The gophers got gassed

 

Wednesday

I got up before 7:30. I prepared for coffee morning. After meditating and tapping, I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen. I washed some dishes. I vacuumed and mopped, then read outside in the sun.

I prepared the sauna and steamed for 20 minutes. I took a shower, ate yogurt and read e-mail. Then a knock on the door signified the gopher team come to gas the gophers. I threw on a bathrobe and encouraged them to get all the gophers.

I made a flag on a skewer. Then I went to show it to Emily who I thought was in charge of the potluck. I wanted to set up a sewing station to make them there. But she said she wasn't in charge but was in favor of the project.

I went to the library to get a book. I talked to Mindy about decorations. She had 4 boxes full from Dugway Days and said the chapel could use them. Then I went to the garden. Michelle called and agreed to help pick up the boxes. I finished planting two squash, then met her at the library. We put all the boxes of decorations in her car. We went to the chapel with decorations. We talked some more.  I gave her the key.  Then we took the trolley back to the library. Melissa talked to me for a long time.

When I got home, I read e-mail. I spent a lot of time taking the lawn mower apart to see why it doesn't start. All the connections seemed to be fine. Then I slapped it and it started. But there was no time left to mow. My sprinklers should have come on but they didn't.. I went to the garden before 9. When I got back, some of the sprinklers were on. I made tea and we watched TV.

I finished watching a video on the Shroud of Turin. I worked on my blog and went to bed.

I caught the other gopher

 

Tuesday

I got up before 7:30, as Chris was taking his shower. I hadn't slept well even though I took only one drop of progesterone. Then again, I forgot to turn off my phone last night. I began the morning list, I exercised and practiced all three songs for Sunday. For some reason, it was easier at home than at church. I watered all the outdoor plants.

I checked e-mail, then went out to flush all the gopher holes, squish their tunnels and rake the mounds. There were quite a few on both sides of the house. I had to hose down my legs afterward.

I washed dishes that were sitting in the sink.  I went to the garden. I bagged the gopher from yesterday. One trap had been covered in dirt. I reset both traps, and added a soaker hose to the sprinkler set-up.

I went home, ate fiber gel, then read my book. I made and ate breakfast while reading e-mail. I walked to the post office but there was no mail. I tried to catch up on messages.

I went to the commissary for canning jars at Jenni's request. Lots of people I know were there at the same time. I ate fish for supper. Chris came home from work and fixed himself supper.

I went to the chapel at 6. I sat in the fellowship hall and finished picking out the stitches on a pair of shorts, then I ironed the pieces and pinned them to the fabric. I rolled up the project and threw it in the sewing room.

I went to Michelle's house where she was setting up for an early birthday party for Cedric. The Clarks came over and we had cake. Then I raced back to the chapel for Bible study. I was in charge of chapter 32. We read it and discussed it and many other things. It was almost 9 when we left.

I went to the garden. Another gopher was caught in the trap, but not dead. I put it in the bucket.  My garden should be safe now.   I watered a bit with the hose. I went home, made tea, and we watched TV. I worked on my blog, then read other things before going to bed.

Yogurt and cheese

 

Monday

I got up at 8, having slept pretty well. I brought in the milk and eggs. I pulled the yogurts from the dehydrator. I started the morning list. Having so much yogurt, I decided to make cheese instead. I heated and cooled half a gallon of milk for future yogurt and cheesed the other half with rennet. I soaked sunflower seeds and added them to the fermented cashew butter for Michelle.

I ate fiber gel, then hardboiled a batch of eggs. I posted to the Facebook pages for band and used my last music meme. I laid out in the sun and read a book. I came in and made breakfast. Faye texted me more music memes. I ate breakfast. I walked to the post office to get the mail.

The library wanted some fabric for a project they are doing on Wednesday. So I picked out some I could part with. I also packed gopher traps in my car. Then I drove to the library to deliver the fabric. I went to the garden, watching the engine temp meter rise. I found places to put the traps. I watered here and there. I pulled mint because it is taking over.

I drove home. I called William to see if there was anything I could do to keep my engine cooler. I looked online and one guy said to remove the thermostat and drive to the repair place without it. I cleaned my trombone slide and packed it to take to the chapel. I had a bite to eat and jotted notes for my blog.

I went to the chapel for band. Chaplain was there, all dressed up like Patrick Henry. He had a costume for Chris as well. Keli came, as did Sophia, but he talked to us until Chris came. Then he had Chris say his part while Popken adjusted the sound. Then we played our hymns and chaplain said some of his part so he could time the music.

All in all, we left late and didn't play much.

When we got home, I ate some cherry tomatoes and mushrooms. I worked on my blog. I watered gopher mounds in the yard, but no gophers came up. When I heard the sprinklers come on, I headed for the driveway as the nearest safe place. I caught my breath and drove to the garden.

When I checked the first trap, there was a gopher partially caught in it. Sadly it was still alive. I put it in the bucket while I watered what needed watering. Then I released it from the trap and reset the trap in the same hole.

When I got home, I made tea and we watched an episode of Criminal Minds. Michelle came over to get the fermented cheese. She took some whey as well. After the show, I worked on my blog and listened to part of a video discussion. Then I went to bed.

Tau Day

 

Sunday

I got up at 8, not having slept well due to RLS. I wondered if it had anything to do with the progesterone drops. RLS and hot flashes never coincide.

I began the morning list, then worked on the pies. First, there weren't any bananas left. I was going to use the last one to make an oat/banana crust. So I substituted butter in one crust and bacon fat in the other one. But neither one did well. There wasn't quite enough dough. I pressed it into the two pie plates and baked them. But they did not get hard. Then I worked on pie fillings. One was a tomato/cashew cream pie. And there wasn't enough cashew cream. So I ended up throwing grated cheese over it. The other was just cashew cream. Still didn't fill the pie plate, so I threw in the firmest yogurt I had. I used the rest of my soaked cashews to make cashew butter. I made a batch of cheese squares but cut them out as circles. I ate fiber gel, then made up a week's worth of supplements. I ate the leftover tomatoes and the cheese from between the circles as breakfast.

I got dressed for church and took the cheese circle and the no-bake pie to the chapel. My engine was heating up quickly. I put the pie in the freezer at church, then assembled my trombone. I chatted with people till the service started. After the service, I played the two hymns with only Sophia for accompaniment. I decided I should only be playing the small bore trombone in public.

I chatted with John. He came out to look at my car, said it was probably the thermostat. It was hard to get at. I called Chris to bring the other pie and the two canisters of whipped cream. When he brought them, we walked back inside. Pies were on a table to the side of the room. I added mine and Michelle brought some plus one from Steve who couldn't be there.

Popken said a prayer and I explained to the group what pi and tau meant and that all their personal numerical info was contained somewhere in the unending digits of pi and tau. Then people lined up to get pie, both savory and sweet. After I ate, I gathered a group of people and gave each one a note to play (on some vibe sticks that Eryne brought). We played through the first 50 digits of Tau and then of pi.  I told the chaplain that my pin number was the last four digits of pi and he thought that was hilarious.  

 Then people fellowshipped and cleaned up and left. I washed some knives in the kitchen and cut a finger. Then the chaplain helped me carry out the whipping cream while I carried the pie remains. There was a little tomato pie left. Of the yogurt pie, only oat crust crumbles were left.

When I got home, I changed clothes. There was a lot of oat crumbs left.  So I scooped up as much as I could, added cinnamon and took a spoonful.  It was ok.  I added some whey from one of the yogurts and let it ferment.  

Saronna came by to get the chapel key because she left stuff in the fellowship hall. She also took my porch spider. When she came back with the key, she had some empty jars for me. She said they put the spider in their garden. Randy looked under my hood and said he would check online to see where the thermostat sits. 

 I put out the cooler. I got ready for gaming. At 5 we signed into Discord. Surprisingly, there was not a lot of pre-game chatter. We got right into the game, which was a battle we got into last time. I had trouble figuring out exactly where we left off. So each time it was my turn, I just asked if anybody needed healing. That was my greatest contribution to the war effort. And it ended early.

Chris drove me over to the school. We met John and Michele. I went walking with them, but Chris went home. After we completed the circle, they walked home and I walked to the garden. I watered and pulled weeds. Gophers had eaten some of the petunias. I made a mental note to bring traps and another sprinkler.

I called Chris and he picked me up. When we got home, we took the three water jugs and went to the water machine to fill them. After that, I made tea and we watched an episode of Criminal Minds. I looked some actors that looked familiar. I worked on my blog. I read a few messages, then went to bed.

Researching healthy pie and crust recipes

 

Saturday

I got up around 7. Chris was already up. I decluttered the kitchen and started on my morning list. Chris went to Mass. I looked at pie recipes, then decided there wasn't time. I went out to water the plants and flush some gopher tunnels. I put the solar lantern out to recharge. I ate 4 yogurts. I read e-mail and messages.

Chris came home and gave me a massage. I took a shower while he got started on the laundry. I went to the commissary for whipped cream for tomorrow. I read outside in the sun.

I made and ate breakfast. I went back to looking at pie recipes. I took a bucket of cleaners and a jar of yogurt and drove to Tina's house. We talked while I cleaned and dusted shelves of books and videos. Then she paid me, we talked some more, and I went home.

Casey came over to get a pan and a bottle of the pink stuff (pink acid for toilets). Chris cooked fish for supper. John and Michele came over to eat and talk. Then I went to the chapel for Project Night.

I unlocked the doors. I wrote the first 50 digits of pi and tau on the white board. I picked up thread and scraps from the floor. Victoria arrived with crochet. John and Michele were not far behind. I started on my project. Casey and Cedric came. I spent most of the night picking stitches out of a pair of shorts so I could use them as a pattern. Eventually, only Casey and Cedric were left. They walked out with me.

They got in their car and I drove mine home. The sprinklers were on full blast. Unexpected since the power outage requires the system to be switched back on. I changed into pants, then went to the garden to water the corners. It was windy. As I drove home, I realized my engine was hotter than normal.

I made tea. We watched an episode of Criminal Minds, then folded laundry and dressed the bed. I looked at more crust and pie recipes because I had left my notes at the chapel. I posted to my blog and went to bed.

No tubing after all

 

Friday

I woke up before 7. Chris was sleeping on the couch because he had to get up at 4 to take his antibiotic. I went through part of the morning list and then Michelle called. We talked about what to pack or not or to buy on the way to the Provo River. She wanted to leave in 20 minutes and I was getting a little frenzied. We hung up so I could get to it. But as I was packing, she called back to say Cedric was sick so Casey was staying home with him and they would reschedule the trip. We had all bought tickets but she thought they would allow them to be used on another day.

So my day opened up. I went outside to water all the plants. Then I came in to practice and eat yogurt. I refilled the jars with milk and put them in the dehydrator to cure. Then I worked on the payoff letter. Halfway through, OpenOffice crashed and I had to do it all over again. Then Steve called. As I talked with him, I added some numbers and recalculated some numbers to be certain. Then after his call, I finished the letter and e-mailed it to Melanie.

I read e-mail. Jack came by to get keys from Chris. We chatted and he left. I went back to e-mail. I trimmed the tree that is shading my lounger. I laid out in the sun. I made and ate breakfast. We went to the commissary for a few things, then came back and put them away. We went to Tooele to shop at the usual places.

When we got home, the power was out. Chris called people and I texted people, looking for information. Turns out the power company shut it off due to wild fires. I went to the garden to pull weeds and put out more sonic stakes. Something took out a sunflower that was growing really well. I poured some reeking water on the plants to make them taste bad.

When I got home, I went out to mow for awhile. Afterward, I was going to lay down, but decided to read while there was still light. So I sat outside and read for awhile. Then I got ready for Game Night and took a solar lantern.

Michelle invited me in. When she saw my lantern, she got out the one I gave her. I talked to her and Cedric until Casey came back from the garden. Then we played a game called Labyrinth. It was kind of fun. The power came back on.

When the game was over, Casey called up Indiana Jones. I loaded the last save and tried to go back to get a treasure I missed, but couldn't make the jump. So then I tried to jump onto the bridge. But I couldn't manage that either. Casey tried as well. Then the figure got stuck and he had to reboot. But it didn't come back right. Lots of fiddling later, we decided to call it a night.

I thanked him and walked out to my car. Then he brought out my phone which Michelle had plugged in to recharge. I thanked him again and went home. Chris was just going to bed. I put my yogurts in the fridge and hoped they weren't too far gone. Then I worked on my blog and went to bed.

Dugway Days

 

Thursday

I got up at 7:30, and started the morning list. After watering, I worked on gopher mounds. A gopher came up for air and … never went back down. I refilled all my watering containers.

I read e-mail. I got a message asking how much to pay off the loans. They suggested two numbers and I tried to replicate them through online calculators without success.

I laid out in the sun and then made breakfast. I watched The Highwire for awhile. Then paused it so I could work on the loan payoff info.

Isadora came at 2. I got her started on cleaning the tubs and toilets. We went to the swap shop to look for water shoes again. I found a nice pair that I swear were not there yesterday, but was able to kick them off pretty easily. Michelle came by to drop off some stuff. She insisted that we stop at WalMart tomorrow and buy such shoes.  We all went home. I continued to work the numbers, not getting what they got.

I put on a bathing suit and tied a wrap around me. I parked at the chapel, went to pavillion for Dugway Days, already in progress. I talked to Michelle and Ria. I checked out the petting zoo, then went back to the pavillion. Jack told me that he changed his watering to every 3 hours and now his plants are growing. Isadora wanted to go to the petting zoo, so I went again, This time Michele and John were there. We petted a snake, rabbits, chinchilla, lizard relatives, pot belly pig, goats, and a few others. 

 Isadora and I went in the pool. We swam around, trying to stay away from kids jumping off the side and splashing. I watched Isadora go down the big slide, twice. W went down the small slide, swam around some more. I talked to some kids, and Bryce. I got cold and Isadora said she was ready to go, so we got out and toweled off. I found Chris and we walked back to the chapel parking lot.

When I got home, I mowed until the sprinklers came on. But they never did. So I quit around 9, then went to the garden to water the corners. I changed the timer to water less time but more often. I noticed there were fewer squash plants. Grrr. I went home and worked on my blog. 

There wasn't time for TV. Before 10, we went to a parking lot by the parade field and watched fireworks. They lasted about 15 minutes. When we got home, I finished watching The Highwire, then looked for cheese and cashew pie recipes. Finally I went to bed.

Shoes for tubing

 

Wednesday

I slept well and woke with the alarm. Chris had gone to work. I prepared for coffee morning. I watered the plants outside, then proceeded with meditation. I cleaned the house, including bathrooms and kitchen and dishes. I read outside in the sun. I sat for a steam session, then showered and dressed. I read some e-mail, then ate a mixture of yogurts. I watched tubing videos, hoping to see what to be prepared for. I looked at Tao Day flyers. Chris came home early because of an awards ceremony.

I went to swap shop to find water shoes and came home with sandals that I thought would work. I also picked up the mail. When I got home, I mowed until the rain hit. I plugged in the battery to recharge. I sent a pic of the sandals to Michelle, but she didn't think they were grippy enough. I looked at water shoes online.

I looked for the highest safe dosage of Krill Oil. One study gave mice a dose that created amazing benefits, but when I applied it to my weight, it was almost 3 grams a day. Another study used a dosage in units I'd never seen before.

Janet posted pics of her new baby. So cute! I didn't bother going to the garden because of the rain. I made tea and we watched an episode of Criminal Minds. I ordered my ticket for tubing. I read some messages and went to bed.

Flyer for Tau Day

 

Tuesday

I slept till 7:30 and woke with the alarm. Chris was already up and at his computer. I did the usual morning things, then consulted the list for any that I forgot. I dealt with gopher mounds in the yard and got dirty. I read with the red light. I took Chris to work to return a key. We stopped at the post office to check for mail. After dropping him at home, I drove by the water machine and found an Out of Order sign.

I checked e-mail for a bit, then made breakfast mix. I read outside in the sun, then came in to make and eat lunch. I read e-mail. I went to Michelle's house. She told me all about her vacation in Germany and how badly it went when the boyfriend ran out of his meds. Together we made up a flyer for Tau Day (twice the pi!). We talked about possible activities, like Pie-In-The-Face.

I went home, ate fiber gel, then heated and ate supper. I went to unlock the chapel for
Bible study. We talked about Tau day activities, including bells, and Janet's new baby. We read a chapter, talked some more, then said a prayer encompassing all our concerns. I went home and mowed until the sprinklers came on. But they didn't all come on. The ones closest to the house did not show up. Strange.

I went to the garden to water the corners. I came home, made tea, and we watched TV. I finished listening to a podcast on the CCP threat to the U.S. Buying from Temu or any Chinese product supports the CCP. I worked on my blog, then got ready for bed.

Planning for Tau day

 

Monday

I got up at 7:30. Chris was feeling better, but was working from home. I brought in the milk and eggs. As the milk was heating, I went through the morning list. I delayed practice until after Chris finished his meeting. I sent Jenni a pic of Chris' foot and she called her daughter who works at a hand and foot clinic. She confirmed the diagnosis: cellulitis. 

 As the milk cooled, I looked up pi activities for two pi day. But actually it is called tau day because tau = 2 pi. A video made a very convincing case for using tau in pi formulas.

Once the milk was treated and all the ferments were in the dehydrator to form yogurt, I made and ate breakfast. I read e-mail and messages. I posted for band.

John came around at 1 to drive Chris to Tooele for his antibiotic prescription. I watched more tau videos, hoping to be inspired to create a flyer for the event.

After they got back, a man came to fix the toilet by replacing the flapper. He also tightened the handle on the kitchen faucet. Later I went to the library to return my book and get another one. I explored “checking out” a book on pi from the online library.

I went home to get my music and I went to the chapel for band. Sophia was waiting for me. As we set up, Keli arrived. The three of us played through the songs for Sunday and for the next Sunday. We played two other songs and were about to quit when the chaplain came by. He talked with us for awhile. I told him about Chris' foot.

I went home. I watched a video on the Right to Repair Act HR 1566. The manufacturers are clouding the issue with the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act. I went out to mow. While I was mowing, the automatic sprinklers came on – 10 minutes early. I got wet as I ran to put the mower away. Then I went to the garden to water the plants that the oscillating sprinkler doesn't reach.

When I got home, Chris was putting up a different DVD player. It worked but did not have a remote. There were player buttons on the front, but none to navigate the DVD menu. He was very frustrated. We watched the first episode on the DVD. Then I put the jars of yogurt in the fridge. I read some messages, then remembered to work on my blog. I prepared for bed.

The strangest thing happened...

 

Sunday

I got up at 7:30. I went through the morning list. Chris was sleeping on the couch. When I checked on him, he sat up and asked me to look at his foot. There was a triangular rash, although some of the red spots could be bites. His foot was swollen and it hurt, but didn't itch. I put some ozonated oil on it and later made a foot bath of Epsom salts. Neither seemed to help. I suggested he call the EMS people, but he wanted to wait until tomorrow. His flu symptoms were gone. He canceled the game for tonight.

I watered the plants inside and out. I read with the red light and later, outside in the sun. I made breakfast and ate it. I got dressed for church and took cheese squares with me to the chapel.

I left the snack in the back. I assembled my trombone. We had a guest pastor and I asked him to pray for Chris. Others heard the story as well. Keli texted that she wouldn't make church. We sang three praise songs. The guest pastor talked about grace being a free gift but we have to use it. So I substituted Amazing Grace for one of my hymns. Also I added a closing hymn. Afterward, we talked among our very small attendance.

Bryce offered to come by the house and talk Chris into getting help. I accepted and went home. Minutes later, he was knocking on the door. He talked to Chris and looked at his foot, then called someone with medical training and relayed the symptoms. The verdict was that Chris should have it seen by a doctor. During this, I played with Bryce's kids. Then they left.

Rod texted me asking me to feed and water his dog. I said yes, and then Chris asked me to drive him to the hospital. So I changed my clothes. When I came back, Michele was on her way to drive him there. After they left, I went to feed Rod's dog. I let it out in the back yard to eat and drink and go potty. But then it would not go back into its cage. Eventually I had to lure it in with some kibble.

I went home and got ready for the sauna. Jenny was already there when I arrived. We chatted as it heated up. I went through two bottles of mineral water. It was almost 5 when we called it quits. I went home and took a shower, then texted Casey to see when he was going to the pool. Chris had managed to wash two loads of laundry earlier so I folded it all. Then he was home. He said the doctor didn't know what it was but prescribed antibiotics.

I asked about dinner and he told me to cook it. (He must have been really suffering). I put two packages of ground beef in a fry pan with onion juice and some other leftovers. It cooked, but the ground beef stayed in large chunks, probably because it wasn't completely thawed. When it was ready, I ate some but Chris didn't want any.

Casey texted that he was going to the pool, so I put on a dry suit and headed over. I saw Wendy and Dale there so we talked. I also talked to Jenni, then got in the water and headed toward Casey. I was treading water as we talked, but later found out he was on a floating bar under the water. He invited me to go floating on innertubes on Friday down some river with the family. It sounded like fun, but he said the water was really cold.

Eventually the lifeguard said it was time to go. So we got out and chatted all the way to our cars.

I left and went to the garden to water the corners that the sprinkler didn't reach. When I finished, the timer clicked on the sprinkler. I dipped out some compost tea and fed the squashes and tomatoes. Then I went home.

Chris was at his laptop. I asked if he wanted to watch TV and he said he hurt too much. But later he changed his mind. We sat on the couch while he tried to play the DVD, but it would not play. So we both returned to our laptops. Later he asked me to drive him into Tooele tomorrow to get a prescription and said he would play the timing by ear. I stayed up to post to my blog, then went to bed.

Sewing Saturday

 

Saturday

It was a bad night. I finally took some activated charcoal and RLS tablets and went to sleep. I woke early and tried to go back to sleep. I got up at 8. Chris was sleeping on the couch. I brushed my teeth and swabbed my ears and put hydrogen peroxide on the toothbrushes.

I completed the morning list. I fixed the hose, then watered and leveled gopher mounds. No gopher was sighted. I walked to the post office to open the swap shop for Saronna. I ate fiber gel and made supplements. I made breakfast and read e-mail. I opened a package and put on the patch. It was supposed to interrupt electrical pain signals to the brain. I put sewing class stuff together and went to the chapel.

I unlocked the chapel and set up for sewing. The Clark kids came as did Jenni. But the shirt she brought was not big enough. Wendy couldn't make it so the kids had to compete for my attention when they needed help. I showed them how to cut the shirts, sew in the extension pieces, and hem the edges. They did ok with help. Sophia and Jenni ran overtime so I didn't get home until 4:30.

Chris had canceled dinner with Michele and John. He was still feeling tired. He told me to eat the last piece of spinach pie, so I did. After eating, I mowed the back yard. Then I got ready for Project Night.

I opened the chapel door and turned on lights. I got out my quilt project and started sewing strips on. Michele and John came in. He had little men to put together and she had linen and silk to cut patterns from. She had a gorgeous red and green silk dupione.

Then Jenni came in to finish her cross-back apron. We sewed and chatted. Then at 8:20 Michele and John decided to go home. So we all packed up the sewing machines, etc. They left while Jenni and I stayed to make sure the toilets were flushed and the lights were off and doors locked.

I went to the garden to water the parts that the sprinkler misses. It was hard to water with the wind blowing so much. Then I went home and parked so the automatic sprinklers didn't hit my car. Chris was at his laptop but still not feeling well. I read e-mail for awhile, then worked on my blog. I took off the patch because it was getting itchy. I heard rain, so I ran out to roll up my car windows, but they were already up. So I got wet for nothing. Chris went to bed on the couch, and later I went to bed in the bedroom.

It happened so suddenly

 

Friday

I got up after 8, not having slept well. I went through the morning list. I went outside to water, etc. Then I went to garden. I pushed metal plates into the ground around the outside edge. I checked the sprinkler and saw it wasn't covering enough. Jack walked up, so we chatted about water pressure. He reconnected his hose to his own faucet. That did not change the water pressure. He left and I pulled some weeds.

Then I went to the swap shop to drop off movies in a suitcase. The swap shop looked great. I stopped to chat with Shelly. She said Maria did it. We talked for a bit, then someone came in for a haircut. I got home well after noon.

I made breakfast, then made a grocery list. I woke Chris to go shopping but he was feeling ill. Fever, chills, body aches. I gave him some vitamin C water, then went shopping. When I got back, I put the groceries away. I read in the sun on the back porch. Then I read inside with the red light. I perused e-mail and watched some exercise videos. Chris got up, feeling marginally ok. I posted to my blog. I planted some of the onions in the tower garden.

I read e-mail, then went back to the garden. I left a timer for Jack. I pulled more weeds. Jack came by and picked up the timer. I mulched with the pulled weeds. I watered the far ends of the garden. I went home for supper. I made egg salad. Chris was still sleeping.

I looked at cgm videos, then got ready for Game Night. I made a bottle of tea and put some cheese squares in a bag. I watched part of the walk-thru. I drove to Casey's house. He had the game pop-up on the screen. He started the game and I played through the part I knew about. Casey helped by shooting the scorpions. Thankfully, when I finished that room, I was at the end of the chapter. It gave me the opportunity to buy medicine and ammo with the treasure I had found. However, figuring out how to make the sale was confusing and difficult. But Casey prevailed and we were able to stock Indy up on first-aid kits and ammo. Then I started playing the next chapter. But I didn't get far.

I shut down the game, thanked Casey, and went home. Chris was asleep on the couch. I got ready for bed and turned in.

Surprise birthday party

 

Thursday

I got up before 7:30. I was pleased to see the sprinklers had been on this morning. I followed my morning list. I didn't practice until after Chris got up. (He had the day off due to Juneteenth). I watered plants outside. I worked on the cross-back apron, making one from one of Chris' old shirts. It actually worked better than the t-shirt one.

I helped Chris install the chin-up bar, then finished the apron. I put it on the dress form and took pics. I posted them to the community Facebook pages. Wendy texted that she was coming over. While waiting, I made copper spirals to put in all the watering cans. She gave me a 14-day CGM and would not let me pay for it. She liked the apron but said she won't be able to help with the class on Saturday. I looked at part of a video on the cgm.

I made and ate breakfast. When I realized it was Thursday, I put on The Highwire. I watched it while eating. I read through most of the new e-mail.

I went to the garden to cut some green onion stems, but there weren't enough. So I went to the commissary to buy two bunches of onions. I cut up the green onion stems. I made rice in the rice cooker. I broke up cashews into pieces. I took an empty crème container and made a shiny blue lining for it. I covered it with origami paper to hold the gopher ball. I got dressed in a blue Hawaiian wrap.

I put everything together and went to the Keech Room. I called Michele (who was already inside) to help me carry stuff in. I placed the rice cooker on the table near the wall and plugged it in to keep the rice warm. The room was nicely decorated in a Hawaiian theme.

We visited as more people showed up and added to the food table. I put my little gift on the cake table. Janet came with more stuff, then left to get Ria. It took quite a while. But when she did, we all hid in the dark and shouted “Surprise” when Ria walked in the door. She said she had never had a surprise birthday party before. Eventually we all lined up to load our plates with Hawaiian haystacks: rice covered in a chicken soup, then topped with whatever you like. There must have been a dozen different toppings there. Also cut-up fruit.

Karen played Hawaiian music on the TVs. We talked among ourselves. We took pics of the group and of Ria individually. Michele and her friend Victoria left to have their movie night. Then Janet had Ria cut the cake. After it was served, ladies started cleaning up. Eventually Ria called everyone together to give a speech. After the speech, she opened her presents. She was given some really nice stuff that will be useful on her Hawaiian vacation.

Then we all cleaned up. I vacuumed. Decorations came down and were packed away. Dishes were washed and trash taken out. Then just a few of us were left, not wanting to leave until the last person walked out.

When I got home, I changed into my nightgown, then put the rice and green onions and cashews away. I made tea and we watched TV. Then he went to bed and I worked on my blog.

Cleaning day

 

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30. I decluttered the kitchen then made coffee. I got the hose sprinklers running. and had meditation morning.

Afterward, I cleaned both bathrooms and the kitchen. I washed dishes, then vacuumed and mopped. I put on a bathing suit and read in the sun.

I had a steam session for 2 minutes, then showered and dressed. I ate yogurt and checked e-mail. I made egg salad, then worked on the cross-back apron. I took some tucks to make it hang better.

Chris came home from work with a pizza. I called Michele for help. She and John came over. She served as a model while I tweaked the apron. We talked around the table. Michele asked for some of the homemade ice cream and Chris pulled out some from the freezer.

After they left, I raked and mowed in the side yard. The sprinklers did not come on. I worked on my blog, then made tea. We watched an episode of Criminal Minds. I looked up some of the actors that looked familiar. Chris went to bed and I watch a video on depopulation and using copper implements. Then I went to bed.

Molding skulls

 

Tuesday

I got up at 7:30. I went through my morning list. I put the charged battery in the mower. I was pleased to see it worked. I raked and mowed. I got a splinter. It took me awhile to get it out. I painted glue all over the rake handle to guard against future splinters. I worked on hoses, and threw out a large damaged section.

I ate fiber gel, then read outside. I made breakfast. After eating, I worked on the hose some more. I raked and mowed.

I got hot, so I came in to drink. I checked e-mail, then walked to the post office and back. There was no mail, but I picked up trash and threw it in the bin at home. I took a nap. I checked e-mail again.

I put skulls in the mold and took the mold supplies out to the car. I took some cleaning stuff out of the car. I took yogurts out of the dehydrator. I joined the quilt guild meeting already in progress on Zoom.

I heated, then ate supper. Afterward the meeting, I washed up and went to the chapel with two jars of yogurt and my Bible. Diane was waiting in her car. We walked in together. Then Wendy and Eryne arrived. We talked about Thursday night and activities we could do and how much they didn't want me to leave in December. Then Jenni and Karen showed up. We talked some more, then decided it was too late to read the Bible chapter. So we made a prayer list, prayed and I left.

I went to Casey's house with the resin and molds and skulls. He used his very accurate scale to measure the parts of resin and he mixed it for 4 minutes. We talked about how Michelle's time in Germany is going. Then he poured the resin into the molds. We had more resin than we needed so he just filled the other spots.

I drove slowly back to the chapel to pick up Jedediah's little car. Then I proceeded home. I put the molds on the back porch. I had some extra gopher bones so I pushed them into the molds that had nothing but resin.

I emptied the water from the third water jug into various containers. Then we took the three water jugs to the water machine to refill. Only it wasn't working. We brought all three home again. I worked on my blog and made tea. We watched an episode of Criminal Minds. I looked up some of the actors that seemed familiar. I read or deleted the latest e-mails. I went to bed.

Didn't sign for the house

 

Monday

I got up around 7, having gone to bed late. Only a short bout of RLS. I started the morning list while Chris was taking a shower. He brought in the milk and eggs, then left for work. I heated half of the milk and let it cool while I watered plants outside. I heated the second half while I read by the red light. I peeled some eggs and put them in pickling juice, then hardboiled another batch. I washed my wrist brace and put it outside to dry. I went by Housing to schedule an inspection for 206. I also picked up a heavy package of nuts at the post office.

At 11, I went to the long house on 3^rd street. He showed me all the things they had already cleaned. He called to delay his inspection time so he could do more and I suggested that he pay me by the hour to help him. He agreed.

But I wasn't ready to start. I went home to change clothes. I made a quick breakfast and ate it. Then I went to the Keetch room for the promotion ceremony. But instead of ceremony followed by food, it was the other way around. I stayed till 12:30, but still no ceremony. So I congratulated him and headed home.

I changed back into cleaning clothes. I took two buckets of cleaners and a vacuum. I went to 3^rd street and started cleaning the kitchen. He was cleaning the remaining bathroom. By 3 I had done the fridge and the stove and the cabinets, but not behind the fridge. I went to the inspection for 206, passed it, then back to 3^rd street. He was cleaning behind the fridge. I cleaned the sides, then he slid it back in place. I took a sponge and walked around the house cleaning dirty spots on walls.

Then the inspectors showed up. So I packed up my supplies. The son helped me carry them to my car. Bobbie mouthed 'Is it clean?” and I replied “Mostly”. I went home and carried stuff inside. I ate the nuts and dried fruit that usual accompany breakfast. I went through e-mail and some links.

I read outside. I picked hymns for band. I packed my good trombone and headed to the chapel. I unlocked it, turned on the lights and assembled both trombones. But no one came. I waited till 20 after because one lady can't get off of work in time. But no. So I went home.

I listened to part of a podcast on exercise while Chris heated some spinach quiche for me. Later I went out to water some gopher mounds. Out of 5 sets of mounds, I flushed out two gophers. 40% success rate. I got out the mower, but the battery died immediately. Hm. I brought it in to recharge.

I worked on my blog. I made tea. We watched an episode of Criminal Minds, I looked up some of the actors. I watched a video on exercise, then went to bed.

Where is that video?

 

Sunday

I got up before 8. I went through the morning list. After I practiced, Chris gave me a massage. Then we took our showers. I made a batch of cheese squares. I read outside in the sun. I ate fiber gel and started making breakfast early. 

Michele called to ask for hydrogen peroxide and could I please bring it over before church? While eating, I listened to the three praise songs that Keli picked for church. Then after breakfast, I got dressed. I texted Michele to be outside. Then I started getting texts about two pi day (6/28). When I got there, I handed Michele the bottle and told her about two-pi day. She seemed interested.

When I got to the church, I put the cheese squares in the back and went up front to ask the chaplain if we could use the chapel for two-pi day. He said yes. I assembled my trombone and sat for service. Presently we sang three praise songs. We greeted one another. There were announcements. We stood for the reading of scripture. Chaplain gave the sermon and prayed. Keli and I played two hymns. Then the kids were invited to come up and recite the memory verses from VBS on Tuesday.

After the service, we chatted and went home. I started listening to something online and it nearly put me to sleep. So I went to bed.

I awoke hearing the voices talking. I got up to join the game. We spent the first hour leveling up my character. Then we reported a group of bad guys to the authorities and the authorities asked for proof. So we investigated. We went into a basement and through a hidden door. Then we got in a fight with the bad guys. -And the game was called for time.

Chris met John and Michele for walking. I mowed in one side yard. I put a sprinkler on a dry spot, then mowed on the other side. I hurriedly quit and raced back when I noticed the time. I did get a little wet as I put the mower away.

I went to the chapel to get the cheese squares. Chris was home when I got back. I put the cheese squares away. I worked on my blog, and took a look at which in-ground sprinklers were working. When they quit, I turned off the one I had set. I put out the cooler for milk and eggs.

I made tea and we watched the last episode of season 10. Then we made the bed with clean sheets. I puttered around on my laptop. I could not find the video which had nearly put me to sleep. I stayed up late to place a Swanson order, then went to bed.

If only I could remember everything

 

Saturday

I got up at 8. Chris still in bed. I went through the morning list but didn't practice till after Chris got up. I worked outside, planting or re-potting plants and watering. I ate yogurts while using the red light.

I ate fiber gel, then made breakfast mix. I assembled breakfast, and ate it while looking for a keyboard version of the Indy game manual. Michele came over to help Chris make chocolate pecan ice cream,

I put together a set of bathroom cleaners and went to Tina's house. I cleaned the two bathrooms. She paid me and I went home for the yogurt I had made just for her. I delivered it, not realizing I had left one of my spray bottles in her bathroom.

When I got back to post, I read some e-mail. Michele and John came over. We had supper together.   It consisted of two quiches and the ice cream.  At 7, I went to Project Night. I unlocked the doors and sat outside in the sun for 15 minutes. No one came. I then called Michele to see if they were coming. So they did. I swept up the dead moths in the foyer. They worked on their projects and I worked on mine. Then they left about 8:30. I stayed a little longer and left at 9. I watched the in-ground sprinklers when I got home. They seemed to be covering all the spots. So why is the grass not growing in certain places? I worked on my blog. I made tea. We watched TV. I went back to searching the internet. Later Chris went to bed. After that, so did I.

Finally got my hair cut

 

Friday

I got up at 7:45. I knocked out my morning list. I went to the garden to water the plants left in the box. Travis took two. I called Randy and he said he would take the rest. I stopped at the salon to get my hair cut. Then I took swap shop pics, trying to avoid the mess. The mail clerk came to see me and we talked.

I went home and posted to Facebook for the swap shop and beauty salon. I watered plants outside and practiced. I ate yogurts. I added milk to the cultures and put them in the dehydrator. I looked up candidates for the local school board so I could vote.

I ate fiber gel, then made up supplements. I ate breakfast. Later we went to the commissary, and then to Tooele where I got some plants.

When we came home, I checked e-mail and heated supper. After supper, I mowed. I watered plants on back porch for the second time. I worked on my blog, then got ready for Game Night. Chris canceled his game night because he wasn't feeling well.

I went over to Casey's house after 8:30. He was wrapping up the sprinklers. He got out his metal detector to find a trap that a gopher had run off with. While he waved the detector, I busted up the tunnel and we found the trap. But there was no gopher in it.

We went inside and talked a bit. Then I played the game. I had a terrible time with the water maze, but eventually came up in the right place. Then I kept getting shot by nazi's. So Casey helped me out with that. I got a little farther, then exited the game because the next part was going to be intense.

It was almost 11:3 when I got home. Chris was in bed so I got ready for bed and plugged in the lawn mower battery to charge overnight.

I finally finished 206

 

Thursday

I got up at 7:30 having slept pretty well. I knocked out the morning list. I set the sprinklers near dry spots in the side yards.

I went to 206 to clean for 90 min. When I got back, I moved the sprinklers to other dry spots. Keeli posted that she was going to leave tomato and pepper starts at the garden around midday. So I went to the garden. I checked on things, fertilized the tomatoes and pulled weeds.

I gave up and went home and made breakfast. I watched The Highwire. Keeli posted a pic of the box of starts at the garden. I paused The Highwire and went to get some pepper plants and a tomato plant. I crossed my name off the box.

When I got home, I moved the sprinklers again. I went back to 206 for another 90 min. That finished the apartment.

I headed home and got a call for a quote on the way. So I dropped off my vacuum and went to the quote. They were not finished moving out so I gave a pumice stone and made plans to look again Monday morning.

I ate fiber gel and read outside. I heated supper. Then just as it came out of the toaster oven, Rod came over. He was looking for people to attend an escape room. I had to eat while talking. After he left, I raked and mowed in the front yard. When the sprinklers came on, I went inside and worked on my blog.

I made tea. We watched TV. I finished watching a podcast, then got ready for bed.

The moth that put out a candle

 

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30, not having awakened when Chris took his shower. I uncluttered the counter tops in the kitchen, then watered the outdoor plants. I prepared for Meditation Morning with exercises and swishing, etc. I did four rounds of tapping and meditation, then took niacin. I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen. I washed dishes. I vacuumed the floors. I drank mineral water and read outside in the sun.

I took a 20 minute steam bath and then showered. My heart was racing so I laid down for awhile. I got dressed and went to the Keech room where they were showing people how to make self-watering planters out of a plastic bottle. They had soil and plants so I walked out with a potted marigold. I went to see Miss Emily and we discussed the food pantry. Then I went to the library where Chris was hosting a DnD game for neighborhood kids. Randy was there and I pulled him aside to talk about donations for the food pantry. He agreed to be on the lookout for extra food. Then I talked to Melissa for awhile before I went home.

I made egg salad and checked e-mail while I ate it. Michelle called from Germany. It was the middle of the night for her but she wanted to talk. So we did. Chris came home from work and made his supper. I went outside to keep talking to Michelle. I told her the moth story: when cleaning, I noticed wax all over the mirror. I scraped it off and found a moth lying on its back on the counter top. It was alive, but wax was holding it to the surface. It must have gotten too close to the flame, got wax on it and fluttered against the mirror before crashing. And that's why the candle went out.

When I came in, it was after 7. I asked Chris to put up the next water bottle. I told him the moth story and we went back to free it and he put it outside.

I carried the tarp from out front, back to the shed. Something fluttered by me and I felt a sharp stabbing pain. How it had time to sting me, I don't know. Chris suggested aloe so I cut off a piece and smeared it on my arm. I went out to water the yard and soon forgot about it. While the sprinklers were running in each side yard, I mowed the strip that goes down the street all the way to the corner. I could have done a better job if there weren't so many gopher mounds.

I came in to work on my blog. I made tea and we watched an episode of Criminal Minds. Later Chris went to bed, but I stayed up to read online.

VBS

 

Tuesday

I woke up before 7, but didn't get up until Chris left the house. We had power from the generators. Apparently it came back on at 2 am. I went through the morning list. I packed my lunch and hardboiled some eggs. I finished the sample project from last night. I took all the notions with me to the chapel. I was a little late, but someone had already unlocked the door.

We set up for VBS with sewing machines and fabric and such. The Clark kids came at the last minute and the girls said they were helpers, not participants. So I explained the projects to them so they could help the kids who had never sewn before. Then we joined the introductory service in progress.

When that was over, everyone went to the fellowship hall for an hour of crafts. Half of the kids went to the hearts station to make the paper craft. The other 4 came with me and we picked fabric, traced the rectangles and cut them out. Thankfully I had help. They all made their pocket with ribbon even though the chaplain was trying to get them to work on their lunch early because there was going to be another power outage at noon to switch from generators back to Rocky Mountain power. Did I mention that Rocky Mountain power shut the lines down because there was a fire?

We all had lunch. Their lunch was an English muffin cut in half and topped like a pizza. Then there was a scavenger hunt. (I don't think they found any scavengers). The sewing room was on the list. They went to the sanctuary for more teaching and a story. Then there was another craft and the final assembly.

After they left, we cleaned up and I went home. I got ready and went to the library to check out a book and get some music copies made. I also got two dozen eggs. I went home and checked e-mail. There was a message to the group about a dumpster of canned food. I thought hard about it as I went to 206 to clean for an hour. When I got home, I was going to respond publicly, but then Chris came home and said taking things from the dumpster was illegal.

At 6, I took a box of frozen cheese squares and went to the chapel. I returned the hymn book and turned off lights. No one came, so I drove to Janet's house by myself. Only Wendy was there. Janet had a table outside for us to sit at. Eventually other people came and also brought frozen food. Janet is 9 months pregnant. What I didn't know was that the other ladies were planning on Bible Study so they had their bibles with them. So we read the chapter and discussed it. I happened to mention all the canned food and was offered a ladder and a van. We planned a birthday party for Ria. Then I got word that the dumpster had been emptied already. Harrumph.

I went home and put supper in the toaster oven. I went out to mow until 8:50. I came in and ate and worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched an episode of Criminal Minds. Later Chris went to bed and I stayed up to read online.

Getting ready for VBS

 

Monday

I don't remember when I got up. I went through my morning list. I stopped by the garden to water the tomatoes. I brought in the milk and eggs sitting by the door. I heated and cooled half of the milk, then watered outside. I flushed out a gopher. I hardboiled a batch of eggs. I heated and cooled the other half of the milk, apportioning it to half empty yogurt jars.

I ate fiber gel, then read in the sun. I prepared two breakfasts: ate one, and put the other in a container. I put the rest of the milk away. I jotted notes for my blog. I read messages.

I went out to move the sprinkler and found the sprinkler repair guy parked across the street. He came over and asked which sprinklers weren't working. I tried to explain that they don't all come on consistently. I left him to test the system.

I checked e-mail and placed a Swanson's order. I looked at Nuts.com. I picked some hymns for next Sunday.

After the guy left, I took a bucket of cleaners and cloths and went to 206 to clean for an hour and a half. Mostly walls. Then I went home to heat up some supper and take a shower.

At 6, I went to the chapel for band. I went back home for the large print music, then back. We played through the two hymns plus the three God and Country hymns. Then Elizabeth showed up. So we played Tomorrow and Edelweiss and a few others. At 7, they all left. I stayed to work on the craft for tomorrow. I stopped at Karen's house to picked up hoses, then visited the garden. I went to the gym to deliver an envelop. I brought yogurt to Keli who promised there would be eggs at the library tomorrow.

When I got home, I mowed in the side yard until the battery ran down. There were a lot of gopher mounds to flatten. Then I went inside to work on my blog and finish the mango ice cream. I made tea. We watched Criminal Minds. Later Chris went to bed. I made the paper hearts project.

I had just finished making the template for the hanging pocket project when the lights cut out. At first the total darkness threw me, then I realized it was because the street lights were out as well. I wondered if I could walk out of the room without stepping on anything. But I did. I went to the bathroom and pulled out the matches. I lit a candle. I woke Chris to tell him about the power, but he said Dispatch would handle it. So I got ready for bed. The candle went out on its own and I laid down and wondered how many people were affected and what would happen if there was no power in the morning.