Running from the black dog

 Those who know, know what I'm on about.

Everything going on here, along with things NOT happening, is taking a toll.

We have a different heating contractor coming by tomorrow. He knows most of both of our families and knows what a difficult time we've had. Everyone speaks highly of him. I think we're going to get a better offer from this fellow.

M is feeling slightly better today. He finally agreed to try the heating pad and is finding it to be just the ticket. He's two weeks since his accident.

My elderly neighbour called to complain about her lot in life. I suggest I collect her and we run about for the afternoon. We got our bitching and complaining out of the way first and then had some good laughs. I think we both felt a good bit lighter on our way home. She is so much frailer than when I last had her out last month. She just celebrated her 86th trip round the sun.

Update, what update

 The fire restoration company sent out a specialist who was supposed to look up the chimney and make a report for the insurance company. A KID who looked about 17 arrived to "inspect our gas furnace". What the hay????? We don't have a gas furnace yet. Well he asked what kind of furnace we do have. Wood and Oil M, responded. Okay, he would inspect that. No, NO, Wait, you're here to look at the chimney and do a report for the insurance company. No can do, he's not qualified......

It has cooled off quite a bit. The front lane is icy. The snow and ice have mostly slid off the back roof.

We went for a nice trot up the back road today. This evening the snowmobiles are roaring up and down and up and down. They hit the road by my lane and leave a trail of sparks. Idiots!

I baked a really nice cake today. Do you remember when Mayonnaise cake was all the rage? I tried it again. The main tip is to use REAL Mayo, not Miracle Whip. I used the recipe on the Hellman's site. The cake is a bit dense and fudgy, but not cloying. I made a frosting with a package of cream cheese, a small carton of whipping cream and 1/3 cup of icing sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, but thick. It's the perfect frosting for that cake. My mother used to use Miracle Whip when she made this cake and I didn't like it one bit.  The Hellmans Mayo has a nice mild flavor and works perfectly.