Jump Start Tuesday and September Grocery Shopping Week 1

I woke up at 7:30 a.m., this morning, which is fairly early on a day I didn't have to go anywhere in the morning.  I settled down to do my office work after I had my cup of tea and worked steadily till later in the afternoon. 

Then, I decided to take a short break to drive down to the library to hand over the used batteries for recycling - I had called them earlier and verified that they still recycled the batteries.  Except, the car wouldn't start!  Arrrgh!  The last time I drove the car was a week ago Monday!  On August 29, the last day of my radiation treatment!  After that, I didn't have to go anywhere and I forgot to at least start the engine and let it run for awhile, every couple of days!   The poor battery was practically dead.

But it was a new battery, so I called my neighbor who had installed it for me (he owns a car repair place).  He sent over one of his guys who jump started the car and told me to drive it for a good long while before I stopped.  The drive to the library wouldn't count!  So, I got into the car and went for a drive - to downtown and back!  I just drove on the freeway till I got to downtown, exited the freeway, then, got back on the freeway and drove home!  :D  I could have exited the freeway on the way home and gone to the library, directly, but I wasn't sure if I had driven enough to charge the battery.  Driving home and then driving to this particular library (in the adjoining city, not the neighborhood library, which is a little over a mile away) added another 10 miles or so.  Altogether, I drove for almost 2 hours before I dared to stop!  Even so, I didn't linger at the library to browse for books.  I just handed over the bag of batteries for recycling and hurried back to the car, hoping it would have enough of a charge to restart!  Which it did!  Thank goodness!

I decided it was safe enough for me to drive to the Armenian grocery store.  It was close to my house and, if I needed another jump start, I wouldn't feel bad about calling my neighbor again.  I did my grocery shopping in about half an hour and the car started without any trouble, so all was well.  I had originally planned to go to the pharmacy, today, but by this time, I was tired and just wanted to come home and rest.

They had pieces of cut up fresh jakfruit at the grocery store, today, and I took a couple of pictures to show what it looks like before the segments are removed and cleaned:

Jakfruit Cross Section

The white things are the seeds, which have been cut to show the inside; they have a brownish outer skin.  The seeds are edible, too, but need to be cooked.  We boil them and make a curry with them.

Showing a bit of the outer peel which is green and bumpy, almost prickly:

Outer Peel

I only needed a few things at the grocery store.  Mostly fruits and vegetables, because I have enough meat in the freezer, and a packet of amarretti  cookies for my aunt - she tried them when she visited me on Saturday and really liked them.  I pondered whether to get a dozen medium eggs on sale for $.89, but I still have 3 large eggs in the fridge and they'll last me at least a week, so I decided not to get any eggs, yet. 

The store had 14 oz. packages of mini smoked sausages for $1.69 each, which is a good price for them.  I bought three packages to serve as snacks at the October prayer gathering.  I will saute them and serve them with some of my tomato chutney as a dip.  I budget separately for the prayer gathering food and drinks, so the cost of the three packages of mini smoked sausages will not be included in my regular monthly grocery spending.   

September 6 Groceries

Altogether, I bought:

1 packet amarretti cookies = $2.19
3 packets mini smoked sausages, $1.69@ = $5.07
Broccoli, @$.49/lb. = $.30
Green beans, @$1.69/lb. = $.44
Okra, @$1.99/lb. = $.42
White champagne grapes, @$.79/lb. = $1.42
Peaches @$.49/lb.  = $.25
Granny Smith apples, @$.39/lb. = $.35
Bananas, @$.49/lb. = $.49
Total spent = $10.93
Less price of mini smoked sausages = $10.93 - $5.07 = $5.86

I bought small quantities of fruits and vegetables this time, just enough of each for one or two servings for me.  The new weekly sales ads will come out tomorrow and I will shop again on the weekend or thereabouts.

Sept. 6 Receipt

 
September grocery budget = $75 + $2.95 carried over from July/August = $77.95 

After I came home, I rested for a bit and did more office work.  Later, I watered the garden, both front and back, watered the indoor plants, cleaned my bedroom, changed the bed sheets, put away yesterday's laundry, and vacuumed the family room.  I'm catching up on my cleaning schedule!   My neighbor who sent someone to jump start my car saw me when I was watering the front garden and asked if everything was OK with the car and reminded me to start it at least every other day!  :D

My cousin called me in the evening.  I had given her daughter a little gift for giving me a ride to the prayer meeting and she and her daughter thanked me.  Cousin also said to let her know if I was going to the Sri Lankan grocery store any time, as she'd like a ride.  I had called the Sri Lankan store a few days ago to see if they had the kind of tea that I like, but they didn't have any in stock.  I don't really need anything in particular from the Sri Lankan store, but I love going there!  Better check my supplies of curry powder and spices and make a list!

Today, I am grateful for:
- My neighbor was able to jump start my car!
- Car ran without any problems after that (and a long drive!)
- Getting some bargains at the grocery store.
- Phone call from cousin.
- Video chatting with my daughter.

Tuesday's to do list:
- Office work - DONE
- Put away the laundry - DONE
- Tidy, dust, vacuum my bedroom - DONE
- Change bed sheets - DONE
- Do another load of laundry - DONE
- Vacuum family room - DONE
- Water the garden, front and back - DONE
- Water indoor plants - DONE
- Grocery shop (fruits, vegetables, eggs, etc.) - DONE
- Library to recycle batteries - DONE
- Pharmacy: WEDNESDAY






Wednesday's To Do List:

- Office work
- Pharmacy
- Dollar store (adjoining pharmacy)
- Put away laundry
- Do another load of laundry
- Clean both bathrooms
- Give Dancer his flea meds.
- Pay gas bill

Additional items to be done this week:
- Take used printer cartridges to Staples for recycling (Thursday?)
- Paperwork/Filing
- Continue with cleaning schedule
- Friday - medical appointments

How was your Tuesday?  Have you gone grocery shopping yet in September?  Have you ever forgotten to start your car for a week and end up with a dead battery?