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Wednesday, March 27, 2024

So Excited!

 


                       Delightful Little Finger Carrot: Petite & Sweet (thegardenmagazine.com)

I looked online for the ad for Piggly Wiggly. Found it. Pepsi products were $3.49 for the 12-pack if you bought 5. So, I was excited for Tommy. I went in so I could put the five 12-packs in the electric cart basket. No, not at this Pig. I bought four pounds of carrots and left sorely disappointed. The carrots were cheap, we like them, and we eat lots of carrots. 

On to Food Giant. Tommy went in for the ad. We bought nothing.

Publix was our sweet spot. I had a list and told Tommy not to get certain items. Nature's Honey Wheat Bread was bogo again. Since we still have half a loaf left, we can still get this deal later in the ad week. He bought Philadelphia Cream Cheese bogo again, but the original like I wanted. I will use the 1/3 less fat version he bought for something where it is not evident. The mouth feel of the 1/3 less version is not good. Eggs were $3.71 for Grade A extra-large. We needed eggs, so I thought Easter would bring a good price. I suppose this was it. 

Yet to get for various reasons, but bogo at Publix: Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, Cheerios, bread. Red potatoes are 5# for $3.99. Tommy said we have plenty of potatoes. Maybe by next Tuesday, we will need potatoes.

We sat at green shrubs in a parking lot and had a chicken snack.  

Then, we stopped at Walgreens for a prescription for both of us. There was a wait, but it was bearable. 

We arrived home just in time for Tommy to see Jeopardy. We both love it. 

While I was waiting for Tommy in Food Giant and Publix, I managed two fruitful calls. I have an appointment with dermatologist to have growth removed below my eye. Oops! I forgot to make an appointment at the same time for Tommy. I called friend for more info on storm door she said gave her friend fits, trying to keep it repaired. I try to make my waits in the car count. 

Moreover, I slept well last night, and the day was beautiful, dry, and only had a slight breeze. 

After we watched Jeopardy and 30 minutes of the news, we went outdoors. I sowed the Cosmos seeds in a pot where something died off over the fall and winter. If it comes up, it comes up. I have pink Alyssum to plant anywhere there is a pot that looks dead. We may have two flowers in the same pot. Then, there are the carrots. The seed packet says,"12" pot, container variety." We do have empty pots and potting mix. I still want to get cayenne to grow and make pepper jelly.

We went out together to garden...lol...ten minutes of sowing flower seeds and more for carrots. We are such great gardeners. I lost the carrot seeds before we went out. I wanted to sow the allysium. As I opened the package, I realized it had been opened before and was taped. I shook out two seeds. TWO SEEDS. So, where and when did I sow the rest. I decided to sow the Cosmos in the same pot. Why not? 

There were still bits of root and plants above ground when I sowed both those. I used a gardening fork to pull out some of the dead growth above ground. We will see what happens.

After I could not find the seeds, I searched high and low. I even shook out my day planner. Tommy helped me search by using a flashlight to shine under the footrest on my chair while I held up the quilt. We do this all the time. Not there. When we came in, he wanted the other remote. I did the same thing, putting up the footrest and holding up the quilt. He saw the remote AND the carrot seeds. Mostly, I had searched on the left side of my chair. The seeds were on the right side! I have decided I will put the seeds on toilet paper to get them into the 12-inch pot without spilling them or hurting my back. 

I put a fake snake over the flower seed pot. When I plant the carrots, I will put a snake over that, too. I don't want birds to have carrots seeds for a snack.  Have you ever planted Petite Sweet Little Finger carrots? 

It has been a pleasant day with lots accomplished except for planting carrot seeds. We have heard nothing from the pest control company. Maybe manager listened to the phone call like he said he would and heard me being told someone would come Wednesday or Thursday.

Any advice about carrot growing? (other than the info under the carrots above)

How was your day?   


Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Tuesday After the Storm and Pest Control

 When I awoke this morning, I thought Tommy was watching tv. No, he was talking on the phone. He called the pest control. He was talking to the fourth person after he called. The manager of the whole shebang was trying to convince Tommy he could not back out of the contract. Tommy was denying signing the contract, saying I did it. That did not appear to be a very good argument since Tommy had given my email to them. 

I got on the phone and we were back and forth. He said we owed $200 for the mosquito spraying. He said we would have to pay $99 to breach contract. So, I pointed out they were the first to breach our trust since they never showed up for the inside service. I pointed out that Tommy had excellent credit and that reporting us would not hurt his credit since we could then tell our side of the story and how this company was more interested in signing people up for service than providing services. So, he was going to listen to the initial call to see what happened. We have heard nothing. 

We are going to spray the whole house well for fleas. I will put out glue boards to see what insects show up. We can pay cleaner or handyman to do what we cannot do, like moving things. 

The handyman can close up the huge hole under the sink. I was unaware of the hole until Tommy warned me. Oh my! He says it is huge and any kind of critter can come in. We will have people we can pay to do things to keep bugs and critters out of the house. 

I was not fond of the spraying to rid the outside of the house of wasps. I know where the nests are, just cannot reach them. They are under the metal ramp. We have managed to control wasp nests under the eaves, so we can continue without killing bees and other pollinators. We have already put out bait for fire ants. 

We have no idea what they intend to do to "punish" us for their lack of attention to commitments. 

Tommy went to Publix for bananas I forgot yesterday. He bought two containers of the best flea killer. Other than that, we have been at home. 

Tonight, I cooked two packages of chicken breasts and one package of thighs in one bag, no vegetables. I used frozen whole green beans for green bean casserole. I used the 'no sodium' Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup. Lots of onion powder and garlic powder took the place of the sodium. I used less French's fried onions than the recipe recommended. It was delicious. Tommy had a thigh and potatoes, carrots, and a huge salad along with his green bean casserole.  Of course, I had half a breast. 

Monday night, in anticipation of losing power, I put a battery-powered candle in the bathroom and turned it on. At least we can find the bathroom door, orienting ourself with the light. It is faint, but it works. We did not lose power, thankfully. 

After the storm and rain on Monday, today was beautiful, blue skies and high thing clouds. I think it was about 69 today, a day to make my heart happy. It appears there will be no rain until early next week. The children can have a dry Easter Egg Hunt. I always am sad when it rains Easter weekend. 

It is time to check the ads online. We still get ones from the store. Some of the ads are illegible to me. Plus, Tommy looks them over, too. Sometimes, he sees something we are low on that I don't know or forgot. I am hoping there is a sale on eggs. I want to make deviled eggs and potato salad. This will be the last week of ads before Easter, egg season. I don't think the freezer will hold more meat! I still need to put some of the breasts we cooked tonight into the freezer. 

Are there any deals in your grocery ads? 

What have you planned for Easter dinner? 

Will you be traveling? Don't go over bridges.

Monday, March 25, 2024

Busy Monday and Things Accomplished


 


The pest control company is losing our business. First of all, they said they would come last Wednesday or Thursday. Finally, last Friday I called them. Someone would call me. This morning about nine am someone did call and talked to Tommy. She said she would call back in an hour at my number. Well, we waited for three hours and left the house. She called back four hours later, telling me she had something to do, someplace to go. 

As it turns out, we have to leave the house for four hours after the flea treatment. We leave for one hour, at least, when I spray. We can leave for four hours/ They take a brush to windows to clean bugs and spiders. I do not want the window brushed, spreading anything in the window to the room, maybe my bed. Actually, there are few bugs, spiders or flying bugs in the windows. They will brush things from where wall and ceiling meet and whole ceiling. We have had someone do that gently, not 'brushing' as they say they will do. 

I think this was going to cost $175 the first time. Nothing has happened when they said it would. She was supposed to call me back this afternoon. When I finally talked to her and reminded her she was going to call about 1o am, she said she had to go somewhere and do something. 

They said they sprayed for mosquitoes, but we have no proof of that. However, I suppose we will pay for it.

It would be so helpful if they did what they said they would do. Tommy uses them for termite control. So, I suppose we will keep that. 

Mower came today. The yard looks very nice. I asked him if he knew someone for handyman chores. He said, "Like what?"

"Well, first of all, to change the light bulb outside the house." He reached right up, unscrewed the screw and changed the bulb. I had bought a 100 w bulb at Lowe's today. The guy is very tall and powerful looking, so it was nothing for him. I would have to climb a ladder. Tommy said it was painted tight. No. He told me to make a list for him.

Then, I asked him if he knew someone to help me out. I did point out that it was not a regular housecleaning because of appointments we have. So, he said he knew someone. I told him it would seldom be hard work and not all in the same room or same job. He said he knew someone who might just want to help us out. Tommy pointed out we paid well. 

I will probably still have the woman from Cullman here when she comes down to clean for her friend. 

He will come on every other Thursday to mow and take garbage to the road. Now, I need to find someone to take out the garbage every other Thursday. 

Today, we had chores: a return, CVS, WAGS, Lowe's. Publix. It was a productive day ahead of a stormy, rainy, windy day predicted for Tuesday. I forgot bananas, so I will be sad tomorrow. 

The yard was full of grape hyacinths amongst the weeds. I hate to have those mowed down. They are very pretty but scattered about. I cannot get down far enough to dig them up and replant together or put in a pot. I did find short carrot seeds at Lowe's--Petite Sweet Little Finger. 

I found flower picks and noticed they were Christmas items. I need picks to help convert the wreath to something to fit over the mailbox next Christmas. I bought four picks, originally priced about $3. They were reduced to 50 cents each. So, I spent $2 for $12 worth of pics.  I was worried about the cost to convert a free wreath, so now I have $2 invested in the mailbox decoration.

It was a very good day. I have carrot seeds, yard looks great, and I have hopes of a handyman and someone to help inside. The pest control was the only disappointment.

What good things happened for you today?

Any disappointments? 

Do you grow carrots? 

Any recommendations for pest control product for diy? 

Is bad weather headed your way, too?


Sunday, March 24, 2024

Plants

 Tommy took all the plants from the utility room. He did not water or fertilize them all winter. And, there is no window in there. I have not gone out to see how they fared. He said some really grew and some did nothing. So, I wonder. 

I had him put a cheap and on clearance tablecloth on the table, the kind of plastic tablecloth sold for kitchen tables. I hope it protects the table some and looks pretty. It is a 70" tablecloth, and the table is 24". Tomorrow, I will look the flowers over. I have a package of Cosmos seeds to sow in a spare pot. I still have not made it to Lowe's to get short carrot seeds. 

Once again, I slept almost six hours. I stayed in bed for another three to keep feet from swelling since Tommy was still asleep, anyway. 

Tonight, we had hamburgers, fries, and salad. I disliked the sourdough bun, so threw that away. Tommy had a pretzel bun which I don't like, either.  Later, I will have Greek yogurt and blueberries. 

I need to find someone to put up a watering system for the plants. Irrigation is the way to go because it is too hard on Tommy in the summer heat. I think I want one with a timer. I suppose that is the only kind. 

Handyman

 Friday night, I slept well again. I only slept five hours, but that's okay. What then happened is not okay. All day long I was in a stupor. That is the only way I can describe it. Nothing I planned happened. I went nowhere I planned. 

I did not cook the chicken thighs or go to Lowe's for bedding plants. There is always tomorrow. 

I did put two chicken breasts in the freezer. Tomorrow, I will cook hamburgers. Hopefully, I will have gotten a nice tomato to make a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato. 

Since there are things neither of us can do, I told Tommy that we need to hire a handyman. Unbelievably, he readily agreed. Now, I need to make a list. The light bulb at the front door on the porch has been burned out for over 40 years, so that will top the list. 

Do you have a list of handyman items? 

Friday, March 22, 2024

Pest Control Fail

 This is my third night of sleep, sleeping at night for about 6 hours which I can supplement with a nap. This a relief. I do believe it is related to taking med in the morning instead of the evening. 

I did get one item that was not in the store that was advertised as bogo--French's Fried Onions. This is for green bean casserole. 

Three pounds of frozen blueberries are on the stove. I cook them with about 1/4th cup of sugar and store them in pint jars to eat with yogurt. I have no idea how bold was turned on. The last time I did this, I really enjoyed the healthy snack. About a month or six weeks after Tommy told me I finished the last pint, he brought a pint that was moldy that was pushed back where neither of us could see it. I was so sad. So was he. There is no room in the freezer, but this time I will make room for at least two pints. I cannot wait to have some later. 

We contracted pest control for the inside and outside of the house. The guy said they would spray the house Wednesday or Thursday. Well, here is is Friday night. I called them about 3 pm to discuss what was happening. No one knows anything about spraying inside the house. They have no record of us calling. However, I caught a bit of a text about spraying the yard for mosquitoes. I was complaining about fleas. FLEAS in the house!

Plus, I emphasized no texts! I get no notification of texts arriving, and they are hard to access. Plus, the screen goes dark and turns off the text when I regain light. I refuse to search for texts! I don't like texts on this phone. My last phone was okay with texts. I ran out of best flea killer I have ever used and forgot to get more. So, I am annoyed that fleas will bite me again. And, they have the cc number and probably have charged us. 

The heavy rain forecasted did not affect us here. Pollen has been tormenting me, but it appears it didn't rain enough to wash it away sufficiently for me. It drizzled on and off. 

I desperately need a new prescription for glasses. The only thing I can read is the laptop with magnification! Books are out of the question. Plus, I cannot stand the sun lately. I have no idea why my eyes are so sensitive to the blaze of the sun. Then, I read that as a person ages, the eyes are more sensitive to the sun. I will get prescription sunglasses! 

As you age, has the sun caused you a problem being too bright?

BOGO Buying

 Today was a rough day. I am sooo tired. Last night, I actually slept at night instead of all day. I may have partially solved my sleep problem. I started taking my meds in the morning instead of at night. Things like thyroid meds are supposed to be taken in the morning. As a result of this change, I am exhausted and my eyes will not stay open. So, like a sane person, I go to bed. 

We had things to do and did not get to Publix until about 5 pm. UGH Never let me do that again. But, I did need things. Both of us needed milk. 

BOGO items and final cost:

Peter Pan Peanut Butter 2@$2.05

Philadelphia Cream Cheese 2@$2.20 He got the 1/3 fat variety instead of the one I told him to get! 

Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread 1@$2.06 I will get another before sale goes off.

Edward's Chocolate Cheesecake 1@ $4.62. This jumped in the cart when I was not looking. 

B2G1

3 Diet Pepsi 12 packs 2@$9.29 

We needed:

Jello sugar-free Cherry $1.65

Hefty 2.5 gal.$5.75 

a2milk two half gallons @.$4,99/each for me

1 gallon milk 1@$3.99 for Tommy

bananas 2 for $0.25/each  I had three at home. 

Raincheck:

French's Fried Onions

Total $59.50 without tax

There is fresh produce, frozen, cooked vegetables, fruit. So, that is it for today. 

Tommy had called Keith to mow. Twice. No response. So, I called today. He had not heard from Tommy and was confused. I sat right here and heard Tommy leave a message twice. So, no telling what happened, but the yard has needed mowing for a month. 

Tonight, we cooked the eye of round roast with potatoes, carrots, and celery. Delicious. I forgot to have slaw. 

Today, the day ended up with high, overcast skies. The day was bright, not gloomy at all. The high was in the 70s. We are preparing for a rainy day tomorrow. 

I have frozen limas that I will use for succotash. The corn will be canned, but it will be good. I am planning to use frozen green beans for green bean casserole for Tommy. And, I need to cook the zucchini I bought this week. Remind me. 

All day, I have wanted to call my two friends who are ill. They are actually too ill to talk, so I have not called. Tomorrow I will send each a note. It is all I can do. It makes me feel helpless. 

I am going to be hanging Easter eggs in Tommy's Dogwood tree. That is all my decorating for Easter. Do you decorate for Easter?