Grandma's machine

Monday

I got up after 7:30. It was still kind of dark. I went in my sewing room to get the robe I cut out of Chris' shirt. I put it on. I took supplements and brushed my teeth. I went through the backpack of sewing stuff that Jerry gave me. Some of it I added to my stash, but there were a lot of buttons and I don't like buttons. I emptied the wastebasket in my sewing room.

I washed the cake saver and set it on the stove to dry. I turned my attention to the plant on Grandma's sewing machine. I removed all the dead leaves and cleaned it up. I shifted it to the bookcase, then tried to open the sewing machine cabinet. The machine had no thread so I had to find some tough thread for it. I checked the stitches and they weren't good. So I got out the manual and re-threaded it. It did well with the handwheel.

So then I worked on the sleeping bag. I looked all over for fabric to match. I didn't find any, but saw that Randy had left some with it. So I pinned it in place and tried to sew. However, even though I plugged it in, the machine would not turn on. I tried another outlet, but no. the bag was so thick that I needed both hands to move it under the needle, so I needed the foot pedal to work.

I went in my sewing room and got another all -metal machine set up. But it wasn't strong enough to keep stitching. Sigh. I gave up. I got dressed and watered the plants. I was going to use the watering can for plants on the back porch, but the water inside was frozen.

I put a load of new fabrics in the washing machine. I grabbed the folding stepladder and went to apt 209. I scrubbed the stove burners. I washed the blinds, windows and tracks. After an hour, I went home for breakfast. Chris had slow-roasted short ribs. I had breakfast and one short rib.

Then I went to the post office for yoga, but the yoga teacher was not there. I went back home. I sent her a message on Facebook. I opened the bag with the cantaloupe and it was overripe. I had to cut some off. I opened the other cantaloupe and it was overripe too. I listened to a podcast on Parkinsons. I put in a second load of new fabric. I jotted notes for my blog and posted for yesterday.

I put together a costume from the back closet. I put toys in a black bag. Chris picked me up and we went to Trunk-or-treat by the Community Club. I walked around handing out toys, I talked to spouses at their trunks,

We came home. I ate more ribs, and listened to an interview on solar cycles. Then my internet connection stopped working. I rebooted my laptop and continues to listen: Higher percentages of carbon dioxide lead to higher crop yields and more nutritious plants.

I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. During the show, my stomach became bloated that I knew I couldn't sleep. Chris went to bed, but I stayed up cleaning my sewing room. Then I watched a meditative tapping video and went to bed.

Pot Luck

Sunday

I woke up thinking I heard my 8am alarm. It was pitch black. It made me very sad. But after a bit, I got up to see the clock in the kitchen and it was only 7:21. I went back to bed until 8. Then I got up and made cheese squares. While they were baking, I cut one of Chris' old shirts into a kind of robe. After the cheese came out of the oven, I sprinkled it with paprika and sat at my laptop. I finalized some orders for Joann and for replacement music.

I made and ate breakfast, then got dressed for church. I took out a pickled egg to taste before taking them to church for the pot luck. But it was bad. Chris took the jar and threw them all out. Instead, I took out a jar of pickled zucchini. I tasted one and it was fine. I also packed up the cheese squares. I placed the food in my car, then got the trombone and went to the chapel.

I carried the food into the fellowship hall. I noticed the nursery smelled like a dirty diaper. I unpacked my trombone in the front of the chapel. I set up a hymnal on a stand and placed the sticky note on it. Then I sat in the front row for the service.

The chaplain started the service and we sang songs. Then he turned it over to the Calvary pastor, who gave a sermon on end times and Israel's role. We played two hymns. Then the chaplain announced a QR code for giving money to the chapel. He also directed people to the fellowship hall for the potluck.

Jenni brought in more chairs and people set up their food and got in line. I got in near the end, chatting with Saronna and Jenni. I sat to eat with Michelle, Pastor Chris, Jenni and little Jedidiah. There was a lot of fellowshipping going on and it was nice to see so many people here. Later we all cleaned up. Saronna and I searched for the source of the smell but couldn't find it. Then the chaplain and I locked up and headed out. When I got home, Chris was gaming with the voices. I got on my laptop for while, then changed my clothes. My dress was too tight, even though I had cut it out on the bias so it would stretch. And it did, getting shorter.

At 4:45 I heated steak in the toaster oven. I got on Discord with the other family members. We played the game: We went to a small town to get their stories of the monster attacks. They were uncooperative until we paid them for their time. Then they answered our questions and took us to an island which used to be their graveyard. We found a manticore nest, a dead dwarf, a campsite, an overturned boat with a face in it, surgeon's tools, and some magical items. We were attacked by the pregnant manticore and managed to beat it off. Then we called the boats back to take us back to the little town.

After the game, I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. Chris went to bed, but stayed awake reading. I listened to some tapping audios and went to bed after 11, turning the light off. He fell asleep before I did.

Good bye Gopher

Saturday

We slept in late. I got up after 9. I washed up and got dressed. I went to the company house to get the laundry started. I took supplements. I watered the indoor plants. I parsed supplements for a week. I went back to the company house to start the second load.

When I got back, I asked Chris for a massage. We went back to the bedroom and he said it was so cold back there that he needed to warm up under the covers. Later he gave me a massage, and took a shower. Then I took my shower.

I made and ate breakfast. Someone messaged me wanting to get into the swap shop. So I went and unlocked it, then proceeded to the company house to put the fitted sheet in the dryer, dress the bed, and clean the house. I stopped at 106 on the way home and saw Jamie did a great job. I sent her a text.

When I got home, I saw the bag of green tomatoes and some were turning red. So I sorted through them and pulled out the reddish ones and the soft starting-to-rot ones. I took the rest to Saronna's house. She showed me how she makes salsa from tomatoes and peppers. She opened a jar of the apple/pomegranate sauce for me to taste. It was very good. On the way home, I stopped at 209 to drop off cleaning supplies. I put the burner bowls in hot soapy water to soak.

When I got home, the gopher was gone. Chris had gotten a text from the colonel about it, so he disposed of it. I helped Chris to stirfry tomatoes, onions and peppers. I read e-mail while it cooked. I also watered the outdoor plants. Then I ate the salsa with steak and mushrooms and rice. I texted with Michelle who found the gopher situation hilarious. Then I worked on my blog. I watched part of a Myst III walkthrough, and made tea. We watched two episodes of Psych.

Chris went to bed and I stayed up to listen to the last part of the Tapping Pain Summit. Then I looked at replacement music until after 11.

While the cat is at the dentist, the mouse will shop

Friday

Chris woke me up around 8. I washed up and got dressed. I wiped grease out of dishes in the sink. I rinsed the sprouts. I took out the compost and cut up the squash and peppers that Chris had put beside it. That went out, too. I added to the grocery list.

When Chris was finished with his shower, we headed to Tooele, listening to the book on CD. Michelle texted wanting to go walking at the gym. But I told her we had an early morning in Tooele for a dental appt.

We parked at the dentist's office. Chris gave me the list and his key and went in. I walked down to Cal Ranch to see if they sold black briefs, but they don't. Then I went to Joann for magnetic clasps. She told me to go to the big Joann in SLC. I stayed to look at fabric on sale and picked up some for future class projects.

Then I went to Melanie's. I talked with them and picked up some chia and flax seeds. Then I walked back to the dentist's office. Chris was just checking out. We went to Luckey's and got a few things, then to Macey's for a few more. Then we went back to base.

We stopped at the commissary for meat, and then at the post office to lock up the swap shop. At home, we brought in our purchases. I made and ate breakfast and jotted some notes for my blog.

I read e-mail until 2:30, then met Michelle at the gym. But I made the mistake of asking the gym manager about how many times a week I can use the Kaatsu device. We talked for an hour. Then Michelle and I went upstairs to walk the track. I don't know how long we walked. I thought she talked my ear off, but after she left, the gym manager started talking again and I wasn't able to leave until after 6. Sigh.

Chris was cooking so I read e-mail. When he was done, he fixed me a plate of steak, mushrooms, and rice. It was very good. I also ate some squash for last night and several small pears from the local tree. Then I worked on my blog in anticipation of game night.

I took my water container (whose cap I lost somehow) and a bag of cauliflower greens, and a bottle of tea and went to Michelle's house. Casey was at work, but she called up the game for me. We talked as I played. I got myself in trouble at the end, unable to get back to where I started. So I exited and re-loaded the last save point. That would have been fine, but I could not remember where to focus the flower so the leaf would open. Finally, after 11, I gave up. We said our goodbyes and I went home.

Chris was in bed, so I turned everything off and joined him.

Eyebrow training

Thursday

I got up before 8 because my phone rang. I had forgotten to shut it off last night. But it was a spam call. Grrr! I washed up and got dressed. I brushed, and then swished while trying to find a foot pedal for an old Viking 945 online. I found a few, but they were $80 or more. I didn't want to spend that much to go with a donated machine.

I cleared a spot on the dining room table and made tea. I cut down some boxes until the door bell rang. It was Ginger. She came over to show me how to use eyebrow pencils. She brought two, a charcoal one and a brown one. She also had a window panel that she needed cut in half and shortened. She gave me the pencils in return. She also had something for the swap shop so I offered to take it.

It was after 11, so I took some time to post to several community Facebook pages. Then I queued up The Highwire and listened while I made and ate breakfast. It ended around 2. I read some e-mail, then wrote a cleaning contract and went over to apt 209. My car was wet because it rained last night. The inspectors had just arrived. We were early, but the occupant showed up late. However, the signing went well. I put the money and a key in the envelop.

Then I headed to the Housing office to schedule an inspection for 106. Then I went to the library to see if I had left the sheet music there. Nope. But Keli did have a music book with Jingle Bell Rock in it and I made a copy of that.

When I got home, I called Micky to see if she wanted some tomatoes. She said yes, in about an hour. Well, she talked to me on the phone for about that long. All the while I was hunting up pieces of PVC and corners for a cold frame. I had to wrap the ends in masking tape to fit the corners. Then I took the tomatoes over to her house.

When I got home, I looked high and low for a plastic big enough to fit over the cold frame. I decided to use the bag that the 25lbs of cashews came in. But first I had to empty the cashews into a ziplock bag. Then I cut the large bag open and draped it over the frame, and used the clamps from the embroidery frame to hold it on. I taped the legs down and put some extra plastic where the other didn't quite reach.

Chris came home from work and cooked onions and squash. I put the cold frame outside, covering the root veggies. Then I read e-mail until the squash and onions were finished. Sooo good! Especially with a little cheese.

I worked on my blog, then made tea. We watched two episodes of Psych. He went to bed and I stayed up to listen to a tapping video.

Getting ready for the frost

Wednesday

I got up around 8. I took supplements, then brushed and swished. I watered the indoor plants. I made coffee and did the special exercises. I read for half an hour with the HappyLight. I tapped and meditated for over an hour. Then I cleaned the bathrooms.

I laid out in the sun, possibly for the last time this year. I accidentally kicked over the old coffee pot and it broke. Chris came home for lunch. Jamie came over with my vacuum and the key. I paid her $30 for her time spent cleaning. I washed a mountain of dishes and cleaned the kitchen counter tops. I swept the tile floors and mopped them quickly.

Then I took a shower, ready to work out with Michelle. But she texted to say she wasn't feeling well. I considered going by myself, but I was anticipating a frost. So I watered all the outdoor plants. I picked all the tomatoes except for the very smallest ones. I collected the leaves from a pile of mint that I picked yesterday.

Gary had left a message wanting to talk to me about Winterfest. So I went over to his office. He wasn't in but I found him and we went back to his office. We talked about the band playing for the event and where to put us. We touched on other subjects as well.

An hour later, I walked back to my car. I stopped by the chapel to check for the sheet music but it wasn't there. I went home for my jacket, then to the garden. I pulled up a bunch of onions, garlic, red beets and radishes. But they were all tiny. Hardly worth eating. I went to CSM's garden and found a few green tomatoes, plus swiss chard. Only it wasn't swiss chard after all. Tucked in among the leaves were small heads of cauliflower!

I walked past another garden that was full of tomatoes on sprawling stems. I made note of the number and went home to check it out. I e-mailed the owner and asked if she was done with her garden. She replied that I could pick whatever I wanted. So I went back with bags and picked one of green tomatoes and one of red. The reds were kind of soft and many were rotten. I called Mickie to see if she wanted some but she didn't answer. So I called Saronna. Randy answered and agreed to take them.

I drove to their house and brought in the reds. Most needed to be eaten right away. She said she could make salsa. I kept a couple for Mickie. The girls were making pomegranate apple sauce. Isadora came over to help. I talked to Saronna about setting up at Winterfest and to Isadora about helping with a craft on the same night.

When I got home, Chris was home. I brought in most of the vegetables. I helped Chris bring in the tower garden. I am not looking forward to walking around it till spring, but stuff is still growing! I dug up potatoes in the flowerbed by the diningroom window. The level of the bed sunk when I dug into the large gopher tunnel underneath. After pulling out the little potatoes, I planted some of the onions, garlic, etc from the community garden plot. I may be able to build a cold frame over them.

I came in and washed my hands. I left the potatoes outside to dry out a little. I put a wet paper towel in the bag with the remaining little plants. I sat down to check for messages and write up my blog post. I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. Chris went to bed and I stayed up later than I intended.

Finishing the apartment

Tuesday

I got up before 8. I washed up and got dressed. I washed out two pairs of footies. I rinsed the sprouts. I printed out the form for Melanies. I looked for the November MWR schedule, but it wasn't out yet. Dr. Jane talked about Tyson introducing insect proteins in their products. Ew. I put ingredients in the bread machine, then went cleaning. I came home at noon for breakfast. I signed and scanned the form and sent it to Melanie.

At 2, I went to Saronnas house to play music and pick hymns for Sunday. Afterward, I came home to hang a bag w/egg boxes and money for CJ who was going to come over with eggs. Then I went to Mickie's house. We talked. She told me that onions need to dry in the sun for three days before curing. She gave me a nice onion. She had two large pots of dirt to give me but I couldn't lift them and she had a bad shoulder. We talked about other things and I promised her some tomatoes.

When I got home, the eggs were on my front door. I brought them inside. After Retreat sounded, I emptied my trunk of all the stuff the occupant left behind. I vacuumed den, put my vacuum in the truck and took it to the apartment. I cleaned for 1hr, finishing the kitchen and sweeping and mopping the floors. I called Jamie to shampoo carpet, and clean outdoor storage. She came right over and I gave her the key.

I went home. Chris was roasting cauliflower. I ate that and the leftover steak. I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. One definitely had a pineapple and I had to look the other one up. Afterward, Chris went to bed and I stayed up to listen to something from the Tapping World Summit.

Where oh where did my music go?

Monday

I got up around 8. I took supplements, brushed and got dressed. I listened to more of interviews on 5G. I found a pic of a flute and posted a notice for band practice.

I went to the apartment and cleaned for two hours. Then I came home for breakfast. Chris came home for lunch. After eating, I went to the hatha yoga class for an hour.

When I got home, I read e-mail, and did some tapping. I watered the outdoor plants, then went back to cleaning for 90 minutes. I got a call, so went to another building to give a quote at 5:30.

I came home and ate steak for supper. I listened to This Week with Mary and Polly. It was almost over when I paused it to grab my trombone and go to the chapel for bend. Saronna and her family were already there, unpacking. I gave her the amplifier from Gary. I watched the kids turn on the lights. Then I went up front to assemble my trombone. Keli came and then Karen. So everyone was there and they had their music, but I could not find mine. It wasn't in the cardboard sleeve that I brought. I called Chris to check in two places at home but the music wasn't in any of them. He suggested using the hymnal, so that's what we did. It limited the songs we could play, but it was enough for a practice session. Sadly the songs that were in both the hymnal and the little Christmas book, were not in the same key. When my lip gave out, we packed up to go home. Randy told me what I needed for my sprinkler system on his way out. Keli said she had a recliner to bring to the swap shop or give to the dump. I offered to open the swap shop at any time her husband could bring it.

So we each went home. I looked for my music at home but didn't find it anywhere. I worked on my blog, then made tea. We watched two episodes of Psych, still looking for the pineapple. One of them had one featured prominently. I had to look up the other one. Chris went to bed before 10:30 and I went to bed just before 11.

A new snack

Sunday

We got up after 8. I brushed and then rinsed my nasal passages. I used alcohol to get the ink out of the carpet. Then I went through the batch of sprouts, pulling out rotting hulls. I worked on a form that Melanies sent me.

I listened to audios on Telegram while piecing puzzles. I asked Chris for a massage and he gave me one. I took my shower and then he took his. I made and ate breakfast.

I took snack and my trombone and went to the chapel. I laid the snack on the table and went up front to assemble my trombone. I talked with the people already seated. Some others came in. Then the chaplain invited the two teenagers up to sing. He started the slides and music playing. We sang two songs. Then he gave his sermon on waiting for the Lord. Saronna came up and we played two hymns which I had picked out during the sermon. He said a prayer and the service was over. I chatted with Rick about leveling up to 5 while the others chatted and opened the snack. It was jicama with avocado dip. Apparently the kids didn't like it because I found some on the floor later. Jenni said she didn't like it. Then I walked out with Ginger and went home.

I noted that Chris wasn't gaming with the voices. And he said that we weren't going to game tonight because James was ill. I put the snack back in the fridge and finished the interview from earlier. I went on to other interviews and articles. Chris went to the club because it was open for a special reason today. Then Jenni came over. She''d already been to the club. She was returning my loaf pan. I gave her two squash. We talked about this and that.

After she left, I changed into regular clothes. I watered the gopher mounds but nothing came up. Chris came back from the club. I heated the last of the soup in the toaster oven. As I ate, I worked on my blog. I used the Kaatsu device.

I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. We made the bed with clean sheets. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to listen to a set of interviews on 5G.

Braggs was bought by Katy Perry and is now using Apeel apples to make the vinegar. Sigh. And it was such a trusted brand.

Alien Invasion

Saturday

I woke up around 8 and Chris was gone. I got up, got dressed, and took supplements. I started watering the outdoor plants. When I came in, Chris was here, looking like he'd just run a mile. He took a shower and put on a black suit and black tie. But without the black glasses, most people didn't know who he was dressed as. He put the tire gauge in his pocket to look like the flashy-thingy.

Then we drove to the hotel and walked across to the check in for the Alien Invasion. I didn't know about dressing up. Some guys wore inflatable alien costumes that looked like the aliens were carrying them. We signed in, then stood around for a bit until it was time to line up. It was chilly. We let the runners go first, then got behind them. The course was 3 miles around the neighborhood and up the hill. We walked the whole thing and talked to people.

When we got back to the 'finish line', there was a table to pick up a medal and some fruit. I stood around while Chris talked, then checked out the vendor stands. One was selling jewelry and I bought a necklace for my blue ball gown. One had crocheted pumpkins. Another had crystals and handmade earrings. None to go with my necklace, though.

We stopped at the company house to get the laundry started. The sheets were not stripped so I had to do that. Then we went home. I checked e-mail, then looked up Halloween outlines and printed some for sewing class. The spiders printed perfectly but the other stuff printed as a series of dots and dashes. Is the printer calling for help in Morse code? I tried printing a piece of music, but none of the staff lines came out.

I picked fabric to go with the shapes, then made and ate breakfast. I packed the sewing bags and Chris loaded the machine in my car. Chris went to chapel with me to carry stuff in. Then he walked home and I went by the company house to move laundry to the dryer.

When I got back, I set up machines and the iron. I started cutting out the images. The kids arrived and checked out the sample bag. They each chose a reusable shopping bag and an image and fabric. Wilhelm wanted the giant spider, which was a lot of cutting. Sophia traced three cats and Moira did the bat. I ended up sewing the spider on by myself because it was too complicated to do with Wilhelm sitting on my lap. Moire snicked her bat when cutting away the bag. I suggested fusible, not realizing that she didn't know the bag would melt. And it did, all over the iron and ironing board. So we worked together to come up with a plan to put yellow behind the melted spot and turn it into a moon.

Wilhelm cut through the spider when cutting away the bag and was devastated. His mother sewed some black behind it to cover the long cut, then she finished cutting away the spider. Sophia never did finish sewing her cats because of all the time taken to cut them out.

We cleaned up all the notions and scraps and such. Then they helped me carry my bags to the car. They went to pick apples. I went to the company house to throw the last sheet in the dryer and dress the bed. Then I went over to the apple tree to take a pic, which then went home and posted on Facebook so everyone would know the apples were ready to pick.

I got my cleaning stuff and went back for 25 minutes to wipe counters and sweep floors, and empty trash. Then I went home and cleaned myself up. Chris took me to an outdoor barbecue, arriving an hour before the food came out. We chatted and watched the meat being cooked. One set of sausages was cooked in its plastic wrapper.

When the sun went down it got cold, Gary gave me a blanket to put around my shoulders. We had pork ribs and several kinds of chicken, various flavors of mac-n-cheese, sliders, salad, coleslaw. And dessert. I sat to eat but then stood around talking. Finally it got too cold and we went home.

I ate some sprouts to make up for all the grilled meats, and worked on my blog. I checked my Facebook post for comments, but there was nothing that needed answering. I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. Then he went to bed and I stayed up too late watching a walk-through of Myst III.

New ink cartridge

Friday

We got up late, like after 9. I took my morning supplements, then parsed supplements for the next week. I watered the indoor plants. I got dressed and washed out a pair of footies for later.

I checked Facebook and started reading e-mail. I meant to water the outdoor plants but all too soon it was 11:45. So I put on my bathing suit and laid out in the sun until Chris got back from the office. Then I got dressed again and made breakfast.

When I finished eating, I added to the grocery list and filled a bottle with tea. We went to Tooele, listening to the book on CD. We parked at Luckey's and Chris noticed that nothing on the list came from Luckey's. So we went to Melanie's. I bought some coconut milk and chickpea sauce. Then I walked to Joanns to return the angel food cake pan because the center part isn't straight. I also bought some heavier than normal paper for a future craft.

Chris tried to check in at Great Clips online, but couldn't so he called. They would not help him over the phone and told him to stop in. So we went over there. While he went to get a hair cut, I went to the dollar store to get some black reusable shopping bags for class tomorrow. But all they had were green. I bought one anyway. Then I went to Maceys' to get stuff on the grocery list. They didn't have the black bags either.

I went to Great Clips and Chris was sitting there with short hair. So we left and walked back to the car. He drove us home. I forgot to mention that we stopped at the bank for cash on our way into town.

When we got to the base, I didn't have my ID because I had left it in my car. So they gave me a visitor's pass. Weird. We went to the commissary for pistachios. We stopped at the swap shop to lock it, but it was already locked. Then we went home and unloaded the groceries. I got my ID out of my car and put it back where it belongs.

Still intending to water the outdoor plants, I got on my laptop to read one thing and it led to sewing videos, which apparently I couldn't resist. Next thing I knew, it was dark outside and Chris had finished cooking steaks and cauliflower.

While I was eating, the doorbell rang and Chris asked me if I was expecting anyone. I said no. It was Casey, come to help Chris solve a hard drive problem. I chatted a bit and went and ate some more. Then Chris called Mike who was able to fix the problem. While he did that, I asked Casey to put a new ink cartridge in my printer, which he did with no difficulty. We discussed climate change and Israel. The three of us discussed 'knife night'. Then Casey went home and I worked on my blog and put away the jicama that Chris cut up for me.

Finally ready for game night, I poured a bottle of tea. I grabbed the water container and headed to the Cleggs. While playing the game, we chatted. Then Michelle talked about the cake that had brought $150 last night. Apparently Isadora had helped someone make it so she knew all the things had had gone wrong in the preparation. “Frosting covers all the mistakes”, she said. It was funny because the colonel bought it and added a $50 tip when he paid.

I had to looks at hints on my phone to get to where I did. I still got stuck in the trees trying to free the bird. Anyway, it was after 11 when I quit. In saving the game, I inadvertently typed Fernb8. Then I realized that indeed, this game is Fern bait. Casey carried the water container to my car and I went home. Chris was in bed and I joined him (after the usual routine).

The cake auction

Thursday

I got up right after the 7:35 alarm. I went to the kitchen to whip the frosting left in the bowl. It did fine. But it seemed stiff enough for piping and maybe too stiff for frosting. I put some in a bowl just so and blended the rest with finely chopped cacao nibs. That came out rather grainy. Then I brushed and got dressed.

Jenni called because she was visiting the park in front of my house. I went out to talk to her and to show her the cake that fell. I told her it was awful but she wanted it so I let her have it. We chatted for a bit and she took her young charges and went to another park.

Then I went to Janica's house to see the printer she is selling. I brought a thumb drive with sheet music on it to try printing. But it would not print because one of the color cartridges was empty. She futzed around with it, knowing there was plenty of black ink, but still it would not print. Then I went to apt 106 for a sign-over. The occupant gave me cash and I gave him a receipt. The inspectors signed the cleaning contract and so did he and I. He gave me his key, too. Then we all left and I locked up.

When I got home, I made a coconut cream cheese frosting with the butter and cream cheese that was sitting at room temperature. Chris came home early for lunch. Then Randy came by to look at the sprinklers and to bring over the hose for watering the apple tree. He said we need taller sprinkler heads as the ground builds up.

I started frosting the cake and my timer rang. I had set it for 11:45 to remind me to lay out in the sun. I put on my suit and laid on the chaise on the back porch. Chris went back to work. I came in after noon. I finished frosting the cake, then I decorated it with licorice and candy and kitkat bars to make spiders. I piped chocolate frosting all around the bottom. I put it in the cake saver and made room for it in the fridge. I had to take some stuff out.

Then I made and ate breakfast while listening to The Highwire. They talked about contamination found the mRNA shots. Pfizer booster shots have more LNP than the original shots. How to get safe unvaxxed blood.

When it was over, I listened to a coffee chat with Dr. Jane. She was on fire about fetal deaths after the mother's vaccination. Then I looked for pics of a reverse applique treat bag. I could not find what I wanted, so I went to my sewing room to make one. Then I used it to post an announcement for the sewing class on Saturday.

I called Jenni to ask for a ride to the church so I could hold my cake. She agreed. I put a bowl of soup in the toaster oven and set it for 20 minutes. Then I started washing the plethora of dishes that got dirtied in the cake-making process. After 20 minutes, I took the soup out and it was cold because I had to unplug the toaster oven to run the mixer. Sigh. I plugged it back in and set it for another 20 minutes.

I finished the dishes but couldn't wait for Jenni. I took my cake to the church and found it locked. I waited until Mr. Pace came and opened it. Then I dropped off the cake and went home. I ate half the bowl of soup, then went to the neighborhood meeting which had started on time for once. After the meeting, Charity gave me some puzzles. Chris dropped by for a pizza.

Then I got in his car and we went to the LDS church. They were having dinner before the cake auction. So we each got a bowl of chili and sat with Michelle and her family. After the eating, the auction began. The funds were for the young women's group. And people came prepared to spend. Michelle bid $75 on one because the colonel wanted it. Then later, There was a bidding war over a Barbie doll cake. It went for $150! My cake brought a bid of $30. Finally someone bid $85 for all the was left. I guess she was ready to go home. Chris helped put up chairs and tables. Deb had bought 3 cakes including mine) and asked me to take one because she and her husband are diabetic. So I took the smallest. I talked to Shannon and happened to mention the hanging gopher. She was intrigued and wants to come over and take a pic and post it. I said not to let anyone know it was at my house. Chris and I ended up talking with Saronna and Randy after everyone had left. Finally we walked out together. Chris and I headed home. My id was in my car so I used my driver's license. But Chris still had to vouch for me. He dropped me at the community club to get my car. Then I met him at home. He went to his laptop and I finished my soup. Then I made tea and worked on my blog. He went to bed and I headed there later after putting away most of the dishes I washed.

The cake that didn't make it

Wednesday

I got up before 8. I prepared for coffee morning. I vacuumed in the den. I did my special exercises. Then I read for half an hour with the HappyLight because it was too chilly to be out.

I did 3 rounds of tapping and meditation. Then I cleaned the bathrooms and started on the kitchen. At noon I put on my bathing suit and laid out in the sun for awhile. Then I finished the kitchen and watered all the plants. I leveled a few gopher mounds.

I took a shower. I read some e-mail, then went to the gym for my weekly workout. I played a little racquetball too. When I got back, I picked some onion greens and mint. I removed the stems and set the mint leaves out to dry. I cut up the onion greens and put them in a pickling solution.

I pulled up the recipe for the angel food cake. I took out my dozen of eggs, only to find that three had been taken out. I had two more in another box, but was still one short. I also couldn't find the cream cheese. So I called Chris and he didn't know where it was. I opened a coconut and drank the juice, then went to the commissary and got eggs, cream cheese, toilet paper and mason jars.

When I got home, I separated the eggs and let them sit. I put out butter and cream cheese to warm up. I ground up the sugar and sifted it with a sieve (since I couldn't find my sifter). I washed the angel food pan and started the recipe. The eggs beat just fine. I folded in the sugar and gluten-free flour. I poured the batter into the pan and put it in the oven.

I made a batch of cream cheese frosting, complete with sugar. Then I realized I meant to make the sugarless one. So I called Saronna to see if she needed some frosting.

When the angel food cake was done, I took it out and flipped it over to cool. But the bottom came away and the cake slid down the sides. But it wasn't touching the counter so I left it there.

I separated some eggs for the panko cake. I made the yolk panko mixture. But the egg whites wouldn't whip. So I folded them in just as they were – a little frothy. Then I put it in the oven. Saronna came over for the frosting and I gave her some dried mint as well. I worked on my blog while I waited for the panko cake to bake.

When the timer rang, I gave it another 10 minutes. Then I turned the oven off and we watched two episodes of Psych. I pulled one of the loaf pans out and picked a piece off the side. I handed it to Chris and he tasted it. He didn't like it. I tried a piece too and thought it was odd, but ok. Later I heard what sounded like a dry heave. So I took some charcoal just in case. He went to bed, but I stayed up later as usual.

Typewriters are still around

Tuesday

I got up late. I rinsed the sprouts and read e-mail. I researched dehydrators online. I ordered some brackets for hanging a wire shelf in the swap shop. I went to the library to make copies of Little Drummer Boy. I also asked if they had a typewriter that I could type out my passwords, and she said probably not.

When I got back, I laid out in the sun for 10 minutes. Then I made and ate breakfast. At 2 I went to Saronna's house. She had forgotten that I was coming. But we got some play time in after all. Then she had to go get her kids at school.

I had gotten a text that the library found a typewriter. So I went home and got my password list. I used the typewriter to type out my list, except what I couldn't read. I asked for a magnifying glass, but they didn't have one. I checked out the next season of Psych and went home.

I read e-mail for awhile. I messaged the yoga instructor to see if she was still having hot yoga tomorrow, but she said no. I listened to a podcast. Then, since the workday was over, I went to the pear tree by the clinic and picked some pears.

When I got home, Chris was home. I heated a bowl of soup in the toaster oven. Casey came over with some ingredients I needed for keto cake. I paid him and we chatted for a bit, then he left.

I messaged Saronna to see when the cakes needed to be turned in on Thursday. It was about the same time as the neighborhood meeting. I listened to a talk on NAD+. I worked on my blog. Then I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to listen to an interview on end times while I washed dishes and cleaned in the kitchen.

Suddenly, not one but two calls!

Monday

I got up before 8. I got ready for the day, then got online to send a message to the company about what happened at the house they rent on Saturday. Then my phone rang. I got a call for a cleaning quote at an apartment.

I listened to some interviews, and put apple/pear mash in jars which went into the fridge. Then I went to the library to make larger copies of the Christmas music that I bought. Keli was very helpful. When I got home, I posted notices on Facebook for band practice tonight.

I watered plants and gopher mounds. I put on a bathing suit and laid out in the sun till it crested the roof. While making breakfast, I got a call from the chaplain to open the swap shop. I called him back after I finished eating. I went to the swap shop and opened it. He left two large boxes which I managed to push inside. Then he arrived and moved them further in. We had a nice chat.

I went home. I got another call for a quote, and scheduled it for 4. I listened to another interview. I tried to find B-flat hymnals online. I could only find a trumpet version for the Celebration hymnal. I e-mailed the company asking to see a page or two before I decided to purchase.

Then I went to the first quote at 4. It was a pretty clean apartment. We had a nice chat, too. He'll call me tomorrow with the sign-over date and time.

I went home and heated a bowl of soup for supper. Then I went to the second quote. He was young and seemed nervous, kept walking back and forth. I looked around, gave him a quote. I did not stay to chat.

I went home and Chris arrived right behind me. We talked a bit, then he asked me how I would feel about moving to Hawaii for a job he wants to apply for. He said it would be expensive and there would be lots of traffic but he would like the job. I didn't know what to say, but we discussed it. I worked on my blog while waiting for band practice time. I used the Kaatsu device on my legs. When it was finished, I loaded up my trombone and sheet music and went to the chapel.

I unlocked the door as the others showed up. I turned on all the lights and put out music stands. I handed out the music. I took some pics for the chaplain, but we weren't close enough to get everyone in. Then we played through some of the Christmas music, including Little Drummer Boy. It was unexpectedly harder than it looked.

I called it quits at 7:45. But it took awhile for Sophia's younger siblings to clean up in the nursery to go home. I turned off the lights as Keli walked out. We chatted a bit, then we all went home.

I sat down to finish my blog, Then I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psyche. Then I retired to my laptop and he went to bed.

The pumpkin wagon is a-comin down the street

Sunday

I got up after 8. Chris was already up. I brushed my teeth and rinsed my nasal passages. I checked the fruit in the crock pot. There was still too much liquid. I checked messages for awhile. I watched a few minutes of a video interviewing a young man named Titus who has his own farm, probably somewhere in the Appalachians. No electricity. Lives a kind of Amish lifestyle out in the country. He is looking for a wife. He shoes horses to make enough money for a landline phone (which he shares with a neighbor.) He does everything barefoot, at least in the summer.

I paused it to mix up a batch of seed crackers and pop them in the oven. While they baked, I replenished all the mixes that go into it so I am ready for the next three batches. I started another jar of sunflower sprouts. I searched my pantry for chia and didn't find any so I jotted that down. I used the Kaatsu device on my arms.

I took the seed crackers out of the oven. I made breakfast and ate it outside, sitting in the sun. Then I came in and put seed crackers in a container. I washed up and got dressed for church. I took the crackers and my trombone to the chapel. I went inside and laid the snack on the table. I went up front to assemble my trombone. Then I went in the back to ask Moira if she would open the snack after the service so people could take some on their way out.

The service began with piped music and singing. We didn't know the song but caught on after a verse and a chorus. Then the pastor gave his sermon about finding the good in everything. Afterward, Saronna, Sophia and I played two hymns and people sang. Then Moira opened the snack. I talked to several people. The chaplain's wife offered to show me how to use eyebrow pencils. Jenni's husband asked about Chris' campaign.

I took my trombone out to my car. I texted Jamie that I would be home soon. When I got home, I watched a little more of the video. Jamie texted that she was coming over, so I quickly changed into regular clothing. Then I went out front as she and her guys drove up with the pumpkin wagon. My, what an assortment! I chose a tall one for the porch, and a wavy one for under the hanging gopher. We chatted a bit and the neighbors came over to pick out pumpkins. Then they left and I went back inside.

I continued to work online. Keli posted about needing a computer desk so I went and opened the swap shop. But when I got back, she had posted that she found one. I heated a bowl of soup as family members got online for the game. Michele and John had gone out to eat for their anniversary so they were late getting online.

Then John asked Chris questions about Chris' campaign (which hasn't started yet). Finally we got around to our family campaign. Picking up the story where we left off in the judge's chambers, we went to meet with the lawyer and then with the accused. We had trouble getting him to talk to us. I tried hypnosis, but it didn't work, probably because he is a golem.

After the game, I noticed Keli had posted needing help with her computer and printer. I asked Chris if we could help. Then I messaged her, and locked the swap shop. When I got back, she had messaged that she already got a desk.

I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psyche. Then he went to bed and I stayed up to finish a podcast.

The great overflow

Saturday

I got up after 8. After getting ready for the day, I went to the company house to get the laundry started and to squirt blue stuff in the toilets. I went home and peeled a gallon of apples and pears and put them in the crock pot with some water. I also took some outdoor pictures as the sunlight changed.

I went back to the company house to move the sheets to the dryer and put the towels in the washer. I noticed a bad scent. I went home and Chris gave me a coconut oil massage. Later we each took a shower. I peeled more apples and pears and threw them in.

I made and ate breakfast, read e-mail. I went to the company house to put the towels in the dryer and noticed a really bad smell. I looked in the hall bathroom and the floor was completely covered in brown stuff, with ripples in it like at the beach after the water recedes. The tub held about 4in of ...biosludge. Yuck!

I called Chris and he told me to call Maintenance and tell them it was an emergency. So I did and they said they'd send someone over. I cleaned the floor. He came, looked around, and said yup, you need a plumber. No kidding. So a little later, the lady in charge called to say the plumber was on his way, but it would take 90 minutes.

Ok, so I went to the garden and picked Christina's squash and tomatoes. She thought they were done for the year, but I got two full bags of squash and one of cherry tomatoes. I took the squash to Randy. He gave me jars of apples and pears both canned and dehydrated. The kids showed me their ferret, who was dying. Randy went to get his shotgun and I left.

I dropped the jars of apples and pears at home and got half a flat of empty ones to return. I drove back and this time Saronna was home. I gave her the jars. Saronna promised to make 'zucchini' bread with the squash and pass it out. I asked if they wanted any mint or little hot peppers.

I went back to the garden for mint and swiss chard, then to my tower garden for the little hot peppers. As I was picking, the lady called to say the plumber was on his way. So I dropped everything and went back to the company house. I unlocked it for him and he went inside to look. It was the same guy that snaked it two weeks ago. He decided that the clean-out in the back yard needed snaking on steroids. So while he did that, I cleaned the rest of the house. But the tub still wouldn't drain. Finally he took a break from augering, and used a wet vac to empty the tub. Then it drained. He went back outside while I cleaned the bathroom. I soaked the floor in hot soapy water hoping that it would go under the baseboards like the smelly water did.

Anyway, he came back as I finished and said the auger finally went through and everything should be fine now. I finished up, mopped everywhere he had walked, then closed up the house. I went home.

I noticed the bag of mint, swiss chard, sage, and peppers. So I went back over to Saronna's house to donate them. Randy gave me a baggie with a piece of survival cake in it. We chatted for a bit and he showed me their steamer and canner.

When I got home, I spiced and heated a bowl of stew in the toaster oven and worked on my blog until it was hot. I ate it. Then we stopped by the parade field where people were watching a movie on the commander's blow-up screen. I thought it was a little chilly for that. Chris spoke to the colonel for a few minutes and then we went home.

I put some of the 'cake' that Randy gave me in a bowl and put hot apples and pear mash on it. Mmmmm. Then I made tea and we watched the pilot episode of Psych. It wasn't quite 10pm, so we watched some of the bonus material. Then I helped Chris make the bed. He went to bed and I stayed up to read online.

Digging in my yard is a hanging offense

Friday

We got up after 8. I got ready for the day. I drank hydrogen water and took supplements. I read from the document, then did parts of the tapping video. Chris suddenly swore and ran to the office.

Michelle called. She said she could get me the pork rind powder I needed for the cake. I read e-mail. I looked through my open tabs to figure out what we should get at the grocery store for the cakes and frostings. I am going to make two, so I can turn in the better one. I wanted to lay out in the sun, but at 60, it was a little chilly for that.

I made and ate breakfast. I watered the outdoor plants and some gopher holes. Suddenly, there was a gopher running away. I followed it with the hose and trapped it against the wall of the house. I grabbed a rock and did it in, then laid the body on the rain gutter pad. Chris came back from the office.

I packed the cooler and we went to Tooele. We shopped at Luckey's and they had black frosting but I didn't like the list of ingredients. Then I walked to Melanie's and bought some coconut milk and vanilla paste. It is black and might color frosting without making it taste bad. Then I went to Joann and got an angel food cake pan and some paint brushes.

Finally we went to Macey's and got a few more groceries, then went back to base. We stopped at the commissary to get pomegranates and stew beef. After we put the food away, Chris cooked the stew beef. I watered the tower garden, then went to the community gardens. I picked mint from mine and tiny tomatoes from Saronna's second plot. I got a zucchini and green tomatoes from Mauvet's plot.

When I got home, I got some twine and hung up the gopher from the plant pole as a Halloween decoration. I washed my hands and put some stew beef in a bowl of soup along with garlic powder and ate it. I read articles, then worked on my blog.

I took a bag of greens and the water container and a bottle of tea to Michelle's house for game night. Casey had built a computer just to run it. It was naked. Michelle and I talked for some time. Her mother came out to sit with us for a bit. I played the game but wasn't getting anywhere, so I went back to another 'save' and started from there. I had to leave that world and go back to a previous one after realizing that I hadn't finished it properly. I got to go up in a floating tower thingy, solve a puzzle, then go on a wild rollercoaster ride to the very end. It was a good time to call it a night. CAsey carried the water container out and I bid them all goodbye.

When I got home, Chris was already in bed. I did my usual yoga routine and hit the hay.

The ultimate vegetable soup

Thursday

I got up after 8. I got ready for the day. I checked e-mail briefly, and some videos on browning onions and garlic. They did not all agree. I didn't have Kevin's number so I called Faye, and she answered. She was at work but she gave me his number and I called him. He answered all my questions. Someone seemed to be there, answering in the background.

Anyway, I sliced up an onion and got it started browning in a frying pan. I had to turn it to the lowest setting on the gas stove. Then I minced up some garlic cloves. When the onion was ready, I threw in the garlic. When they were both browned, I scraped them into the crock pot.

Then I cut up a small zucchini and sauteed that and threw it in. I put in leftover boiled potatoes and a package of bone broth and turned on the crock pot. I washed all the potatoes I dug up and put them on to boil. I chose a squash from the fridge and cut it up, sauteed it, and threw that in.

I put on The Highwire and made breakfast. Chris came home. I showed him the store potatoes that we have had for months and he said to throw them out. He heard something he didn't agree with on The HIghwire and became very angry. After the 'conversation', I plugged in the headphones. He went back to work. I unplugged the headphones and continued to listen while looking for other veggies to add. I found some beets, a large zucchini (the inside seemed more like a squash), some peppers from Torrey, corn I picked awhile ago, a tiny HOT pepper from the tower garden, and sweet potatoes that we harvested last spring. Each thing got boiled or sauteed before going in the crock pot.

Finally it was time for the Paint and Sip class. I jotted some notes for my blog, then drove over to the Community Club. I was happy to see that so many people had signed up. I chose a seat then went to buy a drink (which was kind of expected). They didn't have anything I wanted so I bought a bottle of water.

I sat beside Jenni and listened to Brittany start the class. She had a table of items in the middle of the ring of tables. We were invited to paint what we saw. She only gave us black, white and orange paint. So I used the charcoal to draw what looked like a Christmas tree topper. It was leaning over so that's how I drew it. Then I thought it looked like the horn of a unicorn, so I roughed in that shape. I added leaves and a lake to round out the picture.

She called time and we were supposed to turn our paintings around so everyone could see. She had us talk about our art in turn, starting with me. It was nice to see what everyone did and they were all so different. Since there was still paint on my palette, I used a piece of paper towel to dab and smear it on my canvass, trying to use it up. Ha!

She let us take the paints and brushes home. I headed out with mine, but got caught up in a conversation in the parking lot. Then it got cold and I remembered I needed to cover my plants. So I went home and brought in the sweet potato plant (which was very unhappy about the temp last night). The tower garden already had its frost cover on.

When I got home, Chris was eating his pizza. He joined me in having a bowl of the soup that took all day to make. It was ok, but needed more spicing. I couldn't taste the onions or the garlic so I added garlic powder to mine. I had a second bowl of soup and worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched four episodes of Dick Van Dyke, finishing season 1. Then Chris went to bed and I stayed up to read more of The Great Taking.

Trying to choose a frosting

Wednesday

I got up before 8, having used the mp3 headphones. I got ready for coffee morning. I used the last bit of coffee and opened a new bag. Even it had the little light fragments. Could they actually be coffee?

I meditated and tapped. Then I started cleaning bathroom counters and toilets. I cleaned the kitchen counter tops. Chris came home for lunch. I vacuumed in the den, behind boxes and on sills and shelves. The spiders were not happy. I vacuumed the kitchen too, then got caught up in e-mail somehow. It probably started with an internet search.

I vacuumed the bedroom, bathrooms, and hallway. I took a shower and got dressed. I watered the indoor plants. I went to the gym and did my usual workout. Then I played racquetball for a few minutes. My back wasn't too happy after the workout, so I quit early and went home.

I watered the outdoor plants and some gopher holes. I emptied the dust cup of the vacuum. I looked up angelfood cake recipes, then frosting recipes, then coconut frosting recipes. But lots of frostings don't hold up well over time out of the fridge. So I looked up tallow frosting recipes and found a keto cake made of ground pork rinds. Huh.

I started bread dough. Chris came home from work and made rice. I formed the dough into flattened rolls and let them rise. I continued my search for recipes, then popped them in the oven to bake. I worked on my blog.

When the rolls were done, I took them out. I heated tea and we watched four episodes of Dick Van Dyke. Then he went to bed and I stayed up a little later, reading more of the same document as last night.

A busy day of little things

Tuesday

I got up around 8. I brushed and swished and got ready for the day. I put on some podcast and washed the dishes sitting around the kitchen. Then, after watering the plants, I went after the gophers. They had been busy while we were gone. I knocked down mounds and watered the tunnels I could find. I dug up some small potatoes.

I put on a bathing suit and laid in the sun for awhile. Then I got dressed and made breakfast. I ate while reading e-mail. Chris came home for lunch and went back to work. I dug up some mulberry seedlings and put them in a cup. Michelle texted asking me to take a broken chair to the CSM's office.

I went to Saronna's house to play and gave her the seedlings. We talked for awhile, and played one piece several times. I gave her a band flyer to post at the school. She gave me two jars of pear juice.

As I headed out, Jenni called to say she was bagging at the commissary and had the chapel key for me. So I drove over there to get the key. I brought in a band flyer and the manager agreed to post it on the door. Then I went home to get more flyers and some jars.

I texted Michelle back and she said the chair was at her house. So I went over to give Saronna the jars and then to Michelle's house. Her daughter gave me the chair. She offered to come along, so her dog jumped in my back seat and we went to HQ. She carried the chair in and we tiptoed down the hall to the CSM's office. He was expecting the chair and put it in his closet for signing later. Chris walked by and

gave me a kiss. Then she and I and the dog walked out.

I took her home, then went to put a band flyer up at the post office and one at the chapel. I headed home. I read e-mail, trying to catch up. Chris came home from work and put fish in the oven. I ate a pomegranate. The arils were small but tasty. I saved some of the seeds. I also ate some tomatoes that had ripened on the kitchen window sill.

I looked up gluten-free angel food cake recipes and how to pickle potatoes. I worked on my blog, I made tea and we watched 4 episodes of Dick Van Dyke. Chris went to bed and I stayed up way too late reading something called The Great Taking.

Home again

Monday

We got up after 8:30. I brushed and swished, washed up and got dressed. I made breakfast and had some fruit from the fridge. While Chris showered, I packed my suitcase and food box. Then I read e-mail while he packed his stuff and the food from the fridge. Finally, we packed our laptops and got on the road.

It seemed like a long trip back. We ran into road work that had not been there on Thursday. Thankfully, we had an extra book on CD so we had something to listen to while we waited. We got back to base before 3. We were stopped for a random check at the front gate. Then we stopped at the post office for mail. We went home and unloaded our luggage. We put everything away, and started a load of laundry.

Then we went to the commissary for a few things. We brought them home and put them away. I wiped off my laptop table and unpacked my laptop and set it up. I posted to the community Facebook page that we would not have band tonight. I called Jenni to get my key back but she didn't answer.

I texted with Michelle. She said to call her husband and go over to get the water container. So I called, then collected a bag of greens from my tower garden. I took them over and he gave me the water. We chatted a little until the UPS man came. So I left, and drove home past Jenni's house. She was not home.

When I got home, I heated the last two burgers in the toaster oven. After eating that, I picked a small salad. I listened to a podcast on thyroid health, then worked on my blog. I made tea and we folded the laundry. Then we watched 4 episodes of Dick Van Dyke. Chris went to bed and read a book. I stayed up till almost 11, then started my bedtime ritual.

The best burger

Sunday

We got up after 8:30. I had not slept as well as the night before. I was constantly vacillating between being too hot and being too cold. Sigh. We puttered around, having breakfast and reading e-mail. The cleaning lady did the room next door and I set our trash out to be collected. Later a man came by to wash all the windows, which was nice.

We got dressed and went to the national park. Chris drove us back to the creek that we saw on Friday. He sat in the car and read, while I found a rock on the shore to sit on. The water was freezingly cold, so I only soaked one foot at a time while reading. Eventually the sun on my neck told me it was time to go.

I walked back to the car on numb feet. Chris was talking with three older ladies sitting on the tailgate of a truck. We chatted with them for awhile, then a large RV pulled up. There wasn't much space, so we headed back. When we got back to the main road, we went to an overlook. We got out and took pics there. Chris found people to talk to.

On our way back to the motel, we stopped at another place for ice cream. But all they had was vanilla. So we headed back. We read e-mail until 5, then got ready and went east to Capitol Burger. The people running it were on Iron Chef at one time and are glad to be out of that rat race. So now they make burgers. We stood in line to get a mushroom burger and a pastrami burger. Then, while we waited, we saw the sign for the Figgy Piggy. He explained that it used a fig meade from the Atta Place hard cider store. So we ordered one of those as well.

When our order was filled, we went back to the motel to eat. New people had moved in next door and they had young energetic kids. We ate our burgers and shared the third. Then, for peace and quiet, I took my book and went out by the stream to read. When the daylight began to fade, I went back to our room. I read some e-mail and worked on my blog.

I drank tea in bed as we watched Uncharted. Then we snuggled into the sheets and went to sleep. I took a moment to step outside and check out the night sky. It was so full of stars! Then I went to sleep, sleep that was better than last night but not as good as the night before.

More good food

Saturday

We slept so good that we stayed in bed until 9. I took supplements and read e-mail. He had leftovers for breakfast and I made my own. He gave me a massage without any oil because he didn't think it was ok to get the hotel sheets oily. Sigh. Then he took his shower and I took mine.

We got ready and went to a trail called Chimney Rock, marked as Strenuous on the map. We parked at the bottom. I took a bottle of water and we walked up the trail. Chris spoke to every one we passed. Or rather, who passed us. I had a really hard time with the uphill climb. I was still sore from before. After that, the going seemed much easier. Very few of the hikers were from Utah. Most were hitting multiple national parks within a few days.

When we got back down, he used the restroom while I imbibed more water stored in the car. Then we headed back. We stopped at a creamery and got ice cream. They had lots of good flavors. We tried pumpkin, coffee, lemon, and peach. We conversed with another couple enjoying the 5 scoop tray. Then we ran past the Saturday Farmer's Market. So we stopped and walked around. My big toes were hurting from the nails hitting the front of my shoes. We bought salsa and fresh peppers, and such.

We went back to the hotel to drop off the purchases. Chris struck up a conversation with the people in the room next to us. They had just come from an apple-tasting at the cider place. So we went there next. Turns out the tasting had ended 20 minutes ago, so we looked around the store. Then a lady came in with all the apple leftovers on one plate. We got to taste them and I liked the Bramley Seedling the best. Then we signed up for the cider tasting. That cost $10 each. The lady took us to a back room and told us the backstory on the name Eta Place and the multi-crop orchard. She started pouring the ciders. After the first two, another couple came in for the tasting and they ended up sitting with us. Together, we chatted as we tasted other ciders and several meades. I got very lightheaded. Chris purchased a bottle of plum cider.

The clerk recommended Curry Pizza, 8 miles down the street. We were going to try the burger place tonight, but it should be open tomorrow whereas Curry Pizza will not be. So we went there for supper. It was mostly Indian food, some on pizzas, plus wings and such. So we got a Bhinda pizza and Tikka Masala. To drink, we got strawberry lassi. We ate some of it there and brought the rest back to the motel room for tomorrow.

We read e-mail for awhile, then I made tea. Chris trimmed the nails on my big toes. He pulled up a movie called Megamind on the TV and we laid in bed and watched it. Afterward, we snuggled down and went to sleep. Or at least he did. I couldn't reach a comfortable temperature between too hot and too cold.

A walk in the park

Friday

I did not sleep well last night. I had a restless foot and just general tension. We got up about 8:30. He ate his leftovers for breakfast. I made my usual breakfast, then had my leftovers too. I washed up and got dressed. We both got online to check the latest e-mail.

Finally he took a shower. I put on my shoes and turned on my phone. I got a text asking if I recognized a certain charge. I didn't, so I asked Chris, and he said no. So I texted 'no'. Then I was told to contact the fraud dept. So Chris called and was told to wait in line or sign up for a call-back – which is what he did.

Then we proceeded to Capitol Reef National Park. We drove through the park, looking at the magnificent vistas. Then we parked by a small stream and took a walk. I couldn't get over how blue the sky was. I found a stone that looks like a calcified brain. We went back to the Visitor's Center. We read some of the geologic info on the wall, then got the trail map. We perused it outside, then took a walk from the parking lot. We saw sparkly rocks along the way. Then we turned around and walked back.

We headed back to town (Torrey) and stopped at their visitor center. That's when our phone signal was reestablished and Chris was able to talk to the cc company. They said he had to verify who he was first, by either downloading the app, or visiting their bank with two forms of ID. Well, we don't do financial apps and there is no such bank here (or any bank). So they argued and he requested a supervisor who said the same thing. We asked to cancel the card, but they couldn't.

When we got back to the hotel, I called from my phone and had to sign up for a call-back. Chris looked at the charge and verified that it was his after all. Sigh. A nice gentleman called me back and had no trouble verifying my identity. We had a nice chat and I hung up.

I jotted notes for my blog. Chris called USAA to sign up for a card. I listened to interviews while piecing puzzles of Halloween cakes. Better than the ones on Pinterest. Then we went to the Mexican restaurant for dinner. It was really good. I got a Mexican salad and an octopus taco. When we got back, he put his leftover stuffed pepper in the fridge and we walked down the street (half mile or so) to find an ice cream shop. But it was closed. We wandered through the other stores there but didn't buy anything. Then we walked back, in the dark.

I finished listening to something from yesterday, then posted to my blog. Chris heated water so I could have tea. We watched The Adjustment Bureau, courtesy of Netflix. I thought it was good. Then we just stayed in bed and went to sleep.

Travel to Torrey

Thursday

We got up 8. I deleted some e-mail, then started packing. I included things I thought of last night. I considered not packing my extensive breakfast and just eating whatever the hotel might provide. Then I read my blog from two years ago when we went to Bryce Canyon. I had the same idea and got RLS every night. So I made myself breakfast and put each thing I used into a box or container of some kind to take along. It also reminded me of William's anniversary.

Chris had to go to the office and to top off the car, which made it easier for me to concentrate on packing all the various items I use or might use in a day. I ate my breakfast and filled water bottles.

By noon he was home and we headed out. We stopped at the post office, then the gas station before leaving the front gate. Chris put on the book on CD and we listened for four hours while traveling to our motel in Torrey Utah.

There was no one office to check in. Chris had to call the hotel number, which was answered somewhere else. The lady gave him a code to get in room 8. He punched it in and opened the door. He moved the car to that space, and we unpacked the car into the room. It was small, with two queen beds and a tiny bathroom. No carpet, a TV, tiny fridge, and a small table with two chairs. We set up our laptops on the table. But it was too high for me. I tried putting a book on the chair, but it wasn't enough. So I moved the laptop to the top of the heater.

Chris looked up a local restaurant. We read their menu and made our choices. Then he called for a reservation and they gave us 6:15. So I watched The Highwire for over an hour. Then we got ready and drove the restaurant. It was of western decoration, but the food was organic and expensive. We had a cheese sampler board, then he got pork chops and I got the rainbow plate (fruit and veggies). It was a nice dinner. Chris got the three samples of hard cider. I tried a sip of each. They were ok.

After eating, we put our leftovers in small boxes. Then we drove down the street past the motel to see what else was in the area. We did not see a lot due to it being dark. So we went back to the hotel and put the leftovers in the fridge.

Then we laid on the bed and Chris called up a movie on Netflix called Monument Men. Based on a true story, 6 men were assigned to find the art that Hitler was gathering during the war and to return it to the rightful owners. Very interesting.

Then I finished watching The Highwire and worked on my blog. Chris laid in bed reading until I shut down my computer. I did my usual pre-bed exercises, but it was painful because my muscles were sore from Wednesday and because there is no carpet on the floor. I covered the gadget lights in the room to make it dark, but for the light coming in from around the window, there was nothing I could do. Then I laid down and hoped for sleep.

Winterizing the garden

Wednesday

I got up about 8. I got coffee morning started. I did the exercise routine. I read for half an hour. I tapped and meditated. I started cleaning the bathrooms, but there was some sun finally, so I laid out for a little bit, until the sun went behind the clouds and it was too cool.

Chris did not come home for lunch. I put my phones away and went to the garden. I pulled up weeds in the walkways and dug up potatoes. I uprooted the irrigation system since most lines have holes. I turned off the water and dismantled the timer and attachments. I put the hose and stuff in my car. I threw out half of the water lines. I clipped a weed tree that grew in the fence line and cut some mint. I picked a few things left in Mauvet's garden.

It was after 2 when I went home. I texted with Tonja and took a shower. Michelle was ready to walk so I threw on some clothes and we walked at the gym. She told me about her new job. Then we went to the workout room. We did upper body stuff, then talked to the new head of the gym. Then we finished up in the leg room.

I stopped at the post office on the way home. As I was throwing my junk mail away, I saw that someone had thrown a Joanns flyer in the trash. So I picked it up. I did not know the name on the front, but wondered if she'd like to sew.

I went home and gave a coconut a hard time. I drank the juice and ate the meat. Chris came home from work. We talked a little, then I remembered Keli and the music. So I went to the library and she wasn't there. But I talked to Melissa for almost an hour, then came home.

We talked about the schedule for this weekend and how to pack. I worked on my blog. Michelle came over to see the frost cover for the tower garden. She stayed to talk about her job and Capitol Reef – which is where we are going for our anniversary.

I whipped up a batch of seed crackers and put them in the oven. We watched four episodes of Dick Van Dyke. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to listen to some sleep music, then went to bed.