Lyrid Meteor Shower

 

Tuesday was slow. That makes it an excellent Tuesday! We offered a woman food, mostly meat and vegetables, bread and a pie. She responded so vociferously that I thought she was yelling at me for something I did wrong. Well, no. She said she had no money and had to borrow money from her niece because they were low on food. She was almost crying but smiling and grabbed me and hugged me. That made it a better Tuesday. She saw the four containers of meat, about ten pounds. Then she saw the cookies. That was why she hugged me. She went on and on about giving her cookies. 

I wished that I had gotten her number to give her more food and other things like soap and shampoo. 

There is a meteor shower for the next two weeks. I will try to catch it, at least for a few meteors. Don't expect to step outdoors for five minutes to see a meteor. Go out, let your eyes adjust, put away the phone because it has a light. Being in an isolated area where there is no light pollution is best. Face the expected direction of the shower. Do not use binoculars! 

"This is the first time since 1861 has been in the inner solar system, and it won’t return until 2278." 

The Lyrid Meteor Shower Will Illuminate Skies For The Next 2 Weeks (inspiremore.com)

As a child, Mama and Daddy spread a quilt on the ground at night and we lay watching the skies. I have watched meteors which we knew by 'shooting stars' or falling stars.' They also taught us the constellations while watching for a display. Did you call them 'shooting stars' or 'falling stars' when you were young or even now? I still refer to them as "shooting stars' when I am engaged in watching them. Yes, my parents knew they were meteors. 

Tonight, I put color on my hair and somehow did not get a spot right in the top of my head. I don't know how that happened. But, it is done. I have more color...lol. Next week...

Refunds, Tree Limb, Olive Oil

 For at least 24 hours, I had not eaten correctly. It seemed everything bad for me was all I wanted. I was sluggish, sleepy, and not motivated to do much. I don't know why I felt so compelled to eat bad stuff. But, that phase is over. 

I did not feel like typing anything on my blog. I did read and comment on others' blogs. Of course, I did put things in new posts to share. 

Sunday night, I went to bed at 10:30 and woke at 2:30. Well, that was it for sleep until noon on Monday. Then, I was up at 3 pm. Still, I got little sleep and just as little food. Around 10 am, I had less than 8 ounces of milk. 

I am back on track. At 4 pm, I had a huge salad with Romaine, tomato, cheese, chopped chicken and dressing. I used half olive oil and half Italian dressing and marinated the chopped chicken in it while I grated a bit of cheese, and diced tomato. I was stuffed when I finished. About two hours later, I had a banana. 

Funny Tommy story--one day I was going to make a small batch of brownies. I asked him to bring me olive oil. He brought vegetable oil, saying he knew I meant that instead of olive oil. Well, no. He was distraught that I was going to put olive oil in brownies, saying he would not eat them. Of course, I knew the bottle open was not aromatic. He tried the brownies and has never doubted me using olive oil for anything since. I do realize he knows nothing about olive oil and had never used it for anything before. It was funny. 

I had an appointment to have teeth cleaned in Cullman today. My heart was beating funny, and I was exhausted from no sleep, plus I felt like I was going to throw up. So, I cancelled and rescheduled. I do brush twice a day and floss at least a dozen times. So, maybe my oral health has not disintegrated to the point I need extra measures to keep my teeth. I do not cancel lightly, so these were extreme circumstance to cause me to cancel.

You would be proud of me as I am making a concerted effort to keep this decluttered table clear of stuff. Tommy has paid attention to it and helped clear things away that I put down. And, I am slowly clearing off the table on the other side of me. Tommy's table and bookcase are worse than mine. I will tell him she can clear his flat surfaces, too. That will put ambition into him. Really, once a surface is decluttered, the surface needs to be dusted/cleaned. He sees no sense to this...lol. 

In the decluttering this last week, stuff in living room, I gave away one book. I bought it new but on sale. It was awful. I did give that to cleaner along with a child's t-shirt, and something else. I must do better. 

Today, I got refunds on two items. The first was a2milk Real Dairy Protein+Collagen from a2milk.  It mixes in nasty. Lumps remain on the top even though the milk tasted like chocolate. I have been trying for several months to use it. Somehow, the milk I put it in just gets foam or something thick on top. It is hard to believe this can be good or good for me. The cs I talked with was amazed and kept making sure I did not put in too much powder. I will get a coupon that will buy another 1/2 gallon of milk. 

Then, I called about Chips Ahoy that were scorched and the chocolate chips were actually burned tasting. They were nasty, but of course, I ate them, albeit slowly. I have not had any in four months or more, trying to break that habit. They are sending me two coupons to replace the two packages. 

Today, I received in the mail four coupons for Miracle Whip for the two I bought. One was orange MW and the other is not tasting right. These have an expiration on the coupons for next year at this time. 

I had to call because points were not put on my account at a business. All I wanted was my points, but they added another $7 that was on my account for the next purchase. 

Today was profitable--4 jars of Miracle Whip, 2 packages of Chips Ahoy, $5 coupon from a2milk, and $7 in points. That is a $42 value altogether. 

Right now, he has decided to inventory meat thawed and decide what to do. Well, he let one spoil! No, I cannot get that stuff off the bottom shelf. I will cook a pork loin tonight, to eat or store for other meals in freezer. I will cut it in portions for one and freeze. Also, he will brown and chop 3 lbs. ground beef for freezing. I thought the meat tasted like vinegar, so Tommy can eat it since he liked it. Chicken breast suits me. 

Do you ever face a stack of books or anything, fully committed to decluttering and just want it all the stay with you? I do have other books to sort, so all is not lost.

The tree limb will cost $1350 to remove and carry off. Now, to get two more estimates. 

Do you call and tell manufacturers when a product does not meet expectations? 

My friend turned 93 last week. I forgot her birthday! For tomorrow, I have a tragic tale from her.

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid

 My email inbox always has things I have won from places I have never been, never dealt with, not in my area of the country. No, scam. 

Sam's sent me one of those emails. I wondered. Could I have won those pots and pans? Is the internet reading my mind? I know it reads my emails and blog. 

I pulled out Tommy's Sam's cc and plunged right in. I 'only' had to pay $8.98. So, I did it. Then, ten seconds later I got an alert that this may be fraud. 

I am so cautious and so skeptical. But, I had slept two hours and up for four hours. My stomach hurt so, my esophagus felt full. I am no longer sleepy, just dopey. In my defense, I have never fallen for a scam. In my defense, I felt defenseless. 

I started to wake Tommy, but did not. I told him when he got me up at 11 am. He called at my insistence. Then, he got a woman who could only keep reading her script and kept saying there was nothing to do but wait a week. This was the number on the back of his cc, and she was no help. I had taken the phone and finally slammed down the phone. 

Isn't that a satisfying feeling to slam down a house phone?

Five or ten minutes later, someone who could do something called from his cc company. It appears that the $8.98 and another $34 and change had been put on his card. Now, both cc have been cancelled and new ones issued. And, I suppose I won't be getting cookware in the mail!

I am so wary over the phone, with mailed offers, and even in person. Scammers or liars never catch me off guard. I am strong. Now, I need to know when I am weak and without sleep and in pain. I feel stupid. 

At least, I figured it out quickly and told Tommy. He was not mad at all, just fixed it. I would have fixed it, but my name is not on the card. Well, it is but the whole account is in his name. 

I had a new cleaner today. The other one can only come seldom, maybe every six weeks. We need more days than that. She is superb! Of course, there is a box of things to sort. I need to maintain the level of uncluttered, too. That is hard. 

The day has been sunless and dreary, but, it seems brighter indoors with dusting and decluttering done. 

EDIT: I have just won high dollar items from Kohl's, Lowe's, Harbor Freight, Macy's. Sure, I did. /s

Have you ever fallen prey to a scam? 

Do you think a dusted and decluttered room seems brighter?

Don't Eat This Fish

 We often choose it, and it's one of the worst fish. It contains a lot of heavy metals (msn.com)

I went to bed at 10:30 on Friday night because my stomach hurt. Now, it is middle of night and I am sitting up after a med to help stomach.  I read the article about Tilapia. I don't have my glasses on, so I cannot see if this is typed correctly. 

New cleaner coming tomorrow, so I need to sleep!

Do you eat tilapia?

Tree Situation

 Mower came today. Before he went into the back yard, I told him about the tree and asked him to tell me exactly what is going on. He said the tree is bent and bending the clothesline pole. NOT good. He can only trim a few feet, that a tree trimmer will have to get the rest. It is not several limbs, just one limb that is at least 24" diameter. Good Grief! He has to dodge to get under part of it to mow. The rest he uses the weed eater underneath to get the grass.

Now, the mower can barely mitigate the situation. So, we have to deal with the backyard neighbor. We can be civil about the situation. However, any problem I had with the myriad neighbors in the tacky rental house were always very hostile.  A paid tree trimmer is only option here.

I have choices. 1) speak to them civilly. Leave if they get cranky. 2) have it done, pay for it, and take bill to them. 3) let/expect them to get the tree person and hope it all turns out okay, 4) Expect the people to pay when we have it done.

The tree is a monster with the huge branch bending from about 40' above the ground. So, this is not something for a person with a chainsaw. I want someone licensed and bonded to do the work. This is not my first rodeo with a tree. This will ruin Tommy's fence if the huge limb falls on it. 

We drove by the house behind here and the yard is immaculate front and back. Not a blade of grass out of place. They have two grills out back on a patio along with furniture. There is no way they have not seen this problem. So, I suspect they will not want to pay for this removal. I have never seen anyone outside, so who knows whether they are old or young or what. I have to lean forward to see out of the dirty kitchen window and through a screen and through a dirty storm window. 

This makes me anxious. I will get a quote first. 

Mower raised the blades another inch for four-inch cut. The St Augustine will keep weeds from sprouting. Plus, it looks lush, like it should. It will also survive better any bit of drought or heat this summer. I have tried to get Tommy to let it grow higher instead of scalping the lawn, exposing dirt where weeds thrive. Maybe he will let me get a tree or three planted next--crape myrtles. 

Tommy has heard my plan for his lack of noticing his condition before he passes out. I will be at his appointment with Endocrinologist. I will have his monitor info on my phone even if he has a monitor in his pocket. Before this, he has said he does not need me to help monitor. If I don't, his diabetes will land him in hospital with head injury or broken bones, OR in the morgue. 

I made a list from the Publix ad and Tommy went in. Tomorrow. 

We have been watching Elkhorn. Anyone else? I love it.

Things like this tree bending my T-pole to hold my clothesline are what disturb my sleep at night. 

What would you do about the tree branch leaning? This is a branch that is tree sized and very wide.

$68 Million in Coins

 Tommy's eye is barely discolored. I thought for sure he would have a real shiner. He is not hurting anywhere after the fall. I had trouble sleeping after all the excitement. I slept two hours, awoke and could not sleep. I went out at 7 am and put the car back into the carport, so that the predicted rain would not get it spotty. Then, I watched TV for a bit and went back to bed for another two hours' sleep. Then, I stayed awake for two hours, lay back down and slept three hours. So, my sleep was in three sessions. 

Thankfully, we had plenty of cooked food for dinner--chicken breasts, potatoes, carrots, squash, onions. Yep, we had that last night, too. 

The mower did not come as he said today. He got something in his eye and had to go to eye doctor after work. He usually comes on Thursday, anyway. That way, he can pull the trash to the road for Tommy. So, he will be here on the right day. 

At the very back of the yard are many limbs of the tree behind us, hanging down to the ground on our side. I wonder if the mower cuts them, will it be okay to toss them over the fence or are we supposed to carry them to the road in front of my house? I cannot get back to the fence to talk with them and do not want to annoy them by cutting their branches. 

When I was eight, somehow I became the owner of an buffalo nickel. When my grandson was eight, I gave it to him along with a coin book. I really, really, REALLY wish I had another buffalo nickel. But, I don't regret giving mine to grandson. 

I have been wanting Tommy to go to an endocrinologist when I go to one so he can better manage his diabetes. He always yells. Today, I was on the phone telling a friend the plan. He did not say a word during my conversation or afterwards. So, finally, maybe we will find answers and get a Dexcom monitor to stick on him. 

Today, I read an interesting article about coins, lost and found.

Americans Throw Away Up to $68 Million in Coins a Year. Here Is Where It All Ends Up. (msn.com)

Do you have a coin collection, large or small? 

Do you pick up pennies?

A Fall

 About 9:30 on Monday night, Tommy came into the living room, was looking around and saying, "Where did you...where is it...what did you do with...on and on, over and over. I was wondering what he wanted, so I kept asking him and he said, 'nothing' or 'never mind' or just went back to the kitchen. Then, he would come back, wander around and not answer me. He was ill with me. Finally, after about 15 minutes of this, I heard the biggest crash ever in this house. I rushed into the kitchen. Remember, this chair is slow lifting and then I have to make an extreme effort to get out. So, rushing into the kitchen takes a long time. 

Tommy was lying on the floor with blood on hand and head. Briefly tried to talk with him, but he was barely conscious. He made no sense when he muttered. I called 911 immediately. Ambulance and firetruck came screaming. 

They treated Tommy where he lay. I asked the two women with him if one of them could turn off the eye where food was burning. His blood pressure was very high. His blood sugar was 32...32! They immediately put in an IV of sugar. Their words not mine. 

The guys asked if he had high blood pressure. Since the doctor prescribed high bp med before he had high bp, I never know how to answer, so I said he did take bp med. I showed it to them and gave them water and they served it to him. My bp was sky high at that point! 

He landed on his stomach but managed to turn to his back before anyone came. He could not tell me if he was hurt. I gasped at the blood on his hand. I came back and there was blood on the other hand and the outer corner of his eye. He was in the narrowest place in this house by far, right as he was still in kitchen and heading to door to living room. I could not get close. I could not step over him and keep my balance. Besides, I wondered if he would trip me thinking I was stepping on him. 

I heard squeaking from where he and four EMTs were standing as I sat in my chair. One guy came in here, and I asked him what was the squeaking. I feared it was Tommy. One of the women had laryngitis. Fifteen minutes later when Tommy was recovering, he asked what was squeaking. He said he was really troubled, thinking something was wrong with him still that he could not hear things right. 

So, once they got Tommy up, they sat him on his walker. Then, they helped him up and wanted him to push his walker to living room. They commented about his pb by chair and said he needed that in a pbj sandwich, asking him if he had bread. He started making a pb sandwich. He refuses to eat jelly on it. After the people left, I got him a warm real Coke. I told him it was warm and to drink it anyway. He did. 

I was exhausted from the drama and worry for Tommy. I finished the burger I had half cooked. I gave him that on a bun and heated a bowl with all the leftovers of potato, broccoli, and green beans. There was little of each.

The reason his blood sugar was dropping was that we wanted to watch Antique Road Show. I know he should manage his own health, but obviously, he won't. And, he just now told me F*** Off! 

I had to wake him at 2 am to take meds and his insulin because he did not even take meds! He is so exhausting. And rude. This is why I didn't do anything to help him when he was wandering around just before he fell. I knew abuse would follow. I would have done more if I actually thought he would fall. He tells me he knows what he is doing and does not need help! He is too big to manhandle as if he were three. 

It is 3 am, and I cannot sleep!

Do you have experience with someone with diabetes who will not listen? He will get the little dexcon thing to wear, but will not allow it on my phone because he "can do it himself" because he "knows what he is doing."

He had a boarder about 20 years ago who found him unconscious in the living room. She called an ambulance and he was taken to the hospital. He complained that all she needed to do was put food in his mouth. He did not know about the tubes of gel to squeeze in a person's mouth and said he did not need  to keep those around because food would work, too. Seee? If I do try to force anything on him, he will hurt me because he is strong. Remember?

Tuesday now. So, he lived through the night. I always worry about that. 

Between the two of us, we cooked three packages of sliced chicken and sliced turkey breast, potatoes, carrots, squash and onions. I did put garlic powder and onion powder on all. 

We ate late, too late. I had Tommy eat pb that he put on crackers. He did not argue as he usually does. I suppose his cut eye still hurts. The cut is right on his brow, right on the bone. I bled lots and then quit. He has a few other small bruises, but I forgot where. He was not hurt so it affected his walking. 

I have the name of a new Endocrinologist and will get an appointment for Tommy, too. 

Do you or have you dealt with a diabetic in trouble who does not know it?