of rain is stopping the property cleaners not to come. 

However, our mower came today instead of Thursday. He told Tommy there was poison oak all around the base of the tree we were going to trim with the new chainsaw! So, there is that to deal with when we do cut down the dead part of the dogwood. 

I had tuna salad for dinner and cole slaw. Tommy had a leftover hamburger with bbq sauce and made himself a salad from chopped onions, bell pepper, and tomatoes. Now, I need to chop another onion for my use in cooking and for him to eat. 

A cursory look at the ads revealed nothing spectacular was on sale. Tommy did shop at Publix--bread, bananas, Cheerios, Special K, and Pepsi. Cheerios were bogo; Pepsi was b2g1. My milk is on sale for $3.99/half-gal. Of course, the refrigerator is full of my milk. 

I ought to fold a few clothes and wash a few dishes. Maybe I won't. 

The rain can be annoying, but we are not out of drought mode yet in Alabama. 

What is going on at your house?

Anything exciting?

We Saw Nothing!

 It rained lots today, so the guys did not work next door at all. Well, we did not see them. We don't know if the dogs are still there or not. There was no use calling to ask anything today. 

Tommy reminded me we have rat poison. I was going to go to our new favorite hardware store to buy some, but no need now. Only Tommy left the house--to go to laundry room to wash two very nasty towels. We never had a rat, but it was something large enough to carry potatoes to a hole under the front of sink. We put rat poison there and had nothing else come in. Of course, we sealed it up, sort of. 

I slept about ten hours today, maybe more. It took three sessions in bed to do so, but I feel so much better. Neither knee hurts. I have been very careful how I sleep and step. 

Tonight, we had a hamburger, slaw, strawberries and blueberries. Tommy had a peach instead of blueberries.

It is not much, but I decluttered a bit today. Eventually, the place will look better. Well, it does look better now. Some things are put where they belong. Other things are tossed. Some things I thought were gone but were still here. They belong in the first two categories. 

I made one important phone call. I still have other calls to make. Somehow, we got a call saying because we owe $2 and will be charged interest. The cc bill was almost $2,000.00 for one purchase,  and we paid it in full. Then, I received a bill for two dollars ($2). Tommy did not call. Now, we owe interest. Since this is the only purchase on this card and we paid it, I need to call. He says he needs the last bill before he calls. It is probably gone by now, so he does nothing. I will figure that out either tonight or tomorrow! Okay, I called, and the $2 charge was paid and there is no further charge, no late charge. Balance owed is zero. I asked and he said he may have paid it in his sleep. He said he got a call that woke him. So, that is two important calls made today. 

A lost telephone number surfaced in all of this decluttering. An elderly couple is desperate for food, so we will help. 

I had bought some things that needed washing before using, like a new, cheap set of salt and pepper containers for stove use. Today, with back and knees hurting less, I have those ready to fill. Other like things washed, too. At least I can see with light.

Upon thinking back and recounting, the day was more fruitful than I thought.

Cancelled two things today. Forgot another.  

Do you ever think back over a day and realize you did more than you realized? 

I Goofed Up and Dogs Being Removed

 As I said, I ordered a mini chain saw Sunday night. I searched on Amazon for a Stihl GTA26. Then, I ordered the one that showed up. It was not Stihl as I figured out this morning. So, I looked for Stihl dealers. We went to a very nice hardware store and bought what I wanted. The guy was nice and brought it outside for us to look at. He took Tommy's cc and driver's license, went inside and paid for it AND filled out the warranty. Easy peasy.

We went to phone store. Somehow, the pin did not work when I talked to person on the phone. Then, we went to Publix for eggs. 

The chain saw was a total of $199. Tommy likes it. 

I called city about why yard is overgrown again. Also, the dogs are still suffering from being abandoned. Plus, on the telephone pole at the end of their fence, on the right-of-way there is a coil of wire, probably from internet company and a loose piece of wire. I have seen kids touching them. I am afraid someone will be hurt. The woman told me those were not electrical wires as though I thought they were live wires. I told her emphatically that I was not fearing electrocution, just hanging themselves. She told me to call ATT. Nope, I have reported a danger to children. They can call all the internet/telephone services themselves. The woman said someone else called about the dogs this morning, too.

Tommy saw people working and went to tell them about the trees and weeds between the two fences that both belong to the house next door. When I mentioned it to the woman, she told me just to go and spray it. I told her I did not like Roundup and certainly did not want to look at tall, dead, brown trees and weeds. She told me to go over and tell him when he was working. Why is all this my responsibility? She is very nice, by the way. 

I told Tommy and he went over when the guy was mowing, and I was napping. The guy had a big trailer full of limbs and junk. I don't think they have ever picked up a limb since they have lived there. The guy cleaning the yard said they removed huge boxes from the carport and found lots of rats living in them. I suppose they will come here for shelter! The piano is still on the front porch where it has sat for two years. 

He told Tommy that when the city came and removed the dogs tomorrow, he could mow the rest of the yard. Maybe the dogs will get a good life now.

As we were leaving today, a little bird was sitting on my wire chicken. It looked this way and that and jumped over a bit, looked this way and that. It repeated this action until it jumped into two-foot pot that has no plants. I told Tommy there was a nest in there. When we came back, I shuffled over there and looked. Under a piece of cloth there was a bird nest with one egg. I think it was one egg. I did not touch it or disturb it. It seems like it is late in the year for birds to be laying eggs. I hope a displaced rat does not come over here tonight and eat the mama bird or the baby. 

Right now, I must cancel the mini chainsaw. 

I am so happy to find the hardware store with a present owner, I may abandon Lowe's. He even knew about my hardware store in Cullman. 

This post will not be edited!

Have you ever had neighbors like this? 

I suppose we will have a rat infestation?

Amazon Prices

 Sunday night/Monday morning, I ordered a Stihl mini chainsaw, 6". Tommy will use it on a dogwood tree that is half dead. A larger tree fell on it and broke it. The story is hazy. Half the tree is short and bushy, whereas the other half is spindly and lives. Only one half has flowers. It is ridiculous looking. I have no idea how much it would cost to have mower prune it away. But, we have got this. 

Saturday, I looked it up. The price was something like $1,200. You read that correctly. This was the cheapest chainsaw I found. Others were upward from there. I have no idea what happened to Amazon. I had two things in the cart. Both were gone. 

The chainsaw was $59, and I got a discount making it $40. So, we don't have to use this much to get our money's worth. He is strong enough to handle it. It is cordless/battery operated. 

Sunday, we returned a blouse that did not fit, bought paper towels, three 70-sheet college ruled spiral notebooks. Looked for the Stihl chainsaw at Lowe's. Publix--milk for both of us, grapes, two more bags of coleslaw bogo. 

We rarely use paper towels, so this 6-pack should last a year or more. The other day, we had no paper towels, so I had Tommy heat the last chicken nugget on a Kleenex that he folded. Well, the Kleenex was black and the burn smell lingered for hours! He did heat it for way too long. It was like a rock. We often used just a quarter of a paper towel. One day, I had him microwave chicken nuggets on a dishcloth. That seemed weird. But, it worked and we could wash the dishcloth.

In the afternoon I cut up two bell peppers, one bag for freezer and a lesser amount for the refrigerator. Then, while I napped, he ate. He said he used some tomato, onions I had chopped, and bell peppers to make a salad. He will eat things if I have it all cut and ready. Or, he will make a wrap if we have wraps. 

I am still working, albeit slowly, on putting away stuff dug out when we decluttered. With the lamp in the kitchen, I can even see well enough in the kitchen to wash up the Tupperware I bought. I know there is nothing dirty on it to wash off, but I cannot stand and do things in the dark. Call me spoiled, but I like light. 

The forecast this next week is rain every day. Hopefully, some of those days will just be spotty or not for our location. I have things I need to do! 

Dinner--chicken, slaw. I will probably have slaw every day this next week, and that is a good thing. 

Did you look on Amazon and find exorbitant prices on Saturday? I kept trying again and again to determine if I had the right Amazon. This $40 chainsaw was over $1200. 

Cleaner Today

 First, some idiot tried to kill Trump. Killing is not the answer to anything! Plus, someone died. It is a sorry state when people resort to guns, violence. 

Cleaner came today at 3:30. I thought she was coming at 2 pm. She forgot when she was coming as I called her after she had gotten up for a trip to bathroom and went back to bed. I was tired waiting and legs were swelling, so I went to bed about 2:30. It was all okay. 

Today, she stayed 2 hours. She spent all that time helping to organize and put away things in my bedroom. Since I cannot sit on my walker in the bedroom for very long, I got into bed and raised the head and legs. She brought things and we both emptied bags or large bins, organizing mostly, sometimes tossing things. I have so many clothes I have outgrown! But, since the plan is to lose weight (actually trying), I threw away nothing. I did put them together and into the bottom of the closet. 

I also found things that I wondered where they were, like my Fluticasone and a little flashlight.  I hauled laundry out. Some things were not dirty from wearing, just were on the floor. She and I will finish up the room next week. She did not change my bed, but that is okay. 

She also took a lamp to kitchen and plugged it in. It is sitting in the only square foot of space where a lamp could possibly sit. There is light in the kitchen now!

Then, she got the Cuisinart ice cream freezer from a shelf over six feet high. I might drop it on my head and Tommy said it was too high for him as it hurts his shoulders. So, she put it on the sink. I think I figured out why it appeared I had two ice cream freezers. I bought one that had two bowls to put in the freezer. Now, I know. I don't have two ice cream freezers. 

I asked Tommy to look at my bedroom and the light in the kitchen. He said what impressed him was the canyon in my bedroom. 

I wanted her to wash car windows inside and out, just windshield and front windows and vacuum my bedroom, hall, and living room. She can do that Tuesday when she comes back to put color on my hair. She is only going to apply color. I can wash it off. I can apply color, but it is grown out too far. Plus, there are places I missed before, so it needs to be done by someone above me who can see it. Tommy would, but I don't think I would be happy...lol. 

It was another hot, hot day here, dry and muggy. I did not get to the grocery store like I wanted, but there is always tomorrow. What is happening in your world? 

Duct Tape and Two Ice Cream Freezer Mystery

 It is sooo hot! Even after all the rain we have had in places, we are still in a drought. 

We, of course, got out in the heat and accomplished a few things. Now, we are in ac all the time except for going to the car and back. 

Tommy put all the food we were going to give the five little girls and their mother. We left the car ac on so that the food would not spoil. He was about thirty minutes late to pick it up. It seems he is okay after his ER visit. It was too hot to visit and find out. But, we did something to help someone today.

From the pool noodle videos, I remember one woman saying she got colored duct tape from Dollar Tree. I sent Tommy in to buy some. He is so funny. He was telling me the colors. He said there were two blues, one that was light blue and another that looked almost purple. Well, it was purple. Perfect. He bought 1 white, 1 purple, and 2 red. I told him these and I did not want the light blue. I had found one roll of duct tape on Amazon that was $13 for the roll. After I bought these, I looked again on Amazon. 

4 rolls duct tape--$5. That is $21 for pool noodles + $5 from today=$26 total

I need more rolls and several other colors, but this is a start. And, I want to get them now, not when everyone else wants colored duct tape. Now, for the glue or glue sticks. 

We had to cook tonight. We had roast beef, carrots, potatoes, bell pepper. I had strawberries. 

I have been worried about Tommy's childhood friend who lived next to him as a child. They have gone to same church together. He is the one who had the subdural hematoma a few weeks ago. I have tried calling but got no one. Finally, today, he answered the phone from Navarre. He is fine. That is a relief. 

Cleaner comes tomorrow! I hope she does not cancel. I think I will have her help me declutter my bedroom and find more dishtowels I bought for 33 cents apiece. The ones I bought five years ago are threadbare and some have holes.  Those have been demoted to cleaning towels. Maybe I will have her scramble eggs for me again. 

I mentioned to Tommy that the part of the ice cream freezer that goes in the freezer needed to be put in a cabinet. I also asked him if he had noticed the other part with the motor and the cord. He said there was another piece in the dining area. But, he pointed out it was the same as the part I took from the freezer. He brought it to me because I was skeptical that I had another ice cream freezer. Well, yes, I do. I know that was too expensive to buy two, so I now wonder in what fever I acquired another. It is peculiar. 

I have noticed and have been appalled that cowboys upon emptying the last drop of water from their canteen often toss their canteen aside, leaving it behind. I wonder if they do find water, how can they take more water with them? I realize it is a dramatic gesture to signify their emotions. But, I notice it every time. Do you notice? 

Do you ever have two of something and wonder how that happened? The ice cream freezer was on sale, but not so cheap I would buy two. 

I Will Never Cross Another Bridge!

 As I looked through the three ads, I found nothing I wanted except for grapes. Tommy bought bad grapes, so I will get some of these on sale. I want to make it to the farmer's market for tomatoes next Tuesday. In the meantime, maybe I will cook a pound of bacon.

Tonight, I watched Mothman on TV. Tommy asked me if I were sure I could handle it because it was scary. The only thing that scared me was the bridge and the drama before it fell. I love vampire movies. They do not frighten me. This was tame. It did not live up to the hype. 

Today, I managed to get my pool noodle for the lollipops. The pool noodles have been stored in front of the stores. Suddenly, they were out of them. So, I started calling around. I found a Dollar General that had them 2/$1. He groused that it was too far to another I found. So, I told him we could just drive around here and he could get out at every store. It hurts him to get out and pull out his walker from the car. Well, it hurts him to do it over and over. 

He went to one Dollar General and found five noodles, 5 blue and one green. I had him get all of them. They were 3/$1, so cost $2 total.  

Then, we started toward the other one. It was 14 miles round trip. That store had pink and blue, and one green. I had him get 6 pink and 5 blue. I suggested he remind them they were 3 for $1. He did. They charged him $11 but took off a $5 coupon. I am not sure what that is all about. But, they cost $6 for the 11 noodles. Spent $6.  

The four I got before were $1 each so total of $4.  

Now, I have 21 noodles that cost me $12. 

I bought the first four several months ago, thinking I only needed one noodle for a lollipop. After watching several videos on the construction of the lollipops, I realized I was woefully short on noodles. Also, one guy cautioned that the finished lollipop needed to be wrapped in paper to avoid the hot glue melting in the rain. That seems strange. I wonder. 

Today, Tommy took my cc into the PO and bought me three books of Forever Stamps before the price goes up once again. These may be too many, but they last forever, so I can use them until I die, then Tommy or someone else can use them. I bought hummingbirds, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and flags. I may frame the RBG sheet. 

Chef Juls finally has her prize from guessing what kind of rodeo I wanted to attend. I had said in the post that I would find something for a prize. Well, once I had a winner, I felt constrained to find something she would like absolutely. That kind of thinking was a pain. I wanted to buy something. My frugal side kicked in because then I would have to also spend money to mail the prize. So, I went with an egift card from Amazon. But, I never got an email saying Amazon sent it. I never heard from her. Nothing. I emailed her finally and she had gotten nothing. She checked her junk/trash and it went there. So, the prize was a $10 egift card. I know it will fit and be the right color for her. Happy Spending, Julia!

Have you ever seen Mothman? Did it frighten you? Cause nightmares?

Are you making Christmas display for the yard? Ornaments for the tree? Anything Christmas?

Have you bought stamps before the price goes up soon?

Wednesday Ads Collected

 

Wednesday was so hot, yet only 90F. Around dawn, though, I opened the door and stuck my hand and head out. It was not hot at all, almost balmy. But, when we left the house around 2 pm, the conditions had changed radically. It was very hot and humid. 

We got the first ad (Pig)and found nothing after a cursory examination. At The Pig, I told Tommy to get bread because it is regularly cheaper than the bread at Publix. The Dromedary pimento in 2 ounce jars was not present, so I had him get two 4 oz jars. I will use half and put the jar in the freezer. We were charged 10% surcharge of $0.72 and discounted $0.38 for being over 60. 

I had a list ready for Publix--milk, bananas, strawberries, coleslaw mix. Since the coleslaw was 2 for $4, I had buy 2. Strawberries were 3/$10. My bread was bogo, so cheaper than The Pig. 

Altogether, we spent about $44. We most likely buy a bit more. 

Dinner tonight for me was chicken with BBQ sauce, slaw, green beans. I will have a banana and strawberries later. 

When Tommy came out of The Pig, he was saying what took so long. I did not notice he spent a long time. The store is remodeling. The center cross aisle is being eliminated. I hate that. Plus, more importantly was the fact it will now include an Ace Hardware Store. 

When I lived in Cullman, I used Ace. Then, one day it was gone. Later, I tried calling to see where they were now located. I could find the address in the telephone book, but never quite located the building. I would call The Pig for different things. But, when I called Ace. I got The Pig and apologized and said I had dialed the wrong number.  One day when I was in The Pig, I was startled to find a huge hardware section. On further examination, I found it was Ace. So, now I finally knew where was the Ace 'building.'

Tuesday night, I spent time looking at videos of how to make a pool noodle lollipop for my Christmas decorations. What I found was that I needed three pool noodles for each lollipop! I have three in three different colors. We had noticed this last week that there are no more pool noodles outside the three stores we pass. So, this is a problem. These were only $1, but there were ones costing $4. I wanted this to be a really cheap project. 

Last Wednesday, the day before the 4th, I ordered a refill of Singulair. Saturday, I stopped by to get the prescription. I got three. When I arrived home, there was no Singulair. Amazingly, as soon as I ran out before the 4th, my congestion stopped. The pharmacist could find no history/pattern of this happening. Now, I wonder if my problems will start again when I actually get the prescription. Now, I need to consult my allergist. The pharmacist and I did discuss rebounds and such. It is a puzzle.

Tommy had for dinner--chicken, English peas, and slaw. I wondered but just now thought to ask.

Project Tomorrow

Tommy got the guy across the street to cut a Christmas wreath in two piece that was here, probably belonging to his boarder twenty years ago. I will wire the halves back to back to fit over the mailbox. I will take out the elements I don't like and put ones I do like into this saddle. Right now, my problem is the little shards of metal still clinging tightlyto the 1/4 inch wire. So, instead of trying to sand it off or use a rasp, I will cover it in tape of some kind. I want to be safe from this metal. 

Tonight, I took several large things from the kitchen counter. With no light in the room, it is easy to let things stack up, cluttering the counter. Yes, tomorrow, I need to find an electrician who will actually come here. 

We just finished a Nova documentary on China's Terra Cotta Army. I saw the exhibit at The Birmingham Museum of Art when it came to Birmingham. Now, I know more about it. While there, we went to the gift shop. I bought a letter opener with blue and white handle. That was lost in my house. I wonder if they still have those. Tomorrow, I can call.

Before that on Nova, we watched a documentary about the Amazon that revealed amazing facts never known until now.  

School supplies are on sale now at Publix. I need to look at the ad and the ads from other stores. 

If you have been in a Piggly Wiggly, have you seen an ACE Hardware store in there?

Did you see the  Chinese Terra Cotta army? Where?

Frozen with Fear

 We did one chore today and quit! On the interstate it was raining hard. Then, there was only a wall of rain, blinding and terrifying. I quit breathing and said, "Oh, Tommy!" as we were faced with zero visibility. He said, "I am getting off!" As soon as we turned onto the ramp and off the interstate, not one drop fell on us. Since I had not managed to sleep one minute on Monday night, this was too much for me. 

We were picking up food for the family with five little girls, so this was an unnecessary trip for us. We had taken a chance and it was a fail. I called the guy to pick up the food, and he apologized for not being able to come. It seems he was on his way to ER and expected to be admitted.  He apologized profusely. 

I was so tired that I cancelled the rest of our day. Tommy was exhausted from working in heat and humidity. We did not get ads or bread, slaw mix, or pimientos. They can wait. I can wait. We did not get to the market for tomatoes. I will miss those and the market is not open until next Tuesday. 

I am completely free of needing the walker. Last week, I figured out why my R knee was hurting. When I sleep, I sleep on my L side, always. I have a little travel pillow I pull my R knee forward and rest on the pillow after I have mushed and folded the pillow. Well, I washed it and did not use it for three days, wanting to make sure it was completely dry.

When I went to bed that first night, I needed something to rest my knee. I grabbed a jacket made from sweat suit material and sort of rolled/folded it to support my knee and relieve my back. That is when my R knee started hurting the next morning, and putting my R foot on the floor caused pain in my R knee. It took a week of finally using the little pillow again to stop the pain. I won't make that mistake again. 

The thing is that there are two more of the travel pillows in the living room, one for each of us. Plus, there is one or two in the car. I think I slightly pivoted on my R knee one day. The doctor told me after the operation to never pivot on that foot in the least. I look pretty silly and incapacitated when I try to turn and not pivoting on that foot. But, I am back to my same condition as two weeks ago. I can walk without pain in knee and without walker! 

I did make several calls about the dogs next door. The best I got was someone would email the dog catcher. He will do something Wednesday morning. I called about my phone and was told I had never made the call I did two weeks ago. The guy did not call back like he said he would. So it goes. The cleaner did not return my call. We will give the food to someone else.

That was my Monday.

Have the heavy rains frightened you while driving? 

Is there one thing you can do to your body, something simple that will cause you pain and inability to function?

Monday and Trees

Today has been weird. Granted, I slept late, but we both have been drowsy all day, napping at the drop of a hat.  I heard snoring and looked at Tommy, slack-jawed and sound asleep. It would last from three to fifteen minutes, then he was wide awake. Tommy never missed Jeopardy, but today he said he went to sleep during final Jeopardy. Once I was in bed for my second nap, I wondered if something was seeping into the house. But, I went to sleep mid-thought.

We are going to buy one of the tiny chain saws and Tommy will cut the part of the dogwood that has died. Hopefully, we won't hurt ourselves. He is strong and steady, so it should be okay.  We have a plan. 

I did things but have no idea what I did. We went nowhere even though we need bread and pimientos. Tomorrow, we need to go to pharmacy and to The Pig. 

The call about the dogs was forgotten amongst other calls I needed to make. Tomorrow, I promise. 

I fear I have to cook tomorrow! Rats! 

Do Your Research Before Planting One Of These Trees That Might Ruin Your Yard - Explored Planet

Do you have any of the trees on this list? 

Rain Caught Us

 It's cloudy and gloomy today. About 4 am, the sky dropped out and we got lots of rain. Then, this afternoon, we went to get my Arby potato cake, to Walgreen, and Publix. All was well until we left Publix. Another gully washer let loose. We sat in the car for thirty minutes waiting for it let up. Finally, I tied a cloth around my head to go in. Suddenly, it was all a sprinkle.

Tommy leaves his walker in the yard. It was drenched and still on the porch. He brought it to my window where I quickly put all bags out the window to keep him from standing in the sprinkles left falling on him. I got in without a bit of rain. So we transferred all groceries to my walker inside the front door. He is using it now to replace the roach baits. I am still not convinced the roaches are all gone.

Last night a big outdoor roach walked out from under my chair scaring the living daylight out of me. Tommy used a reacher to catch and squash it. Then, he washed and sterilized the reacher that touched the roach. I know it came in the back door. Gross! I can see daylight under the doors. No, he is unconcerned. 

Obviously, rain and roaches is all I've got. How sad...lol. 

Shockingly, the mower came about 2 pm and mowed. He was supposed to come on Thursday. It rained last night, and i thought it was too wet. The yard once again looks lush and even. The yard next door is back to three feet high. 

I called about the dogs and no one returns my calls. I saw one of the women drive up, open back door and less than a minute later came out again. Since I was on my way into the house, I saw nothing else. Tommy said she sat in her car and talked on the phone for a few more minutes. She did not have time to even pet the dog. 

About the Arby's potato cakes--I love them. About 45 years ago, I would eat them at least once a week. And, I never gained an ounce and heart was fine years after that. I only ate them during a one-year period. Then, they discontinued them. They are back for a limited time. I had to have one. That is all I went to buy. But, they were two for $2.19. And, Tommy does not like them. So, it was potato cakes and me. They were full of grease/fat, salt, and carbs. Now, I have to mitigate the damage.

When I got into the car, the purslane was blooming dramatically, lots of blooms. When we returned as it rained hard, all the flowers were closed, looking very unhappy with the rain. The petunias were all beaten down, too. 

At 9:15 tonight we drove to house with patriotic inflatables. They were flat, so I suppose they are not going to inflate them again. Too bad.

Do you like Arby's potato cakes?

Has there been rain at your house?

When it rains so hard, do you sit in the car or run in? Or, maybe you can pull into a garage?

Need more reading? Now that people are learning about Project 2025, he is trying to deny it or change it. 

prpject 2025 trump rethinks - Search (bing.com)

Birth Experience Gone Wrong

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 Today, July 6, is my older girl and second child's birthday. In 1970, I decided to ride the bus to my parents' house in Memphis with a child who was 27 months old. I was due in a month. I did not look that pregnant, so no one at bus station questioned me. Did anyone question how far along a woman was?

My diaper bag, purse, one suitcase or bag, plus a toddler who weighed a ton, and a teddy bear were along for the ride. He was good, but he was two! When we arrived in Memphis, I could not get out of the bus with my belongings and a child carry a teddy bear. 

My teen sister was picking me up at the bus station. I sat still until she could come and unburden me. Then, and only then, could I drag myself from the bus and then, I could barely walk. 

I arrived on July 3, 1970. I spent the 4th in a lounge in the backyard while Daddy cleaned the house-sized ac worked in yard and grilled. That was Saturday. On Sunday afternoon we went somewhere insignificant. Daddy hit a pothole or something that left a lasting pain. 

Just before midnight, my water broke. I called my husband. So, Mama and Daddy took me and son to the hospital since I thought birth was imminent. Once at the hospital, I was met with obstacles and little care. They (whoever) examined me and said I was not ready to give birth and really doubted my water broke. 

One nurse roughly told me the baby was too small and would probably die. I was very alarmed! 

When we came in, the people registering me pressured my parents to sign and be responsible for the bill since I apparently had no husband or insurance. I did but did not know insurance and was not owner of policy or something like that. I was so stressed and refused to have my parents sign even though they wanted to sign. 

I was sent home. Just come back in 12 hours. I went home, took a bath and paced the floor. My husband got there very early. I had told him to sleep since I did not want him to wreck and kill himself. Around 11 am, we went back to the hospital. Mama wanted to go and be with me, but I begged her to stay and watch my child. Daddy had been known to be in charge of a toddler and forgot the child was there!

Once at the hospital again, my treatment was better since I had a responsible man with me. /s In the room as I was undressing and was lying on the table, I remarked that I would be so happy to get this baby out because I was hurting. I could barely walk because I had to flop my left leg instead of picking up my left food. A nurse told me the baby would be better off staying inside until the due date.

As with my first child, I was sedated. Mama called the hospital and was told they did not know how long it would be because I refused to push. Later, I surmised I was trying to protect my baby by keeping it in. Once they somehow convinced me to push, I gave birth. It only took two hours unlike the six-hour first birth. 

I had called my pediatrician we used for our son and told her what was happening. She arrived soon with a smile on her face. She said my daughter had eyebrows and fingernails and was not premature. She was so nice to me, unlike anyone else I interacted with that day. I don't remember seeing my doctor, but I used him for son's birth, too. He would have been nothing but kind. 

As it turns out, OBGYN was unhappy because they sent me home. Both daughter and I had an infection and had to have antibiotics. He was very thorough, so I am sure he caught that. The nurses were mostly all very tight-lipped, so I wonder if he chastised people. 

The same group of doctors delivered Lisa Marie Presley, something I didn't know until a year later. I always wondered if he delivered both Lisas since he was head doctor in that group. 

She only weighed six pounds. I cried when I heard that because I had gained fifty pounds! However, within a or six weeks I had lost all the extra weight. My first child weighed 8lbs 9oz., so she seemed so tiny. Size 0 fell off her shoulder. She was tiny! She weighed 15 lbs. when a year old.

She is beautiful, smart, talented, singer, and can dance, too. 

We drove around the neighborhood and saw lots of the tubes that are from fireworks. We knew we heard them nearby but could see nothing out the door. Well, all this was three streets behind us! And, we saw plastic all over a yard. I took a minute to realize they were patriotic blowups. Tonight, we went back after dark and the inflatables were flat. `We will try again tomorrow. I have not seen those inflatables before. Have you? We drove around the block and the inflatables are flat still.

Did you have a birth experience that did not take your feelings into account? Were you mistreated? Denied anything?

AI

Not this one. But, wore a cuter one during two hours of Boston Pops Extravaganza. Usually, we can see fireworks of some kind on the 4th, but not this time. Plus, my knee may be healing so I did not want to hurry to the door to open it and look for fireworks when we heard them. 

I made baked beans for Tommy. He did not want to peel potatoes for potato salad yesterday and I was too annoyed to work that hard today. Read the article below. Now, I don't know how to tell the truth between a written article and AI. I had chicken and slaw, huge bowl of blueberries and strawberries. He had chicken, slaw, potatoes, carrots and baked beans.

What Really Happens When You Take Spiders Outside of Your Home : The Amazing Times

Does this amaze, puzzle, or annoy you? 

What did you do on 4th? I will live vicariously.

Storing Eggs

 When I cannot sleep, I watch videos. I have never seen eggs stored this way. Plus, the eggs I have heard of storing had lots of vinegar. The utensil used to seal the jars is new to me. You will see lots of chickens. This maybe be the video with rabbits and ducks, and one cat. Have you ever seen eggs stored like this? Have you ever seen the utensil that seals the jars? Click HERE This video is from Azerbaijan.

Wednesday, because of my right knee hurting me, I cannot walk without walker. Even then, touching my foot to floor is excruciating! Plus, the trip down and then up the ramp was worse than walking on a flat surface. Walking on a slope, like a slight hill has hurt me since knee surgery. I just hope I don't fall before it gets better since my knee won't hold me. 

Today, going to get ads and gas was our trip out of the house. I knew when Tommy was pumping gas, he was fiddling around longer. As it turns out, he could only pump $10 of gas. He pulled out the receipt. Somehow, someone used a prepaid card, and then never pumped gas. It turned out he paid only $38 for gas and got $10 'free.' 

The only thing preplanned for the 4th is potato salad for me and baked beans for Tommy. He cannot find the hamburgers at this point, so maybe just the chicken for the 4th.

Are you aware of this method of storing eggs? 

Tuesday

 Monday night, we put six bscb in cooking bag with too many carrots and six small potatoes. Sprinkled only with garlic powder and onion powder and several slices of onion, they were delicious after baking. I made slaw. A few days ago, I made slaw from a kit that was nasty tasting. Tommy liked it and may eat it. I will probably freeze one or two of the bscb. 

I am having trouble with Amazon. When I order two of an item each month, I keep getting three. I will have to stop the order, I suppose, and start again when I run out of this six-month supply! Is anyone else having this problem? Also, orders are set to be delivered on a certain date, then the order is delayed. This aspect has not caused a problem yet, but it is different than their usual practices. It keeps me looking for packages, keeps me on my toes. 

My toothbrushes are on subscribe and save, too. With the extra percentage off from subscribe and save, I will use that, and then quit when I get a year's supply of toothbrushes. Every 5% helps. 

We need to take recycling to Publix since we have so much stored. Tommy takes care of that, so I am behind on how much we have ready to go. I have a recycling wastebasket by my chair so I don't have to hand him one or two items at a time. This way, I can deposit bottles, newspapers and he can sort it in the kitchen/dining area at his leisure. We try to be efficient and work together. By the way, the recycling wastebasket is just a plain white wastebasket that we have designated recycling as opposed to trash. 

Dinner: chicken, potato, carrots, slaw. Delicious again tonight.

I have had no energy today, just a sloth. My whole body hurts and it is hard to swallow. But, it was a beautiful, hot day. So, all is well. I have been making plans.

How are things with you?

Cleaner Cooks for Me

 Sunday afternoon, the cleaner came. In the hour before, I took a nap. Somehow, during the nap, I hurt my right knee so that I was limping. I used the walker to relieve the pain. When we came out of the bedroom after she made my bed, I was pushing the walker down the hall. I was soooo tired! I came all the way back to my chair and realized the brakes were on. No wonder it was so hard to push!

She made my bed, vacuumed the hall and living room, and made scrambled eggs for me. I cannot stand long enough to cook scrambled eggs. There were no eggs! Catastrophe! So, I sent Tommy after eggs. She followed my directions, wanting me to be there in case she forgot what I said. When it was all done, she had scrambled nine eggs for me. I will eat them over a few days. I actually wanted to eat all of them right then. 

Tommy has ruined my scrambled eggs twice, so I was not taking a chance on him cooking them again. However, thinking it over, I may sit and supervise him and give him another try. Monday, I will cook bacon, some for eating with the eggs, some for a tomato sandwich, and the rest to freeze. 

Before she cooked, she did put away a few of the Christmas stuff. I have some cute pans to cook tiny breads in. I decided they could be stored in the skinny doors next to the stove. Why not? I won't have to unpack them to bake before Christmas. 

Then, when she left and I had eaten my scrambled eggs, I took another nap. I slept eight or so hours, but I am not sure it counts if it is in disjointed sessions. 

Monday, and I forgot to cook bacon. However, I did have scrambled eggs. Oh, well. I really do need to  cook bacon for a blt, though. So far, I have turned on the dishwasher and made slaw. My energy level is so low, so low. Does anyone have Hashimoto's disease?