Cherry Pits

Erma Bombeck, whom some of you are too young to remember, wrote a story, "If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What am I doing in the Pits?"  She also wrote, "The Grass is always Greener over the Septic Tank," but cherry pits are today's topic.

A few years ago, I read about a cherry pit bed warmer.  We've used our flax/rice heat ups as bed warmers for years, but they don't hold the heat very long.  The theory is that the larger cherry pits would hold heat longer.  I've been diligently saving cherry pits for two or three years.  Since they are roughly the same size, I saved the Damsom plum pits, too.  I pitted all kinds of cherries- pie cherries, sweet cherries, plums, and even the cherries that didn't get eaten and are now furry/slimy and going to compost.  I would wash the pits and then rub them in a towel to get off all the fruit remnants.   Then I would leave them on said towel to dry. Many times did I hear, "God Dammit," followed by the sound of cherry pits cascading to the floor because Kelly thought that it was just a dish towel and grabbed it to dry his hands.  Once they were dry, I put them in plastic jars on top of the microwave.  Jars without lids, because what fun would that be?  Many times did I hear, "God Dammit," followed by the sound of cherry pits spilling all over the counter, rolling under the microwave and getting into the stove burners.  Good times.

Lesley has tried to teach me to use my sewing machine.  The sewing part is fine.  The whole threading/bobbin part seems to be too much for me.  It isn't rocket science, but once something tangles up or needs to be rethreaded, I'm lost.  Barbara took another stab at showing me while she was here.  Then she asked me what I was trying to do.  I showed her the size I was thinking, the cherry pits, and the flannel sheets I was planning to use as fabric (old crib sheets).  In less time than it took me to get out all the stuff, she made a cherry pit bed warmer.  And a flax heat up with lavender.  And made covers for them that velcro on/off for washing.  I'm not sure which is more impressive, her skills or my lack thereof.

The cherry pit bed warmer does work, by the way.  I'm still trying to figure out how long to heat it up.  Five minutes is still not quite enough.  It holds the heat for a long time.  Because my thyroid is low, due to genetics or radiation I cannot say, my feet often turn to blocks of ice at night, becoming so cold they wake me up. I'm sure poor circulation doesn't make it better.  The cozy pits radiated heat for a good portion of the night and no painful cold feet for me.  And no more cherry pits all over the kitchen.  Well, not until the cherries are ripe again...

Kelly was in a different kind of the pits yesterday.  I had a prescription at Fred Meyer, so he said he would go get it.  Yes, he probably should have walked.  The truck started right up, brushed off all the snow and on his way with four wheel drive if he needs it.  Got the stuff.  Got back in the truck.  It won't start.  Call AAA. Of course the wait is forever because of the weather.  I offer to come get him, but he declines.  Even via text I can tell he is over the edge.  Why can't anything ever be easy?

After over an hour and a half, AAA shows up.  They cannot get the truck started either.  No, they didn't send a tow truck, they sent roadside assistance.  The wait for a tow truck will be hours.  He leaves the truck there and the driver brings him home.  He is frazzled.

Karissa is a busy little girl.  She and Kelly have been butting heads a lot lately.  This does not make for a calm household.  We did manage to get through the evening without any huge arguments between them, thank goodness.  Kelly is worn to a frazzle between the demands at work and at home.

After Karissa went to bed, we had a long talk.  It may sound strange, but it is the first long conversation we've had since my surgery.  We used to rehash things in bed at night, but now Kelly needs to be able to see my face and gestures to understand what I am saying.  We are both trying to get past the "Why us?" stage.   We recognize that there are many, many people who have life a lot harder than we do and that we have been tremendously blessed in many ways.  Still when you look around at people who abuse their bodies everyday, be it through drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, poor food choices, or whatever and see that they appear to be just fine it is frustrating.  We are finding the new path together, though, and that is what matters.

He got up this morning to walk to Fred Meyer to meet the tow truck.  Luck was with him and Angie and Ed were pulling out and gave him a ride.  I wasn't excited about him walking in below zero weather even if it is only a mile.  AAA took the truck to the garage and they are trying to figure out the issue.  Battery, starter and alternator are all fine.  Please let it not be the computer module.  After 14 years, I am more than a little attached to my truck.  We are not really in a position right now to buy a new car, nor is my schedule really conducive to riding the bus.  Hopefully the news won't be too bad.

Karina spent the weekend in the pits because she couldn't get home due to the weather.  She didn't miss the parade, though.  It was rescheduled like everything else this weekend due to the weather.  Unfortunately her roommate and her boyfriend had planned on Karina being gone this weekend, so that made for an uncomfortable situation.  Hopefully they are able to smooth this over or it will be a long two more terms.  I am hoping she used the time out of her room to study for finals.

The chickens survived the subzero weather last night, although they show no signs of wanting to come out of their house.  We've been thawing their water with boiling water periodically and giving them extra corn throughout the day.  Karissa can't get enough of playing in the snow, but I had to explain to her that when it is this cold, you can't just stay outside for long periods of time no matter how warmly you dress, especially if you have no body fat.

I am happy that everything was cancelled this weekend so we didn't have to venture out too much (me not at all).  However, I've done way too much sitting on my rear, as evidenced by my quick progression in Candy Crush.  There are lots of things to do, so I should get to them.  At least there aren't any cherry pits on the floor.