Shipping kits

Thursday

Chris was very quiet all night and I had to reach over to make sure he was still breathing. At some point he got up and went to his computer. Later I heard him clearing his throat and blowing his nose, etc.

I got up about 8. I went through the usual morning routine, then spent hours trying to get all the specimens labeled and in the right boxes, etc. Chris took a shower and went to the endodontist.

Then I find out the overnight ones can't be shipped on a Friday. So I would have to drive myself to Tooele (an hour each way) just to drop off the packages. I tried using their pickup service, but I didn't have an account number. So I called the local store. They said I would have to call the hub in Salt Lake and good luck with that. I called the hub and after some discussion, they said I would have to have the company that sent the test kit schedule the pickup. I e-mailed the company but did not hear back.

Chris texted that the endodontist was sending him to an oral surgeon for extraction and he might need help driving home afterwards. So I texted Michelle and she said we could go get him after 2:20 and drop off the packages in town.

I made and ate breakfast, including a big pomegranate, while watching The HighWire. Chris texted that the oral surgeon had left for the day and so he had to reschedule for next Thursday. I paused The Highwire to go see Jamie. We talked about everything. She asked me to let her finish 79B because she needed the money.

When I got home, I messaged Brandon then rolled the rescued bike over to his house. I read packing instructions for all three tests. I got each one properly packed up and put in the deep freeze since I can't drop them off until next week.

I read e-mail and such. I got one from Mail Delivery Subsystem telling me that the blogger inbox could not accept anymore e-mails, which means the blog I posted yesterday didn't post. I confirmed this and wanted to scream, thinking I would have to recreate it. But no, it was still in my 'sent' file. So I tried again, and got the same 'undeliverable' message. I tried posting the way I used to, and it would not accept photos. So I went looking on the net, and someone said you have to post the text, then add the photo as an update. So that's what I did, muttering all the way. I did not see anything labeled 'Inbox' that I could empty in Blogger.

I made supper. Michelle called and we made a plan to add towels and such to the temp quarters. After a while, she came over. We pulled out towels, sheets, pillows, etc. She talked to Chris about the contract for the hairdresser. Then she and I went to the swap shop to look for dishes and shower curtain rings. We also got hangers.

We took the stuff to the new place and basically just left it. Michelle took me home and she went home to get ready for her sub job tomorrow. Then I made tea and we watched another episode of Atlantis. After that, Chris went to bed but I stayed up to read.

Cracking the egg-peeling code

Wednesday

I woke up at 4:30 to use the bathroom, then could not go back to sleep. Chris didn't get up until 6, and then took a long time to get ready. So he didn't leave until 7:30. I got up to start taking the urine and saliva samples. There were three different test kits so it got a little complicated, especially with the timing. Chris came back with keys and garage remote for the temp quarters for Michele and John.

Then I went on with the usual Meditation morning routine. I spent extra time cleaning afterward because John and Michele might be staying a few nights (or a few weeks). I peeled the steamed eggs from yesterday. They did not peel easily. I drank a quart of vit C water, Then I washed dishes and took a shower. I went to the post office, and then the library to get the next book in the series. They told me Chris had been in to pick up DVD's to watch. They also said my library card was about to expire so they wanted to see my ID and it was due to expire as well.

From there I went to 79B to clean for 2 hours. I started in the kitchen and had to use ammonia. The fumes got bad, so I spent the rest of the time sweeping walls and floors and baseboards. It was so satisfying.

I went home to do the next saliva sample. I read some e-mail. Chris came home and we talked. He made supper while I put away the dishes I had washed. I steamed 7 eggs in the steamer, keeping an eye on when it finished. I had an ice bath read and put them in and set the timer for 10 minutes. I texted with Michelle. Then I started peeling the eggs. Still didn't peel well, so I got out the Negg. As long as I shook each egg for at least a minute, they peeled ok. One was bad so I mashed it with avocado dip and ate it.

Chris was on the phone with a customer service rep. I went to Michelle's house and took the garage remote for 629. We talked for awhile. She chose a gopher head and packed up everything else. She gave me some pomegranates and the calendar I paid for. Then we went to 629 to see if it needed bedding, towels, etc. Yes, all of it.

Then we went back to her house. She wanted to work out at the gym so I took my car and went home. I read some e-mail and worked on my blog. I called the credit card company about my expired card. I made tea and we watched the last episode of Taxi and the first episode of Atlantic by the BBC. I got sleepy, so when Chris went to bed, I did my end-of-the-day stuff and joined him.

Seeing the finished product

Tuesday I got up around 7:30. I brushed and took a few supplements. I made a quart of water and put 6g of vitamin C plus a fruit powder in it. I drank a cup every 15 minutes while reading e-mail. I had to spray my windshield to thaw the frost. Then I went to clean for 2 hours at 612. I came home with a padded mat for the space in front of the sink. I ate/drank the fiber gel. I made and ate breakfast. Then I went to Saronna's house. We played and talked. Later I went to the library to make copies of Sleigh Ride. I went home to drop off my trombone and music, then went back to 612. I spent 10 minutes mopping the last bedroom, then packed up all my cleaning supplies. I went to 79B to start cleaning and cleaned for 90 minutes. Michelle called to say her kids wanted to pop out the gopher marbles. So I went down the street to her house and Isadora popped all the spheres out. We oohed and ahhed over the gopher ones and the colored ones. They had divots in the tops because the resin shrank as it cooled. I went home and ingested the remaining fiber gel. I read e-mail, and put vegetable soup with beef and chorizo in the toaster oven. Chris told me about his day and about visiting the dentist who is now referring him to an endodontist. I ate supper, then read through the instructions for three at-home urine tests. All the things you can't do for 48 hours before the tests. I want to get them all out of the way tomorrow. I posted to my blog and we watched two episodes of Taxi. There was only one left, but Chris went to bed. I stayed up to read the instructions again and take notes. Then I went to bed.

A long and frustrating day

Monday

I woke up to find Chris was still in bed. He hadn't gone to work. I got ready for the day, made fiber, etc. I drank a quart of fortified water over the course of an hour. Chris laid on the couch.

I read e-mail, then went to Housing to schedule an inspection for 638. I went over there to look. I wiped up some flour that the rodent left. I tried to get a hold of Jamie to ask about the final shelf, but she didn't answer.

I went to 612 to clean for 90 minutes, then went home to drink the fiber gel. I made more supplements: 2 days of minimum and 5 days of normal. I made breakfast, ate while reading e-mail. I kept calling and still no Jamie. I activated the test kit that came in the mail last week.

After breakfast, I scooped out two pickled eggs as usual, except that there was only one egg left. So I searched the freezer for eggs. There was a frozen bag of them. I put them in hot water to thaw.

At 2 I went to the inspection. I was disappointed to see that the floors were dirty. Had we tracked in that much? But it passed inspection. I mentioned the missing money and they said to ask at the Housing office if anyone signed out a key. I went home for my key (completely forgetting the eggs), then went to Housing to return my key and see if anyone checked out a key about the time the money went missing. No one had.

I went to Keli's RV to clean. The dogs were there so I cleaned downstairs. Then her son came home and took the dogs for a walk while I cleaned upstairs. She left me a gift bag so I took it with my cleaning supplies. Her son was sitting outside so I invited him to band.

I went home. I put the thawing eggs in the toaster oven. Then I went to 612 for another hour of cleaning. When I got back, I ate the eggs and discovered that some of them were in a plastic baggie inside the freezer bag. Sigh. Then I had to run to band.

Keli and Saronna met me there. Then Mrs Popken came with her daughter. I wanted to play Sleigh Ride but it wasn't in Keli's book. So she got another book from her car. It had Sleigh Ride, but in a different key. Sigh. We played through the hymns for Sunday. Then we got out our book of broadway tunes. But I didn't have mine, so I got out the flute version. That didn't work because I couldn't drop an octave and change clefs at the same time fast enough. So then I played off of Saronna's book.

Afterward, we discussed flags and ribbons for use during the praise songs. I turned on the tree and turned out the lights so everyone could see how awesome it was. Then we all left and I locked the door. But when I got to my car, I realized the keys were not in my pocket. I went and tried all the doors of the chapel and they were all locked. I figured as much but had to check. I called Michelle and she said Dispatch could open it. So she called them and I waited. They came and unlocked it. He accompanied me in and watched me retrieve my keys. Then they had to fill out a report. Sigh.

I was going to go to Michelle's house to pop out the gopher marbles. But I was too tired now. I went home. I put my broadway band book in my music sack. I ate the rest of the fiber gel. Chris told me he took 2 grams of vit C every 6 minutes like I had said and it made him nauseous. I said you used the powdered C, right? And he said no, the packets. OMG. He must have taken 6 or 8 of them and each one is the equivalent of 10 grams because they are liposomal.

I worked on my blog. I made and ate a carrot salad. Chris went to bed early. All he did all day was lay on the couch and sleep or watch TV, so how can he be tired enough to go to sleep now?

I texted Michele and she said it snowed too much for the carpet people to come so they are coming Wednesday, which will delay their trip. I'm not sure what the new plan is. I read from the second Hunger Games book, which made my back feel better. Then I got ready and went to bed.

Finishing the last thing on my 2024 to-do list

Sunday

I got up around 8, possibly. I brushed my teeth and made fiber gel and electrolyte water. I drank every 15 minutes while reading e-mail and ordering from sales. I sat with an ice pack on my arm while reading e-mail and ordering new glasses. Then I made a batch of seed crackers.

I made and ate breakfast. I got ready for church, then sprinkled the cheese squares with paprika and went to the chapel. I spoke with a few people before the service, including the LDS couple that comes every so often to check in.

The religious affairs assistant gave the sermon because the chaplain was not feeling well. Then Keli and I played two hymns while Leilani played the shaker. So cute. Afterward, I gave her brother the job of opening the cheese squares each Sunday so people know they can have a snack.

I was the last person out. I found a dead mouse behind a speaker. I threw it in the trash. Then I made sure the doors were locked and I went home. I changed my clothes and ate a pomegranate. I read e-mail for awhile.

Then I went to 610 to put the dog beds out for bulk pickup. From there, I went to Michelle's house to finish the gopher project. She had Casey mix the formulation. Then I poured the resin over the gopher skulls in the mold. The kids were fascinated and wanted to make some spheres too. They used stones and shells and drops of paint.

I had to leave before 5 to make the game. I went by 79 and picked up the bike to save it from the bulk trash pickup. I could not close my trunk. Chris was already online with everyone when I arrived. John and Michele were playing on one computer set up in their hotel room. She was lying down because her back hurt. Since snow was forecast for tomorrow and might mess up their plans, John asked Chris if he could pick up Michele at the airport if it came to that.

We played through the game, mostly fighting orcs. Then we went to an inn for the night. We had an expensive meal in the private dining room and we were visited by a gentleman that warned us to stop seeking what we were seeking. He left, and we tried to follow, but he was gone and no one had seen him.

After the game, I read from the second Hunger Games book. Chris went to bed early, not feeling well. I stopped to look up music memes so I could post to the Facebook pages for band tomorrow. Then I worked on my blog and went to bed.

Creating carrots

Saturday

We woke up just as daylight began to seep in. We stayed in bed late, then got up to start the day. I took supplements, made the fiber drink, and read e-mail for awhile. Then I asked for a coconut oil massage and he complied. Afterward, I took my shower and he took his. I read some more, then drank half the fiber gel.

I made and ate breakfast. I read e-mail with an ice pack on my arm. I gathered together everything I needed for sewing class. One of the templates was missing so I printed out another one. I packed everything in a bag, and headed to the chapel.

I wasn't certain I could set up for sewing class because my right forearm hurt. But I could do most of the heavy lifting and grasping with my left hand. Then Randy came in with Sophia and Wilhelm. Randy had a garment that he wanted to patch. I found him some patching material. Then I got the kids started making felt carrots.

Later we saw Michelle out walking the dog. She called Isadora to come to class. So Isadora came and made a carrot. I took pics of them with their finished project. They started throwing them at each other. Sigh.

We packed up and left around 4. I stopped by the post office for mail. I went home to find Chris folding laundry so I pitched in. Then we went to the commissary for some groceries. When we got back, he started supper. Then we went to the Primo machine to fill two 5-gallon jugs with water.

When we got back, he finished supper while I spent some time looking at glasses frames on Zenni. They use your laptop camera to superimpose frames on your face so you can see how they look. Pretty neat! Made me laugh.

Then I ate supper. I gathered up some fabric to iron and went back to the chapel for Project Night. MeryAnn was the first one to arrive. She wanted to order fabric for her next quilting project. So we looked through the Joanns selection on her phone but didn't see anything we liked. Then we went to the sewing storage room and she looked through what Tonja had left. Nope. There was another stack and she found the perfect fabric there. I realized it was mine, leftover from a class.

Casey and Cedric came, working on a lego plane. We all conversed. Then I ironed fabric while MeryAnn packed up all the machines for me. We all left about 9. When I got home, Chris was ready to lay down. So I talked to him as he lay on the unmade bed, waiting for the dryer to finish. Finally we made the bed.

I went to my laptop to work on my blog. Typing was a little painful. But I got through it. I ordered more magnetic signs. Then I got ready and went to bed.

Fern

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die leaving undone.

Pablo Picasso

Cooking kidney

Friday

I got up before daylight. I looked at the test kit that arrived to see if it needed a morning sample, but it said to stop taking supplements for 4 days before collecting a sample.

I rinsed the kidney chunks and put them in a fry pan with tallow. Later I added some whey since the video on Youtube recommended yogurt and I didn't have any. I left it to reduce. I answered messages online. The envelop of cash I left for Jamie went missing, so I recalculated to see how much of my earnings I could give her.

Just before 10, I went to 79 to open it for Saronna. I put the key in the lock box and hung it on the door. Then I went to 612 to clean. I worked on cabinets and walls. The dogs next door were making quite a racket and I thought they were in the back yard trying desperately to get in the house. So I called Jamie and she came over. She determined that the dogs were in the house and she knew that one was a new puppy – probably where all the moaning was coming from. We chatted a bit and she went home.

I went home to have breakfast and check messages. Someone wanted to know if the swap shop had a desk. So I had stopped on the way home to look. During breakfast I messaged them that there was a desk. Then they wanted me to take a pic of it. That didn't sit well with me until I remembered that I had taken a pic back in September when the desk came in. So I sent them that. They never responded. Someone else messaged me that they left a bag of clothing at the swap shop.

After breakfast and a break, I went to the swap shop to put the bag of clothing inside. Then back to 612 for cleaning. I cleaned the front door and baseboards. I took a pic of things left behind and sent it to Saronna and she told me what she wanted. She sent Randy over to collect it. I threw in some extras like toilet paper and Chlorox wipes. He came over to pick it up and to offer to help. I had him clean the top of an outside window that I couldn't reach. I gave him some frozen food. We chatted some more and he left.

I mopped some flooring and went home. I made supper. Chris texted from his layover at the airport. I read articles and listened to short videos. I looked up hints for Portal, finally understanding what was going on. I worked on my blog.

I got ready for Game Night. There was so much to pack: stuff to return and stuff to look ate, etc. And the pomegranates that Michelle left outside my door thinking they were mine. I packed it all up and went to Michelle's house. We looked at the headphones and discussed the kind of magnetic connector it needed. I showed Casey some fuses, but he didn't know what they went to. Michelle told us about her trip.

Then I logged into the game of Portal. Myst was played almost entirely with a mouse, but this game requires one hand on the keyboard to move and the mouse for direction and shooting. I wasn't good at it but Cedric and Isadora were. So I let them help. Until we got to level 9 or 10 and I got stuck. They went to bed. Michelle picked up the conversation from earlier. Then I signed out of the game, determined to look up the video to see what I was doing wrong.

As I was about to leave, I realized we hadn't poured the resin over the gopher skulls. But it was too late at night. She promised we could do it another day. I went home and got ready for bed. Around midnight, Chris got home from the airport and climbed in bed with me. We were both tired. Several times I nearly fell asleep, but his throat-clearing woke me up.

Signing for two houses in one day

Thursday

I got up around 8, brushed my teeth and took supplements. I scanned and printed out a cleaning contract, then filled out two contracts for later. I swept up the trimmings from yesterday and took out the trash. I looked again for a plastic cup for pouring resin but couldn't find one. I opened the box containing the egg steamer. I put six eggs and water in and turned it on.

I went to the first signover. Jamie was there. He had already paid her via Venmo. We all signed the contract. After the inspectors left, I started the self-clean cycle. We tried to change the garage code but the key pad didn't work.

I stopped by 638 to look for the money I left for Jamie, but I could not find it. I guess someone came in and took it. I stopped by the post office for mail. I found a baby bottle at the swap shop and decided it would work for mixing resin.

When I got home, I saw that it had rained. I carefully drove over the gopher mounds, hoping to crush their tunnels. I put the steamed eggs in cold water, then I made and ate breakfast and watched The Highwire. I did Sudoku till it was over. Then I rescued my slide from the tub, but it was still a little sticky. So I soaped it up and let it set.

I got a call to come early to the next sign-over. I went to 79 to sign. Jamie couldn't make it. He paid and we all signed. They left and I started the self-clean cycle. I locked doors and left.

I dropped off the bicycle tires and inner tubes at Brandon's house. I came home and got a new 9-volt battery for the key pad at 612. I checked messages quickly, amassed some cleaning supplies, and went to 612 since it is the priority. I installed the new battery but still could not get in. So I went home to get the key. I took keys out of two envelops and put them on a ring, then went back to 612. But I still didn't have the right key. So I went home again for the key and I hydrated.

Jamie called to say she wanted to get into 79, so I went over there to unlock the door. The whole house was full of smoke from the self-clean cycle. We opened windows and moved the kitchen plants. We looked through what was left behind and took pics of the dirtiest things.

Then I went to 612. I let myself in with the key, then changed the keypad battery and set a code we could remember. I stayed to clean the stove and to sweep the whole house of debris. There must have been 8 socks left behind and none matched. I found some pens and a long straw so I took them home.

I made and ate supper. I finished cleaning my slide and reassembled it and played through Sleigh Ride. I looked at messages and short videos. I looked up felt food and chose carrots. I went through several patterns before I found one I liked. Then I rustled up some green and orange felt and made the project. I took a pic of it, but the ones online looked better.

I peeled the eggs. I rinsed the defrosted kidney and added more water and vinegar. I worked on my blog. I got ready and went to bed.

Arranging for an accordion

Wednesday

I got up around 8. I prepared for coffee morning. After the set of exercises, I read the Bible for 30 minutes. Then I meditated and tapped. Then I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen. I washed dishes. I pulled a beef kidney from the freezer to thaw. I looked for a special charging cord. It's like a magnet and it charges Tayogo headphones. I did not find it. I checked for messages on my phone and on Facebook. I called Faye and Kurt to see of one of them could get the accordion to Michele in time for her move out here.

A guy left a message about me going to see his house and give him a quote. I called Jamie to meet me, then I went over there. She and I looked around and we quoted him $600. I stayed to talk to Saronna and Randy who live in the next house over. Saronna gave me a book on pouring acrylic.

When I got home, I called Michele to see if she had room and she did, but she was down for the count with her back. I called Chris and let him know. Then I called Faye back to let her know that she was needed. But right at that moment, Chris called her so she hung up. Then Michele texted me that I had ratted on her. Sigh.

I had a pair of shoes that went bad (got too stiff to wear), so I threw them out. I found two more pairs to part with, so I texted Michelle (my friend) to let her know because she has been bugging me to throw out shoes for some time. I ate some bean soup and rice. I looked up how to cook a beef kidney.

I did several Sudoku puzzles. I watered the plants. I posted to my blog for yesterday. I watched resin pouring and made notes. I took a shower and got ready for bed.

Fern

Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die leaving undone.

Pablo Picasso

Finishing up my 2024 to-do list

Tuesday

I got up at 8:15, having spent quite some time awake in the middle of the night, then having fallen asleep. I had woken up to pee and then gone back to bed. I was alarmed to hear water running in the bathroom sink. I sat up and called out. A man (not Chris) came out of the bathroom. I asked him who he was. He pulled up the covers at the bottom of the bed and snuggled in across the foot of the bed. I asked again but he didn't answer. I was quite alarmed and then I 'woke up' and realized I was alone. Whew!

I washed up and brushed my teeth. I made fiber gel and water with electrolytes. I drank the water 1 cup every 15 minutes. I ordered more MAP since they are on sale and my credit card expires at midnight.

I went to the post office to get any mail. I asked again about the little wooden ornament and she helped me search the sidewalk, etc. Nope. I took my packages and drove to the library. Keli gave me back the stuff she used for the Grinch cave. I also checked out the second Hunger Games book. Then I went to 638 to drop off the spice jars. I saw a mess in one corner and figured a rodent did it. I texted Jamie about it.

I went home and put my packages inside. I folded up the shower curtains and put them in a sack with the 2x shirts and some other stuff. I put a rake in the car. I called Chris to see if he knew where more wooden ornaments were. He didn't. But I found one in a pile of stuff that got swept off the table. I went to the swap shop to drop off the contents of the sack. Then I went to the gym to drop off the ornament.

I came home to make breakfast and read messages. I jotted notes for my blog. I moved the full jug of water from the rolling carrier to the counter top. I cut up the leftover bananas into chunks and mixed some with coconut flakes. I placed it all on a plastic lid and put them in the freezer for when I have chocolate to melt.

I washed several shelves in the fridge since the amount of food is low. I went to the garden to rake in the piles of leaves and hay that Jamie deposited. But it was too much, especially since I didn't bring gloves. I emptied the bucket trap out there and it was a slab of ice with mice in it.

When I got home, I scrubbed the mud off of the shoes that Michelle had lent me for the hike. I watched a report on the history of polio.

Poliovirus is a commensal virus in the human gut. All three types have been found in guts of indigenous tribes and they have no illness. It started in the late 1800's after the introduction of a new pesticide made of arsenic and …. As it started to phase out in the 1900's, a new pesticide called DDT came on the market. DDT helps poliovirus proliferate and it was widely used in the 40's and 50's because bugs were such a problem. It was sprayed on fruit and other crops, as well as neighborhoods and beaches - not to mention directly on the people. Polio was not the biggest killer at the time but it got most of the press. In fact, I looked up leading causes of death, and polio wasn't even listed.

I read online. I prepared another supplement order. I trimmed all the dead stuff in the tower garden and the large potted tomato plant. I flattened boxes and took them to the recycling bin. I put bean soup in the toaster oven and took splinters out of my hand. Then I added rice and ate supper. I made more breakfast mix, more spice mix, and refilled empty spice containers. I listened to a talk on the vagus nerve while doing Sudoku. Then I worked on my blog. I took the evening supplements. I read Catching Fire, which is the second book in the Hunger Games series.

Finally I went through the bedtime routine and retired for the night.