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Wish I could bottle that landshark energy, Wow!
We just sat through the last of the school events for the summer. Band dinner and awards at the High School. This band director got take out barbeque and we all brought side dishes, so it was much better than last year. Two more days of school and summer vacation begins
 
How do you make vegan cheese? The Kid is supposedly allergic to milk.

The recipes I use are primarily nut-based, from this book:
Artisan Vegan Cheese, by Miyoko Schinner

I’ve made several of the spreadable cheeses and a few of the ”firm but still spreadable” kind. Had a failure on an air-dried one but I’m pretty sure I didn’t cook it correctly. Everything I’ve made has been tasty. It’s not cheese exactly, but I can have it on bagels with lox and absolutely not miss anything.
 
The older you get the harder it is to have friends I think.

I used to have friends. And I thought I had great friends. Then I realized they were only friends because I was there to help them all the time. As soon as my life turned to snot I learned I had no friends, and actually never did have friends. I just had "users". I am sure ADMIN doesn't want me to type the rest of what I am thinking, but it isn't nice and involves a lot of high temperatures.

But, I do kind of have some friends, but they are people who were not actually my friends in the younger years but now that we all matured they are awesome. They may be 1800 miles away, but when I get the opportunity to go back home and visit they are always there for me and we have a great time doing whatever. I would move back to be closer to them but my kids are on this side of the country and I can't stand the crowds of people in Michigan. I can visit, but my skin would crawl living there.
 
Well, I didn't get to the tape and mud of the drywall, but did a bit of work in the yard and watered all the stuff that needed to be watered. Went to work for my 4 hour gig and half way through a good day at work I learned the cute, sweetheart coworker was clocking out for her last time and wont be back. Bummer, her smile made me smile and she is such a great worker and super friendly. No one else there has that personality. Oh well. Then I got a text from my GF that her daughters car over heated on the way home and was on the side of the road. Sooooo, I got to think of that for the next two hours. She picked up her daughter and them met me back at the car on my way home. It had been 2 hours so the engine was cool. Added some water, left the radiator cap off, and followed them home. Checked it at the house and Chrysler has some funky plastic connector where the 2 radiator hoses come together and the radiator cap is on top of the plastic housing. It was leaking at one of the hose connections. Removed the hose clamp and tried to take off the hose and the entire plastic bit broke clean off. squeazed the end of the hose and the plastic just crumbled and fell out of the house. Removed the clamp from the other side and most of the plastic broke off in the hose and crumbled as well. Looked up the "whatever the heck you call it part" online and no one stocks it. I found Dorman (an aftermarket replacement part company) has the replacement but it doesn't "officially" fit the vehicle but comments says it will work. AutoZone has the part so she will get it tomorrow and hopefully it will work.
Tomorrow was our last chance for quiet time in the house with no kids home but now that wont happen. Maybe next fall? I can't catch a break. Maybe next week I can work on the house? Really thinking I should have cut it down years ago instead of trying to finish it. The only positive thought I have is maybe one of my kids might want the house in a few years. I certainly don't want to be stuck in this shack full of lousy memories from the financial struggles. Hell, I don't even care about fixing the trailer anymore to run away for a while. A sleeping bag in the back of the truck is all I am thinking about if I get the chance to run away for a month or so.
On the bright side, I bought a new DeWalt weed trimmer so hopefully someone will cut down the damn Foxtail weeds all around the yard. Maybe the daughter can do it will I fix her car? Maybe, we shall see.
 
Another one of those last minute unexpected days off!! One of the ladies I clean for is not feeling well so we are on hold a few days! Bumped my second job to Friday. So I am doing laundry, a little cleaning, cooking up a bunch of taco meat to freeze! Taking a quick nap shortly. Happy Tuesday!!
 
Yesterday, I cleaned out the big back boot room where my 4 German shepherds hung out for shelter all winter. They shed enough hair to stuff a sofa. Cleaned it top to bottom.

Today we take the truck and trailer for one last supply run to the big city. Five hours return trip. Have a list of hardware to stock, paint and whatever. After this, we make due.
 
Good news then bad news more bad then some good...

We tracked red stuff on the weather radar that brushed us to the south then lightening strike took out power to the neighborhood. That is normal. Princess dug out the lamps and flashlights while I stood rainbow watch.

20220516_200500.jpg

That was good news.

Power came back on for street lights but not in our house.
That was bad news.

Found 10-12 breakers had tripped power back to most of house but not our front porch where spend a lot of time. Also no power to back side of half the house including the freezers #3 & #4 and fridge 2. Also determined our router had fried.

Resumed troubleshooting in the morning and found disconnect for a su panel had tripped. That fixed the freezers and fridge 2. Investigated front porch and managed to get the breaker to set.

More good news.

In the end we lost a router and a light bulb.

Imagine what the damage would have been if we didn't have whole house surge protection.

We may be without high-speed internet until until Friday when the replacement router arrives.

Life is interesting.

Ben
 
On my walk back from the coffee shop this morning I saw a food truck setting up a couple blocks from home. So I walked over there at noon. They were there for the construction crew that's building the grocery store next door to me. I was dismayed to find that their whole menu was various kinds of hot dogs and polish sausages. Meh, I'm kind of over that type of food. I went home and made my own lunch...
 
I had to have a procedure this morning at the local hospital. They had to sedate me so propofol has me in and out of lala land. I did manage to water my plants but I'm under doctor's orders for 24 hours...no driving or heavy lifting for 24 hours. Any activity must be light.
Hope you heal up quickly!
 
...have you had your gall bladder removed or digestion issues by chance?
I've developed thyroid issues after my gall bladder removal. It took a bit to figure it out but basically the bile from the gall bladder processes many things , one of its functions is to process/ activate hormones created by your thyroid into its usable proper forms n functions. If your gall bladder is gone or not working properly, the lack of bile salts needed for these functions can manifest into thyroid issues.
If you try to replace thyroid meds WITHOUT dealing with the digestion issues, proper bile salts n whatnot..the thyroid meds wont do much good because they are not getting processed properly.
I'm no doctor and this just happened to be my issue I've been dealing with the last few years. My drs insisted I was going through menopause after I've been trying to tell them I feel like I'm falling apart physically. The only major medical issue I had was my gall bladder removed a few years ago n after a bit..I'd been struggling.
For awhile I accepted the it's just menopause n you do work in a mill explaination..but after my energy level took a serious nosedive I insisted they check my thyroid after found some information on the gall bladder thyroid link.
So..my issues are getting way better n I'm almost back to normal ..but I hear it is a common oversight..


I'm not able to find the original post but I do hope this person got it taken care of, because I'm a thyroid patient too. I've been there and done that. I had to eliminate a lot of soy for my meds to work.
 
Stopped in to my cousin's today and brought over 3 big flats of vegetable plants. I overseed started alot of everything this year, but she is appreciative. Saves $$. Went into town for husband's allergy shot, a Chic fil a salad, and the to Walmart. I got all excited seeing Keystone canned beef on the shelf. The price sticker said $7.97, which is higher than it was a few months back, by about a buck. So I grabbed half dz cans, and it rang up $9.97. Ouch. Asked her to check. She called someone to check, and sure enough, the tag said Keystone beef for $7.97, but it was for the hamburger. She said that they are no longer stocking hamburger. Oh well. Only bought 3 cans. What an investment.
 
Hitched the utility trailer to the truck.

Load every table and card table the wife owns.

Haul the tables to wife’s girl friend (widow) for garage sale in a few weeks.

Widow wanted riding lawn moved so the tables could be set up. Battery dead. I put her battery charger on it to get it started.

Walmart to pickup the 25 bags of mulch wife wanted. Wife is having friends over for lunch tomorrow so I’m to get all the much down before then.

Unhitch the utility trailer.

Sister called. Her ancient computer isn’t allowing her register her new electronic toll road pass and she needs it by Friday. Took me an hour to get there. Toll Road online registration isn’t Firefox browser friendly. I used a different browser to register her new pass.

Sister had some items she had donated to my church and wanted me to drop them off on my way home which I did.

Burger King for a fish sandwich for a late lunch.

I started on the wife’s mulch project.

Friend stopped to return a tool he had borrowed.

Finished the mulch project. My knees and back said that was enough.

Now the wife has decided to plant more flowers where she had me place mulch. I took a cold shower while she planted the new flowers.

Brought the mail in.
 
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Just got back from PT and my labwork. Doc says less stress, more sleep, more fiber. I can deal with the last two, but the world’s making it pretty hard to go the ‘less stress’ route. 😕
As for stress, you live in a pot-legal state, get a bag of edibles and 1/4 the dose. as for the fiber, there is an herb which grows pretty much everywhere called "Poke salad" it MUST be cooked twice or it is poisonous, there are millions of recipes ranging from the French egg and meal quiche type to Cajun to the good old hillbilly version, but its cooked in bacon fat, I think you said you're at least part vegan? N/M poke is a tasty source of roughage and absorbs TONS of heavy metals from your intestines, not to mention binds with undigested stuff that's been in there months. Aunt D calls the first meal of the growing season "Tonic". mix it with wild Spinach or mustard greens for other awesome detox and supplemental effects, well cooked it has a neutral flavor so can be mixed in any other green or herb, but just remember, raw = poison, so no salads!
 
I don't know if you Americans have Nylex garden products in your country but I'm at the end of my tether with this brand.

I recently brought a Nylex pump spray pack to spray my lawn with Roundup.
First time out of the box.
It built pressure up great and then depressed the trigger and nothing except a piddling little spray and then drips.
Fiddled with the nozzle for over an hour to get it to spray right.Stomped inside to watch a YT tutorial on the spray and YES I had done everything right.
More fiddling.
NOTHING!
Emptied the Roundup out of the sprayer into a bucket and threw the sprayer in the bin.
If I was still 'out bush' I would have balanced the sprayer on a fence post and vented my ire by putting it out of my misery by putting some .303 projectiles into it.
Throwing it into the bin and slamming the lid really didn't go far enough as far as I'm concerned.
This is the third dud Nylex product I've been suckered with and NEVER again.

I got my Roundup down by soaking an old work shirt and dragging it over the lawn by the sleeves.
At the end of every run I'd dribble a little more Roundup on the shirt.
In a couple of days I'll find out how successful my work around was and regardless of the outcome it'll stilll be better than the spray packs effort.
 
I'm working a 7 on, 7 off schedule now and today is the first day of my 7 off. I'm about to go up to the coffee shop and maybe take a bike ride. Probably will do some cleaning this afternoon. Tonight my daughter is coming and I'm not sure what we'll do this week, but we'll figure out something...
Have you had that kind of schedule before? I actually really like it and find I'm much more productive on my days off, once I got used to it. The first day is usually spent recuperating though!
 
As for stress, you live in a pot-legal state, get a bag of edibles and 1/4 the dose. as for the fiber, there is an herb which grows pretty much everywhere called "Poke salad" it MUST be cooked twice or it is poisonous, there are millions of recipes ranging from the French egg and meal quiche type to Cajun to the good old hillbilly version, but its cooked in bacon fat, I think you said you're at least part vegan? N/M poke is a tasty source of roughage and absorbs TONS of heavy metals from your intestines, not to mention binds with undigested stuff that's been in there months. Aunt D calls the first meal of the growing season "Tonic". mix it with wild Spinach or mustard greens for other awesome detox and supplemental effects, well cooked it has a neutral flavor so can be mixed in any other green or herb, but just remember, raw = poison, so no salads!
Appreciate the thought, but the edibles are still federally illegal. Plus I’m one of those “don’t do drugs” era kids. I’d rather avoid mind-altering substances — I don’t even get caffeine any more, it gives me inflammation, hooray :p, but thank you for thinking of me and offering the advice.
 
Have you had that kind of schedule before? I actually really like it and find I'm much more productive on my days off, once I got used to it. The first day is usually spent recuperating though!
For 10 years I've worked 8 on/7 off, 8 on/6 off, or 4 on/3 off. This is the first time I've worked 7 on/7 off, we didn't have that schedule before this year. I think I'm going to like it. I don't know about being productive on my off days, but it's definitely more convenient for things like eye appointments, getting the car serviced, etc. And, it gives me a lot more time with my kid...
 
Today's work day was kind of unpleasant. Sometimes I think that everyone thinks I'm a mushroom...

I was volunteered for 3 more assignments that have quick turnaround deliverables... I wish I knew if the screw in my back it Phillips or straight blade, heck I'll bet it a Torx Head....

The wife had a meltdown this afternoon over clutter in the living room.. 3 sewing machines, 2 body doubles, a box of fabric, 3 bags of old VCR tapes, and a couple flats of canning jars.... I put the body doubles in a closet, made room for the canning jars on a shelf in the basement, moved the fabric to the sewing room, and then delivered the sewing machines and VCR tapes to the Salvation Army... I might still be in trouble, but the living room isn't cluttered.. ;)
 
For 10 years I've worked 8 on/7 off, 8 on/6 off, or 4 on/3 off. This is the first time I've worked 7 on/7 off, we didn't have that schedule before this year. I think I'm going to like it. I don't know about being productive on my off days, but it's definitely more convenient for things like eye appointments, getting the car serviced, etc. And, it gives me a lot more time with my kid...
Ah ok, yeah its those long stretches that are nice for appointments, etc. It's funny though a lot of places don't understand, when you tell them a day of the week doesn't work better than others, just throw out a day and I'll tell you if I'm working or not!
 
Today we packed up most of the house and put it all in our shipping container we will have delivered to the property.
I've been packing all day, it seems like it's never-ending.
It's bittersweet leaving this place, we have lived here for 10 years, lots of memories, but it's time to move on to the next chapter. I probably won't be on much through next month, we are taking a trip to Canada later this month for hubs bday, then work, then the daughter's HS graduation, then we take her down to CA for college. She starts summer school 6/20, so she will have a week to get settled there. Hopefully things start to mellow out mid June.
The one downside to all this, is that I don't have a garden this year. Super nerve-wracking. I've tried to make do with pots, but living in 2 places makes it difficult when I'm the only person who waters stuff around here. I may try to get some stuff in pots once we move up north, it wouldn't be too late there.
 
Made a trip to the dump, then on to CoOp for Desiel, a bag of 46-0-0, a bag of 0-45-0 fertilizer. Also got some parts for one of my chain saws, a lb of Peaches and Cream corn for next summer. They had very little corn P&C and Golden queen and just 1lb bags of those. See selection is way down from years past. They did have a full greenhouse of plants though, mostly tomatos and peppers. But they had stuff I've never seen potted before, corn, okra, green beans. So strange, I always plant those seed straight in the ground.
Stopped at TSC for some plumbing parts for my drip system and a trailer that will handle 1400lbs. Sides will all for lay down and could hold a sheet of plywood. Can pull it by hand, or take the handle off and hook to a drawbar to pull it. I have a smaller one that will handle about 500 lbs and I use it all the time. But have to be careful not to overload it. New one has larger tires as well
 
Been running nonstop since returning from the weekend.
Had to drive to the powder coater yesterday - about an hour away - hardly any traffic which was nice so if we have to find a bright side to the fuel prices, that might be it.
Have had a few showers here and there. Supposed to rain a bit tomorrow morning. I love it when God waters for me. He does such a nice even job.
@jishinsjourney As far as stress- I like to say "Don't worry; it causes wrinkles." (Great now I'm worried about getting wrinkles 😂)
@DrJenner If you make it back down here for any reason, don't be a stranger. Many blessings at your new place 😊
 
The recipes I use are primarily nut-based, from this book:
Artisan Vegan Cheese, by Miyoko Schinner

I’ve made several of the spreadable cheeses and a few of the ”firm but still spreadable” kind. Had a failure on an air-dried one but I’m pretty sure I didn’t cook it correctly. Everything I’ve made has been tasty. It’s not cheese exactly, but I can have it on bagels with lox and absolutely not miss anything.

Thanks. I'll have to look into that book.
 
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