Lock-down Day 408

I ignored all mip attempts to get me out of bed before sunrise! I just wanted a little time to snuggle, so I just grabbed mippies as they tried to wake me.

Taking it easy this morning, too.

Half past eight and I've had enough of 'easy' ha ha! First things first: laundry! It's getting colder these days, so it's going to take more than one day to dry.

Next, I'm re-packing the chest of drawers & wardrobe. Well, taking stuff out of the wardrobe and packing it in the chest - which doesn't work very well, so it's stuff I don't use much. I've put a blankie in the bottom drawer, though - because Ziva likes to 'hide' in that.

There were ant nests underneath ... sigh ... I cleaned and powdered the whole area, before putting it back! Kitten flea & tick powder - with a dose of lavender carpet powder.

It's overcast and cold and windy outside, so I'm staying indoors today. One item I had already on my agenda was to clean the fridge today - for now, I'm sorting out my wardrobe, though. I'd like all my usual wardrobe items back in my wardrobe - something I haven't done since I moved here! I used a lot of the space to 'just for now, quickly pack stuff aside' ... and it's still there!

Blame the garden! Which, by the way, is ticking me off somewhat. I mean, I went through all that work to clear a bed, and sowed a variety of flowers and what's happening? The only flowers that are actually blooming are ALL yellow! Okay, the sunflowers don't have much choice, it's their colour. But the rest? I specifically mixed colours ... but it seems that only the yellow flowers have decided to make an effort!

My biggest sunflower is finally open! It's been open most of the week ... only ..
well, can't take a photo during the week. And today, it's already loosing petals ...

Look how tall it's grown! That's 2 meter - as promised!
Then, that broad leaf plant next to it is finally flowering ...

More yellow!
Any clue what this is? I haven't the foggiest ...

I got plenty of these growing in my flower bed.
All yellow ...

These succulents grow everywhere,
like weeds!

They are finally flowering, and at least
NOT YELLOW!

My succulent bed - these also make an effort for a bit of variety!

My Marigold bed, with the poppies growing in the pot.
I'm happy to say, I have some red Marigold, as well!

Pretty, aren't they?

The poppies are a lovely, rich butter yellow!

And this Spekboom is also still flowering!

Teeny tiny pink blossoms!

Not sure what tree this is ... it's heavy with berries

Again, no clue what this is ...
I'm just happy it's alive :)

Well, two shelves sorted. One shelf with odds and ends, plus summer wear, one shelf with my luxurious collection of toiletries! I like variety in my bubble baths and shower washes ... and soaps ... and shampoos and conditioners. Not that I have learned to enjoy a long, relaxing bath, yet ... but I make the effort! Oh, and what I call 'luxurious' is what most people would probably call 'standard, off the shelf' :) 

I needed to take stock, anyway, since I need to place another order with Faithful-to-Nature, where I buy my toiletries and some groceries. I need laundry detergent, fabric softener, etc - and while I get the necessities, I like to add a little something special. Just for me.

I was thinking just today, that - five years ago, this salary had me enjoying several luxuries. Real luxuries, like smoked salmon on occasion. And now, with the same salary, I'm on a tight budget! Okay, so four mippies - five, if you add Smeagol - do claim a good portion, but still ... 

I just thought I'd fill up the Iams kibble dispenser ... get the new bag out of the spare room ... and what do I find? Mippies have torn into the bag! My guess would be Ziva? Tore into the bag, gobbled, then threw up! Sigh ...

Well, I just cleaned her tail wound again, then put the ointment on. It was looking better, like it's healing? I hope that's true, and not just wishful thinking ... 

She HATES when I do that, yet - I sat by the open door and she didn't dash out and away, but stayed in reach! That tells me that she understands ... or at least trusts me enough to know I would never do anything maliciously.

I suppose you're waiting for me to start telling you of the divine meal I plan to cook? Well, not today. I'm just not hungry, and I really don't want to cook and not eat any of it right away ... 

Well, the fridge is clean! That's something, right? Of course, it wasn't much work - since there are no science experiments in my fridge. Biology experiments, sure ... plum pits! Only the vacuum packed cheese is growing mold ... in it's vacuum pack! Don't ask me - I'm just shaking my head at that, too!

Well, I'm not having much luck on the bath side of things, but I'm happy with the soaps! These days, foam baths and such are no longer fashionable - it's all bath salts and bath soaks. Not quite my thing. I still like my bath to have bubbles and colour. Though, at my age, I suppose pickling myself in salt is ... somewhat appropriate?

Anyway, I've placed the order, delivery this week. I can keep cleaning my home, bake bread and I have enough soap, too!

I had changed from using soap to shower gels, a couple of years ago, because soap used to dry out my skin. Even after I had changed to 'extra moisture' soaps, first Nivea (which was fine - but it's no longer available), then Dove. The shower gels / body washes don't clean as well as soap, though. I found my towel turning dark when I dried myself. Now, I'm back to soap, but I'm using natural soaps - more expensive, but on the whole, cheaper than having to use body moisturiser and / or stain remover on my towels. Plus, the soaps I get now, smell much nicer - at least, to me!

No bath treats today, though. I've looked and I can get those from Takealot - next time I order Whiskas.

And now, I've decided that my budget will stretch to allow me some chocolates! I was going to add some to my order - but I can get them substantially cheaper from the manufacturer. And I've refrained from these delicious treats for a year - last time I treated myself, was just after we were allowed to work again. Those peanut butter cups are just divine! As I said before, one of those does the same (for my chocolate habit) as a 120 gram bar of milk chocolate! Don't ask - I love chocolate, okay?

Right. Treat on the way as well! That'll be three deliveries this week: cat food, cleaning materials & soaps, and chocolate!

Okay, time to snuggle and call it a night ...