Car Broke

 We had not been to Cullman to get the mail for about six weeks. The sound the car made frightened me. Now, the car is fixed, we know it was a wheel bearing. All fixed and car sold. 

The car was a dream. I love the beep so we know someone is close when he is going to make a turn. We are still learning the dashboard. We both have a thermostat for each side of the car. Neat!

We had traveled about 10 miles or less when the loose piece ripped loose and hit the car, flying off into the road after scratching the door. Now, all four pieces must be replaced. 

In Cullman, we went to a dealer, grandson of a friend who wanted us to go see him. Well, we did and he did not have anything for us right now. Then, we called a used car salesman who has sold us two cars, well SUVs. He said the dealer would have to replace all the little door window pieces. It was their problem. He will look for another car for me. He is very nice. And, thanked us for calling him. He is so polite that he was horrified with the way they yelled at me and insulted and ridiculed me all the time. 

We picked up six weeks of mail. I had a small, plain burger while Tommy ate his sandwich from home. Then, I ate my sandwich from home. We went to place to get another fob which will be $150. I need one, too. We have keys to each other's cars. I shopped in Publix and another store where I got deals--bogo Miracle Whip, bogo peanut butter . Dromedary Pimiento was cheaper in Cullman store than at The Pig. I suppose I am out of the canned Hormel roast beef and gravy, so I bought one until I can order from Amazon more cheaply. 

I have $50 on a card for vegetables only at markets, so I wanted to spend that before two weeks when it will end. I bought four tomatoes, pint of shelled peas, mess of fresh green beans, last zucchini a guy had, and tried to buy eggs. Now, I have $35 to spend. 

The woman washes them, refrigerates them, moves them to a cooler and brings them to the market. No way. I prefer them not washed, not refrigerated. She will be selling spoiled eggs. But, now I know I can buy good ones at a Thrift Store in Cullman. 

I felt so calm and relaxed and at home in the town where I lived for more than half my life. However, I was so happy to be going home to this house. 

The place where we are getting another fob came right out to the car as he always has. He knows me as a decades-long customer. 

I took a nap when we arrived home. Dinner was chicken, slaw, potatoes, carrots. There was a whole onion but have not had any of the onion yet. Yes. Tommy said there is still onion. 

Usually, a trip out, especially as far as Cullman causes my feet to swell so the normally loose sandal straps actually cut into my feet. I have been using the pumping legs at night. Last night I was choking again and did not feel I could lie back and not start choking and throwing up, so I skipped the pumping. Amazingly, after skipping the diuretic yesterday, skipping pumping, and sitting in the car for about 6 hours, my feet and legs were barely swollen. So, this is working even without doing it right, not my intentions. If any doctor had listened and taken me seriously, I would probably less swollen now! Oh, and now my weight is back down to lowest this summer. 

Tomorrow--woman in distress.

Late Monday and Tuesday and Electrical Problem

 About 4 pm on Monday, we got busy with food. Tommy cooked ground sausage, put it into a glass container and refrigerated it within 30 minutes, maybe sooner. I chopped the last Vidalia onion, put a snack bag in refrigerator to use, two snack bags in a freezer bag for the freezer. Tommy washed two Bell Peppers, and I cut in strips, one snack bag for him in refrigerator and a pint bag for freezer.  I cooked the last two burgers for dinner. We both had salad or slaw. I had a lot of tomato. After dinner, I hung up clothes to dry in the house. He hung them in the door.  Whew! I meant to cook a big package of boneless, skinless, chicken thighs with vegetables. Still not done on Tuesday.

One Tuesday, we forgot the Farmer's Market. It is on a list now. Otherwise, we will let the day slip away. It is open from 4-7 pm and only on Tuesday, easy to forget at the end of the day. We need tomatoes. We went too late today.

Tommy and I forgot the two returns we needed to make. Actually, it is more than just 'forgetting.'

I gathered some things from here to give to woman I helped. She had never heard of Cooking Bags. Now, she has a box ready in a bag with 2 bags of Christmas print freezer bags--one pint, one quart.

Since my cleaner is really busy, I may ask this woman to clean. I know she won't want to take money, but that is the only way we can do it. 

Someone asked why I thought cleaner flaked out. She has one really hard job, another part-time job, church activities, and may have had another surgery, but for sure one scheduled in September. I will ask mower, her friend, what the problem is. If she is not going to come back other than once a month, I need someone else. 

Tuesday, and we did little. We went too late to the market because I was taking a nap and Tommy forgot, too. That's okay because Wednesday will be a hard day. 

I did go over Piggly Wiggly ad on internet and found bscb for $1.99. Other deals are already on a list. I cannot find Publix ad on internet, rather, on email where I usually click.

The car dealer who had two cars we wanted keeps calling, different person each time. I actually had excuses why I could not talk the first two times. I left my cell with Tommy to take calls. Well, he just yelled at the person to leave us alone, that we were not interested. I wonder if that will deter them. 

Examining as well as I could, the fixture was installed over the sink incorrectly. I can see wires joined outside of a box by twisting wires together with nothing covering them--no electrical tape or the little plastic covers for wires. That will give me nightmares. When I moved here, I asked son of woman who lives next door for recommendation for electrical. He said he could put up the dining room fixture. Tonight, I had Tommy tape a note in plastic bag to railing for steps, asking her to ask him for name of electrician who would actually show up. So, maybe this will be done soon.  

The plan was to put color on my hair today. Maybe. Maybe not.

Do you think it is harder to get an electrician now than it was a few years ago? Why do you think so?

Three Hard Days

 Monday, the cleaner came. I went for a nap. Electrician said he was coming soon. I waited up, and we did not eat dinner. He was later than he said, and then stayed here three hours. At the end of day (three am), I was exhausted. 

Today, we awoke with a list. We trimmed the list until we could do all. 

I went into Lowe's to find another light for over kitchen sink. There was nothing I could see that would work in the space. No one came to help, and I could not read the boxes or get them down. We had things to return and another item to purchase. Leaving the rest off was how we trimmed that trip to Lowe's. We left off another store with returns. 

Tommy does returns, so he was glad not to get out of the car both places. He did go into the two stores. Tomorrow is another busy day, so we were trying not to wear ourselves clean slap out. 

The Kraft Parmesan Cheese in the green shaker was on sale but gone. So, I settled for the Parmesan Romano. I told Tommy to get a 5 gallon of vinegar. Yes, I was that tired. Then we went to Publix with a list Tommy made from last week's ad. He got a few things, nothing on the list. We took cheese sandwiches so we would not buy something out. His blood sugar dropped while he was in the first store, so he wisely bought M&Ms to keep blood sugar from dropping too much. He would have been at passing out stage soon.

He bought us each a chicken tender from Publix--$4 total. Even though we ate them in the car, I decided that would be our dinner protein. 

We went to the Farmer's Market in the park, but the park was blocked off. It seems that there was a Night Out or something. We drove between the barriers to get in. Someone saw us and moved the saw horses closer together. The women always come to us, get our order and take the card. Today, we bought a cup of tomatoes--5 and a cup of muscadines. Those will be good. Tommy may eat one of the five. At 6 pm, we unloaded the car. I went to bed at 6:30 and could only sleep one hour.  

I sliced the last tomato we bought last week. It was so good. I had slaw and several slices on tomato for dinner about 8 pm when I awoke. Then, I added one hotdog and no bun. I will have an apple later. 

I tried a Oui Lime Pie flavor, and it was horrid. I am so glad I only had one. 

Tomorrow, our day won't start until noon, thankfully. My body is shaking right now. 

Maybe it is too soon to rejoice. This evening, I took one glucosamine chondroitin. Dose is two, three times a day. When I awoke from my little nap, my knee did not hurt in the least. Of course, a few more days will be the real test. Twenty-five years ago, I had severe knee pain after knee surgery for a torn meniscus. The doctor told me this probably would not help. The next morning, my knee was better. After that for years I never had pain. It seems I am having the same results. I may have spoken too soon. 

I sort of wrote this post out of order, but it all happened. No editing again.

Have you ever taken Glucosamine Chondroitin? Did it work?

Have you ever been worn to a frazzle with a disability and cannot recover for weeks? That is where I am heading! 

Market Day

Tuesday, we went to the store and bought things while the present ad is good. My milk was $3.99/half gallon. Tommy bought 4, so a savings of $4. His gallon was also $3.99. He bought Chips Ahoy and I was so disappointed. He triumphantly told me he got the last package. That was sweet and thoughtful. Of course, I ate some. Six hours later they are still hurting my stomach. 

I had him buy three more quarts of strawberries--3/$10. He got bread he forgot yesterday. 

The weekly market was today. We decided to chance going, hoping it would not rain. It only started raining when we drove up. I really did not want Tommy to get out, so I urged him to wait. We finally got a parking place where our favorite vendor is. I opened my umbrella and stuck it out the window to shield me from the rain so I could get one of the women's attention to tell her what we wanted to buy--strawberry lemonade, two cups of yellow squash, cup of tomatoes, all for $21. Tomorrow, I will make squash casserole and freeze one cup. 

As we sat there waiting, a woman was leaving and stepping off the curb in the rain. She just disappeared and made a sound and a thud. Everyone was horrified and rushed to her. I wanted to get out to help her up. Now, you know what a foolish thought that was. Finally, with much effort, three or four women helped her up and she almost fell again! 

I called out to one of the vendors we needed. I told her when she got through with customers we needed items, that we could barely walk. She said she would do it right then.  All her customers were gone by then. Everyone was hanging around watching the woman on the ground.

Luckily, the rain quit as we were leaving, with only drops now and then on the windshield. And, it held off all the way home. Tommy had left his walker outside the house. There was no rain in our neighborhood, thankfully. 

Since my number shows as 'unknown' when I call someone, my friends don't pick up and answer. Verizon undid that. For some reason, my phone does not have the capability to block numbers. And, they raised the bill instead of lowering it. So, Tommy will take it to Verizon to straighten it out. 

I was going to sleep a bit ago. But, acid reflux was too bad. It is still a problem sitting up, so the raised head of the bed would have been useless right now. Earlier I took about three sips of strawberry lemonade. That and the Chips Ahoy earlier are hurting me. I have been awake since 2 am. It is 8 pm now. UGH!

Tommy and I were talking. I decided getting the right amount of sleep was more important than sleeping at the 'right' time of day. He concurred. 

We went next door and drove into the driveway to see if we could see if the dogs were gone yet. Well, one dog was in the yard next to carport, looking through the fence. He is the yappy one. It was pitiful. He stood there tentatively wagging his tale. It was not an excited wag, but a wag like he was wondering if something was going to happen. I suppose the other big hound is there, too. I suppose they won't remove the dogs until the guys come to mow the rest of the yard.

It has been much cooler outdoors, so my flowers are looking happy. The heat will be back too soon. This respite is lovely. 

What goodies have you gotten from your farmer's market? 

Do you ever suffer from acid reflux?

Found Our Market

 Today, I concluded my business with my paid-for-dearly computer protection. On May 31, 2024, I finally hung up waiting on a call from then in ten minutes. I forgot what day after that I called for the second time. But, today, I had it. Every time I call, I have to repeat the problem even though they are making notes, they say. I talked to the third person today who refused to pass me to the person who could help me unless I repeated my problem another time. Finally, not my finest hour, I yelled at him. He said petulantly that he was going to hang up. I hung up and was planning how to get in touch with someone besides a telephone answerer.

Then, Nikhil called and asked what the problem was. I told him the two issues I was having with my computer. Then, he repeated it back to me confusing the two problems by making it one strange problem. He tried to convince me the last guy had helped me. I watched the cursor. All he did was remove the ad blocker, something I did not want him to do! When he realized I had watched the cursor, he tried convincing me I did not understand. 

Then, since he did not understand the problem, he tried to convince me again that I just needed to advance to next line by using a key. I was fit to be tied. He said in a condescending voice, "Are you having trouble understanding?" He was treating me like the village idiot or some doddering old person. I told him I have had a computer for almost 40 years. He backtracked quickly. 

I pointed out that calling me back on May 31 never happened, nor call after that. He kept trying to explain that the people were doing what they were supposed to do. Never call back?...twice? Not good customer service! Finally, he declared he solved both my problems. Not so. 

We had just returned from several successful missions. We helped a woman, her two children, her brother's child, and the grandmother. We gave her our number to give her more help. That was satisfying. 

The Farmer's market where we shopped moved locations. We missed the first day. Then, the second time, we could not find vendors we wanted. Today, we went flying out fifteen minutes before the market closed. We fund them right off the bat about 7 pm as they were closing and packing up. We talked a bit and found they would be in same spot, something we figured. I was going to buy a fresh peach lemonade, but for some reason, they just gave it to me. The drinks are not covered by vegetable card. 

Since I have Medicaid, I get a card with $50 on it to spend only with approved farmers. These farmers have to be approved, farmers not people who buy from markets to resell. We had so many vegetables today, we really could not use more. So, now we know where to shop on Tuesday for produce grown in this county. This is a nationwide program. Write me at lgd113@yahoo.com if you want more information. 

A roaring rainstorm with thunder and lightning blew through here a few moments ago. Tommy and I were so shocked we just looked at each other. It only lasted five minutes, noisy and rain blowing. More is coming from down Tuscaloosa way. Here comes the rain forecast earlier. 

By the way, if you don't like me raising my voice after five hours on the phone over a week's time with guys refusing to send me to cs, don't tell me. And, don't tell me you have never raised your voice at an obstructionist, a man who knows better than you, who will let your laptop be infested with spyware. 

This has been a long day without a much-needed nap thanks to the heat. 

How was your day? Hot where you are? I just looked out the door, and it so muggy here.

Friday and Sensor Success

 Even though the neighbors have been jerks, cruel to their children, and obviously lost custody of two boys, I really hate for bad things to happen to their lives. I suggested to Tommy that we leave a note, telling them to check mail because there was a letter about a lien on their home. He agreed that would be good for them. There are at least two dozen letters, probably more letters in their mailbox. 

Then, I thought it over. She probably thinks I contacted the city. And, she would have it in writing that I opened the letter. I opened a kid's Auburn housing letter unknowingly but took it over and told him. He laughed. I opened a Temu package and found curl enhancer, then looked at the address and name. If it is in my mailbox, I just open it assuming it is mine. Mostly, I see the wrong address first and refrain from opening the envelope. This time, we had three letters for their box. ???

So, we will let it ride. They are adults and can find their own mail. I am quite sure the lien will just be only for a very expensive lawn mowing the city will perform. 

Catastrophe--we ran out of Kraft Cheddar Cheese chunks. Tommy always complains that I am buying too much of this cheese. The last time it was on sale, I refrained from buying any. So, I am out of cheese! 

Thursday night, I did not go to bed until 1:30 and dreaded Friday. The tree guy was coming to removed the limb. So, I thought he would be here at 8 am. It was raining. At about 4:30 am, I went to bathroom, saw Tommy's light on and walked in here to find him gone. He was in the kitchen getting cereal and milk. His alarm on the meter was going off. The sound woke him, warning him about dropping blood sugar--about 52. He ate while I sat here and checked it again. He went right back to sleep. 

So, at this time, I was really dreading the tree guy coming.  I awoke next time at almost noon. The alarm was not going off but his blood sugar was dropping. He ate lunch and I had milk, and we left the house to get the last two ads at grocery stores. 

I bought sundried tomatoes for my Mediterranean Pasta, pb bogo, Passing by the soup aisle, I saw Campbell's Tomato soup unsalted. I rarely eat tomato soup. As a child we mostly had it when we were ill. Then, extra salt was added. I have tomato soup now about every two or three years. I was furious when I got home and read the label because it has so much sugar.

Yesterday, I bought sundried tomatoes for the Mediterranean Pasta I want to make. But, neither Tommy nor I can find the jar. So, I bought another. 

We pass by the market where we got vegetables last year that had to be home grown. I was sure it should be open, but it never was and there were no signs. Today, Tommy slowed a bit and we got a phone number which I called. The time of the market has changed from Wednesday to Tuesday. Location has also changed. No wonder we could not find the market!

Today, I used one of the Tupperware tumblers with lid for the purpose it was destined with me. Sometimes, I want/need to carry milk in the car. It is treacherous to carry a disposable cup of milk since I might spill walking, or in the car. A Ball pint is great, but I don't want to use glass. The Tupperware with lid won't break or spill. The new tumbler worked perfectly for me today. 

Usually Friday in Hueytown is very congested. We almost never make it out of the house until 3 pm or maybe later if Tommy really wants to watch Jeopardy. I hurried him out (why I carried milk for my lunch) and we were out by 1pm. The roads were practically empty as was Publix. The chores were less arduous since traffic was very light. 

Three more of the mesh laundry bags live here. I think that makes seven. We use them for things that get lost and for laundry. One is for his remote sensor. He returned two blouses that did not fit. One was returned to cc I used. He got store credit for the other then turned around and used it for a purchase. 

We returned home in time for him to watch almost all of the first Jeopardy and all of the second Jeopardy. So, it was a good day all around. Oh, I did buy one chunk of Medium Cheddar Cheese for $4.79 instead of the usual sale price of $2.50 or $3. It hurt to put the cheese in my cart!

The person who was showing me glasses said a coating was the solution for astigmatism. I called today to say the antibiotic burned my eye and to ask about astigmatism solution. Just take the Zpak for eye, and the coating helps with glare. No, coating is not the solution for anything else but glare caused by astigmatism.  So, that is settled, and I was correct. 

Today, I am being plagued by callers wanting to sell or give me something health related. These calls are still going at 5:30 pm. 

Do you put a coating on eyeglasses if you have astigmatism?

A Few Answers and a Few Questions

Today, I went to the Farmer's Market and there were no tomatoes. Bummer. I looked around and got two small cups of crookneck squash. I paid $6 for the two of them. Because I was out and had things to do, I did not go home.

My question: Was the price exorbitant? While I had the bag in WM, I stuck it on the scales--2.64 lbs. That makes the cost per pound $1.52. In WM squash was $.99/lb.

I know all the positives of Farmer's Market--local food, supporting local farmers. However, I know for a fact they use pesticides.

Not bringing the bag home meant I carried a bag of squash into the doctor's office. I did have a bit of a problem in urine, but doctor downplayed it. I cannot think of anything else that causes this malaise in me. I continually have problems with gastrointestinal tract. I feel queasy all inside. So, now I have ten days of meds for uti.

So, after this ten days, I will start taking the prophylactic does of meds to keep bladder sterile. I refused to take small doses without first clearing things up entirely.

My question: have you ever taken a prophylactic dose of meds for uti and not had a full prescription to make sure bladder contents are sterile before you start taking the lesser dose, prophylactic dose?

Since I have been queasy, I have not eaten salads. I feared it would keep me in bathroom more than I already am. So, I gave away more of the salad.

My ac is dying, so I suppose I will, too.  It's a scorcher today, up to 90 already.

The tomato plants I bought had not been hardened off. The seller is not a good liar. He did not even know what it meant to "harden off" a plant. He said in reply to my question and under his breath, "I set them out at night." That did not answer my question.  He quickly and cheerfully volunteered, "I picked off all the suckers for you." WHAT?

These were leggy plants and he had stripped all but a few top leaves off.  Do you pick suckers off plants are a foot high? I think you wait until they are planted and are surviving to even look for suckers. These plants were looking puny, so he pulled off all the leaves that looked less than healthy!--my belief.  This man retired and decided he wanted to make money--what he told me and said he could figure this out.

I bought the red and white onions from him, just took the bag. When I got home, the onions had dirt all over them. I wonder when he pulled these. Did he lay them out to dry? I do not want my vegetables washed because they rot faster, but do you think knocking off the dirt would have hurt? I don't think he laid them out like they are supposed to be done. The dirt seemed too fresh.

Okay, I am going out now to buy a squash plant and a zucchini plant. Hopefully, I can handle the sun and heat to plant them tomorrow along with the two tomatoes and two cayenne plants. Today, it makes me dizzy.

I bought a yellow and a black container of Plaid paint and sponge brushes. In a few moments, I am going to look for things in the yard to paint black and yellow since I was inspired by the bee theme from Tuesday.

Remember the garbage can that was crushed and the guy said someone would bring me another? Well, a brand new can showed up next to the crushed one. The crushed one sort of healed itself. It did not seal itself, but the bottom is not so gapped as when it was crushed. I am going to keep it since it does have a lid. It was the one kept right outside the chicken pen so I could drop things in it after I fed the hens. I did not tell the mower to put the garbage can on the street. I should have told him to empty it like I TOLD him to do in the beginning.

I feel lousy but ambitious!

After I wrote the above, I went out again. Before I did, I used the bathroom and the uti symptoms showed up and I screamed a bit. I am so happy I did not wait until tomorrow.

Plant shopping is so much fun. I love squash and zucchini, but the Farmer's Market vegetables are too large. I just won't buy them. Small ones are the ones I want. If I get 7 small squash off my squash plant, I will have broken even considering the price I paid today for squash.

I bought one crook neck squash plant, one zucchini plant, and one bell pepper plant. Exbf was eagerly listening and gave a little grunt of approval. He like all three. It will be six weeks before it get any produce from them, but that's okay. I will just purchase what vegetables I want until then. Everything I plant will go in buckets, even the squash.

Someone is coming to mow the lawn in the morning...yaaay!

Abject Failure Today, But It's Okay

First, I went to the market, finding only one guy there, a guy from whom I had bought. He was helping a woman, so I was patient. Finally, after she talked and TALKED for fifteen minutes, I went over to lean on a column, saying I had to lean on something. She said, "OH, here, you go ahead." She had her bags and remained rooted to the spot and her mouth did not cease to move. I

"I have to sit in the car." She said for me to just go ahead and talk to him as she kept rambling on. "I will just talk to him, too."  "Blankety, Blank, No!" I said in my head as I struggled to get my feet and legs in the car. Still, she did not leave, just yelled for me to come on back.

When I do go back, I will not shop at his booth. He was the only person left today, or I would have gone to another booth. Besides, he was selling half-rotten tomatoes at an exorbitant price. There were huge flat boxes of better ones on the truck. THAT is what I wanted to talk about. He kept telling me to pick out the basket on the table that I wanted.

I will go to a different market on Monday.

Second, I drove for miles, maybe 30, looking for a salvage yard. A guy was going to put two new lights in my car. He called and found them but never got them like he said he would. His mother became ill and many trips to hospital and working two jobs made it impossible. He said I could pick up the lights.

Well, that was in August. Since I have not been able to even take care of myself, a trip to the near country did not seem like something I wanted to try.

Today was the right day, brilliantly sunny, light breeze and warm. Well, the first part of the directions I understood. When the salvage yard did not appear, I kept stopping for directions in the country. "Just take the next right, go through a big curve, turn next to the church, go around two more really big curves, turn right." As I opened my mouth, the guy said impatiently, "You will see it!" He turned and limped away.

He was the third person I asked. I was done. I decided after an hour and a half of bad roads to call it quits and try to find my way home, not going back the way I came because who actually knows where I turned to get where I was--lost. All of a sudden, places, trees, signs, houses started looking like ones I had passed.

Aha, I just kept making turns and finding familiar  things. I was soon home and exhausted. I drove on country roads, narrow, hilly and curvy, so I could not go over 40 mph, sometimes around 25 because of road conditions mentioned.  Finally, I was home and exhausted.

Since I have a county road map and now know the co rd the place is located, I will use it to find my way to the salvage yard.

Third, I thought I would get a pneumonia shot at WM, but the pharmacist I wanted was not there.

Since he will probably there tomorrow, I will get a shot when I get my Sunday paper.

Fourth, Dominique was not eating well. She would leave oats from the day before. She leaves meat. Today, I had some salad that was going south, so I put oats on top of that and she was gobbling salad when I left. Lately, I have not felt like bending to get grass for her. For weeks, even when I was ill, I would snatch a handful of grass for her. Now, that some of it is browning, I just have not taken that extra few step to get it for her. All is well now.

Fifth, my goal of hanging up the black clothes in the washing machine did not happen. It is after dark, but I can still do that.  I never hang black clothes outdoors, just in the house.

When I feel well, which I do  (I know I keep saying that), setbacks are not draining at all. I will have a can of tuna in salad and call it dinner.

Bummer! As I was talking just now to exbf, he said abruptly, "The Auburn game is on." I said 'bye' and hung up. The man has few passions and Auburn is one of them. And, Dr. Who. He is an Auburn graduate. He gets testy if I keep talking when a game is on...lol. I only care who wins because my son is an Auburn fan.

To make things better, I did have butter pecan ice cream at the end of all this inconvenience.

Your turn
Do you hate country directions like the "second big curve" or the "stand of trees"?  Or, the person who cannot shut her mouth and go away so you have a turn at a vendor's table? Do you have a sports fan that you know will want you to be very quiet during a game? When you feel well are inconveniences less annoying when you feel well? Conversely, if you are not feeling well and things are thwarted, does it make you fell worse and testy?