Friday's This and That

If we all lived nearby, I would share some lemons, oranges, and mandarins with you.

The corner of my dining room has a delightful scent.

Today is a lovely day; it's 61 degrees and sunny. Sitting in the sun feels quite pleasant, but once the sun sets behind the mountains to the west, it gets cold.

Earlier this week, Susie received her new scratching post and her very own plant. I’ve mentioned how she munches on both real and artificial plants, but this one is safe for her to eat.

Once it was assembled, she quickly went over to scratch at it and paw at the foliage. I think she likes it.

No, I know she likes it. I woke up in the middle of the night to her running down the hallway and back into the living room, using her Stephen King meow. When I came out this morning, I saw her toys scattered all over the room.

Silly Cat

Today, I ran out to the market to get just a few things. I'm doing well, just using what I already have on hand but I always need milk, eggs, and some produce. 

Petaluma large eggs $10.96 

I buy eggs every week, so I usually just open the refrigerator at the store and take them out. Today, an elderly woman asked me if I had checked the price. I hadn’t, and I was shocked by what I saw.  Nevertheless, I bought them anyway. Laydee has an egg a day, and we eat the rest. Prices always rise in winter, and when you factor in the shortage, it leads to even higher costs.

I came home and put all the groceries away. Then, I noticed a package of cookie mix that I had recently won in a basket filled with various cake and cookie mixes, along with some baking utensils. I thought it would be a good idea to use them. The cookie mix was for macadamia nuts and white chips cookies. 

To prevent overeating, I make the dough and bake only enough for the day.

I must say, they were very delicious.

On these sunny days, we see the garden come alive again - This mum I've had for years now - I cut it down, and it grows back. 

I forgot to mention that my stepdaughter, Char finally got a job as a cashier at Walmart. She’s been there for about three weeks and is still in training. I really appreciate Walmart for hiring her despite her mental disability. So far, things are going well—she does have memory issues and can be slow at the register. Some customers have gotten frustrated with her for taking too long, but her trainer has spoken up for her.

Due to her SSDI and other benefits she receives, such as her housing subsidy and her care manager, she can only work a limited number of hours and cannot bring in more than $2000 combined income in a month. She started at $20 an hour. Amazing while my first job paid $1.65 an hour. Times have really changed! She receives several benefits, including free delivery for online purchases, free food delivery. 

The first Lavender 2025

My husband lost his car key fob, and it will cost us $460 to replace it at the dealership. We checked with locksmiths, and while the cost of the fob itself is one expense, the programming significantly increases the overall cost. We are still deciding whether it would be more beneficial to go through the dealership or to use a locksmith. Additionally, I am exploring a digital startup through the KIA connect app that utilizes our smartphones, to start and open our car -  I need to figure it out before presenting it to him.

All of this is currently pending.

Yesterday, my husband and his Tikfah friend, Patrick went to the two local colleges to ask permission to be on campus and set up a table about Israel, anti-Semitism, and Zionism. Shasta College is a community college, and Simpson is a Christian four-year liberal arts college. 

Shasta College was enthusiastic about it and approved them. They have permission for the rest of the semester. We are still waiting on Simpson. 

So they will have tables set up on Monday and Friday of next week.

 

And speaking of Israel - something you rarely hear from on the news

Israel also sent a team of highly skilled firefighters, who have stated that they will fully cover their own expenses without seeking reimbursement. In contrast, Mexico, Canada, and other states are being reimbursed, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's the norm but to think that little tiny Israel always steps up in a big way, shows how they continue to be a light to the nations. 

Margarette Daisies, I confess, are not my favorite, but my husband loves them. 

I cannot remember what these are—it seems that since the last iPhone update, I have been unable to identify the plants from my photos. I just refuse to add another app to my phone. All I know is that it is extremely drought-resistant and blooms profusely in the winter. They are a bush. 

Look for the bee! 

That is it for me this Friday. We are going out tonight, and tomorrow afternoon, we have a memorial to go to. 

I hope you all have a wonderful, cozy evening and a good weekend. 

Debby