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 ...