Saved Money

 May 1

steps 12,000

The lamp on Tommy's table was acting up, flashing on and off, getting brighter and then so dim it was barely visible. I was alarmed. Tommy said it was not hurting anything. Finally, I had him tighten the bulb. That worked for about thirty seconds. All this really worried me. 

Finally, we changed bulbs. His bulb still did not work correctly.

All the while, I was making plans. New lamp from WM or used somewhere? Then, I hit upon the solution--have Tommy rewire. Now, he has no idea what to do. So, I was going to buy one of those kits that required little electrical skills. Before we did that, I checked the bulb and found the solid white piece was cracked in three places. A new bulb from our stash solved the problem. So, it was not the lamp after all. Thinking saved the day and $$$. 

The mower from last year came to mow and weed eat. The experience was cheaper and less upsetting to my stomach. In an hour he was done. He pushed a fallen-over dogwood tree to curb. One day, it fell over in a very strong wind. I hated that ugly tree. After it fell, the leaves budded. So, we had a lying down tree in our yard. Now, there is no greenery in our front yard.

Our mower works for a landscape company. We talked with him about planting trees. That will be a fall job. So, we will be blasted by sun and heat all summer. I have decided to plant crepe myrtle. LOTS! Plus, I want other flowering trees. I do not want a tall tree to eventually fall on the house. I have seen too many pictures of tornadoes' aftermath. We did get our last year mower to mow this year--less stressful. 

I have done anywhere from 5000 steps to 15,000 steps each day I have not reported, depending on how I have felt.

Tommy upgraded his wardrobe all on his own. He shopped for knock-off Crocs and a belt. I told him to get a leather belt which he did. 

We had a forecast of three days of bad weather. Today has been just fine here. 

Tommy had to pay $180 for one Dexcom G7 to stick on his arm because of some mix-up with his prescription. Usually, he pays about $35. 

Bypassing Amazon

 No, I am not feeling better. Could not sleep last night, did not try today. I am going to bed very early tonight.

We went to get bread, milk, and bananas. I needed to go and do something, somewhere but told Tommy I could not handle anymore. My bread was bogo. Tommy got one loaf last week and another today. I took ten slices out of the last loaf and put it into freezer bags. two slices in each bag. The one he got today will get the same treatment. Since I now have room in the freezer, I can save money on bread. 

We are eating protein from the freezer, so maybe by turkey breast sale time, I can add a few of those for next year. Right now, we are eating cooked protein. There is some frozen that maybe I can get thawed and cooked, and refrozen for quick meals. 

We did get from the local hardware a light bulb with a sensor in it that turns the light on at dusk and off at dawn, only $8. He brought it out to us, took the cc, and brought it back to car. Good deal. Better than Lowe's!

We came home and I still had not put the clean car in the carport nor had I looked to see what was in the trunk that needed to come out. If we do it now, we will not have to ask the buyers or pay cleaner or mower. The trunk was stuffed full. Really, that was where I put plastic I used on lawn to paint things. So, not as full as it looked. One thing had to come in. We can do a box each day. Half the trunk had the thin tarps. I need to paint, so I will keep them to use for that, bundled into a bag. 

Tommy chose the red Rubbermaid box. Inside, I found all sort of Christmas and Auburn stuff, bought on sale, obviously. I put one Auburn object on Tommy's chair. He tossed it aside and didn't murmur a word. I will get it back tomorrow when he is out of the chair. He never, ever says thank you. Remember that he graduated from Auburn. 

Latest project--making a dowel thing to hang his Auburn banner. I did find a bit to declutter in car I am selling. Decluttered my table by my chair so it won't accumulate. Red box is still sitting, waiting on me.

I only got three calls out of dozen made today. But, that is still a win considering how awful I feel. 

My teeth are flossed and brushed, so I will not eat more. Besides, it is 9:30, and I intend to be in bed by 10 pm. 

I need to shine up the chrome on the car to make it look extra spiffy and clean out the two little pockets on each door. Huggies Wipes are handy.

Okay, had meds to take, so will try to stay awake until 10:30 in order not to have reflux. 

Have you ever used a bulb with sensor in the bulb to turn light off and on with the sun?