An easier day.......

I got shipped off to Lumber yesterday. This meant I got to sit down a while. It meant I got to print out my upcoming schedule. Most importantly, it reduced the strain on my back. When I ended up back up front, we had plenty of help so I left work feeling physically and mentally less stressed than usual. My back behaved well, my feet were not screaming, and my brain was still functional. Wow! I'd love more days like that!

Today, being Saturday, is likely to be busier. And it's day 5 in a 7 day run so I'm starting to feel worn. A 7-day run, even if it IS part-time, is a real stretch for me.........

I ran one quick errand after work. I came home to try to make a decision about the dehydrator. I found some money in the form of a check for overage in my mortgage escrow account. I found an Excalibur 5-tray in the Amazon Warehouse Deals. Between the two discoveries, I was able to figure out how to pay for a decent (I hope) dehydrator without draining the "household goods" account. A week from today I should receive a far more functional dehydrator delivered to my front door.

Most folks agree the Excalibur machines are the Cadillac of dehydrators. (Of course, most folks don't buy used..........I'll be praying that God makes sure I get a good 'un.) I definitely did not want another one of the type I have. I looked at several models of Excaliburs. I also looked at a different (expensive) brand that was recommended by a friend of mine. I could not see what set the more expensive brand apart from the Excalibur except for three things: a digital thermostat, stainless steel exterior, and a removable "drip pan" on the bottom of the interior. I was not willing to pay the additional $$$$ for those features. I also shopped Excalibur's website and considered ordering from them direct. They give a longer warrantee period when you order direct from the manufacturer, but they also charge more. I also considered ordering the larger version of the Excalibur. The machine is sizeable as it is. I am dehydrating what I can manage financially which isn't that much, and I am dehydrating for just me. The smaller machine which I am getting will already have a larger capacity than what I now have. I just didn't see that I needed (or could even "finance" the feeding of) a larger machine.

In the meantime I need to figure out what to do with the produce I have. I have 3 or 4 large pre-baked sweet potatoes. I have four pineapples. I also have quite a few butternut squash. My intention was to dehydrate all of these. The question now is whether these will hold for a week........... I feel fairly confident the butternut squash will hold. They are still in their original "seal", that thick, tough peel the Lord gives them. I'll probably set them out in the garage where they'll be cooler. I think I'll pop the sweet potatoes into the freezer. They're already in individual ziploc bags so that will be a quick and easy solution. I think I'd better peel and cut up the pineapples though. They're ripe right now and I really need to do something with them. I will probably end up freezing them in the short term.

I have this "thing". I can food and then I don't want to open the jars. They look pretty just as they are. They are my "stash". If we have an EMP, if we have a natural disaster of some sort, if I were to lose my job, I would have food to eat. It IS to be used, but maybe not just yet. I would rip into my canned foods if I had more of the same things to can. For example, when I can more chicken, I will have no compunction about eating the older canned chicken, but I don't know exactly when I'll be able to can more chicken. So, I don't think I'll can the pineapple, LOL. If nothing else, dehydrated foods take way less storage space than canned, which means using one or two jars where canning would use 6-8 so it's cheaper too.  I'll probably freeze it for the week that I'm waiting for the new dehydrator to arrive.

I also spent some time last night renewing my Preparer Tax ID number. I do not find the website user friendly for this. But, I managed to fight my way through it. One more detail handled. And I generally neatened the landscape on my desk. It's better but has a long way to go..........but, at least, I am consistently working on it again.

I also spoke with the IRS with regard to their collection action against my SSI check. I think I mentioned they took a chunk of my check again in December. I was not surprised when it happened in November. After all, that payment happened just 7 days after I spoke to them. But, the December's check was a full 6 weeks later and they still grabbed some. According to the IRS, they are experiencing a computer maintenance period and a bunch of their systems are "down". So, I have to call back on Tuesday..........

So, tonight, I'll probably spend some time peeling and dicing pineapple. Really needs to be done. I am approaching the new year with a renewed desire to get "stuff" out of this house so I'll work on that some. I need to spend some additional time (my "daily" allotment) on the desk. And I'll probably vacuum. We'll see if I can motivate myself to get these things done and if I have any leftover energy for anything else........

 

 

Comments

[Deanna]

I got my scrapbook room tidied up yesterday and even made a paper page--first in quite some time. The room looks great. I even cleaned it up again AFTER working on the page!!! Made me appreciate using digital!! haha! I like the "no clean up" part the best.
Earl has had a sore throat and a cold since before Christmas. I think he's finally on the mend, but I woke up with a sore throat this morning. Sometimes I get "morning" sore throats, and I'm hoping it goes away quickly!! I don't have time to be sick!!