Since Sue Asked

 It's still Saturday, and I am exhausted. We left the house about 1 pm and arrived home at 5 pm. We needed to return things and decided to do it now instead of putting it off. I really wanted to go earlier, but that did not happen. Gunsmoke was on. 

Tommy did the returns while I shopped...lol. But, customer service computers or something was down for 20 minutes. An hour or more later, Tommy was going home, nothing else would do. I convinced him to go to another store for the returns. We did and he was out in a few minutes. Neither of the dresses fit and they were too hot. The stainless steel was 18/0 instead of 18/10, so that went back. 

I bought a set of reusable snack and storage bags. Hopefully, these work for me. And, I bought a bag of panties. The returns more than offset the purchases. 

Sue asked why I am going "no tp." (1) Toilet paper leaves residue, unseen stuff, that makes my lady bits itch! So, there you have it. (2) Canada's old growth forests are being leveled so we can wipe our butts.  Using a wad of leaves would exacerbate first problem. Using washable possibilities would still not erase our impact on the earth's resources. However, no tree would have to be cut for my use in the bathroom. And, I do reuse the washables. They add no more loads of washes to my life and are not an additional burden to the environment.

What will I do? I use wash cloths. Tommy has many yellowed tshirts that do not fit him and that were given to him by a cousin. He is not attached to them and they are too small. I may wash them and cut them up. If I had my serger set up, I would serge the washcloths in half. 

The washcloths work for liquid. As for solids I need to wipe, I rarely have much to wipe. If there are occasions where there is a lot of residue, I can throw away pieces of t-shirt. Or, I can use tp. I have many packages of disposable wipes, some flushable. NO, we will not flush them. But, we have options for all occasions.

At one point, there was no tp in my house. When my son came to visit, I asked Tommy to bring a roll. He did and took it back home with him when my son and his family left. He said I could keep the roll, but I didn't want it. This time, I will keep tp in the house and probably on the roll. 

Too icky for you? Well, I washed gross diapers for three children. It does not faze me at all. I hung the  washcloths in the sun and felt they were well-washed and good for reuse. After cloth diapers, washcloths are a breeze!

Tommy won't give up tp. He would need a whole t-shirt every day. So, he won't go there. TMI. I know.

I am still well, although the returns problems have made me very tired, exhausted, in fact. That's ok because I am not feeling ill in the least. 

Have you given up tp? What do you use instead? No, I will never use a bidet! Anything under the level of the seat is liable to get peed on or splashed, so not sanitary water. So, bidets are disgusting to me. But, you may use them...lol. I have enough problems with UTIs, but you can use them. Do not try to convince me. 

WOW!

 I feel so much better! Wow! Maybe some might say 100%, but I know better. I did things today without feeling like I overexerted myself like I did other days just walking to the bathroom. 

About 2:30 am, Friday, I felt like I could sleep after getting no sleep the night before and a four-hour nap. It was time to sleep. However, last night I managed to stay asleep. I went to the bathroom twice and went to sleep readily afterwards a trip to the bathroom. 

Tommy woke me at 11 am as I requested. Around 12:30 I finally decided to color my hair. It has been so long, and my hair was just plain filthy. We had planned to go out at about 1:30 and made it a little later. We were not late. 

I went to Big Box and shopped away. I found one box of Wheat Thins for $2.47 that rang up for $2.98. That is a bummer. I found a dress, long, for around the house and still have not tried it. 

I also bought a curtain and valance to have the valance to go over the fanlight in the front door. The sun blazes in on my face for an hour each day year-round. I accidentally found a very small colander, so I will not have to use one of the huge ones. Since I am about to go "No TP" soon, I bought six more washcloths. And, I bought more of the roach killers that worked so well, I am going to keep them away. 

After an hour and a half inside the store, I was just fine. Other days, I knew I would be too tired to even go inside. Tommy got to sit in the car and listen to news, ball talk, or whatever.     

Tonight, I will get the taco casserole/soup put together and hopefully freeze some. The meat is cooked and the rest is cans. I need to get all the meat frozen that will not be eaten tomorrow. Until tonight, that would be an impossibility. 

Another neighbor came and mowed, used weed eater, and brought the garbage can from the road. The yard was looking ratty. 

It is so late and I still must get the taco soup from the crock pot. I still feel well, just tired from the day. Hopefully, I have this beat. 

Today was another day in the 80s with big fluffy clouds, a picture-perfect day. How did your day go? Did you find any bargains or sales?

Amazon Order

 

At one point, I could buy Wheat Thins Hint of Salt 2/$5 at Publix or $2.29  at another store. At the store last time, a box was over $4 and $5.06 at the other. On Amazon, the same box is $3. I ordered 6 for $3/each. We will write a month on them and only open one each month. Tommy thought this was a great idea which means we won't open them early...lol. 

I am soooo much better this morning. I am not 100% yet, but it feels like I will survive! All my joints have quit hurting. I didn't have the energy to fix that blurry picture!

It's a relief to see so many countries helping Ukraine. The war has caused me much concern. I know some have said they avoid the news in order not to be trouble by the news and images. I am the opposite. I must watch. I must hear. It makes it seem as though I have a measure of control. Yes, I know it is my own delusion, but it comforts me to stay abreast of the atrocities. I feel I must bear witness. I cannot hide! 

The new neighbor pulled our garbage to the road today. So, I suppose they are not too angry. The dog was barking on and off from 7:30 to after 8 am. They have a backyard, carport and patio full of stuff, several grills. They put the basketball goal even closer to my bedroom than the dog pen would have been. Every summer, I manage to rest listening to guys playing ball in the street, so this won't be bad. Children at play are sort of calming. They are not the fighting and screaming type of children. Tommy has to pull the heavy can a bit, push his walker forward, reach back and get the garbage and pull it a bit. He manages about two feet at a time to the road. I cannot pull it at all.

A neighbor from down the street came, drumming up business for lazy grandson who is going into the lawn care business. I don't think we will use him. I don't want us to have to chase him around to get him here and to redo what he does wrong. 

It is now evening, and I feel like I am having a relapse. My asthma is really bad. Tommy wants pork loin chops, so we are having pork, green bean casserole and slaw. We will probably have strawberries. Maybe not. I only have to mix up the casserole, so I can manage that. 

I still need to make cupcakes for the new kids/family next door. It is bedtime, and I am not feeling well at all! This has to end. Tomorrow, I call my doctor.

We are due for a week of rain, not much, but on the forecast. Maybe the sun will shine some each day like it has for over a week. 

Wednesday, Food, Questions Answered

 Wednesday, I awoke feeling much better. MUCH better. I am still unwell, but feel human again. My joints don't hurt and chest is not tight and burning. 

There is some sauce left from the spaghetti we had and a package of pizza mix, so I will make that and top with the meat sauce and cheese one day. Well, Tommy does not want that until he has some chicken and pork. So, that will go in the freezer Wednesday night for another day.

Taco soup is just a matter of throwing in cooked ground beef, and cans of food--tomatoes, corn, black beans, rice and a package of grated cheese. Oh, and taco seasoning. I will do that on Thursday. The plan was to do it today, but it did not happen.

Tommy went into Publix and got slaw mix and zucchini. We had slaw on Wednesday and will have it on Thursday, so the zucchini will be cooked on stove in olive oil and garlic. 

Even though it is late on Wednesday, I will go into the kitchen and freeze half the pork cutlets, two, for another meal. Tommy wants pork cutlets on Thursday. 

Before bedtime but after 10 pm, he disappeared into the kitchen and washed the large pot and small pot and something else I used to cook, a skillet I think and cleaned the sink again. He is helpful. I rarely have to ask him to do anything. 

Even stirring up the slaw after putting MW, mustard, salt, pepper, sugar and vinegar in with the slaw mix exhausted me. He microwaves the meal and brings it to me. I am grateful and thank him every time he does something for me.

The weather is beautiful, but I cannot get out to enjoy it unless we take a drive. I don't need fresh air as that is the problem. I just want the sun, greenery, and flowers. We go out every day in the car unless it is raining. 

I always grated cabbage on a box grater until 1990 something and I had a traumatic hand injury. I could do nothing with my hand at all. The other had been injured years before. So, after a few months of missing eating slaw or buying it at KFCs, I started buying slaw mix in a bag. It is the best I can do right now. Tommy would not be happy grating cabbage.

About the purchase of plastic utensils. When I bought the cutlery, Tommy was unhappy. I took it back only because the package said not to leave food on the items and not to let soak in water. Well, that is just crazy. So, I took it back. He was happy for that. We had a talk later.

I told him the dishwasher could wash all the utensils and we could keep plastic for when we really needed it. He said he was willing to pay the cost of plastic utensils. I did not understand. He said he would be the one left to dry all the utensils and sort them. Actually, cutlery can be placed on a dishcloth and they dry very quickly. I can take care of this sitting down. Utensils are easier for me to dry. Heavy glass bowls and storage bowls are not easy for me to handle. So, when I find cutlery that is not so delicate and fussy to care for, I will get it and we will be off plastic in that area. It takes time with him.

The hummingbird has not been back! 

Do you ever have to go slowly with a recalcitrant person?

Bluapple, Dogs, Hummingbirds

The TODAY SHOW has a bit on about products we cannot live without. I saw the BLUAPPLE and ordered it. This is an expensive little apple in which you place a packet to absorb ethylene gas that is put off by ripe fruit and causes other fruits to ripen. 

The little packet is activated charcoal. 

I think I could use any little container and punch holes in it. Then, I could fill little squares of coffee filters with activated charcoal. This would save money. But, it is done. Tommy was all for this and paid for it. 

Have you used this technology? Have you heard of it? 

We ran out of spoons and have been forced to wash plastic spoons. Tommy does not want regular cutlery. Today, he said, "Do you think you could find plastic spoons on the internet to order?" So, that is what I will do. 

It is Thursday afternoon and I must cook this meat! But, I can barely walk or sit up. But, Tommy will help.

The people next door finally put up the dog pen. Instead of it being a square, they bolted it together in one long fence that runs from their patio to their back fence. Good! Now, the children don't wave, just stare. I suppose the parents are mad and talking about us. They will still get cupcakes when I can manage. The dog house is as far from here as possible in a far corner.  It seems it is best where it is under a tree instead of where they were going to put it where it has full sun all day. 

I saw the first hummingbird today! I was so excited. When we were talking to Lynda in her driveway, Tommy saw a hummingbird at the edge of her patio. So, they have arrived. 

As awful as I felt, we had to get the meat cooked. I went and held onto the sink and told Tommy what to bring me. I put in a cooking bag four huge thighs and six chicken tenders, half a red onion, three small potatoes, and five carrots. 

Tommy had already gone to the kitchen to brown a huge package of ground beef. When I went in there, he asked me if I were going to peel the carrots. I said I was not and if he didn't have time, we just would not have carrots. I came back and he was scraping the carrots on his walker and stirring meat at his elbow. So, we had carrots, too. 

He had turned on the oven, so the chicken and vegetables went in quickly. I had to recover in the living room while he finished the beef. We ate while we watched Gunsmoke. 

I thought I had a second package of chicken tenders thawing. When Tommy put all the thawed meat in the sink, I was thinking one package of tenders looked very old, maybe not good. When I started loading up the cooking bag, I realized that one package was pork loin chops. I suppose it would have been okay, but I did cook the pork in a different bag. 

There are two "meals" of chicken in the refrigerator--one glass container with thigh and two chicken strips and three pieces of carrot, another container with thigh and two chicken strips. Plus, a third container with chicken. Six cups of ground beef are in another container. Five pork loin chops and onion are still in the oven. I will most likely freeze all the chops and eat the chicken the next three meals. I am going to make taco soup tomorrow with some of the ground beef, freezing two cups of the soup. I will freeze at least five bags of one cup each of the ground beef after putting some in the taco soup. 

Normally, I would have made half the ground beef into a meat loaf, divided it and frozen half. But, I was not up to making meatloaf. Maybe I will make Spanish Rice with brown rice, using up the some of the ground beef. A can of green beans will make an appearance somewhere. I want cole slaw, so we may get a bag. Well, Tommy will have to go in to get it. 

We have plenty of salad fixings to have a salad with the chicken. There is plenty of fruit to eat. I don't dare eat any oranges or grapefruit since I am very allergic to citrus and especially in the spring. 

I am not better nor getting better. I may call the doctor in the morning. 

Sorting Hat

We need a sorting hat here. I mentioned to Tommy some sorting I wished he would do. Well, he is deep into it. The only food bank I go to has choices. I always choose tea, instant oatmeal packets, or hot chocolate packets. Well, last time they had all three, not just the usual one item. So, I chose all three. I never drink hot tea, may have instant oatmeal once every six months, and most often will drink hot chocolate every six weeks. 

Some of it goes into a cabinet near his coffeemaker, a place I never go. So, because it is dark in the cabinet and not enough light still in the kitchen, I have no idea and do not care what is in there. However, I will drink hot chocolate occasionally. So, that might be an important place to look since he may have put hot chocolate mix there. 

Today, I mentioned I would like him to get all three of the items together so we would know what was there and where it was located. We could then make an attempt to use the oldest items first. Well, he went straight to the hoard of tiny packets and has it all sorted. I wanted him to wait until I found containers for each of the items. So, in a rush I decided the basket that strawberries came in would be excellent for each item. Then, I saw one from last year. I figure there is no use buying bins when I get them with strawberries. 

He has it all sorted and now the little table in the kitchen is more tidy. And, I know what is here and so does he. There is so much hot chocolate that I may store most of it in the freezer. The table is where we keep bread and the pb crackers. 

I love tidy! There is still more to tidy but that is enough for one day. 

There is no sorting hat here, but today I had Tommy. He can stand longer than I. 

It is already 5:30 pm, but my plans are for another meat cooking marathon. I always fight to keep meat from thawing all over the refrigerator. Finally, I used a small cookie sheet which worked. Now, I am using a plastic box with lid to keep juices contained. It has 3" sides. We put the meat in a plastic bag so it won't slide off the package underneath and onto refrigerator shelf. Of course, there is no need for the lid, but it could serve as another barrier under meat.

No, not cooking meats tonight since I just don't feel like it. We are having a jar of spaghetti with added stuff and some frozen ground beef along with a salad. 

While in the kitchen I found two large bottles of virgin olive oil I bought bogo two weeks ago. I should have put that in the freezer, but I didn't feel like doing it. So, it is resting in the refrigerator. 

Today, I have not felt well because of little sleep Sunday night and failed nap attempt on Monday. But, the sorting we have accomplished and the cooking will make this not a complete day with no accomplishments.  Okay, for the last few hours I have felt more ill by the minute. I will call the doctor in the morning. At midnight, I feel worse than I have in months. 

So, our sorting happens on a small scale and for short lengths of time, but it happens. Do you do small sorts and small jobs of decluttering? Or, do you go for whole space or room sorting? 

Potatoes and Onions

For the last several months, I have had the worst potatoes and onions consistently than ever. I buy different places, on sale, full exorbitant price and given to me. All are so horrible. The potatoes either have rotten places, black spots or both. The onions are over-ripe and sprouting or just black, mushy rotten places. It is so discouraging. 

One was called Idaho White Potatoes. While I have heard of white potatoes, I never knew or forgot that they were called that as a variety or brand. Tommy says he does not like red potatoes. But, he never complains when he eats them. I think it is because I really like red potatoes with the skin on for mashing or just eating. I have to peel them for him although I have seen him eat red potatoes with the skin still on at church dinners! 

I suppose I have not bought Yukon Gold. As a matter of fact, I rarely buy potatoes or have ones given to me. When we do eat potatoes, I let mine get cold and barely heat them to just barely room temp to eat. 

The only onions that have been decent have been the three lbs. red onions given to me. Three pounds of yellow onions from Publix were all rotting to some degree. Finally, I needed onion for my potato salad and just bought one loose, good yellow onion at a premium price. It was very good.

When I went to Publix one day this last week, I took the three-pound bag of onions with three onions and no receipt. I told the cs person that I had no receipt and did not expect a refund. But, every onion was rotten, that they needed to buy better onions. The guy gave me $3.99+tax back on a store card that I used immediately. I now feel vindicated. 

If the potatoes are not filled with rotten spots, they have multiple black spots, tiny places that I don't like to eat. It has been a trial. Don't get me wrong. I don't mind the trimming that is sometimes inevitable. But, the continual rot is just annoying when  I have paid by the pound for produce. 

Last Friday, I saw the first Vidalia onions of the season, my favorite onion. They looked as though they had been chopped, harvested by a drunk person. And, the price was exorbitant--$1.19/lb., about twice what they should be. 

AND, I store onions and potatoes in different rooms. I am not spoiling them here by hastening their ripening. 

Has anyone else found that onions and potatoes are lacking, not high quality this year? 

Tommy's wounds are okay today. When we went for a drive on Sunday, he wanted the place on his Achille's tendon covered. I could not find a bandaid even though I have plenty in all sizes and gauze and tape.   He said to take tissue and put it on tape and use that. I took a square of my tp that does not shred, folded it and put mupirocin on it and applied the makeshift bandaid to his leg with packing tape. Then, I took another long piece of tape and put in along his tendon and under his heel so the shoe would not peel/scrap it off. This wound is worse than the finger but still does not look like it will fester. I will keep an eye on it. 

The person, neighbor who mowed Tommy's yard for free, a neighbor, just whizzed around and did not mow in corners. There are some weeds over 2 feet high. I hate Roundup, but had him use the handsprayer for about a half-dozen terrible weeds. The whole yard looks so ratty and backyard was not mowed, so something must be done! I was going to use vinegar, but I could not locate the empty sprayer I purchased two years ago. I was going to put vinegar and dish soap and water in it to kill the weeds. 

We can only do things in small increments around here, so we can never get it all done. Tonight, I will make strawberry shortcake. The strawberries have been macerating overnight. The shortcake will be just sweet, buttery biscuits. For dinner he had an incredibly old two drumsticks that I fear will make him sick and a salad. I had Romaine with a can of tuna on top. I put Miracle Whip and dill and sweet relish in the tuna. 

So, are you having a problem with potatoes and onions?

The Fall (not the season)

                                                                Big Ass Ceiling Fan

Yes, that is the name of the fan!

Early Saturday morning we went to Cullman. I love a sunny day, but it was just bright, blinding out. However, it was so warm and pretty. The trees are all green, a tender green still. The trees will be more full and a darker green soon. I love this time of year and clear down to the fall of leaves. 

We went to visit a friend. I have known him for at least 30 years, maybe a few years less. He was giving me four bottles of Flonase, all with an expiration date of 2024. So, good on saving money not buying. He is retired military, so he gets these free in the mail. Now, he has stopped the shipments, but has so many he does not need after multiple sinus surgeries. So, my gain. Tommy can use these, too. 

We went in through the garage where he has a tornado shelter. It is a metal box. I suppose it is anchored somehow. He warned us that he did not want any lawsuits if either of us fell and hurt ourselves. That really annoyed me and I told him so. 

I was initially afraid to get out because of the dog. Well, the dog was a hunting dog and minded when Friend spoke to him. This dog was acquired when his best friend and bil died from Covid. Another dog came up and frightened me. But, it just stood there looking around and did not seem at all threatening. When we went into the house, there were three of the tiniest, curliest dogs I have ever seen. They headed straight for us. I am afraid of tripping on those dogs! One kept jumping and putting his paws on me, almost toppling me. The dogs had things strapped around their necks to discouraging them from barking. I am not sure how I feel about that device.

He showed us around his new house. We were going before Christmas to see it with a 14' Christmas tree. His ceilings are 14'.  The star of the house was his great room with a 12' table. I loved it. He had a Sub Zero refrigerator. The Wolf range had six eyes, a griddle and two ovens. He showed me the "faucet" above the stove. I think it embarrassed him when I gushed over the pot filler calling it by the correct name. She had a very deep red sink. 

The tv was on the wall, super high. He said the 50" tv looked tiny, so he had to get a 75" tv. It was so far away that it did not look like it was so large. His house had so many large closets and they were all filled to capacity. Their was the largest ceiling fan I had ever seen, a Big All Ceiling fan. The master bath was huge. One whole room was a shower, the kind with nothing to step over. (Tommy needs that. Me too) 

We saw the pool through a window and went out to see that. He has an outdoor fireplace built right into the wall of the patio. The ceiling fan on the patio was at least 10' across. Well, it looked that large to me. Tommy said it was 72". I will ask friend later. As I was standing there, I heard a commotion, heard friend yell, and saw Tommy go flying across to the lower part of the patio from a column that blocked my view. I was shocked, stunned, and frightened. Tommy did not see a step down and just plunged off a 10" high step. He fell into and over his walker. 

My friend stood there and yelled at Tommy that he should not have done that like Tommy did it on purpose. After him yelling at Tommy, I told friend to stop right now, that he was not helping the situation. Tommy confirmed nothing was injured too much, so I told friend to help him get up. He was doing it all wrong, trying to help him like he helped his frail mother who had different mobility issues! 

As I was getting them sorted out, Tommy yelled for his walker which was behind his legs and sort of tangled with his feet. I yanked it right over him, but he said it did not hurt him. Between me placing the walker in the right position and friend getting him up, Tommy was finally standing. I had to tell friend to put the walker on the higher level and also help Tommy. He thought Tommy could just step up holding the walker. No, he cannot. 

Tommy was bleeding profusely from a knuckle and from back of ankle. I asked friend if he had a bandage for both. It was though he could not even offer! So, he got down and put a bandaid on the back of Tommy's ankle and his knuckle. He even put antibiotic on the bandaid. 

EDIT: Late Saturday night, I looked at the wound on the back of his heel. It is actually on his Achilles tendon and is nasty looking. The one on his knuckle that bled so is fine. I will put mupirocin on the one on the tendon. His finger will be fine. He has a huge abrasion with bruise on his right flank. Where it hurts so on his rib shows nothing now. So, I need to continually tend to the wound on his tendon. It will be like trying to get a little child to be still to tend to a wound. 

As if he needed to say so, he kept telling Tommy to watch where he was going and warning him how he had been in the wrong. I was so annoyed and made him shut up, telling him Tommy knew how to walk. I pointed out the fall was because of a trip hazard he had built into the patio, that he should have something on the edge of the step that could be seen from upper and lower part of the patio.  I guarantee that this is not the first incident or the last with this step. 

 Tommy laughed later and said he was mesmerized by the pool and lake. He said he did not see the step at all. The pool looked like it was built right on the lake. So, it was eye-catching. 

We went to the Festhalle for the Saturday farmer's market. I only bought strawberries, $15 for a bucket of maybe two quarts. They are delicious! 

It was a hard day, at least it seemed so when I finally took a four-hour nap at 4 pm. 

More Dogs Show Up!

 When we pulled in the driveway, a pickup with a dog pen, the 10x10x10 foot kind, was unloading in the yard.  Of course, those panels are so heavy that a person will unload close to where they want to place it. Their location was as close to my bedroom as it could get. 

I walked over and asked where they were going to put it. The woman pointed to that corner of the back yard, right near my bedroom, as close as they could get it. I told her I am ill, cannot sleep. She said they would not leave them out at night, they would bring them in. I told her I need to take a nap every day. She said she would keep that in mind. So, her response was not hopeful.

I pointed out she had a huge yard and room for the pen on the other side of the house. She did not look happy even though she was smiling. This development is already stressing me! 

We went out about 5 pm and the dog pen panels are leaning against their fence just a bit further back. So, they will do as they please. 

The day before, the had they chihuahua and a very young puppy in addition to the two older puppies I saw on the first day. Tommy said he saw another puppy like that but a different color and a larger do. So, maybe a mama dog, too? That makes six dogs. They keep them inside along with at least six people? 

The city has a noise ordinance that covers dogs! That makes me feel better. 

The cupcakes should have been delivered first. This will look fishy. Oh, well. 

Tonight, I came across a Martha White  Apple Cider Muffin Mix that I bought several months ago. Instead of muffins, I had something else in mind. I chopped a Granny Smith apple and put it in a brownie pan sprayed with PAM. Into the mix I put half and half instead of milk. About a cup of cauliflower rice was added to the batter. This was baked and awaits. Tommy may just dig the apples out since he thought the batter was gross, he barely likes cauliflower, and is averse to trying new things somedays. 

I think the fake company stole the picture of the greenhouse and will collect from customers and give nothing in return. Nothing felt right to me. That is why I asked you about your thoughts. The ad was not for patterns or instructions. It was just a scam. Thanks for confirming my gut reaction. Oh, I just checked back to comments and helpful people enlightened me further. 

Dinner tonight will be baked chicken and salad. I am not feeling like eating the apple-cauliflower apple cider muffins. Maybe. Edit: Tommy had chicken and potato salad and green salad. I had pork loin and potatoes, cold. We both had a green salad.

Your Opinion, Please

 

What do you think of this greenhouse? When I did a search, this is what came up first, for less than $100. But, the weight cannot be correct. It looks too good to be true. I know it is cute. Tell me what you think, please. Is this real? Or, is it a scam?

Thanks, everyone. I posted a new link in the comments which still comes up at $97.61. Check that link. And, the one below.See the price.

US$ 97.61 - Little Cottage 8 x 8 ft. Colonial Gable Greenhouse with Optional Floor Kit - www.hireatwizy.com

New Neighbors: Children and Dogs

The neighbors must have moved from a short distance because about six passenger vehicles, cars, SUVs, and pickups came in droves with household items just stuffed into the passenger cabins. Then, a truck with a flat trailer bought all the outdoor items. Finally a box rental truck showed up several times with many people on hand to empty it. 

I did not see all this. Tommy would remark on what I did not see. He said at one point that there at least five balls in the yard. When we left, there were four basketballs and another play ball. Their place was a beehive of activity for about four days. Now, there are 17 balls. ??? He probably did not count, just saying there were a lot of balls. He goes to mailbox and to the laundry room, so sees more than I do. 

As we were leaving, I heard someone yelling and turned back to see what or who it was and if the yelling were for me. A little girl on the porch about seven yelled with great gestures--we live here over and over. We live here now. This (as she points) is our house. Of course, I was responding with Hi and oh, nice, I see. Then, a little boy about five who was in the driveway was gesturing to the back yard. Over and over, he said something and I responded with vague remarks like I see and Oh, okay. 

When we got into the car, I told Tommy to back down the road to their house. The children came running to our car. (I hope they don't do that all the time.) The little boy asked me "would you like some of these? as he held up two colorful cards about 4x4 inches. I told him one would be fine and took the rainbow one. The little girl rushed up.

Here, she said, you can have these and thrust three black cards about 3x3 inches into my hands. Then, the little boy gave me a stick about 3 inches long and told me I could make pictures on the little cards, any kind of picture you like. 

Then, he proudly pointed to his two dogs. That was what he was gesturing about. I thought he was saying he had a swing. But, he told me his dogs' names which I have now forgotten. He told me the dogs were just puppies still. One he said was a German Shepherd. It did not look like it to me. 

The big dog has a long, low, hollow bark that resonates. The small dog is the yippy yappy kind. They bark at the same time--loud and long.  Someone save me. So far, it has not been bad or annoying. 

I hated to take their pretty crafts, but they really wanted me to have them. I know my children would be sad if they thrust gifts onto new neighbors and their gifts were rejected. The little black cards could be scratched off to reveal a picture. I think I will do one and offer the other two back. 

There is a chocolate fudge cake mix that was given to me. I will make cupcakes for the children.  I was going to use cream cheese to make frosting, then decided to use powdered sugar and butter for the icing. In the end I bought a cheap Food Club brand ($1.69) to spread on. I decided my time on my feet needed to be spent on other things. Besides, cream cheese cost more than that. The kids will still like it. 

Wednesday, after sleeping for two hours we went to Cullman. I got the mail, stopped at lawyer's office, drove past my lot instead of stopping and got to the pickup meal and waited. After we ate, I only went to one grocery store. Going home became more important to me as the minutes passed. 

We picked up our lunches and lunches for a couple and ate at their home. They are 90 and 91 and still rather spry and live in their own home. After lunch I was even more anxious and cancelled other plans so we could go home. 

A long nap really refreshed me. And, another lunch brought home was Tommy's dinner, so he only had to heat it--ham slices, mac n cheese, baked beans, a roll, two cookies.  The ham was a ham not pre-sliced stuff, really delicious. Tommy got to eat all the beans!

We are in the midst of eight days of no rain and rising temperatures. I love it. I heard something about showers, but not sure. It will not be storms like we have had once a week. 

The kids next door are precious! It will be good to have children around. I think the other two children are teens. And, the dogs, well, they are dogs. 

I Told You it Hurt!

 Monday, I needed milk and sugar-free Jello, so we went to Publix. I only bought one-half gallon of my milk since I always hope it will go on sale on Wednesday. When I arrived at the check-out, I had few items to put on the belt, so I decided I would lift the milk, something I never do. It is too heavy. I used both hands, lifted, and sort of pivoted toward the belt.

This did not hurt but put a strain on my right shoulder. Later that evening I developed the worst pain in my shoulder. I was yelping at the slightest movement of my right hand or elbow because the pain in my shoulder was excruciating. I managed to put some of the cream on my right shoulder with my right hand. I was on the verge of crying. 

I could not put a fork in my mouth without wincing and squealing in pain. I switched to my left hand. I can use my left hand, but I am awkward. Finally, some of the green beans could not be speared. I ended up eating with my fingers! The pork and potato salad were easier to eat. At least they did not fall off. At first, I had to eat with my right elbow tight against my ribs before I had to switch to my left hand.

Tuesday morning, my shoulder felt tight. Now, Tuesday night, it is aching, a little bit tight. This is what I get for trying to do things I cannot without injuring myself further. 

I was at Publix and have no trouble getting help. But, at other stores the checkers demand to know how I got the items in my cart. They imply by their tone of voice, words, and body language that I am malingering. 

Tuesday night, I managed to fold the laundry from Monday--20 dish towels and 10 dishcloths. That is not much at all to fold. But, it hurt! I still do what I must do and all without pills for pain. Tonight, I will hang the load washed today. 

This is it for today. Thankfully, typing does not cause damage or pain. 

Hallelujah! Monday, the forecast was for no rain through to Tuesday next week!

If you hurt, try to pace yourself. Right, Kim?

Too Much Chopping

 After hours, it seems, of slicing, chopping, and dicing, Monday my hands hurt and were stiff. That effort was focused on one dish--potato salad. Somehow, typing does not hurt me at all since I use a light touch on the keys. But, my hands and fingers feel clumsy. What is this? Old age? Guess so. sigh

For lunch I had potato salad and a chicken tender. Then, for dessert I had potato salad. I have not made potato salad in years. I have had it at dinners, but it was never mine, so not so tasty. It seems Tommy not liking potato salad has caused me not to make it. No More! I will make and dip his out before eggs and Miracle Whip are added. Another thing--the relishes are not as good in potato salad as gherkins and dill chips diced. 

The hummingbird feeder is out. I have procrastinated since there were storms when I wanted to put it out. I noticed my neighbor down the street left hers out all winter and now she has taken them in to wash. Who has their hummingbird feeder out yet? Have you had a hummingbird yet?

My whole body hurts, not just my hands! All this celebrating is rough. I have a clothes basket of dishtowels and dishcloths to fold, so that is my big ambition for today. I need to start working again on the table to my left. I can see the surface of the table due to other days of decluttering, so this should be easy. Do you ever work on layers when decluttering flat surfaces? It is like an archaeological dig. 

We watch Jeopardy every day. Right now, it is on and it pains me to watch Ken Jennings. I don't like him. He is not funny as he thinks he is and insults the intelligence of players. I am shocked at things he says. However, I love the game. But, there is one category I just cannot answer. It is the type question where two answers are smushed together. Forgot the name of it, but I am baffled most of the time. It is not that I don't know the answers that are smushed together, I just don't know it is happening and usually end up with both answers, wondering  what is the correct answer to the question. 

Tuesday now. The new neighbors have TWO dogs that bark too much. More on that later.

Did You Know?

Easter meal was delicious! We ended up with pork loin, potato salads, deviled eggs, cole slaw. I forgot the green beans, tomato. I was exhausted when it was all done because I waited until Sunday to make the potato salad. That was a lot of chopping. 

Tommy's bowl of potato salad was yellow-orange from all the mustard. He really helped me a lot with cooking. He brought things to me to chop and took potatoes back and put in the pot, salted it, took away potato peelings, brought celery, brought the onion. He washed two large bowls I needed for the potato salad. Well after eating, he washed the pot in which I cooked cabbage and the huge one where I boiled potatoes. 

Sweets: I bought Tommy a gold-covered Lindt Easter bunny that was in a little train. He shared it with me. I didn't even get the Jello dishes made, either. Those can be made another day. I decided to forego Easter candy this year. I miss it. 

Have you ever used celery to get the onion smell from your hands? It works. I took the end of one of the stalks and rubbed it on both hands. Then, I took a wilted top and rolled it between my hands almost like I was using the leaves to wash my palms. Tommy did not know why, but I asked him if he could smell onions on my hands. He said that my hands smelled like celery. Now, 15 minutes later, the celery smell is gone too, all without washing my hands. Did you know celery removes the stink of onions or garlic from your hands?

Shopping hint: While I am perfectly capable of using food coloring and vinegar to dye eggs, I have bought the dying kit on sale after Easter. One year, I bought 6 or so after Easter for ten cents each. I sent one to my daughter and used the others in subsequent years. I stored them where I kept the plastic wrap because I came home and put them there to keep them off the counter. There they stayed. I did give one to a friend with 6 children. At any rate, you might be able to get the kit cheaply for use next year.

I suppose this is the first year ever in the last 75 or so years that I did not have colored eggs for Easter. Sometimes, I have made Jello eggs and put them on a bed of green lettuce on the table. That did not happen, either. I am okay with that. 

While I was chopping celery, I chopped the whole head of celery. I saved back a bit from the potato salad to use in tuna salad or something else this week. While I was chopping, I should have chopped the last four of the free red onions. 

Even though it was cloudy all day before Easter, about 6 pm, the sun shone through the clouds and the clouds lessened. Then, on Sunday, the day was sunny and warm, but Sunday night, thunderworms developed. All in all, I was disappointed with the wet grass for children to hunt eggs, but it was not stormy all day like I expected. 

I cannot believe my oldest child turned 54 on Saturday! And his son will turn 16 this week. I now send gifts as egift cards from Amazon. 

How was your Easter?

Happy Easter!

 

Nothing Much Happening

 Since I drank the last of my milk on Thursday, I was so hungry for milk by the time we went to get it Friday about 6 pm. I love milk. I was surprised Tommy found bananas for me. Usually, bananas are gone this close to a holiday with people making banana pudding. 

I told him I would make him Jello with fruit cocktail. He was happy. I am going to make Jello with Cool Whip, cottage cheese, and pineapple for me. He will hate the cottage cheese. 

For dinner we ate one of the meatloaves. Tommy said he wanted carrots and peas. I ate a whole can of green beans. This time, I soaked them for about an hour to remove much of the sodium. 

We both wanted to watch Dateline, but we accidentally took a nap! Since we only slept about 45 minutes, we were able to see the rest. We had been waiting to see this episode. 

On Saturday, I will make the potato salad, two versions, one for each of us. I suppose I will use one of the boiled eggs to make a deviled egg for me. And, I will open a can of green beans, much better for us than green bean casserole.

Friday, Tommy worked on his state and federal taxes, finishing after a few hours. His taxes are sort of complicated. Well, he does not think they are. I do, more complicated than a simple tax return. So, that is mailed and he awaits a check from state and feds. 

It is too bad it will rain on Saturday and Easter, spoiling the egg hunts for children. 

How is your Saturday unfolding?

Cooking Marathon

 Thursday, at 6:15 pm, we cooked meat. I had three package of chicken tenders from Publix, a total of about 5 lbs. and a package of six huge drumsticks, also from Publix. I used garlic powder on all the chicken. I put all four packages into one cooking bag that cost 60 cents. They went into the oven. 

Garlic powder tastes nothing like garlic to me. I like both, but it is so easy to sprinkle the powder over all the chicken. Plus, there is no salt. I never use garlic salt. Garlic is delicious. By using garlic initially, we can put any kind of spin on the cooked chicken.

Then, I put the pork loin, a small one, into the crockpot. I had left it frozen solid on the counter in front of the microwave which is next to the freezer. I use this bit of space to place things as I work things into the crowded freezer space. Well, four hours later it was sitting there still, limp and fully thawed. So, two days later I am cooking it. No, I don't think it spoiled. Tommy sees how dark it is in the kitchen although he swears he can see just fine. grr. So, he got the crockpot on high. Oh, I washed the teriyaki flavor off, so we can eat it. There is enough flavor left. It is in the freezer for Easter. 

While I was unpackaging the chicken, He cooked and chopped 1.75 lbs. of ground beef. Lots of it will go into two packages for the freezer since he is done. 

The rest of the ground beef will be made into a meatloaf and cooked after the chicken comes out of the oven.  Okay, meatloaf done and in two packages in the freezer. I did not have bell pepper, so I will somehow get it incorporated into the meatloaf later.

This makes over 30 helpings of proteins for meals from what we prepared in thirty minutes. His help is immeasurable! 

Now, for the vegetable front. I sit in my chair and put the month and year on top and front of cans so I will know which to eat first, not when they will kill me. After I got up from a long nap Thursday, Tommy told me what he found. There was a can of black beans under the edge of my chair. It was crushed almost in half! That can will be eaten in the next few days unless I find it was crushed and opened. I cannot believe I did that. 

Tommy asked what we will have of those meats for dinner. I told him--your choice. So, he chose chicken and a salad. I know I will have chicken and tomato, not sure what else. 

At this point, I still need to make the meatloaf. Okay, meatloaf done. I used one of the cheap cans of tomato paste. I might use a smidgen of catsup on top. I had no bell pepper, so I will cook it without bell pepper, find or buy some before we eat it and poke little pieces into the done meatloaf. We both love bell pepper in meatloaf. I used the last tablespoon of catsup in the bottle for the top of the meatloaf. 

Oh, and I finally made the hummingbird food! 

While I napped, he washed the rugs from the bathroom and hung them on the ramp railing to dry. I asked or he would never have done it. 

Friday morning

I had saved the juice from the crockpot pork loin. I used it with water to cook navy beans. Plus, I shredded the cabbage for slaw. It will be a coarse slaw since I cannot use the grater like I did before hand injuries.  I may use some of the cut cabbage for colcannon or for soup, and will definitely freeze some. 

That cooking marathon was fun but tiring. Do you having cooking marathons? 

Eggs, Storms, Nothing Much

 Wednesday, the plan was to go to Cullman. However, the weather report sounded like rain. It did not rain. I was bummed that we did not go as I had somewhere I needed to go, time and date bound. 

Since I had gotten almost seven hours sleep, I was okay for the day and had nothing to do and everything to do. so, we bought eggs and butter, so I tackled eggs and butter we had just bought.  At the store I had to stand and sort through the eggs and pull out broken or cracked eggs. I was hoping I had gotten all whole eggs. 

In the store the cartons were ready to collapse, very weak and flimsy. At home, when I looked at the eggs they were all sweating profusely, something odd for eggs fresh from a cooler and carried home in an insulated bag. An insulated bag was the only bag I had in the car. 

There were a dozen eggs in my refrigerator left in a carton of 18 and another carton ready to recycle that held 18 also. So, I put 6 eggs in a bowl to scramble later and six in a bowl in the refrigerator to boil later today. The six eggs are scrambled and half have been eaten and the other half in the refrigerator for tomorrow morning. The six eggs are boiling as I type. The other new three dozen are in the two styrofoam egg cartons from Publix. I really prefer the cardboard cartons, but these Styrofoam ones were what I had. 

The damp, limp egg cartons were put on the counter for a few hours. Now, they are dry and sturdy. Somehow, those cartons were stored in a damp place. Storing eggs in cartons in a dry place keeps the cartons from collapsing. At the store, I could tell the cartons on the bottom were collapsing and wondered why. Now, I know and wonder why the cartons were damp and limp. Aldi did not store the eggs correctly!

The six boiled eggs are waiting for potato salad. And, the remaining 3 scrambled eggs will be my breakfast this morning, Thursday. We need to cook meat today, chicken breasts, chicken legs, and some ground beef.  I may go ahead and cook the pork loin, too. And, I need to color my hair since I did not last week. Maybe I will make the Jello dish.

Wednesday, we could have gone to Cullman as there was no rain. Wednesday late, the map showed lots of red areas. We did not have high winds or storms right here. The storms dissipated as they approached us. For the last few weeks, we have had storms, rain, and tornadoes every Tuesday/Wednesday. 

The neighbors are moving in next door, so there are all the attendant moving noises. I have only had glimpses of the woman but no sightings of the four children or a husband. Of course, I have to go out on the porch to see the house next door. 

The first hummingbird feeder is ready to hang.

See? Nothing much here.

Food and Free + Aldi Trip

 Today, we went to get food from a giveaway. 

Huge pork loin roast, at least 5 lbs.

18 juice oranges

dozen grapefruit

10 lbs potatoes

3 lbs red onions

3 tomatoes

4 sweet potatoes

4 huge premade hamburgers, 6 ozs each

3 lb. bag of grated cheddar cheese

2 half-gallons organic milk

dried organic apples

Kind peanut butter clusters

dried figs

two boxes Great Grains cereal

dozen cans of carrots, corn, black-eyed peas (will give to friend)

4 cans of chicken breast

Cookies, candy bars, granola bites 

Russell Stover sugar-free candy

Cetaphil facial cleanser

We asked to take a portion to a neighbor, but they forget to give her a box of vegetables. We gave her some of our vegetables and all the cans of food. She did get the cans of food, though. Well, we kept the chicken and green peas from our box. 

We also got chicken tenders, more, smaller pork loins, hamburgers, chicken breasts, lemonade tea (gave away), and many packages of cheetos. We gave away most of the Cheetos! 

Lynda has been sickly. Monday, I shared some Hall's Mentholyptus cough drops, today I gave her guaifenesin. She says the kids in the daycare where she works sneeze in her face. I suggested she wear a mask. When the kids ask why, she can tell them they sneeze all over her face and do not cover their mouths. 

Tuesday dinner was hamburger but no bun, salad with tomato. All was free.

Monday night, I slept two hours and managed to get a two-hour nap today. Tuesday bedtime should be early.

Since I did not take my Tuesday medicine until midnight, I stayed up until 1:30. ugh! Then, I only slept 7 hours. 

So, Wednesday morning here and Tommy is mansplaining to me again. I asked what Obama said, and he explained it was a sound-bite to get people to listen to the story later. He did not know the answer. If he does not know the answer to my question, he goes off on a tangent of mansplaining! Just shoot me now! I could easily ignore this, but he just mumbles on and on while I miss the next three minutes of whatever. Otherwise, I would just ignore the mansplaining! Do you get mansplaining from anyone?

We are now going to Aldi for butter and eggs. Okay, just returned. It was a nightmare in Aldi!

It was not crowded. Usually, there is produce all over the floors and boxes everywhere. That was not true this time.  

The butter was full-price on the shelf, but I found an ad and the butter in the ad was same butter on the shelf. But, that was extra steps I did not need. The egg cartons were soft feeling, like they were damp. That was skeezy feeling. And, many eggs were broken. So, I had to sort that which meant turning loose of the buggy causing me pain, making me feel I might fall. 

Finally, I think I got unbroken eggs. I left with four cartons of eggs @ $1.97/dozen and three pounds of butter@$1.97/lb. I eat lots of eggs but not much butter. There will be other sales for butter before I need more butter. 

So, no more Aldi for a long time. I think this is only my fourth trip ever to Aldi! 

Better News on the Egg Front

 The new Aldi ad has butter for $1.97/lb. I was hoping for this development! Wednesday, Tommy can go in and get some. I will have him check out the eggs, too. They are not on an ad, but maybe they are simply much cheaper. Plus, Anne confirmed the butter price and said eggs were $1.99. Anything but $6/18 eggs.

Tommy needed to get the form for filling out his taxes from the library. Hueytown library said they never got the forms, so he called Bessemer library and we drove there. Bessemer is very close, right up against Hueytown. He has been talking about getting the form and booklet for weeks. It was time. I suppose I know what he will be doing furiously for the next couple of days. 

The neighbor who mowed Tommy's yard and then paid for someone to mow his yard and Tommy's has moved. So, another neighbor mowed the yard today. He barely got in corners and did no weed eating, so I suppose this is the way it will be. I hate it! 

Okay, I must take a nap and go out again. 

The Price of Eggs!

 When I was shopping, eggs were on my list. I was shocked to find a carton of 18 eggs was $5.99. This was scandalous. There was no way I was spending that much. So, I left without eggs. 

However, I decided to wait for an Easter sale on eggs. I decided that if they were on sale Wednesday, that was good. I came home and thought it over and did some math. At $5.99/doz., the cost of an egg was still only 33 cents. Since calming down, I know I can and will pay the price. Hopefully, there will be eggs on sale, if not at Publix, then somewhere I can and will go. 

(Once again, Kitty is ripping up her petticoats for bandages, this time for Matt's spinal surgery. There must have been a lot of petticoats sacrificed in the West.)

I am thinking about Easter Dinner. Potato salad is on the menu. I will eat mine cold. Tommy's will be minus eggs and heated. Unless there is ham in the freezer or I just cannot stand not having it, we will have something else for our meal. Maybe we will have green bean casserole, but probably just fresh green beans. I am not sure what else. I really want something Jello since Jello says Easter to me. That sounds like enough--protein, potato salad, green beans, Jello something. If I get the energy, I may add more. This is a tentative and maybe incomplete menu. 

Maybe people won't deny children colored eggs for Easter. Mine would have been devastated. One day after Easter before the third child was in school, she was sitting at the table peeling eggs and eating them. She said to me sadly, "Mama, I don't think I can eat anymore of these balls. I looked around to see what "balls" she was eating. She was holding a yolk with a bite out of it. I told her maybe it was time to quit. No one was forcing her! She was having fun peeling Easter eggs. 

What is your reaction to high egg prices? Will you cut back on eggs this year? What is the plan for Easter Dinner at your house?

"What All is in That Chicken Salad?"

 Sunday, I made Martha Stewart's Hot Chicken Salad. Tommy was heavily involved. He washed a bowl. I carried the cheese and knife in to my chair. He brought the grater, washed the bowl and brought it to me. I chopped the celery and but he brought it to me, brought me Mayo, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and the chicken. When I had chopped, grated, measured, he carried it all back and put it in the refrigerator. He turned on the oven and put on the topping. Then, when I asked him to make himself a salad to go with the chicken salad, he said, 

"What all is in that chicken salad?" 

I was speechless. I told him I would surprise him. He accepted that. He does not mind at all helping me so I do not have to stand. I am grateful and thank him profusely. He like this, celery and all.

copied below from practicalparsimony@blogspot.com

I don't remember if I got this from a magazine or someone gave it to me after I tasted it at a church dinner.

Family Circle
Martha Stewart's Hot Chicken Salad

2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped chicken or turkey
1 cup mayonnaise (I use 1/2 cup or less)
1/2 slivered almonds (I never use this)
1/2 shredded sharp or mild cheese (I use medium cheddar)
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 crushed potato chips

Combine everything but chips. Mix well.
Turn into a buttered casserole.
Sprinkle with crushed chips

Bake at 450 for 20 minutes.

On a busy night this is easy to assemble if chicken is already cooked. I havepre-chopped the celery to hurry the assembly. Sometimes, I chop the chicken or turkey as I put away leftovers of either. The whole casserole can be assembled ahead of time, leaving off the chips. I crush the whole tiny bag of chips.

Less mayo does not affect the taste or texture of anything. almonds are too expensive.

In order not to have chips to tempt me, I buy the little lunchbox size of chips. In the past I have bought the bag that is about 8 inches high. I do not need a regular bag of chips.

Have you ever Martha Stewart's Hot Chicken Salad? 

Tonight, Tommy wanted to watch "The Weakest Link." We did. I just cannot stand that mean woman, Jane Lynch. She is not funny at all to me. Do your like her?

Why?

 

I stole this!

Anxiety Rant

 One thing that really bothers me is knowing medicine I take and need is produced in China. Like I have said, China's lack of concern for life, human or pets, really bothers me. 

This concern is one thing that has kept me up at night. (I have a long list of worries.) Last night, when I could not sleep for other reasons, I came back in the dark living room, got my med from the refrigerator. I was relieved to see it is made in Denmark. That knowledge is a great relief to me. Now, if I could just rid my mind of other problems I see, ones that actually do exist, my mind's life would be calmer, thus mine.

For my part, I think none of our meds should be made in China. I stand with Eva Perone--bring manufacturing back to our country. Also, I don't think car manufacturers and such should use our soil, our people, and our resources to enrich another country. 

Even Clinton said he made a mistake by sending manufacturing to Mexico and other countries. I know it ruined the work lives of many in Alabama. I was often in sewing plants, cutting rooms and cloth manufacturing plants. However, I never worked in either of these industries. And, the quality of fabrics has declined while the prices have risen. 

So, this whole post started out of my concern for a country with a terrible record on human rights manufacturing and my medicine. 

What concerns in the world, other than Ukraine's present problems concern you?  Don't bother to tell me to pray or God has a plan, because if prayer were the solution, all our problems would be solved. 

My Tuna Salad Recipe

 The last few years, I have become complacent about my tuna salad. If no eggs were boiled, I would just put in a dollop of Miracle Whip and stir it up and spread it on bread. I was happy. I was fed. 

When I married, a small can of tuna would give us both a sandwich for two days. That is four sandwiches from one small can. Now, I just eat the tuna, MW mixture with a bit of relish for one sandwich. I use crusts from the last bite or two to sop up the last of the mixture from the bowl. 

I am quite sure this is not anything spectacular, so you may eat/use the same 
recipe. 

My Original Tuna Salad 

(what I originally put in it, not original to me)

1 small can of tuna, Starkist only, drained

1 large stalk celery, chopped small

some yellow onion, not much, minced finely

Miracle Whip, egg-sized dollop or more

4 sweet gherkin midgets, diced and 1/2 tsp juice

4 hamburger dill slices, diced and 1/2 tsp of juice

grated Red Delicious Apple, peeled

3 boiled eggs, diced

My mother made our tuna salad like this, but maybe without the onion, not sure. There were five of us kids, four older, so this fed us. She put the whole apple in for us. I may have used half an apple. I was probably trying to economize since we had little money when we married. 

I do believe tuna cans held 6 ounces back then. That seems to be the first product I remember that reduced the ounces but retained the price. 

When I injured my hand in the 90s, I started buying Vlasic Dill and Vlasic Sweet Relish so I would not have to dice pickles. The celery was easier to dice. I became busier, stressed for time and eventually left off things, like the eggs somedays. Other days, the onions went away or the apple. 

One thing I have added in the last few years when I did not use all I did in the past was carrots. I use the shredded carrots, hold them and slice them into tiny pieces. I love them in the tuna salad. However, I won't be adding them to the next tuna salad I make.  The carrots cannot be tasted, but I get the nutrition.

I have continued my halfway making of tuna salad. But, I have everything, celery and the eggs are boiled. Well, the only thing I might not have on hand would be celery. So, one day I will make my tuna salad and now have celery. Tommy refuses to eat it and is debating right now if he will eat some this time. Okay, he said he will try it. This will be the first time ever. Okay, he figured out I will put eggs in it, so he will not eat it. Maybe I can give him some before I put eggs in the bowl. He is fine with that. 

The only thing that will be different is I will not buy dills or gherkins, just use the relishes we always have on hand. I think these onions were rotting when I bought them, so hopefully there will be enough for this tuna salad. There is nothing original or astounding in my tuna salad. My kids loved it, so do I. Mama sometimes sent a tuna salad sandwich for school lunches when I was in school. 

Wednesday, I took a little nap. I got the chicken in the oven 5.8 pounds of bscb. However, we ate the last of the bscb I baked last week along with squash leftover from last night and a can of green beans. This was a new brand of green beans. 

When I opened the can of green beans, there were three stems showing. As I ate my portion, I found two more and a stem about the diameter of a pencil in my mouth. ugh! And, the green beans were from 1/4 in long to 3/4 inch long. They were hard to get on a fork. But, they were delicious, thankfully.

Thursday night, I only slept three hours and am not happy about the lack of sleep. I still feel well, but am totally uninspired to do anything. Of course, I must.

I did order and receive a digital watercolor from a vendor/artist in Ukraine. I was disappointed I only received a canned response. It is hard to gauge if the person really received the small amount. I need to order more.

The predicted storms all faded away before reaching us. We had a fast, hard, and short rain yesterday afternoon. But, there was no wind, thankfully.  It was worse east of us. 

Ugh! I am tired, really tired. How is your day so far? Are you accomplishing anything?

Wednesday

Tuesday night, I went to bed at 3 am, lay there 45 minutes, crept into the living toom and stayed on the laptop for a about an hour. Finally, I went to bed really tired. I awoke only once and went right back to sleep. I finally awoke at 11:45 am, feeling much better this morning! Only the aftermath of loosening congestion remains. YAY me.

As I looked around me, I cannot believe how much stuff I have just dropped. This is such a mess! Why are there three 3! plastic bags in one place and two in another and still more? Tommy stops and carries cups, plates, banana peels, and bits of paper to the kitchen for me. I would have to fight my way out of here if not for him. 

A storm is approaching, close by right now. I can hear the thunder. Hopefully, we won't lose electricity and no one will be killed. 

I remember seeing Gunsmoke, either when I was a teen or very young woman. I remember I thought Kitty was a floozie! All the makeup and beauty mark, trashy earrings and such. Well, I was very young. And, I have worn the same chandelier earrings myself! I grew up. 

Today, I have things to do just to catch up, nothing to get ahead. I may not get it all done.

bake 6 lbs of chicken with the three potatoes, radishes, and a couple of onions

color or at least wash my hair

all the pumpkin and acorn squash are still here

put canned food on shelf or in bedroom

make toast so I can taste the honey butter

freeze at least one bag of Savoy cabbage

make tuna salad

There is more that should be on the list, but it makes me feel overworked just to look at a list right now. It is only 3 pm and the skies are darkening for the storm. 

Just being up for three hours is draining, but I should accomplish some of this list. 

I will make the tuna salad like I did years ago, like I love it. Over the years it has devolved out of laziness and necessity. Stay tuned for that tomorrow. I need to rest!

Maybe a Little Crude

 Monday night, I slept an hour or two and had fitful sleep until 8 am when I got up. I have not felt at all perky all day. I slept from 11:30 until 1:30 and did not feel one bit better for having slept. 

We had chicken in the refrigerator, I sliced squash in large chunks and chunked an onion. I put it in the cooking bag with a Tbsp oil and 1/4 cup water. It was delicious. Tommy also had cabbage with his meal. 

I did not season this bag of food. Tommy put salt and pepper on his. I had less than a pat of butter on mine and most of it was melted and left on the plate. 

This guy has eaten cabbage every day for two weeks! He has not complained once. He likes the Savoy cabbage. He commented that if he ate anymore cabbage, he was going to sh** cole slaw. He is never crude! So, this was funny. I laughed so hard. 

Tomorrow, I must put on shelves all these cans of food I have bought in the last two weeks. I sit in my chair and date tops and fronts of cans. I have little hope I will feel like it. I will just do it. 

We had horrendous rain and storms last night and we are in for a stormy day tomorrow. We finished Tuesday sunny and dry. Are you having storms with this system? 

Just One Thing--A Bit of Stocking Up

 For the last few days I have been thinking and researching how to get black beans in the can the cheapest way possible. FWIW, I will not buy Great Value even though a can of black beans is $0.72. I found Bush's for $1.25 on Amazon. But, that is just too close in price to what I can find them in the store. 

When I went into Publix, I found a sale on Bush's Black Beans Reduced Sodium, just what I need for only $1/can. So, I bought ten cans. I want to make black bean brownies and taco casserole/soup. There are dried black beans here to cook, but that is not happening. 

This may be the first time I have bought this brand. I know other brands might be cheaper, so I can wait until I go to different stores. The "reduced sodium" is what sold me on these this time. Of course, cooking from dried would be better.

Today. I went to two stores, thinking I felt much better. Well, obviously I am not a lot better. I bought other things, but this one thing is all I have the energy to talk about. We arrived home about 5 pm, and I went to bed before 5:30 and woke at 8:30. Five hours later, I am still in a stupor and hurting. It's like I cannot wake up. 

What have you stocked up on lately? 

Saturday Recipe and Dreams

 Around 3 pm on Saturday, we left for a drive, a ramble about through Hueytown and Bessemer. About ten miles from the house, I remembered I had not taken a med, so we went home while I did so. 

We gawked once again at the shotgun houses, marveled at the old two- and three-story homes, some perfectly preserved and others in various states of decay and disrepair. Tommy knows the history of the municipal buildings. 

About 4 pm, I saw tables on the sidewalk with colorful tablecloths, obviously some sort of sale rounding up for the day. I had Tommy got around the block. After the first corner we stopped and talked to a young girl and two children who were dancing as girls this age do. We asked if there was food and they ran to get someone as we drove on around to go back to what we saw. 

A very nice young woman had a booth with food--cobblers, and cookies left. We talked with her and she brought us two apple cobblers and a pack of cookies, $9 worth and Tommy gave her $10 to keep. We left, drove to the train depot, the ancient one, parked in the shade of a tiny tree and ate the cobblers. They were so delicious. I wanted to go back and talk with her. Stella

Stella did the imitation of Brando. We both laughed. I told we came back to tell her how delicious the cobbler was, the best I ever had, very different. She said she had some left and wanted us to have it. Since she had packed her vehicle, she went to get it somewhere. She brought two! She also handed me a small container wrapped in clear, red cellophane and tied with a yellow curling ribbon. It was honey butter she had made. SHE MADE THE BUTTER! I was impressed. Of course, we have no bread to toast. And, I am not making biscuits. 

She said she would give me the recipe:

Take a Betty Crocker pouch of Snickerdoodle cookie mix, make it according to the recipe, press the whole recipe into a casserole or whatever pan you will use. Pour in a can of apple pie filling. Make another recipe but don't use the sugar packets in the recipe. Drop the cookie mixture in lumps onto the pie filling and put the sugar in lumps around the topping. Bake. 

She did not say temp or how long. She said she was going to use peach pie filling but the store had none. She also said it was delicious warm and with ice cream on top.

Then, I checked on the internet and found this RECIPE. I will try the way to make the cobbler like she told me first.

So, for $10 we had four (2 each) helpings of apple cobbler, three of the largest oatmeal-raisin cookies I have ever seen, about 1/3 cup homemade honey butter. That will leave us with four plastic containers with lids for leftover food, a little pot from the butter, and a huge sheet of red cellophane I am saving. 

Saturday night, I went to bed at 2 am and went to sleep immediately. I awoke at 4 am to go to the bathroom. I slept and dreamed on and off until 5 am. Then, until 8 am I was half in and half out of a dreamy sleep. It was the same dream continuing each time. And, I forgot the dream. 

Around 8 am, I came into the living room, sat in my recliner, read a bit, and leaned way back to relax. Then, I dreamed about Tommy. He was sitting on some porch outside our house. He was fully dressed in puffy clothes for the Arctic. It was a big Michelin Man type snowsuit, that large but without the ridges. He had on a diving helmet with a front like a WWII gas mask. He was quite a sight, so surprising that he awoke me. He laughed when I told him. 

Sunday has mostly been me trying to recuperate. I am not getting worse, but not better. The day is dry, cloudless from where I sit, and 66F. We are going for a ride now. 

Do you enjoy a ramble around and stopping to get unexpected treats?

I Have Made a Decision

Yesterday, the doctor refused to give me an antibiotic or prednisone! I was annoyed but tried to talk him into giving me something. Finally, he said he would compromise and send me something that I was not to pick up until Monday and take if I needed it. I have a Zpack waiting. 

Breathing is still hard and head congestion continues. I feel awful and am feverish. There are no leftovers except cabbage and a bit of the Hormel Beef where I ate a bit for lunch. Friday night,  we had the two shishkabobs. The price sticker was $12.99. The meat was tough and the bell pepper almost non-existent. 

At Publix, when I bought strawberries for out lunch, I was pleasantly surprised. The strawberries were red all the way through and sweet and juicier than I have ever seen a strawberry. If you see JAYMAR strawberries, maybe they are all red through. I hate to get strawberries that are white, hard and tasteless inside. You have to keep your lips tightly sealed to keep the juiciness from running down your chin! 

For breakfast on Saturday, I made seven eggs, scrambled. Half are waiting for breakfast tomorrow. Eggs, milk and strawberries were delicious for breakfast. I tried something different. Well, it was not different, just not done in ages. I put a splash of milk in the eggs before scrambling them. Mama always cooked our eggs this way, but for some reason, I quit using milk. Do you use milk in scrambled eggs? 

I have made a decision. When I leave the house, even to walk to the car, I WILL wear a mask. I cannot stand much more. 

Last night, we loaded the dishwasher. There is never anything except glass bowls, casseroles, and storage dishes. Tommy washes all pots and pans! And, the sink. I have the shiniest stainless steal in the country. 

Tommy at my request, took out three packages of bscb from the freezer Friday night. I will cook it and freeze most of it one or two breasts to a bag. I dislike running out of cooked chicken. Maybe it will be thawed by Sunday. I do not want to thaw chicken in the sink since I am so tired. There are 9 lbs waiting to thaw. 

Friday night, I slept so much better than the last two weeks. My chest is no longer tight. While I don't feel cured by any means, I am not getting worse day by day. 

Tonight, I have squash to cook. Steamed is great, but fried sounds great. Always with onions! 

When Wagon Train is over, we are going for a drive. Maybe I can catch the tail end of yard sales. Usually, I don't bother to get out, so I am sort of laughing at my idea of going to a yard sale. I suppose when I forget what they are, I will quit wanting to go look for yard sales! 

The day is beautiful, so just being out for a bit will be great, a treat. I hope the sun is shining wherever you live.

A Party in the Woods

 

I suppose this is the kind of balloons to buy for a party in the woods. 

When I was in Publix, I was shocked to see a bunch of these, about 30, prepared for a customer. This is the first time I was aware of this design.

Have you ever seen camouflage ballons?