My Year of Eating Like the World Ended – Report 10 of 13

Sat, 06.01.2019

Got up early and got the day started by doing my trade stuff. Delivered broken down pallets and took delivery of my monthly goodies. I don’t really need the venison, since I’ve got a TON of that in the freezer, but what the hell. If I need something else, I’ve got plenty of trading stock. REALLY hating the regular oatmeal. Will be glad when it’s gone. Working on a big writing piece today, so sadly, nothing got invoiced. I don’t like seeing zeroes on my daily scorecard, especially not right at the beginning. Nose down. Need a stellar month.

Sun, 06.02.2019

I think I’m beginning to understand why I’m not struggling as much with the isolation. Now that I can make comfort food (ice cream), I’m noticing that I’m relying on it more as a kind of surrogate for human contact. That’s not helping my weight, but at least I’m not losing my mind. Not sure what to do about that in the longer term though. The good news is, the experiment will come to an end in a couple more months. Guess I’ll just try to be mindful of it between now and then. Will ponder that. With a milkshake in hand, of course. LOL

Strong writing day. Actually got some stuff on the board and continuing to work on the first of several big pieces this month.

Mon, 06.03.2019

GRRR. I’m getting intensely frustrated by my little robo vac, Harvey. He just doesn’t have a strong enough motor to handle the carpet and all the cat hair. Will have to break out the big vac to do the bedroom and move him into the living room where he can do the hardwoods and venture into the kitchen. At least that way, I won’t have to go rescue him every five minutes. Another strong writing day. Good sign.

Tues, 06.04.2019

A package arrived today. From my mom. My Christmas box. Stale cookies, some hard candy that was all fused together. A solid brick of Whoppers (threw that and the cookies out). And…a carton of smokes. I think my mom is actively trying to kill me. I called her and thanked her for the ‘care package.’ My first thought was to trade the cigarettes – that’s good trade fodder! But now that I see them sitting there on the coffee table, I really want one. Ultimately decided to keep five packs and trade five. Got another gallon of milk (freezer), two big wheels of cheese, two dozen eggs and a partial bag of brown sugar. That’s good because I was almost out. I’ll take it. And have a smoke. I know – bad for me. Sue me. I’m isolated as hell and trying to find new ways to distract myself. Even allowing myself time to unpack my ‘Christmas Box’ and talk to my mom on the phone, I still got a ton done today. Go me!

Wed, 06.05.2019

Writing. Bot-vacuuming, and music, courtesy of Elizabeth, my trusty Google Home Mini. I love robots. They’re not as good as human companions, but between them and my cats, I don’t feel totally alone. Kicking ass in the writing department too. Put that big job on the board today and a couple of smaller ones besides. Starting the next big piece tomorrow. I know I haven’t been talking a lot about financial stuff here, but the cost of the freeze dried foods to start the experiment, new tires last month, hospital visits courtesy of the nasty spider bites way back at the beginning…I’ve managed to rack up an impressive collection of debt. I don’t like it. This month, I’ma knock the crap out of it. Debt is centered on three credit cards and one loan I took out for the hospital bill. The loan dies this month. That’s the plan. Onward!

Thurs, 06.06.2019

Up early again. Thawed out some venison, broke out the crock pot and dumped a bag of the white bean chili into it (freeze dried stocks), along with two cans of my chili. When the venison was thawed enough to cut, I added it to the pot too. That white bean chili isn’t my favorite but add enough stuff to it and it’s not so bad. The two cans of chili added will stretch it to seven servings.

Spent the whole rest of the day smelling slow-cooking chili and writing my fingers off. They really HURT now, at the end of another super long writing day. Getting old isn’t for the faint of heart!

Fri, 06.07.2019

Another awesome writing day. Feeling like I’m hitting stride, though I am having to massage the hell out of my hands a lot. Doesn’t matter. I have a clearly defined goal in my head now and I am GOING to achieve it. Took regular short breaks to rest my hands and eat. Movies today, rather than Google Home music. Between assignments I did some robot vac research. Big improvements since I got Harvey. 10x the suction on some, and even a few models that are compatible with Google Home. I like it, but they’re expensive. Putting the acquisition of another one on the back burner. Will just use the big vac for the time being. Still, when I get the farm – oh yeah. That’s happening.

Sat, 06.08.2019

Boring day. Nothing but writing. Still. That’s the only way I know to move the needle, so…I’m doing it. Finished off the chili. Took the time to wash the crock pot. Didn’t wanna, but also didn’t want it sitting in the sink staring at me for days. Bleh.

Sun, 06.09.2019

Got another big job on the board today. Man – I’m feeling it. This is the exact opposite of that long period where the Muse and I were fighting. We’re working together this month like a well-oiled machine. I feel like I’m the Terminator of writing…whooohoo! Hasta la vista, baby! Going to get some shut eye and massage the feeling back into my fingers so I can do it again tomorrow. Oh, I experimented with French toast for breakfast – HUGE success. Will be doing more of that. Love it, and it breaks up the nasty regular oatmeal.

Mon, 06.10.2019

Not as good a day. Good music and Patches rode around on Harvey again, which was entertaining, but my hands are suffering. Made today a lighter day and soaked them. Massaged some arthritis cream into them before bed. Here’s hoping they’re in better shape tomorrow. The Muse isn’t the problem. She’s ready to rock. My body (and my hands in particular) just aren’t up to the task today. Disappointing.

Tues, 06.11.2019

Hands a little better today. Back to cheesy horror movies on Amazon. Feeling better about the day’s writing progress. Made the first BIG payment to the loan today. Knocked it about in half. More of that, please.

Wed, 06.12.2019

Getting tired. Loving the progress, but it’s taking its toll. Amped up the coffee consumption. I’ve got plenty of trade goods and I need the extra caffeine to keep the pace. Onward.

Thurs, 06.13.2019

Slow and steady wins the race. I fell short of being spectacular, but…meh. I’ll take it. Still managed to get some stuff on the board. Made some more ice cream and smoked a few cigarettes. Back into the habit of having one if I get hung up on the writing. Probably a bad idea…okay, it’s definitely a bad idea, but…don’t care. Doin’ it. Going to enjoy them while I’ve got them.

Fri, 06.14.2019

Got my groove back a little bit today. Some pretty good scary movies, including one that was so bad I actually had to stop writing to watch and even run it back a bit. In spite of that distraction, I got a lot done today. Milkshake for breakfast tomorrow!

Sat, 06.15.2019

Second big payment on the loan. It’s GOING to die this month. With that thought in my head, I got a bunch done again today.

Sun, 06.16.2019

Mac and cheese and pork chops in the crock pot today. Let it simmer while I jammed at the keyboard. Hurt my hands by the end, but pushed another big project across the finish line.

Mon, 06.17.2019

Steady as she goes. The days are kinda starting to blend together now. I’m basically spending every waking moment in front of the keyboard. Did take some time out to do laundry. Almost out of clothes. I hate laundry. But it did get me out of the chair once in a while today.

Tues, 06.18.2019

More of the same. Rainy today. Power flickered but didn’t go out. Pressed pause on the writing long enough to transfer all my stuff to my one drive account so Office will auto save it. I do NOT want to lose a bunch of content and have to re-create. Took about an hour to transfer my entire freelance writing history across, but I consider it time well spent. Now, I can access all my files from anywhere. Not that I go anywhere, but still. I might. One day. After the experiment.

Wed, 06.19.2019

Had to take a break from the blah oatmeal. My taste buds are thanking me for it. My hands, though, are cursing my name. And I’m cursing them right back. Had to stop early tonight. They look like claws and I can’t straighten my fingers. Need to find a better solution than that cream that doesn’t half work. Later. After the experiment.

Thurs, 06.20.2019

Ouch. Tough slog today. Kept going mostly because I’m stubborn like that. I will not stop. Not till that freaking loan is dead. Tired of it being in my life. Slowing me down.

Fri, 06.21.2019

Okay – took a breather. Didn’t get on the computer at all much. Just lounged around under the AC (hot day!) and read. Listened to music and more importantly, resting my hands. Nothing on the board today but I figure that if I don’t give them a break, they’ll fail me big time. So much for not stopping. LOL – I suck. Nahhh, not really. Needed a break. Hoping it pays off with greater productivity in the days ahead. Freaked the cats out tho. They’ve gotten used to the rhythm of the day. They were hovering nervously, checking in constantly. Good kitties.

Sat, 06.22.2019

And back to full steam. Hands needed that day off. It was a good call and the Muse gave them a good workout today. The good thing though, was that I didn’t feel like crying by the time I was done for the day. I’m calling that a win. Onward!

Sun, 06.23.2019

Woke up in the middle of the night craving a milkshake. Had one and then went to bed. Counting the milkshake as part of breakfast, I guess. Didn’t get as much done today because waking up in the night threw me off stride for a while. Oh well. They can’t all be epic days. Still moved the ball down the field, and that’s what matters.

Mon, 06.24.2019

Another big assignment nailed down. On fire this month, and when the money hits the account, I’ll have enough to put the final nail in the coffin of that damned loan. Mission accomplished. I could coast for the rest of the month, but I’m not going to. While I’ve got momentum, I’ma take full advantage of it. If my hands give out or my Muse decides to take another vacation, I need a cushion.

Tues, 06.25.2019

Spent yet another day banging the keys. Patches had to remind me to go to bed sometime after one. Making notes here and face planting. UGH. I’m beat.

Wed, 06.26.2019

Slowed down some today. Still put a couple things on the board but God I’m tired. Gonna knock off early. It’s a little after 9 as I’m writing this. I expect I’ll be asleep before ten. Good. Must sleep.

Thurs, 06.27.2019

Money hit the account. Loan for spider misadventure hospital stay is officially off the books. That took way longer than I had hoped it would, but mission accomplished. Will claw my way to the end of the month and set a new target for next. I seem to do well with a clearly defined target. Gonna use that.

Fri, 06.28.2019

Took part of the morning away from the writing to break down pallets for next month. Want to get it done so I can trade right away. Medium writing day but I don’t care. I accomplished the big goal for the month, and I needed a break from the writing desk.

Sat, 06.29.2019

Making another batch of ice cream. Chocolate. Will probably be a bit gritty because I’m using that powdered stuff, but…I don’t care. Another so-so writing day, but plenty of music and cat entertainment (jack got brave and had an epic battle with Harvey when the robot ventured too near to the food bowl…lol. I know, it’s pathetic, but YOU try being a hermit for a year!)

Sun, 06.30.2019

Ended the month on an up note. Got a few of my regular, standing assignments in a couple days early and got started on them today. I’ll take it. In looking at the final numbers for the month, this was my second-best month since I started keeping stats. That’s good. It was a grind, but I accomplished a big, important personal goal. Going to say that’s a solid win.