Nine Days In

Today's high temperature was: 12 degrees

Snowy all day, but sun shining

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I cannot believe we are already nine days into this new year.  I would think that hibernation would make the days feel longer, but not so.  I am so busy!

I got up about 9:15 and looked out at a new covering of about 2 inches of snow.  At 9:45, two guys arrived at the door and wondered if I wanted my driveway and car cleaned off--for 10 bucks.  Sure.  It took them exactly 6 minutes, so at 5 dollars a piece, they made almost one dollar a minute, LOL.

I messed around on Face Book, playing my usual games and then read my e-mails, checked out a couple of blogs.  Then at 11:00, I got dressed and went out to start my car.  At 11:15, I got in the car, drove up and down a few streets in the park and then came home and parked it on the opposite side of the driveway.

I made my bed, emptied the dishwasher and vacuumed.

That done, I had a sandwich for lunch, watched my Soap and cross stitched.

Then I called the company who supplies my natural gas.  My monthly budget payment is $50.00.  Last year it cost me $51.00 a month for my gas usage, but on this month's bill was a "wanted" payment of $70.00.  I asked why, when I am only suppose to pay $50.00

Explanation, so many budget plan people had to pay more last spring in their redetermination month of May.  They were mad.  So, the gas company decided to up every one's bill, by projecting how much overage of gas we would use.

I explained that this winter is not as cold or fierce as last year and...since I got my new furnace last February, I have continually used less gas.  This month I used 5 units ( or whatever they are called) less than last year at this time.

The lady in customer service agreed with me and put me on a new budget plan for low income seniors called, "Shut-Off Protection Plan".  I now pay $45.00 for the next 18 months--guaranteed.  Plus, the company owes me a credit of $61.99 so I don't have to pay anything this month--which I noted to the nice lady PROVES that I am using less gas then they projected I would last May.

AHA!!

I will however, continue to pay $50.00 a month, because that is what I have built into my budget.  There may come a month when I need to use that credit.

So now, my gas and electricity for a month is $90.00 and that my Dear Friends, is not a bad price to pay.
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Being old is a full time job.  If you don't check every item on every bill you get, "they" can slip things by you.  I expect my cable bill to go up next month and will be calling them.  If you call and complain about the price hike and explain  you can't afford it, they usually will set you up with a new promotion or discount as the same price or, even lower.  

I made a couple of loaves of a new bread recipe I saw on Face Book.  Real simple and quite a dense bread and I liked it.  I halved the recipe because I know that in a few days, the bread will dry out and I no longer will want it.  Although, the birds will love what is left--stale or not.

Then I spent most of the afternoon reading up on my new health insurance program.  Checking to make sure all my docs and dentist are in the plan and finding out how much insurance will pay toward vision and dental work.  Looks great!  Free dental cleaning and x-rays and 50% off the crown I need.  

Free eye exam and $200.00 toward new glasses.   My deductible is only $325.00 a year, which is a tiny bit more than on the insurance I used to have, BUT my plan payment is only $19.90, with the dental and vision and I used to pay $40.42, without that.  I will keep track of all out of pocket expenses and at years end will see how I came out.

I am starting to get a bit bored with my own company, so I think tomorrow morning, I will walk up to Merle and Pearl's and have a chat.  She called to tell me our doctor put her on a NEW arthritis med that she just knows is going to cure her.  I researched it a bit and it is the same drug she took before only a different name.  I won't tell her though as I know, if the mind thinks the drug is helping, than the drug will help.  LOL

Basketball and football games this weekend and I'm sure some more good Classic Movies and cross stitching and perhaps some crocheting.  I may have to make a run for milk and Diet Pepsi, but other than that--I should be good to go--perhaps even until February!!

Hibernation Comes To A n End

Today's high temperature was:  4 degrees

Snowy

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I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this morning and was up for an hour.  I don't know what woke me up, but there I sat.  In the dark living room, trying to convince myself that it was all right to go back to sleep.

I heard my door bell ring, glanced at the clock and it was 9:00 a.m.  Stumbled out to the door and there stood Merle--wanting to haul my garbage can out to the street.  I glanced at the thermometer and it read 1 degree.  That means the wind chill was about -30 degrees.  MINUS--that means 30 degrees below zero.  ZERO, not freezing...30 BELOW ZERO!

I fed the cats and got my warm cocoa and toddled into my computer room to play some games and check e-mails and Face Book.  I decided I should get dressed, so I jumped into the shower and then got my sweatshirt and jeans on.  11:30.

I heard the mail lady come by and the garbage pick-up at around 1:30 and not a bit concerned about going out to get either.  Pretty soon, Merle is ringing the bell again with my mail and my empty can.

"What in the heck are you doing out in this terrible cold?"

"Well--just taking care of my ladies.  Here's your mail and your garbage can."

"Thanks, Merle.  Now, will you just go home, stay inside, watch TV and stay warm!?"

"Yup."

One of the reasons I have liked that I didn't have to go out, was the fact that there is so much influenza and the Norovirus going around this area.  I do not want to be in with a lot of germy people!

At 2:30 the door bell rang again and in busted Dar.  

"I just had to come over.  I'm about going nuts in that house!"

"I thought you worked yesterday."

"I did, but I have today off.  I went to see Miss Amy this morning, got back around 10:00, had some lunch and read a bit and now....I'm here!"

"You've been home four hours and you are going nuts being alone in your house?"

"Yeah.  You know me, I can't stand it!  Plus I've had the worse last four days ever.  I have to tell you about it."

And then she started in.  She has four children--three of them are alcoholics and/or drug abusers.  None of the four communicate with her anymore.  The one oldest daughter that did, hasn't spoken to her in ten months.  

Let's see if I can remember--her youngest son has Hepatitis C and his liver is really bad.  His wife has breast cancer, now in remission and they won't speak to Dar because last summer at a family gathering, Dar made the statement that SHE wouldn't take care of their two kids (her grandchildren) if their parents died.  "Why would you make a statement like that?"  I asked.

"I just wanted them to know."

"At a family gathering?  In front of everyone?"

"Yes.  I wanted everyone there to know where I stand."

"And...why would do you think they'd even consider you taking care of them?"

"Oh...because I have to take care of everybody.  It's what I do."

<okay>

Next youngest (son) had called this morning to tell her that her oldest daughter is dying of liver failure.  Oh, and by the way, he just got out of hospital because HE had an alcoholic induced seizure and a drug overdose and HE also has Hepatitis C.

"He called last month and had been sober four days.  I had such high hopes for him.  Now he put me in a panic about his sister."

So she called her oldest daughter's partner, Staci, and left a message to call her back because she was worried about Lisa.

Her oldest daughter, Lisa called Dar back and was angry.  "Why are you worried about me?"

"Because your brother said you were dying."

"No.  I'm not dying.  I just got out of hospital with a flare up of Hep C., but I'm fine."

"Then why would your brother tell me you were dying?"

"Because Mom--he's out of his mind drunk or high most of the time!!"

Of course, her second daughter, the one that used to live with Dar and the grand kids, hasn't communicated with Dar in three years.  "My oldest brother managed to get into her Face Book account and downloaded a bunch of the kids pictures.  He put them in a picture file for me, so if she deletes them, I still have them.  Guess I showed her!"

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All the while she is going on and on, I think to myself, "here is a woman who works in a large super store as a cashier.  She handles hundreds of products that germy people have handled or sneezed on or coughed on.  She is being exposed to who knows what and SHE IS CONTAMINATING MY HOUSE!!!"

<I know, not nice of me to think like that>

"I just wish the good Lord had made me barren!" she exclaims.  "Then I wouldn't have all these worries, abuse and disrespect from all my kids!"

<I wish the good Lord had made your mother barren, is my thought.>

Then she commences to tell me that she and I are "so much alike, it is like we are sisters."

"In what way?"

"Those tests on Face Book.  You and I usually get the same answer.  Except that one this morning when you were a teacher and I was a mother and one the other day, where our answers were entirely the opposite."

"Yes, and the fact that you can't stand to be alone and I enjoy it.  Or the fact that you like going to the movies and I don't.  And then there's that thing of you being way more emotional than I am, but....other than that, I guess we're alike.  We each have four children."

Just then her phone rang.

"Oh..I gotta get this.  It's Judy L."

I went into the bathroom while she chatted.

"That woman drives me nuts," Dar said.  "You know those kinds of people that want to have a conversation, but they do all the talking and you can't get a word in edgewise?  If you go to say something, they just keep talking or go off in another direction?"

"Yes.  I know those kinds of people."

"Well, she's like that.  Blab, blab, blab, while I sit there and just nod my head...kind of like you're doing now."

"I guess they think the world revolves.................."

"Oh my Gawd.  It's four o'clock.  I gotta get home!"

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A few days ago, one of my blog buddies asked me what was written on the baby crib quilt I am making.  Here are the pictures of it.

In case you didn't know, these are baby crib coverlets or quilts I am cross stitching for my as yet, unconceived great grandchildren.  I have 4 completely done and need 9.  One for each grand child's first born.  I'll be long gone probably, but there will be 9 quilts in a nice storage box that they can choose from.

Judy here--going back into hibernation!

Middle Of This Nice Week

The high temperature today was: 10

Sunshine all day

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It has been just so nice to take the end of December and the first week in 2015 and just let the world go on around me, while I relax in a peaceful place.  In my opinion, January is the perfect time for that!  It is usually too bitter cold to do anything outside, unless absolutely necessary, plus a lot of people are all in a rush to get the new year started with their resolutions and their new membership at the health club and so much hurry, it seems.

I may tend to be a hermit, or so my neighbors say.  They wonder how I can stand to be alone in my house for days at a time with no company.  I have tended to always make excuses, but now, I am ready to stand up and say, "Because I like it this way."  They also loudly exclaim, "It's eleven o'clock and you aren't dressed yet?"   or "You didn't get up until ten?"

Often I want to say, "Yeah!  So what?!"

I might just start saying that instead of the excuse, "Well, I didn't get to sleep until two this morning, so I really only got eight hours sleep."

Many of those same people that rise at seven in the dark morning, also take naps in the afternoon.  I NEVER take a nap!  So in reality, I take my nap in the morning from seven to nine, while they are up, They take their nap in the afternoon, while I am up.  Sluggards. LOL.

Anyway--I have loved this last week or so.  It has been almost like a retreat for me.  I have read one really good book, written by a friend and have started another one and am half-way through.  "Cross Roads" written by the same guy that wrote, "The Shack."  I have watched classic movies and football or basketball games to my heart's content.  I have cooked a couple of large pots of stuff to freeze in one meal containers (Cabbage Rolls and Chili).  I have cross stitched until I am practically cross-eyed AND I haven't had to put up with Dar's insanity, nor Pearl's complaining.  AND, I haven't watched any news programs!!!

Lovely!
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I did get out today.  I filled up the bird and squirrel feeders AND, I started my car and let it run for 15 minutes, then I took a drive around the park.  Up and down streets for about 20 minutes, then came back home and parked on the opposite side of the driveway that I normally park.  I had an outing!

You know what?  It is going to get cold enough in northern Florida where, if they had snow making machines, they could make a whole bunch of snow and go snow skiing--if they had any good sized hills, which they don't.  

Or, just make a bunch of snow piles for the kids to play in.  Fred's grand daughter, who lives in Florida, was seven before she ever saw snow!  I can't even imagine.  She was very intrigued with it.

Well--Hi.

January 6^th, 

I’ve had an Epiphany.

And that Partridge still up high in my tree?

Rifle at the ready, Lunch he will be!

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How is everybody doing?

Only kidding!  I read your blogs every day.  I haven't really been sleep-hibernating, I have just been hibernating in my house.  

I went to Wal-Mart and stocked up (thanks to a gift card from Pammie) before the new year, parked my car and haven't gone anywhere since.  I LOVE IT!!

On New Year's day, I sat and watched three football bowl games in a row--12 hours of watching football.  Michigan State--MY SPARTANS won the Cotton Bowl in the last few seconds.  I was yelling and whooping and hollering!  

I always like to start a new cross stitch project on New Year's Day, so I was happily cross stitching all day and...every day since.

Dar came over one day and I didn't answer the door. I heard her rattle the door knob, but I had the door locked so she couldn't get in.  She went home and called Pearl to see if I was all right and Pearl told her, "She's fine.  She's just hibernating from the world."  HAH

I did answer the phone, even though I didn't want too.  I just truly wanted to shut out the world and stay in peace and relaxation.  I also made a phone call to a friend in Florida that I haven't talked to in a year and that was nice to catch up.  I talked to Pammie and Pearl and my sister, on the phone, but other than that....

So--you got bored with my "Twelve Days of Christmas" griping?  That poem came to me on Christmas Day night, so I sat down and typed it up.  I typed it up the way I would feel if all those "gifts" were presented to me.  I would be grouchy!

The nice thing is, I don't have to go anywhere the rest of the month.  Unless I decide to go to the Old Gals Luncheon on the 15th.  It will depend on my mood and weather conditions. 

Well-I do need to make a doctor's appointment, for my three month visit which was three months ago, LOL.  He insists that I come in every three months, which to me is utter nonsense.  I prefer every year, but will do every six months.  He likes to give me my prescriptions for only three months at a time, so I have to call in to get them renewed and then get scolded for not coming in every three months.  

I AM PERFECTLY HEALTHY AND FINE!  What's he going to do for me?  Does he have a cure for my Tinnitus?  NO.  Does he have a cure for my arthritis?  NO.  Can he help the pain in my back and neck?  NO.  Does he was a cure for the tremor in my right hand?  NO!

When I go in, the nurse will refill all my prescriptions on the computer, take my weight and draw some blood.  The doc will walk in and say, "Well, what brings you in today?"

I will say, "I'm here because you insisted I come in."

Then he might check my lungs and heart and carotid arteries.  I will be fully clothed all the time.  Then out the door I will go and they will bill Medicare $220.00  Such nonsense.
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Yesterday visitors: (The kind of visitors I prefer.)

My feeding station and front row seating for Maggie

  Blue Jay

Cardinal & Junco

   

Downy Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker

One of my favorites--Tufted Titmouse

A little red squirrel at his feeder.

I know I mentioned that odd numbered years have been much better, in my life, than even numbered years.

We are 6 days in to 2015 and so far it has been wonderful.  Well, at least nothing bad has happened, so I guess, that makes it wonderful.  Right?

Toodles Noodles, see ya tomorrow.

Almost all Done.

It’s the 12th day of Christmas,

A drum line appears.

“Get out of my driveway.

You’re breaking my ears!”
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Sh-hh.  Judy is hibernating.

So--A New Week Begins, but...I'm on the same old kick..........

It’s the 11^th day of Christmas,

Eleven Piccolo Pipers shrilly piping!

“I’d rather hear French Horns.

Please excuse my griping.”

1st Sunday of the New Year

It’s the 10th day of Christmas,

Ten guys out there leaping.

They’re wearing tight ballet tights,

YIKES! it’s all very creepy!

OR 
(Yikes!  You can see their pee pee)

whichever rhyme you prefer
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Just added so Sally could see what I mean: