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This, too, shall pass............

A week ago I had a grocery delivery. I received some microwave popcorn. I would never have ordered this. Because of my teeth, I haven't even tried to eat popcorn in about 8 years. But, nevertheless, here was a box of microwave popcorn. I wasn't charged for it. And I've learned a long while ago that there's no way to pay extra on the net', 

After moving that box around my kitchen for a couple of days, I decided I would try to eat some. I had no problem with it, which amazed me. I had a whole pack of it for a snack. Later the same day I had another pack in lieu of dinner. (I know, stupid, right?) Well, anyway that resulted in stomach cramps that were excruciating, lasted all night and into the next day. The only relief was if I could fall asleep. Once I finally got past the worst of it, I ended up walking around holding my belly which felt as though I'd been kicked repeatedly--just sore. Two evenings after the cramping fiasco, I realized my back was "out". I've been taking double doses of tizanidine and I've had some success getting the stuff in my back into place. however, I can feel with my fingers that two vertebrae are "turned".  They definitely don't feel like the rest....... And this was my 4th day of sitting on a heating pad and dosing myself with Tizanidine and Advil. And I thought, maybe, everything had finally gone back to where it's supposed to be. I had a satisfying "thunk" and I could no longer feel the irregularity in my spine.

Well, this is day 5 and I celebrated too soon. I'm hurting again. This is not the gnawing low level ache/soreness that happens after everything is back where it's supposed to be. This is the stabbing pain where my spine says "I hate you and I'm gonna make you HURT! Take that! And let me twist the knife a bit while I'm at it!" My kingdom for a script for Soma. Yes, I know it's a big no-no these days because it contains an opiate. But, it has never failed to have me up and at 'em again in two days. I abhor all the "wasted" time............

This week Smith's (Kroger affiliate) had hot dogs on sale for  $.99 a pack. I've been watching for that and I bought 5 packs. I figure I now have hot dogs for the year, LOL. I was ready to have a hot dog for dinner tonight when I discovered I have no more hot dog buns. I made do with a hamburger bun, but, now, hot dog buns are on the list for the next day I order groceries. I also discovered I'm out of sweet pickle relish. In my mind, hot dogs are just not worth much without sweet pickle relish. So, I need to buy ingredients to make more and can it up. Unfortunately February is not a great time to buy cucumbers and bell peppers. They would almost certainly be more available and, therefore, cheaper in August or September. But I need  'em now. If I'm smart, once these items come in season, I will make another batch of sweet pickle relish, just to have more on the shelf as insurance against this happening again..........

Well, it's been a couple of hours since I took the last dose of Tizanidine, and I'm still hurting. I've got to go lie down.

 I've been so miserable. I THINK it's allergies. All I really know is that I am sneezing 6-15 times a day, blowing my nose (seriously) a good 25 times a day, and coughing up endless amounts of phlegm all day long. This has been going on for more than a week. It seems to have started for real about the time we got all those days of rain in a row. And it hasn't stopped. 

 

I am happy I bought a large box of Advil decongestant a few weeks ago. It helps a little, but I really do not want to live on the stuff! After all, there's my liver to consider........... It doesn't "fix" it but slows the flow, so to speak. I don't seem to have a fever. And, no more body aches than usual for a person my age. But, I am miserable. I don't dare walk two feet away from a stash of Kleenex..........

 

Anyway, I happened onto some chicken recipes the other day. They look pretty inviting and easy. The way they were presented appeals to me as well. The lady made up 6 types of chicken dinners in about 20 minutes. She created various marinades or sauces, stashed a bunch of chicken breasts in 6 different freezer bags, poured the various marinades/sauces over the chicken breasts, zipped up the freezer bags and put everything in the freezer. When it's time to eat them, they get thawed overnight in the fridge, then dumped into a baking dish, and baked for 25-30 minutes at 350. And each of the 6 recipes look pretty darn flavorful to me. I think I might want to make extra marinade/sauce and use that over pasta or rice to stretch everything further. Anyway, I think I'm gonna give 'em a try. I'll report back after I have some results/opinions on how difficult, how tasty, etc.

 

Got with another bill increase this month. Sewer bill went up $5 a quarter. I guess I won't scream too loudly about that--$20 a year. Pretty tame compared to everything else that's gone up. 

 

I get this "neighborhood" e-mail thing daily. Everyone is whining about their gas bill. Many years ago Jennifer and I spent days in the attic, laying down that plastic wrapped fiberglass insulation. I do have 2 rooms closed off which leaves me heating about 1500 sq ft, but I also have 40 year old windows that leak. My most recent bill was $49. I am so grateful for the money and time we invested putting that stuff down. I am sure we didn't do it "right" but my theory at the time was "anything will help". And I would have to say it certainly has helped. I wonder when/if it will occur to these whiners that insulation just might be a solution. Certainly, more effective than whining or protesting to Southwest Gas.............

 

Well, that's it for now. I have not been working outside since the rain started. I figure one case of pneumonia and one case of double pneumonia is enough for the lifetime of one old lady and I'm not gonna tempt Satan by getting cold and wet if no one is pointing a gun at me in the meantime..........