A few things at a time.

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I am running out of time. I cannot get things in gear. So be it. I have been working as I may, meaning little jobs, a few arranging tasks, and the dishes are about half way to being washed. I did make bacon, eggs, and toast. All I can say about that is... those eggs were FRESH. Fresh eggs have a special place in my pantheon of movers and shakers. These both moved and shaked and probably some other things. There are two doors between me and my bathroom and I am using them both. Enough about that.

I am close though, really. A few boxes to be reallocated. A few areas that could be cleaned. The bathroom fixture to be sorted out, if need be replaced tomorrow. I should open up what will be her room and air it out a bit, putting on clean sheets for a start. A little laundry so that her blankets and sheets are definitely clean. Yeah, that ought to be it. When I pick her up, I will be stopping at the bigger organic store there in SLC. There are some things that are simply not to my (old) and her current tastes sold locally. Perhaps, if she is well enough off, we will see a movie though we can do that locally. A day and a half, I think. She will be here and fussy as ever, to be sure. It is good, since I am not ready to travel, to have some of the old world come and visit during the Christmas season.

I had best get to goofing, as I am in a goof cycle, so that in an hour or so I can get to the work cycle again. I am definitely not AC/DC, definitely purely DC. On and off, off and on. Later.

Hmmm?

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In spite of going to bed early, I still overslept. I could not rise until after 7:30 a bit. Now, the furry beasts were on a tear, which did not help. Every time I rolled and came to a bit, one of them was right-cher ('nother word I sort of made up, though more just made up a way to spell). Usually they sleep around me, one on one side, the other on the other. Not last night. They tagged-teamed my face. I did not mind, and I am pretty sure they wanted food. I did not fill their bowls last night because they still had food. I want them hungry for the morning, and try to feed them just enough during the day. Sassy gets more, of course, as she is still growing. But at night I am starting to run them hungry. Well fed cats get too lazy. I want active, curious, resourceful beasties. Yes, I do the same with myself, if too sometimes I simply forget to eat. I do not forget to feed them though.

I dreamed, again, last night and this morning. I do not remember what I was dreaming. I can tell I have been dreaming as my jaw is sore and has been for some time. It feels like I have been in a fight, but that sore jaw cures in a few days. It is the same feeling. I must assume I am back to chewing my teeth again. Took me years to stop doing it while awake, but then I was having dreams while awake back then. A little therapy for the few rare things does help, and it helped with me on this due to that. Perhaps that is why I am needing more sleep. Bah! A good cup of coffee though, is worth waking up for. It would be nice to wake early enough that I could enjoy a truly hot cup of coffee.

Well, on to waking up then cleaning up. I only have days to get this world ready, or more ready, for the Q.o.D. Her dark highness will be here soon. *giggles* Meh, I will use my jedi mind tricks to keep her focus away from the exactitudes she so uses for her darkness. *ping* "What was that?"... "Surely, I would not know... (teehehehe)" *ping* "Your home is odd." "I know, little one." And, yes I can. Up to a point. Good day.

Oh well, it was a thought.

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Not much got done today. Actually, nothing did. I was pretty much shot. As little as I did in the last few days it was enough to trip me. I am hoping to get the place tidied back up tomorrow, and perhaps figure out the extra bathroom. I also need to do more straightening before the dread Queen of Darkness arrives. Who knows what will truly be done, though I think I can have the place comfortable enough.

Someone, again, did my drive. This time I caught them, and glanced at who it was. I do not recognize the man. I will have to ask around. I should have gone out and offered hot cocoa or coffee or even a glass of water. I simply was not groomed for company. Yes, I stand on that. Anyway...

Sassy is seeming a bit more normal. Not completely though. Something is going on in her tiny cat brain though. She finally tolerated being up in the crook of my arm though, tonight. The first time in days. Just for a little while, but enough. Screwy cats.

Sleep well. I am clocking out early. At 21:30, it is only early compared to what it has been. I think that is a better time for 6:00 rises. I have been pushing that a bit, too, lately. I am ready for sleep tonight. Coffee in the morning might be the way to go. The heavy stuff. It does not give me much of a kick, but it seems to do the job anyway. Then again, I am rather insensitive to almost any stimuli. That does not mean it is not working, it only means I am not aware of it. The only time I notice coffee is when it is too acidic. This stuff is not, smooth as... good scotch. Oh, forgot to try the alternative sweeteners this morning. Will try to remember tomorrow. Good night, friends. You too, foes, sort of.

Whatever I said before, this is NOW the truth.

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Not really. When writing about coffee, I could not remember how much coffee I used, now that I have made coffee twice in the last 10 hours, I remember. I use one scoop of raw bean per two cups of coffee. I am having a cup of the high-pro, as I like to call the good coffee with high caffeine, as we speak. I should also add that the two cups mentioned above is two measured cups. The "cup" I am drinking out of is a hondo cup ('nother made up word, based on a John Wayne character thus 'bigger than life' (I think, though some say mondo)). It holds two or three cups. On the up side, but depressing for me, it still looks dainty enough in my mitts.

Midnight is out for a bedtime, I slept until 8:30 this morning. The particular coffee machine I purchased not only grinds and is programmable, but the coffee goes into a thermos. I like it because the thermos is all stainless AND is shaped like the traditional coffee pot. A little old school meets new school... or engineering meets homemaking... or... well... something. The upside is my coffee is still good to go. I should have known I would not be able to sleep early. Company gets me riled up, doing a lot of cooking and cleaning and prepping before hand also will get me wired, and then drinking some coffee for dinner is probably out. But hey, if I can pull sleep back a few hours, I should be good. With several incentives to do so currently, I think I can.

Sam was pleasant to my company, but Sassy wanted nothing to do with him. Then again, she is going all weird even with me at this point. I think she is becoming a little young cat lady, and is not sure how to handle it. She knows, now, that I am a male and that she is a female, but is not sure what it means. Her instincts tell her I might be trouble but her training and experience tell her I am not. She will have to re-evaluate the situation. And, I am happy to let her. I, after hours of trying, finally gained hold of her. I did so by offering her milk, petting her while she was drinking, then gently picked her up, which she was fine with. Then I took her to him. He got to pet her just a bit, then she... climbed me. I had to get her by her scruff, over my back, and behind my head, somehow and in a manner that would make Houdini proud, to get the claws out of my various parts. I did so gently since I caused the deal. I then let her go. I figure, if she comes to know he is not a threat, she will be fine. And I was willing to put some skin, literally, in the game. She liked him when she was really small. Like I said, she is in cat/kitty teen years.

Well, today will be for cleaning. There is a lot to do, but not so much that it is daunting. I also need to figure out the plumbing issue in the extra bathroom, the toilet is a runner. I may be able, simply, to bend some stuff. Or it may take a gutting of the plumbing fittings and refitting. I know my lady friend will enjoy having a bath, and a bathroom, all to herself. Women are like that, and in this way to be sure, she is very much like most other women. Every woman is different the same. That is, there are huge similarities with striking rare dissimilarities. This woman, however, has more dissimilarities than not. She is a rare one. Though, too, overall, she is ruled by the same principles of any woman, she just reacts to that... strangely. I have known enough women to know.

Time to begin the wake up process. I had a cup of coffee, going onto my second, and finished the remnants of supper, the little I kept. It was good, if not great. I may just roast it next time, the old fashioned way. The problem is, roasting takes hours and I do not leave my house while cooking. So, if my friend wants dinner here, he has to be here the whole time. I will ask him if that is fine with him. Otherwise, back to the pressure cooker. Once I clean up, I may pressure cook the tongue tonight. As well, I will cook another batch of rice. I need to cook more beans too, but that will wait for tomorrow or the night after. Having a small stock of freshly cooked foods for quick meals when my lady friend arrives should help with the flow of things. If she is hungry NOW, I can make food right away. Along with some of the special meals, we should be in fine standing that way.

Good day.

Dinner was...

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Served. My first meal from the pressure cooker went off without a hitch, mostly. My one mistake was not to have the pork shoulder also be boned. That made carving a bit trickier if not a serious problem, as well it created a little too much of a gap between what was cooked well and some that was needing more time, despite the thermometer. More cooking, however, would not have been good either. The pressure cooker does indeed cook faster. It does not, however, cook as well. No, the meal was good. But the roast could have been juicier (I did sear it) and probably tastier if done the old fashioned way, in the oven. The gravy, however, came out perfect. That is the first gravy I remember making that was actually like what one might remember their grandmother or some of their mothers making. I did not salt it too much, it was not too thick or thin, it was not bland. Truly, a fine gravy. And the onions ending up being a very good part of the meal rather than just gravy makings, or moist filler for some mechanical use by the pressure cooker. The mashed potatoes, simple as that may seem, were very good as well.

I am going to try this again, soon, probably shortly after my lady friend leaves. I doubt she will have any interest in same old same old meat and potatoes of this sort. I have told my friend to invite his friend over for the next one. Who knows if the other guy will come. It is simply a shame to have such a fine meal turn into mere leftovers. Of which I sent most of it home with the friend who visited tonight. He said he has not had gravy like that in... so long he cannot remember. He likes meat, he loves mashed potatoes and gravy.

Oh, and the coffee was excellent. I made French double roasted tonight, as it has less caffeine. I also bought a high caffeine stuff for morning use. I set the coffee machine to begin brewing at 5:45, just slightly before my alarm goes off. I am hoping that coffee, during the weekdays, will give me that little extra boost. Oh, and five dosers of the good stuff for my ten cup pot should put some wood back in my... Well, you know. I have taken my friend back home and am just enjoying the last dregs of the coffee with a little milk and Splenda.

Ah, I did pick up some agave stuff today. I will be trying that soon, maybe tomorrow. I have stevia as well. Who knows, tomorrow may be a sampling day. My home is a lot closer to being ready for when my lady friend visits though now too, save for the kitchen again! That should not be a great deal of trouble. And, actually, I did what cleanup I could while working, but with two pots, silverware, dinner plates, serving plates, and such, one cannot really keep ahead on all of it. The cutting boards and knives used for all the chopping, dicing, and such are clean. Even the pan I seared the meat in is clean and put away. Tomorrow will, hopefully, see me coffinated and at it again, maybe with a bulls roar.

Good night.

Late to the party and moving slowly...

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Yet still somehow, within my paradigm I should say, moving at a loverly pace. The alarm, as usual, went off at 6:00. And I heard it. I thought I would just take a second more in bed. I dreamed large and cool, sort of like comic book type fights, action, and love scenarios. Finally though, the ringing got to me. Wow, I slept for more than an hour and a half with that thing ringing! I am talented! No worries, I was able to wake up and get going pretty well somewhere in the neighborhood of 7:46 or something anyway.

I have sorted out the kitty litter boxes, soaking what needs to be cleaned, with the new set up for their special packages and parcels. Sassy can easily use the higher walled box now, so that should cut down on litter on the floor. That along with special mats for them to shake the stuff off. They do not like kitty litter on the floor any more than I do. The few dishes I have created since the Big Clean of '10 are soaking. I have sliced the onions, tearful as that really was. I am planning to have just a few more things done and be ready to start cooking as soon as we return. I think I will peel and size chop the potatoes for a quicker cook. Of course, I have to get a shower in, sweep the floor again, again, again (bah! difficult to keep that thing swept, this will be the... fifth time in... two or three days!).

I had a little trouble finding a pork roast to my specs. I did finally find one, but that store only offered it as a whole roast. Still they (un)happily agreed to trim and remove the rind and cut the whole roast into a half roast. While she was checking to make sure they had a roast, I decided to just order the whole roast, but have them treat it and cut it in two to my specs. If this works, or does not, I will try it again similarly or change something. A couple of weeks from now and my friend will be back for dinner again. I also need to pick up coffee, the good stuff, some soda and tea, and bay leaves... I think that is it. At least for the moment. I found white honey last night, which is said to have the least honey flavor, so I bought that. If nothing else it might begin breaking me into using, maybe even liking, honey. I do not hate honey, it just tastes... funny. Then again, so does Splenda. Or it did at first. It was merely better than most sugar replacements available to me. I have to try agava stuff too though. Oh, yes, more Splenda too. Bah! Lists, and lists, and lists of lists? Probably.

The nice thing is that after my lady friend visits and then leaves, I can get busy shutting things down and just... coasting until spring. I might get some things done but I am hoping to keep costs down and just get by, saving for more doings in the spring. Money is not absolutely tight, at least when nothing is happening. But when people are coming, especially on my nickel, it gets very tight. Still, I would not want it any other way. Oh, and my lady friend is not a hold back or a hold on. I plan to have her out to visit, if she is interested, every few years even should I find a woman. Well, some of that would be up to the particular woman, but I have a way with words. And, most women who know there is no threat... well, okay, a few in a hundred women... can handle friends from the past. No, this one needs some love, the good kind.

Well, I best get busy relaxing for an hour before the next push and shove to get the last of the things done. Later.

Made it and back, alive even.

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It was misting, which was a little spooky to be out in. The roads were fine though, other than drivers on THEIR CELL PHONES. Sure, they drove like little old ladies, but continued to jabber as if going slow would make a difference if that mist iced. Still, I kept my cool and went to where I needed to go then got out.

I have decided, when shopping at several spots, my best bet is to go to the places where I will be getting small things, like tobacco or coffee, first, then go to the places where I will be filling a long list. If I do my big shopping first, I simply often feel overwhelmed and undone and quit before I get it all done. The coffee shops were closed, so no coffee. Tobacco is back in stock her on the homefront, should you need some. As well, I finally remembered to get another kitty litter box, and I picked up a coffee maker, with automatic grind. It is a nice feature, and makes it so if I want coffee now I do not need to hand grind a bit (I prefer to grind fresh if at all possible). I also purchased most of the items for dinner tomorrow, but could find a rind free shoulder pork roast at neither of the grocery stores I visited. Having everything else will make shopping for that easy though. I will call in and have it waiting, if I can find one.

I had thought I was leaving later than I was. As is, I was easily back online and will probably game for an hour or so to boot. Smooth. Oh, Sam braved the outside tonight, if only for a bit more than a half hour. It is rather warm out, for having nearly a foot of snow on the ground, though. Utah is a really different place. A desert with snow, in the mountains. The snow is fluffy, light, and deep yet can easily withstand mist and warmth without really disappearing. I do like it here.

Sleep well folks. My dreams have been interesting of late, perhaps we will meet up there and build something, or have a fine tea, or go boating, maybe even save the world! Depending on which one of you are in my dreams. Then again, friends and family usually are not in my dreams, oddly. Still, you are invited. :) Good night.

I have been doing SOME things.

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Not a lot, mind you, it would be a drama should I get a headache or break a sweat. :p But I am doing little bits and pieces. Boxes tended, if not yet removed to recycling. Dishes being kept up with, along with some eating. Straightening here, tidying there, and moving these and those things to someplace more appropriate (or at least out of sight). And yet I simply cannot get into it. I am pushing. I simply have little with which to push!

Still, tomorrow will be on for dinner. I am going into town tonight to see if I can get some, most, or all of my list for the meal and perhaps for a bit more. I need soda and a regular coffee pot. My lady friend would be as entertained with the vacuum coffee pot as she was with the French press... Something like, "Cute, but uhm, I want coffee". She can almost shave dry humor, no, she does. But only when she does not try. Her really good accidental humor reminds me of the twinge I would get in my jowels after sucking on those very sour jawbreakers. Oy vey! But I actually like it. Anyway.

I also want to get another kitty litter box, with another sifter. With only one sifter, I cannot quickly and easily clean it, which degrades the whole system or slows down the work a great deal. It might sound finicky, and it might be, but darn it, I hate having a stinky house. Messy? Sure, sort of. Needing a little repair here and there? S'kay, for now. But not stinky. I might also eat out again, so I do not have to do dishes. I like cooking, just not the dishes. The "chef" here is a bit of a Madonna when it comes to using pots, pans, cutlery, serving pieces, and utensils. Nothing but the best for his customers! Bah!

Well, I best get showered and get going. Yes, late. But so it goes. Have a good night. I may not log back in. I am becoming an early to sleep wienie, if that is okay too.

Looks to be snowing again.

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My kind of weather. I may just have to set the queen and princess out though. They need to figure this stuff out, get out and play, and that is that. They have both been refusing to go out and are both getting cabin fever. Sassy is the worst, but I can never tell if she has cabin fever or kitteh feva. Up at it, at 6:00 again. I am starting to think, with the fear of visitors catching me all unprepared, I might have a reason to be up early and ready now. That... might be enough... so long as I continue to get visitors.

I really need to keep my caffeine handy. I ran out of soda and my coffee pot is a bit of work. So, I may just get a normal coffee pot for daily use, saving the other two for special company (the vacuum and the French press). Oh, and I need better coffee. I know some people can drink almost anything slightly (and I do mean slightly) more tolerable than high grade motor oil. I have gotten spoiled on pretty good stuff and cannot quite choke down brown swill. So, while shopping today, I will grab some coffee. I have a hand (non-electric) coffee grinder now, so I can get beans. That helps all by itself. I used to think the darker coffees were the richest in caffeine, not so. I will still buy some of that, but I need to get the lighter types for days when caffeine is a need more than a want. Uhrm, like today, and yesterday too. Some days, pulling on the boots, gloves, or even pants can be a chore. Jammies are good, but not really company ready.

I suspect I will get the living room spiffified, manage some boxes, take some recycling in (simply because I am not sure I have enough room for that for this coming weekend in my container), do some shopping, and just have a fine old day. Well, that is what I keep telling myself. I only seem to be able to work a few hours of my own accord, no matter how much I want to do. If I were a train, I would guess my engine is a bit weak, or my drive train is slipping, or my caboose is a bit heavy, or bits of all three sometimes separately, sometimes combined. :p

Now that I have the snow blower going, I do not care if it snows three feet a day! So long as my home is good and no branches crash into it. I need to get a roof scoop device for my back porch. I can see where, when that was not done, the snow crumpled the steel roofing. Someone learned a hard lesson, though it looks like it was a one time deal. I would rather learn from their mistake than repeat it all on my own.

Well, on with life! Good day.

I am a terrible cleaner.

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Little bits and pieces have been taken care of though most of the work remains. I simply am not good at getting to this kind of work, or doing it well, for long, or anything. I am hoping, with an extra day thrown in, I might have the place up to par for, say, my mother. Well, at least on the surface. Or, perhaps more along the lines of a first glance approval. That will be as good as I ever get and it will be a rare shine.

The kitty and cat are enjoying life, though I know Sam would love to go out but for the snow and cold. She has become a fussy outdoor cat, choosing only to go when it absolutely suits her which it has not been true for some time. Sassy has gone out twice with Sam but does not stay long and has not gone out in a goodly bit. She is even fussier. So be it, but they are going a little stir crazy so I wish they would go out. I try to remember when the sun is really shining, as that would be the warmest, to offer them the door. I do try.

That was that. A meager day with mild successes. I am hoping for more tomorrow but I am not sure that will work out much better. Still, even a bit closer to my goal is better than no improvement at all. It is about bed time. Those early rises, even with the occasional nap, tend to slow my boat down about now. Actually an hour ago I was looking for the bed but thought to do a few more finishing touches. Uhrm, actually, beginning steps in the cleaning. I should be honest even if this is anonymous. Good night.

Control-Alt-Delete.

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I waited, in bed, for the call. I was about to make it when the phone rang. My friend calling to make sure I was still with the program, called and checked. I asked if he would mind if we put it off until tomorrow. He said Thursday would be more like it, that he had two doctor appointments tomorrow. Being half asleep I suggested we just do it after his last. Thursday, he suggested, again. Ah, right, he will be tired. Duh! Well, of course. Besides, if I am asking him to reschedule, let it be in line with his itinerary anyway, right? Yes, of course. So, I have this evening and tomorrow to get on into even finer cleaning... if I can get into even looser straightening. Bah! But I will work on it.

I then promptly took a two and a half hour nap. I actually feared not being able to wake, but I needed a little rest. For whatever reason I just could not keep my eyes shining. The nap was good, I had some interesting dreams. In one that I can still recall, it is loverly to punch at a bad guy, miss, hit a brick wall, and shatter the wall. I had several mildly entertaining dreams during the nap, if I only still remember this one. My jaw has been hurting lately, I was wondering why. My guess, harsher dreams (which I am not remembering). Fighting a bad guy in a fictional manner is never bad, more like a B movie, starring... me. Not terribly popcorn worthy from a viewing perspective, but if nothing else is happening it is not bad. I am, after all, merely sleeping otherwise so why not.

A bit of wake up and then I will see about straightening, sweeping, and updating the girls' powder rooms. My friend cannot smell, so would not know. Which is unfortunate. I am going to have to ask my neighbor lady, or one of them, to 'investigate my house' if I get to that. A woman's nose knows. Mine usually does too, if not as well, I just always fear that living with odors might make one insensitive to that. I fear become a stale cabbage smelling old guy. Just... saying. Anywhile.

Later.

Those rascally dishes.

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They are clean, washed to the last one. Not that there were that many, most were not all that dirty, and after soaking, they came clean in a hurry. Now, I took my time, washed in batches, doing a load, soaking the next, then... not doing dishes for a while. I suppose, all told, I could have knocked out several days of dishes in a little under an hour. Why I hate doing dishes, and at times much more than others, I do not know. I hate dishes and only wash them for practicality issues.

I will, eventually, get going on straightening the house. However, I do not think I can do dinner tonight. I am over my head and cannot get everything done to my satisfaction in time. So, when my friend calls or should he forget and I need to call him, I will inform my friend that today is off. Tomorrow should be fine. Some straightening, sweeping, vacuuming, and a few other functions to make the place tidy will be done yet today. But, as I said, not in time.

My nose has been dripping all day. I do not think I have a cold though. I think, with the snow sealing things, when the furnace runs I am getting nostrils full of sneezey stuff. Then again, while I was messing with the snow blower last night, after the sun went down, in my summer jacket and without gloves, I may have pushed it a bit far. I know my hands were hurting by the time I finished, put up the blower, and rushed into my home. Maybe I have something. It just does not feel or seem like it.

Bah! I hate failure, but sometimes rescheduling is best. Later.

No.

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I do not want to get going. I am not sure why, but I simply do not want to get going. Actually, I do and and I do not. Tired, feeling chill, a little hungry, and immobilized by some thing. I said I would, and I will. I will have to fight through to it though and it is not going to be easy. I have turned the heat up, both in this room and in the house. The thermometers say it is warm. But I cannot feel it. I think this may be another kind of cold. Something within. Chemical, psychological, even spiritual in nature, having nothing to do with ambient or core temperatures.

I did set the dishes to soak in a warm bath, again, and set a timer to let me know when I may put my hands in that water without being scalded. I have, as usual, fed the furbearing beasties. I have tried bits of this and that to enliven myself. I am simply dragging my feet, numb as they feel. Oh, I did shoot off that email. It does not sound like that will be investigated as I received a quick reply. I may have to see if I can find anything out. Maybe, if it is real, a link might light a fire that a mere dream will not. Or, given all that is going on, this type of thing would not be interesting enough of a story. Or more, perhaps such things are below the radar altogether in these times. Digging too deeply, people might be afraid to know just what is out there, or already know and just dismiss it. I must admit, considering everything that happens in the world and this current government, I could see an investigator being attacked by a federal prosecutor, ostensibly because of the connection with child porn but in fact to shut the investigation down. We have a very corrupt administration and "federal justice system" at this time.

Anyway, I will... try to get going on what needs to happen for a visit and meal this evening. For now, that is what I have and what I will do.

Did I mention???

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Dishes eluded me yesterday. For as immobile as they are, they are, to me, quite tricky. I try and I try but I just cannot get to them. Well, today, this morning some time, has to be the day. My friend will be here for dinner, and dirty dishes are unfashionable to serve meals upon. I think he might outright reject or sort of hold a grudge or something. Oh well, I suppose if I am going to offer food I might as well go the full monty? Yeah...

I had a terrible dream last night. No not frightening or thrilling or the things I like, nor even the bad old time dreams, but a dream that, if true, is despicable. I believe enough that it might be true that I am going to email someone who has a nose for these things, a family man so he will not be scared off or bought off, who loves to break major stories and runs with such. If my dream is true, you may read about it in the big news before long. Then again, with the political correctness as is, you might only hear about it on FOX news. As middle of the road as they are, at least they print it all, not just one side. If it is not true, fine. I will rest easier. I may leave a hint (girls) if it turns out to (Britain, I think) be true. I just do not want the attention, here or anywhere. Bah, probably just a bad dream.

It was 5:12 and all was well. I woke early so I just turned off the alarm. It will give me a little extra time to goof and wake up before I need to shower, do dishes, and get going with my meal plan. Anyway, have a great day.

Ah-ha!

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I got the snow blower to work. There was no gas in it to speak of, perhaps a little pool in the very bottom, but nothing a siphon could pull out. I think I ran it dry and left it that way the last time I used it (used it up on the neighbors, much to their delight as I recall). I tried to start it before I headed to town. I believe I flooded it, after trying a bit, so I decided to let it sit and rest while I got on with the rest of my schedule. I drove to the local store and purchased some items. I did not see any whole milk, so I asked if they regularly had that on hand. They do. So, I will be visiting them a time or two a week. I picked up various other goods, and will probably begin shopping there a bit more often. In time, if I am regular enough, I may ask for specific brands. If they see me in there often enough, I think they will oblige. I then stopped at the post office and said hello to the post lady. She is always pleasant and I am sure it gets lonely in there. Of course, when I stopped, someone else came in with a seemingly complicated set of tasks, so I let out of there and left them to their tasks. Into town I went. I dropped into the organic store, the local one, and bought what I needed and a few things I thought would add to the festive feasts to come. My grains, of course, and a few other things, including dried (semi-dried?) cherries, unsweetened I will have you know. Then I stopped to see my friend. He was not interested in going out, so we just sat and talked a bit. But he is interested in having that pork dinner I have been promising. So, tomorrow that is on. I forgot my shopping list, so I do not have those items, but I will remember it tomorrow when I go in to pick him up.

Yes, and for a treat, I went to my favorite Mexican eatery. I stuffed my gullet with good, bad, and ugly. The ugly was shrimp ceviche. It was ugly only in that trying ceviche at a new place for the first time is always a bit nerve-wracking. It was absolutely fantastic. Then I went safe and had the good. The good was a platter of meats and such with tortillas, otherwise known as fajitas. Then on to the bad... fried icecream. Delicious, but definitely not on my proper diet, so... bad... I am an ogre, I can do these things. Three glasses of tea, unsweetened and without anything else, topped off the deal. I think, if I can talk my lady friend into it, I will take her there. I want her to try the ceviche for sure!

Well, all is good. I am groomed, ready for more snow, doing a daytime schedule, prepping for several visits, and planning to begin getting around to see some of the folks kind enough to have visited. Darn it, I like this place more and more. It might not take a village to raise a kid (duh!), but it might take a village to turn an ogre into a man again. Who knows.

Later. I am going to tinker on my game. I, as much as I ever really have, have earned it today.

Amazed! (Not really.)

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This idiot admin is now angry with Wikileaks. They harmed the military, it's efforts, and all that was going on in the military, and that was simply sad to them, or something. As soon as WL dumps on them, personally, now they are out for blood. Really? Of course, my guess is the Russians or Israelis are going to do what needs to be done. What, if we did not have a pussy in chief, a coward, a military hater, in the office of president, we would have done or had done long ago. Yes, I do pine for Reagan sometimes. This punk would have been decommissioned and deep sixed so fast his gay little locks would not have time to fling if we still had Reagan. Just sayin'.

Still have not gotten to anything, but I am just about to. It takes time, sometimes, for me to wake up and get going. I have actually been really trying for a week or so. Well at least I am going to hit it today. It looks like someone plowed part of my drive! Super! Some one is trying to be nice, make friendly, or such, and it is working. Still, after dishes, I will try to get the snow blower functioning, then get the mail and stop at the store, and then make it to town. I need a meal, a good one, with no dishes, so I will be eating somewhere that feeds top food and lots of it. Mexican or steak, cannot make up my mind at the moment. That will be my treat when all is done. I did get a shower in, and the dishes to soak in hot sudsy, so I am... moving in that direction.

Take care or take off. :) :P

Nice!

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I stayed up late, if I got little done. Still, I set my darned alarm for 6:00 and, at 6:02 I turned the thing off and got up. A little rough, but a lesson if I can take it. And what with the recent Mormon invasion, I would like to keep my day "job". I like having folks visit. Still, I need to get to work on straightening, something I have yet to complete. The place is not horrible, but it is not something which would be keen for visitations. I must... push. Plus my lady friend will be here in a week. I have to get going.

I did make a partial list of ingredients for both a supper with my friend and my lady friend menu items. I am going general, for now, though I may call her and ask a question or two. I think rather than a big bird, I will go with cornish game hens, unless she asks for something else. That is, unless I can get off my duff, go to my neighbors house, and ask if she knows anyone who raises ducks and might have them available in the freezer, or goose. Those make fine fair. I am planning on apple and pumpkin pies, though I will try honey instead of sugar this year. Since honey is sweeter, it takes about four parts honey to 5 parts sugar as a conversion. My lady friend, as I mentioned, is on a "sugar free" diet, while using honey, due to her glycemic index rising and threatening her healthy insurance premium. Silly girl, she will never learn, food fads and women. Thank God I'm a country BOY! :p

Sassy went a bit nuts yesterday. She jumped and scratched, deeply. Yeah, okay, I was not exactly gentle. Digging in claws when I am not expecting it can make poppa a sore loser. Well, that and yesterday night, she attacked my legs while sleeping. At first it was just a tap, tap, tap, then the claws came out and she drew blood, twice. BAM... Do not mess with sleeping ogres! Both were reactionary, but I do not have any guilty conscience over the learning moments she just went through. She will lose the limp in a bit (joking, she is NOT limping). She gets all hyper hungry, or horny, or something, and just... animalifies. ('nother made up word, sue me).

Sam is Sam. She is absolutely blind during the day. Which can be fun. Moving my hand 12 feet from her and she cannot tell if it is close, threatening, the kitteh, or what. I tease her, then let her know by voice that it is good. I think they now know when I laugh, all is good (or they are about to die, heh). And I cannot tease them for too long without laughing. Then they get all surly and stuff. More and more they remind me of women. Ah well, I guess I do like women a lot too, if they are all just as strange as any cat I have ever known... Save maybe Precious and my current lady friend, both were outliers even in that world view. *Wrowrrrrh!* hehe

Well, I best get to work. I will spend a couple hours waking up, take a shower, get to the snowblower and see if the beast will start after a few ministrations, then go to the local store and see what they have, and then probably drive in to town to get some things I am sure the local store does not have. The local store just went through a change of management and a facelift, and in any case, I need to start supporting them. Yes, more money for product. But having a local store, so I do not have to drive to town all the time, would be nice. Plus, I bet if I start coming in regularly, I can get them to offer certain items I need and want.

Later.

Sunday.

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What a nice day. It is a bit chilly, a time when Sam loves to visit. She loves me being back to gaming, as I sit in one place more than a half an hour. Which makes me a prime target for a catrest. As well, since Sassy is more a shoulder sitter cat type girl, who does not really enjoy resting on me while computing, Sam gets the high ground and can be menacing to the intrudakitty AND comfortably comfortable on her man throne. Heh! They do think, yes they do. Little tacticians, with plans and notions. Much like the notion of real women, I do not catch all of it. It seems simple, but... I do not think it really is. Hissy sissy fits are not always what they seem. I am real estate, prime real estate, and a food source. Oh, and for Sam, I know the door open mojo magic.

Woke up without the alarm, at just about 5:00. Perfect. Now if I can get to some cleaning and keep this schedule, I will enjoy my visit much more. I need to look around and see where we might travel for some winter views, perhaps cross country skiing, and such. With the weather as it is, as I suspected, planning anything is difficult. So be it. We will enjoy a little of Utah, some good food, and a friendly face. That will be Christmas and Thanksgiving, for both of us. And not bad, really.

Well, time to go. The 6:00 alarm I set is going off and it is time to feed the furry furies. Later.