Lately

 I spent most of Monday night in the bathroom, like peeing every ten minutes. Finally, I slept until 1 pm. It was as though I was never ill. That did not last long. Soon, I was back in the same condition--sore, brain fog,  tired, lethargic, dizzy, unsteady on my feet, achy. I feel worse every day. We go out with a few chores, and I can only last through two items on the list. 

Yesterday, the three deer sold that have been lying on the porch since earlier in the year. That got rid of the three ribbons for the necks, an eyesore in the living room. I called a nursery about purchasing trees to be planted next month. I am in the process of shopping for a new front door. The Anderson doors are not what I expected! I saw some at Lowe's that we may get. If we have time, we may shop for paint for the inside of the house.

We have fhew groceries to buy, all bogo or a good sale elsewhere. 

We are working on Auburn time. Chores need to be done so we can be home by 2:30 pm when the game starts. He will ask me what happened when he is out of the room. Who scored? I tell him there was lots of running, then yelling, and someone scored. I am not a very good reporter. 

Our neighbor died, funeral is 2 pm Monday. Tommy has a very important doctor appointment at 2 pm.  I hate to miss this funeral. 

The heat is still high but without the humidity. It is very nice outdoors even in the 90s! I suppose the story is the same most places. 

We may get mums tomorrow. That will brighten up the porch. Oh, Tommy will allow me to have flowers in the yard with the trees. YAY!

Ten Days

This will not be edited!   For ten days, I have been exhausted, literally drained without the least bit of exertion. I went to pt and was worked hard and left shaking. Since I did not feel this way ever in pt, I knew something was wrong. Finally, on Friday night on a bathroom trip, I was screaming with UTI pain. 

Thankfully, I had AZO and started  For some reason, we talked about dr and did not go. Sunday, he said he was taking me to doctor. Urgent care, both of them, were closed, one for renovation. We drove to another city and found AFC. I knew I was in good hands. 

Soon, I had the nicest np ever and came home with two prescriptions. It is   eight hours later. I feel like I will live. lol

Tommy suggested we eat at Chic fil A right across from AFC. My healing started with chicken.  lol

He says we have 5-10 packages of ground beef in freezer. I am not over stocking. I just do not want to pay a higher price later. We do eat meat every day. No lectures. 

I think our neighbor might have died. He was in hospice, and daughter and son were there. Now, no one is there. He saved me from further injury when I fell off the porch. I took food over to him for months until he could no longer eat. 

I am still working on Duchovny's poetry. It has been several days since I felt like reading. 

Tommy and I took our walkers into a thrift store to look for a lid for a new skillet I bought that did not come with a lid. We found one for $0.99. Then, I turned around and found books. We left taking one lid that cost $49.99. 

On the way out and in line I talked to a grandmother who brought grandsons in to buy one book each. I talked to  older boy (7) and younger boy, including all three in the conversation about reading. I shared how I turned a recalcitrant non-reader around and how he was now a hs English teacher. The grandmother thanked me, telling me she had learned lots from me.

I talk to children when I get the chance, especially little boys, and share books to read. This is my mission--to inspire little boys to read. Girls too, but they are easier. This conversation was in midst of my illness. I was inspired to finally get my PhD. Maybe it was the fever. 

I have gone to bathroom about ten times since I started typing.

Friday

 I do not have a uti! But, I do have an antibiotic. This ailment must be a sinus infection. Did I say that Tommy took the specimen to my doctor? 

Today, Tommy resolved his problem with the exorbitant price of his insulin. He transferred his prescription to Walgreen's and is charged $35 as opposed to $70 at Walmart. "Walmart's price is within Medicare guidelines." Th    at is just not right. 

I am encouraging him to transfer all his prescriptions to Walgreen. Walmart is about a 6-mile round trip while Walgreen is a 1-mile round trip. 

While we made the short trip for his insulin, he asked me if I wanted to go home and eat out of the refrigerator or get something to eat while we were out. When I said just go look in the refrigerator, he said okay. That was nice of him to think maybe I wanted something else. He went in the grocery store to get me apples and brought back a chicken breast. Tonight, I want nothing yet, but he found a cooked breast for me. 

We were supposed to meet someone in Cullman on Saturday, but I called and cancelled. 

Okay, he has a piece of sugarless blueberry pie. When he finishes his, I will get him to bring me some pie. 

I don't understand how I can be so ill and have so few upper respiratory symptoms. But, I have to go.

Corn and blueberry pie is a good enough dinner. 

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. 

Milk Decision and Toe Towel

As you know, I drink a2milk to avoid the a1 protein in milk an allergen that causes me gastric distress. When it is on sale, I buy at least 3 or 4 half gallons to save money. The last time it was on sale, I bought 6 half-gallons. The refrigerator cannot handle this and food. Tommy's gallon jug was in there along with two other bottles of something and a half gallon of chocolate milk. 

I always leave the milk in the plastic bag from the grocery. I think this helps insulate the milk to keep it colder as we open the door. Consequently, it was dark inside the refrigerator. So, I made a decision that we will never buy more than three half-gallons at a time. Usually, there will be at least one more of my milk and a gallon of his. 

Tommy mentioned he needed to find a way to get his feet clean, really clean since he cannot reach them at all. So, I got the bucket with a handle. He hates it. I like it. Then, he said he needs a way to clean between his toes. So, I order a thing called a toe towel from Amazon. It is thing plastic handle with a terry cloth towel that fits the end--a toe towel. It works! 

We were both given a backscratcher that is too floppy to work. It will be perfect for making a toe towel cleaner. I will let you know how it works. 

Four more toe towels to fit on the wand cost $14. I believe I can use a needle and thread and hand sew toe towels from a washcloth cheaper than that. 

When I mentioned the state of his feet several years ago, he declared angrily that it was his business and to leave it alone. Then, when I made both of us an appointment with a podiatrist, he accepts ever suggestion. Even when I use his card to buy things for his feet, he acts pleased. 

Late last night when I could barely stand or hold up my head as I sat, I decided what is wrong with me. I have a UTI. I could get no response from the new doctor because the np hates me, and the feeling is mutual. So, I may have to go all the way to St. Vincent instead of two miles down the road. 

Today, I made 9 phone calls to United Health Care. !!! Last week, I was given my new number--16 digits under the upc. Well, I used it to order online. Now that I need the number again, I am denied that for a variety of reasons. I wrote it down and misplaced it. I really need to go to the doctor. I told one guy that if I had to pay out of pocket, uhc would reimburse me. He agreed they would. But, I bet I have to fight for it. 

All last week, I felt blah. Now, I know why, and I am running a 100F temp. I may go to Cullman to a doctor. 

Right now, I need to cook dinner. The red cabbage is cooked. The plan is to bread chicken slices with Panko I have never used and cook that. Maybe I will bake the yellow squash and zucchini. Of course, I will have an apple later. Tommy might eat the cherries. I eat three fruits and at least three fruits every day. I bought the Panko on sale on sale and put it in the freezer. 

Sunday Maybe

 Well, it appears I am finally getting a bit better. I finally went to sleep last night and slept five hours solid. But, since DST has set in, I did not get up at noon, but 1 pm. Don't get  me wrong, I still feel very ill. 

Around dinner time on Saturday night, I told Tommy I would cook dinner if he came and helped me. I stood in front of the sink and counter and told him what I needed--cookie sheet, fork, cooking bag, etc.  He was very willing to help. I did not move my feet and held onto the counter. 

Pork loin roast, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, and half a stalk of celery. The celery was only for the flavor. I put garlic powder on the roast. He peeled the potatoes before we went to the kitchen. It was a delicious dinner. I needed it. 

Remember when the utility room door banged for half the evening and Tommy had to go out in the rain and put something against it? Well, something started banging again in the wind late Friday. On Saturday morning I could barely get to the door, but when I tried to go out, I almost fell on the ice on the ramp. 

The ice remained until the sun came out and shone on the ice. I finally went out and struggled every step and found the door closed. He had put my heavy umbrella stand against the door. It was now shoved three feet away. I moved the umbrella stand back in front of the door and added a bag of potting mix. 

I barely made it up the ramp. On my best day, the ramp is difficult. Tommy told me all along that the door was secure. I fell into my chair and finally put it all the way back, turned on my side and slept for almost three hours. 

I opened a can of tomato soup and he tended it. I waited so long that my half cup of soup was almost cold. That is how tired I was, too tired to drink soup.

Saturday, I read blogs but only commented on one blog. Except for the trek to the utility room and standing at the kitchen counter while he gave me things I needed for dinner, I did not move except to go to the bathroom. Tommy waited on me hand and foot. Today may be no different. 

Typing has exhausted me. 

He just went into the kitchen to get me lunch--apple, cheese, knife, and bread. Dinner will be leftovers from Friday and Saturday night. There were not enough leftovers from Friday to eat on Saturday night. 

Friday Not Good

 Thursday night here and I have done nothing. I think I have a uti. I have been inordinately tired for about four days. So, it must be the same old thing. I have done nothing except take a long nap and read stuff on the internet. I have about .5 degree of temp, so not so bad., actually, nothing at all. 

😢 A whole page popped up, so I chose this one, how I feel. I wish I knew how I got it. 

There are Tik Tok videos that come one after another, so I let that run and laugh lots.  I don't even feel like looking for anything amusing. 

I will cook the zucchini for Tommy since he loves it in olive oil and garlic.  No, we ate leftovers--pork loin, cabbage for him, slaw for me, a bit of leftover pasta. I had mine with olive oil and parmesan cheese.  Maybe I will cook tomorrow. 

The plastic on the stove eye can wait. There was lots on the internet that called for scraping with a wooden spoon. I have no wooden spoons here. However, I do have a wooden paint stirrer. 

It's about 10:30 Thursday night, and I am having trouble walking. Hopefully, I can get meds tomorrow. 

Friday now, and I can barely walk. Temperature is up 2 more degrees. And, I cannot reach my doctor.

Doc and Blackeyed Peas

 Okay, I called doctor's office and talked with nurse or rather to answering machine. She called back and told me they were slammed, too. Doc said to come to the lab and contribute since I thought it was a uti. 

I would have gone to AFC, but lines on TV discouraged me. That place would have been perfect, but not right now. 

The nurse just called and, yes, it is uti. So, the malaise that I diagnosed a week ago was actually an infection! Only when I had pain in my right flank, chills, slight headache, pain behind navel, did I actually believe I was ill. Actually, the chills nailed it. 

When I had Tommy look for the blackeyed peas, he could not locate them. I have no desire to look, nor am I able. So, I bought more at Publix. My new camera came and I thought it included an sd card. Nope, must have been another camera I considered. Then, I had to buy a new sd card at Publix at an exorbitant price. UGH!!

It seems all my packages are thrown onto the porch! Or, they are placed beyond our reach. Doesn't a ramp tell you the people living in the house cannot be trying to step over pots and plants to get to package? 

While coming in from doctor, I took the wreath off the door. So, the undoing begins. Tommy will undress the tree. I will cover the fake poinsettia. We are leaving the battery-powered candles for the rest of the year. There was low-key decorating this year, so it is easy to get down. 

When my older daughter was about 5 or 6, she and I were in the kitchen. I was cleaning up after dinner, and she was trying to clean a few black eyed peas off her plate. She was very sad as she said she did not think she could eat anymore "eye beans because they are looking at me." Of course, I laughed. She was so cute and funny. She did not have to finish the beans, just eat a few.

I will cook the whole pound and freeze them in portions for us. Are you having blackeyed peas for luck in the New Year? What else might you do or eat for luck in the New Year? Does is come from another culture?

Turkey, Finally!

I got all the breast meat from the turkey. YAY! Tonight, Tommy will get the rest of the meat off. I will make green bean casserole to add to sweet potatoes in the skin, dressing, purple hull peas. and roast carrots and onions. 

Right now, we are waiting for sunset and possible tornadoes. However, at this time there is no bad weather here, just north and south of us. From the weather crawl it seems it will all be well north of us. It has been 78 today for a high, so we pay for beautiful weather with a chance of tornadoes. 

I think I have a uti, so I have done nothing, NOTHING today.  So far, I just feel blah. 

It's 4 pm and I give up.

I suppose you all are finishing up leftovers when we are just starting! 

.

Help with Meals and TMI and First Social Engagement

Last night, Tommy was a great help.  He washed four sweet potatoes, and brought them to me in the living room. I trimmed them and oiled them, and he took them and put them in the oven. He got a can of kale that I opened. We stood in front of the freezer looking for cooked meat. I found two cups of ground beef and we ate that with leftover spaghetti sauce. So, kale, sweet potatoes, and blackeyed peas was dinner. 

Later, he wrapped the two sweet potatoes and put them in the refrigerator, emptied the rest of the kale into a glass dish and put it away. He put all the dishes in the sink and put water into them. I did nothing except get up and go to the bathroom. Dinner was delicious. The meat and spaghetti sauce was eaten after the vegetables. I should have skipped it. 

While we looked in the freezer, I found two bags of colcannon, and chopped cooked chicken. It is good to know that for meals the next few days. 

You have been warned!

At 5 am, I went to the bathroom. I lay in  bed until 6 am and had a huge belch or hiccup or something. Fearing the worst, I headed for the tiny plastic waste basket in the kitchen. I made it and started violently throwing up when I got to the bed. I could not have stood if I started before then. Okay, a point you could do without--2cups later and I was drained. 

Somewhere in all of this, I screechingly called out for Tommy, yelling his name. He said I sounded frantic. He thought I had fallen. He brought me a washcloth and a disposable cup, and emptied the plastic waste basket, washed and dried it, and brought it back to me. He stayed around another 30 seconds and was back to his chair. I was not in any shape to walk. I spread a large towel on the bed and dared to lie down. 

I really wanted to go to AFC in Cullman but knew I should go here to a more local one. Local is about 30 miles away! I called my new family doctor and was able to get in to see him an hour before he left for the short Friday. I told him I had a uti, he listened and wanted a sample. Since I had less than 3 ounces of water since 9 pm the night before, I doubted I could produce anything. Well, I did. 

Then, the ordeal with the drug store began. It is almost 4 pm, and the two prescriptions I called in on Wednesday and the two refills from Thursday AND the two from today are not ready. Always something. 

With my symptoms, I could not go into his office. I had to go to the respiratory part of his office, entirely on another floor. He came up to me. I was impressed. 

This is the first uti I have had in over two years! 

Dinner Friday night--hamburger, salad and leftovers. The leftovers are two tablespoons of green beans and about the same of collards that were left in the bottom of the dishes. We dipped from the bowls and left some that I don't want to throw away. I will eat those. 

Our new friend down the street invited us over on Monday night for snacks. So, we will go, but I am nervous about taking off my mask off inside with people/person. I think it is exciting. Maybe scary. I am not sure what the emotion is that I am feeling. 

Turkey Breast $.99/lb.

 That is what I saw when I read the ads online. This morning, I could not find the store. I even asked Tommy if I told him about it last night. He said I did, so I know I did not dream it! 

Remember the CHILLS I HAD? Well, today, I realize I have a raging uti. Lovely! Of course, it is chilly inside and very cold outside. But, with a fever, I don't really know.  Last night, I was cold all night and got up for a trip to the bathroom at least once an hour. It was a rough night. But, I made it through October with no congestion in head and chest, so I just need to conquer this problem.

Today, I finally found pretty red spray paint for my cardinals I am making. It is gloss, but it was the last can of red in the store. The last three stores had no red spray paint of any kind. I can put matte on it another day if the boats from China ever unload. 

I have been preparing dinner from the sofa. Tommy washed 4 sweet potatoes, brought them, a knife, a towel, tiny baking sheet, and a tiny bowl with a bit of olive oil. I trimmed the potatoes, oiled them, put foil on the pan, and sent it all to the kitchen where he had turned the oven on 300F. We will have sweet potatoes, kale, beans I froze last year. If I can find any cooked meat, we can have that, too. I think there is some in the freezer. His oven runs too hot, so I cannot use 350F for baking.

For the last four nights, I have been reading a new book from my box of books mailed to me. I could only read about four pages last night. I wondered why, but I was ill. 

Right now, I am wearing Halloween leggings, a nightgown, and a light jacket. I look adorable...lol. 

Have you seen turkey breast this low lately?

Sunday and Monday--Free Book and a Penny Found

 Sunday, I headed out to go to the doctor. While on the way, we went to two places to be tested for Covid19. Where we read and heard about the drive-up places for testing mentioned nothing about needing an appointment. Shoot! So, I talked on the phone to two people at two different places. Wednesday was the first day available. 

Well, Monday, I spent the morning on the phone with people telling me to come on in today, and that I had a 10 am appointment. It was 10:30, so they wanted me to hurry. I am very ill and this was draining me. Plus, I did not remember anything about the appointment, and neither did Tommy. ???

I have a uti. The doctor sent a prescription to my pharmacy, a huge chain. Well, they closed about 10 minutes before i arrived on Sunday. Monday morning their system was down and I could not get the prescription or talk to anyone there. 

I called another chain that had a pharmacist who was more than willing to transfer it to his chain. But, that was not to be because the first chain could not be reached. Finally, the first chain told me they could not transfer because the system was down. SHOOT!

The med search and the covid testing talk was happening simultaneously. Finally, after two hours, I got the covid19 test and the antibiotic, too.  I was drained since I have the uti that is draining me. 

Finally, I convinced someone to come out and get my debit card and bring me the antibiotic. She was surly and slow. But, as I pointed out, I can get a new pharmacy if I cannot get medicine! 

I got a one hour nap and got up to get ready to be in Cullman for another appointment, not doctor, at 3:30. This was business. 

Publix--bathroom, red grapes, white grapes, two bananas, and an apple. I have fruit salad in mind for me. Since Tommy hates bananas, his will be red grapes and apple. Grapes were cheaper this last week but not very cheap. 

I will wash them and freeze about half of my white grapes and Tommy's red grapes. This is a small thing to store for hard times, but a few frozen grapes might be a real treat in a few months. 

We had a Whopper since they are 2 for $5. Then, he suggested a chocolate ice cream cone. He does not know it, but he has had dinner unless he wants grapes and an apple. He had two oranges with lunch while i slept. 

Sunday, we went by the outdoor take one leave one library. The last books were all musty, so useless to me. This time, I actually found a book put out just that day that was in pristine condition that had never been opened and no writing. The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies II. The book is from Prevention Magazine. The copyright is 1993, but there should still be something of use. I know how to check things out on the internet. 

The highlight of the day was when I found a penny on the electric cart at Publix--It was right by my foot. 

I found out an attorney friend died. And, I thought my friend with junk store was dead or in nursing home. I had lost her telephone number, so I saw her and got that. 

My Friday

Today has been beautiful, but I slept all day since I did not sleep one minute last night. This past week I have been sleeping a lot! I actually fall asleep after a nap. Of course, I just chalk it up to laziness and not to the uti I have. It has been a very long time (nine months?) since this occurred. So, I am taking an antibiotic!

Today, Tommy and I had a little outing planned, but I called and cancelled. Tomorrow, we will catch the second day of a festival.  By the time we head out, I will have three pills in me. Hopefully, I will sleep tonight.

Thursday night was so much fun! The finale of The Big Bang Theory was very satisfying, fabulous, in fact. Then, after watching Young Sheldon, there was an after-show program. I cannot imagine how TBBT could have ended better.

I drank the last of my milk on Wednesday night and have not had the gumption to go buy more. So, you know I feel horrible. I love milk! The car has not moved since early Wednesday.

I managed to cook cheap turkey tenders with herb seasoning last night for us to eat. The plan is to make cole slaw and have a salad. Eating poorly and becoming dehydrated always happen when I am ill  with uti.. My goal for this evening is to drink 3 bottles of water. I refill my water bottle.

Because I felt ill, I have not picked up all the trash that an animal dragged from the garbage can. But, I stopped the pilfering by placing a Rubbermaid bin destined for garbage pickup inside the top of the can. THEN, I will put my one garbage can with a lid for trash. I put trash that is not inviting in a separate can. The Rubbermaid bin has a hole in it, so it does not collect water.

In a few minutes, I need to go take the hypertufa pot off the pot it is over, the mold. Right now, it is wrapped in plastic. All I need to do is keep it damp and wrapped in plastic for another month.