Ill again--Monday

 I can barely move because I am ill. I went to sleep Saturday night with two lymph glands, one in each side of my neck, hurting. Sunday night, I slept two hours, awoke for a bit, and finally slept until 4:30 pm on Monday. 

There were 15 things on a list for Monday. I got three things done and added even more. The bell pepper did get diced. I thought I had ground beef for a meat loaf. I didn't. Half the pepper was sliced for Tommy. I put the strips in a sandwich bag and he gets what he wants for sandwiches and wraps, 

This is not covid. My sinuses are reacting to allergies. October is my month to be ill. 

The guy who mows came today. We have one triangular patch of Dallas grass. I hate it. It is the stuff that grows up on one long stem with the three growths of things that have little black seeds. Hate them! I bought a gallon of weed killer several years ago that can be used on St. Augustine grass and Tommy won't apply. I cannot. I need to find someone to pay to use it on the yard. 

Emeril Le Gasse has a new air Fryer oven. I wanted the 360 last year. Now, there is a double oven one. The partition down the middle can be removed. Always some gimmick! We still don't need it, I suppose. We used the oven today for a cooking bag that had three steaks, potatoes, carrots. 

Does anyone else have horrible fall allergies? I have year round hay fever, but it seems Fall is the worst.  

I Snagged a Neighbor

 He usually takes Tommy garbage can to the road and brings it back. He was returning it to us. I had things to say and questions. He told us two weeks ago he was going to drive his bus RV to the northwest two weeks ago. Well, the story is he became ill in Arkansas, returned home, tried again and never made it out of Alabama even though he was going to be gone six weeks. While he was here, I asked him about the grill. I was doing it right! However, he said the gas was not coming out right. He used a lighter. He told me to get one of the long lighters, which I can do. The guy from Lowe's has offered to come by, so I think I will take him up on the offer. 

At the store, Tommy went in and purchased $20.02 or 11.18 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breasts. I told him to get at least ten pounds and ask for still-frozen packages. He said they were all frozen rock-solid. I suppose the meat guys had restocked the meat counter before they left for the day.  Four packages are still in the refrigerator and two are in the freezer. My back was hurting badly before I made more room. If I can clear out more room, I will get more bscb before the ad ends. 

If I can get two more packages in the freezer before they thaw, I will. Otherwise, I will bake the four packages and freeze one breast to a bag. Yes, I will need to clean out more of the freezer. I found a frozen package of American cheese, about an inch thick pack. Tommy was screaming that there was some in the refrigerator...lol...well, now there is more. 

At Publix I saw what appeared to be a mother and her three children. The mother could not take her eyes off her phone. The teen had his eyes glued to his phone. A five-year-old little girl was carrying a fat little baby that looked to be young enough not to be walking. The teen boy ran into the little girl carrying the baby. He was engrossed in his phone. The little girl stumbled, almost falling down with the baby. The baby was being tossed to and fro like a rag doll as the little girl stumbled and valiantly tried to regain her footing and thankfully did. And, all this was in the front of the store in the road! My heart stopped! 

Between an inhaler and guaifenisen, I hope to get my breath back. I was too weak and feeling breathless to go in the store. Really, I need to use two inhalers, maybe three different ones. 

When we came home and exited the car, the air was so much more comfortable for me to breathe. It must have rained around here since it is not so hot. 

I suppose we will cook the steak in a skillet tonight. 

I bought Truvia Monk Fruit. It was bogo, so this is a cheap way to try it. I wanted just Monk Fruit. However, this has erythritol. Well, Tommy brought it from my list.

He washed my towels and such, so I have to hang those up no matter how I feel. 

Every year, I refresh my stock of school supplies. It just seems the right thing to do for fall. I now have Crayola Washable Markers. As I see sales, I will get other items. Many of the items, I will give away. 

Dinner: Tommy will have steak, potatoes, carrots, maybe tomato. I will have steak and a can of green beans.

Do you still buy school supplies at the back-to-school sales? What do you buy? 

Do you juggle items in the freezer to add a good buy?

Do you see frightening instances of phones almost causing accidents or actually causing accidents? 

Di

Tommy Dropped a Sharp Knife on His Foot

 The weather was fit to grill when I wanted to, but I could not get the grill lit. The tank was on/open, I turned on the gas on one burner, and then punched the starter button. I did this a dozen times or so. Then, I had Tommy check everything. He tried. He consulted the Product Guide. So, we turned it off.

He was disappointed, so I told he could put it in a skillet, which he did. These were so thin, about 1/4 inch. So, they cooked and browned quickly. He had pork and beans and tomatoes on his plate. All of a sudden, I saw something on the floor in several places while he was trying to sit down with his plate. When I asked him what he spilled in front of his chair, he walked trying to see what it was. Well, he was smearing blood! Now, that needs to be cleaned up. I used a baby wipe to see where he was bleeding. It seems that when he dropped his knife and fork, the steak knife slashed the side of his foot behind his big toe. I put Mupirocin on it after cleaning it with a baby wipe. Then, I took a Kleenex and put the stretchy bandage from my iv, and that is holding it all together. 

He has refused to use the special tub I bought him for a foot wash, one just like mine with a handle. (He paid for both.) NOW, he will if I have to wrestle him to get it done...lol. There was sooo much blood. I will have to look at it to see if he needs to have it sewn up. He will either go to er tonight or doctor tomorrow.

I had put the chicken tenders, two potatoes, one carrot, and a bit of baby carrots in the oven, so I had some of that. We watched A Capitol Fourth 2023. It was entertaining. So are the fireworks behind the Washington Monument. I missed one thing, a little girl dancing to Tina Turner song, just an audience member, so I will see that again. 

People are shooting off bottle rockets all around, with an occasional boomer. It was a good Fourth, nothing spectacular. Tommy said he got four drops of rain on him when he went out to water. He brought in three blackberries. I ate one and he ate one and he threw away the one with white on it. Mine was bitter and I don't know why. 

Tonight, later, I will have some Jello and fruit. 

I am Proud to be an American. The End. 

Where did you go and what did you cook or eat on the 4th of July 2023? 

Thursday Mail Bonanza

We went to The Pig to get our $0.98/24 bottles of water. Of course, I was going to have to think of what I wanted after we arrived, except for milk. There was a gallon of milk for $0.99 because the date was Sept 23. This is Tommy's milk. So, I got that reduced gallon and another at full price. Something I wanted but did not get other times was 100% black cherry juice. When I was ill, Tommy drank all of the last jug! I did not really mind. But, I only had about a half-cup or less serving. 

When the milk does go sour, I told him he could try it with chocolate milk. He said nothing. He may rebel when the moment comes to taste it...lol. I told him I left milk on the counter to make buttermilk and buttermilk did not kill anyone. Since he hates buttermilk, this reasoning probably left him cold.

Then, I remembered that chow I saw last week was over $5, so was left behind. This week, I found chow chow made from Vidalia onions. So, I will try this. Once, I ate so much chow chow and blackeyed peas that I had such an allergic reaction that my face swelled so I could not see my ears. And, my ears were swollen and sticking out. My nose and lips were freakish looking. So, I will eat this judiciously. Squash, Kool Aid, Concord mix for roasted potatoes rounded out my order. 

Since I have succulents here hardening off and ready to "plant," I cannot locate my potting mix for succulents, so I bought another small bag for cactus plants. I suppose it will work. Since I actually found a cart, I shopped...lol. Now, I have purple prince tulips and allium bulbs. I bought my third can of red spray paint for my wooden cardinals. It is going back, I think, before I try it. My concrete bunny planter has a new yellow pansy. I used a store card from previous returns and then Tommy's Lowe's card. It works for me. Now, I have planting ahead for October. 

When I passed the drink box, I was seized, seized, I tell you, with the notion of getting a Diet Mt. Dew! I never have this reaction in any other store even though I pass cases with bottles of Mt. Dew, frosty-cold and ready to drink. I have no idea why I do this in Lowe's. Anyway, Tommy and I drank it, mostly me. 

When he brought in our loot, he went to the mailbox and came in, saying the mailbox was stuffed! And, it was "and all for you", five packages. I started with the four small packages, not so exciting as there were four Covid tests. Then, I came to the goodie. 

T sent me a Barbie Doll. It has the high heels, and a thicker waist and long, lustrous, blond hair, and is dressed in a cute sundress. Her hair is silky, not hard like the original hair. I think I will make her a new dress, using scraps or fabric from another garment. While I am at it, I will make a pattern. This one will be stitched by hand. I am so tickled by this doll! Thank you. I looked at all the different dolls advertised on her box insert, some in wheelchairs, with prosthetic, and other different shapes from the tortured original. I still would like an original, so not saying she is not something I would like, but am thrilled to have a different type Barbie. Thank you, T.,  And, I still owe you that email from a month ago.

One thing I wonder--with so many body iterations, how will pattern manufacturers be successful in making patterns to sell for the correct body. She is #181. This is another thing I will have to research. I don't need a pattern, but some people might. The fabric of her dress is stretchy, so hard to get a pattern wrong. Plus, I am intrigued by the closure in the back--very soft Velcro. I will have to look for this new Velcro. 

When I handed Tommy the doll still in a plastic tray, he said, "My god, the neck!" He has heard from me and others the problems with bodies of Barbies and reality. Her cute pink sunglasses will come off, but I won't remove the glasses or leave her lying around naked like little girls do so often. 

It was 96F today, hotter than yesterday, but today I did not sit in the car with the windows down for over an hour, trying to hear a program. Today started cloudless and sunny, but by 3 pm a few clouds gathered, then it was cloudy and by 3:30 a spitting of rain. Now, at 5 pm, the sun is back out and the rays are beautiful. 

I really want planters for the succulents but will not buy a new planter. I am going to use some of the old plastic containers Tommy had and did not want that I saved for gardening. Since these cuttings are so tiny right now, I will plant more than one to a container and later put in larger containers. If I ever get to a thrift store, I know I can find succulent planters or something that is appropriate. This succulent thing is something I need to learn more about care and feeding. Not watering much is a rule that I do know. Just laying the leaf or cutting on top of the soil is another thing I know, but the rest is a mystery. I do hope at least one of these cuttings will result in a Christmas Cactus.

The new Hawaiian that was free with a coupon is not very good to me. Tommy likes it. I will eat it but intend to go right back to the bread I love when it is gone. Since I have too much bread and we don't eat much and have some in the freezer, we are going to give one loaf, free to us with a coupon, to a neighbor. 

Today, we were going to an appointment 100 miles away, but since I slept two hours, I had Tommy take my phone and cancel it. So, I suppose the two lovely nights of sleep were what I thought--a fluke. But those nights gave me hope. The appointment is rescheduled. 

Today was a great day! When I went outdoors to put bread on chair for friend to get, my hair was blown all around by a gentle breeze that was neither warm nor cool. My hair is finally getting long again after butchering it months ago. The blowing about gently was proof. 

Dinner was cube steak dredged in egg and flour with a choice of sweet potatoes, carrots, mashed potatoes, or a salad with tomato. Tommy said he had never had cube steak it like this, but just fried. If he had not seen the egg and flour and my working with it, he would not have believed it had eggs and flour on it before frying--Tbsp of oil in non-stick skillet. I doubt he knew what he ate in all these friends, relatives, and at eating establishments he said had never prepared it with eggs and flour. Tonight, he was standing in the kitchen watching as he microwaved the store sweet potatoes. I have eaten cube steak with gravy, on a bun like a burger, and mushroom gravy over cube steak. How do you eat cube steak?

Into the Freezer! Grocery Shopping, THE MOST AMAZING SIGHT

 Once again, I erased a whole post! I finally figured out that when I managed to turn anything blue and then try to type, the whole shebang disappears. I am a fast typist if not entirely accurate. So, the inaccuracy causes me to hit a key (and I don't know which) that causes me to erase it all! 

Saturday, I froze meat for 25 meals in pint bags. Each bag held a meal for two, so 46 portions. 

2 packages one chicken breast.

23 packages of 16 meatballs in each pint.

I had 3 4-lb. bags of Armour Meat Balls that were thawed. So, I heated/cooked them and re-bagged them in meal-size portions. So, 12 lbs of meatballs are resting for me to thaw at mealtime. I am so happy. 

Earlier in the day, I went to Publix for bananas and carrots. Just before I got out of the car, I asked Tommy if he wanted to buy flowers for me. He said, "How about candy?"  

I purchased both. I found a bag of Lindt truffles, dark chocolate. As I looked over the flowers, I found a 11" vase with tulip bulbs not yet blooming. Green leaves are about 6" above the top of the vase. The idea is to watch them blossom. That appealed to me. So, I spent $16 on his card and came home deliriously happy. 

The huge vases of roses were $25. But, those did not suit me. 

It was like Christmas crowds up front. The candy, and flowers were on extra shelves and the bakery section near the candy and flowers was loaded with all sorts of hearts, red, and pink confections. It was all so tempting. 

THE MOST AMAZING SIGHT--In a cold case were clamshells in the shape of a heart with a thick steak cut almost in half and opened to fit in the heart clamshell. It was very impressive. Refrigerated sides were present with this meat presentation. I forgot what kind of steak it was. But, there was something for everyone.

So, I bought the bananas, carrots, Lindt truffles, tulips, and a reduced can of apricot filling. The apricot filling goes into stockup. 

So far, I have spent $105 this month. 

Have you put meat into the freezer?