Pooped!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pest Control Fail

 This is my third night of sleep, sleeping at night for about 6 hours which I can supplement with a nap. This a relief. I do believe it is related to taking med in the morning instead of the evening. 

I did get one item that was not in the store that was advertised as bogo--French's Fried Onions. This is for green bean casserole. 

Three pounds of frozen blueberries are on the stove. I cook them with about 1/4th cup of sugar and store them in pint jars to eat with yogurt. I have no idea how bold was turned on. The last time I did this, I really enjoyed the healthy snack. About a month or six weeks after Tommy told me I finished the last pint, he brought a pint that was moldy that was pushed back where neither of us could see it. I was so sad. So was he. There is no room in the freezer, but this time I will make room for at least two pints. I cannot wait to have some later. 

We contracted pest control for the inside and outside of the house. The guy said they would spray the house Wednesday or Thursday. Well, here is is Friday night. I called them about 3 pm to discuss what was happening. No one knows anything about spraying inside the house. They have no record of us calling. However, I caught a bit of a text about spraying the yard for mosquitoes. I was complaining about fleas. FLEAS in the house!

Plus, I emphasized no texts! I get no notification of texts arriving, and they are hard to access. Plus, the screen goes dark and turns off the text when I regain light. I refuse to search for texts! I don't like texts on this phone. My last phone was okay with texts. I ran out of best flea killer I have ever used and forgot to get more. So, I am annoyed that fleas will bite me again. And, they have the cc number and probably have charged us. 

The heavy rain forecasted did not affect us here. Pollen has been tormenting me, but it appears it didn't rain enough to wash it away sufficiently for me. It drizzled on and off. 

I desperately need a new prescription for glasses. The only thing I can read is the laptop with magnification! Books are out of the question. Plus, I cannot stand the sun lately. I have no idea why my eyes are so sensitive to the blaze of the sun. Then, I read that as a person ages, the eyes are more sensitive to the sun. I will get prescription sunglasses! 

As you age, has the sun caused you a problem being too bright?

Blueberries and My Son

June 1975--My son went to day camp. He had just turned seven-years-old in April.

The first day he came home breathless, bringing home something he made. Then, he remembered. The staff had taken the children into the woods to pick blueberries. As he dug in his pocket where he stashed them just for me, his joy turned to such sadness.

You can imagine how fresh blueberries fared in the pocket of a little boy. He was crushed. The hurt look on his face broke my heart. I tried to console him, telling him blueberries were fragile. I ate the blueberries covered with pocket lint. The expression on his precious face changed to much less hurt and sad. Yes, I would eat squashed blueberries covered in pocket lint to take away his pain.

He had tried to bring me a present. It was spoiled. I praised his generosity to everyone who would listen. But, the crushed berries that stained his pocket blue were never mentioned.

I think of his little face full of happiness that changed to sadness and his sweet gesture every time I eat or think of blueberries....."Look, Mama. I brought something for you."
……………………………………………………………………………..

Two weeks ago, I was given a gallon of dried blueberries by a friend who did not want them.
……………………………………………………………………………..

Last week, I drove by the house of a woman who planted blueberries bushes--three. The couple who brought the house were out picking blueberries from the three-year-old bushes. I wondered if the squirrels were enjoying the blueberries. No, the homeowners said they had to fight the birds the birds for the fruit.

She offered me blueberries. I declined them because I did not stop for that reason.  She insisted and gave me a half-gallon of fresh blueberries still warm from the sun.

One problem--even the ripest and bluest of these blueberries are bitter. Why?

Your turn
Did your child ever bring you something as a surprise or gift and find it was ruined like the blueberries in my son's pocket? Why are ripe blueberries so bitter?

Dominique is Pouting

Today was uneventful. It might have been more eventful if I had not had three electric carts die on me in Walmart. The wait was excruciating and made me leave without what I went to get. Well, it is okay because it is only Monday. For some reason in the middle of the afternoon, I decided I had to buy the specials before tomorrow because the ads would go off on Wednesday. No, it is still Monday. I had no nap to fool me. But, I have tomorrow to shop for specials that go off on Wednesday. I just need to get there before storms hit.

I heated a piece of frozen cornbread for exbf last Friday and discovered it in the microwave on Saturday. So, I put it on a plate for Dominique. She got leftover mac and cheese that did not suit me and lots of Romaine. The first thing on the plate was chicken scraps.

She rushed and grabbed a hunk of cornbread and demolished it and started on the Romaine. I came inside and looked out the window. She was pacing and not eating. She didn't even find the chicken for her to eat. She must have realized there were no dry oats. This hen ignore oats for three days when I got her. Now, she must have her chicken crack.

There were lots of blueberries in the freezer and I uncovered a Ginger Evans blueberry muffin mix while cleaning out a shelf the other day. Those mixes never have blueberries in them. They are blue apple pieces. And, I have heard the blueberries added frozen did not turn the muffins blue. I had no desire to fill muffin cups, 6 I believe, as my back was hurting so. I put a piece of parchment paper in and 8x8 pan and poured the muffin mix in the center and popped it into the oven.

It was delicious. I didn't even notice it was not muffin shaped once I got it onto my mouth. I think a half cup of blueberries in that tiny mix was overkill, but who ever had too many real blueberries in a muffin? Ice cream would have been nice, but not until I find a2 ice cream. They do make it.

Your turn
Do naps ever fool you into thinking it is the next day? Then, you rush about? No nap fooled me! Do you have chickens or animals who just won't eat familiar and liked foods if the favorite food is not served? What goodies have you served from the freezer lately?