Sunday - COVID302

I spent way too much time on the computer today.

But I sleep in a little.

And got some things done at the house.

And Bella's new sweater dress arrived.

I pulled her back at the end because she wanted to check out the newest coyote poop pile.  

The sweater is a little big.  I'm learning how to order based upon her strange measurements.  She has a tiny neck and a barrel chest, so when I go off of chest measurements, she swims in them because they slip over her shoulders.  So I'll go with the neck measurement next time to see how that goes.

I also ordered a new retractable leash (the sweater was an add-on).  The one we have been using suddenly locked up and I could not figure out how to retract it.  I am super careful with making sure the thin tape went back in straight.  I saw there were screws in the side so I grabbed screwdrivers to pull it apart and fix it, but the screwdrivers wouldn't work, so I took a closer look.  And there are triangles instead of space for a flat head or Phillips screwdriver.  So screw them.  I got a cabled line from a different brand.

Bex made little star cakes tonight which I think look awesome but all she can see are the flaws and her learning curve.

We are staying safe and well in this crazy world. I hope you are too.

Saturday - COVID301

I woke up early!  WTF.  I didn't set an alarm but still got up when it was dark.  Good news is that I went to bed early enough that I actually got 8 hours sleep.  So it wasn't early.  But.  Still.

I goofed off on the computer for a while and did some things around the house.  When it's cold, I don't like to move.  I stay still and as bundled up as I can in my warm cave of blankets or hoodie.  When it is warmer in the house, I turn music on and do shit.

Corsica came up to help replace the tire on Loretta.  And brought the groceries I ordered with Jess.  We got the tire on but it looked ... crooked.  And it looked worse when we lowered it to the ground off the jack.  I knew that it was okay but couldn't remember why or what to do to straighten it out.  And then we lifted the car and examined everything closely and thought the car was freaking bent and I was trying to find a way to blame the tow truck driver who changed the tire but that wasn't possible but how could it be bent because it has been fine and just not driven for years?  And then Cory Phoned a Friend whose dad use to have Corvairs before I could call my dad (which would have taken longer) and he explained that it was perfectly fine and suggested we move the car and the wheel would straighten out.  But the car won't start.  So - I tried to start it but, no bueno, so I got in so I could hit the brakes and Jess and Cory pushed it back and then forward again and - TADA!  The tire straightened out.

But it seems to be losing air still.  So - the rim may have gotten slightly out of round when the tire went flat and I didn't change it right away. :(  I'm a bad Corvair mommy.

Then we looked at it closely tried to jump start it and made plans to make it better so that maybe the previous owner will buy it back (for aaaaallll of the $$ Bex has put into it) or we could get it drivable so it could be driven with a for sale sign on it.  Or we keep it because ... we really don't want to let it go.  It's just going to be a pain to fix.  In the meantime, we spiff it up and cover it for the winter and fix the wheel and see what happens next.

Cory gave me some more reflectors for the trailer.  While we were talking about that I told him that I needed to bring my car back to Campways because I think they messed up my hazard lights.  They won't turn on.  So we popped the hood so we could check fuses 'cause he thought that might be it.  Then while I went inside to grab the proper TOOL to do that, Cory thought to turn the car on and check it out.  And he discovered that you don't just punch the button to turn it on.  You have to hold it down or the hazards won't come on.  Same to turn them off.  WTF?

So I am incredibly grateful that I thought to talk to Cory and he checked it out before I went to Campways and said, "Hey guys, my hazards aren't working and you worked on my new-to-me-car and I think you missed something."  And they'd be like, "Girl, your hazards are working."  And I would never be able to go there again out of embarrassment.

Mom called while we were in the midst of all this and I was going to call her back when we were done.  I came inside the house after seeing Corsica off, picked up my phone to call her, and she sent a text saying maybe tomorrow, that it was naptime and she was turning off her phone.  Which she did do because I called and it went straight to voice mail. :(  Waah.  So I wait until tomorrow.  But that is something to look forward to.

And - I forgot to post this last night!  We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Friday - COVID300

300.  There's a number.  My assistant recently found a work slip at the office that my boss left for me 3/27/20 with a due date of 3/30.  We all pretty much thought we'd be done with this by the end of March.  Thankfully, it was a mistake on her part and was something that didn't need to be done. 

Strange times.

I am getting the hang of this early to bed early to rise thing.  I woke up before the alarm and tried to get back to sleep but - then the alarm started.  And my bladder these days does not let me sleep in much anyway.  

It was a busy workday again.  Then in the afternoon I dropped Loretta's flat tire off at the shop on my way to the feed store and picked it up on the way home.  Thankfully it wasn't a puncture, just some debris apparently got into the bead and it separated enough to deflate.  Cleaned up, remounted, sealed, filled, and we'll get it back on the car tomorrow. 

Taco Friday today, though it was Taco Bell Friday and my stomach doesn't like those as much as homemade, so I won't be doing that again.  

I'm looking forward to the weekend and hoping for a peaceful and productive couple of days.

We are staying safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Thursday - COVID299

I got up on time and got to work early.  I intended to stop early but that didn't happen today - it was pretty busy.

Ollie isn't eating as he normally does so we are stopping the medication that the vet gave us. It was supposed to address the loose stools but they had been pretty much resolved by the time he got in.  I didn't talk to the vet so I wasn't able to ask all the questions I would have.  We decided to stop the meds and keep an eye on him to see if he is closer to normal in the morning.  

Rather than nap on the couch, I decided to go to bed when I started to feel drowsy, so it's an earlier night.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Wednesday - COVID298 - Weird America

I was pretty happy getting up early this morning, though still bed is warmer and cozier.  I got a head start on work and was moving right along until...

Everything got weird in DC.  So my attention was split between Facebook and Twitter and C-SPAN and work and frankly, not a lot got done.

I dozed on the couch for a while after dinner and then watch a show with Bex.

Ollie isn't eating much today.  The meds might be affecting his appetite.

We are staying safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Tuesday - COVID297

Hi ho, hi ho, another work day at home.  I woke up just before the alarm and really tried to go back to sleep.  It was warm and cozy in bed and a bit chilly outside.  But that didn't work.

I kept Ollie inside so we could get him to the vet for a check-up today.  What drew my attention to him maybe having a problem is that I'm using a cat litter that changes color when there are potential health issues.  It turned green a couple of times just prior to a little bit of loose stool, and so I was ready to get him in for a check-up right away.  Tests show that he has a bit of a parasite load and was a little dehydrated.  We've got him on some meds for a couple of weeks and he's continuing the diet I put him on a few months ago when I noticed the pounds packing on.  I noticed he has lost 3 pounds since his last vet visit last year, so my plan is working for a slow and safe weight adjustment.  

Other than that, not much happening but work today.  I got the vacuum fixed and did a good clean-through of the house.  It's amazing what a good vacuuming can do for your mood.  Especially when you pair it with lots of loud music.

The soup lasted for another day of meals but probably won't make it much past maybe lunch tomorrow.  

I'm tired earlier tonight, probably because of the early rise, so I'll hit the warm and cozy covers shortly.

We are staying safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Monday - COVID296

It was a Monday workday.  I was able to get up on time without any trouble, though the night was up and down.

It stormed pretty hard this morning and the wind was more fierce than I remember coming through in a long time.  I checked to be sure the chicken coop and trees weren't flying or falling.  The small greenhouse was tossed onto the ground on its back, despite being staked.  I left it until the storm eases.

I made soup for dinner that will last a couple days.

Oliver seems to be a little bit off so we'll bring him to the vet in the morning to be checked out and make sure he's okay.

We're safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Sunday - COVID295

I had plans but needed some "laziness" today.  I puttered and worked on a blanket I'd started this summer.  

A big coyote walked by the Ring camera this morning. I'm having some challenges in uploading the short video to the blog, so Facebook will have to do for now.

It's hard to believe the long weekend is already almost over but it was nice.  I'll get to bed a little earlier tonight (I've already snoozed on the couch for about an hour, missing the program I was watching and I'll have to go back to see what I've missed).

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Saturday - COVID294

What I forgot to mention last night is that I splashed boiling water just above my wrist while cooking.  Jess and Cory had burn salve and I iced it and by the time I went to bed the pain was gone.  One small blister that is deflated today.

I slept as long as I wanted to, to about 8:30 am.  I was pleased to clock more than 9 hours of sleep.  I needed it.

I had plans to do things around the house today but am pretty tired so did a couple of things and did some transcription work.  I made butternut squash soup from a recipe Jess sent me.  She always has some good finds and I'm grateful she shares.

It's was more computer work than work around the homestead, but I got my projects done and submitted the bill for the month.

We are staying safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Friday - COVID293

I worked in the morning after waking up early without an alarm.  Oliver was his unhappy self about that because when I get up and it's still dark outside, he's not allowed outside.

Midafternoon, Bex and I packed the car with food and some Christmas gifts that had been delivered after the holiday, and headed to Jessi's.  We had our small pod dinner after an additional week of staying home consisting of our traditional Christmas Eve food.  It was dark when we were done, so rather than walk to the square to see Charlie Brown's Christmas trees, I headed home to make sure the goats were safe in the barn.

We are staying safe and well.  I hope you are too.