Well, the delivery from Subscribe & Save has been cancelled. However, the charge for it is still on my credit card. I looked on Amazon's site, which said it may take 3-5 days for a credit to come through, so I'll keep an eye on it.

Another book I had on hold at the library has become available, so that means I have an outing today! Yay! I have dressed in real clothes (otherwise I wear pajamas). Usually I try to add on another errand, since I am making the effort go out, but there really isn't anything else I need to do. I will need gas soon, but that can wait till my next Sam's trip.

I had plans to meet BFF this Friday at the halfway point for lunch. However, she is still recovering from her knee surgery -- still icing and elevating her leg -- so it's not a good time for her to take a drive. I hope we can do it in the near future; I really depend on these little treats!

Tomorrow I'll do my September recap. The days are passing so quickly.

I had an Amazon subscribe-and-save order for kitty litter pellets. I thought it would be convenient, but twice now I have received shipments WAY before I am ready for them, and I didn't see any warning that it was coming before it was coming. So I cancelled it. I tried to cancel the shipment that is on its way, but I will probably get stuck with that. It's going to cost me almost $50.

I decided I would rather pay the little bit extra that not having a subscription will cost me, and be able to choose when I want to order.

Also, my cat has kidney disease, and I just don't know how much longer he is going to be around. It doesn't make sense to have a huge backlog of supplies.

That said, when the month turns I will go ahead and order probiotics for him, since I am almost out, and I do feel it helps with his tummy problems.

I did receive one of my prescriptions from Optum-RX, which is also on automatic. But I don't pay anything for that, so there really isn't any issue if it comes a little early. Better early than late.

The window washing turned out to be a disappointment. The windows are pretty spotty/streaky due to their new washing method. I actually wish I had not removed the storms, because I could take those out and wipe them down, but I am stuck with what they did to the windows. Oh well. I have put in a request to my son to get those storms back up.

The window washers are here. This time, for the first time, they are using long, long brushes rather than climbing on ladders. I applaud the company for the commitment to safety for their employees. It looks like I'll have to live with a few water spots, though, since there appears to be no wiping/drying process.

My brother called yesterday to talk about Thanksgiving. His son in Florida wants to come up and bring his new girlfriend. Before he buys plane tickets, though, he wants to know if there will actually be a gathering.

I am torn. I really, really want to see my brother and his family. But I know it's a risk, especially since his family seems much less concerned than I am about the spread of the virus. If I went, I would have to keep my distance, wear a mask, and wash my hands a lot!

Another reason I want to go is to see my man friend, whom I haven't seen since last Thanksgiving. Again, I would have to be careful with this visit. He is in a retirement home now, and his health is somewhat fragile.

Reason tells me to wait it out until there is a vaccine that will make life safer. But my heart is aching.

Anyway, I put myself down as a "maybe."

I'm doing a couple of loads of laundry today. Later I'll make some mac & cheese. No other plans.

Rain is predicted for this afternoon, and for tomorrow. I really hope it does not rain tomorrow, because that will cancel the window washers. Until their job is done, I have to keep the windows shut (no screens). Thank goodness it won't be hot, at least.

I'm finally coming toward the end of "Turn" on Netflix. After that's done, I plan on checking out "Enola Holmes," "Away," and "Utopia."

Lots of books on hand. I'm set!

Yesterday, which I thought was going to be so calm and tranquil, turned suddenly busy when I got late word that window washers will come on Monday. That means taking down the AC units and taking out the screens and storms. I have nine windows, and most of them have two or three storms, and all have a screen. My son came over and helped me get down the ones that were too stubborn. When it comes time to put them back, I am only putting back two storms per window, one each for upper and lower. This unit gets hot as blazes in winter; there is no reason to have multiple layers of storm windows. The screens and the AC units I will store till spring.

It's been several years since I was this responsible about the windows. For the last couple of years I've just been letting them wash whatever they could get to. As you can imagine, the windows never looked clean. This year they will be clean, and I will enjoy them. No bird better mess them up!

I tried to forward this info to a neighbor who doesn't get the emails from the property manager, for some reason. She's a renter, but she still should be informed. However, the owner of her unit lives on the East coast and isn't vigilant about happenings in this building.

So I forwarded the email, but it wouldn't go because there was something about the attached document, an FAQ about the process, that the email service didn't like and wouldn't forward. So I decided I would just print the document and walk it over to her. Well, wouldn't you know it, my printer decided to act up! It grabbed a chunk of papers instead of just one and then jammed. I got them out, but the printer, I think, is toast. It's old, it's cranky, it's unreliable -- I am so done with it. I will replace it eventually with a compact laser printer, but not right away. I don't use a printer often and I can wait.

As for my neighbor, I just told her the basics.

This morning I went to the dentist. I got a cleaning and x-rays; the total was $184. No problems with my teeth. Won't go back for another six months.

With that, variables shot up to 91%. But the month is almost over.

I went to the library yesterday and picked up my book on hold, plus three more from the stacks. Thank goodness for the library! I'm so glad it's open again.

GS2's family birthday party will take place when the grands from the other side of the family are available -- they are traveling -- but I had him come over and pick up his gift, anyway. I know he wants to count his money for whatever it is he's saving for. Something video-related.

Looks like this will be a calm and uneventful day. I have at least one more serving of spaghetti on tap. No laundry to do, no errands to run.

In one more week I'll meet BFF again for lunch. I hope the weather will be nice so we can eat outside again.

In other news, my cousin who was laid up with broken bones and then COVID has been released from rehab and is finally recovering at home. And my nephew who was almost burned out in Oregon will be going home to his undamaged house when the air quality improves.

No financial news, except that my one stock-related investment is trending down. But my condo seems to be increasing in value. I don't know how reliable it is, but Zillow's lowest estimate is $50K more than I paid. I'm not going to change it on my net worth statement, though, until I see hard evidence that that is what condos are selling for in my building.

Today is GS2's 11th birthday. I am giving him $50 in cash in a $4 card. Variables are at 69%; very good for this late in the month.

The shoes I bought at Goodwill are a little larger than I thought. I couldn't try them on in the store, because I wasn't wearing socks. However, with my orthotics and heavy socks, they fit well. I will just have to remember to always wear my heavy socks with them. Actually, I needed something that would accommodate my thick socks, so this is good.

I'm thawing spaghetti sauce for my main meal today. Had a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast. Later today I will pick up a book on hold at the library, and look for a few extra. I'm reading a lot -- I go through them fast.

My examination was free -- covered by my insurance -- and my eyes are well and healthy. I did spend $2.40 for a pair of prescription reading glasses. The drugstore variety are not performing as well and with the insurance coverage, it's cheaper to get prescription lenses.

I still don't need glasses for distance vision. It is a little less clear than it was last time, but only a little.

Dentist on Saturday. I wish that appointment would be this cheap!

As planned, I went to Panera this morning to get the Tuesday special on a baker's dozen of bagels. After I got home, and I was figuring things up, I realized that I didn't get the special -- I was charged full price. I went back and got it straightened out. Long story short, I ended up paying $4 out of pocket, but I had $5 reimbursed to my gift card, so came out basically free.

After my first trip to Panera, I was planning to go to the bank, but it was too early. So I went to the Goodwill, which is nearby. I was expecting just to browse and perchance find one or two little things. Well, I ended up spending $60! I found a brand-new pair of Van's tennis shoes, 7 new Land's End t-shirts, a full set of Tupperware measuring cups, two trays, two picture frames, and a new coconut-mango scented candle. I really don't need the candle, since I have quite a few, but I couldn't resist the scent.

You might think I don't need 7 t-shirts, but they are pajama tops for me, and the ones I'm using now are getting seriously old and ratty. I will be throwing out a bunch. These shirts are good enough for regular wear, too, so they'll probably do double-duty. I figure each would cost $20 or so at a store or online. I got all 7 for under $30. Beautiful colors, too!

Before I came home I stopped at Aldi and got cream cheese for the bagels and some crackers -- $8. And I did make it to the bank where I was allowed to "buy" one roll of quarters. Sigh.

I called and made appointments for the eye doctor -- Wednesday -- and the dentist -- Saturday.

Hope that those two appointments do not lead to a host of new expenses.

I did a load of laundry today and put fresh linens on the bed.

Nothing much else going on. Tomorrow is a street-sweeping day, so at 9 AM I'll move the car by driving to Panera. On Tuesdays I can get a baker's dozen of bagels for $6.99 -- and I think I have about that much left on my gift card. It's also time to go to the bank again and get some quarters for laundry. Maybe by the time I complete those two errands, the sweeping will be done.

Just got back from GS1's baseball game. I thought it was the last, but actually, there are going to be playoffs. Since his team hasn't won a game, they probably won't last long in the playoffs.

I spent $4 on coffee for myself and my son. When I came home, I started laundry -- $1.50.

This evening I am going to make cornbread chili -- that is just cooked-down chili baked with a layer of cornbread on top. When I mentioned this to my son he pricked up his ears. It was always one of his favorites. So I am going to send at least half of it over to his house, via grandson express.

I researched toilets yesterday, and the one that interests me most is $600, and that doesn't count the bidet seat or attachment, or the installation (because I'm not going to do it myself). So now I'm hoping that the sluggish flushing is an easy fix, and I'll stick with this old monster which is homely but solid as a rock. Then I looked to see if I could glaze it to make it prettier. You can, but it would not be nearly as durable as the original glaze. Sounds like that might be asking for trouble.

After I complete my dentist and eye appointment, I'll worry about the toilet.

Okay, she says, hanging her head and shuffling her feet. I will make appointments for the dentist and eye doctor. Not till Monday, though.

And after that I guess it is most appropriate to call a plumber and look into replacing the toilet.

The Oregon trip is not just a money problem. It is a travel-during-the-pandemic problem and what-to-do-with-sick-cat problem. My sons understands. We have talked and talked about it. If an emergency arose, I would use a credit card and go.

In answer to whether the table really needs to be refinished -- yes! One end piece has actually fallen off. The finish on another section is pretty much gone. It needs real help, but I really want to keep this table and bring it back to its former glory.

Thanks to all for your input; I found it valuable!

Yesterday I took the leaves out of the table, dropped the sides, and covered it with a cloth. So its problems are hidden for the time being. Only two chairs fit under it now, so the rest are at parade rest around the perimeter of the room. It's okay for now.

This morning I cleaned the aquarium. The filter was pretty bad, so I guess I've been neglecting this duty.

I was sitting in the living room yesterday when I noticed that the wall sconces, which are open at the top, were full of grit! I took them apart carefully to clean them, and they all held chunks of plaster as well. I also noticed there was grit under the radiator. Just when I think I got it all, there's more!

I need to start thinking seriously about my spending priorities. There is so much I want and need to do, and not much income to work with.

What I really WANT to do right now is send out my table for refinishing. But I have to admit it is not a need, especially since no one is coming for dinner any time soon.

Contingent with this would be sending out the dining room rug for cleaning, while the table is out of the condo.

Another thing I desperately want to do is go to Oregon and see my son. But the pandemic holds me back, and also my cat's failing health. I hate to leave him for a week or two when he may be in his final stages.

My ancient flush-valve toilet is starting to flush very sluggishly. I would like to replace it, if I can, with a tank toilet with a bidet. But my bathroom is tiny, so I don't even know if that is possible. I need to call a repairman, and I shouldn't wait until it stops working, but I am not excited about spending the money on this one.

Several rooms are needing fresh paint, especially the bathroom, where I have some peeling issues from humidity. Now that I have figured out how to eliminate the humidity, I should really get the painting done. And if I contract for that, I should get the kitchen, living room, and dining room done, too.

My kitchen tiles are cracking and there is an ugly chip in one. I don't know how old they are, but they really need to be replaced. It seems like an awful job, and I just went through an awful job.

Meanwhile, my smartphone is working but it's glitchy. The camera especially is unreliable. I know the day is coming when it should be replaced, but is the day now?

I also don't know how much longer my printer is going to keep working. I want to replace it with a laser printer, which is not cheap. But as long as it's working, replacing it is not a priority.

Add to all this, it is past time to get a dental checkup and an eye checkup.

I don't know what to do.

I have no extra money this month, so it's a moot point. But I have to start thinking about how to set aside money for all these goals, and what to do first. Sigh.

Otherwise, not much going on! Just my brain on overdrive.

The weather has turned cool. Or, I should say, cooler, because it was pleasantly cool already. I hope it doesn't get TOO cool, because I'm sure the boiler is not turned on yet. I might be sleeping under blankets tonight.

So, it's a good day to make chili! I'm going to make a big batch, because I have ingredients to use up. But chili freezes well.

My oven cleaned up beautifully yesterday. There was just a small residue I had to wipe off. I've never had a self-cleaning oven before, and it just never registered that I have one now. The self-cleaning mechanism certainly did a better job than I ever did with my baking soda and scrubber! It's not something I would ever do on a hot day, though, because it got REALLY hot!