Gopher head stew

Wednesday

I got up when the alarm went off. I watered the plants, the prepared for coffee morning. After the exercises and meditation, I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen. I cleared long-standing clutter to free up more counter space.

I read messages and e-mails. Steve offered to mind the swap shop for 90 minutes. I went to unlock it and take pics. I found a router there, so I took it to Lynn's house and put it in his truck.

Then I went to the garden to finish raking the leaves to cover all corners of it. I gathered up all the gopher stakes and brought them home. I read e-mail until Steve posted about the swap shop being open. Then I posted some pics to go along with it.

My gopher pot has been returned, so I put some gopher heads in some water and boiled them. I read online and added water occasionally. I took a pic and sent it to Michelle saying Gophers! We put the 'ew' in 'stew'. She did not want to come over for supper.

Chris came home briefly for supper then headed to Mass. I kept reading articles and messages. I drove to the swap shop to lock up. Looks like there is more stuff in than before. When I got home, I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched three episodes of Taxi. Chris went to bed, but I stayed up to read.

Zoom meetings

Tuesday

I got up around 7:30. I checked e-mail and got caught up in looking for more music memes for band announcements. I quit a little after 9:30 to get ready for a consultation. I logged in to Zoom and we chatted for over an hour. He requested more tests. Afterward, I cleaned up in the kitchen. Then I made and ate breakfast.

Around 1:30 I went to the garden. I checked the bucket trap. The water in it was frozen with mice. I raked the leaves that Jamie had piled over the fence. I wasn't quite done at 2. I went and played with Saronna for an hour. When I got home, I took out a splinter from the rake.

I read messages, then got out my serger and serged the edges of the underwear I made yesterday. I went back to reading messages until 5, then I logged into Zoom for the quilt guild meeting. First we reviewed the budget and voted, then we reviewed the offices, and took nominations for officers.

I had to quit at that point so I could accompany Chris to the TownHall. I sat with Shannon. There was no information presented, just a lot of answering questions that were sent in online. Still, it went over 90 minutes. Then people chatted afterward. We were almost out of the building when Chris spotted his deputy garrison manager in his office. So we stopped by to see if he needed anything. That chat went long. We invited him to stay in our guest room so he wouldn't have to drive so far home, but he declined.

We went home and it was almost 9. I resolved to put a quilt and some pillows in Chris' office in case Brian had to stay over sometime. I quickly wrote my blog post and we watched two episodes of Taxi. Chris went to bed, but I stayed up to listen to something relaxing and catch up on tapping videos.

Filling bags of food

Monday

I got up before the alarm went off. I washed up and disinfected my toothbrush, then brushed. I rinsed my sinuses and gargled. I washed the Berkey and drank hydrogen water. I watered the plants. I washed dishes. I checked e-mail and saw spam so I logged into Paypal to block them just in case they actually had info on my account. I posted band announcements to the community pages.

At 9, I went to the chapel. There were large boxes of canned food. We separated them into categories, then filled 40 reusable shopping bags with a variety of foods. It took less than an hour.

I spent the rest of the morning choosing hymns and cleaning up the copies. Chris came home early for lunch. When I finished, I was ready for breakfast, but then realized I hadn't parsed out this week's supplements. So I did that, then made breakfast and read e-mail and Telegram messages. I am not a fan of early Black Friday sales. One day of such stress is enough. I ate the third very large pomegranate.

I selected an old pair of underwear and cut it apart at the seams. I made a paper copy of the parts and cut around them on the leftovers from the skirt that became pants. I sewed the pieces together and had to redo one seam to get the fabric going the right way. I tried them on and they were very comfortable.

I didn't have time to finish the edges. I had a quick bite, then said hello to Chris who had just come home from work. I took my trombone and music and headed to the chapel. Everyone came but Saronna. We played through the hymns and the Christmas music. I made so many mistakes because I can't see the notes. Just since last week. Sigh.

Afterward, I gave Sophia a ride home. When I got home, I heated some soup in the toaster oven. I read e-mail and worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched 3 episodes of Taxi. Later Chris went to bed, but I stayed up to read.

The yard looks really good!

Sunday

We got up before 8. I brushed my teeth and rinsed my sinuses and swabbed my ears.  I took supplements. I sat down to read e-mail. There were lots of sales. Sigh. Some of the products I tried to look up on Amazon to read the reviews, but now Amazon is insisting that I sign in to my account (which I haven't used for years) just to see the reviews!

I cut down the elastic waistband from the skirt to make a waistband for the leggings. I worked on URU to make new notes for next Friday. I made and ate breakfast, then got dressed for church. I took cheese squares and my trombone to the chapel. I warmed up with scales. I gave Keli her pants and she asked me for a price.

The service started. We sang three praise songs. He preached, and then we played two hymns. I talked to Mike who is moving to Hawaii with his family. Later I walked out with Jenni and the cheese squares.

I went home. I saw Jamie's truck so I knew she was working on my yard. I ate the second large pomegranate. I read e-mail and such, then entered my supplement routine on the old computer and printed it out. I changed my clothes. I ate soup. Jamie rang so I went out to talk to her. The yard looked really good. She didn't keep track of her hours so I paid her $200. Then I came in to join the game.

After the game, I worked on my blog. I filled the bread machine for Chris, and knocked a jar of ghee off the counter and it broke. So we had to throw the whole thing away. I made tea and started practicing my trombone. When Chris was ready, we watched two episodes of Taxi. Then he went to bed and I stayed up to do a few things. I looked for a song that I only remember a few lines to but could not find it. I vacuumed the broken glass area, then I got ready for bed.

Rhythm class

Saturday

After I got ready for the day, I read messages for over an hour. I asked Chris for a massage. Later we took our showers. I tried on the new leggings before putting on the waistband. They stayed on so I kept them on.

I made cheese squares for tomorrow. I made and ate breakfast. We got into an argument over what I was listening to. Finally, I went to sewing class. A new lady came with her daughter. Also the Clark kids. I showed them how to make the cinnamon-scented pot mats. It was a quick project and everyone was done and gone by 3.

I came home early, read messages again. Michelle came over with 4 quarts of goat milk and 4 very large pomegranates. I ate a pomegranate, and heated half a gallon of milk for cheese purposes. Keli came over for coffee grounds. I read messages, then added vinegar to the hot milk and scooped the curds. I inoculated a second cooler batch with biffidobacterium and put it in the dehydrator to keep warm. Later I added rennet. Chris made soup and I had a bowl for supper. I looked up some easy popular hymns to drum to.

Then I went to the chapel for Project Night. I unlocked the door and let Jenni and Sophia in. Jenni asked how to make the pot mat project and I showed her. Janet and her daughter came too, as well as Casey, Summer and another new lady. Summer showed her how to crochet. I took Janet and Sophia into the sanctuary and gave them each a pair of drum sticks. Janet's daughter got a pair too. Then I explained about quarter notes and half notes and whole notes. We practiced on Jesus Loves Me and O Come All Ye Faithful. It went ok, but would have been better with a simple line, not part of a double staff.

At 8, Sophia had to leave. I showed Janet how to make the pot mat and she made it with her daughter. Then I sat with Summer and she showed me how to crochet a round kitchen scrubbie. We chatted with Jenni and Casey. Then Casey packed up and went home. The ladies helped me pack up the machines and stuff. Then we locked the church and went home.

When I got home, I realized I had curdling milk in the dehydrator. The directions said to cut the curd in ½ pieces and stir them for 25 minutes. Usually I only stir for 1 minute. But this time I hooked up the automatic stirring unit and let it run while I worked on my blog.  However, the result was no better than before.  So then Chris and I read the latest e-mails and went to bed.

The Tyson fight

Friday

I got up before 7:30. Chris was still in bed. I did my morning routine and worked on Keli's pants. Then I filled a water bottle and went to Math Morning. I was a little early, but till I unlocked both doors and set up my station and checked the mouse traps, it was time. Then Casey arrived. I went to the sewing storage room to find fabric for tomorrow's project. When I came back, Karen was sitting at the table. So I sat and worked with her. Moira came in and worked with Casey. Saronna had worksheets for the others. But Sophia mostly entertained Jedidiah.

After Math Morning, Casey followed me home. I showed him where my major gopher infestation was. We found the tunnels. He lit and inserted two road flares, one in each. We covered the holes with jugs of water and put dirt around the bottoms to keep the smoke in. I did not see it coming out of other holes.

Then Jamie arrived to do more yardwork. Casey left and I went inside. Chris had gone to the office. I examined the fabric I had brought home. They were Thanksgiving prints that Tonja had gotten two years ago. And they were perfect for the project. I ironed them and cut a bunch of 8" squares. I also cut a pile of batting squares. I put some cinnamon EO on one and made it in to a potholder. Then I took a pic and posted the class announcement to all three Facebook pages.

Chris was home and he made lunch. Then I made breakfast. I ate while reading at the computer. Then I added to the grocery list. We went to the commissary to shop. We decided that it wasn't necessary to go to Tooele, especially since snow flurries were reported.

We put away the food. Michelle came over to bring me potpourri and I paid her for the silicon molds and milk which she will pick up tomorrow. After she left, I read e-mail for awhile. Then I found containers to put all the bags of nuts in to protect them. I used the big plastic bags that they came out of to cover plants outside from the cold.

Michelle texted asking if we had Netflix because she wanted to watch the Tyson fight. I said sure, come on over. Chris was making me supper and getting ready for his game night. Then he tried to get Netflix on the laptop connected to the TV, but it didn't work. So he pulled out the little one that we took to China years ago. Even that one had its issues.

While he fiddled and swore, I practiced Winterfest music. Then he gave up and went to his game night. I looked at the screen and it said Edge needed to restart. So I did and went off to do something else until it finished. Then I signed into Netflix and the fight came up, but it gave me an error message. Still when I reloaded, it worked.

Michelle and Isadora came over with Electra to watch the fight. I ate my supper, then worked on making a pair of yoga pants out of a skirt that I found at the swap shop. It was hard fabric to sew on. I made a carrot salad and worked on my blog. I messaged Tonja to thank her for the Thanksgiving fabrics.

I checked on Michelle and Isadora. They were really enjoying the fights. It sounded like they will still be here when I leave for her house to play Myst URU. I prepared for game night. Then I verified that they were comfortable, and I went to see Casey and Cedric. Casey was prepping the computer for URU. Cedric watched me play, then went to bed. Michelle came home about 10:40, all upset because she watched for four hours to get to the Tyson fight and it was boring. She was worried that she hadn't been polite to Chris when he asked how it was going.

Anyway, at 11 I shut down the game and said goodbye. I went home where Chris was still up. We talked and then went to bed.

Friendsgiving

Thursday

I got up around 7:30. I got ready for the day. I read messages for a bit. To prepare for Bible study I reached for a Bible on the shelf and my back seized. Thankfully I did not need to drop to the floor. I just stood still for a moment, then got in my car and went to Bible study.

Anka was waiting outside the chapel with her kids. I unlocked the door with Keli's help. We all went in. I got Keli's dresses from my car and walked in behind Ginger. We read from Matthew. When it was over, Keli tried on the dress that I removed a 2 inch band of fabric from and she was happy with it. Then she gave me a pair of pajama bottoms that her dog had eaten the crotch out of. Sigh.

I went home and rubbed some DMSO cream on it. Then I went to 602A for inspection. Jamie was upstairs doing some last minute cleaning. The inspectors came and looked around, then we signed the papers.

I went home. I walked to the post office to pick up the mail and to unlock the furniture room for someone who wanted to donate a couch. I picked up trash along the way. When I got home, I started looking for a sewing project for Saturday. Chris came home early and prepared the turkey and stuffing to go in the oven. Then I made and ate breakfast. He made and ate lunch, then went back to the office.

I watched The Highwire, already in progress. Then Jamie came over, riding the lawn mower. I took her home so she could come back with her truck and trailer. She raked leaves while I finished The Highwire and resumed looking for a sewing project. I wanted to find a good way of making scented pot holders or pot mats.

Eventually I could not resist working on Keli's pants. I found a piece of fabric that had bands of color in it. One of the bands was the same color as her pajamas. I cut a piece of paper into a crotch corner shape, then used it to cut out pieces to cover the four crotch corners that had been eaten. I basted them in where I thought they should go. But the final result was iffy.

By then, Chris was home and slicing up the turkey. He heated my casserole. Then we wrapped up the dishes of stuffing and took it all to the ACS center. People were already there. We carried our food in and set it on tables. The tables and chairs were already set up. We hung our coats on chairs, then I talked to several people. I gave Steve back his key. I sat with Michelle until the chaplain's assistant said the prayer. Then we got in line for food.

When she and I got back to the table, Chris was talking to some group of men. There was no point in eating alone, so I moved to sit with Michelle. Soon Jamie and her daughter sat down with us. Then Jenni sat on the other side of me. We had a lovely chat.

I had more food than I wanted because Michelle put her turkey on my plate since it had stuffing touching it. She is allergic. Jenni picked up all the plates and threw them out. I got up to talk to Anka, and then Saronna. Men started packing up the tables and chairs. Tiffany came and brought watermelon, so I had to get some of that. Karen had a large veggie tray and encouraged me to take some of that as well. Jamie wanted to make a plate for her husband but the turkeys were gone. Huh.

Finally I got Chris' attention and we headed home. He put the food away. I posted to the Facebook pages for Math Morning. Then I worked on my blog. I made tea.  My head was swimming and I didn't know why.  I was unable to get myself to practice or to concentrate on a sewing project for tomorrow.  Chris wasn't interested in watching TV so we both read at our laptops.  Finally he went to bed.  I stayed up later, but finally gave up trying to actually do anything.  Then I went to bed as well.

Sweet potato casserole

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30. I prepared for coffee morning.  After exercising, tapping and meditating, I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen.  Chris came home early for lunch.  I washed dishes. He put bacon in the oven so the stove top racks were too hot to dry the plastic containers on. I had to stack them elsewhere to dry. I vacuumed and mopped and emptied the dirt cups. I took a shower.

I read e-mail. I went to the commissary for sweet potatoes. There were only two medium ones left. I bought them and added the one we had bought last week. I washed them and sliced them up and put them in the steamer. When they were soft, I mashed them and made a coconut sweet potato casserole. Chris still had bacon in the oven at 270 so I left the casserole on the stove.

I tried to print out music, but the printer only printed every other line well. The ones in between were faint. Brand new cartridge, too. Chris came home between work and Mass. He took the bacon out and put the casserole in at 350, then left.

I played through some music. I cut up brown paper and put the shreds in the compost. Michelle came over and we went to the library to make copies of the Winterfest music. She brought me back to the house and we sat in her SUV talking till after Chris came back from Mass.

I read messages. I looked for B6, but apparently I don't have any. I worked on my blog. I read messages again, then made tea. We watched two episodes of Taxi. Chris went to bed. I stayed up to read and then to look up how to clean the print head. After that, the printer did well. Then I went to bed.

Re-making Keli's dress

Tuesday

I got up before 7:30. I brushed and took supplements. I read messages, looking for something to play out loud while I cleaned up around the house. I flattened a bunch of boxes.

Steve called to say he was coming home early. I went to Housing to schedule an inspection. The head of Housing was there so I asked him about the hose at 602 and he said he wanted it. So I gave it to him. Then I scheduled the inspection for Thursday.

I went to Steve's apartment to clean the bathroom and kitchen. Then I went home for lunch. Chris was there so we took the five gallon jugs to fill up. He said they were going to have to move the water machine to a warmer location while the Shopette was being updates, but he didn't know where.

He dropped me off and went back to work. I made and ate breakfast then listened to a podcast. Michele called looking for her birth certificate. I searched high and low and finally found it. I scanned it and e-mailed it to her.

I finished the podcast. I went to Steve's apartment to finish cleaning. Then I packed all my cleaning stuff in the car. I went to the chapel fellowship hall to work on Keli's dress. It'll be a miracle if I can make an A line dress look like an H line dress. I also worked on the whiteboards, trying to remove marks the kids left. I muttered under my breath the whole time.

I got home after 5:30. I jotted notes for my blog. I answered the latest questions from my online health care provider. Chris heated up supper for me. I worked on my blog, then sewed the pieces of Keli's dress back together. It didn't look that different so I hope she likes it.

I made tea, then we watched two episodes of Taxi. Chris went to bed. I did two tapping videos, then practiced Winterfest music as quietly as I could. Then I went to bed.

Visit to the doctor (PA)

Monday

I got up at 7:30. I brushed and got ready for the day. I read some e-mail. I made breakfast and put it in a jar with prunes, dates and nuts. I filled a water bottle. I copied lyrics for Winterfest songs into a file.

A little after 9, Michelle arrived. I got in her car and we headed to Salt Lake City. We went to a lady's house to discuss hair extensions, which Michelle wants.

Then we went to the medical center. I was handed forms to fill out. But before I finished, I was called back. Michelle came with me. First we talked to an assistant who typed things into a computer. Then the PA came in. I showed him the list of tests that the Bioindividual Blueprint guy asked for. He went through them and told me which ones were covered by insurance and which ones would be followup tests and which ones weren't very helpful. He took the time to listen and explain. Afterward, a lady took 4 or more vials of blood and labeled them for testing.

Then we went to a natural food store for drinks. She got the drinks for her family. Then we headed went. We stopped at a gas station, then proceeded to the base. She parked in front of my house for a while and we talked. Then I thanked her and went inside.

I finished the work on the lyrics. Chris made me supper. After eating, I went to band practice at the chapel. Saronna and Sophia did not make it. But the rest of us went through two hymns for Sunday and the whole Winterfest lineup.

When I got home, I made an adjustment to the lyrics and sent them to Gary to make slides. I ate an apple and some sauerkraut.   I answered the online health provider's questions.  I listened to a tapping session on weight loss. I worked on my blog. 

 I made tea and we watched three episodes of Taxi.  Chris went to bed, but I stayed up to read.  Then I got ready for bed and turned in for the night.

Blowing leaves

Sunday

I got up around 8. I checked e-mail. I whipped up a batch of seed crackers and threw them in the oven. There was a cracked egg in the box, so I put it in the toaster oven and cooked it. I made more of all three mixes used in making seed crackers. I ordered more chia seed and garlic powder. I parsed out a week's worth of supplements. Then I made and ate breakfast. I got dressed and put the crackers in a container.

I took my trombone and went to the chapel. I talked to Keli and she paid me for cleaning yesterday. We talked about the changes she wants me to make to one of her dresses. When the service started, we sang two praise songs. The chaplain talked about using one's gifts and multiplying them. Then our little band played two hymns at the end.

People milled around and had snack. I proposed to Saronna that I could have a rhythm class during Project Night. She said the chaplain was not targeting his sermon at me and did I really want to add that to my schedule. Oh well.

When I got home, I changed my clothes. I ate some seed crackers with avocado dip. I read for a bit. Chris suggested he needed a haircut so we went out and I clipped him good. I ate a coconut. Then I went out to blow leaves onto a sheet and dump them in the corner of the yard. It took quite a while and I decided it was no easier than raking.

I came in at 4. I read the latest messages. I watered the plants indoors and out. The Damours all signed in and the game started. I ate some steak and the remaining soaked nuts. I also played Solitaire because Solitaire was dull enough that I could concentrate on the DnD game while playing.

Afterward, I worked on my blog and made tea. We watched two episodes of Taxi. I played through the Winterfest music on trombone and on flute. I picked hymns for next Sunday and put that music in my folder. Then I got ready for bed.

When a stink bomb really bombs

Saturday

I got up before 7:30. I read messages and looked at URU videos to see what I missed last night. I asked Chris for a massage and he complied. Then we each took our shower. I made up more breakfast mix, then made and ate a quick breakfast.

I logged into Zoom for a consultation at noon. It went for more than an hour. He did some energetic thing that resulted in a list of suspected sensitivities. Then he ran some harmonizing frequencies.

I ate some fruit and peeled a dozen eggs that Chris hardboiled for me. Then I put some cleaning stuff together and went to Keli's place. I left a basket and some coffee grounds on her outdoor table. I exchanged greetings with her adult son who was sitting outside. Then I went inside and cleaned the whole place, mopping floors and vacuuming.

Afterward, I went to the post office and talked with Keli who was doing laundry. When I got home, I read for a bit, then washed out all the gopher mounds and opened the stink bomb. It wasn't that bad, sadly. When a stink bomb doesn't stink, it really bombs.

After all the gopher hills were down, I drained the hose and went inside. I read a bit more, then went to Steve's apartment. I vacuumed both rooms, then shampooed one and a half of them. Pushing the shampooer on that low carpet was hard.

When I got home, I put steak and bean soup in a bowl with chopped greens from my tower garden. I put that in the toaster oven and worked on my blog. Chris cooked rice. I ate supper and worked on my blog.

We folded laundry and put it away. I made tea and we watched two episodes of Taxi. Then we dressed the bed with warm sheets. I played through all the Winterfest music. I got back on my computer to check for new messages. I did some tapping videos and got ready for bed.

Graphing systems of equations

Friday

I got up about when the alarm went off. I got ready for the day and read some e-mail. Then at 8:55 I went to the chapel for Math Morning. I checked the mouse traps. I set up my station. At first no one came. Then Casey arrived and I explained that no one was here. Then Karen came and we talked for a bit before settling down to work on graphing systems of equations. He left at 10, but she and I continued until 10:45.

I went home and read e-mail until noon. I made and ate breakfast. I made a grocery list. We went to the commissary for what they had. Then we dropped off that food and went to Tooele. I fell asleep in the car.

We skipped Luckey's and went to Melanie's. They were having a sale so I tried to find extra stuff. But they didn't have even the chia seed I had on my list. One of the vendors was trying to talk me into buying In.Joy, saying it would help me sleep. Then Chris took me to Macey's where we got a few last things.

When we got back to base, we put away the food. Chris had steak in the oven, slow-roasting all day. He pulled that out and put some in a bowl with rice. I also had some cherry tomatoes that just ripened.

I read messages. I filled out more forms for the Bioindividual Blueprint and registered for a 60 minute consultation. I took pictures of supplements. I worked on my blog and prepared for game night. I picked some greens outside and inside for Michelle. Then I took a pic of my notes for help if needed. I doctored a bottle of tea.

I showed up around 8:40. Michelle wasn't home yet. I chatted with the kids while Casey got the game running. Michelle came home and talked to me while I tried to play the game. She was looking at houses in the south of France for a vacay in January. She wanted me to come as well. Eventually the kids went to bed. I needed a little extra time to get to my planned point in the game. Then I thanked them and went home. I meant to stop by the post office but forgot because it was so cold all I could think of was getting back to the warm house.

Chris was still up. We got ready for bed and retired for the night.

Community Game Night

Thursday

I got up later than usual. I filled up the new water bottle which holds half a gallon. I used it for all my water needs throughout the day and discovered that that's how much I am drinking each day.

At 8:30 I went to Bible study. Afterward, I unlocked the swap shop and chatted with the clerk at the post office. I went cleaning for 90 minutes, then home for breakfast and The Highwire. I was expecting it to be over at 2, but it went long. I finally paused it. The lady who wanted to go to the swap shop texted me that the swap shop was locked. I took the VCS test at vcstest.com.

I went to the library to deliver sheets, safety pins, and rocks so Keli can make a dinosaur cave. I talked to Gary and promised him the lyrics to the songs for Winterfest. Then I went cleaning for an hour. I talked to Jamie and we decided that she could finish the floors and yard. I packed up all my cleaning supplies and went home where I moved the cleaning supplies inside so they wouldn't freeze.

I put bean soup in the toaster oven. Chris went to the club to get his pizza and brought it home. I ate my bean soup, and made more iodine mix for tomorrow. I jotted notes for my blog. I read messages until Chris was ready.

Then I picked up a Scrabble game and we went to Game Night at the club. It was really cold out. When we got there, the colonel was playing some fancy version of spades. So I joined the two people playing UNO. It turned out to be the game that never ends. It went past 8pm. Then Avery asked me to go to the bar to get his mother. So I went and there was Chris. They both kept talking. Revonna introduced me to a new couple, then left. Chris talked to them for a bit. The bartender told him that there are no heating vents in the bar area hence the space heaters. I think Chris made a mental note to address the issue.

Finally we came home. I worked on my blog and made tea. I posted for Math Morning. Then we watched two episodes of Taxi. I watered the indoor plants, then played through the Winterfest lineup with 30 seconds between each song. It was enough of a rest to allow me to make it to the end. Then Chris and I got ready and went to bed.

The printer is printing again

Wednesday

I got up around 7, hearing Chris leave for work. I prepared for coffee morning. I took a few minutes to upload a file that I scanned yesterday. I did my exercised and read for half an hour. Then I meditated and tapped. The tapping helped my back feel better.

Chris came home early, then headed out west. I started cleaning the bathrooms, then heard Phantom of the Opera start. So I cleaned in the kitchen because I wanted to sing along. I washed a bunch of dishes and dealt with some dried plant matter. Then I cleaned the bathrooms and took a shower.

I played through all the Christmas music for Winterfest and made some decisions on order and repetition. Then I got on the desktop to scan in some of the music to see if I could make it bigger by eliminating all the notes that aren't mine. Well, instead of getting bigger, it just gave me fewer pages. I decided to try changing the ink cartridge. After watching a video on Youtube, I accomplished it. Yay! Then I printed out some of the music. Often I found some mistake I missed and I went back to fix it and re-print it. Having better eyesight would free up a lot of time.

Chris came home from work, then went to Mass. When he got back, I was still at the computer improving the copy at the pixel level. Probably not a good use of my time. Finally I went back to my laptop to work on my blog and check e-mail. The guy was asking for more tests.

I made tea and we watched three episodes of Taxi. Then Chris got his clothes ready for tomorrow. About 10:39 I headed to bed and Chris followed me.

A new driver

Tuesday

I got up after 7:30, seeing daylight. I brushed and swished and got dressed. I read messages for bit. I uploaded some lab results. Others were not on my computer so needed to be scanned in. But I could not get the old desktop to talk to the scanner. It has always worked in the past. But I was out of time.

I went to 602 to clean walls. Jamie showed up afterward. She worked on windows. Around 11:30, she left. I worked till noon, then went home for breakfast. Chris was home for lunch, and he looked at the scanner but could not get it to work either. He went back to work.

I made and ate breakfast and watched part of a presentation on EMF's and their impact on hormones. Then at 2, I went to Saronna's house. Her sick son was sleeping. We talked for awhile and he woke up, fussy. So we serenaded him back to sleep.

From there, I went home to drop off my trombone. Then I went to 602 and cleaned for 90 minutes. The walls need so much scrubbing. I don't know what they got on them – dried gum?  I also cleaned some baseboards, but don't tell Jamie.

It started to get dark. I went home for supper. I put bean soup in the toaster oven. Chris came home from work. He started laundry, then cooked mushrooms for me. I sat with a heating pad and read e-mail and other messages. I listened to some podcasts. I downloaded a new driver for the scanner/printer and it did the trick.  

I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched two or three episodes of Taxi. Then we went to bed. I got up later to turn all the lights out and take the last supplements.

A subset of band

Monday

I am not sure when I woke up, having slept pretty well. I got dressed. I put Chris' shirts in the washing machine. I read the latest messages. I went to the post office for mail, and unlocked the swap shop.

I went to 602. Jamie showed up and we talked for the first hour, then we cleaned for an hour. I came home for a quick breakfast, then put his shirts in the dryer. I went to 60B for inspection, which we passed. I mentioned the red car in my parking spot. Connie said she would take care of it.

I went home to round out breakfast with fruit, etc. I posted that the swap shop was open. I hung up Chris' shirts. I vacuumed the hallway, then shampooed the hallway. I ate some cheese squares, then went cleaning for an hour. I noticed that the red car had moved.

Jamie followed me home. I gave her the shampooer and vacuum. I met her at Steve's 2^nd floor apartment and she delivered them. I locked them inside for use later.  Then we talked to John who was just arriving.

I went home to hydrate and read, then went to the chapel for band. Keli, Jenni and Saronna didn't come. So we had trombone, drums and singers.

On the way home, I locked up the swap shop. Chris greeted me at the front door. We talked. Michelle came over to drop acid. Actually she wanted me to put cleaning vinegar on the callous of her foot. So I did but it didn't seem to do anything. She talked for a long time, then left.

Chris went to bed with a book. I made tea and took supplements. I worked on my blog, then got ready for bed. I turned out the light and we snuggled for awhile before going to sleep.

Shampooing the carpets

Sunday

I got up at 8 by my watch and 7 by the computer. I read messages for awhile, then watered the plants. I texted Michelle about cleaning Chris' dingy shirts. She recommended soaking them in Oxyclean. So I grabbed three shirts and put them in a bucket of warm water with the cleaner on top of the washing machine. However, just after I walked out, the bucket fell and water went everywhere. I picked it up as quickly as I could and put the broken bucket in the tub to finish soaking. I picked up the colored rug before the oxiclean could bleach the colors.

I made and ate breakfast. I washed up and got dressed for church. I took cheese squares and went to the chapel. There were greetings. Keli paid me for last week. She found sticky traps with dead mice. Then the service started with praise music. The chaplain gave his sermon on stewardship. Then the band played our two hymns.

After church, I went home to get the water jug and met Jenni at the shoppette. She wanted to see how I fill the jug. So I put the jug in the machine, swiped my card, and let it fill. I put the cap on and set it in my car.

Then she went to the swap shop and I went home. I called Michelle to carry the full jug into my house. I packaged some pecans in the hallway into empty coffee cans, but was unable to empty the box. Michelle came over and carried the jug in. I gave her a bite of fermented cheese. She went to the gym to work out.

I vacuumed the living room, den and bedroom. Then I shampooed all those carpets. It was exhausting. I put a bowl of bean soup in the toaster oven to heat. I went to the livingroom to practice my trombone until the timer rang. Then I took the bowl out and said my prayers.

Just at that moment, Michelle came in and wanted to help me clean up the hallway. I was more concerned with the laundry room. So she cleaned the laundry room where I had spilled the bucket of soapy water. I mostly watched. Then we sat in the dining room and chatted for a long time. After she left, I ate my cooling supper. I read messages and listened to part of a presentation on hydrogel. I worked on my blog.

Finally I got ready for bed. I put my phone in a special case and set it by the bed. I had towels ready in case I couldn't get up. Then I turned in for the night.

Sewing a memory game

Saturday

I got up after 8:30, surprised it was so late. Also pleased that I could get out of bed. I did not take anything last night. I took the morning supplements and read messages. I parsed out a week's worth of supplements. I took a shower and got dressed. I worked on the sewing project, pre-cutting the 4in squares of red and white. I packed a bag of scraps for the little squares.

I made and ate breakfast. I watched a podcast. I took the sewing stuff and went to the chapel. I put the plates and spoons in the kitchen. I checked the mouse traps. Saronna and her kids walked up as I was setting up the machines. I asked Sophia to help me. We set up 4 machines. Then a lady came with two small girls and her mother. The mother knew how to sew so she helped the girls while I helped the three Clark kids.

The project involved making memory game cards by sewing a small colored square to a white square, then sewing the red square RST and turning it right side out. I cut small squares in sets of 2 from scraps. Jenni came to finish her casserole carrier and then she gathered some squares to make game cards. I did not have enough so I had to cut more of everything.

As Saronna was packing up to go, I remembered the Halloween toys and brought them out so her kids could pick one. Then they left and I talked to Jenni for awhile. She finally got to use a sewing machine. Then we left.

I went home and had bean soup for supper, along with some rice. I listened to another podcast. I found some more white fabric to take to Project Night. Michelle asked me to bring the Christmas music, so I also took my trombone.

I unlocked the chapel and Jenni followed me in. So did Casey and Cedric. We settled in the fellowship hall where the sewing machines were still set up. Then MeryAnn came with a daughter that she borrowed. They cut open Crown Royal bags. Jenni worked on her stack of red and white squares. I was going to work on my panel project but it wasn't in my sewing bag like I thought. Casey and Cedric worked on a model car.

At the end of the evening, Mery helped me put away the machines and we all packed up. We chased a mouse into the fabric room but didn't catch it. We left and locked the door. Jenni pointed out a dead bird that probably broke its neck flying into a window. Pretty bird. The girl wanted to see it, but Mery wouldn't let her touch it.

When I got home, leaving my trombone at the chapel, I took the evening supplements and checked messages. I looked for the turmeric pain relief supplement and couldn't find it. I checked online to re-order and couldn't find the exact same thing. Then I looked in another spot and found it. I took two capsules. I looked at URU videos to figure what to do next for the following Game Night.

I worked on my blog, then went to bed.

Getting better

Friday

Eventually I fell asleep. I woke on and off through the early morning. By 8 I was awake enough to turn on my phone and check for messages. There was one from Michelle. Using the box, I was able to lower my feet to the floor. However, walking was difficult and only possible in slow baby steps. First stop was the bathroom. Then I moved the towel, my nightgown and some other things to the washer. I washed up at the sink and got dressed. I ate some nuts and cheese and took Ibuprofen. I texted Casey that I would need a ride to Math Morning.

When he arrived, his m-i-l was with him. She had a towel and some Ibuprofen, planning to help me get dressed. So sweet! I gingerly sat in the car and we went to the chapel. He dropped me off and went to take her home.

I found the door unlocked and went in to set up for Math Morning. I checked the mouse traps. I saw Saronna and her kids outside. I realized that they didn't know I was here because my car wasn't here. So I went to greet them. They came in and we sat down for math. Casey came in. Then Karen came in. She sat across from me and we worked on graphing and functions. Saronna left with Sophia for a doctor appointment. Then Karen took the rest of the kids home with her. Casey took me home.

I read e-mail for awhile. Then I made and ate breakfast. I was thinking of taking a walk, but it would have been pretty far. I was walking just fine so I decided to drive. I went over to Mustang and parked in the overflow lot. I walked to 602 and met Jamie. We talked for quite some time. Then I picked up the left behind plates and spoons to take to the chapel.

I went to the post office to return the postal key left in 602. I talked to the postmaster for awhile. Then I went home. I opened my mail to find some strips for making blocks for the guild quilt. I read messages and listened to a podcast or two. I posted to Facebook for the sewing class and Project Night. I heated bean soup for supper and threw in some chopped greens from the tower garden.

I worked on my blog. I listened to a podcast on menopause. I made a batch of breakfast mix.  Then I went to Game Night at Michelle's house.  I brought her some cheese squares.  Casey had the game up.  I used the notes on my camera to take the next step in each world.  Two of them gave me problems and I made a mental note.

At 11 I thanked Casey and went home.  It was late to I got ready for bed, skipping the yoga part because my back still wasn't 100%.  I turned off my phone and put it in a special bag beside my bed, just in case.   Then I went to sleep and slept much better than last night.

Stuck on the floor

Thursday

I got up around 8. I got ready for the day. When I went to put on my shoes, my back spasmed strongly. I dropped to the floor and laid there. I was unable to reach my phone. After a bit, I was able to reach my socks and put them on, gingerly. However I still got cold. So I pulled a comforter off of the bed. I tried to relax, but it just wasn't possible. No position was comfortable for long. I shoved the first comforter under my knees and pulled another one off the bed to wrap up in, but my legs still got cold. I had to keep moving, shifting in little ways. It was a long morning. I hoped someone would find me, even if it meant being abducted by aliens.

Around 12:15, Chris came home for lunch. Hallelujah! I called out to him and he came back to the bedroom. He laid the back board beside me and I rolled onto it. He pushed it up against the foot of the bed. Once upright, I slooowly walked to the bathroom. Then I put on a jacket to go for a walk. It was painful and I didn't get far. I came back for a warmer jacket but ended up making breakfast. Chris made his lunch. I asked him to put the soaking beans in the crock pot. He did so and added other things like onions and garlic.

I put on The Highwire. They were talking about fluoride studies. Kidney patients are at heightened risk because they can't excrete it. Also, most medications have fluoride in them. So the dose is uncontrolled. Studies show fluoride only helps teeth if applied topically. Internally it affects melatonin production, sleep cycles. Its an endocrine disruptor.

When it was over, Chris was just leaving. He offered to stay, but I know he had planned this trip for several months. He made me promise to keep my phone with me. After he left, I walked to Housing to schedule an inspection for 60B. When I got back, I practiced all my Christmas music. I tasted the soup, but it wasn't done. I posted to Facebook for Math Morning. I played a podcast.

Michelle called to see when I wanted to come over. I ate some soup, but left the crock pot on. I changed my pants to looser ones. I found my boxes of toys and put them in two bags for Halloween. Casey came to pick me up. I had trouble getting in the car. When we got to his house, I had trouble getting out.

Michelle had tables set up where she was handing out cups of hot chocolate and flavored toppings. Casey got me a chair and I sat with my bag to hand out toys. But there weren't that many kids. I was surprised. But it was plenty cold. I was glad for my really warm jacket.

Michelle's mother was there. She took Cedric around to the various houses. When she got back, she kept asking me if I wanted to go home. Since the two hour window was almost up, I said ok. Michelle drove me home and said she would text me at 11 to make sure I was ok. She also offered me some pain cream that I don't remember the active ingredient of.

When I got inside, I answered Chris' text. I put the bean soup into jars. I watched several podcasts and worked on my blog. I looked up the medicine Michelle offered me. It turned out to be a topical NSAID. I tapped for back pain.

Around 11, I prepared for bed. I put an old towel beside my pillow. I took some pain medication. When I tried to lay down, I could not lift my feet far enough from the floor, so I got a box to put beside the bed. I could move them from the box to the bed.

Then I laid there all night, trying to move subtly to get comfortable and not trigger another spasm. I was not completely successful. Sometimes I fell asleep and a spasm woke me up. In the middle of the night, I had to go to the bathroom but could not get up. That's what the towel was for. But eventually it wasn't enough. I could not reach the pair of depends. I considered calling 911, but wasn't sure having to pee would constitute an emergency.