Early to rise ...

I woke up at two in the morning! This time the mippies are blameless – nature called. I tried to go back to sleep, without success, so at three I gave up and got up.

Mippies enjoyed the time with me, they played exuberantly in the bathroom – Ziva even initiated some games! She still loves my bath mat for roly poly’s. Mewthos has developed a pleasure in playing hide-and-seek: he goes into the kitchen or the bathroom and mewls – then I must come and find him!

They are compensating for the lack of outside running by chasing each other over my furniture! I don’t have the heart to reprimand them, they are being so accepting about all the unpleasant changes in their lives! Ziva is the one mipping for attention most frequently – Lady Jane is somewhat reserved. I have to seek her out and pick her up for cuddles.

I had placed one of the acorns into their play-track, I guess they think it’s a good idea because they’ve added several more to the track! I had also placed the bath plug in the bath – but they’ve decided this is a much better soccer-ball than the acorns! I just watched Lady Jane tossing it around between her paws!

I’ve packed away the last laundry, scooped the litter box – it was Lady Jane’s turn to stroll across my back, today – it’s now going on half past five, so I should be getting ready. My mind is spinning with ideas, options and techniques learned and/or applied many years ago, trying to decide which would be the best place to start; what I should implement first. I still have a mild headache, which I expect will get worse throughout the day, again. But I’ve had some cookies for pre-breakfast, and coffee.

I have to confess that I quite enjoyed being up this early – until now, on work days I always just got dressed and had breakfast, leaving all other household activities till after work or on weekends. I don’t suppose I’ll be able to keep it up. I should have no problem sleeping tonight, though!

I left around six and found very little traffic going my way. I felt hungry, so I had half my lunch on the way to work.

At work, my stomach liquidized everything inside – sigh. I don’t know whether it’s because I’ve stopped filtering my water, or just temporary. Well, at least there was nothing to give me trouble during the drive nor for some time to come.

It was a long, though scenic, drive to Roodepoort. The reception was friendly, but there was definite element of testing – terms and names were thrown into the conversation to test how much I knew. This doesn’t worry me, in time they’ll see the results, and I have no need to hide any ignorance nor pretend knowledge I don’t have, as yet.

It was also made very clear that the future of our relationship depends on consistency – which, from their point of view, is such a concern, that they are considering changing suppliers. Fortunately, I do know what I can do to meet their requirements – and they have offered any help we care to ask; which is part of their ‘supplier development’ system.

The situation is serious, and I read between the lines that we’ve been given an extended grace period on my account – that’s not the right wording, but I’m a little tired. I mean that promise of my arrival as someone who would resolve the key issues is how my boss negotiated to keep the contract.

No pressure! Sigh.

Then we were taken on a tour through their assembly lines to see where the goods we manufacture are assembled into a finished product.

Oh, and the tree we parked under turned out to be oak, so I collected as many acorns for my mippies as I could find! I even picked a single green one off the tree!

We arrived back at work around four – to learn that the Production Supervisor had run away as he was caught with a hefty loot from our store! On the one hand, it’s a good thing, since that is one of the key issues my boss wanted resolved urgently. But on the other hand, I’m now in the deep end – there’s nobody to show me around or how what is being done.

No pressure. Another sigh.

I’m driving home via the toll roads at the moment – today, especially, I am too exhausted and tired to take chances on a still unfamiliar road.

At home, my landlady and her husband were in the garden. They asked about my work and we chatted a bit. I mentioned that there’s a leak when I do washing – I fear one of the machine’s pipes was damaged in the move. They’ll look at it tomorrow – I said that I have no problem with them going in while I’m out. They are very respective of my privacy. I also mentioned that the chain used to secure the gate to my car was so rusty, my hands get filthy everytime I touch it – which is a problem on my way out in the mornings. It’s also extremely heavy, so they are already planning to replace it with a lighter one.

Then I greeted my mippies and showed them the new acorns I brought for them! At first Lady Jane was kind of skittish, almost as if she was frightened of me? No idea what that was about. But we’ve already played together with the new acorns!

I did something nasty, ha ha. When I went for a smoke just now, I stood outside the kitchen window where they could see me! I just couldn’t resist. But I’ll be quite happy when they can finally come outside to play!

Well, it’s seven now, so it has been a very long day. I’ve packed tomorrows lunch, but haven’t had dinner, yet. First, though, I want to shower. Tomorrow I’ll be looking at some overalls for work – I don’t want cheap junk, but something that’s comfortable and practical. I’m happy to pay the difference. I won’t need new ones every year, either, the way I look after my things.

When I wanted to shower, both Mewthos and Ziva had to step inside to investigate, then sat just outside, one on each side, with their tails over the door rail – until I turned on the water. Then both dashed madly away!

Tomorrow is Thursday, another long day. Firday we only work until half three – and I’d like to stop at a Spar, as I heard on the radio today, that Spar will have a ridiculously low special on lamb chops – though only in Gauteng and Limpopo. If I could get a good lot, I could freeze them, which would be lovely! I like lamb, but it is too expensive for my budget.

Right now, I just want to sleep – I hope I don’t have any trouble falling asleep!