Ice.

Freezing Rain. Both yesterday AND today, but today is so bad that cars didn't drive by until almost 10am and neighbors took at least the morning off from work. The world outside looks like it's been varnished, shining brightly. We're hunkered in and grateful that we have all the food/drink we need.

Never got around to making the Apple Bacon Tomato soup the other day, so made it yesterday along with a few days' worth of dinner. Spent most of the day preparing dishes that all baked at the same time in the conventional oven.

In an unusual schedule aberrance, we'd grocery shopped Sunday morning. I had my lists ready for both Albertson's and Kroger to take advantage of an Albertson's 3-day sale just to learn that our Albertson's is shutting down and that none of the sale prices would be honored at this store. They'd done their best, but with Kroger half a block away and both Walmart and Super Target a short drive away, they simply couldn't compete here anymore. It was very sad. I told the produce department manager that I'd had no notice, and he said, "We didn't have much, either." On the short drive there, I'd remarked on how I found the Walmart television commercials very persuasive. One can both save money and lose weight by just shopping at Walmart. Meh. So, despite our best efforts to starve them out, it looks like Walmart 1 local stores 0.

My allergies seem to be getting worse. Every day I feel like there's something in my eyes and they itch ferociously. I'd blame something in the house, but I had the problem at West Wendover, as well. My generic benadryl equivalence minitabs don't seem to be working anymore. I've probably developed a tolerance from taking them so often. Cursing the thought, I might need to seek help from a medical doctor.