Lock-down Day 158

Mewthos was mewly last night, I lifted the duvet ... he clearly wanted to snuggle, but not there. I was lying on my left side, so - just for him - I turned over onto my right side, lifted the duvet again and he happily walked in and snuggled up against me! Getting his head and tummy scratched and loving every minute! My little weirdo!

Janey and Ziva had curled up on the pillow on the box at the head of the bed, where I could reach out for an ear scratch every now and again.

Since we delivered on Saturday, work is not chaotic this morning. I just had to process the signed delivery notes for invoicing. Which gave me a little time to play my game, for a change. I've also looked on the market for places to rent - nothing new, yet. But today is only the 31st August.

31st August. Would have been my grandmothers birthday - and my mum died today, 11 years ago. I sometimes wonder what she would have said, if she had lived to see what's going on in the world nowadays ... I think she would have freaked out over the ban on the sale of cigarettes! Ha ha! I can just see myself working twice as hard to get enough tobacco processed for us both! I can almost hear her telling me to get on with it, she wants to smoke! Now!

I've been thinking whether I should wait until white bread flour is available again, but then decided to place my order now. I can buy what I really need now, and add less urgent items when white bread flour is back on their shelf.

I wonder whether there will actually be the announced 'follow-up inspection' of my flat, today? I've been keeping an eye on my Inbox, but so far, nothing. But then again, last time, they took a whole day between 'home invasion' and 'communication'. Well, I just hope I find something nice, soon! And then get the whole horror behind me!

Back at home, I don't know whether I should worry about my mippies: I had barely emptied the litter boxes when they all sat outside the front door waiting for me to call them in! All four of them! Before I knew it, they had all four marched inside and waited for me by their bowls! Weirdos! Never dull with them, though!

After dinner, I sat and played with them for a while. It's a little tricky, since they don't play together - I have to play with each in turn. So, I have the stick in one hand, the brush in the other and I'm brushing and teasing each in turn! Now that I'm at the PC, they are mipping for 'mommy come play!' Ha Ha Ha!

Well, I've checked out and paid for my groceries, mostly cleaning materials, though. I'm a little frustrated that more and more of the items I found most useful are no longer available! Oh, I can buy them from the manufacturer - but, buying one or two items from several different places, paying for delivery each time (as they don't have enough variety to make it worth my while to fill the cart to reach 'free delivery') ... well ... it's not worth it, for me. It's really a little irritating to find a product, test it, and when I'm happy and try to re-order ... it's out of stock or no longer on the list. Some people may enjoy changing products every single time they shop - I don't!

Mippies have somewhat settled down, I want to enjoy an episode of The Lost World, based on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novel. I'll probably have to play with or cuddle or brush mippies ... sigh, a cat-lovers work is never done!

Lock-down Day 157

Some trouble getting out of bed this morning, bed was just so cosy! Mewthos sooo wanted to go out, and I'm just not moving! He started twirling, while looking at me with those big eyes! Well, of course I got up and let them out ...

It's a little nippy today, but at least it's no longer overcast. It had cleared yesterday afternoon, but then clouded over again.

I'm starting my day scrolling Facebook - and a friend just posted how to keep cats safe in your yard. She suggests additional fencing at 45 degrees, at least 40 cm wide. The angle makes it too difficult for them to pull themselves along it, to get over it. She's the 'CatCare PE Lady' who helped so much when the kittens were born, who works at the vet where I took Ziva to be sterilised. Her info is reliable, as she has tons of personal experience. Adding that to a wall or fence shouldn't work out too expensive.

I'm struggling to get started today ... coffee is helping :) I got an sms supposedly from MTN telling me that I owe on my account ... huh? I've looked at my last invoice and apparently I do owe ... how does that work? I'll have to make a plan to sort this out ... like I have nothing better to do ... sigh.

Quarter past ten and I've already swept and washed the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen floors. Only the passage and lounge left.

Not feeling too good today, either. Almost one, pies are in the oven and passage and lounge are done. All I still 'must' do today, is to wash the dishes once the pie tray has cooled down. I may wash some tobacco leaves - or maybe not. I just don't feel up to much today ... Oh, and I should pay the rent, in case the internet doesn't work tomorrow ...

Half past four, everything is done. Dishes, trash, lunch, rent ... and I ordered more treats for my mippies. But that's all I've done. Nothing extra. No tobacco, no cookies, nor cookie dough ... nothing.

Twenty past six, mippies are inside and licking their chops! I still have the toothache, which hasn't left since yesterday. Still bearable, but I've been taking pain killers. I hope it won't get worse, nor hang around much longer.

Well, tomorrow it's back to work ...

Lock-down Day 156

I slept well most of the night, but this morning? Not a good morning. Mippies were restless, as it was getting lat - though not light, because it's overcast this morning. I have a toothache and a headache - a mild migraine. Mewthos was particularly mewly this morning - and since I've had to throw away so many of their toys, they have nothing to entertain them. I mean things like sheets of toilet paper (which Mini & Lady enjoy shredding) and empty toilet rolls and other such home-made toys.

And then, to my disgust, I discovered a large puddle right in the middle of my bed! I had been lying on one side, and when I moved ... yuk! So, out of the bed, head pounding, open the covers to let the mattress dry, to the door to let mippies out. That was twenty past six. Mewthos went out and came back mewling for attention ... sigh.

I've taken the covers off and decided to wash them at a 30-minute quick-cycle. Won't be as clean as I like it, but hopefully I won't be scolded. Just don't ask me where I'm supposed to hang everything to dry! The duvet is hanging over my little stand in the bathroom to dry, and the special cover is drying on the bed. I've got a sort of wet-proof sheet I use to protect my mattress from such accidents.

I've hung everything on my drying stands inside. I'm afraid, if I put them outside, it will start to rain - it's heavily overcast (probably why I started my morning with a mild migraine), and looks like it might start raining any minute.

I see my landlady has hung her laundry on the line - but they don't mind if it gets rained on. They just leave it out until it's bone dry. I'm guessing they don't use fabric softener - each to their own! Sigh, if only that was a mutual agreement.

Anyway ... I'm going to try to make some pies again this weekend. That's where the stir-fry beef comes in. And I want to bake some bread rolls with bacon and cheese. I normally prefer to bake bread only on Sunday, as it's meant for weekday at work - but tomorrow I'll have to sweep and wash the floors, as well as prepare tobacco. Can't dry tobacco today, since the bedding is taking up all drying space.

Bedding is changed, I thought I would pack the feather duvet away, as it's not really that cold anymore but then changed my mind. I've prepared the dough and made an oopsie! I read 2 tsp salt, but it was 2 tbsp sugar. So I added a 3rd tbsp sugar and a little more yeast as well. It smells great! I added cheese and bacon to the dough!

That massive rump steak is cut into portions and in the freezer, vacuum packed. I've kept one in the fridge for dinner tonight. It looks like the pies will have to wait until tomorrow, as the meat hasn't defrosted. It's already past one, and the center is still frozen solid.

Well, the rolls are turning out nicely! I was worried the dough may be a little too dense, not rising as much, but I was wrong! The rolls are lovely! They look and feel just right! I also rolled a few more cookie balls, which can bake after the second batch of rolls.

I haven't been able to shake the migraine today. It's not debilitating, just irritating. Ditto the toothache - throbbing away in the background. I've tried relaxing, eating, now just took the migraine cocktail ... a bath might help, but well ... 

Bread rolls are done, cookies baked as well ... I think the dough has been in the fridge a little too long, though: the cookies crumble when I try to add the piece of chocolate! Yes, you read that right: I don't like the way my cookies crumble! Go ahead! Make of that what you will - I can't hear you, so no risk to our friendship! I'm probably thinking of the same jokes, anyway - I'm wicked that way!

I've fried the stir fry and added some brussels sprouts and bacon, let it simmer a short while ... I can simmer it some more tomorrow, or maybe just make the pies with it, as is.

Yikes, I thought I would suffocate coughing just now! I think I didn't wash that tobacco enough - or rather, I think the tube I used is not very good for me. It was one of the ones I made with receipts, not a good one, either.

It's almost four, I think I'll try a nap now ...

Slept a little longer than I planned, but I'm feeling much better! Headache seems to be gone! I'm hungry, so I tried one of my rolls: they are awesome! I'm definitely doing that again! Only problem: I use white bread flour, and I'm low ... and they don't have stock online.

Tomorrow, I'll have to sweep and wash the floors - I think I'll do that first thing in the morning. And then I'll have to wash and cut more tobacco leaves. I may decide to bake more cookies, too - I think I'll make bigger ones and make a dimple in the center for the chocolate, before baking them. That should prevent so much chocolate ending up on the counter.

Quarter past six, mippies are in and treated - we had to wait a while for Mewthos to show up! For myself, I'm frying a really thick piece of rump, the thickest end of the steak I bought last week! I'm definitely ordering more this week!

I'll also need to order cat food again next week. I saw the price of the Whiskas has gone up as well - they were offering it 'on special' at an even higher price than I paid the week before! Prices are going up on everything - and fast! This is the wrong time to reduce stock, this is the time to buy and stock up! But I can't do that, now. Or ... ? I already have such a lot to still pack, and I've given away so many of my boxes already to make space! Sigh ...

Funny thing happened just now: I ate rump steak and not a single mip came for a piece! Not one! Not even Mini! Weird ...

Well, two priorities tomorrow: tobacco and floors. Everything else is a bonus. Sigh ... so much for weekends, eh? Well, at least for tonight, I have time to relax and play with mippies!

Lock-down Day 155

Lovely night, usual Mewly morning - treat mippies, close the passage door, make coffee, off to work.

I want to do my laundry today, after work. It isn't much, so I can maybe add a mippie blanket to the load. Oh, and the towel off the sleeper couch, which Mewthos has marked ... almost to the point of soaking! Poor darling, I hope that stops in our new home!

I was wondering why I hadn't received a reply to my tobacco accessory mail, yet, so I looked up their number and gave them a call. They are inundated with mails and are working hard to catch up! I told them, no worries, no urgency, I'll wait until you get around to my mail. Glad to hear business is booming for them, though! I saw that my tobacco leaf supplier is also now selling through their Parys shop!

Happy to be home, now! Washing is in the machine, last week's laundry folded and packed away, dishes in progress ...

And then the power went out! Just for a minute, but enough to stop the washing cycle and turn off the PC, of course! Well, the fabric softener tray was empty, so it must have already entered the rinse cycle. Fortunately it also has a Rinse & Spin setting, so I used that to finish the washing, then hung it in the lounge to dry.

Mippies come mipping for lovies, Mewthos mewlis for attention - all given! Even though I really didn't feel like it, I made a tray of cookies, which are baking now. I'd much prefer to be able to do that WHILE watching my show, rather than INSTEAD OF. Especially as the Boeremusik is on again ... 

I really fear that, although I'll have more personal freedom, in other aspects my next home may not hold much promise ... based on what I've seen on the market, I'm really worried. Anything decent is pricey - and I'll have to really tighten my budged just to make it through each month. And 'decent' doesn't make it safe, either. And, I'm reading so many posts of 'missing' cats ... what if mine get out and go missing? Or get run over? Beggars can't be choosers - my finances don't allow me too many choices ...

I just wish that, just for once, I could catch a real break in the 'home' department. Not the 'at first it seems better than anything I've had before' until true colours are revealed ... Well, I was happy in my flat in Gezina. And apart from being too large, my home in East London was great! But since then, I've had a streak of bad luck ... the flat in Pretoria North, was bearable, once I got the power turned on. Port Elizabeth was bearable, but definitely not what was promised, and the same applies here. It was all great at first - until they started with the restrictions ... 

Anyway ... I washed a single leaf for an experiment. I've just cut it into thin strips and put it to dry in the oven (not turned on, but dry overnight). When it's dry, I'll try to stuff a tube with that and see how that smokes. Might help with the ash falling off? Well, that's what someone posted - and I've not yet tried using strips, instead of fine-cut tobacco.

Five to eight and FINALLY the music is off! I didn't even feel like making dinner for myself - but the half Dagwood and a few cookies, as well as a bottle of milk - I'm not really hungry, anyway.

When I went out to smoke earlier, I saw a large fire up the road - near where I get my milk, I think. I hope it wasn't his farm! It's still burning, but very low now - almost burned out. That is something I won't miss: the worry of a veld fire getting too close to home ...

Well, Saturday tomorrow! Let's see what I get up to!

Lock-down Day 154

Feeling much better this morning! Staying calm - regardless!

Mewly does not like me leaving - even though I now give them a treat in the mornings, when I have to go to work. He'd rather have the treat AND me at home all day, ha ha ha! Sorry my mippies, I don't have a choice ...

At work, a little pressure as I'm receiving goods - while the driver is standing there, waiting to deliver them ... and I still need to make the delivery note, but ... that's the 'new normal' - or rather, back to how it used to be done when I first arrived here.

Teleconference postponed until one issue is resolved - which puts a little spanner in my plans. I meant to call and arrange to look at one of the houses in Mountain View today. Well, I did get to the nearest Spar and got airtime (so I can make more calls) and asked again about cigarette filters (don't have), a hand roller (don't have) and papers (had 3x hemp). I also bought myself a Dagwood burger for lunch!

My chocolates arrived, with a lovely note 'glad to hear from you again' as well as another complimentary bag and 2x complimentary honey tubes! I must write her to thank her!

I've just looked at RYO accessories (RYO = Roll Your Own, as in cigarettes) and the store is fully stocked with everything I need! Only, they are changing their payment options, so need to send mail with my order, then I'll get a quote with banking details ... which works in my favour, as it gives me the option to ask questions! And get advice from an expert :)

I've 'jumped over my own shadow' - as we say in German, which means something like 'overcome my fear' - and made a couple of calls to look at places. Unfortunately, the places are all gone already (not a problem, though - as I said, none of them were 'exactly right'), but one of the agents will keep a look out and asked that I call her again after the 1st. That was basically the point of the whole exercise. I'll keep going through the listings every free minute ...

Right, I've sent mail to the tobacconist, asking for suggestions :) Since the regulation on tobacco products isn't clear, they currently don't sell tobacco - but I'm not looking for tobacco! I'm quite happy with my leaves!

I see some good news for Port Elizabeth! Apparently the DA is finally allowed to govern the city again! They were elected in the municipal elections, did a great job - noticeably great! I was in PE at the time, and soon after the elections, potholes were filled for the first time! Then the DA mayor was removed, in a clearly illegal manner - because he was white - and everything fell apart. Great news for my friends in PE! Now, if only they can achieve the same in Pretoria :) They were also elected to govern here, in Pretoria (Tshwane)...

I've been helping myself generously to chocolates today - they are so difficult to resist, and I've done without them for such a long time!

Work got a bit chaotic there around half five, but I feel I've accomplished a lot today - I didn't really, but I feel like I have. Probably because I finally started making real calls for a new home ... Proof again that feeling isn't reality. This time, though, it works in my favour.

At least I didn't forget to get my milk, and give him bottles for next week!

At home, I started stuffing some more cigarettes - I definitely need to make more tobacco this weekend! Then I went outside for a smoke, and all my ladies arrived - I called a few times before Mewthos decided to join us, as well!

Treated mippies - Mini apparently doesn't approve of the Royal Canin anymore! When I put that in her bowl, she started 'covering' it - scratching the floor, like she's in the litter box covering her poo! When I added Whiskas, she started eating! She's definitely got a very clever way to let me know her dislikes!

I fried myself a part of that lovely rump steak they delivered yesterday - absolutely delicious! Mippies agree! I shared very generously! At work, I managed to eat only half the Dagwood - or rather, it felt enough, so I left the other half for tomorrow. It's not summer, yet, so it won't go off. No bacon, either.

Well, I'll stuff myself a few more cigarettes now, while watching the last few episodes ... and tend to my mippies, whenever they are ready ...

Lock-down Day 153

Good night, mewly morning! All good, though ...

I checked both my orders last night, both are being processed, so I'm just waiting for delivery. Hopefully I get lucky, and my chocolates arrive today.

At work, I've got a bit of time - I should use it to make some calls, looking for a new home. I'm fighting an overpowering dread ... I don't want to move! If only there was some magic way to pop from one home to the next - without the packing, breakages in transit, trauma to my cats ...

Well, I've taken the bull by the horn and made a few calls. A lot of the properties are no longer available - I'm not worried about that, though. None of them really attracted me.

I really need to look at my preferences. I've spent a lot of time now, looking around at what's available - and, basically, there are 2 viable options: 1) same as what I've got; a separate unit on someone else's plot or, as they call it in less rural areas, a garden cottage or 2) a house with a garden.

The problem with 1 is the complete lack of privacy. The last few times I looked for places in Pretoria, this agent ALWAYS took me to garden cottages. Not one offered me independent privacy - which is why I didn't seriously consider any one of them. For security reasons, I always opted for a flat - independent and private. But with my mippies, that's no longer an option. I do need some bit of outside for them to play, preferably with some trees ... and at the same time, where they cannot get out of the garden. Tall order, right?

The problem is, that houses don't come with the same budget as flats. Firstly, the rent for a decent place (& in a reasonably quiet area) is never low - I'll have to expect to pay at least as much as I would after the next increase. Maybe even more? And secondly, electricity, water, and other such essentials are usually more expensive. A house uses more electricity than a flat. I'm going to have to seriously re-budget ...

A gas stove & oven would help a lot!

I think, I just have to hope I get lucky and find something suitable in my price range. I've read the expected trends on properties: lots of people are going to down-size and the market will be hyper active now. Also, with evictions now allowed, there will likely be more people looking for a place, than places available. Since these articles are written by property agents, they won't predict a price drop in rents ... but that's what I read between the lines. People will be letting their homes to move into something smaller until they can sell ... 

Oh, and my meat delivery arrived! Looking good!

I'm thinking of looking at 2 houses currently on the market in Mountain View. Maybe one of them can work, but mostly to get a feel for the agents letting it. Maybe I can ask them to look out for something next week, when new places will become available again. Get a little head-start. The agent, who's letting 2 places nearby, hasn't contacted me back - I told her I have 4 cats and I smoke, but she has one house listed with a garden, where that shouldn't be an issue - I guess she's not interested.

This is really depressing. Well, maybe I won't be given notice on Monday ... who knows? But I really need to move ... I need 'home' to re-charge, not to drain me.

On the way home, I was so deep in thought, I drove right past the farmer - I completely forgot to pick up my milk! I only realised that, after I had parked the car ...

I really should make something for lunch tomorrow, but I just don't have any energy. None, whatsoever. I feel completely drained. Thanks to a lovely weekend ... sigh. I'm going to have to make a plan to buy something edible tomorrow ... urgh ... fast food!

The landlords are in party mood! Alcohol has already flown heavily by the time I got home - I got a cheery 'hello' from her, and he's watering my windows and noising about, terrorising my mippies ... although that is probably not his intention. Funny how it's okay for him to hosepipe whatever he wants, whenever he wants - but it's not okay for me to have a bath. Sigh, boeremusik blaring, he's whooping and going on ...

Mippies came in, except for Mini - she needed a written invitation, i.e. I had to go back out and carry her in, after appeasing those who came on time with a first treat!

Just had a prolonged cuddle session with Janey, her walking along my arms again, like she did when she was little ... she LOVES that!

I made a start at baking muffins ... but packed everything away again. No energy. Well, tomorrow will be ... lots to deal with ...

Lock-down Day 152

Good night, mewly morning! I'm still stressing about finding a home - which won't get any better, until I get off my rear and start looking at some places. Off to work with a positive attitude?

In the lounge, I find some of yesterdays treat - I'm leaving that for tonight to clean up. Then, outside my garden, I find a cigarette butt!?! Not stepped into the ground, like one would when putting it out - but a used filter end. With nobody smoking here, except me, I can only hope it was blown here by the wind. The alternative would cause me worry ... that someone was inside the property. Maybe they've got yet another worker sleeping here, again?

Ten to five ... I can't believe it's only Tuesday! It feels like a Thursday! Probably, because I didn't get much rest this weekend. Sigh.

I had planned to make calls and view at least one house today ... yeah ... that didn't happen. No more hoops tomorrow! Some of our staff will be working late tonight - fortunately not me ...

Of course, I didn't get time for my groceries ... I hope I remembered to take meat out of the freezer for tonight?

When I got home, I wasn't in the mood for anything. I'm exhausted and just don't feel like any unnecessary chores. I've cleaned the litter boxes, the lounge and that's it. I did take out something for dinner, but I'm not really hungry and don't feel like cooking.

Mippies are inside, I played with Mini and Janey - until Mini sunk her claws in me ... Ouch! She doesn't know about claws, yet. But I think she's learning. Then I spent some time with Ziva in her cuddle cave ... I think I'll just retreat to bed, play with or cuddle mippies ... 

Lock-down Day 151

I had a very strange dream this morning, about being blocked - parked in - so that I couldn't even get out of my car, on arriving home! Which is simply the fear now rising in me about living alone in a house! Especially, as I don't even have a dog! This is South Africa and no home is really safe ... people think that living on a farm is worse, but actually, the only difference is, that out on a smallholding or farm, we KNOW we're at risk. Populated suburbs and especially security complexes give a perception of security - which isn't real. Still, a woman living alone is a soft target - anywhere!

Yeah, I don't know what to do ...

Work was not chaotic this morning, so I took advantage and prepared my shopping list. I even found an online butchery! I'm going to place an order today and see how that works out - that would reduce the need to go to Spar even more! I'm quite chuffed with this! And yes, they deliver to Rosslyn!

Back at home, mippies out, me online. Ordered my chocolates and my meat. I found my shopping list and decided to re-do the grocery order tomorrow at work.

Mippies inside, lunch packed, mippies wants lovies ... so I'm putting on an episode or two, sit on the bed and will brush and cuddle mippies!

Lock-down Day 150

Another fun day in crazy town! Mippies were eager to get out this morning, particularly Mewthos. Which is strange - on the one hand, he has issues with my being away and on the other hand he can not wait to get outside. My little weirdo's!

Right, it's now quarter past one. I've spring cleaned everything!

Ten to two and I've spent a little time brushing mippies - Mini goes totally gaga when I start! She throws herself on her back, so I can brush her tummy! She loves it!

I've taken out a piece of chicken and a tenderised steak, both of which I'll use as topping for - yet another - pizza! I'm making brown bread dough for that.

As I feared, I have no energy to bake cookies. Nor to order groceries, let alone wash and cut any tobacco! I hope my sacrifice will pay off, ha ha ha!

Six o'clock, all mippies are in and treated. I've stuffed myself about two dozen cigarettes - I read that the site now sells tubes, as well. I'll need to check that out tomorrow. I hope I'll find some time at work, to prepare a shopping list, then just do the payment tomorrow night.

As I didn't have time to bake cookies, I'm thinking of treating myself to my beloved peanut butter cups ... I was afraid they may not have survived the lock-down crisis, but I just looked. Not only are they still open, but they've dropped their prices! Okay, so only by a few cents, but I definitely want to support them!

I hope I'll find some time at work tomorrow, to make some online shopping lists - then, tomorrow night, I'll pay. Why not now? Well, I don't trust my brain at the moment - it's been a bizarre weekend, I need to anchor in reality before I make any decisions. Nothing more real than work!

Lock-down Day 149

I slept very well - which helps, considering the circumstances. I try not to think when I go to bed - given my brain, that takes work. But I've had 15 years of practice, so ... I'm okay.

I had a good laugh at my mippies earlier. I was cleaning the litter boxes and Mewthos settled on my back. Janey saw that and tried to join him! That didn't work out so well and her claws sort of touched the tender skin by my hips - she immediately jumped off, but I hadn't expected that. First time they tried to both settle on my back at the same time, ha ha ha!

I'm stressing - of course - about finding a place that's right, for me AND for my mippies. Seeing them run off so happily today again has me wondering, whether a garden will be enough? I'm standing in the door and thinking how they would feel, if they had only the lawn space to play? But then I remember Earl's home - which is also a garden about that size. But it has a lot of trees and toys for the cats, places to hide, places to play - everything they need. I just have to hope ... I have no control over what's on the market. Even if I had all the time I wished to find 'perfect' - I'd have to give notice, which might not be in line with the availability, so there's always a timing issue.

All I can do, is have faith. Faith that it will work out as it's meant to work.

Yesterday, after announcing my unavailability for the next couple of weeks, I got mail from a fellow telling me to send her the spreadsheet I do. Yeah, not asking, but telling me. She has a very abrasive manner, which is somewhat irritating. She's recently started doing the same spreadsheet for another fellowship, with a lot of help from another experienced player, and is very quick to tell me that I'm wrong. Well, I've only been working that spreadsheet for 2 years, so she probably knows far more than I do! Yeah, that was sarcasm. On the whole, since it's freeing me up, I'm just gonna go with it ... no longer my circus nor my monkeys!

This morning, after I let mippies out, I did play for a while; now without any pressure. Which makes a really nice change!

Pressure did come, of course, from the mountain of work ahead of me at home - the reason why I freed my time. And that mountain is on top of my normal weekend chores ... Sigh.

Laundry is hanging in the lounge. I'm wondering whether it's a good idea to leave the floors for tomorrow? I've started packing again, the spare closet. And found, to my chagrin, that my mirror hadn't survived the last move - turns out they stuck it back together with tape and just packed it in the back, where I never even looked at it, since I've moved in! Ah, well ... 

Dishes are washed and I was just asked to NOT smoke on the inside of the door, but to step outside to smoke. Is there ANYTHING I do that isn't supervised and micro-managed? He did ask nicely, though - which is a little scary ... I don't know what to make of that!?!

Okay, so I felt like cleaning ... I started by packing up the fan and the foot spa. That space at the head of my bed around the wooden box? Terrible! I swept and washed that. Then the space between the window and the bed - my word, Mewthos has been busy! It's only been two months since I've spring cleaned and it looks like I've never cleaned since I moved in! Well, looked, no longer 'looks' - I've cleaned it again. I'm also using my eco-bleach on the toilet, which is making a difference.

I'm vaguely hoping - seeing as my every move is being watched - that the difference will buy me some time. Although, they only notice activities they don't approve ... they never notice anything they approve of. Or they would have known that their 'inspection' was after the first weekend that I hadn't washed the floors - they see the puddle outside, where I was told to empty the bucket, rather than throw it down the toilet. They throw their water out on their front lawn - which I find strange.

Yikes, and just like that it's half past four! I think I'll spend the rest of the afternoon stuffing myself cigarettes for the week. I'm a little worried that I haven't baked cookies, made dough nor washed any more tobacco ... maybe tomorrow?

For Pete's sake! I just got crapped out again! Because I did what I was told and smoke outside ... but not far enough outside! Seriously! When I used to go around the corner to smoke, nothing was said, so I went back to smoking by my table, like I had done all along. Yeah, I'm in a no-win situation here - no matter what I do, focus is always on something I'm either not doing or doing 'wrong' - by their standards. I just hope that I find a place ... seriously! I'm getting scolded like a naughty child!

Ah yes! Alcohol is back on the shelves, too, isn't it? That explains the moods! And the outbursts! I noticed that during the lock-down, during Level 5 and 4, I had a lot of peace - few or no outbursts. Then, at Level 3, when alcohol was available again - bam! Water off, forbidden to bath, etc.

I must have been like that, when I was still drinking: unreasonable, self-centered, explosive, unpredictable and aggressively defensive ... man, I'm glad I'm sober!

It's been overcast most of today, so I'm a little cold. It's almost six - I wonder where my mippies are? Time to bring them in, give them their treat and ...

Crikey! Talk about moods! I was just standing in the door, waiting for my mippies - not smoking! - when the old grump-bag came walking along again. Made a bee-line to talk to me ... and ... first he apologised for the way he had gone off at me earlier! Crikey! This is getting bizarre! I told him that, when I had started smoking around the corner, nothing was said, which led me to believe it made no difference - and he asked ... politely! Yeah, I was stunned, too! ... He asked me to smoke around the corner. He also said that, when I smoke out the door at night, the smoke goes right into their bedroom and he wakes up as his chest closes - and asked, if, when I smoke at night, I could please stick to the vape. Told you they watch my every move! Then he mentioned the mail, and that I must please pick up the feathers - I said that I used to do that, and whenever I had picked up the last feather, another bird was brought in - and mentioned the manure attracting the birds ... and he told me that he would fit wire around all the trees to prevent my cats from climbing them! Huh? WTF? Oh, and he had emptied my potting soil and compost ... and that I must please pay attention to the garden, as per the contractual agreement. Again: Huh? WTF?

So, if I do my best to clean, smoke only around the corner, stop smoking cigarettes after dark (when I'm not supposed to go outside, as it's not safe) and do something in the garden ... that'll buy me time. Bizarre!

So, tomorrow, I'll be spring cleaning the floors - again! Oh, I'll continue packing, too - but first priority will be the cleaning, for now. Maybe I'll even pull out whatever died in the garden. He also said something about throwing the cat droppings in the garden? I have NEVER done that! Everything I pick out of the litter box, goes in the trash!?! Which means he can only be talking about the cats doing their business in the garden - and what the (insert word of your choice here) am I supposed to do about that? Cork them?

It feels to me that they are taking advantage of the current economic situation - they must be assuming that I'm practically broke, and in no position to move - to control my life. Or rather, to force me to live their life. Weird!

Mippies came without much of a wait. Lady was last, but not really late. They've had their treat and have each settled in a place ... they seem to be waiting for something? Mewthos is in the kitchen. No clue why. I'm gonna make myself more cigarettes again ... I'll see tomorrow, whether I can find time to bake cookies, make more cookie dough, wash some tobacco and cut it ... and let's not forget cooking food for myself as well as baking bread. I doubt I'll manage it all ... but I'll get some of it done. My best is good enough :)

Lock-down Day 148

Another reasonably good night, Mewthos woke me a little earlier this morning, though. When I was about to leave, all four mippies were sitting in a row looking at me with big, sad eyes! I just wanted to go back and cuddle each of them for another hour!

At gave me some bad news: the two estate agents he's friends with, are unable to help. One is only in an area I'm not considering, and the other has decided, thanks to the lock-down, that she'll retire. Trying to re-build after the lock-down is just too much energy ...

He did make a good suggestion, though: I should first decide on an area and then contact agents operating in that area. That has got me re-looking at WHAT I should look at renting. I mean, what type of accommodation - townhouse? Flat? Apartment? House? Smallholding? Yeah, the last is way beyond my means to manage - financially and physically, but it's a thought, eh?

Well, I've gone through every list and site I could find - lots of places advertised in all of them, and sometimes with different information. I've made a spreadsheet, and ... well, on Monday I'll start calling. First thing I need to know is whether it's pet friendly - some sites list it, some don't. They each offer different filters ... it's really tiring. Of course, more will become available again on the 1st September!

At home, I spent most of the evening on the same ... re-looking at the places, giving them ranking, capturing the contact details ... poor mippies were neglected!

It's almost nine, time for a show and bed ... 

Lock-down Day 147

I feel much better today. I slept well, with Mewthos only waking me around five. As I leave the passage door to the lounge open, overnight, now, I start my morning by giving them a treat - and when they're all eating, I close the passage door, so I don't have to hunt for mippies when I want to go to work.

I'm in two minds whether to even reply to my landlady's mail ... on the one hand, it doesn't deserve a reply, but on the other hand, I don't want them to bother me over the weekend, either. On the other hand, if I reply now, they are likely to pounce on me when I get home ... I guess I'm in a no-win situation! For now, I think I'll leave it ...

Today, my first priority was to catch up on the work I had left yesterday - I wasn't really productive, I'm afraid. And then I sent mail in my game that I wouldn't be available for a couple of weeks. At work, I'll have to spend every free moment looking for a place and at home, I'll have to spend every free moment packing.

I've just sent my aunt the bank info ... at least that is now off my conscience :)

Work got crazy busy, I had those awful brackets again - counted and packed over 3000 of them! Job done! One of half a dozen lined up on my desk ... I'll have my hands full again tomorrow!

I haven't had time to look at more places ... or do anything else. This is really tough ... I just hope I manage to get all my ducks in a row ...

At least I've got more packing tape, so I can get packing this weekend ... so not looking forward to that!

I've done I needed done, even rolled myself more cigarettes. Now ... mippie time!

Lock-down Day 146

Not a good night. I barely slept. Between my brain and Mewthos, I don't think I managed an hour at a stretch. I was at work half an hour early!

I looked online for places to rent, and came across one, which seems perfect! The only problem I can see is, that it has only one sink in the kitchen, not 2! I know, right? That's not a real problem!

Awww ... no cats! Why? Because the owner, who also lives on the property, has vicious dogs. A previous tenant lost their cats ... 

And 'owner also lives on the property' sounds too much like what I'm having a problem with right now!

Before I started looking, I made a list of what I want. Safe for my mippies = low or no traffic, gas stove, full bathroom - bath and shower, garden, open plan kitchen, privacy, garage would be nice ... Oh, and preferably 2 bedrooms!

I went and collected my drivers license today - yay! It's taken me nearly 2 years! Unfortunately, At was not so lucky. Because of the mess they made, when he applied - they never resolved that mess. He spoke to the supervisor, but he, too, is powerless to fix this - my guess is that it has to do with preventing corruption. So he has to go through the whole process again ... 

I suggested, we get the eye test done right away - as it's such a mission to get away from work, mostly timing that we're both available. As we did that at the Mall, I took the opportunity and went to the bank for the information for my aunt, then to get some groceries - but the prices were not good, so I didn't get much, and then to Clicks, where I got a few things I've wanted for some time - including some glycerine for my cigarettes!

I went to the cigarette counter, but they didn't have filters, nor papers, nor a roller - but I did buy a carton of Marlboro. With the whole situation last night, I didn't get enough cigarettes rolled, so it was good to get something pre-rolled.

I looked for a place to stay. Nothing which said 'home' like that first place I saw this morning. At will look up the contact details for a great agent who helped him and another colleague will get me the local Brits paper.

Oh, and in case you're wondering how I feel about the tables being turned on me, that I don't get to drop them, but they're dropping me? Actually, I feel good about that! I'm glad that my conscience is still clear - I've still never deliberately been ugly! In a way, I feel that I've been spared :) Plus, I still never moved freely - the decision has been taken out of my hands. So, my track record on that matter remains unbroken, too!

And, of course, I'm not going to spend more months enduring - and will start living again, soon!

Overall: It's all good!

I did see several places in my price range, in various areas. But, like I said, nothing that looked as perfect as the first place! What made it so perfect was the kitchen: stunning, spacious open plan kitchen, with a free-standing counter where the stove was built in. That was dreamy!

Who knows, I may find something similar.

Feeling much better today, and I have a lot of sleep to catch up on, so tonight, I'll get to bed early!

All three mip ladies weren't gone for long - I hadn't even started cleaning the litter box, when Janey showed up, soon followed by Mini and then by Ziva! I waited and waited, then eventually called Mewthos - who didn't let me wait for long, either! Now he's playing 'catch' again, ha ha! Well, I've rolled myself some cigarettes (stuffed, actually), hand half a sirloin steak - Mewthos, Ziva and Mini had the other half! So, now they enjoy Sirloin again - weirdos!

Okay ... I'm tired ... bed for now ...

Lock-down Day 145

Level 2! That's all I'm going to say ...

I see in the news that cigarettes are flying off the shelves faster than you can say 'Level 2'! The tobacco manufacturers were not pre-advised and nobody knew for sure, whether they would be allowed to transport cigarettes to shops before midnight ... unlike the alcohol manufacturers, who were given all the time & information needed to be ready for today's onslaught. So, most stores were sold out within hours ... most 24-hour shops were even sold out by 1 am this morning - people ignoring the curfew. After all, who knows when they will go back yet again, and ban the sale of cigarettes again ... An invitation to chaos, for sure!

I tried to collect my drivers licence today, but they close every Tuesday at 11 for sanitising, so, try again tomorrow.

At work, I'm tying myself in knots with this system I'm trying to design ... I keep going around in circles, trying to find the best starting point for each activity. Access is much better for this kind of thing - as I'm linking databases (lots of large ones), generating queries and reports ... all exactly what Access was designed to do. I want it automated as much as possible - yet, at the same time, without running macros (little programs that do things automatically). I'm beginning to think that I may have to write some macros. Well, record them.

I'm gobsmacked! I just received mail from my landlady! Basically, she's inspected my flat yesterday afternoon, doesn't like how I live and unless I meet her expectations, she will give me notice!

Okay, first of all: she had no right to enter my flat! She claims 'the fire alarm went off' ... uhm, what fire alarm? Secondly, inspecting my flat yesterday afternoon ... when it was in a particularly bad state? Like I said: I'm gobsmacked!

Clearly, like me, they've come to the conclusion that this isn't working anymore. And they've clearly gotten legal advice - which is why they have waited for Level 2, when it is legal to evict. And then, the mail is written in good English - neither of them are capable of that! And the 'excuse' for entering my flat ... that smacks of legal technicality!

As I read that mail, I went ice cold - so I've made myself a chamomile tea to warm up again. Sheez, seriously? For now, I'll go to bed ... I'll think tomorrow ...

Lock-down Day 144

Mewthos woke me just before the alarm went off, so I turned over and promptly overslept.

Work is crazy! It's half past four now, and I've finally got a bit of a breather! Well, I've been on my toes all day, and I'm exhausted.

My friend from PE is in serious trouble again. He is being evicted and now literally sits with his bags and no place to sleep tonight ... and there is nothing I can do to help him. What is most frightening about that is: He is the only one I happen to know about! How many people are sitting in that situation right now - with Level 2 permitting evictions again?

Back at home, I'm really exhausted. Just doing the most essential chores, then make myself a few more cigarettes ... then bed.

Sitting here at the PC I can smell that something's got sprayed - but I just can't find it. I've already wiped some projectile chunks off the floor and my Ottoman ... and odd patches of piddle, but there's still something somewhere near here ...

Lunch is packed, so ... time for bed ...

Lock-down Day 143

The world is abuzz with the lift on the ban of the sale of tobacco products! Well, it IS kind of big news - pathetic, but big.

Even though I had stayed up very late last night, I woke up quite early. Funny thing happened, though: I opened the door and Ziva stayed on the bed! Honestly! First time SHE wasn't rushing out like a speeding bullet!

I took some time to look for a tobacco leaf shredder online - nothing. Then I looked for pasta makers - quite affordable. I think, I want to first give the pasta maker a try, before I buy one for tobacco leaves, though.

Oh, and the power went out during the night ... no clue why. When I woke up, I just hoped the power was back on. Normally, I can tell by the outside light - but my landlord no longer switches them on. On the odd occasion they come on, but for the most part, the house is kept in total darkness throughout the night. I have a feeling they are having serious financial problems. Yet, they are no nicer to me or allow me to feel at home in my home - remember last weekend when I got barked at? So, I'm sorry, but I'm still moving ... I've seen about 5 different workers since the regular guy left.

Anyway. I'd like to take today off ... do nothing for a change. So, I'll bake cookies and cook for myself - nothing more.

As it's now twenty to four, and I still have my meal to cook - mission accomplished, ha ha ha! Nothing, but cookie baking, got done! Actually, what happened is that our fellowship got a new member who is super enthusiastic! I've spent half the morning chatting with him, getting him up to speed - he's very eager to help, and I sure could do with help!

Half past six now, mippies are in and treated (got their wet food), my food is cooked, the car is packed (my refuse bag is full, I have to take it to work tomorrow - it's also got the last prey Mini brought in, so I better move it before it crawls out by itself). I hope they collect at work on Monday, as they've been on strike.

I've replied to a couple of mails, started a shopping list ... a bit of this and a bit of that. Dinner was delicious! I even added some celery! Packed a fair batch for lunch tomorrow!

It's now eight, and I had better tend to Mewthos ... he's doing funny stuff again. He just tried to jump up the chest of drawers and got as far as the second drawer from the top - and stood there, with his feet on the open bottom drawer. He knows he's not a jumper, but he was determined and just stood there trying to do a pull-up! Didn't work, of course - he's too heavy! And Ziva? She just twirlied my jersey! Well, she didn't pick up the jersey, like Mewthos does, but just stood on it, kneading it, twirling a bit. My little weirdos!

Lock-down Day 142

Mippies patiently waited for me to get up ... until about half past six! I'm getting up later these days - it's still dark at five thirty and yesterday it cooled down quite a bit. It's almost cold this morning.

I started by playing my game for a bit, while mippies ran wild outside. When they started popping back for play and attention, I started in the kitchen. First I decided to try something different with a loaf of bread. I've noticed that, when I roll or add meat and cheese to the finished dough, there's always a bit of squish in the finished loaf. So I decided to try mixing it into the dough. I had a look through the recipe book and decided to use the 'cheese and onion loaf' recipe. Only, I added cheese cut in blocks, not grated. And onion spice, as well as rosemary & olive and garlic. And just for fun, I added about 250 gram of mince!

While the dough was getting ready, I washed the dishes and then decided to wash some tobacco leaves - not a large batch, just a handful! I don't want to 'must' keep cutting and chopping for hours again! I've also started making a couple of cigarettes - planning to make enough to get me through the week. Or at least most of the week.

I've decided to do the cookie thing tomorrow. No need to rush. The plan is to bake a batch and freeze a batch, then make another batch of dough to stay in the fridge for next weekend's baking.

Everywhere I turn, I run into the same problem: not enough space! I could prepare lots of batches of cookie dough - roll them and freeze them, so I could simply take them out and bake a batch anytime ... but I don't have enough freezer space. I'm thinking of going to the German butchery on Friday ... again, if I do, I won't be able to get plain steak to simply fry during the week. Freezer space, again. I also can't really start anything unless I'm sure that I'll be able to finish - there's no room here to leave something for later. I have to pack it all away, if I want to do something else. So I also can't do more than one thing at a time ... and one thing I miss, is making my own Sushi! It takes quite a bit of space to prepare everything ... space and time.

Sorry for the moaning, I'm still psyching myself up for the move ... 

Well, apparently the latest address by our president is scheduled for eight tonight ... I don't know whether I want to watch. Yeah, I think I do. If the ban on the sale of cigarettes is finally lifted, I'd like to know. It would mean that I can look around for cigarette making equipment, make my job here a little easier. I could place orders tomorrow. Not that I'm getting my hopes up ...

The bread is divine! It smells absolutely awesome and tastes as good as it smells! And I haven't even gotten to the 'mince' part, yet!

Aaaaand, the lock-down is officially extended by another month! So, whatever our president has to say tonight, we're still breaking down what little is left standing. Frightening!

Ha Ha, I thought I'd quickly have a smoke before the address starts, and for the first time, our president starts early - not late, as usual.

Cor blimey! Level 2! AND cigarettes are legal again! But wait - we've heard that one before, haven't we? Anyway, 3 months ago, that would have been major news, but now? I've found an alternative - which I've been hoping for, a long time before the lock-down: a much cheaper way to keep smoking! So, I'm sticking with my new-found financial freedom!

But, as I said, it means I can start looking for equipment ... once I've decided WHAT equipment I'm interested in. Definitely a means of cutting the leaves! THAT is taking me much too long, with my method. I've tried several of the methods others are using - they're not working for me, though. I've tried the Twista - that was just a mess. I can't see the blender I have working any better, so I didn't even try that. And I'm not messing up my pasta maker. But, that gives me a price indication - I won't pay more than a cheap pasta maker would cost. And for now, I'll get a hand roller, papers and filters. I'll probably be throwing away all the receipt-rolled tubes I made last weekend ... 

I foresee one major problem, though: the tobacco industry was not informed! Fita still announced that they're going ahead with their court action ... which means that, on Tuesday morning, millions of people will be flocking to the stores to buy cigarettes ... and the stores will fast run out of stock!

Ah well, not my problem. Really. Sure, I've thought of going first thing Tuesday morning and buying myself a carton and the roller, etc - but why bother? I'm in no rush! I can take my time, think it through, plan and budget.

Grin, so much for me not being excited by the lift of the ban, eh? Well, it's late now, time for me to go to bed ... mippies have been warming it for hours already!

Lock-down Day 141

Mewthos let me sleep till five this morning! So, keeping the passage door open makes a difference. Noted.

I got a call from a school friend! Awesome! I promised to call her back from home ...

... which I did. We've just had a lovely long chat!

Now I've hung up my laundry, so that's done ... and I've just eaten my last cookie. It's about quarter past five now, maybe I'll bake a batch tonight? Or maybe tomorrow ... I have dough ready in the fridge.

Everybody is talking about Level 2 now. It was already expected to be announced during this week, but ... nothing. Latest news is that we'll have another speech sometime this weekend. I suppose alcohol will be available again, maybe one or other industry may open up ... I'm not getting my hopes up! These levels don't have any real meaning. They're just window-dressing. The rules change at the drop of a hat, going back and forth without rational reason ... it's pathetic.

I still say that we haven't seen the worst, yet. It's still coming - and it has nothing to do with the virus. It will be the fall-out resulting from these lock-down games ... so far, the worst we've seen is people begging for food. I just read another post from someone ... these are posts, not news or articles. Real people, not faceless numbers. It is heartbreaking. But: they are 'only' hungry. And without electricity. And being evicted because they can't pay their rent ... Which is bad enough - but ... how many will be able to come back from that? And HOW, with no relief? It is so depressing, I just can't even think about it ...

Mippies home without any trouble, waited a little for Janey, but not very long. I'm doing a Mewthos this evening - restless and not sure what I want, but I want something, ha ha! At least I'm not upsetting everyone else at home. Mippies have now settled on the bed and they'll be glad to get out again tomorrow ... so now, I'll go to bed ...

Lock-down Day 140

Don't even bother asking - it's been another exhausting day! And, just for fun, followed after an interrupted night. Mewthos! Three am restless walk-and-mewl. I don't know why ... 

I've been eating pizza this week, topped with the mushrooms I had sautéed, then frozen. They are almost as good as freshly fried! So: that process works and I can do it again, anytime!

I haven't opened the game today - and I haven't even got a chance to reply to mail from my aunt! I've just double-checked, it really is Thursday today - this week has just flown by in the blink of an eye!

Now I'm beyond exhausted ... I just want a hot bath ... oh, wait! Not allowed! Grrr

Okay, let me try again .., nope, not sure what will make me feel better tonight.

Yeah ... not feeling better, didn't find anything that worked. Well, tomorrow is Friday; that'll work! Got home, did mippie duties, sat outside, mippies came home except for Mini. She arrived a little later. I've been keeping the lounge shut overnight, when I have to work the next day - I'll try leaving it open tonight to see if that'll help Mewthos ...

Who is mewling at me now, so I'm going to bed ...

Lock-down Day 139

Finally, finally talk of Level 2! Nothing more, just talk - but at least it is finally on the horizon ... though no citizen has the least clue how long we'll have to wait.

Came across an interesting article today, written by Helen Zille, How South Africa became a Criminal State. I'm not going to comment ...

I'm also totally exhausted, again. Making strides of progress on my spreadsheets - I took the morning off, doing something completely different, albeit Excel related, to clear my head for a bit. I'm trying to decide how best to link these various databases ... which is quite tricky.

Anyway, I'm home now. Mippies are also inside - again, I just had to call Ziva once and she came running at top speed! They've had their treats and are now spread around ... hoping for a share of my dinner. Sirloin. Lets see whether they'll actually eat it, or turn their noses up at it again, little selective monsters!

Mewthos has re-developed a liking for Sirloin! Ziva also had a piece, as did Mini. Just one piece, each ... good for me!

Mewthos was somewhat restless last night again, but at least he settled under the duvet, snuggled against me - for a while. He also gave my hand a prolonged wash - first time he's ever done that! I got the feeling that he's kind of sorry about being so tetchy and just wants me to know he loves me, too!

Well ... it's only seven, but I'm totally exhausted. Mentally. So ... curl up in bed with mippies for cuddles and watching some DVDs. Still Warehouse 13.

Lock-down Day 138

Back full-steam at work - I've barely taken a breather ... 

I'm working on the formulae for the supply-chain spreadsheet. I've got as far as Raw Material requirements - which is almost finished. I've created Bill-of-Materials for all active jobs ... and, of course, kept up with the in-and-out bookings and deliveries today.

It's ten to five, no use starting another item, so I'm just going to have a look at today's news, before going home ...

On the way home, I got yesterday's and today's milk. At home, first I packed leaves for a colleague, then washed the dishes, packed tomorrow's lunch, did mippie duties and then went outside for a smoke break.

As I stood outside mippies arrived! Every last one! So, I invited them to come inside for munchies - which they enjoyed! Their bowls are so clean, it looks like I've just washed them! Except for Mini's - she's still a little selective.

I didn't feel like a whole slice of pizza, so I just had a bread roll for dinner. Now, I'm mentally exhausted ... just going to sit on the bed, watch some episodes of Warehouse 13 and brush mippies ...

Lock-down Day 137

Usual weekend 'late' start, got out of bed about ten to seven. Let mippies out - who happily zoomed off to who-knows-where!

Last night my friend messaged that he might visit today - depends on whether he's going to Warmbad today. So, I figured I'd like the floors cleaned and decided to do that first. Well, second - first I washed the dishes.

I've taken out a porterhouse steak and the mushrooms to make another pizza today. Oh, and by the way, last night I had sirloin - mostly to myself, as well! Clearly, mippies love rump steak, but not sirloin nor porterhouse. Funny little weirdo's I've got there, eh?

It's only ten in the morning, so I'm taking a sort of break and filtering my tubes while watching Warehouse 13.

Half past two and 10 boxes filled with filtered tubes. I've hit a snag with the cookie plan: they dry out, even when they are sealed. So, I can either try vacuum sealing baked cookies, or I can roll the dough into balls, vacuum seal and freeze them. That's actually the ultimate plan, to have a batch in the freezer ready for baking. Only, right now? I'm not in the mood for anything - I just want to take a nap and relax the rest of the afternoon.

Which, of course, I can't do - I still need to make bread dough and the pizza I had planned ... sigh.

Okay, bread dough getting ready; I pre-fried the porterhouse to put on the pizza ... yet I STILL just want to take a nap and not lift another finger today!

Weeelll, took a teeny tiny nap, and prepared everything for pizza. I keep feeling pressured to do stuff, only ... I want to just relax for a while ... 

I've pushed myself to pack pizza and a bread roll for tomorrow, At's bread is also in the car - and there is nothing left that I MUST do today. Mippies came in without any wait, enjoyed their treats and are now hoping I will make time to brush them again ... which I'm planning on doing. It's half past six - not much time for relaxing left, eh? It's been one of those 'urgh' feeling type of days ... I'm almost glad to get back to work tomorrow.

Lock-down Day 136

Taking it easy today, but making progress - slow, but steady. I got up quite early - the sun comes up earlier now, which I love. I enjoy getting up early in the mornings - when it is not too cold to get out of bed!

Apart from coffee, breakfast and watching Warehouse 13, I haven't done much today - yet. Oh, of course I also brushed mippies, three of which are now curled up on the bed! Ziva is somewhere else - no idea where.

Well, I have washed tobacco leaves and spread them over the drying stand - in the lounge. It makes walking through a lounge somewhat tricky, but as my landlord is now watering the garden, I can't put it outside ... oh, and when I stood outside for a smoke, he also happened to come out and told me to open one of the sprinklers in my garden, so 'my flowers' can get watered, too. No: Good morning, how are you, happy Womens Day - just instructions. Anyway, I've got my tobacco dripping in the lounge, which is fine, as I planned to wash the floors only tomorrow, anyway.

Funny thing about this move, I'm planning: this would be the first time ever that I'm moving by choice! Every past move has always been for a reason beyond my control - this is the first time I'm considering moving for myself, my choice. I can't say that I like it, though. Kind of masochistic. Moving is a nightmare, every time!

Oh, and if I'm going to be cutting and chopping all those leaves today, I have the perfect excuse for not doing anything else until that's finished, ha ha ha!

Well, not much of an excuse, as it turns out. After I wrote the above, I went to check on the leaves and they were dry enough to start cutting ... which I did ... for at least 3 hours! Sigh! In future, I must remember to wash only a few leaves at a time - never, ever too much! Until I have a better cutting process, at least!

On the positive side, however, I now have enough tobacco for about a month!

As I was busy cutting tobacco, Mini brought in a pigeon again! Alive! I tried to get it away from her, but no luck - I could only hope she'd kill it quick. No such luck, though ... eventually Mini left and I took the poor pigeon and put it in the cage ... which, by the way, is pretty broken now! The flooring - from the last time mippies tossed it off the shelf! Poor pigeon, though - Mini had half-chewed through its neck ... it was really awful. I wish I could have just wrung its neck - kill it quick ... but I just don't have it in me. Watching it slowly die was awful ...

Well, the mission for this long weekend was to get a head start on everything - and on the tobacco front, mission definitely accomplished. Tomorrow I still want to bake another batch of cookies and then finish a head start on cigarette tubes. Sounds like a lot, but it's really not that much work. Then I want to sweep and do some superficial washing ... just so it looks cleaner.

Not the bathroom, though. I just don't feel up to cleaning up what looks like the inside of a feather duvet right now! Seriously - it's a mess! If I could get rid of that friggin' fertilizer I blerry would! I mean, WTF was Leon thinking? Oh, right - NOT thinking, as usual! It was bad enough when he'd just put some in patches around the garden - but now? The ENTIRE empty patch is covered in it - and the birds are going absolutely nuts! Can't really blame Mini for picking the odd one ... having a bird feeding frenzy right in her backyard?

All four mippies are curled up on the bed ... I think I'd like to join them. Maybe do some kitty brushing again!

Lock-down Day 135

Unpleasantly cold, so I only got out of bed just before seven. Funny dream I had just before I got up: for some reason I had to work in some guesthouse and I had Mini by my side, helping me catch all the bugs in the beds! Weird, eh? Could be because all mippies were active around, on and over me as I was dozing.

Bedding and towels are now on the line, as I was hanging them up, my landlord's dog kept barking - and nobody called her to quiet down; which leads me to believe they are both out. Also, it's been unusually quiet this morning. So: last load into the machine as well! Getting ALL my laundry done today? Bargain!

Then, as I went outside to check on the drying stand, Ziva got under my feet, I stumbled and sprained my big toe - painful! Poor Ziva ran off, then came running to say she's sorry! Really! Shame, she meant no harm so I gave her a few pats to reassure her.

They've also brought in a mouse ... again! Early this morning. Very busy here - I've just picked up all the cadavers - 2 pigeons and half the mouse. While I was busy with that, I also washed off a lot of puddles and spray streams against the walls ... sigh. I've also cleaned up the blood smears on the floors ... mippies are keeping me busy. At the same time, they want me to play with them! All of them! Sigh ...

Just when I began to hope that maybe - just maybe - my landlord has gone away for the weekend ... a car drove up! They're back! So much for my hope of a bath! Ah well, I still got all my laundry done in one day, so I have my drying stand available for tobacco leaves tomorrow and Monday! Still a bargain!

I've got margarine warming up for 2 batches of cookies, bread dough in the machine getting all doughy, re-activated my charcoal filters (just a matter of boiling them for 10 minutes) and washed the few dishes from this morning.

Two batches of cookie dough in the fridge, all the washing off the line and back inside - just still need to fold and pack away the last few items.

And then I was really tired, so I treated myself to an afternoon nap!

Since the cookies have to be fully cooled down, before I can pack them away, I decided to bake at least one batch today. Done. I'll bake more tomorrow.

I was wondering about Mini, as I hadn't seen her all day long - I stood outside, asked my mippies about her, went back inside and Mini came running to me! Aren't they just too darling?

Which has me wondering about where to look for a place for us to stay? I'm mostly thinking about my mippies. Truth be told, I wish they wouldn't go walk about at all! I would prefer they stayed close to home ... like they did in PE. I always knew where they were, and they never went far - except for Ziva, of course. Here, they go far, far away ... and I'm not really sure, why ...

Mippies came home and inside without any effort whatsoever! Too lovely for words! We spent some time over their treats and then most of them curled up on the bed ... I sat down with them and brushed them! They all love that! Especially Mini, who recently discovered the pleasure of brushies! I brushed them all for quite a while, and they're still all curled up together right where I left them.

After brushing, I made a bunch of tubes - just the tubes, no filters. Filled 5 boxes so far. That's enough for today ... now I'm ready to join mippies again!

Lock-down Day 134

Lovely surprise this morning: At mentioned that Monday was a public holiday! I had completely lost track and forgotten about that! Awesome!

So I started thinking about what I'd like to do with my extra day ... and then I'm scheduling when to do the 3 loads of laundry I need to do - without getting shouted at by my landlord again! This is ridiculous, isn't it?

Well, I have 2 scheduling challenges: 1 - not get shouted at and 2 - free the drying stand for tobacco leaves! Well, I've decided to do the 60 degree load this afternoon. It can hang on both overnight. Then, tomorrow morning, I'll do the 90 degree load of bedding and towels. I'll leave the mippie duvet for Sunday - if they go to church, I'll put it in the machine, if they don't ... I'll see. Sucks, doesn't it?

Anyway, next, I want to bake a couple of batches of cookies! So that, in future, baking one batch per weekend is enough so that I never run out - even when I get a munch-attack and dig deeply into my cookie jar one week! I don't think there is such a thing as too many chocolate cookies, ha ha ha!

Next, I also want to process as much tobacco as I can. Okay, so I haven't even got the first idea of any flavouring yet - but I've finally got the strength right for me, and how finely I need it cut. I can always add flavouring to the cut tobacco. Although, I've been thinking, I quite like it as it is.

And then, I finally want to start my sour dough! The first attempt died ... I believe because it was still too cold outside at the time. Now it's warmed up quite a lot - compared to then. I'm willing to give it a try.

I've also been thinking about cat furniture again. With last night's episode with Mewthos, I think I should try to find the time to build a tunnel for them. I'm thinking of a simply box, reinforced and with carpet tiles stuck inside, so they can claw themselves along on their back - something Ziva, in particular, enjoys doing. And maybe even find the time to re-rope their scratching post, as the ropes are so frayed by now, there are gaps along the way!

Oh, and my Takealot delivery arrived today! Yeeehaaa! That one includes the DVDs of Bonanza! Remember that old TV Western? Ha Ha, I remember watching that in Neulautern, with Oma Anna! We kids used to sing the theme song at the top of our lungs - no words just Boom Boom A Loong, Boom-a-loong Bonaaanza! It was really cheap and I got it purely for the nostalgia! And, what I don't think I've mentioned before is that I've actually been on the Ponderosa Ranch! Yup! That was in 1986, my aunt took us there, when we were visiting her! I've still got some souvenirs, too! They showed us where the cameras would be to film from each angle, and how the 'walls' would be rolled back into place if the angle changed.

Funny how things come back to mind, eh?

Nice! My boss gave us each a hamburger for lunch, today! Personally, I'm not a great fan, but this one was actually quite nice!

Back at home, before I let the mippies out, I first grabbed Mewthos and gave him a cuddle! Just wanted to make sure we're on good terms - don't want him staying out late. No real worries, because cats don't hold grudges! I learned from At that Mewthos being so difficult last night was probably due to his cripple leg hurting - At told me his hip was hurting, too. And it is overcast today ... 

I washed the dishes, while Mini brought in another 2 pigeons ... sigh! Remember I mentioned my landlord had spread fertilizer over the whole garden behind my car? Well, that attracts birds ... which attract Mini ... and I end up with feathers all over my bathroom!

I also had a lot of mippies coming and going the whole time - like none were keen to really go far away! I washed the first load of laundry, it's hanging in the lounge now. I changed the bedding and put the next load - including dish and bathroom towels - in the washing machine, to be washed tomorrow morning.

Oh, and the self-scratcher loop was in my Takealot delivery, too. I put it up and called mippies to come look! Mewthos & Janey investigated, but haven't figured out the scratching part, yet. Mini, of course, starts by putting her claws in, and settled down under the loop! They'll figure it out in time, I'm sure!

Then I thought about what I should do next ... I had a smoke, three mips were already eagerly awaiting their evening treat, so I called Ziva then went inside and gave the three their munchies. Ziva came soon enough - it wasn't actually time, yet, but hey - they're all in and they are ALL QUIET! Can you believe it? After all that mewling and carrying on last night, tonight Mewthos is quietly settled on the bed, dozing!

I was thinking of making some tubes while I watch Bonanza ... well, I'm going to retire to my bed and do whatever I feel like. Cuddle mippies, make tubes, whatever! Tomorrow's plan is to bake lots and lots of cookies!

Lock-down Day 133

Another action packed day at work. First I found out, on arrival, that we're delivering to our client today ... so I quickly printed the delivery notes.

And then I got busy with my re-designing - which I love! I'm re-designing the whole system, from client order to invoice - including Raw Material requirement planning, production planning, deliveries ... everything. In Excel! Which is something I really enjoy doing! I'm also re-doing the Bill of Materials, and adding every single item, as it is required. Basically, I'm doing a full supply-chain system - in Excel. Awesome challenge! But it is also very exhausting ... 

Back at home, mippies came running home before I even had to call! But now? They're restless ... Mewthos is particularly difficult. So much so, that I'm beginning to worry whether maybe something is wrong? Okay, so I'm starting to get why he leaves wet spots ... usually only Wednesdays and Thursdays, as in, after I've been away all day for the third and fourth day in a row. Tonight, he left me a puddle while I was writing this blog ... 

I've wiped it all up, again! Mini showed me the puddle he had left during the day, which I couldn't see when I came home and ended up treading everywhere! I wiped everything I could see ... grumble! Meanwhile, Mewthos is being mewly ... mewling for games, running off when I get up to go to him, wanting to play catch, mewling ... mewling .. mewling. Eventually I took an empty box and put it on the floor, he crawled in, and I carried him into the bathroom! He's as happy as a ... well, cat in a box! For a short while ... then starts mewling again ... 

It's like that during the week and then on the weekend he's fine. But from Tuesday onward he gets worse and worse ... by Thursdays, like tonight, my nerves are finished and I'm running out of patience! I go pick him up, I play with him, I'm trying everything ... no peace. And when I loose my temper and shout at him ... he gives me a look that seems to say "I'm sorry, I don't know why, but I just can't help myself!"

Late in the evening, as I'm dropping off to sleep, he starts mewling around in circles as well ... like he wants something, but doesn't know what ... he walks around, mewling ... won't come under the duvet for a cuddle ... what makes it so annoying is, that he gets like that just as I'm nodding off and wakes me up again! And he clearly needs or wants something, but - just as clearly - doesn't know what!

Now I've just had enough! I've been trying to meet his needs for the past hour and he just goes off again and again, I can't take it anymore! I've just squirted a dose of Calm-Eze down his throat ... yet, here he sits by the passage door mewl, mewl, mewl, mewl, mewl! On and on and on and on! Ignoring him doesn't help either ... logically. But I really don't know what to do with him anymore ...

Well, tomorrow is Friday, so I get home early and I hope he runs off all his extra energy outside! I love the little pest, but I'm too old for baby tantrums ... I don't have the energy anymore.

And, of course, when Mewthos is being such a mewsance, there are three mippies being neglected! Sigh.

Oh, and dinner? I had a Porterhouse steak - not one mip wanted even one piece! Clearly they only like rump steak. Why? Not even a hint of a clue! Tomorrow I'll try Sirloin and see how they react.

Lock-down Day 132

Funny thing this morning - I was on time at work, and turns out, the only one! Only the guy who sleeps on the premises was at work ... everyone else followed.

Another busy day today. But I'm getting somewhere - progress!

On the way home I was just so hungry! Clearly, bread is not enough during the day - even though I took almost half the loaf, and it contained meat. So I decided to bake a batch of muffins tonight.

At home, that's exactly what I did. After my evening mippie chores, of course. Then I sat down to prepare two cigarettes - one for the evening and one for the road - when I heard Mewthos come mewling from afar! He is like a siren when he comes home looking for me! Mew, mew, mew, mew, mew, mew, mew!

I stood outside to have a smoke and didn't even have to call - Janey and Ziva came running! Mewthos and Mini were already here, of course.

I gave them their treats, fried my own dinner and shared it! And now I've been sitting and playing with my mippies, making sure each is getting time to play. Muffins are done, so ... mippie time!

Lock-down Day 131

Phew! What a day! A little slow getting out of bed, but then full steam ahead! Very busy at work, I'm practically finished with the critical store! Almost everything is labelled and counted - only some mystery items they found during housekeeping still need to be identified. Then I can change the system.

The day just flew by - and today, I remembered to take my jacket home as well! Oh, and my mippie treats were delivered today!

Back at home, first I unpack the car, then re-stock the kibbles. The dispensers don't often need re-filling, but I like to make sure that the plate of the Acana kibbles is always full. It's the best of all the kibbles - the more of those they eat, the better! They are slowly eating more of them, too! Today, I mixed some Whiskas treats with them - Janey loves those! Then I cleaned the litter boxes ...

The dough had risen nicely, so I just flattened it a little, by hand, and squished the bits of raw Leberkäse into the dough. I had cut it into little blocks, and just speckled the entire dough with them, pressing them as much in as I could. Then I folded it close, and - as it looked like it would just open again - I placed it in the square bread baking tin I have. Then I went to get mippies.

For once, I had to call and wait! And Janey stayed out for a while - Ziva and Mini, however, had already come inside looking for me! Mewthos came when I called ... well, after a short wait.

I fried myself a steak - turns out mippies like rump steak a lot! I hardly got enough for myself! All four were sitting hoping for the next piece! Mewthos even started licking my leg - pants - while he was waiting! That was just too funny! But he's now quietly curled up on the bed!

Tonight it's Janey's turn for mipping! I'm not sure what's up, but she's restless. So, I've stuck my head in the sock drawer with her and scratched her ears, tummy and anything I could reach. Now she's happy!

The bread is done, it's outside, cooling off ... I wonder whether I should maybe let it cool until tomorrow, before I cut myself slices for tomorrow's lunch? I think I will ... and now I'll join my mippies for cuddles in bed ...