The first good sleep in... a week or two?

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No sugar, yesterday.  Well, maybe some in the morning, from the gift pack.  But no hard candy, or all day.  Yea, I know.  As well, I was being thirsty no matter how much I drank.  So I put a cultured vinegar, electrolyte, and water concoction together.  About a quart of the stuff, at fairly significant doses of the stuffs.  It was hard to take down, but worked.  Especially while removing sugar from my diet.  Well, and a heave amount of kefir.  That stuff... does things.  Good things.  So, yea.  And, with the hard candies gone, and the sweets in the gift box gone, I'll do better.  Though, probably, if a smaller whole and partial doses, I'll have another vinegar, electrolyte, and water combo again today.

It... sounded like it was raining, as I began writing this.  Raining?  On December 31st?  Nutz.  I had to go look.  Yep,  It is raining.  And things are thawing.  It is 34, so just warm enough.  Of course, that makes me nervous.  It could just freeze in a snap, become really ugly out there.  And my driveway is snowed in.  Bleh.  My system isn't put together, I probably can fix it up, and... that is that.

I got payments made yesterday, and a plan on the way.  Hmm, I need to get money in to utilities, then see about setting up and autopayment plan.  Last month I was ahead on this.  This month, though, I need to pay again.  And, as mentioned, get it set up.  My incoming check was larger this month.  So, I will, initially, be using it to get clear of a few things.  I paid two cards off, will be paying heavily on one card, while using one of the paid off cards to sort through monthly things, giving me a bit of cash on hand for the meanwhile.  Yes, financial planning is a thing.  Finally, in my life.  Even so, the goal is to have as much left, at the end of the month, to put more on a card.  No choice, really.  I had things to do, and limited maneuvering room.

I definitely need to thaw some meats.  A pork roast, hamburger, and maybe something else.  As well, I need to mop the back area.  I may not be going fast, but I am getting it done.  I suspect this will finish up quickly, dry quickly too, and be put back in place all yet today.  Probably a load of laundry in, while at it.  Hopefully it all fits and works rightly.

I forgot to put my dairy list in.  I am staying with the four gallons of milk and quart of cream.  I need to find out what my balance is, so I have an idea of what I need to add to it.  Still on last month, actually.  With four Saturdays this coming month.  And, probably, nearly a hundred in the black going in, give or take.  Still, each week is ~$40?  Something like that.  But, kefir, at this pace, really handles a lot of food wants and needs.  As does the fatted coffees or such.  And, I think the kefir has been covering for eating candy.  It... does something to that, processes it in a different way.  It could only help so much, and for so long.  But, yes, it... does help.

Now, without sugar around, I should be able to get back in shape.  I just hated throwing that out.  Without insulin, though, keeping it around was just too great a temptation.  Gone, one way or the other.  Oh, and I finally found my old glasses prescription.  And ordered a few pair.  I broke a pair last month.  Am wearing a pair which don't quite work, but... do.  If they work, I will order a few more.  If it looks like I need to get a newer script first?  Utah changed the law, so that if a prescription is too old, they won't allow you to order it online.  I really don't want the government involved with these things.  As a fact, they should back out of medicines.  If it's not a narcotic, I should be able to order it.  Docs don't seem to know or care, as long as they get their service fee.  And, they are just woke instruments of destruction, at this point.  Certainly the new ones, but often even the old ones.  We are just money, for them.  Nothing more.  Well, and woke indoctrination subjects.  Fix prescriptions, which aren't narcotic, and leave us alone if they are going to not treat us without a mask or bundle of cash.

Hungry.  I might have something available.  Eggs and bacon, maybe corned beef hash?  Dunno.  Good morning, day.

She is tight!

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My checking balance.  I was afraid, with the double mortgage, and all else... from Christmas to wedding gifts, and repairs etc, I would have fallen out of grace.  I was sure they would have ended up taking money out of savings, to cover.  But... I... just hid from all that, and did what I had to do.  Nope.  Today, when the banks open, will be payday.  And I just checked.  My account stands at $1.05, and they didn't pull from savings.  Ugh.  Tight!  Pleased.

I received a gift, yesterday.  But I know not, for sure, from whom.  I checked with my mother.  Nope.  Didn't think so, but... Being in a nursing home, she just doesn't have money.  Called my brother.  No answer.  Could be someone else, but no tag, or card, or... anything.  Cheeses, meats, and sweets.  I have enjoyed some of it.  Did check the sent to name, to make sure it was sent to me, and... yes.  Dunno.

I have been eating the candy, in the house.  I had thought to throw it, but... just couldn't.  Though I thought I would be out by now.  Nope.  I think I will throw the rest, minus what I got in the gift box.  Not all that many sweets, and it's part of the gift.  But the hard candy is getting tossed.  Or it will kill me.  Ugh.  Not even half way through?  Crazy.

Well, maybe a few more.  But I threw away the vast majority of what was left.  Life Savers.  Most of the bag.  I really thought I had eaten through a lot more than I had.  Nope.  All good or oh well?

I am hoping to get a shower, then mop the wash room... at least where the washer normally sits.  Then, when that area is dry, push it back in place and clean the rest of the floor.  Sweeping and mopping.  As well, get the washer hooked back up, then start a smaller load... see if it holds.  Gah!  That ended up being a few dead ends, a few mistakes, and, yet, I think it should be good.

In spite of the frustration, I love working through problems, and solving them.  If I would really enjoy it far more if money wasn't so tight!  Though, too, I have a few more tools.  And equipment... the pump.  Items I can trust to work.  A few will be arriving soon.  Gifts, for not paying someone else a few hundred to do.  Then again, if I paid, the jobs would be done.  There probably wouldn't have been a spill on the floor back there.  Though I would have learned nothing and spent as much, or nearly.  Next time?  And, if I live long enough there will be a next time, I will be ready.  As well, for other jobs like it, I will be a bit more knowledgeable and prepared with the right tools.

It is about 25 out there.  Not bad.  Could be much cooler.  Was there for a bit, down to 2 F, as the coldest I saw.  If I haven't been checking all that often.  We had a few days up to 34 to 38, thawing.  Didn't get rid of all the snow, even with rain.  But cleared off some things, removing ice from the driveway.

Have to finish waking before I can get a shower in.  All good.  But a bit achy, tired, sore, even now.  Could be worse.  Though could be better.  Not sure.  Being off medicine, that... may be as good as it gets from now on.  All because they want to force me to wear a mask I can't breath through, which doesn't do an f'ing thing for health, nothing positive anyway.

Not even sure I can game, but may try.  Have a good morning and day.

Up and going.

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Well, not actually going.  Having done anything yet.  Did turn on the water to heat, and poured a goodly shot of kefir for my morning start.  Grabbed carrots and celery for a morning snack.  Next time I am out that way, I will check the litter boxes, make fatted coffee, and?  Maybe make something more filling to eat.

Not feeding Sassy, not yet.  Set a timer.

I did sweep where the dryer goes, and today am hoping to mop the area.  Then set the fan to dry the area before reinstalling it.  Though, after that, I would really like to clear the whole area, sweep up the rest of it, then mop over even that.  I think I can do that while still doing the last of the laundry.  

As well, a shower today.  Then, later, cleaning the bathroom like I, hopefully, have done with the laundry room.  I haven't kept up.  I won't likely catch up.  But... I... can try.  And I will try, when I can.  I think I am finally acclimated to winter.  The dark, as always, can be a little harsh.  The cold still sneaks in, even with the leaks managed.  But, I have learned to dress warmly, rightly, even differently from time to time.  And, as a treat, a day, or two, a week, I turn the heat up to 74/75.  Or take a road trip to town.  Being in a hot auto, for a while, works to warm the bones too.  So it won't be perfect, in deep winter.  But, it is better, much better.

While I haven't been terribly physically busy, I have been experimenting with things.  From kefir, which I have nearly perfected given it is a home processing thing, to getting and keeping my pee jugs clean with less use of bleach.  Can't... get away with out some, can learn to minimize.  A water closet up there would be nice, but would cost a fortune to install.  Even if I could do it myself.  Up lines (don't think I would need a pump, though.  A drain line.  A vent.  Complicated, more so than some think.  Anyway, for now, it is what it is.

Though, too, I have been doing home repairs.  While it's keeping me on my toes, it is crushing me.  Not that I mind, but it... slowly gets to me.  Having to work when I am not really ready or able.  A bit more to do, then maybe some rest.  Or, at least lighter duty.

Payday is Friday.  I think.  I'll want to get to the store, grab a few more meats.  I have been eating less, trying to store more than eat.  Though, that isn't working well, with meats being bitter of late.  Buying three packs of chicken, having to toss all of it because it tastes so old, and I fall behind.  Even pork has been rather sour of late.  And beef is simply far beyond my finances to buy.  Even with hamburger, I wait for sales unless I simply run out.  Then I just buy a few packages, hoping eventually, the prices will become sane.  We are becoming the USSR.  They make it look like it is there, but it is either trash food, or too expensive to consider.

Well... on to my day.  A bit of browsing, then gaming.  A fatted coffee, somewhere in there.  Then... to some work after I wake a bit better.  Down at 17:30, up at almost two.  I can live with that range.  Would like to sleep just a bit longer, but don't want to push or pull too much.  Scheduling is always a tight-rope walk for me.  Some boats just don't tolerate almost any rocking.

Good morning, day, still night?  Meh.  Be well, blessed, right.  Amen.

A reasonable cycle.

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Down at 17:00 to 17:30, awake at 2:30.  A reasonable sleep.  Slept warm.

Kefir and reading, looking at the web feeds.  Not much use in reading, at this point.  Just waiting for more shoes to drop, if I'm not sure that information will get out until it is too late.  It's... already too late.  The funny thing is, they'll be going after the soft targets first.  The ones who are sure nothing is the matter.  You'll... understand, in a short time.

Strange dreams.

Yesterday, I was visiting some relatives.  My mom and myself went to a birthday party?  Something like that, or a small local festivity.  Thing is, I needed to change close, but was having difficulty getting privacy.  These are more... tribal... of my kin.  And, they aren't used to privacy.  Mostly kids and granny types in the house.  No locks on the doors, and they would burst right in.  Ugh.  Eventually figured something out, got changed in a modicum of privacy, then went on to the event.

The other one was about finding a very old ceramic nick-knack in my home, behind drywall.  Painted beautifully, mostly in whites and baby blues, with a shine to it.  Ceramic?  I would guess, or something like it.  It was guessed to be four to five hundred years old.  But, someone had installed some lights in it, and radio.  Thankfully, they didn't harm the piece in the process.  Though, even the lights and radio were first gen in there times, so were of some value themselves.

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I was told it was worth a literal fortune.  And, while I didn't really want to sell it, I didn't want it to fall apart under my care, or lack there off.  So, I was just... slowly... coming to the realization that preserve it, I would need to sell it.  Worth many millions, so I would have gotten over the sting shortly.

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And, last night, other dreams.  Flying.  One of my favorite.  Oh, and talking to my wife.  Never been married, but have been close.  If you are married, you know, those conversations at night, when you are arranging your next week, and maybe month?  Figuring out what events must be attended, where you each, together and alone, are expected.  Little disagreements and negotiations.

Can be a bit annoying, but sure makes life easier.  It often never quite works out the way we think, in our planning, but it makes it easier.  Some obligations are required, unless someone gets really ill, or a major malfunction occurs.  It can be an enjoyable time of life.  When a women isn't be an hysteric, and I am not being bullheaded, it is good to interact.  Women aren't... always wrong.  Nor are we.  Though, sometimes, it sure seems like we both are trying to be, or at least ONE of us.  Always the other, of course.

And, really?  It's nice to talk to the opposite sex.  I mean, just interact with them, without sex being the topic, or arguing purely, or... whatnot.  One of the things I miss about school, especially high school, was having well dressed, clean, proper, and mostly platonic relations, with a lot of women.  A winsome smile to a pretty glance, a casual tap on the shoulder, maybe even a shared blush for good or no reason, with a pretty girl.  

By the time they get to college, they often start going through a... horrible phase.  They only talk to those they consider sex with, if even them, of the opposite sex.  They become defensive, or too loose, depending on the day, their circumstances, and whatever else may affect them.  But in highschool, they were still... somewhat sane, sweet.  Mostly.  I wanted almost nothing to do with college girls.  Something wrong with them.

Well, on to waking.  A bit of gaming.  I did get through the second game in the series.  But, I think the problem, was getting through the game on harder levels.  I have to admit, the third game is a multiculti, queered up, crapfest.  They were all somewhat questionable, but in the third game they really amped it up.  I usually shit on idiots in the game.  But, whatever.

Not sure if I will still have problems with higher difficulty settings.  We'll see.  Just, to keep any updates off the machine until I finish.  They absolutely destroy playability with updates.  I guess they feel obliged to give their quota employees something to do.  So, killing an older game is what they are for.

Hungry?  I'll have a few glasses of kefir.  That stuff really does well.  Milk for diabetics.

Oh, I hear it helps with leaky gut?  When I... finally figured out what leaky gut is, I had to laugh.  Still haven't heard the official truth of it, but I think they mean peanut butter bottom?  When your no-go zone gets a bit greased?  Had to laugh.  That happens from eating too much, or the wrong foods.  It's a gut consistency problem, more than else.

Though kefir might help your gut digest things in a better way, and I think it does, it won't help if you throw garbage in.  Even too much, literally, peanut butter... especially high sugar, bad fats, sorts of peanut butters.  I go with really simple peanut butter, low carb as possible, and then only a teaspoon or two, from time to time.  If I eat a quarter of the (even then) smaller jars I have, I will get "leaky gut", no matter how keto attuned I am.

But, I larfed and I larfed.  When I finally figured out what that means.  My bum stays in very good condition, even without kefir, so long as I don't stuff down (too much) junk food.  Too much isn't very much.  But volume itself can be junk food.  Bleh!  Larfing heartily.  Something about, when I figured it out, the way they were hiding the meaning, and what it means (probably), just... I had to laugh.

Well... on to my day.  A bit of music first?  Maybe.  Good morning, day, and later... more likely tomorrow.

Had to throttle things.

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Down at 18:30 and change.  Awake at 23:30, the first time.  Pushed for more sleep, wasn't sure it could happen.  Kept rolling over and looking.  23:40, 23:45, 24:00, 24:15.  Gah!  So, I stopped rolling over to look.  Still, not much time seemed to pass.  Sassy came up.  Feed me!  But, even then, no.  I gave her a massage, scratched behind her ears, and her back, as she prefers, then slept a bit longer.

Decided it was time to give up and get up.  Didn't think I had slept long, so didn't really worry about checking the clock.  As I sat up and was preparing to get dressed, I decided to look.  More out of habit than anything.  I had made it to nearly 3:00.  Nice.  Not a perfect day and night, but not a bad one.

Why is it I can't sleep when I am nominally tired, or when I am terribly tired?  Only when my body thinks it is time.  And, if I miss that, stay up a little too long, I lose my ability to sleep for a long time, four to even eight hours out of queue.  Though, and then again, I pushed to be up to when I was awake.  If, actually, I bent the queue a bit even last night.  I had meant to be in bed by 15:00.  I pushed beyond and only got to bed when I could.

I'll check the floor in the wash room shortly.  I want it dry, so I can sweep and mop in there.  It's not terrible, it was clean water.  But it needs it.  And, while it is out, might as well hit it.  Then, let that dry, and put things together and see if a load of whites will go through?  Actually, I'll try a smaller load.  Then whites as the final proof.

Hungry.  I do have burger crumble.  I have hearts of romaine.  Not sure how good either is.  Sure would like if they would bring salads back.  Perhaps, currently, it simply isn't affordable to make.  They sold out.  I wouldn't mind if they skipped the tomatoes, until the price comes down on that.  Though the lettuce was becoming rather... hard?  The leaves.  Perhaps they just can't get quality produce?  Enough?  Lettuce, purple leafed lettuce or cabbage, and carrot shreds, would be nice.  Might not have enough employees?  Sit people idle for a few years, they realize working their asses off for a few bucks really... isn't worth the hassle.  And, you just taught them to do without.  Didn't you think there would be consequences?  Even the better pay?  

You are often forced to work with lazy idiots, and a boss who really doesn't have the employee, business, or even consumer in mind.  Just a little play dictator.  Seriously.  I understand.  I'd love to work.  I just couldn't keep it up, or even keep on a schedule.  Just the facts.  But, that is different.  Even the higher pay?  That just ends up making everything more expensive, the whole thing, as is, is a trap.  And, you work, and pay in, and watch as the most uncouth, nasty, lazy, and such, get a free ride from your efforts.  Even if you can make a bag of cash, is it worth the hassles?  The long hours, the foolish degree that actually means nothing?

Even in engineering, they don't teach you engineering.  They try to whittle you out with stupid pet tricks, and let your employee train you.  Your degree just gets the attention of someone who thinks you might have the aptitude to learn bits and pieces, but even then never enough to diy it.  They are afraid of competition, and damned well should be.  Corpos are sloppy.  A lean company would eat their lunch, and toss them to the curb.  Can't have that.

Well, enough grump for the morning.  A bit achy this morning.  Pushing the day around sort of hurts.  Will try to maintain, at this point.  Down by 17:00 to 20:00, hopefully earlier.  Up by 3:00 to 5:00.  All give or take, if I can.  Not on meds, so slippage is more possible.  For any, or no, reason.

Hungry.  Not quite ready to dig in though.  Kefir!  I'll have some of that.  And a fatted coffee in a bit.  Good morning and day.

Not bad.

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The back room is drying well.  It was 37 F out earlier.  I had a lot of kefir today.  Will be setting up a new batch as I go to bed.  Been taking care of Sassy through the day.  Oh, even got the trash out.  Not sure what day it is?  Actually, it has to be Monday.  But I keep forgetting.  I often, these last few days, forget which day it is.  I pushed, pulled, shoved, and else.  I overdid things.  Too tired to remember, but doing things, so I... can pass on knowing what day it is, as long as I can work.

I have been gaming, to keep the stretch going.  It is almost 18:00!  But my heart hurts, is sore, tired.  Fine.  I'll be getting to bed shortly.  Just trying to finish one last push in this game.  We'll see, it seems to be... having difficulties.

I'm not sure if they got both trash and recycling, if I missed one, or if it was only trash.  I know they, pretty sure, picked one barrel up.  I heard them at it.  Him, actually.  Only one man crews, these days.  The driver, with an automated arm.

I am hoping, the next time I wake the floor will be dry.  If it is, it means I did figure out the water problem, or second one.  Then to just connect the hoses and try it out.  I need whites, to be honest.  So, there I go.

There are a few other things in the works.  And, some things I am contemplating.  I didn't realize sceptic tanks needed cleared every few years.  I'll see if they work in the winter.  I won't schedule it for sometime in January, but February.  At least have them inspect it.  With only one person, using a family unit, it may or may... no... it's been a decade and change.  So, I'll plan on them emptying it... or whatever they do.  That has to be the backup problem in the bathtub.  Bleh.  Live and learn, I guess.  I just didn't realize it had to be pumped every three to five years (if that's more for a family).  Though, even just for me, probably in the seven year range?  I hope it isn't too expensive, but... yeah.  Although that, or some of it, if it is over a couple big bills, could come out of savings.  Savings is for the house.

Well... on to a bit more gaming, then to bed.  Good day, evening, and goodnight.

Ah, probably figured out the washing machine, et el.

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Embarrassed to say.  But... I heard something, couldn't find it.  A drip?  I hoped.  It was either that or something electrical, somewhere.  The washing machine was unplugged, but... there are other things.  Including wiring in the wall.  Ugh.  But, no.  When I finally got tired of waiting for the flow to stop, I pulled the machine out, started looking around.  Even then, I couldn't just see it!

I could hear it, but the sound was dispersed.  Still haven't figured out why.  However, I did find the problem.  the cold water shutoff valve was dripping.  Not from there being a flaw, simply because it was not shut off completely.  The thing is, I know it was not leaking when I initially removed it.  Higher pressure at times?  Maybe.  Or... it just took a while to get through.

Still, I have it off.  And am just letting a fan go in there to try to dry the room better.  And, with the obvious drip from the line into the machine, for the cold water, I think I have the problem solved.  I will just let the room dry.  When it is dry, I will put things back together, then let her rip.  If those things haven't fixed it completely, it, I'll... sort it from there.  Rather strongly suspect I have figured it out.  We'll see.

Actually, this has been a better Christmas in a while.  I had enough leftover chicken, from the deli, to feed me the weekend, and well.  I got to eat, say, three times a day.  Mostly meat, some potato and salads, even a bit of desert.  Not the greatest.  Pressure cooked chicken doesn't do well for seconds.  But, it was... good enough.

As well, I went ahead and ordered four gallons of milk.  I don't get that much in return.  Unless I am really lucky, and even then only mostly.  If I can catch the kefir in ferment, just at the point where I have about as much grains made as were put in, then I get the optimal amount of kefir out.  Which is pretty much what was put in.  But, often, just because of the vagaries of fermentation, I end up getting rid of a LOT of kefir grains, and then mostly only getting whey.  Still, it works, just a bit more grainy.  If probably with even lower carbs than my twice matured kefir.

Even so, this will allow me to have more kefir, daily, than ever before.  I really like the stuff, too.  Does it do me any good?  I don't know.  But it is some solid food for me.  Food I basically trust, and generally like.  Pricey, but given the cost of other foods, not so bad.  Especially with meats tasting old, or gamey, or worse.  And veggies being just about as expensive as meats, these days.  Fresh.

I'm not sure if today is a pickup day for trash.  I could see them getting today off too, and I could see them NOT getting today off.  I just don't know.  It's time to get some out.  But I'm so tired.  Thinking on getting it out, then watching the neighbors through the morning, to see if they pull their barrels out.

Ever been teased by a fine looking woman, from a distance?  She is pretty sure not, as am I.  But, like a cat and a dog at a window... doesn't hurt to bark and hiss.  I just... had to laugh.

Merry Christmas.

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Ah, there is that too.  I... lost track, between current events, troubles, and solutions.

I hope it is a good one.  Be well, know the holy, and enjoy good food and company.