Cleaning

Getting to the very extensive cleaning needed after the insulation. All dishes, laundry, sheets, blankets, counters, floors and some walls exposed in at least the kitchen and bedroom while I was doing the insulation have to be cleaned.

That's okay. It's pushing me to get some needed cleaning done. I also went ahead and got a new dish rack and dish pan today in black. The old ones were white, had stains and mineral deposits on them. The black is fitting with other decorating trends. 

The down side is all the cleaning is drawing time and energy away from other things I need to do. 

Caught two mice in humane traps today. I put them in a larger container to keep until this weekend. Let them go when daughter is here. Probably down by the river, away from any houses. They're cute and I hate to kill them. Daughter says she understands when I have to poison them but I can tell from the look in her eyes that it pains her. 

Not all that energetic or able to get a lot done for the moment. My knee is really hurting when I try to bend, climb or lift anything heavy. At least I'm back to normal (for me) with bruising. In spite of two solid knocks to the same knee in one day, I have swelling but the only discoloration is a small red spot where the trailer hitch connected. The down side of that is that people don't believe me so much when I'm injured. Oh, well. It hides tissue damage but indicates my circulation remains mostly intact, so that means I do heal faster than average. So, I hope the pain decreases in the next couple of days. 

Fall weather

Night temps are dropping into the 40's now. That probably means the tomato plants will start going dormant. Have to work at getting the solarium enclosed soon. But at least I have the supplies to do that now.

Priority has to be on cleaning the inside of the house for the moment, though. Then building the concrete ramp before the front steps collapse.

Knee feels a little better this morning. Luckily just a bruise. However, it is a bruise to the ACL, so it's still a little hard to go up stairs or ladders. I do heal quickly from bruises, so this shouldn't last long. Trick is don't give in to the pain. To a degree. Not going to be doing anything extreme yet. Pulling weeds is out for the moment.

Temps aren't dropping enough to tell any difference from the insulation yet. Especially since I have windows open and had the air conditioner running in the living room while I slept. I'll note differences when they can be measured. Hope I did a good enough job. It's rather difficult installing insulation blindly. 

Done

Finished installing the insulation today. Turned out I didn't need nearly as much as the multiple insulation calculators I used said I would. I actually got the kitchen, living room and my bedroom done. So, aside from patching, the insulation is done. I even returned 10 bags when I took the machine back! 

I can't tell for absolutely certain how many inches I got installed but it appears to be all the way to the top of the rafter space. That cellulose insulation seriously expands when it's blown in! 

Because of the deposits on the blower and truck, I had to make an extra trip for the rest of the supplies. However, I have 25 bags of concrete in front of the house (under a tarp) and in front of the car. Lots of lumber all over the place. Foam panels for cushioning the plastic sheeting for the solarium. A rebar mesh panel to keep the concrete ramp stable. 

I haven't added up what I actually spent but since it took so much less insulation than expected, it seems to have come in well under the $600 budgeted. Even better in the long run, since I don't have to go back and get more for the bedroom. That would have required renting another truck. Once I add everything up, I may look into buying a concrete mixer. I have several concrete projects planned.

The clean up for this is going to take a long time. Dust and insulation blew everywhere in the rooms I was working in. The kitchen was such a mess I just ate at a restaurant tonight. The bedroom is such a mess that I will sleep on the sofa tonight. Until I wash all the dishes, counters and sheets. 

No, did not feel like cleaning tonight. I picked up the truck around 7 this morning. Got back home around 9 and was blowing insulation until 4. Then made the extra trip (to Home Depot because wood is less expensive there). 

Not to mention I bashed my right knee really good this morning. Stepped right into the corner of a square trailer hitch while swinging a 50 lb bag of concrete. Twice. Once while loading, once while unloading. Then spent the day climbing a stepladder and loading/unloading the insulation blower, which weights 150-200 lbs. Alone. By this evening I could barely walk. Getting better since I took a bath and took some Naproxen. 

I'm exhausted. Getting to sleep.

Increasing organization

Made some progress toward better organization today. It actually didn't take that long. Moved some boxes into daughter's room that need to be gone through. All her boxes are too much for her. Too intimidating. So, I'm going to start going through them and eliminate much of it, organize other parts and leave the rest for her to go through and decide what to keep, give away or toss.

The pantry and the office were so cluttered I could barely walk in them safely. Now considerably easier. That also opens up space to both work and to put things in a more organized placement. 

Called to check around on the blower for the insulation today. Getting the insulation from Lowe's. They offer free use of the blower for 24 hours with purchase of at least 20 bags of insulation. Home Depot has the same deal but only for the more expensive brand of insulation. They both have about the same price on the same insulation. 

Even if I had the money for the more expensive insulation, I would go with cellulose. Scientific studies have shown cellulose increases fire safety. Plus, since both kinds of insulation carry about the same R value (with cellulose being very slightly better) and fiberglass often contains formaldehyde, cellulose makes a much better investment in my book.

One down side to the blower. It does require a deposit of $250. Have to run one more calculation of finances before I go in the morning. Pretty sure I have plenty of clearance but if worst comes to worst, I'll have to make two trips. More mileage on the rental truck but allows me to get everything in one day. 

With a few 2x6's, I can install the extra pantry shelf. That lets me get the pantry and more of the kitchen organized. 

Got the peephole installed in the door today. Finally. 

We had the second neighborhood meeting this evening. I have a sinking feeling I could be heading toward being the watch leader. Not something I really want to do. It's up in the air for now. One or two other people may volunteer. Another would have my vote, the woman who pretty much started the idea. However, she is female and white. Not sure how many other votes she would get. For now, I was the one who looked up the Neighborhood Watch information, which two other people were supposed to do and didn't. So, I'll print out the needed paperwork and start the process of gathering signatures. Not much fun for such an introvert. Ugh. 

Going to get to bed early (for me) so I can get moving in the morning. 

It does feel good to be getting these things done, gettin the house in order at last. 

Corrales

Daughter and I went to the Corrales Harvest Festival today. Another tradition we started a few years back. The parts we enjoy most are the produce market and the corn maze. Last year the corn was so short we could see different paths than the one we were on. This year the corn was still partly green and much taller.

Had a problem with the car this evening. It stopped running and had to be pushed to the side. I swear people here acre complete idiots. Cars pulled up behind me on a multi-lane street, my hazard lights on and they just sat there, waiting for me to move. They continued this even when I raised the hood. I finally got it running and got it home. I think it needs a new fuel filter. Put some octane booster in the tank and ran it for a while. Octane booster is nearly the same as injector cleaner and I had it on hand. Hoping letting it sit after that ran through the lines will dissolve some varnish. Then get a new filter this week. Maybe tomorrow. Give it a test run early in the day. 

Picked the last green bean harvest this evening. This batch for the neighborhood meeting tomorrow evening. Going to pull the vines up tomorrow. 

Also picked the first real batch of tomatoes today. Not going to be many more batches unless more tomatoes start growing now, which doesn't seem too likely, with temperatures dropping. But I can hope. They kept going until Nov last year.

Lazy

I'm being slightly lazy so far this morning. Turned off the alarm by accident, so slept later than intended. Not so energetic just yet.

I do need to start moving around soon and get some cleaning done. Slightly messy in here. 

Been considering things to come on the next few weeks and I expect to be sore on multiple occasions. Sore after Monday because of the insulation and hauling other stuff. Sore in the next week or two because of building the ramp (about 20 bags of concrete, to be mixed manually). Sore not long after that because of the work on the solarium. Then, when I get the new teeth, I expect my jaws to be sore for several days as I adjust to them. 

Sure glad Dollar Tree carries Naproxen!

It's all worth it. I'm just not used to that kind of stuff any more. 

Once I get these major projects out of the way, I can finish up some patching which sorely needs to be done. Then get things much cleaner and organized. Won't take long at all, once I have a place to put everything. 

The new humane mouse traps need some modifications before I can use them. I read multiple reviews which said the air holes are insufficient. One look and you can tell that's true. So, I need to drill tiny holes in the tops before setting them. No urge to use humane traps to asphyxiate mice. 

Okay, enough stalling. Need to get on my feet.

Improvement

The car is running better since I put the additives in the radiator and the oil. Used to have slow acceleration until it warmed up and the check engine light would stay on until then, also. Those are fixed. Had a slow coolant leak I couldn't track down. From what I can tell, that stopped, also. It does still shift poorly until the transmission warms up but then it shifts fine. Takes about 2 miles of driving at any speed to warm up, so I can handle that. 

So, I now have a 3 day weekend. Making a shopping list ahead of time for the home improvement stuff on Monday. I'm thinking of cutting back on the concrete. That will leave more money for other supplies. I can always buy a bag or two of concrete at a time and those will fit in the car okay. I'll get enough to do the front ramp and put other projects on the back burner for the moment. Also focus mostly on things large enough to need the truck. OSB panels, long pieces of lumber, etc.

Made a bit over 70 cases today. Think I made 75. Rather slow day. The callers weren't slow per se but spastic. Like tweakers. Completely disorganized. Talking so fast they weren't just interrupting me, they were interrupting themselves. Yet I had a huge number go to medical director review, even though I tried really hard to get sufficient information. It just wasn't there to find. 

My weight is down a few lbs but my energy is pretty good. After work, I got out and cut the grass in the front yard. 

Getting to bed. Still need to clean house in the morning.

More planning

I'm gathering a list of supplies for next week. I am hoping to keep the total at $600 or a little less. Not sure that will happen. I already reserved a rental truck and considering the truck separate from that $600 total. I opted for the insurance just because of all the heavy stuff being carried. 

Have to get some ratchet straps this weekend, since I'll have to tie the bike in the back of the truck. Probably have to use at least one for the blower. 

I admit there are times I hate not having a truck any more. Maybe get another one next year. Have to think about it.

Good karma

So, the dentist was polite, professional and fast! Turns out my initial dentures will cost several hundred less than I had anticipated. Plus there was no charge for the initial consultation. 

I projected out and I can afford to get teeth pulled and temporary dentures in mid-November. That will make Christmas slightly thinner but it will happen. And I'll have teeth for Thanksgiving!

Then I went to Auto Zone for a couple of small items. Turned out I had "rewards" money which I didn't even know about. So, walked out of there without spending anything!

Got back home, had time to make some coffee and got back to work early to conserve PTO time. 

My supervisor is awesome! After the technical problems I had with my phone last week, she got me an extra 3 hours of pay to make up the difference for the low case count. 

With the luck I had this morning, figured it was a good day to buy lottery tickets. Not superstitious but not stupid! I don't have that kind of financial karma happen often! 

Had enough energy after work that I trimmed the grass in the back yard, cleaned the car battery terminals and applied anti-corrosion stuff, put some sealant in the radiator and oil treatment in the engine. 

Picking up another extra hour tomorrow morning. Been a fairly slow week but hopefully I can pick up extra cases to make next check better. 

Okay, need to do dishes and laundry and get to bed.

Planning

Have the dentist appointment this morning. See what word I get there.

Planning for the home improvement supplies to get Monday. The amount stands now that I can lay out at about $600. I can go up slightly from there and still have money to carry over to the next check. That's a good amount, to include insulation, concrete and some lumber. The price on concrete went down but price on insulation went up. They roughly balance out to the same end result. 

Once I get the supplies, most of these are time sensitive. The insulation has to be installed the same day. Concrete will have to be done soon because I don't have a weather secure location to keep it. I'll keep it raised and covered but ambient moisture can still ruin it. So I have several major projects to complete in the near future. 

Gotta get going to the dentist.

Nothing much new

Nothing much new going on.

Changed out the front door lock last night. For once, I got something fixed before it was completely broken. The lock has been worn and getting more difficult for a while. Much better now. 

The problem I've had at work with being kicked around between cases seems like not such an isolated problem, after all. My supervisor is probably the most honest supervisor with the company. She told me the issue has been rising with other people complaining about the same thing. Her supervisors are still trying to pass it off as an IT issue. However, I wrote an email today to say I do not believe for a minute that it is a network or IT problem. I've been dealing with it for 10 months now, documented through previous emails. It consistently stops happening when I complain about it. For 2-3 weeks, then starts again. It affects efficiency, speed and accuracy. While clinical reviewers are being audited and judged for the exact criteria this affects. And it has been getting worse, with the new programs which have obviously made the requirement of decreased call wait times. It got worse for me when I got one certification and then even worse with the second certification. I assume the absolute conviction that this has become a hidden policy which need to be brought in the open and in writing. Otherwise, someone needs to step up and take responsibility. I made it clear that I have not followed up on my promise to log out if this occurs. However, I have had enough. Next time it happens, I will log out for the rest of that day. I can be written up and that's fine. I will do it the next time, the time after that and the time after that until it stops or a written policy comes to light. 

Have to get to bed early tonight and get up in the morning. My dental appointment is tomorrow morning at 8AM on the other side of town.

I do need to get the last drape for daughter's room finished tonight. Was going to do it last night but was too tired. 

Last tomato paste

Cooked four quarts of green beans tonight. Froze these because daughter likes eating frozen green beans, of all things! 

Last batch of tomato paste is on the stove. Yay!

Was talking with an online friend about.. Yuppies. In this case, yuppies are defined as people who want to buy organic foods without paying organic prices. They're even arrogant and have a privileged attitude about their food. Yet will look down on the very people who grow that food. They want organic food but will become too nauseated to eat if they see an insect. Throw out entire apples or a bag of green beans if they see a worm. Produce looks less than perfect? Toss it. They would not consider cutting a worm out of an apple or tossing part of a green bean. 

I'm happy to not be a yuppie. If survival skills are needed, I can weave a rope out of bark or vines, make a fish hook out of a soda can tab, a fishing pole from a stick, dig worms out of the ground, hunt with a bow and arrow, set traps to capture small game, grow my own food.. At the same time I can have an informed debate on scientific theories, macroeconomics, multiple religions..

Any way, with the canning pretty much done, can get back to other tasks tomorrow. Starting with drapes. 

News on the job. Turns out a lot of people had problems with the same two questions on the test I failed. My test has been reset, so I have to take it again. Kinda sucks because I tossed my answer sheet. So have to go through the whole test again. Not tonight. Do it tomorrow. 

My day off was finally approved for next Monday. So, can get the supplies and do the insulation. Have to get it done in one day. It think it should go pretty fast after I get the supplies. Big challenge is getting to the rental place and back. I'm actually thinking of taking the bike. Put it in the back of the truck and tie it down. When I take the truck back, just ride the bike out of the truck and home. One of the hardest parts will be the concrete. That has to be offloaded by hand. A whole pallet is 35 bags, so that's a lot of weight. 

Initial appointment with the new dentist is on Thursday. See what kind of programs or deals they have. At the very least, I'll know how much it will cost and be able to make plans. If I can, I'll set the appointment for the actual work for Feb.That makes it likely I'll have the tax refund. All depends on if they will accept that without new X-rays. 

Almost messed up. Turns out the Corrales Harvest Fest is this weekend. Seems to me it's a bit earlier than usual. Any way, glad I checked when I did. 

Okay, time for bed.

Here's hoping

Up early for an early work shift. Hoping this week comes of better than last week. Joked with my supervisor on Fri that last week was so abnormally long it should be studied by Stephen Hawking.

Yeah, I know. Geek humor.

At least I'm feeling better than last week. 

I have realized one thing. I've known for years I have a high heart rate sometimes. But not always. Now I know the reason for that is because of the ulcerative colitis. I've been able to track my heart rate being faster during flare ups and decreased when it subsides. The same holds true for allergies and bronchitis. It causes systemic inflammation. 

This may have been diagnosed decades ago except for my high pain tolerance. Oh, well. It would have also impacted a lot of other activities in my life, so I guess all things happen for a reason. 

Root cellar

At this point, my pantry is looking like an old fashioned root cellar! Tonight, preserved three pints of salsa and 7 bottles of jalapeno hot sauce. I have what should amount to 4-5 half pints of tomato paste on the stove and one more batch of tomatoes go go tomorrow. Then I think I'll be done with tomatoes for the year. Rest of the tomatoes in the garden will remain for just plain eating. 

I'm rather proud of this. Not many people have such a collection of foods they produced themselves in the home these days. Easy to see why. I takes a lot of work. However, it's worth the work in the long run. Fewer chemicals in the food. Though the best part of the collection is the knowledge, experience and equipment that goes into it.

Next, I think I'm going to try preserving meats. However, to can meats I am sure takes a pressure canner, which is expensive. 

Daughter still wanted to keep today as a lazy day. I talked with her about it and confirmed that's what is going on. She did confirm that she just likes keeping Sunday as a lazy day to rest up for the week ahead. It's a transition day for her. I think weekends are important for kids. Time for recreation and for rest when they expend so much energy learning and doing homework the rest of the week. 

We didn't get her boxes sorted out this weekend. I'm not going to push for it to be done all in one weekend. I figure if we go through two boxes each weekend, we'll be done in a 2-3 weeks. I got more fabric boxes for her room today. Try and get the last two drawers done this week. 

Definitely had an issue going on for last few days with existing health problems. Somewhat my own fault. Been experimenting on just how much I can back away from my most drastic regimens. Looks like I can't back off yet.  

Globalquerque

Took daughter to "Globalquerque" today. We had fun. She decorated a wooden flute and got her first thumb blister trying to play guitar. We decorated cookies. 

Went and picked up 22 lbs of tomatoes. That should make a few jars of tomato paste and salsa! Really awesome deal for that many tomatoes for only $7.24. Also got more jalapenos and onions. 

Peeled, cooked and canned the apples tonight. Got four quarts out of them plus a couple of small bowls we ate right away. Kiddo likes the canned apples. Brought them to a total of 7 quarts on the shelf. 

Daughter is happy with all the tomatoes on the table. Been eating a few of them this evening. 

She's also happy with the drapes. We agreed to go through a couple of her boxes tomorrow. If she doesn't want to go anywhere, I'll complete the other drape and help go through the boxes. Maybe pack some things in vacuum bags for winter. 

Not much better

Only slightly better this morning but feel like most of it may pass. 

Need to get a small amount of cleaning done before I go pick daughter up. 

Think I can start letting the chicken out of the coop this week. She's been in the back yard long enough to have settled the yard and hutch as home. I do need to get some straw or something to put inside the hutch for her. If I let her roam the garden, she'll eat insects. Before letting her out, I'll set the cat trap one more time. 

Told all the neighbors if they have cats not to let them run free because I am setting a trap and giving any cats I catch to animal control. Immediately someone asked if that's what happened to someone's cat. I said I had no idea and I am not going to carry any cats I catch around the neighborhood to ask. It's stupid to let a cat run free in this area. No cat I have caught had a collar on it, any way. I may ask around if one has a collar, otherwise no. And if I catch one with a collar twice, the second time it goes straight to animal control. 

Nope, not tonight

My energy never recovered tonight. Not feeling so great. Tired, achy. Probably related to existing conditions. If not, that sure doesn't help. I took a bunch of supplements to help. 

Doesn't help I haven't really slept enough this week. However, I do have minor signs of a low level respiratory infection, also. Hope it all goes away with some sleep.

Not feeling badly about how much I've gotten done, though. With canning, half the second drapes and a few other things, I've gotten more done this week than I have for a while. In general, my energy is coming back up. And taking a few supplements make my veins stand out to a very visible degree, which is a strong sign they're helping. 

I don't mind doing some sewing while daughter is here. I don't find it any kind of negative for her to see me sewing. She already knows about it and likes the first set. I'm sure she's going to like the second set when completed.

Have to stop at the grocery store and pick up lots of tomatoes tomorrow. Know daughter won't mind that but I do have a few tomatoes which should be ripe in the garden tomorrow and she does prefer those. They definitely do taste better. 

If my energy remains up, I should have daughter's room finally primarily completed this coming week. If I get the other drape done this weekend, I can get the drawers completed in one evening. Some organizing and it should be pretty much done. I can continue doing fine tuning over time.  

By the way, daughter preferred to sleep in my room still last weekend. I didn't argue. On the to her mother's house last weekend, I did ask why, if it's the room or if she is just more comfortable in my room. She said it was the latter. That's okay, going to let her make the transition on her emotional time. She's only here one night a week on average, so it's not a big deal. Some people may think it's not appropriate but we sleep on opposite sides of a king size bed and her foam mattress is stacked on top of that. Plus we have separate covers and both always clothed. 

Okay, time for bed.

Tired

Not sure I'm getting anything done tonight. I'm wiped out. If I get some more energy, work on the second drape. 

Today was still slightly better for work but my average for the week still came in under 70 since both Mon and Tue were slow and Wed was below average. Really sucks. Picking up an extra hour next Mon  morning and hope to make up the difference next week. 

I went ahead and ordered another airbrush. This one gravity feed. Wonder if I could find a splitter or manifold for the air supply hose?

Not staying up late tonight. Get some sleep and clean house in the morning.

Good paycheck

Pay went in the bank. Good paycheck. That's good, because I spent a bit more than I intended to. Paying bills, state fair, the leaf blower.. Next check won't be quite as good, with all the issues this week.

Also, when I told daughter to pick out fabric, I didn't specify a price range. She picked out some rather expensive fabric for her drapes. Because I had said to pick out any fabric she wanted, I didn't say anything. So, the second set of drapes turned out to be rather costly. Oh, well. Lesson for me. 

Any way, waiting to see if I can get time off approved to install insulation and get supplies for other projects. I have the money now. Just need the time. 

I've settled on a count of 32 bags of insulation for the living room/kitchen ceiling. I have 8 holes drilled, so that would allow for 4 bags of insulation for each of those spaces. Not optimal but a decent amount which will have a measurable effect.

A bit better

Today was a bit better for work today. I had over 80 cases. Still a really slow network and the system crashed twice today. Still the best day so far this week. I've just resigned myself to this being a bad week. 

The network problems really get on my nerves. Most of the problems are predictable and preventable. The company added a little new server capacity, then immediately went beyond capacity by mandating new windows and functions. Got an email this morning that we should keep an extra window open at all times for the new program because you frequently have to go to the old program to work the case. In that process of keeping an idle window open, it prevents the ability to work web or fax cases in the extra window. The result is causing a backlog of web and fax cases plus causing excessive stress on the network and individual computers. 

I know!! Let's fix the problem by making everyone keep MORE windows open!!

Really?

Planted a few broccoli seeds tonight.

Noticed some of the purple carrot seeds are sprouting.

Here's an interesting thing. There was an impromptu neighborhood meeting this evening. About security. Planning a neighborhood watch program. Most of the neighbors were there. The ones that could speak English. (Which, honestly, wound up being more than I thought.) I may get help from one neighbor who may know someone who can give me a camera to install in the front yard. Of course, there were some ideas which just won't work. Like trying to make the street a gated community. That is much more expensive and complicated than people think it is. I'm going to call tomorrow about the derelict property on the corner, which is officially owned by the county, so they are the ones who need to do something about it. 

Got the first one of the remaining two drapes for daughter's room tonight. Would have finished both if not for the meeting noted above. I am getting better at sewing! At least, sewing big squares. Not going to start making my own clothes next week or anything like that. I can say the drapes look decent, if simple.   

Not much sewing

Was going to sew the second set of drapes for daughter's room this evening. Not so much. Had to run to the store, get a few things. Reorganized the sewing supplies. Got the cloth cut to the right size. Going to sit on the couch and pin the fabric in a little while. Get the sewing machine out so it's ready for tomorrow. Thought I had straight pins but guess not. All safety pins. Takes longer but less chance of pinning my finger.

Had to wash some dishes and pick green beans, also. (I could use some domestic help once in a while. I'd get a lot more major tasks done.) 

Emailed the ex to ask if she wants some green beans. I'm actually getting too many now. 13 quarts on the shelf and more still growing. I may do 7 more quarts, max. That'll be easy with what's growing now. I pulled up all the bush beans this evening. They were pretty much exhausted and there are still 2-3 pole bush vines producing and some more about ready to produce in containers. 

Wound up with 6 half pints of tomato paste from 10 lbs of tomatoes. I see where Pro's Ranch Market (now under different owners but forgot the name) has tomatoes on sale 3 lbs/$1 this weekend. Be nearby, since daughter and I are going to Globalquerque this weekend. 

Once again, work sucked today. Computer/network problems. Least my phone was working. Brain dead callers. Nothing new there. Then the company got the bright idea to make spell check mandatory on all cases. However, they neglected to incorporate a medical dictionary into that spell check. (Too expensive, seeing that it's available for free download on the internet..) Of course, it attempts to correct most of the names typed into it. Keep feeling like I'm trying to run while someone is throwing bricks at my feet. Only wound up with 67 cases today. This is the slowest week I've had since I was still in training.

Picking up an extra hour tomorrow morning. Maybe I'm a masochist. I'll decide if I'll pick up another extra hour Fri based on results tomorrow. Maybe I just need to step back this week and accept it as one of those weeks. 

 

Another bad day

Another bad day for work. Started on fax cases. New phone arrived. Hooked it up, then the main program that interfaces with the phone wouldn't start. Called IT and got that fixed. Then the call quality was so bad that I couldn't understand callers. Tried unplugging and replugging everything, restarting computer. Finally called IT again. Turned out several reviewers in Albuquerque were having the same problem. Gave up, went back to fax cases. Between the last two days I worked about as many cases as I normally work in one day.

If the problem is local, I expect it to take severals days to be fixed. 

Oh, well. 

Day two of canning. Canned one quart of salsa, 2 1/2 pints of jalapeños and processed 10 lbs of tomatoes for paste. Went and bought 11 more lbs of apples to preserve. The apples have to wait. Tomato paste takes a really long time to cook. 

I still have some hope for more tomatoes to grow in the garden. More flowers bloomed. It will be a while but that's okay. Rather have them late than not at all. In the meantime, just keep an eye out for tomatoes on sale. 

On the other hand, I really need to install an extra shelf in the pantry to make room for the additional jars. No complaints on that. 

The guy selling barrels was out of plastic barrels today but said he'll have more tomorrow. Have to call him to check. 

Short entry

Got my new phone. Not sure if it's the phone or connection but not a good connection. Maybe better since I unplugged and plugged the connections again. Wait and see after lunch.

Pretty happy with all the stuff preserved now. Have one shelf almost full! Think I'll buy more apples this evening to preserve while they're on sale. Spiced apples to store is a good idea. They can be used for lots of things. Along with apples, there are green beans, pickles, pumpkin, corn, carrots and grape jelly on the shelf. 

Can add jalapeños and tomato paste to the list tonight. 

Hoping the spinach grows this fall, so I can add that later. 

Going to see about a plastic barrel after work tonight. To build a compost tumbler. 

Some canning

Got some of the canning done tonight. Two quarts of green beans, three quarts of spiced apples and 8 pints of sliced carrots. 

I had hoped to get all the canning done tonight but all the carrots and apples had to be peeled and green beans cleaned and cut, so all that took time. So, have to do the jalapenos and tomato sauce tomorrow night. 

Interesting thing. I think a skunk got in my yard last night. I could smell it really strongly. Then today I did not see it but could smell it in the garden. Obviously the dogs spooked it and it sprayed the area. Not overpowering but quite noticeable. Kind of a shame I didn't see it. Not sure how it got in the yard. I knew something was eating some of the fallen apples but didn't know what. Now I do. I'm rather guessing it has taken up residence in the garden. I don't mind, long as it doesn't spray daughter or me. I think it would be kinda cool. Um, also as long as it doesn't eat all the produce growing. 

Just looked it up. They prefer bugs, rodents and other things. They do eat berries. And toads. If we have a skunk, probably won't have toads. That's a trade off. I've been around skunks before. Long as you don't move too fast and scare them, with time they get used to you and won't spray you. 

There's another reason to fortify the fence so the dogs can't get through. Until then, have to make sure the batteries in their collars remain at full charge. But it would be funny to see the reaction if they got skunked! 

Today sucked for work. My phone crapped out and I had to work fax cases all day. Got nowhere near 70 cases. More like 50. They're sending another phone overnight mail. Hope it gets here early and that they sent it from CO. 

State Fair

Took daughter to the state fair yesterday. We stayed really late, walking around for nearly ten hours. She rode two new rides and enjoyed them quite a bit! I was proud of her for trying new rides. One of her favorites is still the elevated swing. I just let her ride it herself several times this year. She was consistently one of, if not the bravest person on the ride each time. Raising her arms in the air, looking over the side of the chair. We engaged in all of our traditional activities, riding the Ferris Wheel, splitting a turkey leg, going through McDonald's Farm and the animal exhibits. 

Funny thing. All that walking and the only ill effect I had was sore feet and tired legs. Then this morning, I had gone out in the garden, done some things which required bending, squatting, etc. All was fine. Then I sat down on the sofa, crossed my legs and felt a sharp sting starting in the back, then spreading quickly to the front. I thought something had stung me. Changed my pants, checked inside and my skin. No sign of anything present and no marks. I had pulled something or broken a blood vessel just by sitting down and crossing my legs! Had to go to Dollar Tree and get a knee brace. It's not bad, no lack of strength, just an annoying pain. But with a history of more severely injuring the same knee a couple years ago, figured best to reinforce it. It did slow me down the rest of the day.

Just as well. Daughter likes to be lazy on Sundays. I'm okay with that. She's active the whole week and needs one day to recover. 

Not going to have any pumpkins for Halloween unless I buy some. Still having squash bug and cucumber beetle problems. Also too many grasshoppers still around. 

Not going to have many tomatoes to make tomato paste this year. Bought 9 lbs at the store today, on sale 3 lbs/$1. I'll make those into paste this week. 

There are lots of green beans. Picked enough for two more quarts today. More pole beans growing in containers now and they should produce a decent crop or two. Good timing, since the bush beans will be exhausted soon. Also good timing because fresh green beans are now back to about $3 a lb and frozen green beans are climbing in price. The price remains the same but packages keep getting smaller. I preserved so much last year that I still have some jars left over. So, not going to have any shortage. I may freeze some because daughter has a strange liking for frozen green beans.

Apples are on sale, also. The apple tree keeps aborting apples while they're still green. I think it's just because the tree is still young. Some of the green apples are still edible, long as I cook them and mix them with ripe apples from the store. I can preserve those this week, also. I will be happy when both apple trees get large enough to produce enough apples to make apple sauce and preserved apples every year. 

Going to preserve some of the carrots in the fridge this week, also. 

Hangers done!

The wood panels and drapery hangers are up, drapes are on them and they look good! Currently one drape on each rod for the moment and slightly short for one window. Once I make another (longer, of course) set of drapes, then they'll be hung a full set to each rod. 

The wood panels over the windows make things look nicer and add considerable stability to the hangers, as planned. 

Didn't get much cleaning done except dishes. Get more cleaning done in the morning. 

I did go pick up the leaf blower/vac. Realized something. This thing grinds leaves into small bits. If I get a plastic barrel and make a compost tumbler the combination of tiny pieces of leaves and the enclosed composter will accelerate the composting process considerably. Like 6 weeks or less to a batch. My best bet would be to build two compost tumblers, so one can be finishing while I'm adding raw material to the other one in rotation. Then dismantle the current compost bin. Then see if I can compost weeds in the summer. For that, I'll have to check the temperature a few times. If it's over 160 degrees, that's hot enough to inactivate the seeds. It may reach those temperatures with a little added ammonia. The vac and grinder function could come in really handy for the annual agreement I have with a neighbor to rake up his leaves if I get to keep them. Lot fewer trips to dump leaves and they will reduce much faster. (Just have to keep weight in mind.) 

I'm exhausted. It is a shame the temperatures don't cool down until the days get shorter. Getting to bed in a minute.

Weekend!!

I don't know why but this week felt exceptionally long. Today went on forever. Wasn't just me, my supervisor said the same thing.

No complaints. If I recall correctly, I earned somewhere around an extra $150 this week. That will help pay for insulation. 

Got an email this morning telling me I had written cases in the queue for the program I had declined certification for on Monday. I emailed back about it and then got an IM. With some back and forth discussion, the supervisor for that program approved it for me to work just telephone cases for the program. For the moment, there is an extreme shortage of nurses that can/will do the telephone cases for the program, so she was relieved. She also seemed to understand my position for the written and outgoing calls. 

Have to go pick up the leaf blower, then come back and do the drapery rods in kiddo's room. Plus get some cleaning done. At least woodwork is more my forte than sewing is! I should have that stuff done in half hour or less. 

Just taking a short break between work and.. work. 

My first request for a day off to do the insulation was refused. Now waiting to see about the second request. Changed the request from a Friday to a Monday. Maybe Monday is better. Gives me the whole week to clean up the dust and patch holes. 

The better my finances look, the more insulation I can plan on installing. However, I'm going to wait until the day I make the purchases, figure out the grand total on other things before deciding exactly how much I'll get. Current calculations are that I can spend around $450 on supplies and that will leave money to roll over to the next check. Which has higher total expenses, so keeping a balance is a wise choice. Besides, still trying to retain money for dental work, daughter's birthday, etc. Trying to think as far ahead as I can. 

Five minutes

Up early for an extra hour of work. I like the extra money. Don't mind the extra work. However, I hate getting up early!

Have a different take on the drapes this morning. Even if it took me a lot of time, even if they are a little less than perfect, I'm proud of myself for doing it. I think making something for daughter means more than just buying something. 

And I'm learning how to sew. Maybe not great but learning. Finally. I've had the sewing machine for like ten years or more. It'll probably need new belts and stuff soon just from dry rot.

I have a lot of things to do tonight and tomorrow morning. The house is really messy and floors need cleaning. 

Recalculating

Because of a few purchases and such, have recalculated that, if I spend too much at the state fair, I will roll over the same or a little less than what rolled over to last check. 

That's okay. If I use that money to pay bills forward a bit, it will still mean I have the entire new paycheck free for living expenses and building supplies. Still want to avoid spending the whole check, though and keep trying to build savings. 

One good thing about my job is that there is a floor to my earnings, long as I am working. If things slow down too much, the company agrees to pay hourly pay instead of case rate. One reason I like this company. So I don't have to worry about going broke when things are slow.

Started this post this morning but forgot to publish it. Had figured if work was slow enough I could work on it between cases. Happy to say work was not that slow.

Backache

Finished the second drape panel. Hard to believe it could take me nearly two hours to sew together two layers of fabric into a square. Still an improvement over yesterday, if slight.

The rods will have to wait until tomorrow. 

I will be doing more sewing in the future, so I'm sure to get better at it with practice. I know most people aren't very good at sewing without practice. (Hey, I can rationalize, can't I?) 

I think they look decent but haven't seen them hanging up yet. Crossing my fingers. 

Something I forgot to mention the other day is that my daughter really likes her new owl blanket. On Sunday, she made the bed in her room very nicely and spread the owl blanket on top so the owl image is proudly displayed. It actually looks really good! 

Her room is ultimately coming together. I feel rather ashamed it has taken me so long. Next spring, I need to get a window air conditioner for her room. I had hoped to finish her set of drawers this week but wasn't able to. Get them finished next week. If that goes smoothly enough, get some more finishing touches done to the paint. It looks good but needs a bit more. 

Once daughter's room, insulation and solarium are done, I can get back to working on the bathroom and my bedroom. Though I'm not planning on those until after the beginning of the year just yet. I may be able to get the bathroom done before Christmas. Depends mostly on my energy level. I have most of the supplies on hand for current plans. 

My health has continued to improve. There have been many times I have forgotten to take my supplements and had no rebound effects because of it. Not such a good idea to skip them in the long term, though. That is what has enabled the improvement. It takes time for all the damage to heal because the damage from an autoimmune disorder is not just gastric. It affects the gastric system, vascular system, central and peripheral nervous system and the respiratory system. It has the potential to affect the muscular and skeletal systems as well but I seem to have been spared that, for the most part. Not entirely but somewhat. It has caused some muscle decline because of the metabolic inhibition of protein and various vitamins. Being a vitamin junky probably has saved me on some level. Being a coffee junky has also helped. 

The job and being sedentary has been both a blessing and a curse. Less emotional and physical stress has given me time to heal. Once again, strange it came about at a crucial time when I did not yet realize the extent of my illness. However, lack of activity takes a toll. So, as my health improves and weather cools, I really have to make a routine of getting some exercise. Slowly at first and then gradually accelerate. 

And keep a routine of getting enough sleep.

Drapes take two

Tonight is drapes take two. The sewing machine is already set up and I'm getting better at it. The bottom bobbin ran out of thread last night and once that was reloaded it took me under 5 minutes to get everything back in working order. 

I'm reasonably quick with simple wood work and there's probably only 1-2 cuts I have to make, couple of holes to drill and then get the mounts up. That should go fast. 

I'm just taking a short break before getting those things done. 

Picking up an extra hour of work tomorrow morning. That happened faster than I expected! Today I didn't work any extra time and still had 88 cases, which equates to an extra two hours of pay. So, I've earned at least an extra  hours of pay this week. Maybe more. Lost track. But still one more day to go. However, Fridays start strong but drop off early. If I make any extra money, it has to be early in the day. That money goes on my next check, so will come in handy for the home improvement supplies. 

The new leaf blower/vac came in at Walmart. Ready for pickup. I can get it tomorrow or this weekend. No leaves to deal with yet, so not a rush. I just wanted to order the inexpensive one while it was available. 

 

One done

Okay, pushed myself and got one drape done. Very basic, no fancy stitches and not perfect. However, from all I can tell, you would have to look rather closely to see the flaws. And they will be even less evident once two drapes are hanging on one rod. 

I think they may be just barely wide enough to hang one on each window for the moment. If not, I have another curtain I can hang one one window until I make the other set of drapes. 

Really tired. Time for bed.

One seam

After 2.5 hours, I got one seam sewn for daughter's drapes. 

Funny thing I have worked on M1 tanks and made modifications to one. Worked with experimental explosives. Can wire a house. Yet getting a sewing machine set up properly is a distinct challenge for me. 

In my defense, in that 2.5 hours, I cleaned the sewing machine (filthy with dust), cut the fabric, pinned the one edge which is now done (the rest will be easier) and fixed dog damage to the well pump. (No comment.) 

I'm tired. Had to eat and take my medicine. Finish what I can do tomorrow. 

Down side is that I seriously underestimated how much fabric I needed. I only have enough for one window. Have to get more fabric this weekend. Just as well, I guess. Daughter wanted different patterns for each window and her closet, so she has multiple owl patterns. My preference had been for one pattern for both windows, maybe a separate pattern for the closet. Guess I'll let her have her choice. It is her room. 

Of course, this would be easier to just buy some drapes but I did want her to have something exclusive to her own room and she will never see somewhere else. Besides, I have not seen any owl pattern drapes already made. 

It does run back to something I have always tried to teach her. If you do not find what you want in life, make it. If you do not like the way things are, change them. 

Steel barrel

Taking a short break, then get to work on daughter's drapes. 

After work, went to get a steel barrel. Man who sells them doesn't deliver. He's a little older and sells the barrels from home. He said he'll have plastic barrels later in the week. I was able to get the barrel in the back of the car with the hatch open, then used a ratchet strap to hold the hatch down. 

So, that's an extra and important step toward getting the rocket stove built. It needs the barrel for the secondary combustion chamber. 

Not a bad day for work. A lot of strange cases which took some research and critical thinking. Not a bad thing. It was busy in the morning and I ended the day with 88 cases. That equals an extra two hours of pay with no extra time worked. 

The company is still focusing all OT available to the new health plans and written cases. Okay, not a problem. I get to sleep longer and as long as I can make extra cases in my regular time, they can keep going that way until the system crashes. What would make more sense would be offering more money per case for those plans and/or a special crew to do outgoing calls. However, I'm expecting before that they will require all reviewers to be certified in the new plans. Until incomes decrease and they lose a huge number of people. I could be wrong but they have been pushing this approach too much. The whole thing started with non-clinical people making outgoing calls and then forcing the cases on clinical reviewers without informing them it was an outgoing call, the person at the office being unprepared and often angry. So, that didn't work. I'm sure some people would be willing to do it if offered hourly pay but that's not happening yet. Lots of options for this approach which would work but it will have to reach critical mass before those options are utilized. I've seen administrative let projects like this too many times in my life and they always follow the exact same predictable pattern. 

I hate when problems happen which are completely predictable but still happen. 

Nothing much

Woke up a little early. Had a rare bronchitis attack. Not severe and not long but left me with a headache. So, just got up and took some medicine and vitamins. 

Allergies have been really bad lately. Apparently not just for me. When the weather cooled down, plants that had stopped flowering in the heat started again. 

Going to call the guy about barrels today. He has steel barrels right now. He seems to have either steel or plastic but not both at once. I need one of each. Steel for the rocket stove heater and plastic for a compost tumbler. 

Ordered some broccoli seeds. Spent a fairly large sum for seeds but for good reason. Most broccoli seeds are sold in very small packets, maybe 50 seeds. This is a bottle of seeds, 4 oz, so it will be thousands of seeds. Can't predict how well the broccoli will do. It's a cool weather crop and I know it will grow until frost. The question is, will it form heads before frost? Going to give it a shot. If it fails, it's good for the compost. 

I like the system I finally came up with for the compost of placing the compost in large planters and topping it with potting soil. Saves on potting soil, seems to be doing really well for plants and any weed or grass seeds get fully composted. When I empty containers, I will dump them in the garden and start the cycle over again. 

However, a compost tumbler would be good because it reaches higher temperatures and will deactivate weed seeds more effectively. I could conceivably place small amounts of dog waste in the tumbler for Phosphorous. The issue isn't nutrients but bacteria, which would be killed with high enough temperatures. Though if I do that, I'd probably just use that compost for flower beds due to the yuck factor. 

Dogs are looking more confused. First the carpet and now I started mixing chlorophyll and mint with their food, which reduces their odor. So, I've gotten rid of their friends, the ticks, their stinky carpet and now taking steps to make them smell better. They don't know how to react. 

Drapes

I meant to get the drapes made for daughter's room tonight. However, got diverted by other efforts. Need a couple of small groceries. Plus a folding table suitable for sewing. 

I also finally found a black comforter in king size. Not quite the weight I like but I like but I tend to prefer really heavy comforters. That's okay, I cam always layer. Definitely have a few blankets in the house. 

Besides, my cold tolerance is up and heat tolerance is down still. 

Then had to cook dinner. Guess I'll do the dishes and toss in a load of laundry so that stuff is already done and doesn't cause another diversion. Since I had to cook, I just decided to grill all 8 chicken breasts I had. Can freeze most of them and that will reduce future cooking time.

Today was a little slower for work. Little over 70 cases. Long as I make my 70, I'm content. Just much happier if I get more. 

Put in a request for next Fri off to do the blown in insulation. I have to get it done in one day. Can manage it if I get started early enough in the day and don't slack off. Just going to focus on the living room and kitchen for now. I'll do my bedroom and the rest at a later date. Each step is a big improvement. I probably just notice it less but my bedroom doesn't seem to be much of a problem in winter. More a problem in summer. I probably just notice it less because I'm covered up and prefer keeping the bedroom cool, any way. (Not freezing cold, of course.) With adequate insulation, it will pay for itself over one winter in reduced heating costs. 

If the solarium actually stays intact for once, that will further offset the heating bill and I may not have to run the heater through most of the day at all and run it much less at night. 

Had to tie off the tomato vines some more. Finally a decent amount of tomatoes and a few are ripening. The later plants are gaining some size and I put cages on them. Some aren't large enough for the cages yet but if I move them into the solarium in a few weeks, they should produce this year, if only a little. They slow down a lot in colder temperatures but keep producing until they encounter frost. Then they go dormant but don't die off unless the roots freeze. 

Violence

The ex has spoken out in the past about my neighborhood and how I deal with things. She says I make myself and my daughter targets. 

I take the opposite view. I know the environment extremely well, having grown up in a neighborhood full of bullies and so forth. These are the kind of people who will continue pushing until you stand up to them. In each case where I have stood up to people who confronted me here, their behavior continued to be threatening until I faced them down. Some of my neighbors think I'm completely crazy (but that's what I want those certain people to think). In all cases, they do not try to walk on me for long.

The honest truth is that the past few years have been the least violent and most peaceful in my life. Only a very few confrontations which I ended in short order. No violence beyond kids throwing rocks at my daughter, which stopped when I threatened the whole family (the father and grandmother because they defended the behavior instead of stopping it). My home has no arguments and no fights going on. 

Came to this realization the other day. This is one of the main reasons I remain alone. 

I came to the absolute decision that the next person who makes an attempt to bring violence back into my life, physical or emotional, will meet with an overstated response designed to insure they will never do so again. Not just to me but to anyone. I've had enough of violence in my life. I will never tolerate it again. What does that statement mean? It means whatever is necessary in the context of the situation. I place no limits on my actions. My past is populated with people who were mentally sane but emotionally destructive and often physically violent. I make no more excuses for them. 

Unhappy doggies..again

The dogs were not thrilled with me this evening. I had placed the old carpet from daughter's room outside for their comfort when I did daughter's floor. The only thing the dogs found it good for was scattering dirt and crapping on. Because it absorbed and retained their stink. I got sick of it and cut it to shreds, then threw it away this evening. The dogs are never happy when I eliminate part of their stench. They seem to compete with each other over which one can stink more. Now, with nothing to crap on but bare ground, that decreases the odor and makes it easier to wash away, especially with an acidic solution (like diluted vinegar). 

I am working on getting things in better shape now. Place is still a mess both inside and out but making progress. Few more weeks and I think I'll have it decent. I know, said that before and then things happen, both financially and health-wise. 

For work today, I went through training for a group of health plans which is growing. After the training, I figured one thing out. It is more of a detriment than a benefit. The certification means agreeing to being bound to mandatory written cases and outbound calls. I have avoided written cases for a long time because it has caused my work computer to freeze and crash numerous times. The outbound calls make me feel like a telephone salesman, which I truly suck at. Both written and outbound calls are excessively time consuming, yet offer no additional pay. The one thing I did learn is that the inbound calls for this health group require no additional training and there is no rule barring me from doing the inbound calls without the certification. So, a couple of hours after going through the training, I told my supervisor that I decline the certification. 

Just as well. Things are picking up again. I made 82 cases today, even with an hour out for training. Probably would have made 90 or more cases if not for that training. The only down side to rejecting the certification is that the company has started offering OT only for people with that certification. However, they then offer the OT only for written cases, which require an outbound call. So I estimate the maximum average number of cases will be like 4 cases. 

There is also the fact that offices tend to be much more rude on outbound calls than calls coming in to our company. Because you are interrupting their schedule. That increases my stress level, which impacts my health. I'm much better off without it. 

I have a feeling they will be making some changes to that system before long. I may go back to it after the changes are made. I'm not required to have that certification. Plus I told my supervisor that I would forfeit the pay for training time. Since training was one hour and I worked an extra hour today, it equals out, so can't be penalized for coming under on my hours this week for that. 

Still debating

Still debating with myself over the building supplies. Don't want to spend too much money. As it is, if I buy the supplies I was thinking of, the money I roll over to my next check remains static or decreases. 

None of that makes me need to supplies any less. Just sucks that I have to buy it all at once. 

The concrete is no longer on special. However, I did figure out that it's actually cheaper to buy the 60 lb bags than the 80 lb bags. When calculated per lb, the 60 lb bags cost less. At least, for now. Price of concrete went up over the past year. Probably shipping and manufacturing costs increased. This is also the time of year concrete sales tend to start slowing down, so prices go up slightly.

Too bad I can't afford a concrete mixer. A small one. Then again, I will get some needed exercise, so no complaints. Yet. Until I'm sore from doing it. lol!

There's also no getting around the need for the supplies for the solarium and a few items for the house. 

Still, maybe I'd be best to hold off one more week and buy the supplies next Fri, when I get paid again. I doubt anything major is going to change in that time. That's what I'll do. I know the next check has less money coming out for bills and the initial dentist appointment is only a consultation. Cool my heels, keep budgeting and compile the money I need for various things over time. Eliminate the need to make choices. 

Outdoor chicken

Moved the chicken outside today to the hutch. I may have to do something later to make sure it doesn't freeze during the winter but right now it's okay. Have to keep it in the hutch for at least a couple of weeks, to make sure it settles in as the yard being home before I can let it roam the garden.

So, tasks for this week are to sew daughter's drapes, put up the panels and rods to hang them. Also complete and install the last two drawers and adjust one which is crooked. I think the drapes may take one evening and the drawers one other evening.

Have to call rental truck places tomorrow and see how late they're open. Hoping the one nearest me is open until 6 PM. Then I can get the building supplies on Fri evening. 

It has become very important to get the front ramp built now. The front steps are about ready to collapse. Actually, they lasted much longer than I expected them to. But they only lasted that long because of the lack of rain here. Most places they would have collapsed long ago. 

The 60 lb bags of concrete being on special made me think about it and that size would be better for me. Not used to slinging 80 lb bags around so much any more, so 60 lbs would be much easier to handle. I figure I can also use cinder blocks as a base to help establish the structure and make it stable. It would also reduce the amount of concrete needed for that one project. 

Which leads to the rocket stove mass heater. Using cinder blocks already on hand, I may be able to complete both projects with only one pallet of concrete. Maybe. Not sure. But worth a shot! If not, I won't need too much more and can load a few bags in the car at a time. One thing I need which I don't have is a steel barrel. There's a guy who sells them online nearby. Have to check if he delivers. 

The neighbors across the street (the paranoid ones) were rebuilding their driveway today. Moving it to a different spot. Looks like they must be making room for more vehicles. Because 8 vehicles for one house isn't enough, right? Can't wait to see what more paranoia results from this decision. 

Daughter's room

Daughter continues picking up on my thoughts, not aware she is doing so.

Yesterday, I was going to ask her if she wanted to go to Cliff's because it would be the last weekend we could probably go. Then when I asked her what she wanted to do she named that.

I also had the idea of working on her room this weekend. Then she started asking me about turning the front closet into a playroom. I told her she has a whole room. Nothing more. She immediately started working on her room. I helped in some ways. Finally raised her clothing rod up and removed the top one. So there is room for her clothes, she can reach the shelf and I can place lower shelves to help keep it organized. 

Next we need to go through boxes, sort things, reorganize and toss things she no longer wants. I'll get the last two drawers built and installed this week. 

Good day

Had a good day today. Daughter and I went to Cliff's. She rode the smaller roller coaster with me for the first time and enjoyed it. Even went a second time!

Also went to Home Depot and she built a birdhouse, Wizard of Oz theme. Even has the witches feet sticking out, which serve as the perch! It was the free kids program where they have a project first Sat each month.

Had lunch at Furr's Buffet. 

I got a new pair of shoes. Think I have it figured out. They only carry sneakers that are water resistant (my preference) in fall/winter. Guess I should get at least one more pair while they have them. 

Got her an owl print plush blanket which they sold out of last year before I had the money. (Actually they just rotated them out of stock.) So, since they had them now, I grabbed one as soon as I saw it. It's a really nice blanket, especially for the price. Think I'll get another one for me sometime. She's happy with it. Unfortunately, it's not snowy owl, her favorite but she loves all owls.

We had grapes and cucumber from the garden as an evening snack. I canned two quarts of green beans. All bush beans. Pole beans aren't producing yet but will really soon. 

Dishes and laundry are all done.

The solarium sheeting came in today. Now I need to get the rest of the supplies, set the last posts and install it. Home Depot has concrete on special. Hope it will still be for a few more days until I get a truck. I'll get a whole pallet, so they will load it on the truck with a forklift for me. I also get to keep the pallet.

Really tired of the paranoid neighbors now. No question their front light is not motion detected. There's a tree branch in front of the light which moves in the wind and does not cause the light to come on. Yet every time I step on my own front step to smoke a cigarette, the light comes on in 1-2 seconds. That indicates they are sitting there looking out their window every moment. Doesn't happen late at night. Definitely a sign of either illegal activity or (more likely in this case) severe mental illness. I think I'm going to give them something to think about. Going to start taking the camera with me and snapping a flash picture of their house every time I step out and their light comes on. Then see how long it continues.