Into the Freezer

 A few days ago, I cooked 2.5 lbs. of ground beef with onions and froze it in small packages. Tonight, I froze another 2.5 lbs. raw, and it is in the freezer. Four of the packages were large enough to make a meal that would serve four, so two meals for each of us. Sounds like leftovers to me. The last package was puny. But, I told Tommy I could make a meatloaf that would feed both of us a meal. Or, I could cook it for spaghetti. 

Edit: I know this sounds like tiny portions, but I will put this in spaghetti or make meatloaf or some other recipe to stretch it. If we want a hamburger, which we seldom do, we can always use a package for four meals and use it for two meals, one for each of us. It is flexible packaged raw.

The only way I got this work done was by having Tommy bring a cookie sheet type pan, the meat, a spatula, pint freezer bags, waxed paper. I worked from my lap and got nothing on hands, sheet pan or anything. I am careful. I scooped the ground meat onto a square of waxed paper and folded it to put it into the pint bag. It is labeled and in the freezer. That feels like quite an accomplishment since feeling puny, I was afraid it would the meat would spoil. Of course, I could have had Tommy cook it all in a pot on the stove. 

Tonight, I also made slaw on my lap. 

After a good sleep Monday night, and a very good nap today, I feel just a smidgen better. 

Tuesday morning, Tommy washed a load of underthings and nightgowns. So, tonight, I am hanging them to dry. I have not felt like doing this earlier. They will hang in doorways until tomorrow night unless company comes by. 

I got behind on reading newspapers to send to recycling, so I am working on catching up. I feel a renewed effort is worth it to send the papers to the animal shelter. Plus, we both want them out of the house. 

Today, I found one of the wildflowers is ready to bloom. These were embedded in a postcard from Johnson and Johnson. But, none of the Stella D'Oro bloomed, and I am not sure why. Not enough sun? We had clouds and a slow and gentle rain today. 

Dinner: Tommy had sirloin filet, slaw, leftover potato. I had hotdog with no-beans chili and cheese, slaw. I am not eating a bun with these hotdogs, just a little chili and a lot of cheese.

I had breakfast around noon: Special K, half a banana, milk. Then, at 3 pm, I had a huge salad with chicken, cheese, and Caesar salad dressing. 

We went out for a small chore at phone store. But, we did not take the password. I did not want to go home, get it and go back. Then, I did not want to get the milk we both needed. I just wanted a nap. Not only was it a good nap, I dreamed all my photos magically appeared on my laptop. 

The dog next door barked for a solid hour because the kids across the street were playing basketball. Of course, no one came out to quiet them. Surely, the mothers must become annoyed at some point. Or not.

What did you have for dinner on Tuesday night or this week? I am planning to cook chicken on Wednesday. What will you cook for this week? Are you lucky enough to have leftovers?

Plant Sale

 We arose early and went to Cullman as the Master Gardener's were having a plant sale at the Ag Center. It started at noon. We had time to get to the PO and grab a Big Mac. Then, we went to the Ag Center and sat in front of the pavilion and lawn where the event was being set up. As soon as we ate, we got out of the car since they were allowing people to shop. 

I took my walker so I could help transport the plants. However, it was rough going across lawn, a bit of gravel. Sitting was all I accomplished. Tommy got what I wanted and one of the MGs also helped me and answered questions I had. 

Eventually, I made my way into the pavilion and sat again. My back hurt so! 

For three years, I had saved coins in Tootsie Roll coin banks. Finally, I took the pennies, nickels and dimes to the coin machine. That was a little over $12. Then, I had $18.75 in quarters that we carried. This was my plant money. 

My goal was flowers without going to Lowe's. I got flower plants that had few flowers yet. The total came to $41. So, Tommy paid the rest--$10. 

What we got for $41:

2 blueberry bushes

2 Blackberry--Navajo

1 calendula

1 aster, big and bushy

1 lemon balm

1 impatien 

1 daylily, Strawberry Candy

1 Flowering Quince, pink

Then, I bought two more that are on the list--$4 and the first $10, Tommy spent $14 cash. The rest was saved coins. 

Tommy put them all on a table and announced it was going to rain tonight, so he was not watering. That is why I had him put them on the table instead of the porch. I thought I bought blackeyed susan and did not know I bought the quince. I wanted a bluebird house, but Tommy did not want to worry with it. I was planning on doing nothing past putting on the trunk of a tree. But, I left it. 

Just after we arrived home, the guy came to mow, the one who was coming on Wednesday. He had truck trouble then. So, the yard is mowed, $70. We might find it cheaper, but We like the guy. When I mentioned to do something next time, he did not look at me, but looked at Tommy and said, "I will do whatever he tells me to do." And, he gestured at Tommy. !!!

I took a nap before dinner. I was exhausted, still am. 

We went to Publix where I gave away the other two Civil War books to a woman and a guy who wanted them.

I still want two hanging pots for the shepherd's crooks by the ramp. So, I suppose I will still need to spend money. There were food plants, of course tomatoes. But, I left those. I will go the Festhalle Farmer's Market where all food has to be grown by farmers in the county. I know most of these plants are not meant for pots, but that is where they will live, except for the quince. 

Tommy wanted a Big Mac since it had been a long time since he had one. I don't oppose fast food all the time because he wants it. However, I stopped the Hardee's sausage and biscuit, so I will figure out a way to curb the burger impulse, too. Don't get me wrong, I love a Whopper or a Big Mac. I am just trying to eat more healthful foods when out. He says he wants warm food. Maybe I will buy one of the lunch boxes that heats food using the cigarette lighter in the car. Or, maybe I will bring me a sandwich and let him buy his food. I think he might relent after a bit and have me fix him a lunch, too. 

Dinner was leftovers. Tommy had chicken drumstick meat and I had a tiny bit of ham. We had the leftover potato, carrots, and broccoli. He had grapes. I had blueberries. 

When I had him stick the pan in the oven that had 10 drumsticks in it and told him to take it out and eat, he did even more. He took all the meat off all the drumsticks and is pleased to have it ready to eat instead of having to deal with skin and bones. Sometimes, he puts bbq sauce on the meat. 

Do you ever go to plant sales? What do you buy, vegetables, trees, flowers? How was your Friday?

The Day Before Thanksgiving

 I thought I needed to go to talk with someone in Cullman with whom I was conferring. But, he did not even come into his office. Plus, I had to pick up Tommy's paint-by-number that had been stretched. I had cancelled once and did not want the artist to have to keep holding something for me while I still owed him money. So, we went, and I got my mail. 

When I went to Publix, I found that pumpkin was $2 in Cullman and $2.49ish here. I bought another book of stamps at the PO. Another 10 cans of Double Luck green beans came home with me at $.69/can. I just wonder how long they will still have these since when the pallets they bought that are on a truck out back are empty, there will be no more in this area as I have said before. 

Every week, we comment that we need to eat at Chicken Salad Chick. This week we did. It was wonderful. If you have never eaten there, empty your piggy bank and try it. I had the Classic Carol Scoop and Loaded Potato Soup. The scoop was on a frilly lettuce leaf. I asked for tomato, too. The loaded baked potato soup was so cheesy with huge chunks of potatoes. And, it was very hot. Tommy had Fruity Fran Chicken Salad on a croissant with pasta salad. I could not believe he was ordering chicken salad with apples, pineapple, and grapes. He had never had a sandwich on a croissant. We both really enjoyed lunch! The next place to visit when we decide to wander will be Slim Chicken. 

Not having Thanksgiving on Thursday made this Wednesday seem like I should be doing something and glad I was not. The traffic was not too bad to be the busiest traffic day of the year. But, we were off the road just before 3 pm. 

Like I have said, this was a really great day...until we got home. I was carrying the picture, trying to be careful not to ruin it as it was stretched on foam board or something like that. So, I was using one hand. My left foot did not lift high enough and then I stumbled on the metal strip that is under the door. A screw is very loose and cannot be tightened, stripped the wood, I suppose. Tommy forbade me to fix it, so I just catch my foot on the strip sticking up. I fell....hard! 

I was screaming for Tommy and screaming "Help" over and over. He said he answered me once when he got to the ramp. He said there was no need to answer me again. Well, I would have been reassuring a person who had fallen and was continuously screaming for help. 

However, I am not really hurt. When I fell, it was a bit on my knees which was excruciating and then slammed forward on my face. My left arm was under me and pinned with my face on the hand. Both arms were up so that both arms were numb to my fingertips. My left ear is ringing and ringing! I did not hit my head. I feel like I have been slammed to the ground. Thankfully, he has carpets, wood floors and no concrete underneath. 

Maybe now he will allow me to find someone to fix that screw sticking up. I have told him for three years it was going to hurt one of us. Until lately, I could take it up and replace the screw, tightening the stripped part of the wood with toothpicks and wood glue. Now, I just cannot get down that far. We do need bars to pull on the doors. But, he won't pull out his wallet because he does not need them. YES, he does. He actually needs bars to pull more than I do. 

Honestly, it was a great day and lunch was terrific. It was sort of fun not to be toiling at cooking.  Or planning cooking. Or planning. Or traveling. We still wear masks, so there will be not visiting or accepting invitations. Tomorrow, we will be watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade. If I don't bake these five pounds of bscb tonight, I will bake them tomorrow afternoon. I am thinking about baking sweet potato bread, too, using my pumpkin bread recipe. It is delicious. And, we have salad. 

How was your Wednesday? 

Lunch and Dinner and Seminar and a Plant Question

 We had to leave too early for Cullman this morning to go to Aldi to get fresh grapes. So be it. 

We went to the pick-up lunch and offered to bring one to 90-yr-old friends. They said they would get their own since we could not come to their house and eat. We had other plans.

There was an event to attend with food from a food truck. But, since the event and meal was indoors, we decided not to eat since we cannot eat with masks on our faces! We took the free lunch and ate outside the venue and went in for the lecture.

Lunch was a hotdog and a hamburger, two of the largest slices of tomato and some lettuce, 6 packages of condiments--catsup, mustard, mayo, pickles (we picked off and discarded), package of chips, two cookies, one oatmeal cookies with icky white stuff inside. We drank water. 

Tommy's burger was pink inside. Mine was red-raw. It is in the oven right now with a second burger in a second plate we both got. I never cook when we go to Cullman because I am soooo tired. He gave me his tomato for lunch and the other slice of his dinner meal. So, he had hotdog and last bit of slaw for his dinner. I will have a burger, two huge tomato sliced and four huge pieces of iceberg lettuce. He is saving his other burger and my hotdog for tomorrow. 

Then, we went inside the agri-plex, a center that is all things agriculture. There was a table of free things--hardback books, sweet potato sprouts, okra seeds. I took one book and three sweet potato sprouts. We love these events. This is where we heard the professor from Auburn University speak about Alabama rivers and bought his book. 

The book I took was written by Thalasso Cruso, Making Vegetables Grow, 1975. This read will be interesting. Have you heard of this woman or read any of her books? She was on Johnny Carson Show. 

We checked on my lot and found my friend had finally mowed. My other friend, his bil, could not meet me there, so we must go back another day. sigh

At one grocery store, I bought one package of Ronco spaghetti, my favorite. Price has gone up about 25%. But, I pick up a package of spaghetti just about every week. This store had stacks of pasta. The store is small, but are never out of anything! I know they sell their food because it is a popular store. 

Before we left town, we visited the PO and delivered cans to our elderly friends to give to a mutual friend. She collects them for selling. 

My next-door neighbors put up a huge flag at the beginning of Pride Week, a Progressive Pride flag. I cannot keep up with the more than 30 different pride flags. It certainly adds color to the street along with my flowers. I saw it was a pride flag, but Tommy pointed out it was different, so I took a closer look and investigated on the internet. 

On the way home today, the car kept making a funny noise for about ten seconds and then the noise quit. I think it is cooling system. I was suffering from the heat riding in the car with ac. After getting so sick I thought I was going to throw up, and complaining of the heat and how I felt woozy and faint, I finally figured out Tommy did not have fan or cooling on highest it would go. And, the choice of where it came in the car was not enough to keep me cool. So, after three adjustments, I finally felt a bit better. 

I was in the bed and in my nightgown before Tommy could get in the house, and I had put the food in the refrigerator first and changed into a nightgown! I talked on the phone an hour, cooled off, got up and then went back for a nap. This was a long day, but the sun and sky was glorious. 

From now on, we will carry two bottles of water for each of us. Tommy usually says the two inches in his bottle will be enough. This week will be in high 90s, so we cannot take chances, especially Tommy. He thinks he is invincible...lol. He thinks I worry too much. 

Don't get me wrong. I love the heat and I love this weather. But, luckily I don't have to work in the heat. Plus, we have ac and we do not hesitate to crank it up. Tommy said he only watered each plant just a little bit to cut down his time outdoors. Me? I got under a quilt and wool blanket for my nap. 

Last month, I received a Better Homes and Gardens that I did not buy. Today, I received a Cosmopolitan. I wonder why. 

My long list only has one item: buy a spray bottle. Maybe I will add bake capon and sweet potatoes.

My Stella de Oro has not bloomed in a week despite watering it, deadheading, and a bit of Miracle Gro. Did it get too much fertilizer? There are swollen buds that never blossom. Does anyone know what is happening with these flowers in a pot in FULL SUN?

It is after 9 pm, and I suppose my hamburger is about done. I hope so since I am hungry.

Does your community have free lectures and events to learn? What precautions are you taking for the higher heat? 

New Recipe for Zucchini

 After I posted this morning, I decided we would go to Cullman. I needed my mail and the pickup lunch was at 11 am. We picked up lunches for our 90- and 91-year-old friends. We had Chicken Parmesan, vegetable casserole, Hawaiian rolls and brownies. I love Chicken Parm even though I use mozarella because it is what I have. 

Our friends are getting rid of stuff so their children don't have to some day. Tommy and I are of the mind that someone else can get rid of stuff when we are gone. Just kidding, Tommy feels that way. I don't.

Before we left we were watching the Today Show, the segment with Hoda Kotb. The cooking segment was about cooking eggplant, a segment that did not interest me. They were making baba ghanoush, a dip. At one point someone asked if zucchini could be used or yellow squash. That interested me. It seems that the recipes are the same except the skins of the squashes do not have to be cooked and peeled off. 

This is a recipe for baba ganoush. Okay, there is more than one recipe. Since I don't make or eat baba ganoush, I cannot recommend a recipe. This dip would be a great way to use up zucchini and would be healthful. By using carrots or celery to dip into it, the vegetable count would be out of sight. When I buy some tahini, I will make this dip. 

US Soccer reaches equal pay deal. It is about time women made the same as men! Now, to get all pay where it should be. But, they still make more than nurses or firemen! 

Plans: Hopefully, the meat cooking marathon will happen on Thursday. It is not all thawed yet. We need to empty the dishwasher and fill it again with more contents of the cabinets. 

I just had a second Chicken Parm lunch for my dinner because I am too beat to cook anything. 

There were no deals at stores in Cullman. Poo! My yard is three-feet high because the guy who was going to mow it did not! grrr

How did your Wednesday go? What's for dinner? 

Lunch with Friends

Wednesday, we went to Cullman. Lunch was the first order of the day.  It was too windy to eat outdoors, so we picked up lunches at the church for our friends that go to the lake with us for lunch. They invited us to eat at their house since they knew how careful we are. Their grown grandchildren won't come into their house for fear they will give covid to two nonagenarians. 

It was a very congenial visit. Soup and salad was the lunch. Tommy ate both the soups and I ate both the salads. There were peas in the soup. We had two more of these meals for our Wednesday dinner. Scrambled eggs will be my protein. Tommy's soup has a lot of meat and smelled delicious, but had too much heat for me.  I don't need more fiber today. 

We went to PO, my lot, and two grocery stores--bananas at one and for $0.69/can green beans at the other along with a 2 lb. bag of cornmeal for $0.99. 

I went into AT&T to try to get a new phone for 5G use. No, no flip phones there that are 5G. However, I did pay my bill so my phone would be turned on. Since I have auto pay, I am not sure why my service was turned off. I did not want to debate with them, just turn on my phone! Done. Now, to find the free 5G flip phone AT&T keeps offering me. 

The daffodils that were poking their green shoots at New Year's visits are now fully bloomed. I forgot pick them to bring them home.  My allergies bothered me Wednesday, so I could not have had them in the car. Daffodils are one thing that triggers my allergies. 

When I had my battery replaced in a store in town, I remembered they carried canning items. their lids and rings were expected in six weeks. Well, they were in stock when I checked this week. I bought two boxes of lids and rings. I have had no trouble finding canning jars, but the lids and rings were nowhere to be found. Now, I have enough with what came on the jars. 

Dinner on Friday night--pork loin chop, Tommy had cabbage and blackeyed peas, I had coleslaw with my pork. 

Have you had trouble with AT&T? What carrier do you use? What is your experience with carriers?

Exhausting but Happy Wednesday, Now Thursday

Wednesday morning, I awoke mostly rested, since I never feel well in the morning. I woke at 8 am and washed my hair and made a chicken sandwich to take with me for breakfast. We were out of the house by 9:10. I ate the sandwich and a glass of milk in the car. Then, we hit a 10 mile traffic jam and never did find out what happened. We mostly sat and occasionally drove 3 mph! 

If I look closely to my face, I am probably wind-burned! 

A church was having their monthly lunch pickup. It was going to be turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, roll and cranberry sauce. Plus, there was chocolate cake or pecan pie. Consequently, the line was longer than usual.  The word gets out and people come in droves. Plus, some people picked up 30+ dinners, picking up for groups of people or individuals who cannot get out of the house. 

We invited Tommy's cousin to eat outdoors with us at a different park. Sportsman's Lake is closed while they decorate for Christmas Light Tour in the park. We also planned to pick up two lunches for our 90-year-old friends we usually meet in the park. He is ill and had been in the hospital and won't eat or drink enough to survive the kidney infection. 

We sat for two hours talking and laughing with Tommy's cousin. We really like him. The wind was blowing in gusts that blew my hair in my eyes and face and twisted it up. I fully expect to wake on Thursday with a horrible sinus infection and accompanying ear pain.  I sat where the wind was in my face. Tommy and cousin had it to their back and side, better positions, I think. 

The leaves were falling and flying in the wind. Even under the pavilion, two flew into my food, three or four onto the table, and one huge one fell on Tommy's food, and more on all of us, the table, and onto us. The venue under the trees was very pleasant. 

We forgot to go the PO, went to two grocery stores, my house. We were home by 4:15. It was a long day. all the talking and laughing and the hard wind took their toll on me...lol. I took a nap from 5:30 to 7 pm and got up to eat with Tommy. 

We brought home two lunches and had them for dinner. We shared a small piece of cake and a small piece of pie. I seriously overate and could not finish my meal for dinner. Tommy took my turkey and put it in a sandwich bag. He has baggies down pat and sees the slice of turkey as his lunch. Good man. 

Wednesday was a very good day with a friend, picnic, and great lunch. I did not freeze the sweet potatoes. Tomorrow will be a new day. Maybe I will make mashed potatoes and freeze them. I do know I won't make sweet potato casserole since I have had my fix and need no more added sweetness. 

We did stay a bit and talked to the wife of friend who won't eat or drink enough. His wife is so worried. The next time we go, we will get watermelon chunks in Publix and take that to him to help with hydration. They are 90 and both still drive. Last year, they drove to Michigan and made it back in one piece. 

Thursday

I slept well and awoke ill. This is what the wind does for me. Nose, sinuses, ears, sore throat and chest all involved. Now, my job is to soothe and decongest all this. Otherwise, a fever will ensue and I will be miserable. I went to bed at 1 am. Tommy stayed up later. And, he always accuses me of making him miss sleep...lol. 

I do have things to do. I plan to freeze the sweet potatoes in portions, make gravy. If all goes well, I will have the gravy to the point of using fresh turkey drippings. I will save out enough sweet potatoes for one meal. That huge bowl will vacate a huge space in the refrigerator. I need the room. 

This is something I started about 40 years ago. I don't want to be stirring flour on the stove with oil continually to brown it on Thanksgiving Day!  My back cannot handle that these days. But, I started this just because it was more convenient. I can put the browned flour and oil mixture into a very small bowl to store it until Thanksgiving day. Or, in this case until I put the turkey juice in it. By that time, I will have the stored turkey and at least one of the ten half-gallons of milk from the refrigerator. 

Maybe I will just make mashed potatoes and freeze them.

It is almost 3 pm and I am tired and losing ambition. Tonight, we will have turkey breast, sweet potatoes, and kale. 

Has anyone done the hard work of browning flour and oil for gravy ahead of the day? What dishes do you or did you prepare before the DAY? By adding drippings later, the gravy does not have to fit into the refrigerator. Mama was always cooking everything on Thanksgiving. So, did I until I figured out better. There were reasons she worked unnecessarily hard, so not judgment there. 

Wednesday--Blood Draws

Today, I am beyond exhausted and still no blood to show for two days of trying. We drove to Cullman, now, two days in a row. It makes about ten punctures. I suppose I must not take the fluid pill on Wednesday. The only thing I accomplished was giving a urine sample. The doctor said taking a fluid pill meant any excess fluid I drank just got peed out!

I drank so much electrolyte drinks and water, I was floating away. 

We picked up the church lunch and went to the lake which was closed to car traffic. You can see the workers have put up some of the Christmas decorations. So, the park will not be open until well after New Years.  We sat in a parking overlooking the lake, a view we don't get when parked at the lake. 

The meal was soup. It was delicious, but way too spicy hot and had English peas.  So, I had the salad. Tommy had my soup and a bowl zucchini for dinner. I will be having the second salad for dinner. So, we ate two meals, bought nothing and cooked nothing. They include cookies, crackers, utensils, salt and pepper. Sitting in the shade overlooking the lake and having lunch was calming after what seemed like hours of being poked and punctured. 

Driving to Cullman was my best option. I have been to clinics here and found professionals, nurses/people who were rude, slammed things around, huffed because my bad, little veins were defying them. In a word or two, they were short and incompetent. If I can go someplace where they will give me a shot in the back of my hand for pain, I can handle a needle stick there. The big, tough Physician's Assistant confirmed that the needle in the back of the hand is indeed very painful. 

This has been going on since I was 21. 

Tommy is exhausted, too, but willing to drive me back for a third time this week. I am going nowhere. 

Do your veins resist blood draws? What do you do to make it better?

A Very Long Week!

 As early as Monday, I was ahead of myself. The week is not dragging at all. It just seems every day, I think it should be two days later. I suppose every time I take a nap, it should be a different day when I awake. But, it is not working out that way. 

On Tuesday, I jumped up and got dressed and asked Tommy when he wanted to leave. He was puzzled. Well, we had something to do on Friday and I was ready on Tuesday, or maybe it was Monday I was ready to go. 

Tommy told me the weather would be dry for the next ten days. I love that. It is only 63F degrees right now at 10:30 am, so cooler than I prefer. No rain means I will have to water a few plants. It also means the grass will not grow so quickly for a while. Aha! I saw a hummingbird just now. So, they are still here.

After I bought my third basil plant this year, I decided to keep it inside. Someone must have dropped a handful of seeds into this one pot since there are about 20 stems. I will repot it into 2 pots, hoping some of the stems survive. I finally remembered to buy a very small bag of potting mix. So, there is that to do today, maybe...lol. 

Since I slept one hour last night, I am headed back to bed after the news. Maybe I can work on the list this afternoon. It's growing longer. 

Okay, I went to the bedroom before noon and awoke at 3 pm and got up at 3:45 and ate--salad greens, lots of chicken, shredded cheddar cheese and ranch dressing. 

I gave Tommy the Publix ad to find what we need or he wants or what I might want. The only thing he circled was zucchini and squash at $2.99/lb. I will be going to the Farmer's market soon. Hopefully, it will be small squashes and cheaper and better. 

Dinner will be chicken again today for both of us. Tommy had a chicken sandwich for lunch. But, this will be a different iteration. Wish me luck...lol. We both enjoy having a breast in the freezer to slice sandwich meat. It is much healthier and just as delicious as bologna and cheaper than something from the grocery. 

Colcannon is on the menu tonight as I just set Tommy to peeling potatoes. I will get the cabbage ready and cook it. 

Do you ever have a week where it always seems it should be later in the week than it is? Do you run around getting ready to go somewhere when it is three days away?

Wednesday This and That

 Our Tuesday lunch of chicken provided dinner Tuesday night. The whole chicken breasts were so large that neither of us could finish ours. When it came time to think about dinner, he said he would make a salad for himself. I ate a sandwich and slaw with my breast. I love an easy meal, and a cheap one, too. 

At noon on Wednesday, Tommy just wandered out and back in. He got his own lunch of beans and franks and slaw. If I keep food ready, he just helps himself instead of expecting me to get it. About half the time I do bring in his lunch. I just remembered--a week or two ago, he was adamant that he did not want vegetables for lunch. He gets up much earlier than I, and wants lunch before I even want breakfast. 

Tuesday, I was gutted when I found evidence of more thievery at my lot. Won't people ever give up? 

This afternoon, Tommy had to go pay two bills, so I went along and went to a store I shop at about every two months. Pork chops were $1.99/lb., so I bought a pack for <$6. Dinner will be pork chops, the rest of the fresh green beans, and the one potato along with a huge Vidalia onion. I hope the chops are good tasting. 

Then, I found amber Ball pint jars. They are short, squat, wide-mouth. I don't think I have seen amber jars for sale in ages. The dark glass keeps food from deteriorating in the light.  These are possibly the darkest jars I have ever seen. The amber jars will be used to store dehydrated foods if I ever dehydrate anything again. 

Have you seen amber, Ball jars in the stores? Do you use amber jars to protect food? 

Short Post

 This will be short and messy post. We went to Cullman today. We were supposed to meet our friends for lunch after we picked up the free lunch. But, she did not feel well. She does well for 90! 

I suggested we call Tommy's cousin and get him to meet us. Well, Tommy does not believe in keeping any phone number on his phone. So, we could not call! I will get that number into my phone. 

Lunch:

hamburger, lettuce, pickles

hotdog

chips

cookies

We ate at the lake where we saw people stealing a duck. 

Went to carpenter and delivered more wood. Called friend who has more wood for me, but he was working with muriatic acid and needed to finish. Went to my house. Picked up new glasses. Went to both grocery stores and bought stuff, food. Went to place where I got last lenses made to tell them they screwed up prescription! Got back here and stopped to pick up prescription. Each sentence in this paragraph is a whole story that I will write tomorrow or sometime.

We went to a place that furnishes a dinner for children and older people, no means test. We got that meal and ate it tonight:

hoagie bun with meatballs

potato wedges

blueberries 3/4 cup

chocolate milk

I did not eat the bun. And, have not drunk the chocolate milk yet. 

There is enough food for lunch tomorrow. I had a banana and apple to round out fruit consumption.

Now, I have to take medicine, exercise and maybe go to bed by 10 pm. 

Marching exercise 5 minutes

Do you have a project where you need wood? Do you manage to find free wood, too?

Groceries This Week

 We made a quick trip out to pay a bill, get gas, and buy groceries. 

bread at bread store 2 loaves @ $1.19/each

deli fried chicken breast $2.69

grape tomatoes $2

Greek pasta salad $2.20

5 bananas $1.26

red delicious apple $1.13

broccoli $2.50

2 gal distilled water each $1.29

Diet Cokes Caffeine Free $6.19

Total was $20.82

Part of this was lunch in the park. We shared the chicken breast because they are huge. I bought the least package of Greek pasta salad. It was full of spinach, feta, and olive oil with the penne pasta. We shared that, too. I bought the tomatoes for the salad and for home. We drank water we had with us. We both figured this all healthier than fast food places and cheaper. I never eat the skin or breading. 

This was my day. I really must wash my hair this evening! 

Dinner will be the rest of the baked chicken breast, broccoli, tomatoes, and cheese in a casserole. 

Yesterday, I upped my exercise a bit and did two minutes twice and one minute after that.  I am incredibly tired and my heart is doing flip flops. I have no intentions of sitting or lying down, necessarily. But, dinner will be easy and I can wash my hair and exercise. 

Yesterday, some places in Birmingham received over 7" of rain. One city in the area had 9"!  It seemed we had torrents all day, but not so heavy. The lightning was truly frightening at times! 

If you are in this area, how much rain did you get? What are your plans for Mother's Day?

Thread and a Bird

 Wednesday, everything Tommy has left for years in the sink was put in the dishwasher. He even had plastic carryout items in the sink. The huge stack between the stove and refrigerator was dish items he stored in the refrigerator. He sorted and I put them in the dishwasher. Tomorrow, he is going to clean the sink since standing and bending at the angle needed really hurts my back. I will tell him tomorrow. 

Some of the items were mine! When I came here, he yelled that they were his. No, there is a dish from my Corelle and several Tupperware dishes. He has calmed down this last year and accepts they are mine. Remember, I sent food home with every week for about 12 years. 

Also, there is a bunch of trash and a box we are going to move so I can vacuum the carpet, just a little area. I can only vacuum the carpet I can uncover. The box and contents are headed to the trash, too. 

So, those are two goals tomorrow: clean sink and counter and move tiny, nasty box and vacuum the bit of floor where it looks like a disintegrated box or something. 

Thur. lunch

bologna sandwich, banana, milk

Thursday dinner

zucchini, squash, and onion bake, chicken in StoveTop stuffing

snack in afternoon, chocolate, applesauce; after dinner, strawberries, milk

I bought the canned chicken bogo and opened one can to see if was something we would eat in the future. We opened it, tasted it and stored it. So, it was time to eat it. After I decided it was good, I went back and bought four more cans, of course, only paying for two. 

Friday, I have been exhausted! Not much has been done, but the emptying of the dishwasher and vacuuming a tiny space and throwing out a box is still on the list. 

Friday morning

Banana and milk

Fri afternoon

oatmeal, raisin cookies, strawberries

Friday dinner

two scrambled eggs, cooked cabbage, sweet potato, salad, apple and Halo for me

some sort of chicken stew with vegetable for Tommy

Later applesauce I need to finish the jar.

Tuesday and Wednesday had not a cloud in the sky. Friday, gloomy and no sun all day. Maybe this is why I have been so tired. I slept 1.5 hours in the car listening to bird calls. 

My black thread for the serger arrived Friday. The day I was going to call and complain mightily, a representative called and asked me, "Do you still want the black thread you ordered?"  "Of course, I do!" So, it is here. Happy dance!

A friend invited us to eat with them next Thursday in Cullman and outdoors. That will be something to look forward to for next week! I will make a pattern from a bird she has outdoors so I can make some birds for us. I am excited to finish the pattern and get on to crafting the bird. I do intend to find free wood to make it. Only a can of spray paint will be needed for this project. YAY!

Do you have a project in the works that will make you happy?

Goals Today, My Feet

 HERE is a video where my Victrola is shown. It is not mine, but identical to mine. Enlarge the video and lower the volume. It is on the left of the video.

I awoke Saturday morning and my feet have a "foot" shape with little swelling and almost no pain. So, after three days of minimal exercise, things are improving. YAY! And, I slept better without foot pain in bed.

Three main goals today: 

*finish washing dishes

*finish cutting hair

*cook and freeze ground beef crumbles

Wednesday, we picked up the box lunch and one for dinner. We have met friends at the lake to eat and visit. The lake park is still closed, so our friends we meet invited us to eat in their back yard. It was a cold and dampish experience since they back up to woods in the neighborhood. This was our only human contact without a mask in two months. 

I am behind on reading and commenting on blogs, so maybe I can get that done today. 

Minor goals:

*move food tp shelves and bedroom

*move boxes to bedroom

*remove boxes for Tommy to cut up for trash

*bring shirts in for him to sort

What are your goals for the rest of today? What goals did you do on Sunday? 

Okay, I am off to enjoy the mid 67F weather, blue skies and puffy clouds.

Beautiful Wednesday and Paying Bills

It is so beautiful outside and 84F at 4 pm! Lots of white fluffy clouds are in one area of the sky. The rest of the sky has large and small fluffy clouds but plenty of blue sky. I wish I could save a bit of blue sky and bright sun for this winter!

Last week when we took a burger to the lake in the city to eat lunch, the lake and park were closed for maintenance. Same today. They are probably putting up the Halloween lights. We picked up our to-go lunches and our friends followed us to the lake. Well, we decided to go to the park near my house. 

We did and lunch was so pleasant with our friends. We were in the shade and there was a light breeze. The whole experience was perfect since there were no flies.

Today, the lunch was soup and salad and commercial cookies. Tommy and I had water we had in the car. 

She and I both had doctor appointments. Mine was x-rays at the dentist, so I got that done. I am dropping my dental insurance, I think. I have paid $42 dollars/month for 13 months and this is my first visit except for cleaning last week or whenever it was. I think I can deposit money in an account just for dental visits. It appears there is no coverage for crowns! So, that money won't disappear into thin air. 

I was going to pay off one bill with my windfall. However, there is no interest on this debt. So, I am going to pay off my cc that has little on it, but a bit of interest.  

Tommy said he did not mind having soup and salad again. We received four lunches, so he has three left since I cann't eat it with peas in it. I will have a salad with tuna. 

The light will be gone soon, so I want to take a few Halloween items out to display. Tommy can put the things any way he wants to display things in the tree out front. 

I love coming home knowing dinner is ready. 

It Looks Like I Am Going to be Forced to Meal Plan

 Okay, maybe it is only lunch plan. Twice this week, Tommy has said when presented with lunch options, "Oh, good, something different."

He fended for himself all the time before I arrived. Often as not, he went out to get a hamburger. So, I think he is feeling like he has few choices. Remember, I have said he eagerly agrees to go out and get a burger, and he agrees to a burger when I feel he needs food. 

Yesterday, I gave him a can of vegetarian soup, and he was thrilled. Since he does not need Campbell's soup every day, I talked to him about a plan to keep variety in his lunches. When I was finished, I asked him what else would be good. "Maybe more chicken." So, he wants chicken sandwiches. That can be done easily. 

I am going to roast chicken, probably thighs and legs, and let him take it off the bone. It will be in a bowl with a snap lid and he can help himself for lunch. He seems to like this idea. 

Really, I hate to see him wanting food and eating something he does not want all the time. But, until things change in his ability to get to the refrigerator, I won't be making lunch regularly for him. I do make the grilled cheese for him, but he does not know how to cook. 

I know I know--grilled cheese is not cooking. 

Lunches:

peanut butter sandwich, fruit

can of soup (low sodium), fruit

chicken (two lunches), fruit

cheese and bread, and fruit (maybe it will be grilled)

eat out

leftovers, fruit

We have plenty of fruit, so he has agreed to keep eating fruit when it is fresh. I told him where in the cabinet that I put canned fruit for him. But, as long as we have fresh fruit, we both agreed we would eat fresh. I do love a bowl of pineapple with Miracle Whip mixed in. Lettuce is good with MW and pineapple.

What am I planning for lunch for me? I will have grilled cheese when I make one for him. I am content to eat the same thing every day for lunch. I will keep more chicken for grazing. I just pull off a piece and nibble on it. 

Meal Planning for main meals is still not possible for me...lol. We could have more leftovers for lunch, but we will see what makes him happy.

He has NOT complained, just become so happy and exclaimed, "Something different" like when I offered him soup. 

This is still not really "meal planning" but just what  is necessary.

Do you have to plan for lunch  other than leftovers or simple sandwich?

Impeachment

When Nixon was impeached, he resigned before the trial. My son was four and understood very well that when one show on TV ended, another would begin. He was missing Romper Room and Captain Kangaroo. Maybe he only missed Romper Room. He was sad, so sad. His kindergarten he attended was out for the summer. He came to me with a doleful tone and face, "Mama, when will Watergate be off the TV?" He expected that Watergate would have a predictable end.

Tuesday, I did make dinner-- salmon croquettes, sweet potatoes, Romaine, blueberry muffins. I put too many oats in the salmon and the croquettes were dry. Plus, I had no onion and was not asking Tommy to go out to get it. However, as usual, the sweet potatoes were spectacular. I used a pouch of blueberry muffin mix and put frozen blueberries in them.

Wednesday, today, Tommy's cousin took us to lunch at Bright Star, a nice restaurant in Bessemer. Two Greek brothers owned it. One died a few months ago, so the other brother is still there. The food was delicious. I had half a chicken and rice pilaf, baked apples, and Greek potatoes. Everything was delicious. I brought all the rice and most of the chicken home. It looks like dinner tonight. Broccoli will be steamed.

Tommy's great grandfather is the cousin's grandfather. He and I knew a lot of the same people as he live in Cullman County. I tried not to talk too much since it was a lunch for them. Tommy said I did not...whew.

After the meal we grocery shopped--3 lbs. Halos, strawberries, bananas. grape tomatoes, broccoli, milk, and Cella Chocolate Covered Cherries. I did buy plastic spoons and forks. I needed a mattress cover. I have been meaning to buy a travel pillow, so I finally got that...oh, and nail polish. Leaf Lettuce was all starting to turn brown and had a date of next Wednesday, so I will return for that when they have fresher Leaf Lettuce. It is the easiest way to get green stuff into Tommy. He will actually go in and pluck a loose leaf or two from the box. If he had to dismantle it, he would never eat it. When I have been in bed at lunch or dinner, he has to take care of feeding himself. Otherwise, I get all his food out and heat it for him. All the groceries were bogo or on sale.

In this city a little pink bag of coupons is thrown every week. That is where I get the newspaper inserts. I had a $5 coupon that I would use. Now, I cannot find it. So, I just sent Tommy into the cold, dark night to get them from the curbs of neighbors. He said some people never bring them in and toss them into the trash on Thursday night when they take the trash to the road. He said I could get them and no one would care. I am afraid...lol...so he went to get them for me. He is a good man...lol.


The two packages of chicken are almost thawed in the refrigerator. I now plan that for tomorrow. There is plenty of food here. I just do not meal plan as such.

Doctor Visit, Market, Lunch, Dinner, Grocery Shopping

The appointment was at 10:30 and three blocks from my house. YAY! The only reason I took a morning appointment was he does not do afternoon appointments. The doctor wanted me to lie on the table so he could feel the area below breast and just below my waist. I cannot lie on the table without a pillow under my knees. I didn't want to ask for one, so I just raised my knees with feet flat on the table.

The back of my thigh started cramping and I started making noises. The cramp happened just as he barely touched my body. He was so confused, asking me if that light touch hurt. I could not speak, just make noises. When the cramp let up, I started laughing and told him it was a cramp on the back of my thigh. He said he got those too at night. I have a cramp in the back of my thigh about once every two or three weeks and only when I turn and reach to turn off the lamp.

I had lost two more pounds!

There was no free lunch today, good thing since I got out of the office at 12:30. Tommy was at my house, waiting for me. I did not have anything for lunch, so I got two Whoppers for the price of one.

When I finally got to the market at 1 pm, all the squash was gone. On Thursday, I will go early and get enough to make a squash casserole. Everything else for our meal with be no carb, so the squash casserole will not cause too much damage.

Tommy had gone to WM while I was at the doctor's office and had refreshed my stash of Ziploc plastic storage bags and freezer bags to the tune of nine boxes per my list.  Since neither of us can stand without hurting to wash dishes, we use these. He appreciates not having to wash my dishes to bring them back.

I usually let BK put mayo on my Whopper so the lettuce won't fall off. Today, no mayo. I brought it home and put Miracle Whip on it, and it was soooo delicious. I need to get the little MW packets to keep in the car. I put reduced chicken in a pan and sliced a potato, putting the slices and put all I could in the pan with chicken. The last two potatoes were wrapped in foil and baked in the same oven. Then, I took a half-hour nap.

He took home one breast and a baked potato, and the slices cooked with chicken. The breast was so huge he will get three or four meals from it. Somehow, one of the baked potatoes was left on the stove. While here, he had chicken, potatoes, and sliced tomato.

When he left, I put the chicken back in the oven so it would cook more and put more slices of potato in for me. It was ready when I came home from the grocery.

I went to Publix. My a2milk was $7 for two half-gallons. I purchased eggs, blueberries, bananas, two 16 oz. containers of Daisy Cottage Cheese--$2 each. Cream cheese was reduced.

Now, I am gagging at The Bachelorette.