Sweater Weather & Zolucky

 

Today, I got a lime tree. It is a thornless, Key lime. Hmm, I did not know Key limes had thorns. Now, I have two trees to bring into the house this winter. 

Speaking of plants, I am now thinking about bringing all the plants in for the winter. Tommy said there is no more room. And, I have more plants. I will figure out something. 

Last night, I forgot to take the tart cherry juice. So, I was awake all night. By the way, the $11+ 16 ounce container of cherry juice is concentrate and makes a gallon, so about $3./ quart. 

The forecast for this weekend is for 70s in the daytime and 30s during the night. So, I might need a sweater. I have only seen one tree that has turned or even started to fade. It was very small and bright yellow. With the drought in this area, we may not have a locally brilliant Fall. 

Since we did not use two coupons yesterday at Publix, I remembered to take them in today. They gave me $8 in cash which I gave to Tommy since he complains he almost never has pocket money. He was happy. He said he always got $50 cash every week and has not done that since he does not work. I think I get what money he has in his pocket. Looks like I can hit a yard sale. 

In my mind, this plan is set in stone for making money. But, I will reveal the plan when the first steps are taken. 

I ordered an outfit from Zolucky. It was late getting here, did not fit, sewing was iffy, and it smells like a chemical. So, I took a chance and will have to pay to return it. To say I am mad is an understatement. 

Has anyone ordered from Zolucky? 

What was your experience? 

Softer than Soft Food and Books Gone

 On Monday night, I went to bed two hours earlier than usual. I was hoping to get more sleep. However, I awoke after 1.5 hours and could sleep no more. Finally at 8 am, I was able to sleep. Since I needed to get up at least by noon, I still got little sleep. I will keep trying to get more sleep. At 5 pm, I needed a nap. So, that is how it goes with me.

Today, I tried to only eat very soft or mushy food. Applesauce and cottage cheese, soft oatmeal and raisin cookies, banana, milk, a spoon of peanut butter, and slaw. Bread is too hard, unbelievably. I wanted cold chicken, but Tommy toughened and hardened it in the microwave! It was inedible! I was dismayed! Earlier, I had the innards of a turkey sandwich--deli turkey, tomato, Romaine. The one bite of delicious bread hurt me. 

I am so hungry and may have another bowl of oats in a bit. It is hard to sleep when I am hungry. And, I refuse to eat in the middle of the night. 

The car ac is getting worse as it is not functioning properly more often. Heat is stressful, and neither of us need that. Riding in a hot car contributed to my need to sleep at 5 pm. 

We shopped the last shopping day for last week's ad. The squash was all too large. I got two bananas, Diet Coke Caffeine Free, Miracle Whip-2, grapes, Alouette spread, and Juicy Fruit gum for Tommy. MW was $5.49 instead of $8.49. MW is a real win. Bananas weren't on sale. I just needed bananas.

For dinner Tommy had chicken, squash, and sweet potatoes. This is all leftovers. Good for me not having to cook. After having had slaw and too-hard breast for dinner, I will have oats now, and half an apple. I slice it and cut it where the peeling is about 1/8 inch wide. It does not get proper chewing, but at least it goes down. I need the fiber, trust me. I forgot about the squash and sweet potatoes. 

Maybe I will fold some clothes later tonight. Maybe not. Maybe we will work on books tomorrow. Today, we called a church and offered them the books. We put them out for them. I have no idea what they will do with them. Some of the books are new, never read, pristine dust covers. 

Do you go in the last day of a grocery ad to get things you need? Sometimes, I have forgotten something. Sometimes, I wait until the last day just because. 

50 Cent Bargains

 I really did not feel like going into a store, so Tommy did. I needed tulle since Lowe's did not have the cover I needed to protect the blackberries. 

I bought Sweet Petite Little Finger Carrots seeds. I know it is late to start. But, I cannot find the carrot seeds here. I need to grow two pounds of carrots to break even on the Ferry-Morse $1.99 package of seeds from Lowe's. 

He found a ten-yard bolt of white tulle for $10. While I have not priced white tulle lately, this seems like a good price, reasonable price. Libby's canned pumpkin, the kind I use for holidays--$.50. It was dated Oct 2024. Stove Top Stuffing was also $.50 and dated 11-2023. Heinz Family Size jar of gravy is dated 2024 and was $.50. Tommy always calls to see if it is a good deal. I called my friend who buys for a food bank and told her. Maybe your WM will have the same bargain. 

All food in packaging for the shelf must stop at my chair. All the new cans/jars/boxes are labeled and moved to the bedroom. This is an ongoing task it seems, but necessary to keep eating the older foods and keep us eating the things with a near date. Since I label top and front of the can, it is easier to see what I am looking at and eating. 

Today started off brilliantly sunny. Now, it is overcast. But, it is still warm--84F. 

I need to go and move my snake near the one blackberry ripening fast. The tulle covering can wait until tomorrow. 

I need to go into the kitchen and cook already sliced yellow squash, zucchini, and onion. Tommy is having the squash/onions, salad, and chicken thigh. I will have the last bit of ground beef and onion, salad, squash/onions. 

Two things I must do tomorrow:

1--find a bird wing and deliver it and pattern to man who will cut the wings. Buying a 2x8 is part of this task.

2--find a video on what to buy to water pots and not a soaker hose like the guy showed me today! I do want a timer for it. Or, maybe not.

3--Maybe we could plant carrots. 

There were calls I needed to make today. But, nothing was accomplished on that front! Those are on the list of things to do, too.

Have you ever watered plants in hanging pots with tubes for water from the faucet?

Do you grow carrots? 

Eggsciting Price

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Turkey Deal

 Today, at Publix I got a good deal. Butterball Turkey Breasts were advertised for $0.99/lb. I wanted the two allowed! I went in and bought a2milk at 3 half gallons/$10. I will buy 3 more on Monday. Then, I picked up 2 boxes of turkey bags. Since I did not see the turkey breasts, I asked. The guy took me to them where there was a sign for $0.99/lb. I had him put the two largest in the electric cart, got bogo Mayfield ice cream and was ready to check out. I happened to see the screen with my transactions--turkey breast $19.79. 

"no no no no"...this was a quiet voice caution not a yell..."that is the wrong price." I was assured this was the correct price. I told them an employee helped me and said these were $0.99/lb. AND, there was a sign there. My turkey breasts were quickly whisked away from me and returned to their home in the freezer. 

I was stunned. My turkey breasts were spirited away. But, another employee, higher pay grade, came over, listened to me, and we went back to the turkey breasts, she with ad in her hand.  She compared ad and turkey breasts and the signage. Then, she told a meat guy it was priced wrong on the tag. 

THEN, I remembered that if something rings up wrong, the item is free. So, I asked. Naturally, the cheapest breast was free, but no matter. I got a free breast and one for  $0.99/lb. 

I paid $6.28+tax for 12.01 pounds of turkey breast! That is meat, folks, for $0.52/lb, 

Fifty-two cents for one pound. 52 cents

This price is cheaper than chicken breasts and about the same as dark parts of the chicken. 

Turkeys were $0.49/lb., but I decided that the breast would work. There is a hen thawing for any good flavors that the dark meat gives. I only eat breast. Tommy eats the dark meat but prefers the breast. 

We went to Cullman, today, but that is a tale for tomorrow. 

So, today was a good day at Publix. We will get two more turkey breasts for year round eating! 

Tommy said he wondered how many people paid original price of $3.48, the price that made the first breast cost $19.79. I imagine lots of people will come back complaining.

What prices have you found for whole turkey or turkey breast?

Checking Receipts Pays Big!

 One day, I purchased toilet paper that was in the sale ad at Publix. When I checked out, the toilet paper was higher than I expected. I commented that it was on sale for $6.49. The cashier assured me it was not, so I purchased it anyway at $9.99. 

I thought it over and decided I was correct, but somehow the ad was discarded when it expired. All the while I was ill last week, I planned my next move. I had Tommy check with his credit card company and see when a purchase was made for a little over $10. With that information in hand, Sunday, I asked at the service desk if someone could find the receipt. Within minutes I had a copy of the receipt. 

Then, I told the CS person the problem and asked her to find the receipt ad, she did. She produced the ad, and, sure enough, It was on sale. She gave me back a $10 bill and almost a dollar in change. It seems if the price is wrong in Publix, the whole amount charged is refunded. I was not aware  So, I was able to hand Tommy almost $11. He was so happy to have money in his wallet. He never has money unless I repay something I have borrowed...lol. 

When he bought cereal for me, it was bogo. However, the two boxes were rung up on the receipt with no evidence of bogo. I had paid full price for each. When I pointed this out, I received a little over $10 back. Good deal!

Check your receipts! Between us we received over $21.  Plus, I have a large pack of tp and two boxes of cereal I did not have to buy. $$$ and free merchandise are my kind of deals. 

Usually, I challenge the price when I believe it is wrong. If not, I go back to the shelf and check the price again. Very seldom am I wrong about what price I thought I saw. 

Right now, I have receipts sitting here to challenge at a big box store. There are a variety of problems with them, so it will take more than just returning items. 

Often, in the case of the toilet paper, I am tardy with my return. 

Do you check receipts at the time of purchase or at home? Are you willing to take things back or challenge a price you were charged?  Are you really happy to receive your own money>

Buy $25 Get $5 Off, Winter Garden In

 Of course, I used this coupon. I took coupons with me and used them, too. All coupons were doubled. I found Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup for $.90/can. I had a coupon for $1 off 4 cans. I used two more Ronco coupons and bought more spaghetti and penne pasta. I think I paid about $.45 for 7 oz spaghetti. Endust had a coupon, and I was going to buy it anyway. 

Turkeys were $0.69/lb, but I have no room in the freezers. The turkey I bought on Thursday is now defrosting in the refrigerator. 

Tommy got the rest of the sweet potatoes inside. 

My gardening mentor for the research project came today and we planted and put row cover on the 10 or so plants. I have broccoli, kale, lettuce, cabbages. We fertilized, watered and  used Bt.That exhausted me and then I had to go spend my $5 coupon, so short post. 

Stuff and Beanie Babies

Dinner on Wednesday--filet of chicken cooked with potato wedges, both seasoned with a generous sprinkling of McCormick's Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning, and green beans heated in the microwave. This was easy and quick. AND, delicious. There is more chicken for another night or two.

I think this seasoning was what I sent to kylie in Australia. The bottle is fast becoming too low, so it will go on a list of items to buy. However, it is not a necessity.

Plus, I did not realize I also thawed boneless, skinless chicken breasts. ugh So, there are those to cook before I even finish the filets. I will immediately freeze all but one of those breasts.

Wednesday, I tried to find a book to read. Libraries are not open and neither are bookstores. Now, this has become sad. Tuesday, I tried to go into an independent bookstore with used books as well as new. I was greeted by a huge Akita trying to break the glass door down to get to me. I could not get away fast enough

Walmart has plenty of toilet paper, or did I say that? Everybody is sewing since I can find no elastic for the pants I cut from the jumpsuit.

I could find no playing cards and Tommy will not play the UNO I brought home.

The gardening project sent me a packet of seeds so I can enjoy the fruit in one month. Beets--yuck. I do not want to eat them or even cook them for Tommy. He wants them. Now, I have to figure out how to cook them. sigh

Forgot to tell you--I went into Publix with my canister of Lysol Wipes. A woman came and asked where I found them. She was so disappointed when I told her I brought them with me.

Bargains--Campbell's mushroom soup 10 cans for $10. I bought four for green bean casserole some day. French Fried Onions--bogo. I just bought two.

Wednesday, it was 67F and felt wonderful with low humidity.

I was looking through a box of stuff, something from my house that was in the trunk of my car, I suppose. I found one Halloween potholder. Yes, it is in service now. Then, i found a bag of Beanie Babies. You remember those? There were several of the size given out at McD. I was suprised to find another four that were full-sized.  While I am positive I did not buy these, I haven't the slightest clue how they got into my car:

Pincher--crab
Scoop--pelican
Claude--crab
Spike--hippopotamus
Patti--platypus

I bought a few of the Happy Meals with the Beanie Babies, not many, maybe a dozen over a long period of time. Most of them were given to kids who came to my house.

Do you ever find something in your home that baffles you as to the origin? I do know you have good stories. Did you ever buy Beanie Babies from McD or anywhere?

Bits I left Out and a Question

I love Lindt Lindor "irresistibly smooth" milk chocolate truffles. The ones I buy are two to a tiny shiny bag and cost $1. Inside are two truffles, a hard chocolate outside and a soft chocolate center. Sometimes, I share this with Tommy, one truffle for each of us.

The tiny empty bag was sitting here, ready to toss. As I picked it up, I noticed there was more heft to it than was normal for the empty bag. Sure enough, there was a third truffle. The two empty wrappers were proof that I did eat two and did get a third one. I counted myself lucky. By the way, these tiny bags are now $0.50...yes, fifty-cents. I felt so lucky.

When I told Tommy about the Kraft Parmesan cheese on sale and a coupon, too, he said, "Don't you have one of those?" I told him it would run out. "No, don't you have one on the table, an extra one?" I keep having to remind him I stock up on this stuff. I do not just eat it on spaghetti.

Saturday, when I came out of Lowe's, I wondered what was happening to the right of the door. Lo and Behold! There were Girl Scout Cookies. I purchased Thin Mints for me and Shortbread for Tommy. I was afraid I was going to miss GSC this year like I did last year. What is your favorite GSC?

Saturday, At Publix I found on sale Godiva Chocolate Raspberry pudding. YUM!

My yard has had daffodils since January. Now, it has even more. Tulips have not blossomed yet. The Redbuds are blooming.

I keep "finding" my microwave in the trunk of my car. I am surprised every time I open the trunk which I rarely open since I rarely drive it. I suppose it will live there. Today, I also found a small bag of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, and skin lotion, two of each. This will be given to someone else since it might cause allergies. I did keep the lotion to use on my hands. If it causes a reaction, at least I can wash it off easily and buy something different without wasting money to find something that will not make me itch. Okay, it makes my hands itch.

Today, I brought in my walker to use to hang laundry on in the bedroom. I really need a bona fide clothes dryer since it would hold much more for the same space. This is the walker that only has two wheels and no seat..

Saturday night dinner--hamburger patties cooked in the oven and a large portion of steamed broccoli and a halo. Sunday--leftover patties from Saturday night and broccoli soup.  The bought patties that I did not buy were too heavily seasoned, so the ones for Sunday are being washed before cooking

Dessert--halos. Tommy finished the strawberries for lunch. I mostly have to hand him fruit so he will eat it. Then again, sometimes he gets halos and apples every day. ??? I have a banana each and every day. I get grumpy if I do not have one.

At the permanent yard sale, I bought the concrete planter. It is beautiful, but there is no drain hole. I will probably put a potted plant inside instead of putting dirt and plant in it. Still, I picture drowning a plant. What can I plant in it?  Rain will get into it even if I put it on the porch.  So, that is my question. I want to plant food in it, like an herb, but a flower is fine. ???

Thrift Store Shopping, Free Rollator, Oats Cheap

I saw a thrift store as I just went along for a ride as Tommy went on n errand. He agreed to stop at a thrift store on the way back. I found two pieces of Corning Ware. I got tiny skillet, Corning ware casserole type thing, a cup, and a pair of socks for $7.24. I think. The socks are black trouser socks. They are too short to wear with any of my present pant, but they were $1 with a percentage off.

I like CW. Both the skillet and casserole are very small. I will use the little casserole thing for microwaving oats. Tommy is resistant to the idea of oats overnight in the Crock pot. He whined he does not know if he wants to eat them that many days in a row. I explained I am not going to make the crockpot full. Besides, he can skip a day. Presently, he eats the same cold cereal every morning. I would make oats in the crockpot sooner. But, until yesterday, I had no oats. Still I have no sugar! Yes, I will eat sugar. Also, I have no cinnamon.

There were no cooking utensils, just forks and spoons and the plastic claw-like things for dipping spaghetti. There was very little cooking stuff on the housewares aisle. No lids at all!

I saw a bin labeled "scarves," looked and there were none, just odds and ends. I need a black scarf. By this time, I had covered little ground, just stood and waited as other people with grocery carts and I tried to get past each other. As I was hurting and Tommy was in the car, I got into an interminable line that finally got to the register.

Today, I found the 42 ounce cannisters of Quaker old Fashioned Oats for $3--great price. I bought one canister for $4.98 out of desperation. Then, I saw this unadvertised deal.

Sunday, the guy brought the rollator to me. We got it out today, and I love it. It is such a pretty color--Plum with sparkles in the paint or finish, sort of like subtle glitter. With this, I can sit down, whereas, my last walker had no seat. Plus, it did not have four wheels, only two. Walking does not hurt so much with this. I am not going to use it often, but I will in certain circumstances. One thing I have against walkers is that I am bent and looking at the floor when I use one.
rollator was already adjusted taller than Tommy's, and I had him adjust it even taller. I stand straight.

I need the bag that hangs under the seat and the bag that hangs onto the back piece. Tommy wants a drink holder. He wants it for carrying coffee.

Last night, I cooked the pork loin in the pressure cooker. I am absolutely certain the handles were aligned. However, the handles were about 1/2 inch off center. The pork, carrots, and onions were burned to a crisp. Only three carrots were not dead. The rack is black and so is inside of the cooker. Abut a cup of liquid escaped all over the stove. It's a mess and still not cleaned up, so that has to be done. We are having with bbq sauce to sort of tamp down the scorched flavor of the remaining meat.

The portion we ate last night had very little scorch. I am quite sure it will be stronger tonight. The quarter inch that stuck to the rack will have to be soaked off in a bit.

It is down in the low 40s and I still get hot at night. I only need something to cover my skin when I am up, so I am going to Dollar General to see the things they advertise as $10. Maybe nothing. These will not be worn in public.

I am through writing anything tonight as I need to color my hair, clean the pressure cooker, and get leftovers out to eat. I had sugar, I would eat oats. Maybe I will just put jelly and butter in the oats. I have done that before and not because I was out of sugar. I have raisin, too.