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. 

Shopping for a "New" Car

 New to me is the only kind I will buy. Actually, I am considering buy an SUV. The last time I drove my car, I had a very hard time lowering myself into the car. Then, I have a harder time getting up. While I actually prefer having a car, maybe an SUV would be a better choice. 

I can take my time looking as I am in no hurry to just buy anything. Plus, I have time. I talked this all out to Tommy and asked him what he thought. He thought it might be a good idea. He struggles to get into my car, too. Plus, he will eventually ruin the door and door facing with his shoes. 

Of course, he will buy it and let me pay him when I sell the car like he did the one I have now. I paid him when I got the insurance settlement for my car that was totaled by the guy who ran a stop sign. 

Since I have not even priced any SUV, this may not be a plan that works. Tommy approved of buying a vehicle first, then selling mine. I can pay off the loan when the Impala sells. We are in no hurry. However, after surgery, I am not sure if I can get in my car or especially get out. 

Today was rainy and cold in the morning and still cold in the afternoon with a stiff breeze and humidity, the type of day where the cold goes to the bone. The temperature was 59 in the morning, but the temperature fell as the day progressed. 

There was no corned beef. We had leftover baked chicken breast and baked potatoes and carrots to accompany it. 

By the way, I know how to shop for a used vehicle as I have done this before.  

Do you find an SUV or truck easier to get into and out of than a lower car? 

Two Doctor's Appointments in One Day

 This morning, Tommy had an eye appointment at 9 am, so we needed to leave at 8 am, and he woke me at 7 am. UGH! I sliced a chicken breast and made a chicken and MW sandwich which I ate in the car. It was delicious, but I almost choked! Why on earth does anyone need to be anywhere that early in the morning?

Sunday night, I slept from 1 am until 7 am, getting up for the bathroom only once. Then, I went right back to sleep. So, that was a good thing. 

I was back in bed for a nap at 10:30 am until 12:30 pm when I needed to get up for a 1:15 doctor appointment. 

When I arrived, I tried to call the office, as Tommy went in to get me a wheelchair and pusher. All I  could get was a call center. They always question me and then tell me they are the call center? Why? So, Tommy got someone with a wheelchair. I asked them if the ten-year-olds weren't missing it. I tried to sit in it but it was too narrow. Not many people could have gotten in that wheelchair! 

I was distraught, almost crying. I told them I had waited for an appointment and could they not get another wheelchair. That is the only one they own! They suggested I get another appointment after I had made this one over a week ago. I asked could he not come to the car. They said, NO!

Lo and behold. They pulled out the blood pressure cuff to the car, and he showed up, too. My blood pressure was 114/54. My former 90/60 alarmed a classmate who was an EMT. He said we call those people comatose. I don't know why it was so low. But, my normal blood pressure is about 120.70. I was/am having trouble talking, breathing, and speaking today. 

It is a beautiful, warm day, so there is that. And, dinner is cooked. The house looks better. I think I am off to a second nap. I may take another after dinner! Who says a person cannot take three naps in a day? Maybe after the antibiotic, I will feel better.

Okay, the pharmacy got one of my prescriptions about 5:30 and we left to get it. I have no idea why I got a prescription for one condition and not the other. It seems like either the pharmacy or the doctor fails to get their part done in order to get my meds to me.

Tommy did a return there when they gave us a wrong OTC. Then, he bought milk for me at Publix, bought Pepsi for him, 3 24-packs, and returned the same wrong otc they had gotten for him.

I had mentioned earlier that I wanted a Whopper, so he stopped at BK. It was delicious. Now, I need chocolate. 

Did I say? The wisteria is blooming, forming lavender clouds in the trees. It is so beautiful.

This afternoon I did not take a nap and probably won't this evening. 

Do you see wisteria blooming? Do you have problems with everyone doing their parts to get your meds to you?

Damned Dogs and Tragedy

 Last night, because of exhaustion I went to bed at 7 pm and for one solid hour, this yappy dog barked and yapped. At 8 pm I was over sleeping and shaking. Finally I went to bed and slept for three hours. I had to get up because I was not going to sleep.

At 6:30 am, I figured I could sleep. NO! This same dog started yapping while someone revved their motor in the driveway. At 7:15, the dog stopped and the car left. I am not sure how long it took me to get to sleep, maybe an hour? 

I told Tommy last night to wake me at 11 am, before I knew how sleep-deprived I was going to be. He was calling me every half hour! UGH!  Finally, I got it across to him that I wanted to get up at 1 pm. I was/am shaky but may live.

While I was still in rough shape, I called a business and was puzzled as the why I could not get the owner. Well, I got the father and found out the young business owner had died a very tragic and preventable death. I cannot say more because this will probably be a big lawsuit, and I don't want to reveal anything to thwart the outcomes of this present tragedy. 

I felt gutted as the father told me what happened. He is a broken and bitter man. And, I can understand why. He said he cannot let it go as he kept warning the proper people and was ignored.

So, I am facing the weekend with a car tire being scrubbed by a part shoved into it. This loved and very nice man is gone. And, I need sleep desperately. Tonight is a low point. And, I cannot share the inequitable treatment or get comfort from others. No one told me not to talk about this senseless death, but I don't believe salving my pain at the expense of justice is the answer. 

How is your weekend shaping up? Any grocery deals? Our weather is beautiful, warm and dry. How is your weather?

"FedEx Drop Off Here" and Yard Sale Finds

"FedEx Drop Off Here" was on a sign on I-65 about 40 miles north of Birmingham. This is where a FedEx driver threw packages into a ravine in Blount County, just north of where I live.

In the meantime, another dump by FedEx in Alabama happened just south of the first in another county.

I tried something new on Wednesday night. I had bought broccoli and we were having some for dinner, the florets. So I could get the broccoli in a gallon bag, I cut off the woody-looking stems. Then, I decided to peel it. I cut it into sticks prior to dicing it. When I tried it, it was so tender I did not dice it. Now, I am going to put it in my salad tomorrow with tomatoes and Romaine. Tommy took a stick, chewed it and said it was okay, hardly any taste. For picky kids this might work for a stick along with carrot and celery sticks. 

People have written about peeling the stalk and eating it. For years I have said I was going to try it. Now, I will never throw one out again. 

For dinner on Wednesday Tommy had turkey, sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli. I had the rest of the roast beef I opened last night, Romaine, grape tomatoes, steamed broccoli. I hate everything except the breast of turkey or chicken. 

Wednesday, we watched PBS--My Garden of a Thousand Bees. The program was fascinating and the bees so large on the screen. 

At a yard sale on Wednesday, I bought a vase (about 14') that comes apart. Then, I have a candlestick. Plus, there were about two cups of tiny "crystals" that hang on lamps and chandeliers--$5. Then, I found four rolls of new wrapping paper--$2 for all four. I do not need wrapping paper, but this is shiny. There were 3 Drive grab bars, two 16" ones and a 24" one--$10. Total--$17. I can resell all the hanging crystals. 

Cost of his car repair--$1100.00. He took that news very calmly. I did not. We have yet to get it back.  Okay, they called and it is ready. 

We are going to see if the chair by the dumpster is still there. If so, it is mine!

Have you ever eaten broccoli stalks raw or cooked? Do you ever watch PBS? We watched it on APT--Alabama Public Television. 

Two guys and two car problems

 The battery on my car had died since I never drive it. Then, when I wanted to drive it, I could not. This frustrated me. We have a battery cable, but I did not think the two of us could handle it. I know he can do it, but often there is often a need to go back and forth from one car to the other if something slips off the post. My hands might not be strong enough. Side posts are so hard for me. The carport is about 18 inches above the level of the yard.  It would make his life too tough to have to go down to the driveway and around the yard to his car and/or back! 

Some days, it is just too hot or too wet or something...lol. Then, I was ill. There are neighbors but for various reasons, they cannot help. Tommy is loathe to call a service and so am I. Finally, he asked me about my roadside service. I called and within 45 minutes, my car was running. Why did it take us so long to think of this?!

The guy came and had a big case, a charger, I suppose. All of a sudden, he started screaming. This was quite a shock to my system, let me tell you. I am quite sure this black man could be heard down the block. Then, he started screaming into the phone again. Finally, he unplugged his case and was leaving. He asked me for my id, so Tommy went to get my purse. 

In the meantime, I told him nicely that he should not be using the phone and making such a racket arguing while with a customer and on the job. He said it was his daughter, that her dance teacher was going to charge him $10/10 minutes as he was late picking her up. The second call was from the dance teacher. He was very rough with the teacher. He was explaining all this to me, telling me had to get to Eastlake to pick her up. This was 8:15 and he said he picked her up every night at 9 pm, so he could not figure out the deal. Whew! He left without getting my id, so I don't know the outcome of his reporting the job he did. 

After the car was jumped off, we needed to drive it. One tire really needed air, so we set out to find air. There is a station with air that we could not work because Tommy cannot bend far enough and I could not stay bent down long enough. So, we wondered if maybe Auto Zone had air. When we got there, a guy was coming out  and I asked him if he knew if they had air. He said they did not. He told us to go the service station and he would put air in the tire. 

I was going to use my debit card but there was a problem, so Tommy kept yelling he had change. I went back and he dumped lots of change but only three quarters into my hand. Well, I knew the machine would not take anything but quarters, but he kept insisting, so I just threw all but the quarters into the seat.  I asked him to get a dollar from my purse and he did. The guy kept saying he would pay and went to his car. So, we only needed another quarter after he found four quarters. 

He was so nice. He and his friend with the quarter both worked on putting air in the tire. He assured me it only had 43 pounds now, but he would put more. I explained it only needed 32 pounds, so his friend took over and let some out. Whew! Nice guys, so nice. I really felt bad neither one would take the dollar I offered to repay them. 

That was last night, so if the rain quits, I will see if I still have a charge. I need to drive it more often. 

It is rainy here in Alabama and one tornado hit far from here this morning. Hopefully, there will only be rain from here on out. It was in the low 70s all day today, rather shocking temperature. 

There are four beautiful bell peppers here, so they would be put in the meatloaf tonight. But, yesterday, I thawed diced peppers thinking it was diced chicken. So, Tommy had bell pepper in his salad yesterday. thankfully, I had also thawed a whole chicken thigh. I need to thaw more ground beef and make stuffed peppers. He also loves it when I use peppers, onion, garlic and other vegetables cooked in olive oil and just served as a vegetable dish, along with whatever meat I serve. 

Tommy is not a father but since he was a chickie daddy, I always get him something small and make a fuss. His gift has not arrived even though it was supposed to be delivered here today. bummer

Payoff

 We got an early start Tuesday and were gone from here by 11 am to get things on my list. I decided to return a call I had gotten, a message to return the call. Well, it was from Huntsville, needing me to come up. I said I would come up next week as I had plans to day and Wednesday and the rain would be too much to drive in later this week. As it turns out, she needed me to come this week.

Tommy was pumping gas, so I had to wait until he got back to the car by holding onto the luggage rack and slowly making his way. I asked him if we could go to Huntsville right now. He said okay. We grabbed a burger, fry, coke combo--Whopper Jr. We did stop at the park and eat. 

It took us 2.5 hours from the time we decided to go and a little longer on the way back due to a stop I needed to make. 

The car is now paid off by me with the check I cashed from the accident in 2018, the one where I was hit by the 15 passenger van. I got little for my pain and ptsd in cars and the loss and replacement of my car.

Whew! And, he is happy. I went into my bank, paid off the car loan he got, and got him a cashier's check for what he had paid and for other money for things lately. 

Then, I had to stop by another attorney's office and sign papers there. Whew! 

I knew he needed something for the ride home. So, we got a DQ special--two 2-finger specials for $4. I told him that was his protein for tonight. Right now, water is boiling for pasta. There is a partial bottle of spaghetti sauce that I will not embellish, just use straight from the jar. 

It was a long day. I still needed to go to the store, so we did and got home at 7:15 tonight. 

Isn't it such a good feeling to have an ordeal behind and pay off a big debt?

A Few Monday Things

 It seems I am specializing in avoiding cooking. If I can find vegetables for a salad or to microwave/steam, I do. Sunday night, I did not feel like cooking and there was something on TV that I wanted to watch. Chicken seasoned for fajitas from the freezer and leftover chicken breast plus leftover cauliflower and broccoli were dinner. Unfortunately for Monday night all the leftovers in the refrigerator are gone. 

My car battery is still dead. I don't know when Tommy is going to ask a neighbor to help jump it off. I will leave the asking to him. sigh I just want it to work. It probably needs a new battery since this is the third time it has sat too long. 

I still have the coupons for Ball jars and lids and rings. However, I have been unable to find Ball anywhere. Has anyone found them lacking in the stores? Did you have coupons to use? They expire 9-30-20. That should have been enough time to find them. But, I am having no luck. What about you?  

Someone on here mentioned that getting a stint might make me less tired. If that is part of the problem, it must be a pretty bad blockage. I suppose I will do that and sign my death certificate with Covid, which I do not have according to a Covid19 test. 

Right now, all I want is a cheesecake, and I have all the ingredients. But, I should probably have a few vegetables. I wonder if I can put vegetables in cheesecake. ??? Maybe there is cooked chicken in the new freezer.

Friday and Saturday--Car Repair and Guaifenesin

Early Friday morning, we took my car to show them the car to repair. They suggested we leave it even though we had an appointment for Monday morning. So, at 8:15 we went shopping, expecting it to be done before they closed. The shop surprised us by having it done by 2 pm. We had been home just a bit when they called.

So, my car was repaired today. It was almost $800. about $400 less than a previous estimate. Now, the temperature blend actuator door will not make a continual rat-a-tat-tat as I drive. That was driving me to distraction. Plus, this year, no ac was blowing.  

I went to one store and found the spice cake mix I wanted. I will put four Granny Smith apples, chunked, in the mix. But, I need to make a pecan pie first. The pecans need to be eaten before they go rancid. I know I could freeze them, but I did not. So this apple treat will wait until next week.

Treats are only baked once a week. I do not want to bake goodies all week. We don't need that.

Friday, when I went shopping, I found the $1 brownie mix in the pouch and bought four.  Now,  feel prepared...lol.

For congestion in my lungs, I take the generic version of Mucinex. It works miracles. The only active ingredient is guaifenesin. I had bought them in little $0.88 cent bottles (15 tablets)  at WM, but had not been able to find them for over a year. I usually bought about 4 bottles or less, depending on what I could afford each month or when I was low.

I never buy anything that works for fever-chest congestion. I buy one ingredient otc meds. A friend who is a nurse found out I took this med. She told me it could save my life if I ever had pneumonia. Guaifenesin is an expectorant. No, it will not stop a cough. I use Vicks Vaporub on the soles of my feet for that...lol. Coughing gets stuff up. Some coughing is good. -

While I was in Piggly Wiggly today, I went down the aisle with soft soap, looking for Dial Soft Soap and Dial bars;  both kill germs. (I was not looking for it instead of hand sanitizer.) I turned away since it was not there. And, what did I see?

Guaifenesin !!!

Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus. Then, I can cough it up. Timed Release never works for me in any meds.

The brand is Top Care and 50 tablets cost something around $5.10. That is cheap to me, especially compared to Mucinex. I now have two bottles. When I need this stuff, I really need it. I have never had a prescription expectorant that worked this well. I highly recommend it. I did take this med that was manufactured in Mississippi, but have no idea where Top Care is manufactured.

Have you ever used the original Mucinex, the one that is only an expectorant, Guaifenesin, as it only active ingredient? This is cheaper. Do you ever use the generic guaifenesin from any manufacturer? Maybe you find it cheaper than I?

That Did Not Work for Long and Shoplifter

Last night, Tommy decided to go get his second pneumonia vaccine. I was shocked because we were going to save chores until Friday.  As I was talking about today, he blurted out, "Can't I just go somewhere by myself without you." I was stunned. I could not sleep until after 7 am this morning.

When he came and woke me up as we had planned, I told him to go by himself. He did.

I got up around 11 am, still groggy from no sleep. The tv was on something I did not want to watch. He usually puts the tv on a channel where I can watch. So, I read on the computer until a soap opera came on.    GAAAH

He does not want me to change channels and mess up the two remotes. I do think I am capable, but it is not a big deal to me.

After 1 pm, I called him because I was worried about him. His car would not start. So, I had to go get him. I left with hair a mess, teeth unbrushed, short gown and sleep pants, capri type, and sandals. The black coat that has pills on it was thrown on. It was freezing outside. 50F degrees with no sun and a brisk wind is freezing...lol. Then, I never got heat from the vents, just cold air for two hours.

He was standing outside his car in the wind, all cold looking. He had the battery someone removed on his walker. I drove to Auto Zone where they said the battery had a full charge. However, they did replace the 3 yo battery. Sooo, we went to Pep Boys where we took it a few weeks ago when it would not start. Now, it will not start again!

We went back to the car where he put a key under the seat and just set the battery into the place where it goes. The tow truck will pick it up sometime...???

Since I had not eaten and wanted to get to him in a hurry, I did not eat before I left to go get him. Sooo, Burger King it was for a 2 for $6 Whoppers as soon as I picked him up and before Auto Zone.

We got home at 3 pm, just in time for his show--Jeopardy. At 4 pm I asked him why there was cold air on me. He had only put on fan when we got home after I told him I needed some heat....sigh.

I want something chocolate! Right now. I have hot chocolate which may warm me up. I only have a yellow cake mix for cookies, but nothing to put in them like chocolate chips or raisins.

So, we wait to see what is wrong with the car since fixing some sort of sensor did not work. Okay, the air blowing on me is warm now.

As I was sitting in front of Auto Zone, a guy hurried out the door. I thought he must be in a hurry to get his car fixed with the part he was carrying. Then, seemingly unrelated, an employee rushed out the door and in the same direction. Still, I just thought the guy was a go-getter or leaving for late lunch.

When Tommy came out, he asked me if I saw the shoplifter running out. NO And did I see the employee running after him. NO  The employee said the guy backed out of the parking lot and up a hill so no one could see his license.

Finally, after multiple calls, we found out someone had cancelled the tow truck. At the stroke of 7 pm, we arrived to find the tow truck unloading the Rogue. My walker is in there and other things. And, it is outside, not secured inside. I hate car problems!

Do you like your car stored inside when you take it for repair, or am I being a ninny. My walker and things to return are in there.

Sunday Stuff but Nothing to See Here

Today was a meal at noon at Tommy's church. Yum, I love to eat out like this. It was also billed as a Valentine dinner. I heard nothing about Valentine's. Oh well. The real reason was it was the church anniversary.

Last week was a breakfast, today was lunch, and there is a dinner in two weeks. this is my kind of church.

There were so many delicious things to eat. The church provided fried chicken from Publix, rolls, and tea, water, drinks.

I am so lazy. I took two packages of Valentine candy in a bowl. There was some left, so I just dumped it on the dessert table and I suppose someone took it.  We agreed we did not need candy.

I had a fried chicken breast, a bit of broccoli salad, two grape tomatoes, strawberries,  six green beans, and a roll. Tommy ate more. For dessert I had a cherry cobbler and peach cobbler. I only got a piece of cobbler from each, about 2" square.

They provide to-go boxes. I brought home a breast for me, leg and thigh for Tommy, one roll that we halved, 5 strawberries, about a half cup of macaroni and cheese that we shared. We ate leftover cabbage I had cooked.

I loved that I did not have to cook all day.  Since the dinner was advertised as Valentine's celebration, the lunch tables were decorated and so were the church doors--large red Valentine wreaths. Half the women in the church wore red somehow. One woman had on a beautiful pink coat. Everything seemed quite festive.

We left and went straight to Sam's Club for something I wanted. When I parked, I found out I left my purse at church-far, far away. I called the people I knew would be there last and they had found my purse. Soooo, we had to fly back to get it, holding the people up. Tommy had told me he had my purse in his walker basket.

I did get what I wanted at Sam's, came home and will have to return it. sigh  After getting my purse, we went elsewhere. We went to wash my car. I bought a bug and tar remover to try and get the crud from under the spoiler. I hand cleaned under there at home, flew to carwash to make sure all the product was washed away. I still have crud under the spoiler and do not want it removing the paint and rusting.


We sat around instead of taking a nap. I am just about out of my a2milk, so went to Publix to get some and found out it is on sale--$3.50 for a half gallon. Once again, I bought six half gallons. We are not going out in the rain predicted for the next four days. I have bananas and milk. There is plenty of other stuff to eat like fruit, vegetables, and meat and canned food. There is no reason we have to leave for food.

We can be boring.

$3400 later

His car is fixed, new axle, tires rotated, and something done to front brakes. Tommy has been driving with an axle that needed replacing--$3400. He berates me for telling "that noise" needs to be checked. I wonder how it would have felt for it to completely ++fail?

I got an estimate from the same place, Pep Boys, for two hvac door actuator for over $1600. This thing is the door that opens and closes when you change from ac to heat. Today, on the way to Cullman, Tommy was freezing and I was feeling heat. As it turns out, the door was stuck/broken closed. So, we had to turn his side off completely and close the vents. He was only getting frigid air.That plus the loud rat-a-tat-tat is enough to drive a person batty. As it turns out, this is a problem will al Impalas. Well, they are making no more Impalas, I hear. I did not know this car has dual controls, one for each side of the car.

Before we left home this morning, I scrambled four eggs for Tommy and me. He was a pain and refused to eat any. He eats them anywhere except when I make them. So, I ate all four eggs. Again! I have to quit that. However, the amount of protein I had kept me full and until lunch. I usually do not need to eat until around 1 pm after I eat 2 eggs.

We went to the free lunch and had turkey soup, cornbread muffins, pickle, unsweetened tea, and dessert. There were peas in the soup, so I ate none of the soup, just picked out the bit of turkey. It's good I had the eggs! I did not eat cornbread muffins or the pickle. Tommy ate my bowl of soup, only leaving some of the broth.

We got my mail, visited the bursar at the hospital. It turns out that the reason I was turned over to collections is that Medicare rejected a test I had done. I had to call Medicare for another rejected charge. I have no idea why this is happening over and over. It is stressful when I have no idea what I owe and why. I had a few other things to do. We went to the store out in the country owned by the Mennonites I got a couple of pieces of candy and looked around.

Over under a tree are two picnic tables near the Mennonite store and right near a fence. We were surprised to see a cow lying right next to the fence. We drove over near the picnic table on the way out. Over beyond the cow was a goat lying in the grass. I wondered if the cow was waiting on people with their lunches. And, was the goat and cow friends. There are many goats and cows in the field. The weather was perfect with few skies in a lovely blue sky, 62 degrees by noon.

As soon as we arrived home, the shop called and we had to go right back out to get the car. Tommy had undressed. and was not eager to go out. I did not want to get out early! I had put potatoes in the oven, so it all worked out well.

I used one dish for dinner where I cooked the beef patties last night. So, dishwashing will be easy, thankfully.

Tomorrow, I will make potato soup. Tommy has consented to peel potatoes. YAY!

Sleepy Sunday

After 3 hours sleep on Friday night, I got 6.5 Saturday night. I had to get up and wash my hair before church, get it dried and get a few curls in it somewhere. During church my back hurt so that I had to move forward in the pew and rest my head on the front of the pew in front of me. Thankfully, no one was sitting there. When I sit in the pew, my feet do not touch the floor which makes my back hurt. I am going to find a sturdy box to leave in the pew during the week. Other people leave their own pillows.

Since I no longer have my spiralizer, I saw one and bought it. Well, I got home and I had a food processor. I was sure I saw a spiralizer. When I went back to the same location in the store, yes, there was a spiralizer right on the shelf. How could I pick up a food processor instead of a spiralizer? Tired? Distracted? At any rate, I took the food processor back today on the way home from church. The spiralizer was manual, so I did not get it. My hands would not be able to stand cranking it.

I drove today. I have been meaning to drive one day but forget. I still have the whole tank of gas I had in the car when I came down here. There were a lot of double take when Tommy was getting into my car. From the time this car was bought last September until now, I have put only 4K miles on the car. It had less than 46K, now--51K.

His car has had brakes that "shudder" when applied. And, he said they were okay. He does not repair things until it costs ten times as much as if he repaired it in a timely manner. Yesterday, there was lots of clanking in the rear of the car along with the shuddering feeling. I suspect a master cylinder because I had a car with same problem. Have you ever had a master cylinder fail? Was it accompanied by noise?

Well, he just informed me that he is going south of Birmingham to the dentist first! It is difficult to keep this man alive.

Sleepy Sunday? I have been sleepy all this afternoon. Then, I wanted to watch the news. I am falling off to sleep as I type. So, at six in the evening, I have no intention of taking a nap!

I have a container of prepared basmati rice with olive oil. After I heat it, I will take out a share for me. Tommy's portion with get the remains of his can of peas he ate Friday and Saturday evening. If I have the energy, I will put grape tomatoes and in a skillet and stir them in a bit of olive oil and add those. Mine will have no peas. Since I bought a quart of strawberries today, I will prepare most of all of those for dinner.

Tomorrow, I will get soil and find something in which to plant my purple tulips and daffodils. I planted them in the ground last year the middle of January, so this should be okay. When we went to my lot, the daffodils were bursting to bloom.

This afternoon, Tommy cleaned the trash out of my car. He brought in a brown paper grocer bag full of things to sort, mail and receipts. He threw away a gillion other bits of trash. Plus, he left about 8 cans of food on the front seat of the car for me to decide about. I had left four large cans of peaches in a bag. Otherwise, they would have been in the dump. I got those in after deciding to throw away some of the cans. He volunteered to clean my car. I was shocked and happy. He brought in one shoe. Hopefully, the other is under the seat. He could not get under the seat because of his osteoarthritis. Now, I can clean something in his house without complaints...lol.

Do you ever get so tired and sleepy on a Sunday afternoon?

Oh, halfway through cleaning out the car, he brought in a $5 bill. When he came in for good, he said he had 80 cents sin his pocket and reached for it. I told him he could have that as his pay.

What's going on?

One day last week, Tommy asked how long it had been since I had driven my car. About August 24th. He said we could get it out and drive it somewhere.

So, on Friday, I mentioned it. He seemed confused but finally got it. I suggested he move and park his car and then I would pull my vehicle close so he would not have to walk so far.

He did a slow, loud, controlled explosion. "Why do you say 'vehicle'? JUST SAY CAR. It is a car. Why do you say 'vehicle' all the time. It is a CAR!"

I just sat here, in shock. After a few moments, I calmly said, "You re crazy."

Then, he seemed to be okay with everything while I was hurt. He does this to me all the time.

Of the two of us, he is the one with a speech problem from childhood. NO ONE has ever complained of my speech, except him.

Because of the continuing vertigo, I stayed home from church again. The members were relieved. A woman with mental challenges fell at church this morning. A woman who fell in Publix parking lot last year has continued in therapy and she fell in therapy. So, the church members were glad I stayed away since they had enough of falls and news of a fall today.

Silver Car

Sunday, I did nothing, nothing at all. There were things to be done, but I  didn't do them.

Saturday, as I made a turn onto a street, I was stunned by the silver sports car. I slowed down and stared. I should have stopped and talked to the woman sitting at the red light. I should have tried to figure out what kind of car it was.

But, it was silver. It was not like my silver car, a greyish silvery car. This car was as shiny as the shiny side of foil. I have never seen this color. Can it be called a color? Have you ever seen a car like the shiny side of foil? Do you know what kind of car it was?

Okay, I found a shiny foil silver BMW but it won't paste here.

Saving Time, Money, and Effort | Sometimes Not

Upon thinking about making potato salad, I wondered if I could boil potatoes and eggs together. The potatoes are tiny new potatoes about the size of an egg. I put both in the same pot of cold water on medium setting on my electric range. When the time was up for the eggs, I dipped them out with a spoon. A fork told me when the potatoes were done.

Before starting this dish, I wondered if there was a reason not to put them in the same pan. It seems I am not the first to ask this question about cooking the two together. It's okay. Tommy said he thought it would be okay. But, he has never cooked.

I dice the onions and put them in the bowl in which I am preparing the potato salad. The hot potatoes go over this first because it sort of steams and softens the onions. I can do without the "bite" of raw onions. Next, I put in a dollop of Miracle Whip, bit of pickle relish, diced celery, tiny bit of salt, diced boiled eggs and I am set. These tiny potatoes will be smashed with the skins on. Tommy hates cold potatoes, eggs, and potato skins, so this is all mine.

You may remember that I will eat half-dead bananas. However, I draw the line at bruises, strings, or rotten bananas. Rotten bananas look perfect on the outside but have a black core that smells funny. No, I will not eat those. For the last two months, every banana has been defective. Sometimes, the blossom end is rotten for about an inch or two, the whole thing, not just the core. This may seem like a small thing, but my breakfast is ruined, mood spoiled, and money wasted.

I bought my car in September and used it until June 1 this year and had the oil changed. The oil was changed just before I bought it, so I am not lax about the upkeep. By the end of June, the reservoir for the wiper fluid gave me a "low fluid" warning. So, I took it back and questioned if the reservoir had been filled with the oil change. They filled it again. Now, it is the end of July and the warning light is on again.

Is it possible the reservoir sprung a leak after the 1st oil change? Obviously!  It is not cracked. This is a plastic reservoir, so there must be a way to fix the leak/hole. Has anyone ever faced this problem? Reservoirs are very expensive to replace. However, washing the window while driving in the rain is often a safety issue.  I really hate another problem to think about.

On the internet there are tutorials about doing it yourself. I won't be taking the reservoir off the car. it never seems to go empty, so I am hoping it holds a bit. I will give it sips of the wash instead of filling it up. I cannot even raise the hood, so the "I" who fills the reservoir will not be me.

When I told Tommy about the problem, he said he had the same problem once. It was not the reservoir, just the tube connected to the reservoir. So, there is hope. 

I have started a bag for paper for recycling. Plus, I am starting a bag for the free shredding this Fall. I actually have a bag for shredding all the time, but I am doubling down on my efforts. I refuse to pay for shredding again! 

Has anyone ever boiled potatoes and eggs together in the same pot?

I Damaged My "New" Car

*One day, I drove in a gas station that barely has room to drive at best. That day, it was very congested. But, the gas was cheap and I was there.  I was having to drive around the station in order to get in front of a gas pump where I could pump gas into my car.

The places trucks refuel the pumps is on one end of the station. So, as I was going around there, a van was parked near the openings in the ground. I could tell the van was doing some sort of maintenance on the gas openings.

I managed to scrape my right side mirror on the van. I got out and ran around the back of my car. The guy who was doing something down low in front of the van hurried back. I apologized and he tried to rub out the scrape in his white van. I licked my thumb and tried to help as I offered to go get my license and insurance card. He said to forget it as he rushed back and got the orange cones to put in front, back, and side of his work van. He was running.

Once again, I volunteered to get my information. He said it was not necessary. I think he was required to put out those cones by the company. I think he might have gotten in trouble for not doing so. I was off the hook and left without getting gas in case he changed his mind.

Now, my mirror casing is split neatly without a scratch on the surface.  It is sound and not liable to split more or fall off. A body shop said it would cost $350 for the mirror. Not happening.

*Tommy asked me if I was planning on going really fast in my new car shortly after I got it. I was puzzled and a little hurt he would even think I would be speeding. That is not me. I asked him why he said that. He reminded me there was a spoiler on the car. Well, I never saw that. I did not know what a spoiler was for.

*Since I parked in the WM parking lot, I now have dozens of dings, scratches, and the car has been keyed three times. Plus, limbs, large and small fall on it where I have to park my car. It is still very shiny and fine looking, drives well, and I still love it.

*There are still features I do not know how to use. I thought I had heated seats. But, as usual, the manual had features for many other Impalas. Shoot!

*I can see from the back seat into the trunk. Something is not hooked and I cannot do it. I wonder if the whole back seat is loose.

*The upholstery is the lightest color it can be without being white. My black knit pants that have been washed many times are making the driver's seat stained. My hair is all over the seat and back.

*There is a moon or sun roof that I fear will leak some day as tree detritus rots it. I am not sure how to prevent damage that will make it leak eventually. I never use the moon/sun roof. Anyone know?

*A sudden staccato sound came from under the dashboard. A guy told me it was a blow-blend actuator. I think that is right. It could drive a person mad. This is the little door that opens and closes to change from blowing warm or cold air into the car. It is stuck. Ever heard of that? Has your husband/brother? This just started about two months ago.

*Tommy had not ridden in my car until one day in April when I insisted. It was so difficult for him to get in since he cannot sit up straight and can barely bend his knees to get in. It was painful to watch the long ordeal.  I just wanted him to see how well it rode. A person likes someone to ride in a new car.