At Last and AC

 I wrote this post once. Things were so screwed up, I actually abandoned the post and started anew. I will delete it later. Now, the stress of trying to fix that post has taken its toll, so I must rest my brain...lol. 

Tommy left at 8 am, sat while they diagnosed the problem and was home by 11:30. It is the radiator wearing out somehow. I forgot the details. I am so glad that we were not stranded in this heat by the radiator giving out. The horn problem is in the steering column. So, that yearlong or more problem will be solved. He would have left the car, but they said they had no one at that time who could have taken him home! So, now he has to get up even earlier to go on Friday.

Tommy emphatically states (loudly) that he does not need to drink water, that his coffee and Pepsi and chocolate milk will work to hydrate him. This is really a stressor for me since I feel he is foolishly ignoring medical advice and endangering not only himself, but me since I am in the car when he is exposing both of us to high temps. If he passes out, he could kill more people, too.

While watching the weather tonight, a visual was on the screen as the weather guy talked. "Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks" Tommy saw it, I read it to him. He is silent. 

Then, shortly thereafter comment slipped through my security measure from an idiot who calls herself Blog Reader--"who cares if tommy[sic] likes pepsi[sic[over water....! Yum." and it goes on. What an idiot she is! I CARE! She claims to care, yet she encourages dangerous behavior. 

Tommy's car is visually a wreck--dings, peeling paint, has not been washed in at least four years. We cannot even see through the windshield. But, it will be cool and have a horn tomorrow. I don't judge a man by his car, but it is indicative of most he does except his finances.

I slept from 3 am to 5 pm today with the help of 3mg of melatonin. I was up twice to use the bathroom and went sound asleep afterwards both times. About 9 am, I thought I would get up, called Tommy, and went back to sleep. That makes 14 hours sleep except for calling Tommy and five minutes of TV. 

When I awoke after 5 tonight, I had cookies and milk. Since I have been feeling light-headed and out of it, I had to follow my own advice and drink water. It definitely makes a difference.  Of course, I had been sleeping and not much occasion to drink water. I am not often without water in my hand or by my side. If we forget water, we pay $2 for a bottle for me. 

Tonight, we put six pounds of chicken tenderloins into the oven with a mess of green beans, one carrot, broccoli, and spices--onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. I made cole slaw. There will be chicken to freeze, to store to eat for a few days, and vegetables for at least three dinners. Right now, Tommy is cleaning up items from cooking.

Friday, Tommy will have to take the car in again for the work. They had no one to bring him home. He will pay Lyft if they still have no one tomorrow to bring him home! Tommy did make sure to remove our air compressor, and charger, the small, expensive items to get the car going. 

So, we finally had dinner--chicken tenders, green beans, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, and slaw. Delicious and satisfying. The chicken was so tender and needed little chewing. Slaw, surprisingly, needs little chewing. Of course, I could have chewed more and made the cabbage mush to swallow. Now, to freeze most of the chicken. 

I know people who pride themselves in never washing their car or fixing dings. It is funny. However, letting mechanical things get worse is not cool or funny. Do you know anyone who never washes the car? 

The one things he does is to remove every bit of trash on the floor and seats of his car...sigh. Right now, he is in the kitchen storing all the food, all the vegetables in one dish with chicken in the dish, too. The rest of the chicken I will freeze a bit later tonight. We mostly have a rhythm when we work together in the kitchen. We know what each needs and what process comes next. Good deal. 

Tonight, we were using the last of the Italian seasoning. So, I decided to just mix my own since it is so expensive. I copied down everything in the bottle with the screw metal top and holes--oregano, marjoram, thyme, basil, parsley. Then, he found a second, unopened bottle. 

I smelled each seasoning in its bottle. I was surprised that basil smells nothing like basil. Instead, it smells peppery. Is that right? I have never bought dried basil in a bottle. 

All the kitchen towels are folded. Tommy put them away for us. And, we cooked chicken. Maybe tomorrow, I will get my towels folded. We do need to cook ground beef, too. Maybe tomorrow?

Today, Tommy came into the bedroom to talk to me about 5 pm. As he left, I asked him if he thought it was hot in the bedroom. He said it was. Yet, I think the ac was set at 70F. The actual temperature in the hall where the thermostat is located was 74F because the ac unit could not run enough to lower even the hall temp to 70F. The ac struggles. I feel sorry those without ac or inadequate ac. I think the best solution to the heat in the front of the house would be several crepe myrtles. Of course, he disagrees! lol 

Today was a good day because I had lots of sleep last night, but the energy lasted only about three hours! 

Do you have anyone in your life who takes chances that could kill you both? 

Do you know anyone who neglects the cosmetics of a car? 

Do you have anyone who works with you in any capacity that anticipates what you next need?

Who is hot? I know some people are having cooler temps. 

Squash Casserole and Pineapple Popsicles

 

I have been searching for a squash casserole recipe and none are like I used to make. I think squash, buttered bread pieces, and cheese in layers is what I made. However, there may have been other ingredients. So far, I have found ingredients I am quite sure I never used--crackers, mushroom soup, garlic, eggs and other things I cannot remember. I lost so much in the house! 

Late tonight, I made popsicles again--crushed pineapple and Greek yogurt. Tommy went to the store and was gone for 1.5 hours, going on 2 hours. I worried something had happened to him. I asked what took so long--apples, he said. He has to sort through so many to get good ones for me. He was astounded that he could find no plain yogurt in the small size. He asked if Greek yogurt was okay. I thought he might object. 

These two times I have made popsicles, I have managed to make the exact amount for two popsicles. I am trying two at a time in order to find what we like. I am thinking of what I can make next. I will use the leftover crushed pineapple in cottage cheese. Maybe he will want the same thing again. I am planning banana for my next popsicle. I have no blueberries or strawberries at this time. Maybe something else from a can, like peaches.  

I would make a smoothy recipe with green stuff in it to use for popsicles, but I cannot find my smoothie blender glass. The last cleaner moved it somewhere!

Tonight, we had salmon croquettes, leftover slaw, and a can of green beans. There are croquettes for tomorrow and a dab of beans, and a dab of slaw. Lunch maybe? 

I have had problems with TMJ so chewing much of anything bothers it. The croquettes are perfect. Even the crust on bread is a problem to chew, making my left jaw pop with eat chew. 

Last week, I ate a loaf of sourdough bread that came from Publix. I love sourdough, but this was so tough. I kept on gnawing on it for the love of sourdough and this week, I am suffering. So, nothing that requires chewing is on my menu. Even chicken and ground beef are too much to chew. 

The ac on Tommy's car is going to require close to $1000 to repair. But, we cannot live without it--no suffering until fall. He has not suggested that, but it could be an option if we did not have ac weather into October!

Do you have a squash casserole recipe from the 70s that does not have lots of ingredients? That is the best way I can describe it. 

What is your favorite homemade popsicle flavor? 

Hilarious List

 Okay, I found the funniest post on a blog that somehow, somewhere, I clicked on accidentally. However, I laughed loud and long at each of the points. CLICK HERE for a good laugh. I had to stop and laugh after each point, all designated at #1. Click on the link that shows up, then let the next page redirect you to Billions of Versions of Normal. It confused me at first.  

I used the Popsicle maker for the first time. There was leftover blueberry juice, just enough to fill two of the four slots. After about 8 hours, I remembered it. Tommy was loud in refusing to try one when I put them in the freezer. He was irritated when I asked him later. When I took out the whole gadget, I could not get the popsicles out, frozen tight. 

Yes, running water over them would work to loosen them. I tried different things in order not to make them slush in this heat and humidity. Finally, I took it to Tommy and asked him to help me. He took it right out. I asked if he wanted a taste. He did and went 'ummm.' I asked him if he wanted it, and he did. He really liked the blueberry popsicle. I have no idea why he is so adamant about things and then gently takes what I offer him. 

Surely, the answer is in the link above.

He put the taco soup together and ruined the taste by not rinsing the black beans. He said he understood when I told him. But, he forgot and will not admit it. But, we will eat it. 

I was almost overcome by the heat in the car as we waited for the Walgreen drive up. There were six or seven cars ahead of us and five behind. I stuck my arm out the window and the air was cooler than inside. But, the car exhaust was choking me. So, we rolled up the window and suffered. 

When I mentioned to Tommy tonight that we would take my car tomorrow, he said he was getting up early and taking the car to the shop up the street. Hopefully, it can be fixed tomorrow. 

Getting into my chair with the soup bowl, I spilled soup. I wiped it off my dress. Later, I managed to spill blueberry juice on the dress and my left foot. Looking down, I had lots of soup on the same foot. The beans were on the carpet! Such a mess! I can go weeks without making a mess, then in one night, I am a disaster. 

Speaking of a disaster, I have never done a spit-take until two weeks ago. I was full. I am fat. I took a drink of milk, a big gulp. I twisted to the left side, squished my stomach just as I also burped from the squishing. I spewed out the biggest spray of milk. That took forever to clean from papers, pens, receipts, phone. It makes my cheeks hot to even think of the disaster. And, of course, Tommy had to be here and saw it all. 

Now, I need to think of what else I can put in the popsicle maker. Bananas or strawberries works for me, but not for Tommy. He turned down cantaloupe and then strawberries. But, he will probably relent once he tries a bite. Silly man. I don't have either right now, but I will. 

He does like a cantaloupe smoothie. I made a banana/strawberry smoothie for me and he gets a cantaloupe/strawberry smoothie. I may make a smoothie popsicle for him. 

I found the picture on Amazon. The price was $13.94. At Publix, I paid $3.49. See the little straws sticking out the sides? That is a straw to sip the melted popsicle instead of having it drip and run all over. Of course, I played with this thing and got blueberry juice all over me. I cannot imagine giving this to a child. Good point--it is made in the USA. 

The popsicle maker is a success. Do you own one that is good or a disaster? 

Do any of the #1 points in the link especially ring a bell with you and your experience with men? Which is the funniest or most true to you?

Rough Elbows, 106F 'Feels Like' and No AC!

 I had one elbow that looked almost normal. However, touching the arm of a chair or the console in the car was so painful that I winced and sometimes made a whimper sound at the pain. I mentioned it to the dermatologist almost as an aside the first time. The second time, same thing. Finally, the third or fourth of fifth time, he recommended something more than curing dry skin or a mild hydrocortisone cream. The elbow had a dark color, almost like it was dirty, but it was not. At least, washing did not cure that. 

The last time, he recommended something with urea, which prompted my comment of "can I just pee on my hand?" LOL...Of course, no one here thought that was funny. Oh well! 

But, when I came home to order it from the internet, I found it contained tea tree oil. I did not want to apply that, so I searched for something else on Amazon. The product I found is amazing! The first time I applied it to my elbow, the painful cracks went away within an hour. Of course, the pain came back the first time I touched it after an hour or so. I should say the first time any cloth touched it. 

Over the last two weeks, the pain and irritation relief lasted longer until now, it does not hurt for any cloth to brush my elbow. So, I can highly recommend this product. I have suffered for at least three years. No more.

Just now, as I was searching Amazon for the picture I posted, there was a notice that it was out of stock on Amazon. This problem was never about appearance. However, that has improved. My dermatologist said he puts it on his heels morning and night. The product I purchased was half the price of the one he recommended. So, that was a plus, too, but not the motivation for the purchase.

As we sat with the motor running and the ac full blast, the 'feels like' temperature was 106F. All of a sudden, the air was blasting extremely hot air. "I am going to die." Over and over, I was whining loudly. It took two minutes to get the car started and moving so I could get some relief. It seems as long as the car is running and in gear, we get cool air. But, we cannot let the car idle and still get cool air. Tommy explained something about a clutch in the ac. I don't know, but this needs to be repaired before it quits entirely. But, knowing him, he will wait until it is toast to repair. I felt in imminent danger. 

Tonight, I am having spaghetti and big salad. Tommy is having all leftovers--pork loin, carrots, potatoes, onions, Bell pepper, collards. 

Have you experienced a lack of ac that left you gasping for air and fearful? 

Do you ever use a cream for rough heels, hand cream or anything like that? Can you share what works?

It's That Time of the Year

 I awoke hot this morning. Not only did I have a quilt and wool blanket on me, the room was hot and I had the quilt pulled tight under my neck! So, I started getting sick again, sort of a relapse. I need the ac on for my lungs. I need the quilt and wool blanket so the ac won't be too cold. I know--it is complicated but works for me. I did not need a nap today and felt mostly fine. 

When I got to my chair, the ac was cooling the air, so my lungs quickly recovered, almost. The bedroom is so hot when the weather is nice. In the winter it is cold, but I can bundle up. I get up now and Tommy has on a jacket with a hood, and the hood is up and tightened. His chair is right next to an air vent. I wish my chair was there. The bedroom is the coldest bedroom or any room in the house and the hottest. Gaaa

Tonight, we watched The Weakest Link. I hate that show and the woman, but Tommy loves both. Tonight, we watched a woman win who said that a yard has 20 inches. She helped vote off a man who had not missed a question at all, a perfect record. I hope the people she voted off beat her up afterwards. The dumb contestants always gang up and vote off the smarter people. Skill has little to do with winning!

I cooked four pre-made burgers. I had buns but the rest are molded. Two burgers go into the freezer. There was a pork loin thawed to cook, too. We had salad and steamed zucchini with garlic and olive oil. 

Plans were for me to cook the six sweet potatoes in the oven along with the pork loin. I almost made cupcakes today and frosted them...lol. We went for a drive instead. The sky was blue and the huge fluffy white clouds were beautiful. 

Today, Tommy collected the old roach baits and put down new ones. I am bound and determined to never have roaches again! As much as he was okay with roaches, he is now wanting to help keep them away. 

The six boxes of Wheat Thins arrived yesterday evening. I had planned to open one each month which would have made these last until November. Then, I wondered about the use-by date since I did not want them to be rancid. Wouldn't you know, the best-by date was the end of November. Lucky me. 

We saw the one hummingbird one time and no more. I wonder why. Tomorrow, I will wash it refill it and put out all the feeders filled. 

I want a plant for a hanging basket that can endure the heat and full sun after noon. What can you recommend? 

Do you have hanging flowers? Where do they hang?

Soggy Saturday

It is almost noon on Saturday, and I need to eat breakfast. I have a med to take and then wait an hour before eating. I am way past the hour mark. I may eat my last banana in a sandwich and peanut butter and Miracle Whip. Now, I am hungry just writing about it.

Tommy turns on ac during the day and heat at night for the last few days. Last night he left the ac on. Of course, it rarely comes on, but at least I get a fresh breath of cool air. My lungs are grateful.

We continue with the list for shopping. Even at my house, he was the writer of the list of what food I was sending home with him. Too many times he drove off without what I had for him in the refrigerator or the freezer. Sometimes, I had him give me his keys which I put in the refrigerator with food.

Friday night, I slept 4 hours. I tried to nap Saturday afternoon, but sleep would not come for very long. I think I slept an hour and finally got up before 5 pm. Thankfully, Tommy has the ac on, so I am not sweaty and suffocating.

Today was so rainy, even all the way up to my home and definitely to the site of Rollan's funeral. I decided the prudent thing to do was to stay home.

We had a salad with Romaine, whole tomato for each of us, carrots for him, our own dressing, and chicken. I had Ranch dressing and he had Italian. I also had Kraft Parmesan chees sprinkled on my salad. It was delicious. For dessert we had a miniature Moon Pie. They had a box of 12 for $1.50 at Publix. Okay, truth--we had the Moon Pie first.

The man who mows Tommy's and several other neighbors yards had a stroke or something and was carried away in an ambulance, so probably no more goodness-of-the-heart yard mowing. Or, he may have one of his workers mow for everyone. He has paid others to mow the yards of people who cannot on this street.

So, that's all I have today. Vertigo is bad, still. I am giving it October to get better. October is the month I am always ill. This condition is much better than other years. I will wait until November to try to get rid of this.

okay, 10 pm and I am officially ill. Going to doctor tomorrow. I became more ill in about 30 minutes.