ORNA GATE

I would like to extend my most sincere apologies to my three faithful readers for not posting as regularly as usual. My mood has been a little bit off what with allthe pressure of Orna Gate, the reappearance of my pressure sore (at least one thing likes enough to stick around), and the insane goings on, locally, nationally, and internationally.
The police waited until the end of Pesach to call Danny in to be interrogated. That's only to be expected. This morning his mother arrived at my door to beg me to cancel my complaint because Orna is hospital at death's door. She said that Orna has a thrombosis that she is not expected to survive. Uh huh. It just so happens that I know a thing or two about blood clots and what can be done for/about them. Been there, done that, have the wheely, don't need a T shirt. The real imminent danger from a clot is if it moves to the lungs, heart or brain. Otherwise there are some excellent clot busting drugs that can take care of it. Surgery is also an option depending on where it is. She is in the surgical ward, and later tonight I will know exactly what her condition is. It's ever so nice to have that hospital wired! I'm very sorry that she's so sick and in hospital, but, that's hardly a reason to take back my complaint against her husband. Nope. Not going to do it. After listening to her hysterionics for 45 minutes I explained exactly why I intend to see thing through to then. Until Danny broke and entered my shed, I didn't have a thing on them, just the daughter. Now, I have them both. Sueing Danny for the shed and swing glider they stole while I was away in 2006 and refused to return when I got back, give me reason to open a civil suit against Danny. Sueing him is the same as sueing her. Enough is enough.
On the local front, our mayor was convicted of a whole bunch of crimminal election activities, among them accepting bribes, falsifying legal documents and whole long list of other things. He's going to jail, at long last!
The national stuff I'll cover in one of my other blogs more fully and just say here that our poorest ever excuse of a PM had the nerve to take his annual vacation in a cabin on the Golan Heights and was quoted as saying after his vacation that he couldn't see what all the fuss was about between us and the Syrians over the Golan. All he saw up there was a bunch of volcanic rocks and security men (HIS security detail). He is such a lout, but more on that at the other blog.
Sorry for cutting this short, but some new pictures of my grand baby just came in and I must look at them.

YES WE ARE HAVING FUN NOW

Some people just don't know when they have it good. This morning, Danny, Orna's husband, asked for the key to the shed so he could take 'their' Passover dishes( the ones *I* bought for them) and when I refused to give it to him, he went right ahead and broke in and took them. I called the cops while he was doing it, but they got here after he left with the dishes. The cops, wanting to keep life simple for themselves hinted that as Danny said that he'd fix the damage, maybe I'd wait with the complaint, then, went their merry way without taking a formal complaint. Danny also had the nerve to tell the cops that I owe Orna 3 months salary. Um, I don't think so. She was paid for every day she worked, and then some. Her salary was based on a full work month, and if she averaged 3 hours of real work a day, I'm a harmless kitty cat. I was ready for his nonesense, so just said very quietly that I can prove otherwise. One of the cops winked at me as if to say that he knows the liar is! Before heading for town, I took a picture of the damage, which looks small, but will require that the whole door on that side be replaced. When I got home, an old friend who is a cop called to wish me a happy holiday, and when I told him what had happened, he told me that it was indeed breaking and entering, and to lodge a formal complaint tomorrow. My lawyer said the same thing when I called him about it. So, that's exactly what I will do, first thing tomorrow. The pilgrimmage has already started with three neighbors trying to convince me to not file a complaint. Everyone would be well advised to save their breath. That family crossed my red line long ago, and I am out for blood. They can say anything they want about me to anyone they please. I know the truth.
I just love stuff like this when I am 100% right, and ready for the fight. This is going to be so much fun.

WHO ME ? UPSET?

It's just been one of those weeks when everything annoys me, often for no good reason. Well, maybe there is a reason. I have a post for one of my other blogs percolating in my head, and that kind of makes it hard to write here. It's almost brewed, so, I can update here now.
Not much of interest has happened this week, except my lawyer finally managed to get himself over here.
I almost went berzerk, as well as blind getting all of Orna's daughter's phone bills into Word from PDF. I still am not sure exactly how I did it, but, I did, and now my lawyer has it, along with all the details. There is just one tiny glitch. Before it can filed in court, a letter of intent to sue has to be sent. That means that she gets fair warning and a 14 day period from when she gets the letter to pay up, including the fee the lawyer charges for writing and sending the letter. If I know her, and I do, she will be here 3 minutes after opening that letter, begging for easy monthly payments. I'm ready for her! She gets exactly one payment. I am so looking forward to this!
Ok, the phone stuff is done and I just got myself a new deal from the cable company! If you have their interweb, phone and TV, for 199 a month instead of 189 a month you can get all their channels! That's actually not a bad deal. Those deals are usually for new customers, but, for some strange reason, this one is also for existing customers! It goes into effect tomorrow. Granted, I might not ever watch the new additions, but, on the other hand, I might, and 10 shekels more a month is a joke. Actually, it's less than $ 3! So, that's ok.
I spent most of this morning in town trying to get just one of the long list of people who owe me money to give me enough for a few packs of cigarrettes. The really annoying part of that is that it wasn't so long ago that all Orna had to do was tell me she was out of smokes, and I'd run right out to get her a carton. Now, thanks to her, I have trouble scraping together enough money for even one pack. That really gets my motor running! As things stand now, I'm ok until Sunday.
The bandage fell off the pressure again, and I'm leaving it off for now. There's a nice dry scab over it, so, with any luck, that bit of torture is over. I'll keep on using the pyramid pillow invention just to be on the safe side.
I think it's time to scrounge some lunch, then have a little rest. See? It really was a boring week!

NAUGHTY LAZY GIMP

I willing admit to having been a lazy gimp this week. I just haven't much felt like writing. No real reason, just was doing other things. But, yesterday I did actually do something somewhat note worthy! After my quick Friday swing through town for the local papers, I decided to make bread with my handy dandy machine. I like whole wheat bread, and the machine does just fine with whole wheat flour. Thing is, if you want to make whole wheat bread it helps to have whole wheat flour. I only found about a quarter of a 1 kilogram bag of whole wheat flour, but had a whole one of rye and another full bag of white bread flour. Ok. I decided to just combine them, and dumped some of each into a bowl, whisked them all together, then, started measuring the mixed flours into the machine bucket. I was more than a little amazed to discover that I had put exactly enough of each flour into the bowl! The bread that came out of the machine was the best so far.
I wonder if I'll ever manage that trick again? I wasn't even trying. It just happened.

THE TRIP

This is the short version!

Today was almost fun. The plan was to leave early, get there early because more times than not, there's trouble with the paperwork or no parking (same damn inner city teaching hospital). My appointment was for 1300, and a miracle happened! There was parking space about as close as you can the door. When I left it was cloudy, but no rain. The rain started when I got to Haifa and there was a nice big puddle right where I had to step to jackknife myself out of the car. The cloth slipper I had on the pressure sore foot came off, and there's no way to put it back on when I'm standing. I was parked right outside a security booth and the sweety came out and helped me put the wheely together. I plonked myself into and rolled in, and signed in, over an hour early. The paperwork was ok, and I decided that I needed a fag which were in the car, so, out I rolled into the pouring rain and the same guy got them out of the car for me. After my oxeegen break I rolled back in and they called me for the exam! I was out there well before 1300 and on the way to my sawbones to get shot. He was supposed to get there and start seeing patients at 1230, but I got there before him, and he took me first, gave me the scrits and I went to the in clinic pharmacy to get the cocktail. When I got back up to his floor there was a ruckus in the nurse's space so I had to wait. The nurse came out and gestured for me to come in, took my vials, the orders and disappeared with a doctor. Then an administrator showed up and they called an ambulance. The ambulance arrived and the stretcher took up most of the front room. They loaded the patient onto it and parked him right next o me while they finished the paperwork. By then my doc had joined the party. The nurse mixed my cocktail and while my doc was pulling down my pants to find the 'trigger spot' he and the nurse talked about the guy. He was an attempted suicide. I got shot, did some cripple ballet and headed home. It rained most of the way and I knew that Harley's seat would be wet when I arrived, and so it was. Damn right I sat dab smack in the puddle and drove up on to the ramp. I was a little afraid that he would pull his 'won't move an the rain' trick, but he was just fine! That's why I staggered to the computer with a wet butt. I was drenched to the bone for the Doppler, and my feet are still wet. And my whole body is tired. Where O where are the days when I go full steam ahead for 36 hours and not blink?
I'm taking my tired abused body to bed. I have a feeling that I'll have an early night tonight!

Franne
http://gimphouse.blogspot.com/

STRANGE WEEK

I'm not really sure why, but it's been a strange week or two. I have been enjoying having Gimp House to myself again, getting the car insured and the tank filled, and making make up appointments for the medical stuff I'm behind on. I'm off to Haifa and Akko tomorrow. The first for a Doppler ultra sound of the artery that was rotorootered, then, to get my right shot. The last shot lasted for three months which is pretty good, but the last few days there have been a few really twinges that almost sent me crashing to the floor. I think I'll have him take a look at the pressure while I'm there.
I've pretty much been ignoring my blogs, but haven't been in much of a writing mood. It'll come when it comes.

SORTED

Right! There's that done. On Friday I took my stupid stubborn pressure sore to the clinic and decided to try leaving it open to the air until today. I made it until 2000 or so, then had to put some Polidine cream on it as was hurting, I mean, really hurting. Somehow I got through the weekend and when we took off the mini dressing I'd put on it was actually a little better. There is now a new antibiotic patch on it, and the solution to keeping it off the mattress was on the ramp when I got home in the form of two blosters. The wedge shaped one looks like one that will do the trick.
After the clinic I went to see if Shmaryah had the money he owed me for using the toll hiway and he did! Then, on the way home I stopped in at the butcher to explain why I can't pay the bill this month, but that I will, even if it's only a couple hundred a month. The boss lady was just fine with that. She knows that I will pay and she knows Orna which helped her understand why I can't pay yet. They are so good to me there, and never once asked when I'd pay because they know I will and that if there's a problem they are great about not pestering me about it.
When I got home there were two bolsters on Harley Too that look like they just might do the trick and keep the ankle up. I'll get them sorted by the time the World Championship Gala comes on at 1500.
Was that ever a competition. I was glued to the screen. The results were pretty much what I expected and with our dance team in the top 10, we'll be able to send another couple next year, if we have one. We didn't do so well in Pairs, Ladies, and Men's, but that was only to be expected.
I was thrilled with the results in Men's. France's Brian Joubert (who I dislike only because he reminds me of Tom Cruise) lost his crown to Canada's Jeffrey Buttle, which was just fine with me, and America's Johnny Weir took bronze. I had been hoping for a better finish for Thomas Verner, but it wasn't to be. Oh well. I did notice something worth commenting on about some of the coaches. A few of the Russian coaches were down right mean to their skaters who did poorly, almost as if the poor skater skated badly on purpose. One even went so far as to sit as far from his competitor as possible in the Kiss and Cry while waiting for the results. Most if not all of the American and European coaches were right there for their skater's with a hug and words of encouragement. It was so obvious that it just seemed worth mentioning. All in all it was a wonderful competition even if I did cry more this year than any other. I so desperately want to be on the ice again and have that wonderful feeling of being where I belong again. Damn this useless wreck of a body.
I don't know how it happened, but I've become a major fan of Ice Dancers Delobel and Shoenfelder. I even had a dream about skating with him. I also went wild over The Brit's Original and Free Dances and think they should have finished higher than 8th place. They were that good.
It's interesting to watch the new crop of contenders work their way up the ranks. By next year some of the national champs who were too young to compete as Seniors this year will be making their presence felt next year. The excitement and wonder of the big competitions never changes for me, just the names and faces of the competitors. I love it so much.
Other than that, not much else is new except that I did get my car insurance paid and made new appointments for the stuff for that sorted.
Dem Der might be down later to take some more of his stuff out. He really does have to get it all out of here soon.
I think it's time to get the cushions sorted and make something with the ground beef before it goes bad, then settle in for the gala.
The Gimp of Purple is now officially back to what passes for her as normal!

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

The World Figure Skating Championships being held in Sweden this year, started today. I did go out this morning, only because one of my fellow Cripple Warriors from the Jerusalem demonstrations asked me to go to some idiot meeting. Ok, I went, I saw, I heard, I shut up. Now, I can just stay home next time. I am so not into the 'going around the circle and everyone tells their name and why they are crippled'. Me, I just point blank refused by saying "No". That, of course was my joke on the lady from the welfare department who was the only person there who didn't know me! I'm sure there was a lot of checking going on after I left. Going there meant that it was too late to go into town or grocery shopping before Sweden. Not the end of the world, though. Town will most likely still be there tomorrow.
See yas alls after worlds!

IT'S OVER IT'S ALL OVER

I'm having a hard time believing it, but, it is, indeed over. Except for the getting all of his stuff out. But, he's gone and Peg and I can get back to our nice quiet (ahem) lives as dog and human gimp. Dem Der took his phone and went out quietly on Sunday morning, then called to announce that he'd be staying up there on his mattress on the floor and figure out a way to get down here for the rest of his stuff. He did in fact come on Wednesday and take a fair anount out of the shed. His fridge is still there and a few more things, and the room he was in still has stuff all over and there are a few things in the 'liberry'/shelter. He has until next weekend to get the rest out or I will and I don't mean that I'll take it to him. I mean I'll get it out.
He was only here for four or so months, but it felt like infinity. It's not like he was a constant irritant, but just his being here was enough to remind me that I like living alone. Then, he made a really huge mistake. Two in fact. The first was asking if he could borrow one of my TVs. Knowing how his mind works with stuff like that, he was thinking that I have three sets, all of which are better than his old one, so, I won't miss it. Yes, I do have three TV sets, two of which I seldom use. But they are mine. I paid good money for them, and if I want one in my bomb shelter and another in my guest room for the occassional guest, there they will stay. His next mistake was to try and wheedele me into putting his cable subscription on my bank account. Not bloody likely, not even for an hour. Dumb ass actually had the nerve to hang up on me when I said no. He did call a few minutes later to tell me he was on the way here to get his stuff. And he tried again while he was here. I told him that I don't need a reason, I'm just not doing it. Hells bells. He lived here for four months rent and utility free, and still couldn't get even a little bit ahead of himself. He's already dead broke and is starting to borrow from just about everyone he knows. Then he has to pay it all back on the 28th and it starts all over again.
I can safely say that I won't be going down that road with him. I feel bad for him, but, he really doesn't do anything to help himself and he spends on things he doesn't need. Just stupid stuff like those rotisseried chickens he buys at the grocery store for more than a chicken would cost, fresh or frozen. And he goes through paper towels like no one I've ever seen, and toilet paper. In two months we went through what for me is almost a years supply. And water, he uses it as if he's trying to use up the whole country's supply in one go. I'm scared to death of getting my next water bill.
Yes, I am now thankful that it's over and things will get back to their previous usage levels, and that I have my glorious aloneness back. I'm not sorry I did it because there was just no way I could leave him out on the street or begging a bed for the night after he got evicted. Right now I'm not sure if I'd do it again for him or anyone else in the future, but it's still to close o actual trauma to decide anything like that now.
He now has a home of his own, and I'm happily alone in mine, and we didn't kill each other. I guess that's something!

IT IS ALMOST OVER

The way things look now, the Dem Der episode will be over this week. It had damn well better be. I think the following is close enough to spectacular to warrent inclusion in the on going saga.
Yesterday I was sitting at the computer which is as close to the kitchen as it can be without actually being in it. Anyone sitting here would have to be blind to not see what's going on by the fridge. Dem Der walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, took out something, opened it, then stood there eating it. He closed that, took out something else, opened IT, ate from whatever IT was, closed IT, put IT back and took out another something. In all he took out four somethings, opened them, ate from them, closed them and put them back, all standing there with the fridge door open. I was in such a state of shock that I couldn't even open my mouth to ask what the hells he was doing.
IT'S ALMOST OVER. IT'S ALMOST OVER. IT'S ALMOST OVER. IT'S AlMOST OVER. IT'S ALMOST OVER.
For his next trick, he appeared in my room holding two cell phone chargers and asked if I wanted them. After I asked him why he thought I might want them, he said that he knows I have several cell phones that I don't use, so he thought maybe. I replied somewhat nastily that the reason those chargers are in that room is because I'm not using the phones they go to. Sheesh. I only have three sets of chargers for most of my cell phones, an Israeli one, a European, and American. All three ares have different electrical sockets, so, I ended up with chargers for each type of socket. AND I keep the different types of chargers in different places so I'll know where they are. How he got to them I don't know. You'd kind of think he might have made some kind of effort to keep his crap separate from mine. At least I know what I have in there and where it's supposed to be. If anything disapears, I'll know where it went. And he knows that I know where everything is. It amazes him every time I tell him exactly where any given object is. So, yeah, he knows that I know!
I hope I don't jinx this by writing it here, but he's found someone with a sort of bus who is willing to haul his stuff from here to his new place, maybe tomorrow. In any event, he's going to start staying at his new place, maybe even tonight. He has water, power and a mattress on the floor. AND I think he took his phone up there today so the cable folks can connect him. I can but hope.

TODAY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE DAY

I should have known. It was too good to be true. It's Tuesday and guess who isn't moving out quite yet? He has organized a bed for himself, gotten the water and power turned on and is up there with one of friends who is cleaning the place for him. I don't know when he is actually planning on moving because he doesn't have the money to pay anyone to haul his junk up there, and even if I did, I wouldn't.
It was very tense up here after the army went into Gaza to try and stop them from shooting kassams at Sderot and other places. We were all waiting for our friends to north to join in and bombard us with katyushas. It looks like that won't be happening now. Our fearless leaders pulled the troops out of Gaza before the job was finished, but that's a tale for my other blog. I'll just say that for now we are not too concerned about another round with the hizzbullies. The operative words are 'for now'

ALMOST SPETACULAR

Knowing that it's almost over didn't help much this morning. Dem Der was up early, took a shower and headed for Safed to get his benefits and the key to his flat. By the time I got up, there were three partly used soaps on the floor in the bathroom and a pair his underwear on the counter. This, after I made him take his accumulated underwear out of there yesterday. The next stop was the kitchen where I found chocolate mix spilled all over the microwave and little freezer. I also discovered an empty paper towel wrapper, empty potato sack, and some other odds and sods on the table. They all got crumpled up and tossed into his room. I could have screamed but, contented myself with muttering vile imprecations under my breath. IT'S ALMOST OVER. IT'S ALMOST OVER. IT'S ALMOST OVER. Just a few more days AND IT WILL BE OVER.

I DID IT

Oh boy, did I ever do it. Now, it might not be the greatest accomplishment in the world, but for me it's a big deal. I actually managed to get through the month without borrowing any more money from any one. Ok, so I couldn't go to Haifa for the Doppler ultrasound and to see the plumber, but, it was much more important to not borrow to go there. I also got very lucky yesterday. I got the mess Orna helped make of bank account that caused a check to my grocery store bounce fixed. I was afraid that I might not be able to give checks there any more. THAT would have been a disaster. When I went there yesterday to find out if I could, the only boss there was Pappa Biton who is THE boss. He gave the ok for my checks, and that's the end of that. No one can over turn his rulings. Whew.
The next issue to resolve was fags. Striar and I raided my pippy banks and found enough change for one whole packet of fags. He took the bus into town and bought one. This morning I had the brilliant idea of trying to charge the cost of half carton to my card and it went through. Hooray. I now have more than enough fags to get me to Thursday. I am more than pleased that I didn't end adding anything to what I already owe because of that insane cell phone bill. By next month everything will be back to normal. Thank G-d.
This morning the computer decided to play silly buggers and went off line for no reason. So did my cable phone. The techie just left and it's all working for the time being.

I got some great new pictures of the baby grand girl and it looks like she's a carrot top. I wonder where that came from, not that it matters. She's beautiful no matter what color her hair is. And she can drive too.But it looks like she needs a GPS! My girl all the way!

A WINTER VIEW

This is the view of Mt. Hermon that greeted me when I came out of the clinic on to the roof top parking lot yesterday. Granted it's a crap picture, but if you know where things are you can see the snow on the Syrian side. And to think that there were actually people up there on our side skiing is pretty amazing!
I'm afraid to say anything, but, the pressure sore is getting better. It's still a bit of a pain, but the sore is smaller and looks like it might be closing. I hope it closes quickly. I am well and truly tired of the pillow pyramid that keeps it off the mattress. Even the air mattress doesn't help much now, but it will be essential later.
I think I must have dozed off yesterday afternoon because I was awake until almost 0400, then, guess who woke me up at 0800 to ask if he should take Peg out? Grrrrr.
When I came to the computer last night the lower task bar was a mess and that drives me wild, so now there's a password and no one, but no one will be allowed to use it. When I informed him he tried to convince me that the blown curcuit breaker caused the mess, then, he asked about the lap top. Try explaining to a spoiled man that that the lap top is down and will stay that way until I can afford to fix it. This computer cost enough and I'm not going to let him or anyone else trash it. When things lighten up, I'll have my geek add some extra memory to the lap top, and when that's back, he take this one and add some more and get rid of the stuff in the virus vault. Gee, I wonder where that came from?
Yesterday he asked if I had sent him a particular e mail. I have sent him a few, so, while he was standing here, I looked through some of my sub files and he wanted to know why his e mail client doesn't do that. Duhn. he uses hot mail. I use Thunderbird. And I've been letting him use this computer.
He almost got a knife run through him yesterday. I was in the kitchen to make a sandwich and he parked himself at the entrance. I just put everything down and asked him if he wanted anything. He didn't, so I waited until he took the hint and went away. Who does he think he is, the food police?
Ach, enough. I'm not going to ruin a perfectly nice day with rants about him. He's gone off to Safed and I'M FREE.
I think I'll just take a swing through town and see what's up a little later, then try to sort a few more things on the computer.

MISERABLE ROTTEN LYING WEATHER PEOPLE

If I were the paranoid type, I'd think they do it just to annoy me. But, being the sane, even tempered gimp that I am, I know they don't. Even when it seems like they do. The weather people have been going on for more than a week about the storm that was supposed to dump snow on the lower elevations yesterday. Well, it didn't. We just got some high winds and rain. And they're already talking about another storm for next week. I live in perpetual hope for snow. I did grab the camera when I took Peg walkies in the hope that there would be even more snow on the foothills than there was last time, but the only flake around was me! The camera did come in handy for taking pictures of Golan's 'new' used pick up and trailer. Is it any wonder he fell for it when he saw the picture on the interweb? I had a close listen to the engine and it sounds just fine. It looks good too, doesn't it? My only issue with it is that you need a ladder to get into it! There are step like running boards in the bed that he'll put on later today.
I'm so happy for him. He's been looking for *his* pick up for ages, and now he has it. He also bought almost all the new tools he needs for the gardening business he's going to start as soon as the weather changes. I've seen some of the garfens he's done and they are beautiful. He doesn't just have a green thumb. He was green hands and feet! I can't wait to able to have him do my garden. With any luck I'll have clawed my way out of the mess that is my bank account (thank you Orna) and be able to buy what I need for the fence in front. There's no sense in doing anything out front until it's fenced.
He has a few things to look for on the interweb later and he offered to help me clean up here later, as in do the floor properly, help me change the sheets, and anything else that needs doing. He's just one of those guys who likes to help when and if he can. And boy, do I ever need help in here. It's also cool that he understands about Dem Der and isn't one of those types who ask why I don't get someone in to do it. He knows perfectly well that the person who used to do it for me is the reason I can't pay anyone else to come in. Right. I'm staying in today and getting started on the things I can do.

NO MORE

I'm not going to do it any more. That's it. No more whinging about Dem Der here unless he does something spectacular. It's just gettting me down all this moaning and groaning about him. It's not his fault he's the way he is and that it drives me mad. There are more than enough things that *I* do that drive *me* mad to have to pick on him all the time.
In the end I didn't go to Haifa for that test. I'm in deep enough thanks to Orna without borrowing even more money. I'll go when I have the dosh to put some petrol in the car. The weather also played a very small part in not going. They've been predicting a huge storm for today and it started at the same time as my appointment. I wasn't too thrilled about the thought of driving home in that. We might even get some snow tonight. Oh, I do hope so.
Golan wandered in early this evening to report that he'd just gotten back from Beersheva with the Toyota Hilux he's been panting over all weekend. He saw the picture of it on the interweb and knew that he had to have it. I'll check it out tomorrow. I can't wait to see it. It's so cool when stuff like that works out.
I'm in a generally foul mood, so might not post for a few days. Don't worry. It will pass!

WHAT A GREAT MORNING

My son feels about Yahoo Messenger the same way I feel about MS's. He won however, and I downloaded it so I'd be able to see the baby live on my screen. He called just a litle while ago and we had a lovely chat. She even cooed into the phone for me. Ah, she's a beauty and has personality all her own. I wish there was a way to climb through the monitor, or at the very least to reach through and pinch her cheek. If they don't come over here this spring, I'm going to swim over there!

HOW COOL WAS THAT?

We just had an earthquake. The whole house rumbled and shook but nothing fell. When it started I just looked around and quickly decided to stay right where I am, in the computer corner which is right next to the shelter and the only spot that is safer than this corner is the shelter. There's all kinds of yelling and hollering outside.
Gosh, I haven't felt an earthquake in I don't know how long. Poor Peg. He's still cowering between my bed and the antique wardrobe. Smart dog. Oh, there was just a tiny aftershock tremble. I have a feeling I'll be sitting here for a while. It will not do at all to be knocked off my feet by a tremor. I think I'll give it a half hour or so, then, at least turn the TV to a radio station. It's not that I'm afraid of earthquakes. I quite simply can't get up if I fall, and my fall could well trigger a bigger quake than that one was.

ONE WHOLE DAY

Yes, I know it's bitchy of me, but I had a wonderful day yesterday. Dem Der took himself for the whole day and got back at around 2200. It's not that I got much done. It was just knowing he wasn't here and wouldn't walk in any time soon. I did manage to get most of the floor washed and all of it swept, so there's that. Wheely floor washing is not fun, but it's the only option for someone who can only free stand for 30 seconds.
That miserable pressure is getting better. The patch that nightmare of a substitute nurse put on it fell off in the night and I got it taped back on in place where it stayed until it was time to change it. I have hopes that by the end of next week it might be all gone. At least it is now past the point where it keeps waking me up all night long.
The last few days have been rainy and windy. Not much thunder and lightning for me to enjoy, but the wind and rain was lovely. New Harley Too is finally fixed and goes in the rain just like he's supposed to. There are two lessons for Afikim in that. The first and most important is that Yefim can fix anything. The second is that when the gimp says there's a problem, there is a problem. Now, all that's left is to make Afikim's upper management miserable, and I'm going to start on that fun project first thing Sunday morning. I did, of course call Yefim and tell him. The bosses can wait for my organized attack. It's so much better to do these things with a proper plan. They don't know it yet, but they are going to give me a deal on a baby scooter that folds up and goes in and out of the car easily like they've never given before, and be happy about it.
Here it is Friday again, a short day and all I have to do is hop into town for the local papers, and then, just take it easy for the weekend.

A SLOW WEEK

I sort of just drifted through the week and didn't get much done. I did have two days pretty much on my own when Dem Der took off for the day. I just sat back and enjoyed the quiet. I did take my poor pressure sore to the clinic on the appointed days. On Wednesday we found that the antibiotic patch had fallen off which explained why it hurt so much. There was a substitute nurse there who really got me going. She wanted to wrap it up her way, so I let her. Then, when I got home, I took most of the mummy wrappings off and taped the gauze pad on so it wouldn't fall off. I'm taking the whole mess back today in the hope that at least one of the regular nurses will be there to get it done properly. Actually, that will have to wait until Sunday. I just found out that the substitute nurse is still there. RATS. Now for some fun with that miserable English newspaper. They finally got the delivery sorted and it gets here every day in the correct place. The new trick is that it's not wrapped in it's own little wrapper. Of course that's only a problem when we have a wild windy rain storm. A soggy newspaper is not easy to read. The gal I just spoke to promised that it would start coming in it's wrapper on Sunday. Yeah, right.
I guess I'd better get Peg in, take my meds, get dressed and head for town.
It really has been a most boring week