At Last!

 We sent in our request for a mail-in ballot about two weeks ago. I have been afraid we would not get a ballot in time. Our mail-in ballots came today. I have been fretting over this situation. Usually, Tommy gets the mail at noon, as soon as it comes. Today, he did not get the mail from the box until after 6 pm. I was so relieved to receive the envelope. It is filled out, just waiting for two people to witness my signature. 

The large white envelope held Five (5) other items: instruction sheet, secrecy envelope, affidavit envelope, brown mailing envelope. Whew! And there were lots of instructions on the instruction sheet. Now, we either have to have it notarized or have two witness sign. We are going the witness route. We can witness for each other, then find one witness to use for both of us. 

At 8 pm and rushed off by 8:30 to find marked-down Halloween items. There was little to be had and certainly not pumpkins, fake ones. A furniture store did have Fall items and pumpkins, but none were marked down. All specifically Halloween items were packed away. So, that is that. I refuse to chase a bargain right now. 

I did find an orange container and a black and orange pick.

We needed a nap. We got up right when we were supposed to be elsewhere, snatched on clothes and left. The people asked why were so late, thinking we had forgotten. We sheepishly told them we were asleep. 

Last night, we did a bit of decluttering. I had saved boxes, large and small for a specific reason. Well, we overdid it. So, Tommy broke down boxes I brought out to him. They are in the garbage truck. 

Publix was next. I bought the wrong Cheerios for Tommy. So, one of us will return them. I like original Cheerios and cannot stand Honey Nut Cheerios, his favorite. They even stink when he eats them.  I did get two half gallons of a2milk that is 2/$9. 

I switched to Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats from Special K which is too expensive! I rarely find them bogo. Besides, I like oats. I would eat them all the time except for the fact they have to be prepared. I am not lazy, just in pain. Tommy would do all the dipping of oats, measuring of water, and heating, but he does so much for me. 

Something strange happened here just before Halloween. I had changed out all batteries in things around the living rooms, candles, Red Kiss with lights inside, pillar candles. Tommy was standing and trying to use the tv remote. Suddenly, the Red Kiss fairy lights came on. He had not noticed. I certainly had noticed and was a little dumbfounded. He could not get the tv remote to turn off the lights. I had to turn them off manually. What on earth? Has your tv remote ever turned off another device that had its own remote???

Today, as I got out of the car and tried to turn and walk up the ramp, I stumbled and almost fell, stumbling toward the ramp until I could grab it. Later, I asked Tommy if he saw me. He said, "No, but he did see me stumbling/staggering in Lowe's parking lot when I dropped my debit card. Then, he let go of his walker here in the living room and held out both arms and slightly wavered back and forth, knees slightly bent, saying, "You looked like you were hanging ten. He really did look like a surfer. We had a good laugh. 

I was feeling woozy when I got out at Lowe's and then saw my debit card flutter to the ground, I momentarily assured myself I could pick it up. No, I cannot. I looked up and a man was exiting his car. So, I called to him and asked him if he could help me. He approached me eagerly and asked me what he could do. I pointed to the card and asked him to get it for me so I would not fall. Nice guy. 

I love DST, but I hate the early evening. We had to be home by 5 pm tonight as it quickly became too dark to drive once we came home. Soon, the day will end an hour earlier. DST has never bothered my sleep. Now, how could my sleep habits get any worse? In the past DST never disrupted my sleep, school, work, or health.

Ooops, I stored away Skelli with two AA batteries in his head, so we have to buy the proper screwdriver, take them out tomorrow. It's the only thing in which we put batteries. 

Tomorrow, Auburn plays at 11:45 am. I want to go out to stores. So, he will willingly get up and take me in order to get back in time for the game. Fall is the only time he will go out in order to get back here for a game. Otherwise, he is sleepy or watching something else. Tomorrow, he will be encouraging me to go soon. Then, I can take a nap while he watches to game in peace. 

It's late; my nap has worn off. 

What's on your agenda for this weekend.

Bargains--Food and Otherwise

Since I always check Publix markdown racks, I find bargains often. A Mr. Coffee teapot was marked 2/$14.95, making it $7.50.  The next time I was in WM, the cheapest teapot was nearer $20. So, I returned to Publix and purchased a teapot. It is candy apple red, not my preferred color, but certainly acceptable. I won't pay another $12 for a different color.

At Publix I found Kraft Parmesan Cheese canisters, 2/$6. Since these are usually $3.89 at WM, I bought two canisters. Unfortunately, I had no coupons.



Warehouse Discount Grocery had Kraft chunk cheese, 8 ounces, for $2. This is as good as I can usually get when price-matching. I bought three. These are $2.89 in WM and higher at other stores.

Walmart has 42 ounce canisters of Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats for $3.98. Usually, the same product is close to $5, about $4.89.  Since I had a coupon for $1 off two canisters of 42 ounces of oats, I saved a bit more. I actually bought 6 boxes, figuring this will last me all winter. I will put all this in Ball jars, and freeze for three days, storing it in the cabinet. This way, no bugs will hatch that were in there when I purchased it.

Plus, afterward someone gave me two of the 18 ounces canisters of Quaker Oats. Yay me! I eat hot oats all year long. However, this winter I will have a bowl each day.

In WM a guy was giving out free samples--10 ounce bottles of Downy Fabric Softener. WOW, such a large size. Usually, these type products have free samples that are a little pouch, about twice the size of a catsup packet. I don't use fabric softeners, even free bottles, so I will give this to someone.

An organization gave me two gift cards, one for $50 and another for $25, to help with the cost of going to doctor for cancer--tests, surgery, and checkups. There was valet parking that was not free most of the time. I had to supply drivers with money for the valet parking. At other times, I had to give gas money. This $75 will help plug that hole in my wallet.

What freebies or bargains have you received lately?

Oats Overview Information

OATS Overview Information

Oat is a plant. People use the seed (oat), leaves and stem (oat straw), and bran (the outer layer of whole oats) to make medicine.

Oat bran and whole oats are used for high blood pressure; high cholesterol; diabetes; and digestion problems including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diarrhea, and constipation. They are also used for preventing heart disease, gallstones, colon cancer, and stomach cancer.

People use oats for joint pain (rheumatism), fatigue, a fatigue-related condition called neurasthenia syndrome, withdrawal from nicotine and narcotics, and lowering high uric acid levels that can cause gout. Oats are also used for anxiety, excitation and stress; as well as for weak bladder and kidney ailments. Other uses include connective tissue disorders, skin diseases, fat redistribution syndrome associated with HIV treatment, and as a tonic.

Oat straw is used for the flu, swine (H1N1) flu, coughs, bladder disorders, joint pain, eye ailments, frostbite, gout, and a skin infection called impetigo.

Topically, oats are used for skin conditions including itchiness, dryness, oiliness, weeping eczema, and contact dermatitis. Oats are also applied to the skin for chicken pox, osteoarthritis, liver disorders, and added to foot baths for chronically cold or tired feet.

In foods, oats are used as a grain or cereal.

In manufacturing, oats are included in some bath products and soaps.

How does it work?

Oats might help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels and control appetite by causing a feeling of fullness. Oat bran might work by blocking the absorption from the gut of substances that contribute to heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Your turn
Okay, that all sounds interesting. I wonder how oats applied to the skin can help liver disorders. Does anyone have opinions on this article?