Online Mattress Shopping

 Of course, last night I could not sleep so cancelled the dentist appointment for this morning. However, I still only slept three hours. This afternoon, I took a one-hour nap. That means I am still in a fog.

I decided to check out mattresses online. You can imagine how successful that was. There is no way I can get into some of these stores. I am discouraged. 

It appears I must cook tomorrow. How sad...lol. 

The positive today was getting a refund for items that did not fit. The one negative was the pollen is affecting my allergies. Lovely.

I need to make a decision since I got no feedback on the important question I asked. My Romaine is not doing well. However, I got feedback on an opinion. Oh well. 

Nothing has happened today. Nothing is happening in my brain, either. 

There are plans for tomorrow, but the plans might be thwarted by storms. 

What happened at your house today? What are your plans for tomorrow?

This and That

 You know the usual story with my sleep. I did get enough, but it was badly fractured. I slept four hours, I think. When I went back to bed at 8:30, I called to cancel my cleaning with the dentist and rescheduled. I slept until 1:30. Maybe it was 1:30. 

My work today consisted of picking up and putting things back where they belonged. It does not seem like much, but things can pile up on these two tables, the only things I seem to leave in shambles. 

I hate we throw our containers for our injections in the trash. The drugstore told me to get a "sharps" container and recycle the needle part completely, the metal and the plastic. When I asked where to recycle the pen, I was told to put it in the trash. There has to be a better way. There is a little colored cylinder on the needle and a clear cap over all. I have been saving those lately and having Tommy save his for me. I put them in peanut jars, thinking there could be a craft for these. 

My thought on the craft. If I got a clear ornament that can be filled, I could glue the little pointy caps all over the ornament. Then, I could put a set of fairy lights inside. The ornaments have a place to hang on the top. Well, that is as far as my thoughts have gotten on recycling by making an ornament. It could be for any holiday with different colored lights inside. Any thoughts on recycling any of this? I probably have a gallon of the plastic tops and the tiny colored cylinders that cover the needle. 

Tonight, I put color on my hair. I think it had been four weeks since I did. My white roots were at least 3 inches at the part. Shameful. It is so easy that I don't know why I am so lazy about it. Well, I had not felt well. Plus, if there are dishes in the left hand of the sink, that discourages me. However, the thirty minutes between applying color and washing if off is plenty of time to clear out the sink. I am just lazy! 

Tommy just had a piece of cherry pie, leaving the last for me after I told him he could have it. Well, I changed my mind and told him to just give me the last piece and I could use his saucer and spoon. His saucer and spoon were so sticky it was gross. I will never understand how he can handle a spoon that is sticky from one end to the other! I gave him back the spoon and had him get me a clean one. He said he would have to wash his hands. What? Do you have anyone with whom you interact that keeps everything sticky? Well, anyone over three-years-old? Cabinet doors? Refrigerator and freezer doors? Door knobs? Pencils and pens? Walker? 

Sunday Progress and Disappointment

 This was a wonderful day because the cleaner came. We ended up talking too much or she could have gotten more done. I had her clean really well at the head of my bed and change the sheets in my bedroom. I wanted her to measure and cut paper for the drawers. but she can do it another day. 

She vacuumed the middle of the living, not under everything. 

Thennn, I could not show her what to do. I sent her into the dining room with a box to pick up things off the floor. She came back with the box full several times. I suppose she emptied the kitchen garbage can three times. There were cans of food 10 years old, papers of Tommy's stored in boxes with dates 20 years old. He allowed me to throw out the little red lids from KFC sides. 

I found some of my Tupperware he has had for ten years! I wondered where all my T had gone. She was grossed out by so many roaches, all dead. I told her I had put out roach bait. These are the big outdoor ones that come in the door in the dining area. She removed all the baits and we will put out more tonight. 

So many boxes, large and small were discarded. it is amazing how large the space looks now. Back when I was capable of doing all this, I was forbidden to do so. Very few things were mine. About 20 quart plastic freezer containers are in the sink. Tommy insisted they were good. "I got soup in those." "Where are the lids" "I don't know." "What will you use these for?" " O don't know, but they are good." "Actually, I can plant things in them and poke holes in the bottom." So, they are in the sink, ready to be washed. 

Whew! She just stood holding the tall cylinders, looking back and forth between us. 

Last night, I sat on my bed and let out a shriek. I had sat on the spring sticking out of the mattress. It had made a hole in my newest sheet, and there was a cut a little way away. I went to the living room and sat down, told Tommy to go look at my bed. He wanted to know what he would see. I told him about the 1/2 inch of metal through the hole and the cut. I told him if that did not impress him, I could bend over and show him the tear in my behind.

He came back out and told me to get the sale paper I showed him and decide where we should go to buy a new mattress. Soooo, we will do so. In the Rooms to Go ad, they list many good brands of mattresses. Now, I had a Serta Perfect, bought in 1980 that lasted 40 years. But, who knows if the quality of the brand is the same. So, I can get a mattress. Of course, we may not get a mattress from there. 

So, I am quite happy with a new mattress in the future and a lot of cleaning and tossing having happened today. I have pined for a mattress for weeks, so now he is convinced. 

On Saturday night I slept two hours. She left and I slept one more hour. Okay, it was an hour and fifteen minutes. 

The vacuum cleaner I bought when I first came here was only used for five minutes once and another three minutes another time. I cannot use a vacuum at all, any kind because of my back, not even the stick. It sat for three years. Now, I find out that somehow the dust is all inside the vacuum cleaner and outside the bag. The bag does catch some dust and all larger particles. This vacuum will get a really bad review on Amazon! I hate it. I paid the price for good filtration, hepa, and now the expensive piece of junk does not do the job. She had to spend about fifteen minutes outdoors, cleaning the inside. 

I have about a cup of chopped celery that I will add to a can of tuna and call it the start of dinner. Since I have only had a bowl of cereal today, I really need more to eat. Tommy is in the kitchen, probably making a salad and getting either ham or chicken legs. 

 

Ham Talk, Your Opinion

 

In a minute--

I had something to do on Saturday, but the rain kept us in. Oh, well. I did manage to get enough sleep. I got sleep by sleeping four hours, staying up two on the laptop, and then going back to sleep at 7:30 am. It is not ideal, especially not in the middle of the night. But, trying to sleep and fretting is worse. 

I was shocked to run out of milk on Friday, so that is one thing we have to do today. Tommy just said he needs milk, too. I suppose we will get bananas, too. Mushrooms are on sale, so I want those. 

At least, I am hanging my clothes Tommy washed yesterday--hand towels, wash clothes, underwear, and nightgowns. Now, he needs to wash dark clothes. If the washer and dryer were inside, I could do this myself. 

Tommy cut all the ham from the bone. Since it was spiral cut, it was an easy job for him. Now, I need to freeze it in portions for meals. 

I love ham. As a child, I remember that ham always "called for" lots of plain tea. Even as little children, we realized it was the ham. It still does or water. We had a spiral ham that Tommy cut off the bone and put in three gallon bags. I need to further separate it and put into portions for the freezer as I cannot eat much ham. 

After eating it once, lots, my feet were so swollen my sandals cut into my feet. So, today, I tortured myself again. I must stop now. 

As you know, I prefer the breast of chicken or turkey because it is dry. Same with ham as the white part of ham is drier. Tommy prefers the red or darker part. Once in the grocery store at the meat counter, a woman and I started talking. Her husband shares my preferences. She was shocked anyone else felt the same way. She had described it as odd preferences before I shared my predilections, also.

I cannot stand to bite into juicy meat! It caused my husband problems at a cookout. Everyone brought their own meat and it was cooked by the group. We all bought a dish to share. I like round steak, thin and well -cooked, dry. The guys teased my husband about buying me good meat since he had a thick, and juicy steak. I have forgotten what. He begged me to eat something else.

So, next cookout, I went to the grill and told them I wanted thin, dry, and gray insides to my steak, that round steak was my preference. That ended their harassing me. 

If I have to eat red ham, I have to put it in a skillet and cook it. Then, it is dry enough for me to eat. Even a roast that is too juicy is not pleasing to me. 

Dinner: Tommy had ham, salad with all the fixins, cranberry sauce, leftover piece of potato. I had ham and rest of last night's salad. 

Wonderful weather--63 degrees F at almost 8 pm. I wonder if March will be so kind.

I need to cook the thawed chicken and the frozen chicken we just put out in the refrigerator to thaw.

How do you like your ham, juicy or dry? Beef and chicken, juicy or dry? 

Mug Cake

 Before people advised me what to do, I had already looked at all possibilities to fix my laptop brightness and color.  I tried again. Then, this morning I opened up the old, screaming laptop on the off chance that my vision had failed between laptops, I compared them and had Tommy look at the screen. He agreed about the sharpness and color. The old laptop had better color and sharpness. 

So, I called the guy and will get a new laptop. He said it was something that I forgot. So, that will happen when he gets one in. At least my vision is not the problem!

Thursday night, I slept well and awoke at 10:30 am. We went to The Pig with the express intent of getting an ad and left. I can and do look at them online, but it is so tedious. The electric carts there are left on the sidewalk, so if I can hobble to the cart, I am good. 

Oksana, the woman who cleans, called me today and asked if she could come on Sunday. She is so humble, asking for permission to work for free. And, to think I have had to beg people to come here and work for $18/hr even when they asked for $12/hr. Since I did not want anyone for 8 hours a day, I wanted them to be happy with their pay. 

Today, when we were out, it was drizzly on and off and very cold feeling and gloomy. Today's 50F and drizzle was cold after yesterday's 80F and dry and sunny.

I don't know whose blog I was reading, but the thought was ug cakes. When I first read about those, I was interested. But, when I realized how I would still have to get out all the ingredients for a cake and measure Tablespoons instead of cups, I was less interested. So, one day I had a sale chocolate cake mix. Then, I only had to put about a 1/2 cup of the cake mix in the mug. Then, I added milk, stirred, and microwaved. I don't remember how much milk, but it all worked out to be a hot, edible chocolate treat. Very tasty!

I asked Tommy if he had ever had a mug cake. I expected not. He said he seemed to remember having one. Then, he said, "Oh, yeah! Mississippi Mud Cake." I said, "Mug, mug, MUG until he understood. He is so funny sometimes. We had a good laugh. 

We brought in the Romaine from its daylight excursion. I am going to get grow lights so I can keep it indoors all the time. Keeping it on the front porch will just cause it to bolt sooner. I am looking at this BULB or this CLIP ON.  I am not sure of what I need to get and if there is something I should not get. Any opinions?

Have you ever made a mug cake with cake mix? Is that even a thing?

Another Good Day

 First of all, it was 80F today with higher temperatures in cities nearby. It was unbelievable that no storms and tornado weather followed the heat. Birds are out and about. One sat preening on my shepherd's hook out front. 

I am writing this about 5 pm. and yawning. However, I slept well last night/today. Wednesday night, after little sleep for two nights, I went to bed about 9 pm. I could not sleep, so I got back up for news. I finally went to bed about 2 am, slept three hours, got up and on laptop. I think I went to bed at 7 am and slept until 12:45 pm. I did get over 8 hours sleep. The sleep deficit has not been mitigated, but I am happy.

We went into the bedroom with food and brought things out--Miracle Whip, bbq sauce, jar of Newman's Own spaghetti sauce, canned chicken, freezer and storage bags. These bags were Christmas designs bought on sale after Christmas 2021. I put back the boxes of light bulbs where I replaced bulbs. 

Because I bought so many cans of Campbells cream of soup on sale, we need to use one each month this year in order to consume them before the best by date. When I need two cans for a recipe, I will have Tommy make white sauce and use that instead of the second can. 

We won't need storage and freezer bags for years. This could be a lifetime supply...lol. 

My laundry is ready for Tommy to take it to washing machine. That will happen Friday.

My laptop has color problems that I cannot figure out how to solve.  The screen is too dim and the pink of my blog is a sickening pale color. Other than that, I have figured out the few things different from my last laptop. The screeching sounds are not missed!

Tonight, since we took freezer bags to the kitchen, I will freeze the baked breasts. And, I will shred or chop enough chicken for a casserole of Stovetop Stuffing, chicken, soup. I wish I had dried cranberries to put in it, but I have a can of jellied cranberry sauce. My dried cranberries are better than Craisins. And, they have no sugar or oil. I am going to put the mix in a colander in order to stir it and get the salty seasoning out. 

Dinner--Stove Top Stuffing casserole with chicken, green bean, carrots in it, and either slaw or salad. 

The SS casserole was delicious. I used the white sauce Tommy made instead of a can of soup, along with a can of soup and some of the chicken broth left in the bowl. I added no canned chicken broth. There were carrots that did not get soft enough for me. So, I mashed the carrots roughly with a fork and added that. I think there was as much shredded chicken as there was SS. It was delicious with cranberry sauce and salad. The SS casserole had a less strong taste because I added no spices to the white sauce. And, I added no water to the casserole. 

At 10 pm it is still 72F. Amazing. There was no wind part of the day, thankfully. Only a breeze later in the afternoon even stirred the trees.

Do you have stored food from which you add to kitchen stores? 

Good Day! Hard Day!

 Today, we took my new laptop to Office Max or Depot in Cullman to get everything transferred from old to new. He was not sure he could get it done in the over 4 hours before he went home at 2 pm. I felt nervous when we dropped it off and forced myself not to call and see how he was doing. 

We did a lot in four hours. 

went to bank and cashed a $5 refund check

went to cash in aluminum cans as we got off the interstate--$6

Dropped off bag of small Coke bottles and a friend will put them in her recycling

dropped off small bag of soup/tuna cans for a friend to give to mutual friend

went to PO

sat in my driveway for about three minutes to look at my daffodils on retaining wall, by mail box and in a swath in the backyard--a host of golden daffodils (Wordsworth)

in Publix bought a banana, bowl of watermelon to eat in car, went to bathroom, looked for keto bread

bought gas for $2.93

ate lunch at Chicken Salad Chick

went to Lowe's

I started thinking about how we had money for Chicken Salad Chick. I had to convince him. I reasoned to him--the $5 is free money, the $6 is free money. I have $3 in my purse from a refund at Publix, and the charge was on your card. If we take this $14 and spend it at Chicken Salad Chick, it won't cost much to eat this time. So, he was convinced. 

Really, he wanted money in his wallet. He sounded pitiful about never having cash. So, I told him to keep the cash until I needed it and put it on cc. That is not really good logic, but it worked...lol. 

At CSC he ordered Fruity Fran and chicken and dumplings. I ordered Classic Carol and loaded baked potato soup. We ate in the parking lot at the park nearby. My scoop did not seem right. Well, I had been given Chic Cranberry Kelli. Not happy. 

At lowe's, I realized they had bedding plants. The woman working at Lowe's took a Romaine 6-pack and Tommy's credit card, and bought it and brought it to the car. When we got home, Tommy brought them in. I know he did not mistreat them. However, many of the stems were completely broken! I am annoyed. We may just have to eat the tiny leaves and then plant the broken ones and hope we do get more Romaine. I know the wind was whipping the leaves and the wind had gusts of 38 mph today in Cullman. So, maybe the wind broke off the Romaine. 

I am going to plant two or three plants in one pots. We have to get busy. I have pots and I have soil. So, we can at least get these out and on the porch, but not in this wind. 

My feet were so swollen when we got home that I could barely walk. I needed to take a nap, but did not.

Dinner was already made: chicken breast, potatoes, carrots. I had the rest of the slaw. Tommy had a salad with Romaine, grape tomatoes, carrots sticks I cut, zucchini rounds. It was huge and colorful. 

When I wanted to get out my computer as soon as we got home, I could not get it online. I knew I was doing it right. Well, the internet was down! I will sell the old laptop. So, now it is up and running.  It is much faster than the old one. It took about 30 minutes to get to a blog or email. 

When I dropped it off, I warned him the noise it emitted might drive the whole store crazy. When I picked it up, I asked him if the noise was too loud. He said it was loud and he hated it . 

Today, the high was 83F. This would be an ideal high year-round. The wind was so high that at one point, my hair swirled around my head, over my face, and in my eyes.  We went to the Festhalle to empty the trash. We had it in a styrofoam food container that we wanted to wash and recyle. Tommy took it and dumped it out his window right into a trash barrel less than a foot from the car. As he dumped it, every bit of trash flew out and away from the barrel. It was faster than either of us could move even in our younger days! We both were aghast and felt ashamed, but we could not reach it even if we had tried. 

At least, we are recycling the styrofoam. And, I think the pickel spears did go into the trash barrel. Tomorrow is the day we will take the styrofoam, mostly egg cartons to Publix to recycle. We took in two huge bags of papers last week. Taking it all at once is too much. 

Is it always a wonderful thing to get a new laptop that actually works? 

Was it windy in your neck of the woods? 

Miracle Whip to Fertilize Plants

 Today, I was talking to Lynda about gardening. She said her squash planted in the ground did not do as well as they should last year. I told her I used Miracle Whip on my plants in pots. I just added more water and sprayed Miracle Whip on their little flower faces and talked to them. I did the same with a pink dogwood that grew really tall. Maybe she should try Miracle Whip on the squash plants, I suggested. 

I let out a startled denial and she spluttered something at the same time. I meant MIRACLE GRO! Yes, I am exhausted once again this afternoon. I had a total of 4.5 hours sleep on Monday and another 4 hours last night.

Let me reiterate! "Don't use Miracle Whip on plants!" 

My hand where the IV was placed is free of any mark or bruise. I am shocked. I have never had an IV, especially a failed IV, that did not bruise. And that is two sticks in the same place. I got lucky with him. I will certainly commend him to his employer. Most phlebotomists barely hold gauze against the site or ask me to do it. Hmmm. Maybe they need to hold it really hard and tight and as long as he did. once, I had a bruise from my arm pit to beyond my wrist to hand. It took weeks to heal and I answered plenty of questions from strangers. 

It is almost 8 pm and still warm--65F. I have been thinking about plants all day--flowers and food. 

How big were your bruises from a needle?"\

What is your worst/best/funniest malapropism?

Stress Test

Monday started off with sleep from 2 am until 4 am. Not good. At 7:30 I got up to prepare to leave at 8:30 for a 9:30 am stress test. With no sleep and no food, I was not in a good space. I become hangry, anxious, fog brained, and not happy at all. I am a bit whiny and sad. Somehow, I have become accustomed to sleep and food. Going without either changes my personality.

Of course, Tommy drove me and managed not to frighten me too many times. The person who brought a wheelchair to me and pushed me in was a joy. She was not impatient with me. She locked the wheels without attitude and assisted me with the footrests. 

The placing of the little sticky things for some sort of lines to measure something...lol...were put on me. Why do things have to be so cold? 

Of course, the real problem for this trip was going to be getting a needle into a vein to inject the solution.  The crook of my arm is the only place that does not leave me in pain. He stuck me three times before getting a vein. And, that time was in the back of my hand, a place that hurts so I cannot bear it. 

Finally, he got the line into my hand. He got it into the vein. A miracle. Then, I needed a recovery room! Finally, it was time for the stress test. Of course, it was in a machine and very stressful. It was nice there was a "pillow" for my head. They finished attaching all the leads. Finally, I could not keep my hands on my stomach. They wanted my arms by my side. I could not do that for ten minutes and then seven more. So, I asked them to strap me down. 

The tech had been standing there, seemingly thinking. When I asked to be strapped down, she looked relieved and quickly strapped me with a wide strap already in place. They knew how nervous I was, so I imagine she did not know how to broach the subject of restraints...lol. 

My mask slipped so it was in my eye and she was very ugly about getting the mask adjusted! She threatened to take me out of the machine. Threats don't work with me! My eye still hurts from the corner of the mask in my eye.

It felt like someone was sitting on my chest. It was horrible. I felt as if I had walked a block very quickly. The guy told me they would give a Coke with sugar to help me recover. Really? Medical people want me to drink sugar and caffeine. Well, this joint is improving. 

When I was planning on what to take with me, I decided some chicken might be better for me than the crackers and drink I thought I would get. So, I stuck a chicken breast in a plastic bag and took it with me. When I got to the coke, I popped it and drank some and one cracker while Tommy was getting out my chicken. I ripped a piece off and encouraged him to eat, too. He just gnawed/bit his off. We still brought part of it home.

When the guy came back in, he mentioned crackers, I said chicken. He was puzzled, so I showed him a piece of broiled chicken breast in a napkin. He was surprised.

The guy told me there was nothing dangerous, so I would hear from the doctor in 3-5 days. So, now I wait. I have heard of people who went straight to the hospital for stints or bypass surgery. So, I am hoping for the best since there is no immediate danger. 

We stopped for a small McD cheeseburger, plain. I could have made it home, but this was for Tommy so he would not be dangerous on the road. 

At home, I went straight to the bathroom and then to bed. I said nothing more to Tommy. He understood as I have gone from car to bed before. After a short, short nap, I did not feel rested. 

Well, that might not be very interesting! It is over. No doctor will touch me until I get the heart in shape. For that care, I am grateful. 

There is more, but you are probably grateful that i am stopping. I am tired and stressed.

Have you ever had a chemical stress test? How did it go? 

Eating Almonds and Russetnorkotah

Eating almonds right now. I am not particularly fond of almonds, but I am eating them because they are here and they are good for me. Almonds are better than walnuts. I am not allergic to them as I am some other nuts. I prefer pecans. Any recipe I make, no matter what nut it calls for, I use pecans. Of course, I love cashews, but of course, I am allergic to cashews. So, pecans it is for me. I don't know why I am talking about nuts except I am eating these almonds.

Somehow, we cannot find the hair clippers I used enough to pay for them. Finally, yesterday, I bought a new pair and they were corded. So, those go back. Today, I bought a new pair for only $13--Wahl. I finally got to cutting his hair around 5 pm, way too late for me. He is throwing a hissy fit because I got it too short. No, it is longer. So, he says he will just keep going to the barber. Usually, it is so short that you can see his scalp through his hair around the back and his ears, too short in my opinion. 

Now, I used the 1-inch spacer. Usually, I use the 1/4-inch spacer. So, his hair looks and is fuller. I have no idea what comes over him! I think he is hungry. 

I forgot to have him trim my hair, but it is too late. He shook the sheet we had on the floor. And, my walker is back in the car. Maybe I will do it myself. 

I am not sure whether I mentioned it, but one good bogo at Publix was McCormick spices this week. Otherwise, the pickings are slim in the bargains. 

For dinner I am baking chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions. When I am at a low point, it is nice to have the onion powder and garlic powder. We will have a salad with Romaine, carrots, Brussel sprouts, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, and other stuff which I cannot remember. We rarely use salt on these baked meat and vegetables. 

What did you have for dinner? What have you planned to cook the rest of the week? Have you ever had or heard of Russetnorkotah? 

Russetnorkotah--a potato. Why the name? What is up with this? Glad you asked. READ HERE.

I Think I Hate Walgreen's

 I feel so much better since I quit that medicine! If I did not, I would have cried when I went to Walgreens. I always had nothing bad to say about Walgreen's, but familiarity does breed contempt. 

In the past Walgreen's has: given the prescription for someone else, handed me paperwork for another customer, given me the wrong dosage by two and insisted all I had to do was cut it in half and could not understand that half of 50mg does not equal half of 15mg. The list goes on but those are the most egregious. 

About ten days ago, I tried to get my Flonase refilled. I was told they had just given me three bottles. Well, I was so sick I just believed them. One night, I searched my room to no avail. Today, I was at a big box and saw it was otc. It seemed expensive, so I left it and decided to try to get it at Walgreens. 

All went well as I talked to the tech who assured me they had the identical thing otc. Flonase. So, I ran down especially to get it. There were other people waiting, so I paid and we drove off. I screamed, Noooo! We had to go around and sit in line once again. She said it was Flonase. I said no, it says Walgreen Nasal Spray. The amount was returned to my card. 

It is not like I just believed everything she said. I repeatedly said the word "Flonase." I do take things that are not the brand I have used. I take generic Mucinex which is guaifenesin. I understand. 

Tommy offered to let me use his Flonase. It sounds icky to me, but I did it. I am sort of desperate for this medication. It helps keep my ears and sinuses from getting infections. 

Today, I talked to someone at Walgreen's pharmacy and told the person that I cannot locate the three bottle of Flonase that I was told I was given. I was told that was 1-26 of 2022! So, now it is Saturday and I have to wait until Monday to get a refill. 

I will be reporting this to someone higher up than techs, weekend pharmacist, and weekend manager. It is so frustrating that people I should be able to trust cannot get their heads sorted. I cannot imagine how older people or less cognizant people ever get help from Walgreens. If I had not called and questioned about not getting three bottles of Flonase, I would still be without any at all. And, I would not realize I actually needed a new prescription. 

I know you are wondering how I only used three bottle since January 26, 2022 if I need it so much. Well, a friend gave me four new bottles since he had too much. 

The one good bogo at Publix this week was for McCormick gourmet spices. I wanted garlic powder and onion powder, but there was no onion powder. I did get a rain check. They reinstated that program lately. Tommy got Kelloggs Raisin Bran bogo, too. 

We have another ham for Tommy to cut up for the freezer. The ham will not fit...lol. What food deals or any deals have you found. 

Gas went down to $2.99 this last week, a big drop that happened slowly this year. 

I have recently read that there have been many problems with the Walgreen's pharmacy. Do you or anyone you know have problems with Walgreen's?

Tommy's Surprise/My Surprise

 Tommy came in from the mailbox holding an envelope with what appeared to be something thick, about an inch thick, appearing to be something about the size of a magazine, albeit, a thick one. He looked puzzled. I asked him if it was for me and to let me have it. He said it had his name on it, but it was from La Jolla, California.  I knew immediately and told it was from my friend, Janet, that she said he never got things, so it was a surprise for him. 

Well, he looked at the Reminisce magazines the rest of the afternoon! He also read some of the articles to me. So, Janet, that was a success. Thanks. Now, I cannot wait to read them, too. 

When I struggled into the kitchen before I turned off the lights, I noticed there were no dirty dishes in the sink. I looked in the dishwasher. Tommy had loaded the bowls and saucers. Several months ago when I could not load dishes, he started by only putting in the utensils. I had to correct the way he did that. He took to loading utensils often and well. Then, he decided he would load plates. Other than turning all the plates in one direction, he did well and corrected the way he loaded plates. 

Now, the task is almost complete! He loads the top rack! As I load while he hands things to me from the faraway sink, I talk about what I need and why I do whatever I am doing/loadiing. Of course, sometimes he puts the dishes on the counter over the dishwasher. 

He has gotten where he takes instructions better, thankfully. I am not strident or judgy, just commenting as I work. He finally understands I am not being bossy. 

I quit taking the antibiotic since I had taken 7 days already. Another 8 days would be undoable for me. I was getting sick again. Plus, the pain from the med was unbearable. It is like my body shuts down. Now, I will need another appointment! I finally feel human, just ill.

The temperature will be in 80s this week, so I am looking forward to this coming week. 

Have you ever read REMINISCE magazine? 

No Tornadoes Today

For the last 24 hours we have heard and seen dire tornado watches on tv, complete with tornado warnings, instructions on what to do and warnings for people who live in mobile homes. Everything was cancelled by 8 pm. So, a few flood warnings remain. And, that is all there is. I am grateful nothing much happened. But, they sure know how to raise the tension we feel for ourselves and others. 

Losing electricity is the thing I fear. I don't want to lose a freezer full of food, mostly meat. A tree at the back of his house is tall, rotten and close to the house. It's spooky. It would hit my room but not Tommy in the living room. 

On Valentines Day, the fierce wind blew my tulip off the table and onto the porch. The pink paper wrapped around the pot blew away and out of sight. Tommy swept the dirt off the porch. The wind was higher before the bad weather blew in than after. 

Schools were out at 1 pm, so mothers and their children were all over Publix, buying their tornado groceries. Kids let out at the road to this subdivision were all carrying laptops in cases. I do wonder if they go home and spend the rest of the school day studying like they are supposed to do. lol

Today, I have done nothing. Okay, I did bring in one box to be disposed of on trash day. I took a nap from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. 

Dinner: Tommy had the ham and potatoes with a large salad. I had the chicken, rice and broccoli with a large salad. Leftovers are a lifesaver. I think there may be enough of the chicken and broccoli for another meal with a salad. we both had pineberries which last longer than strawberries. 

Have you ever been in a tornado? Twice, the other end of the block had major destruction and my house lost roofing.

When Was He Going To Tell Me?

Today, we had to get a prescription I must take. That is the only reason we left the house. I had plenty left but wanted to pick it up promptly. Tomorrow will be stormy, so I was afraid the pharmacy would blow away with my meds.

I had taken this nasty prescription beforehand, and every movement of the car sent my stomach into flip flops. I did survive but had to rush into the house. 

Today, I decided I would make something new with potatoes, ham, onions, cheese, and zucchini. It was in casserole form, sort off like potatoes au gratin. Tommy seemed to think we needed to start at 4 pm. At 6 pm, I said I was going to bed for an hour, to wake me. Well, he went to sleep in his chair. 

He had already peeled the potatoes but needed to wash zucchini and bring them to my chair. Sooo, I had to wait on that. I chopped the potatoes in dices and the ham similarly. He made the white sauce. I am a very good teacher. I forgot the cheese and onions for the casserole! 

This casserole evolved when I decided instead of cooking zucchini separately, I would just put the zucchini, so I would just have one dish.

It was still delicious. Tomorrow, I will sauté onions and put it in the last portion for Tommy along with cheese. I will eat some of the chicken/rice/cheese casserole.

Tommy did not like cheese in the chicken casserole. He said he does not like cheese with chicken. I never knew that. He does like it with ham. It is about time he told me. I am not that into casseroles, and we have had them two nights in a row. What gives? I love cheese on my chicken sandwiches. 

About 8 pm, I felt less icky and quit hurting all over. Of course, it is almost midnight and now I have to take another. At least I won't feel miserable during the night. I planned it that way. 

Down the street there is a beautiful tree thick with small white flowers, about 3" across. It looks like a tulip tree but white. The tree shape is unusual because a bigger tree was being cut and fell on the flowering tree. So, it is hard to tell what it might be, at least for me. I have not gotten out of the car to see the exact flower shape or see if it has a scent. 

Have you ever had someone wait a very long time to tell you that the someone did not like a certain food or combination? I knew he hated eggs or boiled eggs in anything where he could see them. And, he will not touch a banana. But, no cheese near chicken? At least I know.

Happy Valentine's Day

 Tommy had a card waiting for me when I got up at 11:30 am. He gave me my bag of candy and I gave him his heart of candy. That's it folks. I immediately took the antibiotic which made me feel worse than I did before going to the doctor. 

So, this was a lovely day out, sunny, sixties, and windy. Today has been very pleasant outside of my misery taking this antibiotic. I liken it in my mind to cancer patients needing chemotherapy to get well. So, I should not complain so bitterly. 

I took a pink envelope with matching card, drew hearts on it and the card, put card and a square of Ghirardelli dark chocolate filled with raspberry in the envelope. I left it in Lynda's driveway and we drove off. I called her and told her there was something in her driveway. She was happy. 

He has taken out the frozen broccoli, found the can of soup. Later, he will bring me the chicken to chop, cheese to grate, and rice to measure. So, we are getting it all ready for the casserole. Yes, I will stumble off to wash my hands. 

I am still managing to declutter just a bit. Between the two of us, the place stays at least as good as it did when O last came. Last night, when I could not sleep, I straightened a bit in my bedroom. With lights in the ceiling fixture, I can actually see to do things. Otherwise, I can barely see the colors of things. 

Dinner of casserole was delicious. I had an apple afterward and Tommy had two slices of raisin bread. 

About midnight, I started feeling better. By then it was time for my night pill. It is the antibiotic making me feel so rotten! Does antibiotic sometimes make you feel rotten?

What happened for you on Valentine's day? What did you do for someone else?

Tommy is Proposing to Me

 We have talked it over and think it is a good idea. Here is the plan. The PROPOSAL will be special.  Maybe we can get a divorce or just not get married. Long engagement? This idea looks like fun. We certainly laughed about it for an hour. 

Today, I awoke after about 3 hours sleep. I was bummed to be up sooo early. However, I took a nap from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. I have felt well all day until about 9 pm. Now, I feel drained again. 

We went out late in order to get a med I need. Now, Walgreen won't honor my insurance. They sold me two prescriptions on Friday, so nothing changed. Earlier, we went to Publix to get milk for both of us, squash and zucchini, frozen broccoli for the chicken, rice, cheese casserole. I needed bananas and apples. He said he picked up 40 apples before he found good ones for me. 

Tonight, he cut all the meat from a ham I had thawing in the refrigerator. I froze all but some for one more meal. I think I will cook potatoes, squash, zucchini and ham dish this week. He loves zucchini and squash, so he is eager for this along with the chicken and rice dish. No, I am not cooking beans and ham bone unless I feel much better tomorrow!

When he finished, we ate dinner. Then, I froze about seven quarts of ham. Of course, the bags were not full. I had ham and lots of slaw. Tommy had ham, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and another vegetable. Then, he had a ham sandwich and cheese. 

After dinner, he washed the dishes used for slicing the ham--two bowls, knives, forks, baking dish, tray. It was a mess. 

What do you think of the proposal plan? We had a good time laughing about the things we could do not to have to cook dinner every night. 

Friday, Saturday, Sunday--A Blur

 After the doctor's appointment, we went to Cullman. I now have a new laptop, but still in the box. I will go back another day to get everything transferred. This laptop has been screaming, changing pitch, and m aking a sputtering noise alternately withing a minute. This goes on forever. Right now, it is silent, so I worry. 

When I feel really bad, I stumble out to the car and leave Tommy to lock the door instead of locking it after he leaves the house. One day, I hoped I could make it to the car. When I got there, my door was locked and Tommy was not out the door. I stumbled back to the house and had to sit down and regroup. 

The problem--when he bought this car it only had two keys--no fob. That is annoying when I get to the car and cannot open the passenger door because there is no keyhole there. Friday, I said we were getting fobs! We went to a store I have shopped at for 50 years and the keys would not make fobs or something. Anyway, the only thing that could be made was a fob that contains the key. It is all very mysterious to me...lol. 

The fob was $49, and were both getting one. But, the fob with the key inside was $99. so, we only bought one for me. 

Now, if my fob is in the car, there is no need for a key, just twist the key place. It is like I was given a new toy. With my car I have a fob and a key. I tried this at the door and it will lock and unlock his car. Good deal. Now, neither of us will not have to stand in the rain to unlock the door. Tommy is not sure whether it is working from my chair, so we will see tomorrow when he can go stand at the car. I am not sure why he cannot tell if the taillights blink or not. 

This morning, I awoke and stumbled in here and was putting on my pants when I got a voicemail from the cleaner. Her husband was not feeling well, so she could not come. I was so happy. So, I sat here from 9:30 until almost1 pm and went accidentally went to sleep in the recliner. He woke me at 5 pm and asked me if I wanted to get up. I rarely sleep in the recliner and not in months. I know is was very ill to sleep so long in that position. 

All I had to do was mention Zaxbys and we were out the door and back with it by 5:30. The salad was such a disappointment. There were only crumbles of chicken in the salad, mostly crust pieces that did not even taste like chicken. Not happy camper here. 

While I don't feel well at all, I am not quite as ill as I was. I am easily tired. Hopefully, I will be much better by tomorrow. 

The following is unwelcome advice and off the mark from a reader who promises to never come to my blog again.

"Linda, you say you want no advice so why write this ? Please help yourself. Take ALL the meds recommended by the physician and finally get a full workup, not cancelling an appointment because you don't feel well, the exact time when you should see a doctor. Sitting in a recliner all day watching television or napping is no prescription for a healthy, fulfilled life. I cannot read your blog any longer as it is so frustrating seeing an intellegent woman not taking control of health issues, getting and following medical advice."

First of all, I can write what I like. When I want advice, I usually ask. When I am doing all I can, I do not need accusations.  I never cancel an appointment because I don't feel well. Do you think I am incompetent?

When I don't know something and someone gives me advice, it is best served with unfounded accusations.

I do cancel appointments for dental, MRI, eye doctor, eye exams, retina specialist, and those kinds of visits where sitting still is expected if I am coughing or coughing in someone's face. 

Mind your own business about my "healthy, fulfilled life." If I cannot stand in front of the stove to cook or the sink to stand and wash dishes and it bothers you, get a little compassion instead of blaming me for not being able to do what you can do. 

How do you know what medical advice I get and do not follow? Are you psychic, bitch? `````````````````````````` enough with that.

After the doctor attended to present probem on Friday, I detained him to talk about my feet. I explained how they felt and asked it that was neuropathy? He said it was and that he had neuropathy, too. 

I told him my physician before him, a podiatrist, and another MD had all said I did not have neuropathy. I did not tell him his own NP said NO, not neuropathy when I described the feelings. So, he is taking care of that. Yes, I am intelligent nough to know I am getting bad and false advice sometimes. Plus, the endocrinologist is not responsive when I try to make an appointment. I called and had to leave a message for an appointment. Then, someone called me and told me the person who makes appointments would call me back. I had the phone off and now had to call again. So, I wait! He said he would put a fire under them. We will see. 

For the last week when I cannot sleep, I am so hungry. However, this is a habit I never had and don't intend to start. Plus, I don't need more weight. And, I cannot lie down right after after eating. Don't get me wrong, I would love to eat...lol. 

We are in for another 3 or more days of 70s, and dry weather. That always cheers me. 

Dinner for me was the Zaxbys salad.  Tommy had a chicken sandwich and fries.

My tulips get a recess each day outdoors and seem like they will make it. There are six bulbs in the pot. I wonder if taking them out and repotting them will make them survive. Do you have experience with tulips potted commercially? I cannot put them in the ground. 

We are in for another three or four days of pretty, warm, dry weather. That always cheers me. 

Is Zaxby's still good place to eat in your opinion? I think I have eaten there three times and all with Tommy but not for three years.

Valentine's Day For Women in Shelters

 Click here Underwear

This is such a great idea. I had this ready last week. 

Now, I have pain all over from this antibiotic that makes me hurt. So, I feel no better. But, I will let the woman who cleans come on Sunday.

Life Is Not Worth Living

 These were my sentiments on Thursday night. I could barely move my hands while sitting here in my recliner. I felt a bit woozy, little bit like throwing up, stomach hurt, legs hurt, heart beating funny, lethargic, trouble walking, cold and then hot, but no elevated temperature, brain fog, trouble speaking, trouble reading aloud, lower spine in pain, sneezing fits, not much coughing, feet hurt, toes cramping randomly, no energy, no motivation. I was fully in despair. 

Friday morning, I had an apointment at 9 am. The doctor said my lungs and head were still full, gave me an antibiotic and something for neuropathy in my feet. I don't think I will take the last. And, I do believe I have a bad experience or two with the antibiotic. I do not feel one bit better, but I feel hopeful. 

We went to Cullman for a few things, and I was sicker when I got home, so slept about four hours. Tommy could not get me to wake up at time I asked him to wake me. So, I have eaten turkey and green beans for dinner and a banana. 

Right now, I have to take meds and don't feel like doing it. So, I will talk about the trip to Cullman tomorrow. It was more eventful than most. 

PLEASE--NO PLATITUDES OR ADVICE.

Have you ever been so ill that you felt like it was not worth living? Even for a moment? 

All Day Long Every Day

I carry things to their proper home or take extra things to a new home for storage. Let me explain. All day long when I can even walk that far, I have made about 20 extra trips down the hall. I bought a large   Rubbermaid bin about two years ago, and I had not yet found its purpose. Actually, I had bought two bins, stacked them together and dumped stuff in the top one. That made the bottom one inaccessible to me because of the bending and weight. So, I had Oksana free the bottom one for me. 

On the UHC plan I had money to spend. I spent about $75 on OTC. One of the things I bought was Q-Tips, two 500 count boxes in plastic wrapping. I also had three 300 count boxes in the hall closet. Then, I had another box of 500 in a bin under a table in the living room. I took everything but the one 300 count box from the closet. They went into the pink bin. I have been doing this with extra meds. I have a new bottle not used of several items with a few pills in the bottle I have not finished. I have too many bottles of lotion. I will put all but one into the bin, same with all categories of items--prescriptions, otc, and personal care.

For everyday use, I put Q-Tips into tall prescription bottles. Who needs to pick up a box of 500 every day? not me. At my house, the box was in a set of open shelves covered by a lace curtain in the wall next to the bathroom sink. I could reach in and pluck out a Q-Tip. So, I never had this space and arrangement problem in my house.  

This exercise has freed up room everywhere in one day, it seems. I just need to continue and not become a slacker in this effort. Thursday, we are going to fill smallish boxes with books to take to a small, independent, used bookstore. If we don't manage to get any money for his or mine, I have other ploys to get books in the hands of people who want to read. I think the history books might be best put into the hands of hs students who love history. I have other ideas.

Some of you may clean for 15 minutes or for an hour, but one trip to put something or somethings away exhausts me. That is why I usually do a tiny bit at times all day.

We have had a lot of rain for 24 hours, but a respite now. There is a prediction for a possibility of snow  flurries this weekend, mostly a bit north of here. 

We are watching The King and I. Wonderful! 

The CPU fan is going, hence loud noise in laptop.  $300 fix may not work. So, maybe a new computer is in the future.

For dinner tonight, I made Hot Chicken Salad. Tommy is eating something else since he is not a fan of so much celery. Tommy: baked chicken legs, carrots, potatoes, Brussels sprouts. Later: buttered hot roll. 

Maybe some of you can relate to two minute cleaning or straightening sessions. I don't know, but I figure it will take about 147 years to get this done. Understand?

Pineberry and Free KFC For You

 

                                                     

                                                              Pineberry - Wikipedia

We purchased a container of these. They are delicious and pricey. 

Until March 12, KFC will give away a free 6-piece bucket of chicken when you order on the app the first time.  The article said "this week," But according to another article, it will last longer.

Today, I bought a few things, foodstuffs, more exactly snack stuffs. I told you I had bought the  Ghirardelli bag of dark chocolate raspberry that I wanted. It was turned over to Tommy to protect it from my maurading ways. Well, I don't kill people, just chocolate, and I don't steal things except hidden chocolates that are paid for and are rightfully mine. 

I bought two of the tiny bags of chips that are 2/$0.98 to use on top of the Hot Chicken Salad I love. I meant to get a tiny bag of the kind Tommy likes. The amount of chips I use is about 1/10  of what the recipe states. But, I don't need a half inch of crushed chips on top of the dish. Then, I was bad and  bought a bag of Lindor's Irresistibly Extra Dark Chocolate Truffles. Tommy hates dark chocolate. I told Tommy as I went into Publix not to eat anything in the other bag which held the chips. 

Before I went into second store, he said in a quiet voice, "Is there anything in these bags I can eat?" I really felt bad. In Publix I bought him some sort of corn chip, Fritos, I his request, and a Valentine box of candy.  He seemed happy with the chips and has not seen the heart box. I also bought two jars of peanuts, thinking he was out and two jars of of peanut butter, both bogo.  So, he has snacks. 

Before I went in Publix, I leaned toward him puckered up and said thanks for the flowers. He leaned to me, but we could not lean far enough to kiss, so I just wrapped my hand around his head and pulled us together. He sits lower in the car than I do, so I kissed him at the top of his forehead. We had a good laugh over silly kissing. 

Celery was around $1.19 last week and $3.98 this week. But, I need it. Kraft Medium Cheddar Chunk, 8 ounces. However, I found 16 ounces for $5.48, so I was happy. 

Each day, I work on my list, but add to it each day, so I just copy the remaining calls and other items on the list. I love a list because I don't have to look up numbers or remember who to call or what to do. Tommy was looking it and questioning what some things meant. I just put a word or two to remind me. 

I may need a new computer! I hate that. 

We are having chicken breast cooked with broccoli and goat cheese. It should be delicious. We have baked vegetables and the slaw left over, so plenty to choose from and eat. 

The temperature was 73F when we went out at 2 pm, very warm, sunny, and pleasant. My temperature has finally fallen to normal, so I am feeling better and can enjoy living. Tommy no longer has to get me everything. I do believe I was keeping him healthy since he walked so much getting stuff for me...lol. 

Today was a good day here. How about your day? Have you priced celery? It must be a Valentine favorite. 

Newspaper Ending Print Edition!

 Right now, I can barely think with this whirring, whining laptop sitting on me. It vibrates, too! And, it is very hot. I was afraid it would blow up/catch fire last night. I put a baking pan in the shower and put the laptop in the pan. It won't run anymore unless it is plugged in, and I cannot turn it off. The button on the screen disappeared when I had McAfee installed. What's up with that?

I think I baked 20 lbs of chicken last night. After the second pan of chicken, I turned off the oven. Well, what a surprise I had. Tommy had turned it on 200 degrees instead of 300 like I told him. He denies it. He always turns on the oven and always on 300 degrees. If he is in there, he does that for me. If he is not, I do it. Since his oven runs 50 degrees too hot, 300 is what I use for most things. After I raised my voice and he denied it, we never spoke of it again. He knows he is wrong, or he would have argued for 30 minutes.

We have had two days with not one cross word except for that. And that disagreement was over in 15 seconds. 

Luckily, I overcook chicken. The first pan was too cold to use a thermometer on it, but the last pan was 250 degrees in the thick part of the breast. His oven must be heating at a higher temp now. I need to test it again. 

The Birmingham News will end its print edition in February but will be online. I am stunned. I hope this does not become a trend for newspapers. Today, I read the newspaper in the car. I won't carry my laptop and I won't read t on my cell. I like paper in my hand making my hands black. 

I have read the paper since I was seven. Mama read the funnies to us every night. I took over that job from her and she never read the funnies to us after that. Daddy read a morning and evening paper in Memphis. When one paper folded, he was very upset. I feel that upset now. At least I still have my Cullman newspaper. I read on the internet all the time, but holding a newspaper is different. It is like holding and consuming a book, so tactile, portable and needs no batteries. 

Tommy got his oil changed today. We were going to take mine, too. But, we were sidetracked. We did get things accomplished. I paid bills and made calls I needed to make as we sat in the car. 

As I went into Publix, a woman and little boy were going to cross in front of me. I stopped, she crossed and the little boy moved back as if to allow me to pass. I told him it was okay, to go on. He said, "Aren't you my neighbor?" He was so excited and asked again before I could answer. I said yes I am. He went on in front of me and patted on his mother trying to tell her I was their neighbor. She kept taking him by his shoulder roughly and turning him back toward the front. That is sad she would treat him that way. It does not hurt my feelings at all, but he should have been allowed to finish what he was saying. They are nastier than I thought. So far, they don't seem to be good mothers, at least not this one.

Tonight, we are having chicken I baked last night. Carrots, potatoes, Brussel sprouts, celery, olive oil,  and onions will go into the oven, baked without a bag. 

Night Court is on. I hate it, never liked it. John Larroquette is the only good thing about it. He is still cute and funny! Then, there was some Auto show on, not funny.

We watched the State of the Union address. 

Has your paper ended its print editions? Are you sad print news is ending?

After Cleaner

 Sunday, I took a one-hour nap after the cleaner left. There are always things I need to sort after she leaves. I did nothing. Absolutely no effort was expended on dinner Sunday night. 

Still, it was 5 or 6 am Monday morning before I slept. Then, I awoke at 1:30 and did not eat until 5 pm. I was not hungry. However, I have been lusting for a Taco Bell Soft Taco Supreme. So, we went out and I ate two along with a drink from home. 

Of course, we went to the drive-thru to order. We were told at the radio they could not take an order, to come inside. Three times, we told them we could not, could they just let us order at the pickup window. NO! I told Tommy to drive there anyway. The woman inside tried to ignore us. Finally, someone came but the window was locked. ???

She said that we could have to come in as all the drive thru was not working, to come inside to order and pointed to the counter registers that were not busy at all. I asked her very nicely if she could walk over there and order and walk back. She looked confused and said she guessed she could. There was no one else inside, it appeared and no one in front of us. So, this surely could not be an inconvenience. 

We ate at the park about 5 pm, the first bite or anything to drink all day. I accidentally ate one of Tommy's and he was gagging on sour cream. Then we went to search for a bag of ads and coupons that are usually thrown, but there were none. 

So, dinnertime now and we will be baking lots of chicken, five packages, I think. With chicken always available, we seldom go out for fast food. We no longer eat fries and I pinch off the buns around the edges. 

I encouraged Tommy to track where we spent money in December. He still has not done January. So, it will be interesting to see how much less we spent. However, I already know January is less spent. So, getting February done will be the real test in order to compare it to January. 

Okay, it is11 pm and I got one pan of chicken from the oven--8 breasts and 10 legs, all seasoned with garlic powder and onion powder. Sorry, did not get the onion and garlic prepared. At 11 pm after getting the first pan out, I put in another with 8 breasts. It was a smaller pan, so could not get so much in it. There was one package of chicken that Tommy did not like its smell. So, that small pack gone. 

This is the first time all day long I have felt tired. I needed the rest all day from yesterday, and it appears I got plenty of rest today. In a few minutes, I will store the first tray of baked chicken. At midnight, I will take out the second tray and store it, some in the freezer and a bit in the refrigerator. It seems like it takes me all day to get enough energy to do anything! It seems I would rather work late anyway, always have. 

We are not eating all the turkey and chicken I cook as the freezer holds it better cooked than frozen. Plus, it is nice to have on hand. Besides, I want to make chicken, rice, broccoli and cheese for dinner one night. I use cooked chicken rather than raw. It works.

Today, I managed to get plenty of sleep Sunday night. I have piddled and done things earlier today, but not the sorting from the cleaning yesterday. Now, I just hope I can get plenty of sleep tonight. 

The tulip tree across the sleep started blooming Saturday. I can see this out the door when we have it open. Pretty pink. 

Tonight, I read some about Coleridge and Wordsworth, founders of the Romantic period. I "discussed" it with Tommy who just looked at me. He had not one idea. That's okay. I wonder if he will remember what I said about Wordsworth--Lake District, Switzerland, poems he wrote his sister. I suppose it is like Tommy explaining machinery to me.

Okay, I have rambled on long enough. EDIT: If I seem to disappear, it the computer humming like a spaceship and the whole thing is hot to the touch.

Do you track spending and compare each month? 

Do you prefer to work later in the day than early? 

Sunday

 This was a big day--the cleaner came! It seemed like she did little and just piddly stuff. But, it was small things I absolutely cannot do. So, I got her going here and there in the house, doing little things.

She changed my bed, put on the new pale pink sheets

cleaned out two tiny drawers on each side of the stove and put drawer paper in them

put drawer paper in two of the drawers in the chest of drawers

used leftover for two small drawers in dresser

cleaned out the middle of the living room

moved items to other rooms after boxing

changed a few new 40 watt bulbs for 60 watt that I really wanted instead of the smaller size--thought I was going blind. 

moved small table and set up my new printer I have had for over three years and still does not work yet. We worked on that for over an hour!

There is still a pile about 4'x6'x2' high of Tommy's clothes and junk in the living room that he just refuses to move or manage. When we had company before Christmas, he did run and put the pile in another room. I was happy, but then he brought it back to the living room. 

I now have the two drawers by the stove to put potholder into and long utensils. The potholders were just stacked all over, willy nilly. I did not buy enough shelf paper for the drawers in the bedroom, so that is annoying. I do have lots of kitchen drawer paper, so maybe I will use that. 

Things do look better in here. I try to encourage Tommy to do a little between her visits. 

We wear masks as does she when she is here. I knew Tommy was going in and out but did not question him. Well, he went out on the porch to eat so he would not keep raising and lowering his mask while eating. Since the temp was 60F or thereabouts, it was not a hardship to eat outdoors. He sat on his walker by the table on the porch at the only place he can sit without taking a chance of stumbling off the porch. He is braver than I. 

I want tuna salad tonight with tomatoes and Romaine lettuce. Tommy had something with tomatoes and strawberries. He finished off the strawberries and one box of grape tomatoes I got with UHC credit. I saw frozen mixed vegetables and he probably had chicken. I have had banana, so I will have apple and cherries for snacks tonight.

Since I had only four hours sleep last night, I took a three-hour nap after she left and am still exhausted. I love sleeping on fresh sheets on a newly made bed. So, it was a nice nap, just not refreshing. By the way, on the internet Laura Ashley sheets are well over $100 on some sites. I bought mine for only $42 on Amazon, so these sheets are not too pricey. 

I asked Tommy to cut the top off tuna for me since it is almost impossible for me. Well, he opened chicken, so I had chicken. 

That was my Sunday, lots of progress in many small places. Spring is evident all around. The dandelions are blooming profusely everywhere. What transpired at your house this weekend? Aren't fresh sheets and a just-made bed one of the best feelings ever?

Stolen?

One package from Amazon did not come. I was so annoyed since it was my new, pink set of flannel sheets from Amazon. Finally, I was informed by email that it had arrived. A picture of a package on my front porch comforted me little.

Exactly the opposite was true. I felt targeted by a thief, fearing other packages would be stolen. I fretted over this, internally and aloud. Tommy was a little worried, too. I had been fussing about his mishandling of a package that I had told him to put in the first bedroom. He said he did what I said and put it in my bedroom. Well, no, there were two items in that box. Where is the other item and why did you put a cardboard box in my bedroom when I told you never to do that because I am afraid of a scrape in my skin that will lead to a need for wound care? Neither of us knew what the other was referring to in all these questions. 

Finally, I went to the bedroom and looked in the offending cardboard box. There were my sheets. 

Before we got to this point, I had gone online and reported them missing from the porch. So, replacements were on the way. It looked like I could have had free sheets. But, I did the right thing and now have to drive to somewhere to return them. UGH! 

It is all straightened out, but it has been an ordeal. I was just sitting here wondering how many people say things are stolen just to get a replacement, free. Oh, I remember, I know someone who bragged to me about ten years ago that any package sent to his house (pre-Amazon), he reported it as not received. He has quit telling me about this "trick" but I assume he still does it, just not telling me because I highly disapprove. 

We are no longer worried about someone deciding we are targets. Nor are we worried about anyone stealing future packages. Of course, anything is possible. 

I am so weary I can barely move my little finger. Yes, I know I typed this. It seems the house condition has regressed since the cleaner was last here! 

We have been monitoring how long the produce from the card for UHC have fared--no waste and length of time available to be eaten. So far, no waste. I did have to buy two more apples and bananas today, but that is normal and about three times each week. So far, we have bought no other fruits or vegetables. 

Dinner: Me--roasted chicken and enormous amount of slaw. Tommy--remainder of hamburger-vegetable soup, bread. I had grapes. 

Have you known anyone who continually stole, cheated and lied, taking advantage of individuals and businesses? 

This has been a beautiful, sunny and dry Saturday. We have four more days like this predicted.  

Judge Orders Woman to Quit Breastfeeding

Judge's Orders 

What is your opinion of this article? I am appalled.

Great News!

Last fall, I had so many pretty plants that I had loved and Tommy had faithfully watered. It made me sad to see think of them dying and my having to repurchase plants in the Spring. Tommy never removed them from their pots like I hear they need. He did put them in the utility room, an uninsulated space. 

Just now, he came in from putting a load of clothes in the washer. He said at least half of the plants were coming back. I am so thrilled! 

In my house, I had a basement to store plants. I paid a guy to sweep it out and get things organized. Two months later, I looked for the one plant I was protecting. It was green and thriving and capable of staying alive if protected. He said he put it in the back to get it out of the way, that it was dead anyway. OH NO! Not dead. 

Actually, I could have gardened down there because there were 8 windows on two sides with morning sun streaming through. Oh well. 

Tommy was watering plants in the basement for me. He said he finally quit watering them since they were dead. I think plants need watering less when they are dormant, but a month without water and they were dead. I am not sure where we went wrong. At least, he did not put them in a dark corner. My basement was perfect for plants. 

Amazon Day--We received three packages, two today and one on Monday. I found a longer and sturdier reacher along with a shorter one. Sometimes, the longer one is too long if I am sitting in my chair and just cannot reach something I dropped toward the back of the chair. And, the longer one is sometimes needed by both of us. Plus, neither will fold, making both a bit sturdier. That box also had hair color at a cheaper price in the store. 

I also received pink flannel Laura Ashley sheets. They just look and feel soft, not like flannel. But, they are the palest pink, not blush. We are washing and drying them right now, so I will know if they are the same quality/softness as the Laura Ashley. No lint comes off the sheets or dryer or on me. Some people say this happens. They are reduced much lower than the floral sheets. 

Dinner last night, soup, was long in the making since we started the preps too late. But, it is nice to have dinner done for tonight. Soup--ground beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, green beans, corn. summer savory for flavor. Tommy is having some sort of bread with his, looks like sourdough. 

Tommy is so helpful, annoying sometimes, but extremely helpful. 

We just watched PBS-did you know that the oasis in Africa is formed by the Elephant and Termite? 

Tomorrow, February 2, all day long Groundhog Day will be playing on AMC. Since I have never seen this, I am really looking forward to it, just once, not all day long. 

Are your overwintered plants coming to life yet? 

Have you seen Groundhog Day?