Monday, Another Week

 

Jan 10

steps 19,998

This is interesting article about how the temperature of the room can affect cognition in the elderly.

I complain about the temperature of the room, so maybe I am helping my cognition unwittingly.

temperature of the room for sleep

I think it was Thursday or Friday that I sneezed about 30+ times. They were the kind of sneeze that leaves one breathless and hurting from the force. Immediately afterwards. It felt like my whole head was swollen with congestion, sinus congestion. I was so exhausted and never got over it for several days. I suppose my spring allergies are in full force. Allergy reactions in the spring and summer are a bummer. 

Since December I have been asking, begging Tommy to plant my bulbs I got free at the ag center in October. There has been a huge plastic bag in the refrigerator all this time. So, finally he got them all out. There is a table in the yard, so he got pots of old dirt and got busy. I pointed out which end was up. That was not necessary since they had all sprouted. I am not sure if the ghost-white sprouts will ever live.  I did not tell him that I had two purchased bags of tulip bulbs. I will mention that another day...lol. 

The Christmas wreath has been down since right after NYD, but it was in a corner behind the door. I got the wreath holder out and that is gone from the living room. Tomorrow, I will have him get the Santa and two reindeer from where I cannot move, blocked by his junk. I can get those in their boxes and into the bedroom. 

Finally, I resumed the lymphedema therapy. My ankle was hurting me because of an injury suffered Tuesday at cardio by personnel there. So, I have been living with a sprained ankle and hurt feelings. 

Monday night, we opened two cans of salmon. I wore myself slap out breaking it all up with a fork, added a chopped onion, four eggs, almost two cups of oats, and pepper. It was so salty, I did not use salt like I usually do. The salmon croquettes were delicious. I had cabbage and green beans with the croquettes. These were the cans of salmon that were so cheap and my favorite brand. I think they were bogo at Publix. 

When I saw my Tupperware lady, she talked me into buying a chopper. Then, I think she just gave it to me. The onions I was chopping were hurting my eyes so that I got that out. When I could not figure out how to use it, I gave it to Tommy to figure it out. He did and chopped the onion with a few pulls on a rope like a lawnmower. This thing does not chop, it goes way beyond a chop. I like it. No tears!

Usually, I cook all the mixture. This time, I had Tommy store it for cooking tomorrow. One time, I tried baking them. They were awful, and I don't know why.  

Monday night, I did an extraordinary number of steps. I just felt like doing that many. I stepped until the machine stopped twice, so 2x 9,999 steps.

Once Sunday rolls around, I feel like it is time to start all over. I need to check ads online and then get ads in my hands. So, Monday shows up and it is a new week. I only have one appointment that I will have to cancel. Then, there were things we planned to do that will be cancelled, too. 

This week is rainy and cooler than last week, still very acceptable. 

Shocking Ad

 Jan 4, 2005

steps 9,999

I stopped using machine when it went off in order to make dinner. I put two premade burgers in skillet, salted and peppered then. They were so large we could have both eaten from one. I had to cut mine in half to cook it. 

This chopped salad has one of my favorite dressings--sweet onion. When a salad has shredded carrots or matchstick carrots, I am happy. However, there is never enough to suit me. So, I bought a pound of shredded carrots. Tonight, I put at least two helpings of carrots into the chopped salad. It is more nutritious and so colorful. We eat so much salad that this will be at least two helpings of vegetables tonight. 

I use matchstick carrots in my tuna salad, first chopping smaller. I can barely tell they are there. 

Carbs will be 1/4 of apple pie. There is so much crust that I will take that off the pie before I eat my piece. 

I only pedaled for 9,999 steps because I wanted to get dinner ready. 

Tommy went out today while I took an unplanned nap sitting in my chair. He got two extension cords from yard, took three strands of light from three tomato supports and put those on the porch, bagged up lights in separate bags, put all three deer on porch. Tommy pulled up the garden stakes with the garden tool, a short claw. The yard is cleared of Christmas! Taking apart and storing the deer in a huge box and getting them inside is impossible. His having to do this today makes me resent the cleaner even more. 

Today, I received junk mail that was shocking. It was from a fitness center. Pictures showed people on exercise equipment, baby in childcare, a tanning booth and weight training session with a personal trainer. I rejected it, then took it back and looked on the other side.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 

SEMAGLUTIDE INJECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE. 

#1 weight loss injections for adults

BENEFITS

appetite suppressant (and other benefits)

And, there was a large picture of a woman giving herself an injection.

Hurry, offer expires 1/31/25

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

I was shocked! Is this the new thing for a gym and fitness center?

Are you as surprised and shocked as I am? 

 

More Health News

Jan  2--12,000 steps

 In the last few months, I lost 33 pounds with little effort. Before, I had found some of my blouses were too tight to wear. Now, my favorite red blouse is loose! I need to try on the others that were too tight.

I think I become dehydrated during the pedaling. I am woozy even 30 minutes later. I cannot walk! Well, I can walk but feel like I might fall. 

Friday, the plan is to take extension cords from Christmas trees and reindeer. Because we have something else to do, the deer and trees may only make it to the front porch. The wreath can come down, too. The nurse is coming too, my least favorite of the workers. 

The ot person who just checks in and records vital signs and progress came on Thursday. I learned lots about hunting birds with dogs. I thought they just took a dog out to find birds shot down. It appears the dogs are very specifically trained. If the dog did not see the bird go down in the water, they can signal the dog to get its attention and point right or left. We learned more, but you probably already know the information. 

The leg therapy is helping greatly with lymphedema. But, the pressure is destroying my toes and feet. The pressure on my foot hurt the arch behind my toes so much I limped for over a day. I need to figure out how to turn down the pressure. 

I still have an excess two pounds from my lowest weight before Christmas.  It will come off. 

It is 5:30 am. Acid reflux has me sitting up. I do have med for that but it is linked to dementia. I accidentally woke Tommy, but he was snoring in less than a minute. Good! 

We collected the store ads today. Tommy went through them and said there was not much on sale we would want. I will check tomorrow. When he ran out of Diet Pepsi, he refused to drink one of my Diet Coke Caffeine Free. Now, he has been drinking them for almost a week because he ran out of Diet Pepsi. He was drinking four each day. When we find his drink b2g2, maybe he will switch to Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi. Since he was drinking four Diet Pepsis with Caffeine, that might be why he was getting so agitated. He takes bp med, so he should ditch the caffeine. Well, that is my opinion. 

Maybe I can go lie down without problems. 

Do you drink caffeine free drinks if you drink drinks that normally have caffeine? 

t

The Last Decoration

 

Tommy tied the wreath onto the mailbox. I could find no wire, so a piece of red and white yarn did the job. Then, somehow he tied on a huge red bow. Nice!

There was a Santa hat lying around. So, I had him get a small container of oatmeal and dress it with the hat. He put a plastic, disposal cup on top of the round, tall box of oats, so the hat stood up with only the white furry top bent to the side a bit. It is so cute, right in the spirit. I think I will add a pretty red ornament and a sprig of fake greenery.

When it is dark, we will go for a ride in front of the house...lol. I won't stumble around in the dark in the front yard to see the Santa and reindeer projection. Cleaner never called. I don't expect her to call Christmas Eve.

Tommy just carried food to neighbor--chicken, potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts. 

The ot just left a while ago. I hate ot activity. It hurts! And, I am exhausted. I moaned and groaned and apologized for doing so. I did reassure her I wanted to continue. She said she hears moaning all day long. As she counted, she answered Jeopardy questions. It was fun. Not the exercise. 

Tommy washed sweet potatoes this evening. I trimmed and oiled them, using parchment paper on the pan. They are whole in the oven. Now, he is putting six eggs on to boil. Next, we will make Jello and put bananas in them if they are not rotten. That leaves making Stove Top tonight. Tomorrow, he can brown the gravy. He hates doing that, so I won't mention that until I am ready for him to do it. Maybe that will keep him from being in a grumpy mood for a bit. It is a bit like taking the dog to the vet; surprise him. Chicken breast is ready for gravy, cooked and waiting.

Christmas Eve, I will make Tommy an Apple pie and some pumpkin pies. 

Tommy was going to take about ten items back to the store. I did not want to go inside because I would have had to shop...lol. I told him to leave if the line was long--there were12 or more, so he immediately came right back out. I told him he would not want to go back into the numerous return lines in there for at least ten days or two weeks. 

So, this is Christmas.

I tasted the dressing just now, and it is making me so hungry. I predict dinner will be soon. We will thaw a turkey breast to bake next week. 

Are things going well this eve before Christmas Eve?

Chicken al Pastor

 I thought about Christmas meal and had no idea. We will have to thaw turkey breast or eat some of the chicken we are thawing. I will make the green bean casserole that he loves and baked sweet potatoes. There is Stove Top Stuffing and canned cranberry sauce and maybe some I cooked from fresh cranberries. 

So far, the attorney, car rental, police and insurance do not respond to repeated calls. This is very demeaning. And, I am still sick! 

One night, we had chicken al pastor. It was too hot for me, but I scraped off lots of the coating. I will finish it tonight but will never have it again. It helped that I ate it along with a salad. It was frozen chicken nuggets/chunks. I need to read labels better. Have you ever had chicken al pastor? What is your opinion? 

-We got ads and a few groceries. The Kleenex was on back of list and not gotten. We really need those! We only creep around in this car close to home.

Tonight, we are having the rest of chicken al pastor, salad, and baked sweet potato. We will share one huge sweet potato with neighbor and keep two for us. They surely weigh a pound each. I would love sweet potato casserole, but Tommy likes plain sweet potatoes. So, I won't make it. 

That's it.

It is so close to Christmas Day. How are things going for your plans?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

 Cleaner came today. She put away Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations. She started bringing out red boxes of decorations. Took 3 ft tree out and fluffed it nicely. Tommy and I have a royal discussion about this, and it takes him days to do it. She did it in 3 minutes. I had her do something else. She asked if I wanted her to put the ornaments on. YES! The tree has lights. Now, it has an abundance of red, round ornaments. 

She had come and left to go to a doctor appointment, then came back. The ornaments were the last thing she did for me. 

She took all the boxes off the air return in that room, thankfully. 

As I took out decorations, I gave her some--four Santa hats (has three children), set of Christmas cupcake papers picks and tags, and other things. She left with a bagful of things for her kids who were waiting in the car. She got out the wreath and hung it. 

She said she now has to learn to bake. At 43, she has never baked one cake! 

When she left, Tommy cut up about 10 boxes and put in trash. The room is more spacious. 

Daughter failed Algebra at UAB, so I volunteered to tutor her. 

Cleaner will return tomorrow. Then, she can change my bed and put together the reindeer. 

Coughing is still wearing me out. Tommy is recovering nicely. 

The Christmas season is better for me.

How is your holiday going?

She left to go to doctor and physical therapist came for an hour. When he left, she returned. 

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?

Accomplishments Today

 After reminding Tommy to keep a food diary, he did not. The next day, I asked him. He said he forgot. Then, he was searching for small pieces of paper. I gave up trying to deal with that foolishness. That was Friday. Sunday night, I saw him writing in a large spiral notebook and asked him what he was writing. Answer--food diary. 

Monday, I started about 10:30 making calls. I gave  that up to read blogs and comments. We went out to do something, forgot what. I had him buy four pool noodles, one each of the four colors I saw--pink, green, blue, and orange. The orange is a foot shorter than the others. I think they are two different shipments. So, we will go to another DG to see if the longer ones come in orange. Probably not. Maybe I will just have three lollipops for Christmas display. There will probably be ones in yard sales or on side of road.  We had gone to Walgreen's to get his prescriptions promised today. No, they were not in yet!

The too small ring issue was solved, and the right size is on the way. 

Sent egift card to granddaughter from Amazon. 

Electrician coming to put up three light fixtures.

Called Walgreen's CS to get Tommy's rewards put on his account.

Called tree service and no call as promised to me.

Tommy got my Dawn from under sink.

Found out when lunch served at church.

My debit card was lost. I called over 12 days ago and should have received a new one in mail. Bank has no record of my having called. BAD WORD! Since nothing has been done by the bank to get cc up and running again, one cc account earned a late fee! I am very unhappy. 

Paid two cc cards, one with late fee, another without. 

I used my umbrella to stay sort of dry coming into the house about two weeks ago. It has been in here while I intend to take it out. I asked Tommy to try to remember. Today, I asked him to take it and put in my seat when he collected the mail. So, it is now in the car...clutter lessened. 

For a little over an hour, I lay down. Then, still not asleep, I heard a huge booming avalanche type crash and rumble. I thought he fell. No, it was an avalanche from the big freezer. I got out of bed too fast and almost fell in the bedroom and in hall. So, I bent to get the things and almost tumbled all the way down. He did find chicken breasts, thighs, and drumsticks. 

That is 13 items off the list. Some calls required calls to find where to call for correct number. 

I had breakfast, then lunch, too. It has been a productive day. I still have several more calls to make at 6 pm...so I will see what I can do.

Now, he is watering flowers. He also did a load of kitchen linens. I see him deadheading. Good. 

The customer service person in SA was most pleasant cs representative I have talked to since the one in Bombay.

Thinking about lights after I talked to the electrician, I asked Tommy why he got so furious when I brought light bulbs from my storage to put in fixtures here. He said it was like I was taking over his house. That hasn't happened yet. 

So, made 7 calls and about 6 other calls to find some of those numbers that worked. Five other things that needed to be done happened because I made them happen or encouraged Tommy. He washed the kitchen linens because he had few dish cloths and dish towels. He often does take the initiative. 

We both need to work on dinner so we can see Jeopardy.

We did not make it, so will fix dinner after Jeopardy. I will make cole slaw. He will have chicken legs, and I will have a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato. We will both have slaw. 

The last slaw was the worst I ever made. I dumped too much apple cider vinegar in it. Yuck.

I think I can get in one more call.

This day has been beautiful. Tommy has been calm. A good day. 

I added another three calls.

How was your day today? 

Did any phone calls occur to straighten things our or to make plans? 

Busy Monday and Things Accomplished

 

The pest control company is losing our business. First of all, they said they would come last Wednesday or Thursday. Finally, last Friday I called them. Someone would call me. This morning about nine am someone did call and talked to Tommy. She said she would call back in an hour at my number. Well, we waited for three hours and left the house. She called back four hours later, telling me she had something to do, someplace to go. 

As it turns out, we have to leave the house for four hours after the flea treatment. We leave for one hour, at least, when I spray. We can leave for four hours/ They take a brush to windows to clean bugs and spiders. I do not want the window brushed, spreading anything in the window to the room, maybe my bed. Actually, there are few bugs, spiders or flying bugs in the windows. They will brush things from where wall and ceiling meet and whole ceiling. We have had someone do that gently, not 'brushing' as they say they will do. 

I think this was going to cost $175 the first time. Nothing has happened when they said it would. She was supposed to call me back this afternoon. When I finally talked to her and reminded her she was going to call about 1o am, she said she had to go somewhere and do something. 

They said they sprayed for mosquitoes, but we have no proof of that. However, I suppose we will pay for it.

It would be so helpful if they did what they said they would do. Tommy uses them for termite control. So, I suppose we will keep that. 

Mower came today. The yard looks very nice. I asked him if he knew someone for handyman chores. He said, "Like what?"

"Well, first of all, to change the light bulb outside the house." He reached right up, unscrewed the screw and changed the bulb. I had bought a 100 w bulb at Lowe's today. The guy is very tall and powerful looking, so it was nothing for him. I would have to climb a ladder. Tommy said it was painted tight. No. He told me to make a list for him.

Then, I asked him if he knew someone to help me out. I did point out that it was not a regular housecleaning because of appointments we have. So, he said he knew someone. I told him it would seldom be hard work and not all in the same room or same job. He said he knew someone who might just want to help us out. Tommy pointed out we paid well. 

I will probably still have the woman from Cullman here when she comes down to clean for her friend. 

He will come on every other Thursday to mow and take garbage to the road. Now, I need to find someone to take out the garbage every other Thursday. 

Today, we had chores: a return, CVS, WAGS, Lowe's. Publix. It was a productive day ahead of a stormy, rainy, windy day predicted for Tuesday. I forgot bananas, so I will be sad tomorrow. 

The yard was full of grape hyacinths amongst the weeds. I hate to have those mowed down. They are very pretty but scattered about. I cannot get down far enough to dig them up and replant together or put in a pot. I did find short carrot seeds at Lowe's--Petite Sweet Little Finger. 

I found flower picks and noticed they were Christmas items. I need picks to help convert the wreath to something to fit over the mailbox next Christmas. I bought four picks, originally priced about $3. They were reduced to 50 cents each. So, I spent $2 for $12 worth of pics.  I was worried about the cost to convert a free wreath, so now I have $2 invested in the mailbox decoration.

It was a very good day. I have carrot seeds, yard looks great, and I have hopes of a handyman and someone to help inside. The pest control was the only disappointment.

What good things happened for you today?

Any disappointments? 

Do you grow carrots? 

Any recommendations for pest control product for diy? 

Is bad weather headed your way, too?

Saving Money

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you ever use Reynold's Cooking Bags? 

Have you found any deals this week? 

Small economies? 

Nothing Happened Today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who still has Christmas still out and stacked? 

Outgrowing clothing? 

89 Diabetic Friendly Desserts

 Recipes for diabetic-friendly desserts. Some look delicious.

We went out to snag some bargains. Mostly, we bought at Publix, bringing home Christmas designs of Ziploc freezer and storage bags to use all year long. We have not tabulated exactly what I bought.

Then, we found more bargains at another store where we bought little. I was surprised the stores were not packed. 

Today, we had  a replay of Christmas dinner. It was even better today. 

I won't be sorry to put away the decorations. I do dread it, especially the tree deer. 

I turned the water on in the sink to warm it up, walked away. When I came back the counter on the left side of the sink was standing in water. I put a towel in the water. I threw out a whole large canister of oats which was soaked an inch up the side. Tomorrow, I will buy a new faucet and call the plumber. I have not looked under the sink of the counter that had water on it. So, no telling what is wrong. No water was flowing out of the sides or bottom of faucet. But, I am sure the plumber can find the problem. 

Did you shop at sales?

Return things? 

Find bargains or gifts for next year? 

If you cannot post a comment on my blog, please inform me at lgd113@yahoo.com. 

Scrinch

 As usual, I got four hours of sleep, if Thursday night. I went right to sleep, awoke four hours later and was up for the night. I finally went to sleep thirty minutes before I told Tommy to wake me at 10 am. I ate cereal for breakfast, washed my hair and dressed. Tommy wanted to go buy me a necklace/chain. Jared's was where he chose to purchase it. I was shocked at what he was willing to spend with no hesitancy. It is wrapped and under the tree. I am so happy. I cannot wait to open it on Christmas Day.

We were right at the Galleria so he took something back to Belk's for me. 

Cleaner was supposed to come at three. We got back about 3:05. I tried to call and she had phone off. So, we left to go to Lowe's and Publix. The flea sprayer that got in my face was going back. Well, there were nine people in line for refunds and the line was not moving. 

We then went to Publix. I changed my mind. I do want a turkey breast. They were out with more coming in on Saturday. Maybe we will have chicken breast. Maybe not. 

My deer were lit up at 3 pm even though I set it for 6 pm. Tommy later tried to explain it to me. I don't understand what the problem with the timer was, and don't care. He fixed it. 

I know I have more Christmas decorations because I found no ornaments or the fake mistletoe for over the door. But, maybe I will find them during the year for Christmas 2024.

I tried to call the cleaner about five, thinking she might come at night. She had said something about cleaning at night. No answer. 

Today was a nice day, 61 and sun, no wind.  We gained ten seconds today after the winter solstice! YAY! We are headed toward Spring and Summer. 

The cleaner not coming is okay. I will only allow her to clean the bathroom. She bites her nails to practically nothing. Her fingernails have black dirt around the nail, even on the quick that is showing. Biting her nails is not a problem, but the dirt is.  Even if she washed her hands after going to the bathroom, she would get this off her hands. So, she is too nasty. I don't want her making my bed or helping to sort the freezer. The search continues. I will call her for a few outdoor things. She did not call or answer the phone. So, I assume she does not want to work. 

She said she cleans houses that are going on the market or after they sell, not sure. Maybe is when they are built and she preps them for sale. Her hands stop when her mouth moves, so not sure how long she worked Thursday. She also said she does only two or three each month. 

It seems she went in with a gun and kidnapped her daughter who is manic depressive schizophrenic. So, she carries a gun and will use it. Great! 

The woman who gave me her name said she carries snacks only, never food. She offered cleaner a sandwich of meat and bread. Cleaner said, "Are you trying to kill me? You know I don't eat food like that." When she first came here, she had a Pepsi. I told her there was bottled water in the kitchen. She told me she never drinks water, just Pepsi and coffee. I exclaimed. She said, "Well if I am sick and think water will make me well, I drink water then." Okay, folks, I could never think this up. 

Oh, she knows one of the women next door.

She has 11 dogs in the house, so smells like dog. She said she has never seen a flea, but when she does uses a certain product. I told her about the stray fleas here. She agreed that vacuuming was the thing to do first. Maybe I can convince Tommy to vacuum. 

That's what Tommy said--"Scrinch." I asked him what and he repeated it two more times. I said, "You mean one of the mean guys?" Finally, he got it untangled from Scrooge and the Grinch. That was the day of the parade. He laughed at himself. So, now we have a new word. 

While we were at the Galleria, Tommy could have returned something to Belk's if we had known cleaner was not coming. 

Sorry this post is mixed up. I am tired and this will be last newsy post until after Christmas. I am so excited to open my gift from Jared's.

Would you have this cleaner in your home, changing the bed, and rearranging the freezer? 

Good Things Gone Wrong Then Great

 The cleaner was supposed to be here at noon. I called her number about forty minutes early and asked her to wear a mask. Well, this was the number of the woman who referred her to me. Sooo, she did not find out early enough and had to go to the original woman's house for a mask. Cleaner said she did not use a mask because of her health. She has asthma and cannot wear a mask. I told her I wear a mask because I do have asthma. I wear it for my health. I have no idea where this will lead us. 

She finally showed up at 1:30. I had gotten up at 11 since she assured me she would be here at noon. So, I was exhausted by the time she arrived. Now, at almost 6 pm, I am nodding. 

The first thing I needed help to do was to assemble the deer family and help run the extension cord from the deer to the utility room. We worked on that from 1:30 until 3:30. Those deer could not be assembled in ten minutes for all three as one guy on video said! No way! 

She needed to get home to her eleven foster dogs, so Tommy paid her $30 for two hours. There was no cleaning, but that is okay. He was okay with it. He was dreading putting the deer together. He went shopping for us. She will be back at three o'clock on Friday. 

He bought the four things I wanted, all bogo. However, the size on bogo was not in the store. The manager gave him two of the smaller size free. That was a surprise. He also got two other things we need that he had reminded me to get and forgot.So, he did well. 

Tommy peeled sweet potatoes yesterday for a sweet potato pie. I trimmed them and he put them in a pot with a bottle of water. Then, we let them burn! I stupidly poured water into the pan of badly scorched sweet potatoes, and, of course, everything then tasted burned, even the parts that were only barely scorched. Soooo, tonight, we will do it all over again. I was so disgusted that I did something I knew better than to do. 

The lights are set with a timer to come on at 6 pm. It is 5 pm and pitch dark out, so I am antsy to see them deer lit. Tomorrow, we will reset the timer to come on at 5 pm. 

On Wednesday, I tried to spray flea killer in the bathroom. It sprayed me in the face. Yes, it was not pointed at me! I kept trying and sprayed me and everything I was not trying to spray. So, that goes back and I complain to the company. 

Thursday night, we went out after dark to see my deer family from the street. They are so beautiful and bright. Then, we checked out our neighborhood lights and a subdivision across the big road. It was fun until I could not stand Tommy driving into the opposite side of the street, almost into yards. I needed to come home...lol. The deer look great but lonely. 

Cleaner is coming tomorrow at 3 pm. Tommy wants to take me to a jewelry store on Friday! 

He cooked three pounds of ground beef while I chopped onions to cook with it. Then, I put one bag in refrigerator and two in freezer. 

I am waiting to see the deer lights go off at midnight. I am like a little kid that way. 

Does it bother you when workers don't show up when they say they will, especially if you will lose sleep getting up early? Plus, we had something to do and she thwarted that. 

Does a day ever start off with things going sideways and then, to your surprise, straighten out?

Do you know how bad burned sweet potatoes smell and taste?

Good News! x 3

 First good news--The reindeer were on the front porch, not a victim of a porch pirate, thankfully. It took both of us, me inside and Tommy outside to get it into the house. I walked it across the living room and put it in the space behind a table that has to be out from the wall for me to use it from my recliner. 

Second good news--Someone is coming tomorrow to help clean. So, she will put together the reindeer. It would be a real struggle for us. If we had an attic, this would be left assembled and stuck there. Well, he does have an attic, but went up there once forty years ago. Neither of us can climb a ladder, anyway. 

Tommy brought in the little flag and the holder that goes into the ground. I took a Dollar Tree scarf I bought for $1 several years ago and tied a big fluffy bow. I have a large, spiky ornament, think six inches across. There is a loop from the cross bar at the vertical rod that goes to ground. He forced the metal loop enough so the ornament is held sturdy. It is not much and did not cost much.

Third good news. If you want Christmas for 75% off, Lowe's is the place for you. I would have bought a little yard flag, but none of the ones left appealed to me. So, I decorated the little flag holder for free. I was shopping to get the reindeer plugged up, so did not pay much attention.

Oh, there was Halloween left over that was available, too. 

I went to the bathroom and there was a mysterious little black speck on the commode seat. I leaned and flicked it into the commode. As I was flicking it, it looked just like a flea. I immediately leaned way down, and it was a flea! Last week, I sat in my chair and as my feet rose up, I saw what looked like two fleas on my foot. I managed to pinch one, put it in a glass of water with a tiny drop of Dawn. It was a flea!!! If you try to look at a flea as you pinch it up, it can escape and it can escape if you put it in the commode or try to drop it into the commode. 

Listen, I am an expert flea catcher and destroyer. I lick my index finger to glue him to me. Then, I immerse my fingers holding the flea into water with soap. It works every time. You are welcome. Now, you will never lose a flea to bite again. The best flea deterrent is an aerosol that on the front states--kills eggs. So, I have it and will spray before the carpet is infested. 

I had Tommy wake me early--11 am. I was exhausted but we left for Tiger Pride. I thought it was Tiger Rag. Tommy said it was that name. Of course, we did not venture to Bama Fever side. He got to pick out his Christmas present. I was disappointed he chose a t-shirt. I wanted him to get another shirt--collar and three button placket. I told him to pick out a jacket. He refused. He said he would rather have a flag or something. He picked out a flag 28" x 40". It is huge. He wants to hang it on the door before football games. I am glad he did not plan it to be living room decor. 

Someone behind me squeaked something. It was a rubber chicken, Roll Tide kind. So, I had them hide as Auburn rubber chicken for me to buy. He left to get the car, so we no longer had to hide it. The woman was so nice, looking for a box so it would not squeak in the car. So, the chicken and flag are wrapped and under the tree. He is going to wash the t-shirt first. Then, he said he wants to wear it new. So, it was dropped into a small gift bag. All done! 

The woman found a box for wind chimes to hold the rubber chicken. She was intent on his not hearing the squeak before Christmas morning. Very nice woman, all smiles at hiding it from him. Tommy will be mystified at wind chimes since he knows I would never purchase wind chimes. 

Tommy was peeling sweet potatoes because these are old--Sept 2022--and they have small black specks inside. I dig them all out, even though most people would eat them. I heard a tremendous noise from the kitchen as the baking pan clattered and potatoes thundered to the floor. I told him I would pick them up. Once he washed them, and I sliced them to encourage them to cook more quickly, he put them in a pot to cook. These will make a sweet potato pie. 

At Lowe's I bought flea killer for adults and eggs, Amdro fire ant bait, 100' extension cord, and a timer. If we did not have a timer, Tommy would have to go outside, down the ramp, around his car, beside mine on a carport off which he could fall, and into the utility room. He has nothing in which to plug anything outdoors! He paid for all this.  At my house, I had an outdoor plug installed at my house. 

Now, I have started to worry that he will accidentally squeak the chicken while I am asleep. 

I remember hiding Santa gifts with children with me while I shopped. That was fun. When the two older were about ten or thereabouts, I knew they would look for their Santa loot, so I put it all in the trunk of the car. That meant for about a month I had to carry three kids in the back seat of a two-door car AND many bags of groceries. They would complain. I told them Daddy had not gotten the lawn chairs from the trunk so there was no room. They complained to him. One day, the older, a boy said, "Just give me the keys and I will remove the chairs!" I had to make excuses--too dark, raining, never mind. It was fun. Twenty years or more later, my daughter asked me where I hid their Santa presents. "In the trunk of the car." She remembered that year when they had to sit crowded with brown grocery bags. 

Dinner tonight will be either chicken, sweet potatoes, and salad or loose ground beef, salad and sweet potatoes. Who knows. Maybe spaghetti, salad. 

Tommy does not know it, but he is making roux for my giblet gravy. I will not be denied. 

What kind of subterfuge happened when you hid gifts from children or spouse or someone else? I think we all have had to hide gifts from someone, especially as children grew up and realized toys might be around the house. 

I know you all have funny stories. 

Health Update and Breakthrough and Food

First, I skipped the brushing for three nights. One night Tommy did not want to and grumbled. It is the only thing about my health that has caused him to grumbled, so I did not mention it again.

 Well, things got worse. The swelling in one leg made it so I could not bend my knee at all! The other was swollen a bit and both feet tingled and hurt. I told him how bad it was, and he could see my knee and foot. So, I disrobed and he brushed me on Tuesday night. I slept until 1:30 pm on Wednesday. My leg was almost normal size and feet did not hurt at all. Obviously, brushing is good for many things. 

 We had things planned for Wednesday, but it was too late. We collected the three grocery ads.

 Water and Diet Caffeine-Free Cokes were cheap at The Pig, and I wanted coconut and Kraft Sandwich Spread. So, that was the only store where we shopped. 

We also gave away food to a woman in the parking lot. Dinner was ready and waiting--baked chicken breast, potatoes, carrots. Lest anyone worry, I ate two small pieces of potato, and three pieces of carrot. No sodium was added. We could both eat several potatoes but don't. 

 Belinda gave me a link for lymphedema and lipidema. I left a message in the 'contact us' section. A woman called today from a company that makes and sells compression items. She gave me the number to call a therapist for either condition. I feel so grateful, like my life has been saved. So, I have a number to call in the morning. 

 I made a decision. If I do not have a turkey breast in the freezer or don't find one on sale, we will have chicken breast for our Christmas feast. The sides are the important part, anyway. Speaking of sides, I had better start making and freezing them. I have three bags of cranberries right now. Tommy does not want sweet potato casserole because--he said it just doesn't sound right...okay. But, he does want green bean casserole. I want some sort of Jello side, too, made with sugar-free Jello. Oh yes, giblet gravy.

 I came back to the post and discovered there were no paragraph breaks. I never post anything this long without paragraph breaks. So, I put in a long break. It still show one long mess of text. Anyone having trouble with blogger like this?

Okay, I fixed it, I think. I had not changed one setting but figured out how to change back to paragraph breaks.

Tommy's Birthday and a Parade

 Like I said, he did not get anything from me because we did not go out to shop for him. I will get him the book still, and the trip to Tiger Rag is a long trip from here. 

However, the day before his birthday, a huge box was on the porch when we arrived home. He had a load in his walker to put away. So, I came behind him and read the box--

HONEY BAKED HAM

I was excited because I have been thinking about getting one. 

Well, this was a turkey breast, 40 ounces. So, he got 2.5 pounds turkey breast. I have had Honey Baked Ham, but never turkey breast. It came in a huge box, large enough for a ham. The cardboard box had a Styrofoam cooler in it, plus two of the largest ice packs I have ever seen. So, we have a new cooler. I always save these type cooler boxes.

Sunday night, we opened the package of turkey breast that had been thawing in the refrigerator. I did cut the slices in half just to make it all easier to handle and store. It is delicious and what we are having for dinner on Sunday. 

This was a gift from some sort of retirement fund guy with whom Tommy deals. The cost (yes, I checked) was $55. This is listed under corporate gifts. I had a huge salad with it and will continue to eat it with salad, probably. Tommy will enjoy this on rolls and wraps, I am quite sure. Yes, he just came in with a huge sub roll and slaw on the side. 

Hopefully, on Monday, we can go shopping for him. 

We got up early on Saturday, his birthday, to go to the parade. We both packed a sandwich, mine the night before, so we would not have to take time to eat here or buy something. Since we were right in front of McDonald's, steps away in their parking lot, this would have been so easy. I took an egg salad sandwich and water. Tommy took a turkey sandwich from the turkey I baked on Monday or Tuesday. 

Of course, it may have started on time, but not where we were on the route. I called and found out the route. I chose to park at a corner where it turned, right between Arby's and McDonald's and down the street from Taco Bell. Krystal was also on the parade route, right behind McDonald's. As you can imagine, people were streaming in and out of these establishments the hour and a half we waited in our great place to watch.

McDonald's was an ideal spot. We were on a corner at least 15 feet up and on a scary steep slope. No one could stand in front of us...lol. The Pig parking lot had people in SUVs lining the road, most backed in with children and food they brought in the back. Some people watched from their places in the back of their SUVs. Most came out with chairs eventually, place holders next to the curb so they could later sit there. 

Children were all over. One little boy who insisted on running and at one point was saved from traffic in the street by his frantic mother was deposited in the back of the SUV and guarded by a father who refused to let him out. When the parade came within hearing, he was allowed out and held onto firmly, even when candy was thrown. 

We also watched the little girl (2-3 yr) in pink rain boots. The ground was damp from recent rain. I was freezing with a jacket on and the car heater on. Tommy did not even bring a jacket. He was fine. People in the damp grass had on shorts, short sleeves, and one was barefoot! Another was sitting on the ground!  At the end of the parade, walkers in the parade were gasping and fanning themselves by flapping the bottoms of shirts and wiping perspiration from their faces. 

The first person in the first vehicle in the parade was a child who threw about one piece of candy every ten feet. Most of the people threw one piece at a time and looked to be targeting one person to catch it. Thankfully, a little girl on a float for some sort of beauty pageant was throwing handsful very quickly to both sides. Eventually there were adults who did the same, thankfully. 

The fee was only $25 to enter. There were 100 floats, a very long parade. It was a very good experience. Floats were mostly black trailers with the ramp that folds up to a high back. 

About ten entries in I asked Tommy if there were not a lots of Grinch costumes, male and female. It turned out that Grinch was the theme of the parade this year. 

This was lots of fun. Antique cars, motorcycles, big industrial trucks for cleaning septic tanks, realtors, politicians, everything imaginable for Christmas joy. One woman I suspected of drinking early yelled 'Merry Christmas' multiple times to each and every entry, hoping to get candy thrown her way. 

Tommy said one little girl on our side was putting her candy down her shirt in front. I was sure this was a bad idea since it would fall out. She was not two, but near nine, so she could figure this out. Well, she finally turned around, she had her hoodie on backwards and was filling her hood. A little boy with her was doing the same. Good idea. 

We left here before 8:30 am and came home at noon. I went immediately to bed, hoping for a long nap. I awoke at 2 pm and took another nap later...lol. 

I sang Happy Birthday again. 

We went to a BBQ place to get two meals. He went into Publix for two slices of Carrot Cake. He had a good birthday he said. 

It was nice of the town to throw a parade on his birthday. I asked Tommy how it felt to be 70. He said he did not want to think about it because he would always be 69. It was a good day. I took two naps since I was not getting a good sleep even with naps. 

Have you attended a Christmas parade this season?

Have you ever been in a parade? 

Thanksgiving Gone, Christmas Music Here

 

I thought I started a new post. That must have been in my head! I had something to write about, but it has left my brain. Maybe if I ramble along, it will come back. I snoozed in my chair during the news. 

 All the Thanksgiving food is gone except for part of the turkey breast. I still have the thawed turkey in a pot in the refrigerator, so it will be baked tomorrow. Thankfully, Tommy is willing to take the meat off after I rip off the breast. I made such a little bit of gravy that I may make more gravy. However, coleslaw and green beans will be eaten instead of Stove Top and green bean casserole. 

My goal was to get Thanksgiving/Fall put away the day of Iron Bowl, Saturday, but I wanted Tommy to help. I did it myself. It is all gone and in two orange Rubbermaid type boxes. Now, to tackle the red boxes. 

I just cannot bend to dust. Sunday he used the Libman duster. It needs to be longer. When I pointed out he missed a table top, he said it was stuff stuck on. I think it was the residue that gas heat leaves along with dust. This is the dustiest place ever. So, I took a wet cloth and finally got it off. 

Saturday night, I told him what to do to six-foot long bookcase that is less than three feet tall. Useless piece of furniture! Sunday, before I got up, he had cleared one end off but did not dust it...??? There is junk on the end nearest him. 

Monday night late, after dark he covered up the plants outdoor with two sheets. I took the Libman duster out to shake and whack on the ramp railing. When he came in he said it scared him. I suppose I should have said something first. But, the duster is ready for him to dust the top of the bookcase which I cannot reach because of his junk in the floor! 

I noticed when I put out Halloween decorations on the bookcase near the door, a little short bookcase, too, but not long, he started suddenly to sort and clean off the bookcase. So, I may put out Christmas on his two bookcases and let him clean around them. 

The uti lingers. I have had an earache for a year or so, better some time than others. Okay, it has been two years. Now, it is almost unbearable! Plus, my back and kidney still ache. The fall did not help me at all. It might have contributed to the earache becoming so unbearable. I did land on the left side and barely hit my head. 

Today, I found out that my primary care doctor got a wheelchair. Yay!

Tonight, we had chicken/rice/broccoli from before Thanksgiving. We added green beans. I should have had some slaw, too. This weekend I put the package of chicken breasts in the crockpot on high and they were done so I could freeze them. These were the ones for which we paid $1.99/lb. When I have baked chicken, I can take it with me in the car so I don't get hungry and eat fast food. I had Tommy tear me off a piece, I sliced cheese and he put in one of the brown and serve rolls. That beats a cheeseburger for my health and is cheaper, too, although he never minds the cost. 

The next time the temp gets up to 70F, and it will, the lemon tree will spend the day outdoors. I am going to buy a grow light for the two citrus trees. Maybe I will just leave it inside and hurry to get a gro-light

Right after Halloween, Tommy found Christmas music on 96.5 FM here in Birmingham. So, I have been enjoying that on the run up to Halloween. The holidays will be gone too soon, it appears. 

I broke down and bought store-packaged pecans and they are good, not all dried out. I bought South Georgia Pecans at Publix for right at $10/lb. That is actually cheap. The ones at the flea market were almost that much for a sandwich bag full. These are great for a healthy snack.  Now, I will make a pecan pie and make the pecans unhealthy. I have not made or eaten pecan pie in over five years, maybe more. I won't gobble it down and will severely restrict other carbs! As of today, I am going to more actively try to lose weight! They may have been bogo. Maybe not. I cannot find the receipt right now.

Are you on a weight-loss journey?

Have you found a station to listen to Christmas music?

Have you decorated yet for Christmas? Or, maybe started?

Better Thursday, Maybe

Last night, I slept soundly, a long refreshing sleep. Today, I am not dizzy and not so exhausted with each step. My throat does not hurt as much as yesterday. I am not well, just less ill. Is there any such thing?

My potatoes died, but today, new green is appearing. Hope springs eternal or something like that. It is 52 F. The sun is brilliant and the wind is minimal. The pots are still covered with the sheet. Before it gets dark, I will put the cardboard back over the sheet and anchor it.

The case of the disappearing Christmas cards is being investigated. How could I misplace them? Well, a fter searching for the three Christmas cards, I looked over, and there they were!

My computer is beeping and a voice is threatening to disable my computer so it will not damage the Microsoft system. they are sending me credit card info. I must not close the page before calling. nope, not falling for it. Let me take care of this.

I kept closing the page and the site kept asking me if I wanted to leave this page. Pop ups that were serious and threatening to me and my computer. I called the number and yelled at the guy. He said he did not do anything and YES he was Microsoft and I needed to give him information, personal information! I slammed the phone downas I was yelling! Everything calmed down with my computer, and my computer was not disabled.

Cards are stamped and mailed. While I was out doing a few things, I used my last CFA card for a chicken sandwich. At 2 pm, the roads were packed and so were shopping center parking lots. Christmas shopping is going strong.

Washing my hair, packing a box for TX, buying one more gift, and attending a Christmas dinner are on the agenda for the rest of the day. 4: pm--hair washed. Now to get ready for the dinner at 6 pm.

Later

Your turn
Are you in the throes of getting better and worse this season? This has been going on since mid-October. I feel awful some days and just fine others. Have you gotten messages from your computer with a siren going off, telling you to call and give them info?