Waste

 Remember when I told you that we had cut it close with the flooring?

Actual, factual left over flooring. We had originally calculated the square footage for the kitchen/livingroom/computer cubby. But Tim looked at that and felt quite sure that we had enough to do the hall. We had flooring in the basement for the hall, but for aesthetics, he decided to continue the livingroom flooring. (He was right, btw) We calculated carefully and it seemed like we should have enough. 

So we did it. Board by board by board, we got closer to the end of the job, and for every board we put down, we were nervously eyeballing the boards left in the livingroom. We did it. 

Fun little project for like minded souls, this from Stacey Roberts, author of "No One Left But All of Us." 

 "Looks like all federal employees were ordered to list 5 things that they did last week."

The e-mails go to hr@opm.gov

"Sending a list of the 5 things we all did last week would be totally wrong." 

Totally. Wrong. Which is why I have my list already started. I think the floors are a good thing, and I think that Elon will be amazed that the job was done with so little waste. I made two very good pots of soup this week, if I do say so myself. And I do need to say so, because I need five things for my list. Thanks to him, my cussing skills are finely honed, and getting better every &%#@# day. (That's a good one, isn't it?) I've been e-mailing government officials encouraging them to stand up to this. I am not sure how well spent that time is, since I got a reply from John Fetterman that basically is a list of government resources. Good to know that he's been behind a change that will result in a raise for thousands of Pennsylvanians. 2,100 to be exact. Out of how many millions of employees in Pennsylvania? (Perhaps the government is asking the wrong employees to account for their time? Just a thought). 

Any suggestions on the fifth thing for my list?

But, anyways, I thought that would be a cheering little activity for us all. 

If you want to do something else, e-mail your senator and your representatives, and push for town hall meetings. Their addresses are on line. Use them. 

Don't forget the boycott on February 28th.  

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/economic-blackout-feb-24-hour-february-28-2025-peoples-union/

I don't expect miracles from this, but I do expect it to be a starting point. 

If you are interested, you can sign up for daily e-mails from Heather Cox Richardson. She's a go to for me. She is able to fit what is happening into a historical framework that has been very helpful. 

Yesterday, a crock pot full of potatoes, ham, onions, celery and garlic simmered quietly away as we worked on the new house. My sister and brother-in-law came over when they got their 'to-do' list done at their house. They admired the floor, and then we went across the road. I made a cheddar cheese sauce which got stirred into the hot potatoes/ham mix, with a bit of dill weed for seasoning. She had a fresh loaf of bread. Supper fit for kings. 

We played scrabble. 

We came home. Tim watched 'The Tourist' on Netflix. I read a book. 'The Naming of Eliza Quinn'. It was suggested by Northsider Dave.  (Actually, Mrs. Northsider recommended it, so thanks J.) For the first time in a long time, I've been able to keep my mind on a book. 

For an evening, life just seemed normal.