Thursday Mail Bonanza

We went to The Pig to get our $0.98/24 bottles of water. Of course, I was going to have to think of what I wanted after we arrived, except for milk. There was a gallon of milk for $0.99 because the date was Sept 23. This is Tommy's milk. So, I got that reduced gallon and another at full price. Something I wanted but did not get other times was 100% black cherry juice. When I was ill, Tommy drank all of the last jug! I did not really mind. But, I only had about a half-cup or less serving. 

When the milk does go sour, I told him he could try it with chocolate milk. He said nothing. He may rebel when the moment comes to taste it...lol. I told him I left milk on the counter to make buttermilk and buttermilk did not kill anyone. Since he hates buttermilk, this reasoning probably left him cold.

Then, I remembered that chow I saw last week was over $5, so was left behind. This week, I found chow chow made from Vidalia onions. So, I will try this. Once, I ate so much chow chow and blackeyed peas that I had such an allergic reaction that my face swelled so I could not see my ears. And, my ears were swollen and sticking out. My nose and lips were freakish looking. So, I will eat this judiciously. Squash, Kool Aid, Concord mix for roasted potatoes rounded out my order. 

Since I have succulents here hardening off and ready to "plant," I cannot locate my potting mix for succulents, so I bought another small bag for cactus plants. I suppose it will work. Since I actually found a cart, I shopped...lol. Now, I have purple prince tulips and allium bulbs. I bought my third can of red spray paint for my wooden cardinals. It is going back, I think, before I try it. My concrete bunny planter has a new yellow pansy. I used a store card from previous returns and then Tommy's Lowe's card. It works for me. Now, I have planting ahead for October. 

When I passed the drink box, I was seized, seized, I tell you, with the notion of getting a Diet Mt. Dew! I never have this reaction in any other store even though I pass cases with bottles of Mt. Dew, frosty-cold and ready to drink. I have no idea why I do this in Lowe's. Anyway, Tommy and I drank it, mostly me. 

When he brought in our loot, he went to the mailbox and came in, saying the mailbox was stuffed! And, it was "and all for you", five packages. I started with the four small packages, not so exciting as there were four Covid tests. Then, I came to the goodie. 

T sent me a Barbie Doll. It has the high heels, and a thicker waist and long, lustrous, blond hair, and is dressed in a cute sundress. Her hair is silky, not hard like the original hair. I think I will make her a new dress, using scraps or fabric from another garment. While I am at it, I will make a pattern. This one will be stitched by hand. I am so tickled by this doll! Thank you. I looked at all the different dolls advertised on her box insert, some in wheelchairs, with prosthetic, and other different shapes from the tortured original. I still would like an original, so not saying she is not something I would like, but am thrilled to have a different type Barbie. Thank you, T.,  And, I still owe you that email from a month ago.

One thing I wonder--with so many body iterations, how will pattern manufacturers be successful in making patterns to sell for the correct body. She is #181. This is another thing I will have to research. I don't need a pattern, but some people might. The fabric of her dress is stretchy, so hard to get a pattern wrong. Plus, I am intrigued by the closure in the back--very soft Velcro. I will have to look for this new Velcro. 

When I handed Tommy the doll still in a plastic tray, he said, "My god, the neck!" He has heard from me and others the problems with bodies of Barbies and reality. Her cute pink sunglasses will come off, but I won't remove the glasses or leave her lying around naked like little girls do so often. 

It was 96F today, hotter than yesterday, but today I did not sit in the car with the windows down for over an hour, trying to hear a program. Today started cloudless and sunny, but by 3 pm a few clouds gathered, then it was cloudy and by 3:30 a spitting of rain. Now, at 5 pm, the sun is back out and the rays are beautiful. 

I really want planters for the succulents but will not buy a new planter. I am going to use some of the old plastic containers Tommy had and did not want that I saved for gardening. Since these cuttings are so tiny right now, I will plant more than one to a container and later put in larger containers. If I ever get to a thrift store, I know I can find succulent planters or something that is appropriate. This succulent thing is something I need to learn more about care and feeding. Not watering much is a rule that I do know. Just laying the leaf or cutting on top of the soil is another thing I know, but the rest is a mystery. I do hope at least one of these cuttings will result in a Christmas Cactus.

The new Hawaiian that was free with a coupon is not very good to me. Tommy likes it. I will eat it but intend to go right back to the bread I love when it is gone. Since I have too much bread and we don't eat much and have some in the freezer, we are going to give one loaf, free to us with a coupon, to a neighbor. 

Today, we were going to an appointment 100 miles away, but since I slept two hours, I had Tommy take my phone and cancel it. So, I suppose the two lovely nights of sleep were what I thought--a fluke. But those nights gave me hope. The appointment is rescheduled. 

Today was a great day! When I went outdoors to put bread on chair for friend to get, my hair was blown all around by a gentle breeze that was neither warm nor cool. My hair is finally getting long again after butchering it months ago. The blowing about gently was proof. 

Dinner was cube steak dredged in egg and flour with a choice of sweet potatoes, carrots, mashed potatoes, or a salad with tomato. Tommy said he had never had cube steak it like this, but just fried. If he had not seen the egg and flour and my working with it, he would not have believed it had eggs and flour on it before frying--Tbsp of oil in non-stick skillet. I doubt he knew what he ate in all these friends, relatives, and at eating establishments he said had never prepared it with eggs and flour. Tonight, he was standing in the kitchen watching as he microwaved the store sweet potatoes. I have eaten cube steak with gravy, on a bun like a burger, and mushroom gravy over cube steak. How do you eat cube steak?