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

Absentee Ballots

 Last night, we sat and talked about what we were going to do today. We decided that getting an application for an absentee ballot was first on the list. Plus, we needed to get copies of our driver's license to send off with the ballot request. 

That sounds easy enough. Right? Not at all. We went to library and Tommy renewed his library card while I obtained one from his library. First, Tommy started off telling the woman our needs backwards. Then, while I was on computer, he was using the mouse to click on things. I don't know if it was the computer or his clicking around while I tried to work. But, we never found the site and information I found at home to make sure we could find the site easily. 

I sent him back to the front to ask a question and he never came back. It was so far to the front. I did not think I would make it. All the chairs were hard plastic molded kind. I told Tommy I was waiting in the car. Finally, he came out with all we needed. My back was surviving. My car seat is sooo comfortable. 

We picked up the grocery ads on the way there and some on the way back. I still have not looked at them. 

As we neared the house, Tommy exclaimed 'that was our mower.' Then, when we got home, the yard was mowed. So, I called mower and told him we were here if he wanted his money. He came back. He left and then we had something else to give him, so he came back again. Tommy usually writes a check but used cash today since he still has car money from when he sold it. 

Tommy was funny giving me a $50 bill to buy envelopes. He was cute being the bigshot, asking me if that was enough. 

I barely got into the house and went to sleep in my chair for about an hour. For dinner--chicken breast, two kinds of slaw, mushy tomato that I could not finish, and an apple. Tommy had chicken breast sandwich with bbq sauce, coleslaw, and mushy tomatoes. The insides of the tomatoes are the consistency of applesauce! He said I ate the last of one kind of slaw, the kind with kale. 

It is 8 pm, and I have to hang black clothes, use leg pumps, and fill out request for absentee ballot. It is not a lot, but it feels like it. We will mail it at PO tomorrow. We need to go to his credit union to deposit his cash. Also, take recycling to Publix. 

I think putting out our few Halloween decorations will be on the list for tomorrow. We also need to separate plants outdoors. Some are dead. Some are still alive. Tommy quits watering plants when they start to 'die' instead of reviving them with water. Maybe next year, I will just have bulbs. Maybe I will start packing tomorrow. The request for the absentee ballot is foremost. We do need to make reservations for hotel rooms! I keep forgetting.

Do you vote by absentee ballot? 

What are your plans?

Food Shopping

 I was the best of trips. It was the worst of trips. Publix, I mean. Special K was not bogo as someone told me. She must  be in a different area. Miracle Whip was bogo. He got two jars. 

His Cheeerios bogo, got two. Coleslaw mix bogo $3 each. Two chicken tenders for $4.46. I would rather have chicken breast than dessert. $17 spent.

Sometimes, we pass a place that is selling items cheap on sidewalk. Once we bought ALL. They gave me two skeins of crochet thread. The skeins were a surprise. They told me that two stores down items would be free in two days.. 

Next time I passed, I got one free item. Today, we passed, rather stopped. People were lined up getting items and putting items in bags to take. We waited at the curb, asked the man if he could give us something. 

He gave us choices of bread, and I chose marbled rye. I love it with cheese. Then, he gathered up five small bags--10 lbs, cherries, 2 bell peppers, 7 ears of corn, 18 kiwi, turkey hotdogs, 1 lb, ground round, 1.5 lb ground beef. There was a donation jar. Tommy had a $100 bill, and I had a $5, so I got to donate. I would say we certainly got a deal. 

Now, lots of this needs processing. I have never bought more than two kiwi at a time. So, I had to search for how to store them. I love kiwi but rarely purchase them. When I see them for $1 each, I pass. 

Tommy came and reported we have had a cabbage for a long time, two packages of Brussel's sprouts and something else. He is Refrigerator Master, Lord of Cold Storage, Duke of Earl. 

I need to take a nap and the get onto food processing later. 

We made the rounds for the three ads, And, we drifted into a used car place, drove around, talked to a salesman, promised him we would come back. We only shopped at Publix and the free food table.

My two breakfasts are 1) Special K, banana, milk or 2) pb, MW, banana sandwich. Neither of these requires me to take my hurting back to the kitchen to prepare.  Actually, I would prefer scrambled eggs and one piece of toast. Sometimes, I like a bowl of beans--black eyed peas or navy beans with maybe tomato or slaw. Maybe I will have cleaner scramble nine eggs again. That will last for 3-4 days. Hopefully, Special K will be bogo soon. 

Only 3 ears of corn were okay. 

What are your choices for breakfast? 

Do you ever pass a random place with free food? 

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? 

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?

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?

Tuesday After the Storm and Pest Control

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are there any deals in your grocery ads? 

What have you planned for Easter dinner? 

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

This is Awful--Chocolate Offenses+ Electricity Out

 I am horrified at the offenses committed by these chocolate companies. This information will have no affect on my decision to buy Palmer's Chocolate. I bought some on sale after a holiday years ago and could not finish it. I tossed it. 

Don't Buy this Chocolate

Tuesday night, I heard Tommy go AAAH! Then, I heard noises I could not identify and him gasping. I asked what happened. He said, "This thing broke." He then came through the door half holding up and half holding onto the walker. One leg, a round metal leg that goes from hand hold to wheel was snapped into. If he had fallen, which he almost did, the broken part could have killed him. 

The guy who sold it said if he kept breaking walkers he needed one to suit his weight. Tommy weighs 190 lbs., not enough to get a heavy duty walker. So, I ordered one from Amazon. We will give store back this walker and get his $170 back. The new one is pretty, dark green. It arrives tomorrow. In the meantime, he is using my pink one.

Last night, I was getting out of my chair at 2:45 to go to the bathroom when the lights flickered really fast. However, I kept my hand on control for the chair. It slowly went down enough I could get out. But, I was plunged into utter darkness. I yelled for Tommy to get a flashlight so I could see to get out of the room. I did not have time to let my eyes adjust. I needed to go now. 

Of course, this woke him. I was ready for bed, too. I got my lantern from the bedroom. My tiny light next to me quit working two days ago. I took the smallest pillar candle to the table next to the hall door. I took the larger to bathroom and put it on counter next to door. Behind that, I put one of the round push on led lights. At least we could see where the doors were and Tommy could use the push on puck light to go to the bathroom. 

There was a time when I could walk in total darkness in my own home, but now if I stumble or bump into something, I am down and need to be help up. I was a bit more nervous about pitch dark. Seriously, I could not see the windows because they were not receiving lights from houses around us or the moon.

We struggled to get the power packs on both our chairs, so the chairs could lift and let us down. That was an ordeal. It took both of us to work on both chairs. 

I went to bed with my lantern. I lay there for over an hour, knowing I was not going to sleep. I could not use my CD player or my sound machine. All of a sudden, I heard a noise. The heat had come on. I jumped up and the living room was flooded with light, kitchen light was on.  

Tommy would not get enough sleep to drive. So, he canceled my appointment for this morning and made another for the same time on Thursday. Then, I got a call to be there at 9 am. No way. Finally, I said I wished I could get an appointment with dr. Okay, and she gave me a time early in the afternoon. So, I am all set. The pain bends me over, so I may have to go to ER. Probably not.

Backing up--Tuesday night, I washed my hair and needed Tommy to help rinse it. I said point it right here, aiming it behind my ear on neck area. Well, I took my hands and rubbed the area to get soap out. I said to hold it right there. Then, I moved my head to rinse toward the other side. I realized that he had moved the sprayer and it was still on the first side of my head. Finally, he understood how to do it. Of course, three minutes later he was confused again.

This sink has a really high spout. I think I will just put my head under that and forgo the sprayer. Maybe not!

Today, we got two rainchecks out for Publix. They still did not have Diet Coke Caffeine Free. So, I got the last two cartons at same price it would be for bogo. Then, I have been waiting for foil that was bogo, 75 sq ft Everyday Reynolds. For bogo, it would be $4 for each. Today, the markdown was $3.99. So, I bought at sale price and tossed the bogo raincheck. 

We also collected the three sale ads. Boring, nothing we need or can stock up. I finished all my strawberries and blueberries, so we do need more of those. 

This has been a busy day with little sleep last night. We had plenty of lights to use. However, there was no full moon or it was covered by clouds. 

Have you heard of the offenses these chocolate companies have committed?

Do you know of any walker that has broken? I am talking about one of the main structures breaking into two pieces. Do you think 190 pounds is a reason for extra-sturdy walker?

Are the ads for your stores good this week?

Do you ever have profound darkness when lights go ou t? Do you worry about falling over something but could navigate when younger?

Ads + Cat or Dog

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chicken Salad Chick? & Drafts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Did you get a free scoop of Chicken Salad Chick?

Was it your first? Did you enjoy your scoop?

Have you ever stopped the drafts around windows? 

Rainchecks, The Ads and Saban Resigns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How was your day? 

Any small economies?

Large ones?

Good food?

Are you an Alabama fan?