Turbulent Thursday

Although I woke up after ten, when the power went off ... I woke up early this morning. Early enough to get the kettle boiled before the power went off. Ha ha, just kidding - they turned it off late.

Coffee. Off to work.

Chaos! Everything now is 'last minute' and 'just quickly' ... I barely get a chance to take a breath. Add to that, the phone ringing over and over ... which I don't answer because a) I can't hear with the machines running outside my door and b) I'm frantically busy, and, of course c) there is someone sitting in a quiet office with nothing else to do ...

It's half two and guess what? Load shedding is escalating again! Stage 6 from two onwards! Okay, let me just get this latest announcement in table format:

Today (30th)
14:00 - 00:00 Stage 6 ... we're off 14:00 - 18:30 (4 1/2 hours!) & 22:00 - 00:30
Friday (1st)
00:00 - 05:00 Stage 4 ... we're off 04:00 - 06:30
05:00 - 00:00 Stage 6 ... we're off 12:00 - 16:30 (4 1/2 hours!) & 20:00 - 22:30
Saturday (2nd)
Stage 4 ... 04:00 - 06:30 & 12:00 - 14:30 & 20:00 - 22:30
Sunday (3rd)
Stage 4 ... 04:00 - 06:30 & 12:00 - 14:30 & 20:00 - 22:30

As always, this can change at a moment's notice! That's our power off for 8 hours today (we were off from 06:00 - 08:30 this morning, plus another 4+2 or 4 1/2 + 2 1/2 hours), and the same tomorrow.

Just came across this:

No comment. I'd laugh ... but it's not really funny, when you're cleaning 4 litter boxes with a torch every night ...

Speaking of which. Ziva is on my mind a lot, with that wound of hers. It looked worse again last night - she actually let me clean it and put ointment on without much of a fight! Then she came and curled up with me under the duvet! It always seems to open up again, after each spot-on treatment? Maybe I should skip her next month? Well, first, let's see whether it heals again. Like I said, I cleaned it and put ointment on last night - that usually makes a big difference.

Back at home - cleaning the litter boxes with a torch. Again. Not fun!

Smeagol needed attention, so I spent some time with him. He looked at the food bowl, turned around and came for attention! How could I ignore that?

Well, I've got all chores done. Power came on, so I cooked dinner. Ate. Bathed. Now I'm being harassed by mippies for attention! Mewl. Mip. Meep. Paw. On and on and on ... 

Ziva's wound actually looks better. It's dry, which is a good start. Now I've got Mewthos prowling under my chair ... I better go ...

Wacky Wednesday

I couldn't get out of bed this morning, I felt groggy and miserable - I had this wacky nightmare, I dreamed that I was re-living the gunning down of two young nephews, who were standing at the graves of their wives, who had been killed in a terrorist attack on a mall. I don't know where this is coming from, as it's all fictional. Still, it haunted me all morning ...

Plus, as I said, I was feeling groggy. As if I had taken sleeping pills and not gone to sleep - at least, how I imagine that would feel. I've never taken sleeping pills. I have taken muscle relaxants - but only when needed. Yet, some mornings those, too, have left me a little groggy - but not as much as this morning!

Apparently Eskom has their workers back at work - and their unions back at the negotiation table. Though no agreement has yet been reached. Let's hold thumbs and hope that load shedding ends at 22:00 tonight ... and isn't extended again!

We got a message from our councillor informing us that the late end of our turn at load shedding was due to the extremely high demand.

"The City of Tshwane is experiencing unplanned power interruptions minutes after post loadshedding switched backs post loadshedding because of *networks overloads* due to "high start-up current" associated with the combined simultaneous energisation of loads (geysers, heaters, kettles, irons, pumps, and stoves, just to mention few heavy loads).

_*To mitigate against these overload trips:*_

*A. Consumer Appliances*

Consumers are requested to load the system conservatively, i.e.,

1. Switch off all heavy loads *prior* to the scheduled power restoration time to regulate the start-up current to within limitations of the distribution and protective equipment. This can be achieved by switching Off all circuit breakers in the DB except those supplying lights. This will further protect sensitive electronic appliances like TV, Decoders, Hi-Fi Systems, Gate Motor Control Boards, etc, from power surges.

2. Gradually energise the necessary appliances and avoid simultaneous switch On of heavy load appliances. No need to put On the iron, kettle, and stove at the same time.

3. Please switch On non-essential loads like geysers, air conditioners, pumps, etc. last when the system has stabilised (i.e., about 2 hours post loadshedding restorations)"

Well, that makes sense. But ... waiting 2 hours post load shedding restorations to turn on my geyser? Then have to wait another hour or two for it to heat up? When load shedding ends at 18:00 ... I should wait until 22:00 to take a bath? Yeah, no! Last night I would have had to wait until 23:00 to run my bath, as power only came on ten to seven ... 

Only three 'appliances' are permanently using electricity: mippies' two fountains and my fridge. When there is load shedding, I usually turn off the UPS in the mornings, so there's no power going there - and no beeping annoying my mippies during the day. When I'm home, my PC is usually on. And lights - but only in the room I'm in. Except for the lounge. The outside security lights front and back give enough light, so I hardly ever turn on the lounge lights. I use flasks to keep coffee and water hot. On weekends, there's the washing machine, and I use more hot water - to clean. On the whole, my electricity usage is below - even my extremely tight - budget.

Aaand load shedding Snakes & Ladders continues! I've had to look up what Stage we're currently in - it's so confusing!

Wednesday (29th)
05:00 - 16:00 Stage 4 -> 06:00 - 08:30 & 14:00 - 16:30
16:00 - 22:00 Stage 6 -> none
22:00 - 00:00 Stage 4 -> 22:00 - 00:30
Thursday (30th)
00:00 - 05:00 Stage 2 -> none
05:00 - 00:00 Stage 4 -> 06:00 - 08:30 & 14:00 - 16:30 & 22:00 - 00:30
Friday (1st)
00:00 - 05:00 Stage 2 -> none

I partly list that here, so I can get it straight before I post our times in our group. Eishkom announce the schedule of the different stage - in a narrative. It takes a bit to 'translate' that to a standardised table. And then I have to look at our Group's schedule ... which time applies to which stage, and arrange it chronologically ... so I have a chronological schedule when our power will go off!

It still amazes me just how many people do not understand how it works! Like, I got a call from a neighbour last night - when power didn't come on - asking whether it will be off till ten! Because I had posted that Stage 6 is from 16:00 - 22:00. After 14 years, people still don't understand the 2 schedules!

One is Eskom's schedule - announcing what Stage from when to when. Which applies to the whole country.

The other is the local municipality's schedule, specifying which group is scheduled at what times. For each Stage. Basically, each municipality divides their area into groups. Group 11 in Pretoria doesn't go off the same time as Group 11 Port Elizabeth.

Yeah, for outsiders that IS confusing. But for insiders? After 14 years?

Back at home ... no internet. No clue why.

I was busy making dinner, sharing dinner, bath, then cuddles ...

Tuesday

I woke up early, but got up late. Sigh ...  Winter is not my favourite season. It's my least favourite season, actually. I like Spring and Autumn. When it's not too hot and not too cold.

I'm worried about Ziva, again. That wound is opening again ... there's no avoiding it, now. I must take her to the vet. Just: when? This week at work is hectic - last few days before month end. I'm going to have to wait until next week, I'm afraid.

Oh, fan-feck-en-tastic! Now there's a chance of load shedding to escalate to Stage 6! No problem tonight ... but a big problem tomorrow morning! In Stage 4, we're off twice - if they stop at ten and don't start before five in the mornings:

Stage 4 Tuesday 08:00 - 10:30 & 16:00 - 18:30 = 4-5 hours
Stage 6 Tuesday 08:00 - 10:30 & 16:00 - 18:30 = 4-5 hours
Stage 4 Wednesday 06:00 - 08:30 & 14:00 - 16:30 = 4-5 hours
Stage 6 Wednesday 06:00 - 08:30 & 08:00 - 10:30 & 14:00 - 16:30 = 6-7 hours!

Notice how in Stage 6, two times follow each other? Making it a total of 4-4,5 hours in one go? Yeah ... fun! Grrrr

Well, they've officially announced the possibility ... which means that soon they'll officially announce implementation.

Oh, and in case you're wondering why: Because workers are on strike. Illegally. They're also threatening and destroying private property of workers who chose not to strike.

I don't know, but I really didn't expect to ever be living in such a circus! I mean, in the 80s, we expected flying cars, space travel, maybe even aliens on earth by now - but this? Talk about Time Warp! It's like living in the dark ages again! The only difference being, the 'dark ages' are called 'dark' because so little written record exists of that time - it's almost impossible to piece together what life was really like. Whereas today, there is such a flood of data online ... one can't tell what's real and what's fiction. I'm telling you, if Bobby Ewing steps out of the shower tomorrow ... I'll know the past 40 years were just a nightmare!

Oh. My. Word! It's a game of Snakes and ladders with load shedding now!

16:00 - 22:00 - Stage 6; we're off 16:00 - 18:30
22:00 - 00:00 - Stage 4; we're on (not scheduled)
00:00 - 05:00 - Stage 2; we're on (not scheduled)
05:00 - 16:00 - Stage 4; we're off 06:00 - 08:30, again 14:00 - 16:30
16:00 - 22:00 - Stage 6; we're on (not scheduled)

But if they continue load shedding, we'll go off from 22:00 again ...

What a circus! Honestly, that's the politest word I can find for this debacle!

Tomorrow morning's 06:00 - 08:30 bugs me. That's my coffee making time! Ah, well - I have choices. I could get up early, or haul out the gas cooker. It could be worse! Much, much worse! Some people are without power for 4 hours in one stretch! From 16:00 - 20:00 and others from 18:00 - 22:00! Tonight! So, yeah - we're the lucky ones.

Oh, you have got to be kidding me! Eskom posting "What should I do during load shedding" Seriously?

Worst of all, with four hours in one go - cable thieves are going to be out in masse!

Oh, and in case you're wondering why I seem to have so much time to write here? Yeah, slow PC ... thinking ... I wonder whether I should rather read my book? Wouldn't help, as my subconscious is hyper active working through work problems ...

Back at home ... chores ... treat mippies ... wait for the power to come on. Six o'clock comes and goes ... no lights. Half past six comes and goes ... no lights; and now: no internet! It's not just us, it's everyone ... so, eventually, I hauled out the gas cooker and made dinner. Ten to seven the power came on! Finally!

Internet is still dodgy, though. I'm now just waiting for the water to be hot enough for my bath ... 

Monday

Really? Monday? Again? Sheez, what is the world coming to?

Mini is now clawing at my face - not cool! I could loose an eye! So, we're having words about that.

Well, I got up - eventually - made coffee, and set off ... somewhat late.

Oh, lovely! Call from the electrician (from the projects I used to work on)! He's in the country, in town, and wants to pop in!

I finally managed to go through the scores of birthday wishes on my FaceBook timeline - I hope I didn't miss any! I prefer to thank each one individually - I always feel that, if they can take the time out to wish me happy birthday, the least I can do is make the time to thank each one. I always find those generic 'to everyone ... thank you' a bit offensive.

And the electrician was here! He brought his wife's son - whom I haven't seen in years! My word, he has grown! Well, as he was about two - four when I last saw him ... and that was five years ago ... well, I hardly recognised him! Good to see them both, though! Really good!

Back at home ... I couldn't get online. Well, chores, dinner, bath, bed.

Sunday - dark, light, dark, light

Relatively early morning, open for mippies ... Smeagol comes to say hello, mippies stay inside! Ha Ha! When I opened the front, Smeagol tried coming in there ... again. So, I locked the gate again.

During the morning load shedding session, I re-cleaned the drawer - it's now properly clean - and then I cleaned one of the shelves under the sink. The one next to the fridge. Slowly, but surely, I'm making this MY home. Pity it's taking me such a long time, eh? I usually have that done much, much earlier. Usually, it's the first thing I do when I move it ... but then again, I usually have time to do that, too!

Anyway, Eishkom was late turning the power back on ...

That's Janey, letting me know that the water should be running! NOW! Ha Ha!

As I started making the bread dough, Mewthos came to insist on our roly poly time on the lawn. I finished making the dough then spent time rolling on the front lawn with Mewthos. Which led to me doing a bit of weeding. Kitchen garden. I cleared a narrow strip, continuing what I started on Friday, then covered part of it with cardboard.

Now the bread dough is calling. I thought I'd come write first - since I haven't been able to get online until now ... but now Janey is curled up on my lap!

And then Mewthos rebelled! He - somehow - got on top of the cupboard above their feeding counter ... don't ask me how! And started tossing everything down that was up there! Fortunately, he only tossed the plastic bottles off, not the old thermos! As soon as I stood in front of the counter, offering my back for him to hop on to ... happy! He just wants attention. Or rather: MORE attention!

Ten to four and everything is done. Bread rolls are baked, muffins are baked, and the kitchen is clean again. Well, actually it's even cleaner than it's ever been ... though there's more to do, still.

Well, it's past six, power is back on ... for now! Load shedding Stage 4 has been extended until at least Wednesday! Sigh ... 

I'm running my bath ... then I'll just switch off ... 

Dark and wet Saturday

It rained during the night and the power went off. I woke up to the UPS crying again ... around half past two.

I reported the outage - and I wasn't the only one - then turned over and went back to sleep.

Got up around seven, hauled out the gas bottle again and made myself coffee.

Smeagol seems to have spent the night in my outside room, he came out to say good morning when he heard we were up. Mippies are not pleased, ha ha.

Well, this weekend is messed up already. I meant to do the laundry before load shedding at eight, as it's overcast ... I don't know how I'll get the heavy clothes dry, now. I could probably use the dryer for some, but not my woollen Jersey. The weather plus load shedding were bad enough, but add outages? Trouble!

Plus, of course, it's cold! Brrr ... 

I'm keeping myself busy with chores. I cleaned the cheese out of the oven, packed away seeds - the vinca and poppies I've got drying on my desk. Now I'm tackling mippies room. I've cleared some of the floor, swept, and now I'm assembling my shoe store. 

Years ago, I bought some of those plastic shoe boxes. I last had it up in PE. It's really quite useful, just a beech to assemble. And to take apart, to move.

Oh, wow! What a lovely surprise! Power came on at ten!

I finished putting the shoe rack together, then placed shoes in each box ... now I just need to clean the shoes, when I get some time.

Now, while I'm hanging the laundry and cleaning the kitchen ... mippies are warming up my bed!

Well, kitchen is clean - and I even cleaned another kitchen cupboard. Scrubbed it clean. Only problem is, it's now past half four ... which isn't enough time to cook. I'll have to leave it till after load shedding ... sigh ...

And then they were late turning the power off. Again. Yesterday they were an hour late ... so I thought I could take a chance ... and I just started dinner when the power went off!

I couldn't sit still. I cleaned the cutlery drawer. I'll have to do a more thorough job when I can see, but it's a good start.

Well, dinner was delicious! And now, I'm sorry to say, I'm too tired to even bath! I'm just going to call it a day and see what tomorrow brings ...

Dark Friday

A few drops of rain and the power went off. Sometime after midnight ... I woke up to the UPS crying for power! I just turned over ...

Woke up again to the alarm. Eventually got out of bed, hauled the gas bottle out, made myself coffee. Reported the power outage ... no response from anyone. Seems like it's just us - only I know it isn't.

By seven, some more people reporting outages ... sheez!

More sheeeet! Load shedding escalated to Stage 4! Which means power off from 11:00 (when they escalated) - 12:00 ... though, since the power is still off, who will notice? And again 18:00 - 20:00 tonight!

This is just about the worst birthday in years!

Well, at least my coffee grinder and mippies' treats have arrived! That's something!

I started trying to thank everyone for my birthday wishes on Facebook ... but work just got too hectic.

Now, I'm happy to say, it's almost time to escape ...

Back at home, I'm taking it easy. Unpack everything, check which needs washing before use - only the cookie cutter and the Rösti maker. Do my chores before spending a bit of time in the garden.

Just a little bit of weeding. The planned kitchen garden. 

Then chatted a bit with a friend, until it was time to bath - before the lights go out. I even managed to eat dinner in time. 

Only ... the lights stayed on. An hour! I just turned on the PC  ... and the lights went off.  For an hour.

I turned on the PC, set up my audio book and went to sleep.

Overcast Thursday

I bullied myself out of bed even earlier - though still not on time, ha ha!

I forgot to turn the geyser on this morning ... no bath for me, tonight ... Sigh ...

Oh, no more masks! I just checked the news and apparently we no longer need to wear masks! Not in public, not in shops ... and the limit on the number of people allowed to attend a gathering is also lifted! Golly! Now waiting for the memes of 'what to do with your masks' or 'life hacks of uses for masks', ha ha ha!

And I've just decided that I won't go shopping today. I do still have a sausage in the freezer, I also have mince as well as chicken in the freezer. I have long life milk. And I still have enough cigarettes. It's not exactly saving money, but postponing the spending.

Next Thursday is the 30th, so on Friday, the 1st I'll know whether I got paid BEFORE I go shopping.

Anyway, I've got deliveries arriving today, so my boot will be quite full already. Groceries just arrived - that's my flour, more coffee, some cleaning materials, and some toiletries.

Oh gosh! Just stumbled across a news report where the MEC, who's department is responsible for fixing potholes, had an accident ... when she hit a pothole! You can't make this shit up ... reality is really the weirdest place to exist!

By the way, MEC stands for Member of Executive Council - I just looked it up.

I spent most of today thinking up what to cook this weekend - and I'm having some trouble coming up with a realistic plan. In the end - well, the end for today - I decided to make a type of Bolognese. Mince and tomato stew. Its quick and realistic.

Back at home ... a bit late ... I'm having some trouble with Smeagol. He's been waiting for me on the veranda and absolutely insists on getting some attention today. He keeps creeping into the lounge, sitting under the chair by the door. Had a scrap with Mini and Mewthos ... when I go out to pet him, he does his best to keep me with him - claws at my leg. Fortunately I'm still wearing my work jeans, so: no harm done. Time is not on my side, though, with load shedding coming any minute now ... but poor Smeagol absolutely needs some lovies today!

I spend as much time with him as I can. Then shut mippies inside, give them their treat and ... ever the optimist ... start frying my dinner! I get lucky! The power only went off at 18:13 - when my dinner was done! But exactly done, ha ha!

I distracted mippies with another treat, so I could eat most of my own dinner. Oh, they came for shares, but weren't greedy. After dinner, I went to bed, listening to news ... with mippies pinning me down!

Wired Wednesday

Still not on time, but getting closer. A little bit earlier every day.

After giving it a lot of thought, I turned on the geyser before I left this morning. I just can't do without a bath when it's this cold! I rely on the hot bath for 'heating' through the night. I can't afford to keep a heater going in the room, and I'm not comfortable with the idea of an electric blanket - especially not with four cats! So, I heat up my body in a hot bath, then snuggle under airy duvets - and I actually get quite hot during the night!

Oh, and at ten Eishkom announced load shitting Stage 2 effective from ten this morning! So, at home, power went off at ten! I barely managed to get online and let them know WHY they're suddenly without power!

And we'll be load shedding from 05:00 - 00:00 every day, Stage 2, until Sunday. Grrr

Wednesday 10:00 - 12:00 & 18:00 - 20:00
Thursday - 18:00 - 20:00
Friday - none
Saturday 08:00 - 10:00
Sunday 08:00 - 10:00 & 16:00 - 18:00

I'm so tired of this shit ... it makes me livid, that we, the taxpayers, are now suffering the results of an incompetent, greedy government, who have not only stuffed their own pockets, but apparently have stolen so much tax money, that they're stuffing their furniture and mattresses as well! Oh, and they are NOT affected by load shedding!

Let me not get into that ... 

I've been thinking about tomorrow's grocery shopping. How best to manage. I think, to be on the safe side, I should use my credit card - I just got the statement, and it's still in the black. Even with yesterdays purchase, though that isn't reflected, yet. I don't need much, just milk, a bit of meat - just a sausage for my rolls and something to stew, I'm thinking chicken would be nice - and cigarettes.

Back at home, I went through my chores like a bunny on speed! Wired! I ran a hot bath, heated the last of the stew - which I'd normally do last, after everyone is inside. Then rushed through the rest of the chores racing against Eishkom! I won!

At the last minute I realised that I won't be able to wash my hair - as I won't have running water to rinse it. Oh, I have water, just at very low pressure. Not enough to rinse the shampoo and conditioner out of my hair ... sigh ... and since we're off same time tomorrow night ... 

Eishkom was late turning the lights back on ... I just turned on the PC, put on my audiobook and went to sleep ...

Phoney Tuesday

I got up earlier than yesterday, but I was still half an hour late. Mippies all joined me on the bed as I watched episodes of Downton Abbey - it's really hard to move, when they're all cuddled around me! It's such a precious time! Even Mewthos joined us! At one point, they were having another lick-fest ... Mini is always separate from the family, though. She likes to curl up near my head or in my arms, or, when I'm sitting up, between my legs. And when you're part of such a cuddle fest, you don't want to move ... so I end up watching late ...

Well, I placed the order for groceries ... now I'm pretty much broke. No worries, though, as I now have everything I need. Wanna hear a joke? I'm already busy with another shopping list! I'm considering buying a coffee grinder. Giving me the option to buy beans, as well as ground coffee. I saw a beautiful manual grinder - I'd love that! And it's not too expensive, either ... but then I remembered my advancing years. Having to turn that handle may become an issue, and I'm not exactly strong, so grinding coffee beans may be just a bit more than I'll be pleased with.

I just had a strange call. Supposedly from my bank's fraud division, stating that there was a debit order of R99 deducted from my account which raised alarm, as my signature was not on it. Okay, sounds legit. So we confirm that I did not authorise a debit order. I'll be receiving an SMS confirming cancellation. Okay, so far so good. In that message I'm also informed of a refund due to me. Of R2850. Apparently that amount had been deducted as a result of the fraudulent debit order ... which puzzled me. 2850/99 = ... not an integer.

So now I must go to my app ... uhm, I don't have the app. Long conversation about how I should get the banking app on my smartphone ... after I've twice stated that I don't have a smartphone!

Okay, so via PC. I log into my banking portfolio ... and the doesn't know the menu ... tells me to go to 'next' or 'continue' ... well, I check my debit orders and there is nothing strange on that list. "Yes, because I've cancelled it. Now go to the 'Send Cash' so you can receive your refund." Okay, go there ... I don't see anything where I can accept a refund. Just sending cash ... now I play stupid.

He was seriously convincing, though. Constantly repeating how banks are not allowed to ask for personal details, etc, etc, Repeating several safety measures, was well spoken and sounded very professional.

In retrospect, I gather his goal was to send me a link on my smartphone, which, if I follow the link, gives him access to my account or approves payment from my account to his ... or something of that kind. Since I do not admit to having a smartphone, he tried to get me to send the money to him via online banking. But he wasn't familiar with the Capitec website. And I can do 'stupid' really well - it's the only acting I can do convincingly ... I'm not sure whether that's something to be proud of, though, ha ha ha!

In further retrospect, to add up to R2850, the R99 must also have been deducted for over two years ... without my knowledge? No way! Okay, so I don't check my statement as often as I should ... but that's just not likely.

Well, I called the banks fraud line and they confirmed this was most likely a scam. One they've heard of before, the goal being to get clients to follow a link sent to their smartphone ... and no, they don't know how they get my number, or how they know who I bank with.

Okay. I'm about to do a bad thing ... spend more money! I've done my sums, and - if I don't pay my Credit Card nor buy electricity this month, but wait till after payday, then I should be fine. And if I don't get paid ... it won't make any difference anyway. I'll have to ask for payment in drips and drabs as I need it. And I still have electricity on my meter.

So, what's got me on the brink of the dark side? You can't guess? Ha ha, a coffee grinder, of course! I was going to leave it till next month, but made the mistake of amusing myself by going through their current specials. I thought of adding a bag of chocolate chips for my muffins, but they are just too expensive ... so I went through their lowest priced specials. And added a cat shaped cookie cutter ... and then stumbled across a Rösti maker! Well, actually it just mashes boiled potatoes ... and I have a masher ... but just never use it. This, however, I would use! I'm sure of it!

Both are an extravagance, I know. And I really shouldn't. Especially, as I also have to add some coffee beans to the cart, so I can play with my new toy.

Ha ha, I'm still thinking ... for such a long time, that I got a mail reminder about my cart! Well?

Done! And the good news is: I can't pay with my debit card ... they only take credit card, so it doesn't affect my budget, only when I top up my credit card to keep it black!

Right, I'm in for a fun weekend!

Sheez! Mewthos just had me end up flat on the floor in the lounge! We were 'playing' our monthly game of 'catch me if you can' - when I give them their spot-on treatment. For some reason they absolutely detest the treatment, and once I treat one, the rest realise what's coming and dash out of reach. I caught Ziva perched behind the store of treats in their room's wardrobe, then cornered Janey in the bathroom. Mini was easy, I just put her on my lap - no problem. Mewthos, however, tried to make a dash for it. I cornered him under the chair by the front door, he tried to get away while I held on to his rump - not wanting to hurt him nor pull his tail, I ended up leaning further and further down, until I toppled over and landed flat on the floor! Nothing hurt - I was so far bent down, it was more of a slow-slide, no falling involved. Though I did squirt a drop of spot-on on my forehead! Ha Ha Ha! Mewthos was so shocked seeing me flat on the floor, I could treat him with no problem!

Well, I've had my dinner and now I'm running my bath ... earlier today than last night!

Late and hectic Monday

Work worries kept me from falling asleep ... I've been watching the later series of Downton Abbey, when they are all fearing for their future, as the way of life with servants is coming to an end ... and that kind of hit a bit too close to home. I'm in pretty much the same position as the servants at Downton Abbey ... they have skills, but the career in which they are skilled is coming to an end. Outdated. Same as me. It's not so bad for the younger generation, they can adapt ... but what about us old people?

And that just weighs on me ... and I just don't know what I can do ... what's going to happen ... 

As a result, I woke up late. Oh, I woke at the first alarm - but made the mistake of turning over ... 

Oh, and guess what's back? Load Shedding! High probability at short notice ...

Not an hour later and probability has become certainty. Stage 2 every evening from 17:00 - 22:00 until Thursday. Here's how we're affected:

Monday - none
Tuesday - none
Wednesday - 18:00 - 20:30

Thursday - 18:00 - 20:30

Let's just hope they don't escalate! Still, Wednesday and Thursday is bad - I get home at half six, which gives me half an hour to get all chores AND dinner done! No chance of hot water, though ... half an hour just isn't enough time to heat the geyser, and I can't afford to leave it on the whole day.

Well, I've taken some time out to fill my shopping basket ... back at home, I'll just have to double-check if I forgot anything.

On the way home, heavy traffic. I got home about fifteen minutes later than usual. Chores took longer, as well, and it was half seven before I got to sit down and have my evening quality time / smoke break on the veranda. Only two mips joined me: Mini and Ziva.

Mewthos came as soon as I mentioned the magic word: munchies! Ha Ha! But no Janey ... she had come mipping urgently for attention, while I was busy with my chores ... and now she's missing! Walk around the house, calling. No Janey. Get the LED torch, walk around the house again, calling - with three mips in tow - no Janey! Ten minutes she let me search and call and walk and call and worry ...

Only ten minutes, but those are long minutes!

I gave them their treat, and now, while I'm typing, Janey is on my lap in intense cuddle mode, making it very difficult to type, ha ha!

Well, it's past seven. I'm enjoying my dinner, when I've eaten, I'll run my bath, then curl up in bed ...

Sunday

I feel much better today. Back feels fine, no headache, all good!

I'm taking it easy again this morning, right now I have Ziva on my lap! Stranger things have happened, but this is quite strange! When she first moved in she used to curl up on my lap, but not since the mippies were born! Lately she's become very, very cuddly! I can't sit in my armchair without Ziva shoving herself at my hand and mipping her demand that I give her attention!

Well, it's almost half eleven! Already! Have I been cuddling mippies for three hours? Unbelievable, eh? I sit at my PC or in my armchair and it's just a never ending mip-parade ... even in the kitchen, I don't get peace! Mini paws at my legs, Ziva sits expectantly at her 'special' food bowl, Mewthos demands his turn ... Mini takes a stroll across my back ... 

It's just past eleven and mippies are finally settling down! Mewthos had a cuddle attack - I had to brush half the garden out of his fur! I've had to rescue him from Smeagol earlier - he's a bit shaken, now. Well, he was. Right now, he's settled on the bed - made a little cuddle bed for himself, covered it with dust, then enticed Janey to join him. She's now washed the last dust off him!

I'm not on the move at all today. Just plonked here and there, pottering about.

My biggest achievement today has been mippie cuddling! I've done now't else. They don't know the meaning of enough, though - Janey is on my lap, yet again! When I tried picking some Vinca leaves off, Mini strolled onto my back and settled down - though as soon as I let her know I want to get up, she hopped onto the veranda! Having a black cat curled up on my back ... I'm sure that would be quite a picture, eh?

Anyway, I've bathed, and now I'm ready to settle for the night ...

Gardening Saturday!

Late, late morning. It was only fear of a spray-rebellion that drove me out of bed, ha ha! Mewthos was quite restless.

And then I sat her gloating about my freedom ... nearly forgetting the one chore I still do have to do today! Ha Ha! Probably because it means having to change, as my pyjama needs a wash as well, of course. And it IS cold!

Well, I've changed, started the laundry and swept the house - all those thorns spread throughout were getting quite prickly! I've been picking thorns out of every type of clothing - socks, sleeves, underwear ... everything.

I carried on collecting seeds out back. They're Zinnia, I don't remember scattering seeds there, but I'm glad I did. There are fewer weeds growing there, now. I'm not sure whether that's due to my thorough weeding there - but I feel the flowers are crowing them out, as well.

I've been wondering whether it's worth the trouble to add some good soil to those beds? It would be quite hard labour, carting soil around. On the whole, though, I think not. What's good for the flowers is good for the weeds, too. And both seem to be doing well with the current soil.

When I moved the bricks, that were stacked against the wall, I discovered - to my dismay - a baby scorpion! Tiny pincers, big tail - that means dangerous! Not good, not good at all!

I was still pondering what I should do about it, when the ants, which had also made their hope under those bricks, went for it! They killed the scorpion - don't ask me how, but when I looked again, it was on it's side, dead. That was quite a relief!

I spent the rest of the afternoon continuing along the fence, going around the back, cleaning the space between the fence and the 'pavement'. I pulled out a lot of weeds which had grown taller than me! I also reached through the fence and pulled weeds outside, as much as I could. Working along that 'bed' is really, really horrid. There's that wire for the 'electric' fence in my way everywhere, I can't reach, I can't get a good handle on what I want to pull out ... it's horrid. My arm is red and blue from wrist to elbow! Pretty much just one big bruise!

I didn't take any photo's, since it was too dark by the time I finished. I pushed myself to continue until it was too dark - get at least everything growing between the cracks out, before it gets too big. Some of it already had.

The day did feel like a lovely holiday! Although it was somewhat horrid and hard work - I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

My back, however, did not! Working bent over the whole day was not good for my back. Not good at all! A hot bath, with mustard bath salts - yeah, weird, I know. Always sounds like I'm trying to get pickled, eh? Anyway, that makes a big difference. Still I also took muscle relaxants - and, courtesy of the headache, I also took anti-histamine. When I added the Disprin at the end, I felt quite woozy! I think I may have overdone it a bit. Time for bed ...

Half-day in chaos

It is very cold. Getting out of my warm bed was quite a mission, Mini licked and pawed, Mewthos mewled, mommy snored! Ha ha! Kidding. I didn't snore as I wasn't asleep - just huddling under the duvets. I don't know whether I snore - how would I?

Well I did get out of bed, eventually, gave mippies their breakfast, then started my coffee.

Filter coffee used to be a luxury, costing quite a bit more than instant. Now it's the other way around. You can buy 1 kg ground beans for almost half the price you'd pay for 1 kg Instant. Okay, there are cheaper instant brands - which I've tried and didn't enjoy.

Back at home ...

I assembled the ladder, set it up by the peach tree and went to work. Hard work, lopping off branches over my head. I only just managed to finish before it started to get dark. Poor tree looks quite naked, now! I hope I didn't go overboard! I did cut quite a lot!

I was going to call it a day, but then I started weeding in the cracks out back, working from the house to the grill and then realised that I have a horde of seeds just waiting for me to collect them! Right there, next to the grill ... where I had a few Marigold growing, and tried to grow more, but then the Zinnia came up in full glory! Big and tall and colourful! I'm sorry that I didn't take any photos ... they've now dried out, and need to be taken out. And they are covered in seeds for next year, of course!

And so is Janey, I'm afraid! She keeps jumping on my lap, and I keep picking seeds out of her fur!

This weekend, I'll be reaping the rewards of spending most of Thursday doing chores - tomorrow I ONLY have to do the laundry. No kitchen cleaning, nothing else ... and on Sunday I only need to bake bread rolls. Everything else was done on Thursday!

I'm thinking of carting around compost ... I'll see what I feel like tomorrow!

Day off

Mewthos mewled and mewled and mewled for his breakfast ... I held out until nearly seven, though! Ha Ha! I gave them their breakfast, then made my coffee ...

And I haven't had a minute to myself since! I've spent the past hour cuddling, scratching, holding mippies! I try to escape to my armchair and Ziva pops up! I try to write my blog and Janey pops up! Mini is behind me on the bed, she'll put her paws on my shoulder soon, unless I give her a cuddle. Mewthos has been out this past hour ... but he'll come mewling in, I'll hear him like a siren ... mew, mew, mew, mew on and on and on until he's next to me and I pick him up!

It's quite cold, so cuddling mippies is not as much of a burden as a boon. Keeping my hands from freezing completely!

I think first thing I should do is clean the kitchen. The hot water will keep my hands warm as well.

Quarter to two and I've finished most of today's chores. Kitchen is clean, muffins are baked, stew is on the go, fridge is cleaned, again. Lunch is packed ... but I really must do something with the pears today.

Half three and I'm done. I've cut the pears and picked all seeds - they're in water overnight, then they'll go into the fridge.

I decided to prune the peach tree - it is covered in buds, I better nip that! In the bud, he he he. Only, on the way, I stopped to pick some weeds in the back lawn ... and ended up picking plenty of thorn runners out and off the back lawn! They've been a ... well, not quite thorn in my side, but close. Every time I hang up laundry, I have to carefully stalk around the thorns - looking for patches of grass like a frog hopping lily pads!

And then I did prune part of the peach tree. I went as far as to get the ladder - but I really need to get the big, new ladder. I really need to trim and prune at the top, where I can't reach - even with the step ladder. So, I'll finally have to fully unpack and set it up this weekend.

Lastly, I trimmed the bush in the corner, next to the gate. That corner looks better - from a distance, at least.

My stew, as always, turned out lovely! I've enjoyed another lovely hot bath ... now I'm going to curl up in bed ... Mini is already pawing me for attention ...

Dark Wednesday

I woke up to the UPS crying for help some time after five - which means the power went off before five this morning! By the time it starts beeping, it's too late to try and turn off the PC ...

I got up, answered nature's call and when I got back my alarm started crying for attention. I pulled my jersey under the cover, to warm it up before putting it on. I also re-warmed myself before really getting out of bed for good.

I tried to report the power outage via website - can't get it. I eventually gave up trying. I got up and hauled out the gas bottle to make myself coffee. While I waited for the kettle to boil, I reported the outage via sms.

Why the outage? Well, a few drops of rain fell during the night ... sigh ...

I'm taking all my gadgets to work, as I need to stay in touch ... oh, and I need to charge my smartphone!

Today, I'll also need to get groceries. Preferably very little, as I spent so much at Ninapark. I'm thinking meat for stew and maybe some veggies? A bag of soup veggies, I suppose. Those pre-washed and cut veggies are expensive - but on the other hand, buying each type separately ... too much for one person. I wonder whether I should look at frozen soup veggies?

In the local news, the Cigarette ban over the lock-down has now been ruled unconstitutional! By the Supreme Court of Appeal - whatever that is. I would be interested to know what happens next, though! It should mean that every person who now has a criminal record solely related to this ban should be able to have that cleared, right? Only ... now you need to re-investigate whether their record relates to legal or illegal cigarettes. And how do you prove that?

Bigger question is: what about all those people who suffered, physically, as a result of the cigarette ban? And what about the suicides? I would really like to see what happens from here on ... 

I've been watching German News again, and seeing how prices are sky rocketing there, as well. Food was specifically mentioned - and sheez, compared to them, we're not paying much for tomatoes! Four Euro for a punnet? Which looked like half a kilo ... that's more than double the R50/kg I was complaining about! Even though, as I always say, you can't really use the exchange rate as realistic comparison.

And Russia is reducing the amount of gas they trade with Germany. Driving prices up even further! I wonder how my friends and family in Germany are coping ... I think about them a lot, especially when I'm watching German News.

I quickly went to get groceries. Now, the price for Porterhouse at the local butchery seems 'cheap' - in comparison to what they charge at Ninapark, now! So, I took two. I also got some lemon pork sausages. I like to try different types of sausage for my bread rolls. This week I've got cheese sausages, I have apricot sausages in the freezer and for next week I now have the lemon pork sausages! Would you believe that sausages are cheaper per kg than cheese? Well, it's true!

Okay, I'm just comparing prices and I notice that I apparently got a 'pensioners discount' at Ninapark! It's not much, just 1% and not on all items. Still, it adds up - though I couldn't even buy a chocolate with that discount!

Anyway, I spent a bit more than I meant to. I'm hoarding, I'm afraid. Cooking oil and yeast. <hangs head in shame> Nah, not ashamed at all. With the boss' chat this morning - I don't know what's going to happen. Better to have than to need.

Well, I have enough food to stretch for a month - if needed. Mippies are also covered - food wise, at least. And I've turned to cost-free hobbies only. I'm glad now, that I didn't get a new push mower ... though I wish I had it, ha ha! I'll have to try to sharpen the one I have ... 

I'm re-thinking my seedling growing projects. I think, tomorrow, I really should tackle that bed in front of the succulent bed ... I'd hate having to re-weed the entire bed. I've been reading about veggies that can grow in winter ... I'm now really miffed at myself for not starting any Brussels Sprouts. Well, I have all day tomorrow to play.

Okay, so I have some chores to do - I should bake muffins and make another stew. And clean the kitchen, since I didn't do that Sunday afternoon.

Okay, so to calm down, I'm re-reading the story of Downton Abby - the first two series' I had already watched. I'm nearly finished watching Upstairs Downstairs, so next I want to continue Downton Abby. Both series are very much alike, set in almost the same time period - only aimed at very different audiences. 

Back at home ... mippies have been busy! Apparently they were quite put out that their fountains didn't fountain! They dipped the floor towel into the bowl of the fountain in the lounge - which resulted it all the water seeping happily over the rim, into the towel - which can't hold it all, so it tried to make its escape via the tiles! I had to mop that all up!

They lifted the lid of the flower fountain - fortunately not completely, so when the power came back on, the water didn't fountain out and into my bedroom! Phew! Still ... needed to refill it.

And then Mr Piddles was busy again! Fortunately only at the front door - but that had to be mopped up as well! By the time I finished my chores, including the unpacking, it was ten past six! Okay, so I got home a bit late, as I had something to discuss with the boss - who only got back to work at five, and then I had to stop for petrol.

Just looking around, especially the kitchen, I'm not sure I'll have time to garden tomorrow! I have quite a bit to do first ... well, I'll see tomorrow!

For now, I've enjoyed a lovely hot bath, shared dinner with mippies and now I'm watching the last episode of Upstairs Downstairs. Then off to sleep ...

Mid-week Tuesday

With Thursday a public holiday, today is mid-week! Nice!

I was woken first by Mini - now clawing at my hair, rather than trying to lick my face - followed by Mewthos, mewling and stepping on sensitive body parts in his happy clumsy way!

Ach, I've nothing positive to say today. Honestly, when I look around, whether just at work or just Pretoria or just South Africa or just Earth ... I just wanna go home, cuddle my mippies and play in my garden. Prices are sky rocketing - everywhere. Electricity production is problematic - everywhere. In Germany they're now worried about cyber attacks from Russia - potentially causing blackouts. Locally, Eishkom announced that 'load shedding could be implemented at short notice' ... at least, if it's between five and ten tonight, we're off the hook tonight.

You know, the weirdest part about watching Upstairs Downstairs is just how relevant it has suddenly become, again. There's the pandemic, the war, the depression ... the suffragettes, and the class revolution ... this whole 'knowing your place' is no different to the hierarchy in big corporations ... there are so many parallels.

Well ... time for bed.

Monday

Uuuh, it is cold in the mornings! Mini attempted to lick my forehead at least half a dozen times before I bullied myself out of bed. I say 'attempted' as I usually pull away! As loving a gesture as it is, I'm not particularly fond of having my face licked.

Last box of chocolate arrived. Cool! Car is on a jack, they're fixing the tire - so everything from the car is here in my office, for now.

Nelson started washing my car - he's been itching to do that for months! ha ha! All the paw prints washed off, all the dirt washed off ... it's white underneath!

Back at home ... not much to say. Chores. Dinner. Bed. Good night.

Sunday

I got up quite early - Mini licked me awake every time my alarm went off, just wouldn't let me rest any longer.

It's quite cold, so I'm waiting for bearable temperatures before I get started. Janey is on my lap. Again.

I did feel a bit woozy from the meds I took last night, but it only lasted a few minutes.

I've sat down waiting for it to warm up till way past nine, ha ha! It's warmer in the sunshine - I'm now stepping outside, into the sun, to warm up for my smoke break! Same as I do at work.

Going on eleven, bread dough is in the machine and I've collected Vinca and Poppy pods. I've placed them on Styrofoam trays to dry and open up.

I don't feel like heavy labour, more like a bit of light weeding ... so, instead of covering the bed behind the car port and carting the compost heap on top of that, I carried on pulling grass out front. I tackled an overgrown area, and ended up making quite a lot of space! Something for me to enjoy from my seat on the veranda. 

What I didn't do is clean the kitchen again. I did make a nice stew, though - a bit low on meat, but that can't be helped.

And that's Sunday ... done and dusted.

Change of pace - taking it easy today

I got up about quarter past six and let mippies out, made myself coffee ... it's cold, so I'm not too eager to start.

Mippies are driving me totally doolally! No matter where I try to hide, mips find me and demand attention. Right now I have Janey on my lap. Only ... she's finally settled down, but I'd like a cup of coffee ...

I was able to get dressed, and now I'm back with Janey on my lap.

Washing is outside, groceries packed away ... and I'm afraid, I have another headache. I eventually gave in and took a Disprin - after I had tried everything else.

Well, all the meat is vacuum packed and in the freezer. I've had to do some re-arranging, and I also cleaned the fridge. Again. Sigh ... it's almost two, and I still have to clean the kitchen ...

Just going on four, and everything is done. Kitchen clean, laundry packed away - tomorrow I'll just need to make stew and bread rolls. Well, I started late today, and I had quite a bit of washing up to do - and Thursday is a public holiday, so, if not tomorrow, I'll have time to garden then.

Tonight, after my bath, I had better take an anti inflammatory, or muscle relaxant. The headache keeps growing worst throughout the day, I'm afraid.

Well, I've taken a very hot bath with some muscle relaxing bath salts and after dinner I took my full migraine cocktail. It's just past seven, so ... possibly an early night? I did get a bit of gardening done, though. Not much, just pulled some grass ...

Hyper hectic Friday

Sheez, it's not yet half eleven and I'm knackered!

I got out of bed a bit late again. Mewthos had already made three rounds of the bed, mewling and butting me to get up and give him his breakfast ... 

I checked my phone to see whether there is any trouble on the roads - there's been a warning of a 'National Shutdown' from the EFF. That's the tantrum party, they love nothing more than destroying property, and causing mayhem.

Nothing reported on the roads I take to work - phew! But a horrid accident just outside Rosslyn - though on the opposite side from me.

It's now past one ... and I've been working flat-out, with the usual scroll-breaks while I wait for the PC to think.

I just looked up what all these latest jokes about our president stuffing furniture with cash are all about ... apparently that's exactly what he does! Which came to light, when a huge stash was stolen ... not reported, but using tax-paid security staff to not just catch the thieves, but then pay them off to keep quiet about the cash stash! Sheez, you can't make this shit up! Really, one can't! Apparently this happened two years ago ... but still. Just WTF?

I see that PE is now going to introduce 'water shedding', as their dams are now at critical levels ... like load shedding, their water supply will be turned off ... I'm grateful that I have borehole water where I live, now!

I haven't decided what I'll do when I get home ... I'll see where the mood takes me ...

It took me to the Vinca bed, where I removed yellow leaves and then I raked up as many thorns as I could in the bed in front of my bedroom. Oh, and I cleared the carport, first.

I didn't work very hard, so I'm not totally knackered. I'm looking forward to my dinner - prime rib, to be shared with mippies, as always. Then just sit back and relax ...

Path-ectic Thursday

I dawdled a bit this morning. It's really cold in the mornings and getting out of my warm bed is ... unpleasant. Mippies insist on their breakfast, though!

I got to work a bit late again ... no worries. 

I was surprised to see a message that my Takealot delivery is due today! Whoo hoo!

Okay, bit of a mix up. Delivery arrived, but one box of chocolate was missing. There hadn't been any mails regarding that - so I called the driver back, just to make sure she didn't accidentally forget one box in her car. I'm quite protective of drivers - I know how they so often get the blame, just to cover other people's incompetence. Nope, not in her car. I had first checked the quantity I ordered - just in case I remembered wrong, so that wasn't it, either. When I went to log into my account, after we had ascertained there's nothing forgotten and no mistake between us ... I see that the one box is due for delivery on Monday! Ah! Mystery solved! I called the driver and let her know, as well.

That was the highlight of my day. Bit of excitement, eh?

How many times have I said exactly this? My words in one picture! Or should I say, my life in one image? 

Right now, I'm just mentally running away from work ... right now, I just don't want to be here.

Well, what I ignored today, I'll have to face tomorrow. 

Left work a bit late for my poor mippies! I still let them out, of course. 

Now we're on the bed, Janey is giving Mewthos a wash, Ziva is in her drawer and I chased Mini away from Ziva. 

I hope tomorrow will be okay, there's a threat of a national shut down.

Hectic Wednesday

Not a bad night, I woke up not too late. Ziva is her usual self, her wound is dry ... she worries it, so I'll have to keep an eye on it.

Arrived at work a bit late - to find another order from our client! Whoo hoo! Spirits are lifting at work - we really need work! But, now I'm hectically busy doing the costing and getting tooling, etc. etc.

In my while-I-wait-for-the-PC-to-finish-thinking scrolling I stumbled across this:

If it wasn't too true, it could be funny, eh? Those of you living outside South Africa can enjoy the laugh, at least!

Cat food and spot-on arrived. Which I ordered yesterday - fast, eh?

Back at home ... 

Chores done, dinner is heating up ... I've re-installed my audio program (MediaMonkey - it's the best program if you have a library of audio files that you'd like to keep organised!), and now I'm re-loading some of my audiobooks.

I've had a look at Ziva's rump - looks like it is finally healing for good! And she's quite her usual self again, tonight! I tried for some peace in my armchair and she insisted I scratch her ears!

Phoneless Tuesday

Yup! I managed to forget my phone at home. Bit of a problem today, as I'll have to call the PC shop and tell them how they can reach me.

I'm worried about Ziva. She's not her usual self, not last night nor this morning. I put some ointment on her wound last night and noticed that it's not the same wound - but there are more wounds, in the same area. How? She hasn't had a run-in with Smeagol since I last checked her wounds ... yet there's quite a big wound next to the now three small ones? None were wet, so I just put the healing ointment on.

This morning she wouldn't let me near her - she hid under the scratcher. When she came out for water, I felt something a little wet ... but she immediately went back under the scratcher. I'll have to check properly tonight. This worries me ...

Work trouble kept me awake last night.

As a result, I woke up quite late. And forgot to pick up my phone - though I did pack my smartphone. And my shopping list.

I tried ordering mippies' spot-on and Whiskas ... but the payment option isn't working. Eventually I opted to make a standard EFT payment & send proof to them. Sigh ... 

I'm worried about Ziva, though ... her behaviour this morning - hiding from me, instead of mipping for scritches - not normal. And abnormal behaviour in pets is always reason to worry ... 

I phoned about my PC. Problems. Basically he's now running into the same problems I've been experiencing over the years - but just ignored. As a professional, however, he can't. He'll need to resolve them. I fear this may increase the financial implications ... I told him I'd phone again around three, as he now has no means of contacting me. 

At work, mails are flooding in ... I guess I'd better get busy ...

Okay, done. I've now brought a book to work, and it's amazing how much reading I can get done while I wait for the PC to finish calculating!

I called the shop and they said my PC is ready, so I left right away! It's whoooosh fast now! Wicked! Starts so fast now, I can't even turn around and it's going full steam!

On the way back, I stopped at Ninapark. I spent a lot of money ... meat prices have sky rocketed! Again! I struggled to afford the 40% increase recently - now it's gone up 70%! In total, not on top of the 40%. Completely out of my range, now. I did buy one packet of sirloin, though. Can't afford to share that with mippies, though.

I'll have to re-pack and vacuum pack the meat on Saturday, to fit in the freezer. It'll keep me busy a while, I'm afraid.

For tonight, I treated myself to Sushi. Again, not sharing. Yum, yum, yum!

I've checked on Ziva, looks like everything is healing. Again. For now, I'm going to take my bath ... I should wash my hair tonight, but it's so cold ... I don't relish the thought! Well, mippies are here for cuddles. I've got the basics working on the PC ... I'll see about an audiobook for tonight ... 

Eish! Monday!

Never the best of days. I woke up to the alarm vibrating happily away on the table - I had to charge it suddenly last night. It went down to 2 bars power for no apparent reason. I fear it's time to get a new one ... well, it's lasted half a decade.

Not this month, though. This month's special project is my PC. That's all the extra money I can spare ... and only because I'm not eating meat every night. I miss that, though! My lovely sirloin evenings!

Over the weekend, I noticed that my rear right tire seemed almost flat, so on the way to work, this morning, I stopped at the garage and had it re-pumped. Let's hope there isn't a slow puncture ...

Okay, PC is at the repair shop - he reckons it'll be finished before the end of the day! They close at four, so ... oh, and he'll have a look to see why my VLC seems to keep shutting down all the time, now.

At work ... I'm doing costing ... laborious ...

PC isn't ready, yet. He ran into a snag & has to re-format ... which means I'll have to re-load MS Office, etc. I'll do that as and when I need it. Oh, Office I'll do asap, but the other programs ... probably a good thing to have them removed. Remember that I meant to re-format my hard drive anyway? Only, I didn't have the guts for fear of loosing some settings ... well, now the decision was made for me.

Oops, it's five o'clock ... better publish, as I don't think I'll have the patience to twiddle on the phone!

Sunday

Poor Ziva! When she came into her cuddle cave, I noticed the wound on her back was wet again. It took some trickery to get the meds and Ziva together - she fights me hard. I drained it - there was a LOT coming out, poor Ziva fought hard to make me stop. I held on to her, then disinfected and put ointment on. When I was done, she dashed off to the lounge and stayed there all night ...

I was able to feel her back this morning, I'm afraid I think I felt a little lump again. I'll have to try to get hold of her again and see if the wound needs more draining.

I'm wondering whether I need to take her to the vet, though ...

As expected, I didn't want to get out of my lovely, snug and warm bed too early this morning. It was past seven when I finally bullied myself out of bed.

I've been trying to watch my DVDs of Upstairs, Downstairs - but every so often it just shuts down! One minute I'm watching, next minute the program is gone.

Right now I'm backing up my Hard Drive, then deleting what I've backed up off the Harddrive.

Well, bread rolls are rising, stew is almost done, now I'll just make the muffins, then clean the kitchen and that's my chores done ...

Quarter to two, and everything is done. The muffins kind of fell apart - I guess I took them out just a wee bit too soon. Oh, they're delicious, as always - just mostly crumbs, ha ha! Well, kitchen is clean and the stew is finished as well.

In the garden, first thing I did was to cut down the tomato plants. Some are already damaged by the cold, and those left are meandering for ever along the ground or up the fence ... and frankly, I've had enough tomatoes to last me for quite a while, thank you very much. So I cut them all down, quite ruthlessly.

The carport needs a lot of work, I'd need to sweep, wash it down, sweep again, then steam and lastly, if I can, I should fill all the cracks. I'm not up to that today.

Then there's the bed behind the carport. I had cleaned that not long ago, and a new crop of weeds are already trying their luck. I'd like to cover that with cardboard and cart some of the compost heap on top of that. I'm not up to that, today, either.

So, I pottered around a bit in the bed in front of the veranda. Not the flower bed, though. First I cleaned around the rosemary, then placed cardboard around it and topped that with compost. Or mulch. Whatever. I carried on working along that bed for a bit, until it got too cold.

The stew is wonderful! It was quite rich - thanks to the marrow, but the sauerkraut countered that beautifully, making it a really delicious meal!

Mippies are in, and now I'm about to bath, then snuggle down in my warm bed. Janey is on my lap. Again.

I've cleared most of the harddrive, I must just remember to take the PC with me tomorrow.

Saturday

Puh! It's cold in the mornings! But the big difference in temperatures is an issue. It goes as high as 30 Celsius in the afternoon, then drops to 3 or 4 Celsius during the night. I've just looked at my records, and last year was different. High temperatures were around 25, 27 at most, usually between 20 and 23 Celsius, and at night only down to about 8 or 9.

Plants are dying of the cold by the droves! Poor Nasturtiums, made a big mistake thinking this would be a good time to push their luck! Weeds are also turning dark with frost. If weeds are dying, that's never a good sign!

I've just taken out my feather duvet and added that to the layers of duvets on my bed! Funny thing, though - when I go to bed, I still take off everything I can, as I'm hot. Even on cold evenings, once I'm in bed, under just one duvet, I get hot. But in the mornings? I'm freezing, and even the two duvets don't seem enough!

One major reason for the feather duvet, though, is to give mippies a duvet to curl up on. At the moment, they spread across the bed on the warmest duvet ... and when I want to lie down ... I either have to push mippies off the bed, or pick them up and cuddle them until they run away! Five of us trying to share the same duvet just doesn't work, ha ha!

And now I have Janey on my lap. Again! Sitting still, for a change, doing her best to pretend she's a lap-cat, ha ha!

Yeah, that didn't last very long. She's now trying to stroll up and down on my lap ... given her size, and my lap isn't exactly oversized. Big, yes, but for a grown cat? Enough room to curl up, but not to stroll up and down on ...

I finished cleaning the kitchen and meant to take a break and update this blog ... when Mewthos absolutely insisted I must come outside! I ended up sitting on the front lawn with Mewthos' tummy on one side and Mini's on the other! Both received plenty of tickles!

Now, I also vacuum packed the blade steak I bought this week - with Worchestershire Sauce, to marinate it - and packed it in the freezer. I don't have any stewing meat this weekend, so I've had a bit of a think and came up with a carrot, potato and sauerkraut stew. I also have some marrow bones to add. I'll do that tomorrow, As well as the bread rolls and the muffins ... sigh ...

I think it would be a good thing to spend the rest of the day outside ... I'll need to take the laundry down, though.

Oh, and I also deep cleaned both mippies' fountains! All sparkling and fresh now!

I thought I might consider some light weeding ... next thing I know, I'm carting compost around! I've covered the bean bed completely, and now I've covered the bed around the grapevine with cardboard. I've already dumped two wheelbarrow loads there, it'll take at least three more, though ...

Done. I've also cleared up in front of the compost heap - well, on one end, at least. And I've taken some of the best looking soil and placed it on my Marigold bed.

I've been thinking that it might be smart to place a heap of what comes off that compost heap at the bottom of tree bags.

One Avocado tree in a bag. Dried grass at the bottom, a layer of soil, followed by a layer of compost and bonemeal, then filled it up with more soil. Where did I take the soil from? Easy: that hole at the back of the carport which is growing weeds like nobody's business!

I wanted to take a break and looked for a chair to plop into ... all my chairs are taken! Mewthos is curled up on my chair on the veranda, Janey in my armchair. Only my chair at the PC was free - only because Mini prefers to curl up on the bed!

Anyway, I now have three types of trees in bags: 1x Plum, which is so big, it's already standing in the garden, where I'm thinking of planting is, 2x Apple and now 1x Avocado. It's only half five ... maybe I'll still manage to bag a lemon tree?

Yup! One of the lemon trees is now in a bag. Of course, I've also got one in the garden already ... it's still tiny, though.

Since they're still relatively small, and used to living in a bottle, I've put a bottle over the trees again - to keep them relatively warm. Once they outgrow the bottle, and their leaves don't turn funny, I remove the bottle.

Feels good to get those poor trees into roomier accommodation. Poor things are stunted, missing room to grow! I'm not too keen on growing more, when what I have managed to grow is being neglected.

And here I am with Janey again on my lap! All in all, today was a good day! I got my chores done and still made time to play. Spending time in the garden is always a good thing - don't ask me why, but I always feel good after spending time in the garden.

I've bathed, now I'll just have my dinner - which, as always, I'll be sharing. Janey is now on the chair behind me. It isn't really big enough for both of us, though, ha ha!

Now it's time to settle down ... Ziva is looking for her cuddle cave ... 

Huu Huu! I'm back!

Or rather: I'm not gone, after all!

I took my PC to the shop, he tested it and replaced the RAM card and all's well! Didn't even cost much! I'm very happy!

He did, however, recommend that I upgrade my Windows - for security reasons. And get an SSD rather than my old-fashioned hard drive. From what he mentioned, that would resolve some issues I've been having ... I asked the price, and I can afford it. I just need to remove a lot of non-essential data off my harddrive, as the SSD has only 20% of its space. I'm planning on backing up my data, then delete it off the harddrive - so he can clone whats left & put everything back for me.

Back at home - a bit later than usual - I just did a bit of light weeding. It's cold quite early now. Mippies feel it, too, that's why they want to come in early as well.

Now I'm running myself a bath ... then the standard cuddles ...