Dark LS Monday

I woke up after eleven last night, when the UPS started crying ... power off! Sorry, but at that time of night, I just turned over.

Ouch! Turning onto my burnt back is still not the best idea. So, I didn't sleep too well ... woke up again twenty to six, turned over. Ouch! Over again. Woke up again twenty to seven. Sigh ...

I still had coffee in the flask, so no problem there. My left foot hurts - the joint just behind the big toe! Looks a bit swollen, as well. What happened there?

As I'm getting dressed for work, power comes on! Phew! Off to work ... traffic seemed to be flowing at first, but then came to a dead stop at the N4 bridge. Cars standing 5 side by side - in a single lane, solid white line section!

Police arrived and turned everyone around. Road closed!

Question: so, now how do I get to work? Can't follow the rest of the cars, they're turning into Honingnestkrans road, probably to take Sphinx road to get onto Lavender. That would be the ones that turn left at the Rosslyn road - I turn right. Ah, well ... find the first tar road turning left. Hope it's not a dead end ... get to a stop, follow the sign to Hebron. End up in Shoshanguve! See a sign R80! Miss the turn to Pretoria. Turn around in the on-ramp to Mabopane. Get onto the R80, turn off Rosslyn!

Killer robot is off! Fortunately traffic police is directing traffic. Get to work an hour late!

Not five minutes later, Takealot call: they're at the gate with my delivery! Nice!

An eventful morning!

The weather has turned again, and it started with a few small hailstones, followed by a shower. Just rain.

Back at home, it's drizzling. I get chores done, feed Smeagol - he's more interested in lovies than food. Then a small break outside, shower, spot-on mippies ... caught them all off guard, except Janey. Still need to catch her!

My left toe is really sore. It looks blue, too. But when I compare it to the right big toe - same colour, but now the left one looks swollen. I wonder what's up with that? I mean, I would remember if I had hit my toe against anything! Well, let's hope it gets better tomorrow. 

Load shedding again from ten tonight till midnight ... Sigh ...

Sunday - paying the price

Not a good night. I should NOT have worked in the sun at all! I didn't just burn my back, I'm afraid. I felt that already, when I took a hot bath. It got worse, as I couldn't lie on my back during the night ... every time I accidentally turned on my back: Wakey, wakey! Feel the achy!

This morning, add a major headache to the mix! And I mean major! Not migraine - that's worse - just headache, though. I just got up, let mippies out and went back to bed.

Finally got up around nine. Had some cheese and took some Disprin.

I'm feeling much better now. Even the internet is working lovely! 

Smeagol let me know that his food bowl is empty, and he'd like to eat. Please! How? Well, he saw I was up, so he sat by the back door showing his intention of coming in - while all mine converged, growling, showing their displeasure! I filled his bowl, and he's happy! He spent the whole day yesterday sleeping on the outside freezer! He can be such a darling! I just wish he was a little less skittish and a lot more cuddly! But yeah ... he is who he is. Poor bastard!

Well, I don't expect to get much gardening done today. No worries! I did plenty yesterday! I'll just get through my chores, and see where that leaves me.

I've been thinking of trying out the rice cooking function of my slow cooker! I read the booklet a while back and it turns out it's actually a rice cooker - the other functions are mostly bonus features. The pork kebabs were in the freezer under the fridge, so they should be fine. I want to fry those, and have them on a bed of rice throughout the week. I'll re-freeze half, after I've fried them.

Quarter to twelve, and I've finally put the bread on the go. I'm lazy, so I'll simply bake the loaf in the machine.

Rice and meat are done. Headache is gone. Am I crazy for wanting to go back outside? Into the sun? Although it's kind of overcast now.

I'm trying to think what chores I still need to do today. The meat and rice will last two, maybe three days - what will I eat the rest of the week? Why not worry about that, when the time comes? What else is there? Yes, I still need to clean the kitchen again - but only after the bread is done, which will take another two hours. Or should I wash everything else, now?

Well, first I moved the bulbs. The ones I had in the garden, though evidently not in an ideal spot. I had planted Amaryllis and Iris out back - and none of them look very well. The recent rain seems to have revitalised them, but they clearly did not thrive where I had planted them. So, now, I moved them to the corner next to the gate - where the Agapanthus, etc. seem to be doing so well. I also dug up the only tulip or daffidol bulb I could find ... that, too, kind of died in front of the veranda - too much sun. 

I'd been waiting for rain, so I could dig them up and get their roots out, as well. I don't know whether I first want to weed that area or just plant bulbs regardless ...

I did a bit of weeding - not thoroughly, though. Then planted the two Amaryllis bulbs I had bought. After that, I started clearing in front of the gate. 

Just past four and the kitchen is clean, again. I should really do some chores - like pack my lunch ... but I'm going to go back outside, instead. I'd really like the Polyanthus bulbs in the ground as soon as possible. Seeing as I've finally got around to planting the Amaryllis!

Done! I planted eight around the ponytail by the thyme bush, and the rest in the corner left of the gate. Then I went around and pulled all the tall weeds everywhere out front. Crap job, and very bad on my knee - as I can't sit, instead, I'm standing bent over ... and doing that for any amount of time: bad! But well, there's no other way to do that.

Well, now I have the chores to do ... sigh ... not fun at this time of night. I'll see what I will do - and what I won't!

Anyway, load shedding is back tomorrow. Fun! Well, we're affected twice - I'm affected only 22:00 - 00:00 tomorrow night. Just means no PC audiobook.

Ziva is driving me nuts, now! I've already had a cuddle session with her ... and she wants more. And more. And more! Sigh ...

Saturday

Power came back about ten to ten last night. It DID wake me up, but at least I didn't have to get up, as all the lights were indeed off.

Mippies flower fountain had been off for several days now, and they were getting quite distraught! They tried fixing it themselves - took out the pump, moved it about, but, of course, they can't possibly fix it! I took it to the kitchen, took the pump apart, cleaned it - though it wasn't very dirty - put it back together, put in a new filter ... and they all came to happily feast! All the ladies crowded around, lapping up the fresh water!

I'll have a bit of trouble with the laundry today, as it's overcast. I shouldn't chance hanging anything outside ... and inside, it doesn't dry as fast. Ah, well, I have two days!

Okay, laundry is in the machine, next I should clean the kitchen.

Internet is quite iffy. Although it's showing 4 bars, I can not open anything.

Almost ten, laundry is up - hung some items on the line, as the sun came out. Just have to keep an eye, in case the weather turns. Again. Most of the dishes are clean, just the frying pan, still.

Done. And then I cleaned mippies big water fountain as well ... And then I decided to go outside! I finished the section around the peach tree - just the tall growing stuff, I left the rest. Then I loosened the ground along the was to the neighbour's carport and scattered some Nasturtium seeds.

Then I thought about what I'd like to do next. I really should take advantage of the rains and work out back somewhere. Sooo ... how about the back lawn? I mean, I look out there every morning and every evening. Having something nice, maybe even beautiful, to look at.

Only ... now it's too sunny. Sigh ... either I put up the gazebo or risk sun stroke. Weird, eh? After the storm last night?

Anyway, I've carried on, coming in frequently. I've cleared in front of the kitchen, all the way to the bed, now I'm moving along the bed towards the fence. I'm also clearing the bed, as far as I can reach.

I'm trying to come up with something to plant there. I mean, it would be such a pity, having dug so deep and cleared about a foot from the paving ... and not plant anything there! Only problem is, that it would have to be short flowers - not any that grow tall. Knee high at most.

Okay, I don't know the advisability of adding bone meal and compost to an area where weeds abound ... Ah, well. So, I sowed Gazania, Sweet William and Forget-Me-Not. From the laundry, along the pavement is mostly Gazania. Then Sweet William half way along the porch. Then, in the corner, Forget-Me-Not.

I took a break before watering ... Ziva beat me to it! She already dug a hole and watered the Gazania section ... Sigh ...

This was before I added bone meal and compost. I topped it with a layer of seedling soil - mostly for the looks. It's almost black, and makes it look lovely!

Well, I carried on working a bit, then went and sat out front on the veranda. Looks like the tomato bed could do with some work. And I still have the bulbs to plant. And ... and ... and ...

Everywhere I look there's work to be done. Preferably all at once. But really, I've done an amazing job! And, on the whole, I'm really happy with the results! I'll see what I'll do tomorrow ...

LS Friday

I didn't think I had got up too early, made myself coffee, had a smoke, thought it was time to get going ... and was quite surprised to see it was only six! So, I had more coffee and another smoke - still left early. 

Which, apparently, was just as well, as I encountered very little traffic.

Just saw this posted on my FaceBook feed:

Sums it up. Those were the major news headlines this week - load shedding is no longer news, by the way. My face hurts from all the facepalms! And don't forget, when Mpho Phalatse returned - she found all the locks changed!

If it wasn't such a drain on our taxes, it would be funny! 

Oh, cool! Load shedding to be suspended over the weekend! Only starting up again on Monday! Nice! I wasn't too keen on the 06:00 - 08:30 tomorrow morning, messing with my coffee time ... if I don't get up pronto!

I haven't decided what I want to do this afternoon, yet. It rained again during the night, so the grass is probably too wet to mow ... and more rainfall forecast this afternoon. At the same time, with all this rainfall, weeds are growing tall - and tall weeds are growing where they hadn't grown, yet. I've been thinking of clearing the section around the peach tree - I saw last night, that I also lost a lot of peaches to the hail! The ground is littered with them ...

I stopped at the butchery, but they have only pork. Sorry. I took some Biltong - though I really can't afford it. Anyway ... 

Back at home, the grass was dry enough to mow. I started with the section around the dog hut, then the section in front of my bedroom, and then my usual pattern around the main lawn.

Here you can clearly see all the different stuff growing out front, which - from a distance, but only from a distance - might be called grass. The brown at the bottom is the Kikuyu, then the rest is just different types of weird stuff. You can see I've mowed on the right, and still have to do the left.

It didn't take all that long, after all! I was finished about quarter past five - and that's with me doing chores before I started, and taking quite a lot of rather long breaks. The worst part is really where they've been digging - and tossing all those rocks.

After another long break, I went out back. The ground is so soft, I can get the fork in, no problem! So, I was able to get some of those creeper bulbs out of the ground!

I had been dreading having to clear all the branches I had cut off the peach tree - it's such a long way from there to the compost heap, and so many trips! Eventually, though, I just tossed them over the fence. The branches from the Jacaranda tree - when they cut that, months ago - were still lying there, and I don't feel guilty about giving them extra work - seeing how they give me extra work, having had to clean up all the branches all over the lawn, back then; and struggling with all the rocks they just tossed everywhere, now. Plus, of course, the fact that they climb over and steal my peaches!

All in all, I cleared about half that section. Good progress, considering I did that after mowing!

I sat with mippies for a while, then brought them inside. It started raining ... lightning ... power off! Sigh ... reported ... twenty minutes later power came back! Phew!

I was quite knackered, but more than anything, really wanted a shower! I had turned on the geyser after load shedding ... I debated whether to wash my hair today or tomorrow, and decided to wash it today. After all, what could go wrong?

Yeah! That was really stupid! Mid-shower the power went off! Again! And this time, it stayed off! Fortunately WhatsApp worked, even though my internet was a bit dodgy ... I could report it ... then went to sleep. I had remembered to turn off the bedroom light, but leave the fan on, so ... I shouldn't wake up if the power comes back.

Rainy LS Thursday

I woke up quite early, but dawdled a bit over coffee. I notice that the chest freezer is ice cold on the outside, as well - surely that's not right? I'm thinking of getting a technician to have a look at it ...

Traffic was a nightmare, as you can imagine. I ended up standing at a green robot, unable to cross for about 4 or 5 cycles!

Aaaand load shedding extended over the weekend. Albeit at lower stages. Trying to work out our schedule now, with this Snakes-and-ladders sliding through the stages schedule.

Okay, here we go:

Today:        00:00 - 02:0 & 08:00 - 10:30 & 16:00 - 18:30
Friday:        00:00 - 02:30 & 16:00 - 18:30
Saturday:    06:00 - 08:30
Sunday:       None

Well, that's at present. May change with either no, or too short notice ... like, power goes off unexpectedly, and you investigate only to find out we've escalate to a higher stage a short while ago ...

Quickly went to get groceries. I had planned to buy ice cream, but as it's going to be quite cold this weekend, plus I still have so many frozen fruits to make lovely milk shakes - which I can now keep frozen, after having made them ... well, I decided against it. They kept a carton of my cigarettes aside, especially for me! And the new Gardener magazine is out. I also bought more butter, as it was on special again - and I now have space to keep it. They only had 2kg, though, and the 4th block looked dodgy, so I left it.

I've just paid rent and topped up my credit card ... now I'm broke. Again! Well, not totally, but yeah ... salary payment can't come soon enough, ha ha! Fortunately, I have everything I need.

Back at home - we had another 26 mm rainfall! Gave me a chance to pull out some of the tall weeds behind the dog hut. Finally!

Anyway, mippies are now demanding my attention ... 

LS at home Wednesday

What an evening! Municipality vans driving up and down the road, getting my hopes up ... nothing. Not at half past five - where I had to ask someone else, whether our group had already been switched on, to know that we're STILL without power.

I opened the chest freezer and everything was warm. In the freezer under the fridge, things were only starting to defrost. Why the difference? Well, the freezer under my fridge is iced up, and the chest freezer half empty. It hadn't even managed to get 'up to speed' before the power went off. I suppose I should have re-packed everything back under the fridge at that time ... but yeah ... silly me ... didn't.

Another van driving up and down outside, our Councilor also promised to be on his way here ... still nothing.

A report of all the open issues - we're on the list. They have at least, by now, identified the problem.

Then a cherry picker showed up, lots of yellow lights sparkling around the road ... some activity ... going on and on and on ...

Power eventually did come on - I had given up by then. Half past eight!

I must say, our Councilor really made every effort to help everyone. I did thank him for going the extra mile ... I mean, he has a life and family, too. And then he still drives around to follow up and see for himself until what time of the night ... and is up and at it again even before five!

Well, I turned on the geyser and after twenty minutes took a shower. It's summer, the water doesn't have to be hot. Just enough to wash my hair! Then I went to bed ... but struggled to sleep ... I feel drained. That feeling you get when you're too tired to sleep? Plus, I was feeling a bit nauseated - I think from the sip of orange juice? I don't know. I didn't eat, just some cheese. Well, it took a while, but I fell asleep eventually.

This morning I had trouble dragging myself out of bed. I'm feeling sluggish. I treated mippies, made myself coffee ... sat down for a smoke ... bathroom ... back ... again and again. Not really dire, just something that needs evicting. Time went by and now it's past seven and I still don't feel better ... so I called in sick.

Load shedding from 08:00 - 10:00 ... I'll try to catch up on my sleep then. I'm really not feeling well ...

I couldn't sleep. I just pottered about, packed away the cat food, and such. Mostly, though, I lay on the bed or sat in my arm chair. Threw out nearly 2 liter milk - hadn't used much by Sunday afternoon. Sigh ... Threw out the rest of the open juice - I think that's what got to me last night. Opened a fresh bottle, tastes okay.

I don't have the energy to investigate what I'll have to throw out. The chicken, for sure. All that shredding, and now I get to throw it away wholesale. My neighbour said he'll have to throw the entire contents of his freezer away. Again. For myself, I'm going to throw out all white meat - but I'll take a chance on the red. It's all vacuum packed, which makes a difference. And I'll marinade it in Balsamic vinegar!

CRAP! I just investigated the chest freezer, and a lot of the food in there is still not re-frozen. I've taken lots out and re-packed it in the other freezer again - and saw that one of the packets of strawberries was open. So, now the whole bottom of the freezer is covered in strawberry juice ... I have to clean that up!

I took a chance and fried some of the fish fingers I had recently bought on special. They tasted okay, so lets see whether I'll be okay.

Okay, I've taken a closer look at the chest freezer. It's actually a multi-functional appliance! It can be set to a refrigerator, chiller, freezer or fast freeze. It was set half-way between chiller and freezer. I've now set it to freezer. I'm afraid, the seal on the lid may also not seal properly anymore. I may have to get a replacement.

I'm not pushing myself to do anything today. The only thing I REALLY want done, is the kitchen cleaning I didn't get around to Sunday afternoon, courtesy of the storm. That's all.

Well, I'm halfway there. And I've turned off the chest freezer, for now. Until I've cleaned the red stains out. Not rushing, not pushing myself. Just plodding along ...

I've put on Rosemary & Thyme, I'm in the mood for something charming, something gardeny. That's your British Murder Mysteries for you - they are meant to entertain. Not like the American ones, which do their best to thrill and scare, rather than entertain.

Not quite half two, and I'm done. Kitchen is clean. Chest freezer is clean. I've turned it on again - but I'm not sure whether that's a good idea, seeing as it's empty. And - given the past two days - I would prefer to keep the 'possibly dodgy' meat very separate from any I buy now.

I think I might be able to nap now ... next load shedding is at four, so ... catching up on some sleep would be good. I haven't slept well these past three nights ... probably why I feel so drained today. Have been feeling sluggish the whole week. No spunk. 

I kind of dozed for about an hour. The freezer seems to be freezing, now. Well, I want to buy some ice cream tomorrow, see how well that stays frozen. Or maybe I should put everything in the freezer, and put new stuff in the old one? Yeah ... too much thinking today. Not working out for me.

Anyway, load shedding again in less than an hour ... sigh ... 

I wonder whether I should spend a bit of time outside? I've got a couple of bulbs to plant ...

No energy. I just sat around, tried another nap, cleaned the vegetable drawer in the fridge, cleaned the waste drawer ... made myself tuna, celery and pasta with mayo.

As I was watching another episode of Derrick - a series first aired 1974 in Germany, when I was seven years old ... just imagine, if someone had told me, or my parents, at that time, that 50 years later, I would be sitting:

a) in South Africa
b) during scheduled power outage
c) watching the same episode on a hand held phone

I don't know. I'd have thought them crazy. Although I've always loved Africa - even then, but planned / scheduled power outages? Combined with the technology of hand held phones? Nah, that's contradictory! Either no technology to provide enough energy OR such high technology, that TV Screens can be held in your hand.

Anyway, I should bring mippies in ... it's half seven.

Right, they're in. Munching on their treats. I can't decide whether I want to shower tonight or not ... 

Well, the Celery and tuna seem to re-energise me. I guess I'll be fine tomorrow. Sigh ...

Dark Tuesday

I took some photos of the hail damage to my plants ... no, I don't want to post that depressing shite ...

I just had a few slices of cheese for dinner, flip-flopped around in about an inch of water, then watched two episodes of Derrick on my smartphone.

Around eight, I noticed the light on the water tower was on, I checked my meter and the numbers showed - but I still had no power. Nothing had tripped, either. I feared the power may have tripped in the empty house next door - tried calling my neighbour, no answer. Internet was iffy, couldn't WhatsApp ... called another neighbour, who said power is coming on and going off again ... and there the light went off again. Crikey!

Mippies had all settled on the bed, and got up with me all unsettled ... like babies: once you get them to sleep, you shouldn't dare wake them again!

This morning, still no power. I hauled out the gas bottle for coffee - opened a long life milk, cause I'm sure my milk is sour by now. Daren't take a whiff, though.

Our councilor posted a message that the teams worked until 4-5 this morning, to restore as much power as humanly possible! Even though I'm still in the dark, I'm grateful for their hard work! Yes, they get paid overtime, I'm sure - but they do have to volunteer for it. Can't force them - so: I'm grateful!

Half nine, cat food arrived.

I was wondering why I'm getting no updates on the power situation ... checked my connection, everything working fine. Tried switching to my own WiFi, made no difference ... googled ... WhatsApp is down throughout South Africa, even in Europe and India. Last time that happened, I didn't even notice ... this time, though, with the power situation at home still not resolved ... 

Just reading the news, where they report the issue in the past tense - WTF? Apparently it started at nine, and is still not resolved. I see FaceBook friends in Germany are also reporting the same issue.

Ten to eleven, now the issue seems to be resolved. 

I sometimes really wonder what people are thinking ... neighbours are bitching and whining about the power. One even reports on another group 'it's been three days' - with a reference number dating to yesterday! And a high number, indicating it was not reported early in the day! For myself, I sent a thank you note to our councilor! Even though our power hasn't been restored, yet - I'm grateful for the hard work they do. I mean, there are literally hundreds of outages in our ward - and many of them just whine 'boo hoo, my power is off'. No pole number, no details ... so the teams have to spend a lot of time investigating the cause!

Another cat food delivery! Mippies are getting more yums than I am!

Right! Some progress! Electrical team was there, but left, because they didn't have fuses. Should come back around noon. There's light at the end of the tunnel, ha ha!

Now it's three and we're still without power! Neighbour just called, apparently she was told all teams are busy with a problem at Bon Accord, there's nobody available ... I'm trying to find out what's really happening, now. She's the one who claims it's been three days. It's been exactly 2 days now ... We're also likely to run out of water ...

Right. Councilor said he'd spoken to the director about the promise not kept, and escalated us to the top of the priority list! Ha Ha, he also asked me 'who's that neighbour'!

Sigh ... now it's past four and we're scheduled for load shedding. So ... I doubt they'll work on our lines, and if they do, we'll only know after six, whether the issue is solved.

Now I'm re-charging my smartphone - it's at 86%, so that shouldn't take long. Especially, as I set it to 'airplane' mode, when I charge it.

Took just a few minutes. Now I'm charging the USB power bank until I leave ... 

Well, since I don't know whether I'll have power tonight ... I guess I better publish.

Hold thumbs!

Dark Monday

The power never came on. I dare not open either freezer to see the damage ... 

I still had coffee in my flask, albeit cold by now.

Traffic was awful.

Two o'clock and our power is still off, at home! The storm caused myriad problems, teams are out replacing fuses and cutting trees everywhere ... 

Got my smartphone connected to the work WiFi! Should have done that ages ago, but ... yeah ... never expected to sit with my phone at work as much as I do now!

Ten to four. Our power is still off - and it's now pouring cats and dogs here at work! Since my house was flooded, I can not enjoy rain anymore - I always worry about it coming into my house again! Always!

And now a pole fell over ... and hoards of people are reporting power failures ... that pushes us down the list of priorities ... Sigh ... I don't see us getting power today. Sigh ...

Well ... don't even know what I can do to keep myself busy with tonight ... nor what I'll make myself to eat. I'll have to haul out the gas bottle ... Sigh ...

LS 3, then 4. Sunday

Early morning, mippies out ... Janey back, mipping to sit on my lap.

Work intruded on my sleep again. Sigh ...

During load shedding last night, I discovered that lots of episodes of an old German TV Series are viewable on YouTube ... so I watched some. They're at a very different pace to the newer series. It takes a bit of slowing down to enjoy.

Load shedding from 10:00 - 12:30 again ... so, no use trying to make dough before that. Which really messes up my Sunday! Off again 18:00 - 20:30 ... not cool! Worst of all, tomorrow night off 18:00 - 20:30 as well!

Ordered mippies Whiskas ... 

Having trouble getting started today. Typical Sunday. I've now put the chicken in the steamer. I'll shred it and make something to put on bread rolls or eat for dinner, with them. Only, this time, I'll put a significant portion of it in the freezer! I ended up throwing away half the chicken last week!

I'm also thinking of steaming potatoes - I have such a lovely bunch of parsley growing beautifully, in the garden!

I'm keeping the freezer lid open, again, waiting for the paint smell to be gone. I close it at night, because ... well ... mippies. Wouldn't want a mip get trapped inside!

I really should clean mippies litter boxes today - I'm afraid I've been a tad lazy ... poor mippies!

Half ten, chicken is steamed and steamer is clean again.

Ten to ten ... lights out time, again!

Aaaand load shedding escalated to Stage 4! From noon today. Snakes and ladders the rest of the week, Stages 4, 3, 4, etc, then Friday to Stage 2.

Our schedule:

Today: 18:00 - 20:30
Monday 02:00 - 04:30 & 18:00 - 20:30
Tuesday 00:00 - 02:30 & 08:00 - 10:30 & 16:00 - 18:30
Wednesday 00:00 - 02:30 & 08:00 - 10:30 & 16:00 - 18:30
Thursday 00:00 - 02:30 & 08:00 - 10:30 & 16:00 - 18:30
Friday 00:00 - 02:30

Lovely, eh? I'm loosing my cool with this shit ...

While the power was off, I cleaned not only the litter boxes, but the floor all around them, as well. No, I don't know where that energy came from ... 

Then I shredded the chicken and ... never again! First time I tried proper shredding, just with two forks. What a totally crap job - especially with the kitchen abuzz with blerry flies! Driving me up the wall!

When I started preparing the bread dough, I see the flour is looking ... off. Again. And this time, it's not expired! I checked! It's like spider webs inside ... I don't know what that is. Just on the side of the bag, at the top. I scoop them out and use the flour - I can't afford to throw it away!?! I put the bag into a plastic bag, when I was finished. Hopefully that puts a stop to whatever is trying its luck in there ...

So, I wasn't in a mood to make any effort forming rolls or anything ... just turned it on to bake the loaf in the machine.

Internet is iffy again. I am soooo tired of this crap! I just want to go to sleep and wake up in a country with no crisis! You know, like twenty, thirty years ago ... 

I'm out of energy. I just feel like doing nothing. Nothing interests me, just ... drained.

I cleaned the poppy bed, weeded a bit, collected seed pods, watered. Not I'm watering the peach tree again - I really should plant the watermelon, before they walk out of the greenhouse by themselves ... and I know I'll regret if I don't plant them ... but ... it's past three ... the bread should be done in about forty minutes. I had to open the lid to chase a blerry fly out of the machine - the bread fell in. Sigh ...

I've turned on the chest freezer, it's freezing, so I took most of my frozen food and put it in there. 

I went outside and started cleaning the far left  rose bed.  It's where I want to plant the melon. I planted one Roma tomato in a bottomless pot, one cucumber in the tomato bed, then got busy weeding. 

A lot of crap grass is trying to grow there, again. Lots of teeny tiny blades showing up. I cleaned one side of the bed, then planted the water melon. It had started to drop a bit, rain on the way. 

I just finished packing everything away when the skies opened and let rip! Rain, like a flood, followed by hail!

Then the power went off. Not yet load shedding. 

I couldn't find Ziva! Some water had come in, under the front door - fortunately not much. I could mop it up, no problem. 

I know Ziva is frightened of loud weather, so I was sure she was hiding - but where? What if she got caught outside?

When it quietened down, she came out! By that time I was getting frantic, but yeah. She's fine. 

I took some photos. Remember the purple carpet yesterday? It's white now!

Bad, eh? And it's not melting fast, but very, very slowly. It's now an hour later and there's still big patches of white. 

I don't expect the power to come back any time soon - especially as it's load shedding now, for two hours. I've run myself a bath, I'm hot and sticky, can't sleep like that. Water is practically cold, and it's not deep. I'll have to flop around like a fish out of water.

We had 25mm rain! I had a look, my plants are shredded! Tomato, bell pepper, everything.  Sigh ... I'll look tomorrow how bad the grapevine and peach tree look. The Jacaranda tree is suddenly bare - this afternoon it was still a purple mushroom, now just branches and twigs.

Not good ...

LS 3 Saturday

Very early morning! Up around the time my alarm went off! This time of year, it's daylight already and I can let mippies out.

It's not even half seven and the washing is already in the machine.

I've just loaded the electricity I bought this week. I'm using well below my budget. It will be interesting to see the effect of the chest freezer, once I turn that on. But then again, load shedding, and at Stage 3, has even more impact.

Right now I'm extremely cranky! I found a hoard of maggots in the waste drawer again - I doomed them, but it stinks! I am so sick and feckin' tired of this shit! I want that clean once and for all - of course, that means, I can't put any perishable (nice word for rotting) waste in there. So, I need to figure out a way.

The back lawn is covered in Jacaranda flowers - they're coming down like some kind of weird purple rain. Last night, there was a bit of wind, and I watched them coming down, down, down ... really like purple rain.

Today, the whole area is abuzz with bees looking for anything yummy to get from those flowers. Buzzing around the porch and the lawn.

I have steamed and scrubbed the waste drawer. Now I've sprayed it with the same stuff I use on the skirting. It's half nine - power for another hour and a half. Next I'll clean the kitchen. Sigh ...

Done. Next, I'm going to sand and paint the inside of the freezer. I should apply a coat of primer, first - I don't have any. I asked about it when I was at the store - silly me, expecting staff to be trained!  Well, I don't have the skill, anyway.

Half an hour till the power goes off ... better turn off the PC.

I worried, with so much I wanted to get done today, that I wouldn't stand a chance. Well, guess what? It's half four and I have achieved everything I wanted! I've made two pots with baby succulents as a birthday present for my neighbour. I've sprayed the inside of the freezer, I've cleared the area in front of the car port, I've cut as much of the dead sprouts off the plum tree as I dared ... 

Around three it started to rain! Well, I thoroughly watered my tomatoes, and even watered the Thyme and Plum - then I took a stroll through the rain to turn off the sprinkler, ha ha!

I'm guessing we got about 1 mm worth of rainfall. Let's see if more follows ...

Well, I'm taking an early bath. Power goes off again at six, so ... I'll see what I feel like doing after I've bathed.

Crap! I just dropped my mirror on my toes! Ouch! Fortunately it didn't break - I don't have another one, ha ha! I guess vanity is not a big thing in my life, eh?

That's my purple carpet out back! Nobody is sprinkling that lawn, so it's still yellow. The bit of rain today might change that, though.

And that's the view from my veranda now! You can clearly see where I mowed! That patch at the back, in front of the yellow patch - I didn't pull out the grass there, only the horrid stuff. Turns out the grass, too, is not mower friendly. So, I'll have to pull it all out, as well. One day ... not today!

What about the party? Oh, I don't know. I think it's down by the river - nobody told me. I thought it was at my neighbour's. I'm not sure where that spot at the river is, and honestly - I don't really feel like people.

Well, ten to six. Power's about to go off. Again ... Sigh .. Might as well publish.

LS 3 Friday

Aaaaand load shedding Stage 3 24/7 until further notice! I've listened to several energy experts now, and they all agree that load shedding will be with us for at least the next 3 years! Eskom reckons they can end load shedding within 12-18 months, but all experts - though they agree on nothing else - do agree on at least 3 years.

Sigh ... 

Last night, I decided to see if I can fix the basket on the mower. It's torn open at the end, so, grass comes in the front and slides out at the back. Well, I thought I'd give it a trial, as it looks like fixing that will take a while ...

I mowed the entire section outside my bedroom, then continued outside the section up to the first ponytail and the tap - can't go further, as there's crap still growing there. Then mowed a bit in front of the veranda ... walk in the park! Lovely!

But yeah, I won't be taking out the new mower until I've cleared all the rocks and branches! Clonk, clonk, ptrrr, clonk!

I also picked the already rotting peaches off the tree - a lot of little ones going brown and wrinkly, already. Well, not that many, but ... well ... possibly my fault, as I only started watering the tree after my neighbour suggested I should. Last weekend. Live and learn!

Smeagol got quite an extended cuddle session, too! I now give him one pouch of wet food every evening - but only if he comes in the evenings, not in the mornings. Otherwhise he'll want two! Poor sweetie, still looks like just skin and bones ...

When it was time to come in, first Mini went missing, then Janey. I was NOT impressed! Especially as her Ladyship decided to turn up on the veranda - after I'd been out the gate, looking for her! Which is where I last saw her - going out, when I was calling mippies to come in! Grrr ...

This morning, I'm up VERY early! Twenty past five? Something like that. Got up, made coffee, brushed mippies, grabbed mippies for cuddles - which gets them to leave me alone for the next two minutes ... 

Anyway, yesterday's experiment bodes well for this afternoon's mowing! Unless, of course, the landlord decides to sprinkle today - in which case, I could make it a wet T-Shirt competition, ha ha!

Back at home, still no sprinklers. And I see my plum tree ... looks dead! All the leaves look dried up! Sheez!

Well, I mowed. NOT a walk in the park - at least, not where they've worked! Two mower widths the ground is just littered with rocks! But once I finished that piece of hell, it was much, much better! Bit of a rough patch around the plum tree, because I'd let the clover get a bit too tall, and it tangled in the mower a bit - no biggie, though. And it won't be a problem again next week.

Then, while I watered, I cleared under the car park. Again, I let the clover get a bit too tall. No biggie.

On the whole, I'm rather happy with the results, and confident that I'll be able to keep that up!

Anyway, I'm completely knackered. It took less time than I thought - about two hours? Okay, so I'm not even trying the sections where the grass is too rough! I'll be pulling that out. Period!

Now, I'm ready to just wind down ... I don't even have the energy left to fry dinner!

Tomorrow is another day ...

LS 3 Thursday

Power stayed off until six ... Grrr ... Turns out, we're now in Stage 3 full time. Do you know where I'd like to be full time? Yeah ... this is not it!

Mippies wanted cuddles, I'm full of white cat hair on my black work top! But that's an everyday occurrence ... not really worth mentioning.

I wasn't in a mood to eat last night, and I'm not in a mood to eat today, either. I don't know, this can't go on ... 

I have, however, decided to cheer myself up with ice cream today! When I get my groceries, I'll also treat myself to an ice cream - to eat in the car park, before I drive back to work.

Done. I don't want to know how much that ice cream cost, though! Other than that, I just bought milk and cigarettes. Oh and a 2L Coke!

Well, I've placed my Takealot order for the month ... a few of my 'regular' items were on special, so I added them. But you have to really be careful nowadays - so many 'trick' specials! It was really much, much better when it was still Kalahari! Cat litter is currently on special, so I ordered 2 bags ... that's heaps of money for shite! Cat shite! My mippies are living in the lap of luxury, ha ha!

Aaand load shedding update: Stage 3 until Friday morning 05:00, again from 16:00 - Saturday morning 05:00, then Stage 2 until 05:00 Monday morning. Our schedule:

Today: we were already off 04:00 - 06:30 and off again 20:00 - 22:30
Friday: 02:00 - 04:30
Saturday: 02:00 - 04:30 & 10:00 - 12:30 & 18:00 - 20:30
Sunday: 18:00 - 20:30

Monday: 02:00 - 04:30

Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap! Crap!

Just for laughs: I bought another month's budget of electricity. Funny, eh? We have to pre-pay electricity ... with no guarantee behind that purchase that we will GET any!

In other news: They're installing a revolving door at No 10 Downing Street. Kidding! Still ... it IS kind of funny. At least for those of us not living in the UK.

Well ... almost time to go home ... maybe I'll have internet at home, so I can update? Or maybe I won't ... might as well publish now, eh?

LS Wednesday

When the power went off, I couldn't remember whether I had turned the bedroom light off or not. Since I leave the fan running, regardless, it's not as simple to verify - can't just turn off the switch. As it turns out, I'd left them on. Woke up after ten with bright lights in the bedroom ...

Neither bright-eyed nor bushy-tailed this morning ... but, what the heck ... better drag myself to work.

Traffic was unpleasant. But, whatever ...

Crap! I thought it was Wednesday tomorrow. Silly me, I had today's heading as LS Tuesday all day! Fixed it now. Landlord didn't water. Again.

At home, I cut myself some roses - the red and the white bush are covered in flowers! Then I pruned my tomato plants ... they are absolutely just shooting leaves and branches and just going nuts! When I cleared some leaves, I discovered another bunch of seedlings pushing their way up! Really need to thin them out ...

Well, load shedding has been extended until 05:00 tomorrow morning, so, power off again 20:00 - 22:30 and again 04:00 - 05:00 ...Sigh ...

LS 4 Tuesday

Not an early morning at all.

Well, I got off a bit late, heavy traffic - which reminds me: traffic last night was awful! Major accident on the Rosslyn road, the lane I use was completely closed and we were detoured through Klerksoord. You know how that goes: just follow the car in front and hope like heck someone up front knows how to get out of this maze!

Aaaand load shedding was ramped up to Stage 4 this morning! Until further notice ... Now I wish I had turned off my UPS - it's gonna beep mippies crazy at noon! Our schedule:

Today: 12:00 - 14:30 & 20:00 - 22:30

Tomorrow: 04:00 - 06:30 & 12:00 - 14:30 & 20:00 - 22:30

My neighbour had a look at the inside of the freezer and recommended I paint it. So, I'm going to try to get to Builders today.

Okay! Done! I got spray paint - Appliance White - and sandpaper. Then I toddled off to the garden section ... muhaa haa haa! Yeah, I got seeds, some bulbs, and soil. Germinating Soil and Seedling Soil. Notice how quickly I skipped over the seeds? Yup! I got variety. Though I didn't go overboard. Beans were what I was really looking for - and got. The rest ... well ... I said all I have to say: I didn't go overboard! There ...

I also got four big poles to support some of my climbing plants when they start growing. I didn't see a price on the germination soil - and see now that that shite is expensive! Well, it'll last! I also got more Bone meal, as I'm pretty low on that.

I got chatting with another customer, we had a lovely chat about growing this and that - she's from Italian background. Took my number - be nice if she contacts. She's looking at going big-time into gardening ... at home ... learning as she goes along. Same as me ... 

I'm taking care of my bills. Trying to decide when to place the order for Takealot and when to order Whiskas ... I think next Monday.

I'm told the landlord will be watering today - so the ground should be lovely and soft for me to plant the bulbs I bought today! I also want to move the Iris and the Amaryllis from the back - they're not doing well, there. Ditto the Tulip or Daffodil bulbs I planted in front of the veranda. They started coming up and then just wilted. But in the corner next to the gate, the Iris seem to be thriving! So I want to put all my bulbs there. There's also all sorts of cat-poison growing there - wild garlic, Agapanthus, so I figure, plant the lot all in one corner ... keep it clean, so no mice attract mippies to go there ... 

I'm wondering when I'll be able to finish the freezer, though. Neighbour invited me to his birthday party on Saturday! Ha Ha! After two years with only one single braai with the neighbours (or any other social), I'm getting slapped with invitations left, right and center, eh? And even visitors! What next, eh?

I've just been thinking about a birthday gift for my neighbour - how about I make him a little planter with succulents? He has asked for succulents and wants to come fetch some, when he's home in daylight ... 

Hmmm ... two ideas: either make a pretty container, or use a simple cardboard box, which he can simply plant 'as is'. Just dig a hole and put in the ground.

Oh, gosh! Load shedding Snakes and Ladders in full swing, again:

18th Today: Stage 4 - no change. Off again 20:00 - 22:30
19th Wednesday: 00:00 - 05:00 Stage 2 - nothing
                             16:00 - 00:00 Stage 3 - 20:00 - 22:30

20th Thursday:     16:00 - 00:00 Stage 3 - 20:00 - 22:30

21st Friday:          16:00 - 00:00 Stage 2 - nothing

Shite! Well, it could be worse, true ... but still: shite!

Here in Rosslyn the weather seems to be turning. I hear thunder, I bet rain will soon follow. Here. Doesn't mean it'll rain at home, too. I'll see when I get home ...

My neighbour asked me to leave the gate open today, so he could ask the workers why some of the pipes are not covered. Let's see if anything has changed, today.

Well, it also depends on the weather, what I'll do tonight after I've finished my chores ... whether I plant my bulbs or start making the planter for my neighbour.

Neither! When I got home, everything was dry, so I did my own watering ... which, pretty much, took the whole daylight time. I've showered, now I'm having dinner while watching an episode or two ... before my lights go out. At eight. Sigh ...

LS Monday with a topsy-turvy morning

I didn't want to get out of bed this morning ... still a bit on the late side, after Friday's party. What shot me out of bed, though, was a mip toppling my PC! Not cool! I was so angry - shouting until no mip dared come into the bedroom!

Got up, gave mips their breakfast, made coffee ... had a smoke ... off to work.

And forgot my coffee at home! I also had to reverse out of the garage and turn around in my garden ... so, pretty much everything topsy turvy this morning!

Traffic was a awful. Though not exactly much worse than the usual awful.

At work, coffee! Fortunately, I keep emergency coffee at work - all I need is to add hot water. It's those ready-made mixes, which got me back to filter coffee in the first place - a year or two ago.

Back at home, on a whim, seeing my neighbour watering his garden, I decided to stop at his place and take a tour through his garden! Wow! It was plain ground when he moved in - nothing grew there! Now, it's a full garden! Grass, flowers, all his Bonsai, Succulents ... it's a beauty!

I went back home, started my chores, and the neighbour came to visit. We sat on the veranda, chatting, till eight! Ziva, of course, was trying to get attention - but, surprisingly: Mewthos came outside! He didn't go all the way up to my neighbour, but he did come up to me, sitting next to my neighbour! That's a change, eh?

Well, back inside, shower, dinner, an episode or two, while I brushed, brushed, brushed, and brushed all my mippies! They are shedding like nobody's business at the moment! Mini pawed at the brush, if I so much as put it down to scratch my nose! She absolutely adores being brushed! They all love it. Only Janey didn't join in - Janey and Ziva are still not on the best of terms with Mini, who will swat at them to go away. And when Mewthos comes, Ziva also often vacates her spot and stalks off ... Ah, well ... mippies!

LS Sunday

Not the early morning I had hoped for. Woke up after power went off.

I got up, and out of boredom started cleaning. I moved the freezer, washed the lounge floor and refilled the kibble store containers. 

One thing I did learn Friday night: the reason all the gardens and houses always look as clean as I wish mine did, is because they all hire staff - one to mow the grass and 'do the beddings' and another to clean the house. 

So I really shouldn't try to compete with that, and feel guilty!

Anyway, one neighbour asked for tomato plants, that's what inspired me to clean the lounge - it's the one I bought the freezer from. 

Internet is being a bugger. The WiFi works when it's on the power bank, but not when it's plugged into the PC. 

I still wanted to upload photos last night. 

See how well this rose  bush is doing? Isn't it beautiful?

And here the annual photo of my Jacaranda in full bloom:

Just had a call from the old friend who called last week: he'll  visit me today! Suddenly very social, eh?

Aaaand load shedding reduced. Stage 2 until midnight, then only from 16:00 - 00:00, Monday to Wednesday. We'll only be off 20:00 - 22:30 Tuesday and Wednesday night. 

Well, half two and I'm pretty much done. Baked a loaf of bread for the neighbour, who had invited me for the potjie - as promised. Baked chicken, potatoes, etc for dinner, now just baking rolls for lunch. Kitchen is clean. Now I just wait for people to show up.

I've had more social interaction than I've had for the past year put together! Neighbour came to fetch his loaf of bread, then my friend showed up. While he was still there, the other neighbour came to collect tomato plants ... fun, eh?

Anyway, after everyone left, I cleaned the tomato bed, and planted some of the seedlings I've got sprouting in the greenhouse. Gem squash, cucumber and roma tomato. I watered, then tried to clean up around the rose beds, but the ground is too dry.

We had our quality time on the veranda, came inside, mippies were treated ... I showered ... and now, for some strange reason, the WiFi router works on the PC again. It's staying turned on, not turning itself off after 2 minutes.

Well ... quarter to eight ... time to settle down ... mippies had quite a few hours of cowering under the bed, ha ha! Well, Mewthos and Janey. Mini decided she could sympathy-cower on top of the bed - much more comfortable! Ziva, of course, shamelessly smooched up to visitors hoping for extra attention - which she got! So ... now they should have some cuddle time with me ...

Saturday - Load shedding again!

By six, mippies had waited long enough and insisted I let them out! Which I did. Then I went back to bed ... four hours sleep just weren't enough.

I finally got up around ten. Made coffee. Found Smeagol roaming around mippies' room, followed him out ... poor sod was looking for water! I filled a bowl for him - I'm afraid the water dispenser I put out for him, was dry. I should have re-filled that yesterday!

The nice thing about this episode, though, is simply that - even with Smeagol coming all the way into mippies' room - no fighting!

Well, as you can imagine, I'm having a little trouble getting started.

Just past one, laundry is on the line and the kitchen is clean. I've watered my tomatoes - took a photo and offered any neighbour to come and get some plants, as I need to thin out the bed. Watering the peach tree now - as suggested by one of my neighbours last night.

Half past one and: Load shedding starts again at two! Until further notice! We're off 22:00 - 00:30 tonight and 06:00 - 08:30 tomorrow morning! At least that doesn't interfere too much with my day - I just have to get up early, if I want hot coffee! Sigh ...

Well, I've cleaned the floor where I want to put the freezer, and started cleaning the freezer. Turns out, it isn't actually grey, but white. Unfortunately, there is also rust. Inside. I should, ideally, fix that, before putting it to use. I don't see that happening, though.

For now, I'll carry on cleaning it tomorrow - I want to be sure it doesn't start smelling, when I leave it closed for a night.

I think the first thing I will try, is whether I can get labels off bottles.

Internet is a big problem, today. It's the router. It simply will NOT stay on! I turn it on, have internet for a minute or two ... then it turns itself off. I guess I'll have to go to the store to find an alternative ... spending money. Again. On something I shouldn't need to buy again.

Well, that's my day ... let's hope I can publish.

LS Friday

Mewthos came and curled up on the bed next to me this morning. No mewling, no strolling all over me, just quiet company ... is it any wonder I tolerate such a LOT of wayward piddles from him? He is so attached to me - and I to him!

Trouble is, the same goes for each of my mips! Each in their own way.

I've been thinking, when I go to the potjie, mippies will miss out on their outies time this afternoon. They say they'll start around two, and food should be ready around six, maybe eight - I'm not going for the food, but for the company. So, afternoon would suit me best. I could leave the patio door open & just lock the gate ... but I don't want to feel pressured to come home when it gets dark, to make sure mippies are in.

So: poor mippies will have NO outies time today. Since this happens maybe once a year - I do not feel guilty about it! Anyway, I suspect the sprinklers will be going till five, anyway, covering the entire front garden.

I've measured the freezer, and it can actually fit between the fridge and the back door - I'll just have to move the waste bin I keep there. And move the fridge a wee bit closer to the kitchen counters ...

Just came across this tip: Try freezing labelled bottles to get the label off. Would be awesome if that really works, as I STILL haven't come up with any solution to getting the labels off my juice bottles, so I can use them to grow seedlings.

Neighbour just asked if I've turned on the freezer, yet. Told him I first need to find space for it ... didn't mention the extensive cleaning it'll need, though. Ha Ha!

Back at home, mippies were puzzled that I wouldn't let them out. I had a quick shower, changed, and drove to my neighbour's. Outside a gate, I called him - as I couldn't tell which gate was his place, I've never been there. I called twice - no answer, so I turned around and went back home.

I let mippies out, and thought what I would like to do. Strangely enough, the sprinklers weren't running ... I considered gardening, but ended up cleaning under the fridge. That involved taking everything out of fridge and freezer, moving the fridge, so that I could clean the floor - which still had a layer of mud on it. Big job.

I was almost done, when my phone rang. Neighbour only just saw my missed calls.

I finished cleaning the fridge, put everything back ... looked where my mippies were - only Mewthos was outside! I had very little trouble getting them all inside, and treating them. I had also fed Smeagol already ... so: off I went!

I really enjoyed myself! Okay, at first they talked army days, hunting and politics ... the typical equivalent of a peacock showing it's tail feathers, ha ha! But once that was done, we had quite a lot of fun conversations and discussions!

Okay, so, with alcohol flowing freely, there were continuous repetitions, ha ha!

The food, however, was absolutely unbelievable! Being German, I've often had Oxtail - but never, ever in my life, so absolutely deliciously!

It got quite late ... and I was not comfortable with the idea of coming home in the dark. I mean, so late that load shedding was about to start. I don't mind night time, but without a single light at my house?

My near neighbour offered to drive with me, so that put my mind at ease. Though, I was still enjoying myself and not quite ready to leave.

Power only went off half PAST ten, and - surprisingly - came on an hour later! Half past eleven! Load shedding is suspended from midnight.

I eventually left around one! Both insisted that I call, to let them know I'm home safe - which I did.

Mippies were not impressed with me - especially, as I came home smelling of dog! Ha Ha! The neighbours dogs had quite attached themselves to me, I had one on my lap for hours, and even the big, BIG (about 100kg) dog attempted to get onto my lap! Needless to say, coming home smelling of dog was NOT acceptable to my mippies! Janey wouldn't even come near me - she hid under the armchair! And when I reached to scratch her ears, she cringed away ... 

I got to bed around two in the morning!

LS Thursday

Late last night, one neighbour offered to help! I had only stated 'short distance' - deliberately. So, nobody knew I was talking JUST across the dirt road from one house to the next. 

Seems they'll get together and bring it sometime this evening. I told them that I'm home from half six, any time is fine with me.

Mewthos mewled me awake very, very early this morning. He, too, is currently in extreme cuddle mode! Last night he absolutely demanded that I cuddle him. Again, again, more, more! At the same time, Ziva mewled in my ear, kneading the duvet next to me, demanding I cuddle HER! I took up the brush and just brushed ... Mew, Mini, Ziva, Mew, Mini, Ziva ... on and on and on.

I don't know what's up with them, lately. This morning, as I was about to leave, Janey absolutely insisted on some cuddles before I go! Mini tried to stroll onto my back, while I was re-filling their kibbles ... seriously, what's up with them?

I quickly went to get groceries. Milk is on big special, so are fish fingers! Don't ask me where I will keep them - my freezer is already bursting at the seams! The new one, I'll have to clean properly before I can use it. And I still don't know where to put it ...

I also got cheese and meat. I'll get from the new butchery, as well, tomorrow - but I really need something to fry. I took T-bone and rump. Very expensive, I'm afraid.

No cigarettes. No stock. Sigh ...

Now, I'm treating myself to a break before I dive into the next dead-line task.

Back at home ... no internet. Try as I might, the router just wouldn't stay on - kept switching itself off. Sigh ...

That made co-ordinating the transport of the freezer somewhat difficult. Fortunately, my ever-helpful 'new' neighbour had got involved and he organised everything. Of course, first thing I knew, was when they were hooting outside my gate!

The freezer is really quite big, and clearly works - it's still frozen inside! But filthy! I'm going to have to put a LOT of time and effort into cleaning the inside, before I want to use it.

I was just settling down for the night, when the neighbour who's vehicle was used, called and invited me to a potjie tomorrow afternoon! A potjie is when you heat a large cast-iron pot over an open fire and add all sorts - meat, vegies, you name it. I accepted quite happily! Not so much for the food, mostly to get more involved in our neighbourhood community!

Well ... that's Thursday done and dusted ...

LS Wednesday

Slept well, woke early, dozed for a bit, then got up. Coffee. I'm changing my coffee routine. For work, I'm no longer taking the thermos with me - one cup a day is enough. Then I can change over to water.

Question is: do I change back to instant coffee? Well, I've decided to make one pot a week and keep the coffee in the thermos. Every morning, I'll have a cup for work and one for home. I actually like cold coffee - weird, I know. I'll only add the milk to the cup. Let's see how that works for me ...

Neighbour put up a chest freezer for sale on one of the local groups. As you know, I've been thinking about it for a looooong time. Yes, I'd still prefer the convenient upright drawer freezer - but chest freezers keep goods frozen for longer during power outages. And 'no power' seems to be the 'new normal'.

I had a look at prices for new ones - and it's a good price. Apparently it's quite old - still one of the old, reliable models - but works fine. My biggest headaches are: how to transport? And: where will I put it? I think it'll have to go into the laundry.

Fruit Juice arrived yesterday afternoon, FTN deliver arrived this morning.

Load shedding extended Stage 2 Thursday evening 16:00 - 00:00, then Stage 1 Friday evening 16:00 - 00:00. We're only affected Friday night: 22:00 - 00:00.

Between mippies and Smeagol, I had my hands full. I still managed to clear some tall weeds. With the current sprinkling situation, the grass is coming through green and strong everywhere ... no way to avoid mowing this weekend.

I'll use the old mower, though, for now - as the whole ground is littered with clumps of soil, branches, etc. I don't want to blunt my new mower in one day!

Well, I bought the chest freezer ... so, now: how to get it from the neighbour to me? I sent a message in our group ... no response ... neighbour offered to bring it with a wheelbarrow!

I didn't get any chance to write nor publish - internet wasn't playing nice, and mippies were VERY demanding! Ziva, in particular, is currently in extreme 'must have lovies' mode. Seriously, she will mip and mip and mip, even paw at me if I don't jump right away! No patience whatsoever.

Anyway ... that was Wednesday.

LS Tuesday

Not a very good night. I woke around half four, got up ... tried going back to sleep. I must have succeeded, because I struggled to get out, when the alarm went off. With regards to the Mew-larm - I just push him off the bed! I sure as heck don't wanna get peed on!

Anyway, back at home, no sprinkling today! Ground is still soft, so I cleared the patch between the bean bed and the driveway. Not much ... just something.

I've showered, dined, now I have two mips at my feet wanting cuddles ... off to please my mippies!

LS Monday

I've ordered fruit juice and placed an order with FTN - flour, fabric softener, coffee, etc.

Okay, juice is due to be delivered tomorrow. If not, I better follow up on Wednesday morning ... sigh ...

Back at home, power's off. Load shedding. Not for long, though. I see that all five sprinklers were in action today - the entire front garden is soaking wet!

I did my chores, then took advantage of the wet ground to pull out more tall weeds - in an area where the ground hadn't been soft this weekend.

Shower. Dinner ... settle down with mippies ...

Sunday

It feels kind of weird not having to schedule around load shedding. Isn't it scary how fast we 'accept' a 'new normal'? Although, on the other hand, it shows just how adaptable we are, able to cope with change.

Anyway, I got up - on Mewthos' insistence - around twenty to five. I opened up for him, then went back to bed. And got up again only after eight!

Instead of springing into action, I'm dawdling. Why? My body hasn't recovered from yesterday's hard labour, ha ha!

I am getting older. I won't be able to keep up the level of work I did last year. I'm especially worried about the mowing. I've been thinking, this new sprinkling could actually work in my favour. Where I used to have to either wait for sufficient rain, or plan localised watering - I can now clear anywhere I choose, any time!

Back to today, though. It's now close to ten and I haven't lifted a finger. Yet.

Okay, half past ten, I'm watering my tomatoes, bread dough is on the go and I've cut the sausages roll-length.

Definitely less energy today. Twenty past twelve, I'm not frying little sausages for this week's dinner.

I was considering adding potatoes, celery and carrots to this week's lunch - but I just don't feel up to doing any more. I've made a sauce with the juices from the sausage ... it'll have to be enough for this week. Although I haven't actually done much today, I feel exhausted.

Just past two, and I'm done. Kitchen is clean. I'm just really not in the mood for any work right now. I think I'll try taking a nap ...

It's just too hot for comfort, I'm afraid. I've thought of doing some gardening, as that always makes me feel better ... I don't know. It really IS hot.

I'm glad I still cleared the tall weeds yesterday.

Aaand load shedding is back! Only Stage 2 and only from four to midnight, next three days ... we're currently scheduled ONLY Monday 16:00 - 18:30. Not much of an issue ...

It's half past four now ...

Well, now I've cleaned the corner next to the gate, where those Agapanthus & other common plants are. I only like the Iris in that corner. But it's clean now ...

Mippies are in, treated, I've showered, now I'm ready to settle down for the night ...

No load shedding! Saturday

Power went off for the last time from two to four this morning. That's the end of load shedding ... for now!

I got up after six ... sadly thinking about work. Made myself coffee and am working to push work thoughts out of my head.

It's now just past eight, I've turned on the geyser to clean the kitchen ... going to start the laundry ... I need to plan tomorrow. Just what am I planning to cook next week? What's my plan for work lunch?

How will I cope with Janey on my lap all day, ha ha! They're all shedding like crazy, so I should brush each as much as possible ... Right now, I've just had Janey on my lap and I'm covered in fur! Ha Ha!

Nine thirty. I finished the last meat for 'breakfast'. Now to the kitchen ... sigh ...

I simply don't feel like cleaning today ... don't feel like doing anything. Better try to pull myself out of that.

Okay, kitchen clean, laundry hanging ... then I crumbled dried bread rolls - I've been drying them in the kitchen for a while, so today I decided to turn them into crumbs.

There is now so much work in the garden ... it's a bit dispiriting. My own plans have been overturned. With this new sprinkler system - running twice a week - everything is going to start growing again. Now. I no longer have any breather until it starts raining ...

I decided to start with the bed outside my bedroom. I didn't take a 'before' photo, but take a look at the weeds there! And that was taken a week or two ago, so the weeds have grown even taller now ..

And this is what it looks like now! All weeds gone! Well, except for that section in the center of that brick whatever-it-is. And guess what? I recovered the dish I had put out there for the tortoise last year!

It was mildly overcast today, and thunder rumbled in the distance. I had just finished, when it started to drip, drip, drip. Not really rain, just a few drops ... Still: I'm happy with today's achievement! If it turns green, I'll have no trouble mowing that section!

This is the view from my veranda, now. They've hacked everything down with a brush-cutter ... well, almost everything. Same as the neighbour did last year - I'll have to rake it all up, and STILL pull everything out, anyway.

You can see how far the sprinkler reached, when it was still outside, behind the wall! See the green? Now they're sprinkling everything ... and I'm guessing by next week it'll all be green and growing out of control ... and I'll have to mow ... sigh ...

Well, I've now pull all the tall crap out of the lawn. With the sprinkling, the ground is soft, I can get the fork in without any problems! I cleared all the way around the ponytail, just from the fence towards the wall ... not really a big difference in view, because they had cut down weeds everywhere. I just had to find the plant so I could pull out the roots. That's why I hate this brush-cutting 'favour'.

On the whole, I'm very happy with today's achievements! All of them. Tomorrow is another day, though I don't think I'll have much strength. It's okay. I'll do what I want.

I've bathed, had part of the braai pack, now I'm ready to just slow down ... then listen to a different audiobook! Finally!