Eggs, Tuna, Screaming Ambulance

 Friday, I changed the small eggs that expire today for the large eggs that were free at The Pig. They refunded me the cost of medium eggs, and gave me the large eggs. So, we are all square. 

I bought another four four-packs of Starkist Tuna, making the total cans at 56 now. That is a year's supply if I eat one can each week. However, with an expiration date of 2006, I won't worry how fast I eat them.

That is all for Friday...lol. 

Well, it is all except for the ambulance that came screaming to the house after Tommy called 911 for me. My esophagus needs to be stretched again. NOW! It was a horrible experience. I ate the rest of my dinner over the next two hours, one tiny bite of chicken at a time. I will call the doctor immediately. It has been since 2018 or '19 since I had this done. 

Tommy is reveling in the fact it rained Thursday and today, meaning he does not have to water plants. He said he can hook up the automatic watering. So, maybe I will buy that. Well, I will pick it out and he will pay. It will be brutal out there in the afternoon sun with heat radiating off the brick house. 

oops, I forgot

Dinner: I baked eight skinless thigh and ten tenders along with potatoes, carrots, and onions. I made coleslaw. So, dinner was chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, and slaw.

Hard Friday

 Thursday night, I slept for 5 1/2 hours and was proud of myself. Then, I had to go to an appointment for a test. I had to lie down and my back was in excruciating pain the whole time. The woman squeezed my leg so hard and had my lie in a position that made my back in more pain. 

We had to drive in the rain for about ten minutes while I thought I would die! Tommy has not washed the car windows since he washed them with a nasty tool like they have at service stations. And, even more pollen was on the windshields. He spent the whole ten minutes fiddling with the wiper adjustment. I asked him to spritz some water and it was out. v

When we got home about 3 pm after another short chore, there was a huge package on the porch. I could not lift it or even push it. No clues as to what is was or who it was for. Finally, I saw an obscure little label that said something about double lift mechanism. First and only clue--the replacement for the machinery under the lift chair. 

I called the store and they said they would come get it. This was about 3 pm. Well, I needed a nap and stayed up until 7:15. Two minutes earlier, I decided to change clothes. I came back into the living room without my pants on because sitting on the bed makes my back hurt and I almost slide off the bed. So, I am sitting in my lift chair pantless and the guy is coming to the door. I told Tommy to hurry and get to the door and stay where he could not see me. Do you think he could do that? Well, you know the answer. 

When I told Tommy to move over so he could not see me. Well, he moved over even further. Finally, I yelled at him that I am naked, move to the right. So, he moved all the way from the door on the left. I was fit to be tied. Well, he said he did not hear me say anything but to move. He thought I wanted to talk to the guy. The first thing I told him was to go to the door and stand where the guy could not see me!

He was not the guys unloading the truck who were supposed to come, according to the owner. This guy explained that this is the way the repair company worked. First, they deliver the supplies so that they are here when the show up to work. He said the box was under cover. I explained that for almost a week there would be rain and dampness. Then, he wanted to put it in the carport. I explained that rain blows into the carport and the box would get wet. The guy really wanted to leave it, but what if someone stole it?

I have no idea why they told me they would be right over to pick up the box. I have no idea why we are supposed to store it. I have no idea why they sent one guy since he pushed the box to the road. He was not young enough to handle that box. 

After he left and Tommy and I went round and round over what happened, I went to bed. I lay there for an hour with no nap and my back hurt worse all the time. 

Finally, I got up and found the eggs he was boiling in a small pot on the large eye. I changed them to the correct eye and a few minutes later tried to peel and egg that was raw. Tommy said he put them on about fifteen minutes before I got up. No, maybe two minutes before. 

Even though I was going to take a nap before the coronation, I am still up at 11:30. I chopped carrot straws to put into the Suddenly Salad instead of celery. Now, I have to pick the peas out of the dry pasta. 

This will do for the Saturday post. I will post about the coronation on Sunday morning if I can keep my eyes open for the whole event. 

My wildflowers in two pots are coming up. Of course, I have no idea what they are, but it looks like a bunch of weeds. We transplanted nothing, but Tommy watered everything. 

Maybe I can get a bit of sleep. 

Eggsciting Price

 This week The Pig has eggs very cheap--$1.76/doz. When I got there I found a better price--$3.06/18 eggs or 1.5 dozen. PLUS, the carton of one dozen on sale was medium eggs, while the carton with 1.5 dozen was EXTRA LARGE. Since I always, well almost always, buy extra-large, I decided to get two cartons of 18 that were extra-large. 

At home we figured the price per egg that we paid. Well, I did pay more for each egg. Cost per egg for medium eggs was 0.15 cents and cost per egg for extra-large was 0.17 cents. So, each egg was $0.02 more.  Okay, a bit more? I doubt it. Medium eggs weigh 55-60 grams. Extra-large eggs weigh 65-70 grams. Since there is a range within each designation, I would have to weigh each egg which I will not do. However, I do believe that the extra-large were actually a smidgen cheaper based on weight which I have not determined. The actual cost per egg, regardless of the size of egg is 15 cents for the sale-priced egg and 17 cents for the ones I bought which are larger. 

I told Tommy I was going to buy 4 dozen, and he did not react well. He said there was no room. Well, I looked and it is crowded in the refrigerator. We need to eat the produce stacked on the one large shelf at the bottom above the crispers which will not easily move in and out, so not used at all. I may go in there and see what is wrong. And, I might go buy more eggs as they will be this price through Tuesday. 

Oh, we still have a carton of 18 still left from a few weeks ago. When I can stand to stand, I will scramble nine, at least, and eat for three mornings. Right now, we have three cartons of eighteen. 

I sprayed the bluebird and hung it up. Maybe the cool and damp will not be good for it. I can sand and respray. We moved all the plants on the porch to the table or corner of the ramp. Tommy won't have to do it. I believe rain is better for plants than tap water. 

Tommy washed clothes and I hung them. Now, the bathroom rugs are in the washing machine and it's getting dark. He put them in when I turned on the dishwasher, so he stopped it. I suppose he will go out after dark restart the machine and then go back to bring in the rugs. 

Last night, I decided I would put in the pork roast early, but I forgot, so that is for Sunday. Plus, we still need to cook the three packages of thighs that are thawed.     

Dinner: Again Tommy had thigh meat and I had chicken breast. He had zucchini noodles, like a salad. Plus, baked carrots and potatoes. I had carrots and mustard greens. We will both have strawberries and blueberries. 

Edit: free item at the Pig was 20 count pack of quart freezer bags, Ziploc, I think.

Scrambling Eggs and a List

First, something to watch out for with the sound off. The woman is laughing softly. So, you are not missing anything.

 Shopping List so funny!

Monday morning, I decided to make scrambled eggs. Tommy brought me a baking tray, a large bowl and a small bowl. I managed to crack 8 eggs one at a time into the smaller bowl, checking for shells and then dumped one egg at a time into the larger bowl. In the kitchen I managed the beater just fine and strained the eggs. 

I dumped all 8 beaten and strained eggs into a skillet that was not quite warm enough to actually cook them. So, I turned the burner up and tried to stand leaning on the stove. When I was in so much pain, I felt I would fall, I called Tommy and asked him to help. My instructions were to keep stirring until the eggs started to clump up, then call me. Don't let them form a brown skim on the eggs. Well, he called me and I could smell browned scrambled eggs! I hate the taste of brown skin on my scrambled eggs. I could see it, too. 

Plus, the eggs were very dry and about the size of a small lima bean and smaller. Finally, he said, "Linda, I have never even seen anyone scramble eggs!" Unbelievable.

I spent a long time getting the brown off the eggs and put half away for Tuesday. He had very wisely removed the skillet from the hot eye! 

The plan is to scramble two eggs some day and let him watch. 

I was fussing about why he did not call me sooner, but he thought it was soon enough when he did call me.

Tuesday, we drove to the doctor's office and Tommy walked in and got me an appointment. I did not feel like arguing with the answering service. I feel so awful that I can barely keep my head up, so I am not sure what I will be like in two weeks. 

Tommy got me two bananas from Publix after the trip to get appointment. I had him get me a 16 oz. cup of chicken wild rice soup from Publix. I polished that off as a snack in the middle of the afternoon. I think it has been over a year since I had that soup. 

Tommy brought me everything to slice for soup--carrots, potatoes, onion, celery. He had peeled the carrots and potatoes for me. He put it all in the crockpot with two cups of water. He has the diced tomatoes, corn, and green beans on the counter with summer savory. It may be midnight before it is ready to eat. He still needs to brown the hamburger meat. 

So, that's my whole day...nothing much, still feverish. It is 7 pm right now, and I feel like I need to go to bed for the night. 

The neighbors have turned out to be a nightmare in more ways than the dog. I really don't care about the pool and trampoline and basketball goal and balls of all sorts all over the yard. I do mind the barking still. But, about two months ago, they put a 6' pool out by the road and regularly dump garbage in it. The pool is partially collapsed and has water and trash in it. Lynda was incensed when she saw it, "We are not going to allow this." Maybe she is going to call the city??? 

The smallest child next door was running and crying. One of the mothers was punishing him by making him run until he started crying. She promised to punish him further if he did not quit crying. That is called child abuse. 

Do you make a grocery list for your husband that is illustrated in any way or has extra instructions? 

Do you have junky neighbors? 

They still have all the junk parked in the carport from their moving in a year ago. The three cars cannot get near the carport. At Christmas, they moved a full bedroom of furniture out there. It is still there, getting rained on when the wind blows it in. I cannot imagine why they don't get rid of it. No one in this whole subdivision has junk around like this house. Lucky us--trash pile and barking dogs. 

Dream, Eggs, Friday Meals

 Tommy told me the parts of dream he could remember--being at his old job, chasing a rat outside the building, a truck crashed and it turned out to be a smuggler who had a small plane land on top of the truck, trying to show a customer to someone's office and being in a maze. That was a good laugh first thing in the morning. He said there was more dream but this was all he could remember. 

I decided. We will toss the eggs. However, I don't want them sitting in the garbage until it is picked up next Friday morning.  The smell would be gross by then and the garbage can sits by the front door and ramp. Flies!!!??? I will put the carton into two more plastic bags just in case there is anything that runs and leave them in the refrigerator. Once I recalled the odor of a green, rotten egg I opened at someone's house, I could not bear to crack even one of these eggs to check. At friend's I turned and threw up in the sink AND then had to clean the sink. I think that if I threw up over eggs the second time it would put me off eggs forever. 

We were both so tired on Thursday when the eggs did not make it inside. But, this is how it always goes. He is loud and adamant that he is right, that I said or did something or he did say or do the opposite. However, I showed great restraint and did not say "I told you so." 

Breakfast on Friday did not meet my expectations. I poured too much milk in my bowl, and then took it back to the Special K that was in the living room. I poured too little cereal since I did not want too much cereal, but it was too little cereal. Then, the tiny banana was half rotten and so I had not enough banana. None of the proportions were right for a satisfying bowl of cereal! It all left me discombobulated. 

Since I had no more Miracle Whip in the kitchen when I was making potato salad on Thursday, I just made up all the potato salad minus the Miracle Whip and mustard. Friday, I brought the MW from bedroom to kitchen and mixed the MW and mustard in. I ate sooo much potato salad for lunch. 

We went somewhere that was closed and Tommy decided to turn it into a drive. We passed a big park in Bessemer where there were a couple of dozen food trucks. We asked a passerby who told us there were just food trucks today, but on Saturday some sort of event was happening. 

I had Tommy drive by the church where we bought apple cobbler and were given honey butter. YES! Somone was cooking. It turns out they were cooking and selling food to pay the mortgage on the church. We ordered a meal to share with three pork bbq sliders and fries. 

Hands down, this is the best bbq I have ever eaten. It is better than Dreamland or Jim 'n Nicks in Birmingham or Little Pigs in Memphis. The meat had been smoked for three days, and the sauce was not hot or too sweet, not white. They served chicken, beef, shrimp. The woman said they want to make enough money to buy a food truck. I am going to help her find that information. Tommy bought the $10 meal (3 sliders and fries) which we shared. I gave her an extra $5 as a donation. We drank water.

So, we are thoroughly stuffed. Tommy can have the baked potato wedges, carrots, and the rest of the turkey wings for dinner. 

About 7 pm, I called the woman with bbq like I said I would. I had told her about grants and how someone could help her if she could not figure it out. I told her I would call her and tell her more. So, I suggested starting a  blog and going to Kickstarter. She was happy with that information. And, she will call me to let me look it over before launching either. I did not ask her to do that; she asked. She has cash App and Venmo, so not sure that Paypal is better or not. 

This is something I have done before, helping people get started or going farther and being more successful. No, I don't meddle in everyone's business affairs, trying to fix them. If a person is receptive, I continue. If not, I shake the dust off my feet. I have gotten thanks years later for help. It is gratifying.   

I didn't appear to have any tuna in the kitchen. That bothered me since it is over $1 at every store where I look. I only like StarKist tuna, the cheapest can...lol. I found this tuna for $0.79 cents last year or the year before. I was sure I had some left. When I ventured in the bedroom to find Miracle Whip, I found tuna, 14 cans. These will last this year, giving me a chance to buy it cheap again, I hope. Now, I need to go back in and find deodorant. 

Okay, I just placed an order of 48 cans for $0.88/can. Now, I just hope the cans have good dates. The tax was less than in a store, too. So, the total cost, including tax: $0.95/can. That will be two meals for me. Tommy hates tuna so won't eat it. 

Do you know the comparison of cash app, venmo, and PayPal? 

Eggs, Storms, Nothing Much

 Wednesday, the plan was to go to Cullman. However, the weather report sounded like rain. It did not rain. I was bummed that we did not go as I had somewhere I needed to go, time and date bound. 

Since I had gotten almost seven hours sleep, I was okay for the day and had nothing to do and everything to do. so, we bought eggs and butter, so I tackled eggs and butter we had just bought.  At the store I had to stand and sort through the eggs and pull out broken or cracked eggs. I was hoping I had gotten all whole eggs. 

In the store the cartons were ready to collapse, very weak and flimsy. At home, when I looked at the eggs they were all sweating profusely, something odd for eggs fresh from a cooler and carried home in an insulated bag. An insulated bag was the only bag I had in the car. 

There were a dozen eggs in my refrigerator left in a carton of 18 and another carton ready to recycle that held 18 also. So, I put 6 eggs in a bowl to scramble later and six in a bowl in the refrigerator to boil later today. The six eggs are scrambled and half have been eaten and the other half in the refrigerator for tomorrow morning. The six eggs are boiling as I type. The other new three dozen are in the two styrofoam egg cartons from Publix. I really prefer the cardboard cartons, but these Styrofoam ones were what I had. 

The damp, limp egg cartons were put on the counter for a few hours. Now, they are dry and sturdy. Somehow, those cartons were stored in a damp place. Storing eggs in cartons in a dry place keeps the cartons from collapsing. At the store, I could tell the cartons on the bottom were collapsing and wondered why. Now, I know and wonder why the cartons were damp and limp. Aldi did not store the eggs correctly!

The six boiled eggs are waiting for potato salad. And, the remaining 3 scrambled eggs will be my breakfast this morning, Thursday. We need to cook meat today, chicken breasts, chicken legs, and some ground beef.  I may go ahead and cook the pork loin, too. And, I need to color my hair since I did not last week. Maybe I will make the Jello dish.

Wednesday, we could have gone to Cullman as there was no rain. Wednesday late, the map showed lots of red areas. We did not have high winds or storms right here. The storms dissipated as they approached us. For the last few weeks, we have had storms, rain, and tornadoes every Tuesday/Wednesday. 

The neighbors are moving in next door, so there are all the attendant moving noises. I have only had glimpses of the woman but no sightings of the four children or a husband. Of course, I have to go out on the porch to see the house next door. 

The first hummingbird feeder is ready to hang.

See? Nothing much here.

Food and Free + Aldi Trip

 Today, we went to get food from a giveaway. 

Huge pork loin roast, at least 5 lbs.

18 juice oranges

dozen grapefruit

10 lbs potatoes

3 lbs red onions

3 tomatoes

4 sweet potatoes

4 huge premade hamburgers, 6 ozs each

3 lb. bag of grated cheddar cheese

2 half-gallons organic milk

dried organic apples

Kind peanut butter clusters

dried figs

two boxes Great Grains cereal

dozen cans of carrots, corn, black-eyed peas (will give to friend)

4 cans of chicken breast

Cookies, candy bars, granola bites 

Russell Stover sugar-free candy

Cetaphil facial cleanser

We asked to take a portion to a neighbor, but they forget to give her a box of vegetables. We gave her some of our vegetables and all the cans of food. She did get the cans of food, though. Well, we kept the chicken and green peas from our box. 

We also got chicken tenders, more, smaller pork loins, hamburgers, chicken breasts, lemonade tea (gave away), and many packages of cheetos. We gave away most of the Cheetos! 

Lynda has been sickly. Monday, I shared some Hall's Mentholyptus cough drops, today I gave her guaifenesin. She says the kids in the daycare where she works sneeze in her face. I suggested she wear a mask. When the kids ask why, she can tell them they sneeze all over her face and do not cover their mouths. 

Tuesday dinner was hamburger but no bun, salad with tomato. All was free.

Monday night, I slept two hours and managed to get a two-hour nap today. Tuesday bedtime should be early.

Since I did not take my Tuesday medicine until midnight, I stayed up until 1:30. ugh! Then, I only slept 7 hours. 

So, Wednesday morning here and Tommy is mansplaining to me again. I asked what Obama said, and he explained it was a sound-bite to get people to listen to the story later. He did not know the answer. If he does not know the answer to my question, he goes off on a tangent of mansplaining! Just shoot me now! I could easily ignore this, but he just mumbles on and on while I miss the next three minutes of whatever. Otherwise, I would just ignore the mansplaining! Do you get mansplaining from anyone?

We are now going to Aldi for butter and eggs. Okay, just returned. It was a nightmare in Aldi!

It was not crowded. Usually, there is produce all over the floors and boxes everywhere. That was not true this time.  

The butter was full-price on the shelf, but I found an ad and the butter in the ad was same butter on the shelf. But, that was extra steps I did not need. The egg cartons were soft feeling, like they were damp. That was skeezy feeling. And, many eggs were broken. So, I had to sort that which meant turning loose of the buggy causing me pain, making me feel I might fall. 

Finally, I think I got unbroken eggs. I left with four cartons of eggs @ $1.97/dozen and three pounds of butter@$1.97/lb. I eat lots of eggs but not much butter. There will be other sales for butter before I need more butter. 

So, no more Aldi for a long time. I think this is only my fourth trip ever to Aldi! 

Better News on the Egg Front

 The new Aldi ad has butter for $1.97/lb. I was hoping for this development! Wednesday, Tommy can go in and get some. I will have him check out the eggs, too. They are not on an ad, but maybe they are simply much cheaper. Plus, Anne confirmed the butter price and said eggs were $1.99. Anything but $6/18 eggs.

Tommy needed to get the form for filling out his taxes from the library. Hueytown library said they never got the forms, so he called Bessemer library and we drove there. Bessemer is very close, right up against Hueytown. He has been talking about getting the form and booklet for weeks. It was time. I suppose I know what he will be doing furiously for the next couple of days. 

The neighbor who mowed Tommy's yard and then paid for someone to mow his yard and Tommy's has moved. So, another neighbor mowed the yard today. He barely got in corners and did no weed eating, so I suppose this is the way it will be. I hate it! 

Okay, I must take a nap and go out again. 

Forgotten Christmas Decoration, Tommy's Sandwich Creations

 Thursday night, we watched Coat of Many Colors, a story about Dolly Parton. There was not a bit of Christmas in it, but I suppose it was shown as a holiday special. 

The boneless turkey breast was delicious. We each had a meal from it. I imagine we will have at least two more meals each from it. Tommy added cranberry sauce I made to his plate. Friday night, we will have turkey breast, carrots and cole slaw. Tommy might want cranberry sauce again. 

For years I have wanted a life-size, cardboard, Coca Cola Santa. I have been obsessed. Last year, after Christmas I finally acquired one. I was going to bring it here and use it, but I forgot about my plan. But, it won't go to waste. Next year! I also wanted my 3-4 ft. Santa blow mold, too. But, it is in the back of my storage unit and not as easily found. We had several one-foot-tall Santa and Snowmen. I gave those to my grown children. Those are about 40- and 50-years-old. I love blow molds. 

Because of a crowded freezer, I took out some bread. Of course, we try to eat it instead of throwing it out. I told him there was pita bread to eat. I had some salami that I cannot eat, given to us on a charcuterie board and some white cheddar that was dried from being frozen. He came in and showed me his "pita sandwich." Inside the pita bread, he had salami and white cheddar cheese, and he had microwaved it all. He put mustard on it and seemed really happy about his lunch.  I provide "stuff" and he becomes creative. It's cute. 

I also make sure there is lettuce of some sort and tomatoes. He helps himself for lunch and sometimes adds things to his dinner. Of course, sometimes I do make a sandwich for him, but rarely. We eat lunch at different time.

Since I only managed to sleep six hours on Thursday night, I am already drooping at noon. 

Yesterday, I saw a sign that said $2.09 under the cartons of 18 eggs. I whipped around and went back. No, the sign was for a dozen eggs. No way! Eggs prices are the one thing that I have seen that are causing me alarm.  It sort of triggers my alarms. So, today, I found the last carton of 18 eggs and paid $4.29. It is okay since I want eggs! I will forego some egg eating and shop better. Some are boiling right now.

On Friday in Cullman, we saw gas for $2.82/gal. Of course, Tommy had filled up for $2.88! 

By the way, my Pfaltzgraff dishes, four-place setting. 16 pieces in total, only cost me $53. I opened my savings "bank" and had only to put a bit more with the savings to buy the dishes. I had not spent my bank money from last year, so this was sort of "free" money and dishes since that paid for the rest of the dishes. The dishes were free as far as it coming out of my pocket right now.

These were ordered from Walmart.com and they are made in China. They are not supposed to be good quality, but they look fine to me. Since I have never seen the originals, I suppose I am ignorant of what I am missing.

Someone is supposed to come on Sunday to help me get stuff out of the living room.

Do you own a life-sized Coca Cola Santa? What is the price of eggs where you live/shop?  So, it's the weekend. What are your plans?

Monday Night, Dinner and Reading

 I was miserable Sunday night with acid reflux and did not sleep until after 7 am. Then, I awoke at 11 am. I did not nap, but did lie down twice because of my back. 

For dinner tonight, we are having our third dinner from the chicken breasts and also had three lunches. That is pretty good for $6 worth of chicken at $.99/lb. 

On Tuesday I will cook the bscb that was $1.99/lb. I should have bought five packages for the freezer. I like that this store has a freezer with frozen packages and thawed ones in the refrigerator section. 

Tonight, I chopped the rest of the chicken and put it in a casserole. On top of that I had a thick layer of broccoli, then chopped tomatoes. I put a layer of cheese on the casserole and baked it--delicious. 

For him, I cooked the remains of a bell pepper, shriveled zucchini, and a whole Vidalia onion in water to soften and olive oil and one shake of garlic powder.  It smelled delicious and he liked it. This was an easy dinner. I know all the vegetables will soften in olive oil, but I add a touch of water.  

Tonight or tomorrow, I will scramble another 9 eggs to last three or four days, probably four days. Do you eat eggs? Lots? My father refused to believe that eggs were harmful and raised cholesterol levels. He never cut back on his egg consumption.  He was right! 

As we came in the house from a ride, I picked basil, the whole top of the plant. I put it down and eventually Tommy came in. He said, "I smell something strange in here." I sniffed the air and could not detect anything strange. LOL Finally, when I told him it was basil, he just grunted. He hates basil and I love it. 

Today, I made an appointment to get with a friend who is going to help me with my passwords and the new Android. I will put apps on and figure out what I don't know. Actually, I am smart enough to do this, but exhaustion sets in and I bumble around. Maybe I can figure out how to mail pictures. I could mail pictures on the one that was stolen from me. If you have an app for saving money you can recommend, feel free to leave it for me. If I can get something from your blog, leave a link. Maybe some of this can help your bottom dollar if I sign up through your link! 

When I read at night, I seem to sleep better. The book light is working. I figured out that putting many pages in the clip helps. And, placing it nearer to the spine of the book. I am still reading The Bird Way. Reading four pages a night will not get it read soon! Even when I am sleepy, I can work through it to read, like I have all my life. However, I have decided I cannot read for hours late at night. 

Saturday So Busy and "Marching" Record

 We went to Cullman Saturday. I got the mail and went to the Farmer's Market where I bought:

A mess of green beans $2

dozen eggs $4

peaches--seven for $6

zucchini $4 with yellow squash added to make it $6,

2 yellow squash 

I used coupons for free produce, and they are in $6 denominations, so I get something to make up the extra cost, hence the 2 squash. 

The green beans came from the guy selling eggs. I asked him if I could just get $2 of green beans. The other guy at the booth started bagging up a whole mess of green beans and I reminded him I was only buying $2 worth. He said, "Well, this looks like $2 worth of beans to me." So, he was being generous because I am a regular customer and love to talk chickens. Good deal! 

I went to a store and bought tomatoes and Vidalia onions. The market only had green tomatoes, and I am not a fan of green tomatoes. I should have bought a couple to fry for Tommy. 

Saturday night, we had meatballs and green beans cooked in foil in the oven and sliced tomatoes. It was delicious. The tomatoes should have been added to meatballs and beans. Tommy like the whole green beans--"different way to cook (whole) and different taste (olive oil and garlic), good." The meatballs were cooked and frozen, so just needed heating.

On Friday, I "marched" for 10 minutes, a new record for me. Tonight, I will do the same. Okay, it is getting late and I am about to drop, so tomorrow. 

Saturday morning, I cooked breakfast to avoid buying Hardee's sausage and biscuit. Tommy ate bread and two sausages. I had three scrambled eggs and two sausage patties. Next time, I will only have one sausage patty. The Johnsonville Sausage patties were on sale this week, so I have three packages of premade sausages. 

After sleeping an hour and a half on Friday night, I took a two and a half hour nap, getting up much sooner than I really desired. Hopefully, I can work my way back to a semi-normal sleep pattern. 

Saturday was a really good day.

Saturday Post I Deleted

So, another post completed and then it disappeared. It was late Saturday night. I determined I would never blog again. That is how badly it bothered me. So, here is Saturday if I can remember it. None of this is in order of what we did. 

The plan was to go straight to the optometrist to get the little pads on my nosepiece changed. I am allergic to the ones that come with the glasses. So, I am wearing the old frames and lens. Well, the internet had information that said the business was open on Saturday. NO, it is not. I get very discouraged with incorrect information about businesses. I could have called but we left here before they opened, so I didn't. It is too bad businesses do not update their web pages. 

I love the Saturday Farmer's Market at the Festhalle. We have several markets but this one is about four blocks from my old house. My favorite farmer was there, the one that sells sweet potatoes I love. I bought a basket of strawberries for $13 but he gave it to me for $12. Sunday night, I finally washed and trimmed them and have them in the refrigerator. 

There is no resisting a good fried apple or peach pie. But, I will never buy another one from this vendor. It had too much dough and little apples. I ended up eating off the side to get the fruit and throwing away all the outside. Yuck! $5 wasted. Tommy ate all of his so maybe it was only $2.50 wasted. 

A woman had all sorts of plants. I can never find Autumn Sedum Joy, so I bought one from her--$4. And, a tomato plant--$2. I forgot to ask what variety, so it will be a surprise. 

Finally, I came across eggs. I asked a few questions before I bought them. Have these been washed? Have they been refrigerated? When I got a negative answer to both questions, I bought a dozen for $4. The man started talking. It turns out he is in a program at The Foundry. It is a place for drug and alcohol rehab. He now loves chickens since they have him working in their chicken house. He was so happy with his job and "his" chickens. It was a pleasure to talk with him and the guy who was his driver. I am not sure if they are only at the market on Saturday or not. Oh, not that it matters, but these were large, dark brown eggs, beautiful. 

Last Thursday, when we went to the lake in the city, I got a $2.69 chicken breast from the Publix deli. We shared it as we watched ducks. Well, it was so dry! So, Saturday, I took the receipt  back and got my money back and bought another to take to the lake. At the lake are 19 pavilions that can be rented. Saturday, I think all were rented with lots of birthday parties being held. 

There were travel trailers pulled by pickups at the back of the lake. Pedal boats and row boats were on the lake, rented from the concession stand. It was a jumping day at the lake. Plus, there were lots of walkers on the paved path around the lake. And, the train was running that circles the lake. Fishing is $2. There is  a section marked off for fishing only. Putt putt is $3. Plus, there is a splash pad. We had a very good day at the lake.

My friend with the lumber was away from home and could not come to his new home to give me more. It will happen. On Friday, I gave my carpenter more lumber for my project, so everything will work out. 

We went to a store where I can cherry pick deals. There were no deals. Nada. 

We went to my house like we usually do. It is still there, the lot, that is. 

Sunday night, I had the rest of the baked chicken and strawberries with milk for my dinner. Tommy fixed his own from a can of beef stew while I napped and then he had strawberries and milk, too. 

I am so afraid I am going to lose this post!

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? 

Stocking Up

 While we were in Cullman on Tuesday, I visited a grocery store that had a good sale. I found Kraft Cheddar Cheese Chunks at 4/$10 and Kraft Grated Cheese 4/$10. This is a good price. Since we ate a can of Hormel Roast Beef and Gravy, I bought another and a can of Hormel Chicken Breast. In my opinion the chicken is only good mixed in with something. I froze two of the bags of Italian Blend grated cheese. 

At the same store, I saw a friend who had about ten cartons of JUMBO eggs in her cart, 12 to a carton. She told me each was fifty cents. Well, I was on that like white on rice. I brought home four dozen, knowing that I had 2.5  dozen at home. At home, I had ten eggs in the dozen carton. In the carton that held 18 eggs (1.5 doz.), there were two eggs. So, I only had a dozen at home. Now, I have five dozen eggs, so I may get out my two- and four-ounce Ball jars and freeze some for baking. 

If these eggs are still on sale next Tuesday, I will get more. I showed an egg to Tommy and he noted it looked liked Thelma's eggs. Her eggs were so large I could not close a carton with one inside. I still cannot believe my luck!

We ate the turkey sandwiches sitting in the car under our picnic tree. We went to my place and sat a bit. It helps my stress level to be home. We could have eaten there!

I visited a doctor's office to get a copy of all my records and could barely carry them out the door. I do need these for something that I will disclose later. 

I must go to the social security office, but I wanted to be home soon. We got back to the drugstore here, and sat for 30 minutes. 

Getting down to my last half-carton of milk is making me nervous. But, I wait until the ads come out since it might be on sale. I need to buy another four of those Wednesday. So, I will be flush with dairy products at the end of the day. 

Wednesday

Today, as nervous as it is making me, I have to finally get my driver's license renewed with a new picture. My hair is long, stringy with no layers, so I might cut it before I leave in a few minutes. Or, maybe I should leave well enough alone. I wonder if I can keep the mask on.  

I need to eat breakfast, so maybe I will have eggs with cheese and a glass of milk. Or, maybe I will boil a half dozen eggs for eating out of hand. Do you ever boil eggs just to have on hand for a protein boost? Okay, I had two boiled jumbo eggs for lunch. 

The Christmas decorations are packed away. They have been down for two days. But, at last they are no more to be seen. It always looks drab once the colors and lights and glitter of it is all gone. No, no glitter here! 

Okay, I am glued to tv, watching the procedures in Washington, so not going to get a driver's license. 

Found Money and Giblet Gravy

 When we went to laundramat in Cullman on Tuesday, I found two dimes on top of the machine into which I was putting the blanket. Score 20 cents. I forgot to mention it. 

I had a coupon for $1 off  Kraft Mac n Cheese. At Publix it was bogo, save $1.64. I used the coupon on the first box + $.64 and got the second box free. That made it 32 cents per box. I refuse to buy Kraft Mac N cheese, but this was too good to pass up. No, it will not be served Thanksgiving. It is not a T-Day food to me. These are just to put on the shelf. It will be used for a meal that is minus carbs!

Saturday Thanksgiving preparations will be boiled eggs for giblet gravy. Yes, I love chopped eggs in giblet gravy. 

Friday dinner--At first, I could think of nothing that would not involve cooking. Then, we had slices of turkey, butter peas, and diced butternut squash. For a spur of the moment decision, I was shocked at how delicious and filling it was. 

Saturday,  I will make peanut butter cookies. Most will be part of our goodies for Thanksgiving. No, it is not a tradition. I have wanted pb cookies for two months. 

Saturday now. Eggs are boiled, cookies baked. But, I started eating the eggs. Well, eggs are good for me. And, I have plenty of eggs to boil. There have been years long ago I had to save four eggs for giblet gravy.

I loved boiled eggs in giblet gravy? I won't put giblets in, just bits of leg meat. 

 

Chairs Gone; Shelves Moved; Food Shared

 I awoke on Tuesday morning feeling awful with a slight temperature. However, I was determined to get the shelves in place. I laid around after getting up at 10 am and going back to bed from 11 am until after 2 pm. ugh

Wednesday, I have an appointment to have teeth cleaned but I am not really sure if I can make it or hold my mouth open! So, I suppose I will cancel once again. Allergies are killing me. 

Before Tommy's show came on at 3 pm Tuesday, I told him that at 4 pm we were going to remove food off of and around his chairs and move them outside to street. Then, we would put the shelves in place and do nothing else. He was all for that. 

I told Tommy that the next shelves I buy will be plastic ones! He strongly agreed. 

While he was moving the first two chairs out to the road, I removed the other two from behind the table. I used my torn rotator cuffs and injured back more than I should. The last chair I hoisted and sort of threw it across piles of food on the floor...lol. It landed on food. Tommy was shocked I could do that. Of course, I had to lie down for an hour. And, I still hurt1

Then, I assembled dinner--used small casserole where I had stored leftover squash and onions, chopped two fresh tomatoes and put that on top, put in chopped chicken cooked over the weekend, put cheese on top and put in the oven. It was delicious, one dish and low in carbs and fat. 

About 10:15, I took a picture of the chairs on the curb. It was so cold out--57F. Summer weather will return for a bit.

Wednesday morning, I heard something outside that seemed like the chairs were being taken. I came into the living room and saw two of the chairs were gone. I was baffled. He pointed out that someone was coming back for the other two. In five minutes I heard the vehicle again. So, all four are gone. YAY! I hated for them to go to a thrift store when someone could use them. 

Now, I am watching the debate and yelling at the TV! 

I called yesterday and a application for absentee ballot is being sent to both of us. We both enjoy the voting in person process, but physical limitations and covid19 have convinced us both to vote by mail/absentee ballot. 

In the last week, we went to a food bank where I got 3 lbs. bs chicken breast and a package chicken legs and thighs. At the one where I can choose and do so over the phone, I could get a specific number of items. Finally, I said could I have what was left for me in green beans. So, I got five cans of green beans. I also got 2 3-pound bags of chicken breasts, the kind frozen with thin layer of ice and separate and not frozen in a lump. I received two 5lb-bags of potatoes, 2 5-lb bags of apples, 2 5-lb bags of pears, 2 1-lb bags of baby carrots, a box of bars I like, can of corn, can of peas, a dozen expensive eggs, and we cannot remember what else. 

Not feeling well has its consequences. Sunday night, the eggs I put in the refrigerator shifted and slid out on the floor, spilling the whole dozen. I threw away four before I realized I could have saved two of those. One of those burst all over the floor. I saved 8 eggs. However, 4 had a dent. So, I washed 4 eggs and put them back in the refrigerator. I took the four dented ones and broke them and scrambled them about 1 am. Yuck, I was tired. So, I actually saved 8 out of the 12 eggs. 

The one that broke on the floor still had the yolk intact. I retreated to wait and clean it up. Well, the yolk broke finally. I had to clean it up about 2 am. That was so hard. From now on when I have to put eggs on top of bags of apple in the refrigerator, I am using a rubber band to keep it closed. At least, if the carton slides out, the eggs will be contained. 

What we did not like or was too much of the food given us, we loaded it up and took it to poor area of town and gave it all away to one person on Tuesday. She seemed appreciative. We were appreciative that we did not have to waste it. 

I had to cancel my Wednesday dentist appointment for about the fifth time. My gums are sore from lack of teeth cleaning! About two months ago, I was willing to buy a new toothbrush since I could not get in to the tooth cleaning and receive a new one. However, GUM brand is hard to find. I was willing to order from the internet, but there were too many kinds to choose the one he wants me to use, that he gives me. I called and asked could I buy a toothbrush from the office. I was told to come by and get a new one anytime I needed one. The woman brought it to the car. So, a small economy. 

So, more food is gone and we only have to organize what is here. Some of each thing will stay in the kitchen. The rest will be stored in the bedroom. 

At noon today, I was just too ill to even smear pb on bread. We went to Arby's and had a Reuben sandwich. Anne in the Kitchen mentioned a coupon and he had it. I asked for the sauerkraut "on the side" since I only eat a few strings on the sandwich. Less than a tablespoon was used. I brought the little container home and put it in a freezer bag for Tommy to eat with a hot dog some day. So, another small economy. I guess sauerkraut freezes well. ???

I asked him if he enjoyed the sandwich. He said that is was good and something different. He craves something different more than I do. 

Then, we loaded up four 5-lb. bags of potatoes, another bag with onions and apples and found a very nice man to take them. He put them in the car with his father and said he was "going right home to cook some potatoes." 

Next hurdle? Figuring what to cook for dinner and actually cooking it.

Do you or your person in your house crave something different, or are you the one wanting something different to eat. 

Saving Time, Money, and Effort | Sometimes Not

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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