Reflections of My Life

I took a walk up the block and back after I went to the dumpster. I sat on my walker a little bit afterwards while I talked to Sonny on the phone. It was beautiful this morning with the sun shining bright. The sky was a beautiful blue. Just the way I like it on a cold day.

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Well I got a lot of things done today, including that walk. All my laundry is done. I made the two new flavors of Keto Chow, Chocolate Malt and Peppermint. I ordered 4 of each and I am glad I did. They are really good but are already sold out. It takes forever for them to replace a new or seasonal one. They are in the freezer and will stay there until Friday. I like them to set for 24 hours at least.

So by the time I got around to supper time, I was too late to make the pork shoulder roast. I should have started it earlier. I like to leave it in the IP for a few hours on warm, works kind of like a crock pot that way. I will do it tomorrow early. I had a cold supper instead. Hard boiled eggs, a pickle, smoked Gouda cheese, cheddar cheese, pepperoni slices and keto mayo with horseradish mixed in.

I really like to have a busy day like this and get a lot of things done all in one day. Then I can rest tomorrow. I really miss our maintenance man. Not just for the things he did. But as a person he was really so nice and treated us all like he cared about us. Well, except for the guy upstairs that kept smoking in his apartment (he still is). So our maintenance man did not like that he would keep doing it even after he spoke to him many times. He may get evicted over doing that pretty soon.
 
katlupe said:
I took a walk up the block and back after I went to the dumpster. I sat on my walker a little bit afterwards while I talked to Sonny on the phone. It was beautiful this morning with the sun shining bright. The sky was a beautiful blue. Just the way I like it on a cold day.

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You captured the beauty of the day with the photo! Thanks for sharing! Glad you went out.
 
I usually don't eat until after eleven but for some reason this morning, I am quite hungry. Woke up that way. It is 27 degrees outside and could be I need the food to warm up. Even though my heat is on and I am warm. I finally broke down and bought a flannel pajama set and it keeps me so warm. I love wearing them. So I might be making an early morning breakfast.

I used to love having a very early morning breakfast in a truck stop. My cat, Nutmeg, and I went on the road with my husband when he was driving an over the road truck. I loved going to the truck stops, but especially for breakfast. It was fun but at the time we did not have a home. Our stuff was in a big storage place. I used to go visit my stuff when we would get home (to my parents').
 
katlupe said:
I usually don't eat until after eleven but for some reason this morning, I am quite hungry. Woke up that way. It is 27 degrees outside and could be I need the food to warm up. Even though my heat is on and I am warm. I finally broke down and bought a flannel pajama set and it keeps me so warm. I love wearing them. So I might be making an early morning breakfast.

I used to love having a very early morning breakfast in a truck stop. My cat, Nutmeg, and I went on the road with my husband when he was driving an over the road truck. I loved going to the truck stops, but especially for breakfast. It was fun but at the time we did not have a home. Our stuff was in a big storage place. I used to go visit my stuff when we would get home (to my parents').
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Kat.. many years ago I worked for a transport company as a scheduler ... and on Saturday mornings I would go out with the trucks and the guys to the Transport cafe... and have a big breakfast..oooh delicious, I loved that. In fact to this day my favourite meal of the day..despite like you.. not eating until mid morning or later.. is breakfast..


This morning .. for brunch I had Toasted cheese scones..
 
katlupe said:
I usually don't eat until after eleven but for some reason this morning, I am quite hungry. Woke up that way. It is 27 degrees outside and could be I need the food to warm up. Even though my heat is on and I am warm. I finally broke down and bought a flannel pajama set and it keeps me so warm. I love wearing them. So I might be making an early morning breakfast.

I used to love having a very early morning breakfast in a truck stop. My cat, Nutmeg, and I went on the road with my husband when he was driving an over the road truck. I loved going to the truck stops, but especially for breakfast. It was fun but at the time we did not have a home. Our stuff was in a big storage place. I used to go visit my stuff when we would get home (to my parents').
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Morning Kat. Thank you for my hometown pictures. I miss Norwich.
In the 20 years we drove from NY to FL, we always tried to eat at a truck stop. They served a huge breakfast and we didn’t need to stop for lunch. Truckers were Good company too.
 
Well, it may have taken awhile but at last, Norwich has delivery from Walmart available. I love Instacart and will keep it because I can shop from other stores with that. But Walmart does not like to share their money with anyone, even a delivery service. So they have their own. I signed up for the free 10 day trial today and will subscribe to it when that is up.

I need delivery services so it is not a luxury item for me. The water being delivered is very helpful for me. It came yesterday and I am all set on it for the month. Especially since it is a struggle to go somewhere not having a car. I will be adding it to my budget, though it is only $49. for the year. I buy more from Walmart usually than any other store. It is my favorite. Today I bought groceries for Jeff (with his own money). So it will be here early afternoon.

I have to laugh at how people on fakebook complain and whine about self check-outs and then order their groceries whether picking up at the store or having it delivered. :) My Walmart though has about 5 check out cashiers as well as the self check-outs. I rarely have to wait in a line.
 
katlupe said:
Well, it may have taken awhile but at last, Norwich has delivery from Walmart available. I love Instacart and will keep it because I can shop from other stores with that. But Walmart does not like to share their money with anyone, even a delivery service. So they have their own. I signed up for the free 10 day trial today and will subscribe to it when that is up.

I need delivery services so it is not a luxury item for me. The water being delivered is very helpful for me. It came yesterday and I am all set on it for the month. Especially since it is a struggle to go somewhere not having a car. I will be adding it to my budget, though it is only $49. for the year. I buy more from Walmart usually than any other store. It is my favorite. Today I bought groceries for Jeff (with his own money). So it will be here early afternoon.

I have to laugh at how people on fakebook complain and whine about self check-outs and then order their groceries whether picking up at the store or having it delivered. :) My Walmart though has about 5 check out cashiers as well as the self check-outs. I rarely have to wait in a line.
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My local supermarket has 40 checkouts... yet there's always long queues, because they only open a percentage at a time, usually about 12... and in the early evening.. there's only ever 2 or 3 self service checkouts open.. no manned ones at all
 
I took advantage of Walmart's delivery when I lived in town. I was always completely satisfied. Now that I'm back out in the country I can't get any deliveries. I use shipping for Chewy for dog, cat and even chicken food. It's free if the order is more than $49. It's so much easier than driving 30-40 minutes to buy those big bags, and haul them by myself.
 
I got my delivery and was pleased with it. They are not as fast of a delivery as the ones I get through Instacart.....Price Chopper, Aldi and Grand Union. But Walmart is a busier store. This I believe will take care of my problem with my son and his groceries. Instead of giving him all cash, I will be buying him groceries. Not too much that would go in the freezer as mine is full of my food. This will help me keep my food to get through the month.

When I have to give him my groceries then I am out of it before the end of the month. Just because he is wasteful does not mean I should give him what I have. I have a very strict budget and he gets more money than I do.

It reminds me of when I wrote for Homesteading on the Internet, I had people ask if they stocked up and prepared for power outages and other disasters and their friends and neighbors did not was it up to them to share their supplies with the unprepared. Tough question! Some say you should stock up extra for those people. But where would it end? After you kept giving them more of your supplies as time went on and then you realize you had no more for your family let alone them? Some of them said their family and friends laughed at them for stocking up.

Most people do not have enough money to supply everyone else and their family as well. But I know for myself, as a mother (and especially of a disabled son who is mentally limited) I could never not share my food with him. So I make sure to buy extra food for him with his own money and keep it here (or he would go through it almost immediately). I have no choice.
 
I am big on stocking up on really good sales, most times food but also household items. I do share with my son. I pick up things for them all the time. I remember when we were young newlyweds and could not afford some things.

I keep a very large pantry and stock area. I keep a good amount of everything purchased at the best price. I can say that between the pantry and freezer I can go months or longer if the crap hits the fan.

You may think I am nuts but after what the world just experienced, we now know it is best to be as prepared as we can be. I know @katlupe you don't have a lot of space but you have your storage area. That woud be the ideal place to keep canned goods and other nonpershiable things. It might be good to have a 2 or 3 month suppy of canned veggies and meats. Eggs freeze well and powdered milk can be used for anything.
 
hollydolly said:
My local supermarket has 40 checkouts... yet there's always long queues, because they only open a percentage at a time, usually about 12... and in the early evening.. there's only ever 2 or 3 self service checkouts open.. no manned ones at all
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The stores in larger cities have more check-outs than my stores. We are a small town even though it is called a city and is the county seat.
 
Blessed said:
I am big on stocking up on really good sales, most times food but also household items. I do share with my son. I pick up things for them all the time. I remember when we were young newlyweds and could not afford some things.

I keep a very large pantry and stock area. I keep a good amount of everything purchased at the best price. I can say that between the pantry and freezer I can go months or longer if the crap hits the fan.

You may think I am nuts but after what the world just experienced, we now know it is best to be as prepared as we can be. I know @katlupe you don't have a lot of space but you have your storage area. That woud be the ideal place to keep canned goods and other nonpershiable things. It might be good to have a 2 or 3 month suppy of canned veggies and meats. Eggs freeze well and powdered milk can be used for anything.
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I am not complaining actually, I am quite happy that I can now solve the problem of my son and his food. Even though for years, I wrote two blogs about how to be self-reliant and get through emergencies my life has changed. I eat very little canned foods. Mainly meat, some dairy and low carb vegetables. I keep my freezer available for meat only. Living in a studio apartment isn't that hard for me since I have a full kitchen. Lots of cupboards and a big refrigerator. Living alone has been the key.

I would not complain about sharing my food with my son but he is very wasteful. He goes through things super fast. He doesn't use something down to the last drop like I do. It is not something he does on purpose. It has to do with his brain. It does not work like everyone else's. Plus he gets more money from SSD than I do from my own SS. A lot more. So I buy his groceries with his own money not mine. I am his payee rep and have to take care of his money for him.If I did not he would spend it on the same day he got it.
 
You do a great job at keeping both you and your son well fed and healthy. I can sure relate to a child being wasteful and my son is not special needs. They are always wasting things. You and I know, only take or use as much as you need. We use everything to the last drop, when things get low we turn the bottle upside down in the fridge.

I was just thinking of you, I know you are Keto, so having canned veggies and meats would be a good thing to have if we locked down again. That is the thing that worries me now. Has made me look at alternative measures. Now, I keep everything food and basic household needs in my stash.

I added to it slowly so the cost was not taking out of my budget. I am not restricted as much as you and your son by budget and space. We also have learned by inflation what is truly needed and practical. The emergency area is stocked in beans, rice, canned tuna, pasta, flour, sugar, yeast and many canned goods. In the household, toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, vinegar, baking soda.
I have supplies to make my own laundry detergent. I live alone but I do have two fridges, so two freezers, so I can freeze a lot of meat.

I also keep lots of bottled water and dry dog food. I am not as resourceful as you. I have never done off the grid living. You have so many skills that I do not have. To me, things have become scary since I am alone. I am just trying to be prepared if things go bad.
 
Blessed said:
You do a great job at keeping both you and your son well fed and healthy. I can sure relate to a child being wasteful and my son is not special needs. They are always wasting things. You and I know, only take or use as much as you need. We use everything to the last drop, when things get low we turn the bottle upside down in the fridge.

I was just thinking of you, I know you are Keto, so having canned veggies and meats would be a good thing to have if we locked down again. That is the thing that worries me now. Has made me look at alternative measures. Now, I keep everything food and basic household needs in my stash.

I added to it slowly so the cost was not taking out of my budget. I am not restricted as much as you and your son by budget and space. We also have learned by inflation what is truly needed and practical. The emergency area is stocked in beans, rice, canned tuna, pasta, flour, sugar, yeast and many canned goods. In the household, toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, vinegar, baking soda.
I have supplies to make my own laundry detergent. I live alone but I do have two fridges, so two freezers, so I can freeze a lot of meat.

I also keep lots of bottled water and dry dog food. I am not as resourceful as you. I have never done off the grid living. You have so many skills that I do not have. To me, things have become scary since I am alone. I am just trying to be prepared if things go bad.
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I figure the worst thing I can picture would be having to move from here. If so, I will probably end up living in a van and moving back onto my house's land. My husband is still there but my name is still on the property. I am sure he would let me live on a spot. I wouldn't want to live that way again but if there was no alternative. Even though my son cannot drive, I would have to get him one of his own too. Sad idea but it is in my head in case anything did happen. Or if my building was closed down and everyone had to leave.
 
I can't believe how fast this year went by. It is almost over and time to recharge my batteries for 2024. Yesterday would have been my mother's 100th birthday and is hard to realize I have been without her for so many years. 21 years now. And my father 11 years. How have I managed to survive so long without them? They were the center of my life for so long. We were not rich but nobody could have asked for better parents. Nor were we poor because they were hard working and knew how to live on the money they made. We always had nice homes, two cars and plenty of food.

Today I am writing out my budget sheet for January. I always feel better once I have it done. This will be the first time I have to add groceries to it. SNAP was cut by $13. due to the cost of living raise. They never allow you to get ahead by getting that increase. Most people when they need to cut their budget will always start with their grocery budget.

Not going to do that. I will cut my debt payment schedule instead. I was making progress on that and when I have it all paid up it will be like getting a huge increase in my check. But this is the way it is. At least I am paying it back and a lot of people just stop paying saying they can't afford it. I make sure that I can.

Lately I wake up hungry and I don't understand that. Usually keto makes me not hungry. I have changed my eating window by an hour. Maybe that makes a difference. I want to stick it out because Intermitten Fasting is supposed to improve many health issues. So can't eat till eleven and just having coffee right now.

Everyone keeps asking me what I am doing for Christmas...........same as every day. Then they feel sorry for me. Sorry I am alone. Sorry I am not going to be eating all those fancy meals. I am not sorry or sad. Christmas was VERY stressful for me. I had the responsibility of making Christmas for everyone. I had to buy everyone presents and even do my mom's shopping for her. And she did not tell me what to buy!! Then I made a big special meal at my house and my family all came......that was fine. I think it was the shopping that did me in. Now I am grateful that I do not have to do it anymore.
 
katlupe said:
I can't believe how fast this year went by. It is almost over and time to recharge my batteries for 2024. Yesterday would have been my mother's 100th birthday and is hard to realize I have been without her for so many years. 21 years now. And my father 11 years. How have I managed to survive so long without them? They were the center of my life for so long. We were not rich but nobody could have asked for better parents. Nor were we poor because they were hard working and knew how to live on the money they made. We always had nice homes, two cars and plenty of food.

Today I am writing out my budget sheet for January. I always feel better once I have it done. This will be the first time I have to add groceries to it. SNAP was cut by $13. due to the cost of living raise. They never allow you to get ahead by getting that increase. Most people when they need to cut their budget will always start with their grocery budget.

Not going to do that. I will cut my debt payment schedule instead. I was making progress on that and when I have it all paid up it will be like getting a huge increase in my check. But this is the way it is. At least I am paying it back and a lot of people just stop paying saying they can't afford it. I make sure that I can.

Lately I wake up hungry and I don't understand that. Usually keto makes me not hungry. I have changed my eating window by an hour. Maybe that makes a difference. I want to stick it out because Intermitten Fasting is supposed to improve many health issues. So can't eat till eleven and just having coffee right now.

Everyone keeps asking me what I am doing for Christmas...........same as every day. Then they feel sorry for me. Sorry I am alone. Sorry I am not going to be eating all those fancy meals. I am not sorry or sad. Christmas was VERY stressful for me. I had the responsibility of making Christmas for everyone. I had to buy everyone presents and even do my mom's shopping for her. And she did not tell me what to buy!! Then I made a big special meal at my house and my family all came......that was fine. I think it was the shopping that did me in. Now I am grateful that I do not have to do it anymore.
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same here. Once upon a time I was responsible for everyone's Christmas.. and I always loved it tho'..couldn't be more different than today...
 
Well our forecast is rain until Wednesday. I wanted to go to Grand Union this morning to get more berries for Rabbit and Zevia for me. It is really wet from all the rain we got yesterday. I would chance it with Jazzy if was sure I could make it there and back before it rained again. And it has been pouring not just a light a rain. I hate to use Instacart just because I need the berries for Rabbit. He had the last of them last night.

Today I am experimenting with making Keto Chow (my keto meal replacement shake) as a hot drink. I already do that with the chocolate flavor of LMNT (electrolytes) and then add frothy cream on top. That is good but now that winter is almost here I want to make hot drinks with Keto Chow. I have had some in the past but I can't quite remember which ones or how I did it. It was when I first started using it I think.

You can also cook or bake with KC. The fudge made with it is really popular. The thing with me is that when I use it I want to use the whole package because then it is 1/3 of my daily meals and nutrition. And knowing myself.........I would want to eat ALL the fudge at once. So I use it mainly as ice cream, in coffee, as a shake or maybe as a hot drink if I like it. This is the newest flavors:

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I had planned on going to the Grand Union on Jazzy but it is about 34 degrees out even though it is not raining. I could have gone. Instead I took the easy way out and ordered groceries from Aldi's using Instacart. I really only needed food for Rabbit but have to order at least $35. worth it to get free delivery. So there are things I can always use. Now I am waiting for that.
 

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