For my birthday this year, I got a birthday "gift" I didn't want! On Saturday the 17th, the computer went down. My computer guy came on the 19th and picked it up and it came back, all spruced up on the 21st. The guy who does my computer work is someone I know through Lowe's. Before, when I needed someone, I asked around. Over and over I was given the same name. And he has proven himself over and over. For me, the tower is heavy. So he picks it up from the house and returns it when he's got it working again. Last time he was here he also installed a new garbage disposal. This time he changed out the HVAC filter. I got back a functional computer in a new case with a faster processor. You can't beat all that for $160.
Of course, I have many many e-mails to wade through that came in during the days he had the machine. I also had a bunch of bills, due January 1, that came in while the machine was down. Since I pay my bills through the bank/internet, I couldn't do anything with those either. My normal way of operating is to do the "checks" when the bills arrive with a later release date. That saves Marci forgetting to pay something by the due date. And, I had put together a grocery order that I couldn't process. I worried about getting the bills paid on time and I was feeling down because Smith's had ham on sale last week, which I really wanted, but I couldn't submit my order. I managed to get all but one bill processed yesterday. And, miracle of miracles, Smith's has ham on special again this week (3rd week in a row). So, yes, of course, I got the ham on special and saved myself $2.00 a pound on a 10 pound ham. I'll probably cook that up tomorrow or Sunday as my "Christmas ham". It's spiral cut so I'll just package the slices up in food saver bags and I'll have ham to eat for months. And, of course, it's bone-in so I can make some good ham broth with that. I also have a bag of split peas on hand, so I may decide to make some split pea soup for later consumption as well.
When last we talked, I was working my way through the cooking process of a batch of butternut squash soup. I made a big pot of it, fed myself one meal and froze 7 more packets for later. I had considered canning the excess soup. However, there are some spices that get STRONG during the canning process. One of them is sage, which was part of the flavor profile of the soup. It actually a bit stronger than I would have liked when I made the soup. So, I didn't want to risk it getting stronger while canning. So, I just froze my "leftovers". Once I got the soup put together, it ended up that I had painfully chopped more than I needed. So, I cooked that up and made mashed butternut. There was enough for 3 healthy servings of that as well. So I figure I paid less than $10 for 10 meals of butternut soup and mashed butternut. And, of course, the wrist recovered with a couple of days of ibuprofen.
It's chilly in Nevada, particularly when the wind blows, but the thermometer shows highs right now in the 60's. I lived in TN for 3 years when I was in college. I have a couple of friends who still live there and they're getting day time highs of 4 degrees today. So far, neither of them has gotten the "blizzard" conditions the TV weather people have been talking about. will thank my lucky stars I'm not there anymore.
I had some money put away. I decided it was time to bring it into the house. I requested it early in October. Finally, it arrived yesterday. I was not down to broke but it was getting close so it was a great relief when the check showed up. Of course, I had to send them an e-mail before they broke down and released it. But, had it not arrived I was wondering if I was going to be able to pay for the very expensive tax program I use for tax preparation. Thankfully, I don't need to wonder about that anymore. Truthfully, I am about ready to hang that up. The software is SO expensive these days that, for the 2022 tax season, I didn't net much over expenses when all was said and done. I try to be a good person, but I am unwilling to pay for the privilege of doing some one else's tax return.
Well, that's all the news for now. Catch ya later.
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