Lock-down Day 492

Would you believe I only got out of bed around eight? Sheez ... what's wrong with me today? Ha Ha! Mippies crowded around me, Mini tried licking me awake, Mewthos tried mewling me out of bed ... only my bladder eventually forced me up!

I got mail from my aunt in Alaska again - which relieved me, as I had read about the earthquake and Tsunami warning in Alaska.

She also wrote me a delightful story, how she took me for a 'little' walk, when I was a baby - and she walked so far and so long, my mum went ballistic! Typical mum! Anyway, she had promised my mum then, that one day she'd become a worthwhile aunt ... hence the 54-years catching up on birthday presents.

I replied, trying to explain that that isn't necessary - though very much appreciated. Financial worth is not part of how I value people in my life ...

Anyway, it's now almost ten, I had better start on my chores, so I can spend some time in the garden today ...

Oh dear! Mini has caught a birdie! Still alive ... he he he, it got away, and I was able to open the window and let it out. Mippies are not impressed with me, right now ...

Janey's wound was oozing again this morning, I cleaned it again - which hurts, I'm afraid - then put ointment on it, again. There's still quite a lump just next to it - I fear that's fester, which will still have to come out ... poor girl! I really wish I knew what causes that ... possibly a spider?

Well, laundry is done and the kitchen cleaned, so I went out into the garden.

The Spekboom seem to be dead. All of them! I've never seen anything like that. And it's not just the Spekboom - the ponytail next to it is also turning yellow ... I checked the PH and it's as low as 5.5! But what could cause such a drastic drop in PH? When I looked further - the Spekboom in the center bed is looking just as bad! And here's the corker: the sticks of Spekboom in my pot are ALSO looking dead! Only the one in Rose's pot are flourishing!

I've checked the PH everywhere and it's low EVERYWHERE! Including in my pots! And those are filled with potting soil! That leaves only the water ... something's wrong with our water ... 

Well, I cleaned the bed, cut down the Spekboom - hopefully what's left can grow again ... then I poured a generous lot of seedling food all over that bed - that's 7.2 PH, so it should definitely raise the level in the bed! I also sowed bush beans and bush peas along the entire bed. When I turned on the sprinkler ... pfffft ... 

Power outage! A-fecking-gain! This is getting beyond frustrating, now! Nothing I can do though ... just sit around and wait.

Well, I did more weeding, of course, as I don't need electricity to work in the garden. I cleaned one of the six rose beds - one that I hadn't cleaned before. Half-way through, the power came back ... thank fecking heavens!

I finished the rose bed, added some special rose food and put the sprinkler on that bed. There are two more rose beds, which I haven't cleaned before and then the three which I already did clean once. A while back. Weeds are sprouting joyfully in all of them.

Both my orders will be delivered on Monday. And I'm considering placing more orders tomorrow ... fruit juice, meat, and I really think some seeds would be nice! Plus some fertilizer and something to counter the low PH.

Isn't that just about the saddest sight ever?

These are in a pot, with potting soil! Same sad sight ... and the PH of the soil in that pot is ALSO below 6!

And see this? See those yellow plants far left and far right? It's happening everywhere!

Yeah, it's really disheartening ... I just don't know what's causing it, so I really have no clue what to do, either!

Maybe it IS the water? It hasn't rained in months - maybe that's got something to do with it? Or maybe the continuous construction work around the pump? Well, whatever the cause, there really isn't much I can do ...

Well, at least I can get some Lime at Builders this week!

And I think I'll make the rose beds my next Friday afternoon project. Although, if I get time to garden tomorrow - that's about all I can do, as I haven't watered anywhere else ...

I've decided to get seeds I want - regardless whether I still have some from previous purchases. Yes, some seeds become less viable over time ... that's one reason. But I find too many seeds that I'd like have gone 'out of stock'. They're STILL out of stock ... that's five months later. It makes sense, I suppose - seeds don't grow on trees, ha ha ha!

Sheez, it's past eleven! I spent hours going through seeds and such ... and placed quite a large order! If only I could get some plants established - then I can collect seeds and grow the next crop from them ... I just hope this dying plant issue is temporary ... I'm really upset. My avocado trees also don't look alive anymore ... really upset ... 

Anyway, I should go to sleep now ... and get up earlier tomorrow morning.

Lock-down Day 491

Standard morning, work ...

Busy, but I'm making progress.

Back at home, I finally finished that last partition! I also set the sprinkler first over the center bed and then for a very, very long time covering the spekboom, so that the ground will be nice and soft to work in tomorrow.

Back inside ... Janey has a big gaping hole in her flank! Well, I say big, I think it's about the size of my little finger tip ... it was oozing, so I cleaned it out (that was a bit yukky) and then put ointment on it. It looks just like that wound Ziva had on her tail a while back - which the vet didn't seem to worry about at the time. It also grew bigger until I put ointment on it. Now Ziva's tail is completely healed. And I did feel something yesterday, already ... but that big oozing hole? Freaky!

She did not like me cleaning it, but she allowed it. She also wasn't happy when I put the ointment on - she's licked it all of ... but Ziva did the same, on her tail. Obviously, I'll keep an eye on it ... I just hope it heals like Ziva's tail!

It's really strange - I can't imagine what could be causing that?

Doesn't look too big, does it?

Looks worse up close. It feels like there's still a bit of a lump in front of it ... like, I may have to squeeze out some more ... pus. I'll just keep an eye on it ...

I've posted the pics in a FaceBook Group where I hope someone knows what causes this.

And Janey is neither avoiding me nor hiding under any furniture! Now that's trust! She's right back on my lap!

Anyway, in other news: I can't find my gardening gloves! Now, that's the second item I seem to have lost! The first was my gardening scissors - not the secateurs, just the scissors. Okay, I figured I had 'forgotten' them outside, that day when I cleaned outside the partition I just finished. But the gloves? I've looked everywhere - and I used them last weekend! Very puzzling ...

Well, that's Friday done and dusted ... 

Lock-down Day 490

Knowing there would be no coffee, I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Mini licked my forehead again and again, trying to tell me that it's time! I just grabbed her and pulled her into my arms. Again and again, ha ha!

Well, I thought I could at least have coffee at work ... but that was delayed by an hour. One of our trucks needed to be taken for a service, and I sat waiting for our driver to come out, so I could take him back to work ...

My neighbour called, asking if he could hook me up to the generator, while we wait for the power to be restored ... initiated by my landlord! Nice! But yeah, I'm at work ... as long as we have power tonight, no worries. Thank you, though!

I considered a trip to Builders, as I'm running out of potting soil - and with Spring around the corner (I hope!), I'd like to get a head start ... but then decided to leave it for next week. Let me spend this weekend cleaning and clearing more beds first ... and go through my seeds, see if I need anything.

Yeah, while sitting without power, last night, I read my gardening magazine again. Just got the new issue yesterday, too! And there was a suggestion to get a 'head-start' by starting to grow certain plants in containers - keeping them in a protected place ... then plant them out when the weather is favourable. I really want to have something to harvest this year! I think I deserve it, too ...

Okay, now I'm stuck on the Seeds for Africa website ... ha ha ha! Yeah, so much work to do ... I really shouldn't browse ...

I'll have a leisurely browse this weekend. So many seeds I'd like are still 'sold out' ... frustrating. Well, whatever I can't get online, I can then look for at the shop, when I buy the soil.

For now, though, I'm really worried about my Spekboom ... they seem to be dying, if you can believe that! Seriously!

On the whole, there's just so much to do ... I want to clean the rose beds, mix some food in the soil; see what I can do about the Spekboom; weed more space around the tunnel bed, so I can add another 'greenhouse' there ... 

Anyway. Back at home, I have electricity! Enjoyed a hot dinner, now just giving the geyser a bit more time to heat up and then I'll enjoy a nice, hot bath.

Lock-down Day 489

Got the Mini wake-up call again this morning. Lately, Ziva has taken to settling on my hip in the evenings - she doesn't come for cuddle cave, then, when I go to sleep, she wants attention ... this is how she gets it. It gets a bit uncomfortable after about ten minutes ... but, well ... mippies!

Earlier morning than yesterday, still ... now I'm at work ... I wanna go back and turn over. Just five more minutes?

Back at home, the power went out around half six! By half seven it had come on everywhere - except my place! And next door! So, I had no power all evening, nor any power the next morning ... which also means: cold dinner, no hot water and no coffee in the morning ... grrr

Lock-down Day 488

Mini gently tried to nudge me to get up ... but I just didn't want to, ha ha! Well, of course, eventually, I had to. By that time Mewthos had assembled everyone on their feeding counter ...

Coffee, surrounded by mips.

Back at home, mippies are happy to see me. Chores done, mippies treated, dinner eaten - not shared, though. Nobody wanted what I'm eating tonight, ha ha! Spaghetti Bolognese!

Now they want their special cuddles ... each their own preference ...

Lock-down Day 487

Dinna wanna go tae werk! Stayed in bed till well past six ...

But, here I am. At work! I forgot to watch our latest 'Family meeting' - last night at eight. Well, I enjoyed my episode of 'A Touch of Frost'. Apparently we're back to Level 3 now. Still no end in sight, though ... 

I still don't know where I'm going to put that rug I ordered! Ha Ha! It would be lovely to have it in every room, during winter - tiled floors are cold, ha ha!

Back at home, mippies enjoyed outies, I did my chores, then treated mippies ... now paid my rent and bought electricity. Mippies are under my feet, mewling and mipping for attention - I've already had Janey on my lap for a good while, scratched Ziva's ears, tried to pick up Mewthos ... but he runs off, enthusiastically making for the food counter! He's hinting again!

I took the hint ... he's happy, and I enjoy making him happy! They all enjoyed the extra treat - but I think Mewthos likes the hinting / nagging part of the process, as he's never as happy when I give them all treats at the same time! They each have their little attention games ...

Speaking of which, it's time for cuddle cave, so ... night, night!

Lock-down Day 486

I don't know why I used to enjoy sleeping late - in my younger days - because now, when I do, it just leads to weird, usually unpleasant, dreams.

I got up about half eight. Let mippies out, made myself coffee.

Cleaned the kitchen, got the bread going ... now I'm wondering if I can be trusted to enter the garden? I mean, you know what happens once I go out ... I don't come back in until it's too cold! Can't really do that today, can I?

Okay, I've cleaned the carrot side of my tunnel bed, now I'm just waiting for the bread dough to finish, so I can roll my bread rolls for baking. Then I'll move on to the spinach side of my tunnel bed.

I'm quite proud of myself! I got time to enjoy my garden and did quite a lot - yet here I am, back inside, baking bread rolls and muffins, ready to clean the kitchen again - all in time! It's half five, now!

What helped was simply that I COULDN'T do much work in the garden, ha ha ha! The ground is really too dry to weed anywhere. I have to water before I can work anywhere. Since I water my tunnel bed regularly, I can work there anytime. Same with the Marigold bed. But that's about it.

I moved the hosepipe to the front, then started watering the rose beds. With the mist sprinkler. One by one. Only, of course, having just watered, the soil isn't moist but soaking wet! Not very nice to work in. I suppose I could have brought out the big fork and loosened the whole bed ... ah, well.

I did manage to clear the walkway between the house and my neighbour's wall, though. So: I got lots done! And I have to say: having spent so much time in the garden, again, I feel a lot better than I have in weeks!

Oh, golly! I nearly forgot my spaghetti Bolognese! Just making it, now.

Oh, yummy! That turned out delicious!

Only problem now, of course: I still need to wash the dishes ...

Done! Dishes are clean, and so am I. Ziva was going nuts earlier, when I finished the dishes I scratched her ears for a while, that seemed to calm her down. Now it's Mini's turn - she's going nuts, so I better give her some attention ...

Lock-down Day 485

Late morning, I only get out of bed half eight! I didn't get a chance to finish my post last night, so that's the first thing I do. After coffee, of course!

It's freaking cold today, it's now just past nine, and still under 10 Celsius! Mewthos has been waking me up since around three this morning! Not wanting anything specific, just mewling and walking all over me. I don't know what that's about, when I try to grab him, he squirms away.

Mippies didn't stay outside for long - too cold, even for them! They've been demanding attention for hours! One after the other after the other. I've got Janey on my lap now, Ziva is washing herself while she waits her turn again ... Mewthos come in mewling every couple of minutes, Mini ... she's the quiet one, during the day. Even at night, she's quiet - but paws, with claws, at me or the duvet to get her share of attention.

Lately, she's got a thing about the toilet. I barely set a foot in the bathroom when she zooms past, onto the toilet seat and starts trying to clean it for me! Her idea of cleaning, of course, is to try and cover, by scratching the toilet seat. I often have to pick her off, so I can use the toilet - then she either squishes on behind me, or jumps onto the cistern.

I've decided to treat myself to some sunshine - it's bearably warm outside, in the full sun. Doing some gardening - starting on the veranda, then the poppy in the pot, next the Marigold.

I was trying to upload some photos, but ... well ... internet isn't playing along ... 

Anyway, I spent pretty much the whole rest of the day in the garden! Did the Marigold bed up beautifully! Removed all the dead flowers, spread all their seeds over the bed, added nice seedling soil on top, watered thoroughly - with the soil, it could finally hold a bit of water, and didn't overflow over the carport with the first can, as it usually does. That's the difference the soil topping makes!

Then, I decided to try to save what could be saved of my cabbage plant - it didn't take the frost well at all! The big center plant was totally wilted and lifeless ... I cut it off completely - and all the babies underneath are looking good! Maybe it wasn't the frost, after all, but simply time for the mother plant to make space for her babies?

And then I tackled a Herculean task: cleaning along the fence behind the succulent bed, all the way to the carport. The bit behind the tree was the worst! There is no room to move, so it takes a fair amount of yoga contorting to get to the weeds ... but I did it! All clean, now!

It was four by then, and getting cold again ... I decided to at least re-clean the carport, as well ... then thought I'd fill the pot and cleared a bit of the pavement by the dog hut. It was getting really cold, so I came inside ...

Tomorrow it's kitchen duty time - I want to treat myself with a spaghetti Bolognese, using canned tomatoes. I've been a bit lax with my liquid intake lately, been dehydrated a few times - giving me a headache. It's just too cold to enjoy water or fruit juice or even milk. And coffee doesn't hydrate. So, now I'm guzzling one cup of tea after the other. Not the smartest move, as they'll come to haunt me during the night - but that's the lesser evil.

Still no luck uploading photo's ... sorry! I'll try again tomorrow.

Lock-down Day 484

I got lucky with the load shedding last night: the power only went out at 18:15 and came back on 19:20! I had put the geyser on, when I got home - just hoping ... and that paid off. I was able to warm up in a half-filled hot bath before eight!

And I had managed to fry my dinner and boil the kettle before it went off, so I was sorted.

Friday morning, up on time, coffee surrounded by mippies - who would much rather I stay at home, so they can go out! But it's Friday, I'll be home early ...

At work, I'm catching up with the week's paperwork and getting ready for Monday's delivery.

Back at home, I get busy again with the last patch of jungle. I'm making good progress, and then Smeagol cornered Mewthos just outside, behind my compost heap ... and he won't let off. So, inside I go, fetch the key, toddle off outside, around my garden to reach Mewhtos - who, by that time, is quite unthreatened, as Smeagol has long since strolled off.

While out there - and it's now a mission to get there - I decided to clear the creeper and veld from the carport to the fireplace. I barely managed to squeeze past the holders they had put up for the electric fencing - once that is up, I won't be able to get there again. I'd have to go all the way around the neighbour's property to reach that ... ah, well.

With that little side-track, I didn't finish the last portion of jungle. I think, even without that, I wouldn't have finished. But it's now only a small patch, and I should finish that next Friday. I'm happy with my progress, though!

Thursday night temperatures went below zero! Minus 0.5 Celsius! Okay, just half a degree, but still ... I noticed some of the succulents are looking mush, clearly, they can't handle freezing weather ... 

Back inside, mippies wrangle another treat out of me - Mewthos, of course! I just turn to mush when he mewls and looks at me pleading for another treat!

After my warming bath, I get into bed. The ladies always join me, lately, but not Mewthos. He stays in the lounge - I have no idea why. He prefers to curl up in my arm chair. His mum and sister often join him there, but tend to come to bed later. Mini always stays right by my side.

Lock-down Day 483

Since I went to bed early, I woke up early. Enjoyed coffee surrounded by mippies ...

At work, I'm capturing our NCR history ... 

Half five and I finished. Check the news: Load shedding! Crap! Crap! Crap! Check the schedule - I'll be without power from 18:00 - 20:30! Major crap! No bath! And I'm going to have to rush to get dinner cooked before the power goes off!

Still, we're better off than Pretoria East ... a substation either burned down or exploded (different journalists tell different stories - so, we have no clue what's real), and some areas have been without power since Saturday! That's FIVE DAYS!

I guess I had better publish now, as I don't see myself going online after eight tonight ...

Lock-down Day 482

Morning lick-larm in full mode. All four huddled around their saucer for their share of milk, as I'm making my coffee ...

Back at home, Smeagol is waiting for me on the veranda. I walk around to the back, our lovies spot, but he doesn't follow all the way ... I eventually have to give up, I'm totally knackered today. I've had trouble keeping my eyes open all afternoon ... wish I could take another day off!

Mippies all hang around inside, only too happy to come in for their treat! So different from what it was like only a year ago ... they're all so happy here! And so am I!

Well, I've fried myself a steak, which I shared with mippies. Mewthos only took one piece, though, and didn't even finish eating that! Weirdo!

Well, I've put the geyser on, give it an hour, then I can take a relatively hot bath. In this cold, it takes a little longer to warm up completely - but relatively hot is hot enough for me!

I just want to warm up, then get under the duvet and cuddle mippies ...

Lock-down Day 481

Regular, early morning. Licked awake by Mini. I think she would love to travel with me everywhere - like you see some people with a cat backpack, taking their cat to work, gym and everywhere they go. She spends more time under my feet, or in my arms, than any of my other mippies!

Well, it's back to the grindstone today ... 

I take a quick drive to the local Spar, as I'm almost out of milk - again! Well, I'm all stocked up, now!

Ah! Ziva's special food, the wet variety, is back in stock. Better place the order tonight ...

Back at home, Smeagol is sitting next to his empty bowl ... fill it, but he wants lovies first! Just stroke my head, again, please! And again! And some more!

With Smeagol outside, mippies stay inside ... so I shut them in early, again. I have to compromise, by giving them an extra treat, though. Mewthos insisted!

Now I'm trying to order Ziva's food ... no stock! Again! Back to the 'Notify me' ...

I've had my lovely hot bath, with Mini curiously poking her nose over the rim to see whether I'm REALLY okay? All submerged in water - really okay? Ha Ha!

Now Ziva and Mini are waiting for their cuddle time on the bed ...

Lock-down Day 480

Mini started licking my forehead as soon as the alarm went off ... I grabbed her, and the phone, and pulled both under the duvet with me. I was really not up to getting up ... not for quite a while.

It was past seven, when I was finally up to sending the message to work. And guess what? Exactly what I wasn't up to, came into my home! Via messages, relaying client demands - which, today, I just can't answer. Sigh ...

I don't know, if someone is not at work, they're not at work. Period. You don't bother them, especially if they're sick, for anything that can wait ... but then, I'm old school.

Anyway, eventually I just said I'd deal with everything tomorrow.

I meant to go back to bed after coffee and meds, but ... well ... not happening, is it? I'm taking it real easy, though ... took an Allergex and Aspirin.

Brrr, it's cold! Not my favourite time of year. Actually, more like my least favourite time of year. Facebook threw up a memory - apparently I had the same symptoms exactly seven years ago. 'Tis the season to be fragile, eh?

I had some idea of getting into the garden today, but that's not going to happen. I managed to clean the kitchen and clean mippies' water fountain, which desperately needed cleaning. It's just past three and I'm ready to nap again ... 

I decided to go and water my garden. Bird basin was completely dry. Encouraged, I thought I could do a little weeding - just the pots. And then I killed a Litchi tree! Sigh ... it was growing between the pansy, and I couldn't see for the foliage ... only saw what it was, when I had pulled it out. I think that's my gardening achievement for the day ... better leave it, before I do any more damage. I planted it in the pot with the rest of the Litchi trees ... I can only hope it survives ...

Smeagol was waiting under the carport for me, so I gave him some attention ... until he fixated on Mewthos ... he didn't attack, nor fight, just stares at him ...

Twenty to five and all mippies are in the bedroom with me ... a bit early, but I suppose I might as well lock up for the night?

Done, he he he. Mippies didn't even know what was happening! They haven't complained, though - just Mewthos decided that if I'm shutting for the night, it's treat time. No problem!

When I checked my hygrometer, minimum temperature last night: a mere 1.1 Celsius! Yikes! It seems the 'mild' part of winter is over - we're now in the real winter part. Here's a joke: Intense cold front to hit SA from Tuesday ....just what I wanted ... sigh ...

It's half six, and everything is done and ready ... wish I could take another day ... I could do with the rest. Clearly need it.

Well, just going to go to bed, cuddle mippies, enjoy some chocolate and call it an early night ...

Lock-down Day 479

Very late morning, so late that Mewthos became quite displeased. I had some quite unpleasant dreams, as a reward for not getting up, when I should have! Ha Ha! In one dream, Smeagol had turned into a kind of dragon-snake, with several rows of teeth. Wouldn't leave me alone, just wanted to be petted ... urgh! And then I dreamed that it snowed! Double urgh! Thick, heavy snowfall, like you'd get in Germany. Brrr ... no, let's forget those dreams.

Well, I got up and let mippies out. Predictably, they came back inside fairly soon ... I made myself coffee, then sat at the PC ... and the power went off! Argh!

It must have gone of quite far, as I had neither internet (couldn't WhatsApp) nor MTN service. The latter, fortunately, came back and I could call a neighbour to find out whether it's just me, or the whole area. As I feared, it's the whole area ... nothing to do but wait and hope.

I brought my gardening magazines and settled on the bed. Mippies sprawled around, occasionally stepping on the magazine, to get my attention ...

The power came back just after nine ... thank goodness! It's still cold, just over 10 degrees ... I don't wanna work in the cold kitchen! I've put on the geyser ... better get started, though ...

I think I've mucked up the pie dough. Kneaded it for too long and added too much water ... ah, well ... it'll have to do.

Bread dough, done. Eisbein carved. Kitchen clean - temporarily. Pie dough, also done. Mini caught a squeaky. Fortunately dead - but I can hear her growling two doors down! And now I've had to chase her off the bed, where she'd come to 'play' with her prey ...

Four times! I've had to chase Mini and her toy off my bed four times! Argh!

I've re-heated my Sauerkraut & Eisbein, and I'm loving it! Every mouthful! Just so delicious! Only ... now ... having a full tummy ... I want to nap! Yet I still have to shape the bread dough ... sigh ...

I took a nap. Which was disturbed with a lot of howling and growling ... eventually I got up to look, and there's a young ginger male sitting outside the lounge, howling and bushing at Mewthos - who gives as good as he gets! No fighting, though. It must be my new neighbour's cat - as it is clearly not afraid of me, and actually loves to be petted! I could even pick him up mid-growl!

Without taking sides, I tried to keep them quiet. Ginger came into the lounge, inspected the kitchen, got very excited when he saw my three ladies in the bedroom - who, on their part, were not very impressed with this strange male trying to come into their bedroom! Ha Ha! More howling, growling and bushing of tails - but again: no fighting!

I messaged my neighbour, just in case he worried where his cat was - when we spoke, he was still keeping them shut inside.

I made the bread rolls, the pie, the muffins and it's all baking away now ...

I'm seriously considering calling in sick tomorrow. I've been feeling somewhat under the weather all day, head filled with mush, and just a bit floppy. Mild headache all day, sore throat ... just not quite myself.

Bits of mouse are under my hand towel in the bathroom ... yuk! Thank you, Mini!

Although I slept late, and had gone to sleep early, then just had an hour's nap ... I could go right back to sleep now ... 

I think I'll just take a nice hot bath and then go right back to bed ... and take tomorrow off.

Lock-down Day 478

Late morning - it's cold! I dashed into the wardrobe and grabbed my warmest jersey! Mippies don't seem to care, they want out ... I let them.

Apparently they do care, because a few minutes later they were all back inside wanting cuddles!

First thing I did this morning, was to write a thank you mail to my aunt! Really, I'm quite overwhelmed!

Then I wrote yesterday's post - and just realised I got the day wrong, again. So, unpublished, corrected, re-published. What I left out was that, when I got home, I continued working that last partition. It was overcast yesterday, so it got dark rather early. Still, I made good progress, considering that the portion I cleared yesterday was a tricky one. It wasn't simply grass, but a mat of thorns. I worked with gloves, picking up patches of thorn mats, where I could. I tried raking them - but, predictably, that didn't work.

Anyway, I'm almost finished with the entire partition, now. One - at most two - more Friday afternoons should do it.

Of course I've spent the whole of yesterday thinking about what I should do with that magnificent windfall! Well, I have already decided that I will buy a freezer! That will allow me to reduce the cost of groceries quite substantially! Because I will be able to buy ONLY special deals!

Most places have specials every month, but not every month on the same items, of course. And, although I already buy mostly ONLY special deals, I often have to 'compromise'. Buy alternatives, not what I really want. And at present, I have about 2 months worth of storage space in my 2 1/2 freezer drawers. Since I've added frozen fruit to my 'hoard', though - it's down to about 1 month.

I used to have an upright freezer, which was absolutely awesome! I could cook anything I felt like at any time! What blissful freedom! Nowadays my cooking revolves around 'what needs to be eaten, to make space'. And I buy food because it's on special, even though it's not an 'everyday' meal. Like marrow bones. Only 1 packet, but that's really way too much for me! I used 1/3rd and packed the rest in the freezer. Only ... when will I use them, now? They take up a lot of space ... but really don't go with everything, right?

Plus, I could prepare loads of cookies, freeze them and just take them out to bake anytime I like! And then, in summer, there's the ice cream! I could make my own ice cream again! Or fruit ice! And not have to 'eat it up for the space'! Fruit, too! I could buy plenty of fruit when it's in season and cheap, freeze it for milk shakes anytime!

See how a simple freezer would open up a whole world of exciting opportunities?

So, what's holding me back, now? Eish, that would be Eskom! All it would take is a 24-hour power outage and the entire contents of such a freezer ... poof! Or rather: pong! It's rare, but it has happened ... last time, I ended up eating rancid butter for months!

Well, I definitely won't be rushing! I'm going to take some time to research and evaluate my options, he he he - something I quite enjoy!

Okay, time to change the subject, right?

Last night, I decided to see what would happen, if I took the lid off the fancy litter box - you know, the really big one, with the enclosure, the flap and the filter ... which only Ziva used once or twice, just to make me happy? Well, without the top, they use it! Right, so now I have 4 litter boxes to clean, daily! Not that it's more work, actually - well, you reckon they'd go fill their tummies just so they can produce more ... crap for me to clean? Nah! Just means I sift through 4 trays instead of 3. Same load!

Apart from writing, what have I done today? Well, the laundry, of course. And the tenderised steak is marinating. I have a plan for the Sauerkraut & Eisbein, I should still make the pie dough today, though.

I've decided to make the Eisbein, instead.

The past couple of weekends I've not done much on Saturdays, and I've been feeling somewhat guilty about that - I could have made so much progress in the garden! But really, WHY should I be feeling guilty? It's quite silly, really. It's an adult child characteristic, though - feeling guilty whenever we're not being productive! Truth be told, with what I'm facing at work these days, taking a day off is clearly exactly what I need to keep me going.

Speaking of which, I've been struggling with fever blisters again these past two weeks now. I thought it was over last weekend, but now I've got a new patch again. My temperature hasn't been high - rather, it's been low! We're getting our temperature taken every morning at work, and Thursday morning, I was below 36 Celsius. I've been taking Airmune - which always help keep them in check, but I seem to need an overdose ... which I no longer have. Better get some more as soon as possible.

Hmm ... on a whim, I checked online, and it's on special ... 

I'm getting a little carried away shopping again! Treating myself to a few little items ... which, of course, keep adding up, ha ha! Just a couple of fun treats, like ... don't laugh: a toilet light! Not expensive, but really ... can you imagine? Apparently it also detects motion, turns on when you enter the bathroom and lights up the bowl! In a variety of colours! Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Well, everything in the basket is currently on special - some as much as 50% off!

Bit of a fracas outside. Smeagol wants to fetch me, because he wants attention - and Mewthos won't let him pass. I get out, keep them from fighting, lead Smeagol to our lovies corner and give him the attention he craves.

Of course, all mips are now huddled inside - afraid to go out. It's half six anyway, so ... time to lock up and treat mippies!

The Eisbein and the Sauerkraut are a great success! I've just had three bowls full and really enjoyed it! I'll definitely do that again - though not too soon!

Okay, I've had a little fun spending spree - nothing useless, though! I've enjoyed a nice hot bath, now I've got Mini on my lap! She'd much rather be in my lap, under the duvet, getting her ears scratched and her tummy tickled ... so ... time to move and oblige her!

Lock-down Day 477

I wasn't up for writing anything yesterday, so ... here's my Friday (written on Saturday morning).

My aunt had been mailing that she wants to send me another birthday transfer - I confess, I feel a little awkward and puzzled. I'm not rolling in it - not by a long shot, but I'm okay. I'm a little confused why she feels the need to send me money - and also feel a little awkward about it.

I had a message Thursday night from the bank, saying that I need to call them about an international transfer. So, I made time for the call ... it took almost 10 minutes, mostly on hold - and the upshot was: I need to go in to a branch. Now why couldn't they just have said that in their message?

It's about the change of residential address, which I had declared last time, but never followed through on. So, I had to take my lease agreement to the bank. I'm really glad I bank with Capitec, because going in to that bank is not the nightmare all the others are! And since I was there very early, I didn't even have to wait. The representative was professional, and very helpful! Yes, it took quite a while, but at least I can be sure that no stranger can come in and make changes to my account. They took all my fingerprints again, verified my face, etc.

And then HE called the number for the international transfer and sorted it all out for me! Well, he handed me the phone, as I needed to provide security verification - again - but by that time everything else was in place. That call also took almost 10 minutes!

Then they told me the amount! I nearly fell off my chair! That's more than a month's salary in our money! And with our currency having strengthened since last time, it's more in her money, too!

I spent the rest of the day in a kind of euphoric daze ...

Lock-down Day 476

Unusually late morning, still, I make the time to sit and have my morning coffee without any care of the time. That is one luxury I will claim.

Mippies were very sweet and didn't wake me up. Oh, Mini pawed at my head, Mewthos mewled a bit for his morning treat - but on the whole, they weren't exactly demanding, more like ... "I wish mommy would get up, please!"

I keep wanting to take a week off ... just ... a break. No reason, no 'going anywhere', just a whole week away!

Well, tomorrow is Friday. That helps! Ha Ha!

As I arrived home, I saw my new neighbour about to close his gate ... I stopped, debated whether I should introduce myself? Reversed and introduced myself! And I'm really glad that I did - I finally know what's going on! Ha Ha! Yes, I'm curious, too!

Okay, so the neighbour who used to live there has moved to the house vacated by the neighbour who tried to rent a room from me. So, my west neighbour is now my east neighbour. Good! He's a good neighbour!

And on the west, they've divided the place - it's really very large! Now, that all the trees are gone, I can see just how large! Basically, they're doing what my previous landlord did: turn part of the house into a separate flat. Only more private. The guy I spoke to, now works for the owner and he'll be staying in the flat, when it's ready. For now, he's staying in the house - with several inconveniences, like: no running water (because the electrician cut the water pipe), no electricity, etc.

Best news though: he has three cats! He's as crazy about his cats as I am about mine! And he guaranteed me, that the electric fence will NOT be dangerous to cats! And from a fellow cat lover, who's own cats will be living here - that really puts my mind at ease! He also has a parrot and dogs - and his dogs love cats.

But, of course, we both don't know who will be renting the house between us!

I did mention the dead trees - again, ha ha - and also, that I normally turn my car outside. They plan to pave a fairly limiting driveway, with curbs ... so, if they could extend a section outside my gate, where I can turn around, that would really be good!

At the moment, turning on the 'lawn' is not a major issue - but one of these days, it won't be 'open veld' anymore, but plants. All nice and beautiful.

Oh, and he's just as crazy about gardening - although his passion is Bonsai. Which I, personally, don't like. The idea of restricting the growth of a living thing just doesn't sit right with me.

Mippies, of course, are very unhappy! No outies time for them today! It was dark, past six, when I finally got home! They ran straight to their bowls for treats - and I obliged! Poor mippies! I've got Janey on my lap now, Mewthos under the table mewling his disapproval, Mini right behind me, about to paw my shoulder ... 

I better go tend to all my mippies, though Janey still wants more lives, too ... they're a demanding lot!

Lock-down Day 475

Normal morning, enjoyed coffee with mips - they come running when I make my first cup of coffee, because they want to share the milk! Then, when I sit in the lounge, they all come to the lounge, as well. Ziva often sits on the arm of the chair, so I can scratch her ears ...

My groceries arrived, mostly just flour and cleaning materials. The driver said that the roads were quite quiet today ... this rioting must stop. It's killing what little economy is left in this country ... let alone the literal killing of people!

Anyway ... back at home ... chores, dinner, bath, cuddles ...

Lock-down Day 474

I don't know what time the president finally did address the nation - I was fast asleep by then. Internet was slow, even went off for a while there, anyway - so there was no point staying awake, waiting for an announcement.

I woke up very early this morning, though - so I checked the news, just in case ... Soldiers are being deployed ... well, what can I say? Just hope I get to work and back safe and sound ... though there wasn't any rioting along the road yesterday. I can only hope it stays that way ...

At work, I've got one system ready - now I need to populate the database. Which is laborious, tedious and really ... it takes heaps of time to gather the information, verify it, check it, and so forth ... 

Back at home, mippies have had a busy day! I found my ashtray halfway across the lounge! Well, no worries!

I get my chores done, dinner, bath ... I just want to switch off ... I wish I knew how to really relax, recharge, you know? I just feel like I'm draining ... with a bit of idling in between, then draining more ... I just wish business would turn around. We'd get more orders. But with the rioting going on now? Our client wouldn't even risk sending a driver to collect ... it feels like it's going from bad to worse with now end to the downward motion in sight ...

Yeah, I'm feeling somewhat down. It happens. I'm very fortunate that I'm not suffering from depression - when I feel down, it's either for a reason, and when there none, it still passes. I'm really grateful for that. I don't know if I would be able to cope with clinical depression ...

Anyway ... I'm going to snuggle under the duvet and cuddle any mippie who's fluff is within reach - and they'll just have to lump it! Ha Ha! They like getting their ears scratched, but not so much having their tummies tickled - and their tummies are so lovely and fluffy! So, we 'wrestle' ha ha ha!

Lock-down Day 473

Quite an early morning, for a Monday. Mippies are not happy that I'm going off to work ...

At work ... no ... better shut up.

The riots are now getting seriously out of hand - so, another address from our president tonight. I see in the news that it's now spreading to Pretoria, as well. Near work - potentially en route home ... I hope not!

Well, no trouble whatsoever on the way home - that's a relief! Mippies are in hyper cuddle mode - I've got Janey on my lap, now licking my right hand, Ziva is on the bed, patiently waiting for me to open her cuddle cave ... Mini right behind her, waiting for cuddle cave 2. Mewthos is still watching TV, aka looking out the front door, which is still open - though the mesh gate is closed. Oh, hang on, here he comes ...

I've had dinner, packed my lunch, so I might as well give up and give in to cuddle demands ... it's past seven, and no announcement yet, WHEN we're being addressed again ...

Not sure whether I should move to the bed and end Janey's cuddle time? She only likes to cuddle when I'm either at the PC or on the toilet - something about me sitting. Though still not when I'm sitting in the arm chair. Weirdo! But Mewthos is mewling to be picked up at the top of his lungs ... and boy, he has a healthy pair of lungs!

Internet is iffy again - can't publish. Janey eventually jumped off my lap, so I picked Mewthos up and put HIM on my lap for a while. Ziva and Mini are still waiting for cuddle caves on the bed ...

Lock-down Day 472

I got up before seven - only just, though. Mippies went out and came back shortly - they are AGAIN busy next door. We're not impressed. Poor mips had little time outside yesterday, and again today ...

Look at them .. poor darlings, all huddled together waiting for the noise to stop, so they can go out! Not the bouncing, exuberant bundles I usually see on weekends ...

Bread rolls are ready for baking, chicken dish is almost ready ... and now they are steamrolling next door! The whole place is vibrating, the windows are rattling, I can feel the vibration going through and through ... it's awfully unpleasant! Mewthos is now hiding in the room divider, bottom drawer.

I see a pamphlet offering coffee at a really good price ... only ... no free delivery. That makes the offer moot - unless I buy a year's supply.

Ah! They've stopped steamrolling! Good! It's all quiet now - Mewthos bounced outside and rolled in every patch of dirt he could reach! Ha Ha!

Three o'clock. Kitchen duty complete. Bread rolls, muffins and chicken baked, dishes washed, floors swept ... everything done. And so am I ... 

I decided to take an early bath. Then I did a bit of weeding - but my heart isn't in it today. Mippies came in without trouble, they had plenty of fun running outside this afternoon!

I was about to call it an early day - just watch some episodes, cuddle mippies ... when I checked the news: another 'Family Meeting'. TONIGHT! What now? We're already at Level 4 ... and the numbers keep rising. More and more people infected every day ... I just don't know ... 

Lock-down Day 471

I allowed myself the luxury of staying in my warm, snug bed until the worst of the cold was over - in other words, till the sun had risen and warmed things up a bit.

I let mippies out, but they were back very quickly - they're busy with earth-moving equipment again. Not just next door, but outside my gate, as well. I just learned they are going to pave a road from my gate ... looks like I'll be detouring past my neighbour in future. That's how the road seems to run.

Then I found a flat rat in my driveway - I'm sure it wasn't there yesterday. Well, I picked it up with a poop bag and sealed it inside. I'll take it out with the refuse this week. Not sure how it got there - I don't think I could have run over it, not at the speed ... or rather slow pace ... I drive inside!

With all the heaps of earth outside, I've had to turn the car around inside - driving all over my lawn, for weeks. I keep using a different track to avoid the damage driving does to lawns. It'll be nice, if I could turn outside again, and just reverse down the driveway. That's one, straight, set of tracks.

Mippies have been hanging around under my feet, on my lap, just close to me - the whole morning! I've had Janey on my lap again and again, Ziva demanding her ears scratched, Mewthos demanding I pick him up ... Mini is the least demanding - though she needs cuddles, too! She is everywhere!

I spent the morning writing to my aunt. With mip-induced cuddle breaks, of course. I meant to do some gardening, but with all that going on outside - mippies won't join me, and without them ... what's the point? Well, getting beds cleared, sure - but the garden is family quality space. If they won't join and jump all over me, I won't enjoy it much, either.

They did manage to catch a bird, though. I've got the feathers all over my bathroom to prove it ... sigh ...

I'm hoping they finish work outside, soon ... then I can go out, and mippies can, too! When they're not under my feet, they're hiding away. I've opened the garage as well as the every other room for them to explore and play in.

While I'm waiting, I thought I'd do the essential online shopping. I found a deal on the Whiskas I need, but it's ... confusing. It doesn't clearly state the contents. Should be 8 boxes. I think I'll take the chance and get it - it's a good deal. Even cheaper than Makro! While I'm at it, I should also get another bag of litter ...

As promised, here's the photo of my progress yesterday.

This was last week - for comparison. Notice also that last week, there were no 'live wire holders' anywhere ...

Sigh, time to spend money. I've filled my baskets, given it due consideration - I'm spending quite a bit. It's all needed items, though - well, apart from two items just for me. And mostly, it's for my mippies ... I'm building up stock on cat food again. I'm going back to my 'hamstering' / hoarding habit. Last time, when I had broken that 'bad' habit, we went into lock-down ... and I ended up having to buy at higher prices.

I hope I haven't forgotten anything I need now ... 

Ah, ePetstore will have to wait. They are out of stock ... set up a 'notify me', they'll e-mail me when they have stock again.

And now the Whiskas Special I had in my cart is gone ... I guess they are now out of stock. So, back to ePetstore. Get the Renal kibbles and the Whiskas ... Of course, now I'm back exactly where I was last week, except that - believing I could get what I need - I've added treats for me ... you know what? I'll buy them anyway!

After some browsing, I've added a rug. I was going to sleep on it before checking out, but ... well ... don't want to find stuff disappearing again, eh?

Lock-down Day 470

Early morning licky wake-up. Thank you, Mini! She is so attached to me, always under my feet. We spend a lot of time cuddling in the evenings, when Ziva's had her cuddle cave - I grab and snuggle her under the duvet, where it's warm; rather than scratching her ears out in the cold.

When I try to use the toilet, she usually jumps onto it before I can reach it, and tries to 'clean' it for me - by scratching the seat. Like she would clean her 'toilet'. Mewthos often joins her ... and I have to pick two mips off the toilet seat, before I can go!

Okay, let's go back to last night for a short interlude: power came back on about twenty to eight. Too late for dinner, as I had already had a cold dinner by then. I finished the last of the potato bake and had some cold vienna's dipped in mustard.

Back at home, I'm straight to the jungle ... looking good. I'll post photo's again tomorrow.

I see they are planning to put up electric wires outside my fence ... I'm worried. What current are they planning to use? Not likely low current, safe for cats ... and Mewthos is in danger ... I don't know what to do ...

Well, nothing I can do tonight. I've had dinner, now I just want a hot bath and then relax with some cuddle mips before going to sleep ...

Lock-down Day 469

This morning, Mini pulled my hair to wake me up - just adding variety to her morning routine! No, it's not painful, she just paws at it, as she would when she's covering her deposits in the sandbox, just not quite as vigorously.

They are burning the cane down by the river! Controlled fire, not wild. But it's kind of sad ... with all the cleaning & clearing up activities, so much wildlife is lost ...

I'm tired ... just so very tired ... Thirty years ago, I would have enjoyed these work challenges ... but right now, I just feel weighed down ... 

Sorry to be venting, but it just has to come out somewhere ... mippies get really upset when I come home all miserable and drained ...

Since it's winter, I can't work off my frustration in the garden ... 

And now the power has gone out ... unless we're suddenly in Stage 4, it's not load shedding ... sigh, better publish and turn off the PC. No dinner, I'm afraid ...

Lock-down Day 468

Mewthos was restless all night, he woke me up a couple of times throughout the night. Not good ...

I quickly went to Game ... Never, never, EVER again! What a horrible place that has become! Disorganised - can't find anything; very little variety; many, many prices missing ... I found a sealable food container, which will work for mippies kibbles. I wanted to take 2, but only the one still had the handle. On the others in the shelf, the handle was gone ... so, the next customer won't even know that it ought to have a handle!

I did get a simple steel cup with a plastic lid. The one I got from Faithful to Nature has a lid - only ... the lid has a hole, for you to sip your coffee through. Useless for travel. I did not know that, when I got it. It looks pretty, though. Anyway, I got a simple travel mug.

And the cat food? I had to use a poop-scooper to reach! And they only had the meat-in-gravy variety ... and half the boxes were open, so I had to check that I'm not getting short-changed! The staff? Don't bother them! The cashier was good, though - friendly and helpful.

On the whole, though: no. Just: NO! Never again!

So, the expensive ePetstore it is, for mippies Whiskas-in-jelly! After today, I won't mind paying a bit extra to avoid another experience like this ...

Back to work ... I need to re-structure the costing system. My head hurts ...

This cold front this week is really unpleasant. It's been a mild winter until now ... hopefully it won't stay this cold for very long.

Back at home ... busy, busy, busy. It's almost eight, time to publish, so I can get to my cuddle duties.

Lock-down Day 467

Ignored both a-larm and mip-larms this morning - it was still dark - only to find the sky overcast! That's why it was dark, even though the sun had already risen. Well, I wasn't too late ...

Work is still hectic. I didn't manage to get away today, to check the items I couldn't get online - most importantly: Whiskas! But the spare bag of FIT 32 arrived, as did my chocolates!

Back at home, I found a trail of blood from the lounge to the mippie feeding counter - just three drops, mostly dry ... not sure what to make of that.

Trying to type this is a bit of a bugger, as Janey is on my lap, wildly throwing herself at my hands for scratchies!

We've had a bit of a set-to with Smeagol again - he went after Mini and then after Mewthos. I growled at him - he's not impressed. Poor boy. His bowl is full, though.

Okay, I think I had better move to the bed ... Janey is now stretched across my arms here ... she is such a cuddle addict! They all are - Ziva wouldn't give me any peace last night ... cuddle cave again and again ... Mini patiently waiting for her turn ... I love being loved!

Okay, sometimes it gets too much and I want to hide ... 

Funny thing, though. Janey is only a lap cat when I'm either at the PC or on the toilet. Not when I'm in the arm chair ... weirdo!

Anyway, time to sit back, wind down ... then sleep ...

Lock-down Day 466

Licked awake by Mini this morning. Grabbed her and pulled her under the duvet - and ignored the time ... silly me ...

At work ... co-worker's dog rushed to the vet. Emergency operation ... sadly he didn't make it. I just want to grab and cuddle each of my mippies now ...

Another co-worker is being tested for COVID-19.

Not a good day ...

Back at home ... blah, blah chores ... cuddling mippies! The end ... for today ...

Lock-down Day 464 & 465

Mippies got me out of bed way too early! Grr ... and then they wouldn't go out, but decided 'oh, mommy! Let's play!' No peace for me ...

I've been trying to do essential shopping online ... only, Takelot is out of stock on Whiskas - which means that I will NOT be buying anything from them. No, this isn't some sort of hissy fit - it's just that the Whiskas provides the bulk of the order to reach the minimum amount for free delivery - and I'm not going to spend money on items I don't NEED.

That leaves me with three options: drive all the way to Makro tomorrow ... and just the thought has me going 'Urgh! No, no, please, just NO!' Traffic, while I try to figure out how to get there through that maze of roads they've built around it, now? Then all those people in the store, let alone the - mostly rude - staff? No, just ... don't wanna! Even though their prices would make it worth my while ... just ... NO!

Okay, then there's the ePetstore option. But they're expensive. I think I'll leave that as last resort.

So what I'll do is go to Game Stores. They're just a 10 minute drive from work, and at opening times, not too busy. Three hours of googling where I can find what I need ... and I end up having to go to an actual shop! Pffft!

At least my Eat Naked Peanut Butter Cups aren't letting me down! Order placed!

As promised, here's the 'jungle' partition I mentioned yesterday:

You can clearly see the right, which I've already cut, and on the left, what I still need to cut down. 

As you can see, there's still a lot to do ...

Meantime, Mini is guarding my laundry. She's curled up at the foot of my stand ...

So I took down my laundry. It dries really fast in the breeze in the sun ...

And then I went into a kind of ... state. Feeling listless, useless, down ... Just played Solitaire, watched 'Relic Hunter' and let everything else be ... and just hoped I'd feel better the next morning.

Unfortunately, I don't feel any better. But I have heaps of chores to do. Changed the bedding, made bread rolls with Käsegriller inside (cocktail sized, which I got at the Hartbeeshoek butchery). I decided to try rye bread dough - looks fine. I also made chocolate chip muffins, and a type of potato bake. I also re-packed the meat and put it in the freezer.

That's been my Sunday. Oh, and I swept all the dead grass out of the house, which mippies have all been - industriously - bringing and shaking off, everywhere!

Getting all four mips in one place is a rare occasion - but I have the secret knowledge: fresh bedding will bring them all together ... every time! Fresh from rolling in the dust outside ... sigh ...

Something went wrong with my chocolate chip muffins, though ... looks like I forgot some ingredient? I'm not sure what, though ... maybe I should have used 3 eggs instead of 2? Or maybe I used too much oil? Well, as long as they taste fine, that's what matters!

Well, they DO taste fine! I don't yet know about the potato concoction ... I'm not particularly hungry now.

I've got two mips waiting for their cuddle time ... all mips are inside, I've bathed, lunch is packed, everything done ... so ... cuddle time ...

Lock-down Day 463

Normal morning - well, normal in mippie-land, that is. Enjoyed my coffee ... 

At work, I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or, to use my previous metaphor: I think I have a plan to get past the iceberg. I just don't know, whether I can get my part done in time - and, of course there is a part that's beyond my control. And if that doesn't play along ... 

Well, I'm focusing on my part. That's all I CAN do.

Back at home, I continued working on that last jungle portion ... making good progress! I'll post some photos tomorrow.

Now, I'm just waiting for the water to heat up, so I can enjoy a hot bath before going to bed ...

Lock-down Day 462

Did you notice that I 'fixed' the headings for the past 2 days? Sigh ... no, Day 258 has pass a long, long time ago ... it really is Day 462 today. We really have been in lock-down for such a long time ... I often have to check the number, before posting ... I still get it wrong, because the mind just boggles at what the '21-day Lockdown' has turned into ... 

Anyway, up early. Hectic at work.

Well, my meat was delivered today, so I'll have some unpacking to do tonight. How exciting! Ha Ha!

Back at home, when it was time for mippies to come in - no Mini! I called and called! Eventually I found her behind the fence, next door! Remember they had taken down all the fences at the back, and were busy moving the earth around the house? Well, they've now put fences up again - only further out, extending the back garden next door. My neighbour seems to have moved out - I'm not sure whether it's temporary or permanent? He still has the workshop here, though. Anyway, the dogs aren't there now ... and Mini got into the garden. I'm not sure whether she'd just forgotten how to get back - or whether she didn't want to come home ... she wasn't worried, rolling around behind the fence, while I'm frantically calling and looking for a place where she could come back home!

In the end, she just wriggled under the fence out back, then strolled along the fence to my tallest sunflower, where there's a hole they all use to come and go. Man, but I was worried! Silly girl!

Finally inside ... Janey won't eat! Okay, I think it was her who threw up in the middle of my bed - because when I got home, she led me there with a 'I'm so sorry, mommy' look. Same look and behaviour when the utensil holder had been pushed off the top of my fridge. But - unlike Ziva that time - she seemed and behaved normally. Once I had filled all the bowls, I went looking for her - couldn't find her ... eventually found her in my wardrobe. By that time, everyone had finished eating, so I carried her to the treat bowls (which were still quite full), but she wouldn't eat. I left her for a bit, and then saw her eating Ziva's special renal food! Afterwards she helped herself to the leftover Whiskas from Mewthos' bowl - so: no worries!

Well, I packed all the meat in the fridge ... shared dinner ... I had Janey fall off my lap already and now Ziva is wanting her ears scratched. She's become such a cuddle bug! Really - every evening she wants her cuddle cave time ... and it's not just a few minutes, but goes on and on until she dozes off! Talk about spoilt, eh?

Anyway, she's on the bed now, kneading and mipping away ... she'd much prefer I sit with her than here at the PC ...