A tad nippy

Song of the day: “I hope you dance” by Leann Womack. Whenever I hear it, I keep thinking that it’s Dolly Parton, but there you have it. Gorgeous song, and it has been in my head more often, if memory serves me right.

First of all, it has been effing cold. I know, compared to the northern parts of Europe our measly 30 degrees (they’re having zero, thank you very much) is nothing, but still, I have become a worshipper of warmth, and these freezing temps are not my thing. Makes me want to crawl into bed an hibernate until the summer returns. *sigh*

No matter, though, life as we know it continues, and stuff needs to be done. I had fully planned to dig under the storage under my bed yesterday, getting out my winter sweaters, but for some reason didn’t get around to it. First off I headed down into the yard for some harvesting. I had hoped that the cold wouldn’t be as prominent there (it often is, due to it being behind the ridge of the mountain) but was disappointed after I checked up on the greenhouse (I took as long as possible in there, hah). The wind was coming from the west, so it blasted me full force while he checked everything and then quickly headed up.

There were chickpea patties for breakfast, both today and yesterday. There was no bread, so we had to make due. Didn’t work bad either with a slice of cheese on it, and a pancake to take care of the morning sugar craving. Yay. Since the below freezing temperatures weren’t doing anything for our productivity, big brother and I decided to get our computers and get to work on the edit, rather than try to brave the cold. We lit up the stove (the dogs loved that. It took them five seconds flat to come inside and cluster around the heat) turned on the machines and got to work.

About three hours later we resurfaced, both of us mentally drained and ready for a break. Since we had to go out later in the afternoon we opted for a nap. Poor Chaos was freezing, so I took him under the blanket with me. He was still shivering then, but with the arrival of a sudden weight slinking its way between us, started to growl ferociously. A glance down showed Knight II, crawling on the bed with us, wedging himself higher and higher until I caved and threw the blanket over him as well. Thankfully that made him settle down real fast, about midway between Chaos and me. I dozed for a few minutes and then…another thump, followed by desperate scratching at my shoulder I growled and looked up in time to see Dax dive under the blankets and settle into the crook of my knees. Nice and toasty. I didn’t mind overly much. Another five minute doze later, thump, and Sitabah just barely missing my nose as she vaulted over Knight II, Chaos, and my head to settle on the pillow and curling herself around my skull like a hat. She was shivering like mad, and ended up sticking her head under the blanket by my shoulder and promptly falling asleep. I didn’t have the heart to smack her out of the way, so I ended up lying there sandwiched between the dogs, enjoying the warmth, rather than actually sleeping. Isn’t it weird that of my dogs the Labs are the only ones who are not bothered by the cold?

But anyway, my so-called nap done, it was out and about again, braving the cold to head on down into the yard to water the plants. This infernal western wind is simply devastating. Already we have lost several plants to the chilling cold.

Afterwards it was to town for us, picking up an order and a small donation to boot, allowing us to come back home around 10 in the evening at which time I went through my messages, chatted some online and then worked on the edit once more.

Didn’t get to bed until two in the morning, but that was okay seeing as I overslept anyway. Hah. Yep. My alarm went off at nine and yet I somehow managed to not become disturbed by the beeping sound until nine forty. Boy was it could. I folded right then and there, yanked up my mattress and dug through the many bags underneath until I found all my winter sweaters. Yay. Am wearing one of them, thank you very much. A wool fisherman’s sweater from Norway, or some such country which is so long it covers my butt and wide enough to allow for multiple layers underneath. Double Yay. Seriously, my upper body hasn’t been cold all day. As for the lower part. I am wearing sweats under jeans, and could do with another layer but fear that I would look like a Michelin man if I did. Hah.

After breakfast and laundry, it was down into the yard again. The greenhouse was blissfully warm, and I spent at least half an hour in there to search for bugs. I would have stuck around longer, but again the plants down in the yard had to be watered, requiring time an effort. No matter this time. Though the wind was still the same as yesterday, the sun was also fully out warming us at least a little.

What else. Well, there were repairs to make. Alta (perro the agua) recently wrecked the rubber wind block strip (rubber) so I put a new one on. The tarp closure that we made to keep the wind out of the carport had a rip in it ad a slat broke due to the massive winds. Both had to be fixed and even replaced.

There was a trip to the storage to get supplies, and there was my cabin floor which absolutely had to be swept today. Seriously, I don’t mind a little dirt on the floor. On the most part I arrive in my cabin late at night, about half an hour before bedtime. I turn on the light, change into my pjs, crawl under the blankets, turn off the lights and pass out. It’s as simple as that. But it was getting bad. I startled the other day because a pluck of dog hair made think there was a rat lying in the middle of my room. Now it’s clean as a whistle…sorta anyway. Hah.

Well, that’s about it, I guess. According to the weather reports temperatures should go back up again the day after tomorrow. I for one can hardly wait. I am really spoiled when it comes to temperatures, or so I have found.

Right. I should get to work. Let’s hope I have more interesting news to report two days from now, eh?

No go.

Song of the day: “Our life is gonna change” by Simona Barbeiri again. Guess the ol’ brain’s depleted again. Hah.

I’m about twenty minutes late this morning…not that it matters, considering I don’t need to be anywhere specific. After hurrying through the morning rituals, letting my dogs out and such, I head down to the house for a quick dip in the pool, the laundry and half a gallon of coffee before I sit down and try to write for a bit.

Writing doesn’t go so well today, I fear. Only one page to add to yesterday’s two, and the edit, which lasts for only a few hours, brings us three more pages up. Only fifteen more to go before we’re at one third of the story. Yay.

Seeing as computer work really isn’t going today, we decide to go separate way. Big brother and grandpa head to the back of the house to deal with the sewer pipes, while I head into the courtyard. The laundry lines have been annoying the heck out of me for years now, so taking this opportunity, I take down the old and spend the remainder of the evening fastening the new lines…straight ones, that down sag this time. Hah. It takes longer than I had anticipated, but after dusk, with the wooden beams up, the lines fastened, I am able to hang laundry in prefect lines.

I know, I’m nuts, but I get a kick out of that sort of thing. There’s nothing like improving on daily tasks.

The summer is in full swing again, today. Blistering heat pours down on top of the courtyard roof, but it doesn’t matter, moving slowly it is quite bearable…added to that, there’s the pool to dive into when it gets too bad.

Lots of ticks again. I fear that we’re going to have to do another washing session of the dogs soon, ‘cause things are getting ridiculous. I’m actually removing clusters from between their toes, under their legs, ears and pretty much everywhere else.

By the way, while I was attaching the wires…well, we were, since grandpa and big brother finished with their chore and came to help me with the last bit…an email came in. The publisher we had sent the first three chapters of “Saving Nina” to (per request), said NO.

As far as rejection letters go, it wasn’t a bad one. They liked the characters, called them “good”, but since they could only publish a limited number of books they had to go with some other books that suited their company just a tad better with a stronger storyline. Since they only had the first three chapters, I’m not surprised: Can’t get much of an idea of the general storyline that way, but that’s what they asked for.

It’s my fault; since I aim for an old fashioned style: slow build up towards a culminating climax…or multiple ones, as is the case with this one. Hah.
Saving Nina is literally a story that is all about the characters, and their intricacies, and since the publisher only had the build up, the introduction scenes with the first chapters, this didn’t get through, apparently.

Now, emotions would have me totally depressed, but I’ve decided to say: “Screw ‘m” (the emotions, I mean) and just take it as a good sign. They liked the characters and that’s a plus any day, in my book.
Besides, this was the publisher who only wanted the sample chapters. The one who has the complete manuscript - well, that one still hasn’t gotten back to us, and we’re about to finish up with week four. Keep your fingers crossed.

Well, after that bit of…ehm, depressing news (hah) I stoutly continue with the work, until at long last it is finished and I am so friggin’ tired I can hardly stand, let alone think.
With a dinner of mac ‘n cheese, with a salad on the side, the evening comes to an end, and I can head up to my cabin for the evening. Yep. My back hurts, my limbs are tired and I really need to pass out for a bit.

First another edit, though.

Hmmm. Slow day.

Song of the day: “Suddenly Monday” by Mel C...so strange, considering it’s Friday, but what the hey.

It was a rather chilly night, which is surprising, considering we’re in the middle of the friggin’ summer. Last night (and right now) I had to wear a blouse with long sleeves for crying out loud. But then, according to the news, there were some pretty bad rainstorms in Valencia. The chill in the air right now might be a result of that.

So it was relatively cool this morning when I got up and took the dogs to the house. There are some chores, letting out the main pack, etc. etc. before breakfast, and then it’s time for work.
Our insurance is official as of today, so everyone got an extra card to carry ‘round. A total nuisance, insurance, but necessary I suppose.

The edit went rather slow in this morning’s session. Not bad, just slow and rather exhausting for both of us. My head actually felt completely numb by the time six hours had passed, so we put the computers away and looked around for something constructive to do. First I need a reviving dip in the pool, though. Hah. Trin Trin decided to join me.

Here’s a pic of Trin Trin the Monster Boxer:




We’ve been thinking about organizing our working area for quite a bit now, so since we want to be busy, we decide to empty the lower section of the living-room closet and use it for the office supplies that have been lying about all over the place for years. Photo albums get carted off to the section under my old desk and neat organized stockpiles are placed together on the recently cleaned shelves. It actually takes several hours, but afterwards we feel reasonably content with the progress.

In the meantime, little brother and sister are making dinner: an Indian dish of mixed vegetable with rice on the side with the added treat of pakora bajis and samosas; though not bad (the last three were bought yesterday) the spiciness takes something from the taste. In fact, by the time I’ve eaten my share, I can’t taste anything anymore. Hah.

Big brother has headed up to grandpa’s place, where they spend about an hour fashioning a basked on the back of the moped. Grandpa as been getting frustrated about the lack of carrying space on the vehicle and when they’re done they are both pleased with the end result.

Afterwards we fix the fence beside my porch…the dogs have been going over it frequently, and that just won’t do. There are certain rules they have to hold to, and though they’re not much, staying away from grandpa’s and our tenant’s dogs is one that needs to be enforced at all costs.

Though we would have liked to go on a jog today, we also want to do another edit later tonight, and watch “The curious case of Benjamin Button” which was one of the DVDs we rented yesterday. The jog gets cancelled, which, in hindsight was a good thing, considering I rather enjoyed the movie.

Now this is the fourth time Pitt managed to make me cry, and still had me like the movie, darn it. I don’t know how he manages it, but there you have it. I enjoyed the movie, in particular the acting and the rather extraordinary idea behind the story…even though it was obvious from the start that nothing good was going to come to poor Benjamin (Pitt) in the end. Admittedly, I would have liked to see some other actress instead of Kate Blanchett…she isn’t bad, by any means; it’s just that she didn’t really make her character likable, if that makes any sense?

But, be that as it may, the special effects guys did a marvelous job of both old Pitt and the young one. There were some nifty tricks played for sure…even though I have to admit that the younger version was done better.

Once the movie is finished, big brother and I head up to my porch…it’s cold enough for us to both dress up in long sleeved shirts…while we emerge ourselves into another two hour edit. Almost three pages are done when yawning sets in. Time to get ready for bed…just as soon as I write and finish today’s Blog - oh wait, I just did. Hah