Shopping like rock stars

Last night Justin and I went shopping at Target, primarily to take advantage of the soda sale going on. Secondly, they have a deal where the purchase of $50 worth of groceries earns the shopper a $10 gift card. That is not hard to take!  Each of the us had a cart and we took eight 12 packs in our carts. Right there we each had $22 worth of groceries before any real food went into the basket.

Many food items needed for the ThanksLiving feast were 'on sale', or should I say 'highlighted in the ad',  so it didn't take long to reach the required purchase amount to earn the gift card. I guess it's similar to the deal Kohl's or Beall's offers, to entice the shopper back an additional time. Justin bought himself a Thermos bottle to use for coffee while on the job. It has been a very long time since a Thermos bottle has been used in this household. More than 10 years, I would safely guess. He was able to turn right around and use his discount card to purchase the Thermos, checking it out separately. Brilliant!!

It was turning cold by the time we got home (having had dinner at Koko's first) so we carried up only the stuff which needed the freezer or fridge, though it really wouldn't have mattered since it froze outside overnight. The canned goods and such will be carried little by little to get everything upstairs the next few days. We are serving 10-14 guests for the feast, but we don't have to make all the food. Justin plans to make homemade dinner rolls so he bought some more flour and sugar. We are overrun now with canned goods with no place to put it temporarily so I am allowing (wince!!) some of the items to remain on the counter. I don't care for that but what else can we do until next week?

One item we took a look at was one of those 'too good to pass up' things, but I decided to do just that. It was an electric roaster, similar to what I know as a Nesco. The price was so good, less than $30, but I really could not think of a reason I would need such a thing. Somehow, if I lived up north yet, I could see it's purpose, but I don't entertain here like we did when in Manty. 

I did buy a new slow cooker this year to replace my long-time one which quit, so that is about the size I need. It's just galling to pass up such a great deal, though! I even asked Mike S. if the church would have a use for another one and he said we don't use the ones we have. My former spouse and I bought those Nesco roasters (a pair of them) many years ago when he did much of the cooking for functions. If I really need one, I know where to look!

Crazy mixed up day

Today we got some tragic news which  I guess on the 'tragic scale' might not be so bad---we won't be having Bible study on Mondays until January of 2015. No-more-Monday-study-until-next-year!! Sad faces all around the table. The reason presented is that, well, next week is Thanksgiving, and then after that is Advent and then Christmas. The extra work doesn't allow time for Bible study. We've been on this same study about the women in Jesus' life since early May but have had many starts 'n stops which delays our forward progress. Now it will be longer yet with this halt until next year. I rejoice that Bible study continues at Victory except for ThanksLiving Day, so I will get a few more sessions under my belt before leaving for WI. 

I was telling my friends at church Sunday how messed up time-wise I've been since we have not had Bible study on Sunday a.m. the last two weeks. Instead of study Pastor has been presenting a stewardship program for those who don't care to come during the week or at night. A few people did come. This is the 2nd phase of the series which was already presented to the Monday class 3 weeks ago. Since many of us regular attendees have been through it before, it didn't pay to go again, this time held two Sundays in a row. So, when do I get up? When do I get dressed and leave? My timing was all messed up, but it didn't hurt to arrive at church early as the others were in the sanctuary hanging out to visit while the session was going on. 

Worship was wonderful, Saints Triumphant Sunday, one of my favorites. (Some ladies would smile about that because I say that every week about one hymn or another). We sang "For All the Saints", "Wake, Wake for Night is Flying", "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less", and the last 9 stanzas of "I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table". I wish we could have sung "Jerusalem, the Golden" but it is not in our MIDI. I got a few messages through out the day from folks who did get to sing it, one church using both versions. Linda sent me a text from her Bible study to report they had sung it and she wept, as did my sister. Love that she was thinking of me....a good hymn day! Good hymns and then the Lord's Supper as well, yes, a good day!

The Chappells were gone to NC for a wedding and Terri T. was absent so only three of us went to lunch, which was nice. Mike, Betty, and I had a bit of a problem since something was amiss with either the ice or the water, making our beverages taste funky. Mike and I both switched to regular Dr. Pepper and that seemed okay, or at least tolerable, and I'm still alive so it must have safe to drink! Betty is a woman of few words but yesterday she more opportunity to converse, which was great. Her grandson who lives with her, is laid up with a sore leg, having fallen from a skateboard earlier in the week. He is 35 years old---too old be to be on a board! Jimmy has not been able to work since then, poor guy. 

Glad that Michael and Judy got back safely from their wedding. It was an outdoor marriage ceremony for her granddaughter, Jessica, in North Carolina, where it has been cold lately. Judy made a warm shawl/poncho for her granddaughter, Morgan, who was part of the wedding party because her dress had spaghetti straps and she'd freeze. Judy whipped it up in one afternoon, just like that! Now she has enough fabric leftover to make some clothes for one of our members, Jordyn, who still plays with dolls. Jordyn is quite appreciative of the outfits Mrs. Chappell makes for her dolls. Judy's own grands don't play with dolls so she had to find a little girl who does!

Car rental woes

Justin was working today for his boss, Will, driving to Lake Worth to pick up a new truck. Oh, we had a good laugh over this---of course, "Seinfeld" all the way. Saturday I took Justin to the car rental place up the street to get a car which his former co-worker, Caleb, and he would drive to get the truck. (Will couldn't go because he had too much going on at church....He actually DOES, because he has two youth group meetings each Sunday). As we drove over to get the car, Justin joked about how the rental place "knows how to TAKE the reservation, but they don't know how to HOLD the reservation." Complete with Jerry's arm gestures. I dropped him off, and he told me to run along as he had to wait in line. I was going to Great Hang Ups from there. Justin had a 9:30 computer appointment after getting the car picked up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2GmGSNvaM

Well, I so happened to stop at home for a second when Justin called me reporting "they DON'T know how to hold the reservation!!!" He was so upset---they had no cars. None! I drove back to pick him up as he was already walking toward his appointment's home. He changed that appointment to another day, and his boss directed him to another car rental place on South Blanding. Ugh! 

Justin was so frustrated by all this, hating to have to leave his truck at the car rental place while they were gone. I didn't think it was a problem and it wasn't but he was just stressed by all this. He told me that he used that line from Seinfeld at Enterprise, saying he couldn't help but think of it every time he's in a rental place. Because they gave him a clown car instead of a mid-sized one Will had reserved, he also told the story of how I used to say we both had to get in at the same time so we wouldn't flip it over!!  Both Will and the guy at the counter found that amusing! You're welcome!  

He had 10 hours of driving and was so glad to be home. We settled in to watch the Packer game, me starting before he got back. I had made us a kettle of chili into which we dipped our homemade rolls Justin baked on Saturday. We watched the Packers make mush out of the Eagles and then, in the 3rd quarter, FOX changed games on us. The announcer said they were switching programming to a game more competitive than what we were enjoying. NUTS!!! I was beside myself. We were so enjoying this game and then it was yanked away. That was disappointing, but I was able to follow somewhat online which is not quite the same. Oh well....We have a few more Packer games coming up which will be shown here, unless they aren't competitive enough!

In your dreams

Or, rather, in my dreams. I was thrilled this a.m., though saddened to wake up too soon, to see Timmy in my dream. Oh, my goodness, he was so sweet and cute looking in his blue t-shirt. In the dream, I arrived 'home' after apparently being away for some time, and he came bounding down the stairs to greet me. (Excuse me just a moment as I wipe my tears...)  He had some chocolate in his hand, perhaps half of a fun-sized candy bar. I asked what he had and he said he cut it in half. What? This little guy has a knife up there? He said it was a table knife and for some reason, I didn't go upstairs to check it out. I asked the boys, Justin showing up now as well, if their rooms were clean and their bathroom tidy. I seem to have taken their word for it being so...It was nice to get to hold him on my lap again, even if it was just for the blink of an eye.

My waking hours were spent going to the groomers for a 10:30 appointment. This will be my last time being taken care of at this location because Whitey's is taking back the shop to use for the restaurant, an expansion or something. So, Susan and Barb are moving further up Hwy. 220 to the Silo Shoppes. Next month, before I leave for WI, I will check out their new digs. 

From the booty shop I headed toward Publix, stopping first at the bank. Parking was not easy to come by at the grocery store but I managed to find a spot not too far from the entrance. Mercy me, already???  I picked up a spiral ham to serve for ThanksLiving plus a few more things including nuts to make more Chex Mix. I could almost live on that stuff, plus the soda I picked up. The young man who helped me to the car with my purchases said I should wait a week and parking would be much worse, with the holidays coming. When did this happen? 

As I drove home, I called Justin to ask him to help me carry up the groceries. He said that Sarah had stopped over so he'd get the stuff later. I was so happy to hear she was there, remembering we'd waved at her yesterday as we drove home after Bible study and lunch. Cool to see her two days in row.  Sarah was in the neighborhood as she had just put the deposit down at The Club for Ron's and her wedding next November. A year away yet! I am so glad they chose The Club for the wedding, she saying it reminded her of the Mediterranean, from where her family originally hailed. 

I bored her silly showing her my scrapbooks from the cruises. Justin actually brought it up by mentioning the pelicans in Mykonos. We laughed because she probably felt like a prisoner, trapped looking at someone else's trip pictures!! She said she liked them, and made her wish to go herself. Lucky for her she had a paper to write as she is a nursing student, so we released her from captivity. Just yesterday I had reminded Justin about the time we took Sarah to lunch for her birthday after we'd been at Bible study, and now it's nearly her birthday again. Time flies and before we know it, their wedding day will be here. And by here, I mean, on our property! 

A delicious dinner

Happy Veteran's Day! I enjoyed watching Fox & Friends as they had plenty of coverage for and of the military. Out on the plaza was a drill team from the Air Force and the Navy Band. I have a friend who plays for the Navy Band, now stationed in WA state. It was a good show. Also I listened to two worship services this a.m., both of them Reformation themed. I have a good life.

Justin had off today but it had nothing to do with it being a holiday. He is on his winter schedule now so has periodic days off during the week. His plans were to make more dough like he made last week for his calzones. Also in the plans were some apple desserts like he made last Thursday when his boss, Will, and wife, Bethany, were here for dinner. Calzones and mini-apple pies again so soon? Yes, please! 

He had some problems making the dough, doing it by memory because he could not lay his hands or his eyes on the recipe he used on Thursday. It got a little more sticky than the last time and the loaf of bread he made from it was rather bland. The pizza crust, however, he kneaded more flour into so it had a better consistency. He added Italian seasoning to the dough once smoothed out and then the toppings went on. Very good and filling, as you can imagine.

While he was busy with dough in the kitchen, my friend, Stephanie, and I were at The Club for lunch. We'd made the plans last week for today because she was off  from work for the holiday. Stephanie works for the federal gov't. and is also a veteran, having served in the Navy as an MP. Our original plan was to dine at Pengree's because I have taken her to Grumpy's in the past. But then I had the brainstorm to take her to The Club. It was great to spend the time together there, and at home again. Before we knew it, the clock chimed 3:30 and she wished to head for home before traffic got too bad. I hope she enjoyed her day off as much I enjoyed her day off!

Justin had gone to the store while we were out, bringing back the hard to find Wheat Chex and some soda, store-brand this time. It takes some getting accustomed to, less delicious than Diet Coke. But, since no one had DC on sale this week, store brand it is. I am loving the Chex Mix far too much, making my second batch yesterday. I will pace myself tomorrow because it makes me thirsty and fills me up. I have real food leftovers waiting to be eaten so I should leave the cereal alone!

An at home day

This morning's sky did all the talking....

Justin teased my nose and my senses with a pork butt he prepped in the kitchen this afternoon. He is bathing it in spices and mustard, packing the goodness into the raw meat. Tomorrow, Jesse will put it in the smoker for them to enjoy during the football games. Yes, two games to watch tomorrow---yay! I asked him to save some of the pork for me, a small tidbit of the goodness. I will be interested to see if it competes with the flavor of the ones Mike S. makes for us at church. Close enough, I bet!

This a.m. he had his standing Saturday appointment with Jane where he helps with her computer and similar things ("she pays me to be her son") such as ordering her vacuum cleaner bags and setting up speakers, etc. Last week at a worship meeting, Jim offered up a used router which he no longer needed and I took it for Justin. He was able to make use of it almost immediately, installing it at Carol and Randy's house after his appointment with Jane. Busy guy with the electronics. Nice that Jim's donation was put to use so soon. 

Tonight Justin is at Jesse's watching a movie, taking the pork butt with him so it's ready for the smoker in the morning. The other day Linda told me she had Chex party mix at a gathering which sounded so good to me. Since he was going to the store after his appointments, I asked Justin to get the ingredients for me to make a batch. Sadly, he could not find Wheat Chex, which are my favorite ones. He bought one box of Life to try instead and it turned out rather good, sort of sweeter than expected. Justin believes the gluten-free people have taken over the cereal aisle. I was surprised at how much the mixed nuts cost, though. I better get over this longing quickly! This afternoon and evening I had party mix for my snacks plus leftover food from Koko's where Nancy W., Justin, and I dined last night. Not starving here, that's for sure. Sure did enjoy my day at home and just working at my desk, besides washing my sheets and mattress pad. Will sleep nicely on freshly laundered bedding. Good night!

On the mend

Today was a good day, feeling like nothing happened to me. Still on the soft diet for the most part but stepping out a bit with some Halloween candy. Justin went to the store to get fresh spinach for me today and came back with a wonderful surprise. He had me close my eyes and hold out my hand---a chocolate covered cherry! Yes, Halloween must be over because the Christmas candy is out! Dark chocolate covered cherries---my favorite! They are on the menu of foods to be served at my funeral. Justin told me today to not die in June because these would be hard to get at that time of the year. I suggested he get them at Beerntsen's in Manitowoc, but that would be expensive!

Several people have contacted me and asked how I was doing. Nancy W. I suspect wants to go and do something but is patiently waiting for me to be free to go. She told me a funny story today---her neighbor and she were cleaning up around the pool on their part of the property following a party held there last night. The temps dropped dramatically overnight and it was incredibly windy today. While they were cleaning, the wind caught Gail and into the pool she went. Oh, brrrr....Nancy nicely took a photo of Gail climbing out of the water, like a good friend would! Two patio umbrellas also ended up in the pool before they were all done. NOT a good day to be poolside, or in the pool! Poor Gail!

   

                  Nancy and Burnie sitting poolside before winter came

In the past couple of weeks I've experienced some losses---my family room TV, my cell phone, and my printer. What in the world is that all about?  Justin researched and found me an inexpensive TV which, if ordered online via VyStar, got me a discount and cash back. Yes, it has a smaller screen and is smaller overall, simply because the 'old' TV was so large and bulky. I would have thought that almost 8 years was young yet for a TV but I guess not. Connie actually took it down for me on a rolling trolly thing she has for moving stuff. My neighbor is taking the old one to his son to see if he could fix it, or harvest parts from it. Best wishes to him, as I'm just glad it's gone from the living room. 

Then, Justin researched my phone and plan before we went to Sprint to check it out.  What he/we thought would work did not turn out that way, too many loopholes. To replace my phone with the exact same one would have cost me more money than to get the new iPhone. Now I only have additional cost per month for insurance because the phone is leased for 2 years. Okay, fine, so now I'm modern, even more modern than before. That whole thing really ticked me off, though, because I should have had at least 2 upgrades coming and with the loopholes, nope. 

I am thankful to Justin for treating me to dinner from Panda Express after haggling with the phone people. Ugh! Who would think a phone (my old one) would swell up like that? And wouldn't you know my phone would die while sitting in the waiting area for our turn to be taken care of?? Fortunately, Justin was able to transfer my data from the old phone to the new one using his computer, in about 20 minutes' time as we ate our Chinese food. Already I'm accustomed to using the iPhone 6, and we look forward to getting our 'lifeproof' cases for our phones when they come out. I will appreciate the added protection, for sure, even though I have insurance on it now!

For the printer, I simply ordered a new one through Amazon, a bit smaller than its predecessor by an inch or two, but same brand and features. Bad thing was it won't use the same sized printer cartridges. I tried searching using the cartridge size first, but that didn't work. So, now I have three yellows, a magenta, and one black cartridge and no machine to use them in. I'll offer them to anyone who can use them. The ink costs almost as much a new machine after a few times. Which do I do---order more ink or replace the machine??