I will try to type

 But, there  will be no edits.

I have felt so bad today that I wanted nothing healthy to eat. However, I did not resort to junk food. I decided I wanted grilled cheese. I asked if he would try to make it for me if I helped him. He agreed. 

I am not a good slicer. When I have torn or shoulder, I am even worse at slicing. He brought everything to me and then took cheese back in kitchen sliced. When I got everything assembled in the skillet, I told him to cook it low and show if he was not going to stay with it. He did cook it low until I came in and turned it up. I told him to cook it higher like I had it since cheese would be already melted. 

He came in looking proud of the perfect grilled cheese on plate. He said, "Now, I am going to make one for me now that I know how." It was cute. He had never made a grilled cheese sandwich before! I suppose I should not be surprised. 

Dinner was drawn out, not a cohesive meal--grilled cheese sandwich, cabbage, strawberries, pecans, 3 prunes, 1/2 banana. I ate one food at a  time.

I forced myself to type this. 

On the phone, my family doctor told me this was too mist for his office, so I need to find another doctor. 

Tommy looked at the incision for me. It is inflamed and painful, unlike when it was done originally. So, need help with help. 

Temp in high 80s. Had hair colored at shop. $85 + $20 tip. I really look great...lol. Since I cannot raise right arm to apply color or wash my hair, I had no choice. 

Exhausted and in pain!

Hybrid or Not?

 No steps for over a week, I think.

I am a teeny bit better. I lost weight gained and am down still another pound. You know how you weigh something and 30 pounds? Then, you lose down to something and 29 pounds? That always seems like a great thing to me. Do you feel that way with weight loss? 

Tommy wants to get a hybrid SUV. I have read up on them but found nothing bad. How about your experience? Or rumors or about one belonging to someone else. 

My laptop is falling apart. Every laptop I have ever had has fallen apart, literally pieces falling off. I don't know what I do. These are Dell and HP. Do you ever have parts fall off or break off your laptop?

Tonight, we had baked chicken, chopped salad, and squash and onions. Cottage cheese and fresh blueberries are my snack and then cheese.

I need to take meds, hang up wet laundry.

Tuesday Groceries, Doctor, and Stuff

 Today was a beautiful, sunny day. However, at some point two mosquitoes found their way into the car. They did not start flying around for about two hours. We swatted until we were almost swatting each other. These are black or dark gray mosquitoes that are impossible to kill. It seems like they are invincible. 

We both went to the podiatrist. She really hurt me getting the ingrown toenail out. The top part is not too bad, but lower in the nail is horrendous. She really made Tommy bleed from his toe but had styptic powder to stop it. I know about styptic stick, but not the powder. She gave us each a brief foot rub. Nice!

I went into Publix and bought 3 half-gallons of my milk, two 11-oz blueberries for $8, yellow squash $2.99, Large Publix eggs $6.39 for a dozen. Total $36. I forgot to get beautiful Red Delicious Apples. I will get those tomorrow.

I needed to go to SS office, but I read on internet that it was closed. I know it is easy to get into without even one step. Rats! I know a lot of those employees, and now they have lost their jobs, and life is made more difficult for people. 

Once again, Tommy lost his key fob. He could find it nowhere in the car. I asked a guy in Publix to help him. He went out and opened the passenger back seat door and immediately saw it behind the driver's seat. How it got in the little door pocket in the back seat door is a mystery. I think he put it in his lap, and it slid off his leg and into the back seat. He always puts things in his lap and moves around. Then, one of us has to find things. Most of the time I have to reach over between his feet and struggle to reach whatever he drops. Maybe he will learn after two times. 

I took a nap at 7 and woke at 8 tonight. I awoke with a fever. The doctor tomorrow can tell me something or send me to proper doctor. 

Dinner was leftover baked chicken, tiny piece of potato and 6" of carrot and a small bowl of cooked cabbage. I really could not eat much more. Tommy is chopping and cooking two packages of ground round.  He ate during my nap. 

Today, when we were out, we took things to eat. I had applesauce and wheat thins. I think he had a cheese or pb sandwich. We bought nothing. Tommy said we could not get stuff in freezer, so we gave away frozen turkey breast to young mother who was going to let her grandmother bake it. 

The tulips Tommy planted from purchase are not coming up. I may dig one up to see if he planted them upside down! I know they will come up eventually.

French fries in commercials make me drool for fries, but we have not had fries in months! Do you want fries when you see them on commercials? 

With a fever, I don't feel like pedaling. So, more tomorrow, maybe.

Two trips to the doctor in two days will be brutal. 

Sunday

My elderly (93 yrs) friend could not talk when I called. But. she did say that she was going to the doctor and her father who lives with her now, would take her to the doctor. Of course, her father is not still alive and husband who she lives with does not drive. So, lots of changes with her.

Tommy was washing the dishes after 1:30 am. He will not leave dishes. The kitchen is cluttered but has clean counters, stove, and sink. I hate not to be more help. 

My sleep was a little off last night, but I did get up to watch Meet the Press this morning. I was not going to miss it. I only took a one-hour nap today, so that won't affect my sleep tonight. 

The sun is streaming through the glass door. It is great until a certain point until it blinds me! My legs liked the heat and sun. 

Right now, Tommy is peeling carrots and potatoes. I will put bscb and boneless, skinless thighs into a cooking bag with the potatoes and carrots, maybe some broccoli. At any rate, we can eat protein for about ten days. The vegetables won't last that long as we have few potatoes and carrots. I should have bought more this last week. 

Ten new wildfires are in Alabama today! At least we will have rain midweek. 

I talked with Tommy's cousin who is not coming to Birmingham anymore. We did go out to eat once in a while at Bright Star, but he has not come in two years. His wife ventured out and fell into a blackberry bush. So, he and I talked falling about. She is clumsy, he said. But, neither of us have ever broken a bone. Well, unless you count the little toe I broke when I hit a chair. 

We both had chicken with bbq sauce on a bun. We both had about two helpings of slaw. It was delicious! I had blueberries and strawberries.

I missed the first episode of Grosse Point Garden Society. It was replayed Saturday night. Tonight, the second episode is coming on tonight. Are you watching this? 

"The Americas" is on, narrated by Tom Hanks. Are you watching this series? This is the fourth episode of ten episodes.

Do you have friends or relatives whose cognition is failing? 

Staying Out of Trouble

Feb 3

steps 10,450

 Today has been another slow day. I did not sleep at all Saturday night. So, all my sleeping was during the day. I slept three hours today with no nap, so hopefully I will sleep well tonight. 

For dinner I had: tuna, MW, chopped carrots, and two boiled eggs eaten with two huge Romaine leaves. Tommy ate something. Then, I made pimiento and cheese and packed me a sandwich for tomorrow when we are out. Tommy will make his out of whatever he wants. 

I finally tried fixing the no-color problem on my hair. I still have hair that is white. The doctor won't care. I will, very much will. 

As I was telling Tommy something from the past, I decided to see if this very nice man from our church was still with us so I could get in touch. Nope. Dead. Then, I looked up another family in another location and cannot find her. The death is not overwhelming, bringing me grief. But, where is the other family??? I will work on that another day. 

My Victoza is promised for Wednesday. I do hope I get it because I cannot stand the anxiety I went through not having meds and having to go 64 miles to get only enough for two or three weeks.

The weather was beautiful, a little humid and the temperature was about 76F, I think. That is what Tommy told me. I only made one call of the many I need to make, but there is tomorrow. 

We are still inundated with glitter from the deer I hit and rolled around with on the front porch! I even get it in my bed, off my feet, I suppose.

The abandoned house next door has a fire ant mound that is two feet in diameter and about a foot tall. I am going to go over there and use Amdro around it. Hopefully, I won't get in trouble. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I Want an Orange

 Jan. 29

steps 13,780

Wednesday was an all-around good day. Nothing spectacular happened except for the weather, 64 degrees. That alone is enough to celebrate. We accomplished lots in comfort. 

We collected ads from three stores where we shop. Publix is the last store ad we collect. Today, we got it first. There were things we knew would be gone by Thursday morning. Some items on bogo were gone by 3pm! 

We bought these b2g2--Cokes. These b2g1--HUGGIE wipes, Cottonelle. Coleslaw mix was two for $6. White grapes were reduced, not sure how much. 

I heard that Cottonelle was best tp for not having lots of fuzz, so tried it. I was sitting in Electric cart, tried to tip off a small size, tipped it right into face and knocked my glasses off onto floor. It took a great effort to retrieve glasses from the floor. ugh! 

We have passed by drugstore several times in the last three days on the way home or out to do chores. We kept going because there were too many cars in line. This prescription I do not need in a hurry. Last night, it was getting dark, so Tommy went inside hoping to avoid eight cars in line. He came back out saying there were fifteen people standing in line. Today, we had plenty of daylight and just wanted to get this pickup over with. So, we sat it out. This prescription is an ophthalmic med for my ear. I don't know.

The only things on the list we did not accomplish were jumping off my car and going for a ride. Those two things go at the top of my list tomorrow.

I want an orange. I am starving for an orange!!! I have not had one for a year. My history with oranges is not altogether a happy history. Somehow, I knew I was allergic to oranges or at least sensitive. But, I kept consuming the orange and juice. When my son was 18 months, we moved. The house had just been built and had a well. My son kept having massive diarrhea issues. I remember walking down the hall carrying him with his diarrhea running down the front of my housecoat and nightgown and into my house shoes. I had no idea what was happening all of a sudden with him. 

I took him to the doctor several times. He suggested testing the water since we were on a new well. The authorities came and tested our well water when I requested. It was perfect and pure water. 

I thought about this all the time. One day, I was sitting and drinking orange juice. It hit me. I told husband to never allow son to have even a sip of orange juice. After a week of no diarrhea, I gave him a sip. Within the next day, he let loose. We withheld oj for a period of time two more times. Both sips of oj disrupted his bowels. So, he and other children never had oj before they were two or three years old. I kept drinking it, but hid or drank out of cup so they could not see what I had. I had no untoward problems.

One day, the youngest was begging from her brother and sister. She was a year old and wanted some orange juice from a sibling's juice glass.  I told them not to ever give her orange juice. They were stunned. I explained son's diarrhea and they were sure not to give her any, no matter how prettily she asked. So, the two younger, both girls, never had the digestive problem.  Maybe it would not have affected them. Both girls were eventually given orange juice when they were about five, but never had the same problem. 

However, oranges or juice does not affect my digestion as far as I know. I have figured out that oranges or juice cause me to have sinus problems that end up being a sinus infection eventually. Or, I am just congested forever! One of these days, I will give in, but I am resisting the oranges I so want. Of course, this includes all citrus fruit. I love them all so much! 

I stopped typing and made dinner. We have leftover chicken and turkey. Frozen broccoli was put in refrigerator from freezer, so I had to do something with it. I made two medium casseroles. Each had a bag of broccoli, 1/2 can of cream of chicken soup and 1/2 can of cream of mushroom. Neither had sodium. In my casserole I put cheese. Tommy said he hates cheese on chicken or rice or in his soup. Two casseroles work. 

We are both tired. He gets grumpy when tired. Not fun. Thankfully, he settles down when he eats!

We have a few chores for tomorrow, but I am adding planting bulbs.

Are you allergic to oranges? What is your reaction? Do you ever have a strong desire for a food to which you are allergic? 

Solving Problems Today

 Today, I steeled myself, gritted my teeth, then relaxed and put on a voice more pleasant than I felt. I got a woman to whom I have talked before and told her how disruptive this was to my financial life. So, this is the long story of how it happened.

I was at Bank1. They became Bank 2. I was told the free checks were good and free to use as long as I had them. I still have about 100 checks. I use them not often. I have never used one over the phone until a few weeks ago. That is the problem--the routing numbers are changed since it is under a new bank. Now, why couldn't someone else help me figure this out? I was an agent of the solving the problem. However, I had a late charge at Amazon. The local business took off the late charge and something else. So, now I know. Why could all these employees before her figure it out? Also, why couldn't someone have given me new routing numbers to use over the phone. I don't need new numbers if I use a check at the store or at bank. I do not have and have not had one overdraft, thank you.

Tommy just finished a 30-minute call to ATT about why he was not charged for long-distance service. Somehow, his charge was not put on the bill. But, the amount of talking required was too much. At least, his service was not cancelled.

Now, I need to talk with Amazon.,,,if I can find someone who speaks English well enough to understand. People in this country need jobs. I ordered something on sale for $329 and used my accrued points to pay for it. They did not use my points and charged me $449. Needless to say, this does not sit well with me!`

Tonight, we had baked chicken, garlic potatoes with green beans, and Romaine. Tommy had a salad, chicken and garlic potatoes with green beans. 

Additionally, I baked a turkey breast wrapped in bacon and some sort of stuffing. I pulled off all the bacon. Whatever it was stuffed with will keep my mouth and stomach burning all night. I only took a taste! 

A sliced baked ham went into the freezer. I cannot wait to eat it. I need to cook beans and bake sweet potatoes for that. Or, maybe we will have that for Easter.

a funny commercial

Obnoxious Hyundai Tucson "sugar mamma" commercial

My feet are so cold!

Heaven Help Us

no steps

 Tonight, we were preparing dinner. Tommy was getting his vegetable ready to spend ten minutes in the microwave. I dipped out my hamburger and readied it for the bun, put it on bun and grabbed a Coke. Then I sat to eat. He came in a few minutes later with all his food and told me the green spatula had melted.

I tried to figure out what went wrong. It turned out I had left it in the pan. Now, remember, I had to ask 20 questions to get the whole story. The flat part of the spatula had melted into the pan. the handle melted to where it was under the electric eye! Oh, as an after-thought, he added the handle was flaming. Then, before he took his meal to eat, he asked me if I wanted the eye turned off!!! 

No, just leave it flaming!

It turned out to be my fault as I had left the eye on and spatula in skillet. 

OT came today. We have to make ourselves stop talking. We both forget the count. Today, she said you have been doing that so long, it is bound to be twenty by now. 

At noon, we were going to grocery shop from ads. Then, I felt like I had to sleep. She was coming at 3:30-4 pm. Tommy wanted to know when to wake me. When she gets here. I awoke at 3:50. jerked on my clothes, and she knocked on the door a minute later. I have gotten up from a nap for people who do not show up or come late, so now, I sleep as long as I can. 

My left foot and right heel were injured once again by the lymphedema therapy once. No one calls me back when I call the doctor's office. So, I am not sure what to do. Tomorrow, I will make an appointment. I tried several doctors today, but it seems doctors are taking Mondays off, too. Have you found doctors taking Mondays off? 

Multitasking

 Jan 12

steps 14,250

I am so clever! Not!  I decided to eat dinner while I used the Ellipse. I had baked chicken, baked carrots, and boiled cabbage. I pedaled and ate. Ate and pedaled. Drank water. I talked to Tommy and laughed at TV.  Pedaled. When I had finished eating, I asked for a chocolate covered cherry and a Coke. I had five swallows of the Coke. Kept pedaling. Then, the pain started. Then I hiccupped for a while. I finally quit and started again. I hurt so. 

Remind me never to eat and drink while exercising. Groan!

This morning, Tommy said he was getting sick. He could not stand to have the TV on at all until after 1 pm. He said he felt feverish. He was truly miserable. He gets this way several times a year. He recovers quickly. His headache goes away with sleep. His sinuses quit hurting. He will probably use a Hall's Mentholyptus cough drop to help with his sinuses tonight. 

The snow is gone. I am grateful. 

Is your snow gone yet?

Has anyone else ever had a 12-hour sinus problem with temp and headache like Tommy does?

Can you eat and exercise without pain?

Shocking Ad

 Jan 4, 2005

steps 9,999

I stopped using machine when it went off in order to make dinner. I put two premade burgers in skillet, salted and peppered then. They were so large we could have both eaten from one. I had to cut mine in half to cook it. 

This chopped salad has one of my favorite dressings--sweet onion. When a salad has shredded carrots or matchstick carrots, I am happy. However, there is never enough to suit me. So, I bought a pound of shredded carrots. Tonight, I put at least two helpings of carrots into the chopped salad. It is more nutritious and so colorful. We eat so much salad that this will be at least two helpings of vegetables tonight. 

I use matchstick carrots in my tuna salad, first chopping smaller. I can barely tell they are there. 

Carbs will be 1/4 of apple pie. There is so much crust that I will take that off the pie before I eat my piece. 

I only pedaled for 9,999 steps because I wanted to get dinner ready. 

Tommy went out today while I took an unplanned nap sitting in my chair. He got two extension cords from yard, took three strands of light from three tomato supports and put those on the porch, bagged up lights in separate bags, put all three deer on porch. Tommy pulled up the garden stakes with the garden tool, a short claw. The yard is cleared of Christmas! Taking apart and storing the deer in a huge box and getting them inside is impossible. His having to do this today makes me resent the cleaner even more. 

Today, I received junk mail that was shocking. It was from a fitness center. Pictures showed people on exercise equipment, baby in childcare, a tanning booth and weight training session with a personal trainer. I rejected it, then took it back and looked on the other side.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` 

SEMAGLUTIDE INJECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE. 

#1 weight loss injections for adults

BENEFITS

appetite suppressant (and other benefits)

And, there was a large picture of a woman giving herself an injection.

Hurry, offer expires 1/31/25

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

I was shocked! Is this the new thing for a gym and fitness center?

Are you as surprised and shocked as I am? 

 

She Called

 

I had to take a nap due to sleep problem. I left my phone with Tommy and told him to answer when cleaner called. She did and Tommy can remember nothing she said except one thing. She asked to speak to me. Then, she must have said something else because he told her he did not know my schedule. She said she would call later. It was a 32 second call. No, she has not called back. 

Tomorrow, the ot comes, so no time for cleaner. 

Today, I went to the Pig and Ace. Manager in charge of Ace today, could not help a woman with a battery for a remote. So, I did. He is not much of an employee. 

I repaired the mailbox decoration. Tommy will put it back on tomorrow. The deer light up about 2 pm and shut off at 10 pm or earlier. Tommy will reprogram that tomorrow. 

Tonight, we baked three small packages of chicken--4 drumsticks, 4 filets of breast, and two huge bscb; part will be for Christmas Day. We cooked with the chicken : potatoes, pound of carrots, and 2 lbs. of Brussels sprouts. One had a worm in it which I found before cooking, thankfully. 

The last two nights have been a true test of the king-sized wool blanket. I felt not one breeze like I did before. I slept with king wool blanket, military wool blanket, cheap quilt and flannel sheets. It was heaven. 

Plus, the injection site of the covid vaccine is terribly sore. It is in left arm, not my preferred arm for injections. I sleep on my left side, so I always get injections in my right arm because I won't sleep on that side. NOW, The lump and pain keep me up. It throbs. Tommy said his was very painful, too. It has been four days, and there is a larger lump each day and more pain. His hurt much worse after he carried in four cases of Dasani. Does a vaccine cause lump, pain, and raised temp in your arm?

When the leg therapy is used on me, it sometimes squeezes my toes together really tight. Last night, I almost cried. Later, my toe hurt so that I kept getting up, trying to care for it. It was 8 am before I managed to stop most of the pain and finally sleep. Late today, I finally quit limping! 

Bubble lights for the tree are one of my fondest memories of my early childhood. Do you love them? 

What is a fond memory of a Christmas decoration? 

Tuesday-I Thought it Was Wednesday

 Tommy told me he was annoyed with the valet service losing our car and told the guy in charge. I thought he was just talking to the guys. He told them he was tired, hungry, and annoyed with the wait. I wondered why the guy apologized so profusely as we were ready to drive away. So, I was wrong. 

While I was sitting patiently, he was complaining. I think I was still in shock from the pain and just grateful not to be in the exam room anymore. 

We went grocery shopping again today! I had Tommy go into store with the turkey breast for $1.69. They will be in tomorrow. 

We took neighbor dinner--pork loin, slaw, sweet potato. When I called as we were in the car, he said he had made dinner. I told him he could eat it tomorrow night. When he came to our car, he said he was going to get out a small lasagna.  Teasing him, I said this dinner might be better. We left him laughing. 

Tommy is shocked he has to cook the rue for my giblet gravy. Right now, I have the eggs boiling to put in giblet gravy. This dinner may take until Friday to get done. He hates gravy, so this is not important to him.

I lost one more pound. YAY for me. I suppose I can put it and more back on with Thanksgiving. 

I have burns and huge lumps where I don't have burns! Remember, all this happened from collar bone up. So, it seems very visible. But, I have a prescription of Mupirocin for the burned and raw places she made. I actually look like I have been hit in the face multiple times. I am glad I am going nowhere where people can see my face. Thankfully, my mask hides it when I go out. Usually, the blasting only hardens the skin. This time, it is a raw, open sore on more than a few. And, there are lumps. 

Last night, I slept from 11 pm to 7:30 am. I hope this good pattern continues. I just had to have a nap today after all the busyness of the morning. Hopefully, I can still sleep early tonight.

I just discovered a new show--St. Denis Medical. I think this is the second season. It is hilarious. The mother from the Goldbergs is so funny. Have you seen this? 

There is so much still to do. Right now, Tommy is exhausted from carrying in groceries and two cases of Dasani.

How is your Thanksgiving dinner coming along?

Valet Lost Car!

 Today, the weather was beautiful. We left early, well 10 am is early to me. We both had appointments with our dermatologist. Tommy's face has been red, something entirely foreign to his face since I have know him. She gave him tube of med for Rosacea. I thought she should test. Plus, his face has had huge flakes of dandruff stuck to his face. I have mentioned both these to him in the past and he exploded. But, now he meekly heeds my suggestions to have things checked. As the doctor was close to his face, she looked at his chest and took a biopsy, saying it looked precancerous. 

I had several growths on me from collar bone up, all of which she blasted/froze. One eyebrow has a growth near the outer edge. She took her freezer-blaster in hand and said, "Maybe the brow will grow back."  So, I maybe only have one eyebrow in the future. She blasted about ten areas on head! She really hurt me! My former derm gave the blaster a little pst pst pst. She gives it a long Pssssssssssst while I am in severe pain. 

Nothing hurts Tommy. I want her to hurt him! 

Yesterday, Tommy said in alarm, "What is wrong with your lip?" I was eating a Nathan's teeny hotdog in a blanket. After the first bite, I tried to drink, and a huge, clear blister had risen on my lip. Now, my lip is raw, so it is one more thing I am allergic to consuming.

I accidentally found out from her that wart remover will do the same job. I will certainly not return for torture. She is very nice, and I trust her. 

While there, the valet who parked out car lost it. Everybody was looking for it and apologized to us. It took an hour to find it. He parked it somewhere in the parking deck where it was not supposed to go. 

On the way home we stopped at Publix to buy Cokes b2g2, so a 12-pack carton cost $4.65, better than $9.29 for 12 Cokes. The place was packed at 2 pm. 

Saturday, I bought 6 pair of house shoes. I am trying them on at home. 

Tonight, I finally cooked the pork loin chops. I forgot what seasoning I used, but they were delicious. The sweet potatoes were Beauregard, my favorite variety, slaw was good. Tomorrow night, we will share with neighbor. 

Tonight, I ordered a washable, wool, blanket from Woolroom. I won't be cold this winter! I hope it is good one. Have you ever had a blanket from Woolroom?

If you have anything frozen off, does it hurt you? 

Have valet parking ever lost your car? 

Friday Fun and Saturday, Too, and Sunday

 As usual lately, I slept early Thursday night and was up at three in the morning on Friday. I finally woke Tommy about 10 am so we could go the Home Depot to get a door. At 11 am, we were off. He insisted we go to nearest HD over my objection. We went to store in poorer part of county. I wanted to go to a more affluent neighborhood because the item we wanted is a high value item. I thought the item would not be in the store where he wanted to shop. Of course, I could be wrong. But, I was not. Demographics count!

It did not turn out well. First of all, we were directed to far end of store. Poor Tommy followed me down there only to find out we had to go most of the way back to find the storm doors. The woman was not very helpful. She only briefly explained what I asked or said she did not know. Plus, she told me Andersen did not make a certain door that I had just seen on the internet. I had read about the two door closures, but she said there was only one kind. So, we left the doors. 

We needed a new, cheap lamp. I had bought two already to go next to my chair and both quit working. As we were leaving the house, it appeared the last lamp was tearing up like the first one did. So, we bought a new one. When we arrived home, the light bulb was the only problem this lamp had. So, we can take it back. I really need to get all my antique lamps ready to use here. Two need rewiring. 

I wanted to go to Sam's but we were waylaid by the offer of a free plate and two rolls of Christmas gift wrap. That proved to be dinner, the plate of food, not the gift wrap. 

Tommy helped me with therapy for legs. 

So, the day is over for us. Tomorrow, we go to Sam's. We will see about getting glasses. 

Saturday, we did not get glasses. I tried to buy a sweater. No luck. Finally, someone deigned to help me. I don't think I have ever had a more helpful salesperson. Plus, her friend who was shopping helped me, too. I found a sweater. In the paper goods, I finally found the day planner I need. It is the best ever--See it Bigger, by Plan Ahead. I wanted a colorful one, full of flowers front and back, but I suppose they don't make those anymore. Not only is it pretty and pleasant, I can find it by the front and back covers. They only had it in black and boring beige. I took the beige as it is more visible.

We both became exhausted early, so decided to go home. Several cars on the interstate were driving dangerously, passing on shoulder, cutting in front of us and almost hitting front bumper. The worst was when Tommy was pulling out of Walgreens into traffic and a car almost hit us. He said he "did not see it."

I talked to neighbor about someone to cut my hair. She gave me the name and number of her beautician who does her hair. The beautician was not taking new customers. That is a good sign, I suppose. I mention neighbor's name and she said she would take me. The best part is she is only a half mile from the house. This will be my first professional haircut since 2018!

It is Sunday. Tommy informed me yesterday that he is too tired to go anywhere today. Today, I will cook pork loin chops and give two to neighbor who takes our garbage to road and returns can. He will get slaw and baked sweet potato along with two chops. That will be our dinner, too. Nope. I am having chicken, green beans, and slaw. He is eating baked chicken, potatoes, carrots, green beans, slaw.

Our endocrinologist has been emailing Tommy to make an appointment since we both cancelled one appointment. I am her patient, too, yet she never contacts me. His next appointment will be his last there. 

Tonight, I put on two 12 oz packages if cranberries. It is almost done. Tommy may have some with his dinner. I will. I will store part of it for Thanksgiving and give some away, and we will eat the rest before Thanksgiving. 

This afternoon, he took me to see his childhood home because I asked him to take me there and to houses of his aunt and grandparents. I also wanted to see his school. In the 90s I worked at his school. By then, it was an inner-city school. Not so when he attended. His childhood home was empty and boarded up. His grandparents' house burned to the grand. His uncle's house was in good repair and occupied. He pointed out things a places on his daily walk to school. I think he enjoyed the memories.

I casually picked up info on one of my meds and read it. Everything I am suffering could be because of two meds' reactions. RATS!

Okay, too tired to think. 

I thought I posted this Sunday night.

Free $10 Credit

 

 I received an email from Auto Zone that said I had $10 credit. This interests me. Before the expiration date, I reminded him to go to Auto Zone. I thought we might get some water. I gave Tommy almost carte blanche for shopping...lol. but not buying. He asked what to get...almost any gadget he saw that we could use. I mentioned a bunch of bottles of water, small flashlight. He found the windshield sunshades. I have always wanted one. There were two kinds. One had foil on both sides for $15. The other had only one foil side for $10. He bought the double sided one. 

We were in the car later and decided to open it. There is no opening that gadget. It is too wide, but we can make it work. It will always be accordion shaped. But, there are days we are dying from heat and light. He only spent about $6, including tax.  

I also received a CVS email notice that my credit of something like $384.72 would expire in about two hours if I did not open the window below before the credit expired. Well, since I have not bought that much ever at CVS, I PASS!

We only went to collect ads and cherry pick. We bought nothing at The Pig because once again, I had the ad for the wrong location. I don't believe this is all me! At Food Giant, we bought 5 lbs. Russet potatoes for $1.99. At Publix, I bought Melatonin, Drumstick Cones, shelled pecans for snacks for me, Cheetos and Fritos bogo for snacks for Tommy, Leafy Romaine salad, Oui for me. 

We sat in the park until dark and ate Drumstick Cones. The tennis players we were watching finally had to leave because no one could get the lights to work. 

I made up a dinner plate to take to guy across the street. He was not here between 4 pm and 6 pm, so I put it in the freezer to give him another day. The chicken looked so pale. Even though it was flavorful, I sprinkled it with parsley for a more flavorful and appetizing appearance. Now, it is frozen since he often goes away with someone who picks him up and he stays away for a few days. 

This weather is certainly not November weather--85F. But, I will gladly take it. It will be cold and wet sooner than I want it to be. It is 77F at 7 pm. We love this.

We will have baked chicken, Brussels sprouts, carrots, green beans, smidgen of cranberry sauce for dinner.

Little by little, I am continuing the decluttering. Sometimes, the clutter sneaks back in, and I have to kick it out again. 

Oops! I forgot I need to cook the other bag of Brussels sprouts. NOW! So, there is that! 

What have you gotten with a free store credit lately?

Has CVS notified you that they have an overly high value credit for you? 

Do you have a sunshade for the car that is accordion shaped or one that you twist? 

I love Brussels sprouts! Do you?  

Exhaustion and Cancelled Appointment

 My sleep was so messed up that I have been exhausted all day. One time, I lay down for an hour nap, woke in 15 minutes, thinking Tommy had called me. Nope. Lay down for another then minutes, kept sleeping and waking up--about three times in ten minutes. 

So, nothing much was done, just got the laundry ready and Tommy washed and dried. We went out for 3 store ads. I shopped a bit. Good news is that my milk is on sale for 'only' $9/gal. Bad news is that there is a turkey breast thawing where the milk goes. 

One store had all the huge Halloween decorations down. I wonder why. I hope they were not vandalized. 

Quaker 42 oz. Old-Fashioned Oats were bogo, making them $4. Progresso Chicken Broth was bogo. I got one for $1.39. Of course, I needed bananas. 

The turkey breast thawing is going to be frozen for Thanksgiving. Tommy is going to find the frozen cranberries from the first of the year. So, we will have turkey and cooked and frozen cranberry sauce done for the Thanksgiving meal.

I cannot stand up to bake. So, I have a plan. I will get a small, folding table, put it in front of counter, find a chair, and mix things there. I told Tommy he would have to be present to hand me ingredients or whatever I need. He did not moan at all. I think he wants homemade baked goods. I want to bake some for the guy who takes out the garbage and brings in the empty can. 

Pumpkin bread and pumpkin are on the list of things to make. I cannot find a chocolate pound cake recipe to replace the one lost in the house. I want to bake a pumpkin pie without crust. But, Tommy wants a crust. So, I will bake another without crust in a casserole dish. I have not made a pecan pie in ten years or more. I may make one this year. 

I am afraid for us to put out the garbage on Halloween. It seems it will be a good target for vandals. I will probably bring in Skelli when it gets dark. 

We ate our only Halloween candy. Tommy said to divide them up. So, we each had twenty candy corn pieces. I ate both the pumpkins. 

Dinner was turkey, tomatoes, and turnip greens. I think Tommy had the same thing. Not sure since he eats different things than me most of the time. 

Since I have the Impala title, I have called mower about four times. So, I had Tommy call. Mower said "okay." He said not one word more. Tommy screwed up and said, "was he willing to buy the car?" Bad choice of words! Now, it sounds like we are begging him to buy it. I know he thinks he can wait me out until I lower the price. NO WAY! I have other people interested. I have been saving it for him. 

Are you ready for Halloween?

Do you wear a costume?

Have a party or go to one?

Taking Skeleton to Ace ER Doctors

As we were leaving the house, I got out one of the two Jack o lantern bags. I had Tommy bring me the Coke bottles destined for recycling. I had him put the whole white trash bag into the lantern bag, twisted the tie and dropped it in front of the ramp--Instant Decorating. 

I think I paid a quarter for a package of two after Halloween last year. So, this is 12.5 cents for a bag. Now, I will have another one for next year. The mower mulches the leaves. We could wad newspaper for the bag, but this is easier. The bags in the picture are $5.99 for three.

 I took the skeleton to the Pig/Ace. Tommy had totally messed up one of four screws, trying to get a miniscule screw out of the battery place with a huge screwdriver. Then, he insisted after he removed it, he could get it back in and the tint mauled screw would still work. NOPE! I wanted the correct screwdriver size to at least get out the other three screws. 

I was met by six Ace employees. One employee took right over. The other five got tiny screwdrivers. At one time four were holding the skeleton still. The skeleton still had legs and arms zip-tied to the body. Finally, they got all four screws out. The guy advised throwing one away. So, I did. Then, they took out the three batteries made only for demonstration purposes. They asked me if I had batteries. I did but bought some since they were all so helpful. I figured I should buy from there. Remember, I brought the skeleton in just to buy the right size screwdriver! 

This is the last Halloween decorating. I will go the day after Thanksgiving and buy things. Cheap dishcloths can have Halloween pictures on them and will be ultracheap. 

The titles for both our cars arrived today. I expect the woman who bought Tommy's car will come right over since she has paid for it and wants to drive. I think the guy who wanted mine is not interested. I have several other people interested. Or, I may drive it. 

The day was warm, so pleasant because it was dry outside. Temperature was 87F. 

For dinner I had the rest of the can of Hormel Roast Beef and gravy, sweet potato, and slaw. I made sure not to choke on my food.

I prepared the sweet potatoes to bake after he scrubbed them and went straight for a nap. Tommy left the sweet potatoes in until the oil on them burned. So, I had to peel them to keep the burned and scorched peel smell/taste from permeating the sweet potatoes. The flesh as delicious. He just does not know to check to see if they are scorching, and I did not tell him. I ate a bit and froze the rest, maybe for Thanksgiving. I don't know why, but he did not want sweet potatoes with his ham and mixed vegetables. He likes sweet potatoes. 

Halloween Decorating

 

Me?

This must be me above, my sentiments, anyway. Carpets, too, are a problem.

Today, I slept until 12:30 pm, mainly because I did not sleep until about 6 am. Cleaner was going to come and called an hour ahead. Well, I realized I only had about 20 minutes to rest, so went to bed. I got to sleep about two hours because she did not come when she said. No problem. I was in my gown and stayed in my gown while she was here. 

I had her dust surfaces where I was going to decorate for Halloween. I mostly have pumpkins with which to decorate in here. So, I sat and she decorated as I told her. I have an orange watering can with black and orange fake flowers in it. Flowers have gold on them. Very festive. 

Since I made the decision not to have real pumpkins, it is so much easier. Plus, we don't have to buy and discard. I had many years of real pumpkins. I am done. All of the pumpkins are devoid of decoration except for two. One has a haunted house with big moon and bats flying around. The other is the only light pumpkin. It is carved with a light inside that has a cord to plug into the wall. 

I have fake fall leaves all about the room, strands of them. There is one very large pumpkin, round and tall. There are about two dozen small pumpkins of all sorts of autumn colors. 

On the front door is a plywood stack of three pumpkins. There is a safety green pumpkin for Trick or Treating sitting on the table. Tommy put a heavy rock in it to anchor it. He hung lots of ghosts of different sizes in the only tree without leaves, a dogwood. He put out a Halloween flag on the wire yard hanger. We hung my black bird and a pumpkin from the shepherd's hooks. 

I sat! She also put away some clothing in my bedroom, some to hang and some to store. In the kitchen she took out Tommy's old smoky glasses I hate, and we never use, he boxed them up and stored. I put in my pink glasses that we will use and my red glass salt and pepper shakers. There is much less on the counter between microwave and sink. 

I bought some glass looking plastic storage containers. They have never been used because I could never get the top off. Today, I sat with one in my lap and figured it out. Now, the oats from a small container are stored there. I taped the cooking method and measurements on the top. I remember, but Tommy may not. 

While I was sleeping before she came, Tommy completely cleaned off the very messy top of his bookcase and even dusted it! I had asked him once about three days ago. Good job. 

All the batteries in the tapers, and other candles had to be replaced. Now, I have the three on the bookcase set to come on for six hours each evening. I think I will reset them for four hours to save batteries. 

We must have ten pounds of batteries to recycle at a place that only sells batteries. They are accommodating and come to the car to pick them up from us. 

Lastly, she painted the mailbox stand with black paint. Then, she painted the mailbox with red paint. This is part of the Christmas decorating. Now, we must get new numbers for the mailbox. Tommy says the mailbox looks really nice. I didn't think he would allow me to paint it. Now we can tell people our house is the house with the red mailbox.

For dinner I had salad from lunch last week. It was amazingly fresh. A can of tuna with a bit of Miracle Whip was eaten with the salad with no dressing. Tommy ate some sort of soft taco type thing with lots of cheese and few vegetables, much less than was on the box it came in frozen. 

Halloween decorating is done. Dinner is done. 

I will mail my first Christmas card since it has to go halfway around the earth! It never gets there before Christmas. This year it will. This is the earliest I have ever mailed a Christmas card. 

Have you put out any Halloween or Fall decorations, even a pumpkin or Jack o' Lantern?

Do you only use fake pumpkins? Or, can you still manage heavy pumpkins?

I need the tshirt at the head of this post? Anyone else relate?

I have never painted a mailbox before. Have you? The post and box were in dire need of paint or replacing. This was cheaper!

What is the soonest you have ever mailed a Christmas card?

Absentee Ballots

 Last night, we sat and talked about what we were going to do today. We decided that getting an application for an absentee ballot was first on the list. Plus, we needed to get copies of our driver's license to send off with the ballot request. 

That sounds easy enough. Right? Not at all. We went to library and Tommy renewed his library card while I obtained one from his library. First, Tommy started off telling the woman our needs backwards. Then, while I was on computer, he was using the mouse to click on things. I don't know if it was the computer or his clicking around while I tried to work. But, we never found the site and information I found at home to make sure we could find the site easily. 

I sent him back to the front to ask a question and he never came back. It was so far to the front. I did not think I would make it. All the chairs were hard plastic molded kind. I told Tommy I was waiting in the car. Finally, he came out with all we needed. My back was surviving. My car seat is sooo comfortable. 

We picked up the grocery ads on the way there and some on the way back. I still have not looked at them. 

As we neared the house, Tommy exclaimed 'that was our mower.' Then, when we got home, the yard was mowed. So, I called mower and told him we were here if he wanted his money. He came back. He left and then we had something else to give him, so he came back again. Tommy usually writes a check but used cash today since he still has car money from when he sold it. 

Tommy was funny giving me a $50 bill to buy envelopes. He was cute being the bigshot, asking me if that was enough. 

I barely got into the house and went to sleep in my chair for about an hour. For dinner--chicken breast, two kinds of slaw, mushy tomato that I could not finish, and an apple. Tommy had chicken breast sandwich with bbq sauce, coleslaw, and mushy tomatoes. The insides of the tomatoes are the consistency of applesauce! He said I ate the last of one kind of slaw, the kind with kale. 

It is 8 pm, and I have to hang black clothes, use leg pumps, and fill out request for absentee ballot. It is not a lot, but it feels like it. We will mail it at PO tomorrow. We need to go to his credit union to deposit his cash. Also, take recycling to Publix. 

I think putting out our few Halloween decorations will be on the list for tomorrow. We also need to separate plants outdoors. Some are dead. Some are still alive. Tommy quits watering plants when they start to 'die' instead of reviving them with water. Maybe next year, I will just have bulbs. Maybe I will start packing tomorrow. The request for the absentee ballot is foremost. We do need to make reservations for hotel rooms! I keep forgetting.

Do you vote by absentee ballot? 

What are your plans?

Finishing Things

 I did call about the sexual harasser. The person to whom I talked was equally horrified and agreed I was harassed, too, that other people hearing this would not like it especially if they had children with them. And, she agreed that being her manager and him being white and her being black was a problem, too. Oh, I found out he was CS manager. Good going, guy.

When we left Saturday to travel out of town, I noticed squeaking from Tommy's side of the car occasionally. He said his Crocs were squeaking on the brake pedal. Finally, I told him something else was squeaking. If forgot to tell the dealer Monday. So, I called today. 

I was told that noise was rust on the rotors, that every time we let it sit and not drive it, the rust forms and then squeaks. I insisted this was not from rotors, that I could hear it in the car. I have heard brakes grinding before.  He assured me I was hearing rusty rotors. Finally, I called mower who knows a lot about cars. He thought the excuse was ludicrous. So, we wait. 

I cancelled a doctor's appointment and got a sooner one. It took the woman forever to understand I am supposed to see this doctor sooner, at least 63 days between appointments. Finally, I got a proper appointment. 

Since I have a driver's license and can legally drive once more, I decided to take a spin around the neighborhood, I left with only my debit card...lol. Then, I decided to go get oil changed and a car wash. I could not see to drive with dust reflecting on windshield. The car now looks wonderful. I needed gas. Tommy had struggled mightily to get into the car, so I got out to pump. Not possible. A message came up to go inside. 

I needed to go inside, too far for me to walk, so female employee offered to go in, use my card for me, and bring it back out. By the time this all was accomplished, I was too tired to go to oil change. 

Besides, Tommy's blood sugar was so low, he needed to eat. As I was driving after getting out for gas, I noticed him doing something busily. We had just gone to Publix and only gotten bread. He was wolfing down a slice of bread since he left his snack in his car when he got into mine.  It was not ideal, but he was not passing out. 

When we got home, cleaner wanted to come with her daughter to look the Rogue. Since we might not be home, she wants to come Friday, drive the car, and pay for it even if we do not have title yet. She wants to make sure to get it. Now, she will be here Friday around 4 pm. The Rogue is a hot commodity right now. Actually, people are lined up for the Impala, too. 

When we came home, I made coleslaw. For dinner, I had coleslaw, chopped slaw with kale, tomato and turkey--all cold. Tommy had a sandwich with turkey and bbq sauce and the new slaw I made. We had a blueberry muffin with real blueberries. 

The only thing I tried to do that did not pan out was talking to SS office. She was going to call me after I left a message!

We have a long day tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about our plans. 

Do rotors rust overnight and squeak when the car is driven the next day? 

Can you hear squeaks from rotors in the passenger cabin of a car and down in floor where brake pedal is located?