Sunday

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

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

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

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

used leftover for two small drawers in dresser

cleaned out the middle of the living room

moved items to other rooms after boxing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cleaning Out My Purse

My small purse is about 9"x5" and is worn crossbody. It is a front sewn to a back, no sides. So, it is small. I stuff it full. The purpose is so I won't have to try to hold a purse and still have cc, dl, and other pertinent necessities--one tube of lipstick, an emery board, cuticle nippers, insurance cards. Other stuff just gathers. So, tonight I decided it needed cleaning out just to find one 50 cent coupon. 

Well, the effort was more profitable than fifty cents. I found two 75 cent coupons for Jimmy Dean sausage that I just bought today. I did find the 50 cent coupon for Daisy Cottage Cheese that I was looking for and that I bought today. I have the stemless wine glasses that I bought and hate. Plus, I found the coupon for a spice rack that is worthless and a cosmetic case that is not working out. I found a coupon or signing up at Club Publix that will me $5 off my next $20 purchase. 

Cleaning out my purse before the end of the year is going to net me about $50. Some of the coupons expired Dec 31, 2022. Whew, by the skin of my teeth. 

I had gone to Publix today to redeem 3 coupons for 3 free bread products, $11.49 value. Now, I need to find room in the freezer. I bought one loaf of bread and two packages of hamburger buns. 

Four books of stamps surfaced, too. And, I found the number of the woman who cleaned and said she is coming on Sunday. I just need to check, and the number had aged out on my call list or something.

This was a profitable couple of hours of digging in my purse. Plus, my purse is skinnier and lighter. I found a dime and penny. I already knew the $5 bill was wandering around amongst the coupons and receipts. 

Now, I need to clean out my pink purse, the larger of the two. I doubt I will have the same luck with coupons, but it needs to be done.

My a2milk is on sale, but the sale price has gone up. Previously, I paid $10/3; now the price is $12/3. Bummer! 

Today, I had an appointment with a new cardiologist, a nice man, unlike the one who interrupted each sentence or question. We were 30 minutes late and had to wait another two hours to see him. So, we rode back in the rain, dark, and Tommy with low blood sugar. It was a harrowing drive. If I were ever going to have a heart attack from extreme fright, this would be the drive to do it. Besides not being a good driver, in my opinion, and not good at dark or in the rain, everything that happened was someone else's fault. The cardiologist has lots of tests scheduled for me. Lovely! 

Going to the doctor and Publix and cleaning out my purse is all I have done today. But, I slept late and slept ten hours. I went to bed at 9:30, slept until 1:30, took meds and went back to bed at 4 am and woke 10 am. See? I went to bed early and still only slept four hours. 

Do you ever clean out your purse and find things that you had been looking for or thought were lost or that you had forgotten you had? What was it? Do you find money?

Finish Off Tuesday and Part of Wednesday

 Tuesday night:

The cheapest gas this weekend was $2.59. I hope it keeps coming down. 

Turkey or chicken breast is my favorite meat. I like it because it is dry. I ate a bit from one of the two turkey breasts I just baked. The chunk of meat was dry as dust, even chewing it. It was incredibly tender, but incredibly dry, just like I prefer it. 

Tommy got out the spices, put them in a bowl and mixed them. I usually do this, but I could not stand upright to do it. I was hanging onto the sink with my elbows! Salt, pepper, and ground sage is all I use, just like my mother did. Usually, I just sprinkle each on the turkey or breast one spice at a time. I rubbed the breast very well, put them into a turkey bag and baked for almost three hours. The skin turns out beautifully and incredibly tasty. 

After both were baked, I left them to cool a bit. I told Tommy to get some to eat if he wished. He just got skin and said it was good. Yes, he liked the spices. 

I got four quart bags and divided the two breasts into the freezer bags. No, not evenly, just a portion in each. I was tired! 

I had two tiny bins sitting next to the tree with decorations in them. Well, they disappeared, so the tree will only have lights! 

We hauled things out of the living room until 2 am. I was so wired I could not sleep until 7 am. I had told Tommy to wake me at 11 am, but wrote him a note telling him to wake me at 1 pm. I did sleep until noon and we started again getting the place presentable. 

This blog will continue with the rest of Wednesday and our "party." 

Wednesday, I went to the store and bought more Christmas napkins because I had no idea where they went. I ended up spending a small fortune at the store, probably enough we will not need for for the next week and a half when we need to buy milk and bananas! 

Accounting and Cutting Back

 One of my Christmas cards arrived ripped and in a plastic bag from the PO. It was a beautiful card, covered in gold glitter. One corner of envelope and card was missing. Jan, it is a beautiful card. This is only the second piece of mail I have ever received packaged after it was mangled. Thanks, Jan and PO. Have you gotten mangled mail saved by PO and in a package with an apology? 

When Tommy opened one of his cc bills, he told me how much we put on the card the month before, November. He was not complaining, but his tone was one of surprise, complaint and consternation. 

I suggested he write down the categories and amounts to see what was driving the increase this last month so we could see what was happening, and where we need to cut back. He said that was too much trouble, so I said to give it to me and I would do it for him. The first thing I know he is writing like mad. He said he was writing it all down in categories--Amazon, gas, eating out, Publix, other grocery stores in one category, etc. He pointed out the excesses in eating out--1xWhataburger, 2x Chicken Salad Chick, and 1vSlim Chicken. He went over the other categories, too. I never want to give up CSC! I forgot the other categories he called out to me. He uses this card for points and convenience and pays it off each month with no penalties. 

Next step: I will get one of those books with green pages to record it all instead of his writing on every envelope and searching for the last month record. I have no idea how these books work, but maybe I can find someone to show me.

We will not be cutting back on gas, but we can rein in food shopping just a bit. However, buying fresh fruit and vegetables, a2milk, and loss leaders probably will never be cut down. If he could eat a sandwich from home when out, we could cut out more eating out.  Actually, we have not been inside a restaurant since early 2019! 

This is the first time he has ever told me what he has spent on his cc. I never ask. It is his bill, but we both share what we have spent and really have no secrets about anything financial. 

All the gifts are wrapped, not that there were many. The sausage balls will be made today. Decluttering continues. Dishwasher needs to be loaded. Acessories need to be hand-washed. Decluttering continues. Life goes on. We listen to Christmas music. Tree needs to be fluffed and decorated. I have not had breakfast and it is noon. Decluttering continues. Ham needs to be sliced and portions frozen. Bathroom rugs--wash. Then, kitchen linens--wash. 

Tommy is amazing! Since the cleaner came and we are having company, he is going about and doing things he declared for three years did not need to be done. Once, I remarked I would scrub out the Harvest Gold wastepaper basket in the bathroom. 

He blew up and said it did not need to be cleaned, that he had never washed out a wastepaper basket, ever! And, he said I was not allowed to clean it either. So, he had had that plastic, ugly, broken container since before he moved her in 1980 and has never washed it. ewww! I bought a new, white one last month, and he scrubbed it before we are having company! And, he put a plastic bag in it. I am still trying to recover from this development. There are other equally startling things happening with him...lol. It's a Christmas Miracle!

So, we are plugging along with decluttering.

Almost 7 pm now, and I just put the two turkey breasts in the oven. That is not dinner, but it's meat for the freezer, plus some for eating now. He is washing the sink after turkey breast and juices in the sink. 

He fluffed the tree while I took a nap today. But, the two tiny bins with the ornaments are nowhere to be seen. Maybe we will only have lights this year. 

I called our one and only guest just now. It's on! Tomorrow night, she will be here with bells on. 

If I seem to disappear, my computer has been making a horrible noise, like a death rattle.

Have you ever gotten a letter or package from the PO that is mangled, partially missing and repackaged with an apology from the PO?

Nothing Sunday

 Of course, my lack of sleep is front and center again. Three hours for Saturday and two naps on Sunday seems to have me back to my normal pain level...lol. And, we are rewatching Home Alone and Home Alone 2. We are so predictable and boring. I know. 

Saturday, Tommy took a small bin and emptied the table to my left. It was stacked with all sorts of detritus of my life. I took a wet tissue and cleaned part of the glass. Now, I need to get a toothbrush and try to clean the area between the glass top and the wood rim around that top. The glass is beveled and there is a metal piece between the glass and beveled wood. 

Tommy took items off the top because I could not stand and bend to do it. And, I could not twist my body around, either. I just hope I can complete the cleaning of the top, by which I mean the fiddly place between glass and wood. He refused to allow me to use anything as a coaster, so for three years I have had sweaty glasses, bottles, and cans on it daily. It is a miracle the surface is not ruined. Amazingly, there is no damage. 

The sorting of the bin will yield lots of fodder for his new shredder. He loves ripping up paper, so I hope he enjoys the shredder. 

When I finish cleaning this table, even before I sort the bin, I will start on the table to my right. It has larger items, not so much paper at all. Both tables are 25 inches square. Huge! The table with the glass top was given to him by his last girlfriend when she moved out of state. He has an identical glass topped table in the corner of the kitchen. The table to the right of me is one I found on the curb and asked him to bring it here for me about five years ago. He thinks it is his. Not so. Oh, the love seat he had was also hers. 

Both tables have a full shelf underneath. They are very handy, but dust catchers. Picture a half inch of dust. Yes, it was that bad when I moved here, but he would not allow me to remove it even for my health. Dusting either table shelf is beyond me! I will attach a towel to one of his canes to dust those as I sit since bending that far would be impossible. 

This is the second time we have watched both Home Alone movies. Tommy just informed me we are watching them Thursday, too. They will have little sections of commentary during the movie. I wish we could just see the commentary. But, it's okay. 

Dinner: leftovers--chicken, rice, broccoli, butternut squash. I froze the leftover taco soup and chicken cooked with carrots and potatoes. Tomorrow, I will cook the other package of bscb with carrots and zucchini. 

I have finished buying present for Lynda and have NOT opened the Kisses for her! I need to assemble it and wrap it. I don't think she reads this blog, but you never know. Now, I have to figure out what to get for Tommy. I will probably leave the flashlight as one of his Christmas gifts. The upcoming birthday is all set for gifts.

This week, temperatures will be in 70s for three days and 60s for two days--my kind of weather! 

How was your weekend? What are the plans for your week? Do you just hate dusting? I didn't when I was younger.

Wednesday and Thursday and Friday

 Grocery ads are not great this week. Aldi had their Honey Nut Cheerios, $1.99/$19.5 ounces. I don't remember the exact price, but for 18 ounces, and on sale, I think I paid about $3.50. Wednesday, I told Tommy to go into Aldi's and get six boxes. He objected to buying so many. I insisted that this was the time to stock up at a really good price. So, we left. I wasn't sure how many he would buy, but he came out with six boxes.

The Aldi brand came to 10.2 cents per ounce. Real Honey Nut Cheerios were 23.3 cents per ounce...over twice as much as the Aldi brand. 

I saw him walk back toward the store with his reacher. but I didn't pay attention to what he picked up. Later, he gave me a penny he had picked up. Good deal! When he gets out at the gas pump, he has to hold onto the car to get around the car to the pump. I always tell him to watch for money, rap on the car, and I will get out and pick up the coin. 

Wednesday, we had several choices of what to have for dinner. Tommy chose the taco casserole/soup. I put everything in the crockpot--cooked, ground pork, two cans tomato bits, two cans black beans low sodium, one can whole kernel corn. I turned it on high and got out the cheese. Well, 45 minutes later I went back and found the crockpot turned to "Off." 

About 30 minutes after I promised it at first, it was sort of warm. So, we dipped out some of what was in the pot for ourselves and put cheese on top and popped it into the microwave. I will stir in the rice and add cheese to the whole batch later. Even though it was not all the way finished, it was delicious. We can do without the rice, anyway. Okay, I put the rice into the crockpot and will add the rest of the cheese before storing. Really, it is done when it goes into the crockpot, it just needs to blend, but it was really tasty like it was, freshly mixed. 

I had an appointment at 10:30 Friday morning a long way across town with my ENT. However, I could not get into the office and they refuse to help after doing it twice--against policy and insurance won't cover. 

Since I really like this doctor, I will work it out. But, I asked if I could get a phone appointment. Lo and Behold! They said he would come to the phone. Usually, I have to wait forever. It appears the earache I have had for two years might be TMJ. So, I suppose it is here to stay. However, I may not be able to take the pain med he prescribed. So, there is that. 

I am firing two doctors because... 

While I was over on that part of town, I got to go into a different Publix. I love Publix though I purchase little. I did get some B&M Bread. It is such an experience being in that Publix, so toney...lol...real or imagined. Now, don't get me wrong, I love digging in bins and dragging good food to the surface in sketchy places with concrete floors. The aisles are generous, staff eager to help. The Publix at Cahaba is a step or two above even the nicest Publix around. `

Sitting in the car and a short trip into Publix exhausted me. I bought everything the cleaner wanted. I even bought the wet Swiffer cloths because I want her to be happy and be able to clean this awful bathroom! I even got Windex instead of the store brand or giving her vinegar. I don't want her to think I am giving her tools that won't work, even though she only asked for Windex after she asked if there were a mirror in there. I know she can do it with less prices items. But, for now, this is the way it is. This is the only room requiring such a list, so we are going with it.  I will have a gallon of vinager nearby when she comes Friday morning! 

Update on friend. I made progress and about a dozen phone calls. I told her to call the clerk at the county courthouse because they know procedures for everything! She did and found out that since he is not doing things he agreed to in divorce papers, he will soon be in contempt. I actually knew that, but it has been so long these facts slip away. She found out other things, forgot what. And, she wanted all the numbers I called to help her. I feel like she is more hopeful. 

He said in divorce papers that he would give her the car. Well, he refuses to give her documentation where she can get insurance. He has not yet given her a clear title. I told her if she wrecks it, all the fault will fall on him for damages. We both like that. So, she has to drive without insurance in the meantime. 

I said often and with compassion that I understood why she did not take steps she did and did not do things in divorce proceedings...and, 

the phone just rang. Long time friend called and her husband has stage 4 esophageal cancer, stomach tube, and mass in stomach and cancer has metastasized! She is sweet cousin of my best friend who died from hoarding...a fire. Her husband is a really good guy, sweet. She has a strong and large support system and a son who quit his job to go home and help them. 

The cleaner comes at 10 am in the morning, and I have calls to make, and now this sorrow. It is 10 pm, and I have not eaten. Tommy had a salad.

We were sitting in the shade today and it was 89F. I love the heat and love the relative lack of allergens. Dry, hot weather suits me. How is the weather in your area?  

Sunday Help with Floor

 Why the floor? Because I could not bend to get things off the floor! Besides, you cannot vacuum the floor until you find the floor! My friend had someone in mind to help me. I asked about the person...she said a 50-year-old black man. Hallelujah, someone is coming! He dusted a bookcase and all the items on it, the tv and everything on the table that held the tv, and a step-table next to the TV. He picked up items and bags on the floor and at end of sofa and between an old recliner. Tommy and I threw out lots of papers and junk lying in the midst of good stuff, stuff I needed, wanted, and should be put away--bottle of vitamin C, groceries in a bag, a huge tote bag full of tote bags, and other items. 

Much to my surprise, Tommy has a Dr. Who Role Playing Game. Tommy was not surprised since he knew he had it. He might sell it. 

There were four pouches in the grocery bag and not old at all. I had set the bag beside me, it slipped off, and I covered it up with several other items. 

He carried the very many light items down the hall and put them in front of the bedroom where we keep things. The heat register is off in there. I can go in and put them where I want them instead of having someone just put them anywhere. 

The living room looks bright even with only half the furniture dusted! It's amazing. It feels like my back is collapsing when I bend to dust. So, I am not lazy, just in pain. 

My friend brought him here after their church was over and we took him home. He will back next Sunday. At $15/hour, he is a jewel, a real find. Unfortunately, I cannot have him here for more than two hours at a time. It exhausts me. I sat the whole two hours. Tommy took all the plastic bags and divided them. Some, of heavier weight or larger, we will use. The regular store bags will be recycled. 

We waited until he was almost here, and we could not find the Endust. So, Tommy had to go to Publix after the guy arrived. Tommy brought back two boxes of cereal for himself. He has learned about "bogo" and uses it.

We watched Homecoming: A Christmas Story. I love Patricia Neal, but not for this part. Once Upon a Christmas is a trio of Disney character cartoons. The first was about Donald Duck, the second, Goofy, and the third was "and there are others." Cute. 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation was wonderful as usual. 

Tommy handed me a penny and said he got it at Publix when he went for the Endust. I was puzzled. I kept asking him why he gave it to me since I knew he used a credit card. Finally, I understood. TOMMY FOUND A PENNY. I always tell him to look when he pumps the gas, and I will get out and pick it up. He was sitting on an electric cart, so he could get it off the floor right next to the electric cart. 

For dinner we had turkey breast and a cookie pan full of carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery. I drizzled olive over everything and sprinkled the seasoning over them and baked for an hour. Tommy has one more helping of the turkey. And, there is a whole bowl full of the vegetables. He has one more helping of the turkey. 

I absolutely cannot stand raw celery unless it is diced and in tuna or potato salad. I cannot stand cooked celery unless it is chopped and in soup or something. Well, I have been cooking three-inch stalks as flavor in many things for years and for Tommy and he never eats it. Today, it was more trouble, but I sliced the stalks in 1/4-inch slices and we both loved them cooked with the other vegetables. So, I suppose I am doomed to slice celery stalks so we will both eat celery.  

Decorating is done! I did not get one thing done, but it is no problem. Now, it is on to cooking. We will eat well, but I have nothing that I am stressing over right now.  

I must nap. Tell me what you want!

Phone Calls and eBay Amidst Cooking and Cleaning

 Sunday night, I took the turkey breast from the oven, let it cool a bit and bagged it for the freezer. We are still eating from the hen I baked. Tommy had a salad and a leg from the hen and English peas. He ate carrots and tomato on the salad. I had tomatoes, cheese bits, and chicken with Miracle Whip stirred in and green beans. 

Since I bought 3 more half gallons of milk, the refrigerator is crowded so I did not get another breast out. That will happen today. 

I believe today's Thanksgiving dinner prep will be baking a dozen or more sweet potatoes. I will peel the baked sweet potatoes and freeze them in meal sized portions. Since we have peas and green beans leftover along with the hen pieces, we can have dinner by adding sweet potatoes. 

The Butterball Turkey Breast had a gravy packet. I put it in a Ball jar to save. I don't know if I will use it or not. 

I started a bag in the freezer for stock. So far, I have the bones and browned skin of the turkey breast. This is new to me. I think it will work well. The juices from the turkey are in a Ball jar. They will go in the broth bag. Tommy listened closely when I told him how this works. He has never heard of such things. He said he was reading and looking at the boxes of broth and stock at the store. 

Sunday, I went to Publix to get two more turkey breasts. They were out. Pooh. However, I did get three more half-gallons of a2milk. That makes 3.5 gallons in the freezer. 

Okay, Publix did not get a meat truck in on Monday. Since it will come in tomorrow, I will check back.  The next breast to be cooked is thawing. I tasted the breast I cooked with plenty of seasoning and it was not tasty. Since I can taste everything else, I wonder why this Butterball breast is not tasty. 

My phone I bought from eBay and was advertised as 4G is not, I am scurrying to get it back to the seller through eBay. This is not easy. None of the numbers work, so I followed directions and left a message with eBay to contact me. That is not happening. The phone is a Rugby 4, not 4G, 4th generation of the model, Rugby. 

When I moved here, Tommy refused to let me clean his bathroom. So, I didn't. He did deign to allow someone to clean it, but that has not happened. I am quite sure that he will "allow" me to clean it now. But, I won't!  So, the floor is so filthy that some of the tiles are obscured with dirt. For the past several weeks, I have been mentioning him vacuuming the bathroom floor. It needs to be vacuumed, swept, and maybe re-vacuumed before putting anything wet on it. 

I removed the stick vacuum from the bedroom in which it was stored and put it at the end of the hall a week ago. Everyday, I mention something about vacuuming. Today, he did it. The bathroom floor is still filthy, beyond anything I have ever seen. If you wonder how I can stand it, it is hard. I wore shoes for the first 18 months I was here since the beige rug had turned dark brown. Then, I stepped with my bare feet to the two new rugs to use the toilet! 

Today, he also washed the two rugs in there since I have mentioned it for two weeks. It rained some and we were not here some days. Today is sunny and there is the slightest breeze, so the rugs will only require the least bit of time outdoors to dry completely. 

He is violent when I first mention my cleaning something. Then, with each mention, not nagging, he mellows. By that time, I am not going to clean whatever, so he gets to pay someone or do it himself! 

Sometimes, I hear him doing things in the kitchen. When he comes out, he either tells me what he did or I ask him what the noise was. He will clean things that I am shocked he does without my asking. I question none of this surprise cleaning. 

I had a list of calls to make and the numbers. Monday is the day I start making calls. Do you think I can find that list? Not at all. So, I suppose I need to start the list anew and find numbers. sigh I think I need ice cream. 

I suppose I will clean the pan for baking the sweet potatoes I have not washed and trimmed yet!

Are you using fresh sweet potatoes or canned ones for Thanksgiving? Hey, there is no judgment on using canned as that is what Mama did and so did I until I discovered these delicious sweet potatoes, buying from the farmer. Maybe you don't eat sweet potatoes?

Hard Wednesday

 Wednesday, Kim came to clean. After 3 hours, she still had not finished the kitchen. So, she will work on it next week. She uses 3 paper towels at a time! Eeek! I had plenty of cleaning rags. But, next time, I will put them closer. 

I had turned on the dishwasher before she came. However, there were items on the counter that should have gone into the dishwasher.  Oh well. Happy day anyway!

There are lids for the pyrex that I did not want in the dishwasher or for her to wash. So, there are plenty of dishes for me to take care of tomorrow. The kitchen looks neater and brighter. 

Tommy's little breakfast table did not get cleaned. The floor did not get mopped. However, the window sill, walls, and wall behind the stove is sparkly clean. She cleaned the crisper where blood from chicken ran. I took all the vegetables out so I could store possibly leaky 3 package of chicken in a place where blood would not ruin everything. 

One day, Tommy put a package of frozen chicken on top of everything on the top shelf in the refrigerator. He said there was no room on the bottom shelf where I told him to place it. Thankfully, I found it an hour later. He did not think it was a big deal where he stored it in the refrigerator because it was frozen. ???

After she left, the guy from the study in which I am participating came and wore me out! But, it is all over. He thought I misunderstood the fact he wanted me to squeeze a grip. No, I just cannot squeeze much. 

So, from 11:30 until 4:30, I was up and on my feet or sitting which hurts my back, too. 

Wednesday, it has rained hard on and off. Now, it 50F outdoors. And, it feels chilly.  Tonight, we are having baked chicken and a salad.  Tommy wants bbq sauce on his chicken. Okay, I could not find a chicken breast for me, so I had salad only. I put too much Russian Dressing on it and kept choking...lol. But, it was delicious.

Thursday

Wednesday night,  I slept from 10:30 pm until after 8 am. I will explain tomorrow. Right now, I am off for an eye exam. I srongly expect I will need a new prescription.

Breast Lump and Cleaning Person

 Wednesday night

The woman to clean called and is coming at noon on Thursday to clean. Of course, we are getting ready for her, not cleaning but moving things around--returns in car, all the dirty clothes not in hamper are put there, general straightening. So, it is just less cluttered around here. 

Today, my nap was until 4 and I wanted to stay until 5, but once he left me alone, I decided to get up 20 minutes later. It seems like I did absolutely nothing. I was sitting here at almost 7 pm telling Tommy I did not feel like cooking, and, moreover, I did not want to cook. 

He reminded me we had chopped chicken left, something I thought he had eaten. And, he reminded me of vegetables and wasn't there a chunk of chicken. Then, having been reminded, we had the two chicken leftovers, green beans, and salad. Neither of us could find the tomatoes or remember if they were eaten. So, that was dinner with a bit of ice cream for me. Milk and applesauce will be my evening snack. I have my square of 85% chocolate. Did I say I have lost a pound a day for four days now.

We watched Resident Alien tonight. I love that show. Next week is the season finale. Maybe I can see a rerun of the first episode and another I missed. 

About 20 years ago, a routine mammogram found a spot, a lump that I thought was just a place did hurt a bit and that I could not feel. I was told "let's watch it." That made me nervous. It started hurting and I could feel it.  Then, when the doctor wanted a biopsy, the surgeon couldn't find it. I was prepped for surgery, sedated and so groggy they had to take me in a wheelchair to get another mammogram. They had to help me off the bed and into chair and hoped I would not fall out. Well, back in for a mammogram, they found the lump was gone! I was sent home to sleep off the sedation. Now, it is time for another mammogram.

Funny thing--when the surgeon asked me to show him the lump, I could not get my hand to work or even to touch my breast. The arm and hand were useless. That irritated everyone. ??? 

Then, slowly the excruciating pain and lump returned. This was in the area between breast and underarm, edge of breast. Last year, I was supposed to have mammogram to see why the lymph node was inflamed. Then, covid happened. 

Since the advent of vaccines for covid 19, I am making appointments for things I delayed. Well, the lump is not there and there is no constant pain. I was pondering why this would happen. I now wonder if the large doses of Vitamin D have had a healing effect on the node. My tests showed D was way too low. I need to discuss this with the breast doctor. Yes, she is just a breast doctor! I never knew there was any such thing.  ???

I give Tommy choices--does he want to do something or just have the cleaner, Kim, do it. There are things neither of us can do. He scrubbed the sink as I related. Now, he is scouring a Corningware casserole. So far, he has spent over 30 minutes, time he will not have to pay someone else. I can scrub, but standing to do so is excruciating. I have to lean all over the sink just not to fall. The stovetop is all Kim's! lol 

The new vacuum cleaner was used by me for less than five minutes, so she will have a new machine to use. She called to say she could come Thursday and see if I had cleaning products. I do but can buy whatever else I need before she comes next week.  She won't be here until noon on Thursday, but we are doing what we can tonight. Thursday, I will sleep as long as I can. If I get sleep enough to get up earlier than noon, I am going to try cooking up all that chicken and freezing it. 

Thursday

I slept from 2 am to 5:30 am and could not get back to sleep. sigh So, at 7 am or so I brought in my laptop and tried to read news. At 9:30 I finally got up. Around 10:30 Kim called and cancelled because of the weather. I fully expected this as tornado warnings are being issued. So, that is that. 

Today, I finally started the cabbage soup. The recipe I saw called for pasta and spices I don't have. So, this will be what I like and have. .. carrots 2 cups, potatoes 2 medium, 1 onion roughly cut, as much chopped cabbage as I can get in the crock pot...lol. Salt and pepper seem like enough to me. I have Polish or some kind of sausages, but I don't want it in the soup. So, they will be on the side if Tommy wants them. I don't. Anything else? 

In preparation for storms, I always try to have dishes washed and laundry done. The dishes are half way through the one-hour cycle.  I did not get black clothes done, but I will be okay there. There is plenty of food that does not need cooking. We have flashlights. I only worry about the freezer and food. 

Have you had any experience with a lump in your breast? Have you made cabbage soup? What do you put in the soup?  

Burned Eggs

Continuing from Monday...

Monday, I had a coupon for a free Mayfield Product.  I chose Extreme Moosetracks at $6.29. If you don't know, this is ice cream with chunks of gooey chocolate throughout. In order to make it a more healthy treat, I sliced a banana over it in the bowl.  I try!

Tommy hasn't cleaned the sink in last two weeks or so. I tried to get him to clean it last week, but he had excuses...lol. You know how it should and could gleam. Well, he did not wash off the Barkeeper's Friend and the faucet and handle looked gross. I showed him so he can do it right next time. Plus, he denies he did whatever. 

Tuesday, as soon as I posted, Tommy went in and did a magnificent job scouring the stainless steel sink. The faucet and handle are mirrors. He went in and showed me how he lifted up the coffeepot and another thing and cleaned under them. He explained that he used a dishcloth to get the powder off the sink and faucet. Great! He is so funny like this. 

He also took my a load to the washing machine. That means I have things to hang and things to fold. ugh!

After we went on Tuesday to pick up his meds at the pharmacy window, I got the ice cream and wanted to look for wood. I found some where a guy is adding a room or porch to his house. I only got four very short pieces, enough to make three birds since it is 2x6 instead of 2x4. I will go back another day since it is only about 4 blocks from here. 

I have four heads of cabbage that were a good price. I really need to use them up. I think I might make cabbage soup. That means I need to get the carrots in the crockpot since they take the longest to cook. I may take a nap and put the potatoes in later, then the chopped cabbage.  But, I took a nap.

When I awoke four hours later, I smelled something. I had left six eggs in a pot to boil. Well, those are in the trash. Tommy did not notice eggs boiling for four whole hours! I have more eggs, but I sure hate to lose food!

Wednesday

Today, I am going to show him how to polish silver...lol. His parents used silverplate for everyday. I found a silverchest he didn't know was there. The silverplate needs polishing. lolol

Okay, it is Wednesday, and I have five more eggs boiling. Januuary 6, I bought four dozen jumbo eggs for fifty cents each dozen. I five in a pot boiling and another three in the carton. I wish I had bought more. These stand up in a bowl of water, so they need to be eaten. After breakfast of two eggs, I will use the other two eggs for egg salad or just to eat. 

So, I ate 5.5 dozen eggs in eleven weeks.  I think I dropped some, burned those on Tuesday and lost a boiled one for so long I threw it out.  That probably makes 4.5 dozen in eleven weeks. 

Since I sent back the elliptical machine and the pedal machine, I have no way of getting exercise. Walking the hall and kitchen is good, but I can only last three minutes. Today, I decided to try something new. My friend was prescribed and exercise before her knee surgery. I decided to try it. It is a killer. I sit on Tommy's walker and "march." I didn't last long and my thighs were burning. But, I will try to do a bit more each day. 

It is not yet 10 am and I am exhausted and want a freshly boiled egg. For the last four days, I have lost one pound each day. The main thing I have done is not to eat much after dinner. Okay, that egg was delicious with a smidgen of butter melting on top.

Finally, just now, I got an appointment for Tommy and I to get a covid vaccine. I think. Then, I had to cancel eye doctor. I have an appointment to check eyes and another at the same time for a medical eye exam because of something on edge of eye. This is the thing the doctor said was a sty, but who knows? It just became very hard. So, I will solve this mystery.

It is another beautiful day and warm...70F. 

One time, I put eggs on to boil in a Corningware pot. I lay down to watch TV and woke about 2 am. I went to bed and awoke the next morning to eggs on the ceiling and all over the walls! When I replace the vent hood years later, there were still bits of eggs in it even though I cleaned it. 

Have you ever boiled eggs so long they exploded? 

My Mother's Birthday

March 8 is my mother's bithday. That was Monday, and I did not forget. She would have been 100 this year if she had lived this long. 

Tommy was busy on Monday, while I stayed in the bed most of the day. He washed four loads of clothes, three of mine and one of his, dried my clothes that needed drying, and brought in the other clothes I wanted to dry inside. He went through a lot of his belongings and threw away lots. 

He made himself a salad while I managed to heat the cooked chicken for his dinner.  

On Sunday, I asked him to find his own dinner. He went to refrigerator and came back with a huge plate of food. He found a box of romaine and one of spinach, the grape tomatoes, dressing, cheese, and rolls. I heated some meatballs and insisted he have some. I was quite surprised when he told me he stacked all the salad items in one stack so it would be easier for me to find. 

He has gone about the house, keeping things as nice/neat as they were and even improving a few places. Plus, he gets anything I need. If he thinks I need something, he volunteers to get it. I have forgotten what else he has done today. Some things I did not see him do, but he told me. 

After he cleaned the stainless steel sink, he showed me how he cleaned the counter behind it. He did only wipe it with a paper towel, so it needs actually using at least water...lol. 

My ear is getting one little sore that is visible. Before, places hurt, but nothing was visible. My outer ear hurts. There are tingly places on one section of my scalp, my scalp seems swollen in the same places, It feels like there are sores on outside of my ear. And, the little swollen place inside my ear canal is swollen once again. I suppose that I will go back to the ENT. I hope this does not get worse. 

I looked through both purses for Tommy's cc, and it was nowhere. Finally, I asked Tommy if he looked in my bag we carry to the car. He looked and his cc was in there. I suppose I let it slip when I was holding it. So, mystery solved. 

The person who will clean called to see if I wanted her and when and how I was feeling. She seems like the nicest person I have talked with about cleaning. 

He is very willing to help do cleaning chores that he and I can do. I made the statement that everything we clean is something he does not have to pay to be cleaned. I think that made him think! 

I have been hiccupping for weeks now, several sessions each day, like a dozen episodes that last about ten minutes, sometimes longer, sometimes not. 

Typing is tiring me.

Daylight Savings Time will make me so happy! Are you looking forward to DST? 

All the above was written Monday night, so today, Tuesday, I am a tiny bit better since the pain in my ear is gone. 

Friday Night

 This feeling of malaise is getting me down. The only symptom is an earache. But, I am back to two naps a day. The moment I put my head to the pillow, I am sound asleep.

But. life goes on. Saturday night, we had baked sliced wedges with the Concord seasoning, about 25 cents. Then, green beans and meatballs. I think Tommy put bbq sauce on his meatballs.  It is not original, but we did not go out for food. But, Tommy really liked the potatoes. 

I told Tommy he had to help, so he did and came and got his plate, then my dipping sauce. Other little things that I needed he was willing to do. Then, I desperately needed to load the dishwasher, so he came in and handed dishes over to a dishtowel so I only had to load them. Otherwise, I would have to walk back and forth, all the way to the stove. I got everything, a lot, into the dishwasher except for an aluminum pie pan. Maybe if I rearranged it all, I could. But, I could barely stand because of pain in back. 

This dishwasher is so large and roomy that I could put two large colanders in it along with a pot and lots of other large items. 

Now, he is scouring out the stainless steel sink and all that entails with Barkeeper's Friend. I have told him that what we can do, we don't have to pay someone to do. He is all for that. Scouring the sink is something he can do. He also knows he can scour but not cook...lol.  

Yep, that is our Friday night. And, we don't care! I was too busy all day taking naps. 

Things I forgot to mention: I had bought a cheap set of plastic measuring cups. They are plastic and the measures wore off. Usually, I can tell the measure, but sometimes not. So, I bought a too expensive set of stainless steel. I like them because the handle is a loop and can be hooked onto a spike in the dishwasher and not be knocked over and filled with water.  I have no idea what I did with the utility knife and purchased a new one. I left three behind at my house, so now I have two. 

I have been wanting Tommy to get rid of the mesh poofs in his shower since it has been ten years since he has used one. Also, there is the little spiky thing to sit soap on inside a soap dish so the soap won't drown in water drippings. He was adamant that I not wash it. Oh, and he wanted the poofs. 

On Wednesday, I mentioned once again that I ought to wash the plastic soap rest and two other plastic things in the shower, that the dishwasher would get them clean. He said, "Why not just throw them away?" Sooo, I tossed the two puffs. Two of the plastic things in the shower were actually one broken thing that is a suction cup. I did throw that away. Of course, I forgot to put the soap rest into the dishwasher as I planned. Things get better around here bit by bit. 

Amazingly, he just called me to inspect the sink. It shines so it appears to be new.  I told him that in the morning we are going to work on all these lids for the pyrex. He was agreeable and always has been about drying lids. I really hate to put them in the dishwasher. 

He is resting and then going to eat strawberries. I told him to eat the rest of them. There must be two cups left and another two cups of the juice. I thawed a gallon bag to make poke cake, but I have not had the energy. He can be so peaceable!  He ate strawberry yogurt with strawberries and a little of the juice. 

It is Saturday, and the ear is killing me. On and off yesterday the tinnutis ramped up. It went from white noise to crickets in my ear. Really, it sounded just like a cricket or two was in my ear. 

My shamrock hanging on the door frightens me. The first time it blew around, It sounded like someone was trying to get in. Plus, I could see the rounded top and thought it was someone's head. I know what it is now, but it still startles me! 

As soon as Gunsmoke goes off, we are checking to see if a church is having a yard sale.  They should start again since it is so warm and dry right now. And, it going to be in the 70s next week.

I think I will have a can of chicken broth right now. It is after noon, but I have not eaten yet.

Frugal Outdoor Decorations, Cleaner Came Today

 One summer day about 20 years ago, I was at a yard sale in Decatur, AL. I found a hairy creature that sort of resembled a reindeer. I inquired as to the nature of the beast and the price. It was a reindeer for $1. At that price, why not?

I got it home and started looking at it. It had a plug, so I plugged it in. Under the hairy stuff were lights. When I started trying to pull the hair off, it came off easily. It appeared someone had taken a Christmas reindeer and hot glued strips of fake hair. 

When I got the stuff pulled off, I had a reindeer without antlers. When I started dating the guy before Tommy, one day during Christmas holidays his daughter came with him to my house. I gave him several wire coathangers and asked him to make antlers. He was stymied even after I explained. His 14-year-old daughter was listening and watching as I explained. Finally, I asked her if she understood how to make antlers. She assured me she did, so I told her to help him. 

I had bought a string of lights for the antlers. The deer was gold and the light strings on him were goldish or beige, not white. So, I took foil and covered every light and sprayed the whole string gold, turning it over and over in the grass until I had covered the whole wire string of lights. Plus, I sprayed the coat hanger antlers. This Christmas light spraying was a fun thing to do on a hot summer day. 

A bit later, I had them make the antlers! They put the lights I bought on the antlers and it was perfect, moving his head up and down. 

That summer I bought a six-foot tree for $3 or so at a yard sale. It was not an outdoor tree, but I put outdoor lights on it and put it outdoors with my reindeer. I put it in the side yard so it could be seen from the street and from my picture window. My whole outdoor display cost me less than $10 and I had a tree and reindeer. 

I really want a reindeer!!! The tiny ones are not right and the huge ones are not right. I want one in the mid-size, just right. 

Wednesday, I put our Christmas candy in a cheap, covered, plastic, Christmas-decorated container. I don't dare put it in a candy dish where is easily and unobtrusively gotten. 

Thursday, today, the cleaning woman is coming. So, I will have to tell you about how it goes in another post. 

Cleaner just left. It took her 3 3/4 hours to clean refrigerator and the freezer above it and the front and a bit of one side of the refrigerator. She did not clean the top because she is short, older, and has fallen. It cost $80. There are dishes with food still to be emptied and washed. 

Neither she nor I could get the shelf in that holds the crisper drawers. Tommy had to lie on the floor to get it all together! 

There is a tall kitchen garbage can full of food and bits of bottles of stuff thrown out. I would have kept some of it, but it was out of the refrigerator, so I let her toss it. I sat in the kitchen the whole time, talking to her and and saying what goes and then what goes back in and where. 

The two crispers are now in use. And, the shelf he took out 20 years ago is back inside. I may have to take it out if he cannot get milk out. I don't want him to have to lie in the floor to get his breakfast. I have three of the Dollar Tree bins like milk cartons, really small. I did not have her even look in those because it is just cheese. Yes, in all three. and cream cheese and goat cheese. 

She wanted to throw out my out-of-date cottage cheese that I know I will eat soon! She would not have like the dates on the milk and eggs. The milk had been frozen, so it was "out" of date by weeks. 

We hope she will at least come back to clean the two baths, well, 1.5 baths. And, the guys installing the installing the dishwasher want her to clean under the sink...lol. 

Do you shop yard sales for Christmas decorations or Christmas houses like I do? What have you found? 

Dutch Christmas Shoes

 I am writing this on Monday as I will be gone on Tuesday to the dentist about another tooth problem. This tooth is the one that I needed the clove oil to put on it. It flared up and I am going on Tuesday to get it filled, I hope. It hurts no worse than before. 

There is another refill for the antibiotic, so I will get that, too, for the molar that is abscessed. I have not had a toothache or filling in over 30 years! 

It appears that we now have someone to clean. This woman was agreeable about how many people would come--two men for the kitchen. 

She insists they use a chemical for the refrigerator--a chemical used in commercial kitchens--an acid, she said. How does that sound to you? An acid? At any rate, she sounds accommodating. 

I don't mind going shopping for what I need, but I do mind going from store to store to find nothing I need. So, I added another item to Amazon to be sent each month. I breathed a sigh of real relief when I placed the order. And, it is now cheaper for me. I am not overbuying, but I love this ordering on Amazon! These items are all things for which I have been searching, not just buying off the internet--necessities. 

If toilet paper is at a comparable price in the store, I may add it to my monthly order. 

Since my husband claimed his family to be "pure" Dutch, we bought wooden shoes at an antique shop in Missouri and started our tradition. Maybe they were really worn by the Dutch, maybe not. Each Christmas Eve, we put them outside the door early in the evening. 

Sometime early, Kris Kringle put a small toy or candy favor in each of the shoes for my two children to discover and enjoy before bed. Of course, there was the promise of more in the morning. My children loved this tradition we established. It may not have been authentic, but it was ours. 

Cleaning Before Cleaning Lady Comes

 No, that is not what I am doing. But, it appears Tommy is. There is a step table, you know the kind I mean--a table with a little shelf/section above. He put a stack of stuff there, paper and stuff in folders. I have gently asked him if it can be moved. At first, it was NO. Then, okay. Finally, I took care of it.

I took a cloth and the can of Endust, gathered up the dusty folders, and took it to him. I sprayed the cloth and handed it to him. He finally dusted all of the folders and put it on the bookshelf near the front door. This is the kind of dusty that is a quarter of an inch thick. He did not want it dusted last year!

A bit later, he took the cloth to the now dusty around the edges table. He proceeded to dust the table with most of the layer of dust flying around the room. He thinks dusting, washing a dish, anything--must be done as hard and fast as possible. I usually dust things with that much dust very gently and gather the dust to shake outdoors. Not him. 

Then, he started cleaning around his chair. Now, he is doing things I have asked him to do for two weeks!  And, I am a slug with tooth hurting a bit but making me feel awful. Of course, taking an antibiotic makes me tired, too. 

The woman is not returning my call. I hope she works out, but now I have my doubts. 

Today, I MUST put the turkey in the oven and wash my hair! Those are my two goals along with dishes in the sink that mush be washed. 

It is 10 am, 52F and feels cold in this summer gown and sandals. Tommy is going in and out of the house and the door is open. The day is cloudless and sunny, so that is great. He is outside, trying to get the garbage can straightened out. He puts things in criss cross and then nothing else will fit. 

And, she did not answer call nor did she return the call or show up. I am livid.

I Do Not Love CVS, Cleaning Service

I knew I have some sort of credit at CVS and Walgreen's, so Saturday I thought I would use this credit to buy candy. After I went to the machine to get coupons at CVS, I sat in the car and looked them over, taking inside the ones I might use. Well, that was a bust. I will have to check the emails I keep getting from these two.

After I picked out the item for the coupon use, I still had to buy more to be at the $$ amount for the coupon. I ended up buying even more. The one thing I don't regret is finally getting something for roots, hair roots. I am not even going to mention what all I bought because I am not. 

This is why I never use many of the coupons at the drugstores. AND, I did not have other coupons to stack. It seemed it was once easier to get a bargain. Plus, bent over the cart is rough and I hurt. And, they only had $12 bags of candy and higher. I left those.

I know the strategy to use. It was not working Saturday!

Thankfully, the candy bags were smaller at Publix

Saturday, after we got home, I suppose I went into the kitchen a dozen times or more putting the final hanging shelves up and putting food on the shelves. Three minutes is my limit for standing and working. We can both tell it is getting better in the dining room and kitchen, less cluttered and more organized. Now, I just need light so I won't have to use a flashlight in there! 

I have said for months that we need someone to clean. Yesterday, I made the call while Tommy listened and Tommy participated by adding to what I said, just in the background. He thinks getting it all clean and then someone every two weeks will be necessary. I agreed. Whew! Of course, he knows he is paying for it. 

If I were able, I would clean.

Sunday, Sleep, and Pizza

Saturday was a great day but tiring. I napped for about an hour and thought I had napped longer. When midnight arrived, I told Tommy we were going to sleep. He was snoozing, anyway...lol. He gladly turned off the tv. If he had wanted to stay up longer, he would just lower the volume.

I don't control bedtime or when the TV goes off, but if I am ready to sleep, he turns off the TV. I have to wake him to tell to turn off the TV. He would prefer to go to bed much earlier. However, he has for years just turned off the TV in the middle of the night, mid nap. A few nights, he has been wide awake until 3 am, laughing at whatever is on and talking to me.

I slept until 4:30 m and had as much sleep as I usually do! I took a sip of water which caused reflux, so I could not lie down again for a bit. I spent 30 minutes trying to read on my laptop.  Finally, I was able to sleep at 5 am. I woke again for good at 11:45 am.

The pain I feel from the moment I get out of bed was almost gone. Maybe I can get enough sleep to keep the pain low.

The swelling in my feet is negligible, but I can feel them swelling more. So, I had better wash dishes while I can.  I need an ottoman for my legs. Mine was thrown out. I watched the guys and they told me I could not have it. ???

The squash casserole was pretty bad. I have no idea what I did wrong, but I will try again in a few days as Tommy sliced enough squash. Maybe I will just cook squash with onions.

Today, I must get the bulbs in dirt! Everything needs watering.  

Other plans include sorting a bit in the bedroom he allowed to be opened. I plan to get a serger and put it in there so I can sew. Plus, I will clean off the dresser in there that he gave me! I am so happy. The first thing I will sew are curtains for the two windows.  Right now, the only thing in there are boxes he has stored for me and the dresser his renter left. 

I will probably sleep better, since sewing relaxes me. Plus, I will have something to do other than cook and wash dishes...lol. 

Dinner on Saturday night: -pre-roasted chicken strips, cucumber for Tommy, leftover squash casserole. We had something else but I cannot remember what it was. 

Right now, we are watching "Arsenic and Old Lace." Sooo, funny!

It is still 91F at 6 pm, hot and humid. What did you do outdoors today? Or, did you be stay inside because of weather?

I think I will make a pizza with tortillas for dinner/supper as was suggested by someone. 

Stealth Cleaning

Because I could not wash my hair due to stopped up drain, I stayed home from church. I got busy.

In the bathroom between the commode and tub, Tommy keeps a 6  gallon orange bucket with a plunger in it. It was used last fall and I used it on the sink Friday. It is not sopping wet all the time.  The orange bucket is in the back yard now. The plunger is cleaner than the floor it sits on!

Almost every time I come into the living room, my nostrils are assaulted by the pungent smell of cigarette. The culprit--ashtray. I offered to wash it when I came here, but he screamed as though I was offering to castrate him with a rusty knife. So, he is gone.

I cannot get the layer of ash out. I used a paper towel on the soaked ashtray. Then, I used a canning jar flat to scrape it out. No go. Now, it is full of vinegar with Dawn in it. He will be home from church in 30 minutes, so I cannot let it soak all day.

Even though he said he has not smoked after I had been here for two weeks, it stays full of stuff. Today, it had toenails in it and hair. I could barely get the nails out as they were stuck to the bottom. I have a metal scratchy puff that I will use in a minute.

The other times I have been here during church, I was too ill to worry about the ashtray. This morning, laundry and hanging laundry have been on the agenda along with the stealth cleaning. He watched me dust once and said nothing. So, I can do that while he is here. However, I do not dare dust or clean his table holding his lamp and the ashtray and other junk and necessities. I believe it is very germy, too.

The shortcakes were delicious last night. Today, I have three more quarts to work up. We will have more strawberry shortcake tonight and I will freeze some and leave a portion for us to eat however we each please. I like to pour milk over the slightly sweetened strawberries. He will probably want to eat his in a bowl. I might make a smoothy with strawberries, banana, oj, plain yogurt...I cannot wait. I won't use sugar at all on those strawberries. And, I won't have to mash them first. That will be breakfast tomorrow.

Okay, at 12:10, I went in to try to clean the ashtray. After soaking in vinegar and Dawn, it is hard as a rock. I did use the metal puff to try to clean it. No luck. So, I rinsed it off, dried it and put the ashtray back in its place. Okay, just found out one hand smells like smoke. aaagh

It is 56F with a predicted 65F today. There is no wind, thankfully. I can see the tulip tree in full bloom across the street when I have the door open. There are not many flowers or blooming trees on this block. The next block is in full bloom with promises of more flowers if the flower pots are any indication.

Okay, a nap caught me. It is now about 9 pm and he has not missed the orange bucket. We had the remains of the taco salad. After we ate last night, I remembered I forgot to add rice. Oh well. Tonight, I added more taco seasoning and a couple of small slices of cheddar cheese on top.

I did not get the strawberries cleaned and in bowl to eat. The nap was more important...lol.

How did you spend this pretty Sunday? Or, was it pretty and warm where you are?

Dandelions, Snowflake, Star

It is 50F today. When I awoke, the house was too hot so I turned the thermostat down from 66F to 64F. At 2:30 pm, I finally put in the turkey we brought home last Thursday. Then we put the other turkey that was in the freezer into the refrigerator. I had hurt my right wrist, so not much fun. You should have heard the two of us grunting getting one turkey out and on the counter, into the turkey bag, into the oven and then getting 2nd turkey out of freezer and into the bottom of the refrigerator! Whew! We were a grunting pair, doing things that hurt both of us. I think I will stick to bought turkey breasts in lieu of free turkey.

With 50F temperatures and even warmer in the past two weeks and expecting more heat next week, it was not surprising to see dandelions everywhere when we went to the PO. I suppose my daffodils are blooming back home. I have tulip and daffodils bulbs to plant in pots here. I just need Santa to bring me a bag of dirt...lol...potting soil?

I received the last of my three cards from the card exchange. It was from Canada. I got my white Christmas on the card, all white and sparkly. Inside was a wonderful surprise--a white crocheted snowflake. I kept talking to Tommy about the star I got. NO, it is a snowflake. I bought a couple of crocheted snowflakes once and used them to crochet another. I know what the crochet shorthand means. But, it is easier for me to follow a crocheted piece than the directions! Crazy, huh?

Since I badly sprained my right wrist, I won't be crocheting any time soon. My sprained wrist is why my last Christmas cards had poor handwriting. Plus, I was writing on my leg. And riding in the car.

The oven was set on 250F yesterday and it was almost at 400F. I will need to keep an eye on the oven while I have the turkey in there. Brussel Sprouts and baked sweet potatoes will finish off our dinner tonight. The sweet potatoes will barely fit on the shelf beside the turkey. Tommy said he did not care about dressing, so there will be nothing to raise blood sugar overly much. We can probably turn the heat off. Or, it won't come on with the heat from the oven.

Together, we finally threw the pumpkins into the trash can. My chickens would have liked them. I miss chickens.

I knew I could not get a turkey from the sink to turkey bag sitting in a pan beside the sink. So, I took the two dish drainers stacked on the left side of the sink and put them in the two crispers from the refrigerator that he said had been sitting there for five years. I had already thrown in the trash some of the junk in there, including a coffee maker carafe that he said had been there for years. Then, I had to scrape of the dirt, stains, and roach poop from the counter. ICK! Now, I have about 3' on the left side of the sink. It is a relief. He did not fuss. I told him I could not get the turkey in the pan with so little room. I suppose if it means he eats better, cleaning and moving are allowed....lol.

Only one gift is under the tree. It's for Tommy. He noted it was the perfect size for the tree.

When I removed the turkey from the oven, I had to have a taste. It is delicious. Tonight, I may go to Dollar Tree looking for pans to bake banana bread. I may even get disposable ones.

How are your Christmas preparations coming along? Any dandelions blooming?