What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday and day before it was rain rain more rain and flash flood warnings.

Today, the sun is shining, outside is dry and looks inviting.

My buddy Apache, who keeps me pretty much informed as to what’s going on via text, sent me a message, in the height of yesterday’s storm, that the office was closing early because the street in front of the complex was flooding. Head Maintenance Guy lives on the property, as does Assistant Manager, so no problem there. However, Complex Manager and Assistant Maintenance Guy live off premise, and closing early was so they could make it home.

Upon receiving the text, I of course wanted to head outside and photo document what was happening out front, but the heavy downpour was too intense.

Warm and cozy inside, I put the two-day forced indoor time to good use. I finally finished Bob Woodward’s book Fear.

Ordinarily, since it’s not a book I want to keep, I’d put it on the book shelf in the Complex Library for others to read, but we’ve been instructed “paperbacks only”. So, I’ll donate to the Public Library.

I also put in eighteen to twenty hour working on that Black Panther needlepoint, begun back in March.

Progress March to September

Progress September to December

Doesn’t look like much has been accomplished between the first and second update but honestly, with teeny tiny 18-count Aida Cloth, progress on that corner represents around 700 hours. All told, I estimate I’ve devoted at least 1,080 hours to this project, and still a long way to go. I think I'm looking at a 2020 completion date.

It’s a good thing I’m a patient soul.

Speaking of patience, during my forced indoor time, I began mentally mapping out a strategic search plan for finding that Elf store employees are hiding in the local market ─ Phase 1, search the perimeters first, check all the ledges, look in high up items ─ like the pet carriers and grocery carts for sale over by ice cream; Phase 2, check the store decorations; Phase 3, walk the isles.

One facebook friend posted having found Harold holding onto a bottle of wine.

Another reported finding him on a ledge above the Deli Department.

He’s moved every day, sometimes multiple times during the day, and a candy cane appears to be the only prize being offered. 

Waking up this morning to the sun shining, with packages to be picked up at the Amazon Locker, I headed out but first detoured to the market. I didn’t really need any groceries, but I found things to stock up on so I could search for Harold.

Phase 1 complete and no Harold.

Phase 2 complete and no Harold.

So sure was I that Phase 1 should have turned him up, I did another pass and, at 0.33 Fitbit miles, there he was, right by the grocery carts, where I’d previously looked and he wasn’t.

No way did I miss the little bugger on the first pass, so must have been in transit.

At any rate, mission accomplished. I didn’t claim the candy cane prize. Instead, I treated myself to that Elvis Presley coffee mug.

Back at the complex a couple hours later, I ran into The Baker who reported she also found Harold, still over ice cream by the grocery carts. She claimed a candy cane, which she reported is her second. The first was when she found him on a ledge over by shrimp.

So much fun this is.

Baker says she doesn’t even want to claim any more candy canes. She just wants to see how many times she can find Harold.

Me too.

One store employee told her a guy had searched for 3 hours, with no success.

I find that hard to believe. Three hours has to be an exaggeration.