Tuesday in a Haze

 Monday night, I decided to take a prescription prescribed to me after I asked about a cure for a problem. This problem is a big problem, but not a problem with a cure. The prescription is for another problem, depression, but not prescribed to me for that. So, I took the prescription in the afternoon on Monday. Until Wednesday morning, I was in a fog. 

Tuesday, I had no affect. I had no ambition. I even went to bed for two hours and just lay there, unable to sleep. I cannot imagine how this med could cure depression. Or, maybe it is meant to mask feelings? But, all feelings? I managed to get in the car and put the seat back while Tommy was out. Then, I just rode with the seat back. I have never done that. 

I hated the feeling, so I will never take that med again. 

Tuesday night while still in a fog, I had to think about a Wednesday appointment. No food after midnight and no water after 7:30 am. Well, I awoke after six solid hours of sleep. However, my throat hurt, was dry, and I was trying to stifle a cough and sinuses were draining. Yep. Awful. Not thinking, I grabbed water and gulped it. It didn't matter since the drive was iffy with tornado talk, at least storms. So, I cancelled the appointment. I really needed this appointment to stretch my esophagus so I won't choke on food!

Dinner: corn on the cob, peas, baked chicken for Tommy. I don't know what I want. 

I boiled the corn and it is hard and not so tasty. I think it was old. The last we had was sweet and juicy and tender. 

I cannot imagine how anyone takes an antidepressant and functions! I feel like I lost a day. Everyone promises me I will not feel so groggy, so blank, so much brain fog if I give it two days or two weeks. However, dizziness and nausea are not something I want to endure. I commented on a few blogs and typing were difficult. Plus, there was no promise that the antidepressant would alleviate the first problem. The doctor who prescribed it told me he tried it and quit because it did not help. 

Now, I am fighting the sinus infection with otc products. Of course, we watch the weather to determine how bad the storms will be, maybe dangerous. 

Today, we made our trek to three grocery stores to collect the ads. We missed the pork butt at $1.78 two weeks ago, and bought it for $1.89 last week, and it is $1.78 again this week. Right now, Tommy is going over the ads, circling things we want, things he wants, and things he thinks I might want. Then, I will go over the ads and we will discuss what we want to buy. It is a process rather than what we see and want, missing deals. We make a list after discussing the choices we underline. 

Now, I need to survey the Father's Day ads for tools I need or might need. Of course, I am not looking for power tools! I have always thought FD sales were better than Mother's Day sales. 

Do you look at Father's Day sales for things you want or need as opposed to giving something to a father?

Have you found that antidepressants side effects are unbearable?

Is there anything good in your grocery ads this week?

Trading Places

 My temperature is mostly normal. But, I am still dizzy and shaky on my feet. However, Tommy is not doing well at all. Finally, his temp is up to over 103F. He does not want to eat, might want some broth but will not say. So, I fixed the last of the can of broth I had drunk. 

On Friday night, I made sure he had enough Hall's Mentholyptus for the night. When I got up, he had used them all. So, I got my Ball jar with nice, tight metal lid and refilled his bag. He finally consented to an aspirin after he did not feel better after finding it was 103F. My bottle of 120 baby aspirins only had one left. He reminded me my pink bin for meds in the bedroom had two new bottles. I used the bottle of 120 aspirins to pour some in for him from the bottle of 120. I made sure to tell him to take four. I still have a bottle of 300 ready for us to use. The pharmacist told him to take Claritin, so I gave him a bottle of mine. 

He asked for something for throat pain. I finally figured out it was at CVS and went to get it myself. I did have him go with me even though he did not want to. I am still unsteady and needed someone to tell me if I were doing something dangerous.  He relented and went without a complaint. He refused a plain burger at BK but was very vocal about wanting a real coke. So, we did. I felt sooo shaky and was glad to have an extra pair of eyes, even if those eyes were sicker than I was/am. 

He has been refusing to use insulin because he has not eaten. I don't know if Hall's Mentholyptus has calories or carbs. What about chicken broth? The Coke certainly is sugary. Finally, I pressed him to eat because it would make him feel better to eat something. Men are so hard to take care of when they are puny or really ill. I offered to heat a can of chicken noodle soup without diluting it and that was okay. He wolfed it down, leaving a bit of the liquid. THEN, he consented to take the insulin. 

This is so hard for me. He had six diet pepsi cans on the bookcase near him, a bk cup and a plate and two saucers. He is always "saving" saucers to eat in later and usually yells at me when I try to put them in the dishwasher and then turn on the dw. Today, he said nothing. Several times, I have gotten the dirty dishes while he is in the bathroom, and he never misses them. 

I have had to get my own things since yesterday! I was doing a bit for me, but now do it all for both of us. Plus, I now do the med search in the pink bin. Life is rough when your carer needs your care and you still need a bit of care, too...lol. 

He said he did not sleep at all on Friday night, so, after the chicken noodle soup, he is snoring. At 5 pm, I had a peanut butter, MW, and banana sandwich. I suppose I will have the last bit of breast I cooked a few days ago. It is time. 

He is over here, sleeping, wheezing, and having trouble breathing, but he says no when he is awake. 

I may have to take over the remote...lol. He refused to allow me to touch it when I came here, like I even care! He has two remotes to figure out. I hate it. 

He only sees one doctor and is proud of that fact. I see a dozen at different points. He has no one from Thursday night until Monday morning. My allergist that I rarely see can take my call and help me out. I think this experience will let him see that visiting more than one doctor is prudent. My pharmacist will help. His at SAM's said he would talk to Tommy's doctor, so that leaves him with ONE person, still. His dentist does all teeth stuff. I use an oral surgeon, too. His dentist does everything. He has liver problems, but his MD treats that. I think at some point, he should see someone who specializes in liver problems. 

His MD has brochures for various prescription drugs all over his office. That bothers me. Tommy does take his meds religiously. But, he never questions. That bothers me, too. 

I have more broth for me and chicken noodle soup for him, so hopefully, we will not need anything.

Two Doctor's Appointments in One Day

 This morning, Tommy had an eye appointment at 9 am, so we needed to leave at 8 am, and he woke me at 7 am. UGH! I sliced a chicken breast and made a chicken and MW sandwich which I ate in the car. It was delicious, but I almost choked! Why on earth does anyone need to be anywhere that early in the morning?

Sunday night, I slept from 1 am until 7 am, getting up for the bathroom only once. Then, I went right back to sleep. So, that was a good thing. 

I was back in bed for a nap at 10:30 am until 12:30 pm when I needed to get up for a 1:15 doctor appointment. 

When I arrived, I tried to call the office, as Tommy went in to get me a wheelchair and pusher. All I  could get was a call center. They always question me and then tell me they are the call center? Why? So, Tommy got someone with a wheelchair. I asked them if the ten-year-olds weren't missing it. I tried to sit in it but it was too narrow. Not many people could have gotten in that wheelchair! 

I was distraught, almost crying. I told them I had waited for an appointment and could they not get another wheelchair. That is the only one they own! They suggested I get another appointment after I had made this one over a week ago. I asked could he not come to the car. They said, NO!

Lo and behold. They pulled out the blood pressure cuff to the car, and he showed up, too. My blood pressure was 114/54. My former 90/60 alarmed a classmate who was an EMT. He said we call those people comatose. I don't know why it was so low. But, my normal blood pressure is about 120.70. I was/am having trouble talking, breathing, and speaking today. 

It is a beautiful, warm day, so there is that. And, dinner is cooked. The house looks better. I think I am off to a second nap. I may take another after dinner! Who says a person cannot take three naps in a day? Maybe after the antibiotic, I will feel better.

Okay, the pharmacy got one of my prescriptions about 5:30 and we left to get it. I have no idea why I got a prescription for one condition and not the other. It seems like either the pharmacy or the doctor fails to get their part done in order to get my meds to me.

Tommy did a return there when they gave us a wrong OTC. Then, he bought milk for me at Publix, bought Pepsi for him, 3 24-packs, and returned the same wrong otc they had gotten for him.

I had mentioned earlier that I wanted a Whopper, so he stopped at BK. It was delicious. Now, I need chocolate. 

Did I say? The wisteria is blooming, forming lavender clouds in the trees. It is so beautiful.

This afternoon I did not take a nap and probably won't this evening. 

Do you see wisteria blooming? Do you have problems with everyone doing their parts to get your meds to you?

Busy Grocery Day

 Today, we left early (about noon) with a list in hand and did a quick shopping trip. First, Tommy went into Aldi's and they had no goat cheese with orange and cranberry. So, he bought two cranberry vanilla goat cheese. The man loves goat cheese. 

Food Giant had bscb for $2.19/lb. I bought about 6 lbs. of bscb. It is in the refrigerator thawing right now. Plus, since Tommy loves zucchini, I bought 3 for $2. The squash was not fit to bring home. I bought Ziegler hot dogs for the freezer since these have been absent in stores for most of the summer. 

At The Pig, I was looking for a telescoping backscratcher like I bought there before. They had none, so I left.

Publix had the most things on the list. I bought Beggin Strips bogo for giving to Lynda's dog when we go by with Lynda's permission. Her dog was as afraid of me as I was of her when I tried to give her a strip. Those things stink, not at all like bacon, but she loved it. My a2milk was 3 half gallons for $10, so I bought 6 half gallons, a 4 cup round bowl with snaplock lid bogo. Cella Chocolate Covered Cherries will be saved for Christmas. Yes, I will leave them alone. I don't want to have to go from store to store looking for them closer to Christmas. Herb goat cheese will be great and Tommy loves it. 

So, that was it for this week. They did not have the Kisses that were bogo. Publix has started giving rain checks, so I got one for the Kisses. I sort of looked for eggs, but did not get any even though I should have. Somehow, it is hard to pay $7.97 for 18 eggs. That is 44 cents per egg--still doable, but it hurts, not my wallet, just my feelings. I really feel for people who cannot afford to feed eggs to children. 

I did not find Pet Ritz Pie Crusts. The Pillsbury I bought last time were not as good as the Pet Ritz. I found some pecans in the freezer. There may not be enough for a pie, so the top will be skimpy, but that's okay. I do have two crusts, but I need two more, at least.

We came home and I put the bscb in the refrigerator to thaw. Then, I took a nap. I wanted to see Dolly Parton, so I took a nap. Tommy called me 15 minutes before the show began. Then, between the two of us, I got the whole chicken from four days ago into the oven with three minutes until Dolly came on. 

I really love Dolly Parton, so it was hard to turn her off. The first hour was not good. So, we are watching Home Alone in New York. 

An Amazon package came while I was asleep. It had hair color, fairy lights, a plate rack, and an otc. That is all unwrapped and sorted. The new fairy lights are in the red Kiss and look beautiful. I did not put them on "twinkle" since that is rather disruptive near the tv, just on slow fade. I love the remote and timer that comes with these. 

I finally have an appointment with a cardiologist, two as a matter of fact. And, I got a refill called in, something I needed to do for days. So, today was a good day on the health front.

It has been a productive day! It was also dry and sunny, not very warm, though.

The day has not ended. After the news goes off at 10:30, we will load the dishwasher. It must be done. We have procrastinated. 

Has your day been busy? Productive? Laid back? Procrastinating? Weary?

This and That, Nothing Much

After a stormy night, I awakened to news of tornado deaths. Thankfully, there was nothing except heavy winds and rains where we live. After an exceptionally warm Tuesday, the storms were to be expected. When we have exceptionally warm weather in the fall, we pay for it in tornado damage. 

When I ordered Glad Kitchen bags from the internet, the price was over $32. I cancelled that within three minutes. Today, going into the store saved over $12. Plus, it would take until Dec. 9 to arrive. Due to my procrastination, we only had three bags left. So, I saved money there. Since it is Tommy's money, he really likes it. 

Tonight, we had sausage and kale flatbread pizza with broccoli crust. I thought it was delicious. Tommy thought it was so-so. I mixed up a little fruit salad for me that Tommy won't touch--grapes, apple, banana. 

We went out long enough today to pick up meds for Tommy from a drive-up window and get two things--garbage bags and Claritin. I really wanted to browse, but I resisted. We did sit in the park for a few minutes. 

I don't feel well tonight. For more than 24 hours, I have had the feeling nothing empties from my stomach and gerd and hiccups plague me! Plus, three dogs from next door barked for over an hour today--one barks, one has a long woof, the other is a yappy, tiny dog. It is maddening. They did bark at other times, too, so this is continual noise. 

See? I told you nothing much.

How was the weather in your area? Tornado warnings? 

Violence in the Daycare Against the Teacher

 A four-year-old boy sent a teacher for stitches and with other injuries. She refused to go to ER with blood flowing down her face. She may have a concussion and a broken nose. She injured her knee and shoulder. She refuses to let workman's comp pay her bills. Why all this? She does not want to lose her job at 75! I think at this point, they will let her go. 

Maybe I don't want to work at this place where children are allowed to brutalize the teacher. What if it is a small child next time? Or, me? Maybe I don't want to work here. 

Her face is all cut up and bruised. There is a huge bandage on her forehead. The child ran past her and then immediately in front of her. Then, he shoved her. This place is licensed and has DHR to oversee that it is doing things correctly. Yet, this can happen. I only found out about this afternoon. 

Sluggy, you wonder about the drivers. Well, this kid with no self-control and no raising will be driving one day. 

He will get one day out of class and be allowed to come back and continue his reign of terror. Parents just dump the kid in trouble with a grandparent who probably cannot manage the child's violence and misbehaving. 

Thankfully, I am not a designated reporter anymore. Or, am I? I would lose a friend if I reported it. I need someone far away from Alabama to report this. 

I spent the night running a temp and shivering. Glands under my ears are throbbing. I slept from 1 am to 2 am, stayed awake until 7:30 am, sat at laptop until 9 am, and slept until 1:30 pm. Now, I am taking an antibiotic. MRI trip of 200 miles round trip was cancelled for maintenance of their equipment. I am glad I did not have to cancel again this week. 

My baby girl is 47 today!

For dinner we will have cheeseburgers without a bun, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Maybe Tommy will have a bun. 

Saturday Doings

As DST ends,  the realization that it will be a long few months hits me. During the summer, we could be out at 7:30 pm and still not be driving in the dark. Some days, the sky was light until almost 8 pm. Now, we try to get home by 4:30. Starting tomorrow, we will have to home an hour earlier, 3:30 pm. The prospect is soul-cringing. Thankfully, some politicians are pushing for year-round DST. I am for it. 

 Earlier in the week,  I spotted a dime on the pavement at a store, forgot which one. Yay, for the dime. I need to take a stroll every time I get on an electric cart so I can search. Just kidding. 

While in a store, I bought the only Kodak camera they had. I was thrilled it was so cheap. A few days later, I was opening the box. It uses AA batteries instead of lithium. Grrrr. It is going back. 

For the last week, Tommy has been very compliant about the dishwasher issue. Only, he never moves. He is agreeable to all my statements, but never moves. On Friday late afternoon, I asked him to empty the dishwasher. by himself. There were only about eight articles in the dishwasher, including utensils. 

At 11:50, he asked me if I wanted us to load the dishwasher. I figure he thinks I might ask him to load it alone. I know he hates dishes at midnight because I wanted help at night and he refused, saying he was relaxed. So, for him to want to work late and mention it was a big deal. I was shocked and got up. The dishwasher was loaded. 

This morning, he washed the sink because I did not want him running water when the dishwasher was running last night. He also cleaned the skillet I used for burgers and want to use for scrambled eggs today. He has gotten everything I wanted since I awoke at 11 am. 

We went out and are now  back. Tommy and I both had calls in to our respective doctors for prescriptions. And, no one called his meds or mine to different pharmacies. We both had to get and emergency supply in order to have meds!  Friday, I needed to pick up 6 meds. They had four. One of those was wrong--a med I am allergic to. Right, I ended a sentence with a preposition.  Then, I went  back on Friday and got the right med. Still, I am missing a critical med, thus the emergency supply. Tommy's med is even more critical. This all started with the failure of doctors, not an employee or a supply chain. 

I went to the church yard sale and just asked the woman to come to the car. She is the one who said she could help me in the house. Still, I wait. Tommy offered to stop for another half dozen yard sales. But, I was too shaky on my feet and felt weak. 

Just now, he brought me the sweet potatoes, washed, for me to prepare. Now, I need to go in there and see what meat I put out. No? He is searching for the meat I want. Okay, we are chicken soffrito and brussels sprouts along with the sweet potato. 

I really feel awful, but I slept for two hours. No fever or other symptoms at all. Was today good yard sale weather at your place? It was 

Warehouse District

 

This set of wings is painted on the side of a building in the Warehouse District in Cullman. I thought this outfit would look best. The striped one would not do. And, I figure I would disappear in the black outfit. 

On Sunday night, I finally decided that the nose drops were causing the malaise. I got out the instructions with it and, sure enough, all this is one of the side effects. Sunday night, I did not use the nose drops and about 2 am, I felt perky, Never one to let a good night time pass, I decided to color my hair. In about two minutes I will have to wash the color off. Tommy in waking me at 10 am to get ready for doctor visit at 1 pm. I am typing without glasses, so no telling what I am typing. 

Sunday night, we had spaghetti and meat balls. I only had to cook pasta. Meat balls were cooked and frozen and pasta was from a jar as was the Parmesan cheese. Salad fills out a meal. 

While I was looking for meatballs, a meatloaf and a chicken breast were dislodged from the frozen abyss and careened toward my feet. I had forgotten about the meatloaf and knew the chicken was somewhere. I think I will not eat the meatloaf just yet and save it for a day when I really need a prepared meal. They were both lovely surprises except for the fact they fell too close to my toes. 

I hate having problems taking medicines, but it happens very often with me. I actually feel wonderful at 3 am. Since I have slept about 18 hours/day, I should have my sleep deficit problems solved for a day or two...lol.

Do you have problems with reactions from taking medicines?

Without nose drops I slept a whole two hours Sunday night. 

Rain and More Rain

 The Cymbalta seems to be affecting me more, like it is building up in my body. I don't know. But it is almost 5 pm and I have slept most of last night and most of today, about 12 hours. Today is the day I am supposed to double the dose. But, I did not. Well, I am supposed to add a dose for morning. 

I read that hummingbirds don't like it when rain gets in the feeder and dilutes the sugar water. The woman said she covers her feeders. Well, that won't be happening. Or, she moves them under cover. Maybe the rain will let up. 

The new feeder cost $4 and arrived today. It is cheaply built, but I have figured out how to make a feeder for free. The cheap one will work. I have to be more cognizant of the different aspects of construction.

It seems I only manage to eat dinner every day, so I have lost weight, not much, but enough to be encouraging. And, my affect is gone, depressed. I never smile, get upset, or feel anything. Even when something is funny, I cannot imagine a laugh. I just say, "That's funny." 

Has anyone else take Cymbalta and had a similar reaction. or any experience? This is two full weeks and it seems I am not adjusting at all. If you don't want to comment here, you can email me at

 pparsimony@yahoo.com. 

I Am Confused

 When I went to the doctor, he said he was concerned about how low was my blood pressure. I commented that it was actually higher for the last appointment I had with another doctor for something else. I also told him my blood pressure for years was too low. 

Okay, that went well.

Then, I picked up prescriptions. I asked the pharmacy person the only new prescription was. She said a fluid pill. Okay, I had complained that my feet were still too swollen. 

Then, at a different doctor, she commented on my feet. Then, while reviewing meds, she asked me if I were still taking a certain med. I know I looked blank, and sat and stammered. When I asked, she said it was blood pressure med. I still looked blank and slowly said, "No." 

My blood pressure was actually high at this visit, so I am sure she thought I was not taking meds I needed. As it turns out, at that appointment, the person doing my pre-doc stuff put the blood pressure cuff below my elbow.  My arm is not that big. When the cuff inflated, I felt like I was stabbed and all five digits were extended involuntarily. So, I wonder why my blood pressure was really high? I commented about the position. When I felt stabbed, gasped and complained further! 

Now, a week later, my arm and fingers are not back to normal. It feels like lightning strikes down my arm and fingers. The tingling is painful. 

I am feeling abused by the medical industry. However, the rest is working well for me, I think. Do you ever have bouts of misuse of their power. 

According to medical site, taking blood pressure below the elbow results in a higher blood pressure reading. 

When I went to pharmacy to pick up my meds from first doctor, one prescription was too expensive. Why? According to woman at window, not pharmacist, my insurance did not cover it. I asked what it was--cortisone cream. I was puzzled that this doctor would give me something for skin. So, I asked who gave it to me and wrote down the name. I told her I had never been to that doctor, that there must have been a mistake. No, no mistake according to her.

When I came home, I looked up the doctor's name, a pediatrician. ??? I wonder what child did not get te cream needed. 

All this happened in three days!

It is a good thing I am still able to be in charge of my own health! Do you ever have bizarre or incorrect info or meds from doctors or people trained for intake?

Stressful Situation that Became Calming

Wednesday night, I slept a whole two hours. Maybe I slept another four hours, but when I awoke at 8:30, I knew I should stay up as I had things to do. 

I was stressed to the max because the doctor's office I was visiting refused to get me from the curb. Last time, I had to ask a stranger to get me pushed inside. Then, I had to ask another stranger to push me to elevator, then another to get me into the elevator and to doctor's office. In the meantime, no medical personnel would help me. 

This was so humiliating, making me feel unloved, uncared for and just hopeless. 

I cancelled an appointment a couple of weeks ago since I did not want to sit in the rain in a wheelchair and hope someone would help me. 

The building that houses the doctor's offices is a bank, I think. They will bring a wheelchair to the curb and leave me to fend for myself. 

After the doctor treated me and was about to leave the room, I told him there was one more thing. He was soooo nice! I told him I really liked him as a person and a kind doctor, but I could not come to him again because of lack of access. He immediately said he would allow someone to help me. I was one breath away from asking him to recommend another doctor. 

Tommy had used canes to get to me in the wheelchair. I hold his canes. He struggled to push me. I had him come into the doctor with me. The doctor looked at him. I told the doctor Tommy could not take one step without help, unlike me. I also told him about my spine problem, telling him I needed help for any distance. 

Because of hand injuries and torn rotator cuffs, I cannot wheel myself anywhere. 

The doctor was so sympathetic to both of us. He told me to call and someone would help me next time. When I told him the person at the desk had refused to come down and push me, saying they were not allowed. The wheelchair they brought me was for a very huge person and the woman had trouble getting it into the room and especially out of the exam room. He had a nurse push me back down. I had Tommy start down since he is slower than a wheelchair. He is also slower than me pushing a walker. 

I cannot walk far even with a walker! He can walk far with two canes or a walker. I  can walk farther than you might imagine if I can sit often. But, going to a doctor is often not possible without help. 

All in all, it turned out to be a pleasant and fruitful visit. I was going because of the bump in my ear that is way down near the eardrum, but not on it. The doctor I saw on Monday told me it had a little white top to it. He could not see that top but said he suspected it was a sebaceous gland. He can do nothing short of surgery, but is trying to make it go away. I have some sort of drops to put on a cotton ball and put that on the bump. 

This sebaceous gland wants to be a virulent problem. I wonder why it comes and goes. I also wonder if the Vit D3 is helping it stay fairly small. We discussed that. He thinks maybe that is so or at least is a possibility. He was shocked I was taking a 50,000 units dose twice a week. Me, too. 

Thursday started out so stressful and ended on a calming note, thankfully! I had a two-hour nap and managed to heat hotdogs and chili sauce, no beans, and make slaw. So, we are fed. This meal was planned last week, but I was in no shape to even stir slaw. 

Oh, I looked at Tommy as he sat down in the exam room. He had on permanently stained and torn pants with a huge grease stain on the shirt. One of the stains on the khakis was some sort of glob of tomato sauce. I was horrified. I made sure they knew I did not know of this. He kept saying he thought he was going to sit in the car the whole time. GAAA! Let's clean up, anyway. 

Bad Habit or just one time

 Okay, this cannot become a habit! I have never eaten during the night! EVER! But, last night, I could not sleep and was famished. And, I could not sleep. So, about 5 am, I ate cream cheese.  Then, I ate cheese. Then, I ate ice cream. ugh I will just drink water next time! 

I finally went to sleep about 7 am and slept until noon. At 1pm, I rested for twenty minutes while I called a friend. 

Needless to say, I am maybe one bit better. Tommy is going to do the grocery shopping today. Needing milk is the only reason he needs to go at all. When they were out of my milk, I just got one whole milk. They still don't have whole milk in the a2milk, so he is going to get only one half gallon today. I did make a list for him, so we will see how he does. Sometimes, I have trouble with even a list, so it won't matter as I can just rest in the car, maybe sleep. 

Now, the weather looks bad, so maybe we can wait until tomorrow.  Okay, we waited for a hour or so and went in a sprinkle and came home in dry weather...lol. He got everything I listed. 

He substituted the kind of salad greens I buy but I could not remember exactly what to get. He did find my Cokes b2g1, so that was good. I told him to get anything he wanted, junk or not, to just get it if he wanted to eat it. He got nothing. He is not a browser. Well, today he was not. But, the bananas are what I wanted and he got the kind I like--not green. 

We are having hotdogs, no buns, chili sauce with no beans, and cole slaw for dinner tonight. I think I can manage to microwave hotdogs, and make slaw if Tommy will open the can of chili. 

I feel a teensy bit better tonight than this morning. Who knows? Making slaw might just destroy me.  I think tomorrow will be better with the prednisone and Z pack.

A friend is going to cut the chair bottoms for me from the wood he gave me. I hope he lets me pay him.  YAY!  Now, I need to shop for fabric to cover the chairs. Maybe I can get something used for the upholstery or something cheap, on sale, clearance.  I suppose I will have to buy a stapler since my heavy one I bought for $1 at a yard sale is gone!

Tomorrow's trip to get my mail has been cancelled since 80% rain and storms are forecast. I also cancelled free lunch. Since a person has to reserve a lunch, I suppose they expected a cancellation instead of a no-show. 

Even on a gray day, there are smiles. We saw a bunny playing in the neighbor's yard. 

Do you ever eat in the middle of the night if you awake hungry? What do you eat?

Food, Friend

 The food boxes were not available last week. Milk was the main thing we missed. This week, there were boxes given out. We were given two boxes. The list below is the total for two boxes. So DO NOT DOUBLE the amounts listed. Some boxes have two of an item while the other will have only one.

• two gallons milk
• 3 personal watermelons
• 5 single apples
• 4 lbs onions
• 10 lbs potatoes
• 2 1-quart boxes of liquid whole eggs
• 4 1-lb. blocks unsalted butter
• 6 lbs. processed cheese slices
• 2 pkgs. hotdogs
• 6 lbs. chopped, cooked, chicken breasts 
• 6 lbs. frozen Pollack 
• one large onion
• 2 cans black beans
• 2 cans cream style corn
• mixed spring salad 
• baby kale both in salad boxes

We gave a single mother the eggs, a bag of apples and potatoes from last time, can of black beans, 2 cans cream style corn and a huge onion. The bags are still good  but there are two adults and two children to feed. They will go quickly. 

The three pound packages of cheese are going to be divided into six bags each so they will not fall out of the cellophane bags or be handled excessively. I am not crazy about the health effects of processed cheese, but Tommy likes it. 

The chicken breast chops will be divided and frozen. One pound of hotdogs is in the freezer now. I am freezing all the salted butter in foil, wrapped and folded to be airtight. One gallon of milk is in the freezer. 

The other boxes were 20 lbs. These were 30 lbs. Except for the hotdogs and cheese, these boxes were better. 

I finally decided there must be a better way to make a list than the double spaces between lines. So, I went to the three little dots to the top left of the blog, and above it, clicked and got additional menus choices. It looks better!

My new medication needs a PA, physicians authorization, or I can pay $2300.00. ugh

Now, I have to get these foods divided and into the freezer. I wish I could afford enough glass containers to freeze them in glass. The four pounds of butter will be frozen in aluminum foil. 

Plus, we need to spend 30 minutes getting food organized in the kitchen. I can tell you right now, I have an abundance of Campbell's Cream of somethings. Of course, some of it may be the chicken broth that is medicine for me. 

Remember I bought a dozen pink roses at Publix about six weeks ago? They stayed pretty for quite a while. But, they were getting crunchy and the leaves were making a mess. Last night, Tommy brought the kitchen trash so I could lift the vase and bouquet into the bag and discard the roses. Well, the leaves fell right off. I decided to save the now dry and beautiful roses. I need to trim the stems and find something else into which to place the dried flowers. I have roses that will probably last the winter!

Thankfully, I cooked chicken Wednesday, green bean casserole last night and have salad/tomatoes to round it off tonight. Or, maybe I will bake sweet potatoes. Or, maybe something else. 

I cannot find a friend who I fear is terribly ill or dead. If you read my other blog, his picture was in "Jamming with Sasquatch." He is hairy and insisted on learning to make jam in shorts only. Well, I was getting none of the potentially hairy jam or burning myself, so I sat and watched as he followed my instructions. His home phone is disconnected and his cell is just a busy signal. He has money and is very good with paying things on time. He lives with his cell, so no excuse for the busy signal. I am worried sick. 

So far, we have only gotten a spritz of rain, barely sprinkles. Hopefully, our luck will hold the same for tomorrow when rain and wind are predicted. How is the weather at your place? Are you putting up any food this week?

 

Free Medical Supplies, Apple Betty, doctor,

Sunday night, I baked chicken, so we had baked chicken and a huge salad since I used a whole Roma tomato in each salad. I froze four boneless, skinless chicken thighs for him, and six boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the two of us. I put one whole breast and a half breast in the refrigerator for a chicken sandwich for lunch and the other breast for us to half at dinner Monday night.

We have to be away from home at mealtimes on Monday. I will pack a chicken sandwich, water, halo, o j, and pb crackers. That should hold us over.

When the chicken came out of the oven, I had an Apple Betty ready to put in the oven.

Apple Betty

4 cups sliced, pared apples (4 large Granny Smith)
1/4 cup orange juice
1 cup sugar (I used 3/4 cup)
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup butter

Butter the 9"x9" dish. Put apples in dish. drizzle with orange juice. Mix dry ingredients and butter. crumble over the apples. Bake at 375F degrees for 45 minutes.

What I did with recipe or used to do: Instead of slicing the apples thinly, I cut them in larger slices and cut the apples into chunks. When I have not had orange juice, I have used lemon juice. I melt the butter for the dry ingredients and mix all with one fork. I dump the topping onto the apples in different places and use my fingers to pinch up pieces to cover the apples. And, as noted, I used less sugar, about 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup. Got it? Clear as mud? I may use some brown sugar next time.

As I was at a medical appointment this last month, I received free medical supplies. I commented that I intended to use gloves in stores to avoid contact with coronavirus. The person asked me if I wanted more. I hesitantly agreed. She turned around and pulled a wad of gloves from a box. I stuffed them into my purse. 17 nitrile gloves!

Later, she pulled out a two pads about 18 x 24. I laughed and said that with incontinence, I might be shopping for those in the future. She pulled out a stack and told me to stuff it into my purse. I had the pink purse that is quite large compared to what I usually carry. I came home with 24 pads. Those are in a gallon storage bag.

If I can, I will see that doctor again this week. I will ask for two of the blue masks, the kind that are a dome. I think they will filter a virus. Will they? That is what they used at the hospital.

Okay, went to doctor today and I have two prescriptions that should help me and my thyroid. Then, Tommy asked me if I wanted a cookie fix, oh my. So, he stopped at cookie fix. These are sooo good.

Saturday Yard Sale and Other Stuff

We left by 7:30 am this Saturday morning when the temperature was below freezing. Brrr! But, my bare toes were not a problem.

The sides of the roads are entirely of rock in places, cut or blasted out for the road. Along the roadside and on the rocks were dripping frozen icicles. It was very pretty and served to remind us of how the road was cut into the rock and how rocky this area is. The interstate to Cullman up 65 was quite hilly until the tops of the hills were cut off to even up the drive. Well, 65 follows what was 31 most of the way.

I had to take cereal and milk in a huge cup since we left before I could eat, not enough time had passed. We also took cheese and bread, actually a hamburger bun. With the water we took, we did not have to buy food to eat out.

I went to Publix in Cullman and found Kraft Parmesan cheese in the shaker on sale at $6 for 2 canisters. AND, BESIDES THAT there was also a coupon for $0.50. It is good until 6/30/20. I have four more coupons to use between now and July. I actually thought I only got two more coupons until we were on the way home.

I forgot something and stopped at the Publix we pass by here and there were no coupons for the Kraft Parmesan Cheese even though the Parmesan was the same sale price, actually a bogo.  I wonder why? You might find these coupon pads in other stores in your area.

At the same store as last week, I got 3 more pounds of broccoli for $0.99/lb. Tonight is broccoli soup night. Broccoli does not last long, so I need to use it. I may blanch and freeze some of it. Finding it for $0.99/lb is wonderful.

We stopped at the permanent yard sale. I bought an orange watering can, one that was like the green one I got last week, a new Target item. I found a duffle bag that was over three feet long, black, and in great shape. Inside were Halloween items, pumpkins. I took out some of the stuff I did not want and will finish getting the rest of it out. Some Halloween items I do want. One of the things was a Jason costume. that will be sold or given away. At any rate, I paid $5 for the full duffle bag of Halloween items.

My yard is still there...lol. It feels sad to go there, yet I feel at peace when I am back on my "land." . I know those are contradicting.

The reason I felt so rotten this last week was the antibiotic. I was hoping to feel better soon, and I did--when I was through with the prescription. I am going to make a note of that and avoid it or just know I will feel rotten.

Black Friday Scare

I had Tommy wake me at 9 am. I was up late. After I stumbled into the living room, I sat and finally had Jello with fruit. Then, he was soon ready for lunch of turkey sandwich and a Granny Smith apple. Ooops, I forgot to give myself the injection for diabetes. Unfortunately, I had very little left in the vial, but I injected it anyway.

Around 2 pm, I decided to take the night pill since it basically does the same thing, I guess.

From noon until about 2:30, I tried to get my endocrinologist but his office manager would not give him the message because he will not prescribe unless I am in office. I was fit to be tied. So, we headed off to urgent care where I go. I left the first office after signing in because they said they would not help me. We went to another who let me get temp and all that stuff done, THEN they could do nothing. Once again, I was much miffed. My blood sugar was 91 and going down.

Finally, I called the office back home, and they called in the one other prescription. Yet, none of the same offices down here would call Cullman, offices with same headquarters.

When my blood sugar was 91, I had a nurse get Tommy. He came in and had drunk the orange juice and the pb crackers. Rats. This young, frightened woman said she could not give me anything because I might be allergic to it. She will not get far in health care. Sure, she has to be careful. She told me to find a vending machine. I staggered out and found four pb crackers in the car.

On the long trip to the pharmacy, I just knew something would happen and I would not get the injection I needed. I did. But, since I took the night pill about noon, the pharmacist told me to wait until tomorrow to start the injections. Two of these vials last 13 days, and I get two prescriptions per month. It makes no sense.

We stopped by Piggly Wiggly and got a few things for the Iron Bowl and more six packs of orange juice. Sometimes, we take a bottle or two with us and can bring them back if he does not drink them.

When we got home, I rested a minute or ten. I made us a plate and microwaved it. I ate too much. Now, I feel like I need a nap.

I was worried about the traffic at rush hour on a Friday night, and a Black Friday with shoppers at that. The traffic was light. Tommy surmised it was because so many businesses were closed. True. And, I supposed most everybody that was going shopping was already there. I was stressed at the prospect of so many people on the road, but obviously I was just borrowing trouble.

Since I spent my pumpkin pie baking time on the road and sitting in doctors' offices, I will bake during the Iron Bowl.

The weather has been so beautiful here. And, the temperatures in 60s.

Oh, today, I received a huge package, the third from a blogger. Inside there was a nice warm coat, a cute green and a cute pink dress in the same style. I haven't tried them on yet, but I know they will fit. There were lots of items, including a dressy sweater that has lots of pearls, beads, sequins and decorations. It is very tasteful, not gaudy. There is so much more. Thank you so much. I received it before I left for the doctor, so rushed through it and am now going though it again. This is fun.

My medicines, two of them for diabetes, would have cost me $820!