It's been a busy day. I got up early, spent about two hours of planning*, then set out. I took a bus to my prior residence to confirm there's no mail waiting there, then onward to pick up some free food at the Salvation Army stop (I was third in line, and the two people ahead of me claimed all three of the available loaves of sliced bread, bah). More bus (and bike) riding, to finally get to the home of a friend who'd offered me a laptop computer. Then back to my home turf, stopping at the library to get various things taken care of, including this forum. The library is closing in a few minutes and then I'll finally go home. I hope the food in my backpack hasn't gotten too squished.

*Google Maps gives me the right answers, but it takes an incredibly long time when I have to sit through so many page loads, and scroll a four-inch screen just to get to where I can click on the right menu, and type an address using the elf-sized keyboard. Hopefully much of this will be resolved once I get the laptop connected.

I've actually seen clocks that used the dot as an A.M. indicator, as well as the more common type that uses it for P.M. I'd still rather see 24h time -- it's actually simpler, damn it.

Hi Karl 😀

Hi Dave 😀

Hi Diane 🙂

Been keeping my fingers crossed for you.
I know how hard it is to be without water.
(((HUGS)))
Wishing you all the luck in the world that this is over for you today.

Good morning 🙂

Dianne, taking "me" time is very important.
When we take the time to take care of ourselves we have more to give to everything we do. (((hugs)))

Once the fog lifts it should get all the way up to 34 degrees here today! 😀
You can really feel a difference when the temps get above freezing.
"Desolation Of Smaug", first showing will be at 4:00pm.
Two hours forty one minutes long. 🙁
The tiny old theater is the oldest theater in all of Nevada. They split it in two to make two theaters. Smushing the seats all up so close together that it is impossible to even move your legs.
I will be smuggling in candy canes in my coat pockets to eat.
Can't have anything to drink for hours before the movie since I will have to hold it for THREE!!! hours.
Oh Well. Can't really say that he never takes me anywhere since he has taken me to the movies annually whenever The Lord Of The Rings or The Hobbit is showing.

Off now to prepare my home and myself for this marathon movie experience.

😀

Dianne, sounds like you had a good day chatting with so many folks, and I bet you helped them all!!! You have such a kind heart, just feel better talking with you.
The warmer air is moving in, 42 high today they say. I was under house a lot yesterday with heat, still no water so called the city, they are coming out to see if water meter has a problem and show me how to shut off new meter. Also can tell if water is running, like a broken pipe underground. Today I am going to have to go get water, I am really thirsty. Just afraid to leave incase a pipe breaks. Really want to take a shower, so can go pay at a gym, and take shower. I have so many dishes and dirty clothes piling up, it is really time to have water. I cleared more stuff out of walkway so I could get to back of crawl space, opened back end of skirting, and there is enough room to crawl under and so now don't have to crawl from east to west side. I discovered a turn off valve back there, there was no shut off valve in front wher oops city iws here

Yesterday was spent in talking with people ~ online or by phone. Hours. It's been years since I had that much contact with so many for so long.

I've let so many things slide around here. So today I have to get back on that horse and get my foundation set again. Brushing teeth, vitamins, healthy food, shower, clean the bed, get some fresh air.

The clocks I use have a little dot in the upper left hand corner which indicates "PM". If you are really used to 24 hour time, I know this is not the same; however, it is pretty easy to use. When you set an alarm you just have to be careful to set to a "no dot" time if you want morning, or a "dot" time if you want afternoon or evening. When I wake up, I am used to looking in that corner to orient myself to the "half day" I am in.

I keep my timepieces on 24h time whenever possible; it annoys me that some have only the 12h option. I think it's been several years since I've not known whether the time showing was AM or PM, though.

Today I spent a couple of hours in the storage unit, opening boxes and taking inventory. Then I stopped at the library and typed in the info -- it's now in the cloud so I don't need to worry about losing the paper copy. Finally I got home and spent 20m soaking in the hot tub -- I think that's been helpful for my injured toe.

Good morning 🙂

LOL 😀 Roxie

Hi Diane 🙂
So happy this extreme cold is moving away.
Really hate hearing about you crawling around under there in the dirt and cold doing everything you can do to fix the frozen pipes. 🙁
(((HUGS)))

My plan today is to use some of my cookie cutter collection to make sugar cookies for the Winter Solstice. Then clean the kitchen.
I already made fudge. 😀
Two kinds, chocolate and peanutbutter.

My hoarder has made plans for Friday that involve me.
The next part of The Hobbit "the desolation of Smaug" comes out in theatres tomorrow and he wants us to go to the old theatre in town and see it.
That would be at the first showing, the matinee, because it is cheaper than the later airing and have fewer people in there.
The Hobbit has been my favorite book since I was 13 years old but I am protesting this movie because I think peter jackson has warped it way too much into something unrecognizable to me.

Anyways....
By Saturday it will be warmer here and I will be able to hang out laundry on the clothes line and it will dry.
I wash clothes and hang them in the house to dry but I have a hamper full of linens & towels, etc. that I don't dry inside because then they don't smell right to me.
Love those line dried linens! 😀

Warm thoughts 🙂

So I laid down for a nap. I woke at 3:30, got on the computer, realized I was running out of cigarettes. So I thawed out the car and waited for the frost on the windshield to melt away. I kept thinking, my it is really dark this afternoon! Then as I drove further and saw almost no cars, etc., it finally dawned on me it was 3:30 AM!!!! LOL

Hey Diane, I have some ideas for insulation. Can you join me in a private chat? I'll keep myself in all day and keep checking. Or you can give me a time that works for you.

Hi Tillie, yes would be good to have tea together on these cold days! Another day without water, I did the best I could to thaw just would not thaw, must be frozen under ground. Today I put old sheets and tarps on ground under trailer so much less dusty today. Took insulation and pipe wrap stuff under there but didn't get it done, just heated pipes. I was cold, tired and frustrated. I followed pipes so when I hire someone I can tell them where everything is under there, many jury rigged pipes go in strange directions. I heated water on wood stove and took a sponge bath, felt good to be cleaner, sure would like to take a warm shower. Saturday will be 45 degrees, low 28, so bet I can thaw pipes for sure, just hope no breaks. won't know until thaw
Yes Roxie, do have 2 new smoke detectors. Got them after I read the old ones don't detect smoke until too late for some.

Good morning 🙂

Hi Roxie 🙂 Hi Karl 🙂 Hi Diane 🙂

(((hugs))) (((hugs))) (((hugs)))
Wish we all lived closer together so I could give you more than written support.

I am exhausted. All my "get up & go" has "got up & went".
I can function alright in here when the temperature is anywhere in the 60s but been having a very hard time just keeping the temperature somewhere in the 50s.
Today I will try to catch up on the things that I left unfinished this week.

Stay warm and stay safe. (((hugs)))

It is still 4 degrees but is supposed to get up to 40 today, so I have hope that today will be the day. I found a smaller heater that I will take under trailer today. I pray that I can get water today and not break any pipes in the process, I am at the point it feels hopeless. It is so filthy under there, I was going to use hair dryer on pipes but since everything has an inch of dust on it, would be impossible without inhaling that crap, even with N95 mask. Yesterday took a little wool duster under there, but dust is so fine, it just hung in the air. I took door off water heater, no easy task, cleaned all the dirt out of there. Turned down water temp. which has been too high for years. Found the drain spout, never have drained before, thought this would be a good time, there was only a trickle of brown crusty water, I assume when I heard the rumbling it really did burn coils out, not looking forward to having that replaced, pray it will be ok, I will never forget to turn off when it freezes again. Once it gets up to over 20 degrees, I will head under there again, I am determined to finish thawing today, no matter what it takes, want to do it early enough that I can call city for water turn off if pipes break when defrosted. My knees got trashed yesterday crawling on them, so today will wear knee pads, this is such a pain. Roxie reading you waited 2 hours for doc made me feel less alone, I really dislike waiting with a bunch of germy people, sorry you had to go through that, and proud of how you dealt with it. I laughed as I wrote that, Like hanging out with in dirt and spiders and cat kill (mouse and bird bones) is anymore fun!! at least you put a smile on my face.

Welcome back, Karl! You've been missed! Are you saying that you moved in with a hoarder?!? Will you be able to set up your own computer? How is the weather where you are?

Hugs

Housemate has gone out for the evening, so I have the computer for now. I'll keep the chat window open in case anyone wants to stop in -- sorry I wasn't able to participate earlier tonight.

I phoned my parents yesterday, and brought them mostly up to date with my life, though I don't think they'll have a real feel for the situation here unless I take pictures. I spent Monday at the storage unit again, but stayed home on Tuesday. I washed a few dishes, and my housemate finally got inspired to completely clear out the sink and dishwasher. Yay progress!

I am officially exhausted!! I ended cutting the metal skirting with metal snips, then found that after removing the disgustingly dirty fiberglass insulation, the pipes don't allow enough room to fit from west side, lost a couple hours there. I have been under the trailer several times today. Went around edge and found pipes come out of ground under kitchen sink, not the bathroom sink like I thought. Took extension cord up there and plugged in lamp next to pipes. Light wouldn't go on, had to go out east side, walk around and found that had to replace extension cord, back around, back crawling, then got new cord hooked up. Tried to fit one of the oil coil type heater under there, but it is too tall, I tell you it was a lot of dirty work and no running water and I am so filthy. I am afraid to leave not knowing when water will come on or if pipe may break now heat is on it. I really want to take a shower, wash dishes, wash clothes, flush toilet, never realize how difficult life is without water, oh yeah, Tillie told us during the summer!!

I have a 3pm doctor's appointment. I went to sleep about 8am and I am now officially procrastinating. I should take a bath and wash my hair and I may just do a quick bird bath, dry wash my hair and call it a lick and a promise. Egad. I hate the idea of taking off my clothes and getting into the tub in this cold weather, even though it is reasonable inside.

Good morning :/
Foggy, frosty, freezing.
I am so physically exhausted from trying to be warm.

Diane,
all I have to say about your day is (((HUGS))).
Noticed that people around here who live in trailers/mobile homes have placed bales of straw all around the outside of the skirting to try to keep their pipes from freezing.
Wish I had remembered to do this around your home before the cold set in. (((HUGS)))

My plan for today....
the usual cat related tasks
then I will take care of me.
My hair is all dry & frizzy nasty looking so I will do moisturizing conditioners and shampoo.
My finger nails are all brittle and chipped so I will do a manicure & moisturizers.
My feet are needing a proper pedicure & moisturizing too.
But first I must warm up the house, 51 degrees inside is too cold to do anything.

Thinking warm thoughts. 😀

Hi Tillie, Roxie and Dianne, nice hearing what is going on in your life.
Just looked at national weather service, they reported official low was 37 degrees below 0 yesterday morning, so no matter what I did, could not have saved the pipes from freezing, -37, that is 37 degrees below 0, over 60 degrees below freezing (32). I do not recall it ever being this cold. Ok enough computer back to work. Thanks for your comments and encouragement, tough month for me, and no dog to warm me up.

crawled like a reptile on my belly under the house today, no pipe problem yet, still frozen. I had wrapped most of pipes years ago it turns out. Some of the wrap and foam fell off. I went in on the east side and had to crawl all the way over to pipes. I am determined to figure out how to get those screws off the west side so I can get to pipes easily. Crawling all that way, knocking off spider webs all the way was pretty bad. Apparently when the big flood came last month, a groove was created where the river flowed through. I crawled the length to make sure it didn't undermine the supports, all is ok. Crawled over to where the sewer pipe froze 4 years ago, all appears well there so far. Then I shoveled snow in front and back of place. Walked down the road and got mail. Retrieved garbage can from Friday pickup.
Vacuumed floor including kitchen, not going to wash floor until have water. Sure wish I could take a shower right now. Guess I will heat some water and at least wash what I can on this dirty old body. Thank goodness I have been getting organized, I found my Lacross knee high safety rubber boots, like firemen wear, and wore them today for the first time ever, they were great under the house and while shoveling snow, they fit tight at calf so no critters can get in. I wore tall gloves that fasten tight at wrists so no bugs there, I forgot to put a mask on was the big problem under the house, nasty breathing under there, won't go without a mask again for sure. Sun is out and feels good to be out, now that feet and hands have warmed up, will go out and check pipes again, try to get screws out of skirting, and then bring in firewood. Water heater started making a rumbling noise, at first I thought it was the pipes were getting unclogged then realized it was empty water heater, I ran and turned the breaker off. Sure hope it didn't burn out the elements. A lesson to always turn off breaker switch when water is off.

Good morning 🙂
Last night was the coldest so far. Had to get up all night and periodically run the water.
Wanted to sleep in some but the cats were all fussing & fighting with each other. Evil beasts.

Hi Diane 🙂
Your wool slipper ideas sound very do-able & would be warm & comfy. 😀
Hope you can stay warm today and keeping my fingers crossed about your water pipes. (((hugs)))

Hi Roxie 🙂
I too sleep on the couch fold out bed but I have a memory foam pad that makes it very comfortable.
Just roll it up daily when I convert the bed back into the couch.
What a shame about your doll houses. 🙁
My hoarder's mother had a dozen stuck in a shed. All were ruined and most all the furniture too but I was able to salvage this teeny tiny house, find all the pieces, clean it & treat the mildew, paint it and now have a lovely little house to play with.
It was depressing to have to throw away so much because it was too ruined to salvage.

Hi Dianne 🙂
I would be very happy and grateful to ride out this cold spell with you at your home. 😀 (((hugs)))
Thank you! 😀 After I got home from my trip I came inside and have not ventured outside since, no reason to. LOL
Many many people get stuck in the list preparing stage. Making the list sometimes seems to be the same as doing the tasks. Write up a really good list and you feel satisfied. 🙂
I get my satisfaction from drawing a line through the tasks as I complete them. Then at the end of the day enjoying looking at what I have accomplished by the lines through some of the items.
My lists are mostly things that I can do or not do.
Like a menu of choices that I can pick and choose from.
Keeps me from feeling like the list is making demands on me, telling me what to do & when to do it.
Sometimes I do something not written on my list but then I will jot it down and draw a line through it just to keep track of what I did today. 😉
Sounds like a beautiful winter wonderland! 😀
When it isn't so cold I plan to toss all the cats out in the snow & enjoy watching them run around in it. 😀

My plans for today....
already fed cats, need to scoop litter boxes, rinse & fill water & kibble bowls.
Stay inside & find something to do to amuse myself.

Everybody stay safe & stay warm. (((hugs)))

Well I did make an excuse to get out. I had to do a lot of digging, scraping, sweeping and moving large branches that had fallen with ice.

Now back out for more work keeping the deck clear for the little dogs to spend some time outside. The Shepherds went into puppy mode in the snow and ice and no doubt will be sore later. The minds are young, the bodies try to follow and we all need some meds for achey muscles later. 🙂

Hi guys,

Keep fixing the delicious warm soups and stay bundled. Tillie, it¡¦s wonderful that you were able to get out so far away from home and get all your food supplies for the winter! I am so proud of you for making that trip!! :)?º

Okay, so last time I posted I thought it was Sunday but it was still Saturday. 😀

It was 16 below zero last night, wind chill of -35.
Inspite of my best efforts pipes all frozen this morning. I had heater in bathroom all night where pipes enter house, ran dryer where vent is by where pipes enter, had lamps in bathrooms and kitchen by pipes, and they are all frozen.
Have plenty of water in pans and jars, just not sure how to thaw pipes without bursting them. Guess I will start with hair dryer. Still -11 outside, think I will be stuck with frozen pipes until it warms up to freezing on Tuesday. Kept fire going.
Slept with 2 long sleeve fleece and vest. Mittens and scarf, long pants, 2 pair of sox, so did sleep, just want this to be over with already!!
Have been on Etsy and Pinterest looking and craft ideas, so creative, just love it. Great reward to myself, to just browse felted inventions. Want to try to make wool felted slippers, may give it a try. I have a pendleton wool blanket I washed in hot water, so shrunk and thick, ready to design, and would be great to keep feet warm. Looks like I draw my feet on paper, then cut out bottom, then attach top, may put fleece inside so don't itch. One thought is to cover a pair of crocs, no example of this, but seems like it would be easy and sturdy. Also will have to go out and get more wood this afternoon. Did all dishes daily knowing water would shut off after several days of -0 weather, so that is good, will heat up soup for lunch and dinner. Drinking hot coffee and herbal tea will help too. Glad your pipes are running Tillie, see you at 5 if not before

Good morning?
So bitterly cold! 🙁
We will be lucky if it gets up to 20 degrees here today. And with the wind blowing it is even worse.

Diane,
hope you made it safely through the night. (((hugs)))
Mobile homes are so hard to keep the pipes from freezing.

Hi Roxie 🙂
WTG! for keeping up with the daily maintenance! 😀

I don't know where everybody has gone to. 🙁
Maybe they are all busy with the holiday stuff. ?

My plans for today...
Feed cats. They are all being nasty & fussing at each other.
Blaming each other for the cold and mad at me for not making the sun shine and warming up the world.
Shower sometime after I get the house warmer.
The portable radiator kept the house at 52 degrees over night so it's not too bad.
Then either sew or play with my doll house while I watch stuff on Netflix and drink cocoa & tea.
Found a teeny tiny itty bitty little broom for the doll house! 😀

At 5:00pm PST I will get to chat! 😀

Stay warm, stay inside if at all possible.
In a few months it will be Spring again. 😉

Woke up and since it was dark, thought it was 6:30 a.m. Turns out it's still Sunday. LOL

Thanks Tillie, yes faucets are dripping, still freezes. When I turn it on full blast it goes on for a few seconds then stops, then makes little noises then starts to trickle then starts flowing. I am trying to figure out where it is freezing. Since it runs for a few seconds before shutting off, I think it is under the deck somewhere, I have only gone under the house from the other side, but pipe is on this side, so have to figure out how to get siding off, enough to get under there. Maybe it is called skirting, the bottom part of siding.
Braved it and got wood in here to last 24 hours, heated up soup, feel better now, especially hearing from you Tillie. Thanks. Split pea sounds so yummy with the ham bone, good for you.