Lock-down Day 431

Back to Level 2. No comment ...

My bread roll experiment is delicious! I'm quite impressed with myself, he he. At asked me, if I could take him to Wonderpark sometime this week, he needs a new pair of glasses ... that got me thinking, maybe I can find a cheap pair of reading glasses, too? I'm not sure what my prescription is, though ...

Back at home, no power! Yes, load shedding stage 2 (synchronised with our lock-down level) is back, but we're only due tonight at 22:00 ... and the power is on everywhere else, or so it seems?

Ah, I think my next door neighbour tripped his power! It's a weird set-up between his and my house: my electricity pumps his water, so when this place was empty, every time the meter ran out, he had now water pressure; yet, if HIS power is off, mine is off as well! He was at his workshop, when I got home, and shortly after he got home, the power came back - so, I guess something in his house tripped.

Well, it just meant that watering would have taken a lot longer - so, I didn't water. No worries!

Inside, mippies are cuddle-happy - wanting cuddles and pick up and cuddles and ear scratching ... when I was re-filling the flower fountain, I could see Mewthos eyeing my back, so I stayed bent over, letting him jump. I could swear he was planning to start twirling on my back - but didn't seem to like my top, so he jumped back down. I've had to pick him up and cuddle him over and over.

I still haven't had a chance to taste my apple strudel - I still have pancakes left! I decided to pack the left-over pancakes for lunch tomorrow, then enjoyed the first piece of my apple strudel! Oh, my! The cinnamon really makes a difference - it's delicious!

Now, I'll just watch an episode, then turn off the PC - as we're being load shat from 22:00 tonight ... grrrrr ...

Lock-down Day 430

I don't wanna get out of bed - it's cold outside the bed! But mippies insist, they want to go out! I gave in some time after six.

The bird didn't survive the night - mippies must have caught it, because I found feathers all over! Apparently someone ate and threw it up all around my armchair! Sigh ... and the bird had worms! Yuk!

I got busy in the kitchen, starting with the bread dough, then the meatball mix, now I've finished the apples ... and then suddenly remembered: I haven't paid my rent, yet! Yikes! I normally pay that around the 25th ... well, I just paid. Won't be late, as the last day of the month is only tomorrow. Phew! That was too close for comfort!

Anyway, here's what I did with the meatballs and bread dough:

I took that right after I had shaped the dough. Now, that it's risen, I've placed a slice of cheese on top of each!

Next, I'm planning on another experiment. Instead of making the apple pie in the same dish, I want to try and roll it like Apfelstrudel. Oh, I can't roll the dough as thin, nor add the butter needed to make proper Apfelstrudel - I'm going to keep it simple.

There, how does that look? I'm quite exited! This is fun! 

My daily joy! One flower bed with several colours!

The bees love my poppy flowers!

Red Marigold

The same flower from below. It's yellow underneath and red on top.

Spekboom in full bloom!

Lovely tiny pink flowers!

Apple pie thingy is done, bread rolls look delicious, my pasta turned out delicious! All that's left to do now is ... yep, again: cleaning the kitchen! Ha Ha!

I'm having some trouble with the big water fountain, some kind of algae seem to grow in there. I keep cleaning it, but reaching the corners is really difficult. So now, I've immersed the whole reservoir in hot water, I hope that will kill them!

My pasta turned out really nice! Really delicious, too!

I've sloppy washed the kitchen floor. I'm too pooped to wash properly, so I just scrubbed the marks and washed around. All marks and puddles are cleaned, so: good enough!

Oh golly! Family meeting at seven tonight! I'd better have finished and bathed by then ... Oh, and possible load shedding, too! Oh, nice! (In the tones of Onslow, from 'Keeping Up Appearances').

I had hoped for some time to garden, but by the time I finished with the floors, it was past four ... not much time to do much in. Well, I loosened the soil in the Marigold bed, cleaned the wilted leaves from the poppies, dug a bit around two of the Avocado trees and one of the rose bushes ... just pottering around ...

Half past five, Smeagol showed up! I fill his bowl every day, and make sure it is full before I call mippies in - they like to snack off his food, too! Mewthos was not happy to see him, so I kept mippies out front, and not very long, letting Smeagol eat in peace. Yes, I know, he would much prefer to get some lovies ... but it just doesn't always work out that way.

Now it's half seven ... I'm waiting for the stream to pop up, so I can find out what our new restrictions are going to be ... probably 'with immediate effect' again ... 

I've bathed, and done everything that needed to be done. Now, I think I'll munch a bit on my last pancake ... have some pineapple juice ... sit back ... and see what's next ...

Lock-down Day 429

As always, mippies want me to get up. They, very kindly, allowed me to sleep a little late, though. By the time I was woken, the sun had already risen.

I got up and let them out, opening the sliding door just enough for them to come and go ... brrr it's cold outside!

First thing I need to do today, is wash my duvet. Which presents me with a teeny problem: where can I hang that up? I would normally use the big stand, just drape it over and turn it every now and then - but, if I do that today, where do I hang my long-sleeve tops & pants? In summer, my little stand is just big enough for a week's laundry - but not in winter.

I had a look outside. Yes, there's that wire they strung up from the Jacaranda tree to the fence - which I have used in the past, but they used plain wire. Which is now rusting. The blanket I hung there a while back, has rust marks (because I was too lazy to find a solution).

Okay, for the short term, I've now strung a nylon rope from behind the tall sunflower, across the back lawn, to the gate outside the laundry room. I noticed, though, that the fence posts are a bit wobbly, so that line can't take a lot of weight. Definitely not the duvet. I'll use it for normal, light weight laundry, and put the duvet over the stand.

At least the duvet covers won't be a problem, as I dry those in the machine.

I think today I'll do some cleaning ... it's cold enough, and - silly me - I left the geyser on overnight!

Right! Duvet is drying nicely, clothes are in the machine, I've washed the inside of my car windows, cleared the spider webs from the garage door - inside. Ziva tried to follow me into the garage, when I didn't let her through, she - very cleverly - went around, outside, and sneaked in under the garage door, which I had to open a bit to clear the webs! I had quite a time trying to coax her back out, when I was done!

No, after the last time, I'm not allowing mips into the garage! Last time, they went and puked all over the back of my car!

Incidentally, since I've removed the Whiskas mixed fish in jelly, I've had no more incidents. Nobody's getting sick anymore. Cats and their dietary foibles! The trouble is, with four in the house, it's really difficult to figure out who reacts to what.

Anyway, I also re-cleaned the waste bin drawer. No need to deep steam clean it again. Just need to wipe it out, then re-powder. The flea powder did it's job, so I had a lot of ... I guess they're gnats? Teeny tiny flies, not babies, though, but small flies. Well, they were breeding happily in the drawer ... and the flea powder has put a stop to that. I just had to clean out the 'graveyard'.

My nephew passed is driver's test yesterday, so I sent him congratulations via WhatsApp. We had a lovely chat - interrupted, when Mewthos insisted on lawn roly poly's! NOW! Not later, not in a while, NOW! Sigh ... He drives me nuts - without a license! And then he comes inside, covered in dry grass, and shakes that off inside! Thank you, Mewthos!

To my surprise, the duvet is already dry! Solar power, wahey! Clothes are hanging to dry, and the bed covers & my towels are now in the machine. I've also cleaned some odds and ends, that have been bugging me ... slowly, but surely, making progress. Turning this place into MY HOME, step by step.

I turn around and what do I see? My clean bedding being appreciated by my mippies! Mewthos and Ziva smack in the center, Janey just out of shot ... do you see any room for me? Anywhere? Yeah, me neither ...

I still have some bananas from way back. Very, very ripe now. I'm going to try and use them for pancake batter - use less flour, and mashed bananas instead.

Sigh, I just can't manage to flip pancakes! Even though a professional chef once took the time to show me how - it's all in the wrist! Still, I just can't get it right. So, I'm having scrambled banana!

I bet that's how 'scrambled eggs' were invented! Some poor bugger tried to fry them easy over, hashed up the flipping - like I do - then thought quickly and named a new dish!

I think mippies are a little intimidated by the newly cleaned mat. I filled each box generously - and expected to find most of it scattered over the mat. Nope! They made every effort to keep the litter inside each box!

I think they saw how much effort I made to clean everything. That may sound weird to dog owners, but cats really are very different. It's their nature, how they hunt. Cats watch and plan - so they do have some cause & effect comprehension. And the more you spoil your cats, the more effort they make to reciprocate. And I definitely spoil mine very much!

Anyway, I've packed the meat away - only had to re-pack the pork chops and the tenderised steak. Ziva came to investigate - I actually caught her on the counter, having a good sniff at everything, but she made no attempt to get at any of the meat. I couldn't give her a treat this time, and she trotted off ... eventually.

I've made pie dough, and in a fit of insanity, I also made pasta dough! I realised that I had no dinners planned for the week - bread with meatballs for work, apple pie as evening treat, but no dinners. So, I decided to take out the pork strips and make Stroganoff. Now I'm covered!

All I still need to do today, is ... yup, you guessed it: wash the dishes! Ha Ha! My favourite! Well, it's almost four ... better get started.

Done. While I was busy, Janey came running through with a bird! She dashed into their room ... and a short while later called me to help. Birdie got away from her, and she showed me he's on top of the wardrobe. She can't get there, I must help. Please, mommy!

I can't reach there, either! Even with the step ladder, I won't be able to catch that bird! I'm not sure how to handle this ... 

Uh uh! I hear battle sounds coming from the room ... 

I think I achieved my personal best tonight! A full three minutes soaking in the bath! I don't think I've ever made it this far before! One minute is my usual, then I get antsy and start washing and getting ready to get out ... today I managed three full minutes! Good, eh?

Well, I feel a possible migraine coming on, so I used a muscle soak - mustard and eucalyptus. Really nice! My back is somewhat sore - not from anything I did today, though. I think I'll take a muscle relaxant tonight ... I hope I wake up fine tomorrow.

Lock-down Day 428

Mewthos is still a bit nervy, but has settled down considerably from last night! I got more sleep! Well, it's Friday, so he can go run outside for a couple of hours this afternoon!

I got my eggs today, so I can play with another omelet again this weekend! I'm still waiting for the meat delivery ...

I'm giving my brain a little break today. I'm dealing with a couple of loose worms, and - just for today - the rest of the worms must just leave me alone! Monday is going to be hectic - last day of the month,.

I'll try to plan my weekend, instead ... I have an idea for bread roll things, that I want to try. Basically rolling the bread dough into a sausage around a meat ball. Should be fun!

Ah, just got a message that my meat should be here soon. They send you a link where you can track the driver! It's quite fun watching the little red dot on the map come closer and closer ...

My plan for this afternoon was to carry on cleaning that bed, where I had last removed the dead Aloes ... yeah, not what happened! I cleaned the litter area. Washed the boxes, pounded the mat till I was exhausted, then put everything in the furthest corner. Nice, neat and clean!

I also made myself steak for dinner, which I shared with very happy mippies! I hope that will solve the fretful piddle problem. Mewthos went out so far, I had to wait quite a while for him to come home. By six, everyone was happily munching away! He's had quite a run, three hours outdoor play, shared dinner and squeaky clean litter. That should do it ...

I did manage to fill one bin in that bed - it's really sad. A cactus graveyard! I don't know what can kill cacti? They're not a delicate variety ...

Anyway, I've enjoyed my bath, and now I'm ready to settle back, watch an episode, then go to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 427

Okay, I think Mewthos is my meddlesome piddler! Why? Well he was being really, really difficult all through the night! Mipping, mewling, stepping on me, twirling, fighting with mippies ... on and on and on. And I spent a lot of time with him last night, brushing him, cuddling him, playing with him ... still, he went on and on. I think it might be, because he feels cooped up, with only half an hour outside play four nights a week. And if that's the case ... this is going to be a looooong winter! Sigh.

I was up at four thirty, but fell asleep again ... then woke up around seven! Yikes! 

On a positive note, though, the support I'm getting from the production guys is awesome!

After lunch, I decided to take a short break and get myself some well-earned chocolate! I also got apples - as they were on special - again, plus: Cinnamon! So, this weekend I'll be able to make apple pie WITH cinnamon!

They called about my meat delivery, and asked if tomorrow is fine - of course it is! As long as it's in the morning. Friday actually suits me better!

Almost time to go home, I just checked, no load shitting. Hopefully I can have hot water tonight!

Back at home, I spend some time watering the garden, giving Mewthos some exercise as he loves bouncing along. He enthusiastically fertilizes me garden - well, with the special brand that kills plants, ha ha! Not that I mind. We share our garden!

I initially meant to have fish fingers tonight, but then, this morning, I decided to take out steak instead - poor mippies hadn't shared a single dinner with me, they don't like the chicken bake! I thought I'd treat them tonight - but when I got home, the steak was still frozen. Poor mippies, fish fingers for me ... nothing to share with mippies. Again!

Anyway, that's about all today ... ready to go to bed, hopefully Mewthos is a little less difficult tonight! At least it's Friday tomorrow ...

Lock-down Day 426

I seem to have a piddle problem again. I woke up with a puddle on my duvet! Not nice! My worst fear is, that it could be a manifestation of Ziva's suspected kidney disease ... I sure hope not!

But if not, what's the alternative? Well, I'm hoping it's a protest against the low litter boxes ... I confess I haven't topped them up as much as they should be ... well, litter isn't cheap. And, although, as long as I receive my salary, I have nothing to worry about ... there is no guarantee that I WILL receive a salary every month ... 

Yeah, this lock-down is really killing businesses. It's not looking good ... 

No use dwelling on that. Back to my little piddlers. After treats, I found a puddle in the kitchen! I'm not sure WHEN it was made - we had no power when I got home. Load shitting. Again! Fortunately just half an hour for me, but still. No warning, just 'poof! You're off!'

Mewthos just had a cuddle attack - just really, really wanted to be brushed! He even followed Mini's example and pawed the brush to tell me what he wants! And, of course, whenever there's brushing going on, Mini comes hopefully along for her share!

Well, I'm just going to go to bed and give mips all the cuddles and play-time and brushies and whatever else they want.

We had fun playing with the new wand toy last night - it's a pink fish! Mewthos' favourite colour! Mini, Mewthos and Janey came to play - each patiently waiting their turn. No, they still don't play together - it's very strictly in turns. When one is pawing at the toy, the others sit back and watch ... it's for me to choose who's nose to dangle it in front of. Weird, eh? Well, that's my mippies!

Lock-down Day 425

For some strange reason, I woke up around three this morning! Wide awake, so I got up, treated mippies and made myself coffee. Then played my game ...

Very busy at work ...

Ziva's treats arrived!

Back at home, quick watering, filling Smeagol's bowl then calling Mini! Miiiiiniiii! Miiiiiiniiii! (repeat for a few minutes, until she decides to come home).

Treat mippies, eat my own dinner - not share-able, I'm afraid. Bath ... and here we are ... mippies want lovies ...

Lock-down Day 424

I woke up with a migraine, again! Albeit a very mild one, so I took a bit of time to see whether I would need to take my meds, or whether I could get away without them - and go to work.

I got lucky, I could go to work. The killer robot was out again, so another 45 minute delay took me to work late!

Here's my life in a nutshell:

Bottom box: Mippies' treats. Center box: Mippies' litter. Top box: My treat! And the only thing in the top box, is one small 200ml bottle of foam bath! Doesn't even fill 1/4 of the box - whereas the other two boxes are full!

Well, they had a very short outside time today, Mewthos thinks that I can make up for that with another treat ... sorry, darling, I just can't afford the treats. I'll make time for cuddles, though! How about it? Well, Ziva is game ... wanting her cuddle cave ... off I go ...

Lock-down Day 423

Bad day. Woke up to a migraine. Ate something, took the migraine cocktail, back to bed. Though I did let mippies out.

Around noon I finally feel human enough to get out of bed. I need to do all the preparation and baking, or I won't have food this week!

I still have a bit of a headache and I'm feeling somewhat woozy. It's slow going, getting everything ready. Pies are ready, bread rolls (fortunately, I took out a Boerewors for them - I don't have enough cheese left) are ready, chicken is marinating. Only, I can't fit all three into the oven at the same time ...

I thought I'd take a break, and found my armchair fully occupied:

Half past four and I managed to get everything done, even cleaned the kitchen! Headache is practically gone - still the odd twinge now and again, nothing more, though.

I thought I'd have a look at the specials currently available on meat, and I see they've put together some useful hampers! Works out more variety than I could otherwise find space for. Goody!

Mippies very sweetly came in very early tonight. I'm not up to watering or anything tonight, just want to bath, then call it a day ...

My chicken bake turned out really delicious! I just wish I had some kind of desert ... that's one thing I didn't get around to, today. I enjoyed that apple pie so much, I've been thinking of adding a daily desert to my menu ... maybe next week.

I keep wondering how normal people manage to cook dinner every single night!?! I just can't. But then again, I used to cook myself dinner every night, too! I'm not sure why I no longer seem to have the time ... could it be that I spend too much time with my mippies? Well, if they're to blame, I have no regrets! Food isn't on my list of priorities lately ... something always has to give. Anyway, that's me for today. I'm feeling okay, no headache, no other symptoms, should be fine tomorrow ...

Lock-down Day 422

It's cold, so I only got out of bed around seven. Mippies happily dashed outside, when I finally opened for them.

I had a little peace and quiet, though not much. Janey has been back wanting attention, lots and lots and lots of it! She still loves walking on my shoulders, only ... when she tries to turn around, she's out of space, now. Which seems to perplex her, though it doesn't stop her!

Mini joined in, and when I was bent over a shelf, looking for some comfy pants to wear - she settled on my back! Second time she's done that! She's enjoying the 'on mommy's back' part, but having a little trouble with the 'when to get off' part. When I try to straighten up, she just strolls up to my shoulder - but doesn't get on my shoulder, just sort of lets me know 'I iz here, not getz up, mommy!'

Mewthos was out for a long walk-about, and came back demanding I come outside on the lawn for roly poly time! I picked all the black jacks, he had collected, out of his fur, then collected a tick looking for a place to settle ... end of roly poly time, as I flush the tick down the toilet!

I've been trying to come up with another different meal for the week, and I've finally settled on mince pies. I still have some mince in the freezer, but it's not enough for meatloaf - which is what I originally intended to try. I considered stretching it with rice, but I think my first meatloaf shouldn't be too experimental. Start with a basic recipe, see how that works out and then experiment.

For breakfast, I made myself an omelet. Plain cheese.

I've just had to spend some money again ... sigh ... well, mippies treats are low. Remember how I planned to add bath spoils to that delivery? Guess what? Yeah, I'm getting litter, instead! I did, however, add one bottle of foam bath, though!

I also need to get Ziva's treat. Again! I give her one pouch a day, part in the morning, part in the evening. And I make sure SHE's the one eating them.

Oh great! Free delivery from a few cents more than 2x boxes cost! I fall a few cents short of qualifying! Better add something small ... that costs less than the delivery would, of course! Okay, another wand toy added.

Why wasn't that a problem last time? Well, because they've dropped their prices - not by much, though. 

I took a break and Mewthos came running and mewling for
roly poly on the lawn! I decided to try this 'selfie' thing again.

Yeah, that's the best of the lot. I tried to take one with Janey, too, as she came running, as well - but she wouldn't have any of it. So I had to settle for a photo of just Janey, not spoiled by my face, ha ha!

Rather than be seen with me, she prefers to wash herself!
That's why she's our Lady!

Of course, I also spent the next couple of minutes brushing the dead grass off me! Mewthos just brings it into the house, shakes himself and lets me brush it off the floors again!

I also still need to get the Iams kibbles ... I think I'll leave that for next month, though.

Janey mipped to come on my shoulder, so I thought I might get a nice selfie.
No such luck! A very typical selfie, just not a nice one, ha ha!

I had much more luck taking a selfie with Ziva! This is really a beautiful photo!
She was curled up among the teddy bears, so I just leaned in, and she came to sniff my
forehead - she doesn't lick me, not like Mini. But always has to sniff me!

I'm really lucky to have all these mips in my life! As much as they sometimes annoy me, with their demands for attention - they are just so full of love!

Mini isn't active at the moment, I'm letting her sleep, while she isn't under my feet!

I've been wondering what I should eat today and finally settled on pancakes! I was surprised to find that all recipes seem to be using eggs and milk? I learned (and have since forgotten how) to make pancakes from my grandma, and she just used water and flour! I've used up two eggs for the omelet, so I only have enough left for the mince mix and the chicken bake, I'm planning tomorrow. Well, I found a recipe, made my pancakes ... as always, they turn into pan-crumble, when I try to turn them ... now enjoying them with apple sauce!

I really should clean the kitchen now, but ... it would be so much nicer to follow my mippies example and take a nap ...

An hour and a half later ... I get up and clean the kitchen.  Not completely, mind, just mostly.  Then watered - again with Mewthos, who came running at top speed! I love it when he does that!

Then mippies treat, my bath and now I'm settling for the night  ... Ziva wants her cuddle cave, Mini wants brushies ... I have my hands full ...

Lock-down Day 421

Normal morning ...

At work, I decided to go stop trying to drown in unfamiliar waters, and work with what I DO know. Making progress ... I think ...

Back at home, Smeagol was waiting for me, again! He got all my attention right up to the point where he attacked Mini!

I wasn't in the mood for anything, kind of at loose ends ... eventually I went out and started weeding. First, clearing the patch next to the back patio again - weeds were carpeting the whole place. And then I decided to spend some time in the flower bed again. I found some strange plants growing there ... berries!

This is a really small plant, hiding among the flowers

This one is much bigger - there are a few of them in the bed

I've never seen anything like these two types of plants nor their berries before. Not anywhere ...

When it was time to come inside, Mewthos and Mini were missing! I last saw them stroll just outside my garden, where I was working ... I called and called and called ... Smeagol strolled closer, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he's wanted ... and eventually Mewthos showed up, followed soon afterwards by Mini!

I didn't get into worry mode, as here, there really is only nature that could hurt them. Which, given Mewthos' ability to attract injury, is bad enough ... but not as bad as all the potential for disaster in the last place!

Anyway, they're all safe and sound, happily treated, and would like some attention now, please ... I'm about ready to curl up on the bed, watch an episode and tend to mippies ....

Lock-down Day 420

 Nothing worth writing about ... sorry ... dull, normal day.

Lock-down Day 419

I woke up briefly, when the power came back on - apparently I left a light on! In my wardrobe, of all places! Sigh ... silly me!

Again, pretty early morning, but I'm not yet going to try driving in the dark. That Soutpan road has me worried ... the way they drive there ...

Oh crap! Just got a call from the manager at home, power is out! One of their vehicles drove through a power line ... it's been reported, and hopefully it will be repaired soon ... but we all know that 'soon' could mean anything. Sigh, and that just after we've finally emerged from the last round of load shedding! Ha Ha!

So ... not sure what I'm going to do about dinner tonight ... 

I had just given Smeagol the attention he craves, when my phone rang, the technician is here and we should have power soon! Phew! Let's hope so!

Sigh, an hour later and we're still in the dark ... I'm a little cold, so I don't really want to eat cold apple pie.

Apple pie it was ... it's now three hours later, nine o'clock, and still no power. I amused myself by playing my game, as I did have internet, but it's just not fun in the dark. I guess there won't be coffee tomorrow morning, either ...

Sigh ...

Good night.

Lock-down Day 418

Another early morning - thank you, bladder! Man, I can't catch a break, can I? Well, coffee and cuddles are not the worst way to start your day ...

I hear they suspended load shedding during the day, but will still turn us off from five to ten tonight ... hrmph!

Something good at least today: my fruit juice delivery arrived! I wonder if you can make hot drinks with fruit juice?

As I'm leaving work, I first have to chase a rooster away from my car. Don't ask me where he came from, he's been pecking around all afternoon! Apparently he'd like to get a lift with me, as he kept going round and round my car!

At home, I do my watering routine - Mewthos joyfully bounces alongside me, as I go to water the Avocado trees! He just loves it!

Now, all inside, I'm just trying to get all electricity-requiring things done before the scheduled power cut ... from eight to ten! It's almost seven, and I'm about to share my dinner, then bath and that's it.

While I was in the bath, Ziva came and played with the rainbow mouse! It was such a pleasure to watch her! First she swats it across the room, then crouches down, poised to pounce! Then wriggles her rear, and pounces! And then repeats the same procedure! I didn't want to get out of the bath, I just enjoyed watching her so much. She's come such a long way! I'll never forget the first time I dangled a toy mouse in front of her - that look she gave me! And now? She happily plays with almost anything!

Well, I've charged my smartphone, so it can play my audiobook tonight - and I can even play my game for a bit ... 

Lock-down Day 417

Thank you, Eishkom, for waking me half an hour early! Sigh ... yeah, it was the PC beeping it's lack of power, that woke me up. Around five. Got up, made my 'not-quite-hot' coffee ... at six the power came back on.

The chicken pie was really quite delicious, and not too dry after all. Just ... not enough, ha ha! I'm hungry now!

As I was leaving, they loaded the cage on my bosses' car ... with a beautiful tabby inside! Colouring very much like Frankie! Oooh, I was very tempted to take him / her home! I couldn't see whether it was male or female, it sat in the cage, quietly. Wouldn't come towards me, nor did it shrink away from me - just seemed bewildered, though not particularly scared. But I really can't feed another cat ... 

No, my boss will take it to a humane place, where they'll either add him to an existing feral colony or find him a home. Same as he would have with Mini!

Right now, I think I have enough weirdos to cope with, in my home! I just had Janey lick the top off my apple pie! Yeah, don't ask. First, Ziva watched me eat with an expression that seemed to say 'You iz eatz! Where my share? Why you iz not shares?' so I held out a spoonful of apple pie to her, she took one sniff and her expression changed to 'yuck! How you can eatz that?' followed shortly again by the former 'Where my share?'. Repeat a few times, until she stalks off in disgust. Along comes Janey ... strolls right up to my plate, sniffs, and starts licking!

So, I'd say I have about as much weird to deal with, as I can manage, wouldn't you agree?

Anyway, no load shedding during this night - but tomorrow night, from 20:00 - 22:30. Sigh.

Lock-down Day 416

Not liking winter much, it's getting somewhat cold in the mornings. Not encouraging me to get out from under my snug, mip-warmed covers!

With the success of yesterday's pie baking experiment, I want to have another go at it - only, for this week's lunches.

First, though, Ziva wants her cuddle cave, Mini wants brushies, Janey wants climb-time and Mewthos wants time on the lawn. Then I really want to clean their water fountain - only, it's being used such a lot (good!), I have to wait for one to finish drinking before I can take it. And when I do, I'm being followed and watched eagerly!

Two hours later ... after more climb-time from Janey ...

Pie dough is in the fridge, potatoes, carrots and chicken are steaming. Only ... it's almost noon now, another two hours later, ha ha! Mippies sure keep me busy!

Another two hours later and the pies are ready for the oven. Can I get a volunteer to clean my kitchen, please?

Never mind, it's done. And that's another weekend gone by without any gardening! But: I've got a lovely apple pie in the fridge, I've got chicken and potato pies in the fridge - although those will probably be a bit dry, as I forgot to add anything liquid. And let's not forget that I've got lovely cheese rolls as well!

Oh crap! Load shitting! Out of the blue ... from 17:00 till Tuesday 22:00! Sigh ...

Well, mippies are in, I've had apple pie for dinner, boiled the kettle so I have coffee tomorrow morning - not as hot as it should be, but hot enough!

Funny thing, since I've put the feather duvet on the bed again, I now have my chair to myself - who'd want to curl up on a chair, when there's a soft feather duvet available? Only problem is - I no longer have room for my feet at the end of the bed! They literally line the whole foot end!

Anyway, time to call it a night ...

Lock-down Day 415

I received some upsetting news last night, about someone who has been on my mind quite a bit, lately. Well, now I know why ...

Well, I've been up since about half four, again.  Mippies kept me busy, wanting treats while we wait for the sun to rise ...

They went out as soon as I opened up ... and soon came back! Turns out they aren't all that fond of the cold, either,  ha ha!

Last night I enjoyed a rare sight: all four mippies curled up together. 

Ziva is washing Janey, supervised by Mini. Mewthos is waiting for his turn. I guess I will see more of that during winter.

I woke up with a headache, I've tried eating, drinking ... then took a short nap. It's better, but not gone. I'm not sure whether it's the cold? It's below 10 degrees now, in the mornings.

Sigh, Smeagol chased Ziva up a tree ... 

I've got the bread dough on the go, I want to try something different, again!

I think it's time I give up on seeds ... at least until winter has passed. So, I've cleared all the bottles out of the kitchen - I'm storing them in the outside room. Now I have space to roll dough ... which I'll need for the bread rolls I want to try, as well as for the apple pie. No, I haven't given up on that, either!

But I nearly forgot about the weekly laundry! Better get that into the machine now ...

Right, the bread 'rolls' are rising again, ready to be baked. I've placed a slice of cheese inside, then added a dollop of sweet mustard, rolled it up. I wonder how that will turn out?

Now I should get started on the apple pie. Here's a question: what kind of whackadoodle came up with idea of measuring butter in sticks? And then, when you try to google 'wtf is a stick of butter in the real world' you find 'one stick of butter measures 1/2 cup'. Huh? Just how the <expletive of your choice> do you squish butter into a cup? I mean, we're talking solid here - not melted butter! Seriously ... I'm getting dizzy from shaking my head in disbelief ... again! Seriously, you can blerry well 'stick it' yourself ...

I'm using 180 gram, about 1 1/2 sticks. More or less. I just gotta hope it works out - baking isn't like cooking, you have to stick to the recipe ... so ... fingers crossed!

Me and baking, we're not the best of mates. Watching these quick videos keeps me hopeful - right up to the moment, where I look at the ingredients and start mixing them together. That's when it usually goes pear-shaped ... the only part of this recipe, that's giving me no trouble whatsoever is, where it says: refrigerate for one hour! Even I can do that! Ha Ha

Of course, I have four mips to blame, when things go wrong! They're constantly in and out of the kitchen, mipping for attention! I've already had a cuddle session with Mewthos and Mini on the back lawn - Mewthos is adamant about that. I must come outside, on the lawn, sit in the sun, then he'll roll around me and I must pet and cuddle whatever I can grab. Mini likes to join in, too! And I must do that at least once every weekend - preferably every day!

Janey, on the other hand, wants to stroll all over me! Preferably my lap ... while I'm on the loo ... don't ask, I don't know, either. Second choice is while I'm at the PC ... strolling across my lap, head-butting the keyboard and my hands, so that I scratch her ears and face ... she's just been here ... I've removed all her typo's :)

Laundry is up, and the headache hasn't left ... I better start with the apples ...

I thought I could save a little dish-washing, and used the same bowl for the apples. Janey helped clean it, first, though.

Okay ... issues. First, I couldn't find cinnamon! I'm sure I have some, and I'm sure I've seen it here ... no luck finding it now, though. I even went so far as to unpack a box marked 'spices' ... bit of an oopsie, as a tin of blueberries popped open and the syrup poured into the jar of cinnamon sticks. So ... no cinnamon ...

Second issue: to use my Pyrex dish, I should have used 3/4 of the dough for the base and 1/4 for the top - not half and half, as the recipe suggests. They used a round bowl, wider and not as deep.

Given the cost of electricity, I'm baking the rolls and pie at the same time. Only: I normally bake bread (or rolls) at 180 Celsius, the pie should be baked at 200. Well, tough - it'll just have to stay in even longer! And, of course, the rolls will be done quite fast.

Next step in the recipe: bake for 50-60 Minutes or until the top is golden ...

It's been 20 Minutes, the rolls are looking good ... but that top doesn't look 'golden' ... more like 'about to turn black'!

Bread rolls look delicious, though!

Well, I've washed the dishes and when I was finished, I took the pie out of the oven. It doesn't look too bad, and smells really good!

The bread rolls are definitely a success! Even the added dollop of sweet mustard - totally awesome!

So, the sum total of my achievements today: I baked a pie, cheese rolls, and did the laundry.  Put like that, it doesn't sound like much, does it? Well, I'm old, unfit and 'helped' by four mips! All. Day. Long. What's your excuse?

Personally, I'm quite impressed with myself! The apple pie is delicious! Would've been better with some cinnamon, though :)

Not bad for a first attempt!

Well, mippies are inside, my tummy is just as full of yummies as my mippies' tummies, and I'm looking forward to a good night ...

Lock-down Day 414

If I remember correctly, I woke up even before the alarm went off and got up quite early - but that was so many hours ago, it feels like it's been days ...

I'm home now, and just took a photo-tour round my garden ...

My 2 meter Sunflower next to ...

It looks like mustard?

One lone bee is buzzing around my sunflower ... I didn't manage to capture the bee.

My succulents are adding some real colour, not just yellow ...

The one plant produces red flowers

The other plant flowers orange

My cabbage plant has produces plenty offspring,
surrounded by desert roses and another type of succulent - no clue what it's called

The Litchi trees are still growing nicely!

Mippies flop wherever I am - here they are, adding some shades to my Marigold bed
Look how many flowers there are!

One poppy flower

It looks like lots of little flowers inside the flower!

One Marigold all red, outlined in yellow

Looking at the individual Marigold flowers reminds me how Rose and I used to walk around doing the same - with Cosmos, Dianthus, etc. I miss Rose ...

Another Marigold, with bright yellow petals, with just a brush-stroke of red in the center
of each petal!

Mixing it up a little, reds and yellow spread randomly ...

Look at these beauties! Teeny tiny Spekboom flowers!

Aren't they stunning?

Remember my complaint that all flowers are just coming out yellow? I did NOT expect that from my tulips, though!

Seriously? YELLOW Tulips?

Lovely close-up of this Daffodil. Well, like the sunflowers, they don't have much choice,
yellow is their colour ...

I had thought of baking the apple pie this afternoon, but it was already past four when I finished my photo tour, so I decided to leave it for tomorrow ...

And started weeding. I tried the bed in front of my succulent bed, but the ground is rock hard. So then I thought it might be a good idea to tackle the bed next to my back lawn, in front of the outside room ... it looks really, really bad! I haven't touched the farthest part at all ... there's a thistle growing there, that's as tall as my sunflower! And the creepers are trying to envelope the outside room!

Okay, even I didn't think this bed could be THAT bad! Yikes! It was really bad! The aloes are practically rotten! And I mean rotten to the core! I had previously tried to alleviate their distress by removing dried leaves from them - but that didn't help, I'm afraid. Those poor plants are completely rotten. And once I started removing outer layers - it stinks! Really bad!

Well, there's a lot of space now in that bed - and I only worked in one place! The top of the aloes twisted off whole-sale, came off looking like an octopus - exposing the dark brown, rotting core ... and the rot beetles living inside!

Now it's dark, so I'm inside, mippies are treated and I've just shared my dinner ... now I should sit back and give mippies most of my attention, with a little attention for the episode I'm watching ...

Lock-down Day 413

All larms in full action this morning, licky-larm, Mew-larm, Ziva-larm - tails swishing through my face, forehead being licked ... mips and mewls ... welcome to another day with cats!

My last delivery has also arrived, so I can clean again :) And bake! I want to try an apple pie recipe this weekend.

Back at home, Smeagol is curled up in Mewthos' flower pot, waiting for me! Desperate for lovies! Twice, I tried to fill his bowl and each time he begged me to stay and rather give more lovies, first! Even though he scratched me ... he's trying his best, but clearly hasn't much experience. And he's so desperate for attention! I gave him so much, there wasn't time to water ... 

When I go to call Mewthos, Smeagol comes running eagerly! Poor boy! I had quite a mission getting Mewthos inside, without demoralising him - he's protecting us from Smeagol, and I pick him up and carry him home ... not the best thing to have to do. But there's such a strong bond, that I can pull it off without injuring his pride!

But poor Smeagol, though ... he's happily running after me ... and doesn't understand why I ignore him now ... but I was able to pull another tick off him, at least!

And he WAS hungry, too! When I finally got away - before I went to call Mewthos - he sat down at the food bowl and started munching, munching, munching ... yet, as long as there was a chance for more lovies, he showed no interest in the food bowl!

I had managed to forget my delivery in the boot, so I carried it in later. Unpacked everything - I'm looking forward to trying new soaps!

Oh, and that lovely photo of Janey and Mewthos? It's currently the cover photo of one of the cat Facebook groups I've joined. WITH my permission! The admin asked first. She's always looking for photos to use as the cover, as she likes to change it frequently. Nice going, Mew-Mew & Janey :) You're on the road to fame! Ha Ha!

I, on the other hand, am on the road to bed ... I've washed the scrap yard dust off in a lovely hot rose oil bath, then shared my dinner with happy mippies ... now I'm pooped! It feels like I've worked two weeks straight without a weekend ... 

Lock-down Day 412

It's just past four and I FINALLY get a breather! Phew!

You know what it's like, taking over from a bad juggler, mid juggle? Well, I do! Now! That's pretty much how I feel at the moment ...

Tomorrow is another day ... hopefully a little less chaos than today.

Back at home, poor mippies have only about half an hour's outies now - it gets dark as I arrive, so by six it's already dark. I'm lucky that they stay nearby, actually go to the veranda to wait for me to have our little quality time, then coming in for their treats.

Internet isn't playing along ... it's nearly seven, and I could only open - even this site - a few minutes ago.

I'm not really hungry, and feeling too exhausted to make dinner ... Mewthos will just have to do without his share of my dinner, tonight!

Funny how mental exhaustion always seems to take so much more out of one, than physical exhaustion, eh?

Well, time to turn off the brain, watch an episode, tend to mippies ... then sleep ...

Lock-down Day 411

At half four this morning, I'm suddenly wide awake! This work thing - which I had deliberately put out of my mind all last night - is falling into place. The basic outline, that is. So, I've been up since three thirty mulling over the details ...

Mippies loved mommy up for cuddles and attention! All four had been curled up on my bed - and came happily into the lounge with me! Mewthos hoping for a treat, of course - he had to wait till five, though! If I give them their treat too early, he'll just carry on wheedling and nagging until I give in and they get another ... 

Early at work, trying to fit all the pieces into one whole system ... still not complete. It's quite a large puzzle, with myriad pieces - I don't even know how many pieces, yet!

And then ... chaos happens! I wanna run away and just keep running ...

Hang on, I'm too fat and unfit to run! So, I better try driving away ...

I did. As far as Spar, ha ha! Just got milk and cigarettes, then I went back to work ...

My chocolates arrived! I couldn't help myself, I indulged! Nice! No, that's not right: divine! Absolutely fantasmorgasmic! Yeah, that's more like it!

And the mippie treats arrived! Phew! I'm glad about that one - I had run out, and was having a hard time keeping Ziva way from the Whiskas - and the rest away from Ziva's food! They keep trying to sneak onto the counter and gobble as much as they can before I get there and lift them away! Sneaky little mips!

It's almost two, and NOW, I finally see a chance to start trying to turn those pieces into something useful ... 

Well, I didn't get to start, but I did get more time to work out the details - the tricky bit being how everything fits together, while at the same time ensuring flexibility to grow. Progress, albeit nothing to show for it, yet. That's how it goes. Spreadsheet design, I mean. Especially when I'm integrating multiple databases.

Anyway, back at home, it's half past seven, and I finally get a minute to sit down. Internet was down to 2 bars as well, so ... I barely managed to open this page.

I've unpacked everything, did all chores, watered everything - the Marigold are in full bloom now! It's a lovely patch! I'll take some photos this weekend, again!

Janey is a clever little rascal! She waited until I was in the bath, and THEN she went and snacked on Ziva's kibbles! Seriously, she came into the bathroom, checked that I was in the bath, went out, next thing I hear kibbles crunching! Cats! Never a dull moment, eh?

Anyway, I'm just going to share my dinner now, then I'll relax with an episode - I'm currently watching Battlestar Galactica. The original series, from 1978, with Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict.

Ha Ha, I'm taking too long at the PC! Mewthos wants my dinner - so he's on the bed behind me and puts his front paws on my back, to tell me 'get a move on!' I had better do so ...