Mostly Pictures

 I've been so busy and worn out with the new job.  Remember me who couldn't sleep and/or couldn't get up in the mornings.  Well, I've finally got a schedule again. Here is my office set up for my first day. Neat and simple. 

Here is how I pushed everything together and out of the way on Friday. 

 I have borrowed every flat service I could find around my house.  The desk I ordered arrived in a box from Target yesterday.  It is a humongous box.  I tried to bribe one maintenance man to put it together for me, but he wasn't up for it.  My daughter and I will assemble Sunday.  

Of course, Buddy has been working hard too. 

The first thing I did when I got my first paycheck is buy groceries.  With food so expensive I have only bought what I absolutely needed. This week I did a top up.  It may not look like much but for a single person that was a whole lot of items. 

My insulin pump has been doing great with minor issues from it and my Glucose Monitor.  So many little boxes to tick to get everything working together but it is heaven when it does.  I never thought I could feel this good again.  

My little sister is still suffering with her chemo.  It is so hard to believe the suffering until it affects your family. 

My middle sister had a frozen turkey she had to cook so we had an almost Thanksgiving dinner last weekend.  She sent me home with lots of leftovers and so I made Turkey and Sausage soup with 15 beans in the slow cooker.  Remember me who didn't cook - well this is not really cooking, but it threw together so well.  Yum on me. 

I'm going to try to catch up on my blog reading this weekend.  I'm about 3 weeks behind. So, you may get short answers - but then I usually do that anyway. 

Now you are caught up and since I now have a functioning brain with my pump and a good amount of energy, I hope to have some life experiences outside of this apartment to share with you soon. 

More later ...

My Pump, My Job, My Energy

 Yes, sexy picture I know.  I have been a bit busy.  I got my insulin pump about two weeks ago.  AMAZING.  It tells you all kinds of things.  So, the first little while, I was looking at the little computer every time it beeped.  Now I'm used to it and hardly have to check.  It is an amazing product.  The biggest problem I have is not letting the clip come loose from my clothing and dropping the computer to the ground.  I'll tell you more later, just a quick share.  And, my numbers are really good now.  

Other good things.  I got a call from my old apartment manager to confirm that I am still on the list for the new apartments they are building.  The good and the bad: They will not have senior priced apartments but all apartments will be income restricted so I will still qualify.  I took a drive by them again the other day.  I can't say I love their look.  As my friend from the old apartments said, they will be like the housing projects you see on tv or maybe a hotel/motel with straight rows of front doors.  I'm judging it before it is even finished so I really should wait to see before I comment.  The truth is I will get such a good price for the area that I can't complain.  

However, here is the kicker, I also got a new job last week.  The new job will throw me over the income levels but the apartments won't be ready until around the first of the year so I will have to figure out what to do then.  Truth is I can afford to live in those apartments with just my SSA pay check so I'll face that decision when the time comes. 

New job: Well, it is for a single divorce attorney who plans to expand her firm.  The Texas courts are still on Zoom (which I didn't even know) so she is running her office remotely even though she does have an office downtown. The way I understand it is that there are three divisions of the work.  One lady answers all the phone calls and schedules new appointments. Another lady does all the document production. And I will connect everybody's work and all incoming documents to the data management system.  

I will work from home and since I've never done that, can't imagine how much easier it will be with no drive downtown in peak traffic.  

My energy level since wearing the pump has increased so much.  Buddy and I have been walking so much more to burn off my excess energy.   If I can't think of a chore I want to do, we just go for another little walk.  I feel like my old, pre-diabetic self.  It is incredible.  I never thought I would feel that way again.  

More later... 

Baseball Sweepstake

  Bud Light Perfect Draft Sweepstakes New

Entered on:

For a chance to win enter the Bud Light Perfect Draft Sweepstakes. Grand Prize (1 total): Winner will receive $15,000,000.00. Prize to prize to be awarded via a $300,000 payment per year for fifty (50) years. Approximate Retail Value 9s $15,000,000.00.

First Prize - Drawing 1 – Drawing 26 (1 prize per Drawing; see Rule #4): Each winner will receive one of the following prizes (to be determined by Sponsor, in Sponsor’s sole discretion): One (1) jersey; one (1) cooler; one (1) t-shirt; one (1) neon; or one (1) coozie. ARV is up to $571.00.

Second Prize – Drawing 27 – Drawing 32 (1 per Drawing; see Rule #4): Each winner will receive one (1) $100.00 NFL gift card. ARV is $100.00.

Restrictions: 21+ US

Limit: 1 Per Person

Added: 04-22-2022

Expires: 04-28-2022 11:59 PM EST

Hits: 724

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Entry Category: One Entry Sweepstakes

Ok Baseball Fans, go for it.  

Just do a search for 

Bud Light Perfect Draft Sweepstake 

or go to www.budlight.com.  

Let's have some winners. 

Luna, the Grand Dog

 

This is my daughter's new dog, Luna.  I think she is Shepherd and Border Collie.  She was rehomed on Craig's list by a young couple and she is super sweet.  She reminds me of my border collie, Daiquari Dog.  Yes, there is a story behind the name that I'll share sometime.  He was the best dog and I think of him often.  In the meantime, there is Good Old Buddy to keep me company.  

Baseball Fans

 I know some of you are big Baseball fans, so this contest is for you.  It says the Grand Prize is $100,000 and it is put on at MLB.com.  Sounds like it should be legit.  Go for it - and my fee is only 10%.  LOL. 

MLB Opening Day Pick 'em Contest New

Entered on:

Enter the MLB Opening Day Pick 'em Contest for a chance to win. ODPE features one (1) Grand Prize, as set forth below. Only one (1) prize will be awarded, subject to the below requirements. IF NO ELIGIBLE ENTRANT ACHIEVES A SCORE OF AT LEAST ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120), NO PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED. The “Grand Prize” is one hundred thousand U.S. dollars (100,000). Approximate Retail Value of the Grand Prize: USD$100,000. The Grand Prize will be awarded in the form of a check in U.S. dollars as one (1) lump sum.

Restrictions: 18+ US

Limit: 1 Per Person

Added: 03-25-2022

Expires: 04-07-2022 11:59 PM EST

Hits: 546

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Entry Category: One Entry Sweepstakes

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This and That

 Hi.  Quick Check-in. 

My sister continues to get horrific warnings from her doctor.  I always wondered why all doctors seem to check the nodes under my ears.  Now I know.  That is where her cancer was.  They say it hasn't spread. Good news but the warnings she is getting are so severe.  The type of cancer she has is predominant in men but turns out she has a high level of testosterone which was the cause/amplifier of her cancer.  On the other hand, my other sister has a high level of estrogen which caused/amplified her breast cancer.  And I thought my diabetes was bad.  Appears there is no end to what your body can do to you. 

A bigish box arrived which contained my insulin pump, and I don't know what else.  I opened the box, looked at all the little boxes and closed it back up.  I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment yesterday, but she put it off until May because she had to get it set up with Tandem the pump maker.  I've watched a bunch of videos on YouTube about the pump so I am ok with going forward.  

I've had a couple of good days lately with my blood sugar.  It was like night and day how good I felt.  If this pump brings my numbers down and I feel that good again, I'm going to have to figure out how to act have a life again.  

Good thing I took up my ice dying again.  I've also read two books, one of which was 800 pages.  I have forgotten the joy of reading although I was pretty worthless as far as getting anything accomplished while I was lounging in my easy chair with my books.  LOL.  

Here are some of the better ice dye projects. 

Unfortunately, the t-shirts were Hanes men's Medium which don't fit my little Humpty Dumpty body.  So now I have to find someone to give them to.  Why did I buy that size?  No idea.  Just in a hurry to get something I could dye.  Yesterday I picked up a couple of women's sleeveless Ts that at least I could wear if they turned out well.  

Buddy is continuing to enjoy the nice weather and we are taking quite a few walks as I run from shady spot to shady spot.  Even though my sugar numbers have improved, my heat tolerance has not.  The heat is just starting so no use complaining yet. 

More later ...

Slap 2

I wanted to make another comment about the slap and share a little family history. 

Almost two years ago my middle sister was diagnosed with an early case of breast cancer.  They were able to remove the lump and save the breast.  She had radiation but I don't think there was any chemo.  At any rate, she didn't lose her hair. 

My youngest sister has just been diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer in a lump on the side of her neck.  She thought she had Bell's Palsy because of the drop on that side of her face but it turned out to be more.  Yesterday she had the eye sewn shut to try to save it because of the way the eyelids were hanging and not protecting the eye.  She will begin chemo and other treatments for the cancer in the very near future.  She will, no doubt, lose her hair during the treatment and she does not think being bald will be funny.  

My cousin has also been treated for breast cancer for 8 months now.  She has lost her long, dark, beautiful hair. 

I think every mention of the slap that I have read is totally negative about the actions of Will Smith.  None seem to have anything to say about Chris Rock publicly humiliating Jada P Smith.  Do you think she thought it was funny.  I bet she wanted to cry as everyone turned to look at her. 

Jada Pickett Smith did not have cancer but she had a disease she couldn't control and tried to act proud and well dressed while in the public eye.  

Why isn't what Chris Rock said about a woman's baldness on national TV the bigger wrong.  A slap is wrong but it was meant to let Chris Rock know what he said was wrong.  

I have heard the fear from these women in my family about how they will look when they lose their hair.  

Losing your hair is not funny.  It is not the way to entertain an audience.  I just can't stand that nobody is focusing on how rude Chris Rock was.  

The Slap Heard Round the World

 I think I am the only person that thinks this and it is alright for you to disagree with me.  

Of course, I am talking about Will Smith and Chris Rock.  What Chris Rock said about Jada being bald was a rude comment. If I had the same ailment and lost all my hair like she did, I would have been mortified.    

We have become so mean.  Do you laugh at cripples? Do you snort at stammers? Don't be mean was one of the many things my mother said to me and my sisters when we argued.    

Trump took it to the inth degree calling people names when they didn't agree with him.  Cow. Pocahontas. And to any more to name.  

Jada was trying her best to handle her disease with style and courage. I do not know much about Chris Rock.  I do not know much about Jada Pickett Smith. My opinion is based solely on manners.  

Well what kind of manners did Will Smith show.  Not good manners.  We never hit, my mother also said.  So Chris Rock was rude to Jada and Will was pissed.  

The whole world, well a good many people, heard Chris make fun of Jada's bald head.  If it were you and your problem would you want a joke broadcast near and far with other people repeating GI Jane 2.  No. 

l just think it is time we quit making fun of each other. If Will Smith had been my husband and did that, I think I would be proud of him standing up for me.  Embarrassed but glad.

Everything I have read bashed Will Smith but I'm glad he protected his wife's honor.  Now you have permission to bash me!

More Ice Dying

I picked up a storage box from my daughter's shed that was probably boxed when I moved from the garage apartment.  It contained plastic bead/craft cases.  What a joy to find again, especially with the youngest Grand Girl starting in jewelry making. At the bottom of the box were two fed ex boxes.  What in the world, I wondered?  You know it. It was my ice dyeing powders.  I've often wondered what happened to them.  I figured I had donated them or thrown them away as I often do when I move.  Woot.  Woot. 

So, I quickly got on the internet and ordered some Soda Ash which is what you soak your fabric in before dyeing and a painter's drop cloth because this will be my first experience dropping dye on a concrete floor.  Previously I had a wood porch and access to a lawn.  Oh, my little garage apartment, I miss it. 

While I wait for my supplies, I will share some old photos of my experiments.  

The hair color was the result of trying a box colorant!

Looks like I was trying for blond?  

Chemicals must have gotten to my brain. 

And just for grins, I found this while I was searching. Those of you who know that this means, know what it means.  Hahaha. 

More later ...

Another Type of Contest

This is an example of a good prize (2023 Ford Mustang) given away through AMOE (Alternate Method of Entry).  AMOE usually means a mail in entry.  

When I first started contesting, I received a paper booklet in the mail, and I picked from that pamphlet the contests I wanted to enter.  My children thought it was great fun to sit at the kitchen table with me while I wrote my info, like those requested in this contest, on a 3x5 index cards and addressed the envelope.  Then one child was in charge of stuffing the envelope and the other attaching the stamp.  Yes, there were many Catty Wampus stamps. I can't remember if I ever won anything that way.  

So here is the newest example, an AMOE contest:

Ford Motor Company Mustang 5.0 Fever Ford Sweepstakes New

Entered on:

For a chance to win enter the Ford Motor Company Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes. AMOE To enter by mail, send a hand-printed 3” x 5” card with name, address, phone number, email address (if any) to: Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes, PO Box 490, 3800 Greenfield Road, Dearborn, MI 48121. The Grand Prize consists of a 2023 Ford Mustang GT (maximum MSRP $45,000) with $5,000 MSRP in Ford Performance Parts. Ford Sweepstakes winner will be allowed to choose Ford Performance Parts, including installation, not to exceed $5,000.

Restrictions: 18+ US licensed

Limit: 1 Per Person

Added: 03-16-2022

Expires: 12-31-2022 11:59 PM EST

Hits: 878

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Entry Category: One Entry Sweepstakes

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What to Read?

Following Jean's post about her reading club, I thought about my Mom and her reading habits.  When Mom's knees gave out and she became wheelchair bound she was living in a small Texas town with limited tv access, I'm not sure she even had regular cable since she was still renting DVDs.  

Anyway, she became very focused on reading.  Her plan, which I thought was really good, was that she kept two books going.  In the mornings, she read a difficult or thought-provoking book and in the evening she read a fun novel.  Naturally, she went through the evening books much faster than the serious books. 

She became an avid on-line thrift shopper for book outlets, always looking for the next read.  I remember her telling me about one of her morning books that was lasting forever because she had to reread so many paragraphs to take in and understand the message.  

Some of these serious books she really disliked because of either the message or writing, but she kept on. Unfortunately, she did not have anyone to share these books with except my sisters and I.  I confessed, some did not interest me in the least but I admire her tenacity. 

Even though I do continue to enter contests for books, I have a stack that I just can't begin.  My preference is still audiobooks and luckily, I have a large choice from my library.  But, like Jean said, they are not always available when you want a certain book.  

After all is said and done, I still love the smell or an old library of fabric covered books and glue. 

More later ... 

Foreign Films

I've been watching a foreign tv program.  Apparently, there are a lot of Finnish folks who go to the coast of Spain to retire or in winter months. This program is a police procedural.  The female police lead is Finnish and speaks to the Finnish locals in Finnish.  The male police lead is Spanish and talks to the local Spaniards in Spanish.  When the Finns and Spanish are talking to each other they speak in English.   

Even though half of the program I am reading the closed captions, I still have a problem hearing some of the characters because of their accents and if I have to stop and think about what it is they said, I will be two lines behind in captions.  Hahaha. 

To add a little spice to that, the older Finnish woman and the younger Spanish man are having a little May-December romance, in English, of course.  

Just a bit of silliness in the mist of world troubles. 

More later ... 

Currently employed or retired as a Peace Officer, Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter or be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Here is a dozy for currently employed or retired as a Peace Officer, Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter or be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), a $10,000 contest.  See states eligible in description.  Hint: You can enter with that person's info.

Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA) $10,000 Camping Giveaway New

Entered on:

( Quick Ending ) Enter for a chance to win a $10,000 Camping Giveaway.

Restrictions: Entrant must be currently employed or retired as a Peace Officer, Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter or be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Entrant must be 18 as of March 1, 2022 and must reside in one of these 44 states or principalities: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WY. Residents of AK, HI, MA, ME, MI, NY, RI and WI are NOT eligible. In the following states, a resident must be a member of the associated group to be eligible: AZ, CA, CO, KS, KY, IN, IL, IA, LA, MD, MO, NE, NJ, NV, OH, OR, TX, WA and UT.

Limit: One Per Person

Added: 03-11-2022

Expires: 11-18-2022 11:59 PM EST

Hits: 25

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Entry Category: One Entry Sweepstakes

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Example of a Great Contest

 This is a good example of a contest that is on my daily entry schedule.  The contest runs from 2/9 to 3/29/22.  It is easy to enter and offers a great prize - $10,000 - from a reputable source - The Travel Channel.  On this site alone it has been entered 8,554 times.  I wish I knew how to do the Laws of Attraction so I could get a leg up on this one.  You can see in the Category box it says Reminder. When you are a member of Sweepsadvantage Plus you can save contests to any category you want to create.  If nothing else, I try to enter my Reminder category everyday.   

 TravelChannel Best Vacation Ever Sweepstakes

Entered on: 2022-03-07 11:03 AM

For a chance to win enter the TravelChannel Best Vacation Ever Sweepstakes. The Grand Prize Winner will receive the following (the “Grand Prize”): Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) presented in the form of a check. Approximate retail value (“ARV”) of the Grand Prize is $10,000.

Restrictions: 21+ US

Limit: 1 Daily Sweepstakes Entry

Added: 02-09-2022

Expires: 03-29-2022 11:59 PM EST

Hits: 8554

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Entry Category: Daily Sweepstakes

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Brrr

 My phone says it is 46° in Houston.  I had the best sleep last night rolled up like a mummy.  To toast the cool weather here are a couple of pictures of a guy who really knows how to sleep.  Buddy.

Who's making all the noise?

More later ... 

Gluten-Free Contest

 This one is for you gluten-free friends.  This sight has quite a few contests for gluten-free foods. I don't use gluten-free products so I don't enter, but judge for yourself if it interests you.  

 SimplyGluten-Free.com Steiner’s Coffee Cake of New York Giveaway New

Entered on:

( 2 Winners ) Two lucky winners will receive either:
1) A quarterly shipment of 4.5lbs of our all-purpose flour. The first shipment will include 1 dozen snack size coffee cakes. Retail value of $124+ shipping.
2) A quarterly shipment of 1/2 dozen coffee cakes and 1/2 dozen brownies. Total retail value $186.

Restrictions: 18+ US

Limit: Daily Sweepstakes Entry is allowed

Added: 03-05-2022

Expires: 03-31-2022 11:59 PM EST

Hits: 0

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Entry Category: Daily Sweepstakes

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  Select custom category...  Daily Sweepstakes  Daily Bonus Media  Daily Specials  One Entry   One Entry - Seth  Reminder  Watch Video  zz Need Info 

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