New Year's Eve

 We went out briefly Saturday midday and came right back to a nap...lol. Well, he watched football. One item needs more documentation, so no return there. I will fix it. I managed to get the cups we desperately need so that we don't have to wash a million glasses. I also bought a red bin, large one, for Christmas decorations. I found a box of nasty butter cookies in a pretty tin. After paying for the cookies, I dumped them all but six into a bag and gave them to the two children behind me. The tin had Santa on it and was cheaper than a tin at a yard sale. We replaced the lamp with another floor lamp. Done! 

At Publix, I returned the stemless wine glasses. They had huge bottoms, no roundness at all. They are ugly and hard to hold. The three coupons I needed to use on last night's purchase gave me cash back. Altogether, I was ahead $10 and used all but $1.11 on purchases. 

I found a Moscow Mule mug and got it, beautiful red with a painted-on white tree. I had a Santa mug for 50 years that I put candy canes in at Christmas. So, the red or green mug will work. Plus, I got cookie cutters. I had to buy three to get the star cookie cutter I wanted.

We dropped off red rice and two packages of Hamburger Helper to Lynda. I hate HH. 

NYE fare is decided--leftover taco soup, sausage balls, Ruffles and dip, regular grape juice in our 7-Up. Tommy says he does not like Ruffles, but I know he will have some. I asked what kind he wanted and he would not say, so it is done.  

At one place, I saw a Party in a Box but did not stop to examine. Great idea. Of course, decorating for NYE has never been a thing I do. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you. At the last doctor's appointment, I had lost five pounds. I don't know if it was different scales or what, but I had been cutting back a bit since the previous appointment since I was horrified at my weight.

A memory: One NYE, I went to a party where the doors were open, we wandered in the garden in party clothes. The host had built a fire that was driving us all outdoors! It was so warm that I wore a sleeveless, sheer outfit and needed not even a sweater. It was wonderful. The host was a musician. One room had a piano in the corner and about 30 instruments on the wall that anyone was welcome to use at the party. One man in the garden had a flute. I commented that he had gotten attached and must be planning to play again that evening. He said it was his own instrument, that many of the people at the party were members of some orchestra from NYC that was playing somewhere in Birmingham. It was a memorable evening. I even drove people to another party because I did not drink. 

What is on the agenda for NYE at your house? Of course, I will have no problem staying up until midnight. The day was pretty, clear and warm, in mid 60Fs, so I am sure people will be out tonight. I just hope no shooting is involved in celebrating. A child was killed in her bed in her home last week. The tragic, random shootings must stop. I digress.

Are you going out? Staying in? Having company? Treats? Staying up late? Having fireworks? Found any more markdowns? 

Do you have any special traditions for NYE?

When do you take down Christmas tree and decorations? Mine will come down Jan 1st. 

Happy New Year! 

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?

Sunday, Monday and Sale Items

 Sunday night, I baked turkey wings. Tommy had smoked, marinated, baked turkey wing, peas, one small potato peeled, one thick slice of kohlrabi. Of course, I had to peel his potato before I baked it...lol. He took the meat from the other two wings and I froze them. He said there was enough for two meals. 

Tonight, Monday, he will cook the ground pork and I will make the taco casserole that is more like taco soup. Probably half of that will be frozen for another meal. 

Since the refrigerator is not loaded so with my milk and Tommy's milk, we are going to clear a space to thaw a turkey so it can be baked and stored in small portions. I am hoping this will help to make room in the freezer. 

These kinds of projects come to me and seem possible to do when I feel well. I do feel well. I think this is three nights in a row I have slept 7 or 8 hours each night. I hate to rejoice too soon since tonight could be the night I could only get two hours sleep. Either I slept through the dogs barking or they did not bark. Not sure. Since they bark every day, I cannot imagine them not barking. Of course, Saturday, I suppose the dogs and people slept late. 

Today, I even cleaned a little from two tables in the living room, tossed trash that was stacked up like expired coupons, I am a dynamo...lol, not really. 

We are slowly, very slowly, washing, discarding items, and putting the kitchen back together. I am opening the last 5 lb. bag of sugar. I suppose I will buy another bag soon. In almost three years, I have only used one 5 lb. bag. And, I spilled half a cup of sugar in the sink two days ago. I am just grateful it was in the sink and not on the counter or on the floor.

Sunday night, I almost spilled a glass of milk sitting beside me. I almost pushed it off the table. Then, I got a finger inside the top and almost toppled it. Finally, I picked it up and spilled it all over me as I sat in my chair. Thankfully, I had the quilt on the chair. But, the milk went through. I did clean underneath side of quilt and put fresh towels over the chair. There was really a lot of milk, almost a cup full of milk! My clothing was soaked. Grrrr! 

Our birds, a pair of Eastern Phoebe, have made a nest and continue to stay close to home, sitting on the closet shepherd's hook, the one nearest their nest and the door. I was going to destroy a nest before eggs were laid, but I suppose we have eggs, a family now. We also have a poopy railing! 

Tommy voted. Thankfully, the traffic, car and foot, was light. There were only five people ahead of him. I took Hillbilly Elegy and read. 

Right now, I need to get out stored summer clothes to wear to an "event" this week. I suppose it will be the floral outfit I got when I lost my house. 

I love Kay Ivey, our governor. She has the best campaign ads on TV. I won't vote for her, but love the ads. She is fully embracing the "memaw governor" moniker that people gave her in derision. Love it! 

Monday night, we drove the neighborhood and found a pink bag with coupons and ads. We get it from a house that looks abandoned. The grass is mowed and someone finally pulled the vines off the house. But, there is a tree across the deck that has been there for months. So, we get the pink bag. 

From the Piggly Wiggly ad, I thought I had really found a deal. But, it is something I won't eat. Bryan and Castleberry Hot Dog Chili Sauce are $0.70. But, I will not get any because it is mashed beans, beef fat, and no meat. I cannot stand beans in chili, but maybe someone else can benefit. 

 Boston Butt Pork Roast is $1.78.lb. So, I will get that at The Pig. There are other deals I will get, but these two are the best. I will get corn at Publix $2/5 ears, bogo bread I like, cheaper than at bread store. 

There are other items I want to get but definitely don't really need. At least I won't have to pay full price for goodies. 

It's late and I need to take my medicine and put the taco casserole/soup in the refrigerator and freeze it tomorrow. 

What deals are in your ads this week? 

Wednesday and Booster

 I have nothing. I slept well on Tuesday and several hours on Wednesday. I have done nothing! We did go to Publix to get Tommy's covid booster. They were out of Pfizer! So, we will go back or elsewhere. 

We know the best booster is the one you get, but my allergist was adamant about getting a booster like the original inoculations. So, we will do exactly as he said. 

While we were in Publix, I purchased four more Christmas design storage and freezer bags. That makes 16 boxes. Several years, I have not gotten the reduced items fast enough, so this will hold me if I miss them next year. 

We also cruised the neighborhood and picked up 4 more of the pink bags with paper inserts. We want the Cheerios coupons. Tommy is cutting the rest out for my friend. 

It is bitterly cold even at 54F degrees, which is not that cold! Plus, I only wore a sweatshirt. Being ill affects my perception of how cold it is. 

There were phone calls I needed to make. So far, I have managed one call per day, not good. 

I know I am dehydrated, and I have lost another pound. Ugh! And, all of Christmas is still up in the house. ugh ugh

My goal today is to cook the steak more from yesterday. I may cook the fresh green beans we received, too. I also need to fold clothes, wash the plastic lids from glass containers, put away folded towels and such. 

Tommy is going to clear the way to his other recliner so I can possibly use that until we get the good recliners. It is filthy, looks filthy, and absolutely needs to be vacuumed, but I am going to throw a quilt over it and use it if I can. 

Six Free Things and a Scholarship

 Okay, it is not as good as it sounds, although still good. At Burger King there is a coupon booklet that costs $1 for six free items--soft serve cup or cone, Value size French fries or hash browns, small frozen drink. There are two of each coupon. This is to benefit the BK Scholars Program where a scholarship from $1000 to $50,000 will be awarded. I thought it was just for BK employees, but it is for any high school student. 

Maybe you know someone who would like to apply for this scholarship. Maybe you want to spend $1 to get 6 items free to you. I bought two coupon booklets. The coupons expire 1-31-21. Between us, we can have 6 treats for a total of 12 treats over the next three months. 

When I went into another Publix, I was given another free bag, so that makes two.

On Tuesday, I had a doctor's appointment in Cullman. It was a good visit because I was not ill, just a checkup. But, I had AIC last week, so nothing was done this week. 

I did take names and telephone numbers to call and question/complain. She has sent for a meter for diabetes, a light box, and physical therapy, referrals to doctors and I have heard nothing. I volunteered to do the calling this time! She was all for that. Maybe something will happen now.

All the Halloween decorations have been dried and put away. So, that is behind us. 

Now, I am considering what to do for Thanksgiving decorations. This has always been minimal, anyway.  I am thinking about hanging turkeys from the tree out front. I always like viewing what people have outdoors. What kind of decorating are you doing for Thanksgiving? 

When I ask Tommy to look for cans in the dark, he has started putting food willy nilly on the shelves. I don't really care what or where he puts stuff. I do plan to be able to eat Thanksgiving dinner at the table! I am facing the holidays where there is usually more conviviality with increasingly low expectations. 

I figure if I can get someone to clean the house, we will be ecstatic and less likely to focus outward. I have someone scheduled for Nov. 16, but I have a feeling this will be a no-show. So, I am scheduling someone else before that and see how this goes. 

Tuesday night, I went to bed sad. Wednesday morning, I awoke hopeful. So, as the vote-counting continues, we will see how it goes. 

Wednesday, I used another two coupons for Ronco pasta. So, that was $0.75 off each package. I bought spaghetti, elbows, and something else. Since I shopped at the Pig on Wednesday, I got 5% off my whole order. I would give you the particulars but I don't have the receipt right here. 

I just bagged the 3 lbs of chicken in 2 cup packages and had a pleasant surprise. Remember how I said the chopped chicken was too salty. Well, these were half chopped and half sort of shredded and had no seasoning whatsoever. that is good. 

Tommy is going to wash the air fryer and I will put two packages of ground meat in it, yes, just plop them in. I want the ground beef the cook and store in the freezer for pizza, spaghetti and whatever. 

Okay, that's it. Are you following the election as closely as I am? Do you feel a sense of relief as the situation stands right now? 

(Once again, go waaay down below to find comments.)

 

This and That and Small Economy

The paper inserts this week have three coupons for Ball jars, Ball lids and bands, and a new Ball jar shape. This week, I will pick up these pink envelopes that people leave by the curb. Look in your Sunday paper to find them if they are not thrown in your driveway in a little pink bag.

Last night, Tommy peeled 5 lbs. of potatoes. It was so late, I just put them in a bag and left them in a cool place. I hope they are okay. These will go into a cooking bag with some sort of seasoning and meat. While he was working on potatoes, I cleaned strawberries and made us a smoothie with mostly strawberries.

Today, he can peel apples for pies. He likes peeling things because it is food he can eat...lol. Not once have I ever had to push him, encourage him. He just does it when I ask or even mention peeling.

Today, I don't have to water my plants on the porch. It is raining so hard that they are being watered well. This is forecast for the rest of the week. My back was hurting while watering the few plants.

Last week, when we went to Walgreen's, WG included a card with the meds. It said, "Happy Thoughts and Good Vibes." The envelope was unmarked, but the card was. Today, I used the bright orange envelope to mail coupons to my friend. Yes, it is a small economy, but it saved me paying for an envelope.

I am going to cut the off the front with the saying and include it with a gift.

Okay, I have to work on things.

Do you save clean envelopes from greeting cards to use elsewhere?

Hot, Bright Day and Lots of Things Accomplished

I could count this as a failure at day one. I did not water the plants even once. I did not take a walk. AND, I did not sleep a wink last night. The baby squash are growing. So, this was a win since I did not die and got sooo much accomplished.

We went to the food giveaway and got lots of vegetables and fruits and two gallons of milk. Plus, we got a box for the people next door. The day was brilliant with a few small clouds against a blue, blue sky.

I spent about $100 on stocking up and used 7 coupons that gave me $20 off my total--3 $6 coupons and 2 $2 coupons. And, I used a card with $37 on it...all free to me. In the end, I spent oop about $35. I picked up a print-out of my meds for the last 18 months at WG. Bought my favorite bread for $.99 at bread store.

At Publix, I bought two half gallons of milk, 2@$4.49, and cheese, 2@$3.

We took a sandwich with us, so we had that and spent no money eating out. Water was good.

Tommy paid a bill in person, and I mailed coupons to a friend.

As for the "failures." I probably walked my 400 ft. but not in one go. I may water some of the plants about 10pm.

Then, I lost two cards, credit card and another. I am very upset about this. Edit: I found both cards stuck in some papers.

At 5:30 I told Tommy where the chicken and carrots were in the refrigerator. He chopped a tomato for his Romaine salad. Well, I was in bed and asleep before he ate or even went to the kitchen. I awoke at 9 pm and it's about 10 pm and my bedtime.

We saw the remains of a wreck on the interstate. All three vehicles were still there. One car had impressions on the top, front to back. Scary! A flatbed had obviously mounted it. The other car was ripped up from hitting the concrete median.

I heard a bird I do not recognize. The song was in like four parts. So, now I need to study bird calls...lol.

Tuesday Tidbits

Okay, the pink plastic bag was thrown today. And, there are no coupon inserts. I hate that. But, the Publix ad was there even though there is nothing I want. There are plenty of things on sale.

The Aldi ad held nothing of interest to me. blueberries are more expensive there than at Publix.

Walmart has closed their garden center, so there is no way to buy bedding plants or garden things. Yet, they are selling hair color and other stuff that will not keep you healthy or alive.

I had plans for today, but it appears I will get nothing done. So, my expectations for me has fallen. I will plant carrot seeds for carrots that are only about 3" long--Ferry-Morse' Petite Sweet Little Finger. Hopefully, it will be good and grow more value than the $1.78 price for the seed pack. Eventually, I want to grow enough carrots for cooking and freezing for winter.

My concrete planter will be home to mounding petunia plants I have. I plan to put some in the backyard, too.  A six-pack cost $1, and I got a pack of white and one of pale pink. I like those two together.

Seeds for Roma Tomatoes will be started tonight in plastic cups and soil mix. So, that is three things in the ground this evening. It is almost 6 pm here and the sun is still very bright, not near setting.

Somewhere on the internet, I saw a picture of a person who had made a face shield from a hard plastic container from greens or cookies. Well, it is that hard plastic type. I think that is very clever and useful. She had it somehow attached to a strap around her head. That might work for some of you.

Tonight, I am making the green bean casserole. Since I mixed the peas and snaps with green beans, there is a large portion of that left. I am going to put it in the casserole instead of just leaving it in the refrigerator. Ham and fruit salad will be on the menu, also.

A chicken breast that needs to be used will form the basis of Family Circle Hot Chicken Salad, along with the rest of the potato chips. Fruit salad will round out the menu.

How are you re-imagining Easter food? What have you planted or germinated? What do you plan to plant or germinate?

Things That Are Different This Week and Easter

The pink plastic bag with store ads and the coupon inserts was not thrown in the driveway this week. Bummer. I wonder if the inserts are still in the newspaper. I will call the paper to see. Anne, did you get your pink plastic bag?

Publix publishes three paper items with deals and coupons. Only the large newsprint ad is in the store now. This is the paper with BOGOs. That's good. So, there are no other deals or coupons.

A small store in Cullman has no more ads and no deals. Bummer again! They had good buys.

I received an email from Belk's for buy one men's item and get three free. (B1G3) What?! I waited until the next day and it was gone. For $28 I could get four pair of pants for Tommy.  I think they were $60 pants, maybe $58. But, the deal is gone. $7 men's pants are a great buy. A customer service person said the deal might come back.

While shopping for Campbell's soup, I came across something that stymied me and sort of still does. I found Cream of Mushroom Soup and Campbell's Mushroom Cooking Soup. Well, I cook with some of the "Cream of" soups. I read the labels. It seems that there are more actual vegetable in the "cooking soup."  Mushroom Cooking Soup has 1 1/2 cups of vegetables--mushroom and broccoli. Plus, there are many more spices in it.

Did you know there is a Cream of Bacon Soup? That's news to me.

Northern toilet paper is back at Publix. They seem to have a tp delivered every day, just a different brand. The brand de jour is abundant with the other brands down to one or two packs or not at all.  I did not buy more. Monday, even more Northern tp showed up at Publix.

Tommy has quit his outbursts right before bedtime. This has helped me to sleep well each night. I had a calm talk with him. I did not say goodnight for two nights in a row. He changed.

I no longer fear the test for my heart, the cath. I did some research on Saturday. I found a minimally invasive procedure--Siemens multipoint 64 slice CT Scanner--Super Scanner with non-invasive 3-D images of the heart and blood vessels. Have you heard of this? Had experience? My stress level has dropped significantly!

With people dying, especially old people with other health problems like us, Tommy will not take it seriously. He got out to pump gas and handled car handle, steering wheel, keys and credit card, yelled about the Lysol Wipe I handed him, dibbled it on his hands and threw it with attitude on the dashboard and told me, "You worry too much." Okay, I worry about him, but he cannot worry about me. great. I may kill him yet.  So, this week, he has given up being cautious. Great, just great!!!

Easter was low-key and lazy. I had plans for the dinner, but they were changed. Possibilities included spiral-cut ham, slaw, green bean casserole, field peas and snaps, potato salad. I could not find the French fries in kitchen, so none of that. The potato salad was just too labor intensive, and Tommy cannot stand potato salad.

So, I ended up heating the ham, green beans, and the peas and snaps. That ended up being two of the same bean! I found the French fries package just at dinnertime but did not make it. I had made vanilla pudding with pineapple in it because Tommy does not like bananas. Then, we had his chocolate bunny later that night.

I have potato salad on my mind, ingredients for green bean casserole, and a fruit salad for me. But, the day after Easter, Monday, we had the ham, and cole slaw. Plus, I put green beans in with the field peas and snaps and heated that for us. It was a replay of Easter, but we certainly do not care.

How have things changed in your life from last week to this week?