I Received Four Extra Hours on Thursday

 It felt like we were given four extra hours today. We were both ecstatic. Well, I was. We had one of those appointments today where the repair person would be here between 1 pm and 5 pm. Well, I just knew he would get here about a quarter to five. No. He was her at 1 pm. This is the guy who will repair my lift recliner. 

The whole undercarriage will have to be replaced. This will be pricey. He helped us beyond the chair carriage. I asked him what he knew about the battery to get my feet down when we lost electricity. He pulled out a box sitting on the floor and showed me where an nine-volt battery. It is just that easy. He does think the battery is good for only one use. Plus, he told me about the big battery case that must be charged and can be used without plugging it into the wall. I feel fortunate that he was so knowledgeable. 

About 12:30 pm we were out of here to do things we needed to do today. 

The thing we went to SAM's on Wednesday to buy was wrong. So, that had to go back on Thursday, and they did not have what we needed. The return was easy. Tommy got us a hot dog and diet drink for $1.38. These are the foods that will cause hardening of the arteries. So, neither of us need them. Thankfully, we live far from Homewood! 

At Publix, Tommy tried to return something and get another, different flavor. He had to bring it home because this was something not on the shelf. There were no nine-volt batteries. But, I did use the coin machine instead of rolling coins. Well, Tommy kept putting the job off, so I ended up just paying the coin machine to count pennies, nickels, and dimes. 

I had 75 quarters and thought I would just spend them a few at a time. I only saved about 20 cents by holding them back. These coins were what I had saved over three years. Some were picked up, some were from the bottom of my purse or pocket. All told, I have $30.28. This is my plant fund. 

Tonight for dinner, I will bake some chicken slices and vegetables--carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and sugar snap peas. Maybe this will offset the huge hotdog we had along with a huge bun and a huge diet drink. For breakfast I had blueberries, strawberries, cheese, and milk. So, the Sam's treat was the only bad thing today. 

It seems that when I have to stay home for a repairman, that everything I want to drive and do is urgent. I am antsy the whole time. Do you hate to stay home for someone who will come eventually? Once I waited all day and got a call that the repairmen had run late and I could wait another four hours the next week, not even the next day. I was fit to be tied. 

Today, was a good day even though we did not get everything done. And, Tommy was not so sweet today, but not as horrid as some days. 

We drove to Piggly Wiggly and Giant to get ads. 

He returned something at Big Box and the money was put back on the cc. 

We arrived home about 5 pm, having spent our free four hours doing things that needed to be done. So, essentially it frees up other days and hours. 

How was your Thursday? Did things go smoothly? Do you hate waiting in the four-hour window for a repairman to come? 

Busy Monday

 

                                                                                Cute! 

I just liked this tshirt.

Today, the cleaner came. We got lots done and there is still more to do before she can vacuum. With Tommy's permission, I had her empty his chest of drawers. She first brought him a drawerful of socks. He was to sort into keep, give away, throw away. But, noooo, he had to get out his socks he stores by his chair and sort them, too. There are three huge bags of things from the rest of the drawers to sort. 

Without looking at them, he allowed her to throw away boxers that had sprung elastic. There is a shiny pair of black boxers with red hearts. They look like a ten-year-old could wear them.  There are more bags for him to sort. I know he wants none of the white t-shirts, so those will be put away for rags. Then, there are tshirts from Auburn and other colored picture t-shirts. 

I own and use several Rubbermaid-type bins. One was empty. I cannot imagine. Now, they are stacked with my stuff in them. I found a shirt I like and forgot I owned. This makes three days she has worked on my room. There will be at least one more day and the next time she can vacuum. There are still tote bags and boxes of stuff that has no home. When I get the chest cleaned out and I am sure there are not silverfish in it, lots of the stuff on the floor will go in there. 

We tried to get the kitchen drawer that binds back on track. I gave up. She used the swiffer thing with a wet pad and cleaned up whatever Tommy spilled in front of the refrigerator and said she went ahead and mopped in front of the stove. 

Then, I had her get things I dropped behind my chair and table. There was lots of stuff. The space from wall required for this chair is so large that she could easily get back there. She also moved cans of food I had not put in the kitchen. 

I have to rest when she leaves, so I did. We were sitting here when it started to rain, then storm. The electricity went off. And, I was stuck in my chair. I could have sat a little longer. However, I needed to go to the bathroom! So, I called 911 and two guys in a huge firetruck had to haul me out of my chair. Tommy was sitting in chair mode, so he had no trouble getting up. We will have motors for these things soon.

Since dinner is done, I am relieved. Watching someone move things is so tiring...lol. It is 4 pm, and I need a nap. 

How cute is that tshirt? Speaking of tshirts, for what do you use old tshirts?

Saturday in Cullman and Soup and Summer Savory

 We went to Cullman with a list and finished the list and got home about 3:30. I am so tired. The day was pretty but below freezing until about noon. But, the humidity was 23% yesterday evening unless it was a mistake. No ice on any of the roads make for safe driving.

Before we left, I grabbed a cheese sandwich and water. Tommy had gotten bread and sausage. So, it has been many months since we stopped at Hardee's for a sausage biscuit. Buying the premade sausage has made the difference.  The sausage is expensive, but much less than Hardees for both of us. 

We got the mail, went to my lot, dropped off a huge bag of plastic bottles for recycling, I went to two grocery stores where I picked up 4 more pimientos and two more cans of cheap green beans. The other store had no bargains today. Sportsman's Lake is still closed, and the Christmas decorations are still in the park.

At my friend's junk shop I saw a table I wanted several months ago. She is the one who is in a wheelchair and the person who asked me to buy food for her friend, saying she would pay me and never did. I had $9.50 on the books with her. Brought her something that put another $10 on the books, got the table for $20, leaving me 50 cents on the books. I mentioned she needed to pay me for the money I spent for her friend and the fact she said she would pay me. She said pitifully that she only had $3 and needed to buy something. I replied dryly, " I have change." She ignored me and never paid me. 

I will just put it on the books next time and never bring her friends food until I get the money. This actually benefits me. Today, she said she would sell me an iron bed and rails for $25. I will never get the money without making an enemy. She has never paid me for one blessed thing I have for sale! But, it gets put on the books and I get "free" stuff. "I will trade you my stuff for your stuff" sort of deal.
 

There is a beautiful, little table in my trunk, so I am happy. 

I took a purse to the shoe shop and had it repaired for $3. The remote for my car had a dead battery, so got that taken care of for another $3. I knew the people in both places, so pleasant conversation made me feel really happy. I have shopped both stores for 30 years, so it felt like home. 

While I was in a friendly atmosphere, Cullman, where people know me. I decided to shop at Walgreen's and get some otc at the drive-up window. The one here told me I had come into the store, just flat out refused. 

One friend who is semi-retired told me his wife died of covid-19 just before vaccines were available. The conversation made me sad because he is a nice man and seemed to really love his wife. I counseled another young man about educational goals. He has changed majors eight times! I congratulated him for his perseverance. I could not see making him feel bad about his decisions, especially since he is still interested in education. 

We arrived back home at about 3:30. At about 5:30, I decided to make soup. Tommy cooked and chopped the meat and scraped the carrots. I peeled the potatoes prepared the celery and put the soup into the crock pot. Around 6  pm, I decided the soup would never get done. Sooo, I put it all on a pot on the stove and added two cans of diced tomatoes and more water. 

I was so tired that I went to sleep in the recliner. I never finished adding things to the soup. So, I did when I awoke.

Soup

ground beef, maybe 2 lbs. today

carrots, a little over a pound

potatoes, just a few diced small

1/2 bag coleslaw mix

two ribs of celery, sliced thinly crosswise

two 15 oz cans diced tomatoes

can of green beans

diced onions

clove garlic

bay leaf (take it out after cooking)

I intended to put Summer Savory in to season it, but I had none, and Publix does not even carry it. If I put Summer Savory, I don't put salt, pepper, or bayleaf. The soup with the savory is very fragrant. I love it. Tomorrow, if Tommy wants me to, I will add brown rice to the soup. Okay, he wants brown rice. I don't add much, just 1/3 cup brown rice. Usually, I add corn to this soup and lima beans. 

The Summer Savory is not carried at Publix, so I ordered some from Amazon. Do you ever cook with this spice? There is a Winter Savory, too. I use one for soup, hopefully Summer Savory that I ordered. 

Saturday This and That

 Since I had no idea what Kim was talking about, I looked it up. I know what wooden beads are, and I know what tiered shelves are. But, I had no idea they were a "thing" together. I looked it up and I still don't. However, I saw lots of wood bead garlands in the furniture store.  Right now, I have zero interest in either. However, that could turn on a dime and I will be a fan. 

The really good loveseat is soaked by rain. That makes me sad as I am quite sure people are around here that need good furniture. I do point out that I just cannot stand up using it. People, otherwise, will ask what is wrong with it. In the same vein, standing from sitting in this chair is wonderful. I have little pain in back, knee, and hands. The arms are square and flat and not all cushion-y. I despise the look of the new chair, though! Plus, the firm cushion keeps my back from hurting me while sitting. If the cushion ever gets limp, I will take it to upholsterer to put new foam and polyester wrap. No, I cannot do it myself. My hands could have done this 30 years ago and easily. 

The square arms have an advantage over the really curved and soft one--I can put a plate of food on it without having to balance the plate so it does not slide. My pills don't roll off. I do have a quilt thrown over the chair. Already, I have spilled food and gotten crumbs on the quilt. 

Last night, I slept four hours and got up at 9:30  am. At 12:30 pm I went back for a short nap and awoke at 5:30 pm. I actually feel good. That's a plus. I had scrambled eggs and a sausage patty for lunch, my only meal. After I ate, the plan was to put it all in the refrigerator. When I awoke, it was all sitting on the stove--five hours! I discovered it an hour later, so six hours not refrigerated. Tommy went in and washed the skillet out and left food on the stove, right next to the skillet. Well, it is the refrigerator now. And, the skillet is clean. 

We never stop at Hardees for sausage and biscuit now that I buy and cook the whole package of sausage. However, he never has it for breakfast. He eats it as a snack or for lunch. I am puzzled. He had two for lunch today along with one piece of bread. The sausage is less expensive than two sausage biscuits and coffee. And, the twelve pack lasts for several meals.  

We have been inside today. Tommy went to take laundry to the machine and out to get it for me to hang. Then, he retrieved the mail. I have not done more than look out through the door window to see if the loveseat was gone or not. NOT 

It is almost 7 pm and the plan is to unload the dishwasher and plant the Amaryllis. Maybe we will have a bit of snow in the morning. How is your Saturday? What happened at your house or will tomorrow?

Chair and Food and Sleep

 Since I have had 24 hours to use the new chair, I am happy. The guys put the chair down and said, "Is that okay?" I agreed it was and asked if they could move the table back. They had to move it to get to the space to remove the love seat. The lamp was not plugged in, so I could not see the edge of the table was not even with the chair or the door. 

I immediately called the store and asked if they could move the chair since we cannot.  She said they had gone home and she would be in Atlanta. So, it would be Monday. I hurt myself trying to yank the chair, and then I quit. 

Sleep did not come until after 6 am. I got up when Tommy called me at 9 am and said I was not going to Cullman. Then, I could not go to sleep. Finally, I went to bed and he called me loudly just as I was drifting off. I ran from the bedroom in a knee-length summer nightgown and a sweatshirt over that and barefooted. He was telling me the guys were here. Since he only had on shorts, he went into the kitchen. It would take him at least 3-5 minutes to get his pants on. 

I know they thought I was crazy to have them come back here to move a chair two inches. But, that is the degree of my back problems. And, I forgot to give them money for their help. 

After that, there was no way I could sleep! I suggested going to the grocery store. Well, he finally was ready to go about 2 pm. As we went here, there, and yonder, we have tried to get someone to take this love seat. 

Groceries:

Bread Store:

read Store:Six huge brown rolls, the ones sold at Outback $2

envelops of cheese sauce $1

Publix:

18 eggs $4.29 yikes

Bread $3.49

Mott's Applesauce 3 for $6

grape tomatoes $1.48

Chocolate 2 for $4 Sugar Free

Wheat Thins, Lightly Salted 2 for $6

Diet Pepsi for Tommy bog2  $14

Cheerios bogo 2 for $5.79

Then, I had a $1 coupon for purchasing two. for $5.79 I got an extra $1 off for buying two, making it $4.79 for two and $2.40 for 18.8 ounce box. 

I may have to get chickens again if the price of eggs does not drop! The bread store had no reduced bread and we drove a long way to get it.  Applesauce cups are for the car. 

Wednesday and Thursday night, we had chicken, brown rice, mushroom soup, green beans and a small jar of pimiento. 

I may get out frozen pieces of chicken and figure out vegetables. It is tiring to keep going to sleep or almost going to sleep and not getting completely asleep or have someone wake you!

Some people can go straight back to sleep. That is not me. How about you? Can you go back to sleep when you are awakened?

Three New Chairs

 In the store where I have bought the two reindeer and the Santa, finally bought furniture. The Lazy boy recliners will be delivered maybe February 28. Too long! Tommy paid for them in full on October 28, 2001and Lazy Boy is making money off our money. Not acceptable. 

In the furniture store I had found a chair that I do not like but feels good on sale. I got it for less than $300. Sold. 

Tommy was so angry that I wanted him to look at the chair. He cannot fathom he might see something I missed. But, he did go in and looked at it, sit in it and give his opinion. So, I bought the one I do not like--a square gray chair! The one I like was brown, a color I hate, but it had curved arms and wood down the front of the arms and across the lower part of the chair. I would have gotten it but the seat cushion did not have much support. So, I bought for comfort. There is a chance Tommy thought I got this one because it is $50 cheaper. I am quite sure he said I should get it because it was cheaper. 

In the meantime, before I purchased the chair, I asked Tommy to look at recliners. He did and I decided I wanted one from there and said he should, too.  The color is Truffle, looks sort of olive greenish, sort of tweed. I called and cancelled the order for the Laz y boy and he paid for these, two that were ordered while we sat there. 

The chair was delivered free of charge since we had paid for delivery on the recliners. I gave the guys $5 apiece to carry the loveseat to the curb. We immediately put a "FREE" sign on it. 

So, I am sitting in a chair that supports my back. I am exhausted. Furniture shopping is tiring. Spending so much money is a stressor. However, the recliners at Lazy boy were twice the price as these. However, these don't have heat or massage or zero gravity. I really need the zero gravity! I can do without the heat and massage.  Anyway, it is done! Oh, these are lift chairs. But, the lift scares me.

I forgot to say that these don't have the huge pillow at the top, so it does not push on my head. 

I haven't bought new furniture since 1972, preferring antiques, curb shopping, any furniture that might need to be upholstered or in need of new springs. Having to spend real money on furniture, and furniture yet that I don't even like hurts and stresses me. 

Do you find that shopping for brand new furniture is stressful? 

I gave the guys $5 apiece to put the loveseat on the front lawn near the curb. Well, I went out after Tommy looked under the cushions and put a "FREE" sign on it. But, they have the loveseat facing the house! What is with that? And, Tommy put the sign on the back of the loveseat and thought it was just fine to face it away from the road/ GOOD GRIEF! I want it taken before it rains, otherwise, no one will want it. 

We are supposed to get the recliners between one and two weeks from now. I surely hope so. In the meantime, Now, the ottoman I was given works with this chair at the right height not to hurt my back and legs. 

He found $0.49 under the cushions.

A Dream

 

Probably fuzzy! 

better image of a Chesterfield chair

This dream seemed like it lasted a long time, like all night. I had a new, large-ish room on the back of the house. It had lots of windows and this chair. I have wanted a Chesterfield chair for a long time. This chair is plum, velvet, I think. 

We could see out the windows and see hummingbirds from all the windows and knock out roses. It was a beautiful dream of a well-lighted room, no carpet, beautiful mill work, pale pink walls, curtains like a dreamy breeze, furniture with character and not new. 

This is a better PICTURE OF THE CHAIR. While I love this chair, I actually found one with a seat cushion, not this kind. 

I went to the doctor and had some shocking news. I am too tired to write more. 

Roach Clips

It seems that roach clips are the new way to attach ornaments, even the balls. Most of the ornaments sold one at a time are glued onto a roach clip. I wonder how long this will last. Have you seen ornaments with roach clips glued to them? 

Tommy went to my doctor after I spoke to my doctor about my toe and explained that Tommy's toenail was coming off and hanging there. So, Tommy likes him is going back for another appointment. We both have an appointment in January, mine first and his 15 minutes later so we can make one trip. 

Tommy's toenail was hanging by a strip at the base of the nail. Tommy said it did not hurt at all, just a snip, snip, snip. He said the doctor had a needle and pain med lying there in case it was necessary. It was not red or anything. It has a Band-Aid on the toe, so I cannot see it. 

As we left the parking deck, the attendant asked Tommy--who are you for, Auburn or Alabama? Tommy replied that he went to Auburn. The guy was happy and told Tommy there would be no charge for parking because "Alabama has hurt us enough." I hope he has a job next time we go there...lol. 

We went to Publix for eggs. I hate to run out and I had just eaten the last of them Thursday. The chair by the dumpster in the park was still there, and I examined it and left it. It was a chrome, metal-framed chair with padded seat and padded back. It looked like something a mechanic would have in his office for customers.  I know the seat had gotten wet and the back, too. The chrome was in good shape, however. And, dew has formed since it was put out. 

Formerly, I would gotten the chair, strip wood and material, replace the wooden seat bottom, upholster the seat, and tighten or replace screws in the metal frame. It was rickety side to side. There will be other chairs. I don't have a work place here. I had bought a worktable the size of a sheet of plywood for my basement at my house. This chair was going to be one I sit in either outdoor to work in carport or to work inside. 

Tommy's pen needles from Amazon and my hair color arrived safely with no detours to the woods. We have no gifts or anything pricey expected, but I hope it all gets here safely. 

Have you noticed as you type that we have a spellcheck on blogger that runs all the time and for each word? It is good. I could have sworn I typed "chrome" instead of "chrone" like I did. I check to see why there were two blue lines beneath. However, it does not do so well with commas and such. I know the rule to refute their proclamations, so I refuse to change commas. 

We watched "Annie Live" on Thursday night. Did you see it? I cried, bawled at first because it was so sad. I knew what was going to happen, but I could not get over the sadness. 

Friday, I bought One A Day Vitamins for Women 50+ for my Pink Purse Project I started last year. I need to go out with a list and get the buying finished. It will be Christmas before I know it. 

Sooo, I suppose there was nothing to say? 

Pizza, Candy Corn, Chair

 There were problems, like no clean dishes to cook with, so we bought Domino's Pizza on Wednesday night. I used cooking time to put away groceries and organize a bit. So, it was a trade-off. Tommy would buy pizza every night if I even thought of it. . .lol He gets double sausage on his half and I get double mushroom. 

Since it was dark, we were going to pay for delivery and tip, making it more expensive. The pizza picked up was $7.99 but delivered was $10.99. However, there was an extra $3.99 charged for delivery. It seems like double charging for delivery to me. She said the total would be $16.99. That is for a 14" pizza with double toppings, a special price, anyway. Then, they did not put the olive oil and garlic on the crusts which makes me upset. They do this over half the time.

I am not interested in any other pizza, so don't try to tempt me. I have tried them all and prefer Domino's. If you invite me to eat something else, I would eat it. But, Domino's is what I prefer! It is what I will pay for a hot pizza. 

HA! I watched Wagon Train and Flint, Robert Horton guy, kisses girls, something Matt Dillon does not do. I really prefer not to have a lot of kissing, just killing...lol. \

I can recommend this package of muffin mix--Martha White Pumpkin Spice Muffin Mix. It called for 3/4 cup of milk. Somehow, I put in one cup of milk. I sighed and went ahead and baked it. I put it in a small casserole about 7"x9". It turned out great with a delicious flavor. With all the milk I used the little cake was dense and moist, a very nice texture. I paid $0.48 at The Pig. It may be more elsewhere. For the next package, I may add canned pumpkin. 

This afternoon, I had to search to find the candy corn, the tiny package I bought. It was time to sample them. I ate a bunch and Tommy ate less, so I tossed him the rest of the bag. At least we did not eat every candy we wanted this season. 

We found out that La z boy charged us for fabric protector. We specifically told the woman we did not want that. So, that has to be rectified. The saleswoman has chairs to sell, I suppose, because we cannot get her attention. Both these chairs are NOT fabric, so I am not sure why protector. Well, unless the conditioner is to condition the plastic or vinyl or whatever it is. Tommy says that the coating on fabric in new cars makes him itch. So, he was adamant. We were charged $69.99 twice. 

We went the short distance to the office in La z boy and I sat in a chair in front of the office. The walker is too uncomfortable. I like the chair as it was high-density foam and wonderful. It was a mission style chair, not my style at all. But, we need a couple of chairs. I need one in my bedroom. It was ~$1300. You read that correctly "about thirteen hundred dollars!"  I might in a wild dream pay that much, but not for a style I would not want. However, I was awake. There are consignment shops. Tommy was shocked as well. 

Oh, they don't carry used furniture away because of Covid. I would worry more about bedbugs, fleas and roaches or other critters. I bought a chair once and found a dead rat under the cushion! My friend's sofa had mice make nests and tunnels in her sofa. No problem with getting rid of these. We will call a thrift store or church yard sale where we go. Or, give them away somewhere, maybe sell the loveseat. It is still in good enough condition, fabric-wise to sell. It is just too worn in the seat for my back and too close to the floor.  I am sitting about 12 inches off the floor when I struggle to rise. 

I will tell you about the bed and mattress tomorrow night, the one on which I sleep. 

Thursday might, we will have the plan for last night, the casserole with Stovetop, chicken and vegetables.