Stayed up too late.

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It happens. I am still a bit lost in how to get back to "normal". Of course, I do not want to return to a lackluster normal. Who knows what I can actually manage to arrange. I am going to face a very lean month, and next month as well. I didum booboo, as one might say, which does not help in sorting things out. Still, I will sort it or it will sort itself. That is how life works. Then there is death if all else fails.

Sassy is become a bit neurotic. Or, wildly neurotic. I think she is reaching maturity but holding on to being a kitty? Or is she going through interest in toms? She is quite aggressive and assertive. I have placed limits on that and they seem to work, for the most part. Sam is neurotic, but she has learned to keep that in a place and has gone beyond it, mostly. They are joys to me, whatever they do. Mostly.

It is bed time. I will enjoy the rest. Tomorrow I may begin figuring out what bills might not get paid, how much I have on hand and otherwise available, and what to do. But for now, sleep. Deep, rich, warm, probably dream filled sleep will be had. Good night.

Odd things happen.

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While my lady friend was visiting, in our travels we noticed homes lit like electrical 4th of July displays. I will not, myself, put up Christmas lights. I suppose I could be talked into doing such silliness should I marry and the little woman get a particular bee in her bonnet. I know my limitations and depriving a little lady of her bee'd bonnet is often among my limits. In any case, I did suggest that I would like to light a candle, or set of candles, for the twelve days of Christmas. She has not heard of such a thing. I assured her that this practice is old, probably ancient, and is both quite Christian and not just Catholic. However, I was not sure how such things worked.

Today, a fellow stopped by to visit and brought a gift. It just so happens Mormons also, to whatever degree, know of the twelve day of Christmas candle lighting situation. As the gift was just that, along with verses from the book of Mormon and the New Testament. Oh, and not only did I invite him in, the guest that is, but with the living room in much better order, I invited him in to have a seat. We talked just a little bit, but it was good. I am not dressed properly, wearing sweats and a t-shirt. My hair was slightly but not properly combed as well. Still, it was better than before.

Anyway, I just think that after having just been discussing this particular candle, to have it show up is one of those things, odd things, in life. Perhaps letting me know I am going the right way and offering me an incentive to keep going. If we had discussed this in my home, perhaps one could posit through a right proper paranoia that it was "overheard". We were in my vehicle and several states over, I think, so though of course it is possible that we were overheard there, it is less likely. And should one's paranoia be hearty enough, one could believe that even my clothes are bugged. Still, I like to think this was just a work of fate. Probably. Ha!

Well, on to other things. I hope your day is going well. That you find something to chuckle at, wonder about, and maybe something worth putting your mystery or paranoid hat on. Yeah, it is fun, life that is. Later.

Ouch, almost.

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I wanted to sleep yesterday, as soon as I returned home and most of the day. Instead I waited until 23:00 or so before climbing into bed. I slept well, dreamed I think, and woke a bit late. I set the alarm for 7:00, so I could sleep in a bit today. It was not until 7:43 or so until I actually woke. And I enjoyed a little extra sleep. I sort of feel a little strung out, but actually not all that badly. My lady friend was no hassle to deal with, if I enjoy even most of that now it can stretch me. I think it was simply all the driving, travel, a bit of financial concern, and such, which have stretched me. Still, I need to be stretched from time to time. So it is a good thing.

Now to figure out my finances, get my life back to normal order, and just figure it all out again. I need to sort out my refrigerator, too. I have a duck and several cornish game hens in the freezer, along with a few other meats, so I should be good for food, along with the short term food stocks. Milk, maybe more cat food, and maybe a few incidentals through to the end of the month will see me in fine shape, I think.

Sam and Sassy were quite pleased to have papa back home. I slept in a crowded bed last night and woke to furry tickles several times, as they wanted to see if I would feed them. Sometimes that annoys me, sometimes it just makes me smile, either way I usually just go back to sleep. I think they must know when I am close to waking, as in deeper sleep that does not work. Pests, but I enjoy them.

On to my day. Have a great day yourselves.

Back to normal.

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I took my lady friend to the airport this morning and more or less on time and in good shape. I can begin figuring out what to do now that I am running solo again. It has been a bit of a whirlwind, in spite of it not seeming like it while it was happening. Driving, shopping, cooking, planning, and even the cleaning beforehand. Even the drive home is more doings and at times I usually do not go forth.

We did end up driving the Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We stayed the night there. Then we tried to get to the south gate of Yellowstone. The road was officially closed before we got to the gates but I could see that the park rangers, I suspect, had been driving on up. Whether the path went all the way to the gates, which I suspect, I will never know. My lady friend got cold feet about the project at the road closed sign, so we turned around. I think I enjoyed her Christmas present almost as much as she did.

The driving was extensive. I drove, perhaps, five hours up. But on the way back we took a different path as I wanted her to see Bear Lake and Logan Canyon. Then we drove on to SLC for another overnight out. Her flight required her to be to the airport at 5:30, according to their recommendations, for checking in and having everything in order for her 7:10 flight... give or take. The drive from up there, then to as close to the south gate as we got, and then to the hotel in SLC, and then a bit more to find an In-n-Out ended up making for about twelve to fourteen hours on the road.

I did overspend, of course. I had planned to have a good meal or three and had provisioned for it. Little of which, as it turns out, did we eat. Still, I had planned on a more expensive meat and a Christmas present. Though I had hoped to get that next month. Ah well, it all works out in the end. Somehow? Yeah, probably. And, she was more than pleased with the trip. In spite of not having my printer working still, and having to take down direction notes, we made the trip with nary a hiccup. And we made it back and on time just swell.

But, the coming down. That will take a bit. At least I did not feel pushed or pulled, stretched or thin, hung out or strung out. She was even pleased with my home, and the cleanliness. Which surprises me. Other than vacuuming and a little straightening, this is pretty much how my home is generally kept. Now to keep it pretty much like it is, though. My next visitor, my mother, comes in the spring. I should be able to keep up appearances that long. Besides, I may have local visitors before too long as well. Now to just keep it like this from now on, I suppose.

Well, off to tinker, read, comment, and whatever. Have a great day.

Another good day.

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I was up late, around 7:30 or 8:00. She was already up and tinkering. She made some coffee and oatmeal. I think I fixed myself something and had a cup of joe as well. A slow but steady morning of doing this and that, based on plans for lunch out at my favorite local Mexican place, a movie, and some shopping. And, it all went off without a hitch.

My favorite place, where I may have mentioned the shrimp ceviche and generally splendid meals, served up a winner. I would have enjoyed the meal in any case, but to have my lady friend enjoy her meal and the ceviche was simply an additional bonus. Then a stop at the local organics store, where she bought nothing but looked around a bit. Then to the new Harry Potter movie. I know, it is secular at best. I know, it is for children. Still, I merely enjoyed it for what it was. She enjoys these things as if she were a child. It was good. Then a few things on here list. All the time talking about this or that. I grabbed a chuck roast and to home we went. I made the roast, as nothing else is really thawed. We could have had some other stuff, but... so be it. I added in mushrooms, onion, and turnips. I had purchased a lettuce mix for her already. So the meal, with a little cooking time, was another success. Toward the end of the evening, we were both getting a bit grumpy. Still, that is fine. We are comfortable, at this point, with each other's bad hair moments.

Rather than a big meal, or a Christmas present, she wanted to take a bit of a trip. We looked to Yellowstone, but they are all booked or closed. So we looked around for a lodging in or near the Grand Teton National Park. We found lodging nearby, for tomorrow, so we will be going up that way. I chose a place, for just a little more, with a kitchenette, a private balcony, and separate sleeping quarters, though she would have been fine sharing a room, even a bed. Yes, I am that trustworthy. Nice to know, and that it is not a difficulty is either a good thing or bad thing but is no chore even if I am attracted. Oh well, God does know.

So, instead of a big meal and a nicer gift, we travel. I am probably saving money on the deal but that is not the point. I think I will also, yet tonight, find lodging in SLC where we can sleep over so we do not have to get up so early and drive so far for her return flight. As well, we can then see Antelope State Park, I hope, and eat at the In-n-Out... something she wanted to do since we saw the sign on our "detour" south the night she arrived. It is something from her long past, something she wants. So, if things work as planned, she will eat there.

Well, she should have a fine vacation this year. As well, it has not been a burden to me, in any way. I also get to see more of the world around me and some of the places I would not have visited or want to see again. It is good to have visitors. I should try to find the muffin tin before I get to bed, then get into bed. It has been a number of long days, filled with talk and some activity, and there are a few more to go. Then I can sleep and rest and relax into my fine typical winter hibernation form? Maybe. Or just meh? Ha!

Good night.

Back and alive.

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We had a good day, actually. I shopped before she arrived and was at the airport in plenty of time. A bit of a wait is better than having my guest wait. She was pleased to see me at the arrival gate this time. I am learning. The ride home would have been uneventful, but in the excitement of the moment, the crush of traffic, and simply whatever other reason, I got on the wrong track and went 40 miles in the wrong direction. Still, she was rather pleasant about it. Though reminding me every 15 to 20 minutes for a couple hours is how she deals with things. I think she forgets she already reminded me. *laughs*

We stopped at one of the best restaurants in Logan and had dinner. I had hoped to stop at Maddox, which was closer to the airport since she was hungry when she arrived. It was closed, Mondays I suppose. She was not terribly pleased with her meal, but I enjoyed mine a great deal. We had thought to see a movie too, but she was all done in. Home and bed sounded really good, so the movie will wait. The rest of the drive was uneventful.

I cannot tell what she thinks of my home yet. She is tired, it is late, it is dark. At first she was going right to bed, then she thought ginger "tea" would be good. Then perhaps a game of backgammon, she thought. I won, of course. She does win sometimes, though. A little talk, some things about Iowa City, a bit about here, some things that are happening. She thinks my house is quite large, which it sort of is, if no mansion either. And she thought it was quite clean. We will see when she wakes and the sun shines in. But for now, I accept the compliment.

All in all, a good first day. We will argue later. :p

Good night.

Almost proud.

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The place, if not spotless, is a different world than what it has been. No, it would not pass any close scrutiny, though as much due to the age of the kitchen area as anything else. It is not meticulously clean, it is merely clean and neat, with a few givens (my bedroom, to a degree, and the computer area). Hmm, but my bed IS made. That is almost a first here. Sassy and Sam have enough food and water for two days or more, should my return be delayed. Everything is on schedule. I have showered and trimmed my face bush back to a more pleasing whiteifer (sort of like conifer, just mostly white). I even folded one more load of laundry and have another in a near dry set up.

I am ready to head out and should be in SLC early enough to do a little shopping on my own. I may do more when she arrives and we discuss some things, or not, depending on her mood. She worked last night so she is bound to be a little grumpy and disheveled. That, in my own odd way, I can understand. So, today is up to her. She has not called, which worries me just a bit. I tried to call her but there was no answer. I will go ahead as if all is on schedule and such unless I hear otherwise. Still, it is unusual that she not call.

I best get going. Have a great day.

Not much...

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I did not get much on the list done. Done last night that is. I was up late, so not sure if I would be able to rise at 6:00. Not quite but not bad, I did get out of bed at around 6:22 or 6:15 or something like that. A cup of coffee, some wake up time on the machine, and I was at it by 9:00 or so. The bathroom is ready, minus the fixtures. I have not had time to tinker with that, though I may see if bending a rod will fix the thing, at least for now. If not, I will have to drain it and measure everything, then buy replacements. Why tinker around. It might save a little money to just fix one problem, but if there is a problem, I would rather fix the whole thing than be tinkering with it endlessly as various other parts break. The dishes are done and put away, the floor is swept though the felines with their penchant for the litter box will dirty it before I can return. Several loads of laundry have been completed, with one in the wash and one in the dryer. Oh, and I finally VACUUMED! Plus it did not kill me. Still hate doing that, but it is done. Other little tasks have been seen to as well, including stocking her bathroom with towels and ensuring she has toilet paper. Further, I cleaned up this (the computer) room. It is not enclosed enough to actually be a room all by itself, it is a through room from the front door to the living room, without an interior door. My work station remains the cluttered mess that I use for organization, but that is just the tiny corner desk upon which the computer sits. People will simply have to deal with that.

I might do a few odds and ends yet though. But the main presentation of my home is as ready as it gets. A few boxes I tucked into my room may go upstairs. A few boxes in there should have gone upstairs long ago anyway. A shower and perhaps neatening my beard would be good. And maybe I can finish most of the laundry. My goal is to be out by noon, I have about an hour and a half. Wow, I can actually do some work. Sometimes I even calculate well. Then again, I have been tinkering at it. I knew, though, that getting things too ready too soon would simply not work as the place would be a mess again in no time.

It is snowing, or was a bit ago. Large flakes, huge flakes actually. I should be fine. Part of the reason I chose the Xterra was winter mobility. Ice is one thing, but this is not ice. They do a pretty good job of keeping the roads open here. Well, a bit more work, a shower, and...

Later!

As always, the work goes on.

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Slowly, as usual. The place will not be put together perfectly for the arrival. I have done much, and will do a few more things before I am finished. Her bed is made, clean sheets, pillowcases, and blankets were used. The kitchen has been swept a final time, the kitty litter boxes have been cleaned. I still need to finish a small pile of dishes, prepare her bathroom, finish a bit of laundry, and vacuum. Yes, vacuum indeed. If something gets skipped, it will be that. But I mean to not skip anything. Of course, it will still not pass muster. It should, though, be enough.

So many other things I would have liked to have done. I simply am not working at full capacity, or close to it. In time, perhaps, as money is less of an issue and some things I want done are completed which are all sort of dependent on money and to a degree knowledge and confidence, life will be smoother when visitors come in. For one thing, I will probably just pay a service to clean in preparation. I am a poor cleaner. So, if given the choice, I would rather offer money than effort for something I do poorly at any rate.

A few more things tonight, a few in the morning, and I should be ready. I do wish it was better, but what I have to offer will have to do. Good night.

Huh?

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I sleep in for the last two days after staying up not even all that late. Okay, I get that, a pattern thing, maybe worse a trend. So I stay up really outrageously late (comparatively), set my coffee to go off at 8:30 instead of 5:45 and... I wake up right at 6:00 with the alarm. I feel like I get beat up then allowed to rest, in front of a speeding Mack truck. I will improve, or nap later. Well, I will get to taste hot coffee. But not for a while.

You thought I had something more on my mind? I am surprised I had that on my mind let alone that I also had a notion to blog it. You did not hire me for talent or such. Oh? You fire me? You cannot fire me, I quit! Wait, my pay! Blah. Hmm, if you double my pay... nay, triple... I will stay. Goose eggs cubed, equal exactly the same as always. Good day.

Working late.

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I actually work better when nearing the end of my wake cycle. Which is not a good thing. It leads to staying up later and later until I ruin my schedule. There seems little I can do about it, but it is something new I realized. Perhaps I can figure something else out. Coffee does not seem to help get me started in the morning, or afternoon for that matter. It just seems easier to get to things about the time I should be going to bed.

I finished the dishes but created more. I cooked the beef tongue. I only added a bit of spice, as the pressure cooker enhances whatever you add. Until I get more practiced, I will be a bit careful. A quarter to a half a teaspoon of salt, about a teaspoon of garlic powder, and two bay leaves. I also cut 2 onions into slices for a base and used a beer for the liquid. The tongue was easy to skin, I also removed a small amount of odd tissue, but the rest of it was fine. I sliced about half of it, thinly. I had to have a sandwich using some of the meat, and tasted some by itself. It has a bit of a sweet and sour feel, oddly. It was good enough, and quite tender. It is a bit different of a meat. I plan on making gravy with the juices, storing that in a bowl near the already stored meats, and then going to bed.

I will make sandwiches, as I suggested, on my trip to SLC to pick up my lady friend. I do not know if she will be interested, but they will be there and I will eat my sandwich or two. If nothing else, I will have done something I said I was going to do. As well, we will have homemade cold cuts during her stay. I am curious how the gravy will turn out. If it has a simple beefy flavor and is not over salted, I will be quite pleased. Well, I best get too that then to bed. I am up way late.

Good night.

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.

Odd.

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As strange as it may seem, being back to gaming is quite good. It is a simple thing, the game. Or it can be as complicated as you like it. In theory, there is a best way to situate your character, arm it, use skills and spells in a specific order, which along with a few other variables produce the best results. Limits on availability of armor, weapons, gems (which enhance the equipment), and other things such as drink and food (or the resources by which to make those if you choose to spend time skilling up in cooking, fishing, and your willingness to hunt for certain meats). So, either sit back and just play for your own entertainment, or set up your character for grouping or raiding (again, groups are two to five people, raids are ten to twenty five people). So, I have a choice. Actually, I have several choices.

Since I have one main high level character and a bunch of minor characters, I can pick which way I will go on any particular day or part of a day. If battling hard for little or nothing, or so it seems, in higher level groups, I can always switch off to one of my lowbies (as I call them, my lower level players). Then I simply do quests all by myself or do lower level groups.

My guild is not very active. This is unfortunate. I would love to find a guild that works together often, on raids and in groups, and moves on to the parts of the game which require a solid, large, well diversified, guild. Actually, one of our fellow bloggers has offered this to us readers. The blogger in question is attempting to create an eighty man guild to run through the next game addition. I am working on a few things which might make joining more comfortable, and private, for me.

It sure beats simply blogging, reading other blogs (when you all deign to write! (though I understand... I used to work, and can only imagine working and having a family)), reading the "news", researching, and watching the stupidifier tube. Since I can do little physical, at the moment, I have little else to do. Hmm, now I might just turn off the cable television feed. Oh, and the telephone. Stupid phone, I hooked it back up as one business needed to call my landline for security. I just got a message for some woman, a prerecorded phone call. I did not bother to listen to it or deal with it. At least I have not been getting half a dozen or more wrong number calls a day lately. Still, it is useless to me since it will not work without electricity because the phone works through a cable modem, the only reason to have a landline is for utility when all else fails. (I got it installed because, by doing so, with it's cost through the requirement, it saved well more than half on the installation ($350 otherwise for installation went down to $120 in phone costs).

Well, time to... do something else. I can only really play for just so long. A little cleaning, a shower, and perhaps a shopping list for recipes that I am considering. That should do it. Then back to gaming. Later.

Bed time.

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And glad for it. I did very little, cooked a couple of meals was about it for actual work. I did play the game a lot today. Stretching my day and trying to pull together the ability to make goals and stick with them. And, to that end, I was quite successful. I am also looking over a few gifts, online, between gaming. It is not much, but it is what I can do. I think I will be going in to town soon, for shopping and maybe shooting if the weather clears up enough to allow access to where we shoot. I will get the recipe for a pork roast, using the pressure cooker, and perhaps something else for on the side. A perfect reason to have my shooting friend over.

Not much beyond that. Though I do notice I only have a bit more than a week to prepare the house. So, I best get to it. A room a day, or two if I can. That and staying on top of dishes, looking over a few recipes to decide what I will need to stock for provisions, and whatever else seems to come along and require work or other tending. That is as good as it gets. When this visit is over, I can then back off, try to save up some cash, and just relax a bit until spring, when my mother will be visiting. After that, I think I will take next year off from visitors and visiting, at least really long range visiting.

Good night.

At 7:00, all was well.

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And it remains well, to this day? Well, if life were a German fable, it would. But by 8:00, it is all still good. :p A few boiled eggs, a little milk, the kitteh cats got a little food and attention, and it is all still good. Thankfully, I have no gastro-intestinal disorders following yesterday. Then again, even when I used to eat like a king on that day, I never truly suffered. Some critters were simply designed to eat like that. I am one of those.

I am not sure what will happen today, though I know I need to start doing the little things in preparation for my lady friend. Oh, I think she would be fine with life as it is here, mostly. She knows me and knows how I am. It is clean, mostly, just rough around the edges. And, even clean, it will be a little rough as the kitchen is dated and the furnishings are those of a bachelor. Still, it is my intent to have the place neatened up and sorted for a friendly warm visit. She still does not understand why I chose to remain friends, I think, nor why she chose to accept. I think she understands that there is a level of maturity and concern on my part, something that does not fit love and such as she has known it. Most people, I think, see love as disposable, much like most modern technological devices or, actually, most anything commercially available. I guess that is not who I am.

Have you ever watched the shows where people do extraordinary things in order to survive very odd events? People walking through deep snow, swimming freezing rivers, navigating in ways that they should not really understand, and making it back to civilization and life? I watch these and always say, Bah! I would not do that! And yet, actually, I have. Many times. I cannot base it on the will to live though, it is more that I do not know how to die properly. I have never felt that I did anything out of the ordinary and it never felt like work or a strain. I sometimes have to wonder if God merely took the steering wheel. Or allowed the animal part of me to do so. For, as I said, I would not work that hard in spite of the fact that I have. One never knows, though, the next time, whether it will happen again. Still, for the moment, I am here and fine.

Another thought is, does blogging about something cause business to change something for the better (or worse)? I complain and nag, and sometimes things change. Others have commented on similar events. It seems like people really do read these blogs, including the people who run businesses. Then again, I have seen no proof of such. I have seen things change though. Paranoid, as one blogger put it. Yes indeed. But paranoia does not mean something is not true, either. Just... running a thought through the netisphere.

Well, time to... I dunno... begin waking up to see what I should do and be getting done. Have a great day.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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I have no plans for today having already had my Thanksgiving meal. I would have liked to have made a turkey or smaller fowl, but between watching my nickels and not thinking ahead well enough, I will make due and easily in another manner. Actually, I did have some fowl of sorts this morning. Chicken gizzards and hearts make a very good meal and treat for me. And so it was. Who knows what will end up for meals throughout the day, though I think I will do just fine.

I really do hope people find themselves honestly being able to find things in there life for which to be very thankful. Life may not be perfect, there may be serious problems, there are threats both domestically and abroad, and the list of concerns can seem never ending and arrive in a broad array of topics. Which, actually, can be something to be thankful for if viewed one way. What would life be without something to challenge, something to test, something to add the salt of work and planning to the sugar of success?

I live alone. Only two people know me well enough to call me and do so irregularly at that. I am not rich and will never become wealthy. I am disabled, confused at times, and deal with several health issues. And I am grateful every day I wake, no matter how many times, only occasionally dampened by headaches or too much confusion or exhaustion. I like being alive, enjoy company when it arrives, enjoy solitude when that is what is at hand if my felines tend to make solitude a bit of a thing of the past. I am glad I did not die in those many opportunities to die I have had. Life is good. Humbling, frustrating, confusing, complicated, and good.

If you are a alone and feel lonely for it, call someone. The technology of today is remarkable that way. Get online and write a blog or comment at the many blogs who will be celebrating the day. Spread the cheer. You might be surprised at how high the returns on that are. Though I might make another suggestion. Do not let this day pass and just forget it. Like Christmas, let this day not be a singular event but turn it into a way of life. Be thankful every day, and share that.

Just... Have a happy Thanksgiving. Then remember it through the years.

Yum!

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Hungry but with no meat thawed, my bad, I decided to do something with eggs. Fried eggs are great, but not all that tasty. Sure, you can do this and that with them, or add spices (which I have few of at the moment, not yet on top of that game yet), or add them to other things. I have few neat little items in my kitchen currently. Having just moved in this summer, with so many things going on and needing to be done, my pantry has not been stocked as I would like it and have had it. That takes time, years I am guessing. It really does.

Still, I thought about the project while my stomach let me know that my brain was on a short leash. Feed me or the gray matter gets it, was pretty much what I was getting. Still, being slow to act, I let notions come and go, looking at options, and taking my sweet time, until it hit me. Scrambling the eggs seemed like the best plan. But what else? Ah, browning the edges of onion in butter, then laying in the eggs! Oh, and bacon and toast. It turned out perfect, simple as it all really is if that is not the point.

I am, however, quite hungry for meat. Not eggs, not fish, not chicken if that does technically pass for meat, but real meat, red meat. If I do not eat that in large enough quantities and often enough, no matter what else I eat I am left with a huge insatiable hunger. I do prefer beef, but lamb (fresh young lamb, not mutton!), venison, and a few others will do to a degree and for a while. I actually need beef. I suppose I can technically live on the other meats, or even beans and rice. Think zombies and brains, almost literally, then change it to me and beef, almost.

So, the next time I am in town, I am going to stop at the butcher shop. I have been living low and using my money in other ways. Fine, fine, but now I have to get beef and keep it in stock. Roasts, steak, hamburger, stew meat, offal to include brains if I could get it and blood if I knew of a place where I could get it fresh and warm. Yes, I know, odd. But that is how it is.

Well, the eggs worked and it was satisfying given what I have. The onions were a treat in there. As plain as even that sounds, it was wonderful. Bacon does not hurt almost anywhere it is present or however it might be fixed either.

Later.

Troubles.

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My current favorite game is having major revisions. A new addition to the game is getting ready to come online. All settings, and there are many, including armor types, spells, attributes, and the various "trees" (each class (warrior, mage, etc.) can be one of three types, and vary beyond that by choosing lower levels of the tree from less activated trees... yes, confusing). Okay, that is one character. I have 10 on my main part of the game and another 10 to 12 on other parts. Every time I check in after an update I am having to reset my characters, and blindly.

There are people who devote themselves to figuring out which tree, attributes, and such are best for a particular need or want. Let us say I have a druid, and I want to solo. Or, let us take that same druid and consider that I might want to group or raid (grouping is 5 players, raids are groups of groups... so can be up to, what, 25 players). There are different set-ups for these different choices. You can change these, for a price. However, at this point, and with continual change, it is impossible to know how to set up a character. It will settle, more, in time. However, changes happen continually, even without a singular major event like an addition. So, I am... simply lost. Oh, and after making everyone a bit too powerful they have nerfed (devalued) the upgrade and maybe more than taking it back to what it was. I have no idea what works best and am nervous about how well I will be able to solo (do quests and fight alone).

To boot, the system is shutting down for another revision or a reset as I write. That is part of the reason I am writing, or I would be playing. Usually, on Tuesday, they do all of the updates. Sometimes, like today, they have to shut everything down and go back and make corrections to the game, add nerfs, or other things.

Are you lost yet? I know I am. I am hoping something will normalize and stabalize before too long. I am guessing, however, since they are being so ambitious with the changes, that this will not happen for months, perhaps a year or more even. I am hoping, before too long, to be able to just hop on and play without worrying about having to reset all of my characters again, only to know that the next update will require me to do this all over again, and without any real support from the players who do the numbers because they cannot possibly keep up with major weekly shifts. Yeah, best guess is fine, to a degree. But in such a competitive environment, it is tricky.

I suppose I will look through the blogs and see what is going on, checking in to see when the game is back up and what has changed because of the outage. Arghhhh!

Oh, another thing though on a different topic. I read today that a dog is smarter than a cat. And, in some ways, that probably has some version of truth with it. Here is my deal with that concept, cats can survive on their own and very well, dogs cannot. I guess this is akin to suggesting that a microbiologist is smarter than a woodsman. While many tests might prove that to be true, without the gut-wrenching foolishness of modernity to uphold the useful idiot, the scientist could not figure out how to start a fire to cook the food that could not be caught. Smart, very. That does not even include dealing with aggression (from any source) related to surviving in a real (harsh) world in obtaining a place to sleep, water, or any other need. Smarter? Really? Let us play. (And, no, naked aggression based on secular zealotry will never win against tried and proven combat skills and mindset, and when it comes right down to it, that will happen, period. *BAM*) Though you can train a dog, you cannot train it to survive well by itself. Cats are not all that trainable, but they do not need to be. Sometimes brains get in the way, though they make a fine fat for those with hunger and a little zip. And those little dogs? Cat food...

Either I live in a plains valley or the weather services were wrong.

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Take your pick. Personally, I am guessing I live in a plains valley. A few inches of snow and some serious cold from an arctic blast is what I am seeing. Oh, right, I best turn on a bit of heat. It is a bit chill even for me. It did snow heavily last evening. It sounded and looked like there was some wind and gusts as well. Very nice, at least if there remains no need to travel in it.

I finished the dishes, mostly, but not until this morning. On the good side, I cleaned the new devices I purchased yesterday. My gravy boat and gravy fat separating measuring cup are clean and put away. Even with all the cupboard space, along with my inability to store things sanely, leaves me running out of space. At least in the kitchen. A bit of a reorganization and using other area cupboards would help, but, yeah. I do not do such things.

Oh, and my computer game is now working and well. I am thinking of removing the other version from my fast main bootup hard drive, but I am nervous about that. I think I have it scheduled to work on the new hard drive, but I am never sure about these things. Always, doubts. Always. I can also set up some other games on the new drive though too. Games are something I can do when I can do little else, they help me stay awake and longer if too they might tend to stretch my awake time too much. Sum total, they are very good and more so during down times of whatever cause.

My lady friend has found the information she needed from my email account and is prepared to visit this fall, early winter, whatever it is supposed to be when she arrives. I think the parks will be closed, after this much snow, but I will be checking. If nothing else a drive through some of the mountain valleys (canyons) is quite doable. There are some beautiful, if you have a notion to such things, vistas, lakes, and mountains very close by. I am hoping the state part I took my mother to visit is open though. It is the finest view of the Great Salt Lake available, to my way of thinking. If not, perhaps we can drive around the thing, though I have not really seen a road just for that. Because of the decline, and occasional expansion, of the lake, it is difficult to create a tour path to see it around the circumference. It will be good to see her.

I did not get to the snow blower, and doubt if I will need to do so. Looking out this morning, I was rather displeased about one thing. I left the Xterra out! I never do that. Ah well, it will give me room to tinker with the snow blower when I get to it, sometime today. I think that is why I left it out and then became too tired and forgot. Bah!

I am not sure what is going on with politics, though I have some notions. The liberals are either purposefully trying to kill their party, or they are trying to do every single thing that they stand for as they lose power, or the political world has lost the collective mind it created. Let me see, pat downs for juveniles, letting muslims go through without those same patdowns, the Dream Act, taxes, foreign policy, hmmm, well, actually, anything they are trying to do, enforce, create, draft, push, or pull, actually. They are in meltdown mode and either have no means of changing it or simply will not change the path. The only thing that surprises me is how many non-liberals (those who are not secular zealots) either do not care or are in agreement with what is happening. Such is the makings for the death of a true democratic republic.

Well, back to waking up. Have a good day. If it is snowing, make snow cones, snow angels, or snow balls and forts. If it is sunny, get out, even if just to a chair on your porch. If it is raining, have some tea and meditate to the pitter and patter of the life-bringing liquid. If all you have is five minutes for such, use it wisely. You will never have it back. Me? Meh, I am going to sit in the dark and grump. No worries, it makes me happy on the inside. Bah!

In and safely back.

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With time to spare. It has not started to snow yet, which is fine by me. I do not mind driving in the snow or while it is snowing. If I were the only one on the road, I would mind it not at all. I do not trust most drivers. Too many of them have their phone out and are talking or texting, even here. That madness really needs to end somehow, and I would support devices being put in automobiles so that phones could not be used while the engine is turned over. Simply put, driving is a privilege, driving while impaired for whatever reason is an abuse of that privilege. Well, that is it for barking.

I picked up my friend and we went shopping first. Wal-Mart had the siphon I wanted, and I bought another for the water tanks. No, I will not recycle gas for water, or the reverse. I also bought some large candles for backup heat and perhaps minor cooking, an oven thermometer, and some gas stabilizer and engine cleaning stuff. Then I went to the chef store and purchased a gravy device (measuring cup with a spout to separate fat from fluid), a gravy boat, and an apple slicing device. Yes, yes, but they have been on my list for some time and... so that is that.

So many bloggers are being so quiet, I am wondering. Then again, as the holidays hit, those with families or places to go are busy and those like myself often pipe down as they turn to reflection, and sometimes it is a painful time. The weather is moving in as well, the sun is not smiling so often or so halefully, and I suppose even if this was not a season of holiday meant to be shared with the stresses that produces, the season itself can swallow one whole. Not me, not this year, not now. If I am doing poorly in some ways, I am quite pleased, very thankful, grateful to many and to God, and, really, a bit annoyingly chipper. That whole Doom thing sometimes slips my grasp. *gasp* Bah, I will be back, more bitter and gruesome than ever. Give me a break, even Christ had a couple of down days. (Though, knowing Him as I feel I do, He was whistling while He worked, even there. Brothers and Lords sometimes!)

Well, uhrm, later. I will let you know if God has set things in motion such that a heavenly deluge of white stuff is loosed or not. Hmmm, snow angels? Yeah. Oh, and just maybe... cat and kitteh snow angels! *evil grins* Here kitteh, kitteh, kitteh!

So many projects.

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I have, after consideration, decided to craft a B.O.B. for in my vehicle, perhaps an enhancement package for that at the ready as well. Though I will not be traveling, often, far, or in the event of a cataclysm at all probably, I will do some shorter distance traveling. Then, why a B.O.B.? Because I travel in a place where most of the year is winter and the temperatures are below freezing. Beyond that, people being who and what they are, cell phones, and the general idiocy of modernity, the B.O.B. may be useful to one of "those people". Around here, I will help even "those people", mostly.

I will be setting up my B.O.B. slightly differently, of course. Who in a desert needs a candle, as a cooking device, a little fuel for that, and means of lighting a fire should suffice. Sure, it gets cold there too, but candles are better for enclosed spaces and any tent a desert B.O.B. might contain will not be of the roomy sort. Food, water supplies, and some other things will be shared and common. I am going through what is needed and wanted at this point. As the blizzard approaches, I might buy a few things for the home and car while in town. Care is needed. I could lose electricity and heat. (Though the block captain suggested, if need be, I could stay with them should I lose everything, and I might considering I am a bit shy on immediate prep (or other) funds at the moment...)

Something else I have been thinking about. While the idea of having guns is great, and it is, and for many reasons, there is more to contemplate with the deal. Whether people are active hunters, into plinking or more serious target shooting, own firearms for self or social defense, or simply to have (so long as they at least know how to use them), I am all good on all of that. (Though safe queen aficionados tweak my bill... a personal thing.) The thing to keep in mind is that good guns, even the best, but most surely the lovely pieces, need LOTS OF CARE. You cannot simply shoot a gun forever without one of a number of problems showing up. All of my .22 firearms require a ton of work. After a few hundred rounds, all of them become at least cranky. At worst, they will no longer fire. Actually, what is worse is an intermediary situation in which they will misfire much more frequently. You cannot reload these rounds, and they may not be easy to replace. Get used to keeping your firearms up to spec. Just a thought I felt necessary to pass on. And, no, it is not always easy to clean all of the guns you might own. Learn what is needed to take it down and at least try to get the thing running again. Buying commonly fallible parts is also wise, along with extra springs for the gun and for any magazines. Geez but the bills pile up, the work load gets heavy, and the risk becomes real otherwise. Take care or prepare to have a pretty club.

I best get going. I should call my friend and see if he wants to do a food run. It is not much, but it will end up being what of a Thanksgiving either of us will have in season. And, you know what, I am good with that. A friend, some food, and no one (I know of?) trying to kill me and no one on my short list. It really is all good, gravy for a fact. Oh, and I can warm up and shower if I want to shower. And, wake-up call is on my command, within my limits. Hmmm, oh, and I can have a beard, even long hair if I wanted it. And women are as available as I am willing to get off my couch, even if only friends though I think there is much more available. Bah... I said "women". *mumble*

Later. Thankfully at that.

Up and early.

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Actually, I have already had bacon and eggs, and used my new vacuum coffee pot to make coffee. I used that coffee to mix with hot cocoa mix and milk to make a tasty warmer and might have another before I shower, shave, and ship off to town. And, I will do the dishes before I head out. There is more snow out there but not all that much.

My plans for the day are to try and get the snow blower working and be ready in case we get that possible eight to sixteen inches of snow. I am not quite sure what they mean when they say mountain valleys. There are three zones here, I gather. Mountain, mountain valley, and valley. And of course there is north, central, and south, with east and west used occasionally but more rarely than to include my area. Though I listened to the news when I first arrived and since, the weather had little correlation with my needs until now. And, just as now, it was a confusing mosh of mixed up terms for areas, with the few reference towns often being unknown to me (if that part remains). Throw in that, what, one third to one half or even three quarters of the time news weather is wrong and... I remain baffled. As it stands, mountains will get two to four feet, mountain valleys (here or canyons?) will get eight to sixteen inches, and the (what?) plains valleys will get two to four inches. I will figure it out.

Sleep has been good. I have the house heat set to be 72 F for a few hours starting at 6:00 in the morning, then cool to 66 F for most of the day from 8:30 to 17:00, then have it warm up to 68 for a from 17:00 to 19:30, then have it drop to 62 for overnight. Somewhat syncing with a proposed day schedule of waking and breakfast, midday life, then warming for supper, and finally cooling for sleep. Well, it is a plan. What has helped is finally using the electric heat for the areas I usually inhabit. I have been experimenting with those. I may end up turning the main house heat down further and being more directional with the use of the electric heat. Still learning.

From what I see, and assuming I get a few things done, I can see myself in a much better financial situation in only a few years. Many of the expenses I have had have been one time deals, such as the lawnmower, weed whip, water systems, and such. And though I have more one time purchases to come, such as wood working tools (both power and hand), a grain mill, and some cookery and heating devices for off-grid, I also have some money coming in. I will have to be wise in the use of that money and then my money after that, but it could see me to a bit more stability, something I have never really known or been able to be in a position or put myself in a position to know. This is the first time in my life that I have had to strain, though, too. Before now I could have always merely walked away. I am tied to my land, stapled to it, give or take. Sure, I could walk away, still. But not quite in the same way.

Boy that coffamoca is good.

Oh, I am trying to make some plans for meals, and a special meal, when my lady friend arrives. She has become an absolutist about sugar, her newest kick. I keep telling her absolutes are incorrect and she continues to look for new ones. Well, so be it. She allows honey and some of the plant derived sweeteners though, so we will work on that. I have been meaning to stock up on honey for sure, and some of the others, and try them in cooking. I have tried all of them she is aware of and some she has not heard of yet, and they are all pretty bad. The best so far, for more raw usage anyway, is Splenda. I am torn between a turkey, a turducken, or a Beef Wellington. The turkey I know (though it will be different out here), the turducken would be new and is a little spooky, the Beef Wellington is very spooky as it is not just the main dish which would be new, making the duxelles and puff pastry would be first times (though I could make those in advance, easily, and test my processes). Each would have a different set of requirements, each would require different skill sets and would also demand varied side dishes, and I certainly could not afford to do even two of them (though may a turkey on the side as a rescue main dish?). But beyond these things, I have to consider what we will eat other than the main meal. Something I viewed from the series "Good Eats" caught my attention though, that is a pumpkin stew/soup cooked right in the skin! And, of course, I hope to try a few meals using my pressure cooker, beef stew tops the list, though pork roast would not be bad either. In truth, I probably only need to cook three main meals (at most), along with having grains, rice, beans, and my other handy meats at hand (such as hamburger and tuna). I am curious what she thinks of my tuna fried in butter, with rice, hot and savory spices creation. Fresh tuna steaks cooked as a main entree in a meal, then the left overs used in my creation, would be truly fine dining. The thing is, my nickle is thinning to a thin penny and even it does not go all that far and more and more as our government continues it's war on our excessive wealth! (People really ought to be thinking of who to string up first, for that I would be thankful.)

I best visit my favorites, check on the news rolls, check email, and then get ready for my winter road trip. Does a twenty mile trip count as a road trip? What if you can see snow? What if it is snowing? ArE wE THerE yETI?

Interesting...

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I keep thinking about women. Lord, since you are listening, please help me. No, not in a "bad" way. My thoughts concerning women could be seen in a bad light, but they are natural and even good thoughts. Making a woman honest is not about sex before marriage, and then marriage to make it right. Making a woman honest is marrying her so that she may be right with her thoughts and yearnings (works both ways, but tradition focuses on women for... many reasons). Blathering. Anyway, as I said, women have been on my mind. There is always the chance I might still be able to help produce, feed, raise, and send forth a couple or more new humans. This, of course, requires women though in the singular tends to work better. And, so, like any intention, thought is needed. Thankfully or not, I need no such incentive. As vile as women are or can be, they are unmistakably attractive, utilitarian, and are or can be as good too. In the dishonest way the more attractive in some ways, which is settled by marriage? Gakh! Never mind.

I saw an article suggesting that traumatic events might be erased from memory. This, it is supposed, will fix that dread disease. For my part, I know it will not work. I know because some of my issues are not remembered. What ends up happening is these sensations come to the sufferer, who has no memory, out of context. As well, there is the possibility that, with these sensations, the mind will create memories so as to make sense of the sensations. Either that or I have forgotten less than I think. As well, even if memories may be banished, that is only one part of the effects of trauma. Things which cause serious turmoil, pain responses, and such, are stored not just in memory but in a gland or part of the brain that is still little understood. Reactions come from that even if there is no memory to go with it. The brain was well geared to keep us alive, even if memory fails... short or long term. This would not heal but would create a horrid life of shadow and pain for any who suffered disastrously and then had their memory erased. The only way to begin healing is a lot of talking with someone who can handle hearing about things, real things, most people might not even have heard of or thought possible. A claymore does things to bodies most simply cannot imagine and Hollywood has not really even tried to show, for example. I hope they do not experiment with this on troops. It is very easy, during some stages of suffering, to wish to simply forget. The easy road will not end up being half so easy as the "hard path". Try it on Obama when he fails and is castigated to the fringes of history and society. With a sociopath, I do not think it can actually do any harm. But then send him back to Kenya or wherever will take him. Cuba? NK? Sure, he will not know or care, mostly.

I did not make it to town to buy a siphon for gas yet. I need to get to sleep and try to be in to town and back before the big storm hits. I ought to buy a little more food while I am at it, at least milk. We will see.

Good night.

Work, as I can.

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And some play to boot. I just got the machine back and hooked up. It is always nice to have. I miss reading blogs, staying up on the news, researching this and that, and games of course. And I always fear taking it to the shop. One never knows how much it will end up costing. This visit was not too bad, but it was money out. One of the problems, as I have learned, was that the power cord for the drive was bad. He did not say what else was wrong. Well, one thing tended.

I have been reading about the pressure cooker. After a failed attempt to cook beans in the device, I re-read and read more consciously through the instruction book and cook books to better understand things. Still a bit unsure, I decided on using the pressure cooker in a test. I tested how much water it loses. What I found was surprising. In 20 and 40 minute intervals, it only lost 1/3 of a cup of water. At an hour it lost 2/3 of a cup. It is a rather tight device, as some lose up to 3 cups of liquid in an hour. I learned some other things, including knowing what means what on the pressure cooker. The variance in water loss, I also realized, depends on how fast I bring it up to pressure and then tend that. Oh, and I really can cook on a very low setting when it is up to speed. My range goes from low to 1, then through the numbers to 9 and then a high. About 8 minutes on high will get it pressured and if I then put it on another burner set at 2 the pressure will be maintained.

As well, I have been reading much in "The Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary". What a splendid cook book, by the way. If you want a top of the line, just about all inclusive, solid manual regarding cooking, this is it. It covers many types of cooking, from the range to drying and curing to pit cooking. It has 4,500 recipes which seem spot on (from a cook who loves to experiment, me, that is) to the various methods and variations within those methods. The book had something I have been interested in cooking for a long time but never got around to cooking. My foster mother made custard once in a while if I was sick or as a treat for my foster father. I loved it but... was nervous about making it for some reason. I have now, officially, baked my own. It needs improvement, perhaps, but it was sufficient and even tasty.

Laundry has been washed and dried, the kitchen has been being used and kept clean, and little bits and pieces go forward. I need to begin cleaning the whole house in preparation for my visitor early this coming month. I think I can get that done. As well, my days have been, pretty much, brought into daytime alignment. Oh, I had another visitor. The block captain arrived to let me know there will be a weather condition tomorrow, from 17:00 on through the night. He obtained my phone number though, so that a visit will not be required next time.

I still have not visited my neighbors (back) yet. But then I am having trouble getting going on lots of things. I am eating, resting, and such well enough, but there is simply something wrong. Sometimes, no matter mood, temperament, appetite and the feeding of that, and sleep all being in good alignment, I still cannot function well. And, so it is currently. Oh bother, I will get to things. Time. By the way, I can see the neighbor's livestock out back now. Several Shetland ponies and... a Llama! Heh! How many people can say their neighbor brought a llama over into their back yard? *grins* A llama? A llama! Heh.

I did solve the problem with the laptop. I found the password. However, it does not have security yet, nor can I find the power supply cord. When I get to those things, I will then at least have access to the internet and blogging when this dies next time. So many little things to do, so little time, too much of a problem doing things. But they will be done in some time and some order.

Well, bedtime I think. I will try to be up early enough to get into town for a few last minute items. Good night.