Okay....after trying to get together a couple times over the weekend and it coming to nothing, Cuffitup (her Pogo name) and I finally managed to get together. She had wanted to meet with me for the Balloon Fest but she shares her car with her son. For one reason or another, that wasn't possible. Anyway, she had been going to meet us at my brother-in-law's house so we could go together. We have handicap plates and knew we could get a better parking spot. She decided to come to his house to have coffee with us.

She was pre-warned about three dogs being there (just in case she was afraid of them, I didn't know). My BIL's house is in a kind of strange area to get to but she said she knew right where it was even though she lived in a different town. I was really impressed because she really did! I know! It's the kind of street that goes off on an angle, isn't paved and looks like it could be someone's driveway. If I didn't have a GPS, I doubt I could find it with the best of directions.

So she comes to the door after parking by the garage and is greeted by my SIL and three very excited dogs. I had been crocheting and put it away to greet her. I had to give her a hug because we had been playing on Pogo together for so long, I really felt like we were friends who just hadn't seen each other in a while. She was really attractive and made me feel old and terribly wrinkled. I kid you not, she really is an attractive woman and it was nice to sit and talk to her. We spent a couple hours together, just talking, laughing and having a nice time together.

I did find out a couple things about her life that she hadn't actually talked about much when we played games together. She found out a LOT of things about my Beast, his family and other things I doubt I had shared either. It was fun to meet her and I will definitely try to get together with her next time we go up to Centralia. This time perhaps we can meet and have lunch together somewhere closer to HER home.

Today we woke up to rain. I decided that it was a perfect day to view the DVD that came with my new sewing machine. And, as someone (I am not saying it was Bratfink and I'm not saying it wasn't....LOL) told me, I actually mentioned the sewing machine briefly without explaining how I came to have it in the first place. Ahem.....it all started with me needing something other than a needle and thread to make repairs on several things around here. I used to have a nice portable sewing machine until we made a move with real *movers* and, wonder of wonders, it disappeared off the van. Amazing, isn't it? Anyway, the insurance payment for it was ridiculous and it never DID get replaced.

I was so ticked off at the fact that I had to do this stuff by hand (and some of it was repairs from Baron's chewing) that I told the Beast I needed a sewing machine again. I just meant a functional one, maybe with a few built-in fancy stitches since I would like to make some nightgowns for Chewlee. I kept my eye open for one that wasn't too expensive and wasn't too *fancy* either. I actually found one in Centralia at their Walmart there for just $100. It had everything I needed on it but after telling the Beast I wanted to get it before we left Centralia, we both forgot. It was just as well since we really didn't have any place to put it with the other stuff we bought while we were there. I also wanted the case they had for $20. It would just have been too much. No place for the dog ) The trunk was full and the floor was covered in back, too.

So, we get home and get unpacked and breathe a sigh of relief. It's always nice to be home, run around with no bra on or just your underwear (Beast). Stuff you really can't do when you are visiting someone. It was kind of late when we got home because we made a couple stops at touristy places on our way home. The Beast started feeling kind of poorly so I drove more than I normally do. It was his stomach and he forgot to pack some Prilosec so he had to suffer until we got home.

The next day, the Beast went off to Walmart to see if he could find a food processor. We had taken ours to his brother's so he could make his potato pancakes for them (his brother has a problem with those) and it got broken. He wanted to replace it so it would be available the next time he wanted some. I never, never expected him to buy me a sewing machine while he was there. And WHAT a sewing machine!

If you knew the Beast, you would understand it when I say that he ALWAYS buys the BEST of stuff but it's usually for himself. I am seldom the recipient of such largesse. But this time...woo hoo.....he had to have bought the best sewing machine that Walmart carries. I haven't checked yet, but I have the receipt for it stapled into the back of the instruction book and it's four times the machine that *I* would have bought. I looked at it and thought, *OMG....I have no clue how to even thread this baby!* It has a touch LCD screen for various functions. It has a drop-in bobbin. IT THREADS THE NEEDLE FOR YOU! Bless his heart because that IS one thing I worried about but knew I could get around it. It also has 70 built-in embroidery stitches (and some of them are stunning...and it tells you what color thread is needed for each section as it's doing it). It has a special *arm* for the embroidery and a special embroidery *hoop* attachment. I opened the little bag of accessories and found a half dozen or more *feet* and lots of other stuff that I had no clue what the hell they were.

I do now because I watched the DVD. I give Brother lots of credit for that. It really was well thought out and informative. Each step to everything that machine can do is explained simply and shown graphically. I was very      impressed and feel confident that I can at least thread my own machine. No kidding though, it's a great machine but waaaaaay more machine than I would have purchased for myself. It's also got an *arm* when you remove this one area of the base so you can easily do cuffs and other things on that order. I can also quilt if I choose. It has a special quilting foot and a special set of quilting stitches. I just love the idea of what I can do with it and am going to be going out to get some material and a pattern to make some of those nightgowns for Chewlee. Stay tuned because I WILL be taking pictures of anything I make and posting it.

Okay, this is much longer than I thought it would be so I am going to say *good night* or *good morning* depending on just when you read this. Love you all and thanks for putting up with me and my rantings. Have a great day.

Gonna start this one out with one of the cutest of the balloons from my point of view. It's called *Purple People Eater* and it's the best angle I could get unfortunately.

I had this one in yesterday's blog but didn't really explain what it was other than part of the *balloon glow* held at twilight. It really was neat but you almost had to keep moving and wait for them since they didn't glow in unison. The balloon at the left is the *Wizard of Oz* balloon and watch for a National Geographic special on it. It's been flying for a number of years (around 30, I believe they said) and has won awards all over the place, including Europe, for it's speed.

I hate to admit it but I really was a bit like a little kid, wandering around and just looking at the balloons. It was a real thrill for me to be right there, up close, to these amazing inventions. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked to because the park was so wooded...open spots were at a premium and used by balloon as much as possible. It made finding a good spot to take a picture very difficult. And then there were all the people......

I spent a lot of time walking around the crafts early in the day and around the balloons later on. I ate a lot of different foods and tried corn dogs for the second time in my life. I didn't like them when I tried them at 13 and never touched them again. My kids loved them so I kept them in the house for them often. The Princess likes them, too. Know what? Even with lots of mustard, I still don't like them.

But there was lots of interesting foods offered, even pizza. I know! I didn't get one but they smelled wonderful. I did try the polish sausage with onions and green peppers (why they didn't have Italian sausage, I have no clue). I had a couple different meat pies, a deep fried apple (in a crust and it was wonderful!) and, of course, funnel cakes. I had to have one every day to share with the Beast. It didn't take much for me to be satisfied since I don't get a chance to have them often.

One of the craft tents had figurines that you can paint and I had a ball there. I got a reindeer that I will paint that matches a set I have. It's one I don't have so I will now have five reindeer for Santa's sleigh. I also got an old time upright piano and a figure on a stool that *plays* it. I got another figure that is playing a banjo. The last set I bought is a kind of vase that has little *heads* that you fit on the edge that you can change for holidays. I have little pilgrim heads for Thanksgiving, ghosts for Halloween, reindeer for Christmas, rabbits for Easter and two leprechauns for St. Patrick's Day. None of them were expensive and she had some cute cookie jars that I had my eye on, too. She gave me her card and said she would be happy to ship me anything I might want if I can't find it locally. Fat chance of that but it was nice of her to suggest. I DO have a hard time finding things like them here in Alabama.

We got there too late on Sunday to watch the cardboard boat races but did see some of the results. What a mess! There was even an award for the most spectacular sinking! LOL. We really only went on Sunday because Jimbo and Betty Boop hadn't seen any of it since they didn't get in until late Saturday night. We were up until about 1:30 am just chatting and catching up before we all collapsed into bed, including the dogs.

The fun day was Monday because I got to meet an online friend of mine that I have been playing on Pogo with for almost two years now. That I will tell about tomorrow.

I had the baby here today and she was in a heck of a mood. She was a regular chatterbox. The Beast was shocked to realize that even HE could understand some of what she was saying when you really listened to her. I let her chatter and talked with her when I got an idea of what she was saying to me. She also ate like a little oinker because I promised her fruit rollups if she ate good. It was a silly thing to do because she always eats good.

After dinner, I put her in the bathtub and shampooed her hair then let her play for a while. She loves a bath and plays like she's a little mermaid. When she was done, she got out buck-naked and tried to keep from being dried off with a towel. The kid is a nudist at heart. Once she had her hair dried and brushed and clean jammies on, she just wanted some milk and her blankey. When the Princess got here to pick her up, she jumped off my lap (we were sitting in the rocker/recliner) and was ready to go bye-bye. She ran around giving goodbye kisses and then headed for the door. At least the Princess was glad I had bathed her and she was ready for bed.

Well, time to get this posted. More on my *vacation* tomorrow. Love you all. Have a great day. Laugh often.

First of all, let me mention that the Beast is better today. I decided that it had to be some bowel related issue that has passed one way or another. 'Nuff said on that matter.

When we got up on Friday, we did the usual coffee, cereal breakfast and then more coffee out on the deck. The Beast had taken Baron out for a walk along the lake shore and then Baron plopped down in the sun on the deck in complete content. I was, of course, crocheting and the Beast, who needs to be *doing something* all the time, went down into the yard and started pulling some incredible weeds from around the deck. Since they hadn't been there since May and only the lawn had been cut in the interim, some of them were taller than the rail on the back deck....and that took four steps to get up to from the yard.

After a while, he was bored and tired but wanted to get going to the Balloon Fest. I told him it didn't start until 3:30pm but he envisioned hordes of people getting there before us and taking all the good parking spots. Nothing I said could persuade him differently so off we went around 2:30pm. It took us all of about 5 minutes to get there and then find out we had gone to the wrong entrance for handicapped parking. So, off we went (another 5 minute drive) and we found out we were the very first in that parking area at least.

It was a very short walk into the park and it was busy with the crafters putting up their wares, the food area trailers and tents getting food started for the opening. We managed to walk along the food court area to the picnic tent and found a vendor who had their trailer set and ready so the Beast got to eat some Polish sausage with a lot of stuff on it (like a hot dog, believe it or not ) and I had some funnel cake. We sat under the tent while we waited for everything to *open*. I was eager to get to the craft booths and see what all they had. I was hoping it wasn't as lame as some *events* are since this was a smaller community and they had lots of different craft clubs and stuff.

The day was beautiful but was very windy and that concerned me. I knew that they don't usually take the balloons up in really windy weather. What I learned was that they don't even set them up on days like that. As I mentioned in my earlier blog, it's just too dangerous with the flames from the burner and the flimsy, non-retardant material used for the construction of the balloons. That part made the Beast VERY unhappy but I had a ball going through all the different craft vendors. They had some amazing things. You could even buy a *kit* for making your own cigar banjo. It was too cute. The owner had one made up that he played while the people went strolling by. There were all kinds of things for the kids....lots of clothes, including tie-dyed which seems to be making a comeback these days. The homemade quilts drew me like a magnet. I ended up buying two of them on Sunday. A patchwork one and one in a pattern I found out was called *windmills*. I just love them. The patchwork one was a king size that I am using on MY bed and the windmill one is on the guest room bed. It was a queen size one so it fits nicely on the full size bed in there. It covers the box springs and that I like much better than most full size ones fit. Those only seem to cover the mattress.

Once we found out the balloons were not even going to be put up due to the wind, the Beast dragged me out of the park and we went home. Saturday was a much better day. It started out windy but the wind died down in the afternoon. We went to the event around 1pm and spent a lot of time just sitting around the large pond there that gave us a good view of many of the sites where the balloons are set up. We HAD seen where they trailered them on Friday before we left so we had a pretty good idea of the best area to be. This is going to be a rather long post because of some of the pics but let me assure you that there will be more tomorrow. Okay...here's a pic of one of the balloons while they are setting it up:

Here it is after it's fully inflated and sitting on the ground. It didn't go up in the air. We found out that they really only flew at 7am for the balloon races. Go figure! :

Now just one more for your viewing pleasure from the *balloon glow*. This one catches a couple of them. :

Okay...it's waaaaay past my bedtime and I have Chewlee here in a few hours. Love you all. More on the Balloon Fest tomorrow along with any current stuff that happens. Smile!

Sorry about that second one.  I forgot to rotate it before I got it uploaded.  I'll try to redo it tomorrow. 

I got up about 7:30am today (Thursday) and felt really good. I had several projects in mind for the day, including reviewing the balloon pictures for posting. It was all for naught those plans of mine. I DID get the sewing machine set up on the dining room table but it's covered up and waiting. Most likely for tomorrow (Friday) since today was rather a strange one. I'll set up the laptop and watch the DVD provided by Brother so I can see/touch/feel/work with the actual machine while watching it. But I digress......

As I was walking out into the living room, I hear the most awful moaning and groaning from the kitchen. When I turned the corner, I see the Beast bent over the counter where we keep the coffee and filters clutching his right side. He couldn't talk, couldn't walk and didn't want to be touched. I went ahead and grabbed the coffee dispenser and got it ready for making coffee, all the while concerned about whether or not I should call 9-1-1 or drag the Beast out to the car and take him up to the medical center. He, in the meantime, finally staggers to the bathroom (he had decided that it was because he needed to chit that he was in pain and went to try to manage that) and there is more moaning and groaning.

I kept one ear open and made the coffee. Although I got his cup down from the cabinet and put it next to the coffee pot, I didn't fill it for him. I made myself a cup of coffee and then went in search of him since I suddenly didn't hear moaning and groaning. He was on the guest bed, curled in a ball and asked me to wipe him down with a wet cloth. After setting my coffee on my desk, I did so and left the rag on the headboard for him to grab if he needed it for his face and neck. He had broken out in a cold sweat before I wiped him down but he said he felt better but now was cold. I covered him with a light blanket and let him lay there.

Now, before you ask, I HAD said to him after the first few minutes that he should go to the emergency room to find out what was causing him such severe pain. He, however, being A MAN , did NOT want to go. He felt it *would pass* and didn't want to end up sitting in emergency for *nothing*. I've been through this shit with him before a time or two and have learned that you can't argue with him. He knows it all. I keep telling him that it's *that attitude that is responsible for women outliving men*. So he ended up falling asleep (but still moaning and groaning a bit every few minutes). After about an hour or hour and a half, I noticed he seemed to have stopped groaning but was still breathing (dammit!) so I relaxed a bit. A short time later, he was up and on his feet, heading towards the kitchen. He managed to pour himself a cup of coffee and carry it to the table and sat down. When I asked how he was feeling (he looked AWFUL....he has a tendency to get white as a sheet when not feeling well), he shook his hand to indicate *so-so*. I tried talking to him about getting to a doctor or the emergency room since he was still in pain and kept getting a cold sweat. He, however, said *it'll pass* so I had to let him be.

After 45 years of marriage and many different experiences with this man and sickness, I know that I am better off leaving him alone and just checking on him to make sure he's breathing. That was pretty much my day. He still looks like hell but claims he's *just fine* but he hasn't done much of anything except nap, check his email and watch various news channels while falling asleep in his recliner. I check his forehead to see if he's warm or sweating, make sure he's taking in liquids, etc. He DID eat a sandwich that the Princess made for him around 1pm when she stopped over after taking the baby to the doctors for her shots. Poor thing got 5 shots to catch her up so I gave her some Children's Motrin because she WILL be running a fever and be cranky later. The Princess had to go do some grocery shopping after she dropped Chewlee off at day care and is going to pick up some more for later. If she is running a fever in the morning, I will be watching her instead since day care won't take a child with a fever.

The Beast put on a good show for her while she was here and was *almost* cheerful but hit the bed as soon as she left. I gave the other half of the Beast's sandwich to the *little beast* (Baron) before he jumped up on the bed and joined the Beast. Chewlee had eaten a hot dog and a half plus some potato chips and then half a popsicle before she went off to day care. She does love to go to *school*. It's so cute because she is learning her ABC song better and better. That means she gets more of the alphabet correct before she screws up. It's so cute.

I talked to Tara for a bit today, too. I had gotten a little *note* from her ex-mother-in-law that was so stupid. I emailed her that she just HAD to see it for herself but she wanted me to read it to her, which I did. We both laughed at it. Then she told me she had fun with Chewlee when she had babysat for her over the weekend while we were gone. The Princess and Johnnycakes had gone to 6 Flags Atlanta so Tara babysat. She told me that she had such a good time with Chewlee. It's official now. It's not just MY opinion that she is adorable. Tara is hooked on her, too.

As I write this, the Beast is still staying flat on his back. He hasn't had the excruciating pain he had earlier but the area is still tender. I'm wondering if he might have appendicitis or some such thing. Only time will tell. The area is still very tender he says and, since he has NOT done anything major today (he's a nut about accomplishing SOMETHING every single day), I am still worried about him. If this is still going on tomorrow, I swear I will browbeat him and get him into the doctor's office if nothing else. *I* can't take the stress of worrying about HIM when he doesn't seem to care as much.

Gonna get this posted and if all goes well, I will be able to get more news about the Balloon Fest posted tomorrow. I hope so anyway. Love you all and wish you a wonderful day. Stay healthy and happy. Laugh. Smile a lot. Call someone you haven't talked to in a while and let them know you care.

I really felt miserable today. Thank goodness for Digestive Advantage for IBS. I heartily recommend it. I took two of them and they worked within an hour or so. My problem was feeling well enough to go get them and be able to take them since I couldn't wander more than 5 feet from my recliner. My little *note* was when I finally got over to the desk and took them. Then I got back in the recliner with a pillow clutched to my abdomen until I finally felt better.

I really hate IBS. It makes life miserable for you since your need for the bathroom can be IMMEDIATE. It can also be embarrassing if you don't make it. I started keeping extra clothes in my computer room *just in case* I might need it. Today was a good day. I made it every time. Now I am feeling much better and thought I would let you know.

I haven't even had a chance to review the pictures I took at the Balloon Fest (which is what the local paper called it) but I will tell you about some of it. Starting from when we got to the Brother-in-law's house on Thursday.

It's weird to walk into someone's house and they aren't there. I felt like we had rented a cabin up in the mountains only there were no mountains. The house is all wood everywhere (which is why we had that *cabin* feeling). We slept in the guest room, of course. What is funny is how excited Baron got when we were driving down the street to the house. He KNEW his *cousins* lived there and he was eager to be able to run and play with them. What a shock to him to come into the house and go into every room and even the upstairs loft to find them. Only, of course, they weren't there yet. You could see how puzzled he was over that.

The Beast knew the routine and got the water turned on, the hot water heater (gas) lit and we were all set. Oh, except for plugging in everything. It was all unplugged except for the washer and dryer. The TV, unfortunately, is set up with Dish and we have had experience with Dish so I knew it wouldn't be working. I couldn't call to have it activated again (it turns itself off after a few days of inactivity and you MUST call to get it reactivated....even if you are paying the bill each month) because I didn't know either of their social security numbers and they always ask for the last four digits when you call. So I just played some of the Brother-in-law's dvd's while I sat and crocheted.

I always crochet when we travel. It means I don't watch the Beast's driving which makes me nuts at times because he will drift over into the next lane or off the shoulder. Even when it wasn't the law, I wore my seat belt while he was driving. The crocheting while traveling came later. I used to read....LOL. I started the afghan for the Lost granddaughter who is now the FOUND. She is the only one that hasn't gotten a new one from me now that she is grown. She picked the pattern she liked when she was here at Christmas. I promised her that I might have one done for her by THIS Christmas so I figured I might as well get started. I got almost a third of it done already...well, actually a little more than that. It's turning out so nice, too.

We had stopped to buy some lunchmeat, bread and mayonnaise on our way up there but the Beast went out to buy more stuff after we got all our things in the house and relaxed for a bit. I made coffee and, after having a Bunn, it seemed like it took forever. I had packed creamer and sugar since I wasn't sure they would have any but Betty Boop always keeps coffee there.

We really didn't plan on it but for some reason we used paper towels for dishes for some unknown reason. They don't have a dishwasher but that's not really a problem. It just seemed like such an invasion to start using ALL their stuff without them being there. I don't know if you know what I mean but it just did. So, we really didn't cook anything and found out that they wouldn't be there until late Saturday night because the BIL had to work until 5pm. The Beast jumped into the shower while I rinsed down the chairs out on the deck and we sat out there and just enjoyed the fresh air for a bit before we retired to the house and watched a couple very interesting dvd's. The BIL likes to buy historical stuff and had a big selection of National Geographic ones. We watched two different ones on the Sphinx in Egypt before the Beast jumped into the shower. I took mine and changed into a comfortable nightie. He went to bed early and I watched another dvd on mummies while I crocheted. Then I went to bed early (for me) and that was our Thursday. I plan on reviewing my pictures tomorrow plus grabbing a couple that the Beast took that I didn't get and will get some of those posted.

The weather was wonderful while we were there. It was a bit windy and that worried us about the Balloon Fest. I know that if it's too windy, they can't take the balloons up. I didn't realize that they can't even (or perhaps, it's that they WON'T) fill the balloons even staying on the ground. The material is so flimsy and it is not flame-proof and if you saw those heaters....wow! I would worry about the balloon possibly accidentally catching fire, trust me on that. When I got a chance to actually touch the fabric, I was amazed at how fine and flimsy it felt. It seems even finer than any nylon I have felt. I didn't get a chance to ask any of the crews what they are made of but I am sure that's on the internet if you care to check it out. I just had to tell you how it felt to me. It's also amazing to watch them laying out the balloon so they can fill it and the care they take. The one I watched from a very close encounter had five people to get the balloon ready and filling it....and they even had to watch and fix the little flaps at the top so that the air would stay inside. But it did give me a clue on some of the various ways they can ascend and descend. What a fantastic thing that someone thought up the idea and we can enjoy things like this just because of that.

I think I will end this for the night. More to tell, lots of fun was had by me at least. Will tell all or most tomorrow. Love you all. Have a great day and don't forget to laugh. It lowers stress and boosts your immune system so go ahead.....laugh out loud and the hell with anyone who objects.

I went to bed early last night because I really was tired and my stomach was bothering me a little. I figured it was really the awful way you eat when you are on the road. You know, the McD's, Wendy's, Burger King chit you eat because you want to get on the road fast. WRONG!!! It was my IBS winding up for a real kick in the gut. I haven't been able to walk 5 feet away from the bathroom since it woke me up at 4am and just about every hour since then.

I didn't have the medication that I have been using for the IBS (which is an over-the-counter one but is wonderful) when I was away but I am taking it now and hope to be back to *normal* either later today or possibly tomorrow. In the meantime, I just can't bring you up to speed on what transpired while we were away at the Balloon Fest. Forgive me.

Love you all. Be back when I feel more human.

I'm back, I'm back and I am so happy to be back. I really DID enjoy the Balloon Fest although it was a kind of a bust for the Beast who wanted pictures of them flying in the air but wouldn't get up at 6am for the balloon races. Go figure. I was amazed at how they pack them up every night and after each event except for the evening when they are put up around 6pm and stay up until around 9pm. The crews are very organized and it's all done quicker than you would believe...both putting them up for the first time and taking them down for the night. I touched the balloon and it's the finest, flimsiest feeling nylon or silk material. You almost wouldn't believe it could fly, let alone hold the hot air to inflate it.

My camera is still in the car, unpacked but I will have pictures for tomorrow's blog. I'm just too exhausted right now to do any more unpacking. I got lots to tell you about. Like I said, *I* had a good time. I don't care if the Beast was just along for the drag. He finally sat down and just handed me money (which was all he was along for....to hold the cash) and begged me to let him sit in one spot. So I did. But he did do some exploring of the crafts tents on his own the first day. He got brave again on Sunday when his brother and HIS wife were with us and showed them some of the neat stuff on display and for sale there.

Okay, okay...I'll tell you some of what I ended up buying. I bought two homemade quilts. One is a patchwork quilt that reminds me of the one the Beast's grandmother made for me many years ago. I still have it but it's in sorry shape after all these years. It got a LOT of hard use. The other is a pattern like a flower. BIG petals on it. It was the colors that attracted me at first. I just had to have it for the guest bedroom. The quilts are nice, lightweight so they are perfect for summer (in the AC, especially) and will work under the bedspreads in winter. I am a wimp about cold and I get cold easily so I always have a blanket on me. The Beast will start out sleeping on top of the blankets but ends up crawling underneath later during the night. I bought other stuff but will keep that for tomorrow's post, along with the pictures.

I'm heading for bed in a bit, after I try to catch up on my emails. Love you all. Missed you like crazy. Hated not having internet (or even TV for the first three days). Have a great day. Look here tomorrow for more fun and news.

I worked my butt off today to get everything ready for our little trip. Got the floors done, including washing them and they DO look nice. I also washed all the darn rugs since they were full of dog hairs and I didn't want to be dragging those onto my nice clean floors. I got the suitcase packed except for the few last minute things (like my blowdryer and brushes, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.). The Beast keeps all his personal products in his ditty bag so I don't worry about that. I just had his prescription refilled so he's set there, too.

I put out my pills for morning and got the rest put into the suitcase. I charged up my camera battery and made sure the Beast packed the laptop. I put the reader in it so I may be able to share a photo or two depending on if I can get a connection at the brother-in-law's house. I'm not sure he has one still since he didn't think he would still be supporting two houses this long. But if I can, I may even be able to blog about my day, my meeting with my online friend, Andi and anything else interesting. Otherwise, it means just keeping my notes up-to-date and sharing when I get back.

As for the special request. A friend's significant other just had knee surgery. You know the kind I mean...the knee replacement. I've had three relatives that had that done (two uncles and an aunt) so I know it's painful not even counting the physical therapy part. Add to this the fact that the person suffers from PTSS (post-traumatic stress syndrome), has a son that has bled his father's cash reserve dry, a disability insurance company that is delaying payments.....well, you get the idea. For someone with PTSS, it's VERY depressing. He just feels like it's too much to bear and even with anti-depressants for his PTSS, he's become suicidal. She is very afraid that he just might do it and would appreciate some prayers for him. His nickname is Butch so if you wouldn't mind...??? I would appreciate it. Just pray that his insurance company pays up and his leg heals quickly. That would greatly help his frame of mind. Thank you so very much. Love you all.

The baby was dropped off to me around 7pm. She had already been fed but she knew right where to head for the fruit strips. To her, it's *candy*. To me, it's a guilt assuager because it's made from real fruit. She was in a cute mood but was ready for bed at her usual time. I changed her into her jammies, changed her diaper and we sat in my rocker/recliner for a bit. When she really leaned into me and wasn't even drinking her bottle, I knew she was ready. I made her comfortable in her bed, kissed her goodnight, shut the door and barely sat down when I heard her crying. When I heard that, I knew immediately what I had forgotten. I forgot to plug in her nightlight. It's one of those solar ones. Tiny bit of light (the bulb is almost non-existent) but she's had one since she came to live here. I ran in, apologized to her for forgetting and plugged it in. She laid back down, I re-covered her and she was out like a light within the next 10 minutes. That's when I checked so it could have been much sooner. I have no doubt that she will be waking me up around 7:30am as usual.

I'll hit the sack early tonight because I want to work on the afghan for the one granddaughter that hasn't gotten one from me since she was little. Her mother told me she loves the color pink so I picked out a nice bright pink and it will also have white and tan. It's going to be just gorgeous, I know. I like the pattern for it and it will be nice and warm for her this winter. If I am too tired, I won't be able to work on it and I won't get it done as soon as I would like. I'll work on it during the evening at the brother-in-law's while they play cards.

Love you all. I'll miss you but I WILL try to let you know what's going on while I am away. Otherwise, I will see you back here on Monday evening. I will blog as soon as I get back, I promise.

Have a wonderful rest of the week and a great weekend. I wish you good weather, happy days, lots of laughter and love.

Today I was actually happy most of the day. No real reason why except that nothing bad happened and the Beast never annoyed me or pissed me off somehow. There was no bad news that affected me. Life is good.

I was reading my email and one of my online female friends sent me some cute Maxine jokes. But there was one that really struck me as funny. If you are familiar with Maxine you know she's a bit of a crotchety old broad who tells it like it is and she doesn't really like most people. But here is the one that really made me laugh:

**Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says...

“Oh no....she's awake!!”’ **

Now I don't discuss religion because that's a personal thing but the whole idea that Maxine (or any woman) would scare the hell out of the devil really cracks me up. Just think about it.

The Princess came over for lunch because I promised her a nice ham sandwich complete with tomato and lettuce. I got it ready and she walked in the door, poured herself an iced tea and sat down to eat. We talked about this and that...mostly her car because the Beast is still trying to con her out of it and switch with the Corolla. Of course, she will have none of that. She did object to the fact that getting a duplicate key for her Gallant is going to cost her $189. plus tax (I assume) but the Beast insists that she get one so she can keep one at home just in case (or give it to Johnnycakes to have handy). He is keeping one with him but, since he/we travel, if she lost her keys for any reason, that wouldn't help her out a bit.

It turned out that Chewlee went out onto the playground at day care and probably found the only ant hill there. They have the area sprayed regularly but you know how fast the ants can be back. Anyway, she got bit all over her legs, back and chest area. I assume (since I haven't seen her yet) she has bites on her arms too. The Princess was really upset over it, especially with the day care. I guess they aren't supposed to let the kids into the playground if there are any anthills at all. I tried to tell her about the speed of the ants but she was too mad to listen. She came over to get some ammonia to dab on the bites to keep the baby from scratching but the bites weren't as bad as she expected.

She told me the baby fell asleep on the floor in her hallway and she didn't know if she should move her or not. Chewlee gets cranky if you wake her. I told her move her into her bed and just have the blankey and bottle ready. She'll fall back asleep in no time.

Looks like the baby will be staying overnight with me tomorrow. Since Johnnycakes works nights and doesn't get home until around 5am or so, the Princess would either have to wake up the baby early and drop her off at day care at 6:30am OR...she can bring her here, the baby can sleep in until we are ready (we won't be leaving until 9 or 10, I am sure)and I can drop her off at day care before we go. The Princess has to be in Huntsville by 8am for a class and then has to go to work for the rest of the day. Sheesh! Gonna be a long day for her. At least Johnnycakes can sleep and just have to pick up Chewlee from day care. I just have to remember to leave the darn car seat at day care for him. I forgot last time and that caused it's own problems. Oh well. I AM an old person, right.

Okay, time to get this posted. I really procrastinated on this so I will say have a great day everyone. Love you. Be happy and smile often. It's much better for your face than frowning, trust me on that.

I have no idea what happened to me today but I sure had a lot of strange energy. Oh, I didn't get it all at once but I sure had it in spurts. I got up at 8am (which meant I only had 6 hours of sleep) but I felt energized. It led me to making the bed up after only ONE cup of coffee. I checked my emails, read the news, read my comics and then started in on cleaning the carpet here in my puter room. Weird, huh?

While I was waiting for the carpet to dry, I played a couple games on Pogo. I made a pot of coffee, straightened up the kitchen, took some garbage out, checked the mail and, as I headed back to the house, I was shocked at the floor of the garage. You know how you sometimes don't see things around you because you are too busy? Well, the floor was just filthy with grass cuttings and other stuff that had obviously blown into it over a period of time. I grabbed the big floor brush and started sweeping. I figured when the Beast came home, before he drove into the garage, he would notice. What a surprise! He didn't. *rolling my eyes*

Today was a better day for car shopping for the Beast. Found: 2008 Mitsubishi Gallant. Red. Loaded. Clean as a whistle. AND....a great deal. This time the Beast took matters into his own hands and went into the Princess's work and told her, *You just bought a car*.

She ran over during her lunch to take a look at it (the Beast was NOT kidding) and she was shocked but very happy with what he had found. Turns out the guy who owned it had actually leased the car but after only 8,000 miles being put on it, he discovered that what he REALLY needed was a truck for his business. Just not enough trunk space for whateverthehell he needed to transport. So he went back, traded it for a truck. It had sat on the dealership lot for four months without being sold and they were ready to auction it off. The salesman had forgotten all about the car but called the Beast to tell him he needed to come and take a look at this car. He did. He liked it. He told the Princess she bought it and she needed to get her title because she was trading in her Dodge on it. It's not a bad payment. And the loan is only for 42 months I believe. That's just 3.5 years. Affordable and a really cool looking car. When I saw it, I said to the Beast * Awww....can't we keep it and let her take OUR car?* I mean it. It's that neat a car.

The Princess's car was a disaster. It had *stuff* all over the floors and deep. She really IS a slob. I hope she treats this car better. She probably will because it is so cool looking. At least I hope so. Poor Johnnycakes came down to where she works with her title, she signed it, he cleaned out the car (he brought garbage bags with him) then drove over to the dealership with the Beast to conclude the deal. I gather he just stuffed everything in them and is letting the Princess go through it all and throw out what needs to be thrown out.

The Beast made sure the insurance agency where the Princess had her old insurance got pictures of the new vehicle and it's all covered. I'm really not sure if you just change tags or need new ones on a new car. Some states, the tag stays with the vehicle. I'm going to have to find out what it is here in Alabama.

I fell asleep after making us dinner in my recliner while watching a movie. It was Xmen3 actually. I have all three movies but I just love Hugh Jackman. Love to watch them all. I will take the first one and run through the series on a day when TV sucks sometimes. I guess a lot of people do that. At least, I sure hope I'm not unusual. I know my sister, Bratfink, will do it.

The Beast went to bed early. He had a busy day because he finished the lawn tonight. Even though he was on John Deere, I gather it's exhausting. Seems to me that sitting on a lawnmower running back and forth would be tedious but hardly exhausting. What do I know?

I'm going to slide this down the Internet now so I wish you a wonderful day. Love you all. Stay healthy. Be happy and laugh as often as possible.