Shopping in the age of Coronavirus

If you see price gouging on Amazon, you can use the report incorrect product information link and then choose other product information to get to price issues. This is what I found today while searching for the bread yeast I use. Four stores I tried did not have any yeast whatsoever, so I thought I'd try Amazon. $50 for a 4 oz. jar that usually runs about $5.50 is ridiculous and is obviously price gouging, and I've reported it to Amazon.

Today's tasks

• Take YKWIA shirt shopping.
• Pay a bill.
• Take out the trash from all the receptacles throughout the house (that's five).
• Take out the recyclables.
• Do the cat litter.
• Clean the bathroom.
• Clean out the car.
• Collect bottle caps from various jugs and bottles for a co-worker who collects them for her kids' school.
• Do laundry.
• Load and run the dishwasher.
• Water the plants.
• Sew a button back onto one of my shirts.  It came off at work one day, one from my belly (it was loose, the shirt's actually too big now), and the only thing that saved me was the safety pin I was wearing on my hooded sweatshirt that day (rather than wearing my jacket), the pin that was there because I'm a bleeding-heart liberal who wanted to send the message that I don't mind who you are or where you're from, you have worth as a person and shouldn't be demonised by racist twats.  On the other hand, it also meant I had a safety pin handy for button-popping incidents, and since I didn't have my sewing kit handy (I am going to move it to my backpack for future incidents), it was a good back up.
• Take some materials back to the library.

Now I'm pretty tired.  I still need to go out to the library, as one of the books is one from YKWIA which hid in his backpack and is overdue, but I want to wait until the laundry is finished in the washer as it sometimes overloads during the spin cycle.  I've put the things to go back to the library in a plastic Kroger bag that has some air in it to cushion it; one is a CD and I don't want the case to break.  I tried to return it the other day and realised that the CD itself was at home in my player, and I'm glad I looked.  The other book I have out is an heirloom gardening book whose spine has broken and the pages, as I turned them, began to come apart.  So I put them all in a bag together with a note about the gardening book needing repair.

It's almost time to feed the animals, too.  The cat is acting out, trying to claw things and harassing the dog.  YKWIA is sacked out (I think our foray out tired him; he doesn't care for shopping, and we went to both Meijer and Target).  Also, I was really frustrated earlier with the trash, as one of the bins is broken and you can't get the liner of the can out, you have to pull everything out by hand (it's mostly paper, but still, it's frustrating), and the bathroom trash bin is intact, but the handle always gets in the way when I empty it despite my best attempts, and the stuff goes everywhere.)  Anyway, my frustration levels were up and I was growling, practically, and he may have decided to get away and have some quiet time for a while.

So now I'm online and trying to chill a little, let all the tension drain away.  I think I'll listen to some music.  That'll help.  Then I'll feed the animals, deal with the laundry, water the plants (some of which are in his room, and it's dark, so I'll wait till he's awake again), sew on the button, and take the stuff to the library and put it in the book drop.  We found the book just as the library closed, but if I can get it in before tomorrow morning when they open, that's one less day of fines.

Speaking of libraries, there is a job opening I'm considering applying for.  It's at the university, is technically a technician job, so I don't know if they'd consider me, as I am over-qualified, but it pays more than I'm currently making and more than I can in the public library field in the surrounding area, as a full librarian.  It can't hurt to apply, anyway, right?

Okay, must go deal with laundry--both of the buzzers have gone off.  I'll write later, hopefully.

Ah...

So Friday wasn't too bad, really. Work was much calmer than the rest of the week, and we worked at a steady but relaxed pace. I left at 5 pm and went and got a friend who had taken a bus to an appointment that didn't happen (but I was more annoyed at that than he was), and we went and got another one, and I dropped them off and came on home, and I stayed up till (get this) almost 11 pm (although I was just heavy-lidded and falling asleep quickly). The rest of the days this week have mostly been about 8:30 pm as far as bedtime, I've been exhausted (to the point that while I met my goals the other day on Habitica, I fell asleep before checking off the boxes, and woke up 10 minutes after the start of a new 'day' (which I've got set at 2 am), so my little avatar took damage--and so did everyone else I game with. I felt so bad. It's just been hard to get everything done that needed to be done lately.

This morning I called A at 6:30 am, picked him up at 7:30, took him to work, got a couple of cheese and egg biscuits and a parfait at McDonald's, and came back intending to go back to sleep. But I laid in bed from about the time I got home (8:30 am) till about 9:30, and decided to go ahead and get my day going. I went to Costco, intending to get some light bulbs and a couple of other things, and spent more than I meant to, but everything I got was quite useful. Well, maybe not the cheese bagels and tomatoes, but they're yummy nonetheless. Then I went to the library, where I sheepishly turned in most of the books I had (most of which were overdue, including one of two interlibrary loans I'd gotten for a friend, who'd taken off the papers that have all the information on them that the ILL department uses. I had most of it to give them. It so embarrasses me that he does that, and I know they're not happy with me. He wants to see the covers. I tell him not to do it. He almost ripped the cover off one, because they changed how they do it, so instead of having two sticky labels, they wrapped the cover in a piece of paper that was carefully taped. I am beginning to think that should they ever let me borrow again, I should remove them myself, carefully. The man mangles anything he tries to remove (paper from a notebook, or my favourite, the DVD envelopes from Netflix, which we just leave to me now). Anyway, I apologised, left the other books in the book drop, and slinked away without mentioning in any way that I am, indeed, a librarian. And with all the overdues, I checked later after everything got checked in, and I owe $6.30, which is actually less than I expected. The interlibrary loans are $1.00 a day. One was still before the deadline, but one was due the 25th. :( I got it from him on the 26th or 27th, but I literally was just too wiped out to take them back during the library hours, and didn't just want to dump them in with the papers just sitting inside the books. Also, they had a 'read off your fines' thing going on through the 31st, and while I planned to do that, I just decided I was too tired. So I'll happily pay the fine.

Speaking of public libraries, I have an interview about an hour's away up the interstate on Friday afternoon, and got permission to leave work at noon so I can get there before 2 pm. I'll probably come home, change clothes, and go straight up there. It's Owen county. My dad's family, the Duncans and the Cobbs, have lived in the Owenton area for generations. I'm interested to know more about the library. I never visited the library there as a child; I don't know much about it, actually, and I should educate myself on it before I go. I also need to e-mail a confirmation that I will be coming.

I went to the grocery a little while and got some veggies for a tray for the game, some cheese, some crackers, and some dill dip, so I'm good for the game tomorrow. And I spent four hours today doing the notes. I came back and collected the trash and recyclables from various containers and some horizontal surfaces, and I now have quite a load to take out. I had to take a break, though, before actually taking the bags outside, as my back was bothering me. Mainly I've been doing better with my back, although that workout on Thursday made muscles in my lower back and buttocks scream, because they apparently didn't know they were supposed to do anything. I didn't make it to the gym at the complex today (there was a pool party going on early afternoon that was intriguing, but too many people for me, I think, being a shy introvert who would have stood around, not eaten hamburgers or hot dogs, would have had to slather on a ton of sunscreen, and gee, talk to people). It's not my thing. I am glad the complex did that sort of activity, though. I wish they'd have a yard sale. They did that every year for several years while I was at Speedway and working on Saturdays. Now I could participate, and I have plenty of stuff that needs to go, if I can part with it.

Okay, as much as I hate to admit it, those bags of trash and recyclables are not going to take themselves out. I should get up and do that, so they're taken care of and I can tick that off my busy day list.

Ouch!

So I fell off a short ladder hanging the hooks to bring the hanging plants down a bit. But I think I'll be okay. Thank goodness I didn't hit anything hard. But it does look better than this morning. They'll get plenty of light and I'll be able to reach them to water. Funny thing, I looked down before I stepped and thought I was on the bottom step already. Afraid that wasn't the case. But having fallen down an entire staircase before, I'm beginning to get used to that awful feeling when you realize there is no step and you, like Wile E Coyote, are about to fall.

I started my morning drilling holes in my ceiling to hang plants. I have now demonstrated that you can knock over a blooming orchid multiple times and even have it fall down behind some boards and blocks, and the blooms and plant survive. Here's to having a little more room for the plants to spread out.  Somewhere in this apartment there are at least three iron 'barrel of monkeys' s-hooks that I've had for 25 years, but good luck finding those, so I got some nice iron hanger hooks with an open globe spiral in the middle.  Unfortunately, I took a tumble while hanging them.

I have not put a hook into the ceiling in the bedroom yet, but I do have one, and I purchased an extra iron hook for that.  But I think I'll wait a little before getting up there--I'm a little sore.

Here are this morning's results:

Before hanger hooks

And this is with the iron hangers:

With hanger hooks

I put the middle one lower for a better composition but also I can switch the bottom hook around, as those are shamrocks (Oxalis) and grow towards the sun, so they need to be turned daily to keep from being on just one side.

I don't have ice, but I do have ice packs--I think I'm going to put it on my left shoulder/neck/back, which took the brunt of the fall.  Then I'll get up and start working on eliminating the entertainment centre.  It's been a good day--I took some friends out to Texas Roadhouse for salmon meals and then we went to Howard Curry Shoes, Rite Aid, and K-Mart getting new shoes, corn pads, and flip-flops (respectively) for a friend who's on his feet an awful lot, has to wear dress shoes most of the weekend while doing a standing job, and whose feet has been giving him fits.

I've got about an hour and a half until I go back to get him and take him to a meeting.  So there's the entertainment centre full of books to deal with in the meantime, but first the icing and the lying down.

I feel

Like I've run all over Creation today (and nearly got stuck in the unholy morass that is Tiverton Way). Today I have gone:

1) To pick up a friend at his house
2) Taken him to the pharmacy
3) Dropped him off at the barber
4) Returned home
5) Ate and took meds while playing Civilization IV
6) Went back to his house right as he was getting home in the bus
7) Got lost with him on Tiverton Way looking for Scrub World
8) Had to get in another lane when leaving the area so I wouldn't wind up blocking the intersection
9) Managed to get in the right lane and go to a men's clothing shop,  turning at the right place
10) Found they were closing out stock,  didn't have what we were looking for,  and their new store is...yes,  in Tiverton Way
11) Gave up on the clothing run
12) Went to the grocery
13) Found Homemade brand coconut almond chocolate chip ice cream -- one all three of us love--a lot
14) Spent time with YKWIA while A watched the basketball game and a movie about Scientology
15) Watched 'Ugly Betty' and 'Star Trek: Voyager'
16) Called Brenda about playing the game tomorrow
17) Helped clean up the library at their house
18) Spent time with YKWIA

Now I' m home and very,  very tired.  Good night.

Today I:

1. Got my hair cut at Supercuts (see the picture included).
2. Went to the public library and picked up two books and some music CDs.
3. Got some items for the fish tanks, including a non-LED bubble circle and a clip-on light for the small aquarium. The bubble light that came with the tank has all the colours that fish can see, and it's very bright, so I'm probably torturing the poor thing. I also got filters for that tank, some water conditioner, and some power strips and a thumb drive while at Meijer's.
4. Got a few clothes and household items at Gabriel Brothers.
5. Straightened up the house some.
6. Finished the game notes.
7. Managed to eat a Morningstar Farms Tomato Basil Pizza burger on a soft wheat bun. Not bad for 6 days after some fairly extensive oral surgery.

The only thing left on my list is to watch The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, so that I can send it and Suddenly, Last Summer, back to Netflix. I think I'll do that in just a bit. I need a break, as I've been going pretty strong for some time. I think I'll get some water, blow out the candles in this room, and go listen to some music or maybe read for a bit in the bedroom. :) My, it's gotten windy. It was sunny for awhile earlier today, but then the rain (thankfully, not snow) came in, and now it's quite wild-sounding out there.

Whew! Got to catch my breath!

So I did go to bed early last night, but I was up this morning at 5 am and went to Kroger pretty much as soon as I dressed, beat my hair down into submission, and brushed my teeth. My objective: to get things to further organise the house. Success! I now have two of those small folding bookshelves that fit together into one tall one for the kitchen, so I can move things from the kitchen island (such as cookbooks and various storage containers) and actually use the thing. I got a new trash can (my old one was sad). I got some closet hangers after about three associates helped me, mainly for drying purposes with the hand-washables. I got a second drying rack (this one can hold many clothes on hangers). I found a hanging shoe organiser that will fit in the closet (for someone who used to own about three pairs of shoes--athletic, dress, and sandals, I now have quite a few. Not a huge amount, but enough that this will help.) I threw some air freshener, soda, and coconut fruit bars into the mix and then got out of there while I still had some money. But the most expensive item, the shelves, were only $42, less than they were when I got so many in the spring. And my fuel points just went up.

So now it's 6 and I'm going to take just a bit of a break before actually putting all this in action. Here's the plan for this morning:

1. Rearrange the kitchen with the new shelves
2. Do dishes
3. Clean cabinets and stove
4. Clean out refrigerator
5. Set up new trash can
6. Sweep and mop kitchen
7. Straighten up computer area
8. Straighten up dining table
9. Go through mail
10. Water plants inside and out
11. Repot the ailing umbrella plant
12. Take out trash and recyclables
13. Do a once-over in bathroom
14. Return books to the library [Tuesday, actually]
15. Get quarters for laundry

Later in the day:

1. Take a friend to the grocery
2. Invite friends over
3. Do laundry [Tuesday and Wednesday]
4. Do the game notes

So, busy, busy, busy, which is why I got up so very early. Wish me luck!

Having a decent day despite steady rain

I woke up right on schedule at about 7:50, went back to sleep, made it till 9, took my Lantus and went to bed till about 10:30. Then I got up, got ready, went over to Subway for lunch, got a six inch tuna sub and a drink, and then, figuring the festival was probably a bust, and not wanting to stand under an umbrella from booth to booth, I went over to Gabriel Brothers for awhile. I got two six-piece towel sets, two tops, a pair of khaki capris, and a purse for just over $50. Now I'm home and looking at a large pile of hand-wash laundry that should really be taken care of today. The rain has picked up, hitting the windows (which is good for my window boxes full of herbs). I just got off the phone with our security chief, who has kept in communication with the folks at Idle Hour Country Club and golf course, and the fireworks planned for tonight will go on regardless of rain intensity so long as there is no lightning activity in the area, starting at about 9:30 pm. So, I'm planning on going if the weather holds.

Things I need to do around the house:

1. Wash that laundry
2. Wash dishes
3. Clean out the refrigerator
4. Put away things on the dining table
5. Give the bathroom a once-over
6. Take out the trash
7. Take out recyclables
8. Charge the laptop

I also am trying out a pair of Reeboks I had around the house to see if they would work for going to the Y. So far, so good, but it's not late enough in the day to be definite. I'm not putting my inserts in, so they're a little roomier than my New Balances, and they're an overall athletic shoe, while the others are designed for walking, and they come up on the top of the foot a little differently, which is good, because that swells, too. I probably will not go to the Y after all today, but hope to tomorrow evening during open swim, where I can also work out on the equipment if these shoes do okay. If they don't, then I guess I'll be taking my swollen feet to John's Run-Walk Shop and looking for shoes that fit. I just want to make sure I don't do anything to my feet, between my history of foot issues and the diabetes concerns.

I think I'll take a little time to relax, start the laptop charging, and then start working on the house. I hope you are having a good day. I wish I could send some of our rain to the Southwest where the fires are such an issue right now.

Home, and tired

Saturday involved a trip to Danville and Stanford to visit with family. It was a beautiful drive. I brought my grandmother, who turns 89 on Wednesday, a flamingo flower (which seems a lot like a pink peace lily) and spent some time with both her and my mom. I came home that evening and just sort of crashed. I won't go into it here, but let's say I had an interesting emotional mix that came to the surface, as it often does when I go there, and I curled up into a ball for a couple hours afterwards and tried to process some of my feelings. Later YKWIA and I talked on the phone for awhile, and that helped. Today I went over to his place, and while there was no game, I spent some time visiting with him and A and watched 'Big Bang Theory' and two movies that weren't stunning, but were pretty fun and did have me on the edge of my seat at times, one called Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (the cinematography was beautiful, the fight scenes well done, and the plot intriguing) and one called Hansel and Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft. Tomorrow I should have most of the day to myself, so I think I'll:

1. Do laundry (including hand washables)
2. Go to the YMCA if they're open (my branch is closed today, so no go for that, although I might get into the pool at the apartment complex if it's warm enough)
3. Do a few things around the house, maintaining the apartment
4. Listen to music (Ed Sheeran, the radio)
5. Read (Bringing Home Mulligan, which is about the Marines in WWII, and the way the war affected them--fitting for a Memorial Day)
6. Nap (twice)
7. Bake bread (delicious)
8. Watch 'Doctor Who' (two episodes: 'Hide' and 'Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS'!)
9. Shop for a dress for a friend's vow renewal (bought it online)

That's a fairly full day, I think. I think I'll listen to some music and head to bed. I've been listening to Ed Sheeran a lot, of course. I had his CD going on the way down to Danville and back--it takes just a couple of minutes past the album's running time to get to my mom's from home. Last night I curled up to Kansas. Tonight I think it might be Natalie Merchant's Ophelia. My favourite song from that album is:



Good night.

Up in the middle of the night

Today I came home about 8 pm, checked and opened my mail and e-mail, discovered I'd inadvertently forgot to pay my electric bill last month (I really thought I had, something I will rectify tomorrow), climbed into my new Day-Glo green jammies (which I would not wear around other people in general due to the effect with my ruddy Irish skin, but which are really quite comfy--if there's ever an emergency in the middle of the night, and I have these on, no one will have trouble finding me), plugged up my poor phone, which was down to 7% battery, even after some charging in the car, and fell asleep by 9. So now I'm awake and considering doing all the things I planned to do such as game notes and watching an episode of 'Grimm' (not the current; I have the first disc of the first season out from Netflix. The second season is piled up on my DVR, and I need to start really trying to go through it, as my space is almost full. But I'm not quite awake enough yet. I think I may go back to bed till 5 or so and get my eight hours in. I don't have to be anywhere until about 10:30 or 11 am.

Tomorrow I am going to the grocery with a friend and then we're going to go clothes shopping with another friend to try to track down an elusive jeans size. We're going to the mall, which none of us care for particularly. Wish me luck.

Today I:

1. Slept till 10 am
2. Spent four hours at Fayette Mall (a new record; I usually step foot in it maybe twice a year)
3. Got a soft pretzel
4. Bought clothes:
   (I'm now covered for undergarments, funerals, dressy occasions, and everyday wear)
   • Three bras (one was free, which is good, as it was Lane Bryant, so they were nearly $40 a pair--but they fit well)
   • A sleep shirt
   • Two dresses
   • A bolero jacket (one of the dresses is sleeveless and I need something on my arms; not the best choice, I realise, for a short-waisted fat girl, and I'll keep looking, but it does seem the style for this year)
   • A blouse
   • A skirt
   • Two jeggings (pants that are a cross between jeans and leggings, but these are black)
5. Stopped by the grocery for a quick run
6. Went out to eat with friends at Masala, which was very yummy (had perfectly spiced vegetable korma, peshwari naan, and vegetable pakora, and was so stuffed I couldn't order gulab jamun, although I do love it)
7. Watched:
   • Doctor Who (yay!)
   • Orphan Black (it was very interesting, and I'll probably continue to watch)

Now I need to do the game notes. So, it's been a busy day. But it was beautiful weather-wise, and although I'm tired, it was nice to get some of the shopping I needed to do out of the way and spend time with friends.

What a busy day

I:

1. Took out the trash and recyclables I worked on last night.
2. Dressed up and actually wore makeup today.
3. Worked.
4. Got my box springs. The delivery guys were great. They brought it in, set it up, and then helped me put the dust ruffle on the foundation before putting the mattress on top. I hadn't been offered the haul-away by the clerk, and so they weren't authorised to take the old one away, but they did take it to the area of the complex where large items for the trash pickup are placed without charge. They rocked! Go Sears!
5. Paid my February rent a little early.
6. Purchased Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013 through our work programme which is $9.95.
7. Bought two euro pillows to complete the bedding experience (the shams came with the bedding set I got from Gabriel Brothers a week or two ago. So did the dust ruffle, which hadn't been on the box springs because the springs of the old one would have torn it up, so it was cool that the guy asked if I had a dust ruffle to put on. I'd totally forgotten. I used one of the $5 gift cards I got when I went to Sears the other day to get some money off the pillows.
8. Made the bed. Remember how I had to borrow pillows to prop myself up when I was out with my broken ankle? Now I have pillows aplenty.
9. Picked up my contacts.
10. Filled the car up with gas. The price jumped, no doubt due to the snow forecasted. I was getting to about 1/4 of a tank, which isn't good considering how very cold it's supposed to get, so I stopped at Speedway and got some.
11. Fought my way through more rush-hour traffic than I usually go through. I took back ways but even so, there were about three instances where other drivers were just being crazy. I had to go from the hospital to Fayette Mall, then to Woodhill Plaza, then down Richmond Road home. Granted, I could have waited to get the pillows or even the contacts for that matter, but I had the time.

So, I'm home now and getting something to eat. I'm going to download the Office suite and install it. And I'm definitely trying out that bed sometime soon, maybe listen to some music. It feels much firmer, judging by the couple of moments I sat on it earlier. The foundation is much higher than the old one, which was squishy and kind of 'fell' in the middle. Now everything is nicely supported and it's all higher. I took a couple of pictures of the bed all made and happy. It's amazing how finally getting something you've needed for a good long time can feel great.

I crashed

I left work about 3 pm to take a friend to an appointment. Afterwards we went to the pharmacy and to Long John Silver's for dinner. I dropped him off, came home, got all comfy, and laid down with the intention of getting up in about an hour (sound familiar?) That was at 7:45 pm. Sometime around 10 I woke up briefly, then fell back to sleep for what I thought were mere minutes, and then woke up just after midnight. I got up, checked my e-mail, did a little accounting, and paid a bill. I knew I was tired from a very busy weekend, but didn't know just how tired. But I feel better. I'll go back to bed in a bit, but wanted to get up and write for awhile.

One nice thing is since I was waiting for him at the appointment, I went from chapter four to chapter sixteen in a book I'm reading (Witch Way to Murder, which I mentioned the other day), and so I'm about halfway through the book and enjoying it. I haven't read a paperback in awhile and I forgot the pleasures of tucking a small book in your purse and having it at hand when time permits. Granted, with my Kindle or tablet, it's likes toting lots of paperbacks, but it's just not the same, somehow.

I ordered something from Amazon today (not a book), and finally broke down and joined Prime. As a result, it looks like I'm on track to receive my item actually by tomorrow (it's coming from Indianapolis) rather than two days from the order, which is great. I decided between what I order, the free Kindle lending library, and the instant videos, it would pay for itself rather quickly. If I had wanted 2-day shipping on this alone, for example, it would have been $10 by itself.

Sears called today to verify my address for delivery of the box springs on Thursday. I went ahead and confirmed. They'll call me Wednesday night after 6 pm with a 2-hour window for Thursday. The only concern I have is that when I got the item plus delivery, I don't think they included the haul away. Recovering from my ankle injury, I'm not sure I can, even with help, get my old box springs to the Dumpster area that's designated for large items. It's not far away from my building, but far enough. I either need to call and see if I can add that to the order or see if the delivery guys are willing, if not to haul it away, to take it to that area for me, as a backup plan. They may.

I think I'm going to try to get up a bit early tomorrow and do some straightening up. The apartment is starting to look a bit frightful. I still need to take the recyclables out, and the loveseat is piled high (I tend to use it as a landing area when I'm doing a lot of coming in and out.) Of course, I'd planned to do some of that tonight, but hey, we'll just shift the timing a bit. It doesn't usually take too long to get things caught up, it's just a matter of getting up and doing it.

Tomorrow is work and then physical therapy. I missed my last session because I did not feel well but I'm determined to do better tomorrow, although it may be my only session this week because Thursday may be an issue due to the delivery.

Okay, heading back to bed and to my comfy new blanket. It feels like being wrapped in teddy bear fur. :)

Still having issues with spotty DNS errors

Odd.

But I will not let that put a damper on my day. Today I went to the optometrist and got a pair of bifocal contact lenses and ordered my others. Apparently I'm a tad bit more nearsighted, but my actual contact prescription didn't change that much. I went by the optician connected with the practice, Pal Optical, and bought some more cleaner for glasses to keep in my purse, since after several years, I've finally gone through the spray I had before, mainly because I use it to clean my tablet and phone screens with a microfibre cloth. :)

After that I grabbed some breakfast and did a little shopping. I got back with some nice work pants, some blouses, socks, bedding, and a couple of purses from Gabriel Brothers, but no jeans, which was actually the point of going out. That's the only problem with that store; because they are a reseller, the prices are low for good quality things, but the selection is spotty. I'll try somewhere else for the jeans. But the other things I can have for work and the bedding is something I've needed for awhile. The purses I really didn't have to have--but I like purses like some women like shoes, so what can I say? They were very nice and very low in price.

I came home, cleared some stuff off my phone, which was labouring without memory, texted Brandon a bit, and then took a nap. Now I've eaten and it's time to gather up some of the stuff that's been piling up in my house and take it to the recycling and trash receptacles. Then I'm going over and taking a friend to the grocery and visiting. So I'm glad I took that nap. :)

Okay, I'd better get going. Hope you're having a good weekend.

Remember

1. Today: To either renew a yoga DVD I have out from the library before midnight or take it in before they open tomorrow; it's due today [PS Can't renew, must be requested--so I guess it's bring it in tomorrow]
   
2. Water the purple pepper and water/turn the lavender
   
3. Do the game notes; it'll take awhile, so I can't wait until the last minute--it involves investigation on a case, and that always takes longer than action
   
4. Take my rent over this evening so I don't owe more
   
5. Check to see if I have enough quarters to do one load of laundry; I got something on my favourite pair of jeans and would like to wear them this weekend [yes, I do, I actually have $3 which is good, because $1 in quarters went down the black hole that is my loveseat when I tried to gather them up :)]
   
6. Do the laundry
   
7. For tomorrow: Set the DVR for 'Doctor Who' in case I don't get back in time
   
8. Bring an umbrella; it's going to rain, most likely> [yes, quite wet!]
   
9. Take the beans Brenda gave me so YKWIA can do something wonderful with them
   
10. Take the big container I just bought for the results of the something wonderful so I can take some home [already packed in bag, with the groceries except the refrigerator stuff]
    
11. Take all the groceries YKWIA requested with me
    
12. Tally up how much he owes me [not much, when I tallied it]
    
13. Take The Lorax DVD to watch with someone who wanted to see it [in my purse]
    
14. Charge the reusable batteries for the voice recorder for Sunday's Cthulhu game [do that Saturday night; I don't feel comfortable leaving them to charge when I'm not home, for some reason; I feel the same way about dryers and heated dishwashers]
    

I think that's it. I'm thirsty, hot, and tired after going to the bank and the store, filling the cart and having three plastic bags besides. I'm considering that a workout for the day. Just ate some spinach artichoke hummus with flatbread and so I'm not hungry like I was. Going to relax for a bit before I do anything else. Thank goodness for Bethany, though, who gave me a ride from work to the bank, so I didn't have to go all over the place on the bus.

That was not conducive to a happy back

Carrying a small purse, a backpack (with a bottle of mead and a bottle of pinot noir inside), plus three bags and a reusable bag stuffed to the gills, about a half a mile is not fun. A guy actually offered me a ride (I did consider it, but didn't go with him, even though he promised he wasn't a serial killer). But boy I'm sore now. The good thing is a got a ride from a co-worker (my boss, actually) to Incredipet (to buy muzzles--it's a long story), and then I went to Liquor Barn for wine and Kroger for groceries, and still managed to just make the bus after my regular one over to the library, so I didn't have to walk all the way from Kroger. The next one would have been an hour-long wait.

I've opened the windows and brought the fan from the bedroom into the living area. There's a nice breeze coming in. We're supposed to be very hot over the weekend, but I'm enjoying the temperature today.

So now I'm eating dinner (Tuscan bean salad with mozzarella balls, courtesy of the Kroger Mediterranean bar. I don't normally get it, because of the price, but decided it sounded very good, and it is), along with some rye sourdough bread and Havarti cheese. Today at lunch they had a wonderful meal of baked cod over a bed of tomato orzo with spinach between them. I got that and a small salad and it was very nice.

My blood sugar has been very good the last few days. I don't know if the increase in insulin and me watching my diet more is doing it, or if it's just because of where I am in my hormonal cycle (it's always lower near my period). Anyway, I feel much clearer and I've really been able to focus. I don't feel tired all the time.

Today went well. I got several referrals, although there were a couple of denials that were a bit frustrating because in both cases they hadn't seen the patient in awhile so they wouldn't do it, even though the condition was congenital and it's not like that diagnosis is going to change, plus one had actually referred the patient in the first place some time ago. But hey, it's their prerogative. I'm also having issues with a couple of ones that are very important because they can't be pre-authorised until I get referrals. I hope to clear that up tomorrow.

The library was fine, too. The high point was that I got some books from Scholastic for our Reach Out and Read programme. That was fun. I filled the cart in the clinic Tuesday, so I have room on a book truck in the library for what I received today.

I keep having to remind myself that it is Thursday. Several people I know also kept thinking it was Friday. It's been quiet in the clinic (there's a conference that at least one of the surgeons went to), but I've been busy trying to get ahead for next week, so it seems like a longer week.

I am going to get a little time off at the end of the month. There's a lecture series that lasts two days they always have in the spring, so I'll get few if any data entry sheets. The 31st there's a meeting of the Kentucky Medical Library Association over at Central Baptist that I'm going to. On June 1st, I hope to go to visit my family. My aunts and uncles will be in that week and I think both sets will be there that day. My grandmother's birthday is that week, too. Of course, with Memorial Day that means virtually a two-day week for me, so I'll definitely be busy Tuesday and Wednesday.

Oh, I feel better now that I've had the fan on, I've been sitting down, and I've eaten. I almost forgot to take my insulin however. I've got to go do that now. I'll no doubt blog a bit more later.

Sticker shock

I am so used to shopping through Amazon (or even the Science Fiction Book Club), that I forget that there is a suggested retail price you pay if you go to a brick-and-mortar bookstore, and that hardcovers can be quite pricey. I did so today, partly because I wanted some books for tomorrow's game, and they had the copies I needed. On the one hand, I helped support a local bookstore, albeit one that had gone sadly downhill in recent years in terms of customer care and selection, although I had an excellent shopping experience today, so maybe they've bounced back from that. On the other, I spent nearly twice I would have at Amazon, and would have received free shipping on the items, although it would have taken about a week to get. Under normal circumstances, that would be no problem--but I've come late to holiday shopping as it is and wanted to give presents tomorrow. I'm not complaining, exactly--I got what I wanted, they pulled them from the shelves for me as I rode the bus out and put them on hold, and I merely had to come to the register and pick them up, one of the easiest shopping experiences I've ever had. I didn't have to wait for them, didn't even have to go to get them from their department. It just shocked me, because I'd priced them in two online arenas and they were much cheaper there, and I had to pull out a couple more bills to cover the total than I'd originally planned.

Of course, I then ate at what they call a bistro [it was easier than walking across a major thoroughfare to the mall, which was going to close early for new year's eve anyway, and I'd spent the money I'd planned to use for some lotion from Bath & Body Works getting the items at the bookstore]. It was excellent, and although a bit overpriced (I spent $20 on an appetizer, soda, and dessert, before the tip), was decently portioned and very well made, a pita stuffed with spinach and artichoke with a salsa and sour cream, along with beans. (I'm not sure how anyone would have had room for that and an entrée, unless they were sharing the appetizer with several people.) And yes, although I shouldn't have had it, I did decide to treat myself to a peanut butter mousse pie that shall be the last big 'sweet' I'll have for awhile, according to my new year's resolution. (I'm not saying I won't have anything sweet, maybe on a special occasion or something, but not every day and generally will strive to eat well for my diabetes). So that was the last hurrah, and a very nice one it was.

Now I'm home. I've rested. I'm going to try to work on some things here before the new year is rung in. Someone in the area has been shooting off fireworks. I'm tempted to take my sparklers out after midnight. I still have some to use up. We'll see.

So what do you plan on doing at midnight for the new year? They say you'll be doing for the rest of the year.

I just shopped until I dropped--and I didn't spend a dime

Which is good, as I don't have even that to spare at the moment. One of my co-workers, who often gives me a ride home, 'kidnapped' me out to a sale where if you knew one of the employees, you could get 45% off, so she had several family members and co-workers give her their lists and saved a bunch of money. I went along as companion, finder, and to hold things, and in return she and her husband took me out to eat. So, I'm just getting home, but I also am happily full with a nice haddock dinner (especially nice, as I have a can of peaches and half a container of oatmeal at home, and while I like steel-cut Irish oats, I'm a little tired of it every night). [On the plus side, I've almost lost 3 lbs this week.] Fortunately payday is coming up soon, yay.:)

My trip is fast approaching, too. I'm starting to keep an eye on Chicago weather. I'm spending the night, flying there and back, in the next couple of weeks. I hope the weather is good. They were having wind issues today causing flight delays. Since this is a fly-there-stay-one-night-come-right-back sort of thing with meetings over two days, I don't want any delays. I'm borrowing an overnight carry-on bag from a co-worker since I know that it has the right dimensions. I need to get some quart-sized zip lock bags so that I can put my liquid containers in one (nothing over 3 ml). I need to get a few sample size things like shampoo, but I have toothpaste and contact lens solution already is smaller containers, and I checked my makeup and they're all alright. Plus the insulin should be fine. The plan is to wear the Birkenstocks in the terminal/on the plane, as they are simple to slip off and then just bring my boots in case of snow outside in the bag. I think I understand how to deal with the CPAP machine, too. So I don't have a lot of preparations left.

Speaking of weather, we had our first snow of the season today, although it didn't stick. It made quite a display during lunch, since our dining room has one wall of windows and we could watch it fall. It was lovely.

Okay, I think I'll sign off of here for now. Remarkably, I'm awake at this time of night and a little energised. I don't think I'm up to watching Forrest Gump (yes, I still have the DVD out), but I may read for awhile. Good night.

Well, that didn't take too long

I went on my foray out into this beautiful autumn day, where the sky is a cloudless blue, the wind is a bit brisk, and the trees are losing brightly coloured leaves. I went over to the library and took two books and an Ella Fitzgerald CD back, picking up a hold (a book on terrariums, of all things, to nurture my craftsy nature, such as it is) and a diabetes book from the American Diabetes Association. I got out of there in time to take the bus to Kroger, but decided I didn't want to go over there just to get bread and then wait for the better part of an hour for a return trip, nor did I want to navigate two major roads without a sidewalk through most of it by walking home, especially in my glasses rather than my contacts (the bifocal works a bit differently, and I don't wear my glasses often, so I'm not as used to them).

Instead I walked a half-block down to the Circle K, stopping along the way to admire the vegetables at the Bluegrass Farmer's Market and a couple of used cars. I particularly liked the 2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS I saw. Plus there was a Honday Accord hybrid. Of course the latter was red, and my last three cars were red. I want a change. On the other hand, I'm pressed to get bread these days--I have exactly 1 cent in savings, so it was basically window shopping.

Anyway, it was a nice walk. I'm home now and thinking of doing some reading before working on the notes. The latter should be interesting as it involves a TARDIS, Neanderthals, a PT boat full of dead men, and a prison beyond the mirror lands. :)

Must cool down

It's 82 degrees outside, and don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining after the highs in the 50s all week, but when you're lugging bottles of wine around, you can work up a sweat, and my face is red. I left at 10:35 and took the bus up three blocks (it's safer than going along the road, where there's no sidewalk for about a block). I had lunch at Taco Bell (that's probably the first time in at least six months, and the people there were very nice). Since most of their traffic was drive-through, I had the dining room to myself.

Then it was across the street to Liquor Barn, where I'd been asked to get three bottles of wine to be used for both cooking and drinking. I knew I wanted to get some wine for my libations and some mead as well.

I was in there a long time. I simply know almost nothing about wine. I had a price to guide me by, but nothing else. I finally chose two pinot grigios (and that was mainly because the bottle had leaping Etruscans on it--I want those bottles when he's finished, although I do hope the wine is nice) and a merlot. I got a merlot for me as well, for the libation. I normally choose burgundy but haven't been able to find any of late. I thought maybe they can't call it that anymore (kind of like champagne has to come from Champagne, France), but if so I don't know what they call it now. Did I mention I am sorely stupid when it comes to wine? I did need help finding the mead, and in the same section there were elderberry, pomegranate, and other fruit wines. I filed that away for future reference.

So that took the better part of the three hours I was out wandering up and down three blocks of Richmond Road. I still had about a half an hour before the bus came by on the way home, and so I checked out Gabriel Brothers and found a pair of jeans and a shirt for $13. Not a bad deal. Once I got off the bus, I went into the library to pay my little fine for the other day when I fell asleep and then also checked out a book called Wine Basics for Dummies. (Although I know it's a good series, I find the titles to be a little insulting, except for things I know next to nothing about, like cars and wine. Actually, I can change a flat tyre, know how to change my oil, and know just about every part under the hood, especially those that have gone out on me before, so my knowledge of cars is vast compared to my knowledge of wine.) :)

Anyway, I'm drinking something cold and I'm going to go sit by the fan for a few minutes before doing anything else. I wish I had ice cream, but I don't really need it. After I get cooled down I'll get going on the rest of the tasks for the day.