There is only so much time.

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My ambitions were sound, simply not practical.  Dishes, the kitchen, cleaned.  A few other things were also done.  The bulk of my time was consumed in making menudo.  Slicing tripe takes a bit of energy, and a bit of standing.  It was my back, actually, that proved the weak point.  When added to dishes and cleanup anyway.  I may yet install the new software.  The laptop should be fully powered by now.  And, yes, I kept up on the cleaning while making the menudo, so there is no extra due to that.  Hmm, actually, I cleaned the stovetop off well, then waxed it.  Glass tops work better, and look better, with the treatment.

The camera is set up.  There are a few dishes to be done tomorrow, first thing, but few enough that it will be a simple task.  As soon as the menudo cools, I will even put that away.  With the right bowls, storing foods more properly should be a snap.  I may see if that can be frozen.

As to flavor?  It was good.  I didn't have fresh onions, and haven't replenished my shredded cheese stocks, which do add a great deal to the meal.  I don't think it is as good as my moms, probably not as good as my brother makes it, and not as good as my aunts and great aunts used to make.  It sufficed, and not just barely.  I truly like this dish, once in a while.  It is from my childhood, and a rarity since then.  A treat.  I hope to figure out how to improve upon it.  Still, not bad for my first true solo run on it.  And I think the sauce will do quite well for other remembered but rarely had childhood foods.

Really, not bad.  The problem wasn't in work ethic, effort, or ability.  It was simply in having too much to do in a given amount of time.  Sure, you can multi-task, but only just so much.  I wove what I could into what I did.  I am pleased with the efforts and results.  I still need to do a bit more cleaning, and it is on the menu.  Now that I am doing better, it will get done, when is the question, not if.  I will get the picture tomorrow or the night after, then turn off the lights for the holiday.  If it stays clear, I may even bring them down this weekend.  It's been a very good day.  Now to rest, to be ready for dinner out.  Though, as I mentioned, I may attempt to install the photo editor... and maybe do the dishes as well. 

One last thing.  That "mouse trap" I constructed last year?  The one I thought was working, but couldn't prove, as I believe the 'girls' were eating the evidence?  I left it set up, for no particular reason.  It must have been working well enough to feed the girls and change.  I found a dead mouse in there, while checking the lower pantry for hominy.  All good, very good.  And, I think it's paying dividends in helping put mouse meat in the furry ladies' bellies.  A treat they quite enjoy.  Happy cats make for a happy home, too.

Good night.