Lights, Tub, Oven

 If you remember, there is only a light in the vent hood over the stove for the kitchen and dining room. No more darkness for us now. We have a fixture right near the refrigerator. I am not sure why it is not in the middle of the kitchen. There is a new fixture now. We also now have a chandelier over the dining table. We have glorious light!

He started with the light over the sink. But, the pretty light I chose could not be mounted on the wall as the mount is not on the wall. There is a box on the ceiling. So, it was not going to work. Tomorrow, I will return it to Lowe's and get a new one.  

This guy is the one I saw in Lowe's. He is not an electrician but seemed to know what he was doing. He was mounting both the ceiling lights standing on the floor. He is 6'7" tall. I did bring him an 8" stool because he just needed it because it was a strain working. He did not get here until after 8 pm and left after 11 pm. He charged $50 for each light. The kitchen one was especially difficult. 

We did find the third light I purchased, and we lost. It was under the dining room table. Tommy had searched the room. I knew it was in there!

Now, we don't need to have two floor lamps to be able to see at all. Tommy told me there was no light in the oven. I cannot bend so far as to see. The guy took it out and tested it. It works. He could not find the way to turn it on; there is a strange little knob on the stovetop. I have tried my best to twist it or something. I pointed it out. He could not make it work, either. I believe the light does not work or the control broke and someone screwed something in there just so the stove would look like it was all there. So, Tommy bought a house with a stove that has no control for the oven light. That is not a biggie, I suppose. But, lots of things were sold to him that are not right in this house. It took 40 years to figure this out. Oh, the stove is Harvest Gold and thermostat in over is off 50 degrees. 

Cleaner came today--made my bed, helped find curling iron, most things she did after that were things we could not reach or do. I had a list of things that took so little time and effort. One thing she did was to clean car windshield inside and out. That was the hardest thing she did...lol. Tommy thinks it is clean all the time and never, ever cleans it. 

Things are looking up all over. I asked Tommy when he was getting a shower/tub I could get into. He said it was getting harder for him, too. He said he had been thinking that we might as well bite the bullet and stay in a motel for the two or three days they promise to do the job. He meant stay away for the whole two or three days. No Way! We will just stay at night in a motel and spend day here when they are working. YAY! Any suggestions for the best brand? We only have space of tub to install.  Or, we could convert one bedroom to bathroom and put washer and dryer into the current bathroom.  That is what I would like to do. No, I will not have washer and dryer in the bathroom. It will not work. I was shocked when he said he had been thinking about an accessible tub/shower! Neither of us wants a sitting tub in which to bathe, probably just shower. 

Today, I had cleaner take down curtain over kitchen window and throw it and bent curtain rod away. Tommy has still not noticed. It was a cheap, yellow, fiberglass curtain, filthy and sticky. If washed, those things shred in the washer. It was coated in grease and cigarette smoke from over 40 years. The curtain was here when he bought the place. 

Last week, I noticed there was a clock in the kitchen. I put one by the sink, but not this one. I asked him about it. He said we put a new battery in it when I came here, and the clock did not work. Two days ago I asked him if he would drop it in the trash. He said, "Okay."  He insisted we keep a cheap, broken clock for five years, and I am not sure why. 

I can now see that one wall, solid wood paneling, and I hate it. I want to paint it lemon yellow. We need more light...lol. 

If anyone has a recommendation on the walk-in showers, let me know. We want a 1-inch lip and glass doors to close, not the open shower. 

WE HAVE LIGHT!

Do you have an accessible tub or shower? Any problems? Recommend? 

Tired Tuesday, Dogs

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

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

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

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

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

CEREAL 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you familiar with Hatch chilis?

Anyone want to steal a dog?

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

w

Car and Nightmare

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flooding, Deluge, Electrician, Cars

                                                                 Better goose picture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are you watching the Olympics? 

Poison Oak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you ever battled poison oak? 

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? 

Surprising Way to Store Citrus Fruit

 Your Citrus Fruit Will Last Way Longer If You Store Them This Way (msn.com)

Have you ever heard of this way to store citrus? 

Cleaning on Saturday night is cancelled. Good. What was I thinking?

Tommy was up at 4:30 as his sensor went off twice. I heard it the first time and let it ride. I woke him after the second time. 

Hours later, it went off again. He ate peanut butter sandwich and an apple. It seems he needs to eat at least ever 3 hours to keep his blood sugar above 50. 

He is supposed to record food he eats. But, I had to insist since he has recorded nothing. He wants the tiniest scrap of paper possible to record this. No, an unused 5x7 notebook is too large. Any slip or scrap of paper works for him. He seems not to want to write anything as he goes, just do it all on once at the end of the day. sigh sigh sigh 

But, he is not denying he needs to eat since he put on his monitor.  There is no arguing about whether he is fading away. So, it is a much more relaxed atmosphere around here. While we were out, Tommy took back the other blouse I bought that did not fit and had money returned to my debit card. Good deal. 

Cleaner wanted to come after 5 pm today. I agreed, but I am too tired and need to cook dinner and eat, and maybe nap. Her mailbox is full! Okay, she called and was working register and could not answer phone. 

I am cooking four preformed hamburgers with cooked Vidalia onions. There is cheese and a bag of salad, so that will go on my hamburger, not sure what Tommy wants on his hamburger. We will eat sliced tomatoes, mine on the cheeseburger.

We were going to Publix after trip to Walgreen's, but I could not remember what I wanted, so we just came home. Good thing, too. As Tommy was coming into the house, rain started. It was heavy with little wind. So, it watered the flowers and did not rip my flowers apart. 

Last night I called a friend of Tommy's to see how his visit to a doctor went. He was extremely tired and could only stand for a little bit. He said his wife somehow got the doctor to say he cannot drive. He is 70, grew up  next door for Tommy for 20 years, best friend of Tommy's one-year younger brother. This guy was born two days after Tommy's brother. It is strange but I am always the one to call this guy to ask a question or catch up. On Tuesday, we talked. He and Tommy both had a Wednesday appointment for a problem. 

On Thursday, I called to exchange medical conditions, Tommy's and his. I was so shocked when his wife said her husband had a subdural hematoma and was in ICU after treatment in ER. He has to have drill or cut into skull to drain it. Base of brain. Scary. Tommy has not said one word about his friend that goes to same church that he grew up with, he and his brother. 

Today, I have been searching for the electrician Tommy's friend highly recommends. I need light in the kitchen! 

Today was a beautiful day, only a bit of rain. My flowers looked great! I think the neighbors took their cat since there are no more cat prints on our cars and Tommy has not seen the kitty. I like the chipmunk control she provided even if I had to put up with cat prints on the car. 

How was the weather today at your house? I know there were lots of predictions of storms for today. 

Have you ever stored citrus in water? Heard of it?

Right. I wanted to buy coleslaw mix!