Bagging the tree and bringing it back

Saturday

I got up around 8. I went through the morning routine. I looked up Myst IV hints to find out what I was not getting about the game last night. Jenni called and we decided to go shopping at 10. I ate some nuts and a banana.

She rang the door bell and I left with her. She drove us to Lehi. We started communicating with Michelle who was already out somewhere at a gym. We decided to start at the Costco there. Michelle said she was on her way so recommended that we hit Hobby Lobby until she arrived.

So Jenni and I went to Hobby Lobby. We asked where the trees were and then walked over there. There was one tree, 12 feet tall, bearing a tag saying it was the last one. So I guarded it while Jenni went to get a salesperson. Well, one walked by me, so I asked him. And he said there were 4 in the back. He said it was $1200 marked down to $300. Then he went back to get one.

That's when Michelle showed up. She was blown away by the tree! She went on and on about how she never thought we would find a good one and will never doubt me again. Ha! So we stayed in the area, picking out 75% off Christmas stuff. A lady brought us a tag that said to present to the cashier for the tree.

We looked at other stuff. Jenni went to look for one thing and Michelle and I looked at fabric. I even chose a few. Just when I needed a clerk to cut, one showed up. Then we went up front to check out. Michelle went first, then Jenni, and finally I bought the fabric and the tree. A man rolled it out in two big boxes. Jenni opened her car and he shoved them in.

We all went next door to Smith's, a grocery store. We got stuff from the deli and sat at a table to eat and talk. Then Michelle headed home, while Jenni and I bought some pomegranates (10 for $10) before finding a dollar store. I got impatient, but eventually we checked out of there and headed back to base. It was a long trip.

She pulled up in front of the chapel. I called Chris but his phone didn't answer. She called her husband and he came over. She backed her car up to the front doors and he got the boxes out and carried them in to the narthex. Then he went home and Jenni took me home.

Chris was folding laundry and starting supper. I went to the company house to put the door rug back in place and remove a plastic bag left behind. When I got back, I jotted notes for my blog while Chris made cauliflower steaks and mushrooms.

I read e-mail and listened to The Great Taking. I worked on my blog. I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to hear the rest of The Great Taking. Basically, the financial system is rigged so that all collateral will end up in the hands of the 1% of the 1%. The UCC has been quietly changed to render everything collateral – or something like that. With that thought, I went to bed.

Hot time in the sauna

Friday

I got up around 8. I took supplements and checked e-mail. William called to tell me about a serger he found at the thrift store. I went to the company house to throw the first load in the dryer and start the towels and pillow cases. I dressed the bed in the master bedroom.

I went home. I parsed out a weeks-worth of supplements and read e-mail. I went back to the company house to put the second load in the dryer. I went home and made breakfast. I took pics of hints for Myst IV.

After eating, Michelle texted me to come to the sauna because it was finally hot. Someone had kept the timer going for two hours and now it had reached 180. Well, I told her I was going to Tooele with Chris. But then Chris said I should go to the sauna if that's what I wanted to do.

Just then, Jenni called to say she was coming over to get the wreath case in my trunk. So I packed my sauna bag and waited for her. After she came by, I went to the gym and got in the sauna. But Michelle wasn't there. The meter said it was 190 but I stayed in for 10 or 15 minutes and didn't sweat. So I got out and called Michelle. She said she'd be by in a few minutes. So I waited until I cooled off, and I went in again. This time I sweated. When I got too hot, I got out and got dressed. That is when she showed up with her daughter. So we talked for a bit and I went home.

I added to the grocery list while Chris packed the cooler. Then we went to Tooele and listened to the book on CD. We shopped at the usual places. I talked to Melanie and Dale. We went back to base. We shopped at the commissary, then went home and unpacked.

The sun was setting so I ran over to the company house to finish up as best I could. I dressed the last bed. I cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen. I swept and mopped the main traffic ways. Then I scrubbed the doormat and left it on the washing machine to dry. I guess I'll have to go back.

I locked the door and drove home. Chris had ground beef and rice waiting for me. It was quite good. As I ate, I jotted notes for my blog.

Around 8, I got ready for game night. I poured tea into a bottle. I got the zucchini that Jenni gave me, and an empty container to put it in. I also took a container of cheese squares. I went to Michelle's house. She put the 'zucchini' in her Vitamix to shred it. But the vegetable had seeds like a pumpkin. So it was a gourd of some kind. The plan is to pickle it. Then I sat back on the couch and played Myst IV. I had notes on my phone, which only got me so far. But I figured out some stuff on my own. There was a power blip that ended the game and everything it was running on. So Casey spent some time getting it all back up. Thankfully I did not have to completely restart. I played until 11, then prepared to leave with the 'slaw'. A fun time was had by all. When I got home, Chris was in bed. I turned out all the lights, intending to see by the glare of his monitor, but it was off. So maybe there was a second power blip?

Looking for a tree

Thursday

I got up before 7:30, in the dark. I followed the schedule I wrote down before I went on vacation. I made up 6 days of breakfast mix. I texted back and forth with Jenni and Michelle about buying a Christmas tree for the chapel. Chris approved it, but we couldn't not find a place with 12 foot trees in stock. Jenni said trees might be marked down on Saturday. I called William, but the ones he recommended were outside my price range.

I read some e-mail, then made breakfast. I listened to The Highwire. Chris came home for lunch. He didn't like the way the lawyer asked a question, so made me pause it to listen to his opinion on how the people I listen to are liars.

He went back to work and I finished listening. I listened to some other stuff. I went to the company house to get the laundry started, then went walking with Michelle. I went home, then over to Jessica's house to see what she left behind. Went home to message her. Jenni called from the swap shop and we talked.

I went back to the company house to start the next load. But the first load hadn't run. I guess I forgot to press the button after setting all the dials. Sigh. On the way home, I stopped at the swap shop to see Jenni. She gave me a bag to keep for her and a book of clarinet music for the Baptist hymnal.

When I got home, I put the last steak in the oven. I made a small salad from leaves of plants growing around the house. After eating, I listened to several interviews. I worked on my blog.

Then I made tea and we watched two episodes of Psych. Chris went to bed and I stayed up to listen to James Corbett. I also listened to part of a meditation, then turned the computer off and went to bed.

Getting back into the swing of things

Wednesday

I got up at 7:30. I prepared for coffee morning even though it was still dark out. I poured water in the Berkey. I put on the Christmas music line-up. I read by the HappyLight. I meditated and tapped. I carried two bags of not-so-frozen watermelon to the fridge freezer. I cleaned the bathrooms and then the kitchen.

Chris came home for lunch while I was washing dishes. I vacuumed, then took a shower and got dressed. After he left, I mopped the kitchen floor. I made fertilized water. I watered the tower garden and turned it. I watered all the other plants. I sprayed the wreath on the door. I cleaned out my computer bag. I cleaned out piles of papers and such.

I texted Michelle to workout this afternoon. Later Jenni texted me about walking so I invited her to come after the workout. I had a bite to eat, then went to the gym. I did the leg and obliques circuits. I called Michelle and she came over. I did the arm machines while she told me how wonderfully work was going. Then Jenni joined us and we went upstairs to walk.

Afterwards, Jenni gave us each a card and a small gift. Then we all went home. I put on last week's episode of The Highwire. I listened to it while sitting against the PEMF mat. But I had to pause it when Chris came home early. He changed clothes and read e-mail, then went to Mass. I finished The Highwire and put on something by Mike Adams. Chris came home and made himself supper. I listened while deleting as much extraneous e-mail as I could find.

Then I paused it to work on my blog. I made tea and practiced my trombone. We watched two episodes of Psych. Soon Chris went to bed. I stayed up to work on a pile of e-mail.

When the cow comes home

Tuesday

When I could see that it was too late to get any sleep, I got up and used the bathroom. That awakened Chris and he got up too. I washed up and got dressed. I packed the last few things in either the suitcase or the carry-on or my fanny pack, depending on how available I needed them to be. Then we read e-mail until time to go.

I grabbed my carry-on and headed to the elevator. Chris was nowhere to be seen when it arrived, so I rode it to the lobby and sent it back to the 4th floor for him. I waited by the desk. When he arrived, the bus driver helped us load the luggage in the courtesy van. Then he drove us to the airport and dropped us off at the Delta entrance.

We went in and stood in line. The check-in desk hadn't opened yet. Our line (Sky Priority) was short, but the other line was very long. We had to wait for service but then were soon on our way to Security. We passed that with no incident and walked to the gate where we sat and read books until boarding call.

We got on the plane and read again until take-off. My ears did better on this flight. The small plane had no movie screens and they turned down the lights. We read by overhead light. I kept checking out the window for sunrise but it never happened.

We landed in Detroit. The landing was hard on my ears. We ran from one concourse, under the tarmac, to another concourse. The next plane was already boarding and I feared for our luggage. But according to the pilot, take-off was delayed for late luggage. Probably ours.

We watched shows on the individual screens. My ears adjusted with a bit of yawning. We were served a meal and drinks. I finished a movie from the flight 10 days ago, and watched episodes of Criminal Minds, pulling the eye shades down during the gory scenes. I was in the middle of the 4th one when we landed. I left my headphones plugged in until the line of people started walking off the plane. Then I unplugged and followed Chris into the airport. We stopped at the restrooms, and proceeded to Baggage Claim. I kept watch on three carousels until our baggage showed up on the first one. We rolled our luggage out the door and through the parking garage and lot to his car. He loaded most in the trunk and the big suitcase in the back seat. Then we headed home.

We stopped once to get my ID out of my roll-on, then listened to an entire CD of the book on CD from the library. I think I did sleep for a little bit on the way. But I woke up at the front gate.

We stopped at the post office for a pile of mail, then headed home to unpack. I had a splitting headache. Last time I got a headache that bad, I ended up with a respiratory illness. So I rinsed my sinuses and swabbed my ears. I unpacked my suitcase and carry-on. It took awhile because my suitcase was stuffed with purchases and gifts, plus pillows and clothing and fabric.

The farmer texted us, wanting to deliver the butchered cow. We told him ok, not sure whee to put it. I made and ate breakfast. I went to the library to return Psych and get the next season. When I got back, I laid down in the bedroom and eventually fell asleep. I slept right through the bovine delivery.

When I got up, Chris showed me the boxes in the garage which would not fit in the freezer. I texted with Michelle and she said her husband was in town and could pick up a freezer at Home Depot. I looked it up and there was one available for $219. She asked him to bring one home. I checked the ice pile in the back yard and it was half melted so we must have had some warm days.

Chris made steaks and rice noodles. I opened the mail, and recycled what I could. We ate some for supper. I worked on my blog. I worked on e-mail. At 8, I made tea and we watched season 7 of Psych, the first two episodes. Afterward, we plugged in the new small freezer and filled it with the leftover beef. Then Chris went to bed and I stayed up to find the charging dock for the mp3 headphones, and tie up a few loose ends.

Christmas with Faye and the gang

Monday

I got up around 8. I got ready for the day. I made and ate breakfast so I could pack what was left over. I spent the next hour or so packing my carry-on and suitcase. After rolling all my clothes into the smallest bundles possible, I actually got all my purchases into the suitcase (in addiction to most of what came out of my suitcase).

Then I cleaned in the kitchen, wiping counters and the stove. I looked for a broom but could not find one. I found a vacuum, but it did not do well on the kitchen floor. I had to use the crevice tool to pick up crumbs. It did better on the carpet however. I emptied the cup multiple times.

Chris topped of the Highlander and packed our luggage in the Olds. He drove to Faye's house while I crocheted. Faye met us and he and she moved the luggage to her van. We talked about where was best to park the Olds.

Chris sat in the livingroom while Faye and I discussed how to set the table and chairs for eating. Then we put out the leftovers from church yesterday, which was plenty. She had a canned ham, which Chris helped me open and slice. I ate and Chris ate and Patrick came in later.

Faye went to pick up Kevin's dad at the home. When she brought him in a wheelchair, it would not fit through the door to the kitchen, so Chris held him steady standing up while Kevin folded the chair to get it in. Then Kevin's dad sat at the table. Faye put some food on his plate but he was more interested in listening to our conversations. William came over and had a bite to eat and talked with us.

When Chris mentioned that we should go to the airport, Faye took him back to the home. When she got back, we got in her van. Kevin and William came out to say goodbye. Then I crocheted as Faye drove us to the hotel by the airport. Again, we forgot to pay her for having the car inspected. Sigh.

Chris and I lugged our baggage to the hotel room. We got settled and read e-mail for awhile. I worked on my blog. I read e-mail until almost 9. Then we went to bed and cuddled. He fell asleep while I listened to my mind chatter all night.

Brass quintet on Christmas Eve

Sunday

I got up at 8:30 according to the clock in the bedroom. I washed up and got dressed. I took supplements and brushed. I read e-mail until 9:30. Then Chris said we didn't have to leave until 9:45 so I made and ate breakfast.

Then we drove to the church. We arrived before Faye. I stood in the fellowship hall and talked to Floyd as the kids came to dress for the pageant. Faye showed up and started getting food ready for after church. So I stayed to help if I could and we missed the pageant. Then we sat in the sanctuary for the rest of the service, but it didn't last very long and church was over at 11:30. Although, they do tack stuff on the end so it was 11:50 till I left the pew.

I talked to some people, then went to help Faye who was replenishing things as they ran low. She had apple slices, assorted veggies, crackers, cheeses, olives, etc. Finally it seemed people were done, so we started putting it away. We didn't get out until 2.

We followed Faye home. She gave us the keys to the Olds and we went to the inspection place to pick it up. I drove it to the nearest gas station and filled the tank. Then we found a place to turn around and headed to Chester.

I read e-mail while Chris did laundry and made some soup. I got in touch with Jamie and she said something is going around. Later we changed clothes for Christmas Eve. We headed back to the church. I took Dad's trombone into the fellowship hall and unpacked it. I talked to Bobby who was in charge of the brass quartet for a bit. He had a bunch of songs lined up for a 15 minutes slot. I thought it was too much, and it was, because the choir still had to practice as well as the bell ringers. So we ended up cutting it short.

After that ended, we picked up candles and sat in the sanctuary. There were readings and carols. The bell choir did 3 numbers. The vocal choir sang. A lady played flute on most hymns, but I could hardly hear her. At the end, the lights were turned down and we lit candles and sang Silent Night. It was nice.

Afterward, I talked to Jeff in the hall as I packed up my trombone. Faye and Chris joined in. I learned that all valve instruments have the same fingerings because the tubing relationships are the same.

Eventually we wished each other a Merry Christmas and headed out. Faye went home with the trombone and I went back to Chester with Chris. I finished listening to New World Next Year while crocheting, then worked on my blog. I made tea and got ready for bed.