I'm home. A bit calmer. Punching and kicking REALLY helps. I told my sensei I didn't want to think...just tell me what to do. Worked wonders. My training partner is fantastic too.

As did coming back home to discover that the water extraction guys had been here, declared that everything was dry, replaced the carpet pad, fixed the carpet, and REMOVED THE BLOWERS. It is like unto a miracle. I can hear myself think again. The prospect of trying to sleep with those again I think was part of my freakout today.

So, the big bed bug clean up starts tomorrow. I'm giving myself tonight off. And we ordered Thai delivery (ginger scallion shrimp...NOM).

So glad the blowers are gone, Suzi!

My computer at the office died and I'm using another workstation. Which is an engineering workstation with dual monitors. SOB. So wonderful, I won't be able to go back to my regular computer.

The down side is that it's way more social at this end of the office, and it's distracting.

Got a new phone (it has a camera! And a keyboard! Babysteps here people, I still don't use the cell much) and of course, I cannot activate it and they want me to call support.

I don't feel like talking to tech support, so I'm going to ignore it until I damned well feel like it.

Oh Suzi, I am so incredibly sorry. And Burrell. Back off, bugs!

Just spoke with KCD's wife and she offered their washer and dryer for us to use. I'll still need to hit the laundromat for the big stuff. But it is so nice for her to offer. She also offered to help wipe down stuff over the weekend. Will see if that changes after she tells KCD.

It's a shame the bedbugs couldn't have drownded.

She's teaching sex? How does one teach sex?

Something to do with the pelvic floor. I dunno.

Is Crisco solid in the fridge? If not, how does that affect the texture of muffins made with all Crisco shortening? Is it a midpoint between the all butter and all canola oil I've experimented with so far? I think this is a touch too much canola, but I like the moister crumb and that it doesn't harden when refrigerated.

Crisco is shortening and solid even on the shelf. Def solid in the fridge.

I have no idea on what that does to muffin texture though.

That's a really nice offer, Suzi. And helping hands are good especially when dealing with overwhelmy stress.

Crisco is solid at room temperature, and even more solid in the fridge. I have never made a muffin with Crisco - the only things I have ever seen it used for are fried chicken (by my mother) and pie crusts (we do half butter half Crisco).

Thanks for the sympathy, everybody. Today was day 3 or 4 of cleaning, and I saw no biters of any kind, nor any tell tale signs of bed bugs or fleas. And no new bites appeared today, but Franny's flared up all over again after almost healing. Not sure what to make of it.

Crisco is solid at room temperature: that's the point of Crisco. Well, Crisco shortening, not the oil.