Wednesday

I slept through the night (well, as much as I ever sleep through the night. I did get up twice to use the bathroom). I shut off the alarm and promptly fell back asleep, waking up at 6:30 AM. My alarm clock, BTW, is set to go off at 5:30 AM. So, I have a bit of scrambling to get to work on time, but I got 'er done!

There was no real problem with the fallen rain, freezing, until I got off I-96 at Newburgh Road. There, the service drive (West-bound Schoolcraft Road) was a solid sheet of ice! When I made the turn-around next to Laurel Manor (where we used to have our company Christmas parties and where Jake and Carla had their wedding reception) there were two cars with flashers on. The first car in line had its trunk smashed in with the lid popped up and the second car had considerable damage to the front end. Thank God it's a wide turn-around! I relied on the ABS brakes and slowly slid around them.

I got to work and found the first salt application of the day in our parking lot! Praise the Lord!

It was still below freezing on the trip back home. I got the mail and then got inside. I loaded the washer with the Wednesday night wash and then responded to emails and voicemails.

After I started the wash, I changed into my tile clothes. The doorbell rang, and I opened the front door to my neighbor, Tammy. She had a letter, erroneously delivered there, for me (it happens, both ways, all the time). I remarked on how we talk almost daily in the summer time, but rarely communicate in the winter. I said "Happy Holidays" to her and her husband, Rick. She wished me the same and then left.

Now, it's almost 7:00 PM, and, I am tired, but I put on the mortar for the south side of the shower. This is the tricky one, with the faucet opening and the shower pipe.

By 9:30 PM, I was dead beat, but the wall was 3/4 of the way done. I was right about the faucet opening. I had to take one whole 6-inch tile and try and cut a 4-inch round circle out (I eventually got it, BTW). I took a picture to show you, but forgot to post it.

I warmed up some of the Beef, Mushroom and Barley soup. Not bad, but much, much better (superb, even) once I added salt. I am positive you can add all the garlic, herbs and spices you want and it does NOT equal the taste of salt (Mrs. Dash be damned!) It reminded me of how Luanne used to say that ground turkey tasted "almost" like hamburger, once you seasoned it. Never did, to me...

I started to watch Top Chef, but fell asleep within 15 minutes of it coming on. I woke up later to go to the bathroom, shut everything off and went to bed for real.