Lock-down Day 248

I got up, had coffee and went to fetch At. We had a really lovely day! I made bread rolls, this time, I placed a meatball in the center and covered that with a piece of cheese! Turned out really nicely – I already tried one!

I also prepared myself dinner – cut and fried the baby marrow and the mushrooms … meaning to finish tonight with boiled Brussels Sprouts and pasta – but I decided to do that tomorrow night, instead.

Then I went out to join At, and looked for my next garden project. I planned to clear the area where I’ll want to grow my herbs, but just wanted to clear one or two creepers from the bed outside the back patio … I ended up working along that bed the entire day! I managed to get a lot of those creepers out – mostly with their roots, so they won’t be coming back! I also cleared dead leaves off some more aloes – yikes! Some of the lower leaves were already quite rotten! Same as with the ponytails out front – they haven’t been touched in years! Now, however, they’re going to whoosh!

All in all I cleared about a third of that bed. It was slow going, and there isn’t much to show for my day – but those creepers have really, really long taproots, all under a bulb, which is quite deep in the ground. So you have to dig until you can get a good grip on the bulb, then pull slowly so the taproot under the bulb doesn’t break off, but comes out completely!

Mewthos and Janey went into hiding from At again! Mewthos spent most of the day huddled behind the bed, and Janey under the bed! They did, however, start to come out later in the afternoon! Even Mewthos! Though he wouldn’t go anywhere near At – he did go out the washroom and came towards me, so At could finally see him!

Ziva took full advantage of the extra hands for scratchies, ha ha! Mini played coy – I think she’s trying to suck up to Janey by showing solidarity. She spent a lot of the day in the bedroom with them – though she slept on the bed, not under or behind it!

The day just flew by, I could hardly believe it was already four, when I checked the time! At packed up and I took him home.

When we wanted to leave, I couldn’t find Janey! I went from room to room – three mips in tow, helping me look … no Janey! So I checked outside. No Janey. Back inside, mippies in tow, room to room again – where do I find her? Casually stretched on my shelf in the wardrobe! Silly girl!

Now mippies are mewling for their outies time, ha ha! They should have taken advantage when the doors were open! On the whole, though, they are coming around to his presence. Very slowly, but they did come out.

When I got back, I first had a shower! I got even more burnt today! So I’m putting on some after-sun! I’m quite knackered, but I decided to wash the dishes tonight, not leave them for Monday … which eventually turns into Saturday, ha ha! Well, that’s me happy and everything done!

Well, my right hand looks really ugly at the moment. Lots of red bumps all over, from cleaning those dead leaves under the aloes. I couldn’t avoid getting pricked – quite a lot! But they really needed those leaves cleared out! Desperately!

Lock-down Day 247

I woke up to no power! Yes, it had stormed and rained during the night … sigh! I turned over, half an hour later, still no power. So I got up to cold coffee! I must really make it a habit to boil the kettle every evening and fill the flask – my new air pot should work nicely, as my current flask no longer seals properly. But what a waste of electricity! Boiling the kettle every evening AND again in the morning! Still better than cold coffee – but I really must make a plan to get a gas cooker!

Well, without power there is nothing I can do. I was just contemplating what I’ll do now, when the power came on! Half past six, so: boil the kettle, switch on the geyser … not twenty minutes later the power went off again! At least I have hot coffee now … Sigh!

I tried going online, but the laptop overheats too fast – even with it balanced on top of a paint brush, so I gave up! Started a word document to write my blog.

Well, without power there is really not much I can do! I cleaned the litter boxes, swept the whole house … and then went into the garden.

I had filled the bowl for the stray last night, just before it started to rain, so I thought it would have got washed out – even though I place the bowl under the fire place. But with the wind and the downpour, I figured it would get wet. Well, I don’t know whether it got soggy, but when I went to look, the bowl was clean! Every last crumb eaten! Good!

Today, I decided that the best thing I could do in the garden, would be to maintain what I had already cleared. So I started by weeding the bricks next to the patio out back – outside the kitchen. With the rain, weeds were coming up again, so I had quite a good workload there. And then I continued working along the path, where I had stopped last time I worked there. When that was done, I went over the border from the patio round along the rock garden bed and then along the fence again. Since I had mowed that patch again – yes, again! – yesterday afternoon, I could easily see the grass not reached by the mower, and I could pull it out. As I worked, I also dug out a lot of those thorns. The lawn is full of them, I’m afraid! But I stuck to working along the edges today.

Mippies came and mipped, jumping onto my back … Mewthos had a bit of an issue, not getting ON my back, but staying on, as I’m not bent over so far, that it’s a horizontal surface! He slides off … and … Ouch!

Mini saw this ‘jumping on mommy’s back’ happening and came for her turn – but she also noticed that Mewthos hurt me, so she hesitated. Put her paw on my shoulder – I encouraged her – but she didn’t want to risk hurting me! I had to pick her up and tickle her tummy for a while!

I had just finished maintaining what I had previously cleared, and was about to continue, make some progress … when the sun came out! Problem! Can’t keep working in the sun … and with the clouds, and it’s just past noon, so it’ll be even worse! Sigh … Well, I didn’t give up right away, and worked another meter or so, but then I really had to stop.

So, now what? I decided to check how much rainfall we’d had, but when I came back to the patio door, I thought I heard the fridge! In the excitement, I forgot how much rainfall … but well over 20 mm!

I went inside, and YES! Kitchen light is on, power is back! Half past one! Sigh.

I started the laundry, then went to fry myself a steak … only to find that my steak did not survive these power failures … Grrrr! This really makes me angry! I’ll have to clear out my fridge … grrr … I hate throwing away food!

I ate some cheese … but I meant to make myself a meal today. It’s now just after three … a little late, but what can I do? I need to eat something!

Well, the freezer is full of frozen fruit! And the strawberries are on a Teflon baking sheet on top – good luck with dinner!

I figured the day is pretty much a write-off, so I might just as well go back in the garden and start again tomorrow … then I looked in the kitchen and thought “Do I want to face that again tomorrow morning?” Definitely not! So I washed the dishes!

Then I threw away everything out the fridge that didn’t survive this week’s power outages … grrr. Then I vacuum packed the strawberries and took out a packet of mince for tomorrow. I made myself a raspberry milk shake – partly for the sake of variety and partly as the raspberries have been in the freezer the longest. Delicious, as always!

Then I enjoyed a relaxing bath! I used the mustard & eucalyptus powder – it’s funny, it turns the water yellow! Then add the activated charcoal soap and by the time I get out, the water is green! Not the most ‘clean and fresh’ look, I must say!

I went outside to look for mippies – Mewthos went through the gate again! I am going to put mesh on that gate! Yes, mippies could possibly go underneath – but not Mewthos, with his fat head! And, unlike Ziva, he also can’t jump over the fence! I’d feel much better if Mewthos can’t get out anymore – and I hope the other mippies also get the message!

Mippies are inside and had their treats – all three. Mewthos insisted! I know I call him my little dumb boy, but he definitely can count to three! He’s not really stupid, just different!

Then I filled the bowl for outside and took it out – through the washroom again. Finally I re-filled the kibble dispensers, the FIT 32 was now empty, the Iams low, now they’re all full again!

I didn’t get around to cleaning their water fountain, though. Maybe tomorrow?

Oh, I keep wanting to tell you about the logic that is ABSA! One of South Africa’s biggest and oldest banks – well, it started out as Santam Bank, then became Trust Bank and now ABSA. Anyway, on Monday I get a call. Is this me? Yes. Okay, then start the security questions … after the fourth question, I’m getting impatient and ask what this is about. No, first I must answer more security questions. Sorry, but I’ve never had to answer more than three questions, I’m getting suspicious, so I tell the lady that I’m uncomfortable answering more questions – she adamantly refuses to tell me what this is about. Well, end call – if there’s a problem, I can go to the bank. A couple of hours later I get a message about a piddly amount outstanding on my ABSA account! Yeah, I know, I didn’t make a payment and the account went into the red. We’re talking the price of 3x 2 liter milk, here, so why are you getting your panties in a knot?

Anyway, I made a deposit Monday night – not just the amount ‘owed’, but taking my account out of the red again. Fortunately I did that Monday night, as my PC hasn’t worked since then!

Tuesday afternoon, another message about the payment due, and I see a missed call again. Sheez, the money is in the account by now! Get a life!

Then, on Wednesday, yet another call from ABSA! No security questions – this time they want to increase my credit! Good one, eh?

First they harass me for two days over a measly amount, then they want me to get into a position of owing even more! Plus, of course, to increase my credit they ask NO security questions! Very logical, right? Talk about devious, eh? Good thing I’m not an idiot!

Well, I tried calling At – no reply. I’ll try again in half an hour. Like me, he doesn’t have his phone surgically attached, and – unlike me – he can’t move all that fast, as the lock-down has put an end to his hopes of getting the steel & screws out of the hip he broke almost two years ago. We talked about that, me phoning him, that is. I told him not to worry, and definitely not to risk another accident by rushing to his phone. I’d always call again after a while – and if not, he can always send me a message!

First time this happened, though, he’d lost his phone! Fortunately he got it back – but he missed out on visiting that Sunday, as I couldn’t reach him.

I tried again half an hour later – no reply. Again at eight – still no reply, so I sent a message. Shortly afterwards, he called back! So, we’re all set for tomorrow!

Lock-down Day 246, Part 2

I got home and the gate was on manual. Sigh. Well, not a major issue, since by switching it to automatic, I’m effectively locking it, so I’m safe while I’m at home.

I saw a missed call from the guard, when I called back he asked whether my gate is now working. I told him, ‘Nope’ and he said he’d get the electrician to come out. Well, I’ll keep my phone on me and an eye on the gate … but it’s no problem if they only start working on it on Monday again.

I did some basic chores, like placing the last Avocado plant into a larger bottle, and such odds and ends. Then I tackled the strawberries and was disgusted to see they had already started to grow mold! Yuk! Well, I worked through the lot and saved what could be saved. I guess it happened because they sweat in their plastic container, even though it isn’t sealed. In future, I had better take them out of their plastic container when I get home! The blueberries also took some damage – I saved what I could.

Then I spent a bit of time in the garden. I started tacking the corner outside the washroom … but eventually gave up! It’s just too much! The grass is of the kind that can’t be mowed when it’s this long – I ended up cutting it, with garden scissors! So I went around and pulled out a couple of large weeds, just to make myself feel better and gave up.

I cleaned the refuse bin, then looked in the fridge again. Those spring onions are no good – only thing to do is put them in water and grow more. At least they have roots, so … let’s see what happens. I’ve put them in water.

I also set up another fly trap. Those flies are really going on my nerves!

Showered and went to bed … watching a few episodes of Dr Who. The power went out, and on again. Out, then on again. Then out for a minute, on again … fortunately it stayed on after that.

Lock-down Day 246

About last night ... I had some trouble with mippies, they didn't want to come in! Oh, they came in for munchies - well, except for Mini, and when I went to fetch her, Mewthos and Ziva went rushing out! Mewthos and Mini eventually mewled at the closed door, but Ziva? I ended up going out through the washroom, collecting her from the front porch, carrying her all the way to the back porch (and she doesn't like being carried!), pushing her through the gate, closing the door, then walking around to come in through the washroom again! Mippies! And I didn't have much patience, I'm afraid.

I didn't do much else last night, it was just so hot and humid! I untangled the cabling, simplified the whole set up and connected my laptop. The CD drive won't open - so I couldn't watch my new DVDs. Ah, well! Something to look forward to when I get my PC back! I watched my favourite Dr Who instead: Jon Pertwee!

The problem with the laptop is, that it heats up incredibly, so I placed something underneath to lift it off the table. I used a paint brush. Also, with the PC, I can switch off the monitor so the light doesn't bother me while I sleep - can't do that with the laptop, though. No worries, after two nights with little sleep, it didn't keep me awake at all! I fell asleep in no time, listening to Dr Who! I woke up when the next Chapter started, as the sound is louder, but not enough to get up and turn it down.

Woke up lovely and early this morning! Enjoyed my coffee, drove to work ... forgot my phone at home, though.

No power supply for my PC, yet. Another guy will have a look at his home, they want to try with an old power supply to be sure that's the only problem - before I invest money. That's very considerate! So, I'll wait. It's not like I spend much time on the PC on weekends anyway - not anymore. Well, except last weekend, when it was Fellowship Adventure! There is so much to do in my home, as well as in the garden - it's so much more fun than sitting at the PC!

I want to fetch At again on Sunday, he really enjoyed the tranquility in my garden! It does him good, and it's good for me, too. He he, he's good at fixing odds and ends! Well, he's a qualified and experienced toolmaker, it's his job to be good at fixing odds and ends, ha ha! And he doesn't mind, it's not an imposition on him, as I help him where I can, too!

I meant to check out some Black Friday specials online at work today, but I just don't feel like it. I think I'll take a chance and see what's left tonight - IF I can get online. If not, no worries!

I just tried my meat supplier - they have deboned leg of lamb on a very good special ... but it looks like it's already sold out. I have to pick an option, and every option I try is 'out of stock' ... I guess they've pre-packed a batch and loaded each pack individually. Ah, well ... it's not like I actually have space in my freezer, what with all the berries bumbling around at the moment!

I think, to be on the safe side, I'll publish this now ... if you don't hear from me over the weekend, I'll be writing, but will publish on Monday!

Have a good one!

Lock-down Day 245

As it was past midnight, before I finally dropped off to sleep, I woke up rather late. Again.

Since I've finished yet another bottle of fruit juice in two evenings, plus some milk shake, I decided to go to Ninapark Superspar today to re-stock.

I spent far more money than I had planned! No regrets, though! Firstly, they had Sushi! So I treated myself! Then, they had only a few bottles of my preferred brand of fruit juice. Why do I prefer them? Because they use far less apple juice than the other brands! And apple juice goes through me faster than turpentine through a sick donkey!

Then I saw blueberries and strawberries for the same price I get them online - so I packed four punnets each! The advantage of in-store shopping, is that you can inspect goods before you purchase. Online, they still think they can do like in-store: sell rotten apples! Well, I plan on doing something about that! Anyway, no gardening tonight - instead, I'll be cutting and freezing strawberries! I wouldn't want them to grow fur!

They also had brown mushrooms on special - so I took one packet as well. Oh, and my instant coffee is on special - a real special price this time ... yeah, I stocked up! Ditto long-life milk. And while I was there, I also stocked up on tonic water. That should see me through the shut-down. I hope. I will have to get more fruit juice just before we close, though.

My PC has apparently blown its power supply ... sigh. At least that's not a major issue. Now it's just a matter of 'how and when' to get a replacement. My colleague will check whether he has one at home, if not, we'll make a plan tomorrow. Sigh ...

I've decided to take my old laptop home tonight. I won't be able to go online (virus software is out of date AND it was giving major problems last time I tried), but at least I can listen to an audio book and watch an episode or two. I can hook it up to my big monitor, so I can see nicely - not having to squint myself silly!

I called again about the gate - as I've had to leave it open this morning - and they'll get an electrician to take a look. Let's see how that goes!

Well, I had better publish now ... and update you on my evening tomorrow morning!

Lock-down Day 244

Yesterday I just did not get a chance to write my blog. And my PC is still dead. They guy at work, whom I want to ask to look at it, wasn't in yesterday.

I struggled to fall asleep Tuesday night, without my audio book keeping my mind on track - it just flew off in wild directions.

At work I was so busy, I didn't get around to writing. I didn't even get around to calling about my gate - though it did seem to be working fine in the morning.

When I got home, I couldn't get in. The gate would not budge. I called the security guard (he's actually a worker, with a lot of experience repairing and installing electrical motors, etc) and arranged that I would come and pick him up from the office - he was just taking a bath at the time I called.

That stray cat was sitting under the car port, waiting for me! When we got back, he was still there, waiting! The bowl of food I had put out last night was empty! Not one crumb left! I filled it again and left it in the same place last night.

Well, they will have to bring in the gate motor specialist, because something is definitely wrong that requires more than basic tools. So, tomorrow I'll have to leave the gate open again. Sigh.

I gave the guy the roses - sadly, they were past their bloom, but still looked lovely!

I found Ziva locked in the washroom! Poor girl! She must have been locked in there the whole day!

I decided to re-claim my mowed lawn, got out the mower and started on the patch out back, then re-mowed the portion out front! Looking better again! I may not be able to win the war, but I CAN win the occasional battle! Ha ha!

I wasn't hungry, or up to cooking, so - after showering - I just went to bed to read. Again, I struggled to go to sleep and got up till past midnight. Mippies loved coming for cuddle cave, brushies and just quality time with me.

Lock-down Day 243

Another late morning ... don't ask, I don't know, either!

Quite busy at work, so the day went by very fast again. I called the manager again, about my gate. I called again just now (quarter to five) and was told they think it's the battery. They have another motor using the same battery, so they are charging that one now and will fit it before I get home.

I hope! Although, if I get home and can't get in, I can just drive back to their office. Personally, though, I don't see how the battery can be the problem? Not when the power is on?!? I mean, shouldn't the battery only come into play when the power is off? If not, why is there a cable running all the way along the fence to my place?

Hmm ... I do remember seeing a separate electrical box in the outside room. Maybe THAT tripped? I should go and have a look tonight - I only just remembered seeing that. There is a lightning rod fitted to that outside room, too ... 

I've never taken the trouble to trace exactly where that cable from the gate leads to. Well, not so much 'not taken the trouble' as ... it's hidden behind layers of weeds and tall grass! So it's more like a jungle exploration to trace that cable! Ha ha, and this year has had enough elements from Jumanji already!

Well, I can hear thunder here at work, so chances are that I'm going to be spending the evening in the dark. I had planned to steam potatoes for dinner tonight and add them to the vegetables I roasted with the chicken ... but I think, IF I have power when I get home, I had better quickly fry myself a steak, just in case! I can always set the potatoes on the steamer and hope, but at least I won't go hungry!

And if I come home and the power is already off? Well, I have an avocado and I have cheese. That's it. I really, really need to make a plan to get a gas cooker! One plate will be enough! Two plates would be all I'll ever need! I have never used more than 2 stove plates when cooking for myself!

I'm not sure whether I should post now or be optimistic? Ach, ye know me! I'm an optimist!

My optimism paid off - albeit with a plot twist! I didn't loose power ... however, my PC won't start!

I got home, and there are tools and parts lying around the gate motor. It was on manual, so I could come in, set it to auto, so that it's locked during the night. Then I went inside, let out mippies and started on my steak. Plug in the induction plate ... nothing. Huh? Try the next plug. Nothing. Check the box - plugs have tripped! Turn that back on, fridge starts up and I have power.

So ... what tripped the plugs? Both water fountains seem fine ... try switching on my PC. Nothing! Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap!

Unplug everything, open it up, clean it out, plug everything back ... nothing!

Give up, pack it in the car - hopefully one of the guys can look at it tomorrow.

Then I sat down to relax and have a smoke. Trying to decide what I should do now - my steak is fried, the potatoes are in the steamer ...

Well, the lawn out front no longer looks like patch-work, the portion which I had already mowed has grown back to almost the same height as the rest! We had another 5.5 mm rain yesterday!

I took my gardening tools and started clearing the patch next to the house, behind the carport, where I want to grow my herbs. I think it would make a lovely kitchen garden! And my Rosemary needs planting soon! Although, I don't want too much growing there, yet, as it will get trampled when we cut down that dead tree in the corner of that patch!

Called in mippies - had to carry Mini in, she's not ready to come inside - then treated my mippies. They seem to have turned off the FIT 32, so I scooped some into a bowl and put that bowl outside, under the fire place, for that stray cat.

Showered, ate my dinner and relaxed on the bed with my book!

Ziva needed her cuddle cave again, so I moved the duvet and made a cave for her. She happily strolled in, settled down to get her ears scratched. At one point Mewthos stuck his nose into that cave, but Ziva let him know in no uncertain terms that he wasn't welcome!

Well ... that was my evening ...

Lock-down Day 242

Turning over to catch another 40 winks was not the best idea on a Monday! Ah, well ... still got up and going in time!

It's raining again, or maybe still ... and I'm having trouble with the gate. The power is on, but the gate won't open. I have to get out, set it to manual - on a whim, I try the remote after I've opened it and set it back to auto: It works! Okay, so leave it open, drive through and auto-close the gate. It closes at snail pace! Definitely something wrong! If that isn't seen to, I won't be able to get in tonight!

At work, it's kind of lonely - nobody here! At is here, though ... poor sod! He had the rain INSIDE again! He spent most of the weekend mopping his floors! Compared to that, my Mewthos-rescue seems like not even a nuisance!

Work PC won't work. Sigh! No clue why ... It's after ten before someone gets a chance to look at it. No clue what the problem was, but it's all better now! Fortunately I had printed all the delivery notes on Friday already.

Busy at work, so the day passed quickly.

Back at home, the remote doesn't open the gate. So I get out, and ... yes: it's set on manual! At least I can go inside! I saw a missed call from the manager - and he said he'd make a plan to come look for himself tomorrow, to determine what's causing the problem. From my side, I decided to clear the area around the gate - no need to make working there any more difficult than it needs to be!

I had made some elaborate culinary plans for this week ... guess what I did? Yeah ... I stayed in the garden until it was too dark to see! Ha Ha! So much for dinner, eh? Well, I did clear space around the big center ponytail, and planted that large bushy succulent. And about time, too! Poor thing is half dry and the pot they chose ... well, biggest plant, what do you think? Right! Smallest pot! It's still alive, so hopefully it will recover and grow again. Then I cleared some more space, and where I dug out the bulb of one of those creepers, I planted the white geranium! That, too, looks half dead! Only a few green leaves! When I was done, I watered both plants thoroughly. I hope they will recover and grow!

Mewthos took advantage of my working bent over near the wall, when I was clearing the weeds around the gate! Jumped onto my back, and used me as a launchpad to reach to top of the wall! Yeah, as if I would leave him there! Poor sod can't jump down from that height without hurting his left paw, so ... yeah, I picked him off the fence like a ripe fruit! He didn't object! For some reason, cats are good at planning to reach a specific goal - but they don't seem to think beyond that!

Inside, I wanted to shower ... but I had forgotten to turn on the geyser! So, I'm typing this while I wait ...

Okay, I've showered and had the second half of my chicken for dinner - shared with Ziva and Janey! Now I'm ready for bed ...

Lock-down Day 241

For some strange reason I only got up around eight! That's unusually late. Ah, well!

Treated mippies, made coffee, sat down at the PC for a while - the weather is still overcast, it's raining on and off ... but I decided to let mippies out. What could be the harm?

Yeah, right! Harm done! Mewthos! Of course, who else! What did he manage this time? Oh, he somehow got out of my garden - at the back, not through the gate - and couldn't find his way back into my garden! Now it's raining hard, he's distressed, soaking wet and ... sigh ... guess who had to put on a rain coat, go out in that rain and try to help him come home?

It wasn't easy, and Ziva helped - she was with me all the way, braving the deep puddle and the rain to help me help Mewthos! There is only one place where I know a cat CAN get through - there are obviously other places, I just don't know where they are. Mewthos came, took a look, turned back and mewled pitifully! So I go get my garden tools and start clearing that creeper to widen the space for him to get through. It took quite some time, then more time to get him to give this hole another chance and he FINALLY came through! Silly twat!

Of course, now he's soaking wet and not happy about that! Sigh ... 

Then, at ten, the power went off again! Crap! I got busy with some house work. Folded the laundry - not everything is dry, yet. Cleaned mippies meal area, and a few other odd jobs. Then the power came back! Less than an hour later - yay! So I started by making bread dough. I decided on cheese rolls. Then I start working on the produce - the celery is limp. All I can do with that is cut it and use it. Ditto the spring onions. I'll add both to my roast chicken.

We had another 29 mm of rain today! I'm sitting in my armchair, looking at the lawn out back and I could swear I could hear it go 'glug, glug, glug, glug, wooosh!' That stuff is growing as I watch - it doesn't look like I mowed it just 2 days ago! Instead, it looks like it could do with mowing!

I've started preparing the cherry pits! Yeah, to me, every fruit comes with a toy! It's seed! I've read that you should clean them, dry them, refrigerate them ... that's as far as I got. With the reading. I've eaten the cherries - I'm afraid they were rather bland. I cleaned the pits and they're now in the 3rd bedroom, drying on paper towels. 

I've also washed the dishes, the bread rolls are done and so is the chicken. Only, I'm not hungry now! Sigh. My own fault, I couldn't resist having one of my cheese rolls!

I just had a good laugh at Mewthos & Ziva! That stray cat came to the bedroom window and got both of mine up and growling! Then it went round the back and came into my kitchen to help himself to the cat food! Ziva and Mewthos were so busy growling at the window, they never noticed! Janey was atop the bookshelf and just let him in! Seriously!

For myself, I had half the chicken. I can't find my poultry shears - I guess they are still packed somewhere - so I used my kitchen scissors. After all, they were designed to cut poultry as well! They did a great job! And the chicken tasted lovely - Ziva and Janey agree!

And that was pretty much my Sunday. Ready for bed and cuddles ...

Lock-down Day 240

I woke up early, but the power was still off, so I turned over. It came on around half past six! I got up to make sure that what I NEEDED done, could get done. Firstly: my laundry! It's still overcast and rained throughout the night, so I can't hang it outside - and inside it won't dry in one day. The sooner I can hang that up, the better my chances of having clean, dry clothes on Monday!

Of course, FIRST, I made myself coffee! Although I had decided on an alternative, just in case - still, fresh hot coffee is better than my Plan B!

I just went to check: we had over 44mm of rain last night! Well, including yesterday afternoon, of course. But: Wow! That's a LOT! Lovely, though!

I had a lot of time to sit and think yesterday, planning my lovely garden, that is. Yes, the lawn needs regular mowing - but some of the plants I brought with me also need to get into the ground as soon as possible! I decided to plant the tall orange flowering succulent next to the ponytail (that's what At calls what I used to call a palm thingy). That is why I mowed that extra row, so I could clear the bed and plant it there. I also want to plant the white geranium there, it can cover the rocks beautifully!

Then I thought about where to plant all my spekboom ... I have such a lot by now, and they can grow quite tall! Okay, eventually, in a decade or so ... still, I plan ahead. I'm optimistic, that way! So I don't want them too near a wall or a fence or other established plants. Then I though of the cabbage plant ... and came up with the idea of making a bed along the back fence, reducing the lawn a little - and plant many of the beautiful succulents there! The mushroom shaped spekboom can go there, as well. And that way, I get to enjoy seeing them every time from the lounge!

Well, I got stuck behind the PC most of today - started playing my game and just couldn't walk away, ha ha!

As it was not just overcast, but drizzling all day today, at least I don't regret not spending time in the garden. I can regret that tomorrow, when I'll be spending the day in the kitchen, trying to catch up what I should have been doing today! But that's tomorrows worry!

As it is somewhat cold today, I decided to take a bath. I chose to use Fenjal tonight. As I was pouring it, the last time I used that popped into my head ... that was the time my water was turned off when the bath was ankle deep! Not something I'll ever need to worry about - or fear!

Mippies were a little unhappy with my decision to spend the day at the PC. They demanded plenty of cuddles, and it wasn't always a good time. I laughed at Ziva last night, though! I had bunched my duvet to make a back rest and she wriggled into that making her cuddle cave! It looked so cute, her nose poking through a gap in the duvet, purring up a storm ... I put down my book, curled up around her and scratched her ears!

Mini just left me another gift: both halves of what used to be a gecko! Just in time for dinner, too! Sigh ...

Sheez! Did I just get a fright! I closed the front door and saw what looked like a man standing outside my garden, watching my place! Turns out it was just one of the ponytails! It has three trunks, the leaves looked like arms and the dark center like the upper body! What an imagination I have, eh?

Last night I caught Janey chewing on a cable fastener - the type you use to nail cable to the wall? It still had the nail in, too! Took that away from her faster than you could say 'don't swallow!' Some times they scare the bejeepers out of me! The things they find to chew!?!

And now, I'm ready for bed ...

Lock-down Day 239

I woke up with a bloody nose!?! No, not a nose-bleed (never had one of those in my life), but apparently from a scratch or something ON my nose. That bleeds a lot ... took some time till it was done - and not a mark anywhere! Seriously weird, but hey - who needs normal?

At work I was busy with the new Spreadsheet, as well as the other one - so the day just flew by!

Back at home, first, I relaxed a bit, playing my game. I was a little concerned, as it was overcast and looked like a storm was coming ... I did decide to do a bit of lawn mowing. Mowed the patch out back again - gosh! It's only been a week and it's grown like weeds! Then mowed another row out front, now reaching the ponytail bed.

It was looking more and more like a storm, so I decided to take a shower now! Very good timing! As I stepped out of the shower, I could hear that it had started to rain. I was still busy drying myself, when the power went out! At four in the afternoon! Sigh!

I started another book, since the one I was busy reading is still not dry. Mippies! Grr! Ha Ha! Fortunately I still had some sausage, so I had dinner. I gave up and went to bed just after eight. Around nine the power came back on!

I got up, turned on my PC, as there's a fun event going on in my game - and I'm leading the team. So, I need to update and lead everyone on the right direction ... Just after ten the power went off again!

Lock-down Day 238

What a lovely morning! I woke up early, treated mippies, made myself coffee and sat down to enjoy my coffee! Mewthos needed some cuddling, and then I got dressed and came to work.

At work, I have a new spreadsheet to play with - with some urgency. I got a little side-tracked ... 

Just before five, my produce arrived! Gosh, I ordered a lot! Cherries, Strawberries, lovely!

As I enjoyed my sausage for lunch today, I decided to make another for tomorrow. Unfortunately, as I was nearby, it started a fountain of oil, and some splashed on my wrist. Ouch! Fortunately I have my Nivea After Sun nearby - best 1st Aid treatment for burns!

Mippies first didn't want to go outside, just wanted their treats ... and then, when I called them, Mini decided to stay outside! So I closed the door! Ha Ha, she stood outside, quite upset at the closed door - and Ziva inside, mipping at me to let Mini in! Of course I let her in right away - and also had to make sure Mewthos didn't get out as Mini came in!

No lawn mowing for me today, though! First thing I did - after cleaning the litter boxes - was shower! It's overcast, and I did NOT want another night without a shower!  Funny thing: while I was cleaning litter box number 2, Janey used the one I had just cleaned. When I got to the last one, Mini went and used the little one - which seems to be her favourite! I think she thinks that one is just for her! Sigh - I'd like to get rid of it, but if she loves it so much, I guess I had better keep it filled and clean! Of course I cleaned what they dropped, so it's a kind of back and forth cleaning litter boxes!

Taking it easy tonight, just playing my game, then bed. Well, playing as much as mippies let me - they've decided that my sitting at the PC = time for cuddles! So ... 

Lock-down Day 237

Back to normal! I had a good night, slept well, woke up without any Mew-larms - though Mini did try to get at the beepy thing (my phone, when the alarm went off)! She always does - she just paws at whatever is covering it; which would be me! I've learned the hard way that, if I don't snatch it under the covers when the alarm goes off, Mini will toss it off the bed ... then I have to go find all the parts, put it back together and set the date & time again! Now you know WHY I have such a simple phone! Those fancy smartphones wouldn't survive my cat-astrophies!

Some trouble on the road to work. Taxi Association is whining for even MORE money! So they terrorise the general population. I had a set-to with a taxi driver myself, this morning. They were blocking the road at the main junction in Rosslyn, demanding everybody turn around or turn left - they blocked the entire right lane. I ended up at the front line, facing a taxi head-on with the driver swearing at me to get out of his way! When I indicated that there was nowhere I could go, he came at me, now completely blocking me from any kind of turn! Gesturing and swearing at me! Eventually he followed his mates turning to my right, driving up the turning lane and I could get past and to work.

Seriously, what the eff? They are the only industry NOT affected by the lock-down! Why do I say that? Well, when they were told to operate at less than 100%, they whined, and government gave them the go-ahead to do as they pleased. And for keeping their passengers at home, the government gave THEM millions as compensation! Nothing to those passengers, who were forced to stay at home ... And now they want more? Sheez!

I read that they hijacked a bus around the corner from my work - the driver has not yet been heard from! That is seriously messed up!

Anyway, my meat delivery has arrived! Yummy! I'll have to re-think my buying strategy - as I'm no longer going only once in a blue moon, but can order regularly, I should only keep stock in the freezer of bulk deal items. Of course, I will have to stock up for the shut-down ... same goes for produce!

At work, my spreadsheet is finally coming together! About time, too!

Driving home was a pleasure! Not one single taxi on the road! Not one! Nobody overtaking on a solid line, nobody overtaking on the shoulder of the road - safe driving all the way home!

At home, I somehow had the energy to start mowing the lawn! I let it grow a bit too long as well, so it was slow going - have to go over the same spot back and forth a couple of times in the thickest patches. Still, I got fair patch done. Okay, so it's a small patch when you look at the whole lawn - but I'm happy! It's progress. Looks a bit funny with one patch mowed and the rest ankle high, but hey, who cares?

Inside, mippies came quite happily for their treat, and I drank about a liter of fruit juice! I think I should go and get milk tomorrow and maybe more juice on Friday? Why two trips? Well, it's two different shops, neither on the way to the other.

I've fried one of the sausages I got today (Boerewors), I'm not hungry, so I've packed it for tomorrow.

Ziva wanted cuddles while I was having a smoke, so I coaxed her onto the mini toy I got for them - she toppled it twice! It's not very well balanced, when a cat is sitting on the seat, it tends to topple. She got her tail wet in the process, so she's not too keen on another attempt. I've turned the seat, hoping to prevent the toppling ... maybe I can coax another mip onto it.

I've brushed Mini - she goes absolutely bazonkers for brushies! Then Mewthos picked a fight with Ziva - no reason ... he gets moody sometimes. I've enjoyed a lovely refreshing shower, so now I'm about to fall asleep ...

Lock-down Day 236

What an absolutely awful night! I do not know how most people sleep without a shower in the evening. Most people, I know, bath or shower in the mornings - but I just can't sleep covered in the days sweat and dust! Power came back on around nine - just as I was finally falling asleep, waking me up again! Crap! And I forgot to turn off the kitchen light ...

Back to sleep ... wake up around midnight: power is off again! Sheez! It is hot as anything, I NEED my fan on, please! Nope ... an absolutely awful night for me. At least mippies came for cuddles - not ideal in this heat, but I'll take it. Mini, Mewthos and Janey came to join me on the bed, Mewthos snuggled against my leg, Mini against my back and Janey somewhere by my feet.

I woke up several times throughout the night. Really awful. This morning, still no power = no coffee! I just get up, treat mippies, get dressed and hope for coffee at work. Gate is dead, so I have to set it to manual - which means that it's basically open all day! I need to make a plan to replace that battery one of these days ...

At work, I'm struggling to stay awake, so I go off to Spar and stock up on caffeine! Not just Coca Cola, this calls for a more desperate approach: I get Red Bull! Something I don't buy or drink under normal circumstance ... but really, today? I just want to scream!

Cor crikey that Red Bull kicks! I'm wide awake, as if I actually slept last night! I wonder when that's going to kick back? I just hope the power is on when I get home! Just in case it isn't, I did buy something for dinner, though.

Well, I've ordered my produce, hopefully it will be delivered on Thursday.

Oh mippies! What have you done? You HAVE been busy today, haven't you! Sigh!

Okay, I came home and was very glad to see the lights were on = I've got power! I was wary of the possibility of an intruder - without electricity, and the gate's battery practically flat, I have to leave the gate on 'manual' when there is no power. Anyone can just push open the gate and come in - and since my place has walls, rather than a fence (the ONLY property here with walls!) once inside, intruders can take all the time they like to look around, do whatever they like. People say cats are no use as watchdogs - just because they don't bark. But they are excellent silent alarms! So when I didn't see any mip nose peeking through the window next to the door, I decided to take a careful walk around, with my phone ready to call the security guard. Nothing untoward, and when I looked through the patio door I saw mippies strolling around - and Mewthos standing on tip-toe with his nose pressed against the window next to the door! That is just too cute a sight!

Seeing mippies confidently strolling around the lounge is all the proof I need to know that nobody is inside!

Went inside, opened the patio door, so mippies could go out - they didn't want to ... then went to charge my phone (the torch light uses a lot of battery). And that's when I saw it! The flood they had caused in my bedroom! How? Well, you know how water fountains don't fountain without power? Apparently, even though this one has a bowl which stays full, so they don't sit without water when the power is out ... well, mippies didn't think that was good enough! So, they got busy and ended up dipping the corner of the towel, I keep under the fountain, INTO the fountain! As a result, all 5 liters of water were soaked into the towel - and since it can't hold that much water, it flooded the area around the fountain! You'd think that was bad enough, right? Not for MY mippies! They then decided that water need soaking up. So what do they do? Splash my book off the bed into the puddle! Which soaked up much of the water, but not all, of course. What was left ran towards the cardboard box I've been using for years to keep my spare extension cords and such in ... soaked as well! I had quite a job mopping, wiping, wrapping the book in a towel, then re-filling their water fountain! All that with mippies mipping for their treat! They didn't want to go out, they just want their treats, then cuddles!

But first, I cleaned their litter boxes, which I also hadn't got around to last night - Ziva was already complaining that she wanted to go, but nothing was clean! She's relieved now! Ha Ha, couldn't resist that pun!

Then I gave mippies their treats, closed the patio door again and then took a shower! What a wonderful feeling! I feel so much better now!

Fortunately I'm feeling tired, so I don't think I'll have any trouble sleeping - even though I drank so much caffeine today, I should be goggle-eyed! Going to watch an episode (third or fourth attempt at the same episode), cuddle mippies then go to sleep!

Lock-down Day 235

Some mippies thought that I'd make up for yesterday and stay at home - nice try! Sorry, I'd love to stay home, but where do you think your munchies come from? The rate at which they are going through the Iams at the moment - I'll need to re-stock soon! I'm happy to see them digging into the Orijen as well, though. Still going strong on the healthy food!

Back at home, I was somewhat unappreciative of a gift from Mini: half a lizard in the middle of my bed! Sorry, but that just isn't nice for humans - cats may appreciate it, sorry, but I don't!

When I arrived, that black and white cat was at the gate - I could have sworn it was waiting for me! Then, while I was in the garden, at first it just sat next to the braai, watching me ... but then it went inside! Into the mippies room! Seriously! I don't know what to do about that ... 

I got myself stung while I was pulling out weeds. Very painful! Not sure whether it was a wasp or what - didn't look like a bee. I washed it under cold water, then took an anti-histamine - hopefully no lasting effects. Apart from the pain, of course. Which is bearable.

What isn't bearable, though, is that at quarter to eight the power goes out! Why? No clue! No storm, no rain, not even wind ... just suddenly I'm in the dark.

Well, the UPS works, as you can see! Plus it's keeping me online ... I figured out how to connect the monitor, but what I'm missing is speakers! Unless I find a way to make a plan - it's going to be a silent night ... again!

But what really, really makes this unbearable is the heat! I haven't had a chance to shower, yet ... I've made a plan by washing everything I could hang over the basin, but I can't reach my back! And then, of course: no fan! It's going to be an unbearably hot night ... at least I was able to place one online order before the power went out. Not going to take a chance now ... I'll have to place the second order tomorrow at work.

Lock-down Day 234

Phew! What a day!

I got up, made myself coffee, had a few sips and drove off to pick up At. It's a bit over an hour's round trip.

Majority of mippies were not happy about this intrusion into their home, ha ha! Mewthos spent most of the day cowering between the bed and the window - big wuss! Janey hid under the bed. Mini came out to look every now and again, but wouldn't come near At. Ziva, however, shamelessly used the additional pair of hands at her disposal to scratch her back! She came to welcome At, mipping at him, demanding he scratch her ears and back - and he quite happily obliged!

I mowed the back lawn - yikes, letting it grow so tall was not a smart move! I better get into the habit of mowing that every week! And changed the bed sheets - finally fitting my new mattress protector!

At fixed the sliding door lock, so now I can lock that again!

He also spotted a fish eagle! I would never have spotted that! Who would have thought I would be fortunate enough to have fish eagle to observe in my home? Just awesome! He also identified the little tree under the Jacaranda for me: a peach tree! And it is laden with fruit already! I'm going to have my hands full when the grapes and peaches are ripe!

After I dropped At back at home, Mewthos finally came out - and promptly went on a sulk! He went and curled up outside and just sulked, ha ha! His problem, not mine. He could have got lots of extra back scratches - just like Ziva did!

For myself, I was flat out exhausted. I showered, ate and flopped onto the bed and didn't get up again ... well, treated mippies - Janey needed a special invitation, as she, too, was sulking ... but they all came in, gobbled their munchies and let me sleep.

Lock-down Day 233

Change of plans. I got up a little later than mippies wished - Mini tossed my phone off the bed and Mewthos mewled for breakfast, ha ha ha! And I didn't feel like going outside, just yet. So I started my day with lots of coffee and playing my online game - which I've neglected for quite a while, and practically ignored weekends since I've moved here ... but recently got interested again, so ... 

I meant to start in the kitchen, with the dishes ... but I had been so lazy this past week, I first needed to tidy up somewhat ... which led me into the garage ... and next thing I know, I'm unpacking books, and sweeping the garage! Car is back where it belongs, now!

I've washed the dishes, then swept the floors. In between brushing and cuddling mippies, of course! They just don't let up! I've washed the new mattress protector, it's taking quite a while to dry, as it has a cushion type layer. The rest of the laundry is done and dry, just need to take it off the line, fold and pack it.

I was feeling peckish, so I started thinking what I'd like to cook myself ... then I went from peckish to hungry, and decided to fry the steak I had taken out for Friday. And discovered the Texan steak I had bought yesterday! Ha Ha, I guess I'm getting old - so, the food issue for the weekend is therefore solved. Just need to bake bread for next week.

And then I went out into the garden. I swept all the Jacaranda blossoms and stuff off the back porch, cleared the path between the house and the wall and then started clearing the grass off the pavement outside my bedroom! There is a whole porch paved out there! The grass has rooted between all the bricks, and the whole right part looked like it was lawn! Yikes! Well, I cleared about half of that today. Why not the back section, as I had planned? Because that was in the sun, whereas the space outside my bedroom was in the shade! I'm really happy with the progress I'm making!

Tomorrow I'll need to bake bread and figure out what I'll eat next week, as I've finished the sirloin - I think I'll just place an order for more. 

I've also made myself a couple of blueberry milkshakes! Yummy! I just love those! And as a bonus, I saw a simple way to clean the blender afterwards! On that list of 'cleaning hacks' I linked this week. Just fill the blender with hot water, add some dishwashing liquid and blend! That also solves one of my biggest problems with cleaning the blender: I'd always end up cutting my gloves on those sharp blades! Yes, I use gloves for washing dishes - not for vanity reasons, but because I wash my dishes in very hot water. Too hot for hands. That's also why my gloves don't last too long - the heat kind of shrinks them, and after a couple of weeks they end up being too small.

I called At to confirm his visit tomorrow - I'll pick him up tomorrow morning. He still doesn't have his drivers license, because the mucked it up and I haven't been able to get it fixed. I should have booked him an appointment - but when I tried, there was never any opening, and I tried for weeks. Then this whole move thing got in the way ... Sadly, even if he had a valid drivers license, there's still the issue of a car for him to drive. Long story, and this is not the place for it.

I'm quite looking forward to showing him my house and garden! He's truly interested - not 'being polite by' faking interest.

Mippies are all around me now - oh, and I lured Mini into the new litter box, and she seems to be taking to it! Nice!

Well, time to cuddle mippies, then sleep ...

Lock-down Day 232

Relaxing morning, enjoying coffee while watching Mewthos and Ziva play in the bookshelf. They like to swat at each other from different levels!

I can't decide whether I want to spend this afternoon in the garden, or clearing the garage, so that I can park in it again. With the recent rains, it's now a very good time to get out weeds. And I have not yet touched the patch outside the laundry door, where I hang up my washing - and those weeds are nearly hip-high already! And my gardening time is already limited by the weather - can't be outside when the sun is high!

I quickly went to get milk - the milk at the Spar here is really the best. Well, the best store-bought milk, that is. It's only R11 per liter (most are now R16 or more), it is long-lasting (more than one week!) and delicious! So I got 2x 2 liter. I also meant to get 2 potatoes - but they didn't look appetising. I got cheese and chocolate. I stood looking at the fish for a while - last time I saw they had fresh frozen Salmon, not today, though. Nothing I fancied. Pity. So I took a small Texan steak instead.

Just looked on the fruit & veg suppliers' site: Blueberries are getting cheaper by the day! In Store they were R20 per punnet, online R12 or R20 for 2 punnets! Can one have too many blueberries? I don't think so! Ha ha! Well, it's blueberry season, so it's logical they are now affordable!

Back at home, I get busy with the back garden. I worked my way along the rock garden bed clearing a space in front of it and clearing as many of those thorns from the lawn as I could. Remember those thorn things that had completely covered the patch in front of the bench in my last garden? Yeah, they are absolutely everywhere here, as well! It took three full hours to clear just the one side! Another hour cleared a small part along the fence as well. As I was working, I kind of hoped that this time, I'm doing this work all for myself! Not just because I actually enjoy doing it - but also to enjoy the result of the work for longer! I did that in PE, and again in my last garden.

I think, tomorrow morning, I'll mow that lawn first. It'll look a lot nicer and won't do anything to those thorn things I'm digging up, except maybe make them more visible. Then, I'd actually prefer to clear that patch under the Jacaranda tree which I haven't touched at all, yet. With the ground being so soft, I should have a good chance getting those big weeds out.

Gardening until nine, after that: indoors! At least, that's the plan ...

Lock-down Day 231

Mippies are very different in our new home! Instead of a Mew-larm I now get mippies snuggling up to me in bed, letting me know they are awake and would like breakfast, please! I often wake up with Mewthos snuggled against my leg and Ziva patiently waiting next to my head. There also has not been one single piddle puddle! Not one! They no longer run past me to get out, when I come home - sure, they are at the door and take a quick look outside, but then they come and follow me around until I go outside! I don't have to call and call, hoping in trepidation that my last mip will come inside soon ... they usually go inside very early, wanting me to quit playing outside (i.e. gardening) and come and treat them! It's like I've got a whole different bunch of mips! I'm loving this, since they seem so much more relaxed and happier!

For myself, I have a little issue that's been worrying me for a while. I catch myself thinking one word, but typing another. Similar words, like with / which / witch. Not that my mind is confused about which word is the right one - but my fingers type the wrong one? Other times, I spell words quite wrong, jumbling up the letters ... words I absolutely know how to spell correctly. Not sure whether I should worry about that?

Anyway, work has been really busy - I think I may finally be making head-way with the spreadsheet report. This week has just flown by - I can hardly believe it's already Thursday evening!

I thought that tonight I would just quickly re-clear the bit out back, where I mowed my first lawn. Shouldn't take long, after all, I've already cleared it once, now I just need to get the new growth. Right? Wrong! I spent over an hour re-clearing where the weeds had re-grown after the rains - and then properly clearing the grass a little into the lawn, creating a bit of distance between lawn and walkway. Well, I got a short distance past the corner - still got the last stretch up to the gate to do.

While I was out back, that black and white cat came in through the front door! I heard Mewthos, and by the sounds he was making, I knew that he was inside, growling at that cat. When I went to see, I found that cat sitting on my records, in the shelf! Seriously! No feral cat does that! This seems to me more evidence that it once lived here ... 

Inside, I started by cleaning the litter boxes. As I'm busy with the first one, Ziva comes sniffing at each one - clearly wanting to use one, but wanting a clean one. So, I lure her into the new, covered one! Happiness! She had a bit of trouble getting out - none of them are used to cat flaps, but she figured it out quite quickly. I cleaned it as well, hopefully they will start using it! Mini went into 'her' personal one - she pretty much claims the smallest one for herself, little weirdo! I've added two more litter boxes since we've moved here, in the hopes of being able to put THAT one away - but Mini just keeps using that one!

Well, that's Thursday. Let's see what tomorrow's Friday, the 13th has to offer!

Lock-down Day 230

Bleh type of morning. Woke early, though listless. Coffee, treat mippies, dress, off to work.

I've hit another snag with one of my spreadsheets - so it's been buzzing around my head for days and nights.

Just stumbled across some handy cleaning tips! Some of those will come in useful!

Received three deliveries today - the protection sheet, the kibbles (mippies will be happy!) and the cleaning materials. Good. The only outstanding delivery now, is scheduled for 30th November. Oh, nice! I just checked and it's moved up to 26th November!

On the drive home, some rain drizzled down ... so ... under cover gardening tonight! Well, the car port is also being taken over by weeds, especially that horrid creeper, so I've got lots to do without worry of getting wet!

Of course it DIDN'T rain. Had I been working under the sky, it probably would have, though! Well, that black and white cat is back. It had settled on a tree stump behind my car port. It went for Mewthos again and I had to step in. As it moved away, it was spitting out tufts of Mewthos' fur! Sigh. However, the strange thing is, before it attacked it sat under the car - very near to where I was working - and meowed kind of pitifully at me!? I found that quite disturbing ... I don't know what to do ...

Well, I cleared all the exposed pavement, found a bag of rotting potatoes (Yuk!) and cut plenty of creeper off the fence. Another corner looking good!

There's supposedly another address by our president at seven - I get indoors just in time, even got the PC up ... only to find out, it's now scheduled for eight. Time to shower first.

Well, nothing much was said - first thing I noticed is that we've been in lock-down for so long, our president doesn't know just how many months it's been! Sad, eh? Oh, and they're extending the State of Disaster yet another month! Crap! Mostly it was just a reminder that life is NOT back to normal, if we don't maintain social distancing, etc. we can expect to go back to stricter Levels. I'm sorry, but I got bored ...

Mippies were VERY happy when I started filling up their Iams kibble dispenser! Janey and Ziva couldn't wait - they came and started gobbling as soon as they could reach the first kibble!

Anyway ... time to relax and get ready for the night. Ziva and Mini are curled up on their furniture, Janey - as always - atop the dresser and Mewthos on my night stand, also as always. Let's see who will come join me on the bed ...

Lock-down Day 229

Normal morning, rainy day. At work, at least. It started with a cloud-burst early this morning and continued to rain, and rain, and rain.

It's almost cold as a result, and I regret that I didn't bring a sweater.

Not much else to say about my work day. At home, I get busy uncovering the second set of bricks in the driveway. Turns out, there are only 8. 2x4 on the right, whereas they were 3x4 on the left. Weird, eh?

I see Mini running outside the garden - I'm not happy about that! But when Mewthos comes sprinting through the gate at top speed a while later, I realise that she simply went after Mewthos, looking after him! She's street wise, he's an idiot - he needs looking after!

We've had another 30 mm rainfall today! Nice!

Yeah, not much to say ... off to bed ...

Lock-down Day 228

Not the earliest of mornings, I just still have so little energy and the it still feels awfully humid ... I got out of bed some time after six. Had my coffee, got dressed, left for work really late ...

My first delivery arrived very early this morning! In bits and pieces, ha ha! They had packed the few items as seven separate parcels! Each bag of litter was a separate parcel, the UPS & litter box were separate parcels, then they packed the small items into one box, but the mat was another separate parcel! The courier called it a treasure hunt, going through her packages trying to find my parcels!

The cat food has also arrived - only the treats, the kibbles will hopefully arrive tomorrow! Mippies wantz, ha ha ha!

Back at home, I'm somewhat disappointed with the litter box. I tried to assemble it - quite simple, only there's no obvious place for the filter cartridge - then carry it (empty) to the bedroom. Half-way, the handle came off and the whole thing fell apart! I'm not impressed. Well, I've put it up in the mippies' room, lets see if they'll use it!

I've also connected the new UPS. Hoping that will make a difference! Then I just pulled a couple of large weeds out of the lawn, nothing more. Hot and bothered. Could hardly wait to get inside to shower! Mippies came in early, I treated them, then showered! Much, much better! This clammy feeling is horribly unpleasant!

I'm too lazy to make myself anything to eat tonight, or rather: I lack the energy. I've packed 2 pieces of pizza for work tomorrow, that should be plenty.

Bought and loaded electricity, that's me done for the day ... Ziva wants cuddles, Mini wants brushies and Mew-Mew is fighting with the girls ... time to give them my full attention.

Lock-down Day 227

Urgh! Waking up with a headache - not nice. Mippies insist to be let out, Mini keeps toppling the waste bin - over their fountain! No clue why. Hello Sunday! Ha Ha!

Starting my morning out nice and easy, I noticed yesterday that I'm running very low on vacuum bags, so maybe I should start with an order for more?

I order those bags from Yuppiechef, so first I check out what they have on special. Mostly 'Jamie Oliver' this that and more of the same. NOT buying any of that! I think I wrote my view on him before - no need to repeat myself.

They do, however, have a mattress protector on a very good special! The one I've got is somewhat in shreds - well, the protection part of it, at any rate. It's been lying next to the washing machine since I've moved here. So that would be very useful! Why do I need a mattress protector? Hello? Mippies! No, they are not incontinent, but they do make their little wet messes on the bed at times. Like when they play with live toys on my bed, when they cough up the odd hairball ... you know, cat stuff!

And that's about all I could find on Yuppiechef. On the vaccum bags they didn't have the size I normally use (20 x 30cm) - only the larger (30 x 35cm) ones. But the price? Seems somewhat outrageous! They also no longer have ANY airpots (which is what they call the smaller urns, from which one can dispense without needing to open, i.e. a type of tap fitted).

As always, I do a price check - see whether the same product is available cheaper elsewhere. Guess what? Takealot! Those same 30 x 35cm bags at less than half the price they ask on Yuppiechef!

Nice! I was just invited to join a neighbour for lunch! Grilled chicken, rice and salads! Pity I can't accept, though ... not with mippies running outside, I'm afraid. Oh and he tells me there are plenty of cats running around in this area! Not good! At least only one of them is coming into my garden, so any thought of feeding is totally out of the question!

Back to my shopping - which is taking quite a long time, I'm afraid. That's partially due to the bad internet connection here at home - mostly 2 bars, occasionally 3 bars signal, rarely more. It's already close to noon. The headache isn't helping either - I just can't seem to shake it. I've tried Disprin and an anti-histamine. Well, better check out my shopping and get busy in the kitchen.

Done and done. Head is STILL aching. Not fun. I think it's most likely caused by the heat, though, it's well over 30 in the shade today.

Well, I've made a second attempt at taking a nap, hoping to shake the headache. The first attempt was interrupted when Mini brought another live toy to bed, burrowed it under my pillow so she could play hide & catch!

Now I see it is overcast, and thunder is already rumbling ... I hope I get my pizza baked before the power goes out again! I'd better get moving!

Yup! Power went out. As I was busy topping my pizza. I finished layering the toppings, then packed it away from the flies and mippies in the oven. Nothing else I could do.

It rained very hard, more a cloudburst than rain fall, plus we had some hail mixed in. I took some pictures, then looked for my mippies. Ziva worried me, as I couldn't find her for the longest time - she still hides from loud noises. I was quite relieved when she showed up, as I was beginning to fear she might be locked outside - though that is extremely unlikely! Still, one worries, right? And then I settled down on the bed with my book.

Fortunately the power came back after about two hours, so I rushed to get the pizza & bread baking and took a shower as soon as they were in the oven! I just needed to wash that layer of clamminess off me. Yet, an hour later I could have showered again! Sigh.

I had absolutely no energy for anything, so I just carried on reading until I was sleepy again and that was the end of the day ...

Lock-down Day 226

Not sure why, but I struggled to wake up this morning. Since it's Saturday, I just turned over until I was ready to get up - or rather, until mippies became too insistent, ha ha! Which was still before seven!

I had a message that my order would be delivered today. Huh? No! First thing, after I let mippies out, was to see if I could re-schedule. I could! Now delivery is again scheduled for Monday!

I decided that, since I'm making steady progress in the garden every week night, I should spend today inside, where I still have a long way to go before it's my home again. Well, the good thing about so much that needs to be done is: I can do whatever I feel like - it all helps!

So, for now I've doomed the hornet nest in my patio door, planted one bag of potatoes, uncovered even more paving under grass in the process! Someone, at some time, put a lot of work and effort into shaping this garden. It's a pity it is so overgrown and neglected by now - it's quite possible that it was maintained up to the lock-down. With no rain since April, nothing much needed to be done - but the recent rainfalls have accelerated the weed and grass growth!

Back inside, I've finished the dishes and the laundry is in progress. I've got some tobacco leaves washing, I'll hang them up and cut them throughout the day.

I've been thinking about coffee. I saw on Friday that they're now selling my preferred instant coffee at even higher price - and advertising that as 'special'! Well, it's not just coffee, of course. Everyone is just increasing their prices continuously, trying to recover their losses from the lock-down - without any apparent grasp of the reality, that WHO they are trying to recover their losses from, are the very people affected the most! It's a vicious circle. At work, our suppliers are increasing prices with every order. And the more prices of basic groceries increase, the less people buy - as they, too, have less money - so they increase the prices again, resulting in even fewer sales ... and so it goes on ...

Back to coffee. I have, however, noticed, that the price of filter coffee, i.e. ground beans, is NOT increasing. By now, ground beans are already cheaper than my preferred instant! So. Time to switch, methinks. What I considered as a treat before the lock-down, will now simply become my standard. Bargain, eh? Not quite, but good enough.

I decided to bake myself bread rolls, so I could enjoy my Rollmops. I had just settled on going for brown bread, when I remembered that sour dough mix I'd bought a while back! That would be perfect, wouldn't it? Well, I'll know in a couple of hours! Dough is in progress ...

That black and white cat is still an issue, although it would seem it has grasped that attacking my mippies is a bad move. If it can learn to tolerate my mippies, I could sort of keep it. Well, not like my mippies, inside, but I could give it food and water. I would, however, have to find out as soon as possible, whether it's been fixed!

Speaking of food, my mippies are a little unhappy that we've run out of Iams, their current favourite. Delivery is scheduled for this week, though - so, no problem! And I'm still swimming in FIT 32 and I also still have plenty of Orijen - which, as I said, they're also digging into far more!

Okay, half past noon and I've made good progress. I've pre-fried the mushrooms, so they're on a teflon sheet in the freezer, when they're frozen, I'll vacuum pack them as well as the blueberries. The rye dough is in the proving basket - it didn't rise very much ... I hope it won't turn into a brick (i.e. too hard to eat)! I've poured the raw milk into a pot ... it looks like it has already curdled and separated, though, so I think I'll just leave it in the pot and hopefully I can skim off the cheese tomorrow morning.

Almost four and I've made even more progress. Busy, busy, busy. Mini has brought another live toy to bed ... which I've evicted.

Now it's seven and I'm done for the day. I've really managed to get all 'musts' done - all that's left tomorrow is to make my pizza and the cheese. Oh, did I forget to mention? I decided to make pizza tomorrow, as I have two tomatoes, an avocado and meat left over. So I've kept some mushrooms in the fridge for that as well.

Dishes are done again, mushrooms vacuum packed, ditto last weeks blueberries, and the ones I bought yesterday are sorted and frozen. Tomorrow I really can just sit back and do whatever I actually feel like doing. Maybe unpack more kitchen, maybe set up the gardening ... uhm ... actually it's a wardrobe. A camping wardrobe. I had bought that years ago, I last used it in Pretoria North, 2015-6 to store tupperware and brooms and such. It's a light weight canvas wardrobe set up (given structure) by something akin to tent poles. It's got one side for hanging clothes and one side with shelves. If I find my hooks, I could maybe hang the garden tools on one side, but I want to put the seeds and such in the shelves. Set it up in the outside room.

Anyway, I have most of tomorrow free to do whatever I feel like doing. That alone is good progress!

I might decide to clear the garage, so I can park in it again? It all depends on how I feel and what I feel like doing. Nice! And not I think I had better settle on the bed to tend to whichever mippie comes for cuddles ...

Lock-down Day 225

Not sure why, but I woke around half three this morning. Feeling wide awake, thinking it's probably around five. I was quite surprised when I saw that it was the middle of the night! Well, I read for a while, grabbed a few mippies for extreme cuddles - Mewthos loves that! Turned over and went back to sleep.

Finally woke up around ten past seven! Ha Ha! So I sent a message to work that I'd be late. I arrived before eight, so - not bad, considering!

I think, if I had been on time, I still would have been late, as there was an accident on the road - I'm not sure whether it was another head-on collision or just a truck loosing its load. There was a lot of glass on the road, and they were busy closing the oncoming lane to clean it up.

I'm off to SuperSpar. I resisted a lot of temptations, ha ha! For breakfast I got myself an omelet and toast (even though I couldn't tell WHAT's in either). They seem to have changed over to a different fruit juice supplier - I can't say I'm happy. I couldn't get any of the boost juices I was hoping for. I did get regular fruit juice, though.

They had sliced mushrooms and blueberries on special, so I took ... lots! Ha ha! I'll vacuum pack the blueberries I have already frozen, and just freeze the new packets. The mushrooms I can quick-fry and freeze as well. I tried that last time and they turned out beautiful! Not a soggy mushy mess at all! I did, however, treat myself to a jar of Rollmops! I really must get to the German butchery again - they have Rollmops and Herring at a much better price. But for that, I'll need space in my freezer again - and right now, the bananas are taking over! I went a bit overboard with that order, I'm afraid! No worries, though. It's all good.

I just checked on my delivery - I don't think I'll get that today, though. It says 'delivery scheduled 6-November' but it also hasn't yet been shipped. So, I think that will only arrive on Monday. which is not a bad thing! Although, the UPS would be useful - we had another power fluctuation, which turned off the PC again. Just a micro second interruption - but that's enough to kill the PC.

Now I'm back at work, playing with my spreadsheet again.

Back at home, I enter through the front door - just to keep my mippies on their toes! Only Ziva was alert enough to greet me, the others followed when they had worked it out, ha ha!

After carrying my shopping inside, I carry on cleaning the driveway. I thought there was a pavement in front of the driveway, but there are only two sets of a dozen bricks - with a patch of grass between them. Placed 3x4 to sort of guide the wheels ... I've uncovered the entire left patch, and started on the right. It's looking good!

Oh, and what I thought might be a grapevine? Definitely a grapevine! And it looks like I'm in for a bumper crop, too!

Oh, and I got an sms about my delivery - it will be delivered on Monday. Nice!

Well, mippies had their treat, shared my dinner and now I'm ready to settle down and get comfy for the night.