Christmas Day and the Day After

 Christmas Day was a good day all around. Tommy liked the puzzle I gave him. He smiled at it a lot. It is a gaggle of puppies and a pony. Two other gifts are on the way. He is getting a Dirt Shirt, and fancy clippers for his toenails. I am too when Amazon gets them here. He gave me two gift cards to Barnes and Nobles. Books are always great for me. 

We cooked everything in much less time than usual. Chicken breast cooked with ground sage made the breast more like turkey. ...lol. Sweet potatoes (plain), StoveTop, green bean casserole, two brown and serve rolls were on my plate. Tommy had leftover potatoes and carrots because we had some of the stuffing before Christmas. 

My gravy was lovely and he did not complain about making it. It was beautiful on top of the Stove Top, green bean casserole, and the chicken. I think I put five boiled eggs in about two cups of gravy! Since I only used two Tbsp of flour and broth, the gravy was not a bad choice. I did forget to make one of my boiled eggs into two deviled eggs. I can still do that. 

We did eat too much candy On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I do love Kisses Hershey's Miniatures. On Christmas Day I opened the Cella Chocolate Covered Cherries, the only brand I can stand because it has no white stuff in the center. 

I wonder if I have gained back the four pounds I lost a few days ago. 

Today, I had another ot appointment. The bike pedals she put together fell apart after she left. I am so annoyed. I pedaled eight minutes last night and can already tell a difference in left leg mobility. 

We gathered the three store ads. 

Tommy gets frustrated. He kept asking me why buy more black-eyed peas. I said, "Just do." I was not about to get into an endless debate. He kept asking what we were going to do with the others, why, what, and I just gave vague answer. He came back and was pleased they were bogo. No drama...lol. I will put on some of the older peas for next weekend.

Result of no drama--very low blood pressure, something like 112/68 when ot came.

Next project--putting away Christmas. I never do this until New Year's Day.

The days are getting longer. Yay! And, it is still not cold. We won't ever complain about warm.

How was your Christmas?

Nerves are Shot

 This is the third post today--Friday, and SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT came first. Read about the car crash in the last one.

We have found out nothing about the other driver. We have questions and cannot find out. Did he have a DL? Drinking? On drugs? Was he a citizen of US? Was he still speeding when police nabbed him around the corner? 

When I was nagging Tommy about getting insurance that would give us a rental car in case of an accident, he said he did only because I nagged him. Now, he tells me he did not get the coverage. Can I say--urge to kill?

We were on the way to the Christmas Parade. Policeman said, "What parade??" Well. the parade was last Saturday! grrr I got up early for nothing.

Cleaner's daughter put color on my hair, using about an inch of color in stead of whole 3 inches. So, my hair looks like nothing was done. I am going to a Christmas party and this is disappointing to me. And, I paid her. And, paid mother who watched!

The car is not drivable, but Tommy disagreed. Yes, guy at a garage said it was. Finally, Tommy could hear it. We have two trips across town and on interstate, plus a trip out of town. Tommy sits. No call to the insurance or body shop before any closed. I am so disgusted with inaction.

I am woozy because I am famished, blood sugar down. Tommy is bringing me milk, one piece of candy, and banana. I ate that with small piece of pork loin and big salad. 

Okay, I reminded him until he called to check to see if he had rental. He does! Now, he is using ten times the words he needs and not expressing what he wants to say! Now someone says he does not have rental! Okay, now someone says he does have coverage. Whew!

I found the perfect bag of Christmas candy today at Publix--Holiday Candy Dish, chocolate candy assortment with Reese's peanut butter cup miniatures, Hershey's assorted Miniatures, Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolates, Rolo Candy. All except Rolo are favorites. With this bag a person does not have to buy several bags, just one. This is the limit to our Christmas candy. For two people it is not much. Years ago, I would eat half a dozen of the single candy bags would be my choice. I am fatter, sicker and smarter now. 

Ah, Christmas lights, Kisses, and Miniatures. This wreck stressed me!

Bedtime will be early tonight.  

This and That Around the House

 I tried calling the guy who sold me the mattress and base to upgrade what we ordered. But, he injured himself and did not come in to work. So, hopefully, he comes in on Sunday. 

In the meantime, I feel terrible. I know you get tired of this complaining but consider how I feel with only 3 hours sleep two days in a row. That includes naps. Or, in the case of one day, no naps. I get grumpy.

These are the days that precooking and freezing are miracles for me. Before dinner Tommy said he could scrounge in the freezer to see what there was. He found a portion of a baked turkey breast for me that I ate with the last of the slaw and a can of asparagus. There will be enough turkey for both of us tomorrow if we want that. 

He also found a freezer bag with a boneless, skinless thigh; one carrot; and two small pieces of potato--all baked together one day. He added the rest of the thawed broccoli to round out his meal. 

These leftover meals certainly beat having to cook or eat a peanut butter sandwich that many older people eat. I am proud of leftovers that were planned. I think I cooked and froze his meal in January '24. He said the turkey breast was from January '23.  

I am continually fighting getting my meds because of pharmacy and primary physician. I am not sure where the break in communication occurs. I often must leave a message. So, now I am out of med for diabetes. 

Saturday, we awoke to see a huge yellow sticker on the car across the street. They have had a car parked partially on the street for well over a year. This car runs; there are never weeds; it is clean; the people are lovely. I wonder if someone reported them or if the police randomly found the car. Since it is in full view of our door and my chair, I just hope they don't think we complained. 

The candy canes-red, green, and white--need to be rehomed. I am certainly not going to waste sugar consumption on candy canes. Not one was eaten. I put them in a red Moscow mule mug for decoration. They were 12 for 50 cents, so no big deal. I do not want to use them at all. I do know all the ways I could put them in and over other sweets. Just NO. They GO!

Nothing else was decluttered. However, Tommy did wash eight throws. They are all on pants hangers in a doorway since his dryer with heat from hell would melt them. 

Does your decluttering ever involve candy? 

Do you ever have trouble getting refills for meds? 

Situationships--Messsages as Blurry as Your Relationship + Health Progress

 

I do not like Sweethearts at all, but I love this CONCEPT.

"Messages as blurry as your relationship." They might sell more of these than the original ones. 

Of course, I did not sleep at all last night and then only two hours after dawn. All the dogs next door barked furiously for over thirty minutes! 

I have been trying to get in touch with the lymphedema therapist during the holiday, leaving numerous messages in, I suppose, the wrong places. At any rate, I made one call that worked. So, I needed a referral with the diagnosis on it. Of course, I have no diagnosis. I told the woman that doctors and nurse practitioners said I needed to lose weight, that I did not have lymphedema. 

So, called my doctor and asked for an appointment. Two Weeks! So, I told her what I needed, that I was willing to come in, but if he could refer me, I would appreciate it. 

A few hours later, the woman called and asked me what exactly I wanted. Finally, I offered her the fax number. So, that is done. I am elated. I almost cried. 

Today, Tommy and I collected the grocery ads. Then, we went to Publix and got a pneumonia vaccine.  We have had RSV and flu vaccine this year. Next, and lastly, we will have the covid vaccine. And, we still wear a mask. After my first pneumonia vaccine, I was ill a lot less. Fewer sinus infections and not such a bad problem. Hopely, we are bullet-proof with good nutrition. 

We brought the bread I like bogo. This is not the keto bread. We were out of carrots, so 2 lb. bag was $2.19.

When we were through, we went to sit in the park and shared a deli sandwich and water. While there, a policeman came in and parked, taking a break, I suppose. We pulled up next to his car and I told him how I wanted to file a complaint against the cleaner. He could not imagine why the other policeman would not take a complaint. So, he did. I feel much better after being told I could not complain. He was puzzled, too. The policeman called it harassment in addition to a threat. 

The Christmas decorations sit. But, that is okay. I need a pre-dinner nap. 

Do you like Sweethearts? 

How clever is this idea? 

Have you ever had a breakthrough in getting healthcare that left you grateful and teary-eyed?

I Have a Lisp or As I say, "lithp" and Cool Whip Candy

Friday night, I made a meatloaf from a pound of ground beef. To make it healthier, I made some substitutions. For a long time, I have used old-fashioned oats, and still do. I used 1/8 tsp of salt and lots of spices. Instead of catsup, I used tomato paste. I wanted the small can, but Tommy brought me the large can, maybe 15 oz.??? I have used catsup only on the top and just a bit, a smear. But, since I had so much tomato paste, I used a thick layer of tomato paste with a tsp of brown sugar. That is much less than catsup has in it. I also used more pepper than usual Also, lots of onion and bell pepper. I love the tomato and bell pepper taste. Hopefully, it won't be bland without all the salt I have used in the past. Oh, one egg even though I should have used two. I didn't want Tommy to have to get me another. 

I usually put this in a brownie pan or Corelle casserole. This time, I formed it on a piece of non-stick foil. The loaf is about an inch from the sides of the baking/cookie pan. There will most likely be lots of fat that floats out. I will get rid of that before it reabsorbs into a cooling meatloaf. 

With the meatloaf, we will have broccoli and green beans. I know it is two green vegetables, but the broccoli needed eating NOW, and he already had the can of beans open. We have already cooked carrots, but we will just have the two green things. 

The top of the meatloaf scorched but came off in a sheet, leaving the meatloaf fine. I think it was the bit of brown sugar mixes with the tomato paste. And, I did not cover it. I know better. We have enough left for another meal.

I did not have an apple or banana on Wednesday and felt abused. So, we went out for that and other things, just a quick trip to Publix. I do have my requisite bowl of Cool Whip...lol.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Late Thursday, I was sneezing huge, hard sneezes about thirty seconds apart. These were debilitating, leaving me breathless. The last one caused me to bite my tongue, way far at the back of my tongue. It bled profusely. 

Several hours after when I went to bed, I could not lie on my left side without extreme pain along my face and into bones, as it seems. I finally could lie on left side instead or right. I cannot sleep on my right side at all. It was an agonizing night.

When I finally awoke at 2:30 pm

., I had a lisp, a really pronounced lisp! I need to make calls to people I have never met or talked with on the phone. I hate to make an excuse that probably will not be believed. Besides the lisp, there is another sound. To say, "I hurt," I say, "I hut." It is annoying as I keep biting my tongue. The place I bite is waaay back on my tongue. No doctor on np that has looked will acknowledge there is a problem with tongue being swollen. But, this is a symptom of Hashimoto's that is not being treated.

 

I know people get tired of hearing about my pains! But, my tongue hurts way down into my throat below tonsils. I have bitten my tongue more in the last two years than in the last 75 years before that. 

I found a recipe for Cool Whip Candy at How to Make 3-Ingredient Cool Whip Candy | 3 Musketeers Copycat (tasteofhome.com) 

Have you ever made this candy?

What kind of candy do you make, if any? 

Do you bite your tongue ever? Isn't it painful? 

Are you ever 'f'orced' into eating two green vegetables you would normally eat with another vegetable?

Exasperated

 

Okay, tonight, I cannot get rid of this picture above. But, you can see what ribbon candy mix looks like. the stripes are ribbon candy.

After Tommy brushed my body last night, I yawned for hours. Then, when I went to sleep at four am, I slept soundly until 1:30 pm. I was shocked because my feet were almost back down to normal size. Then, a few hours later, only then did my feet swell much at all. So, brushing is a part of his life whether he likes it or not. 

This brushing calls for a natural hair brush moved lightly over the body, all in the direction of the heart.=. I avoid brushes on my body and any animal hair on bare skin. So, I used a soft brush I use for washing my feet. I wrapped a softer washcloth around that and securing it with a hair claw. I had to keep telling him 'not so hard.' He got it done. Boy, that puts me in mood to sleep. I have known about this for years, but he always said no.

Plus, I forgot to take diuretic, and my feet still did not swell. Maybe brushing could take the place of a pill. I will discuss this with my doctor. Or, maybe I will experiment on myself. lol

The rest of the day was wasted because of his vile temper. 

Yesterday, I put out a new candy box, a crystal Christmas ornament. Inside I put colored balls for the tree. It looks festive and will not tempt me to eat it. 

At Christmas, I always put ribbon candy into a covered candy dish. I hate the stuff, but it is pretty and Christmas festive. It is always given away sometime in the spring. One year, a young guy was helping me move something. I offered him all of that candy he wanted. He was polite and would only take two pieces. The dish was six inches across and candy was three inches deep. Finally, I said, "Wait." I took a quart storage bag, dumped the candy as well as I could because it had stuck together. He was shaking with happiness as he stuffed it into a pocket with much work. It was June, time to get rid of all of it. 

I am telling you, I won't eat that stuff as it is too sweet. If I wanted to gain weight, I would eat chocolate. There were days I was desperate for a sweet, but I never touched it. The ribbon candy always had round pieces that were pure sugar, too. 

Tonight, I was desperate for an apple. I depend on fiber and apple fiber works best. I had not had an apple on Sunday. We went after dark to Publix. Someone brought me a cart. It stopped at the seam of the ramp to Publix. It stopped when the front wheel touched the threshold. It stopped when the back wheel touched the threshold! Inside the store, it never went over 6 feet while I moved about. Often, it only moved six inches or less and stopped with a lurch to my neck. 

Finally, it stopped as I was turning from a main aisle to the aisle across the front of the store, and would not go again. I was blocking people who wanted to go across the front of the store and down the one aisle. There was quite a bottleneck. I was so disgusted! I finally got the attention of an employee who was going to try and make it go. NO! It was on and charged. I asked fobnanar another cart. That cart was set where my knees hit the basket. So, I had him get another. 

I watched as the Public employee took the cart back where it belonged. It did not stop once!!! grrr

Bananas, apples and bread is all I needed. But, it took me almost an hour to collect what I wanted. I did find the Ziploc pint freezer bags that were bogo. My raincheck had almost expired, only 4 days left. Bread was bogo, at least. The use by date is December 21. I wonder how much preservative it contains. 

I rehurt my knee trying to get into the electric cart. It was recovering from the fall. The cart was so tight, my left knee would not go in. I had gotten into the cart with right foot first. When I tried to get out, the knee would not slide out as usual. I had to try to raise myself enough to get past a center part that supported the cart. I hope I never, ever get that cart again.

About two weeks ago, I used Elmer's school glue. Saturday, I found it. I had not missed it, yet. It was open in the chair I sit in and had oozed out an area about six inches in diameter. So, Tommy washed it for me tonight.  If I did not keep this chair covered with a quilt, it would be nasty, sticky, disgusting. 

No decorating done today.

In a bit, I will get brushed again. I am looking forward to improving my health and sleeping. 

Do you ever use brushing skin to achieve better health? 

If you ride electric carts in the store, are you sometimes exasperated by their eccentricities?

Tommy had never heard of ribbon candy. Do you like it?

Things I Find When I Clean the House

Well, I did not actually clean anything yet. Just picking up this plastic bag and that plastic bag, I find things I actually need and things I forgot I had. Yeah, this is more like digging out than actually cleaning.

In one bag, I found the receipt for my TV, dated 11/30/2017. Since I plan to return the TV on Tuesday, this will be handy. Neither of us remembered which of his credit cards I used. I use one of his credit cards for high price items or any electronics so the item can be disputed more easily. Once, he used his credit card and I handed him $110 in cash. The clerk did a double take. "Security," I told him. The clerk did not understand the appearance of a cc and cash at the same time.

The loud pops emanating from the TV are concerning me. I think it might explode or catch on fire.. A guy who knows said it is probably the speaker and not dangerous, as I fear. At any rate, I am returning it. Being without sound is not what I want.

I was concerned with the 30-day return policy. From the receipt I see I bought a 2-year replacement policy. It is the first warranty I have ever purchased and it appears it is a good thing.

In another bag was a half bag of Christmas Kisses. Yay me! I knew I bought Kisses I did not eat, but never could find them. Then, I figured I ate them and did not remember.

A pair of Halloween tights bought for $.75 for older g-daughter have now made an appearance at almost Easter.

A bag of almost expired coupons from 4 papers surfaced, too. These need to be clipped soon. Okay, the coupons are clipped and the rest can go to a woman who uses them for food bank items.

I uncovered a box of birthday cards. I buy the box of 12 for $2.98. I need those soon.

So many expired coupons and old magazines go right into the trash right along with the AARP magazines I intended to read.

The white onions and garlic I never planted due to being ill smell funky after months of being in a plastic bag. I wonder if they are still good. ???

This is like an archaeological dig.

 I wrote the above several days ago and then lost my oomph and quit the dig.

My oomph stealer was an earache of epic proportions. The gland below ear is swollen, The ear itself hurts to touch it. My eyebrow hurt and the area in front of the ear. Today, I got an injection and three prescriptions.

When I lie on the left side, the side with ear doing poorly, it hurts. When I lie on the left side, I can hear fluid running and gurgling. I cannot lie on my back.

Formerly, the sinus congestion of a few days ago would have rapidly have progressed to my ears, throat, and lungs. I feel incredibly lucky this is only an earache, although she said my throat was very red on that side. This is all bad but so much better than it has been in the past with pollen problems.

Oh, yes, I forgot the fever for days. I thought I could beat this all back but could not.

The house is neither clean nor shoveled out!

Has the pollen gotten to you? Do you "find" things when you clean or look into places?

Laser Eye Surgery and Candy

Today, I sort of feel better, just tiring easily. I did nothing around the house or yard.

It took a trip to the bank and then inside to find out info. While there, I cashed a check that is a refund from ATT--$18.48. That's how much I saved per month by going to auto-pay.

I went to opthamologist  to have bubbles behind the lens zapped with laser. Once again, the laser sounds sounded just like shots in a video game. Little rings of color were also present in my eye I had to keep open. It is really sort of fascinating.  

While waiting in waiting room, the last lens fell out of my glasses. So, I was blind. Well, I could not entertain myself with reading. It made for a long office visit.

After a checkup to see that all is well, I am set. All I need to do after the checkup is go to get eyes tested and have lenses made for glasses. I am going to use my broken frames because I can find none I like.

The lost screw meant a trip to WM to get a screw put back to hold the frame around the lens. The woman acted like this was all new to her. Hopefully, she put the lens in straight.

I picked up a coupon that is worth $17, but cost me $6. It is a trip for two at DQ for 2 4-piece chicken fingers, fries, Texas toast, and small drink. I always save the Texas Toast for later. From now on, I am getting unsweetened tea instead of yucky Pepsi.

I found an Easter candy that is the best! And, it is only fifty-cents. It is a Russell Stover Coconut Cream Egg. The inside tastes like a Mounds bar, my favorite candy bar. The outside is dark chocolate, just like Mounds. Except, the Russell Stover dark chocolate is better and much thicker. It's a fifty-cent treat with 120 calories.

Since my one eye was dilated, it's difficult to even see to type. Tomorrow, I will have the worst headache ever from having my eye dilated.

By the way, I have the little eyeglass repair kit. However, I cannot see well enough to repair anything. And, this is the only pair of glasses I have. That will be rectified soon.

I have no idea how this could fill up a while afternoon! Well, it was six hours.

Have you been cruising the Easter candy as I have? Looking or buying?

Big Mistake

I talk to exbf about twice a day. He was here last Tuesday for the Halloween lunch. We opened our candy and traded what we didn't want for what we would rather have. At the end of the meal, I put my purple bag in my purse. NOW, I remember he asked me to put his in my purse, too.

Well, I found candy in mu purse several days after and wondered how I had two bags. Friday night, he warned me not to eat his candy. "Huh, what candy?" I could hear a barely audible moan. "The orange bag is mine." He explained and then I knew--I ate his candy! I told him so and then there was a grunting groan. Even though I apologized profusely, I could tell he was not happy with me. So, I promised I would get him some candy before he comes this week. I am thinking maybe I could dress up in costume and go out alone or get a kid to take out to Trick or Treat.

Sure, I could just buy candy for him, but I would prefer not to spend the money. Plus, there would be enough for me to eat, and I just don't need it. And, there would not be the variety he had.

Maybe I could just offer to buy some from a kid? I only need six pieces.

The reason I think this is a big mistake is that I don't take it lightly when anyone eats my chocolate candy or any candy of mine.  My children had to watch me like a hawk when they had Halloween, Christmas, or Easter candy.

I really hate I ate his candy, all six pieces of bite size or fun sizes.

Have you ever accidentally eaten someone's candy? Or did you eat it on purpose and regretted it? How should I get candy? Dress up and go out Trick or Treating myself? Find a kid to take out? Pay a kid for six pieces?

This Could Turn Me Off Halloween Candy!

In my head I was saying, "Nooo, tell me it isn't so!"

What does this list do for you? I probably won't buy anything but candy corn, but I want a snack-sized piece or four of Mounds and a handful of Tootsie Rolls. Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups cannot be that bad! Tell me it isn't so!

Make sure your chocolate goodness is not "Dutch processed," "Dutched," or "processed with alkali." I think all this candy is processed with alkali. That won't stop me...lol. However, I don't plan to eat much of anything.

Check out the bad news about Halloween treats right HERE.

Your turn
Which of the treats for Halloween trick or treat is your favorite to eat? If you buy treats, what do you hand out?

Free Candy for Trick or Treat

Candy--free to me

I know it is early but around this time of the year, I start thinking about Halloween candy for Trick or Treaters.  So, I got it free this year. One year, I paid almost $15 for candy, a paltry amount according to some people. But, I cannot afford even that now. I could not afford it even then. One year, I used Maxperks earned by recycling ink and toner cartridges and got candy for Halloween that way. This year, I have no cartridges for this quarter. So, worry worry worry. 

 

Do you take advantage of Maxperks by recycling cartridges? Several years, I turned in enough cartridges in order to get free Halloween candy.  I turned in no cartridges during June/July/August quarter to have Maxperks credit this quarter. So, no free Halloween candy from Office Max this year.

 

A friend showed me a full gallon bag of Life Saver-like candy. I am not sure it is the real deal. I am not sure it is ideal for kids. But, what candy is ideal for kids? (It cannot be any worse than Jolly Ranchers.) She asked me if I wanted it. Well, sure! I can always figure out what to do with it. I will not be tempted since it is not something I crave--hey, it is not chocolate!

 

Since exbf is diabetic, he needs a quick sugar source sometimes. He agreed to take all of them even though I only offered "some" to him. He was going to take them to work to share. So, I took out about a cup to give him to keep in his car. (He does not know this yet.) While I was filling the bag for him, I realized this solved the Halloween candy dilemma. It is all wrapped individually and securely in plastic, so it is going to be put out for costumed Halloween visitors.

Do kids like Life Savers? Won't these taste like Jolly Ranchers? I always got Tootsie Rolls for a treat because I love them, but TRs made the top of the list for candy that kids hate!  Okay, so parents can eat what kids won't or kids can trade for something they do like.  

 

Mostly, I only take things I know I can use. Ever so often, I decide to figure out what to do with an item after I take it. That is how I have so much candy. Do you ever take things you feel you can use, not knowing exactly how you will use it?

 

Your turn

Do you ever take free stuff, finding a way to use it later? Oh, I asked that. Do you have an economical way of getting Halloween candy for the munchkins who come to your door? Or, are you the type who turns all the lights off that night?   

 

Money and a Child--Me

Even as a child I was mindful of money. Having it was important. After all, isn’t this one of the differences in children and adults—having money? I had no job, so I had to be creative. I learned early, around age four, to maximize my chances of having money. Collecting Coke or other drink bottles for the deposit was just one of my methods of getting money.

I lived in the era of recyclable bottles. Bottles were a boon! I could get two cents for recycling one bottle. Since Cokes and candy were a nickel apiece, it didn’t take long to accumulate the necessary funds. Of course, every child wants both Coke and candy, finding enough bottles in one week was sort of difficult. Usually, I just settled for the candy--a Baby Ruth.You see, I was not allowed out of the yard to make the big bucks.

The best I could hope for was that someone would throw one into the ditch in front of our house in the rural area in which I lived. Since there were three of us children (then four children) collecting bottles for deposits, chances were slim that I would find a bottle. To make matters worse, I did not live on a main road. Occasionally, and only for a specific reason were we allowed to walk down the road. Reasons? To go pick plums. (for a few weeks) To go on an errand where I was allowed to ride my bike to the store and go onto the main highway. To walk to a friend’s house. Maybe!

Later, we lived in a neighborhood where the chances of finding a bottle were greater. Then, we moved back to Memphis and we were once again relegated to finding bottles thrown out on the highway. No matter where we went when we were in town, we found stray bottles in order to collect the deposit.

We never missed the opportunity to gather bottles even though we scarcely had the chance. We did manage to get ten cents to buy the occasional candy bar or coke or both. Hallelujah! Sometimes, we claimed Coke bottles brought home full of Coke. Sadly, this rarely happened. I suppose I was a deprived child, forced to subsist on and quench my thirst with water instead of Coke.

We bothered our father to allow us to keep change if we were sent into the store for a purchase or if we took money and ran an errand. Since I was the oldest, I was the biggest pest. Rarely did he ever give me anything when I pestered him except grief.

Even though I wanted to buy candy, I also wanted just to amass money. While my younger siblings found joy in having more coins, I knew from an early age that having large coins was the key. They played with, counted, lost, and frittered away a handful of pennies. If they had a nickel, I could always count on one of them to trade me the nickel for five of my pennies. To my credit, I did explain why it would be best to keep their nickel and how foolish they were being. Those little kids were overjoyed with their good fortune, while I was celebrating having silly siblings.

You might say, “Okay, Linda. You were 7 and they were 6 and 4. You were just older and had learned about coins.” I say, “How about when I was 10 and they were 9 and 7?” See, they just kept wanting pennies while I wanted to get dollars for my quarters and a five dollar bill for my five ones.

I think this strong desire and ability to take small amounts and save and consolidate until I reached my goal of more money has served me well. I was never tempted to fritter away my money even though I really did want Cokes and candy. I did spend some of my money on these small pleasures, but I valued saving more than I valued having a constant supply if candy.

This attitude still serves me well. I paid off my mortgage after years of deprivation, skimping, saving and patching together a living for a few years.

Oh, please tell me how you collected bottles? When? Where? Did you have a ready stash? Live behind a store?