My Neighbor's Mail, Emergency Eye Exam Found Blog Post

 Today, there was no rain forecast, so it was time to go get my mail in Cullman. There was only once piece worth anything. It had been about two weeks, so it was time. 

The pick-up church lunch was today, so it was a good day to go up there. The lunch was a chicken breast, green beans, potatoes, and a roll and a sweet Little Debbie treat. After we delivered hers, we pulled forward a bit and ate in her very shady driveway lined with Hostas. She divided Hostas for years to get this lush edge to her circle driveway. We had a pleasant atmosphere to eat today.

One of my older friends has a hard time walking. I told her about this place. Today, as we went up, I told Tommy we would pick two meals up for her and her son. I called and could not reach her...about six times. I decided to go ahead and get the meals and maybe she would be home by the time we arrived. 

She was not home after we drove twelve miles beyond Cullman! I have known her since 1980 and knew she would not care if I went into her house. So, I did. I knew where the refrigerator was, walked straight in and moved the milk over and put the two plates inside. I left a message saying what I did. She called, thanked me, said it was okay I that I went inside when she was not home. Also, I know her daughters who live across the street, plus, even if the police were called to me, she would say it was okay. 

As I was trying to step up into the house, about a five-inch step up from the porch, I had to put the food inside so I could haul myself up. As I raised up, I saw a huge grab bar that I used. It was quite hefty. 

When we talked, I asked her where she got it. Her son who drove trucks for a living had it. Her grab bar was something that goes onto a truck! She said he cut it and screwed it to front door, one on back door and another by her tub. It was amazing. 

I had been telling Tommy we needed a grab bar between the doors. Now, we will have one put up. I bought three for $3 each at a yard sale about three years ago. Even though he said I could not put them up, he wants them now. 

Now that I have driven abut 25 extra miles to deliver her lunch, I will let her son do it from now on. My 93 yo friend did not get lunch. Somehow, her son did not get one for her. When she had a car, she always drove to get lunch. 

We got three letters in Tommy's mailbox. I opened one before I knew it was not ours. It seems the city of Hueytown is going to put a lien on the house next door that has the barking dogs and tall grass if they do not mow their front and back yard. It seems have grass over 12 inches high is illegal. We drove the mail to their house and I opened the box from the car to put the mail inside. It looks as if they come by and don't get their mail! I have NEVER complained about the grass. The letter said "numerous people" had complained. 

I had made an appointment for an emergency visit to eye doctor in Cullman. If you remember the nurse/tech that popped my blue mask into my eye and threatened to make me leave without the test last year, well this is ongoing problem with my eye. Finally, this last week, I picked at the scab that was on lid between lashes and eye. There has been a hard spot there for months. It made my eye water and hurt. After I picked at it, it really hurt. 

The doctor said there was a stye starting to form. I imagine that making it raw opened the way for bacteria. Now, I have two antibiotics. One is to take and one is to put on eye. 

While I was being examined by everyone, I asked if I could get an exam for glasses. So, I now have a prescription for glasses. I asked for my astigmatism to be corrected. The woman told me my glasses needed a coating to fix my astigmatism. I have never heard that and cannot find that anywhere. 

When I asked about an eye exam last week, this place had no openings. The doctor was the one who okayed the exam for glasses today, not the front desk.

This morning after I had six hours of sleep and went back to bed, I did sleep another hour and a half!

No questions. I am too tired.

Free Scoop Now at Chicken Salad Chick

 Chicken Salad Chick

January 18, 2024, next Thursday. Be there. No app needed. 

Monday night, we stayed up late once we had everything set for bad weather. I heard terrific wind and rain hitting the house, but I went right to sleep. This morning, there was no more rain when I got up, just wind. Tommy had to fight the door in the wind with his walker. 

He said he was trying to avoid the head of the baby deer that was lying on the porch trapped by a pillar, grill, and house wall. He put the two large deer in beside the car and house, straight. He said both were sort of crooked. So, I suppose that the wind got to them. Nothing seemed moved by the wind. Of course, he never looks in the back yard. Sooo

I called the guy about the cleaner he knew. I got voice mail and left a message. 

Tommy is peeling potatoes and carrots. We will put bscb and vegetables in a cooking bag for dinner and future dinners. 

We will, at least, box the two deer and Santa on one low bookcase. 

Tommy finished the potatoes and carrots, and I trimmed them, cut them, cut an onion. We got it all into the oven. I retired to my chair and promptly went to sleep. The potatoes on the stove for potato salad boiled too long, almost burning. They were almost dry and the texture of mashed potatoes. 

Dinner was not as good as usual. The potatoes baked in cooking bag were mealy, carrots were bitter, and the chicken breasts were chicken tenders that somehow were tough. It cooked long enough and was seasoned as always. Strange. But, it was food. Nutritious. Now, I am making potato salad.

I called the guy who knew a house cleaner. No return call. I am disappointed. 

Tonight, we are set to have a windy night, so the storm is not over. People did lose power in Birmingham. One person died when a tree fell on this car and killed him. "Just wind" is dangerous. 

So, a lot of nothing this post. 

For the past two weeks or so, when I get sleepy feeling, I lean my chair back just a bit, not all the way or even far. I take off my glasses and put a dish towel used for a napkin or something else I have in here over my eyes. I have the TV volume lowered just a bit. I always go to sleep and never sleep more than an hour. Today, Tommy woke me because the food had been in the oven for over an hour. ugh

Since Christmas, I have been saving in "favorites" recipes for single recipes or whole collections. You know the Christmas Santa and penguins I saved. Some of the recipes are whole meals, casseroles, chocolate, diabetic. I must have saved over 5,000 recipes. Now, all the recipes that show up are for Valentine's or Easter. Some of the recipes are possibly the same or variations. I will go through the ones for diabetics and for chocolate first. Recipes I might make will be printed. I did not save fish recipes or one that are hot or spicy. Hopefully, I can find some good recipes, good and good for me. Plus, it is good brain exercise.

Don't forget your free scoop at Chicken Salad Chick. 

SAD and Free Things Last Week and Onions

Sunday was mid 50s and damp feeling and sunless. I was not comfortable at all. The lack of light greatly affects me, more so lately.

Last week, I saw a shelf full of free books. I chose a Dean Koontz book, not knowing anything about the author or book. I have heard of him, but I don't remember what. I read fourteen pages and have not picked it up since. It is in the car, so I may read it there when I have a few moments to waste. 

I planted twenty yellow onions Sunday. Thinking I could just pull out the weeds from the pot of bought soil, I did not wear gloves. I ended up with dirt under my fingernails as I had to put my hand in the dirt and pull out the roots. This pot has the free iris given to me. Now, it has onions, too. I hope onions and iris are compatible. I don't mind my hands being dirty, but I hate dirt packed under my nails.

The bag said these onions are to be planted during the fall for a head start on spring vegetables, but people tell me I should not plant now, to wait until spring. So, I have another 100 onions to plant somewhere.

At the lunch this week, I was talking to the woman who gave me the succulent, asking her about it. As we left she asked me if I liked to read. I assured her I did as she opened her purse to half a dozen books. When she asked if I like romance or mystery, I assured her that I like anything other than romance. I received Debbie Macomber's  "The Trouble with Angels."  I may not read this and give it back to her. 

Then, she asked me if had gotten cards as she shuffled though a bunch of cards in sandwich bags lying on a table. No, I had not, so I brought home four Christmas cards that someone had left for us to take home. 

So, now I have a bag of four cards, a ham and cheese sandwich from lunch, and two books. I ate the sandwich, will use the Christmas cards, and may dump the books!

My ear has been hurting all week. Doctor said nothing was wrong with it. ??? I suppose it could be a tooth, but I have been pecking the tooth--nothing. Plus, the other ear is starting to hurt.

Why are free books always boring or horrid books? Have you ever planted onions?--the little tiny onions?

Little Things Here and Rhizomes

*It was silver with a blob that had remnants of hands and feet. I found a painted rock on a shelf in a store as I was browsing the shelf. I almost moved the rock to see what was behind it. Finally, I focused and realized I had found a Halloween rock. I believe it was a ghost. Cute. This is my fourth rock. It really makes he happy to find one of these painted rocks.

*Finally, someone helped move things so I could turn on the heat. It has not been so cold in here as it has been damp to the bone. I hung up a pair of pants in a doorway, and four days later the pants were still damp. Now, it is comfortable in here. The heat is as low as it will go.

*On Thursday, I saw a tree that had turned. It was the most brilliant yellow. Since then, a few more around town have turned. Mine are still greenish.

*When Tommy was here on Tuesday, he asked me about my having caramel corn and where I got it. Since I don't have any caramel corn, I got up to see what he was talking about. It was a bag of onions to plant. We had a good laugh. I had started out the back door to plant them and went to bathroom and did not go outdoors to plant them.

*Stupid little chipmunks! They eat anything. I will have to leave all pots of flowers and Hosta on a table to keep them from have lunch on my plants. Maybe I will have to plant things in a combination of dirt and gravel. 

*My reduced mums were doing fine and blooming. Then, I fell behind on the deadheading. If I did not deadhead, I would not have more flowers. I just grabbed my kitchen scissors and gave the whole thing a haircut, cutting about four inches from the whole plant. Then, I watered it. Maybe this will work. What do you think?

*I spotted a "free" box and looked into it. I had to ask what was in the box. It was just a lot of dirty looking stuff. It turned out they were iris rhizomes. The guy told me it was flowers. I got two and he told me to take more, take all I wanted. I grabbed a handful and it turned out I had six rhizomes. They are now planted and greening up on top. I just pushed them down sideways and pushed a little soil over them. It worked. I really do know iris rhizomes, but these had the tops cut off, the roots still attached, and just a bunch of trash from the yard. I did not lean over or touch the rhizomes before I asked.

*Have you ever wondered what was the difference between bulbs, roots, rhizome, and corms? I know I have, but this article will help.

It was FREE

Walmart has a kiosk called a Freeosk. It gives out free things if you interact with the kiosk and your phone. I had no idea what to do and could barely read the directions and definitely could not read on my phone.

An employee helped me. The free item was Johnson Baby Shampoo and Wash. Hey, it is soap.

Silly Me assumed the 16 oz. bottles were what I got for free. No, it was a one ounce bottle. I will definitely get each and every freebie from the Freeosk.

Have you seen the Freeosk is Walmart? Have you gotten anything free?

Books, Shredding, Paper

The one thing I enjoy better than a book is a free book. I found a cache of them, all meant for consumption by seniors. They are donated to the senior centers/locations around town. From the few titles I was able to see, I really doubt there will be anything to interest me. I cannot think of any of the titles right now. When I go back to look, I will list a few titles/authors. I did notice there are multiple copies of some titles. The books can be returned or kept. They had a sign on the door saying they would accept no more book donations.

I went to the library and checked out two books and finished one on Friday night. I read 275 pages today. The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner is a true story, memoir, of living in a polygamous community in Mexico. The book starts when Ruthie is five-years-old and ends when she is thirty-seven-years old. I will tell you no more. I highly recommend this book.

That makes two books I have read in 3.5 days. I am really enjoying being able to read without eyestrain.

Earlier tonight, exbf said maybe reading more would help me to go to sleep. I am the last person to ever get drowsy with a book, even a boring book. I have been known to read all night. As the night wears on and I read a book, I become more alert.

Tomorrow will be exciting. The Chamber or someone is sponsoring a Free Shred day. I have about a brown paper trash bag of items to be shredded. This last week should have been a push to sort older items to shred most of them. But, this antibiotic makes me feel ill.

Since I did not want to own a shredder, I bought a fire pit, thinking exbf could burn them. Maybe another time we could use wood and make smores. No, he did not want to. He never said so, he just never did it.

Paper is my nemesis. I found a plastic file folder of cancelled checks from 1990. One account was a personal account and the other was my business account. All were labeled. I resisted the urge to look at them for weeks, fearing I would find something I needed to keep. Finally, I opened one envelope and found a check I wanted to keep and a number of a place I ordered material wholesale. The check has been saved and the number written down in a permanent place and the original paper with the number was put into the shred bag. I do not dare open another envelope of cancelled checks because I fear I will keep something else. It is done.

The only thing I bought today was two Roma tomatoes. I think my wants will be less when I can read.

Your turn
Are you also a voracious reader of books? Does reading make you drowsy or more alert? Do you shred or burn? Do Senior Centers near you have donated books to give away? Do you find that paper overwhelms you?

Three Free Things in the Mail Today

*$300 AT&T Rewards Card
*Meeting with light snacks
* Free haircut

First of all, the bad news. In order to get the $300, I have to bundle with AT&T and get Direct TV. Not for me. I am permanently out of their clutches and onto them!

The meeting with light snacks will be dinner for me. If not, only a bit more food will be needed later. Or, I could eat lightly beforehand. Snacks are always nutritious and never chips or such.

As I called, I read the card and it seems they cater to men. The woman said they could cut long women's hair, but they have no round brushes or products. They never use them for me, anyway. I told her I wanted to come in with hair washed and dried, get a haircut, and walk out. She said they could do that. 

Maybe no products means there will be no perms in the air. I doubt men use hairspray as much as they did a few years ago. At any rate, there should be less scents.

AND, the haircut is $14 not $18 like the other shop where I was thinking about going. If this works out, I may go back after the free haircut.

I explained the bad haircut and told her I did not want it "fixed," just made to look a little better. I could end up with a pixie haircut if anyone tries to make it perfect.

I told her I liked to come in with hair washed and dried, get a cut, and walk out. She said they can do that. So, hurray. I have until May 11 to use the coupon. Of course, a tip will be in order. So, that will make it a $5 haircut.

A free haircut and free snacks for dinner are two savings I can use. Boo to AT&T.

(I just went out to get mail and the wind is killing me with all the allergens. I have been sneezing and eyebrow area and nose really hurt.)

Have you gotten the ATT offer and Sportsclips offer in the mail? Do you ever have meetings where nutritious snacks are provided?

Posted Now--Accidental School Shooting

I was in a place that absolutely was not a place I had ever seen retail products.  As I looked where my hand was resting on the counter, I saw the boiler basket above. There was also a red one. I asked the guy what it was for/why it was there. He said that if I wanted one I could have it and then they would only have one left to get rid of.

He said I could have both and give one away if I knew anyone who could use it. So, I have a gray one and a red one. I suppose I will keep the red one. 

I have been known to throw the broccoli into a pot of pasta about a minute before the pasta is done. 

This basket sits on the side of a pot. The picture above shows a pot of pasta with broccoli cooking on the side in the boiler basket. Thoughts?

When I headed to play bunco, I was on the wrong day and the wrong time. ??? 

While at Lowe's I saw a succulent with rocks on top of the soil. No, the rocks were glued together or something with holes to stick in succulents. I have never seen anything like it. But, I rarely pay attention to succulents. This is a crash course in succulents. 

Today, I went out with sandals and a thin sweater over a thin, short-sleeved blouse. Bad move. It's not that cold, but the wind is blowing so that the cold cuts right through a person. 

At WM there was another packet of flowers for fifty-cents--Old-Fashioned Garden Mixture. Even though it talks about how deep to plant seeds, these will be sown.

Bread from the Bread Store is always at least four days before the use-by date. I bought Sara Lee Bread that tastes like dessert and is usually about $2.68 for $0.80. There are five days left on the best9by date.  This Artisan bread tastes like cake. I am lucky because one bread store is about two miles from me and the other is a mile beyond that.

I bought $0.97 worth of rocks for my succulent. I think it is dying so I better plant it now.

It is night now and so cold!

Oh yeah, male student brought a gun to school and showed it to a girl. He accidentally shot her. He put it in his pants or somewhere to hide it and shot himself. She died. How stupid!

Your turn

Have you ever used one of the boiler baskets?

Free Temptations

I have no idea why I received a coupon for free bag of Temptations treats for cats. I chose Seafood Medley treats for cats. They also help control tartar. No, I don't have a cat, but my nice neighbor does. This was $1.79 at the store. The coupon had my name and address on it. Anyone else get one of these?

My urologist appointment today was next door to the garage where I was taking my car for the tire problem. However, their was a wreck that almost kept me from getting to my appointment on time. After 1.5 hours, the wreck was still their and clogging my progress to my tire place. I had to find a different way to get to the doctor's office, but getting out was easy. The wreck must have been horrible to have not been cleared away.

I was feeling faint, feverish, and weak all over, so winding around searching for a different route to the doctor's office in the rain was so annoying. Plus, I was afraid I would be the next wreck! But, I had to go pick up my meds.

Going to the memorial service Friday for the young lady shot in Nashville is going to be difficult. I will go early so I will not have to walk so far. The forecast is for heavy rain! ugh Lovely.

I feel so sick that I told exbf not to come tomorrow, plus he would have to travel in hard rain on the start of the holiday weekend with all the crazies and drunks starting to celebrate early. And, I doubt I could really enjoy the Wonder Woman movie. I am looking forward to sleeping most of the day when I can get home.

My shoes I am wearing have to be picked up at the cobbler's, so it is just one worry and tiring thing after another, it seems. At least my clothes are ready.

Your turn
Did anyone get a Temptations coupon in the mail? When you are ill and must do things, does it ever seem like you don't have another ounce of yourself to give even when you want to do something?

Free Medical OTC Supplies

While we were at the free lunch on Tuesday, J asked me, "what are those people doing?" I looked. We went to the three tables. At the first was information on nutrition and meal planning. I graciously accepted what the woman gave me, even though I probably know all of it. She also gave us a nice, sturdy tote bag and two snack bars.

At the next table, the free clinic was taking blood pressure, pulse, testing for blood sugar, and something else. I skipped that table. J took information for herself for the free clinic.

The last and third table gave me full-sized OTCs:
*Zyrtec children's allergy grape syrup, 4 ounces. Adults can use it, too. I do use the Zyrtec tablets.
* Bandaid bandages, box of 20, two sizes, decorative. Yes, Bandaid brand!
*Imodium, 24 caplets. I hope not to need this.
*Enema, saline, one bottle, 4.5 ounces. I will avoid this.
*Tylenol adults, cold and mucus severe, liquid 8 ounces.
*Hydrogen peroxide, 3%, 8 ounces.

When I told them I did not need the free clinic, so I could just give these back, they insisted the things were for anyone. J does need the free clinic! Even though this free lunch is not for just the disadvantaged, I have noticed many more attend. But, so do the church members attend in greater numbers than before.

So, yesterday was doubly free--two meals and all of the above.

Your turn
Does your church ever allow clinics to come to educate people about nutrition, free clinic, and give out free OTC? Isn't this a great program?

Free things to Do

Exbf comes here once a week. This last week, I forgot to send home my taxes with him so he can do them for me.

He will take me to lunch or dinner if I ask, but that is a rare occurrence because I rarely ever ask since I am very aware of saving money by eating at home.

Two weeks ago, I decided I would find something free to do each week. When there is a senior event, a customer appreciation day, or the free lunches, he is sometimes present. More often than not, he is not here.

He can get a certain day off if he asks ahead of time. I never ask him to change his day off for anything but to take me to a medical appointment where I will be sedated or for checkups with the oncologist.

Now, I will alert him when I find something free to do instead of just hoping he will be off that day. That way, we can do something interesting when he is here. He is very much agreeable with this plan.

Since both of us have trouble walking, the choices might be limited.

We certainly can spend money, just prefer to find coupons or deals instead of paying full price. Cheap movies are always fun and he is all for that.  Sonic had 50 cent corn dogs. That is close enough to free since I rarely have a corn dog!

The first free "thing" we did was going to the local tornado shelters, newly built, and getting a tour of the facility. For a year I had passed them by and wondered what they were like inside. Now, we know. I have pictures of that I will share. This last week, we went to another.

Old minds that are still active do enjoy and need new things to consider and discuss. Since neither of us had seen a public tornado shelter, we learned lots. We added to our store of knowledge.

There are events published in the papers all the time. Writing them down will help to get us organized.

The local junior college never has free events unless it is for students, unlike state universities. Besides, those buildings involve many steps to get inside!

In the Spring there are more activities, so we will try to do something every week. Before I had so much trouble with my back and knees, I went to festivals and all sorts of events, but I cut back.

Your turn
Do you look for free or really, really cheap events in your town? What have you found or heard of to do that does not cost too much?

Life Is Good When Produce Is Free!

No means test. No sign-in. Close by. No waiting in line.

5 apples
1 tomato
1 spaghetti squash
1 acorn squash
5 large potatoes (well, not new potatoes)
mess of greens

6 almost dead bananas from the fruit market when I stopped by and not part of the giveaway

I had one of the bananas, salvaging about nine-tenths of it. Dominique will enjoy the one-tenth.  I will eat another tomorrow and probably freeze the rest for smoothies because they won't last until the day after tomorrow. Everything else will last for a bit with no deterioration.

Enough fruit and vegetables for a week for one person?

Black Friday: Can you say free?

My free red camera is on the way. It is a Kodak M23 Easy Share. I like low prices; I like sale prices; I love free. I am so parsimonious! Okay, I like inexpensive and good quality and great photo results. My photos online may not be as good as some, but I am superbly happy, like a pig in slop. Yeah, and it's red, too. See.....

Yes, I am really low tech when it comes to cameras.  It pays to be happy with low-tech because it is cheap and Kodak seems to be good quality, unlike some cheaper off brands. My last Kodak Easyshare was priced $189, on sale for something like $70. I purchased it for $22 with the MaxPerks rewards I had built from turning in print cartridges at Office Max.

I sincerely hope this Kodak is as good as the last two. I seem to need a new one every 2 years! The first one was eating new batteries. I got one picture off a fresh set of batteries. The last one has a lens problem. It extends and retracts, making beeping noises. Ah well.

The new RED camera I will receive on December 1st was on sale for $69.99 at Office Max and also at Amazon. I don't have money or Max Perks Rewards, so I chose to use my Amazon cards. Altogether, I had earned $80 for just searching, $5 Amazon cards at a time.  Since I have not really gotten into any other method of earning Swagbucks, I had very few.

Office Max had only five Kodak M23 cameras for Black Friday, so I doubted I would get one. There is no way on earth that I would have gotten up in time to be close to the front of the line at 5 AM when they opened. Maybe later today, I will drop by and see. (Friday night, none where sold.) I could not have used SwagBucks at Office Max and would have had to use my MaxPerks gotten for recycling.

My newish Kodak SD card is 8GB. I paid the price for a 4GB because it was priced wrong. YAY me! Charlie said, "No way!" when I told him what I paid. He thought I was wrong, mistaken. Me? He lauded my finding one at the wrong price. Anyway, I won't be needing a new card ( no $$$) at the rate I take pictures.

Okay, my other $5 Swagbucks just disappeared???

The Swagbucks were saved for a Katadyn camping water filtering contraption, but that will have to wait. I mean--why have sanitary water in a water emergency when you have a red camera?

Your turn
Did you get anything on sale and free with swagbucks?

Free X 60 = $0 for $180 value

8 ounces X 60

I had finished shopping and had one coupon left to use. However, the store was out of the product. It would have been free. Since I was out and about, and it was only a quarter mile out of my way, I decided to go in the next store for one item. The one item I wanted was not on the shelf in the second store. The manager said they had had it but no longer carried it. Bummer.

(The photo is blurry because I had one shot left of my sd card, and I don't know how to erase the pictures.)

As I was leaving, the cashier asked me if I did not find what I wanted. I explained how it would have been free and today was the last day to use the coupon. She is a serious couponer, so she took it hard right along with me.

Then, she brightened and said, "Would you like free hand sanitizer?"  Slowly, I said, "Sure," while trying to figure out why and how I was getting a bottle of hand sanitizer. She brought me a box of TWELVE 8-ounce bottles of alcohol hand sanitizer. She put it in the basket of the electric cart I was driving. My mouth must have been open. She said, "Do you want another one?" I was speechless. Then, she brought me another. That is TWENTY-FOUR 8-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer.

She explained it was sent to give away to people during the April tornado aftermath. However, it was sent two months later when people were not in such dire straits. The store could not sell a donation, so they were giving it away.

Two days later, I was given two more boxes. Now, I had FORTY-EIGHT 8-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer. Almost a week later, I was given another box of 12 hand sanitizers. That makes a total of SIXTY free bottles.

There is no way I will ever use this much hand sanitizer. I thought. I have given some to friends. It is like favors when you visit me....here, take something. Plus, I now have hand sanitizer in my small emergency stash.

Right after the tornado hit, I was given a bottle of hand sanitizer in some of the relief supplies. I have been using it after I gather eggs to clean my hands of whatever germs are on a perfectly clean-looking egg that comes out of you-know-where. I don't clean the egg with alcohol. Now that I have an abundance of hand sanitizer, I will not run short. Ever.

I checked other bottles of hand sanitizer the same size. Each bottle is a $3 value. So, I am ahead by $180 worth of merchandise. The price may vary according to brand and store that stocks it.

Edit: Someone suggested I was being greedy and that schools could have used the sanitizer.  The people at this store know I gave one of their checkers about $40 worth of food that I really needed myself. The checker worked in a grocery store and could not afford to buy food. She told everyone how much I helped her. I wish she hadn't. Maybe they know I will be generous with the sanitizer. I will.

In the last two weeks I have been given a huge bag of bananas, a box of tomatoes, and 10 lbs of potatoes. All were more than I could consume. It never occurred to me to suggest they not give it to me. They know I feed chickens, so I assumed they expected me to share with my hens.

The sanitizer was offered. I did not ask. And, the woman asked if I knew someone who could use it. She wanted it gone. Maybe the store had given lots to schools. I did not ply them with questions as to their intentions. Sorry if it looks greedy. I am not greedy at all. I will distribute my good fortune anytime I find a stash...lol.

Your turn
Okay, now is the time for all the oooohs, and aaaahs...lol. Is there another use for alcohol hand sanitizer? 

Free School Supplies

Office Max gift for teachers

When I walked in the door of Office Max, ready to do a bit of parsimonious shopping, I received this free bag after showing my Teacher OM card. None of the freebies in the bag was going to be cheap if I paid full price.  Notice the coupon that was inside--"$5 off anything you want" at Payless, a really cheap shoe store that people seem to love. I don't. The shoes never fit me and are not leather. But, I can find a gift there--scarf, little purse, whatever. There were more goodies in this bag. I send the OM bag to my daughter and she carries all the Kleenex, sanitizer, paper towels, and plastic Ziploc bags to my granddaughter's school, all the things on the school list. She was happy to see the bag two years ago and said it was handy.



More free items in the OM bag

 There is a planner for the school year, two red Sharpies, 100 jumbo (my favorite) paper clips, sample post-it notes, and sample labels. I will keep the Sharpies and part of the paper clips. The rest will go to my daughter and her children.

Another Surprise

Everything I bought was going to be 20% off! I had $45 on my card for free items, so this was going to be a good shopping day.

lead, tape, two protractors--free

Lead for their mechanical pencils that I believe they still have and use. Maybe not

One very expensive roll of Scotch tape for school. Two protractors--K needs one. I got one for home and one for school. I did not know whether to get the one with the arm or one without. Maybe the teacher prefers one over the other. So, she has two, both are clear.

I believe that a fifth grader should learn how to use a ruler with the protractor. Having the arm does not prepare them for the day when they do not have that little crutch. Getting off the soap box now. These pictures are horrible.

legal pads, pencil cases, pens, Post-its, Expo board markers--free

The teacher's list had one legal pad. I had to purchase 3. Grrrr   K needed two soft pencil cases. Those were going to be $4 or $5...whew. Then, I found a cheap section of items and paid $1.50 for each of these. I have packages of pens that were ten cents for ten pens. However, I have been buying J, who is 16, better pens so they don't hurt his hands. He is an excellent student and does not lose things, so these are a little pricey but worth having a comfortable pen that writes easily, too. Then, there are the wrong Post-it notes. I should have gotten the pad with sticky at the top, but got the dispenser pads instead. So, that means another trip back. the teacher wanted a pack of dry erase board markers. I got the Expo low odor ones. 

100 pencils, 6 rulers--free at OM

As I was checking out, I realized I was going to be about eighty cents short of spending the $45 since I had the 20% discount. I just kept buying more pencils and rulers until I owed OM two cents. YAY! You see 100 pencils and 6 rulers. Remember I have at least 100 more pencils from last year and half a dozen rulers. My $45 had to be spent today or lose it. I did not want to have to go back to OM another time. right now, I am scrunched in the chair until my back is flat on the seat. My back feels best this way, but the lower back is throbbing. So, too much walking today is my problem.

Do you remember the post where I was looking over my supplies? That was in preparation for today.

Left from last year

I don't always send everything I get.

Sharpies for a penny, OM--FREE

There are 19 Sharpies here, ranging in price from $1.99 to $2.49. I paid 19 cents for them. I sent her more than pictured at the beginning of the last school year. Then, at Christmas I gave her another dozen or so. I assume these will still be good this year. In a few weeks, these will probably go on sale again. I need to get more royal blue and Christmas green.  Last year I got plenty of black fine Sharpies. The year before I did not get any. You have to be there early in the day to find any black ones. They do restock, but you cannot count on the warehouse being out of anything...hmmmm, I wonder...lol.



From a yard sale

dividers, 9 cents each at yard sale

At a yard sale last year, I came upon a package of the loose leaf index dividers. There were 11 sets of these in the package. One was gone. I paid $1 for the 11 packages. I asked my daughter if J, the high school student, needed these. She was sort of disdainful. This year, she said she needed some of these dividers because she had to buy several for him last fall. !!!??? I reminded her that she turned them down. She has no recollection of the conversation. grrrr...makes me wonder if she listens some days.

All this is free because of purchases my friend made with my card. She has a tax business--prepares tax returns. Plus, I recycled some cartridges. If I had purchased ink, this would have all been my purchases that raised my free amount.

Pencils are still 10 cents for ten pencils for the next week. Get there soon. Rulers are 1 cent. These deals will be different each week. If you know someone who lives near OM, maybe they can pick these up if your drive would not be worth the money saved. Each week the sale items change. I am not through yet!

How to shop at Office Max

You may have to go through the line multiple times if there is a limit. I do this. I asked the cashier if it was an awful thing to do. She said lots of people do it and OM does not care. She said that churches come in with many people and do this, getting supplies to give away. Actually, any store that places a limit per visit cannot deny that when you leave the store and put your things in the car and come back into the store that this is not a new visit. I do buy all my ink supplies and cameras at OM.

10 composition books, 7 book covers, 3 folders

Yet another find at my house

I knew I had these, but could not locate them until just now. Each child in K's class needs 10 composition books. The cheap ones with checks or lines or a mottled design are regularly $1.49. I bought these last year for 25 cents each, thinking K would need more during the year. She had the year before, and my daughter paid full NY price for them. These also come in colors for the same price. However, if you venture into a floral pattern, hearts, kittens, or some other design, these are $2.49+. The teacher this year designated "black and white" composition books. Maybe she has seen the horrendously expensive ones brought to school. Full price for supplies above--$26. My cost--$4.75. None of this group was bought at OM, just bought elsewhere as I found it.

Aha, I found the textbook covers bought for 25 cents!

Free Copy Paper

Remember when I got 10 free reams of copy paper? I may get one ream in the box to mail, especially if I have to go to a larger box.

Office Depot has a better way of recycling, but OM is in this town, three miles from me.

Now, I only have to pack it all into one box for mailing--a $10.95 flat rate box from USPS.

I look for school supplies all year long. Well, I don't search, but I pay attention to what is being reduced and what is at yard sales.

Total

OM this year--retail, $54-20%+ tax, my price, $0.02

Yard sale finds--retail, $10, my price, $1

OM last year (Sharpies)--about $70+ tax, my price--$0

Leftovers from last year--retail, $26+ tax, my price, $4.75

Copy paper--retail, $39+ tax. my price, $0

Freebies in/and OM bag--let's put all that at $10, my price, $0

Grand total~$210.00

I paid~$5.75

Happy Dance

Yes, that is me, spinning, hair flying, ...okay, only in my dreams as I hobble along.

Your turn

Do you recycle to get credit to buy school supplies? Do you ever get school supplies at yard sales? Do you buy all year long when prices drop?  

 

Free Bags

Free Bags

Free Bags

Free Bags

This weekend, I found the Mother Lode of bags, all sorts of bags. I snagged 10 for myself.
Today, they are hanging in the sunshine. None smelled musty and 7 were new, never used. You know the stiff feel of unwashed canvas?

Method and Purpose
I attempted to categorize these with numbers on each so you could see for yourself. But, the numbers are not clearly visible. Number 10 is the one hanging below the other.

This blog is not just to show off my "new" bags. I want you to see what you can have for free or cheaply. The woman said everything was going to dumpster, to take all you wanted.

I took only ten bags.
You cannot see most of the numbers, so just count. Remember, number 10 is hanging below.
From the left of the photo:
1-new, lightweight cloth
2-new, canvas
3-new, sealed in bag, canvas, coated inside with heavy vinyl, zipper top, inner zipper pocket, bottom stands
4-new, canvas
5-mesh
6-new, canvas
7-new, still folded, soiled on a corner
8-new, canvas, coated with heavy vinyl inside
9-new, with child's name inside
10-(bag hanging underneath) washed, but looked new, canvas

Original Sources
Maybe you have friends in these industries, jobs, positions. Maybe you can ask if this friend has an abundance of bags. Ask if you can trade a jar of jelly for bags. Work it out.

These originally came from teachers, schools, colleges, Mother's Day Out, #3 from a cruise broker?, an electric coop. I also have these from banks, neighborhood watch, insurance, etc.

These were free to me. I left one bag there, strong, sturdy, roomy, and with something gooey on the inside. Don't think I took all of them or only the good ones, leaving undesirable ones behind. I was there two hours after the freebie giveaway. Others had picked over the bags before me.

Oooops, found another that go with the 10 above.

Last week, I found more bags when out and about.
I forgot how I came across these bags or where. After dark, I brought them in and had to photograph them on a chair. All three are heavy canvas. You can plainly see the sources of these bags.

All three were in good shape, no soiling or excessive wear. The top one was new. Maybe all three were. At a yard sale I never pay more than a quarter for bags.                            

Cute and Matching

That's what you want? Why? Think it over. But, if matching bags is your desire, of course, you can buy them. But, WHY? These are useful. Some have never been used at all. Unless a bag has an unethical-to-me logo, I will use it. Yes, I prefer them without stains. That looks grody unless I put the stain there!

Maybe you can sew and make cute, matching bags? Or, you can made bags from jeans or another sturdy fabric. That works.

Your turn

Where is your best source of bags? Do you ever carry an assortment like I do? Actually, I believe I have a matching set of some of the school bags, all gathered from different yard sales, attendance of conferences in which I participated, free boxes at different places.