Weekend happenings

Every once in a while I'll participate in Prairie Land Food purchase for the month. Sometimes I'll buy just for us and sometimes I'll purchase a gift pack to be given to someone else. It's not a big donation but I figure any little bit to help my community in any way is a good thing. I hadn't participated for a few months because money was a little tight and the food boxes don't always have stuff in them that Ron can eat. If I can't personally use at least half of what's offered, I don't purchase for us.

Yesterday was the pick-up for May. I had purchased the "Prairie Pak" ($25), which contained Chicken Thighs - 2 lbs, Pork Sausage (chub) – 1 lb, Any*tizers Carne Asada Steak QuesaDippers with Cilantro Lime Salsa, Cheese Bratwurst - 1 lb, (4) 3.2 oz Breakfast Burritos (Egg.Lite American Cheese, Turkey Sausage and Potatoes), Lettuce, Celery, Green Peppers - 2, Onions - 2 lb bag, Tomatoes - 2, Oranges - 4,  bananas - 4, Raspberry and Cheese Sweet Roll Combo Pack.  I got the "Variety Pak" ($22), which contained (2) 8 oz Stuffed Pork Chops, (1) 10 oz Pork Tenderloin, 1.5 lbs boneless Pork Roast, (6) 6 oz boneless Pork Chops. Also, since next week is Memorial Day, I ordered a "holiday meal in a box" (these were originally offered at Christmas). It contained a large roasting hen, mashed potatoes, biscuits, frozen fruit, a 10" pie, sweet potato patties (these are really good), macaroni and cheese, frozen green beans, and a container of gravy. This was $18. All in all, I got a ton of food for $65.

I got home from picking up my boxes and started putting things away. I noticed that the ice maker tray was nearly empty (it usually makes more ice than we use) so I checked to make sure that it hadn't been shut off. It had not. I also noticed that some of the items currently in the freezer had started to soften a bit - not thawed, but definitely not frozen hard. This gave me a bit of concern so I started moving things to the deep freezer in the garage (which is not very big and now is full to the rim). I checked the fridge and things were worse there. Just cool - not cold at all.

We called the landlord and he came out to see what could be the problem. He couldn't fix it so he called a guy who does a lot of maintenance stuff for rentals his church has investments in. Only problem is that he can't come until Monday. The milk-based products (that I just bought Thursday!) were either tossed or are now in the freezer. I had to throw out a crock-pot full of chicken/vegetable soup and a one-pound package of hamburger that had been defrosting. The veggies and fruit are OK in the fridge crispers. The freezer items are safely ensconced in the garage. Now to just patiently wait for the repairman.

Two of our granddaughters graduated from high school yesterday and we had been invited to each celebration. Ron did not feel well enough to get out so I decided to not leave him. He fell again Friday morning and hit the front of my curved-glass front china hutch. Thankfully, I was there when he fell and he didn't land IN the cabinet - just skimmed it going down.

I found out it will be at least $200 to replace the front glass so, for now, it's empty. At least no one will cut themselves on it now. LOL! My good deal ($150) on the cabinet isn't such a good deal any longer.

We sold the chair that was in the way of getting a new lift chair for Ron. Now, I just need to find a chair for about the same price ($300-ish) for him. Problem with living in Small Town USA is running to look at used chairs means you drive all over to find something and then it might not suit your needs. I've been emailing people from Craigslist ads but haven't had any luck (yet) in finding something.

We're going forward with Day Care for Ron. I am filling out the SRS paperwork for financial assistance but I discovered that Medicaid doesn't pay for assisted living room and board. Based on our current living expenses (and not taking into consideration cable, Internet, telephone, gasoline, or groceries), I would be short about the cost of my rent for Ron to go to assisted living right now. {sigh} I'm doing my best, really I am, but it looks like I'm falling short.

I have to keep telling myself that things are really OK. I'll get by. I will manage. I am a strong person and I will get through this.