Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Trying to learn video editing

 


Monday

I got up just before 7:30. I went through the morning list. I set the gopher traps in the new mound. I watered the lawn here and there because the sprinklers did not run last night. I looked up Ephesians and selected two hymns and practiced them. I called the bank.

I loaded all my swap shop movie clips onto a thumb drive. I went to Michelle's house to learn how to edit video clips. First she showed me how to make a swap shop poster from a template. Then she started doing a movie clip from a template. It seemed complicated and I didn't get it. Jenni stopped by to drop off a chair yoga book. Michelle agreed to teach the class if Jenni gets the people for the class.

I made and ate breakfast, then walked to the post office for packages. I went to the library to return a book and check out another. I meant to photocopy from the hymnal but forgot the hymnal. Gary came by and we talked about the movie.

When I got home, I laid out in the sun. It got quite hot. But the gopher ball that I put in the sun did not get hot enough to soften. I read e-mail and such. I looked up leuconostoc mesenteroides. Turns out its in kimchi. I heated some curry and ground beef for supper.

After eating, I went to the chapel for band. A new guy showed up and he plays saxophone. Yay! I brought the pair of glasses I forgot yesterday which are specifically for music. But at the end of the practice, the glasses were on top of my head. Huh.

We played till 7, then called it quits. I came home and saw the sprinklers were on. I watched some newsy videos, then worked on my blog. I went to the garden and talked to Casey who was pulling weeds. I pulled a few of my own, then went home.

I made tea and we watched TV. Then I pieced some puzzles while listening to a podcast. I finished my blog and posted. Then it was time for bed.

Monday, August 10, 2026

Sound system at the chapel still isnt working

 


Sunday

I got up at 8. I went through most of the morning list. I planted a few things that had rooted in dishes in the kitchen window. I watered bare spots in the lawn. I refilled the small containers of coconut oil. 

 I read e-mail till Chris got up and had his coffee. He gave me a massage. I mixed a batch of cheese squares and put them in the oven. , I took my shower, then rescued the treat from the oven. I made and ate breakfast. I made more taco mix, then got ready for church.

I took the cheese to the chapel and put it in the back. I met the chaplain's wife, who lives on the East coast. The chaplain played the opening songs on his guitar and the kids helped. Then we had our usual order of service. At the end, Melanie played the piano while Jenni and I played our instruments. The chaplain gave a benediction, then we all stood in a circle as he handed out communion.

After the service, I talked to John for awhile. Then I went home and changed clothes. I read e-mail for a bit. I took a nap on the back porch reading a book.

Chris told me supper was in the oven. I read a little more, then came in. I got online for the game, then took supper out of the oven. I ate as I played the game. I jotted notes for my blog. I pieced many puzzles when it wasn't my turn.

Afterward, we went walking with John and Michele. I watered the edge plants at the garden. When we got back, I put out the egg money and worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched one episode of Criminal Minds.  I looked up some of the actors.  Then I read articles until time to go to bed.

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Lots of cleaning

 


Saturday

I got up at 7:30. I started the morning list. While I was outside watering, Chris left for Mass. I leveled a gopher mound and set a trap. I practiced and ate yogurt. I made up supplements for the following week. I put a gopher ball back into its mold and set it outside to heat. Maybe then the bubbles will come out?

I read online. Then I read a book by the red light. I cleared some e-mail. I drank fiber water. I realized that I hadn't posted to my blog yesterday. So I did that.

I went to the chapel to vacuum the sewing room and take back my stick vac. Then I went to the commissary to get a few things. When I got back, I made and ate breakfast. After eating, I put together cleaners for rugs and bathrooms.

I went to Tina's house that is off post. First I cleaned and shampooed some rugs that the cats vomited on. Then I cleaned the bathrooms. We conversed and she paid me. When I got home, I took a shower. I read e-mail while Chris made dinner. We ate with Michele and John. They decided not to go to Project Night.

At 7, I went to the chapel for Project Night. But no one came. So my project was to clean behind the double fridge and the freezers. I had to call Chris to move the freezers for me. It hadn't been done in a long time.

I quit around 8. I went to the garden to water. When I got home, I helped put away the food. Together we put clean sheets on both beds. I worked on my blog and made tea. We watched an episode of Criminal Minds. Then we entertained ourselves on our laptops. At 11, I put mine to sleep and got ready for bed.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Tubing down the Provo River

 


Friday

Chris woke me at 6:30. I got up and went through most of the morning list. I watered the plants outside and even some grass. I packed everything on my list and prepared some water bottles. Michelle texted that they were going to be late, which gave me time for the bathroom. I practiced with only my mouthpiece so as not to disturb Chris. I jotted notes for my blog. I quickly ate yogurt and some nuts.

I went outside to wait for Casey and Michelle. When they arrived, I got in the car and we drove for two hours to the Provo river. I was worried about getting in really cold water. We were shown where to park, then we signed in and put on life jackets.  She took my phone.  I thought it was to keep in a waterproof pack, but I found out later she just left it in the car.  So I have no pictures to show.  I found one on the internet.

We jumped on the waiting bus. After a short introduction, the driver drove up several miles to a drop-off point. Three buses worth of people got off at that stop. They all picked up innertubes, some singles and some doubles. We waited for the crowd to subside then carried ours to the bank and climbed in.

It was a cold and wet place to sit! But the sun was hot and it got better. Michelle and I had a double innertube. My sunglasses fell in the water. Somebody let us use one of their paddles. We kept running into the sides and over rocks. The paddle helped. We saw ducks, cows and a beaver. At one point, we had to get out, walk around a bridge and get back in. Not sure why we were not allowed to float under the bridge.

Finally we got to the exit where we were parked. I climbed out and eventually realized I was walking slowly. I was too numb to feel how tired I was. Michelle drove us into the city. We stopped at Harmons for special foods like cheese, etc. I changed into dry clothes in the bathroom. Also got a gallon of raw A2 milk. We went to some other places as well. I bought sunglasses.

Finally we went to Aubergine's restaurant. It was natural and gluten-free place. I got the garden salad with extra goat cheese. We ate, then got back in the car. We drove quite a while, then stopped at a Smith's for sushi. I fell asleep until we went through the pass. Then we chatted until we got to the gate and showed our ID's.

They dropped me off at my house and went home. I hung up all my wet stuff and put the milk and apples away. I jotted notes for my blog. I read e-mail for a bit. Chris made and ate his supper, then went to his gaming session. I walked to the post office. There was no mail and the swap shop seemed emptier. I was expecting a bunch of donations since it was open today.

Walking home, I noticed our sprinklers were on. Yay! Inside, I prepared a baggie of cacao nibs for Michelle. I went to the garden to water and fertilize. I watched part of the walkthru to get ready for the game. I prepared a bottle of tea.

At 8:30, I drove to Michelle's house. She wasn't there, but Casey had the game up. I had Indiana going in circles, trying to figure out how to end up in different places from where he'd been. He needs to find 4 candles, each one in a different place. But mostly he punctured the raft, repaired it and picked up more repair kits. Eventually, he did find a lighthouse where he jumped into a window to push a lever that opened the front door. But he could not jump back to the walkway. He died over and over and finally I quit. Michelle came home and went on and on about someone not following good advice. I made my goodbye's and went home.

Chris was still up. I got ready for bed and he joined me.

Relinquishment of Responsibility

 


Thursday

I was up by 7:30. I handwashed a top and put it in the dryer. I watered plants, and set a trap. I completed the morning list. I popped out gopher balls from the molds. None of them were good. They had so many bubbles that it looked like champagne. Thankfully, I had one left over from the last batch. I put it in the tiny bags and wrote a note. After putting it in with the ball, I took my Bible and went to the chapel.

I unlocked the door and the ladies who were waiting went inside. Time was short, so we quickly read and discussed our chapters. Then we left. Diane and I went to the school for the relinquishment ceremony for CSM Cho.

It seemed to be already in progress, but that turned out to be an unadvertised award ceremony. I gave CSM Cho the gopher ball. Then we found our seats. Michelle sat behind me and we talked till Chris arrived. His assigned seat was next to me.

The ceremony started with an invocation and the passing of the colors, which went quickly. Then the colonel spoke and Cho spoke. It was touching. Chaplain gave the benediction. Then we lined up to shake her hand or hug her and say goodbye. I walked out with Michele who also came. Chris took her back to work.

I walked to my car at the chapel and drove home. I drank fiber water (my backup fiber doesn't gel), and read online. I made breakfast, then ate it while watching The Highwire. I read through e-mail, and jotted notes.

I walked to the post office for mail, then stopped in the swap shop to take pictures for promotion. I found a jointed skeleton and sent the pic to Isadora and to Michelle. I thought we could make another Doug out of it. Michelle jumped in her car and came over to get it. She dressed it in swap shop clothing. She gave me a ride and took him home.

I listened to NWNW while piecing puzzles. Chris came home with a pizza. He took the pork out of the oven. He wrapped the pan in an old towel and we drove to the pavilion by the pool for a pot luck given to honor EMS.

We put our food on the food table, then helped Mikaela carry drinks and food in from her vehicle. Then we went home again to get napkins and my swimming suit. Returning to the pavilion, I hung out with Janet and Jenni until Michelle arrived. We waited for the EMS personnel to eat before we got in line.

After eating and talking, I put on my suit. I joined Jenni and Michelle in the pool. We played around until the pool closed at 7:45. I hung out until Chris was ready, then we took our stuff home. I changed into regular clothes and went to the garden to water. I found two mysterious holes near the far tomato plants. I picked up the metal sheets that I had stuck in the ground. I added water to the compost tea.

When I got home, I worked on my blog, then made tea. We watched an episode of Criminal Minds. I listened to Off The Record, and pieced some puzzles. Then I got ready for bed.

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Updated regulations


 

Wednesday

I got up at 7:3. I pulled out the reuteri from the yogurt machine. It was supposed to get another 12 hours, but it was done. I prepared for coffee morning. I boiled water and cleaned a 5 gallon jug. After coffee morning, I cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms.

Chris came home with groceries around lunch time. I vacuumed and mopped. I laid out in the sun. I put milk in the dehydrator to coagulate into gasseri. I steamed for 2 minutes, then showered. I rested for a bit, then ate yogurt.

I listened to a podcast, then made and ate egg salad. I read e-mail. Housing said they had updated their regulations. So I went to Housing to get a copy of a document that they updated. It was a quarter inch thick! I went to the library to return a book. Michele walked up and asked me for a ride home. She went into the library with me. Chris was there having just finished his game. I picked out another book and we chatted with the librarian. I took Michele to her house.

I went home. Chris was already there and made his supper. I walked to the post office for the mail. No snakes. I read e-mail, then heard him on a conference call with his siblings. After that, I went to the garden to water with fertilizer and to weed. I watched old tapping videos to clear some of my unread e-mails.

I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched an episode of Criminal Minds. I looked up some of the characters. I went back to watching old links in e-mail. Finally I got ready for bed.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Shopping in Tooele

 


Tuesday

I got up about 7:15, I did some Sudoku, then got dressed to go out and water the plants. I also checked the traps. Then I went to the kitchen to start the morning list. I got it done, then decided to make more reuteri. I could not find a jar with a plastic lid, so I used a quart jar with no lid. However, even that turned out to be too tall. Also, I had trouble dissolving the powder into a small amount of water. It made lumps. But I was running out of time.

I got the yogurt maker started, then put 4 yogurts in a bowl and ate them. Michelle drove up. I grabbed my water bottle and went out to get in her car. We headed to Tooele. We stopped at the vision place to pick up my new glasses with a focal point for music on a stand. Then we went to Melanie's and got some sale items. We went to Hobby Lobby for fairy stuff. I just got glue. Finally we went to an ethnic grocery store. I got pigs feet and cow tongue. She got homemade jerky.

On our way back to base, she shared the jerky with me. She dropped me off then went to take a piece to Casey at work. I made and ate breakfast while reading e-mail. She dropped my water bottle off at my house and then I went to the post office to get the mail. I talked to the postmaster about the snake. Then I went to Michelle's house to get a drawstring bag. She showed me her fairy project which is coming along nicely. I also saw Isadora's octopus project.

I went home. I read online. I read outside in the sun. I came back in. A man came over to install a new toilet seat. I went back to reading online. I ate some frozen watermelon, then worked on my blog.

Chris came home from work. I listened to Telegram videos. I made tea and we watched TV. He went to bed and I stayed up to read. I pieced puzzles while listening to tapping videos. Then I went to bed.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Weeding with Cedric


 

Monday

Chris came home after midnight and climbed in bed to sleep. I woke up before 7. We cuddled. Then I got up to prepare for the day. He showered and went to work. I went through my morning list.

I watered the outdoor plants. I refilled the water jugs. I brought in the eggs. I pulled up a sprung trap and found a live gopher with his leg trapped. I apologized to him and did him in.

I read e-mail. I collected a bucket of compost from the pile. I put it in my trunk and went to the garden and started weeding. I was expecting Cedric to help. When he didn't show at 10, I called Michelle. She brought him presently. He and I weeded for an hour, then I took him home. My hands were dirty so I said I would pay him later.

I filled a bunch of capsules with fiber powder, and also at least a month's worth with prebiotics. I was making breakfast when Chris came home for lunch and cooked the ground beef. I ate breakfast, then posted for band to Facebook.

I laid out in the sun and read. I went to the garden to weed some more and spread compost. I covered the bare soil with dead weeds. I kept an ear out for gopher mitigation by butane. I did not hear anything.

I read online, trying to catch up on e-mail. I hardboiled two batches of eggs. I cut up zucchini and put it in pickling brine.

Chris was gone, so I ate some ground beef that he made at lunchtime. I went to the chapel for band. We played through the hymn for next week, and most of the songs in the Broadway book. We had just called it quits when Elizabeth arrived. So we played Adel Vise and Memories because she has a good part in both. Then we went home around 7.

I watched some health videos. Then at 9, I went back to the garden to make sure it watered correctly. When I got home, I wrote my blog post and finished a few windows so I could close them.

Chris came home before 10. He said it was too late to watch TV. Later he went to bed. I stayed up reading till after 11, then got ready for bed and retired for the night.

Monday, August 3, 2026

Resin project

 


Sunday

I started the morning list, I watered the outside plants. I pulled up a trap and caught a gopher. I noticed most of the onions by the dining room were gone. I finished the list, then made breakfast mix. I took a shower.

I made and ate breakfast. I got dressed for church. I cut up the cheese squares, thinking there may be lots of people at church. I took them to the chapel.

I left the squares in the back. I assembled my trombone, then greeted the chief of ATEC chaplains, who was going to give the sermon. We conversed, then the service started with what few people had come. We sang songs from the hymnal because the AV system wasn't working. Then greetings, announcements, readings and prayer. The chief gave a short sermon. The musicians played two hymns. He gave a benediction and the service was over. People chatted together in groups. Jenni and I took turns holding the new baby. Lelanie and I went to check the traps in the kitchen and we found a mouse in one. I told her to tell her dad. She did, but the mouse remained.

Unthinkingly, I walked out with my trombone. I went back to return the trombone to the front pew and to throw out the mouse. Then I went home to change clothes. I put gopher skulls in a dish to rinse and to bleach. I ate fruit and read e-mail. I started counting hours for VMIS. Then I realized I hadn't posted for Friday. I rinsed the skulls, dried them, then put them in molds.

I took everything to Michelle's house. We used Casey's scale to pour the two-part resin in equal parts by weight, then mixed for 4 minutes. I did the first pour, but there wasn't enough. Casey made more. He poured the rest of mine and the little river on Michelle's project and something on Isadora's project.

Then we decided to go to the pool. She sprayed conditioner in my hair so it wouldn't get so dry. I went home to get ready for the pool. When I got there, I jumped in. We chatted with Jenni. When the lifeguards threw us out, I went to the garden to water a bit. Then home to change.

I took meat out of the freezer for tomorrow. I drank blueberry chia water. I searched for an answer to the question about using a dehydrator to make the resin dry faster. I got caught up in reading drivel on Facebook. I stopped, then posted to my blog for Friday and Saturday. I watered the indoor plants, turned on the porch light for Chris, then put out egg money for the morning. I prepared for bed, then remembered to finish entering numbers for VMIS.

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Sewing class

 


Saturday

I got up around 8. After doing Sudoku, I called Tina to see if she wanted cleaning today because I could put off sewing class till next week. But she didn't answer. I went through the morning list. I added milk to several yogurts and put them in the dehydrator with the honey. I threw the guest sheets and towels in the washer. I watered and reset both gopher traps. I read by the red light. I posted for sewing class and Project Night on Facebook.

I made and ate breakfast, then laid out in the sun. After a short while (it was 105F), I toweled off and got dressed. I made a Swansons order. I picked up 2 zuchini advertised on Facebook, then proceeded to sewing class.

I went in the chapel and started setting up. Wendy arrived to help. We chatted then Jenni came. Wendy helped her cut pieces for the balloon cover. I heard the fridge was bad, so I looked through it. There was a tray of moldy watermelon from VBS back in June. Jenni stopped sewing. She and Wendy helped go through the food and throw out bad and expired stuff. I threw out a dead mouse caught in a trap. When I pulled the stove forward, I found a live one underneath the stove.

We went home about 4:30. I picked up the mail and shoved abandoned donations into the swap shop. I went home and worked on my blog. I checked e-mail and messages. I ate hardboiled eggs for supper.

At 7, I opened the chapel for Project Night. Jenni came to finish her ball. Michelle came to work on her fairy house project. Then Casey came with Cedric. I don't know what they worked on because the church kitchen was my project. I scrubbed the stove and the floor underneath. Hot chocolate had spilled and dried – attracting the mice. I also worked on the floor of the fridge – scraping up cardboard from a soda box that had been removed. And spilled soda.

At 9, I called it quits. I chatted with Jenni and Michelle, then we locked up and went home. I stopped at the garden even though it was dark. With headlights, I was able to water the one plant that the sprinklers never reach. When I got home, I read online and pieced puzzles. Then I went to bed.

Hail and Farewell

 


Friday

I got up just before 8:30. I went through the morning list. I watered the plants and set two gopher traps. I wrestled with the printer to get larger copies using the Fit to Page function. Took multiple copies to do it , then I practiced the hymn. I ate yogurt and read by the red light. I drank the fiber mix. I made up supplements for the week. I made breakfast and ate it while reading/listening online.

Then I made a grocery list. I stopped at the post office for mail and saw a snake on the floor. I wondered what Chris would do, then picked it up and carried it outside. I visited with Shelly. Finally I went shopping at the commissary, then came home and put the groceries away.

I made the sewing sample (a balloon cover). When I went to post it on Facebook, I saw a message saying the kids were not coming to sewing class tomorrow. It was too late to prepare another project.
I took a shower and got dressed for the party. It had an alien theme but I didn't have anything alien, so I wore my zebra shirt. I drove up to the Commander's house and parked on the street. As a decoration, she had “Do not Enter' tape over her front door. I rang the doorbell and someone opened the door. Ladies had already gathered. Other people came. The Commander's wife had food ready so we lined up and filled our plates. We ate, some sitting and some standing. Later we gathered in the living room to say goodbye to the CSM and hello to Mrs. Player. I asked her if she was interested in playing handbells and she said yes.

Later Ria started karaoke. Daylight was fading so I thanked her and left. I went to the garden to water the one plant that seemed dry. I went home to prepare for game night. I went to Michelle's house. They were all sitting outside waiting for me. We went inside to talk and play the game. Later Elizabeth came over to drop off Michelle's purse.

After 11, I found a good stopping point and exited the game. I went home, wrote my blog post (and forgot to post it) and went to bed.

Friday, July 31, 2026

A long afternoon of cleaning

 


Thursday

I laid in bed, waiting for one of the alarms. I never heard one, but when I got up, it was after 8:30. I completed only part of the morning list, then went to the chapel for Bible Study. We read a chapter of Genesis, then talked about it and other things. We said a prayer. I left with Wendy, talking about the sewing project for Saturday. She agreed to bring balloons.

When I got home, I put the sewing pattern on my thumb drive. Then I went to the library to print it out. I drove around the neighborhood looking for the plastic tray that blew away in the storm yesterday. It didn't get far, but was hard to spot because it is clear.

I went home for breakfast. After eating, I packed cleaning supplies in the car and met Isadora at a house on first street. We cleaned all afternoon, covering the entire house. Then I took her home. I chatted with Michelle. As I was leaving, the lady asked how much she owed us. I texted the lady our fee, then went home.

I made supper and ate. She came by with cash. After I finished supper, I counted the cash and saw there was a tip. I split the cash and tip, figured out how much each of us should get, then put Isadora's share in an envelop. I went to the garden and watered. I chatted with Revonna and her daughter. Then I went to see Isadora – but no one seemed to be home.

I went to my home. I practiced, then made tea. I read online for a bit and worked on my blog before going to bed.

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Thunderstorm

 


Wednesday

I got up before 7:30. Chris had already left for work. I prepared for meditation morning with exercises etc. I read for half an hour with the red light. I did four rounds of tapping and meditation. I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen. I washed dishes. I mopped and vacuumed. I went outside to water.

Chris came home to get ready for his trip. I guess he was checking in online. I laid out in the sun for a bit, then got ready for a steam session. He went to pick up John and Michele. I took a shower. I read e-mail. I ate yogurts and added the remaining milk to some of them. Those went into the dehydrator.

I went back to reading messages. I saw a bunch of them showing Fauci pleading the 5th to every question. I made and ate egg salad.

Jenni called to invite me to water aerobics at 6:30. So after a bit, I put on my suit and pulled out a clean towel. I drove to the pool. She was already there. We walked around and did exercises. I swear she made some of them up. Then, Michelle, Casey and Cedric came to the pool. We swam and talked until the storm clouds brought lightning. Then the lifeguard cleared the pool. Jenni and I grabbed our towels and we all headed for the parking lot. I had planned to go to the garden to water, but it was no longer necessary.

When I got home, I changed into dry clothes. I settled in front of my laptop. I cleared enough e-mail to get down to 1145. I worked on my blog. I watched sewing videos and got an idea for a project. Then I went to bed.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Field trip for Doug

 


Tuesday

I got up before 7:30. No pain. After Sudoku, I went through my morning list. I went to the garden to water the outside edges. I mowed the side yard, then practiced hymns. I mowed other side. It was easier to drag the mower than to push it.

Someone called wanting underwear for an emergency. I went through my old ones and pulled out the best. I also threw in a Depends because I could not find pads. She met me at the swap shop and I gave her the bag. Then I checked my mail and went home.

I made and ate breakfast. I checked e-mail.

At two I went to pick up Doug. Doug is an alien about 3 to 4 feet tall. Doug was fragile. Gary put him in my back seat. Then I went to the library to ask Keli if her husband could fix my mower. She said yes. I also thanked Melissa for letting me borrow her mower.

I picked up Cedric and we went to the swap shop. I took pics of him in his gopher-like outfit and of Doug. We laid Doug in the back seat. I wanted to go through the gate with Doug in the back seat. Cedric was not up for it, but Isadora was. So he got out and she got in. We drove to the church off post, then decided to photograph Doug there. We stood him up in front of the front doors. Then we put him back in the back seat and came back through the front gate. I showed my card to the guard, and he glanced in the back seat but didn't say anything. As we drove out, it occurred to me that we could have pointed to the alien and said 'he forgot his ID'. Isadora was all for turning around and going through again, but the moment had passed. We put Doug back where I got him. I took Isadora home.

Back at home, I took the mower to the garage next door. I rolled it inside and shut the door. I went home and read articles online. I ate some frozen mango to cool off. I cleaned an empty water jug with soap and hot water and hydrogen peroxide. It seemed to get the green out.

I walked to post office to unlock the swap shop. MeryAnn drove up with donations just as I left. I read online, then Chris came home. I ate supper and read e-mail. I went to the garden to water and weed. Ironically, the sprinkler had full power.

I went home and read more e-mail. I locked the swap shop, then worked on my blog. I made tea, and we watched TV. I looked up the actors. I looked for a more robust alien. But I did not find what I was looking for. I also looked for silicon masks or a pattern for a stretchy mask that encases the head. Nope.

Finally I went to bed.

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Filming and mowing

 


Monday

I got up at 7, hearing Chris and our guests. I felt the pain in my side again. I went through the morning list. I talked to our guests before they left, then watered the outdoor plants and some grass. I looked up hymns and music memes.

I went to the library to make large copies of music for band. I asked Melissa if I could borrow her mower. She texted her daughter to leave it outside. When I got home, I made breakfast and ate it. I hardboiled eggs. I went next door to get the mower. I mowed some shady yard and the front yard and it was really hard to push.

I went to Michelle's house for the full size Buc-ees costume. She decided to come along. We went to the swap shop for filming. The CSM was there. Eryne came with two girls. We chatted, came up with some ideas and did some filming. They left.

I went home for a drink, then Tara showed up. We did some more filming. I went home for supper. Chris came home for his supper. I went to band. It was just Jenni, but then Keli showed up, so we played the hymns again.

We went home. I read e-mail and had some fruit. I went to garden to weed and water and fertilize. When I got home, I worked on my blog. I made tea and watched TV. I read the latest e-mail, then went to bed.

Monday, July 27, 2026

Mysterious pain

 


Sunday

I got up early because my side hurt so much I couldn't go back to sleep. I had a hard time getting out of bed. I made my way to Chris' workstation. I asked him to look at my side and see if there was a bruise. There was no discoloration. I had him rub some IcyHot on it and I took some curcumin. I took a shower. Raising my leg to get in the tub told me that it was a sore muscle issue. But the hot water helped.

I went through my morning list in the kitchen slowly. Chris had made oatmeal for our guests. I practiced and watered the plants inside and out. Moving was still painful.

John and Michele came over to take our guests to Salt Lake City to see the aviary. I went to the garden to water what the sprinkler won't reach. I noticed that the first water out of the hose was quite hot. I waited for it to cool before I aimed it at the garden.

When I got back, I read some e-mail, then made cheese squares. I made and ate breakfast. Then I got ready for church.

I went to the chapel with cheese squares. Leaving them in the back, I went up front to assemble the trombone I leave in the front row. I chatted with people, then the chaplain started the service (with hymns because the praise song video equipment wasn't working). We greeted each other afterward, then prayer and scripture. The chaplain wrapped up Ephesians and gave an overview of Philippians. Then the band played 2 hymns and he gave a benediction.

After the service, we talked about future hymns. I talked to John, too. Then we closed the church. I took my cheese squares home.

I checked e-mail and ate the rest of breakfast. John and Michele and our guests came back early. Gary came over to see the riding mower. He pumped up the tires and jumped the battery. Then he paid me and drove it home. Jenni came over to see what my house looks like clean. Thankfully she didn't make a big fuss about how different it was.

Most people napped while I read online. I looked up Psalm 91 and picked some hymns from the list. I already had the first one, but had to make notes for a copy of the second one. I made tea for kombucha. I ran to the garden to switch from soaker hose to sprinkler. I also changed the time. If I can't get full pressure at any time, I might as well water early just like it is recommended.

We all got ready and headed out in two cars. We drove to an Indian restaurant in Tooele. Our favorite one was not open, so we went to a different one. It was good, but not as good. There wasn't much ambiance. Chris and Susan ordered the coconut lamb and it was the best choice.

When we got home, I read e-mail. Susan and Alan must have gone to Michele's house for awhile. When they arrived, they retired to their room to pack for tomorrow. I listened to James Corbett, and then worked on my blog. I read articles and such till after 11. I went to bed feeling fine, until I laid down. Then the side pain returned.

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Fun with Susan and Alan

 


Saturday

I got up before 7:30. I heard Chris moving around. I didn't hear our guests who were going to get up at 6:30. I went to the kitchen to make oatmeal, but Chris already had. I did the morning list except for practicing.

I thought Michele was taking them out for the day, but they changed their plans. They ate breakfast while I ate yogurt. I put the jar of reuteri back in the dehydrator since it was still liquidy.

They wanted to look from elevation so we took them to the pass and stopped at the top. They walked around and read the sign about Lincoln Hwy. When we came back to post, we stopped at the commissary. She really liked the size of it. We took the food home and I walked to the swap shop with them. She found a book for her grandkids.

When we got back, Chris set out sandwich fixings for them and I made breakfast for me. Michele and John came over. Later she left with them to help hang pictures. He read on the couch in the living room. I ate the second and third parts of breakfast, then read e-mail. I went to the garden to fix another leak in the soaker hose. It then worked well, but wasn't long enough to reach everything. In conjunction with the sprinkler, it might have done enough but because of sharing water pressure, it didn't work. I watered the edges and went home.

I read e-mail and listened to video clips. Chris finished his game. He worked on cooking pork chops in some kind of sauce. Michele and John brought Susan back. Susan set the table while Chris finished up the side dishes. Then we sat down to eat.  After supper, we conversed.

When I realized what time it was, I jumped up and got ready for Project Night. I went to open the chapel and turned on the lights, etc. I played the piano and then rested. Jenni walked in first. We talked for just a moment when Michele and John arrived with Susan. So then we all went to the fellowship hall. We each worked on a project. The conversation was lovely. Then at 9, we packed up and left. I turned off the lights and locked the chapel.

John dropped off his mother at our house, just as I got there. She went in the back so I sat down at my laptop to work on my blog and read e-mail. When I finally stood up, my side hurt and it felt like I had bumped into a table. I went to bed, and could not lay on my side – only my back. It occurred to me that it could be a kidney infection or an infected ovary. I laid quietly until I fell asleep.

Saturday, July 25, 2026

The other set of parents

 


Friday

I had not slept well, so I got up about 8. After Sudoku, I went through the morning list. We put the bed back together. Chris laundered the sheets.

I ran through the newest e-mail. I cleaned and decluttered. I called Isadora and she said she could come after lunch. I made and ate breakfast. Isadora showed up and I had her clean the front porch, including the siding.

I vacuumed and picked up clutter in the main living areas. She finished and I paid her. She went home. I went back to cleaning and decluttering. Later Michelle came over to see what I had done. She looked around and said everything was fine. I didn't believe her.

After 4, I went to the garden to mend the hose, but then other leaks popped up. I took some stuff to the swap shop, then locked it up. It was just after 5 when I got home. Chris said Susan and Alan were going to stop at Michele and John's house first, then they would all come here. So I cleaned until they arrived. We greeted them. They were tired of riding the car, so we took a walk around the block.

John and Michele had brought a shepherd's pie casserole. Chris put out a dish of fresh snow peas. We sat around the table and had dinner. Michele and John left around 9. The rest of us kept talking. Alan went to bed. Then three of us were talking. When I realized it was after midnight, I pointed it out. Then Chris and Susan went to bed and I stayed up to blog.

Filming the alien scene

 


Thursday

I got up at 7:30. After Sudoku, I went through the morning list. I prepared a bottle of water and went to the chapel for Bible study. We read and discussed chapter 34 of Genesis. A really heavy read. Yikes. Then we closed in prayer. Some ladies left, but Eryne came up with the idea of having a Gopher Fun run in September.

I went home to grab tape and scissors and zip ties. I took them to the garden to fix the leak in the soaker hose. It took a lot of wrapping and tape, and I thought I had it fixed.

I went home to make up a week's worth of supplements and then eat breakfast and watch The Highwire.

Two men came to fix the toilet seat. All they had were the cheap plastic replacements. They said they could order a wooden one. So I asked them to exchange the seat in the hall bath with the one in the master bath since we are having company this weekend.

I cleaned up more clutter. I put together a working lamp in the guest room. I tried to filter out the small pieces of walnuts from the debris at the bottom of the bag. Using my salad spinner basket got the bigger pieces. But there was no good way to sort out the little chunks. I broke down boxes and threw out packing paper. I messaged with Faye and we brainstormed ideas for the swap shop movie.

At 4:30 I went to the swap shop to film the alien scene. Gary wasn't there yet so I moved things around to make the place look better as a background. He arrived with the alien costume, then went home for batteries. When he got back, I helped him get in the costume. We did three or 4 takes till it seemed right. He said to keep all the takes in case we have to patch the best parts together. A man came in just as we were leaving, so I let him look around and get what he wanted before I locked it up.

I went home and found Chris having supper. He said Michele was wanting to hang pics so I called her. She wanted nails. Then I was about to sit down to supper when I realized it was 6:30. I jumped in the car and went to Self-Help to give the clerk a gopher skull ball as a thank you gift for stopping by my house last week to get the mower running. He seemed to really like it. We talked till 7, then I left so he could close up. I went to Michele's house to drop off my picture-hanging kit. She didn't want to invite me in, saying it would be cleaner tomorrow.

So then I went to the garden to re-route the soaker hose and run water through it. But the patch leaked badly. I am not sure the water got to the end of the hose. Sigh. I ran the oscillating sprinkler too, and still not enough water pressure to hit the whole garden. So I had to water parts by hand.

When I got home, I ate supper and watched New World Next Week. Then I worked on my blog and made tea. We watched an episode of Criminal Minds. I read Telegram messages. Chris went to bed. I picked up a few things in the living room. Chris came back out for something and I asked him to plug in the lamp in the guest room since his arms are longer than mine. So he did. But for some reason he wanted to move the bed from the wall. He pulled on the footboard and the bed fell apart. He stood the mattress and boxspring on end, then fiddled with the side rail until the metal piece was in the right place. Then we left it for the next day.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

The new hose doesn't work any better than the old one.

 


Wednesday

I got up at 7:30. I prepared for coffee morning. I did 4 rounds of tapping and meditation. I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen. I did some vacuuming and I mopped the kitchen floor.

I went to the post office for mail and to open the swap shop. When I got home, I took a steam session in the sauna, then took a shower. I rested, then ate some yogurt. I dozed off in the recliner.

Then I looked at music memes for a bit before going to the library to get books. I ended up talking to Melissa for an hour.  Then I locked the swap shop.  When I got home, I cleaned some more clutter.

 I went to the garden with Chris to re-do my watering system. I needed him to loosen tight connections.  I hoped to find a time of better water pressure, but it was not to be. I brought a new soaker hose, but when I hooked it up, the water leaked out before it reached the end of the hose. I pondered how it could be patched.

When I got back, I made tea. We watched one episode of Criminal Minds. I looked up some of the actors and why they left. That went into other aspects of the show, like how unrealistic it was, how many rules were violated, etc. Finally I finished my blog post and went to bed.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Wasp nest

 


Tuesday

I got up before 7:30. After Sudoku, I started on the morning list. I watered the plants and reset the traps. I went to the garden at 9 to watch the sprinkler come on. It was not at full power. So after the sprinkler was done, I ran the water through the soaker hose. I pulled weeds and watered the edges of the garden. I tried the sprinkler again at 9:30 and it still wasn't full power.

When I got home, I looked at music memes online. I ate yogurt and read with the red light. I ate fiber gel and read outside, finishing the book. I made and ate breakfast. I walked to the post office to get the mail. I spent the afternoon clearing up clutter in the pantry and mud room.

Chris came home from work and put fish in the oven for me. He got rid of a wasp nest that seemed to have grown overnight in the door of the shed. He got caught by the sprinklers coming on just before 7. That's new.

I ate supper and read e-mail. I texted Michelle that I had a vacuum that needed throwing away. Chris talked to me about retirement and other things. I took coffee grounds and compost to the garden. After spreading them around, I tried the sprinkler. It was still not at full power.

When I got home, I worked on my blog, then made tea. We watched TV. I looked up some of the actors, then read through more e-mail. Finally I went to bed.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Sprinklers are now two hours early

 


Monday

I got up at 7:30. I did Sudoku and the morning list. I reset the traps, since none were caught. I picked hymns for next Sunday. I practiced them, then ate yogurt. I took two flats of jars to Jenni.

When I got back, I posted for band. I ate fiber gel, read online, then made and ate breakfast. I walked to the post office for the mail. There was a heavy box, so I walked home and drove back for the box of nuts. Then I went to library to make copies and do some filming. I went to Emily's office, too, but she was busy.

I went home and cleared some e-mail. I also cleared some clutter (not that you'd notice). I read for a bit, then went back to Emily. We discussed the movie and the swap shop. I saw Gary and asked him to be the alien. He agreed. I went to commissary to get milk. Dominic talked to me about the food donation bags.

I took the milk home and put it in the fridge. I jotted notes, then picked up some clutter. I cleared a wider path through the front hallway. I hung a wallhanging in the guest room.

I ate fiber gel, read for a bit, then ate cheese squares with avocado dip for supper. I was tired of the chili. Chris came home. I went to band at the chapel. We played through the hymns and prayed for the lady in the accident on Friday. I went home – noting that the sprinklers were on. 2 hours early.

We went to fill the jugs with water. I called Michele to find out what her m-i-l likes to eat, when to eat, etc. She didn't know, but said the lady isn't picky. I went to the garden to water the ends which the sprinkler isn't covering. Casey was there and I talked to him. He said he has a big squash already. Sigh. When I got home, I made tea and we watched TV. I looked up some of the actors. I went to bed around 11.

Monday, July 20, 2026

Armour of God

 


Sunday

I got up at 8 and did some Sudoku, then started the morning list. I watered the plants inside and out. I reset the gopher traps, with hope. I listened to the three praise songs that Keli sent. I ate yogurt and read a book for quite awhile. I ate fiber gel, then read online until noon. I made and ate breakfast, then got ready for church.

When I got to the chapel, I put the cheese squares in the back. I went up front to assemble my trombone. I warmed up. I noticed very low attendance, like last week. The chaplain gave his sermon about putting on the armour of God. He had actual pieces on a table up front and invited the kids (all 2 of them) to come up. After the sermon, the band played two hymns. We talked some, then I went home with all my cheese squares still in the container.

I finished breakfast, read e-mail, then changed clothes. I went to mop the swap shop and scrub marks off the floor. I came home just in time for the game. We took a walk with John and Michele. When we got back, I worked on blog, then went to the garden. Sadly the sprinkler was not covering the garden so that means someone is using water at the same time. Sigh.

When I got home, I made tea. We watched TV, then put laundry away. I read online till 11. Then we went to bed.

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Sewing class

 

Saturday

I got up at 8:30. Chris left for Mass. I started the morning list. When Chris got home, he took my car out for a ride and decided it was running fine. I watered the grass and gopher tunnels and plants. I uninstalled and rebooted several times. But it kept downloading updates even though I told it to pause updates for a week. I decided the only solution was to stop my screen from going to sleep because that's when the green sparkles show up.


I put some yeast and sugar and water in a bowl to rise. Chris gave me a coconut oil massage. I took a shower. I looked up a hamburger bun recipe. But he found a beer bread recipe and Michele wanted beer buns. I converted my yeast mixture to the beer bread recipe, and used the leftovers for onion bread (to use up the onion juice).

I made and ate breakfast. I made flat rolls from the dough. By the time I got them in the oven, I had to leave. So I left instructions for Chris to take them out.

I went to the chapel for sewing class. The kids were already inside because the door hadn't shut properly after Mass. I showed them the owl and they picked their fabrics. They passed around the templates, traced and cut. I had to help Jedediah with sewing, both on machine and by hand. The others did pretty well. I forgot my phone so Saronna let me take pictures with her phone. Wilhelm hadn't finished by 4, so he decided to take his home and glue the bottom on. I cleaned up a little, we all walked out.

I went home to get my camera and the alien costumes, I went to the swap shop . It was quite a mess. The Clark's arrived and we cleaned up and took some footage. Moira got out one of the costumes, but it was too big. After they left, I vacuumed.

I went home at 6 to have a bite of supper. I talked to John and Michele. They decided not to attend Project Night. I brought in the doll that Michele had so long ago. As she looked it over, I had to leave for the chapel.

No one was there and I forgot to advertise it, so I started packing up the sewing machines from earlier. But then Jenni came with some mending to do. We talked while she sewed. Then we packed up. We rescued the table that has been left in the kitchen since VBS. There was a dead mouse in a trap under it. I threw it out. I texted Bryce about the blood left on the floor and a bad tile in the fellowship hall.

Michelle had called earlier about a tree that fell in her driveway. She wanted me to see it. So I stopped by the garden, then went to her house. It had been sawed into pieces by then. It would have damaged her car if it had hit. We talked.

I went home. I made tea and we watched TV. We dressed the bed. I looked for her lamb online and she sent me a place to order a doll like the one Michele had. I worked on my blog and went to bed.

Saturday, July 18, 2026

The filming begins

 


Friday

I got up at 8:30, and started my morning list. I watered and set traps. I finished the reuteri yogurt. I uninstalled an update and restarted my computer.

I went to the post office to take video clips. Shelly's granddaughter helped me clean the hallway and furniture room. I filmed Shelly. Jenni came to help. I filmed her in multiple takes before I figured out what I was doing. I refilmed Shelly, then filmed the post office people.

At noon, I went home for breakfast. We went to the commissary, and then to Tooele. We had to wait behind an accident in the pass. A helicopter came to take the injured. Later we shopped at Melanies and Macey's We drove, back to base. There was a package on the front porch. I watched videos, then ate supper. Chris went to gaming at ACS.

I prepared for game night and put on the new shoes that Michelle had recommended. I stopped by the garden for a few minutes. About to leave, I noticed Michele and John going for a walk. I drove to them and we chatted.

I proceeded to Michelle's house and called her. She came home from next door. We talked. We brought in the tower and put up the game. Indiana went in circles, so didn't get far. We kept talking the whole time.

I left around midnight. I worked on my blog and went to bed.

Owl project

 


Thursday

I got up before 7:30. I worked on Sudoku. I went through the morning list. I went outside to water. Both traps were sprung, but nothing caught. The trap that I colored with the red marker had faded quite a bit from the sprinklers, so I painted it in between the springs. I reset the traps in different places.

I ate yogurt and read by the red light. I went to my sewing room to cut out wedges for the owl. I also had to cut buttons off of Chris' old shirts for the class to use. There was a lot of handsewing on the owl and I wondered if the kids would see it through.

I took a pic of the finished owl. Not as nice as online. Sigh. I ate fiber gel and jotted some notes. I made breakfast mix. I ate breakfast while watching The Highwire. I put on another audio and it made me sleepy. I might have nodded off.

When I woke up, I put on shoes and grabbed a cloth. I walked to the post office to clean the chair rails down the hallway to the swap shop. I walked through the hall as if I were taking a movie. I realized that the glass doors would reflect my image to the camera.

I pulled out the sewing machine I was planning to fix. However, when I threaded it and sewed, I could not find a problem with it.

Chris came home from work. He fixed supper. I ate fiber gel, and put chili in the toaster oven. I read online, then went to the pool to pick up my watch. I stopped by the garden to spray kelp fertilizer.

When I got home, Chris was asleep on the couch. I read online. I watched part of a video called Final Hours, then paused it. I woke Chris, then made tea. We watched an episode of Criminal Minds. I worked on my blog. I finished watching the video. I cleared more e-mail, then went to bed.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Swap shop: the movie?

 


Wednesday

I got up at 7:30. I swished as I prepared for Coffee Morning. I exercised and read by the red light. I meditated and tapped. An idea came to me to make a film of the swap shop. I took niacin. I fixed the old jug pump, then cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms. I washed dishes.

I told Michelle my idea about making a movie for the swap shop. She seemed to like it. I finished cleaning, then laid out in the sun. I sat for a steam session, then took a shower. I noticed that my laptop had rebooted. I read online, and the colors became all horked up. I restarted my laptop and the colors went back to normal.

Michelle invited me over for a shot of garlic/ginger/apple juice. So I ate a bowl of egg salad and went over. We talked and I drank. It seemed ok, just a little strong. Casey came home and the three of us talked.

I went home. Chris was gone, but I could tell he had been here. I read online: the odd colors were back. I set some gopher traps, then got dressed for the pool. In the pool, I talked to Jenni about making the movie. Casey was there as well.

When the lifeguards called time, I went to the garden. Casey did, too, but left before I did.

Chris came home from watching a movie with Michele. He uninstalled the last update to my computer. I restarted and the colors went away. I worked on my blog and made tea. We watched TV. Then the weird colors (mostly green) were back. I uninstalled the update. But when I restarted it, it said it installed updates, probably the one I just uninstalled. I read for awhile, then went to bed.