Monday night

 Work was crazy.  The only thing I can figure my boss had to let the new girl hang herself.  One of those "you didn't pick her" hires.  She hasn't been pulling her weight.  

I got out of there.  The buses were running late.  I did not tell Buddy when I saw him but the other bus came first, I could have ridden it.  But 1.  It was packed and 2.  I figured Buddy was coming.  So I waited, the bus was mostly empty, we could talk a little.  

He has been talking about food places.  We do that, where's a good place to eat, what's your favorite meal.  He was talking me into "One of those greasy quesadillas after you do the Bible Handout" which does have appeal.  He was also telling me about a little food truck not far from my home (he doesn't know where I live) not on a bus line.  

Is he working up to asking me out?  I don't know.  I have figured out he is the kind of man who wants to set the pace.  I think his problem is he's very good looking (for real), and very easygoing so he has to say no a lot, to women.  

But I'm not sorry I gave him my number. I got home on time, but am very tired, I am going to bed.  Hopefully I will wake up early.  

Monday morning

 It will be an interesting day.  I made it to work OK.  My second driver told me the new drivers don't start until late January.  

I am going to try to go to lunch earlier.  I am sick of the weird guy bothering me and trying to force me to watch "funny" videos   - people and animals being hurt as he laughs uproariously.  I have told him, repeatedly, I don't want to watch it. Last time I put my hand over the phone.  He got very angry but I don't care.  Easier just to take my lunch early.  He also complains a lot about the bus service.  

If someone ever snaps and shoots the place up my money is on him.  

Now on to more cheerful thoughts: I made some dump cake and brought that.  I also brought some of the granola bars everyone likes.  We will see what they think.  

I am very careful discussing family now

 Since the pest made some veiled threats about them.  

I will say my aunt came to town, we had a good time, a good meal and some holiday shopping.  I found something delicious to take on the Handout (I'm always out there with the munchies, holding my sign, a couple cases of Bibles at my feet, kicking myself I did not bring snacks).  

She liked her gift, I can put up a link.  Magical hand cream for less than $5, also some candles.  She has different migraine triggers, for me it is food, hormones, environment in pretty much that order.  For her it is scent and environment.  So it was a gamble giving her scented candles.  She said one would work but one wouldn't, and she would find it a good home.  The hand cream (it's more intensive than a lotion) is unscented, happily, and not very common.  

We did go by a grocery store, it was insane of course.  The chicken section was completely wiped out but I did find some thin little skillet steaks (beef) and some "wafer thin" pork chops.  That will make a wonderful holiday meal.  

I also got some Christmas cards to put in the Bibles which I think will be lovely.  My aunt loved the idea.  It is nice to get support on the Handouts, a lot of my evangelism working life it's been me out there on my own.  Sometimes literally just me on a corner.  

I don't need people telling me I'm wonderful; but I do like to spitball ideas sometimes and it's good to get feedback.  I can't do comments anymore.  So I love talking to people who are also excited about outreach.  Which is, no one at work.  

Someone is coming into work and leaving tracts.  It's not me, I was asked about it.  I said no, honestly, but I'd love to meet them and they were happy with the answer.  They know I restrict my evangelism to outside the store.  It's kind of like the old sign above the church exit doors "You are now entering the mission field".  But it would be fun to meet the evangelist and chat a little.  

I did meet one guy who was handing out gospel newsletters.  He was about 70 years old, married 40 years, couldn't understand the concept that some times are not the right time to share the Gospel.  I haven't seen him in a year or two.  There was an older Black lady leaving tracts with a heart, in other customer's shopping carts, I saw her at it one day.  She was very shy about it so I didn't say anything.  I thought it was very brave and very sweet.  There was a guy on the bus one day, he was neurodivergent in some way, he got on, wearing a "COVID" type mask, a hoodie pulled up, I could tell it was a white man but that's about it.  He went around handing out different tracts to everyone.  I had my candy with me so I accepted the tract, smiled, and gave him the candy (with a tract) he said thank you and left.  I never saw him again.  One time Ron and I were doing a Handout in Acres Homes, at my usual spot.  Buses pass up and down the street, a bus left the corner and a guy came running up to us with a ton of questions, which we answered.  He just thought we were the coolest thing ever and took a  photo which he then sent me on Facebook.  

I actually have this photo blown up on canvas hanging by my front door.  God will tell the guy that one day.  It's my favorite photo of us, one of our good times.  

So I remain hopeful, but I just don't meet evangelists.  We are pretty uncommon.  For one not many Americans are born again Christians.  Of them only a small percentage believe in evangelism.  They will go to a sermon about it, throw some money in the collection box to "save the lost" and go home.  But actually go out there?  Have a tract in the house?  

One of my regrets (evangelically) is that I didn't make up more candy bags with tracts, and hand them out to toll booth workers back when we had them.  I went through the toll booth in many cars over the years but a lot of times I didn't think to do it, didn't have the supplies, or the driver didn't want to do it.  The last one I couldn't help.  But when I could I did and the worker was always happy to get that.  If I remarry I want someone who will think of things like that.  

And you have to do it for the right reasons, people are always asking me why?  For me, I have had a lot of pain in my life, people letting me down.  God has always been there for me and I have clung to Him many, many, times.  But there are people going through pain just as bad; worse, even.  And they don't have Him.  Not yet.  That's where I come in, I make the introduction, generally move out of their life (but always praying), and God sends them someone else to help in the journey.  

One day I was doing a Bible Handout.  This woman walked over to me, a middle aged Black lady.  She stood on the sidewalk watching me work the median (our streets here generally have a raised area with grass in between the lanes, it is several feet wide and can easily be 100 feet long, that's where I work).  I was holding the sign you see above, most likely, running up and down seeing if anyone wanted a Bible, handing them out as requested.  I don't take donations but between us I do take snacks.  She just stood there watching me for minutes.  I waved at her and smiled a few times and she walked over.  

I offered her a Bible.  "You already gave me one" she said.  "You were doing this a couple months ago and you gave my friend one, she asked for one for me and you gave it to her".  I probably also told her I'd be praying.  I hope I did.  "She told me about you but I didn't believe anyone would do this until just now.  It was you, wasn't it?"  I told her that, as far as I know, I'm the only one doing this.  

[Side note, since then a local Baptist Church apparently spotted me working one day and adapted the idea.  They dress up for their Bible Handouts, set up shop in retail parking lots like Target and Walmart, have a nice standing sign, very nice KJV Bibles wrapped in plastic.  I do more the ghetto circus I guess you'd call it, me in the loud orange t shirt and the battered, laminated, poster board sign, in the bad neighborhood where they tried to carjack one of my bus drivers).  

She just stood there and watched me for a while, when I turned around she was gone.  I don't know what image she had in her head.   I hope she opened the Bible.  

Like I said, I just make an introduction.  

Saturday night at my house

 I forgot to mention Google let me know Ron's neurologist found my review and gave it a heart emoji.  I'm glad he knows; I know for a fact Doc listened to his voicemails personally every morning before seeing his patients.  A day or two after Ron died I left a message for the Doc letting him know Ron was gone and how much I had appreciated the care he had given us, how it had been such a burden lifted that we got the seizures under control.  

Between us every regular doctor would freak at the word "seizures".  Doc was very matter of fact.  I remember him telling me Ron was at a very low dose on the Keppra and, at some point, he would have another seizure, that, when it happened, I was not to worry, just call and we would adjust the dose upward.  He was very matter of fact about it and said that during a couple of visits.  It was just what I needed to hear; every other doctor had hysterics at the word.  

I wish him nothing but the best.  He does not have a good overall rating on Google, which is criminal.  He's an excellent doctor and I would see him myself if I needed a neurologist.  

That is one of the nice things about living in Houston, we have all the great specialist doctors close at hand.  I have always lived near a big city - from minutes to an hour away.  

My aunt is picking me up early tomorrow.  I need to go to bed!  

I hope you enjoyed seeing me with my boys.  

Orange sugar video!

 Also me in my black cat orange nightgown!  When it hit the racks I liked it so much I bought it at full price.  

If you look behind me a few seconds after the video starts you'll see Biscuit walk by.  

Saturday dinner

 I have been battling a bad headache all day.  I hardly ate anything I just wasn't hungry.  I am glad my aunt didn't come by today.  

I did manage to pick up and clean the bathroom, get some laundry going.  

I am curious to see how it ends with Buddy.  Does the boss have me work late Monday and Tuesday?  If so, I won't see him again.  If I get off on time, and he's driving, I'll see him.  

I will miss knowing I'll see him at the end of the day.  I'm all 5 love languages but my primary 2 are quality time and gifts.  It was nice just sitting there watching him drive.  Very soothing for some reason.  

I'm going to lay down for a little bit before I call my Dad.  

They have a very active social life so I just texted them to call when ready if they could.  

Cleo was very sweet licking my face, standing on me as I talked to her and pet her in bed.  That's one reason I don't want to wear a lot of lotion or makeup.  She licks me a lot.  

I had a look in the fridge.  I got some rotini pasta, boiled that, threw it in a bowl with a little butter and some fire roasted salsa I bought in a can at work (surprisingly good).  A little shredded cheese and some frozen mixed vegetables (the usual mix) heated up.  It's delicious. 

I'm just not the person to make the same thing every time.  Ron hated that.  

I'm going to go eat this.  

I feel the generation gap

 I met Buddy last year on the Crazy Train route (the one that departs work, when I get off).  He did that until the end of the year, bid to come back, lost the bid.  I figured I would never see him again.  I was delighted when he came back about the same time as my assault.  

I made some choices and gave him my number.  But I am older (I think about 15 years or so), he isn't interested.  That's OK I won't lie in bed at night wondering what if I'd given him my number.  

I am active online, to the point I spend an extra $40 a month for my isp because I feel they are more reliable.  

Anyway one of my groups I have seen young (early 20's) kids talk about calling into work because they "can't".  "I have anxiety today I can't do it".  

Today I said I think that's the difference with people who pay all the bills themselves vs. people who do not.  Someone like me I have to go to work.  If I don't work I'm homeless.  

If Katniss calls in sick her Mom and Dad will pay the cell phone bill, or her boyfriend.  What difference does it make?  

I also pointed out that when retail workers call in sick someone else has to cover.  I don't want to put that weight on someone I like (and I like all my coworkers).  

Gen X on up we fell down Mom and Dad would say "get up it's not that bad".  They would examine it, tell us to go play, and we would.  Ron fell off a ladder, on his head, as a child.  He said he just laid there, stunned.  His brother told him to get up and walk around.  He could.  He was "fine".  Now that's a little much but you get the idea.  

I think younger generations they fell down and their caregivers treated it as a major life crisis.  Now that said, Mom had a rule if we did have to go to the hospital we would get ice cream (at the shop!).  And I did when it was my turn to fall off my bike.  When my younger brother hurt himself I provided first aid so Mom brought me ice cream from the shop when she brought him back from the hospital.  But then it was back to life.  

If kids are slamming back 5 Monsters a day and complaining about anxiety they need to examine that.  Especially if it is leading them to call in sick on a holiday weekend.  I think it was more a case of "I don't want to work it".  

And I get that.  I've been there.  

But I'm counting on a full paycheck.  

I want to take some time to go see my aunt and uncle once things settle at work.  I will need PTO to cover that.  So I'm saving it.  

This headache won't quit

 I am trying my trick of a very cold drink, something sweet to eat (a banana) and the Excedrin again.  

I laid down with the cats, too.  Cleo and Biscuit seem to own my bed.  It is interesting who gets the bed.  Generally top cat, whoever that is.  Biscuit has pretty much always had my bed; Ron had Torbie and Baby Girl.  

After Ron died, Biscuit wouldn't let Torbie or Baby Girl in my bed.  I felt bad for them, especially as I got rid of Ron's mattress.  Bed tenancy is, apparently, serious business to cats.  Torbie preferred to sleep on Ron's old blanket, and Baby Girl slept on the couch.  

So I woke up with Biscuit and Cleo, and I took a nap with Biscuit and Cleo.  They seemed happy, purred a lot, and camped out on top of me.  They got lots of petting.  

Spotty likes to come by this chair when I'm on the computer.  I put him in my lap and pet him, he meows a lot..  Sometimes I hug him.  He likes it.  So he's not neglected.  Just not allowed in the bed for whatever reason.  He also gets in my lap during Bible Study.  

I had my phone with me, on.  When I got up I asked the cats why they were so mean to Spotty and called his name (he is out).  Then I got a notification from my phone, it had a Spotty "memory" for me.  I found that very creepy.  

I got my presents put together.  I have one for my aunt and one for a coworker who has been a big help.  She is a different religion but she'll like it.  I plan to make some dump cake and bring that to work.  I was showing some pictures on Friday and everyone was making yum yum noises and saying how good it looked.  

That's it for now!  

My aunt is coming to visit

 I cleaned the bathroom and put the Clorox wipes/disinfectant spray out if she wants to give it a go before using it.  I also got some unscented soap for her as well to wash her hands.  

I'm starting to understand the lure of the PJ pants.  I have seen customers coming in the store for years now wearing all kinds of things.  I have seen women's genitalia, men's underwear (a lot of that and on the bus too), no naked little kids praise God there are a lot of perverts out there.  But a lot of women in PJ pants.  

I didn't really understand the lure until recently.  Every year, the store has a Black Friday sale, of course.  Anywhere you live you hear about the Walmart Black Friday sales.  For a few years, they had Mukluk socks on sale, the fuzzy, thick, socks with the treads.  Last year I actually bought some.  Another thing they've had is PJ pants, $5 for adults.  

I got some last year and was not impressed, they were more of a baggy legging.  No thanks.  

This year they had some nice looking thick fleece ones.  I got 2 pair, a pink plaid and a red.  And they are so comfortable, nice and loose, thick and warm.  I never want to take them off.  

I've been converted.  I am actually sad I have to take a shower because it means taking them off.  I am happy I got the bathroom presentable in spite of my headache.  

I'm going to take that shower.  I think the hot water will help with the headache.  

A lot of times I have to play food detective.

 I suspect a lot of my "migraine" (if not all) triggers are actually food allergies.  At any rate something I ate has given me a vicious headache almost bringing me to tears.  On my day off.  That ain't right.  But I wouldn't want to work with this, either.  

All I have to do today is the Bible study.  

So I ate a breakfast bar thing (no nuts I checked) my friend gave me, for breakfast.  I don't think that was it but possible.  I ate Mc Donald's for lunch, my usual $5 meal, a double cheeseburger, 4 chicken nuggets, small fries and a diet soda.  I put a lot of salt on my fries as I usually do as I'm at risk of hypoanatremia (low blood sodium).  

For dinner, when I got home, I had a couple of cheese melts.  I have had many of those over the years.  I don't think it was the McDonald's either as that is my customary Friday lunch.  I think it was the breakfast thing.  I hope I can beat this pretty quick.  

I'm starting to get some breast tenderness so I have another cycle coming.  I only had 3-4 cycles this year.  If some man wants me to give him a baby he'd better hurry up!  

I am very comfortable in my t shirt and fleece PJ pants.  I am debating taking a hot shower (sometimes it helps with a headache) or not.  

I woke up at 6, and went back to bed with Biscuit and Cleo.  Cleo slept by my head, purring, with my hand on her back.  That was awesome!  Biscuit can be possessive of me which can make it hard for Spotty.  Cleo generally ignores the hisses and baps and does what she wants, anyway.  

I tell my Latino coworkers she is Esposa de Gato (the cat's wife) and it's pretty true.  

That's it for now.  

Well my boss has done a 180

 Last night she was asking me if I could work until 10.  I said yes.  

Tonight she actually asked me to do it.  

Walmart gave the associates 3 raises since I got hired; after one of them (I think the one that bumped us up to $13 an hour, I make over $14 now), corporate got very strict about overtime.  Basically my Team Lead has to beg her boss for the extra hours.  She did that, today, and got an extra hour for me tonight, and said she wants me to work later than 4 PM next week.  

Sorry, Buddy, if he was looking forward to seeing me on the way home, it doesn't look likely.  He has my number, though.  He's a grown man he can make his own choices.  

I worked my ass off, yet again, tonight.  They got their 7 hours worth that's for sure.  Ace was OK getting me later but he did say he doesn't work that late, in passing, on the way home.  I kept him entertained with work gossip and tales about the cats.  I also gave him a Christmas card with something in it, telling him I wished I could give him more.  

I've known him about 10 years.  Back in the day Ron would give Ace a very large cash gift (about one day's pay for me now) for Christmas or "just because".  I wish I could do that now and I think Ace knows that.  

So next week is likely to be even more than I planned.  I had hoped to at least say goodbye to Buddy but I may not see him again.  But he has my number, it's up to him.  

That's it for now!  

I made it through Thursday

 Work today.  

I can't discuss a lot of it.  

I can say it was very, very, busy.  I was running all day.  

I'm making dump cake now.  We have some very nice little foil pans that fit great in my toaster oven.  

The recipe for a full pan is 9x13 casserole dish or cake pan, 1 box standard cake mix, 2 cans fruit pie filling, 2 sticks butter cut up as illustrated above, 30 minutes at 350.  

I basically made a quarter recipe: 6x4 pan, half can pie filling, half box jiffy cake mix (which is half the size of a regular cake mix, or 1/4 regular box cake mix), I was bad and did one stick of butter.  It's cooking now.  I'll put up a picture when it's done.  

I am tired.  I am weak willed.  Lots of sugar and a crunchy buttery crust sound really, really, good.  And I have a pint of really inexpensive vanilla ice cream.  That will be fantastic.  

One manager was delighted with my work today.  One was not.  She is never happy.  It's right before Christmas and the customers are "steady" tearing it up.  I can only do my best.  

The one who was happy basically said she had my back.  That's good to know.  

Biscuit was waiting at the door when I got home, ran outside, howled at the door a minute later, I let him in, he had some milk, had a (normal) litter box action while I was talking to my parents.  He seems in good spirits.  

I did see the Wonder Twins they were grooming each other.  

Biscuit bapped Cleo this morning, both were in my lap and she apparently stepped too close to him and "disrespected" him.  One thing I've learned with my ministry you don't want someone to feel disrespected.  

That's it or now!  

Edit: too much butter, not enough cake mix.  I think I can still save it.  I added more cake mix (didn't stir) so we'll see what it looks like in 15 minutes.  I didn't want to take a failure photo although I probably should have.  

It could look better but it should be delicious.  

Early Thursday

 I worked my butt off yesterday.  I did what I could but I didn't have any help even though we had a full roster.  One of the other employees just spent the whole shift walking around holding a piece of merchandise in her hand.  

My friend, Biscuit's girlfriend, picked me up after work and we went to dinner and then she came home for a visit with him.  She'd brought him some Churu type treats.  I encouraged her to give him one and he loved it ,so I had her give him another.  She kept saying she "couldn't".  I said don't worry about it, he's my cat and if he throws up I'll deal with it (he didn't throw up), so they had a good time.  I think he wants one for breakfast now.  He always loves to see her.  

It's my long day.  I know it will be insane.  

It's cold out (40's) so I'm going to take my shower now so my hair can dry before I leave for work.  

I lost my temper and cussed someone out today; also, my boss has my back

 My fare card is RFID, I have to swipe it every time I board a bus.  It is registered in my name.  So it would be very easy to pull up my name in the computer and learn a  lot: I like to call in commendations on bus drivers.  I board at a certain stop every morning.  I board at a certain stop in the afternoon.  My Facebook says I work at Walmart.  Put it all together and you have my store.  

So, today a Metro employee, in uniform, came in the store, doing the full Karen routine.  Wanted me to break rules for her.  While I might have considered it she was just so abrasive and unpleasant (to quote me later, talking to one of my bosses "I would have but she was such a  [censored] about it I said no") I did say no.  

She went and got my boss.  The boss said "That's exactly what she should have told you, no".  That took the starch out of her sails.  She was starting the "What is your name and where is the manager" routine when one of my coworkers, a very sassy New Yorker, walked by and saw the uniform.  

"Oh, you work for the bus company" 

"Yes I do" 

"You really screwed Heather over" 

"What?"  

"Heather here" points at me "Got her hair cut off on the bus and you guys didn't do anything about it.  You guys suck, I'm glad I have a car" and she stormed off.  

"Karen" interrogates me about my assault, she is skilled enough at this I realize she is management at least, if not upper management.  She kept telling me the assault didn't happen.  I kept telling her (getting louder) it did, that they were hypocrites, "You wouldn't let them touch your car but you're going to put me in a (censored) box with them and ride me around for an hour every day?  My friend is right, *you suck*"

"You should have reported it to MPD" 

I DID

"You should have told us on Facebook"  
I DID

(Sarcastically) "Let me guess, you wrote a letter to the mayor about it"
Actually, I did.  

She did a double take "Oh, it's *you*"  

Yes, it is, and what are you going to do about this problem?  

(Subdued) Well, we're talking about it.  

Like that helps.  I was fine with all that but she kept coming back and watching me, at least until my boss showed up again.  Then she took off.  My boss asked me what was going on, I told her, she said she would "Take care of it" and she did.  

Hideous traffic on the ride home

 I'm still not home, 2 hours after I left work.  

Well Metro management paid me a visit

 I had a woman in a Metro bus uniform come to the store.  Something told me to hold back so I didn't say anything.  She was acting like a brat and demanded "favors" that could get me fired so I said no.  She got my boss involved who said Heather did the right thing.  Another associate came by and told the woman about my assault.  

I could see the lightbulb go off.  She said you're the one who wrote the letter to the mayor.  Like I should be ashamed of it.  

So I went on the attack and said yes I did.  I said - to her face "You are a hypocrite"

"What?!?" 

"You won't let them touch your car". She knew what I was saying "But you want to put me in a box with them to ride home.". 

She started making excuses"They are trying to figure it out". And I said you'd better before someone gets killed. 

She left but kept coming back to watch me work.  I ignored her.  

My boss noticed and asked what was going on.  I told her and she got rid of the woman.  

You can say a lot about my boss but she did have my back today.  I remember these things.  

Monday night

 Well.  It was an interesting day.  

Friday I literally begged my boss to please review the surveillance video if she had questions about productivity, to see who is really working.  She said no.  

Today one of her henchmen was taking various associates to the woodshed with verbal warnings.  The dead weight.  So apparently she did listen after all, they got their eyes opened.  

Chief snitch, for instance, takes 2, half hour, breaks in addition to the hour unpaid lunch.  Then stands around talking with other non productive employees talking for hours every night.  I heard the henchman telling her "We expected better from you, you have to set an example, etc." and the usual excuses from the associate.  

I found that very telling.  And if they watched me on the video guaranteed I was working my ass off just like they want.  So I feel good about that.  Much better than I did this morning.  

It is unfair to ask a few team members to carry the weight of the whole crew; or, as Ron used to say "You need both horses pulling the wagon".  

I never named names, because I'm not a snitch, but I have told everyone there are cameras everywhere and you have to understand they are watching us work.  

Then, on the way home, Buddy told me he is not signing up for the route again.  He went to another route that's very popular.  "When I lose a driver to that route" I told him "They don't come back".  

Then he asked me if I was still interested in going out for pupusas.  I didn't put it together until I was halfway home.  

Maybe there is a rule about dating passengers.  I 100% believe he was completely burned out on the route, though.  

Monday morning at work.

 I don't like worrying about my job but then, no one does.  I think that's one reason we have a hard time retaining people.  The good ones won't stand for a fear based work environment.  

My last bus going to work got his girlfriend today and they shared a big kiss when she got off.  It's very cute but does make me a little sad.  

Pretty much all my drivers are leaving, either for "another block" (shift) or another route entirely.  

I "washed" (conditioner only) my hair last night and it looks good today just a little frizzy.  I am wearing a little powder and eyeshadow but no lipstick.  I am wearing a bright red "Santa cats" T-shirt so I have red lipstick if I want to apply it later.  I have time to consider it.  

I am unsure what I am walking in to today but I will do my best.  I am pretty tired from last night.  

That's it for now!  

Well the festivities have begun

 Party next door.  Loud, karaoke, people yelling.  

The parties used to really upset me.  

First I have to backtrack a bit.  I'm neurodivergent - my brain grew differently as a fetus.  Overall I am happy with my brain.  I have glitches but I like who I am and I think if my mother had not drunk I would be the poorer for it.  

I understand overstimulation.  That's one reason my parents never took me shopping.  I'd freak out, start crying.  I don't think I was a screamer but I was a blubberer.  Take that, spell check!  

Ron was I think pretty typical.  He liked rock concerts, parties, things like that.  He used to complain I was a homebody.  Then he got hurt.  He had brain damage.  He didn't want to go out, he wanted peace and quiet.  He got overstimulated.  

We used to go to Walmart at 7 AM It was (and is) great, nice and quiet.  He couldn't go later.  I sure didn't want to go later (I'm only there because I get paid for it!).  We were more compatible.  

He never liked loud neighbors but he didn't get agitated about it.  But he did, after.  He was a binge drinker before the accident, and, leading up to it, drinking alcohol every night "to help me sleep", but after the accident he began binge drinking heavily every day.  

The alcohol just magnified his issues and he really couldn't take any noise.  Look up the Barkappotamus posts.  He would be apoplectic every night and such a problem caller the non emergency police number stopped taking his calls.  I am probably still on a list somewhere.  

And the parties... there isn't a a profanity that can describe his response to them.  He would be beyond infuriated, swigging alcohol, calling every police number he could think of, screaming at me, when he could walk going next door to beg them to stop.  It was a lot of wear and tear on me.  

The first party after Ron's death was a real revelation for me.  I really didn't care.  I don't like being kept up but it's a 2 or a 3 on a 1-10.  I'll just caffeinate tomorrow.  He does work long hours (#6 of course) so he'll probably wrap it up pretty early.  

I decided to take the "If you can't beat 'em join 'em" approach.  I am playing my music at a higher than normal volume, so I can't hear theirs.  Periodically I turn it down to see how loud they are.  I'm playing "Push it" right now.  

Not exactly "proper" fare for an evangelist!  

Biscuit gets WHATEVER he wants!

 He was sitting by the kitchen looking up at me sadly.  I had taken up "his" plastic bag so I could clean the floors.  

I fixed it right quick!  

The water bottle weights it down and keeps it from shifting.  

Of course I had to fix this, too.  

Sunday afternoon

 A small vent first.  

I am not sure what is worse when I'm doing laundry: the horrible grinding noises when it's a small load or the hideous out-of-round thumping and jumping around (no matter how carefully I balance the load) if it's a larger one.  I'm going to need a new washer but I'm trying to put it off.  

I do have a lead but he's out of the country and told me he will look at it when he comes back.  But online consensus in a forum says it is the bearings and that is mortal.  So I at least know.  It's had a good run at any rate.  I'm just going to keep eeking it along as best I can.  

I took Friday night's chicken stock and warmed that up, added a can each of whole kernel corn, and black beans, half a can of salsa.  I cooked it down a little, added a third of the chicken (so about one chicken leg quarter plus a drumstick), 2/3 cup (looked right) dry raw white rice.  It will soak up the wonderful juices.  

I also soaked a cup and a half of the brown lentils with a teaspoon of salt (brining) poured off the water after a few hours, rinsed.  

I got the saucepan.  I like to think I can learn new tricks and one thing I've been reading a lot in some cultures they warm oil/butter in the sauce pan, add onions and garlic (not doing the garlic due to allergy), spices, tomato paste, and saute a few minutes, THEN add the water and lentils.  So I did that.  If it's good I'll post the recipe, it smells good.  

Well the clothes are done; rather soggy but clean.  I can work with that  I just need to save up.  I think I hurt myself years ago.  I noticed detergent residue on the clothes when the load was finished.  I didn't change the detergent, I set the washer to do 2 rinses on each load.  I think that's what wore it out.  

The food is about finished I'm just cooking it down a little.  I am going to have a LOT of chicken soup.  

That's it for now!  

Video blog about how we managed the money from the vending machines

 Of course I'm going to put a disclaimer here; at least half the money we earned went to supplies, a quarter went to taxes.  While what we made "seemed" like a lot of money it was, for the both of us, about the same (in a good month) as what I make working for Walmart now.  And Walmart, believe it or not, is a lot easier job.  

That said have fun.  You can also see my hair in better light.  

Sunday noon

 I'm an open book.  I don't hold anything back and I don't like secrets.  I have a few.  

Also I have shared more with different people.  My aunt probably knows the most, then my parents, then Ace.  He is a good listener.  He is also not saved; and we do business so that's as far as it will go.  

I also shared things years ago I didn't realize could come back and literally throw me into a wall - and get away with it - because I was born with a chemical imbalance.  I'm more careful.  

Put the pest and her "help" in the mix and it's amazing I still blog at all.  Although at times I am tempted to sic the pest on my boss, that would be entertaining..  Not doing it, though.  

Anyway I took some photos of my meal plans.  

I find it very funny I have a mix of HEB products, and Great Value (Walmart ones).  Anyway that will be the chicken tacos, whole wheat tortilla, shredded cheese, salsa, spicy beans (they're very good).  

The chicken soup will have some of the salsa, the bean liquid, complete contents can of corn, complete contents black beans.  

It's a nice sunny day.  

So I did the litter boxes.  The cats are very patient with my failings that's all I'll say.  I need to buy more litter.  We're good until payday though.  I think I'll text Ace and ask: I plan to buy a couple cases of water, and a couple cases of cat litter.  I will give you (tip amount) on top of the regular fare.  Is that OK or do you want me to call a Uber (he hates Ubers) and put a laughing emoji.  

I think that's reasonable.  He decides.  He may say f it no thanks.  Or his manly ire may be roused (I'm laughing here he really hates Uber) at the mention of the enemy and he comes.  We'll see.  I'll text him Wednesday.  

I think that's one reason we've had a good working relationship so long.  I believe in being a very clear communicator and showing sincere appreciation.  He respects that.  

I keep the water for guests and also disaster kit.  It is also very helpful when I have a severe headache to have a nice bottle of very cold water.  I think Traditional Chinese Medicine would say I have internal dry heat and that's why the cold water helps.  I did some reading on TCM about 25 years ago just before Ron's accident.  I found an herb Radix Ophogonosis was very helpful for my allergies.  

If you listen to my videos I sound congested and I am, I sleep with the cats, under a feather quilt.  I'm allergic to both cats and feathers.  And I sleep on a feather pillow.  I lived in a mold apartment for 7 years.  I have some issues.  

I have variable and mixed results with allergy pills.  The steroid nasal sprays are very helpful but can cause very nasty headaches.  To me the tradeoff is not worth it.  I like to munch (I don't crunch them I just suck on it until it's gone and get your filthy mind out of the gutter!) on cough drops all day long during allergy season.  

I may get some tomorrow.  

So I can use more water if I'm making a "big" trip anyway.  

I decided I'm going to sweep and mop before I take my shower.  

It was funny, I was putting "my buggy" (how Houstonians refer to their shopping cart) away.  I was going to put it in the orange room which is basically my junk room, also home to the primary litter box which is pretty much in the doorway.  I've always had a lot of litter boxes, I currently have 4, but like humans they have their favorite.  

Poor Spotty was in the box, having a bowel movement!  He looked at me with alarm and I kept going to put the buggy up somewhere else.  He finished, covered it up (good boy!) and walked off with his tail in the air.  

The ground outside is pretty soggy so I can see why he went for the box.  I want them to have a good toilet experience and it's also a really good idea for me to see what they're making and are they getting it out OK?  That's how we saved Biscuit 7 years ago, I saw him straining in the box and I knew what that meant.  

Rescue cats are not cheap.  I got a cat from the shelter.  It was free adoption weekend (the shelters in Houston are pretty desperate), I gave them a $20 donation anyway.  She had been vetted, wormed, chipped, already spayed (Torbie was about 8 they said).  I had very few expenses with her.  One time she had a UTI and another time she had a tumor on her foot I had the vet remove.  She had been chewing on it, and it was bleeding.  Even if it wasn't cancer it was obviously upsetting her.  And I paid the extra $200 for pathology to find it was non cancerous.  She died at the ripe old age of 17.

Rescue cats: like Biscuit.  Found him at the bus stop, took him home, got him neutered (not cheap as we didn't have a spay clinic nearby).  He developed FLUTD ($600 hospital stay), special food for the rest of his life, visit for food poisoning, etc.  He's not cheap.  I tell my Latino coworkers he is "Rico" which means luxury/extra/expensive.  

Cleo and Spotty are also good examples.  When I got them they were starving and had some GI issues.  I went through about 5 jars of probiotics on them. many vet visits, lots of horrible stinky runny poop.  One reason I like to keep an eye on what they're making.  Then I had to get them fixed.  Cleo is probably the most difficult cat I've had so that was extra too.  She doesn't like the vet.  They have to take precautions.  

They're worth it.  

But a cat from the shelter is much easier, and cheaper, if you don't mind filling out the paperwork.  I thought some of the questions were sad - did I want to pick them up?  Did I want a lap cat?  How long was I gone every day?  (shelter wouldn't like today's honest answer), what about clawing the furniture?  I basically said I will leave all that up to the cat and I don't care about the furniture.  The cats like to get up on me but I don't pick them up.  

It's been my experience cats don't like being picked up.  Some of them (Spotty) will tolerate it but they don't like it.  I'm not going to force that on a cat.  

Now if I'm doing my God Time sitting in my chair sometimes all 3 cats try to pile in my lap.  They want to be there.  That's what I want for cuddles - them coming to me.  That's how I operate at any rate.  I took that approach with Cleo when I first adopted her.  I would pet her if she came to me but it was always her choice.  I would talk to her, a lot, read to her.  I would put old, worn, t shirts around so she could get used to our scent.  Pretty soon she started sleeping on the shirts and next thing I know she's in my bed one morning wanting pets when I woke up.  That's how I operate.  

And I try to make my home a good place for them to leave.  Biscuit has taken a shine to my insulated tote bag.  I used it to take my gumbos to work.  I set it by the door when I came home, and he is nearly always (even in the middle of the night) found sleeping on it now.  I'm not moving it even though it's in the way.  He also has a plastic bag he's very fond of near the kitchen.  It fell on the floor when I was putting groceries away.  He immediately laid down on it; it's his.  He won't leave it alone.  If he's not on the tote bag he's on the plastic bag.  

He's an old man cat who has been through hell and back.  Cats are very sensitive.  You can imagine what it was like for Biscuit 7 years of Ron at his worst.  He never hurt Biscuit but he was loud and scary, a lot.  Biscuit can have whatever he wants!  

So I'll pick them up when I clean the floors, and then put them back.  Because he is Rico.  That would be an awesome name for him actually.  I will mention that to Ace (who loves Senor Gato).  

I'm going to get going.  

Sunday morning

 I'm happy how I did this sequence: got up, went to the bathroom, got some tea, did my God Time.  Biscuit got in my lap for an hour so I sat there petting him no phone, nothing but me with a fat white kitty in my lap.  

That reminds me I need to join some cow cat groups on FB.  I am in an orange cat group, tabby cat, calico cat, chonky cat, but not a cow cat.  

I have a little bit of a headache but not too bad.  I'm getting ready to clean the litter box and then do some laundry, take a shower (I will use a shower cap).  I did some updates on the henna post if you are interested.  

I got some lentils started.  I want to do a chili lentils.  Cumin, oregano, chili powder.  Maybe some tomato.  I got some canned beans (including spicy charro which will be good for chicken tacos), and I was really happy to see they had whole wheat tortillas (smaller size) so I can make some really good tacos.  

I did have a problem yesterday.  I generally have a 4 day rule for leftovers.  Well I forgot, Friday morning, the scrambled eggs were 5 days old.  I got nauseous on the way to work and got some ginger root capsules while there.  That starved off the nausea but there were many, many, poops yesterday.  That could have been really bad.  But I feel fine and had a banana for breakfast.  Yesterday I found some nice ones, about 3 pounds.  I hate throwing out food (I will) so I have been eating those all weekend.  Probably a good idea with the insult my system had on Friday.  

I just have a slight headache.  

It's sunny out which is great.  My family, both sides, I can say this - we are sun lovers.  We don't do well when it's gloomy.  Even the "normal" ones have some seasonal depression in the winter.  One family member lives in the Southwest.  

I am very careful about sharing about those close to me, now.  But I can say that.  Like my Dad, and aunt, say they are not cat lovers, but an orange cat has them break all the rules.  It's very cute to me.  

I need to clean the litter boxes and get the laundry started.  I am babying the washer and, for now, it is fine with a smaller load or two a week.  It doesn't like larger loads; I accept that.  I don't want to get a new washer.  I may have a lead on a fix it guy.  

Funny but true, I know a guy who was single, fixed a single mom's washer, they ended up getting married.  You never know.  

In ham radio parlance, at least 30 years ago, a Mr Fix it guy was called an "Elmer" "I need an Elmer"..  Ron was an Elmer.  Do I want another one?  It's not on the list.  Great if he is.  I'm more interested in an evangelist.  

A coworker was teasing me about dating.  She asked if I wanted a handsome guy. I said not really, I would be more interested in a man who walked up to me and gave me a tract.  Now, that would be appealing.  One time a couple people came to the store walking around asking the employees if they had prayer requests and could they pray for us.  *Someone who does that*.  That is what I need.  

The rest doesn't matter.  Wheelchair, blind, didn't faze me 21 years ago.  I signed up for that because I thought he was the right man.  But a guy who puts God first is going to treat me right.  

I need to get going on my chores.  

Saturday night

 I had a pretty nice, quiet, day.  I got up and spent some time on the computer, took a shower, did my God Time, went to the store.  I came home, put everything up, took a nap.  I did my hair, cleaned the kitchen, did some meal prep, did the dishes.  

It dawned on me Ron lived his whole life entirely blind, I could certainly take care of a few chores without my glasses.  My vision without glasses is about 20/100 so about "half' legally blind.  I got all that done.  

I was happy to get rid of this: 

That's all the bones and gristle from the leg quarters.  I may have missed a little meat but I got all the ick.  

I spent some time stressing about work.  Basically my boss doesn't want me to do my job, she keeps taking me off my job description and having me help other departments (who are happy for the assistance), do other people's work, etc.  She can't retain good help she treats them badly so she is always shorthanded.  And then half the ones she does hire are dead weight; who have to be fired.  The good ones only stay a year or so before storming out.  

She got in trouble because my primary duties, under my job description, weren't getting done.  That is 100% her fault.  I told her I cannot do A, B, and C.  She thinks I should - she is irrational.  I have asked her repeatedly to view surveilance footage of me working to see for herself if I am actually working at any given point in my day.  She has refused to do that.  I am documenting all the work I am doing but there's only so much I can do.  So we're at an impasse.  

It is pointless to worry about this stuff on my day off.  One lady, who was one of the ones who stormed out "It was either walk out or kick her @ss and I'm not going to jail" said she was so stressed by the boss her hair was falling out, she wasn't sleeping.  I don't want to do that.  

She went up the chain of command with her issues and management basically told her to stuff it.  So she walked out.  

I got my hair done I have another post on that.  My total cost to do it was about $5 for the henna; maybe a dollar for the apple cider vinegar, essential oils, and lemon juice (always squeeze it fresh and pick out the seeds!), tap water, a few tea bags I'd had forever we'll call that a quarter.  Shower cap and gloves I am going high on this and calling it $1.  About 75 cents worth of conditioner.  So about $8 for supplies, 4 hours of my time.  Well, 5.  I had to apply it and rinse it out.  And I could do housework while it was on my head.  Once a month; endless compliments.  Worth it.  I feel much more pretty and confident.  

I don't always wear makeup, when I go all out I wear some powder, clear mascara, eyeshadow, and lipstick.  That seems to stay put even with rain, hot weather, lots of activity.  But that's not something I'd do on a day off unless I had plans.  

I never wear my hair down unless I'm sleeping.  At home, at work, it's pulled back in the ponytail.  Unless I just got out of the shower, like now, and waiting for it to dry.  If I want to get dressy I pull the top part back in a small thin ponytail and let the sides and back hang down.  I call it elf hair.  Look up Galadriel or Legolas in the Lord of the Rings movies for an idea.  

My parents are very busy with holiday parties.  They have, in their 80's, a very active social life.  It's funny.  They're out, I'm deboning chicken and sleeping with Mr Kitty Cat.  He snores, by the way.  

I am going to do some Bible study before I go to bed tonight.  

I get a lot of questions on how I do the henna

 So I thought I'd do a photo essay.  There are a lot of ways to henna your hair, this is how I do mine.  

What do you need to do it "my" way?

Plastic wrap 

Henna powder (the import grocery has plenty for me)

Apple cider vinegar

Measuring cup 

Plastic or glass bowl - you will not be able to use it for food after you do this.  

Plastic (not metal!) spoon(s).  I like a big mixing spoon and a smaller "regular" spoon

Plastic gloves

Old Towels

Water (tap water is fine)

Tea bags (3-4 "black" tea bags if you want to get fancy you could use something like Earl Gray or Orange Spice)

Coffee cup to steep tea (can use again).  

I started with this: 

I have used various brands from the import stores, they're all good.  You want the one that looks like this, in the mylar (2 different brands where I shop) or the kind in the box that says "Red Henna".  The black and brown hennas are not 100% henna they have other stuff added.  Notice my bag says 100% pure henna.  That's exactly what I want.  

I opened the bag and put some essential oil in it.  The pyrex  bowls are dedicated for my hair.  I use something else for food this is only for henna.  

Yes, I'm going to get red hair out of this.  

Pretty self explanatory.  Take the seeds out or they get stuck in your hair.  Ask me how I know!  

This morning I brewed 1 cup of tea with 3 tea bags and let it sit for hours.  I added 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and more essential oils to it.  I like to use lavender, cedar, and patchouli but only 2 drops of patchouli!!  I did 10 drops of lavender and about 6 of the cedar.  A little bit (I get headaches) of essential oil helps bring the color out and the oils are conditioning for the scalp and hair.  

You can see my "pasta noodle" in the background.  I had 12 ounces combined with the tea, vinegar, and lemon juice (the acidity, by the way, helps release the color and I have found if I use vinegar when I dye I don't have the color bleeding for days afterward).   Remember, dedicated utensils here.  

I combined it, it was too dry.  

Reminder you cannot use anything for food after it touches the henna and essential oils - I keep all this stuff under my bathroom sink.  

I warmed up a half cup of water and added that.  

Much better!  I prefer a thick batter consistency.  You can make it thicker or runnier; but when I make it I remember this is going to be on my head for 4 hours.  If it is too runny it will keep leaking down on my face and neck.  

I tied it up in a plastic bag and have it in the warm spot in my kitchen.  It will work for 4 hours.  I finished making the henna at 11:30 so I'll apply it at 3:30.  Once it is applied I wait four hours from when I finish to rinse it out.  When I rinse it out I will use water only for about 10 minutes, once all the matter is out I will condition it.  The henna goes everywhere when I rinse it out so I will need a full shower.  I will condition (no rinsing), pin it up on my head (I use a claw clip) while I wash up.  When I'm done with that I'll let my hair down, rinse out the conditioner, dry.  

Another trick with henna don't  shampoo for 2 days.  You can "wash" with conditioner but you probably won't need to, much, as the henna does a good job of keeping my oil production (VERY oily hair!) down after a treatment.  

I use a black towel.  The henna doesn't stain but it looks like poop if you drop some during application, and the rinse water comes out a brownish red (you want to stay in the shower until it runs clear).  

I wear old clothes when I do this.  I will update with more photos as I do this.  

I wrap my hair with plastic wrap after I do the application (this is an older photo not today), then I put 2 shower caps, one more to the front and one more to the back.  I have longer hair (mid back).  

Self explanatory photo above, below, I had some leftover.  If you have leftovers you can put it in a baggie and freeze it.  Thaw it on the counter (in the baggie) for hairline root touchups or just throw it in the next batch.  This is enough for me to do a hairline and part root touch-up in a few weeks.  

I'll do an after photo tomorrow when my hair dries.  It took me about 3 songs on the radio (I'm guessing 10-15 minutes) to rinse it all out, then I did the conditioner (I like Garnier whole blends cocoa butter for this), pinned it up, another 15 minutes washing up, rinse the conditioner.  

Important tip.  So I'm standing there in my old clothes with the plastic on my head, looking at the shower.  I put the small garbage can either next to, or IN the shower.  I take the clothes off and set them aside.  Leave the plastic on your head until you get in the shower.  No one talks about this but you will have an awful mess if you take it off outside the shower enclosure.  

Get in the enclosure (naked), take the plastic off, there goes the henna falling everywhere.  Put the plastic in the can, set the can aside, take the shower.  

Here I am with the wet hair.  You can see the hairline and part look much better already.  

More tomorrow.  

Early Saturday

 I find it interesting I always have something to say here when I sit down in my chair.  I was just now thinking about the happy combination of foot products I use.  

I will share, it's possible you work on your feet and it might help you.  

First I start with the shoes.  Store brand cheap tennis shoes but my feet love them, I think because they are actually big enough for my feet.  My feet have grown 2 sizes since I started working at Walmart so I wear a Men's 11W now.  The shoes I get only come in black so that's what I wear.  

The website doesn't have it in my size but Walmart assures me I have bought this shoe several times.  It's cheaper online

Then we have the inserts.  After trimming (you want a good pair of sharp scissors for this) I put this in the shoe first.  Blue gel insert

Then I put this on top for ultimate foot happiness Work insole

Everything, together, costs about $35 and my feet are incredibly happy.  I walk about 8-9 miles a day, sometimes more, so the shoes are only good for a couple of months but my feet are happy.  

I slept OK last night and woke up after just 8 hours which I found funny.  It's 6 AM, look out weekend!  I brewed some very strong (3 regular size teabags) black tea I will use to make my henna later.  It can sit out on the counter until this afternoon.  

I'm going to take a shower, get dressed, do my God time, go to the grocery store and get a few staples.  I don't want to go shopping next week unless I see my aunt.  Plus the money run low.  

I have plenty of rice, so I'm getting some lentils and shredded cheese.  They also have a budget ground sausage I like, I can do good things with that - put it in lentils, put it with eggs and the cheese for breakfast.  

When I get home I plan to take a nap and then do my hair.  That will take a while but I think the results are worth it, everyone (including me) loves the color, it's healthy, it's growing very quickly.  I've found I can push the whole-hair coloring to every 6 weeks if I do a touch up on the visible roots at my hairline, every couple weeks.  That takes about 2 T henna powder.  The whole head takes about a box plus 2-3 T.  About 6 ounces now.  

When I see my aunt I'll get her opinion on length.  It's fine now.  I need her to check the ends and see how they're looking.  I wasn't taking good care of my hair up to my assault so hopefully the ends are better now.  It looks great.  

At some point, probably tomorrow, I need to do some laundry.  I've found I can get away with a smaller load and the washer is happy but a bigger one I have issues.  My old washer made it almost 20 years, this one's only 8 years.  But it got a lot of wear and tear during my caregiving era.  The dryer is, like, immortal.  Water leak on it literal ceiling fell in on it, still works.  It doesn't get as hot as I might like but I can live with that; it's a connection issue.  Something with the dryer hose can't get the dryer as close to the wall?  I'm not stressing.  

On the one hand it might be easier to have a "handy" man in my life but on the other he would probably always be tweaking things.  Like Ron always rebuilding the gate to the backyard.  I'm OK for now and I do have a handyman in my phone book.  I was really happy to see he does whole house remodeling now.  Not that I need it but I helped him see he liked it.  And the cats like him; that's important to me.  

I was telling Ace last night I can learn a lot about someone by the way the cats react to them.  "Take you" I said "You're always taking Biscuit to the vet but he loves to see you".  Ace grinned.   I also made a point, a few minutes later, of thanking him again for taking me home the night of the derecho.  "You didn't have to do that" I told him.  He appreciated both statements.  I told him it's so important, if you have something kind to say, to say it.  

Hopefully I am a blessing to the people who know me.  I pray I am.  

I also need to sweep and mop, but I may wait until tomorrow because it's going to rain today.  Certain kitty cats like to go out in the rain, get muddy paws, and track it all over the house.  No point in mopping twice.  

That's it for now!  

What I cooked today

 Well first the pictures then the recipe: 

When I got home.  

I took the meat out so I can clean it up.  

Cleo was very upset I didn't share but it has onions and garlic in it.  

Today I put it all in the crock pot and went to work. The meat was done when I got home. I'm going to clean it tomorrow (no skin, bones, or gristly bits) and separate it out into 3 portions, some for the chicken soup (I am saving the broth I used to cook the chicken), the tacos (I already have salsa, tortillas, and shredded cheese), and the Alfredo I just throw the meat in with some sauce from a jar.

So:
Spicy chicken meal prep:
4 pounds chicken leg quarters
1 quart chicken broth (plus some leftover I had in the fridge, maybe another cup)
Splash apple cider vinegar (about 2 T) this helps the flavor and also brings the calcium from the bones into the broth. It doesn't matter what kind. I used the kind with the mother. 
1 cup chopped frozen onions
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t ground cumin
1/2 red pepper flakes
1/2 t salt (the chicken broth has a lot of salt in it already)

Low sodium version of this you use unsalted chicken broth and maybe 1/4 t regular salt.  They also have unsalted canned tomatoes with peppers so use that.  

1 can tomatoes and peppers (ro-tel type) I used the "medium" version. They also have a "hot" version at most groceries in Houston, that has Habanero in it instead of jalapeno.

2 cloves garlic (I am allergic, but love the flavor, if you don't have garlic issues I would do 4-5 whole peeled garlic cloves, big ones)

Place bag in crock pot, then garlic and onions.

Ideally I would have mixed the dry spices in a gallon zip lock, then done one chicken leg quarter at a time in it and then placed in crock pot. Instead I sprinkled as I went. It was a lot slower. Place leg quarters on top of the onions.

When you've done all the chicken dump the tomatoes on top of the chicken. Slowly pour the broth + vinegar mix into the crock pot without washing off the spices. Cover. I cooked 8 hours, the chicken was done, the broth is delicious.

Tonight I let it cool down and put it in the fridge. Tomorrow I will clean the chicken and make the meals out of it.