Rotten Meat

 Thursday, Tommy found two packages of meat in the back of the car when he opened the door on the rear of suv. He said he smelled something, so looked around. Two packages of rotten meat. He wiped the sturdy bed of vehicle, the sort of rubber bed liner. Then, he put the meat into the the garbage can. Now, I suppose the bags leaked. UGH

As we were leaving to get groceries, I ran out with Lysol and sprayed the liner until it was soaking wet.  He left a scrap of a sheet in the car. I was hoping that was the place meat juice leaked. Now, he says the sheet scrap is fine because I sprayed it. He still has not washed liner because I sprayed it. I will have to sneak and throw out the nasty rag.

The result of all this? FLIES1 They can smell meat from 1.5 miles away. I am so disgusted getting in a car and flies coming in, too. 

Today, after running one chore, we went to Publix to shop. Then, we both had prescriptions to pick up. Tiring and boring day, right? 

I sat in my chair and promptly went to sleep for four hours. We will go to Pepper Place in the morning. This will be brutal.

Friday afternoon, the guy who may buy my serger for his daughter came by. I gave him things for her, sold him a book of craft patterns for $3. He carried in the serger so I could get model to determine what I paid for it. Hopefully, I can sell it to him. This is my version of a yard sale.

We went to DMV to get title to my car. I cannot get into the one here, so we drove to Hoover where I did not have to contend with stairs, steps, or ramp. An employee opened the door and ushered me in, taking me to proper window. I sat with him urging me on. I told him I would not go to window, that friend would. 

The last time I was there for another reason, I was told it would be ten days to receive the title. I asked him, thinking maybe it would be sooner. Conversation betweeh him--h-- and Me--m.

m-how long will it take for me to get this.

h--about 2 and a half weeks.

m--last time I was told ten days.

h--That is what I said. Ten days is two and a half weeks. 

m--no, ten days is not two and a half weeks.

h--yes, it is.

m--(holding up seven fingers) seven fingers is a week. The other three is a half week. 

h--No

m--yes

He looked puzzled and left. 

I wonder what are the qualifications for these positions. 

When Tommy asked the woman who helped him, she said four and a half weeks. I have someone who wants the car NOW. 

Favorite Food Missing

 The chicken and ground beef was not cooked. I am just too sick. No, Tommy cannot put it in the freezer. I would have meat juice all over the place. 

Today, I called the doctor and of course, the nurse returned my call ten minutes before closing. I can take a specimen into the office for testing. Another doctor gave me sterile specimen jars to bring to his office. So, I am all set. Tommy can walk it into the office. If she had called earlier today, I would be a day ahead of getting better. 

Today, I received two free Westinghouse LED bulbs. Yesterday, a pillow for lying with knees higher came, one I ordered, not free. It seems now someone has decided to put items where we don't have to struggle to retrieve them. The box with the pillow was on the porch next to the door. The lightbulbs were on the table. 

I finally sent off a birthday card and gift to a granddaughter and graduation gift to recent grad grandson. They are siblings.  I struggled to get those done. My writing was shaky. I almost sent the Amazon gift to myself when I ordered it. Tommy took cards to PO.

Without an afternoon nap, I took an unplanned nap tonight during The Seven Year Itch. What a great movie and I missed 30 minutes. Rats! 

My wildflowers are really blooming now. The millionbells have fully recovered and are multiplying. Both varieties were beaten into the dirt that one day and struggled to fully recover. 

Dinner: Tommy had Tommy had hotdog and fake hamburger--both without a bun, slaw. I had hotdog, chili, cheese, slaw. 

I must have a Red Delicious Apple every day. Mostly, I just eat half. But, Wednesday, I had a huge apple and decided to eat a third each day. Well, wouldn't you know, it was brown inside except for about a quarter inch. So, I just peeled it and ate peeling. We did not remember to get more apples while we were out. So, my eating pattern has been thrown off quite a bit. I feel peckish and all that will do is an apple. 

Is there any food you want to eat every day, a food that you do not usually do without? Oh, I also want banana every day, too. 

Sweet Potatoes and a Yard Sale

 Saturday, we went to Cullman to the Festhalle Farmer's Market. There were few vendors left when we got there about 11 am. But, my sweet potato farmer was there. His 40 lb boxes of sweet potatoes were not there, just 32 lb boxes. I got the last one. Maybe I will go out to his farm for another box. This won't be enough. 

He also had a $5 container of really tiny squash, bred for their thin skins and smaller seeds. Good. The squash I bought at the grocery store were tough as leather and had huge seeds. 

The whole day was warm and downright bright! The blue skies were so bright! I must get prescription sunglasses. I was blinded all day. The day was very warm, so I decided I should get out something summery and wore my striped outfit, the one with a floral print, too. The red t-shirt I was going to wear will be appropriate all winter long, but the summery one won't. 

We drove another 15 miles out in the country for a sandwich from the Mennonite store, Dutch Oven Bakery. We shared a sandwich that had turkey breast slices 1/2 inch thick. The slices were thin but stacked high. It was delicious and plenty. We both had a peach fried pie, hand-pie. It was awful. First of all, there was dribbled over it an icing of powdered sugar. Plus, the pastry was flaky like store bought goods. The filling was thickened, very thick, lacked peaches but had too much sugar. I never did find peaches, so quit eating. 

They sell wrapped candy by the piece. I had pecan in caramel dipped in chocolate. I chose peanut butter filling dripped in chocolate for Tommy. These went up from 3/$1 to 60 cents/each. We sat under a tree and ate in the car. We could get out and eat at a picnic table, but the wind was very rough. 

The store where I bought Double Luck green beans for $0.69 still had plenty. Five cans came home with me. I should have bought another 10 cans. 

At the PO I had a huge package, dishes I ordered from Belks at a great sale price. I hate them, so they are still in the car to return them. They are they type dishes that have the scuff marks on the pieces like they are old and scuffed. Nasty looking. 

On the way back from the bakery, I wanted to go to the orchard to get apples. But, Tommy passed it. Usually, I would have him turn around and go back. But, today, I told him we could go there next time. I had assured him he should stop at a yard sale we passed on the way out and told him not to stop. But, at the first yard sale I spotted on the way in, on the way out we did stop. 

I found books for a quarter apiece. I purchased a workbook, the kind with pages to copy for children. The activities were all early childhood lessons and the first part was reading readiness. If my back had not been hurting so, I would have shopped more. As I was digging around in my purse and came up with only three fivers, she said to just forget it. Okay. 

This is just the type book I would have bought to use at the daycare. Many of the pages were ripped out, but still stuffed into the book. Okay, I am ready to go. Oh, this table also had about a dozen tiny, blunt scissors. This sale would be great for a mother, home-school teacher, or a teacher. I didn't ask the woman what the setting of the teaching was. Now, I wish I had looked for manipulatives.

The best part of the day was getting home to a nap. Well, having a meal ready for after the nap sure helped my happiness. 

Decluttering--I found the top to one of Tommy's Tupperware canisters. He says he bought these at a five and dime. No! I also salvaged and put into the dishwasher another one of my Tupperware bowls and lid, something I sent home with food. One lid from a cheap container is in the trash. I will probably work on this box intermittently for the rest of the evening and tomorrow. Hopefully, the box is empty by Sunday night. We will have even more walking room in the kitchen when I finish. Yay for decluttering! 

We had leftovers: pork roast with bbq sauce, rest of squash and zucchini for Tommy, salad with grape tomatoes for me. 

After dinner the microwaved peach fried pie was better, sort of. At least there were peaches in this half but not many. Still, the pastry part was like a fresh glazed doughnut, not what I was hoping. It was still too sweet. And, strangely, the gelled part did not get softer when heated. 

How did your Saturday play out? What is on the agenda for Sunday? Do you like fried pies?

I Did It Again!

I slept for another 7.5 hours on Friday night. I am amazed. Two nights in a row.  I don't think this has happened for years. And, I think I only went to the bathroom once. That has to be a record.

Saturday was a low-key day, little work, blue skies, dry, warm and pleasant.  

I started a new book, another long one, but not as long as the last. The print is larger, so reading won't be such a strain. So, in actuality, it is not so long. I forgot to get it out of the box until I was on the way to bed. That was annoying.  

Friday evening, Tommy cleaned off three boxes of mushrooms for me. I decided to slice them and make mushroom sauce or mushroom soup. I really have enough for both. Around 11 pm, I got them into a huge pot, put in about three Tablespoons of olive oil, and put on simmer so I would not have to stand over them. Tommy checked them once for me and reported there was less than half an inch of liquid. He thought this was too low, but since it only had a bit of olive oil, it was a lot. I ended up with about six cups of sliced mushrooms and lots of liquid. At least, he knows to sound the alarm for me.

Tommy realizes I could not accomplish so much cooking if he were not so supportive, helping me with washing dishes and finding things in the refrigerator. I am grateful and thank him many times a day. 

Saturday afternoon, I wanted to just get out of the house for a bit and go to Piggly Wiggly to get the water for $0.98/24-pack with $10 purchase. I had the $10 worked out and, in the end, got nothing at the store. The deal starts next Wednesday. Tommy forgot to give me his cc. Then, I decided two bananas would do until the next grocery ad with the water deal. THEN, all three lines open had at least three buggies with groceries to the top. If I had stayed longer, the Auburn game would be on. So, frustrated, I left the store. ugh

Auburn lost. Tommy did not even finish watching the game. I had gone to nap halfway through the game. 

Every time I go into the kitchen, I pick up something from another box and put it where it should go or toss it. This is all stuff he had stored in the kitchen cabinets. 

I have four 12-ounce boxes of vegetable pasta that I am putting into Ball quart jars so it will stay fresher. Once I shake it down in the jar, the whole box just fits. We don't eat enough pasta to eat this soon enough to just leave it in the boxes. Plus, the pasta is less vulnerable to air, pests, and moisture. Then, I have only need to protect the jars from light. 

Today, we finished the container of orange chicken, meatloaf, and carrot/potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Good. There was too much in the refrigerator. 

Today was a good, quiet, relaxing day, no-drama, nothing exciting, maybe boring to you. A little decluttering happened. I feel much better. 

How did your day go? 

Thursday Not Much

 I had things to say, but I don't remember what it was. Last night, I got 7.5 hours sleep, exactly what I require to feel rested. However, I did not make up deficits from the week. At 5:45 pm, I decided an hour nap would work. I put on the marinated pork loin with carrots Tommy had scraped for me and went to bed. 

He woke me at 7 pm and I ignored him. Finally, about 9 pm, I did get up. It was really nice to have a meal ready when I awoke. It was even more nice to have a meal ready to go into the oven.

We ate pork loin, carrots, salad. He had cherries; I had apple.

At the Big Box we found a cart at the farthest point of the parking lot. Thankfully, it was full of juice so that I did not have to creep along in the blazing heat of the asphalt. It really was hot staying out that long. If I were on foot, it would have been a very warm hike. As I left the store, I was told not to take the cart out of the store. Another woman was trying to leave, too. 

The guard in uniform pointed out the sign that said for store use only. We told him that had been on the carts for years. I conceded but told him I could not walk to the car. She pointed out she found hers outside, too. I kept asking how I could get to the car. Finally, he let us both leave. Tommy had already come to the curb to pick me up.

I could walk that far, but after being on the hard cart, there was no way I could walk. Hopefully, this was a glitch. Maybe the uniform had gone to his head and he had been reading the signage on the cart. 

When I checked out, the checker started ringing up the purchases of the woman behind me. We both objected. The checker told me she had taken off one item, so I paid. When I got home, I had paid for an item I did not intend to buy and did not get the item. I know, I know. I should have checked the receipt before leaving the store! 

Speaking of mistakes, did I tell you? I was going to buy a bag of panties. I got one package home and washed and discovered I had bought an unbelievably small size. So, there is no way I might ever wear those. I will have to sell or give away! Then, I went right back two weeks later and bought the same size, different style! Thankfully, I had not opened them and still had the receipt! Tommy is the "designated returner," so he got that done. 

Now, I remember. My a2milk is now $4.99 per half-gallon from $4.49. Tommy always drinks store brand milk. His milk is now $4 instead of something like $2.39 like it was last year. Last week, it was $3-something. Today, at the grocery store, bread was $4 a loaf. We went to the bread store to buy it for $1.75. 

Do you ever buy the wrong things, get it opened and figure it out so late it is not able to be returned? Is there flooding in your area?

BLT Fail

Tommy put all the bacon on a pan I covered with parchment paper and put it in the oven. Then, he went out to water. I checked on it. He came in and went to check it. He came back into the living room and told me it was "very dark and shrunken." I rushed in to rescue the burnt bacon. I only succeeded in ripping the bacon out before it went totally black. Aaargh! My rushing was a fast limp. I did not fuss because it was his first view of bacon cooked in the oven. 

I told him to take things out, that we can return it to oven if it needs cooking more. The blt was not so pleasant with burned bacon. I will buy another package of bacon tomorrow and we will try again. His toast which he made himself was burned, also. I turned down the toaster so mine was only brown. I love toast but have not had any in a year. 

We have not eaten a tomato despite having had market-bought homegrown tomatoes since Saturday. I want a good blt before they go.  

Sunday, I mentioned to Tommy, "Didn't she say she was coming to clean Tuesday or was it Monday?" He immediately turned and said loudly, "Why is it that you cannot remember "anything?" Well, I was ready to murder him because he is the one who cannot remember, so he always verbally demeans me until we find what he says he "put right here." Well, no, it is still in the car despite his clarity of the memory. I never, ever turn on him when he cannot remember correctly! 

So, I got up early this morning because I was hot, suffocating. Then, it was too late to try to get sleep, so I stayed up. She did not come! Most certainly, I was correct. She is coming Tuesday. Finally, at noon I went to bed and took a looong nap--4.5 hours. 

While I slept, he washed and dried two of his blankets that had been lying in a corner for three years. He slept much later than I did, so he is not being overworked...lol. These are in garbage bags, sealed at the top so dust won't get it. 

While shopping for the bacon, I found a brand that is low sodium. It probably has extra sugar! No, I checked. It has 0mg sugar. 

Tommy carried the bags of clothing he is giving away to the car. So, it looks even better in here. We carry away lots of bags to recycle or donate from this house. I cannot imagine how the house would be if we left all this in here. Plus, we organize a bit on our own, not relying on the cleaner for every little thing. 

Until I had dinner about 7 pm, I had only eaten two scrambled eggs and about 10 ounces of milk. Since 7 pm, I had the blt and all the innards for another sandwich minus bread, sort of a salad. Just now, I had an apple. Then, I had some ice cream. I try hard! 

We Interrupt This Program for a Special Announcement!

                          Okay, I found the Miracle Whip by accident. 

I was looking in the cabinet on the left side of the sink, looking for something else I misplaced. As I looked where the little two shelf storage unit for spices is kept, I looked on the shelf above where quart jars of flour, sugar, etc. are kept. My eyes went upward to the third shelf and there was the MW, sitting there, mocking me! 

The other thing I misplaced was the little pink bin where I previously kept spices. I remember it being in front of the microwave in Tommy's way as I was rearranging that shelf and putting in the double-decker spice holder. I told him to just put it anywhere. It was near the table with a box of cleaning supplies on top!

And, after I took the Miracle Whip to the kitchen, I placed it on the counter beside the sink where I was going to make a sandwich. I was not sure if there was enough MW in the jar or if I would need the new jar. Well, there was enough to put back in the refrigerator for another use. So, I picked up the MW and put it right above where it sat, in the top shelf instead of where I would store it. 

See, I remembered how both "lost" items were...lol. Well, I do remember how they got where I found them. Got to save face here. 

Some were concerned the MW had been out of the refrigerator too long. But, this jar had never been opened. I am glad I found it because I paid over $6 for it. That is outrageous. I was dreading buying another. However, MW is a food group. I like it thick and sloppy on my sandwich, but I need to put it on in a civilized smear like I was reared to do. 

I slept two hours last night and the cleaner came this morning. She emptied the closet in the bedroom and cleaned it and fumigated it. She started filling it back up as I directed from bed. When I asked Tommy what to do with some things, he said to throw them away. Well, they will be sold instead. He has a Polaroid camera and a nice case that are over 40 years old. Plus, he has various colognes, gifts he has never used. I am glad he hates cologne. 

It is now time for a nappy poo. 

When you misplace an item, do you remember the circumstances of where you put it once you have found a "lost" thing?

Too Early and Changed Plans

 The telephone appointment at 7:40 am was just too early. However, I had a list of questions/subjects for discussion. I certainly didn't want to be up that time of morning trying to figure out what I wanted to ask. He called at 8:01 am, so I had to be up for a half hour. ugh

We went to Verizon to get the charging cord I should have received when I purchased my phone. I think I will go back to AT&T. "Do it yourself" and "look it up online" are not good answers to my questions. No, I did not get a manual with my phone. The woman was shocked I was just handed a phone with no box or anything. 

When I went to Publix, I needed only heavy stuff--water, Pepsi. 3 half-gallons of a2milk. A guy had to go with me and load up the electric cart. I felt sorry Tommy had to bring it all inside the house. 

Later, I took a two-hour nap and was more tired when I awoke. Tommy watered the flowers. With a bit of rain, sun, and his watering, the dying Wave Petunias have seven blossoms instead of the one blossom of a week ago. 

I had plans to cook a chunk of pork, two packages of ground round, and a huge pack of bscb. But, I have been inordinately tired today. So, I thawed a chicken thigh for him and he got some cauliflower rice and salad for his dinner. I had chicken salad. 

We have been washing and discarding things from the kitchen. Tommy was in charge of his coffee and tea supplies. When I looked, he had discarded a whole trash can of items. One was a huge plastic container for coffee. We need to load the dishwasher one more time in anticipation of the guys coming by. We can put everything back and start to put things up that never had a home. This is pleasant to anticipate. 

As usual Dillon was shot in his left arm. However, he did not have on the purplish pinky shirt. He had a light brown shirt on. When he is shot, he usually just holds his arm. This time, he stuck a finger in the bullet hole and ripped open his shirt sleeve. Usually, he heals and so does his shirt, never a hole or rip. 

Lynda has the prettiest roses. She gave me a rose with four buds. I stuck it in water, hoping all the buds do make beautiful pink roses. I have heard the rose stem can be placed in a bucket of sand to get a rose bush to plant. 

The plan for Wednesday was to go to Cullman for several things, including getting my mail. That won't happen as I am so tired. 

Wednesday

The dogs had me awake at 6:30. I don't know how long I can stand this. Plus, there are two more cars, several adults and several more children. ??? I have not counted, but there are probably more dogs. There is not three feet between all the things left in the yard. Plus, the garbage on the carport continues. I thought some of it was gone, but Tommy said they just moved it. 

It's That Time of the Year

 I awoke hot this morning. Not only did I have a quilt and wool blanket on me, the room was hot and I had the quilt pulled tight under my neck! So, I started getting sick again, sort of a relapse. I need the ac on for my lungs. I need the quilt and wool blanket so the ac won't be too cold. I know--it is complicated but works for me. I did not need a nap today and felt mostly fine. 

When I got to my chair, the ac was cooling the air, so my lungs quickly recovered, almost. The bedroom is so hot when the weather is nice. In the winter it is cold, but I can bundle up. I get up now and Tommy has on a jacket with a hood, and the hood is up and tightened. His chair is right next to an air vent. I wish my chair was there. The bedroom is the coldest bedroom or any room in the house and the hottest. Gaaa

Tonight, we watched The Weakest Link. I hate that show and the woman, but Tommy loves both. Tonight, we watched a woman win who said that a yard has 20 inches. She helped vote off a man who had not missed a question at all, a perfect record. I hope the people she voted off beat her up afterwards. The dumb contestants always gang up and vote off the smarter people. Skill has little to do with winning!

I cooked four pre-made burgers. I had buns but the rest are molded. Two burgers go into the freezer. There was a pork loin thawed to cook, too. We had salad and steamed zucchini with garlic and olive oil. 

Plans were for me to cook the six sweet potatoes in the oven along with the pork loin. I almost made cupcakes today and frosted them...lol. We went for a drive instead. The sky was blue and the huge fluffy white clouds were beautiful. 

Today, Tommy collected the old roach baits and put down new ones. I am bound and determined to never have roaches again! As much as he was okay with roaches, he is now wanting to help keep them away. 

The six boxes of Wheat Thins arrived yesterday evening. I had planned to open one each month which would have made these last until November. Then, I wondered about the use-by date since I did not want them to be rancid. Wouldn't you know, the best-by date was the end of November. Lucky me. 

We saw the one hummingbird one time and no more. I wonder why. Tomorrow, I will wash it refill it and put out all the feeders filled. 

I want a plant for a hanging basket that can endure the heat and full sun after noon. What can you recommend? 

Do you have hanging flowers? Where do they hang?

Lazy Sunday

 As you can see from the previous post, Saturday was a busy day. I slept well when I went to bed and awoke on Sunday. I was settling down when a nap hit me. At first, I was just going to rest. Once I turned on my left side in the recliner, I noticed I was cold. I put on a zip jacket with a hoodie. I pulled the hoodie over my eyes and the little throw from waist down. That was all it took. I awoke three hours later. 

I did stay awake long enough to watch Meet the Press, my absolutely favorite news show. After I awoke, I was achy from lying crooked! I forgot what movie we watched, then went to Publix for milk for Tommy. I had to wait in the car for an electric cart and then wait in line to check out--over an hour for milk! 

That was my Sunday, nothing important, exciting or newsworthy. 

Dinner--Tommy ate one of the burger patties and cabbage. I ate the leftover pork cutlet and cabbage. Later, I intend to eat salad with tomatoes and carrots.

Even though it is after 8 pm, I have plans: bake something, freeze cabbage, cook another cabbage. Tommy: chop and cook the ground sirloin if it is not rotten. 

I suppose I really needed the nap. A trip to the park and another ride around was what I planned. But, my body did what it needed.

How was your Sunday? 

Moody Nap and Ugly Vegetables

 I finished A Painted House. If you liked To Kill a Mockingbird, you will probably like this book. If you try it, let me know. I have no idea where I put Hillbilly Elegy. 

We went to The Pig for 50 cent bell peppers so I could make stuffed peppers. The  peppers were fresh-looking. However, they were so knotty and twisted that there was no way one could be stuffed with any amount of filling! They were ugly but okay for use in cooking. I only bought two since I still have frozen chopped and sliced packages in the freezer. I bought three bananas. The ones at Publix, while having perfect skins with no black spots and still green a bit sometimes, are rotten in the core. The ones at The Pig, so far, have been good bananas. 

Then, I went into Publix and got three samples like they had before Covid...,cantaloupe, smoked gouda macncheese, carrot cake. When I went to the car, Tommy tried the mcn chee and spit it out the door. It was not bad but he hated it. The cantaloupe was all his. I ate half the carrot cake. I had gone there to get the raisins that were bogo and got salad and, maybe something else. I did refuse to take my mask down in the store to sample.

The raisins are the kind in a cardboard box/canister with a plastic lid, 22.58 ounces, two of them for $7. Tommy demanded a box of his own. I wanted to put some in a container for him. He wanted the whole thing. We had an argument about this. He wants them to continually eat, even with diabetes. He was pouting and whining when I gave him a portion of a box. I told him we had so many kinds of fresh grapes that he should eat fresh and save most of these for when fresh was gone. He does not see it that way! 

One container is for winter cooking. He considers it mine and I can do as I wish with it, but he intends to eat the other by himself, snacking three or four times a day. He said no one saves dried fruit for eating when fresh in not in the house. Well, historically, that is correct even though we can get fresh most of the time. But, the principle holds. Fresh may not be in the house or money may be tight. I have done it myself with dried apples and dried bananas, and cranberries. 

When I took a nap this afternoon, I was dragging as I got into bed. Then, it was breezy on my feet, so I fidgeted until I got the breeze off my feet (45 minutes). Actually, I moved until the feet were in a different place. I had three blankets over me and still had wind on my feet!

I was busy in my dream. I was lying on a twin bed with my sister and lying head to feet. We were talking about something. I have no idea where this dream came from or which sister was there. Then, I awoke to pee and told Tommy to wake me an hour later than I had told him. I forgot what I dreamed about last. But, I do remember it was a busy dream and neither pleasant nor unpleasant. When I awoke mid-nap, I was surprised not to be sleeping with my head at the foot of the bed. I was tired.

Dinner was some sort of Southwest Chopped Salad with cilantro dressing and chicken. I could not eat it. Tommy had chicken thigh he had picked off a chicken I baked. I thawed a baked breast and ate a bit of that plus the leftover vegetables from last night. I should not have, but I ate banana chopped over ice cream. He had just ice cream. 

Is there anything in your house that gets eaten too soon that could be stored? Then, does a fresh item get pushed aside in danger of spoiling? He will not eat frozen grapes. 

National Napping Day

 Today is National Napping Day. However, today, Monday, I did not do my part, just rested. How about you? Did you nap today? Like me, did you skip the nap? 

Yes, my ear is causing hiccups. Touching the inside is like a trigger for hiccups! Thanks, Kim.  Thanks to my allergist. 

Sunday dinner: salad and chicken. He had chopped chicken and I had a piece of a chicken breast. I love the freezer for proteins! 

The day included a rest and a nap, as usual. I spent a lot of time just picking up and putting things where they belong. I did not finish, so that will continue. 

Tommy does a really good job keeping things organized in the refrigerator. Then, he tells me where things are that I have searched high and low to find. He also makes sure the older stuff is on top or in front. Today, he found the other package of grape tomatoes and told me he put them on top of the two new ones. How great is that kind of help? 

Tomorrow, he is going to do laundry for me, and will probably do it before I get up. So, I made sure everything is in the laundry hamper. 

Monday--laundry done. I still am off-balance. It comes and goes. Plus, I cannot get up the slope to the carport from the driveway without severe pain in my back. So, he does it. 

The rain and lack of sun has me feeling nappy, but it did not come. What did you get accomplished today? 

No Nap Tuesday and Garden Thoughts

 Tuesday is a red-letter day. I still feel awful and did not sleep well, but not once have a felt the need for a nap. Of course, I have done nothing, either. 

In a few minutes I will start dinner. We are having more of the chicken quarters that I served last night along with Brussels sprouts, and potatoes baked with the Concord herb mix.  I think I will have a salad--Italian mix with tomatoes.  I had no more frozen Brussels sprouts. I had thrown in lots of baby carrots in the oil and herb mixture. So, It is chicken, potatoes, carrots and tomatoes. 

Since being tired is my only symptom, I went to Publix for 2 bogo grape tomatoes, one 3/$10 salad mix, $0.99 for 1 lb baby carrots and bought two bags, coffee for Tommy, and ice cream because it was there and bogo. I only got one ice cream and two tomatoes. Oh, we went to the bread store, too.  

When we arrived home, I was not totally exhausted like I usually am, not even tired at all. 

I had had to cancel dentist appointment and cleaning this week, missed getting mail last week, and other appointments. We are rescheduling lunch in the park with Tommy's cousin and my other appointments. 

Tommy's appointment is in April and 50 miles away. My doctor has not gotten confirmation of when he is getting Moderna, but still expects to get the shipment. ???

We are returning to the general decluttering and cleaning around here. There is nothing around here but fun and games. We have the box of clothes hangers still, waiting to donate to a person or group.  

Kim from Out My Window suggested the hiccups were related to shingles. According to nih.gov, yes, hiccups is related to shingles! As a matter of fact, every last symptom I have can be related to shingles! 

If I can handle the activity, I will be cutting my hair and Tommy's today. But, I may need a nap before noon. My phone was on all night and two calls woke me. I hate the sound of the phone when I am asleep or trying to go to sleep.

Wednesday will definitely be a nap day. 

How are your garden preps going? Mine are still in my head but I need to check the cabbage growing and get out my seeds.

New Utensil, Missing, Gifts, Kidnapped by a Nap

Browning ground meat was always time consuming since I had to stand at the stove and chop and break up the chunk of ground meat with an egg turner/spatula. Now, it is more difficult. I was looking through a Rada catalogue and found the perfect tool. This is a meat chopper. I used it for the first time for the ground pork on Monday.

I used it with the head straight onto the meat, not at an angle as in the picture above. I love this utensil. I showed Tommy how to use it and he chopped most of the ground pork. This is not for pounding, just cutting and separating the ground meat. It is certainly a time-saver. I have seen a similar tool from some other company. Have you ever used one of these? 

Monday afternoon, we washed and dried most of the dirty dishes while the ground pork cooked and browned some. With a fever, dishwashing was so difficult! So, I started the taco casserole in the crock pot which will be more like taco soup. One by one, Tommy opened cans and dumped the contents  into the crock pot. We tracked down one of my five-pound bags of Uncle Ben's par-boiled brown rice. Finally, I needed one last ingredient. But I could not find it. Remember, it is dark as night in kitchen and living room!

Tommy looked for canned, diced tomatoes, too. None! None were in the stash in the bedroom. On the new shelves I finally found a 29 oz. jar of Hunt's tomato sauce! That would do. Diced tomatoes are better, but this is fine. 

If I had not found this can of tomato sauce, I would have had to run to The Pig to get it. I did contemplate putting a jar of spaghetti sauce in the taco salad. I doubt it would have mattered once I put in the taco seasoning. What do you think? Would a jar of spaghetti work for this spicy dish?

I questioned why I had no tomato sauce or bits, well, beyond one can. I know why. I had plans for frozen or canned tomatoes so did not stock up. I will solve this hole in food stocks by the end of the week! 

Tuesday morning

I slept better than I have in a week and awoke with temp of 98F. Remember, this is still fever area for me. Yesterday, I decided we would stay home instead of going for my mail. 

Gifts

For Tommy, I gave him four books, one on birds, a book on insects, a book on wildflowers, and a Field Guide to Tree of North America. He spent hours reading. For his birthday, I gave him a book about birds and the accompanying cd. 

One day, we had several stops to make. We did all of them with time to spare and had to wait for an hour for the next stop. Since it is too far to go home, we just sat in the shade and listened to the bird cd. Finally, I leaned my seat back and was kidnapped by a nap. This was such a pleasant experience since I was just going to rest my back.

Speaking of resting, I need to do that right now.