Sunday's Novel

As per usual, I slept lousy and was up every hour. This has been going on since I got back from the hospital and I’m tired of it! And, it’s keeping me feeling tired all the time as well.

It was 50 degrees F. when I woke up Sunday morning, but no fog. I watched some of the news and my favorite TV preacher. Then I got on the computer to write out my rather lengthy Blog entry for Saturday.

Sidebar: I find it amusing that I get far more comments on short posts than I do when I write long ones. You would think there would be more to comment about on the long ones. Hmmm... Wait a minute! Maybe people see it’s a long one so they just don’t bother to read them!!!

Anyway, I checked the weather on the computer and found something interesting as far as projected highs today for my kids and me (shown below from high to low).

Jake and Carla in South Carolina – 84 degrees
Amy and her Carl’s in Minnesota – 77 degrees
Dave and Melissa in North Carolina – 76 degrees
Me in Redford – 70 degrees
Jeremy and Jyl in Port Huron – 69 degrees

So Amy, way up in what I consider “frigid” Minnesota, will be warmer today than almost everyone!

I ate some oatmeal and took my morning pills.

Then I got started on the corned beef and cabbage. I peeled enough carrots to make one layer in the round slow cooker. Then I did the same with some Russet potatoes (that’s the only kind I have at the moment). I peeled two small onions and stuck them in whole.

I tried to put in the corned beef and then realized I wouldn’t have any room for the cabbage. Damn! So, I got out the bigger oval slow cooker and transferred everything, rebuilding it layer by layer.

I added four cups of water and the corned beef. Then I dumped a can of beer on top the beef. I know it should have been Guinness or even Killian Red, but all I had on hand was Labatt’s. So, I will dedicate this St. Patrick’s Day dinner to all the Irish that immigrated to Canada (there must have been some, right?) I pressed all the spices from the spice packet into the top of the beef and put on the lid.

I turned the slow cooker on “High” and set the stove timer for 8 hours (you shred and then cook the cabbage for an hour after that). I washed the small slow cooker and left it to dry. Then I went into the bedroom and did my injections, blood sugar and pressure testing and refilled my pill box for the week. I filled in the results of my tests and my weight into the chart on the computer.

I watched a little TV while warming and eating the remaining eggplant for my lunch. The smells from the slow cooker were making me hungry, even then!

Then I got to the main focus of today (well, I also wanted to wash the living room windows inside and out, but that came second). I dug out all the notifications from Blue Cross Blue Shield and all the medical bills from the various places I owe now because of my recent spinal experiences.

I laboriously went over and compared everything line by line to make sure I wasn’t being charged for something that my insurance paid versus what the doctor’s and hospitals wanted.

After I verified all the claims were true, (dammit), I filled out seven separate checks and got them in the right envelopes. I stuck on stamps and return address labels and made a bundle to mail Monday. Then I went to my bank’s website and transferred the appropriate amount from my savings to my checking account (sigh).

Melissa called and we talked for a while, which helped get me out of my depressed state (well, a little bit out). Washing the living room windows will have to wait for another day, I guess. After we hung up, I shredded half a cabbage to add to the crock pot when the timer goes off (it was close by then).

I added the cabbage at the appropriate time and let it cook for another hour. When that timer went off, I plated my supper.

I have to tell you, that was probably the most delicious corned beef and cabbage I ever ate. I took a little of everything and ate it all, plus I even went back for seconds on the corned beef. I think that may be the best dish I’ve cooked in almost a year!!

I watched a taped movie until 9:00 PM and then read until bedtime.