Fun with a power washer

 

Saturday

I got up at 8. I took supplements and drank the rest of the water from last night. I checked messages, then practiced. I checked for Rama clues for next week. Then OpenOffice crashed and I lost several days of data. Sigh. Chris helped me find a more recent form of one file, then I had to recreate the other.

Chris gave me a massage. He took his shower and then I took mine. I put boxes in my car and went to 648 to power wash the driveway. With a little trouble I was able to get it started. I did most of it in an hour, then it ran out of gas. I turned off the water and rolled the machine into the garage. By the time I got home, my forearms were complaining bitterly. I called Jamie to ask what kind of gas it takes and she didn't know.

I made and ate breakfast. I read messages. I headed back to 648 with brake cleaner and a steamer. I stopped at Self-help to ask the very helpful gentleman what he would do. He said nothing really works except time and weather. He gave me something akin to cat litter to try. He said don't brush it off until right before inspection for maximum effect.

When I got to 648, I used the granules on one side of the driveway and ground them in with my foot. I boiled water on the stove and poured it on the other side and scrubbed in some Dawn. I also plugged in the steamer but it never heated up.

I went home and ate fiber gel. I looked up how to use the steamer. I read some other messages too. Chris heated up some leftover turkey for me and I ate that. I worked on my blog.

I went to lock the swap shop, then proceeded to the chapel by 7. Saronna was waiting for me. We went in together. When I walked down front, I noticed a light down the hall. It was in the nursery and there were toys all over the floor. Huh.

John and Michele arrived. The four of us practiced playing Silent Night and O Come all ye Faithful on bells. It took an hour. Then we packed up the bells (because of church tomorrow) and they went home. I got to my car and saw water bottles rescued from the house I'm cleaning. So I took them to the kitchen to join the other bottles.

I went home. I finished my blog and read the newest messages. I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. We went back to reading. Later we went to bed.

Fun with oil spots

 

Friday

I got up after 8. I got ready for the day. I practiced the Christmas music. I checked e-mail while eating egg salad. Then I went to 648 and cleaned for an hour. I went home, ate fiber gel and read for a bit outside. The wind made it seem chillier than it was.

I made and ate breakfast. We went to the shoppette for brake cleaner, but they didn't have any. Then we went to the commissary for food. I also wanted a watch battery, but they didn't have the right size.

When I got home, I wanted to call Michelle, but couldn't find my phone. So I went back to 648 and there it was. I called her to ask if they were out in town. They were at Cosco. So I asked them to buy some brake cleaner and a battery. I also called Jamie.

Then I finished the upstairs and the laundry room. I sprayed WD-40 on some of the oil spots and Dawn on others. I saw the neighbor who told me he'd offered the occupant the use of his bagging mower. I asked if I could use it. As he said yes and took me to see it, Jamie walked up with her pressure washer. He showed me how to use his mower. Then she showed me how to use the pressure washer. She demonstrated it and it really made a difference on the oil spots.

She went home. I turned off the water and locked it in the garage. I finished spraying oil spots with Dawn, then went home for supper. Chris was home, but soon headed out to his game. I watched more oil spot videos, then happened on a site that does kitchen experiments- like aircrete, and membranes, and waterproof fabric. So interesting that I almost forgot about game night.

I had already made Rama notes and photographed them. I made a bottle of amended tea. I grabbed a jar of whey from the fridge. Then I headed to Michelle's house. The kids were remanded to their bedrooms while she wrapped gifts. We chatted as she wrapped. Then Casey put the game up. I played from my notes, but still died 3 or 4 times. But I made progress. I quit when I ran out of notes. Then Casey uploaded another game called The Lighthouse. We played a little bit of it and he said I could quit Rama and do this instead. But I feel like I should finish Rama before starting another game.

It was after 11 when I went home. Michelle gave me stuff to take to the swap shop and to the food closet. Chris was still up. I went through my bedtime routine and he was in bed before I finished. It took awhile to fall asleep, and I woke up early, but the night didn't seem unbearably long.

Electric shocks

 

Thursday

I got up after 7:30. I had slept well at first. But after I got up to go to the bathroom, RLS kicked in. The past two nights I didn't have to get up during the night. But what does it mean?

I got ready for the day. I made and ate egg salad. I went to 83 to give a quote. I was surprised to see that unit had carpet! I quoted him $300. Then I went and cleaned till 11:30. Then I went home, ate fiber gel, and sat outside, reading.

Thats when the nerve shocks started. Quite painful. I made breakfast and ate it while watching The Highwire. The shocks continued. I read e-mail hoping the shocks would go away. They literally made me scream and I didn't want to leave the house screaming. I woke up the old computer and printed some music so I wouldn't have to go to the library.

I went to Housing to drop off a key and to give them another CD player. I took the old one in exchange. No severe shocks. I went to 648. The neighbor talked to me. I clipped the bush by front door. I poured vinegar from the damaged container into an undamaged container. I worked in the bathroom, scrubbed baseboards and mopped.

At 5:15 I went home. I stopped at the post office. Still no mail and still no working Primo machine. When I arrived, I ate fiber gel and put turkey in the toaster oven. More shocks. I laid on the inversion table. There were no shocks while I was lying there, but my back wasn't happy about it so I didn't lay there long.

I ate supper and read messages. I talked to Jamie about borrowing her pressure washer. I took a walk around the block. No shocks while walking. I started listening to NWNW. I paused it to get the CBD roll-on and apply it to my foot. Then I cut my toenails. I got a big shock and yelled out. This time Chris answered. I didn't realize he was home.

We talked. He fixed himself supper. I worked on my blog. I made tea. I rolled a golf ball under one foot while we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. Then I put on the leg massagers while reading e-mail. I also listened to the sleep track. Chris talked me into taking one of his painkillers from oral surgery. He went to bed. I went to bed a little later. It took a while to fall asleep, but the pains lessened and when I woke up, they were gone.  However, the nerve was still a little raw.

Shampooing the carpet

 

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30, having slept pretty well. Chris had a crock pot of chili in the kitchen. So I prepared for coffee morning by working around it. But then he took it to work.

I continued with supplements and exercises. I read with a red light and a full-spectrum light. I meditated and tapped. I cleaned the bathrooms and the kitchen, and washed the dishes.

I read outside for almost half an hour – which was good, since the sun then went away and a storm came up. I mopped the floor and took a shower. I brought in the gallon of milk from the front porch. I put half in a jar for Michelle, and heated the other half to 100. Then I put it in the dehydrator with probiotics to cure.

I checked messages, then went to 648 to clean for an hour and 45 minutes. It was starting to get dark, so I went to 111 to shampoo the carpet. The hardest part is getting the shampooer there, so I planned to clean the whole room even though they asked for one spot. First I wet the spot and ironed over a paper towel to pull up what I thought was gum. But it wasn't, exactly. Then I went over the whole room with the machine. It pulled up a ton of dirt. It got out everything but that spot. However, the spot was much improved.

I packed up and went home. Chris was there. He suggested we go get water. So we went, but the machine still wasn't working. Back to the Berkey.

Chris opened my watch and I put in a new battery. Yesterdays battery wasn't working.

Michelle came by for two quarts of milk. A gallon is too much for me so I'm happy to share. We talked a bit, then she went to the gym. I took the curds from the dehydrator and separated the whey. The cheese went in the fridge. I washed a previous whey jar and refilled it. Then I drank what was left.

I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. I took supplements and put on the leg massagers. I listened to a podcast and the sleep track. It was after 11 when I went to bed.

The Primo machine stopped working

 

Tuesday

I got up before 8, having slept really well. I took supplements and started parsing the next supplements. I ran out of berberine and hunted all over for it but could not find any. I made and ate egg salad and steamed another batch of eggs. I played through the Christmas music.

I went to 648 to clean for 40 minutes. Then I ran to 111 for inspection. They decided not to replace the carpet and asked me to shampoo one spot. I agreed. Then I went back to 648 to clean from 11:30 to noon. The HVAC people arrived just as I did, and restarted the heat by putting a battery in the wall control unit.

I went home at noon. I ate fiber gel, and jotted notes for my blog. I made and ate breakfast. I went to Saronna's house to practice Christmas music. It went well.

I went to library to return egg cartons and to print copies (but I had the wrong thumb drive). I sprayed the spot at 111. I went to 648 to clean from 3:45 to 5. I saw someone had run the garbage out to the curb. I tried pouring vinegar on the baking soda that covered the oil spots in the driveway. Then I scrubbed, but I don't think it helped.

I went home. Chris was there and ready to get water. So we loaded up all three jugs and went to the water machine. But it wasn't powered, even though it was plugged in. Chris surmised that the circuit was tripped. So I called it in and the lady said she would report it in the morning.

We went home. He had turkey in the oven. I washed some grapes and ate them. Then I filled a bowl with turkey bones that had some meat left on them. I listened to a podcast. I also went through some old unread e-mail and deleted those whose links were broken.

Finally I worked on my blog. I made tea while Chris put the turkey away. Then he replaced the battery in my watch, but it didn't work. We watched the last episode of Criminal Minds for the season.

Then I sat at my laptop and put on the leg massagers. I watched an interview on Linux and nearly fell asleep. So I took off the massagers and got ready for bed.

The exploding jar of milk

 

Monday

I got up around 8, having finally gotten to sleep after a bad RLS night. I took supplements, did some Sudoku, and made egg salad. I brought in the milk and eggs, but I could not get the lid off of the jar of milk. I put masking tape around it for a better grip, but still no luck.

I exercised and practiced. I posted for band practice tonight. I went to 648 to clean. I spread baking soda on some oil stains in the driveway. I ran the self-clean cycle on the stove. I worked in the kitchen until the smell was too bad. Then I cleaned baseboards.

I went home and ate fiber gel, then read outside. Michelle came over to open the jar of milk, but she couldn't, so she took it with her to have her husband open it later. I finished reading the book. I made and ate breakfast while reading e-mail. I went to open the swap shop for someone who wanted a dryer. I also picked up the mail which included 4 boxes. The man had to go home for a dolly to move the dryer, so I left the swap shop open and took my packages home.

I went to 648 to clean. I was expecting John at 3:30, but that is when he texted asking what street it was on. It was the first of many texts from him and others. He showed up at 4 and Isadora was close behind. I had him clean high shelves, tops of doors, fans, and the oven. She picked up dog poop in the back yard. They both spent an hour or more. Sadly there was no room in the garbage can for the bags of poop.

After they left, I cleaned up a bit. Crystal texted that she couldn't do bells after all, but that her mother would still come. Eryne came over to see what was left behind. She took a couple of things. Then I went home. I put leftovers, including a package of tuna, in the toaster oven. I read messages until 5:45, then took supper out and ate it. Then I headed to the chapel.

Keli was already there and some others were setting up. I turned on the light to the fellowship hall. When Michele and John came, I directed them to the fellowship hall for bells. Eryne came and I asked her to play the top part. But the 4^th person didn't show up. Elizabeth came and filled in.

The bells practiced in the back while the band practiced in the sanctuary. We played through all our pieces, including One Small Child with Karen on flute. Then we did O Holy Night with Michelle singing solo. However, she couldn't hit the high E, so Jenni joined her. But Jenni couldn't put much volume behind it. However, Karen hit it well on flute, so it was ok. Then we brought the bells back into the sanctuary and dismissed the band. Keli played with the bells. Practice went over time, but I think it went well.

I went home and worked on work hours, VMIS hours and my blog.  Michelle texted me a pic of the milk jar after it exploded.  Her husband was running the lid under warm water and then - bam!  So odd.

I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. It was a two part episode and a season ender. I took my evening supplements and removed the one with melatonin. Then I sat down at my laptop and listened to the sleep track while wearing the leg massagers. I watched part of a video on using Kaatsu. Then I went to bed and slept well.

Another group sauna session

 

Sunday

I got up after 8, having slept fairly well. I took supplements and made fiber gel. I watered the plants and practiced the Christmas lineup. I ate egg salad and read e-mail

I made cheese squares and looked at ways of cleaning oil spots from driveways and sidewalks.

I ate fiber gel. I read outside in the sun. I made breakfast and ate it. Then I got dressed, put cheese squares in a container. I cut up the cake into cubes and put it in another container. Chris took a shower and got dressed for church. He carried my trombone and music while I carried the food.

We went to the chapel. I left the food in the back and went forward, greeting people. I asked Keli and Caleb if we could change the hymns to Christmas ones. They were ok with that. I assembled my trombone.

We all sang three songs; one praise song and two Christmas songs. The Mays family read some verses and lit an advent candle. Then the Popken family read some verses and lit another advent candle.

A guest pastor gave the sermon. He is awarding our pastor tomorrow. Then the band played two Christmas hymns. After the service, I laid the bells out on the table. Rick and I carried the bell table to the fellowship hall for tomorrow. I spoke to the Lunas and his mother. She was excited to teach kids how to hula to Silent Night. I invited Jenni to come to the sauna.

I picked up the remaining snack. The cake was nearly gone and the cheese squares were almost untouched. Sigh. Chris and I got in his car and went to the gym. I turned on the sauna. Then we went home.

I finished the protein round of my breakfast. I changed clothes and put on a bathing suit. I looked at more videos on cleaning oil stains. Then I packed a towel and water bottles in a bag and went to the gym.

When I got to the sauna, Michelle and Eryne were already there. I went in and sat on my towel. We chatted for almost an hour. We talked about planning a flash mob. I got a little dizzy, so we all got out. As I got dressed, I remembered that I had Eryne's bag. Michelle took it and ran to give it to her. When she got back, we both walked out together and decided we should do this more often.

I went home to change and to play the game. Chris had supper ready. I ate fiber gel, then watched as Chris swore over my computer trying to get my microphone to work. But it wouldn't. So he went back to his and I ate as the game started.

We finished a fight from last week and divvied up the stuff we took from the enemy.

I worked on my blog and posted after the game was over. We folded laundry and put it away. I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. Then Chris started explaining how the army was reorganizing. I think my eyes glassed over. Eventually he realized how late it was and went to bed. I listened to the sleep track and then retired for the night.

The oven is on fire

Saturday

I got up around 8, having had a hard time getting to sleep. But no RLS. I took supplements, practiced, etc. I read e-mail. When Chris got back from Mass, I asked for a massage. Afterward, he took his shower and I took mine.

Then I went to 648 to make sure the stuff left behind was in the garage or laundry room. I started the self-clean cycle on the stove. I also cleaned up all the balls of fur. I picked up some of the dog poop and decided I was willing to pay someone to do it for me. I noticed that there was a small flame in the oven. It was not out of control or anything. So I called Chris to ask what I should do. He agreed that there was no reason to call the fire department. But I could not leave the house just in case. So I canceled the self-clean cycle and gradually the flame died out.

I went home and had breakfast. I posted for Project Night, the last one for this year. I put a vacuum and mop in my car and drove to Tina's house. She wanted me to sweep and mop the kitchen and dining room. I didn't think that would take two hours. But we talked first, then I vacuumed in and around all sorts of things. I mopped several times to get all the layers of dirt. Then I scrubbed the back door.

It was 4 then, and she wanted to share a cake she had made for the first time in 25 years. It was so sweet of her that I accepted even though I gave up desserts years ago. It was made with ouzo and mayo. It didn't sound good, but it really was tender and tasty. She gave me the recipe and half of the cake to take home.

When I got home, I told Chris and he said he doesn't like Ouzo. He had put the leftover turkey in the oven. I ate fiber gel, then read messages for awhile. I then ate turkey and some of the onions that were cooked with it. Soooo good. Michele and John came over with a philly steak pizza that Michele had made. I had a piece and it was very good too. John said he likes Ouzo, but by then I had decided to take it to church.

I watched short Telegram videos for awhile, then jumped up to get ready for Project Night. I took bags of stuff for making ornaments. I didn't have room for the trombone. When I got to the chapel, John and Michele were close behind me. We walked into the chapel together, turning on lights as we went. Then the Luna's arrived with his mother from Hawaii. Casey and Cedric came, as did Jenni. So it was a good turnout.

Stirling's mom shortened some pants and talked about wanting to teach a hula dance. Several people were up for that, and it ended up that she is going to come to band practice to hear the songs and pick one to teach hula to. And they are all coming to church.

I went home at 8:45. I worked on my blog and then it was too late to watch TV. So I read new messages and investigated ways to get oil stains off of concrete. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to listen to the sleep track before going to bed myself.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (and bells and orchestra and guest artists)

 

Friday

I got up at 8. I went through the usual first morning routine. After practicing, I shuffled the playing cards and went to the chapel. The Clarks were already there. First we had a warm-up game. Then Saronna wrote a times tables sheet with the squares blank. We played the game again and I marked them off as they came up. There was a tie between Sophia and Moira, so I asked them the pairs that didn't come up. It was still a tie, but there were two prizes and they each wanted a different one, so each took her preferred prize.

They left, and I went home to get the left behind cleaners from 111, I took them to Tarah's house. We chatted. I went to 648B. I had forgotten the key, but the front door wasn't locked. ? When I went in, I saw they left quite a bit behind, especially in the garage. Like a set of bald tires. I texted Davis to see if he could haul them to the landfill for me. There was also used motor oil. Sigh.

I worked for over an hour sweeping up dog hair and getting things soaking. There was food thrown in a bag, but it wouldn't fit in the trash and they left it in the living room. I put it in the fridge so it wouldn't smell.

I headed home and unlocked the swap shop on the way. I ate fiber gel and read outside in the sun. Then I made and ate breakfast. We went to the commissary for what they had. Then I read some messages and got dressed up. I jotted notes for my blog.

At 3, we left for Tooele. We shopped at Melanie's and Macey's. Then we proceeded to Salt Lake City.

After an hour, we parked way down in a parking deck. We noted Level 3, not realizing how big Level 3 was. People were stationed everywhere to guide us (and others) to the right place. It was a big building. We went inside and signed in. We did a coat check, then moved to another room to sign in again and get name tags and a table number. We found our table, then went off to mingle. We talked to the mayor of Tooele and her daughter. Later we went back to our seats, right by the colonel and his wife. There were others we knew, so we all chatted.

A man made remarks to the group and prayed. Then we ate our salads. Later we all lined up to go through the buffet line. Then we ate our dinners. More people talked. Afterward, we went to pick up my coat, and we walked outside (chilly) and through a lighted park. Eventually we got to a large building but not a temple. The tabernacle. I had to go through a line to check out my handbag while I went through a scanner. Was I in an airport? Chris said there was a terrorist threat. Huh.

Anyway, we had been given tickets and with the help of people stationed here and there, we found our seats. Eventually everyone we ate with ended up sitting near us in our row.

It was an amazing performance. The singers, the musicians, the guest artists, the bell ringers and the dancers. Oh, and the light show. Different backgrounds were projected all across the front of the room. I wish I could have taken pics during the performance.

After two hours, we made our way through the cold and crowd to find the parking deck. Finding level 3 was easy, but finding our car was not. Other people were lost as well. So we walked and walked. We did finally find our car and got in the slow line to exit the parking deck. We made our way through the streets with the help of the GPS. Once we were on the highway, finding Dugway was easy, though not quick. We listened to a book on CD and I was surprised that I didn't fall asleep.

When we got home, Chris went to bed while I stayed up to work on my blog.

An early game night

 

Thursday

I got up at 8, having slept well. I took supplements, practiced, and made egg salad. I scanned and printed a hymn for Karen.

Then I went to Bible Study. Diane had brought handtowels as gifts. I handed out solar lanterns. We studied the stories of Jesus' birth.

When it was over, I went home for fiber gel and read outside. I made breakfast and watched The Highwire. I paused it to go to a signover. I dropped the music off at Karen's house, then Jamie and I looked through signover house. I quoted him $550 for cleaning the house and oily driveway. Jamie took the payment through Venmo.

I went to 111 to finish the tub and vacuum the blinds and I cleared some stuff out. I plunged the drain, but it had no effect. I stopped at Housing to schedule an inspection. They asked for another CD player because theirs was too loud and would not go lower.

I went home for a rake and to take stuff out of the car. Then I went to 648 to rake, but they were still packing up to leave. So I went to 111 to get my vacuum and the cleaners that had been left behind.

I went home, ate fiber gel, and heated supper. I ate the soup. Jenni came over for the seeds I dehydrated. I scooped them into a little pill bottle for her. Then I finished watching a presentation on breathing.

I examined all the cans in the closet and wrote the dates in large numbers on the tops. I worked on my blog. I reviewed my notes for Rama. I made a bottle of tea. I put some cloud cheese in with the vinegar cheese and took it to Michelle's house.

She was folding clothes so I talked to her for awhile. Then Casey got the game up. So I went to the livingroom to play. She put something on the cheese and ate it. We talked as I played. Something went wrong and I must have overwritten the game I wanted to play. So I had to replay some parts. But I also found new territory and did everything I had notes for.

At 11, I quit the game. We talked awhile longer, then I went home. Chris was still up. I turned off the Christmas lights and we went to bed.

LDS Christmas party

 

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30 having not slept well because of persistent RLS. Why last night and not the night before? I just cannot spot the trigger.

I prepared for meditation morning with coffee and exercise and supplements. I read for half an hour with a red light. Then I did rounds of tapping and meditation and prayer.

I signed into Zoom for a tapping presentation. He presented tips on how to get more out of tapping sessions. I cleaned the kitchen while he talked. Other people asked questions.

Finally I exited the session. I mopped the floor and swept the den. I took a shower and got dressed. I asked Brighteon AI about RLS. One of the things it said was that going to the bathroom in the middle of the night could trigger an attack, so don't drink before bedtime. Interesting.

A man called to ask me to come to his final inspection to sign for the house. He said the inspection team remarked on the oil spots on his driveway. I set up a time to look it over. I vacuumed the hallway and bedroom. Then Jamie called to say Bobbie was looking for me. So I called her. She asked if the man had called me, and also if I was done with 111.

Jamie drove over in my riding mower. I gave her a ride home. Then we sat in my car and talked. After she got out, I drove by the man's house to see his driveway. It didn't look bad, but there was a vehicle in the way. Then I swung by Saronna's house to get my music folder. We chatted just a bit. Then I went by Jenni's house and picked up a papaya hanging on her door.

I also stopped by 111 and rinsed the tub which reminded me that I needed a drain plunger. I packed up some cleaning materials and went home. I scooted in the house just as Retreat sounded. I cut up the papaya and scooped out the seeds. I froze the papaya flesh and put the seeds in the dehydrator.

Chris came home from work and changed clothes. While he read on his computer, I posted about the Math Morning contest. I also made a list of our Christmas music and sent it to Keli, Caleb and Rod. Then I looked for a nice top to wear. I found a purple one and thought it didn't go with Chris' orange shirt. So I asked him to wear a red one. And he did.

Then we went to the LDS church off base. They were having their Christmas party. I saw Karen and asked her to play a piece on flute for Christmas Eve. She said yes. We went into the hall and chatted. Michelle came along and asked me to sit with her so I did. Jenni came over, too. Crystal announced a prayer and then people lined up to eat. But Michelle and I did not. Still, our table was full of conversation until the kids program started. It was simple and we sang songs. When it was over, Chris and I left and went home.

I looked up some music for Karen, but it cost money so I guess I'll copy it from the hymnal. I read messages. I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. Then I read e-mail and messages. I listened to the sleep track and the reading of Psalms.

Leveling up to 11

 

Tuesday

I got up at 7:30. Chris was still in the shower. I followed my morning routine. I got dressed and made egg salad. I read e-mail while hardboiling two batches of eggs. I went to the post office and came out with 4 boxes. I cleaned 111 from 10:30 to 11:45.

When I got home, I ate fiber gel, then sat outside and read. It was a really nice day for December.  Afterward, I made and ate breakfast.

I went to Saronna's house to play hymns and Christmas Eve music. While we were playing, the power went out.  We continued to play.  Afterward, I went to 111 to clean and the power came back on. I cleaned the tub and toilet and floors over and over from 3:15 to 4:45.

I went home. I ate fiber gel, then cleared the dishwasher and put stuff away. John came over to help me level up my character. During this, Chris came home from work. I put supper in the toaster oven. Leveling up took longer than I thought it would.

I took out supper and ate it. I read messages online. I looked for my music from earlier but couldn't find it. Jamie called to say she picked up her cleaning stuff from 111 and was very sad since it was our last house together.

I worked on my blog. I made tea. We watched one episode of Criminal Minds. I read messages and texted with Michelle. I listened to the sleep track and went to bed.

Keli and the Bells

 

Monday

I got up before 7:30 and the cup of water in the bathroom was still full. So I didn't get up during the night. Yea! I did the usual morning routine.

I checked e-mail and messages. I brought in the cooler which had a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs. I put half the milk in a thick pot on the stove. I got out the new alarm thermometer and had trouble setting it. So I used the old thermometer and when it reached 100, I moved the milk to the dehydrator. I refilled the pot and set the thermometer alarm for 175. I also set up the automatic stirring device. Then I went back to reading messages.

When the alarm went off, I stood by and watched the temp rise to 180. I shut off the heat and added white vinegar. I scooped the curds and added a little more vinegar. Several times. Then I put the whey in jars.

I woke up the old computer. It was quite the process. I had to reboot and it fell asleep during the reboot. (I wish I could do that.) When I finally woke it up, I printed out some hymns that I had cleaned up last night. But the printer settings were not saved, so I had to redo each one. THEN, for some reason, the printer decided it had a problem with the color cartridge. Even though I was only printing black. I could not clear the error message and it would not continue without it. I even looked it up E5.

A lady came by for a piece of batting for a small case. I had plenty to share. I loaded everything I needed on a thumb drive.

I made and ate breakfast and read outside. I had some nuts and fruit. Then I went to the chapel to get some music. I proceeded to the library to make copies of my music and the bells music. She also gave me two dozen eggs.

I went to 111 to wipe down the furniture. Jamie had said she would finish the bathroom by today, but I could see she hadn't been there. I left her a message. I called John and he came over to move the furniture for me. I reminded him of bells practice tonight. Jenni called to say Lyn had died. I wondered if Chris knew.

I cleaned until after 5. I went home and put supper in the oven. I worked on my blog. I added rennet to the milk in the dehydrator.

Then I headed to the chapel. The door was shut, but it opened when I pulled on it. And the lights were already on, but no one was there. I walked in with Jenni, and Keli and Caleb were not far behind. Then John and Michele arrived. They and Rod were waiting for me to unlock the door. Ooops.

So the band played through the hymns and some carols as the bells players (John and Michele) marked their music with crayons. Then we played those pieces (Silent Night and O Come all ye faithful). Two players didn't come, so Jenni and I subbed. But it didn't go well. The bells and piano stayed late to ….. Rod said we need another practice so we agreed on Thursday, just for Keli and the bells. (Sounds like a singing group.) Jenni agreed to talk to the ones who didn't show up.

Finally Jenni and I turned out the lights and locked up. I went home to find Michele and John there, eating pecan pie. I offered them potatoes and a dozen eggs. Michele asked for a cone of thread, so I found a light colored one. Then we all talked for almost 2 hours. Suddenly I realized I had forgotten the cheese in the dehydrator. When I took it out, it looked like risen bread dough. I punched it down with a spoon and whey came out. But still, it would not all fit in a jar. I had to put the remaining cheese and whey in plastic containers.

Then I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. I finished my blog and listened to a man reading the Psalms. Then I went to bed.

Wrestling with the old computer

 

Sunday

I didn't sleep well due to RLS, and a really bad case, too. So I slept late. It was after 8:30 when I gave up and got out of bed. I took supplements and drank water. I exercised and practiced. I read messages and finished a documentary called Just Look Up.

I ate fiber gel. I read outside barefoot, but with my fluffy robe on. I made and ate breakfast, then got dressed for church. I tried to wake up the computer to scan carols, but it was not happy about something.

I went to the chapel with cheese squares. I left them in the back. Pastor Jeff greeted me and it took me minutes later to remember who he was. I was happy to see Rod, who I thought had given up on us. He said he didn't come to the tree-lighting ceremony because he didn't know about it. Popken opened the service and Jeff gave the sermon. We ladies played our hymns and the service was over. Rod helped me set up the table for bells tomorrow.

When I got home, I scanned carols from the hymnal. I read e-mail and took a nap. Woke up, put up two more strings of lights, Chris heated up potato soup and mushrooms. It was really good. I made more breakfast mix, We signed into Discord for the game, but my microphone wasn't working. Chris spent a lot of time debugging it but to no avail. So we played the game and I walked over to Chris' computer whenever I wanted to say something.

At 8, we called it quits. I worked on my blog. I kept having to move around because my back hurt when I sat still. Not sure what I did. I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. I worked on the linen nightgown as it played. Afterward, I spent 90 minutes cleaning up the copies of the hymns that I had scanned. Then I listened to a sleep track and went to bed.

Disappointing turnout

 

Saturday

I got up after 7:30, not having gotten up at all during the night. I prepared the usual. I practiced carols from the hymn book. Chris took a shower and went to Mass. I made egg salad. I read e-mail. After Chris got back, I asked for a massage. So he gave me one.

I took a shower and ate fiber gel. I read inside because it was wet outside. I made and ate breakfast. I added more stuff to my ornament supplies. I went looking for embossing tools, but only found one, so I grabbed a knitting needle as well.

I stopped at the post office to see if the post-its I ordered for class had come in. Nope. Wendy was waiting for me at the chapel when I arrived. We went in together. I set up two sewing machines and laid out the sample ornaments. I also laid out the materials to make them. We chatted a bit, then the kids arrived. Sophia made an embossed star and she helped Wilhelm make an embossed snowflake. The boys made several stars from straws. Randy made one, too. Wilhelm made a 5pt paper star as well. Sophia put together some materials for Moira to do at home.

Jenni had said we should decorate the church after sewing class, but she never came. Nor did anyone else, so I went home. I realized then that I left my phone at church. Oh well. I read e-mail. I ate the delicious bacon-potato soup that Chris made. I looked at more ornament videos online. (Did I really think I was going to add to the list?)

I posted to my blog and went to Project Night. At first no one came, then John and Michele arrived. He had minifigs and she had a chemise to work on. Then Casey stopped by to borrow the key to the swap shop. When he came back, he brought Michelle. She wasn't going to stay, but I talked them into decorating the 12' tree in the sanctuary. Casey minded the ladder while she strung the red garland around. Then she hung foam snowflakes on it. I provided witty banter.

As John and Michele were leaving at 9, I asked John to put the star on top. It had a plug end which should have a match in the tree. John and Casey tipped the tree over so they could search, but they could not find it. So they tipped the tree back up, and John put the star on. After they left, Michelle had Casey tip the star more to the left. Then we talked about this and that and finally packed up and left just before 10.

I went home and brought all my ornament stuff in. I helped Chris make the bed. I jotted down notes about what happened today for posting tomorrow. I read e-mail and listened to Psalms and a sleep track. Then I went to bed.

Pink Pajama Party

 

Friday

I got up at 7:45 after not having slept well. I took supplements, read messages and made egg salad. One of the videos said that walking backwards helps to lower anxiety. Then I got dressed and took a water bottle to the chapel for Math Morning.

I unlocked the chapel and walked backwards through the sanctuary and hallway to the fellowship hall. I made an unsatisfactory straw star while waiting for the kids to arrive. When they did, some of them had no math books or shoes. I sent them into the sanctuary to count chairs. Then I told Wilhelm to create a times table. I gave him a ruler and he spent the rest of the hour drawing lines and squares. Randy had Jedediah look up three digit numbers. There was no time for the game.

Saronna arrived just before the end of the hour. We packed up and locked the doors. They left and I went home and looked up how to make a star from a straw. I guess I should have used yarn instead of thread. Then I looked at videos on how to cut a 5pt star. I tried, but they were not satisfactory either.

I ate fiber gel, then read for awhile. It was too wet to read outside. Then I made and ate breakfast. Michelle sent me a flyer she had made for the Christmas Eve service. I worked on several ornaments, then taped them to hang from the counter top and photographed them for advertisement for the class tomorrow. Then OpenOffice glitched. I took a screenshot of my blog notes before it went down. Good thing too, because the backup file was nowhere to be found.

We went to the commissary, also stopping at the post office. I picked up the mail and unlocked the swap shop by request. We came home with food, and put it away. We decided not to go to Tooele. I re-created yesterday's post as well as I could. I saved it, then posted to my blog. I read more Rama hints. I went through messages, and then took a nap while Chris made tomato soup.

I stewed over whether to wear my pajamas to go to the party at 7. I put them on. Michelle texted that she needed Christmas lights and to drop them off on my way to the party. I also had to lock the swap shop. So I changed back into my regular clothes and put the pajamas in a bag with a bottle of water, etc.

I swung by the swap shop to lock it, then went by Michelle's house to drop off lights. She said she'd be late to the party. Then I went to the party. I was surprised to see how full the parking lot was. I walked in with the pot of tomato soup that Chris made. Jenni found a place on the table to set it. I went to the bathroom to change into my pajamas. Then I rejoined the party.

The room was decorated in pink, from top to bottom and all the tables. Most people were wearing pink but some had red. Jenni was in blue. There was Christmas music playing from a speaker with lights in the corner. Wendy put a placard on each soup so we would know what it was.

We all got bowls of soup and ate around the square of tables. I counted 2 people. Then Janet had us gather in a corner for a group pic. After that, she had games for us to play. In the first one, she had three people with kleenex boxes strapped to their arms, shake until all the cotton balls inside fell out. There was a winner for each of three rounds, and then a play-off.

The second game was to have three people blindfolded and trying to scoop up cotton balls and dump them into a cup held on their head. There were more than 3 rounds and most people who played got 3 balls in their cup. Janet had to have a number draw to determine the winner.

The third game was like musical chairs. She put red cups around the outside of the square of tables. We walked around the square until the music stopped, then grabbed a cup. One person was out with no cup to grab. But it took so long that she started having 2 or 3 less cups per round. I don't remember who won.

As I chatted with the ladies who were 'out', I found two that would agree to play bells for Christmas Eve. Jenni brought an ornament craft for everyone to do. That seemed to be the end. Michelle left and took Audra home. I went home soon after. But I later saw the pics and apparently they had a good time posing for pics after we left.

It was 10. Chris was still up. I read e-mail on my laptop. Michelle called to talk about the party. I listened to more Psalms. Then we went to bed. Chris' phone rang and he got up to answer. And then we went to sleep.

Winterfest (aka Whobilation)

 

Thursday

I got up at 7:30 and Chris was just leaving. I took supplements and played through the Christmas line-up, then made and ate egg salad. I took my Bible and went to the chapel for Bible Study. We read the last three chapters of John. Wendy handed out 3D printings of the manger scene.

I got home after 11, ate fiber gel and read outside. I made breakfast while watching The Highwire. I looked at sewn ornaments on Pinterest. I made one that looked like ribbon candy, but it didn't come out well. I ran to the chapel at 3:30 to help Keli load up stands, etc for the Community Club. We packed everything in her truck and took it to the club.

We set everything up for the band, then I went home to clean my slide and change clothes. I put on a green dress and my heaviest coat.

Then I went to the club to meet Keli and the rest of the band. We played one song as a warmup. Then most of us went to the lot next door for the tree lighting ceremony. Chris announced that it might be his last. The colonel spoke as well. We sang some songs and they turned on the outdoor tree lights. Then fire engines with flashing lights pulled up and Santa got out. He greeted children, then we all walked back to the club, and I took my place with the band.

We played almost half of our songs when a lady requested that we take a break so the Grinch could make his entrance. Afterward, we continued. Caleb didn't come because his wife went into labor. So Keli played their song by herself. Then we finished our set. As people milled around, we packed up our stuff. I asked Elizabeth if the bells music looked playable to her. I was going to ask Michele as well, but she and John had left.

Keli and I packed the stuff back in her truck with the help of CPL Popken. He rode with me to the chapel and we unloaded everything. She took him back to the club and I went home.

I changed clothes and heated up leftovers for supper. I asked Michelle if I could have a game night tonight since tomorrow night is the pink pajama party. She and Casey said yes. So I read e-mail until 8, then posted to my blog. I made a bottle of tea and took some cheese and went to her house.

She was at the gym, but Casey had the game up. I loaded the last saved game where I died last time. I invited Cedric to watch as I completed the deadly move. He loves it when I die and Arthur C. Clark lectures me on safety. Then I tried other moves. But I could not get any further than before.

So I loaded the previous save, where my character was above ground. I completed the things on my to-do list, then got stuck because I didn't have everything I needed. Since Michelle had to go to work in the morning, I thanked her and said goodbye. I went home and found Chris already in bed. I looked at the Rama walkthroughs to see what I missed. I made notes and went to bed.

Finally a good night of sleep

 

Wednesday

It snowed last night and the powers that be (Chris et al) decided base should open 2 hours late. So when I got up, Chris was still home. I prepared for coffee morning. I did exercises and took supplements and made coffee. I read for half an hour while listening to music. Then Chris took his shower while I started meditating and tapping. After he left, I did several more rounds of meditation and tapping.

I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen and washed all the dishes. I vacuumed and mopped the kitchen floor. I vacuumed all the floors. Then I took a shower and got dressed. I posted pics for the swap shop.

I went to Saronna's house to practice some more. Jedediah played along on his mouth organ (for some value of 'played').

Afterward, I went to the library to print out some bells music. Keli showed me her plans for a Grinch cave. I left her a king size sheet to cover the table and make the walls. She left the bin I had loaned her by my car. I went to see Emily who was giving away bags of potatoes. Not sure who had donated them.

I went home. I ate egg salad and steamed more eggs. Chris came home from work. I read online till 6, then went to lock up the swap shop. I went to the gym for a weighted workout. But it was not a back-friendly workout. Very complicated. They were playing music, so I did my own 'Richard Simmons' kind of workout in the corner. After the first 25 minute round, I thanked the CSM and left.

I went home to stretch. I read e-mail and listened to video messages. I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. Then I put on the leg massagers. I listened to a Youtube video where a man reads from the Psalms. After 45 minutes, I went to bed and slept through the night.

A thermometer with an alarm

 

Tuesday

At 6:15 I sat bolt upright in bed, realizing I had forgotten to put the cooler out this morning. So I put it out and saw that she had left the milk and eggs anyway. I brought them in. I tried to go back to sleep, but it didn't work. I got up again when I heard Chris leave. I took supplements and drank lemon water.

I heated half of the milk to 100F and put it in the dehydrator to cure. I heated the other half and read messages till I realized it was boiling. I turned it off and added vinegar.

I counted the money Jenni gave me. $20 was missing. I ate egg salad and practiced my Christmas music. I read e-mail. Not so many e-mails for Giving Tuesday as I expected.

I went to 111 to clean the tub and toilet. Jamie came over to look through the stuff left behind and take the rest to the swap shop. She promised to finish the tub and toilet.

I went home for breakfast. I ate and read e-mail. I listened to a podcast on the origins of Christmas celebrations and how December was meant to be a time of darkness and slowing down before the returning of light to each day.

I put the money from 83E into envelops. I went to Saronna's house and we practiced the Christmas music. We decided to practice again tomorrow.

I went to 83E for inspection. The inspectors were already there. We signed the papers and talked. Apparently Chris told them at a workforce townhall that this was his last year. They asked if he could take another job on post.

Jamie came over and I gave her an envelop. I went to the chapel for my other trombone, I went home to get my phone. I added rennet to the milk in the dehydrator. The guy from yesterday called and told me how his inspection went. Then I went to the swap shop to take pics for advertising.

I went home. I looked at alarm thermometers because my milk boiled over this morning. And supplements. Chris came home, I scooped the rennet cheese. I tried to finish eating last week's cheese, but it was a little too much. Plus I was watching an animated walkthrough that was making me dizzy. I did sudoku for awhile. 

I worked on my blog, piecing my day back together. I made tea, and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. Then Chris became talkative and we talked till after 11. He went to bed and I put everything to sleep so I could sleep.

Emergency Cleaning

 

Monday

I got up at 8. Chris was sleeping on the couch. I put in my VMIS hours. I did the usual morning stuff except playing trombone. I was about to play when my phone rang. A gentleman wanted someone to clean his house before he left. I dropped everything and ran over there to check it out. However my windshield was frosted over so I had to spray it with alcohol and wait a minute for it to melt.

When I got there, I told him that the standards were lower for residents than for cleaners. I looked around and somehow thought 6 hours would be enough. So he gave me cash and I called Jamie. I picked up cleaning supplies from 111. The two of us cleaned like mad till almost 1. Then I took my stuff and left as the inspectors showed up. We were not able to do everything in only 3 hours.

I went home and made breakfast. I read e-mail and messages. Then I took the Christmas music to the library and had Keli make copies for Elizabeth. Then I went to 83E to finish that up. I took my cleaning supplies back to 111 and worked on the toilet and tub for 30 minutes.

I went home to pick hymns, to practice and to eat supper. I read messages and looked at Cyber Monday sales. Then I went to the chapel for band. Few people came. We played through our hymns and then the Christmas program. It was hard to play with all my congestion. Afterward, Jennie gave me $120 in one's and five's. I gave her 20's from the cash this morning.

I went home and turned on the Christmas lights. I read messages and e-mail. I listened to the sleep track. I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. Then I woke up the old computer (took 20 minutes). I finished writing a bell part to Silent Night. Then I put it back to sleep and went to bed.

Birthday in the sauna

 

Sunday

It was almost 9 when I got up. I didn't sleep much and I don't know why. Read e-mail,

Egg salad, Practiced, looked for music, got out frozen eggs, Made taco mix, breakfast mix and a weeks worth of supplements. I made cheese squares. Then I made and ate breakfast. I got dressed, cut up the cheese squares and put them in a container, and went to the chapel.

I put the snack in the back, then went up front to assemble my trombone. I greeted people. I talked to Jenni who was having back problems. Then I took my seat for the service. It followed the usual order, but included lighting the advent candle and communion. After the sermon, we played two hymns.

And there was more conversing. Most people had gone home when I found myself talking to Janet and telling her it was my birthday. She asked what I wanted to do for my birthday and I said ' yoga in the sauna'. So we scheduled it for 4pm. She asked Jenni and I told Michelle (who was sick) and Erynne.

I went home and changed clothes. I finished breakfast. I read e-mail. I went to the gym to turn on the sauna and back home. I looked at replacement supplements online, then filled two water bottles and put on my bathing suit.

I went to the gym to find Michelle and Janet already there. The sauna was about 155F. We went in and started stretching. Jenni joined us. We talked and stretched for 50 minutes. I got out to go home and everyone got out with me. Janet gave me a pop-up card with flowers. It was so cute! We agreed it was great and we should do it again.

I went home and changed clothes to join the DnD game already in progress. Chris made me a bowl of supper and I ate it. Then Faye called. She and Kevin sang Happy Birthday. Then we talked for awhile. After she hung up, I rejoined the game. I don't think I missed anything. We fought 700 skeletons and annihilated their leader and 50 or so of them. The DM assumed we won so we ended the game till next week.

Chris and I went to the water machine to fill the jugs. Then I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds. I looked up some of the actors. Then I listened to a podcast and jotted notes for today. I took the evening supplements and listened to the sleep track. I finished up the VMIS list and went to bed.