So far, the shock of losing my job has worn off and life has continued as usual. School is out and talk about the layoffs are dying down. My sympathies to the other 50 billing agents who were laid off as well.
The little goldfish seemed uncomfortable even with water changes, so today we invested in a filtration unit. I do not enjoy having the extra electrical outlay, but I won’t have the little critter suffer. We got one of the filters with the biological filter, which means that there is a living thing helping to filter the water besides the mechanical filtration. Already little Smudge seems happier. Perhaps the water wasn’t being agitated enough. We also got some Aponogeton bulbs and placed in the tank, to provide a more natural environment. The one plant already in there seems to be doing well, so am hoping for more to grow.
A friend of mine gave me an Eiro energy drink to try, so I drank one today. They don’t taste as sickeningly sweet as other energy drinks I have tried, and is chock full of healthy ingredients. You don’t get that sugar buzz, and so far I seem to be a lot less lazy as I have been! If you are interested in trying a great healthy energy drink, email patwinn7 (at) hotmail dot com and tell her you heard about it from the Computer Lady.
Also at the store they had a new supply of kerosene lanterns on sale for four dollars each. Considering how handy they were when we had the bad ice storm I grabbed one before the price goes up. It is the old fashioned lantern style with the metal base and the bail handle. I like the glass ones but they are not designed to be portable, and these can be used like flashlights or whatever outside in a safe manner. During the ice storm we used the two we already have to go between rooms, had one hanging in the bathroom on low, just used them for everything. In this current world condition one cannot be too prepared, so I grabbed this one to be safe.
I am hoping to locate a portable propane stove and oven to start using. We have an electric stove here, which is okay but worry about power outages. Also gas heat will heat water a lot faster and more economical than electric ever can!
We already have a kerosene heater, but plan to invest in another small one. If we end up moving into a small mobile home, during really cold days a heater on each end of the place should keep it toasty without the super hot spots that one large heater gives off.
When I was a child my father had a small wood stove in our mobile home; while it was warm in the living room, at night ice would form on the walls of my back bedroom. I had a small electric heater but I hated using that much
The place I’m looking at has an electric furnace, but I personally detest furnaces because they are noisy and expensive to run. Also during a power outage you are stuck. Much better to start off with an electric-free alternative!
The mini garden outside (actually a repurposed flower bed) is doing well. The tomato plant is growing at an insane rate, but the two green pepper plants seem to be lagging behind. I am keeping them dusted after making a shaker for Sevin dust. Also waiting to see how the peas do this year.. will have them climbing up the sunflowers as an experiment in living trellis.
I would love to come up with an idea for a gypsy-type garden, meaning a small portable garden for frequent movers. I hate the thought of building up land when I may move in a year or so! Perhaps one of those gardens that are made with the kiddie pools?
Time to get on with the housework. The laundry may wait, but my wardrobe will not!