CB in the City

I went back to PetSmart yesterday and exchanged the cracked tank for a new one, checking it first before leaving the store. Since I was there, I also bought a bag of Iggy's kidney care dry food, which was a whopping $63. I was trying to save a trip, but it turns out I will have to go back some time and return one bag of gravel -- I bought too much. It's only $6, but next time I get out that way, I will get my money back.

I still haven't completed setting up the new aquarium, because I need three electrical receptacles for the filter, light and heater, and the nearby outlet has only two. I ordered an extender, but it won't come until tomorrow.

It is very warm already. I've turned on the air, trying to keep ahead of the heat wave.

I forgot to ask: does anyone here have experience with RCN as a cable/internet provider? I am very tempted to switch. It would be more than $60 less per month than I am paying Comcast.

I went to PetSmart yesterday and bought a small aquarium, plus gravel, accessories and a heater for $92. Ouch! Then when I got home and started the process of setting it up, I found that there was a small crack in the tank. So now I have to take it back. The aquarium came in a sealed box. This time I will make them open the box and check for cracks.

PetSmart is right next to Aldi, so I ran in quickly and got a few items for $16.

Today is pay day, and I have paid my bills; no surprises or angst there.

Variables are at 55%; just about right.

Yesterday morning I made my online order to Panera. It took several tries, because I was trying to get it to accept a promo code for a $5 discount for a curbside order over $20. For some reason, that was a hurdle. But I finally did it, charging it to my gift card and all was well. Then while I was on the way there, I got a call that they were out of white bread. Three loaves of white bread were the main part of my order! I was almost there, so I just continued on and then called them back once I was in the lot.

They substituted two loaves of Country Rustic and one French baguette, so I think I ended up getting a bit of a deal, financially. I looked up the ingredients, and Country Rustic contains some whole wheat flour -- though it doesn't look like it's a lot -- so it is not as good for my kidney diet as plain white bread. But it is not really whole wheat bread, which is hard for the kidneys to process. It's more like white bread with a touch of whole wheat flour, so I think it should be fine.

I also got a half-dozen bagels and some cream cheese. I used $17 of my gift card, after taxes.

I chose a Panera that was right next to a Goodwill, because I had two bags to donate in my trunk. But I was too early. Their drive-up donation area was closed off, and wouldn't open for about a half hour. I didn't want to wait around, so I headed to the one in my own suburb, and with all the construction traffic, it took me about a half hour to get there. But they weren't open either. However, there were large bins set out with signs saying "Clothing," "Not Clothing." And they were full of stuff. So I sorted my stuff out and left it, but it felt kind of wrong. I would rather hand it off to a person.

The rest of the day was uneventful. I started cleaning the dining room but only got as far as the dusting. I washed Iggy's quilt and the towels.

In the afternoon, I started looking around online for a new smaller, lighter fish tank. I've touched on this before, but this is the back story. I have to replace my plaster ceiling in the living room, because it is starting to buckle. I don't want it coming down on me. But I will have to be able to move everything out so the workmen can do their work, and the fish tank is the biggest problem. My plan is to set up a new smaller tank in the dining room, move the fish, and then get rid of the big tank after I've emptied it.

I'm going to throw away everything in the old tank and start new with gravel and a few artificial plants, because the current black algae outbreak is just too hard to deal with, and I want it all gone. It's all very old, anyway.

So I looked online and found a good tank at PetSmart, but I really need to eyeball it, so my plan is to head there today to look it over. I will have to wear a mask and be mindful of social distancing, but I think it shouldn't be too risky if I am careful.

After I get the fish rehomed I will start looking for someone to do the work. I figure it will cost at least $5K. The plaster has to come down, and new drywall installed, and it is my biggest room. It will be very messy, so I'll probably have to decamp with Iggy. Not sure yet where I will go, as everyone I know is quarantined.

So that's the news for today!

Well, I never got around to posting today till now (almost bedtime)! There isn't much to report. I got another $17 refund from my insurance company. I didn't spend anything. I got my Panera gift card in the mail yesterday, and today I was going to go stock up on bread and bagels, but since I slept very poorly last night -- only 4 hours, according to my Fitbit -- I decided not to drive. I've just been hanging around home, reading and watching TV, doing a few chores. I've seen two good movies in the last two days -- "Trumbo" on Netflix, and "Knives Out" on Prime Video.

I was treated with another surprise encounter with my son's family yesterday, as I was out walking and they were walking home from the newly-reopened frozen yogurt shop. We kept our social distance, and talked for a little while. DIL was excited to be working on creating a virtual Juneteenth celebration for the city. Her little event-planning business has really reconfigured itself successfully to adapt to the new normal; it is so nice to see.

Tomorrow I'll go make that Panera run, and I also plan to take a couple of bags to Goodwill, which has recently reopened. Hope I sleep well tonight.

My refund from Amazon came almost immediately -- $8.04 -- woo hoo! It will be interesting to see if the toilet paper ends up being delivered anyway. Supposedly it was being shipped, but that had been the status for quite a while.

No spending yesterday. Today I will do some laundry, but will stay in otherwise. The weather is nice and cool, so I'll be sure to take a walk this morning.

I slept late this morning -- till 7:30! That's late for me; I'm usually up as soon as the sun rises, which is around 5:30. I've learned to sleep through Iggy's meowing.

I got online yesterday to renew my senior benefits card, which permits me free riding on local buses and trains, as well as a reduced fee for license plates. My current card will expire at the end of July. When I started filling out the app, I realized that if I waited to renew on July 16, I could use my 2019 tax data rather than my 2018 data. 2019 was a lower income year for me, since I didn't earn any consultant wages at all, so I decided it would make sense to wait.

I'm not sure when I will ride trains and buses again, after all. I'm certainly not ready to do that now, with the virus still very strong and active -- I will be doing all moving around in the safety of my car. I just renewed my license plates, so there is no hurry there, either.

Just got notice that my semi-annual auto insurance payment will be withdrawn on July 1. It seemed very high -- $655 -- but I always have that reaction. It's actually in line with what I paid last year. And I've gotten some refunds, but they have totaled only $43.

Supposedly I'm getting $904 in discounts, which includes safe driver, anti-theft alarm, being over 55 and retired, having antilock brakes, using the easy pay plan, having seatbelts, multi-policy, being a good payer and using Drivewise, an app that monitors my driving habits. Also something called "early signing," but I don't know what that is. It's worth $176, though!

I realized, while looking over my insurance, that my variables formula needed an adjustment, since I wasn't keeping out quite enough for taxes and insurance. It is such a slight adjustment, though, that my variables are still at 42% this month.

I finally asked for a refund for the toilet paper I ordered from an Amazon seller on April 1. April Fool! It never came. I keep getting messages that it is delayed and on its way, but it just never comes. Now that the toilet paper crisis has passed, I don't need it anymore. We'll see how the refund process goes. It's only $8, but it's $8!

Yesterday was really nice, and I took a walk in the morning. In the afternoon, I worked a little at cleaning the kitchen, and I will continue that today. I finished reading a book, and I will exchange it today at the tiny library.

Chicago's library system is open, so I am hoping that it will happen in my suburb sooner rather than later.

I had a rough night sleep-wise, so I don't expect to do a lot today. I think I will be moving pretty slowly.

I haven't received my Panera gift card yet. I probably should have asked for the electronic version. I just thought a physical card would be easier to use. I'm getting very low on bread and need to get it soon.

I went to Walgreens yesterday morning to pick up a few things that I didn't get at Sam's. I picked up more than I expected to, but since I am really trying to limit the number of shopping trips I make, I think it was a good decision. But I did forget to buy the cards! I was planning to get two Father's Day cards and a birthday card for DIL. So maybe I will try to make some, though I'm really not crafty like that, and I'm not sure I have the supplies. Or maybe I will just write a nice note on some card stationery I already have. I will probably give my son a folded five-dollar bill, which is his favorite kind of card!

I was also able to "buy" a roll of quarters, so that will save me a trip to bank later on.

I spent $33. They are expensive, but I feel comfortable shopping there because it is never crowded and checkout is fast. It only takes me a few minutes.

Variables are at 42%. Time to slow it down.

Right now it is cool and breezy outside. The AC is off. I'm making a stovetop casserole of macaroni, green peppers, ground beef and tomato sauce. Life is good, at least here on the inside!

After my spate of spending, it was a quiet day yesterday. There were storms in the late afternoon, which brought some welcome cooler weather. I hope it stays this way -- no AC!

After my shopping trip, I am rethinking what I have on hand for meals. This is a list off the top of my head (entrees only -- I do have sides with these):

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Supreme Pizza
Fettucine Alfredo w/Mushrooms
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Omelet
Grilled Cheese Sandwich w/Tomato Soup
Chicken Teriaki Stirfry
Meatloaf
French Onion Soup
Chipped Beef w/Biscuits
Pancakes w/Bacon

That's probably not everything, but you get the idea.

I bought apples and raspberries yesterday for more healthy snacking.

This morning I ran out of creamer. I'm going to walk to Walgreens and get more, as well as crackers and ice cream. I'll get a birthday card and Father's Day cards, too.

When my Panera gift card comes, I'll go get bread. The $10 electronic card came via email, but it only good for July 1-31! That's a long time to wait! I assume the physical gift card will be good to go as soon as I get it.

That should do it for food this month, except for incidental purchases.

After pay day, when I'm on a new cycle, I'll investigate getting a smaller fish tank and moving my three survivors into it in another room. Then I have to start making plans to replace my living room ceiling, because it's getting worse, and I don't want it falling on me.

This morning I made a trip to Sam's to check out the concierge service. The set-up wasn't obvious; I ended up getting out of the car and standing in line with regular shoppers and had to ask an employee -- when I found one -- where the concierge line was. After I got in the right place, in my car, it took about an hour to go through. Next time I will come later, because I noticed everyone lined up at 7 and there was no one at 8.

Several things to know if you're going to do this. You have to have your Sam's card with you. They will take a picture of it. Then you have to have a list that they can take a picture of. My list was on my phone, so that wasn't optimal -- it was hard for the associate to see. The list should be as specific as possible, though they will try to offer substitutions if your specific item isn't there. You have to be prepared to wait. But you will not have to get out of your car. They will load the stuff in trunk for you, and will take a picture of your credit card for payment. Your receipt will be sent by email, if you give them your email address.

Overall, it was a good experience, and next time I will be better prepared to make it smoother for the person shopping for me.

I spent $53 on household supplies, and $42 on groceries.

Afterwards I got gas, for $18, and then I went to a car wash, which was $8. My car had been sitting for quite a while on the street, and there was bird poop and tree poop all over it.

I came home and ordered popcorn kernels from Amazon, since I can't seem to get them anywhere, and while I was at it I also ordered a new mouse pad. Total was $14.

All this spending brought my variables up to 38%.

That includes $4.50 I spent on laundry yesterday. I washed my sheets and towels, and also the comforter I replaced (I'll store it for occasional use) as well as all of my throws.

This afternoon I'm going to put my feet up and do nothing. Hauling the stuff upstairs took three trips, and it is very humid. We will get storms this afternoon -- the remnants of Cristobal -- and we might even get tornadoes. Never a dull moment!

My other DIL is also having a birthday this month, so I got on HER Amazon list and picked out a couple of things which totaled $68. This morning I see that one order will be delayed. I am more than a week ahead so it may still arrive on time. I will get in touch with her on her actual birthday to see if both items have arrived. This brings variables to 21%.

I always forget that June brings two important birthdays and I never feel quite prepared. Most of the birthdays in my family are clustered in the fall.

Speaking of Amazon, that toilet paper I ordered back in April is now scheduled to arrive this Thursday. This has been delayed so often I am not holding out much hope, but I am currently well-stocked with toilet paper and not anxious about it.

Yesterday I didn't feel up to par after a restless night, so I didn't get much done. I did finish up cleaning my bedroom, and today it's back to the kitchen again. However, I have several loads of laundry to do today, so I might not get to room-cleaning at all.

DIL's birthday is coming up this month, so I took a look at her Amazon list yesterday and ordered a showerhead for her for $41. Not my typical sort of gift for her, but it was on her list!

I think we may celebrate her birthday when we meet in the park for Father's Day.

Variables are at 13%.

I didn't get much done yesterday. I took a walk in the afternoon and had a visit through DS' window. The weather was amazingly beautiful.

I started watching the lecture series on the Black Death which is featured on Amazon Prime. It is a straight-out lecture -- not entertainment -- but I am finding it fascinating. At the other end of the spectrum, I am also watching "Schitt's Creek."

I got $3 from Amazon for being an early reviewer of the computer I bought.

By the way, the hot water was restored almost immediately after I posted yesterday. And it's hotter than ever, so I don't know what they did!

Yesterday I made the quiche for breakfast. I decided not to make a crust, and I substituted milk and butter for cream. It turned out to taste pretty good, but the texture wasn't right, and it was watery. Oh well. Three more servings to eat!

It was hot yesterday and about halfway into the day I gave up and turned on the AC. It ran all night. I turned it off this morning, since it is about 70 degrees outside.

I am facing a no-hot-water problem this morning. I noticed it last night, when I was handwashing my bras. I assumed it would be back this morning, but no. I put in a maintenance request online. There has been no communication from the property company about this, so I don't know what to think. I hope they address this today.

Meanwhile, I guess I'll clean myself up with wipes and put off running the dishwasher.

My free $10 gift card from Panera arrived via email, so I printed it off (holding my breath that the printer would work!) I was expecting that the physical gift card that I bought would be loaded with $60. Oh well, this will work. I also got a notice that the $50 gift card has been shipped.

As a person with CKD (chronic kidney disease) I am advised not to eat whole-wheat bread, as it is difficult for the kidneys to process. I have struggled with finding a white bread that I like. There is plenty of white bread available, but it is mostly too soft and doughy, and flavorless. I found that I really liked the Country French bread from a bakery near my brother's house, but that is in Michigan! The bakeries around here don't seem to offer a similar product. I have finally found that the white bread that Panera makes is acceptable in taste and texture. Not cheap, though.

So yesterday when I got an email offering a $10 gift card with the purchase of a $50 gift card from Panera, I sprang for it. I opted for the physical gift cards, so the total spent was $51. That should keep me in bread for a while. Variables are now 8%.

I stayed home all day yesterday, not even taking a walk. The morning got away from me and then the afternoon was too muggy. I'll try to take one today, but I can already tell that it is a bit sticky. Maybe a before-shower walk would be better than an after-shower walk.

My BFF has been drawing and sending me pictures of her drawings, so I told her I would start writing the book that is swirling around in my head and will send her my daily work. That will keep me to the task, and I won't have the luxury of getting bogged down by perfectionism. I don't expect to ever publish this, it is just for her enjoyment. I wrote a pretty short Chapter One yesterday and I will send it off today -- and start Chapter Two.

Putting off the Sam's trip till next week. Or I might do another Aldi instead, but there is no hurry. I am running out of a few things, but nothing essential.

I have a lot of Swiss cheese and bacon to use up, so I'm planning on making a Quiche Lorraine. I will have to make a crust from scratch, which I hardly ever do, and I'll have to substitute milk and butter for cream. So it will be a bit of an experiment. It will be my afternoon project.

This morning, I will have my second batch of apple pancakes for breakfast. MMmmmm! I am loving having time for leisurely cooking from scratch.

Yesterday was just a quiet day for me. I walked to the tiny library and exchanged a book, and then I walked to DS' house and talked to the whole family through the window. Later in the day it got really hot, and I turned on the AC and left it on last night. This morning it is cool enough to do without.

I slept late this morning and did not see the local news, so I don't know if last night's protests were more peaceful. It does seem that across the country they were.

I will go to Sam's tomorrow if they are going to reopen the concierge service. But I wonder if this is going to be an excuse to do away with it.

I am totally on the side of the (peaceful) protesters, but I do worry about all the crowding together, and what this will do to the spread of the virus. Surely there will be a big surge across the country, because the virus wasn't even really backing down yet. I see people wearing masks, but I don't think that helps a lot when people are massed together and shouting.

Now that I know I have no immunity I am more determined than ever to be careful.

I was planning on using Sam's concierge service this morning, but I got an email saying that this service has been cancelled for safety reasons. I hope it is temporary. I haven't had to use it yet, but I finally have a fairly robust list for items from Sam's. I'm good for a while yet, though.

So I won't be going anywhere today, other than a walk to the tiny library to exchange a book. That is, I hope there will be a book there worth taking. Lately, there have only been books I've read already and books that I don't care to read.

I'm making pancakes and bacon this morning, and for lunch I'm going to saute some thin sliced chicken for sandwiches. For dinner I am thawing peanut soup. I want to reduce my grocery spending this month. It has been climbing each month, and I can do better. I'm going to seriously attack the freezer supply.

It's going to be hot today. So glad the AC units are working!

Got my mask and my shower caps yesterday. Both a little different than I thought they would be, but that's online shopping for you.

I've been de-toxing my mask by tossing it in the microwave for 30 seconds after wearing. Yesterday I mistakenly pressed the wrong button and I burned a hole in my mask! Yikes! That makes me sad because my DIL made it for me, and just wearing it made me feel cared for.

I ordered a new one on Amazon, and at the same time I ordered some shower caps. The whole order was $14. Even though I actually made the order yesterday, I'm counting it as a June expense, since I had already done the May reckoning.

The mask is supposed to be delivered today. I hope so, because I can't really go anywhere without it. With all the road closures in my area, due to the protests and lootings, I wouldn't be surprised if deliveries are delayed.

My suburb had a peaceful protest yesterday, but I am very close to Chicago, and other suburbs have had problems similar to the city, so I feel surrounded by destruction. It's very distressing that bad actors have hijacked a legitimate protest and turned it into something else. Chicago was just on the edge of opening up again -- now 130-some businesses are damaged, burned or looted. WTF? These business owners did not hurt anyone. But now they are hurting indeed. It is encouraging to see volunteers showing up to help with the cleanup.

Well, I have a busy day planned. Two loads of laundry, cleaning my bathroom, cleaning the fish tank, washing my hair. Big day!

I saw a realty ad for a unit in my building that is pretty much the same as mine. The asking price is $11K more than what I have been counting as the market value in my net worth statement. But I'm not going to change it. It's just good to know that values are holding up.

My prescription was $3, and I also spent $16 on groceries at Walgreens. And I will admit most were wants, not needs. I could have ignored that siren call, but I didn't.

Today I'm going to be taking it easy. The only job that really has to be done is cleaning the fish tank -- and even that I could put off another day. Maybe I will.

I'm not going to spend anything today, so here is my May recap:

Housing: $774
Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: $749
Groceries: $197
Utilities: $169
Home Repair/Maintenance: $93
Household Supplies: $92
Phone: $51
Eating Out/Takeout: $34
Entertainment: $33
Medical/Health: $32
Fees/Services: $25
Gifts/Charity: $16
Laundry: $15

Grand Total: $2,247

Variables: 78%

The F/E/D expense was mainly the new computer, but also shower curtain rings, a clock, the quilt set, and a picture frame.

Groceries were highest yet this year.

Home Repair: the cost of the new microwave handle plus shipping, and the service fee for the appliance repair technician.

Household Supplies: printer cartridges, paper goods and hand sanitizer.

Eating Out/Takeout: all Panera

Entertainment: a book, and Netflix

Medical/Health: Premium, and two prescriptions

Fees/Services: license plate renewal

Gifts/Charity: a birthday gift and random donations

Zero categories: clothing, vet/pet supplies, gas, fares/parking, personal, vacation/travel. As well as taxes and insurance, but they are usually zero categories except for a few months.

The appliance repair technician was scheduled to come yesterday sometime between 2 and 6. He didn't come until almost 7. Of course, I was just hanging around home anyway, but it felt like a wasted day, because I didn't really want to get started on anything that might get interrupted.

I paid a service call of $70, and he reassembled and tested the microwave and reset something on the air conditioner that got it working. He did not charge me for labor because it went so quickly. He seemed to be a very nice guy and was very apologetic for being so late. He said they have been overwhelmed by customers needing help to repair appliances affected by flooding.

So woo-hoo! I don't have to buy an air conditioner! And the microwave is working great, and the new handle is so much better than the old one. Metal, not plastic.

It's nice and cool today, so I don't even have to use the AC.

I'll be walking to Walgreens to refill a prescription. I have to do a load of laundry. No cooking -- I'll be eating salad and warming up mac & cheese. It will be an ordinary pandemic day.

The new handle for the microwave arrived yesterday, and I was feeling energetic so I set right to making the repair. I found a good video on YouTube. But I had some major problems.

First of all, the previous owner, it turned out, had superglued the old handle to the screw inside the door. I had to literally tear up the handle to get it loose, and I really didn't think I would ever get the screw out. At some point I decided I would have to buy a new microwave anyway, so I aggressively tore into it and I finally did get the screw free without damaging the door.

The real fail came with reassembly. I got the new handle on the door with no problem, but I could not get the door back on the microwave. I made numerous attempts and finally gave up. I even googled phrases like "how to get Frigidaire microwave door back on" and that's when I found warnings that DIYers shouldn't even mess with microwaves and that the machine would have to be tested for leakage once it was reassembled. Nothing about this was mentioned on the YouTube video!

So I called an appliance repair service, and someone will come out today to put the door back on and test it. I am also going to have him look at the air conditioner to see if there is a simple fix there.

It's always something.

Otherwise the day was pretty uneventful. I took a walk in the morning and exchanged books in the tiny library. I watched a few episodes of "Poldark".

The new quilt set arrived in the evening, and it's great! Here is a pic, with Iggy photobombing in the background (red chair).

The result of my antibody test is negative. That doesn't mean I didn't have a mild case, but it does mean that I did not develop detectable antibodies. I'm a little disappointed, but I was planning to continue being very careful anyway.

It was warm enough yesterday that I decided to turn on my air conditioners. But one of them would not turn on. I checked the cord and the outlet, and they were fine. I looked up troubleshooting, which suggested getting to the internal control panel and checking the fuse. It looks like I can't get to the control panel without removing the case, and I'm not going to do that. I don't have the strength to lift the unit.

It was a cheap machine, and I am going to replace it with a better one. But I'm going to wait until my Discover card enters a new cycle. That is less than two weeks. Meanwhile, I set up a floor fan to push cold air from the living room toward the back of the condo, and it worked okay. I will have to refrain from using the oven for the duration.

Luckily, after today we will have some cool weather before it heats up again.

I was out most of the morning yesterday, first to get my two tests, at two different locations, and then through the Panera drive-through and finally, a 20-minute shop inside Aldi. I spent $14 at Panera for bread, bagels and cream cheese, and I spent $48 at Aldi. I was so focused on social distancing and getting out fast, that I forgot three things on my list. Well, one I can't get at Aldi -- popcorn kernels. The other two were spaghetti and maple syrup. I can probably get through the month without those.

I got my results from the chest x-ray very fast -- no problems. Everything was "unremarkable." So that's good, but I still don't know why I have a persistent cough.

It may be two days before I get results from the antibody test.

Variables are at 64%.

It's quite warm, but I haven't turned the AC on yet. I haven't reached that degree of discomfort yet.

I can't express how great yesterday was. We met in the designated park -- it was almost empty! We found a shady spot under a tree and set up -- six feet apart. We ate our brown-bag lunches and talked for three and a half hours! The boys rambled around as we talked. They had their skateboards and frisbees. The weather was perfect, as long as we stayed in the shade. It was such a good day. I hope we can have more of them.

DIL gave me a Revlon One-Step hair dryer. It was too big for their short haircuts. I can't wait to try it out -- which will be this morning!

It was a no-spend day. I had been planning to go to Panera afterwards, but since we stayed so long, I just went home afterwards. I didn't want to have to use a public restroom!

Today I get my tests done, and will probably make my Panera run afterwards.

My friend P, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's, has just learned that his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson have all tested positive for COVID-19. So far, it appears they have light cases. But this is scary stuff. He has not been as vigilant as I would like, and I am afraid for him. For instance -- he just hosted a visit from his two sisters, even though their state is still under a no-travel order. Now I wonder if they are all at risk.

I took up Rob's suggestion and looked online to see if I could order a new handle for my microwave. I did find it without much trouble. With shipping, it is costing me $23. I hope I can figure out how to install it.

I just put in a load of laundry. I am several hours away from our SD-BYOE (socially-distanced bring-your-own-everything) picnic in the park. I am going to pack a peanut butter sandwich, an apple and some cookies -- water, too, of course. Nice and simple.

I didn't sleep well last night, and it was probably from excitement!

I walked to Walgreens yesterday and bought coffee creamer ($4) and hand sanitizer ($5). My variables are now at 58%, and it is almost the end of the month.

It is almost warm enough to turn on the air conditioners, but I am going to open the windows instead.

The new quilt set is due to arrive on Thursday. Thanks to everyone who complimented it! I'm very pumped!

I ended yesterday's entry by saying I had no Memorial Day plans. Well, now I do. DS & DIL are planning a socially-distanced bring-your-own-everything picnic for the immediate family at a local park. They chose a park that is NOT by the lake (because that's where most people will go) and that has plenty of green space, but not many picnic tables. We will find an open area and set up chairs. I'm so excited! The only fly in the ointment is that it will be hot. Summer clothes and sunhats will be in order.

I also mentioned yesterday that I was interested in replacing throw pillows. I started looking around online and somehow morphed into bedspreads, and I ended up buying one! It is actually a quilt set (Laura Ashley) with shams, and the cost was $83. Even at that price it was 25% off.

I have been looking for a new bedspread off and on for some time. At present I have a comforter, which is so old I can't even place when I bought it, and it is springing holes on a regular basis. I've had trouble finding one I like, though. I like vintage prints, and the spreads I have seen in stores are either too gaudy or too plain. This one is just right!



This morning I used the microwave (to warm up Iggy's food -- isn't he spoiled?) and when I pulled on the handle a piece chipped off. I can still use it, but I will have to be very careful now pulling on the handle, because it's loose on the bottom. It's one of those over-the-stove built-in microwaves, and I don't want to have to replace it. Especially not for a broken handle, but I can't see how to fix it. The piece that chipped off doesn't even fit, so I think other bits must have been lost without my noticing. Or perhaps before my time.

My virtual doctor visit went well. It was a video call, so we could see each other as we talked. My doctor advised that I get a COVID antibody test and a chest x-ray. The test is scheduled for Tuesday morning, and, since the x-ray is a walk-in, I'll do that the same day. It is not the same location, but I like to bundle my outings, so to speak. I will probably make a Panera run the same day as well.

I got ten hours of sleep last night! I guess my body finally demanded it. I feel so much better. Wish I could just sleep on a regular basis.

My Amazon order arrived. I have put my son's picture back on the wall. The frame is much flatter than the others -- that's what happens when you can't really see what you're buying -- but that's okay; it doesn't look terrible. Also, the clock came in black rather than red. That was a disappointment, but I didn't want to mess with a return and exchange, so I hung it up, and actually, I think the black probably looks better than the red would have.

Next, I want to replace my throw pillows. There is no hurry, since no one sees my living room but me, but the current batch is old and tired. I should wait, though, until I can see the pillows in person. I'm learning just how deceiving those online pictures are.

I hear that libraries are allowed to open in June, but it will be up to the individual library. I hope ours does. I will have to be careful, though. I suspect it will be inundated. Our community is a big supporter of its libraries. But the very thought of being able to pick out books I WANT to read! Intoxicating!

I have no Memorial Day plans. Until I get the antibody test (and get the result I'm hoping for) I will continue to shelter in place. I'll bet the parks will be packed with people bending the rules!

Yesterday I walked to the post office to mail a book to BFF. The postage was $3. Along the way I gave a dollar to a man who asked for help.

When I got home, I made an appointment with my doctor (for today) to discuss the cough that has been hanging on too long. Well, my doctor's nurse heard "cough" and did not want me to come in. We will do a telephone visit. His nurse recommended a COVID test. I tried to explain that I probably already had COVID in March, based on the symptoms, but was unable to get tested at that time due to the test kit shortage.

I have a feeling that my doctor is going to insist on a test now. I would be more interested in an antibody test. We'll see what he says.

I had a very bad night and feel pretty awful today, so I guess it's good I'm talking to the doctor.

Yesterday I ordered a new frame for DS's graduation picture, a supply of Command strips, and a kitchen clock. All from Amazon; total was $47. I am trying to keep up on household things, even though no one will be coming around. My kitchen clock has been nonfunctional for some time, and I keep glancing at that blank space on the wall to see the time. I can always look at the stove instead, where the time is displayed, but I like a wall clock. I ordered one with a red case; it should look really cute in my kitchen. These purchases bring variables to 44%, with ten days to go.

My printer is being temperamental. It's only four years old, but probably replacement is inevitable, and I hate to do it now -- especially since I just replaced the expensive ink cartridges. It is not grabbing the paper very well. I tried cleaning it internally according to directions I found online, but it is still unreliable. Sigh. I hate electronics. They never last.

Today I'm going to walk to the post office to mail a book to BFF. That will be my big outing!

Pay day is here, and I had a few challenges with the new computer. Even though I keep a list of ids/passwords, apparently the one I had for Chase was out of date. I tried the "forgot password" route on their website, but that took me to a page that wasn't working. I had to call to get online, and it took two different people to get it done, because I was cut off the first time. Very frustrating.

But now everything is paid, and I still have a nice balance in checking. I'll keep it there, because it will go toward the cost of the computer next month, when that bill comes due.

After seemingly endless rain, we have a nice day here. I took a walk to the tiny library and returned two books. I picked up one more that looks only passable, and I noticed that most of the books there I've already read or passed over. So it looks like that free book source is drying up.

I still haven't quite finished "Anne with an E," but I've also picked up "Poldark." I watched it on PBS, but during Season 4 my watching got spotty, and soon I gave up because PBS doesn't keep its episodes up very long, and I lost the thread of the story. So I'm beginning with the start of Season 4 on Amazon Prime, and I'll be able to watch till the end of Season 5, the end of the series.

Food is holding up well -- I am eating mostly from the freezer now. I'll get back to cooking when that supply dwindles.

Our state is opening up slowly, but my county is the hardest-hit and it will be the slowest to open. I'll continue to be very judicious about how much I go out even then. I don't mind a simple life. I do mind not being able to see my family, but I know, in time, that will happen again when we are all safe.

I'm typing this now on my new computer, which I got set up, basically, without TOO much trouble. I can get to the internet and I can get to my spreadsheets, which are on a thumb. I'll worry about the rest later.

The mouse that came with it didn't work at all, so I just hooked up the old one and it's fine. I don't like to use a laptop without a mouse.

I don't think my devices (i.e. this PC and my phone) are properly synced. I downloaded the required app on my phone, but it wants me to select "Send notification" on the YourPhone app on my PC. I can find the app, but no such link. I guess I can live without it for now.

I uploaded some old pictures and documents to Google Drive, but really there wasn't too much I wanted to save. Most of my important documents are on the thumb.

It was easier than I thought it would be, but I'm not sure I'm completely out of the woods yet!

Other than that, not much happened today. I decided against going to Sam's tomorrow, since I realized I had more detergent than I thought. So instead I walked to Walgreens for a few groceries -- they were $14. I did a load of laundry. My variables are now at 38%. Of course, that does not count the computer, which will come out of savings.

It has rained steadily all day long. It's very dreary. But it was good weather for binge-watching! I finished all three seasons of The Handmaid's Tale, which is great because today is the last day of the free streaming. I thought it might be completely wrapped up at the end, but it looks like they left it open for another season.

In my hallway, I have a bunch of photos of my family attached to the wall by Command strips. Most of them stay up fine, but for some reason, DS2's high school graduation picture keeps jumping off the wall, and yesterday the frame broke as it fell once again. I guess I will order a new frame, since that's not an easy thing to shop for right now. One that's more lightweight! I also need to replace my kitchen clock. But I'll wait for the new computer before I do any ordering.

My spring cleaning is done -- now it's just maintenance -- and today being Sunday I didn't do any cleaning at all except for the daily things. It's a good feeling. While I have to be home all the time, it might as well be clean and tidy.

I am not hearing as much from friends as I did at the beginning of the lockdown, but I did hear from one yesterday who sent me pictures of her new beehives. She and her husband are trying out beekeeping, which I guess is as good a diversion as any during the pandemic. I wish I could do something outdoorsy like that, but I have no yard; I'm really a total insider now.

Cook County, where I live, just surpassed Queens County in New York as having the most reported cases of COVID-19. That's a dubious honor, and it's going to keep me inside more than ever.

My mental health is somewhat affected. I have to fight the blues more now than I ever did. I have to talk myself out of it, and remind myself to stay strong; that it might be a long haul. I think, when I get the new computer, I'm going to get back to writing again. Even though it probably won't be much good, I have found in the past that writing makes the time fly like nothing else, and it would be a good thing to do when the hours are dragging.