Michele's first day

Monday

I awoke hearing Chris and Michele getting ready for work. I tried to go back to sleep. I ruminated about several things. I got up at 7:30 when my alarm went off. I got ready for the day. When I turned on my phone, there was a message from Michele asking me to give John her birth certificate to bring to her at 1.

I cleaned up in the kitchen. I worked on yesterday's blog post. I found the missing December post in my Sent file and added it to the post of the previous day. I jotted notes for today.

Before 10, I went out to my car and found it covered in frost. I sprayed it with rubbing alcohol to dissolve and headed toward 79. But when I passed the Housing office, I stopped in to schedule an inspection for 612. They gave me my CD player back and some bottles of lotion to say thank you for lending it to them. The inspection is tomorrow at 11. I proceeded to 79. I cleaned the countertops and fridge. I called Jamie to tell her about the inspection. I got a call from Housing saying they had an appointment with Michele at 11 to sign for 639. I didn't know, so I called her and she didn't answer. I cleaned a bit then called John to see if he could get her.

At noon, I quit and went home for breakfast. Michele was sitting at her computer with headphones on. I called her name but she didn't answer. Turns out she was on some kind of onboarding call. And her phone doesn't work well here on Dugway. Sigh.

I made and ate breakfast while reading e-mail. The yearly inspection team came by. I let them in to look around and check. They replaced batteries in the smoke detectors.

Then I got a call from someone wanting to bring stuff to the swap shop. So I ran down there to open the shop. I helped him bring some stuff in. There was a transformer so I called Jamie. Davis showed up and got some stuff. John wanted a coffee machine but there wasn't one. The man wanted to bring a washer and dryer. So I texted Chris and John to see if they wanted it and should we have them at our house. Jamie came by to get the transformer and she took other stuff as well.

Finally I was there by myself waiting for the guy to come back. But then he called to say he needed help to load the appliances. So I called Jamie and she said she could help him in an hour. I left the shop unlocked and went home to finish breakfast. Michele was gone, but John was there and the maintenance guy needed my signature. So I signed. He said he would call in work orders for the blinking lights and cabinet door.

I ate parts of a pomegranate that was past its prime. I emptied the compost and coffee grounds. Jamie texted. The man texted.

I went to clean. I wiped down the sandwich makers. I sent pics to Davis. He texted back that he wanted the larger one. Then Jamie texted about the appliances. So I put the large one in my car and headed to 629. Jamie was backing into the driveway. I opened the garage door. Her son helped her move the appliances inside.

I went back to cleaning. I finished the cabinets on one side. I worked on the stove. Jamie came over. We discussed all the vacuum cleaners that were left behind. We had a good time taking them apart and discussing the merits of each. Then she went home to start laundry.

As I headed out, I got a text from Janet about band, and I suddenly remembered. I checked the time and it was 5:55. So I went by the chapel to open the door for Saronna who was waiting. Then I drove home to get my trombone and music.

When I got to the chapel, everyone was there. I assembled my trombone and quickly picked two hymns in the same key. We played the hymns, then we played Sleigh Ride in F. But it didn't work because there were notes too low for the trombone. So we played it in G and it went better. We discussed playing it one day after service, sort of as a postlude. Then we played songs from the Broadway book. When we came to “Get me to the church on time”, we wondered if we could play that as a prelude, without permission.

When I got home, Chris said Jamie had been there, looking for the three packages. I had completely forgotten. But Chris could only find two. So I got the third one and drove to her house to give it to her. She had offered to drop them in the UPS and Fedex mail in Tooele tomorrow. I also gave her an embroidered Christmas Cracker. She loved it. She, and her daughter and I had a nice chat. Then I went home.

Chris and Michele were having discussions and John chimed in occasionally. I listened as I ate supper and worked on my blog. I worked out how much to pay Jamie for her work on 612. The conversation went on until after 10 so it was too late to watch TV. Chris and I got ready for bed. I shut off the internet, not sure if John and Michele were using it in their room. We went to bed about 11.

Entering volunteer hours for December

Sunday

I got up before 8, having slept pretty well. I found myself crying. I went to the kitchen to prepare the morning drink and fiber gel. Michele came out to see me. I told her how I cried when we left her behind in Korea and now I have her back. I also hinted that the skirt she was wearing had too much fabric in it. But she insisted that even though she put extra in, that it was to make her stomach look smaller by making her hips look larger. Then Chris came out and we discussed other things.

Eventually John came out and we discussed the future. Michele made oatmeal for the two of them. Chris prepared a roast of beef and put it in the oven. Then he took a shower. Then they all decided to walk to the clinic where Michele will be working and see how long it takes. I decided not to go because it was freezing outside.

While they were gone, I melted three chocolate bars and dipped dehydrated sweet potato sticks and frozen bananas in it. I left the tray of them outside to harden. I also steamed 7 eggs and bathed them in ice water. Then peeled them and added them to the pickled egg jar. I had to take out some of the juice. I added back more vinegar.

They came back from their walk as I was cleaning up in the kitchen. I started making breakfast. Chris made ramen for them for lunch. I finished breakfast and got dressed for church. I put some cheese squares in a container, then took that and my trombone to church.

When I got there, I left the container in the back. I talked to Jenni and Janet. Jenni was telling her that the vitamin C protocol took away all the pain she had with her flu. Then I went up front to assemble my trombone. The chaplain got the service started and we sang three praise songs. Then he gave the sermon and afterward, we ladies played two hymns. After the service, the chaplain told me that the Christmas Eve service had 31 people, which was the largest attendance since he has been here that wasn't pitched to people not of Dugway.

Keli paid me. We left all left the church. I went home and changed clothes. I checked e-mail. I read through all the blogs for December in order to enter my volunteer hours for the month. I think they are due on the 15th. I noticed there was a day missing. Chris took the beef out of the oven. He also had made asparagus and mushrooms. There was leftover rice. I paused reading to eat, then continued so I could finish by 5 for the game.

So the game started a little late till I was ready. Then Chris gave a synopsis of last week's adventure. Then we fought ROUS's and ogres today. We ended the game a little early because we were about to get into another fight and some of us didn't want to start what we couldn't finish tonight.

Afterward, I worked on my blog. They ate brownies. Michele asked for shampoo so I gave her a shampoo bar. I posted for band tomorrow and made tea. They hid in their bedroom while Chris and I watched two episodes of Atlantis. Then he went to bed and, since I was sleepy, I got ready and went to bed too. I asked John to turn off the router when he was done with it. I don't know if he ever did. I got up to turn off my phone, then went back to bed and slept.

The next generation arrives

Saturday

I got up before 8, having slept better than usual. I brushed my teeth and turned on my phone. I looked at the portal video for the level that stumped me and made notes. I took the morning supplements and made augmented water which I drank at 15 minute intervals. I looked into StemRegen to see if it was worth the price.

Chris took his car to Charity's house for an oil change. I put some more stuff together for John and Michele, then went over there to place it. Chris was there so I offered him a ride home. We cleared the bed in the guest room and some space in front of the mirror. We were not home long before Charity texted. So I drove him back to get his car.

On my way home, I stopped at the post office and the swap shop. Chris was home when I got there. He gave me a massage, then we took our showers. I made and ate breakfast. I read an article and watched a video on the benefits of interval walking and slow running.

Michelle came over and took me to 629. We made the bed and put out toothpaste and soap. She liked the toothpaste I was giving them so we went to her house and traded it for whatever she had. Then we sat in the kitchen and I listened to her talk about how God is moving on Dugway and her part in it.

Finally she took me home. I contacted Jamie to discuss 612 and the cat tower from 79. Chris had brownies in the oven. When they were done, I whipped up a batch of cheese squares and put them in the oven. I also steamed sweet potatoes.

I read about aloe macroclada and tried to buy some. But it was sold out or really expensive. I peeled the sweet potatoes and sliced them up to go in the dehydrator. I texted Michelle about the proper temperature. She called and we talked.

Chris made his supper and I made mine. I made tea and worked on my blog. Then we watched an episode of Atlantis. It ended a little before 10. I went back to my laptop and soon Chris was announcing that John and Michele were here.

Chris went out to help them carry stuff in. I held the door open. It was really cold outside. When the immediate stuff was inside, we offered them food and drink but they were not hungry. They let the cat out of the carrier and she looked around. There was a leash on her so she wouldn't run under furniture and hide. Then they put her in the hall bathroom with the litter box and closed the door.

We all stood around, talking a little, until they said they were ready for bed. So they went to bed, as did Chris. I stayed up to check e-mail and then I unplugged the router and turned in as well.

Adding to their house

Friday

I woke up at 8:30 hearing my last alarm. I jumped out of bed, knowing that Math Morning starts at 9. I quickly got dressed, brushed my teeth, took supplements, made solé water and fiber gel.

I got dressed and went to Math Morning. The Clark family came. Wilhelm sat by me but he didn't do much math. At 10 they packed up and drove home. It was too cold to walk.

I pulled some things for Michele and John. I stopped by the post office for mail and ended up talking to Summer and Lisa. I also stopped at 79 to get the cat tower but it was gone. AND I stopped by 610 for leftover hand soap etc, but Jamie had cleared it all out. I did not see it at the swap shop when I talked to Summer.

Finally I arrived at the new place. I hung up towels and a shower curtain. I went home, then realized I had forgotten my purse. I went back to get it and tried to make the bed, but the sheets were too tight.

I had breakfast, then we went to the commissary. After unloaded those groceries, we went to Tooele for more. We made good progress on the book on CD which is now overdue. We shopped at Luckeys and then I went to Melanies. She was back at work and we discussed her recovery from hip surgery. Her husband gave me a check to balance the account. Then we shopped at Macey's and went home.

We put away the food. I read e-mail, ate supper, and watched Telegram videos; mostly about the LA fires. I worked on my blog. I got a text to get Chris to call the Aid Station in Ditto because they have no heat. Chris called and was upset that proper procedures hadn't been followed. I offered our little bathroom heater and Chris said it was too little. I also offered the bigger unit in the swap shop, but he said he was sure they had better options that could be found.

I prepared for game night and watched Portal videos. Suddenly I realized it was after 8:30. I picked two greens and put them in a small container with two seed crackers. I went to Michelle's house. She was at the gym, but Casey had the game up and Cedric was playing with his toy soldiers. They watched as I played. Then Michelle came home. I gave her the snack. I played through several levels, having to figure out how since I didn't remember how the levels were solved, just bits and pieces. Cedric got sent to bed, which was sad because he and his sister are good at manipulating the avatar, making it jump, shoot, etc. And in one level I kept dying because I couldn't jump from platform to platform. Cedric would have happily done it for me.

Anyway, I finally did get stuck and I quit at ll, having tried everything I could think of. Michelle and I talked about getting the quarters fixed up tomorrow, then I went home, where Chris was already in bed. I put everything to sleep and went through my routine, then joined him.

Shipping kits

Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cracking the egg-peeling code

Wednesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seeing the finished product

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