I like to think I'm good at adapting

 Buddy had asked basically if I was one of those innovative cooks "Making spaghetti tacos" and such.  I said not really but I'm starting to wonder.  

So I went to the Asian market.  The butcher didn't speak English and the signs were in Vietnamese.  The prices were regular numbers though.  

So I got a little over 2 pounds of what I thought was ground beef.  Looks like it.  It didn't brown the same so I got the wrapper out of the trash; it's ground pork.  That doesn't matter for my spaghetti but the Taco Casserole is going to be weird, I fear.  

I just tried a bite of the "Taco" meat it tastes fine to me.  I don't think I will be sharing that, though.  

I have the tenderloins marinating with garlic, onion, and garlic in the fridge.  The taco meat is cooling.  Once it's done I'm going to layer it with this: 

It should be delicious and very filling.  I do find it very amusing I keep having problems with the Taco casserole which I would think would be "the easiest" of all the dishes I'm going to prep tonight.  

Edit it is delicious.  It is very ugly looking but good flavor.  The salsa and the sour cream really compliment the other ingredients.  

Working on the kitchen

 Cleaning, organizing.  Trying to figure out what to cook.  I can't make the turkey spaghetti tonight because the ground turkey is still frozen.  

I have 2 pounds ground beef so I plan to cook half with Italian seasonings, onion, and garlic (I never did find a garlic press), freeze that.  Next week get some Italian Sausage and cook that.  I was told I would have an even better spaghetti if I had the ground beef simmer in the sauce, cook the Italian sausage on the side, and then add the Italian sausage to the spaghetti right before serving.  And that sounds delicious so I'm going to do that.  So I'll just cook the ground beef.  

Next up the other half of the ground beef - Taco Casserole.  This variation has a lot of canned goods.  Canned refried beans, canned black beans (the frozen cook in the bag beans were hideous), canned corn (whole kernel), canned salsa.  I just need to turn the ground beef into taco meat and that's easy.  I will layer it all with shredded Mexican cheese and then garnish with a generous amount of sour cream.  

I'm going to cook the Italian meat first.  

I have the pork tenderloins.  Apparently I season them, brown them in the skillet, then transfer to toaster oven.  

The taco seasoning packet tends to make for a very messy skillet.  I'll do that last and then wash that up.  

And then veggie stir fry.  I couldn't find boneless skinless chicken thighs.  I need to decide if I want to commit to one of those big frozen bags we sell at work.  But in the meantime I will just make a veggie stir fry.  I have no problem having a stir fry and tenderloin, or stir fry and taco casserole.  

I checked my schedule, they have not adjusted it.  I'm done talking about it to them.  I venture they will call me Saturday and ask me to come in.  I'll tell them I will if someone comes and gets me.  I'm not paying for a ride into work and I doubt they would want to wait a couple of hours.  

That's it for now!  

I'm an acquired taste.

 I had what I consider a pretty good morning.  I got up did house things for a while, Bible study, etc.  I got dressed in my "gangster cats" t shirt and denim shorts that DO NOT show my butt, and got the hand cart.  I made it all the way to the bus stop before I realized I probably should have thrown a cold pack in the insulated tote bag.  

I caught the bus and rode up to the Asian market.  The proprietor was not happy to see my hand cart but I explained I would be parking it "here" and using "your" cart, she was OK after that.   

I wanted to look at their fish and meat, the vegetables, and kitchen gadgets, sauces, and find some lobster ramen.  I have a shellfish allergy - a pretty violent one.  I was horrified to find a whole aisle of crab paste and sauces.  They also had crab in the fish section of the market so I couldn't get any fish even though it looked good.  I concluded, seeing all this, I can't take the chance of ever eating Vietnamese cooking.  

I did buy some Asian veggies, black bean garlic paste, lobster ramen, I always try to get a cold bottle of jasmine green tea, some ground beef, and a mystery meat that appeared to be boneless skinless chicken thighs.  The sign was in Vietnamese but the price was good so I pointed at it.  Turns out it is pork tenderloin but that will be good for dinner.  I paid up, put everything in my insulated tote bag, went out to the bus stop.  

I rode to the next grocery store, bought a bag of candy, a frozen ground turkey chub, turkey kielbasa, tomato sauce, garlic (I plan to make turkey spaghetti for a friend who has dietary restrictions).  I got celery and frozen stir fry veggies for stir fry.  

The budget did not allow a purchase of olive oil but I can use the coconut oil I have at home.  Since I had a lot of ground beef I got a can of spaghetti sauce for me, and a can each of black beans, and corn, for Taco Casserole.  I could squeeze a tub of sour cream in there, too.  And of course a gallon of milk so I can make my protein shakes.  

I didn't have a long wait to go home  I was waiting and there was a young man standing behind me at the bus stop.  He was a youngish black guy, hair in twists, black hoodie and khaki cargo pants, work boots.  He said he had just had a job interview.  We chatted a little about the bus and I showed him how the app works (Houston Metro has a "One" app for passengers).  I had two bottles of cold soda, one I was drinking and another one not easily visible in my cart.  He mentioned he wished he had time to run back to the store to get a cold drink as that hoodie was (stifling).  I said, it's not cold, but it's COLDER than this (waving at ambient air) and offered it to him.  He said thank you and drank half of it in one gulp.  

And I didn't once think about the guy who attacked me.  The bus came.  

I find it interesting with my local route, the drivers on my local tend to stick around they just move their shift times a little here and there, every 6 months, but they don't leave.  This was a lady I had ridden with off and on for YEARS.  We chatted a little and she took me to my stop.  

I got off, it was getting hot.  I took the cart home and put up the cold stuff.  I took a short nap and will be doing dishes, cooking, etc all afternoon.  

That's it for now.  

Early Wednesday

 The way things are going in my life I'm having to figure out my future on my own.  

I have concluded I DO want a GOOD man in my life.  Someone who will appreciate and value me.  I want that.  

I don't think Buddy's coming to the blog so I will say sometimes at work when it is crazy I have a happy little vision of a man who cares, showing up at work with a little treat for me, giving me a hug, encouraging me.  

Speaking of Love Spotty and Cleo are "doing battle".  Wrestling, not having sex.  I've only caught her with Biscuit and that was 100% consensual.  

I'm battling the impulse to go looking - an app or something.  But I don't want to do it that way.  I want the person God sends me.  Whoever he is.  I just hope I'm done with caregiving for a while.  [shudder]  I'm still recovering.  

So plan today, now that I have a clear budget: Asian grocery, regular grocery, home, nap, cook, dishes, clean.  

I need to list off a few things I need at work, as well.  Paper towels, wet and dry cat food, etc.  I'm going to go get that shower.  

Well that was an awful day yesterday

 The good news everyone is still alive.  

I woke up at 4, checked my bank balance and the paycheck dropped.  After bills I get to keep about 19% and that isn't even paying one of them (not urgent).  

But I have enough money for groceries and cat food.  Well, cat food and groceries we all know the priorities on that.  

Work snacks are not happening this pay period!  

But the bills I had to pay online are handled.  I feel good about that and the companies even sent me a little thank you message as the payment cleared and another to my email.  

Water bill should be on auto pay that is going to be interesting.  I allocated that.  

Oh I forgot I need to do the bus pass.  BRB

OK that's done.  I am such a geek I memorized the first 3 numbers of my fare card.  I have several cards saved in my account for some reason.  At some point I may call and ask them to delete the others.  The payment should hit Thursday/Friday.  I still had about $10 on it so I'm OK.  

I seem to use about $40 a month in bus fare.  You Tube music is autopay.  I need to take out cash for my cab rides, I have 2 a week.  

I can do gas, electric, internet on the next pay check.  

I did laundry yesterday and it finished in the hot afternoon, I am running the dryer now.  That is one mistake I made during the hurricane, I did laundry, which was good, but I failed to check if the clothes were dry before the power went out and they weren't.  

I have a privacy fence and I have thought about having a clothes line run in the backyard for things like that.  I also have a clean plunger and a dedicated 5 gallon bucket for doing laundry by hand, my homemade laundry soap.  

It has been raining steady for about a week now and I thought I had everything wrapped up in my backpack.  I forgot about my safety vest.  Monday at work I went to open my backpack and it had a horrible odor I tracked to the safety vest.  I washed that in the bucket with some baking soda to take the smell.  

I think I am going to take my antidepressant and go back to bed for a little bit.  

I am slowly learning a hard lesson about oversharing

 No, nothing from the pest but thinking "Do I want everyone to read this?"  

I did consult with Dad about changing my cell phone plan he thinks it's a good idea.  It could save me a lot of money.  

I got two bills in the mail that was unpleasant.  I got another bill in my email.  

Look, dudes, I'm BROKE today.  I'll pay when I can.  

Another issue I'm not going to talk about.  

And an issue I am sworn to silence on over a loved one, until others are notified.  

Dad was also asking me about changing my internet plan.  That's a good idea.  I told him I will just call them on Friday and see what kind of plan; I looked online and it is confusing, doesn't look like I will save much money.  

A lot going on, I'm going to bed early.  

Tuesday afternoon

 Cleo is coming out of her shell.  She is still a little leery of me in the front room but if I lie down she gets on me, purring, wants pets.  She is very cute and I am glad to have her "back".  And I promised, no matter what, I will not get a generator as long as she's living.  She is so, so, afraid of them.  

I mean, I can't afford one anyway on what I make but I was thinking if I do remarry we will be pretty well set if I keep working, he's working, the house is already paid off... we could get a generator but I wouldn't want to.  

I overslept yesterday and I didn't have time to cuddle Spotty.  He likes about a half hour me sitting in the chair in the Bible room, him in my lap, me petting his head and shoulders (he doesn't like any petting on his lower back or tail area, unlike the other 2).  I had to run out the door, apologizing, but I did get the time with him today so he's happy.  

I was thinking, while I pet him.  Biscuit was like this: 

During the storm.  I didn't even SEE the other cats they must have been under a bed.  

After the storm passed Biscuit was back to normal.  Cleo was AWOL for weeks.  Spotty was yelling all the time.  He wanted his A/C.  Spotty was OK once that came back.  Cleo has taken more time but as I've said I don't rush her.  And she was so traumatized I promised her I'd never get a generator.  I can't make any promises about the neighbors but I can at least ensure my yard is quiet.  

Speaking of I have got to take a photo of the damned tree.  It fell over a month ago.  It is putting out new leaves!  I feel sorry for it and am empathizing a lot more than I should.  

I can't afford to have it taken away anyway.  FEMA denied my request.  I only made about $400 after what I have to put in escrow and I have to pay the credit card out of that, buy groceries, etc.  

I am working on laundry and will do some cleaning when I get up from my nap.  That's it for now!  

I Googled myself on my lunch break yesterday

 I was debating telling Buddy my full name or not along with the phone number.  So I did the search.  You tube came up.  I am OK with that I don't have much up there anymore.  Facebook.  That's OK if he wants to see me in lurid orange with a Free Bibles sign.  Come to think of it, he has!  He drove by me one day at my usual spot doing a Bible Handout.  And the blog came up.  

I thought about that while I was finishing my day.  I decided he would find some things out, but he would anyway if this went anywhere (it didn't).  And this is probably a good test for anyone in the future.  I wouldn't tell him about the blog but if he finds it he finds it.  

I have things I'll need to share anyway.  

This is so good I had to download it.

 I laugh but not I would say hard.  Ron used to say I would bray like a donkey.  I just don't laugh that hard anymore.  

Until I saw this: 

I was shaking with laughter for a good minute or two, wiping tears from my eyes.  I laugh again every time I see it.  

That's it for now.  

Comments are off

 Because The Pest is a vicious, spiteful little bitch and hasn't learned her lesson: You have a voice here if I give it to you, and it you can't say something nice you won't be allowed to speak.  

He had told me yesterday he was in his mid 30's.  He likely wants children.  

I don't think I could even foster with my history.  You sign up for me you are signing up for a lot of baggage, AND no children.  

I was aware of that.  I also thought I would leave it up to him.  I did.  

He didn't call.  So I have to assume that, while he likes me, he's not looking for anything else.  And that is honestly OK.  I want him to be happy, I want him to get saved, I want him to be healthy, happy, and loved.  However that's meant to happen.  He's a good guy, I wish him the best, and I will keep talking to him.  

I will, however, adjust my expectations.  I would ideally like to date a guy about my age, or younger.  I am not looking for an older man again.  10 years or so would be OK I think but no more, I've done that and I'm just not up for more caregiving.  I have an all or nothing personality on that and I crashed and burned with Ron.  

I have thought about it some and I would definitely be interested in dating a bus driver, doesn't have to be him.  They are all great guys, hard working, stable, background check, etc.  

So it's funny, I went to sleep around 8, woke up around midnight, went back to sleep, woke up at 4.  That is actually a pretty good sleep history for me.  I have been cutting back on the caffeine and, as I told Buddy yesterday when we could talk, I might start working out again just to sleep better at night. 

Fitbit says I got 8 hours of sleep that's not bad.  Normally I get 5 or 6.  

I had a bad combination of bills and reduced pay due to the hurricane.  So I had to cut out the diet soda the last several days.  I plan to keep that up unless I am battling a migraine that day or something.  

That's it for now.  

I am very protective of Buddy

 So I'm not going to say anything.  

He came, I got on the bus, I handed him the meal.  

Now, last week, I had talked about making a stir fry with squid.  So I said "It's not the squid" and sat down.  He started poking around "Better not take out that baggie" I said "It's got cheese powder that's white.  I wanted you to have your own choice on whether you put it in or not".  Then I told him I liked it better with the cheese.  We both had a laugh at the thought of the supervisor catching him with a bag of white powder.  I explained what I had cooked and we started talking.  

I had to stand for about 15 minutes but worth it.  I was able to sit.  Then, the complication.  I can't say what but we couldn't talk any more all the way to the end of the line.  I had a window at one point of about 10 seconds.  

I thought how I hate regret.  Like the song says: 

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8OsiKOvOyn0&si=pcb9UtAy5r0fgax4

I had written a note with my first and last name, phone number, and an instruction to text first so I'd know it was him.  I signed it with my first initial.  I grabbed it and ran up front, handed it to him.  

A LOVELY smile "What's this?" 

"I want you to have this before I lose my nerve" and I ran back to my seat.  He opened it!  Then!  In my head he didn't do this until he was alone an hour from now.  He looked at it for a while, folded it back up, put it in his pocket.  

At the end of the line he said "See you later' and I told him to be safe (I say that to people I care about when we part).  Then I went to wait with the manic half naked guy for the other bus.  

He has that number now.  What he does with it is up to him.  

Well a lot of comments got deleted

 That is all I will say.  I actually find it amusing as "anonymous" would never say those things to someone's face.  

We are very short staffed in my department as evidenced by me having to take lunch 2 hours late.  

I turned around earlier and one of my bosses was standing there watching me.  Bring it, I have nothing to hide.  

I told her it was my opinion they needed me to work next weekend.  They do.  She agreed and said she would be talking to her boss.  So I had better do some meal prep Wednesday!  

My one driver in the morning, a very sweet lady about my age, said I should just go ahead and bring my "buggy" to the Asian grocery store when I shop so I think I will do that.

She was also interested in the concept of black bean garlic paste.  It is expensive online but very reasonable at one of my local Asian markets.  That's where I bought my wok and that is one of my favorite pans.  

I won't see her until next Monday I think.  

That's it for now.  

I think I was too subtle

 Putting the phone # in a bag of candy.  So today I plan to ask him if he saw (describe).  If he says yes I know.  If he says no I can proceed from there.  

I made him his own bowl of Creole cream pasta with sausage and grilled onions.  I put a bottle of water in the freezer and that can keep it cold.  

I also have my own bowl for lunch.  If it's a migraine trigger for some reason it will only affect me on my day off.  I like to do new foods that way as a good 80% of my migraines track back to something I ate.

I don't know what you call this or even if it is anything but he matters, a lot.  My day gets better when he's around and that smile knocks my socks off.  He has also said repeatedly he likes spending time with me.  

We will see.  This is not a meet on Grindr jump into the sack sort of thing.  But I am continually impressed he put 2 bids in to come back to see me, on the CHANCE he would.  The passengers on this route are hideous.  No one signs up for this twice much less 3 times.  That impresses me a lot more than a steak dinner and a bottle of champagne.  

Or he may just be a nice guy and this all means nothing.  I hope to find out today, always remembering "Anything I say can and will be used against me" by the nut jobs who ride with me.  

I don't want sleeping pills

 I see a prescribing MD for my medication.  He likes to tutor residents, etc.  Since I am safe, cuddly, and very verbal he likes to have them examine me on their own.  

This happened once about maybe 12 years ago.  Nice younger guy very serious.  He asked me about my presenting symptoms and I told him, told him my current routine worked very well for management.  He nodded, asked me about anxiety.  I always have that I tell any medical person.  I'm used to that.  

He asked about sleep and I told him it's not great but I manage.  Doc came in and we talked, then I went home.  I take 4 prescriptions.  Occasionally Phenergan tablets or suppositories.  I had asked for refills on all of it.  

The pharmacy called and said my EIGHT prescriptions were ready and I said what the hell, I only have 6.  What are the other 2?  

Oh, she told me, one is a sleeping medication and one is for anxiety.  HELL NO I reacted, BURN THAT SHIT.  I am NOT taking that at all that stuff is SUPER addictive and I have an 80% risk of addiction with my disability.  She laughed, "Don't worry we'll get rid of it, and notify the doctor"  

I have problems with sleep even on a low caffeine intake.  I have concluded I am just wired that way.  I seem to recall sleeping better when I had a formal workout plan but I walked 7 miles yesterday.  

I wouldn't mind going to the gym with a guy; I think that would be fun.  Work out together.  Keep each other accountable.  But other than that it's not going to happen.  Going on the bus would be horrific.  

Anyway I (as usual) fell asleep OK but woke up about 2 hours later.  I went back to sleep and woke up about an hour after that, couldn't go back to sleep.  Everything I've read says get up if you have trouble sleeping.  So I did that.  

I was bummed when I got home because I had wanted to cook my Creole pasta with the cream sauce and sausage.  I was too tired for that.  

But I had some energy when I got up so I did it then.  Middle of the night, in a Houston summer, is really the time to boil water and run the skillet anyway.  I threw some grilled onions in it too.  I made four bowls.  

I'm going to eat it for lunch today which means I will get sick on a day off if it's a migraine trigger.  And I only had some housework and organizing planned Tuesday anyway.  I don't think it will be an issue but you never know sometimes.  I wouldn't have thought Nacho Doritos would be an issue but they are now.  

That's going to be a NICE lunch.  

Out of sequence, very early Sunday morning

 I slept pretty well last night, I've found I can do alright if I get a solid 6 hours.  

The one boss is definitely not working today.  

Things I can't reveal about my job due to the pest.  God forbid I don't want to get tracked down.  

For a long time I have had women talking online about skeevy guys on Facebook.  One talked about getting nude photos of male genitalia.  

I've never gotten any of that, since the pest tracked me there I can say my profile photo has me handing out Bibles, clearly obese, in a very loud orange safety t shirt.  Not exactly "bringing back sexy" as I like to joke when I'm wearing my poncho.  

Also I believe I have a very strong wholesome vibe with the ponytail, glasses, and a "sweet" face vs. a sexy one.  I don't wear makeup either, not that seems to have bothered a few guys.  

Anyway I got a message on Facebook this morning, an obese white man with a mustache saying I was cute.  I got a very strong pervy vibe.  No, thank you.  

When I talk about Buddy to my work friends and aunt they asked what he looked like and I described him.  He is not thin but he is in good shape, you have to be to strap down those wheelchairs and jockey a bus all day for a 12 hour shift.  

I'm not thin, either.  Maybe we could do keto together although he would probably "beat" me if we did.  He's not old either.  My stepmother, when I did mention him back in June, was very concerned he was some old dude.  He's not, he's what I would say significantly younger.  It doesn't seem to faze him, though.  

I have to take my shower.   

Respect and retail

 In my experience are mutually exclusive.  If you're working retail you are going to be disrespected.  

I have had a customer throw something at me, 2 more lie to me, and cussed out in Spanish just in my first 4 hours on the clock.  And that's a pretty typical day.  

My boss will attempt, now and again, to say "please, thank you, good job" but overall is abrupt and demanding at best.  And that's ok.  

I asked God to help me work on humility and this does the job.  That's how I see it.

Another employee is having a big adjustment today after a very high ranking manager asked her to do something.  There is only one proper response: yes ma'am and go do it. 

She did not have the proper response.  I suspect that may cost her job 

On my last bus

 I forgot my flashlight and was wearing my purple poncho at the bus stop.  The bus - who is likely accustomed to NO passengers at that time EVER, went roaring by as I screeched "ACK!".  She came to a skidding halt about a block up the road.  

When I got on I said something along the lines of "Sorry, I forgot my flashlight" and she apologized as well.  

Moderate rain today.  

I am on my last bus.  Two huge guys and their backpacks taking up 6 seats in the front which means someone could sit behind me.

You would think the "unhoused" mentally ill plaguing this route would be sleeping but they're wandering around.  A couple on this bus.  

I will watch my 6!  

2 days to go!

 I told two of my team leads I am happy to work weekends if: 

1. You give me some notice, I can't just come in if you call.  

2.  You give me 2 days together in the middle of the week.  

Pretty reasonable, I think.  

My mailman has been pretty hard to crack.  I have been trying to find a way to reach out to him but nothing until tonight.  

He's a white guy, thin, the kind that wears black acrylic socks with his uniform shorts, pulled up to his knees.  I waved at him as I came down the street, stopped, and said "I work retail.  Is it just me or is it like dog years working with the public on a weekend?"  

He stood up, turned around, took off his sunglasses, looked at me, and belly laughed for a good minute, wiped his eyes, and said YES, then grinned at me.  That was fun.  

That's it for now.  

I made it to Saturday

 I got about 6 hours of sleep.  

I don't know who I will see going home.  

Interesting fact, we all know Beau was after me for the Mango-Chile candy.  

As an experiment a few times I did not bring candy to Buddy, who just laughed and said he had plenty.  Well I'm running out again is unlikely I will have any left by Monday night when I see Buddy again.  

I have decided to allow comments again but I will be documenting some in case I have further issues.  

The customers are just awful tonight

 I will be glad to get out of here.

I checked the trip planner I need to leave at 6 tomorrow.  I won't get much sleep.  

I have a headache I need to take more Excedrin.  

Happy Friday!

 Well I made a mistake applying for my disaster relief so I have to redo both applications.  

I am going to be working 12 hour days up until Tuesday so it will have to wait.  I need to be home, at my computer, cell phone at the ready, to do this.  It's going to take at least an hour.  

Good news at the end of it, if it works out I get $950.  

Some things I would like to buy: a 5 gallon water cooler (I was really missing cold drinks), another power bank, I need to think about batteries.  I had a lot around the time Ron died but many of them leaked.  So maybe some rechargables?  

I have had freeze dried disaster food - it was pretty good but I had terrible gut troubles the next couple days - and instant noodles which did not cause any trouble, so probably buy more instant noodles.  I have found I like the beef flavor the best.  

If you are looking for a good power bank I can vouch for this.  It charged my cell phone 5 times.  It also has solar ability but of course it was pretty cloudy the week after.  Anyway: Power bank It is rechargable of course but does take a while to recharge.  So 2 would be nice (buy another).  

I will also think about getting an ice chest to hold contents of fridge/freezer but not 100% on that.  

I checked the schedule and I don't have tax free weekend yet.  I will know tomorrow.  If I am off I will tell the TL I can work it, just give me 2 days together off in the middle of the week.  I think that is fair.  

It is raining at a pretty good clip, it's going to be an interesting trip to work.  

One more meme

 

Four more days of this...

 I'm going to make it.  

Things are ramping up with clearance and back to school; we are seeing a lot of traffic.  

Regarding my love life: 

I don't think that's bad.  

Feliz Jueves

 Oh I am tired.  I still have 3 hours to go. 

It hasn't been a bad day just a long one.  I had one family kept coming by where I was working, leaving very small children unattended.  I told the parents "There are bad people you have to watch the baby." And then "The store is not responsible if he gets hurt climbing on the fixtures". Both parents got a MASSIVE attitude and I had to keep telling them!  

I think a lot of negligent parents think it's a big payoff if Junior hurts himself but we have cameras EVERYWHERE.  We, to my understanding, are only liable if WE are negligent.  For instance I don't clean up a spill.  But if Junior climbs a rack, falls off, has to go to the ER that's on the parents.  

That's it for now. 

He didn't wear the perfume today

 My coworker, the Asian guy who starts work at 2.  

I am required to take my lunch at 1 and go zone at 2.  So I was trapped in there with him and that horrible White Musk.  But I talked to a guy who knew him and Jose said he would explain.  

And, sure enough, he did.  Not a whiff, and he was there!  

When I saw Jose's wife I almost wept for joy thanking her, she laughed.  I think that's one thing people like about me I am real with them.  She could tell I meant every word I said.  

I did the zone.  

Now as you may know most of Houston lost power for an entire week in the middle of summer.  Have you given any thought to what that did to our refrigerators?  The stench?  

I told Dad tonight, if Arm and Hammer, and Walmart, were smart they would make PDQ (basically pallets meant to go in the middle of the aisle with disposable shelving for pdq sales) of those "Fridge Fresh" containers we could sell a pallet a day I bet.  I helped a couple of customers find them on the shelf.  

EVERYONE has a reeking fridge and freezer.  I used a roll of Shop Towels and a bottle of Cloralen spray cleaner with bleach to clean out mine, and they did a very good job.  I also went in to work early that week and got the Fridge Fresh things for my fridge and freezer, installed those, and no odor at all now.  

I don't know about any one else but I want it to be a happy experience when I open up my fridge or freezer.  

Work went better than I expected.  Everytime the boss walked by I was doing my job, helping a customer, etc.  She would smile and move on.  At the end of the day she asked me to do something not really my job, if "I didn't mind".  I said, with a grin "I'll do anything you tell me as long as it's in the 10 commandments!" and she laughed and said "Right answer".  I mean it, too.  

Whatever you tell me to do when I'm on the clock is my job.  Sometimes that is cleaning a spill.  One time some lady's dog peed in chemicals so I had to clean that up as she stood there holding the dog and laughing at me.  Sometimes that is fetching supplies for another employee, zoning grocery, putting back returns, could be anything.  

I don't mind as long as I keep my clothes on, I'm not lying, stealing, or disrespecting God.  

I saw my boss' boss today and I smiled at him, gave him a big wave, said "There's my favorite coach!" (that's what they call managers at his level).  He smiled back and laughed at me, asked me how I was doing.  I could have said something about how my boss has been difficult.  Or the fact that personnel has me working 8 days in a row this week.  But I just thanked him for approving the time off in September to go see my Dad, who, I reminded coach, is over 80 years old.  He smiled again and said "That's important" and I said "You have to enjoy them while you can, have a great day!" and put my vest up.  And I went home.  

It was the Wednesday driver - not Buddy but a nice enough guy.  My second bus was running a little late but she got me home pretty quick.  

Tomorrow I work 11-8 so that will be a long one.  I'll make it though.  The nice thing I don't have to get up as early as I normally do.  

I'm going to eat my cup of noodles and go to bed!  

Wednesday morning

 I saw a very pissed off Cleo who wouldn't let me pet her.  You'd think I got a toddler or a dog!  I bribed her with some wet food in addition to their daily ration of dry and they all dug into that.  

I had a really bad headache.  A lot of perfume on the bus.

Speaking of I am very happy how I handled this.  We have various people groups who work here.  One of them is Asian and one guy in particular likes to spray himself with a cheap bottle of White Musk perfume in the break room.  Every day, on my lunch.  Instant headache.  

I talked to a friend of his and explained, he said he would take care of it.  I think that's much better than confronting him or going to management.  

I'll know today on my lunch!  

My difficult boss came in at 7.  I could cry.  

Other than that it's been a good day.  

"I used to hate Tuesdays before you came back"

 I woke up at 2 AM yesterday (today it was 1 AM).  I seem reasonably functional so I'm not going to worry about it.  

I applied for the Walmart employee grant program.  They have a grant program, up to $1,500 for "critical needs" like natural disaster, home repair, tenant issues, car trouble, etc.  It is up to $1,500 every 5 years.  

The team leads were not well informed on this and I had to figure it out on my own.  When I did I decided to do a cheat sheet for my co workers and Buddy's Mom, who is a Walmart employee as well.  I showed it to the personnel manager who liked it and said I could run off some copies to hand out.  So I did that.  

Later on, going home, I gave one to Buddy for his Mom and he was happy to get it.  Knowledge is meant to be shared and it has been a real cluster- lack of information at my store I imagine it is the same for her.  Dad was very worried the program would run out of money and very happy I had applied.  

As it turns out they will only give me $200 unless I have repair bills for my home.  But $200 for groceries is still a lot of groceries!  We'll see I will keep you posted.  

Apparently once I am approved I just go to the Money Center (check cashing center) in my store and present my ID and they give me cash.  I told Dad corporate is not stupid and they know not all of that money will leave the store!  

One thing management did not tell us, I had to find out on my own, you have to apply for FEMA first to qualify for the store program.  And you need your email browser open because they send you a confirmation code that expires in 60 seconds that was not a fun time for me.  

But hopefully others can learn from my mistakes.  

Work was challenging as that boss was there, was in a mood, and kept micromanaging me all day.  That was taxing.  I have primary job duties I must accomplish every day, she likes to add special projects to that, expects all of it to get done.  If I just focused on the special projects I probably could but I have to accomplish the primary duties as well (one time I decided to just focus on the project and that was a real mess).  So she wasn't happy and I got lectured.  

Ugh.  

Today I will only see her for about an hour so not too bad.  Thursday I see her about 4 hours.  Friday also about 4 hours, Saturday is another long day with her (6 hours), Sunday and Monday she is off.  Then I'm off Tuesday and Wednesday.  

I also get paid Wednesday so I plan to do my grocery shopping.  

I am debating going to one of my local Asian groceries and maybe getting some squid and some black bean/garlic paste (it is a very popular Asian condiment) for a stir fry.  Some fresh local vegetables (this store uses a lot of local backyard growers so the produce is super fresh).  The only problem with that they have an understandable no bag/cart policy.  

I will think about it.  

Buddy has today and tomorrow off so I won't see him unless he comes by the store (it is a long way from where he told me he lives so extremely unlikely).  I did talk to the nicer boss - oddly enough she is the very approachable one but if they have an issue with you she is the hatchet woman during the meeting - anyway I told her I made spaghetti and she said she'd like some, so I'll bring it today.  I like cooking for people.  I have been eating my stir fry for lunch, I like that and it is filling but not heavy.  I really like it with the wedge of lemon, I take out the lemon, heat it up, squeeze the juice all over it as I'm eating it.  I plan to keep doing that.  

Of course I ask people if they have any food allergies before I give them my food because you never know but so far everyone's told me they don't.  

Buddy said he liked the spaghetti but I got the impression he was a little off put by the fact I used macaroni noodles and not spaghetti.  But macaroni is easier to cook and eat.  I stand by my macaroni noodle!  I also made some with rotini which is also good.  He did say he loved the meat, and the sauce.  

I told him next time I would put more ground beef; when I cook something I always like to figure out how I would improve it next time and I think that's where I ran afoul of Ron.  He was neurodivergent to say the least and he liked the exact same food every time he ate.  If he had spaghetti from a can he got that.  If he got my spaghetti I always do it a little different every time.  So he preferred it from a can.  I am learning that is the only way he could do it and working on not being offended anymore.  

I like to think I am a good cook.  At any rate we will see what the boss (not the mean one) says about it.  

I also have plenty of dry pasta, a jar of Creole cream sauce, and some Andouille sausage.  That looks like a good meal to me, I just need to cook it.  The sausage is already cooked just slice it up and cook in my skillet, boil the pasta and drain, add the sausage to the sauce and plate with the pasta.  I don't think I would need to add onions and garlic like I do with the tomato version.  

When I buy more groceries I am going to need another bag of chopped frozen onions though.  I think I have a good amount of fresh garlic right now although I would like to buy a garlic press at work.  

I am handing this all out in cheap little containers so I don't care if I get them back, they are readily available.  

Yesterday, talking to Buddy, 50 other passengers listening not all of them right in the head - some of them Walmart workers who could snitch - I just said I had a long day at work with that boss.  He nodded sagely.  

"I used to hate Tuesdays" I told him "Because that's my long day with her - the minute I clock in until the minute I go home".  I continued "But that was before you came back.  I like Tuesdays now because I get to see you."  

You should have seen him grin!  

I'm gong to try to go back to bed for a while.  

I can't decide if I like Tuesdays

 Up until a month ago I really hated Tuesdays.  But now it means a chance to see Buddy if it works out.  

The problem is I spend a long day with a "bully" (Ace's opinion) and a micromanager.  It can be challenging.  And it has been.

Good news it's not raining yet.  

If asked I will tell Buddy my schedule.  I might see him this weekend you never know.  And he was teasing me saying he was going to come by the store.  I would love that.  

So that was interesting

 I got to work OK even though traffic is somewhat heavier on the busy street outside of my subdivision.  

Work was fine and the stir fry held up well.  I did feel the snow peas were a little overcooked (my fault) so next time I will pick them out of the frozen veggies and adding them later.  

I heated up the stir fry for about a minute and a half and gave it a nice squirt from the lemon wedge which was perfection.  It was good, filling, not too heavy which is good as I had to zone after lunch.

I got out to the bus stop.  I had made Buddy some spaghetti.  I gave that to him when I boarded and he was thrilled.  

He told me he had to tell me what happened last week and he did.  He said the worst part of it was realizing he wouldn't see me.  I thought that was incredibly sweet.  

We had a great chat on the way home.  For once we had normal people on the bus so he told me a little about his Dad who sounds like a great guy and a hard worker.  

I told Buddy a little about Walmart's disaster relief program for associates.  His mother works at a Walmart but unclear if it is a Houston one.  

At any rate when I got home I applied for the $200 grocery replacement program.  Then I wrote up directions which I will photocopy, pass out at work, and also give a copy to Buddy in case his Mom does live in Houston.  Everyone here had some sort of loss and she probably lives paycheck to paycheck.  

I woke up at 2 AM yesterday and did some cleaning before I got started.  I finished my application this morning and will do the litter boxes before I take my shower.  I like to do it in that order.  

It's going to rain a lot this week so they need a nice box.

I saw Cleo last night when it began pouring.  She ran in the house yelling she is sick of this (censored) shit.  I felt bad for her.  And I was on the phone which she hates so she just crouched in the bed cussing me out with very loud and pissed off meows 

I never really thought much about cat's emotional health.  But they are all pretty profoundly affected by the storm and a week of generators.  

It really me makes me feel horrible having them live with Ron that must have been as bad for them as it was for me.  

3:30 AM the party is just starting.  

I have been cooking all day.

 I also cleaned and organized the kitchen.  

For some reason the boy cats want to go out in the garage so I have the door cracked.  

The nice thing about no comments I don't have to listen to the pest bitching about my dirty stove.  I'm not cleaning it up just to get it dirty again.  I will clean it before I go to bed tonight.  

Anyway, the food (I actually took photos).  

First I will do the recipe: 

Heather's Spaghetti with macaroni noodles: 

2 cans spaghetti sauce

1 pound macaroni noodles 

1 pound Italian sausage 

1 pound ground beef (73/27 is fine) I had to use half a pound but ideally would have used the whole pound

Jar Italian seasoning 

3 cloves garlic (peel and chop right before using) 

Bag frozen onions (I don't generally use a set recipe just what looks good)

Boil a large pot of water, add 1 t Italian Seasoning.  Cook the noodles, drain.  I did my noodles for about 9 minutes.  I put them in small reusable containers.  

Cook Italian Sausage on low in a skillet, drain, and slice into coins (if link style), drain and save.  Cook ground beef with one-two cloves chopped garlic, a couple handfuls of chopped frozen onions, and 1 t Italian seasoning.  Cook until well browned, drain.  Put both cans spaghetti sauce in a large pot, add the sausage and beef, also a few cloves chopped garlic, a handful or two of the frozen chopped onions, and another t Italian seasoning.  Simmer at least half an hour, refrigerate, scoop any fat that's risen, portion in cups with grated Parmesan/Romano cheese.  

Some photos of the process: 

Then onto Taco Casserole.  This is also one I change frequently.  I had a can of Chili Beans that I found in the pantry, going to expire in a few months, so I used that.  

Taco Casserole: 

1 pound ground beef (again the cheaper stuff or even ground turkey is fine)

Taco seasoning of your choice (I have a big jar I use, but the packet is fine as well)

Red pepper flakes if desired

Shredded Mexican cheese blend if you can get it (I used about a pound if that helps) or sharp cheddar.  

Salsa - can, jar, whatever you like.  If you like it

I used 1 can chili beans, drained, and one can seasoned refried beans - both store brand

The chopped frozen onions again (you should still have about half your bag)

I also got a bag of "Santa Fe Blend" frozen steamable veggies that had black beans, peppers, corn, onions.  I cooked that in the microwave and let cool to warmish.  

Cook ground beef with taco seasoning, a handful of chopped onions, and a sprinkle or two of red pepper if so inclined.  Drain.  Later beans, cheese, meat, veggies however looks good (I generally get about 4 portions the way I do it).  If you're not freezing it some salsa and a dab of sour cream on top would be perfection.  

If you are freezing leave the sour cream and the salsa off and put that on right before serving or taking to work.  I use lots of cheese.  

I suppose you could also add a little chopped cilantro if you like it (I don't).  I like to stir it up before eating it but it doesn't look pretty when you do it.  

Next up I'm making a stir fry.  

Sesame/Garlic/Ginger stir fry 

Meat of your choice (I am using cubed pork chops as they didn't have the boneless skinless chicken thighs I really wanted)

Fresh ginger, chopped 

Fresh Garlic, peeled and chopped (I don't worry about peeling the ginger)

Sesame oil - you can find that in pretty much any Houston grocery as we have a lot of Asians here.  

Veggies of your choice - I like to use "Stir fry blend" which has water chestnuts, broccoli, etc.  I also like to add sliced celery.  Tonight I'm adding some mixed vegetables as well.  There are some purity issues with leafy greens right now so I did not get them.  

I have a wok as well which makes things easier.  I got it at an Asian grocery although I'm sure you could get one off Amazon.  

What I do is prep the meat, seasonings, veggies; basically cut it up into the sizes I want.  I don't cut the greens though.  I keep the Sesame oil handy as well.  

I throw some coconut oil in the wok and get that hot, then add the garlic and ginger.  Add a splash of sesame oil and the meat, cook well, move it around a lot.  Take it out.  Add the heftier veggies like the celery and the frozen blend - basically the bigger, denser, veggies.  Then I will add the mixed veggies and keep it moving, add a little more ginger/garlic/sesame as I progress.  Lastly I would add the leafy greens, just stir them around a minute and pull it all out, mix with the meat, sprinkle with some sesame and a squirt of lemon.  

That's it for now.  More photos when I plate it.  

I have been thinking about "How do I like to eat vegetables?"  I grew up eating them out of a can so that's always an option.  I like frozen mixed veggies heated up in the microwave.  And I love them in a stir fry I will eat pretty much any vegetable in a stir fry.  

When I finished them I put a lemon wedge in each dish of stir fry.  

That's it for now.  

Cleo didn't handle the storm well

 It was her first big event.  

Biscuit got through Harvey and various flood events, many severe thunderstorms.  Cleo has been fine with thunderstorms but she seemed to have a lot of trouble with the generator noise. She has been hiding outside.  

This morning I heard a cat fight and she was out back beating up Buddy, the neighbor's (I don't know whose he is but he is way too friendly and well fed to be a stray) black cat.  I went outside and called her and she ran off.  

So she doesn't want to be in the house but she doesn't want anyone else in the house.  That is OK.  She can be an outside cat if it feels better to her.  

I accept her where she is that is the only way I got her in the house at all.  I feel bad for her though.  Her world is a scary place everything is "bad".  A towel, a shirt, the broom, etc.  

But she has access to shelter, food, and water.  She may be spending more time in the other lady's (behind me) yard too.  I know that lady likes her and feeds her too one reason Cleo is so huge.  

Cleo will let me pet her if I'm lying down in bed but doesn't like to be handled, so I can't medicate her.  She could probably use anxiety medication though.  

I am going to do my God time, turn on the TV, do some cooking, do the dishes, take a nap.  Then clean and I should be good until next Tuesday.  

Not again!

 Monday night edit: the mailman says the bad guys have the Master key for the mailbox and are coming along and opening it every night.  

They can still deliver to the box I just need to check it ASAP.  He also said it was a good idea to ask for direct deposit for the FEMA check.  

Saturday

 Well I paid most of my bills yesterday, gas, water, electric.  Set up auto pay on the water.  

Of course my card expires pretty soon so I will have to call them back and give them a new #.  

I also had some good Spot time.  I picked him up and sat down with him in my lap for a while, he's the only cat I can do that with.  He was purring and making biscuits.  

Coming up Monday I work 8 days in a row so I want to make sure he is well loved going into that.  

Shower time. I used the Suave Silk shampoo (I like what it did) and Rose conditioner (the conditioner may be triggering a headache).  

I went to the grocery store.  My first bus was very late, it was the very friendly white guy about my age.  It was really cute he talked about his wife all the way to the grocery store.  I love happily married couples and one reason I am not worried Buddy is single.  He is always using singular pronouns "My apartment" "I went to my brother's house during the hurricane" etc.  

But I like this guy he was fun.  Sometimes the driver is very moody and doesn't want to talk - maybe thinking about their life.  Maybe I need to start telling them they make twice what I do!  

My aunt had sent me a new hand cart praise God I was so happy putting it together this morning.  I was able to get a bag of candy, the gallon of milk for my protein shakes, etc.   I ran into Jose from work.  

Side note I am very glad I was wearing a modest outfit!  He had his wife with him and introduced us but she doesn't speak English.  We didn't really bring it up but I found it telling he didn't get his groceries at work any more than I did.  

The company makes a lot of money (Walmart) maybe they need to bring back the grocery discount for the associates.  

At any rate I got a lot of meat, a lot of frozen vegetables (for me at least), I got fixings for spaghetti, taco casserole, and stir fry.  I almost forgot the stir fry vegetables.  I also got some soy sauce (I threw mine out as it was opened, in a warm fridge, for a week!  Yuck!) and some fresh sesame oil.  I also have ginger, garlic, and lemon for the stir fry, and I got some red pepper flakes for my friend from work.  

Buddy is Latino but doesn't advertise it and I need to see if he likes spicy food.  Some Latino cultures (Central Americans in particular) abhor heat in their food, others like the Mexicans the more the better.  My mentor, I guess, in my department loves spicy food the hotter the better.  I'm going to make her a veggie stir fry with some red pepper in it.  

For my stir fry I couldn't find what I wanted, a small package of boneless skinless chicken thighs.  So I decided to get a package of thin cut boneless pork chops (trimmed) for about $4.  I will cut about half of them into strips and stir fry them with the veggies (I got a ton of veggies for it and have found I will eat lots of veggies in a stir fry).  I will cook the rest up and eat them.  I'm always up for a good pork chop.  

That was one meal I ate growing up that I enjoyed.  I didn't enjoy a lot of food I was served but I did like those, and she did a chicken parmesan thing that was pretty good too.  And the tuna casserole I loved that stuff. 

I got a bag of "Santa Fe Blend" for the Taco Casserole.  In the past I have not put anything other than a little salsa, meat, beans, and cheese but I want to incorporate more veggies.  That's the kind of conversation I can have with Buddy when he's working, "I need to figure out a way to eat more vegetables".  He agreed he needs to do that as well.  Anyway the Santa Fe Blend has red pepper, black beans, corn, and onions.  That should go well.  

The Spaghetti I am just doing the tomato sauce, meat, cheese, and pasta. That's all it needs.  I will be putting a little extra Italian Seasoning in the sauce though that is one trick I use.  

I found a nice pack of Italian Sausage I did not think I would find.  But it looks good and it will work.  I am glad I have my meat thermometer though.  

I was pretty happy with what I got although thinking now I should have got a 2 pound block of cheese instead of just the bag of shreds.  Oh, well.  I can pick that up on my way home from work.  

Remember a few weeks ago I had that driver who almost cried when I gave him his snack?  I got him again going home.  He was so happy to see me and get his treat (banana, bag of peanuts, bag of chips, bottle of water, candy bar).  I explained I had also bought him a cold orange soda but it fell off the belt when they were ringing it up and "it got pretty shook up it's going to blow" when he opened it.  He said he'd like it anyway so I gave that too.  That route is really tough and they often don't have time to go find a meal when they finish.  I am at the store anyway and it's only a couple bucks.  It is a routine that makes me very happy.  

He said "See you next week" when I got off and I had to tell him I'm working next week.  I might see him the Wednesday I go shopping (not this one but the one after that).  

I need to do some cleaning, cooking, and laundry.  I have a moderate headache even with the Excedrin so I'm just going to do laundry tonight.  

I posted about my assault on Facebook.  I tagged Metro bus company I am interested to see if they respond and if so, how.  

That's it for now.  

Biscuit was so cute last night

 I woke up several times, as I normally do.  Once or twice I got up for a cold drink or a toilet break, but at least 3 times I woke up, lying on my back, with Biscuit curled up on me.  

Each time I curled my arm around him and went back to sleep.  He's such a sweet boy 

I saw Spotty when I got up but I don't feel like he got enough attention this morning.  

I start work in about a half hour.  I am really tired.  

Friday morning

 If I think something is a migraine trigger I will eat it twice.  

So the mac and cheese in a box with the packet of cheese sauce is a migraine trigger.  Bad news I have to work like this.  Good news I won't eat it again.  

I got the gas and electric bills paid they were due today.  

I woke up in the middle of the night with Biscuit on me he was very cute.  I put my arm around him and went back to sleep.  Spotty also got in bed with me.  

I haven't seen Cleo.  

I did some shopping after work but not much, I mainly got some spices and a bag of cat food, which they put on sale (rollback).  Biscuit has to eat Iams Urinary that is what keeps him healthy.  Happily we sell it so it is easy to obtain, and at a discount.  

Also happily the other 2 cats like to eat it although I haven't seen Cleo for a bit.  I let her go at her own pace.  I think the storm and the aftermath spooked her.  

My aunt was going to send me a new cart anyway and we were both thrilled it was a Prime Day special at that, so it came yesterday.  That means I have a good cart for my shopping Saturday.  

From what I saw at work the last few days everyone in Houston is filling up their fridge again.  

I don't know if I mentioned it but I am going to cook Buddy some spaghetti this weekend and bring it to him.  We will see if he likes it.  He has been asking me a lot of questions about what I like to cook.  

I do miss taking care of someone.  Not doing everything just fixing a meal now and then, that sort of thing.  The coworkers are not really interested in me bringing them food.  

My head is killing me, I'm going to drink a very cold drink and lay down again for a while.  

I had an accident and got caught in the rain

 Yet again, I ran into a pole.  I have done this several times.  I've had my vision checked it is fine I just don't process "something" and run into it.  

I already had a headache, hit my head and arm.  Worst of all this happened in front of about 3 bus drivers and a dozen or so passengers all of which exclaimed loudly and fussed over me.  I was just glad I wasn't bleeding, and jumped on my other bus.  

I had a good talk with a seasoned veteran lady driver I enjoyed her.  She told me to bring the spaghetti Monday.  Unlike my stalker it seems like everyone in real life is rooting for me to find love again.  She told me there is a trick he can do to warm it up on the bus.  Good to know.  

The rain started about halfway to work.  I put on my poncho before I got off and I still got pretty soaked.  The rain's gone though most times it moves through in a few hours.  

I have a nasty bruise on my arm but praise God not my face.  I am going to get some Arnica salve after work.  

That's it for now!  

Some hurricane media I've been meaning to post

 

My back yard.  

3 good things happened at work

 1 I can talk about and that's my vacation to see Dad approved in September.  

Very happy about that.  

https://abc13.com/post/texas-utility-workers-union-urges-stop-violent-acts/15062031/

An interesting article on what the linemen in Houston are dealing with.  

I'm going to do some more thinking about relationships

 And what a healthy one would look like.  That should keep me pretty busy today.  

Respectful 

Kind

Supportive of my faith if not actively sharing it.  

Likes the cats.  

Helpful with housework not just sitting on his ass shouting at me over it.  

Likes my cooking.  Ron was peculiar he always said he liked what I cooked but he never wanted to eat it.  And when I was doing the nightly dinner specials at the deli at one point I sold 80 plates a night and had people coming by hours in advance to reserve a plate.  So I think I'm a pretty good cook!  I really miss cooking for people though.  

Understand/accept my limitations.  I could amplify that a bit but that pretty much says it there.  

That should keep me busy.  I am also working on a grocery list some things I'll buy here.  

They must have sprayed for mosquitos last night

 Nothing bit me this morning unlike Monday and Tuesday.  

Tired.  I am hoping my boss sticks to the usual schedule which would mean I only see her for an hour or so.  

That's it for now.  

That was incredibly upsetting

 There is apparently some athlete named Ron Franklin, Junior.  

One of my coworkers wore a graphic T shirt with his first name in 6 inch letters on her chest, an image, and then his last name in smaller text underneath.  So every time I turned around on my lunch I was looking at: 

Ron

It was triggering to say the least.  I didn't realize how upsetting but it was an awful lunch.  She kept moving around, too, so I couldn't avoid her and stay seated.  Ugh.  

I worked my butt off today and did everything she wanted, so I'm satisfied on that.  

I had some time to think while I was working and I realized Ron always told me and made me feel, he would say, directly 'I had to settle when I married you" things like that.  That really does a number on my soul.  He would compare me, while in bed with me, to other women had had cheated with.  Things like that.  

And I realized that's profoundly disrespectful to say the least.  And I'm not going to accept that.  I will have deep emotional relationships with neutered house cats before I allow a man to treat me like that again.  I deserve better, I'm a child of God, created in His image.  

And I did some thought on giving respect, how I can do that more, to appreciate people like the electrical workers, janitorial staff, etc.  I think I do a good job on that.   But can I do more?  I feel like I should be authentic and sincere, but to always, always, share and show appreciation and affection for everyone I can.  

So I finished my shift and clocked out.  I was a little hungry so I got a bag of chips for me and one for Buddy - the Queso kind, the 50 cents a bag variety.  I put a bag of candy in there with his chips and went out to the bus stop.  

I never saw him - and when the next bus came all the "Buddy" regulars who ride his bus had been out there waiting on the next bus, too.  So I think something happened.  Mechanical failure, someone went off, who knows.  It's the Crazy Train.  That's why I gave him my phone number!  

Likely the AC died they will take a bus out of service for that.  In the meantime my other driver was eating the Queso chips all the way down the road, down to the crumbs.  He was obviously starving.  I had some generic brand chili cheese Fritos in my bag so I gave him those, too, and he ate those as well.  Hopefully he will remember my kindness as he looks at the tract I gave him.  

I knew I would miss the first homebound bus, the one that left at 5:15.  I had hoped I would catch the 5:40.  I missed that one, too.  So I ended up catching the 6:05.  But it was still light when I got off so I didn't mind.  

I came home, the house was pleasant, Biscuit was waiting, Spotty came out of the laundry room to say Hi.  I spoke to my parents.  

"The bus smells like crap" people kept saying as they got on the Crazy Train today.  One guy actually sat next to someone, rang the bell, barely made it off the bus before he began vomiting.  It was just that kind of day.  

So I didn't have much appetite.  I did have soup for dinner hopefully that will work.  

That's it for now!  

This was really fun

 You may have heard electrical linemen in Houston have been facing violence and threats.  I find that very upsetting as they are only here to help!  

I saw one sitting in his truck at my store.  I thought for a moment how I could approach without freaking him out.  I smiled and took out a bag of candy which I held in the air.  He watched me carefully as I approached.

I started off by thanking him sincerely as I smiled.  I gave him the bag of candy and he said I "didn't need to do that".  I said I did as he got my power on and thanked him again.  

He said it was no big deal.  I said it sure was for my cat, Spotty, who had been yelling at me all week!  We laughed over that, I thanked him again, and left.  

My boss sent me to lunch in a timely manner I am impressed.  

That's it for now.  

Boss is here and had me clock in over an hour early

 I finally took a break.  I wasn't hungry but getting kind of dizzy.  

So far it has been OK.  

My boss worked on her customary day off

 So I have no idea what to expect today.  

I am wearing purple and used my whitening toothpaste because Monday and Tuesday are my favorite days of the week, now.  

I did a test last year with Buddy.  He, like Beau, was always happy to see the candy.  So I didn't bring it for about a week and his only, offhand, comment was "(He) still had plenty at home".  

He also made a point of saying "I" went to his brother's house during the storm when "my" apartment lost power.  

So he's single.  

I am just enjoying spending time with him and leaving it at that.  

Time to go!  

Power is back

 I saw Buddy again today.  He was very apologetic he wasn't going to get me to the early bus and I told him that didn't matter.  We had a nice talk (inconsequentials as that route is riddled with nutcases), I caught my connecting bus and got to the neighborhood.  

I heard generators so I thought "Oh crap".  I saw a neighbor who said he didn't have power.  

I saw two power company trucks going by, I waved at them, blew kisses, and grinned, one guy elbowed another and they all (3 of them in the truck) waved back, laughing.  I did that with the second truck.  

Remember I believed at that point I didn't have power.  

Imagine my DELIGHT when I walked in and heard a fan going, I had left it plugged in so I'd know when the power came back.  I wanted to chase down those workers and give them a big hug.  

I AM very glad I acted the way I did.  I have realized I have to be myself.  That may offend some, like my stalker.  That is fine, she is entitled to her opinion.  But I have to live honestly.  

If that means giving Buddy my phone number I'm going to do it.  If that means blowing kisses at probably the most hated group in Houston right now (line men) I'm going to do it.  I have to be honest.  I can't live my life leaving things undone.  

Life is too short for that and the only thing I'm taking out of here are my actions.  

On that note, I'm going to bed.  

I keep finding spiders in the house

 Including a wolf spider in the kitchen.  The cleaning spray had killed it, good to know.  

I saw Cleo last night.  She likes to creep into bed with me like a little child, meow for pets, and lick my hands.  I can always tell it's her from the licking.

Spotty is in the laundry room today so I've left the door open.

Biscuit is obviously overheated but hanging in there.  I have 3 huge water bowls out for them.

The generators are roaring incessantly except when they run out of gas.  

I did a load of underwear, my favorite bra, and a couple performance t shirts in a bucket.  That works.  I have it hanging up all over. 

I am tired!  I was horrified to check my schedule and see they have me EIGHT DAYS IN A ROW at the end of the month.  I guess I will see if Buddy works the same route on the weekend.

I'm not sorry I gave him my number but have decided to focus more on agape love - God's love for everyone - right now.  For instance last week at work I gave a beleaguered woman a hug.  That is important.

I left a snack in the mailbox with a tank you note and they TOOK IT.  That is important.  

I need to decide if I want to talk about the lineman or not.  But I will say I told him we love him for coming and thanked him.  

Oh it is oppressive!  

Still no power

 Running out of batteries I hope they have some double A's at work tomorrow.  

Everyone around me has a generator.  Not one of them has offered to let me charge my phone.  I don't want help from #6 he always has a string on it.  But there are others.  

It makes me very depressed and if I'm being honest, resentful.  I go out of my way to be kind and appreciative of people.  

Do I want a generator?  No.  I want my power back.  

I am starting to wonder if hackers got into the Houston grid during the storm. 

I need to turn off my phone.  

Yesterday was awful

 I had a terrible migraine and actually contemplated vomiting before I went to work.  I took a Phenergan instead which had me sleepy and goofy, which resulted in a little talk from my boss.

I am not sleeping well.  I can grab an hour or two here and there.  I don't think it's the heat so much ,- I keep the house pretty warm as a rule.  I think it is just the stress of wondering when the power is coming back.  

I factored a lot of things in my hurricane planning but did not think about entertainment.  For one, I never thought a category one storm would take out my power for a week.  During a hard category 2 - almost a 3 - I only lost power for 4 days.

Spotty really likes his AC and is showing some signs of stress like sleeping in his litter box.  Biscuit is very mellow.  Cleo is out exploring her new world.

I went to the grocery store today.  The cart is a joke.  But I got some candy to hand out.  I just realized I forgot bags but I think I am OK.  I got things that won't spoil.  

That's it for now.  

The app at work isn't working

 Which is a big pain in the butt.  

Work has been insane, customers stealing cell phone chargers and using them to charge their phones on our power, a little boy about 5 watching 3 phones charging while his Mom was at work somewhere else.  I kept asking him if there was a responsible adult in the store somewhere and he wouldn't answer me.  My phone didn't work to call my boss.  This is just a little boy.  I kept thinking about Adam Walsh.  

Eventually an older man showed up.  I told him he couldn't leave a little boy alone in the store.  He just laughed at me.  I guess they don't have child molesters in his country.  

It was just that kind of day.  Personnel got smart and ordered us pizza.  That was nice.  

We got the new girl, the one I didn't want.  She's going to be a problem I can tell and the boss who hired her is already telling her to "pick up the pace".  

Ace came to get me.  He is doing OK.  He is getting me tonight.  

The ATM was out of cash.  Glad I got my money when I did.

Word got out about the guy who cut my hair, one of my friends said his friend caught the guy messing with his little girl's hair, hauled him off the bus, and gave him a beating.  That'll work.  

So I told Dad who was horrified, but happy the guy was punished.  And I don't have to go downtown and testify!

That's it for now.  I think it's going to be days yet before we get power.  The mayor is livid.  

I think we have a cell phone jammer in the store

 My phone wouldn't work at all.  Everywhere I turned some customer had found an outlet and plugged in their cell phone.

I could clock in and out, use the work app.  

I did not talk about my power station at home.  

Work was pretty crazy of course.  At one point my boss asked me to help a blind man shop.  I was able to tell him about some stuff we sold like propel powder.  He said he likes Crystal Light so he should love that, and it's a lot easier to get home.

He is taking care of his Mom's cat so I got him some Meow Mix and some Temptations.  I should have asked if he needed litter.  He said he was hungry so I also got him a candy bar.  

He had me ring it all up and pay with his card.  Maybe not ethical but when the screen came up to rate the transaction I gave myself 5 stars! 

The crazy train was interesting.  Most of the lights were out so we were lurching down the road.  I got pretty carsick and almost had to get off and vomit.  The last bus was pretty uneventful.  

I could tell the power was still out.  I could hear the generators.  It is hot.  I am not hungry.  Tomorrow is my long day.  

I did get some cash today if I need it.  That's it for now.  

made it

 I had a hard time getting in to blogger.  I'm fine, so's the house and cats 

Unlike other storms it wasn't thunderstorms it was just steady rain to start, then heavier rain and wind.  The wind was pretty bad between about 7 and 2.  

I have 2 ash trees in my yard but most of the neighborhood is oak trees.  The oaks didn't do well, I have a huge broken off oak branch in both the front and backyard and the sidewalk to the bus stop appears impassible.  I lost 1 small ash branch and had a mulberry tree snap in half in the back, not near the house.  When I can I have photos and videos.  

I left the cat door open.  It flapped a lot but was fine.  My cats stayed inside.  My feral cat shelter is intact.  

No power of course but I am pretty well set for that.  I called out yesterday and today but will need to work tomorrow.  

It was my first hurricane alone.  

Beryl is here

 It started with a moderate rain now we are getting some significant gusts.  

The cats are all in.  Power keeps going out.  

Natural disaster

 I've been thought some natural disasters.  

I was lying in bed reading a romance novel at 5:04 PM one fine Tuesday when a 7.1 earthquake hit about 40 miles from my home.  All the furniture was jumping around and the bookcase almost took me out.  I lost a potted plant.  I was on the second floor which was swaying quite dramatically.  

That was only 15 seconds but it was notable to all who experienced it because one minute you're just living your life and the next you're fighting for it.  People died, it was pretty bad but not as bad as the 1906 quake.  

Then Tropical Storm Allison.  June, 2001.  Ron and I were at the Post Office Processing center getting ready to accept the business.  The rain was astronomical.  We left around 10 - attempted to, and couldn't due to the flooding.  Ron's Dad was going to give us a ride and said everything around their home was flooded and he couldn't get out.  Ron called Yellow Cab and Metro bus and they laughed at him.  

It was supposed to be a secure government building but we were able to spend the night there without badges.  

The next afternoon I told Ron we had to walk out, I couldn't spend another night there begging Postal Workers to please let me out of the cafeteria so I could use the bathroom.  

We left and walked out about 9 miles, down the elevated part of 59, which was shut down.  All the offramps and onramps were flooded.  I had cash in my purse so we were able to get snacks about halfway.  When we got to Crosstimbers and Jensen we called Ron's Dad who said he knew where that was and he could get us.  

His parents were sheltering Ron's cousin, his wife, their two daughters.  They had come to visit but got stuck in Houston because I-10 flooded going east.  So they got the extra bedrooms and Ron and I slept on the floor in the living room.  

I was just happy I didn't have any problems using the bathroom!  

The next day we heard the buses were running again so we had Ron's Dad drop us at the transit center and took the bus home.  

Notable: Metro bus kept running and many buses flooded out, passengers were stranded.  One lady I believe gave birth on a bus.  

Next big one was Hurricane Ike.  I was effectively on my own.  My parents were out of the country.  Ron was sick, and, from what I remember, spent most of the week drunk in bed.  So I just sat up that night listening to things crash and the wind blow.  

The next day I looked outside and all my neighbors roofs were in tatters.  I had a yard full of shingles but my roof was fine.  Praise God!  

Hurricane Harvey.  2017.  They told us in advance it would be bad, the storm would get trapped between two high pressure systems, sit on the city, and dump astounding amounts of water, which it did.  The floodwaters rose in the street up to my porch even, but did not enter the house.  

Picture an angel standing in my doorway much like Gandalf in Lord of the Rings "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"  Thank you, Jesus.  

Ron didn't believe it until I told him the water was on the porch.  Notable: a colony of fire ants invaded the bathroom and bit us every time we used the toilet.  Someone suggested I mix borax (which I had) and sugar.  It helped.  

But, again, I was pretty much on my own for that one, too.  Ron drunk in bed aain.  

Now it's just me and the cats with a hurricane on the way.  

I keep telling myself it's no different than all the other times with Ron passed out but a time like this it's nice to have a loved one.