Lock-down Day 219

Slow start to the day - and why not? I slept well, got up, let mippies out - who did a quick tour outside before coming back for cuddles!

I'm taking it easy, enjoying my coffee, playing my game, brushing and scratching mippies. Around nine I start actually doing something productive. Hung the leaves up to dry, load of laundry in the machine, cleared some stuff out the garden, cut the second half of yesterday's leaf (after spraying it), and now I'm rolling cigarettes.

Half past one and I finally have a nice stash of cut tobacco - quite damp, but drying. Yikes, those leaves dry faster than I could keep up with the chopping! For today, I've had just about enough! I'll have to wait for the tobacco to dry now, then get busy rolling ... but I've made good progress. The important thing now, is to continue the process to at least keep up with my consumption! Ideally, I'd like to produce more than I smoke.

Well, I've done the dishes - which wasn't really much - but now I'm not motivated to do anything else. I'm itching to get into the garden - there is just so much to do, there, and I'd love to do it ... so I permitted myself a short interval in the rock-garden bed out back. There are aloes there, which seem to have never been touched since they were planted! Okay, so in nature, that's fine! Personally, I don't like the 'wilted' look in my garden, though. So, I'm all for pulling the dried leaves off completely. But here, it's really a problem, because they also planted cactii UNDER the aloes - some of them are nothing but mold now, as they were completely covered by dried aloe leaves! I mean completely - not one ray of sunlight could have reached them in ages! So, that was fun! Cleaning up a little and discovering more to be cleaned up, ha ha! Actually, I do enjoy that. But yeah, I got indoor stuff to take care of first ...

I'm guessing the lack of motivation is a direct result of all the energy having whizzed right through me last night. I haven't had an opportunity to replace it, yet. Oh, I've eaten ... even fruit ... but well, such a complete drain isn't replaced by one meal.

I did, at least, process the blueberries I got yesterday and also finished processing all the bananas! But I haven't had the courage to go into the vegetable drawer, yet.

Well, turns out my stomach hasn't quite recovered. Or rather, nothing has changed. No wonder I'm feeling drained, even though I haven't done much. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow morning.

For now, I'm enjoying the sound of the rain outside - and just hope it's not a thunderstorm (I thought I saw lightning, but haven't heard any thunder) simply because I don't want to find myself without electricity again ...

Lock-down Day 218

I slept well, but struggled to get up this morning. Some weird dreams again this morning, something about my mippies playing in the street, and I had to drive away, leaving them there. Ziva promised to keep an eye on them for me. Then we moved into a block of flats somewhere ... ai, ai. I don't know what goes on in my head when I'm asleep! And if my dreams are any indication, then that's a good thing! Ignorance being bliss and all that ...

So, I left a little late for work - but then encountered almost no traffic, so I arrived well in time! Nice!

I quickly go to Spar to get milk, juice and chicken hearts. The produce looks mostly ... well, some is already growing mold! But they have one punnet of blueberries that looks good! They don't have any of my preferred juice - only half liter bottles. Well, better that than funny manufacturers! Trouble with the berry juice: they print the 'best before' date on those in black. Same colour for all juices. But black print on dark juice = invisible! Since this store doesn't remove expired goods, I HAVE to check! So, I hold the bottle at an angle, then turn it, until the air bubble is under the print and I can read it.

I also saw a new variety of instant coffee - a stronger option. At a lower price (probably only an introductory price, but still). Since I'm low on instant coffee, I'll give that a try!

I took a peek in the vegetable drawer in my fridge last night ... Urgh! I've also got mold growing on some items - thank you, Eishkom! I'll clean that out this weekend & will place another order on Sunday. Last time, I ordered Monday night, and it was delivered Friday - this time, I'll order Sunday and hope for delivery on Thursday. The meat delivery takes 2 days, so I'll order Tuesday and should get it Thursday. Or should I play it safe and order Monday? I'll see.

Oh, nice! Mail from my ex-landlady asking for my banking details! Well, well ... let's see what comes off that! Like I said, I'm working hard on myself, to keep them out of my mind.

Bwaahaaahaaahaaahaa! I just got the 'bill' for their deductions! They charged a horrendous amount listed as 'labour, painting & cleaning services'. Again: since they forbade me to clean, they can't legally charge cleaning services. And painting? The only things I can think of, that could possibly require painting are the doors - which had NEVER received their final coat of paint, which is why Mewthos' coping sprays left marks. Had they painted them - as they should have - before I moved in, that wouldn't have left marks. The only other painting I can imagine would be the kitchen walls, over the stove, above the tiles, where the grease sprayed. Because they did not use an oil based paint, that grease can't be washed off ... it soaks into the paint. Blerry thieves, eh?

Ah, well! Let them! They are incapable of being happy, the closest they can come is when they can do someone in.

Remember I mentioned that I'm now swimming in FIT 32 cat food? Yeah, well ... I checked the site. Turns out they changed their system and as a result of those changes, my order was set to recur every 2 weeks! Not every 8 weeks! Sigh ... well, no harm done. It doesn't go off. It's no longer their favourite, though - at the moment, they seem to love the Orijen! Which I'm happy about, as it is the best of them all - highest meat content! Which, of course, also makes it the most expensive per kg - but at the same time the one they need to eat the least of to get the nutrients they need! I never understand why people moan about their pets 'eating them out of house and home' when they buy the cheapest per kg food on the market! Duh! Cats are carnivores! Anything that is NOT meat, isn't food for them! So they have to take in loads and loads of pellets just to get a handful of food! Anyway ...

Almost time to go home. I tried making a to-do list, but my mind is going blank ... I've got my list, everything I want finished by the end of this weekend is on that list - I just need to prioritise. This weekend, regardless what I have to ignore, I really want to have cigarettes ready to last the whole week! So, first thing I should do, when I get home, is hang my leaves to dry. They'll be very, very weak by now, ha ha! No worries, though!

Right, I got home and started mowing the lawn. Half-way through, I realised that I'd left my milk, etc in the car - so I quickly went to offload and pack everything in the fridge. No harm done - I hope! I finished mowing the lawn and by the time it was done - so was I! Finished. Done, Out of energy!

It's been hot work in the sun, and I'm a little dehydrated - which, on top of the 'natural detoxing', as some like to call it (personally, I prefer dire rear) ... not fun! Well, it's nothing I ate nor a bug - just the fun I used to have every month, and now only occasionally. By the way, that also explains my unexplained irritability earlier this week. It packs the full punch of the missed months all in one. Awesome, eh? And just in case one manages to cope with that, the fun of night sweats or hot flashes is thrown in the mix! 

After I'd finished mowing the lawn, I figured I should cut the tobacco leaf I'd dried ... only, it's already too dry! Sigh. So, I decided that, since the lawn is done, tomorrow, I'll potter around the kitchen or inside, while I dry & cut tobacco leaves. Main activity: tobacco, everything else to fit around that! That way, I can check on the drying leaf frequently and won't let it dry too much. I've still got a few leaves in water, I'll start with those, and wash more throughout the day.

Then, late tonight, I saw another one of those wormy snakey things in my bedroom ... almost in the same place! When I went to get the dust pan, it had gone - I only just saw it disappear under the skirting of the wall in my wardrobe! Dang! I had better investigate that tomorrow!

Well, mippies wanted lovies - Mewthos has been difficult again. He also decided to go out through the gate - ignoring my request to please stay in the garden! Calling them in for 'munchies' brought him back - but I'm not happy about that. The black and white cat didn't show up today.

Now it's ten at night, I've rested quite a bit, and had at least four sachets of re-hydrat! When that stuff tastes good, I KNOW my body needs it desperately!

Well, time for more mippie cuddles ...

Lock-down Day 217

Another cuddle-fest last night! Mewthos and Mini come settle along my legs as soon as I lie down on the bed, Janey tends to stay in the lounge, but came for cuddles as well. When they were all finally satisfied, I got up to give Ziva a pet - which sent her into full cuddle demand mode! She threw herself at my hand flopping this way and that, rolling over my arm - just going nuts for scratchies! My little love bugs!

I ended up staying up till past ten - so I was somewhat surprised to wake up early, and refreshed. PC was off - again ... I really need to get a new UPS! With the lawn mower and the step ladder, I had already spent more than I wanted to, so I decided to wait before spending even more money ... but thanks to my aunty ... :D

This morning they had lit fires at the entrance to the Onderstepoort Research Facility again. As always, where there is any destruction of property, you'll see the EFF strongly represented! How they are a legal political party, when they only destroy and terrorise - I do not know!

I decided to make a quick trip to buy cigarettes today since I'm still not keeping up with my production at home. But I decided to buy cheapies. Of course, I couldn't resist treating myself to a chocolate!

I considered getting everything today, rather than go again tomorrow, but since I want cooled items (milk, juice, chicken hearts for mippies), I decided to rather go again tomorrow, when it's a shorter day. I could go late afternoon - but then the place is so busy, it takes twice as long to get a few items! So, I'll go again tomorrow morning. I don't need much, just milk, juice, chicken hearts, maybe look at the produce, perhaps some cheese ... I can put that in the cooler box, and it'll still be cool by the time I get home!

I've had a breakthrough with my work system - now I just need to work out the details! Fun!

Oh, cool! My tobacco leaves were just delivered! Nice! That's me covered for a looong while! Now I just need to step up the cigarette production, ha ha!

There's talk of increasing the tax on tobacco products - by 100%! This time, they claim that smokers put too much of a burden on the health care system - so we should pay the full price of our health care requirements. Don't ask me how they arrived at that ... they probably just added up the cost of ALL respiratory related symptoms (like coughing) with no regard what caused the cough (infection, for example) or whether they actually smoke, have ever smoked, etc. It's a witch hunt! Remember 'The Scarlett Letter'? Yeah, one of these days we have to sow a red letter 'S' on the front of our clothes, if we want to go out in public! Or maybe they'll choose a Star-of-David design?

If they could make the EFF pay for all the damages to government property they have done since their inception ... and then recover all the money lost to corruption? We'd be the richest country in the world! Or, like FITA says: first do something about the smuggling!

The mind boggles! Another reason to get my rear into gear and have my own cigarette production rolling!

Traffic was awful! Bumper to bumper crawling most of the way.

I had my hands a little too full, carrying everything inside and dropped my coffee mug ... it's made of steel, so it didn't break, but it did dent! Sigh.

At home, I got busy in the garden again, with mippies all around! Again, they stayed inside the garden. I tackled those tall weed, which could tickle (or sting) my nose, if I stood right by them! I tried to pull out what I could, but most I ended up cutting. I found my gloves and my secateurs, so I had the tools to do the job! That strange cat came and attacked my mippies again. I don't know what to think, I'm beginning to believe - based on its behaviour - that it used to live here. It's definitely not feral, it behaves as if my garden is its home? Why else would it come into my garden to attack my mippies? I don't know what to do about it ... for now, I've just blocked the way it comes into my garden.

I should definitely mow the lawn this weekend - and the back patch, which I mowed last weekend, could do with another mow! Sigh.

I'm not up to any work inside tonight. I'm just going to shower, dinner, and then relax. Nothing more.

Well, I've done all that had to be done ... now I'll cuddle mippies and relax.

Lock-down Day 216

Boy did we have cuddle needs last night! No sooner had I stretched out on the bed, than I was joined by mippies wanting to be brushed! Mini, Mewthos, then Janey just couldn't get enough cuddles and brushies! Ziva had settled on the chest of drawers, so when everyone else seemed happy, I went and gave her a pet or two ... which started her off! She came to bed with high demand of cuddles and ear scratches! Quality time with my family, eh? It's nice to be needed and loved!

This morning I took it easy again, enjoyed a leisurely coffee before going off to work. Mippies got their breakfast treat and cuddles.

I've been in e-mail contact with my aunt in America for a while now, she's been wanting to send me money - a gift for my 50th birthday (yes, I'm 53 now, so it's a little late, but I'm really not that petty!). She said she'd transfer a small amount first, to see if it works ... I just received a call from the bank, asking me to clear the payment (just to be sure there's nothing illegal about it) and when they mentioned the amount ... I nearly fell off my chair! That's almost a month's salary! Cor blimey, I'm rich! Ha Ha! I've just converted it to US$ and I don't think that that is a 'small' amount for her, either. Maybe I didn't hear properly - I'll see when it comes through! Either way, I AM grateful!

Cor blimey, the payment has come through and ... I heard right! With all the moving expenses - that really puts my budget back on track, BIG TIME! Happy dance!

Work-wise, I'm somewhat stuck.

At least home is happy! I always look forward to seeing my mippies - they always come to greet me at the door!

At home, I let out mippies - they all sit at the patio door, watching me come past, then sit in the kitchen by the washroom door through which I come inside! I greet my mippies, put down what's in my hands, then open the patio door to let them out! I've got some things to do inside - take one leaf out to dry, exchange the water of the rest, place the bread dough into the proving basket, etc.

Then I go out the front door and I'm pleased to see ALL four mippies have stayed inside my garden! Okay, maybe it's because there were people walking - albeit some distance from the gate? But I'll take it! That black and white cat is still an issue, though. I don't yet know whether it's a he or a she, but my mippies are being attacked. In my garden!

I loosened a lot of soil next to the garage - I'm doing that for my mippies, so they have somewhere to 'go' outside. They are not too keen on hard soil, they like to dig where I've loosened it. While I was at it, I decided I might as well pull out the weeds in that patch. There are some plants in tires - with the tires used as planters or flower pots. I have no clue what those are, but they looked rather thirsty, so I watered them.

Mippies stayed inside the garden the entire time! Not one mip even attempted to go outside! Cool!

When it was time to go inside, I had no trouble. I've been really busy the whole evening, baking bread, rolling some cigarettes, cutting tobacco, cooking dinner, freezing some of the bananas, etc, etc. It's now half past nine, and I'm finally done and ready to sit down and relax. Mippies have demanded attention throughout the evening - and received plenty! Oh, the little naughty crappers have 'built' themselves their own sand box! How? Oh, just kicked a heap of sand between two boxes, then used that heap! Never a dull moment, with this lot, eh?

Anyway ... I'm knackered ... time to relax, brush mippies, then sleep.

Lock-down Day 215

A new day and a new attitude! Yes, I'm feeling better, but I've also done plenty of thinking. Remember when I mentioned how this place seemed too good to be true and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop? Well, that's because I already knew - but denied - that renting a house means that the maintenance falls on the tenant, not the owner! I ignored that, because I so much wanted to live in such a lovely home!

Well, I'm not very skilled in maintenance - having little to no experience. But I can learn! And it shouldn't be all that difficult, after all. As long as we're talking non-electrical work, that is.

First thing I'll need to get resolved is the gate. Then the plug in the basin - or that basin will overflow! Or I'll have to wash my hands in the bath. And then there's that decorative skirting in the kitchen which has come off. One at a time.

I got up soon after the alarm went off, gave my mippies their morning treat, made myself coffee, sat down to enjoy some of the coffee, cleaned the litter boxes, got dressed and left for work - forgot to turn off the geyser! Again! Sigh.

Oh, and I tried the basin plug again - and it opened! Just like that! I've been trying that since Sunday evening, when I had washed in it! Ah, well. Better not close it again!

In the car, I figured it can't hurt to try, so I pressed the remote button. Huh? Gate opens!?! Last night it wouldn't budge?! Okay, so it opens only half-way, press the remote again, it closes, and again - gate opens all the way! Cool! Drive through, gate closes!

Well, that's two critical issues off my list! I still want to look at what I can maybe do about the basin plug - but with the gate, there's not much I'm able to do.

Right now, I have a little too much on my plate, though - I still haven't caught up on my kitchen & cigarette basics, and too much still is packed somewhere ... and now there are rumours of another hard lock-down, which may also make cigarettes illegal again (although frankly, I don't believe that is likely, not likely at all!) ... I just need to sit down and prioritise. 

Right. I've filled my baskets for cigarette requirements. The reason cigarettes are my priority is simple: buying cigarettes has simply become too expensive! The sooner I can smoke ONLY my own, the better for ALL my long-term goals!

Since I have such a lot on my plate, I figured the best thing to do is to make a list! It feels good to cross things off lists, when they're done, and you don't have to keep the list in your head!

Back at home, I let mippies out through the back patio door. Then I sit and roll myself cigarettes. Mewthos doesn't seem to want to go out, he just flops in the middle of the kitchen and mewls. Non stop. So, I guess I better go outside WITH him! Once outside, I look for my girls .. Mini is nearby, but Ziva and Janey? Noooo! They've gone outside the garden, exploring far, far away! Why? Just why? They have so much in the garden: trees, toys, grass, places to explore, places to dig ... everything they could wish for, so why go out? I'm going to try dissuade them.

When Ziva and Mini come with me to the gate, while I try to look for Janey - I 'No!' at them, when they step through the gate. They both grasp my meaning fairly quickly. So I decide to spend time with them outside - and they're running about, dashing up the trees, digging around, plain enjoying themselves! I decide to use the time to pick more dead fronds off the other palms ... 

Janey showed up soon enough, and joined in the outside fun! Good that they burn off some energy! Then I call them inside for their treat - Mewthos and Ziva come at top speed ... Janey and Mini? I have to go back outside to call them!

Once inside, I got busy on my to-do list. I achieved quite a lot! Everything I needed done tonight got done! I even turned the geyser off after I'd showered!

I fried myself two steaks tonight, so I could share generously without cutting my own dinner too short! Boy, I could barely cut off little pieces fast enough for all four mippies! When they had enough, I could eat the rest in peace, ha ha!

Now they are mipping for attention again ... twenty to nine, so I'll sit back, relax and brushie mippies!

Lock-down Day 214

Still no power at home. I took out a steak for dinner - and my meat is beginning to defrost.

Gate doesn't work, so I have to set it to manual - which means that anyone can enter anytime today. As I was leaving, I saw the guy who has that goat herd - and stopped to find out whether he knows anything. Nope, also had power out since Saturday. Two hopeful beeps around seven Sunday night, but still no power. We exchanged numbers and he promised to let me know if the power comes on - because then I can call the manager to lock my gate. He did say not to worry, though, since his guys will keep an eye ...

First thing at work, I put my phone on charger - I normally charge it on weekends. Just once a week. I guess I should have done that Saturday ... 

Second thing at work - I am way, way early at work; no coffee at home? off to work - I look up the details to report and check on power outages. Next time, I WILL have all the details I need to report it immediately! And not have to rely on hoping that SOMEONE reports it.

I found a site, where you can just enter your meter number & cellphone number to report a power outage ... which is no good to me. Without power, I can't access the web. But at least I could tell that it's a known problem, so someone has already reported it.

I found my meter number and gave it a try: Not a known / registered meter. So ... I can't report a power outage. That's a problem!

After lunch I called the manager and he told me that the power has come on again. It had come on earlier, but went off again, now it seems to be on for good. Okay, that's a relief!

Now: How the eff do I deal with the effects of this? Like: do I throw all my de-frosted and refrozen meat out? That would mean: throw away everything in the freezer ... I can't afford to do that! I don't know what defrosted and what stayed frozen - if anything. I only opened that door this morning to take out a steak, and it was soft on one end, but solid the other. So ... I'm just going to pretend that nothing defrosted, and make sure I charcoal everything (i.e fry it till it's very well done). I don't like meat that way - it's too dry!

I'm feeling really irritable now. This power situation is really messing with me, and I only had my first coffee well after seven! I have a headache, I'm thirsty - I've almost finished the 1 1/2 liter water I take to work; but I don't want to spend more money on a cold drink either. Then, the cigarettes are not yet perfect, so occasionally they still go out - which, given everything else, that's just the last straw.

I'd love to just go home - but: without hot water, I couldn't wash the dishes yesterday. And I didn't wash them Saturday. Now I have a sink full to do tonight ... on top of everything else. It's also very, very hot again today, hence the thirst.

Finally time to go home! The usual traffic, finally home! I have to open the gate manually again, then turn it back to automatic. Problem! It won't open with the remote, and I can't get it back to manual! After several attempts, I got it to manual, but not working on the remote. For now, I'm leaving it firmly locked - I'll worry about re-opening tomorrow morning.

Silly me, I drive in front of the garage - when I remember that I haven't made space for the car in the garage. Park under the carport.

Inside, I let mippies out the patio door, re-fill their water fountain which was very low, have some juice myself, fill my own water bottle and sit down for a smoke. Sigh ... too much! Well, I've turned the geyser on, but I'd better give it time to heat the water this time. Sigh. I think that moving into a house, I may have bitten off more than I can chew. I am going to need help. Maintaining and repairs ... I just don't have the know-how.

Okay, feeling much, much better now! Most of the dishes are done, I've had a shower and I have some ideas. Last night I washed in the basin - the shower feels much, much better! Only problem: now I can't unplug the basin! It's got one of those press-once-to-close-press-again-to-open things? The closing part worked fine ... but it won't open. Sigh.

Well, it's half past seven, I've packed lunch, re-filled my water bottle, finished the dishes ... I should clean the litter boxes! I don't wanna! Ha Ha! Just so drained and tired now ... I had my steak, which I had to share with all four mippies! Yep, even Janey came for a piece! I took out two steaks for tomorrow night ... right now, I just want to watch an episode, then go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 213

Around nine Saturday night the power went off. Probably due to the thunderstorm. It's now Monday morning, and the power is still not on.

I had hoped to have power on Sunday, but no luck. Which meant: no coffee! I haven't got a gas cooker, yet. So, I dissolved some instant coffee in a little water and filled the cup with milk - a warmish iced coffee.

Not knowing whether I'd be able to shower, I decided not to get all sweaty in the garden. I did clean the center palm, though - removed heaps of dead fronds.

I did a bit of cleaning in the kitchen, packed a couple of things where I think they fit best, chopped tobacco, rolled about two dozen cigarettes, and that was all I could do. At least I have water, though at low pressure - and no hot water.

By noon, I sent a message to my neighbour, asking whether he knows anything. And by one, I called the manager. He called me back to say that they had power in the yard and his guy on site would come around to check my circuits.

So, I was led to believe that I would have power within minutes ... forty minutes later, still nothing, so I called their guy on site, and he told me: no, they also don't have power since yesterday, they've got their generator running!

So, all that for nothing ... no news, no info, no nothing. Sit, wait and hope ... 

Couldn't wash dishes, couldn't shower, couldn't do anything much ... 

Lock-down Day 212

Mippies Outies! And that's the first thing I did this morning: open the sliding door to let mippies out!

Quarter to eleven and we've all had lots of fun! Oh, we annoyed mommy lots, too! But mostly, we've had fun! I tackled the back garden, as planned. I discovered some succulents I've never even seen before in the rock garden along one side there - but the whole bed is totally covered by some awful creeper! There are plenty of cactus varieties in that bed as well - I'm definitely looking forward to spending some quality time in there ... one of these days!

I did what I could, but the sun was catching up with me fast. I mostly pulled all the big stuff out. Funny thing about a rock garden: If it's green, it's a week! Ha Ha! It also has those grass things growing in there, which had covered the area around the tap in PE. Which has a kind of bulb. I pulled as much of it out, as I could - but I haven't found my gloves, yet, and the cacti have really long thorns! I'll need better equipment to work there. I will also need to cut off the dead bits off the plants in that bed.

I cleared weeds off the path and all those big thistles and things off the lawn, then set down to assemble the push mower! What had me stumped was: how do the handle bars fit to the mower? I just couldn't find any fastening mechanism! Turns out, you simply clip them in! And then I started mowing! What a breeze! Works like an absolute charm! First time I've mowed a lawn in ... oh, gosh, I'd have to say over 20 years?! Okay, so it was just a small patch - the big lawn is still out front, growing tall ... but, hey! I mowed my lawn!

I also placed the toy humming bird in the rock garden - mippies were intrigued! Yet, they left it alone! It's still going strong!

I've been thinking of leaving the lawn mowing for later, but when I look at the grass - how tall it already is in some patches? I don't know ... 

Well, I just mowed the partition outside my bedroom. Turns out that half of that shouldn't have anything growing on it anyway, as it is either cemented or bricked - I can't tell, yet. I want to clear it some day, and see what's under that. Oh, and this property has several partitions - with fencing and gates put up, like the partition outside my bedroom. There's a gate if you come from the washroom (there's a pathway between the house and the neighbour's wall), and then a fence running from the front patio for a couple of meters, when it turns towards the neighbour's wall. There's another gate outside the patio - with a mechanism that can only be reached from inside the partition, as it's behind the corner. And it swings closed - doesn't stay open. So, when I took the cut grass to where I'm starting a compost heap, when I came back, I had to walk back to the garage, walk across the patio and climb over the wall! Silly!

Then, at the back, when you come out of the washroom, there is another fence and a gate leading to the back garden (which I worked today). There are two more fenced in partitions on the far left (looking from the house), one with a dog house and the other ... just grass with a paved area.

One thing I must say, though: when I first looked at the garden where I lived before, I really struggled to see any potential! There were trees everywhere - three very large trees, spaced so that there really isn't room for more trees. And he center area, behind the bench, was all covered in those red flowers. The ONLY place I could do anything was along the fence and behind the carport. And I had no freedom to design where I want to walk - those red flowers blocked all options. So I'd always have to walk around, along the fence. I tried many times to come up with some idea how to turn that into something pleasant - flowers and herbs, with vegetables as well, where I'd enjoy strolling, or sitting with a chair and a book - or just sitting and enjoying the garden ... and I've always come up empty. I'm pretty sure that, if I had seen the place - not just the photos, but actually been there - I would never have moved there. But on the whole, I'm glad for the experience! It makes me appreciate this place far more than I would have, had I moved here directly from PE!

For starters, having had a landlord, who has no problem with his place falling apart, as long as he gets his rent - I wanted a landlord who cares to maintain his place. Which I had. Only, he went totally overboard - not just maintaining, but dictating life-style. So, now I'm quite okay with a landlord who doesn't really seem to maintain - I'll make my own arrangements for those things I want done.

Anyway, on with the motley! I've started tackling the garage - what a mess! Those guys? Seriously? I thought I had seen the worst with those loafers in PE - but what I'm seeing in the garage now? I'm just shaking my head and trying to keep my temper! Someone who can not even pack boxes? I mean - who in his right mind puts a heavy box filled with books ON TOP of a light box, marked 'fragile'? Yeah, I know ... 

I meant to pull the car just outside the garage, but as the sun is blazing down, I decided to park it under the carport, in the shade. And do you know what? When I went to move the car, I saw all my things still on the car roof! My lunch box, my work coffee cup, my mask (scarf) and my jacket! I had unpacked everything from the boot - but left everything else on the roof of the car, after I got out!

It's half past one, and I really shouldn't sit down to take a break. I fear that, if I stop with the garage work, I won't start again ... And I'm still pulling the boxes out from where they had left them - some of which I absolutely have to unpack right away. And not 'take the box to the lounge and unpack', but unpack where it stands, take an armful out of the box, walk to the lounge, find space, repeat. Can't move half the boxes - they'll just fall apart if I try!

Just past three and I give up! I'm totally knackered! My back is sore, I'm tired, my feet hurt, and I feel like I'm covered in a layer of sweat! I'm leaving the car outside tonight - maybe even the rest of the week. Unless I find more energy tomorrow to carry on in the garage - the car will be parked outside next week. I've also brought in quite a couple of boxes to unpack - like my kitchen scale, and such. I think tomorrow I'll work on the most important thing for the immediate future: figuring out how to cut the tobacco now that I roll my cigarettes. I can't afford to keep buying cigarettes.

I've just turned on the geyser, I really want a shower! I've already fried my steak, as I was hungry - and shared with Ziva and Mewthos!

Mewthos has discovered a new game: Hide and seek! He goes and hides somewhere in the house, then mewls for me to come look for him! First time he was sitting in the bath! Ha Ha! New home, new games, eh?

Oh, and Ziva? That cute little eeu eeu mip? Long gone! She now has an almost as annoying You! You! mip as Mewthos! She is very insistent and demanding! Especially when she wants attention when I'm on the toilet.

That's much better! A nice refreshing shower! I didn't wait very long, so it wasn't very hot - I'm hot enough after the work today, no need for hot water!

Half past five. I've taken my work pants inside just in time! I heard a bit of thunder and brought them in - they were finally dry. A few minutes later some rain came down. Not much, but some! I've gone through the blueberries, one by one, picking only the good ones for freezing. I tried cleaning the white speck off one and eating it - yuk! I ended up throwing away almost a quarter! Ah well. Got plenty for milk shake! Then I cleaned the strawberries - lovely big ones! Haven't seen those in ages! Better luck with those! Also in the freezer getting ready for milk shake.

Mippies were a little disappointed that I had closed all exits already - they would have liked to go for their pre-evening walk. But with the weather turning, I'd rather have them inside. And there's also that other cat outside. He (or she) came to my back door, hissing at mippies! Mippies came running back inside when that cat appeared. I saw it first on my second visit - the manager said that nobody around here has a cat, yet it looks well fed. It's a black and white cat. Saw it strolling along the house a few minutes ago ... 

I must say, that looking out at the back garden, with the lawn I just mowed myself? Cool! And that bed, the rock garden, looks much better as well. I also swept the walk ways afterwards - and a few minutes after that, Janey threw up on the back patio! Ha Ha! No worries, though!

I've put a few leaves into water to wash - tobacco leaves. I'll take them out, one by one, to dry tomorrow, then I'll experiment with how best to cut them. What I've done lately is to roll them into a sausage and try to cut thin strips off - I don't think they are thin enough, though. The cigarettes just drop loads of embers and I have to re-light for every single puff! Somewhat frustrating. I've tried cutting the strips with scissors afterwards, but still the same. So, tomorrow I want to try using my half-moon blade, but instead of cross-cutting (turning them 90 degrees, then chopping the strips into small bits), I want to try keeping strips.

It's been a busy day. Tomorrow, my priority is to continue processing the produce and get enough cigarettes ready for the week. 

I've taken a muscle relaxant and something for my headache. Feeling better already, I'm sure I'll sleep well tonight.

Lock-down Day 211 Part 2

Ha Ha, I accidentally published what I had written at work. Normally, I merely exit, and continue writing the draft until I'm too tired or done or ... well, before I go to sleep, I publish. Jumped the gun today - or rather, clicked the wrong icon!

Well, at home, first thing I did was unpack. To my surprise, I saw 2 sweet melons! How did I miss that, when I packed them? Really silly of me, eh? Less pricey at least! The blueberry punnets each have at least one rotten blueberry inside - sigh.

I'm rather hungry, so I fried myself my steak - which I had to share with mippies. Big time, as it's the first meat I'm eating this week, ha ha! Well, there was bacon on my pizza, but that's all the meat I ate this week. Mippies have been very disappointed! They're happy now, though!

Well, I've unpacked my record player! That's been packed since PE! I never had space to unpack it before. Set it to Jacaranda FM so now I have radio in the lounge! I think I can play an audio book off a stick, if I load it? I'll have to see tomorrow.

About tomorrow, I've decided that I'll start with the back garden, what I see out the lounge doors. It's a small place, there are flower beds there - with lots of aloe and such, which really could do with a bit of weeding and I can try out my push mower on the small lawn out back! It's a small job, not too much, so I'm not biting off more than I can chew. And it's outside the gate I'd like mippies to get used to using. Because I can keep that gate locked, when I'm inside, but mippies can come through it. Whereas the front door gate, mippies can't get through - which was useful, now, giving them a whiff of outside without fear of them getting out and possibly lost!

I also treated my biggest bookshelf, and I used my new step ladder for the top shelf! It's awesome! I have a thing about ladders, I'm not good with heights - even such little ones - and even worse on a wobbly step ladder. This one? Feels rock solid! I love it!

And guess what? You are correct! I forgot to publish Part 2 before going to sleep! Ha Ha Ha!

Lock-down Day 211

My Mew-larm would appear to have relaxed lately, as they let me sleep late this morning! Okay, so Mini pushed my hairbrush off the bed, to wake me up and tried to snooze my alarm - but I haven't had my hair pulled, nor insistent mewling in my ear.

As I left late, I expected some traffic, though not quite as bad as I found. Apparently there's a protest outside the Onderstepoort Research Facility - they've lit fires in the drive-in lane, blocking that. Not blocking the road at all - but everyone driving past had to rubber-neck, just in case they miss some gruesome detail. Lots of drivers passing the queue in the oncoming lane ... that's the biggest problem along that road: people by-passing the queue, then holding up traffic when they push back into the queued lane. If nobody did that, traffic would flow much faster!

By nine my lawn-mower had already arrived! Yay! Yikes, but they put a crap-load of packaging in this delivery! I had ordered grow-bags - they are basically material bags. Each one was wrapped in individual cellophane. Each set was then wrapped in bubble-wrap! Bubble wrap! I ask you: Why? We are talking about material bags? For the garden? Why are they wrapped in bubble wrap? And then the set is wrapped in packaging paper. It took me quite some time to remove all the shrink-wrap, bubble wrap, cellophane, blister pack and packaging paper from everything - no need to take all that home! The lawn-mower, I left in it's original box - I'll play with that at home. I'm quite looking forward to that, too!

I decided to call about my produce delivery - just to be on the safe side. They said it is out for delivery this morning, so: no worries! This is just awesome! I love being able to sit back, place my orders - check my stock or storage capacity, when I see specials ... and not having to drive one single extra kilometer! It is so much more efficient to place orders at home! In store one always ends up getting things you either already have in stock, but forgot, or don't have all the ingredients you thought you had - or end up buying ingredients you actually have at home ... with vegetables & meat it's always a matter of meal-planning; not just buying items on their own. And meal planning not just 'what meal' and 'what else you'll need for the meal' but 'when will I make that meal'.

So: online shopping is awesome! Okay, so I don't get out a lot ... but that's the whole point, for me! Gone are the days when you're greeted in the store by owners or managers, or even cashiers! You're just a number - or a nuisance, when you ask anything.

Well, I'm a little unimpressed with that delivery! They arrived lunch time, so no problem there. BUT: The spring onion? All squashed! And the sweet melon? Which was quite pricey? The smallest of its kind I have ever seen! Not much bigger than a grapefruit! I haven't looked closely at the berries in their punnets, yet - they seemed okay, though. But that melon? Major disappointment! And everything is warm, like it hasn't been near a fridge in a long time ... Ah, well! It IS convenient, and you live and learn!

There are still SOME items I cannot yet get online, so I still have to visit stores occasionally ... I'll just have to keep an eye on their produce as well, when I go. Oh, I'll order again, it's not all bad! Just a lot of plastic - each kg packed separately. I guess that's how they store it. The bread, for example, looks good. Though, as you know, I prefer my own now. The potatoes look good, the bananas are still green, but that's a good thing, not a bad thing. Everything else looks good, so: yes, I'll definitely be ordering again!

What I'd really like, though, would be an upright freezer! To store everything long term. I've been thinking of making little 'smoothie pockets', where I mix banana & fruit, each pocket is one milk shake (or smoothie, if you're feeling posh). Although, with the bananas still green, that won't work now. Not a problem, though!

I considered driving forwards into my garage tonight, so that the boot is parked near the door, not furthest from it - but then I decided not to. I'd rather just unpack the big boxes before I drive the car in - like I did with the cat furniture. Unpack most of the boot and stack it by the door before I pull the car into the garage. Easy!

This last hour on a Friday is always the longest ... 

Lock-down Day 210

Another night of insufficient sleep. Again couldn't fall asleep till past midnight. Same reason = my own fault. Around midnight, however, some animal in the roof became active - it sounded like something with paws, not talons or anything else bird-like. I suppose I'm going to have to try and have a look in the roof one of these days ... but for that, I would need a full ladder. Not just the 3-step ladder I should receive on Friday. Sigh.

This morning, I got up somewhat late. Made myself coffee - after treating mippies - and then sat at the PC to drink my coffee ... only to pour it over the table, the floor and myself! I didn't look properly when I put it down. Sigh. Wiping the table, wiping the floor, hanging my cushion up to dry ... nothing I can do about my work pants, though. It's not Monday, is it?

Mippies also mipped me awake during the night - it seems that they believe, since I'm not really sleeping, I might as well be there for them! They do tend to step on some delicate places when they stroll across me ... on the whole, though, they do seem much happier in our new home! More relaxed, well, they are feeling a bit cooped up now - not sure why, though? They've got plenty of space and everything they need inside. Well, they get to go outies on Saturday!

It's nearly five and my produce delivery hasn't arrives. Ah, well. Maybe tomorrow!

Back at home, Mewthos is awfully mewly! So much so, my good humour is evaporating! I came home in such a good mood, I was singing and humming ... and then I was shouting at Mewthos to Just. Be. Quiet! Honestly!

I've treated them, done my evening chores, showered and now I just want to relax. Fortunately my cushion is dry, so I could put it back to sit on.

Well, I'm just going to relax and scratch or brush any mippies within reach ...

Lock-down Day 209

I seriously struggled to fall asleep last night - that's the caffeine in the Coke I drank yesterday afternoon. I know plenty of people can drink caffeine last thing at night, then fall asleep - well, I'm not one of them. Every person's body is different. That's why we don't all like the same things.

Mippies enjoyed the extra attention they got throughout the night, though! Oh, and I've decided that this weekend, I will buy myself a new UPS. We have these power trips, where the power goes off for less than a minute - which, with no functioning UPS, switches the PC off instantly. Every time!

For the non-PC knowledgeable: a UPS is a universal power supply. You plug your PC into that, and then the UPS into the wall socket - so, if, for example lightning hits the power lines, it will fry the UPS, not the PC. It also has a battery, so if the power supply is interrupted, you have time to turn off the PC; as these 'crashes' eventually cause problems. Of course, that means that you have to plug your monitor into the UPS as well, which is only a problem, if you have a Mecer monitor! Like I do! Why? Because Mecer likes to be difficult - they have a uniquely shaped power connection ... not the standard one accepted by all UPS'. Sigh.

At work, I'm trying to design an MRP system in excel (MRP = material requirements planning). I had one designed, but outside chop-n-change messing has ... well ... messed it up. So, I want something simple to meet my needs. Adapting to every new 'quick fix' has resulted in so many patches that it's become way too complex.

Anyway, back at home, mippies are happy to see me, mewling and mipping for their various forms of attention. I've cut another leaf of tobacco tonight - nothing more. I just want to relax now ... I didn't sleep enough last night, hopefully I can catch up on that tonight.

Lock-down Day 208

Sigh, I got my hair pulled again this morning when Mewthos stepped on it right at the back of my neck! Ouch!

I am really enjoying my new relaxed morning routine, though! As I'm no longer cramped, I can sit somewhere other than behind my PC for my morning coffee - I have a lounge, now! Oh, I had one before, but now one that isn't a labyrinth of boxes! Super cool! So, I get up, unlock the gate (from kitchen to sleeping areas, i.e. bedrooms & bathroom), by that time Mewthos is already on the counter in full mewl for his morning treat! Depending on my mood, I either put on the kettle first or shut him up with a treat. Then I get dressed, enjoy clean the litter boxes, make and enjoy my coffee - sharing milk with mippies, of course!

Bathroom, finish dressing, turn off the PC, collect everything and go to work.

Work is a little chaotic ... gosh, how is that news? Ha Ha!

I did find time to investigate online fruit & vegetable shopping! On their website it wasn't clear whether Rosslyn was included in their delivery area - we're right on the border of their area - so I called and confirmed that they do deliver here. I've placed a fat order for fruit and vegetables ... unfortunately they do not have any fruit juices that I like. So, in a way, I still have a drinking problem (I'm sure you saw what I did there, eh?). I still have a bottle of tonic water at home, and some concentrate - so, I'm not totally dry, yet.

What I have done, however, is added 2 liter milk to my order. Okay, it's not as cheap as at the local store - but will save me the time. I ordered bananas, strawberries and blueberries (the latter both being on special), so I can make myself milk shakes this week. Delivery should arrive Thursday. Let's see how it goes!

I've just received another cat food delivery - I need to look at the schedule, because I'm now swimming in Fit 32! But I'm low on Iams - my fault entirely! My lawn mower is scheduled for delivery on Friday! Cool, eh? I didn't expect that this week, as most items said 'shipping in 6-8 days' ... let's just hope they arrive before closing time on Friday, as we close early!

This means that I won't need to go shopping on Friday, after all! Yay! I might pop in at the local Spar for milk, and maybe a fruit juice, but otherwise? Nothing urgent! I love this! I must admit, though, that the online fruit & veg are a tad pricy, but at least I don't have to spend time in a store, with potentially rude staff, having to look through fruit & veg, hoping to find some that haven't been man-handled, double-checking every expiry date, traffic ... etc. etc. 

And after all that, to avoid having to go shopping, what do I do? Ha ha! Indeed! I went shopping! No, not the 'mission' to NinaPark Superspar - just quickly to the KwikSpar down the road. What motivated me? Two reasons: a) I'm running out of cigarettes and b) by one my water was almost finished! No way could I go without anything to drink for three or four hours! At least that's now done! And I definitely won't need to go on Friday!

It's 34 Celsius today! And the store has no air flow - in winter it is freezing, in summer it's a sauna!

Back at home, mippies are relaxed and happy to see me! It's so lovely to come home, now! First thing, I took everything out of the car, then sat in my armchair in the lounge for a smoke.  Mewthos mewls, flops down about two meters from me and mewls again! Not sure what he wants, but if he's not coming to me, I guess he just wants to be acknowledged. Ziva came and sat on my lap for a while, to have her ears scratched - she's not been a lap-cat since she had the kittens. Now she demands such a lot of attention, I just can't cope!

Only thing I miss is being able to get into the shower as soon as I get home - I have to wait a bit for the water to warm up, as I turn off the geyser most of the time. But in this heat, I don't really need it to be very hot, so I showered as soon as I'd finished my chores - you know: offload the car, pack lunch, re-fill my water bottle, take everything into the car, clean the litter boxes - with a bit of added fun of Mewthos using the last box while I'm cleaning the other two! I re-filled their new water fountain as well and then took a shower.

Half past seven now, mippies have had their treats, they are now busy washing themselves and settling down ... I think I'll follow their example and settle on the bed, watch an episode, then go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 207

No hair pulling, no mewling, no demands that I get out of bed - they let me sleep in! Well, until half six, of course, as it's a work day. Once I got up, though, the mewling for a treat started, ha ha!

I've just done a bit of shopping ... sigh ... spending more, much more than planned! Well, the lawn mower isn't a low-price item. Then, I need a step ladder, at least 3 steps so I can reach light bulbs and such. And then I got stuck in the gardening section ... motion-detector solar-powered lights, a sprinkler, potato planter, strawberry planter, pretty toys! No seeds, though! Ha Ha ha! I've still got plenty of seeds packed away - first I use those (though they're a year old by now, so may not grow) and I'll only get more seeds when I've used those!

I stumbled across a really funny post on Facebook - albeit in German; so I translated it & added my own little pun: 

To all Toilet Paper Hoarders

If you're short a few sheets of a full roll:

Looking to swap sheets 42, 95, 157 & 295 for sheets 22, 50, 115 & 262!

Seeing as people are apparently bulk-buying toilet paper again :D

Well, at work I've been handed another challenge.

At home, mippies are happy to see me! First thing, I placed the order for the lawn mower, etc. Then I rolled some more cigarettes - but I really didn't have the energy to cut another leaf! I think I will have to buy cigarettes this week again. Sigh. I've also realised another issue: I have nothing to drink at home! Without my daily liter of milk, and since I've been using up all stocks in the time leading up to the move, and haven't re-stocked. I've had a look online - so much more has become available online, due to the lock-down ... but the fruit & veg available for delivery in Pretoria is somewhat ... limited. I'll have to look properly tomorrow. But I will have to make a plan to get something to drink in the evenings until the weekend. Like, go to Spar tomorrow.

Well, like I said, I'm too tired to do much tonight. I haven't even made myself dinner - I'm not really hungry, either. Now I had better give mippies some more attention, then go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 206

Since mippies can't go outies, yet, they look for compensation. I was at my PC, when I felt a paw on my shoulder: Mini! On the bed, behind me. Wants attention - so I pick her up, cuddle her ... she puts her paw on the brush! Ha Ha Ha! She absolutely adores being brushed! She can't get enough of it! So, I brushed her until my arm got tired.

Back at my PC, Ziva came to me, mipping. I picked her up and scratched her ears, with her sitting on my lap! Now Janey has joined the mip-wagon! She, at least, jumps on my lap when I indicate her to come up - I don't have to pick her up!

I've been thinking about what I'd like to get done today. I want to bake cookies, bake myself a pizza and make some more tobacco. Then, of course, there's the 'settling in' work I'd like to do and that's what I've been thinking about. Do I want everything in it's right place? Or would I prefer to have as much as possible unpacked, to be re-arranged later? And frankly, I'd like access to the items I've been using frequently - and some that I couldn't use in my last home. So, I'll unpack into whatever open space I find, and do the re-arranging afterwards.

I was also going to first treat the bookshelves, before I pack them - I always give them a substantial layer of oil, after every move, before I pack them again. Except last time, when I just didn't have the kind of space to do that ... but here, I have the space. However, whatever books are in the boxes in the lounge, I'll pack into any bookshelf - leaving the first one I want to treat free. So, before I re-pack the books into their final home, I'll have the bookshelves treated. I hope that makes sense to you?

Right, half past nine and most of the boxes in the lounge are unpack. Little hiccup: the spice racks don't fit under the top cupboards - so, I can't use them. At least not in the kitchen, on the counters. Sigh.

Just past noon and I've unpacked everything that could contain anything for the kitchen - I haven't found my kitchen scale, though. So: no cookies. Well, that's not the only reason - it's also getting a little too late for me to start with cookies. I still have to make the pizza and I still need to process tobacco leaves as well. And I already feel quite knackered. Probably because all my mippies have been brushed over and over again! I blame the mippies! Ha Ha!

Pizza dough is getting ready, toppings are in progress. I've taken out spinach and bacon, cut and pre-fried mushrooms and then I'll add tomatoes and mozzarella. I've swept the lounge and a few tobacco leaves are now in water, washing. I've made myself a raspberry smoothie - with the clump of frozen raspberries. I think this Friday I should get groceries ... I'll need fruit juices again, since I no longer have my 5 liter milk every week.

I need to be careful, though. I still haven't unpacked everything, and I'm not sure where I'll be storing groceries. I mean refills and tins and such. Plus, there's the issue with year end. We may be shutting down early and open up late - and with us having been retrenched for three months, that's three months worth of leave we didn't earn; so - even if we were to shut down only 15 days; I don't have enough leave to cover that. Nobody does. Which means that it's very likely that I won't get a full salary December and possibly January. We haven't had any new production orders for a while - and our key client isn't forthcoming. They're not really very good at planning. But that's another story ...

So, I should really focus on ONLY essential groceries. Yet, I will need a lawn mower, for example. This is going to be challenging ...

For today, I've done most of the 'must' do's. Pizza is ready, dishes are clean, only the tobacco is going to be a bit of an issue. It won't be dry enough to make cigarettes today ... I'll do what I can, though.

Seven at night and I'm totally knackered. I rolled over a dozen cigarettes, and cut one of the leaves I had washed. The other two are still on the line ... I'll have to spray them before I cut them. I've cut enough tobacco to roll another pack tomorrow evening, I think. Pizza, At's bread and my water bottle are in the car. I've showered - I didn't get around to wiping the bath. Mippies are treated and now they'd like some attention. So ... gonna publish, then tend to mippies.

Lock-down Day 205

Another morning without getting my hair pulled as a wake-up from Mewthos!

First thing this morning, Janey urgently needed lovies, so I sat with her for a while - even before I had my first coffee! Mewthos insisted they get a treat to start the day - sigh - and now Ziva demands attention! Given. Birdies come to sit right outside the front door gate, teasing mippies. Mippies want to go out to chase the birdies - I want to wait at least one more week. Next Saturday. Not today.

Mippies are making friends with their new furniture. Mini uses the scratching pole, Mewthos keeps investigating the box bed - but I think he may be a tad too big for it, he never goes in. Ziva often naps on one of the beds. Progress!

First load is outside, drying - I'm afraid the spin cycle again let me down. The clothes are not quite, but close to sopping wet. Not a problem, it's not even nine, the sun is out - it'll dry. Now I'm washing my bedroom curtains - again. Why again? Well, I last washed them at the beginning of the lock-down, and Mewthos as since marked them.

Right, hanging up curtains is a crap job! Working with your hands high over your head? Well, it's done. Of course, now my bedroom is somewhat dark, as I'm keeping the curtains closed until they're dry.

Dishes are done, laundry is pretty much done. I've cleared, cleaned and packed three shelves so far - I'm still deciding where I want what. Mippies are helping, by inspecting what I'm doing - and letting me know WHERE I had better NOT place breakables, ha ha!

Eleven and the last load of laundry is in the machine. I also washed the blankie over the sleeper couch - urgh! Thank you, Mewthos! And this last load includes my bath towel and a bed sheet & cover.

Twenty to one, I've mostly rested, but also got bread dough in the making. I'll make myself a half dozen rolls and bake a loaf for At - which will give me a chance to try out my new proving basket as well as the Teflon baking sheet!

Half past three. I've rolled myself a pack and a half of cigarettes with the tobacco I processed yesterday. The strips I cut are too wide, it's not ideal. But at least now I'm finally moving along the final processing line! No more 'make do' with inferior ingredients, or should I say parts? No more home-made filters and no more 'stuffing' my own tubes. I'm finally able to ROLL my own cigarettes - and won't ever have to go back. It's been a very long road, with many detours. And now there are rumours that cigarettes could get banned again, or that we could go back to hard lock-down - I hope they are false rumours!

The bread and bread rolls turned out nice! Well, I haven't cut either open, yet - I'm just judging by the look. Here, too, I'm going to have to start learning again. This time just the baking part, though - as I'm using a very different oven! I don't have bottom heat, only top & bottom, or top heat. But I also have a fan inside.

They taste as good as they look, and I'm finally getting a nice crust on my bread - without any effort! Baking bread is a lot simpler in an electric oven!

Well, I haven't unpacked one single box today. It's almost five and I'm just knackered. Out of energy. Especially with four mips hopping, mipping and mewling for brushies all day long! They ALL love being brushed - and it's good for me, too, as it reduces the amount of fur they are shedding this season. But it is a little annoying ...

I must say, the bread smells lovely! Better than it ever did! Could that be the crust? Hmmm ...

Just found some sort of worm wriggling around my bedroom floor ... couldn't tell whether it was a young snake or a work. Swept it up and took it outside.

It's just past seven now, and I'm done for the day. Well, have been for a while - haven't done anything these past two hours or so. Oh, took out the laundry, enjoyed a shower, treated mippies, brushed mippies ... but for anything unpacking related? Nope!

Well, I'm going to lie back and relax the rest of the evening, hopefully get another early start tomorrow morning.

Lock-down Day 204

Two weeks, and still not one single piddle puddle! And no, I don't believe it's the size of the place - it's the lack of trauma! They are not being 'teased' or threatened in their home anymore, that's all!

Yes, my ex landlord still pops into my head somewhat frequently, each time that aggravates me. I've decided they are not worth it, so I refuse to dwell on it. I won't allow my mind to wander off obsessively on a tangent of negativity, building up resentments which achieve absolutely nothing, except sour my life. So, whenever it happens, I 'force' myself to think of something else, something positive. The only contact still ahead is, when they'll need my banking details to pay back what's left of my deposit. I have no doubt they will go to extremes deducting as much as they can - and the longer they talk it over, the more ridiculous their deductions will get. They'll probably write another acid mail - and I've decided that my only response will be to give the banking details. Not one syllable more! And if they've worked themselves to the point where they've somehow justified spending the full amount - I will not reply at all!

I've just looked at properties available now - and I think I've moved at just the right time! Or, at least, was looking at the right time. There isn't much on the market now - yes, it's mid-month, but I looked on the 1st as well. People moved the same time I did due to the lock-down - mostly down-scaling as result of the financial impact of the lock-down. I see some of the places that have been advertised since August are still on the market ... I didn't see my flat on the market, though. I wonder, maybe they've decided not to rent it again? Ah! Stop! Not thinking about that!

Essentially, this weekend will be the 2nd day available for me to settle in my new home. That first Sunday was split between getting ready for the work week (laundry, bread, etc) and settling in. Last weekend, I spent Saturday settling in. This weekend - since all essentials are placed - I'll do my chores first, and then continue unpacking. I'd like there to be no more boxes in the lounge by the end of the weekend. After all, the boxes inside (lounge & 3rd bedroom) are all essential items. Non-essentials (mostly books) are in the garage. It's also time to allocate what should go where - there's a lot of stuff I've just 'stuffed' into shelves ... anywhere ... just to unpack them. but they're not in logical or ideal places. Some items have their place in some of my own furniture - I'll start by putting those where they belong. But I haven't worked out what I want to do with the 3rd bedroom, yet.

I'm thinking of moving the sleeper couch into the lounge - but that means, some bookshelf will have to move from the lounge into the 3rd bedroom. Hmm ... thinking now ...

Okay, I've been putting off calling my bank to set up buying pre-paid electricity online, expecting a lot of difficulty ... it was really simple! All I needed was the meter number! So I bought more units, and will load them this afternoon - hope that works!

I've decided to buy additional units, once-off - to keep as a 'rolling balance'. That will allow me to budget, and if I use more, it 'eats' into that rolling balance, rather than I run out. Since pricing is re-set at the beginning of every month, it means I'm paying a high price once-off. Rather than paying a high price every time I use more than budgeted. I've been keeping an eye on my usage, and I use approximately 100 units per week ... well, at this stage. I've been doing heaps of laundry, including wash-and-dry cycles every weekend, with the bedding and towels I wasn't allowed to wash in my old home. Most of the back-log is done, now, I think there's one more back-log load and that will be it.

I just called a school friend, as it's her birthday! Always lovely to chat to her! I used up all my Airtime, so ... I was going to buy airtime online, and googled ... then I thought: Why not try the same way I bought pre-paid electricity? And you know what? Easy peasy! Done! Giggle, I'm finally entering the 21st Century! Now, all I need is a smartphone, eh?

Half past six, I've only just switched on the internet. I've cleaned the oven - again, just roughly, not as clean as I'd like, but clean enough for me to be comfortable using it. I've cut some tobacco leaves, so I can play with my new toys again tomorrow, when it's dry enough. And now mippies are at my feet, mewling and gawking, because I've just fried my dinner - and while I'm waiting for it to cool, they wait for their share! They are not patient about waiting for it to cool.

We've had my dinner - I was allowed a reasonable share, thank you very much!

I've also moved some other things around, so ... progress has been made. But now I'm really tired and looking forward to a good night's sleep! Not quite yet, but soon ...

Lock-down Day 203

I really need to make a plan to avoid Mewthos stepping on my hair every morning! In his mind, he's just standing on my pillow - with his back paws, standing up, front paws reaching for the window! The fact that my hair happens to be on that pillow, under his paws, and that his standing up is pulling my hair ... collateral damage!

I had to go and buy cigarettes today, thanks to Mr FatFoot. So I got some greens and a fruit juice as well. They also have a 2 liter milk for R22 (most brands go for R30-40 for 2 liter, now!) let's hope it stays fresh in the cooler box in the car. Ideally, I would have bought only tomorrow, when I leave early - but ... well ... now I needed cigarettes. They also FINALLY had the hand-roller I've been asking about for weeks - well, they did get it for me, so I bought one! Oh, and chocolate, of course! Ha Ha!

At home Mewthos is mewling. And mewling. And mewling. I've given him treats, I've picked him up, but whenever I sit down to do something that doesn't involve him? He mewls! Wants attention ALL THE TIME! Spoiled little brat!

Well, I've eaten, moved some furniture, packed my backing stock away, making some space in kitchen cupboards ... now I'll sit back, or rather lie down, and tend to mippies before going to sleep.

Lock-down Day 202

Mippies smashed the soap dish this morning! It came with the place, and fits the holder installed in the bathroom. Well, fitted. It got smashed when it landed in the bath - I'm not sure how! I heard something wobble, then smash and spent the longest time going from room to room trying to find WHAT they'd smashed this time! Janey and Ziva were huddling under furniture, looking up at me with expressions I could interpret as guilty ... but who'd have looked for broken glass in the bathroom? Anyway ...

Sigh, today really isn't my day, is it? I needed IT support - something about licensing - and the fat &^%$ kicked my dried tobacco over! That's my weeks worth of tobacco - more than one weeks worth! Then he effs off and doesn't even have the basic decency to clean up HIS mess! I am seriously furious! What a self-centered ass!

Well, I've made good progress at work, at least!

Back at home, mippies enjoy my company - no nagging, minimal mewling, just wanting lovies without annoying me. I've made dinner, which - as always - I shared, now I want to take a shower. I don't want to bath until I've had a chance to wipe the bath with a cloth, picking up all the tiny splinters mippies left for me! I've picked up all I could see, big and small, and rinsed the bath - but I don't want to risk a splinter in ... well, use your imagination!

That's about all for today ...

Lock-down Day 201

I slept well, though alone. Not one mip joined me on the bed - they all spread somewhere in the lounge, I gather. That tells me that they are feeling confident in their new home.

I was mewled awake from about four onward, with mips pulling my hair - they stand near my head to get to the window, and if my hair is under their paws? Tough!

With being half-awake for so long, I had some weird dreams this morning. Something about a family of skunk AND a family of hedgehogs being found in my boxes, after the move? The skunk family changed into wash-bears later ... but I had mippies helping to herd them into a safe box where they could sleep and I could give them food and water. Could be the two Meerkat I saw in my garden on Saturday morning, making their way into my dreams? I think they were Meerkat, but I can't be sure - they were some distance, and I'm looking through bars and mesh ...

This morning I took the refuse out to the place the manager had indicated, and for the first time I saw there are quite a lot of houses nearby! I'll need to make a plan to introduce myself sometime soon ...

Oh, and I could kick myself for forgetting to turn off the geyser last night. Sigh - something to get into the habit of! And my car radio turned itself on during the night - maybe that's what mips came to wake me up about?

Since I'm expecting delivery of the cigarette making thingies today, I've taken the tobacco I had made this weekend, to work with me. When those things arrive, I wanna play! Ha Ha!

I'm also noticing that I'm very short tempered lately. Shouting at mippies, getting frustrated over things, grumbling about minor issues ... better work on that. Well, at least I'm not all weepy anymore, which is something. Though I'm not sure which is better?

By nine this morning, both my deliveries had arrived! First the chocolates - yum, yum! And then the cigarette goodies! I had to play with it right away, ha ha! I'm really chuffed with the box-roll thing I ordered, even I get nice cigarettes with that every time! But I'm glad to have a hand roller, too, to fall back on. It even came with a spare plastic (hemp plastic)! I first tried rolling with the fresh tobacco, but that's still a little too wet. I'm letting that dry some more. Then I used the tobacco from the cigarettes I had rolled on Sunday - that works great! I've already tried the cherry flavoured paper - cool!

With these gadgets, I can now cut the tobacco in strips, I won't have to chop it into teeny tiny bits anymore, so that'll take much less time, too. I'll just need to decide which paper I prefer, and then I can order stock!

What I like most is that I can keep my cigarettes really simple. The tobacco is plain, organic, untreated. The papers are hemp and I can choose the unbleached ones. Only the filters are standard. I have no clue what they are made of. That's why I'm not really looking for the automated machines, because for those, you need to buy tubes - standard tubes. Yes, I'm also laughing at myself, going on about 'healthy, eco-friendly cigarettes' - almost an oxymoron, eh? I have to say, though, that even I taste the difference between the brand cigarettes and my own, and mine do taste better. I've also noticed that the brand cigarettes leave an unpleasant after-taste, which my own don't. Somewhat akin to the perfume factory I worked at, many, many years ago. It wasn't just the alcohol, but also the chemicals - you could 'taste' the perfume for a long time, after being in that factory!

Well, we know what I'll be doing tonight, don't we? Ha Ha! Next item on my shopping list will be a cigarette case. I think? Not quite sure, though ...

Work kept me occupied with another puzzle: Material Requirement Planning! I'm making progress - though I still have a long way to go!

At home, I was surprised to see the power off? I called my neighbour - just to find out whether it's just me, or the whole area; and he told me he'd turned his power off to work on a light ... a few minutes later my power was back. It would seem that when my neighbour turns off HIS power, I'm without power as well? Weird! Just like the water supply, which is dependent on MY electricity! Seriously silly!

I did, however, manage to lock the garage door from inside! Which meant that I could use the door to the lounge, and didn't have to walk around to the back door! I think using the key regularly is helping, I just hope I won't get stuck. Especially in the rain, going directly from garage to lounge will be much better!

Mippies were very restless and mewly! All of them. Ziva needing lots of ear scratches, Mewthos mewling himself silly - for no apparent reason ... I've stayed calm and just picked up, treated, and talked to mippies.

I was joined by all four mips for dinner - even Janey enjoyed part of a piece of meat! I've also played with my new toys and rolled almost a dozen cigarettes. I'm still testing, so I shouldn't roll too much stock as I'm learning. How much tobacco, how best to roll, etc. Otherwise I end up with a stock of cigarettes to undo again.

Lock-down Day 200

200 Days in Lock-down and still no end in sight! Not a mention, not a hint - it's as if the country has accepted that we'll remain in lock-down indefinitely ... hundreds of thousands have lost their livelihoods, and our economy is STILL not open! We went from 'open toed shoes are not allowed to be sold' to equally ridiculous this-yes-but-the-same-in-another-setting-no laws. At one point the joke was, if you want to get together with your family, just take a taxi drive anywhere - because taxi's were allowed to operate at full capacity, but family visits were illegal.

Today, the Bill to Expropriate Land WITHOUT compensation was gazetted. The government has already taken plenty of land - which they are NOT giving away, not even selling! Instead they offer it for lease! Now they want to steal land, to add to their hoard? While our farmers are attacked, tortured and murdered? One day we'll have no food in this country ... we've already lost half our farmers - most have left the country. And other countries are now taking special action to allow our farmers to move to their country ... 

It's really depressing. I don't know whether ignorance really is bliss ... it does lead to occasional rude awakenings, though. When being informed could have led to preparations ...

Anyway. I had a laugh at Ziva last night! I was getting ready for bed, when I heard a wardrobe door rattling ... I wondered whether it's Mewthos, trying to help himself to treats - but it was Ziva! She's learned to open the wardrobe, get inside for a cosy nap, and come out - no help required! That, however, also means, that clothes in wardrobes are exposed to happy claws ... sigh ... But Ziva is also the first mip to take a nap on the new furniture I bought for them!

This morning, I paid for the cigarette accessory order and then ordered myself chocolates as well! I didn't get a chance to bake cookies - and I need my daily dose of chocolate, ha ha ha!

At work, I'm designing system upgrades, starting with the Client Order capturing. I want to keep the database static, but the input dynamic ... at the same time, simple. So there will be some manual parts.

This afternoon, I got mail from the tobacconist: my order has been shipped and should be delivered tomorrow! Awesome!

At home, as it's still Monday, I had some energy, so I dusted, then washed all my bookshelves. Next step is to treat them with oil. I cooked myself dinner, which I shared with mippies. Mewthos wanted only one piece - it's not about the food, but about the quality time, sharing.

Mini surprised me by waltzing along the top of the kitchen cupboards - I have no clue how she managed to jump up on there!?!

Remember my ordering some bath specialties in June? Which I never got to use, because the day after I ordered them, I was forbidden to bath? Well, I'm using them now! Today, I tried the mustard powder - a different one. Okay, so it makes the bath yellow ... not very inviting - but I feel great!

Mippies had to investigate why mummy is lying in that yellow liquid, and what IS that? Mewthos strolled along the rim - which is narrow, I was worried his paw could slip and slash me ... albeit accidentally. Nothing happened, though.

You know how we humans tend to give cats a pet as we walk past? Well, Mini has developed the same habit - she paws me as I walk past ... and my pants frequently get caught in her claws! She's just giving me a 'hello, I love you' pet, ha ha ha!

Ah crap! Now I can't save what I've written ... sigh, the internet for my service provider is really crap out here!

Lock-down Day 199

I slept well and late. Mew-larm went off, I grabbed it and it snoozed for a while. Still got up about quarter past six.

I'm taking it easy today, started the day trying to play my online game. Which is proving to be a bit of a challenge, as I'm not getting full signal here. Still teetering between 2-3 bars signal strength. I'm able to do things, but loading a page or screen takes ages ... 

Mippies are very mewly and mippy. I cuddle, I brush, I scratch ears, I treat ... and then I'm out of patience ... I don't know what their issue is, but I'll give them lovies, when I have the patience to do so ...

Leaving the spinach for today was not the brightest idea, but I've steamed it now, letting it cool before I pack it. In the meantime, I'm cleaning & re-organising the freezer drawers. Tobacco is in its bowl, being washed. A load of bedding is in the machine, to wash and dry.

Spinach is pre-freezing, before I vacuum pack it. Tobacco leaves are on the drying stand - first time I've ever had whole leaves! In the past, it's been mostly shreds. And I'm hungry ... 

I had some more cheese while I wait for the potatoes to finish steaming. Yes, I could be doing a lot more, but I just don't feel like it today. It's overcast, and even rained this morning. The lawn, which was completely yellow, is now green everywhere. I'll have to mow that - or get it mowed - fairly soon.

I've got a bit of a problem in the kitchen, there's decorative planks, under the top cupboards, which have come loose - just loose, not off, which means it's hanging half on / half off. For now, I've placed the kitchen towel roll under it, which holds it up somewhat.

I'm really not my most patient self today. Everything is ticking me off, which is not a good time to experiment. The spinach just doesn't want to vacuum pack - there's simply too much liquid in the spinach. The same goes for the bacon. Which is really frustrating, because I'm packing it into my precious, expensive and few vacuum bags ... only to end up having to leave it unsealed!

Sjoe, I'd forgotten just how much 6kg is! A lot of work to cut & pack, that's what! Ha Ha!

Well, I've chopped just over half the tobacco leaves, packed lunch, washed the dishes, treated mippies ... Funny thing: when I went to get another tobacco leaf, Mini must have followed me into the washroom, only ... I didn't notice. First I knew of it, was when she didn't join in the munching, when I gave them their treats. Opened the washroom door - Mini came dashing through! Hope that teaches her!

I just got a reply from the tobacconist, but with the dodgy internet connection - especially this weekend, with the rain - I'll deal with that from work tomorrow. I'm feeling somewhat listless, have been all day. I guess that's the 'down' after weeks of anxiety.

I'm also realising that internet is likely to be a permanent issue here. I'm not sure how I feel about that ... yet.

Well, I've enjoyed another lovely bath, now it's half eight and I'm going to relax before going to sleep ...