Groceries and Tupperware

Chocolate above was less than $1 for 3 oz. bar.

 Of course, yesterday's good sleep is followed by a 4-hour nap last night. But, I did get up at 8:30 and start the day with a bit of reading on the internet. I washed my hair and bathed. 

Then, between the two of us, we put a chicken in the crockpot. We have our movements and separate tasks for all of this. Neither of us moves until we inform the other. That way, we are never bumped off our feet. Today, I have really been dizzy since I ate and don't know why. So, Tommy carries the knives...lol. 

In a bit, we are off to take recycling to Publix and get milk for Tommy, apples for me. The ads were not much this week, forgot what. But, the pork butts are $1.89 or something close to that price. Hopefully, Tommy will go in and get it since this store is the most difficult for me to get into and out of as I have to walk to far. Carts are not allowed outside of the store. I was told it was for my safety because if it rained, I might be electrocuted on the electric cart. 

Why do people think customers are ignorant. Can you imagine how an electric cart maker could stay in business if carts were that dangerous? I honestly think some of the doom peddlers believe it themselves. 

Tommy went into the store that carts are kept in the store only and bought a huge pork butt. One of us will cut it in half, cook one piece and freeze the other half. 

Then, we saw or Tupperware lady from Mississippi, stopped and shopped. She remembered my name and the fact I wanted a pie keeper. (She said she had my name and what I wanted in her phone.) But, she did not have one. I did find things to replace what went into the dump--pasta keeper, tall and skinny container for juice or whatever, midgets or smidgets or something, and another tall cylindrical container ($5 piece that sold for $25 originally. Tommy even paid for it, volunteered because I did not have my checkbook and she did not take cards. I bought the one piece for $5 that was $25. I suppose it was not a good seller or it was the last she had. 

This woman comes from Mississippi and sets up in a grocery store parking lot across from her family's restaurant. She spends the night with family. So, her only cost is gas to get here. She knows I cannot get out of the car and stand for long, so she cheerfully brings me what I want to see and shows me new items. I told Tommy that I would not have spent a dime if she acted like I was an irritant, a problem. Of course, I do have to sit while she waits on others who come to shop. 

Publix--Peter Pan PB bogo, gal of Publix milk for Tommy, dried marjoram, dried oregano, apples, bananas, tiny teeth grater. I had to get a rain check for Angel Soft. Diet Coke Caffeine Free, and Special K.

The Pig--bologna, hotdogs for the freezer, a2milk two half gallons that cost $2.85/half gallon as opposed to $4.99 at Publix, Vidalia onions, free mustard for buying $10 of groceries.

We were so tired when we arrived home about 6 pm. However, the chicken in the crockpot was delicious smelling and falling-off-the-bone done. Tommy made himself a salad and I put chicken on his plate. He had the last of the herb butter on a piece of French bread or some bread that was not loaf bread. I had chicken breast, and slaw. Shortly before dinner I was starving and had a huge salad. 

Tommy and I were discussing salad dressings. He hates Ranch Dressing, and I love it. He prefers Italian and I prefer not to have vinegar because I am allergic to it. However, I do love Italian dressing. Well, he told me he had been eating Ranch Dressing. I was shocked. He said he put either sweet or dill relish on top of the Ranch on his salad. So, I will make dressing for him and let him put in the amount of relish he likes before I put it in a jar with lid. I am trying to avoid all the stuff in store bought dressing that is an allergen for me or that is bad for us. 

Okay, it is 10:30 and the chicken is cool enough for Tommy to take meat off the bone. I may make chicken and dumplings on Saturday because I have sale dumplings to add. We will see. 

Have you ever had a Endangered Species Chocolate bar? 

I am going to use Anne's recipe for salad dressing first, but do you have a good dressing recipe?

Are you a Tupperware fan or not? 

Doctors and The Chocolate Lounge Found and More Exercises

Tuesday, I had a long neglected appointment with a retinal specialist. Fortunately, this last year has not caused further damage to my macula. He kept reassuring me, but I still have to perform an Amsler grid test everyday without fail.  It is scary, but I have to determine if my vision is worsening with a graph. 

My macula started to pucker about thirty years ago. The doctor is talking surgery which I will not resist! The macula is scarring my retina. For me macular degeneration is scarier than heart disease. Not being able to see is a nightmare for me. With heart disease, you just die. 

This is just the beginning of doctor appointments that I have delayed. People keep telling me I don't look my age, that I look much younger. I suppose this proves you don't have to look old to have old people  health problems. 

Wednesday, I am off to see endocrinologist. Okay, back.

There was lots of good news and a little bad news. My AIC is up a tad. My cholesterol is down to where it should be, but he wants it lower. My blood pressure was 110/63. Thyroid level is finally okay. I have an ultrasound scheduled for nodules behind my thyroid. I believe more have developed. So, maybe this is all uninteresting. 

I did go to The Chocolate Lounge and (Tommy)  bought two chocolates for a total of $7.15.  It is located in a business that says "Art Camp" at 1925 29th Ave in Homewood, Alabama. The chocolate lounge is an old-fashioned looking candy counter and on a table with chocolate truffles on  footed cake  plates with covers. The guy said they order these from Texas.  I know, I know. I go to the doctor about diabetes and eat chocolates!

The bread store was on the way home. My favorite bread that is usually $3.59 was $1.09. The two loaves had dates of May 5, 2021 and May 9, 2021. So, none of it will be stale. If I can get one loaf in the freezer, I will put it there. 

Today, I did my sitting marching for TWO MINUTES! I felt no worse than the first day I exercised for 30 seconds. A blog friend sent me a page of similarly easy exercises, so I will add those. I must be a bit more fit. 

Chocolate can be good for you

 Don't give up the chocolate. CHOCOLATE IS GOOD FOR YOU!  So, read the link for 15 ways chocolate is good for you. Go ahead and eat that Easter candy. Of course, dark chocolate is the most beneficial.  And, don't eat too much!

After you have read the article, can you see any ways chocolate consumption has been beneficial to you?  I can fr me. 

Sunday night, I was so exhausted that after I went to the bathroom about 10 pm, I just got into bed and went to sleep. I always comment to Tommy that I am going to bed, but not Sunday night. 

Monday, we had a long day. Well, five hours is too long for me...lol.  I went into multiple stores to try to find shoes for Tommy. All the ones I find online and in the store that have velcro straps are wide. There is no way he can wear a wide shoe! He does not want a sport shoe, just a black pair. He cannot tie his shoes, and he uses his can to loose the velcro and then push it down after he gets his shoes on his feet.

I did buy another pair of SAS sandals for me, identical to the ones I bought in the fall of 2019. I wore the same pair of shoes for that long. I now have a pair to alternate wearing each day. I found a pair for him that was $187, but he will never buy them even if they save money and his feet in the long run. sigh

At Publix I found the Lindt for half price and bought that, plus a pink bunny PEZ dispenser for me. 

Since I have been sleeping a bit better at night, I have not been taking several naps a day. But, Monday, I did take a short nap. I suppose I dreamed the whole time. I also suppose I heard the Rod Stewart cd end, because I called out, "Tommy, did the TV go off?" I suppose I then awoke. It was all so confusing that I just went back to sleep. 

Monday, I had to hurry and get dinner done because a Hemingway documentary was coming on. Tommy had a piece of ham and I had two boiled eggs. I made a small green bean casserole and we had leftover slaw. 

I really enjoyed the Hemingway documentary, part 1 of 3 parts. I was pleased that every sample of his writing and composing they showed onscreen, I recognized the work of his. I have read most of Hemingway's writing during and after I studied his works in a burdensome 12 week course and Kentucky Wesleyan. I did not hate Hemingway for 12 weeks, just other courses. Now, I want to reread all of Hemingway. 

Are you a fan of Hemingway? Did you purchase sale Easter candy?

Chocolate Brownie Waffles

No negative comments! I know!

Saturday night, I made something I had planned for a couple of weeks. No, it is not conducive to losing weight. I asked Tommy if he wanted it before I went ahead.

I used my tiny $10 waffle iron to make waffles from a brownie mix. I saw this on the internet. Directions were to use  a boxed full-sized fudge brownie mix. I had gotten Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix 13" x 9' size and just did not get around to making the brownie waffles.

In the meantime, I found the pouch fudge brownies I wanted. This worked just fine.
I used Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie mix in a pouch. For us this small amount it just right.

Basically, the instructions were to add an extra egg. The box already called for two eggs. The pouch only called for one egg, so i added another making two eggs in the pouch and the water and oil called for. Use PAM! I only used it on the first brownie waffle and not for the following ones. I regret that decision.

I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup for the initial waffle. It was delicious. However, I switched to a 1/3 cup measuring cup and the amount was just right. I used a fork to dip the mix into the measuring cup. Dipping the cup into the mixture did not work. Don't do it. Using a spoon was not getting it for me. I used a plastic spoon.

I think I made five chocolate brownie waffles. We halved each as they came from the waffle maker. I used a plastic fork to raise up one edge because I burned myself on a hot waffle! I did not want to use a metal fork and ruin the finish of the surface that was nonstick.

The waffle maker is a DASH Mini Maker Waffle, making a four inch brownie waffle.

Mine


We can eat well all day and then when the sun goes down, a few hours later, snacks are on my mind. Usually, a dozen chocolate chips works just fine. But, these brownie waffles had been on my mind. We just ate them out of hand. I could see a smear of cream cheese or a sprinkle of confectioner's sugar. What would you eat on chocolate waffles?

On the internet are all sorts of hacks for cookies from cake mixes and such things. Have you made cookies from a cake mix or used a mix to make a different food?

Adventures at My Town

Today was the only day when no rain was forecast this week. So, we went back to Cullman. The day was bright from the time we left about 9 am. Sunday I was tired by resisted a nap, I think. I was eager to go to sleep after I took liquid Melatonin on Sunday night. I cannot see the eye dropper, so I took three droppers of it. That may have been too much. I slept for 8.5 hours and could have slept more. I am not sure if I were tired or had overdosed when Tommy woke me. I had my daily banana and milk.

Tommy wanted to buy coffee and sausage biscuit. You think I am going to say No to that? I felt greasy when I finished--hand, face, clothes...lol. The day was beautiful and the drive uneventful. The sun shone all day.

Tommy put a load in the washer for me this morning. I went out and put vinegar in them after we got home. I cannot get them in the house because they are so heavy, so he brought them in tonight.

I returned and got my money back on the scissors. Tommy went in first with scissors and a copy of the two receipts. The man was angry and asked Tommy if he had a dog in this fight. Tommy said, "I am here to help a friend" That made me angry that the guy would question Tommy. He told Tommy if he did not have a dog in this fight to get out of his store right now. I said, "No, he is with me and I want my money back on the scissors."

He was so rude to Tommy, berating him. Neither of us took the bait to be rude. He gave me my money and told me to get out and never come back. "Oh, believe me, I have already decided I would never spend money here again." He gave me $50 while I paid $49.05. I can purchase these scissors elsewhere. No problem. On the copies of the two receipts were was his handwriting and the price and model number. So, he really had no choice but to give me my money or go to small claims court and close his business and pay court costs.  It would cost me nothing but an hour when we were going there, anyway. I did not threaten him.

I had two coupons for anything Hershey or other brands I do not remember. One coupon was $3 and the other was $1. I found  Hershey products bogo. I got a Hershey's extra creamy solid milk chocolate and one Hershey's extra creamy milk chocolate filled with strawberry cream. I am drooling as I type. I asked if I could get one of each and could. I asked the guy if it were possible to use both coupons. He said I could. So 2 Hershey's  10-oz. packages of chocolate.

  20 ounces for $4.19
  - $3 coupon = $1.19
 - $1 coupon =  $0.19 !!!
That is nineteen cents for chocolate hearts!

We ate at KFC with a coupon. I have not had KFC in several months, I think. At any rate, we shared one box and got the two free Senior drinks. I had unsweetened tea; he had Diet Pepsi.

I paid two bills in person. In one case, I want to keep a presence at the business. It is nice and advantageous to know the person at the desk. That often changes. At the other, I was not sure if there was a charge when I use a card in person or over the phone.  I am still not sure! I will call. I went to my bank to get cash to pay one of those bills.

My mailbox is always open nowadays when we go to my lot. I close it each week. So, I suppose someone is checking for mail each week. The person is pulling it open and easing it back so it catches but will make noise when it is pushed close. It is overly tight.  I left the pink bag with 15 newspaper inserts in the mailbox for a friend. Tomorrow, early I will know if someone stole them. Have you ever had a mailbox thief?

There were a few cheap plastic pots at my lot, the kind for planting. I had nicer ones and huge ones that were taken immediately after the incident. Now, they are gone. I had 13 pieces of cast iron--pots, skillets, lids there, too. Today, I had someone put them in Tommy's Rogue. There were four skillets, one lid and one pot. That is more than half that were stolen. I am beyond annoyed. Mama gave me some of those.

I went to a food bank. I am just too tired to look and type, so that will be a story for tomorrow.  I have had to correct almost every word I have typed.

Oh, I have to tell this. I bought a box for filing and it was not what I needed. So, i took it back. Today, i went in Office Max and got a copy of the two receipts and received a coupon for $10 off $30 purchase. Of course, I took it right to someone to find the proper file box for me and file folders that were on sale.

Then, I inquired about a 4-in-1 printer.  The $179 model was on sale for $59, so I got it.  I bought  a Kodak printer there about 5 years ago and it was faulty. The store would not give me a refund because they no longer carried Kodak. Kodak said take it back where I bought it. So, I was sol. Today, I bought a warranty. Since it is HP, I doubt I will need to use the warranty. This model is probably being discontinued.

I have broken the "print' habit! I was printing fodder for a book. Never mind. Did you ever have a habit of printing too much?

We got our pink plastic bag thrown in the yard today. It had store ads and only one two inserts! There was one $5 coupon I will use. Now, it will rain for three days on the bags. Maybe I can find some that are not full of water. Some are dry. Some are full of water, depending on where they are thrown.

Tonight, Tommy will have the thigh from KFC, a sweet potato, and tomatoes. I will have ham and scrambled eggs. Later, I will have sweet potato and salad. Maybe i can stay awake until we eat!

Go to Publix for bogo chocolate hearts this week! This ends Tuesday night.

Sunday Breakfast

We had a Minister's Appreciation Day last month, so the minister had a `Congregation Appreciation Day today. The minister and his wife bought ingredients and made breakfast for the congregation.
They prepared bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grits, sausage gravy, pancakes, syrup, butter, cantaloupe, coffee, orange juice, cake, tea and milk.

I took my own milk and ate scrambled eggs, milk, bacon, pancakes, and syrup and butter. And, I did not go back for seconds even though I wanted more...lol. The bacon was crispy and eggs solid without white showing. So, all I got was enjoyable. Tommy had much more and ate the biscuit I put on my plate but did not want.

Then we played Bible trivia with prizes. Tommy won Andes mints, and I won a Pez dispenser with three flavors of Pez. They would not let me answer more since I had won something. So, I whispered the answer to the elderly lady next to me who did not raise her hand for any questions. Who came and asked for the body of Christ? Joseph of Arimathea! She won a box of Tootsie Rolls in lots of colors and flavors. She was very happy as she kept candy for her grandchildren. I was pleased I could help her. One woman won a small Snowman and Tommy said he mainly remembers candy being won. One person won a glass cannister type thing with Hershey's Miniatures.

Since I had only slept 2 hours with something to help me sleep, I came home and was ready for a nap. I only slept three hours this afternoon, so I hope sleep comes easily tonight. Saturday night it was warm outside, so nothing came on. We both got up at the same time to use the bathroom, so I noted I was suffocating. He turned on ac and it is still on at 10 pm.

Tonight, I got out the three foot tree I decided to bring here. Tommy will pull all the branches out since that makes my hands itch and break out. I was thrilled to see I had bought a prelit tree. When one light goes out, the rest stay lit. I need to buy ornaments for it. I bought the artificial Christmas tree several years ago, either 75% off or 90% off, forgot which.

Then, I addressed a few Christmas cards. I have boxes of ancient Christmas cards, most notable Black person on a whole box of cards. I would rather sell these. They are from 50s or 60s. And, there are many Christmas postcards. I suppose stamps are still cheaper for postcards unless things have changed. I bought the stamps a few weeks ago, so there is no crunch to buy them this month.

We ate the last of all the Thanksgiving dinner today except for Tommy's Jello salad. I took out turkey legs to thaw and need to find the chicken breast packages to thaw and then cook turkey legs and breasts in one cooking bag. I need to cook more sweet potatoes so we can eat off those this week.

That was Sunday, very quiet and we spent nothing. This weekend has been beautiful and mild, with temperatures in the low 70s. Okay, Tommy said it only got to 69 today.

We All Swallow Lies When Our Hearts Are Hungry

Think about the statement that is the title of this post. True?

Make sure your children do not have hungry hearts so they will be better equipped to discern the lies. Of course, the same statement applies to everyone, even us adults.

Buying items that are reduced certainly allows me to indulge in my vices. The Ghirardelli chocolate chips that were originally over $4 for a 12 ounce bag and reduced to $1.50 certainly serve as a cheap snack, fulfilling my desire for chocolate. Snacks may cost less than a nickel.

Chocolate chips and peanut butter are good together, so I use about a Tbsp. or more of peanut butter and eight or ten chips. Once microwaved, the chips and pb are easily mixed and can be eaten leisurely with a spoon.

This way, I am not tempted to spend at least a dollar on a snack or to bake something. If I were more motivated, I could make my own peanut butter cups.

I was reading about the ketogenic diet. When I read "no fruit," I was out. I know berries are allowed, but I am still out. Anne is a saint!

Blood Sugar, Bargains, Pollen

Okay, it looks like I am in business.

Since Nov. 27, 2018, lots has happened. I have found some great bargains and my problems with the meds for diabetes is over. However, the early and intense spring  blooms have caused me constant health problems.

This is my second laptop this year and I love this one. I can no longer use a black laptop keyboard. It's just too hard to see the keys. This one is silver and has lights under the keys that can be tuned on for better viewing at night. It was on sale! Of course, there are sales all the time.

Now, I have to retrieve the money from Paypal  to pay for this. Thank you so much.

Two weeks ago (Tommy says it was two months ago) I had a brilliant idea. There is an event every year that has awful food. They use a processed turkey roll, nasty dressing, and a Little Debbie Christmas tree for dessert. I think  they used a slice of sweet potato, and tasteless veggies--so forgettable!  I suggested  I pack those divided dishes with a lunch and we take them out in time for the dinner. He exclaimed that it was a great idea. So, it is settled.

I called Tommy yesterday/Friday afternoon. I thought I had awakened him. He was lippy and, hurting my feelings--terse. I told him I was going to call the police if he did not talk to me right. Yep, they made a welfare check and got his blood sugar up to 60 by feeding him from his refrigerator.  When I told him what he said to me, he was shocked. He said they questioned him about lots of things and left only after they saw him eating cereal and milk. He scares me so.

He has no awareness of the fact he is slipping away. I am aware of my problem if my blood sugar goes too low. I asked him to come into the exam room with me when I went to an excellent doctor, endocrinologist. Finally, I said, "I think I sound like I am drunk." Tommy agreed. I know when I slur my words. He is not aware.  I don't know what is the difference between our awareness of our own states.

He remembers my calling at 10 am and then the police were at his door around 5 pm. Actually, I had called him three other times before I had the welfare check done!

The other times I called were short calls because I thought he was napping, and I thought I disturbed him. I also thought he might be watching something on tv and was terse because he wanted me to go away...lol.

No, I have never drunk until I slurred my words, but I have heard others slur words.

Publix had 10 oz. packages of Ghirardelli dark  chocolate chips for $1.50 each  The regular price was over $4. I bought six packages. I would have bought more if I had had more money.  I eat a few chips when I want chocolate. It is much cheaper than other iterations of chocolate.

None Such Mincemeat in the little boxed, concentrated chunks were marked down to $1.50, so I got six of those. The end of 2021 is the use-by date. Original price was $3.49.

Do you have problems with someone who is not aware of the fact their blood sugar is falling or too high? What do you do?


I will be here until I can get back into my blog!