That led us to talking about her most serious allergy.  It's truly scary and we discovered it when she was a teenager.  I remember the doctor telling me that she was allergic to antihistamines in any form.  Now, an antihistamine is normally what they give you for an allergy of any kind.  So, when I asked him what they could give her in case of a severe allergic attack, he looked me straight in the eye and said, *Nothing.*  That scared the crap out of me and has made her very cautious about the things she uses.  Even skin lotions or medical cremes have to be inspected and all ingredients read.

She told me she had mentioned that allergy to a doctor many years later and he said to her, *You're crazy.  There is no such thing.*  Yeah, right....now there's a doctor who thinks he knows it all.  The doctor in Florida told us that it was extremely rare but it sure wasn't unheard of.  Buttmunch said she never went back to the doctor who told her she was nuts because you just CAN'T be allergic to the medication used to treat allergies.  Yeah, right!

I went to run up to Walmart to finally trade those jeans for the next size up and AM calls me...ON THE BEAST'S PHONE....!  Yeah, he forgot it.  I never noticed it because he's got a bunch of computer stuff on it.  So I talk to her for a few minutes and tell her (after looking at the clock) that he should make it there in about a half hour or so.  When she asked if he had called me so that I knew where he was, I told her, *No, but I know how long it takes us and even figuring for bad traffic, that should do it.*  She laughed and was comforted since he usually calls her about an hour before he gets there and she was worried.  Later, I found out he was stopped by a rockslide and had to make a detour of about 70 miles.  He was only slightly longer than I had told her he would be so it worked out okay.

I finally jumped in the truck and headed for Walmart.  Got there and discovered...tada!  I left the damn bag with the jeans in it on the table in the kitchen when I grabbed the phone to talk to AM.  Color my face red.  So, since I wanted to get a couple things, I went in and started checking them out.  I did pick up two new bras, some new socks, new underwear and two pair of pajamas.  One is thermal.    And, no, they are not white nor do they have a drop down drawer section.    They are pink and grey.  I just wanted something warm.  I then found a really cute top that I figured I would wear for Thanksgiving and went ahead and bought me a pair of black jeans.  I picked up a few grocery items to tide us over until Turkey Day and a Bertolli shrimp scamp and fettucini dinner for me.  *BURP*  It was wonderful.  I'll eat what's left for lunch tomorrow, more than likely.

 I had no sound on my computer but I didn't want the Beast to check to see why.  He makes a big production out of everything.  I waited until he left today because, while I was sleeping I got an idea.  So, I grabbed my flashlight and checked.  Sure enough, the guy is obviously color blind.  He had it plugged into the wrong spot.  As soon as I put it in the right one, I had sound.....wonderful sound.  You don't know how much you miss it until you don't have it at all.

Starting next week, after we take Sheepie back to Atlanta, of course, I have to start my Christmas decorating AND my shopping.  I really need to make a list again since I can't find the original one.  It's somewhere around here, I know but it's FINDING it in time.....LOL.  I remember most of it and will probably be able to finish it off as I go along.

I'm sitting here feeling overstuffed right now.  That darn shrimp scampi tasted sooooo good to me.  The Beast is not a big fan so it's something I only get when he is gone or when we go out to eat at times.  So I am going to take a little rest and lay back to watch TV.  I also bought the new Star Trek DVD today (it was $19.95 at Walmart) but I am going to wait until tomorrow to watch it.  If I don't like the movies on SyFy it gives me something good to watch. 

So far, I am NOT a happy camper.  I am having major problems with the resolution on it.  I will have to do a lot more exploring.  Maybe it's a good thing that the Beast is going away for a few days to see AM in North Carolina.  I can play with it and see what is what on it.  I have no idea why the Beast always, always must try the newest because that does NOT mean the BEST.

I fell today...stupid thing.  My foot fell asleep and I actually discovered this just as my niece, Tara, called.  I went to pass the phone to the Beast....he was the one she wanted to talk to.....and my foot did a weird little twist just as I hit the threshold and I ended up down on my knees.  Well, instead of trying to get up, I *walked* on my knees over to the recliner where the Beast was sitting (was just 4 feet away) and the Beast looked at me like I was a nut.  But, he took the phone and I finally got myself up and the foot had feeling in it again.    HOWEVER....I seem to have hurt it slightly because it is a bit painful and *tight* feeling.  I keep watching to see if it's swelling but, so far, so good.  I DID put a pressure sock on it to help with circulation but we shall find out more in the morning, I fear.

I really like the looks of this new computer.  It has green lights that shine from the side and color the front.  The case itself is black and silver. Very striking.  In reality, I just love Bratfink's computer...what does she call it again?  Oh, Hawk!  Now THAT has some beautiful lighting.  *sigh*  Haven't seen one like it since we bought it from a dealer in Miami when we decided to build it for her.  But I thought it was soooooo cool!  I knew she would love it when she got it.  And she did.

We watched a movie together today like we used to do a lot.  But, since she doesn't have TV and hasn't for a while, it was on DVD.  Yep, we put the same move in and had it timed so we were watching it almost exactly in sync.  It was the first Harry Potter movie.  I love to do that...we make comments to each other on an IM while it's going on.  It's fun...if you haven't tried it, do it some time. 

When the Boy got home, he had bought the new Star Trek movie so that was the end of that.  I don't have it.  When I priced it at Walmart, I figured it was just a little more than I wanted to spend.  So I watched the X-men series.  I have the three of them.  I just adore Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman.  *Sigh*...he is just so sexy and just enough of a *bad boy* to be appealing. 

Going to finish up watching this last one and go to bed.  The Beast won't leave until after 9am or so and I want to be sure to be up.  Love you all.  Have a great day and smile often. 

It seems that Brutus was really pissed because his family doesn't do things like ours does.  Meaning, of course, get together and try to make sure everyone makes it (including the paying for a bus trip if necessary, I guess).  He was yelling at her about it but at least he didn't change his mind.  THAT I would not have put past him.  He's that kind of bully.

Today there was no rain but it was cold and overcast.  Just cold enough to make you keep your hands in your pockets type of cold.  And the Beast?  Well, let me tell you about him and what little of HIS mind he has left.

He tells me *I am going to run down to ACE Hardware.*  So, I said *What for?*  I'm truly puzzled because I can't think of anything he's doing that might require something from ACE.  He looks at ME like *I* am crazy and says, *A clothes rack*. 

Now, in MY mind, a clothes rack is something you hang clothes on in the house, right?  We don't need any in our closets.  They are all fine and there's no place else where we could even set up a clothes rack.  I guess I looked puzzled because he says, *You know....for outside?  To hang laundry on?*

Now I ask you.....does a NORMAL person put a laundry line out in their back yard just before winter sets in?  He actually found one, brought it home and it is now gracing my back yard.  If he thinks I am going to be hanging wet clothes out there in the cold, he's crazy as a loon.  No way, Jose!  The best it can hope to get is a rug or two.  What really ticks me off is that it means the plastic line will probably be all mildewed by the time I actually DO want to use it.  What is wrong with his mind?  Oh, and the hole he dug for it?  He also poured cement in to hold it well.  I tried to get him to just keep the box out in the garage until Spring but once he decides to do something, he has no patience.  It's gotta be NOW!

He's leaving to go to his Aunt M's in North Carolina on Friday.  He called her to let her know so I know he really and truly is going to go.  I'm delighted.  It will give me a chance to do a few things like go through my Christmas decorations and make sure all the lighted things DO light up when plugged in.  I also like to take some cardboard and wrap the lights around it to make it easier to put them up later.  I'll be starting that right after Thanksgiving.  I'm still trying to figure out where I will set up the tree.  That's my favorite part.  I have a lot of ornaments with happy memories attached and I still have a few ornaments from when my kids were young.  I'm so weird because I can point out each and every one of them.  Can you tell I love Christmas?

A package came today and I was kind of hoping that it was the oils that KP sent me from Iraq but it wasn't.  *Sigh*  I knew it was really too soon.  It was only something the Beast ordered from Tiger Direct.  I think it was a sound card.

Speaking of which.....I ended up having to disable part of MINE yesterday.  All of a sudden, my speakers totally stopped working, including the ones built into my monitor.  When I checked the device manager, it showed a problem with one section of it.  I was glad I could just disable it and....waalaa!  They started working again.  I was so afraid the Beast would be putting his hands on my computer again.  I would have fought him about THAT because I am perfectly capable of installing a sound card on my own computer, tyvm!

I am going to have to run over to Walmart tomorrow (or your today...Thursday) to exchange a pair of jeans.  You know how different manufacturers will have variations in sizing from one to another?  Well, I discovered even American-made jeans (I buy American mostly) have that problem.  I've got to go one size up on a pair I bought last weekend.  I'm so lucky that I keep my receipts as a force of habit because it kind of surprised me.  I also have to buy myself a bra or two with the holidays coming up.  I WILL have to wear one while my kids and grandkids are around and the one I have now is just a touch uncomfortable in spots.  I should have gotten wider straps.

The Beast is starting to feel a bit like he's anathema or something because I always do my housework when he is out of the house or he's gone somewhere.  I hadn't thought about it but not having the dog around is part of the reason.  When Baron is in a playful mood, he makes it tough to get things done by treating what I'm doing as a game.  He will chase the dust mop and try to snatch the handle out of my hands.  Or, when I am trying to make the bed, he will jump up on it and sit his big butt down.  I have to order him down and then he sulks...but he does it like some kind of stalker so he's always in my view.  He then gives me the *how could you yell at me?* look.

I kind of do things in a disconnected way when it's a normal day.  Normal for me anyway.  I will get up for coffee and decide to clear counters or start putting something away (like the clean dishes in the dishwasher) before I finally get my coffee.  A little later, I will feel the need to stretch and get up and do the dusting and dust mop the floors.  Later still, I will make the bed or start a wash.  You get the idea.  It makes sense to me because I am the one crossing things off my list in my head.  As long as it gets done, who cares in what order or exactly when?  Right?  Don't you agree?  That's the good part of being retired. 

Time for me to take my shower and get ready for bed.  It's still early but I'm finding out that I rather enjoy early to bed ...*grin*  Especially if I get to sleep before the Beast starts HIS snoring.  I know I do it, too, but have never heard myself.

After I returned to bed for a while, I got up and decided it was time to check out and purchase the bus tickets for Sheepie.  I ended up calling Buttmunch because I could NOT find the schedule SHE found.  I also took the time to read the instructions for *unaccompanied minors* on the website.  But, since they consider a child of 15 an *adult*, I wiped my brow in relief and let Buttmunch know.  They had all kinds of instructions and it would have been impossible to get her here under those circumstances.  Although, we probably could have bussed her up to Atlanta and handled it that way.

So Buttmunch and I end up on the phone coordinating the searches in order to buy the ticket and what do we find???  OMFG!  The fare has almost DOUBLED.  It was at that point that I decided I would rather send the sperm donor money to meet the Beast/Princess/whomever in Atlanta if he's willing.  I am willing to send him the kind of money that would probably tempt him but not before a couple days before she is to be driven up to meet us.  We are waiting to see if he bites on it.

I would have paid the bus fare IF I had thought to get my order in earlier for my Christmas money.  As it is, I won't be getting it until next week.  Since I don't want the Beast to know just how MUCH I am getting, that remains right here, guys and gals.  In fact, I don't want him to even KNOW I have any Christmas money OR where it is coming from so.....shhhhhhhhhh!  You are all sworn to secrecy...it's a 3-letter word. 

The Beast's back and tailbone are both better but now his left thigh muscles feels solid as a rock.  I checked and it's still warm (drat!) so he's not turning to stone or anything.  **Where, Oh Where, is Medusa when you need her??**  So he's sitting a lot and keeping the heating pad on it.  All this is in a effort for him to feel good enough to drive up to his aunt's where he is sure to cripple himself up somehow or other on his drive home.  It's a neverending cycle, folks.  Why in the hell can't he do all this traveling during the summer or spring months?  He just seems to be a glutton for punishment no matter what time of year it is.  It just seems less stressful on him when the weather is better.

It's been cold in this house when we get up in the morning.  It seems the Beast is dropping the temperature down to about 60 or slightly above since he feels it's not dropping down all that much.  In truth, if he lets it warm up to a fairly decent temperature before we go to bed, it WILL hold the heat fairly well.  The problem lays in the fact that he dresses in a warm, flannel shirt and opens the doors (in his term *slightly open*) and wastes a lot of heat.  Then he drops the t-stat temp down and goes to bed, where he proceeds to strip down into his tidy-whitey's and t-shirt and goes to bed.  Now, you must understand....he is sleeping on top of an electric blanket.  *I* am not.  I often wake up in the middle of the night to find him uncovered.  Why not?  He's nice and warm.  But, by morning, when *I* get up, I find him in his heavy robe, sitting at the table, t-stat turned up and heater going full blast because OH MY!  IT GOT COLD IN HERE SOMEHOW!  *insert eyeroll here*  Sheesh, like that's hard to figure. 

Now, maybe it's just me but doesn't it make more sense to just try to keep a decent temperature set all day long?  He will end up turning on the stove top and sometimes the oven, too, to help warm up the house.  Again, how he thinks this is more economical is beyond my ken.  But when I try to suggest that, he starts his raving and ranting about hoping *I* will like the job *I* have to get in order to pay the electric bill from one of *MY* stupid ideas.  After all...get this now...HE KNOWS better than *I* do about how much electricity is costing us.  Now do you see why I have learned to pick my arguments and I don't discuss everything with him any more?  He's not even as bad as he once was.  It used to be worse.  Back then, he KNEW what I was THINKING.  I kid you not.  It was almost unbearable for a while.  I really started to understand women that broke under psychological abuse from their husbands and why they would KILL them.  Now it just makes me roll my eyes and walk away.  It's so dumb because he is always proven wrong.

I found him working on some figures on his calculator and asked him what he was doing.  He ignored me until after he was done and then announced, *I might as well leave the main heat on rather than run those room heaters*.  I just laughed and said, *I thought so.  I was pretty sure that I read somewhere that they really eat up the KW's*  I even managed to get into my computer room before I even so much as snickered.

I swear that this time, IF the Beast actually works up the nerve to make that trip to his aunt's, I WILL get at least one more pair of pajamas or a nightgown made for the baby.  I really want to get that done so I can move on to other things.  I have a couple other projects around here I would like to get done before Christmas.  *sigh*

Okay.  Time to move on and get a few things done before I hit the sack...early again tonight so I can get up early for the REAL doctor's appointment.  At least I can try to find out if this cold is any more than a cold as well as get my prescriptions renewed.  It's only 5:30 pm here (Monday night) and it's already dark outside.    I hate this DST!  But it does make it easier to go to bed earlier and that's the ONLY good thing about it.

Love you all.  Have a great day.  Find yourself a smile somewhere and spread it around.

We played and she wanted me to sit in my computer chair but only because she liked sitting on my lap to watch TV.  She kept grabbing my arms and putting them around her.  When I started taking them away (to tease her) she would yell *NO!  Gramma...you stay here! * and she would wrap my arms around her again.  It was really hysterical. 

After she ate her lunch and got to visit with her mother (who came to Gram's Place to eat because the price was right), she just wanted me to sit in my recliner and rock her.  She clutched her *ti-ti* as she has been calling it (????) and fell sound asleep.  I finally laid her down and she slept for an hour and a half.  I was doing a crossword online when she woke up and came over to grab my arm because she wanted it around her while she laid her head in my lap.  When she was fully awake, she had to do some trying on of Gramma's shoes and go clomping around the house.  She kept me aware that Papa had gone to bed for his nap and kept saying *shhhh* with her finger over her lips when she would walk out the door.

Johnnycakes came to pick her up and she was so excited.  She yelled *Daddy!* when he opened the door trying to sneak in.  She then started running around to grab her jacket so he could help her put it on and she almost left without Ti-Ti but Johnnycakes found it.  She then kissed me about four times and kept waving.  She even said goodbye to Baron before she left.  As much as she likes coming here, even she is glad to go home to be with Mommy and Daddy.  Too cute.

The Beast was feeling a bit better today.  At least he could almost sit up straight.  He even managed to get dressed.    He took the dog out front since they finally mowed all the empty land across from us and Baron loves to romp over there.  He is like a greyhound with the way he loves to run.  You just have to wipe his feet once he comes back in because those paws of his grab all the long grass that's in piles over there and drags it into the house.  On the wood floors, you can see all of them as he clumps around the house, dropping them hither, thither and yon.  *Insert eye roll here*

He talked to his aunt who is still at her *cottage* in North Carolina.  It's only about a five hour drive up there and she wants him to come up for some reason.  I hope he knows that *I* am not going with him.  I really don't want to plus I need to see the doctor to get refills on all my meds.  I also just can't stand being around his one cousin, who is also there.  She gets on my nerves badly after a few hours.  HE loves her, not ME.  Plus, he would be gone on Saturday and I have to be here to take care of my baby doll.  (That's a good excuse, isn't it?)

I just got all his clothes washed that he wore at his brothers and guess what?  He's such a .... a MAN!  He wore the same pair of jeans the whole week long.   Can you believe it????  Plus he didn't put the one shirt that he wore over his tshirts into the wash.  I gather he wore one nice shirt when he went over to see Renoir and get his computer built.  I will have to tell you all about that another time.  What a computer ended up getting built!    He really went a bit overboard in the stuff he bought.  The Beast almost fell over in shock.

Anyway, I'm beginning to feel like I shouldn't worry about packing anything for him except underwear, tshirts and socks.  Why bother?  IF he uses his deodorant and takes a shower every day (and he does, thankfully), I guess nothing else matters.  If we are traveling somewhere together, it just means more room for MY stuff.  LOL.

Okay, enough.  Love you all.  Hope you have a wonderful day this Sunday.  I will be enjoying an apple pie I made.  I cut up the apples and soaked them in apple cider overnight.  I will let you know how it turns out in my next blog.

However, my eyes feel like I have been reading fine print all day long.  Ever done that and when you finally look up and away, your eyes almost burn?  That's my eyes right now.  I haven't finished getting her badge for her because I had to take a break but I don't have many more to get to finish the challenge.  It shouldn't take me more than...oh, maybe 3 more hours now.  Only time will tell. 

The Beast had gone to bed around 8:30pm after realizing that his recliner was actually making his lower back and hip hurt even more.  I put the electric blanket on HIS side of the bed and cranked up the heat since it seems to help him.  So, a half hour later, I hear him in the kitchen, making himself a cup of tea because he *couldn't sleep*.  I told him again that he should take something to help with the pain (I should have crushed up one of MY pain pills and it would probably have knocked him out).  He has decided he's going to take some Nyquil because that always does that for him.  It's actually the alcohol in it that does it.  He can't take alcohol since his strokes and it DOES make him woozy.  It's not even the main ingredient in it but it's enough.

I ended up sleeping in my recliner last night because of the Beast.  He had, for some reason, taken over the bed.  I managed to get into it and get comfortable even though the Beast was all over me.  Little by little, he kept moving closer and throwing his leg over me or his arm, grabbing my pillow, etc.  I found myself with about 8 inches of space on the mattress and just gave it up.  I went into my computer room and made myself comfortable and finally was able to zone out for a couple hours.  He didn't remember a thing when he woke up even though he DID notice how he was sprawled all over it.

We talked about getting Sheepie up here for Thanksgiving.  The Princess spent some time texting with her and I gather her father hasn't changed his mind about letting her go.  The Princess thinks he likes her since he is always telling Sheepie to *say hello to.....* when they talk on the phone or are texting when he's around.  The Beast is willing to pay for her bus fare if he will let her come up that way.  The Princess asked her to find out if he would drive her up to Atlanta to meet her and I haven't heard anything since then.  I would be willing to send the equivalent money for his gas if he would do it but I will hold that as an ace card and see what happens.  Sheepie wants to stay with the Princess even though she told her there was nothing to do there for her and she said, *I can always play with Chewlee*.  The Princess said she would make her babysit Chewlee the day after Thanksgiving since she was so eager.  I'm not sure how much experience Sheepie has with babies, diapers and such but we will see.  The Princess said she didn't think we would object and we don't.  We want her to enjoy herself if she's here with us.

I was so dumb.  I wanted to make sure Tara and her family came for Thanksgiving and wrote her an email so I could let her know there would be plenty of leftovers for them to take home (with the way I cook for an army...LOL).  I totally forgot that she doesn't have internet access any more so I have to call her tomorrow.  She STILL has her cell phone, thankfully.

Are any of you superstitious about Friday the 13th?  It's just another day to me but I do know people that go out of their way to suddenly observe lots of little things that they normally wouldn't worry over....like throwing salt over their shoulder if they knock a salt shaker over; knocking on wood if they say something they feel might be asking for trouble on an *unlucky* day...that kind of thing.  I know one gal that was absolutely horrified if a black cat showed up around her.  She would stop dead and back up or turn around to make sure it didn't *cross her path*.  It was just totally weird to me.  I hope such things don't disturb your life or your thoughts.

We are changing our TV service.  Strictly a monetary thing plus it will give the Beast a lot more football games to select and watch without us having to pay additional money.  I kid you not.  It's really amazing to me.  But a great promotional feature, for sure.  They are installing it on Sunday.  The Beast is looking forward to being able to check out the football stations for sure.

Okay, time to say goodnight or should I say *good morning* since this will be the post for Saturday for most of you.  Hugs and don't forget I love you all.  Here's a thought for today:
Happiness is a choice you make.  Think about it.

I finally got a look at the Beast walking around.  He had been sitting, eating some of his Cream of Wheat that seems to be his breakfast of choice for the past few months, when I got up.  I was busy with my back turned to him getting myself some coffee and getting a fresh pot ready to make.  As I turned to go to my computer room (where else?), I saw him get up and head towards the bedroom.  He was so bent over, I thought he was looking for something on the floor he wanted to pick up.  I stopped in surprise and said, *What the hell...???*

He turns his head towards me and says, *My back is just KILLING me.*  I had to laugh because it's something that actually happens to him every time he *pushes* himself like he did coming home from Chicago in one shot.  But this time it seems especially severe.  He's been putting Icy Hot on his back all day long.  He took a long, hot bath and has been looking for the heating pad.  We had two here at one time but we both looked all over this house and can't find even one.  I think he might have thrown out one of them because it was kind of strange and I believe it was something he bought back after the stroke to wrap around his arm.  It always seemed cold to him and being able to wrap it and even secure it (it had these elastic cords on it) made him feel better.

I finally looked at him and told him, laughing the whole time, that he was a walking *black hole*.  He lost the card reader and now, even he knows he was the last one with the heating pad, and it's just GONE!    I can't even imagine where it is or what he could have done with it.  We searched every drawer in the house, all five closets (the other two are for grocery items so we know it's not there) and I got down on my knees and looked under the beds.  I looked through my closet in here to make sure and remembered that I just totally redid the shelves in there so it couldn't be up there.  I'm just out of ideas. 

Meantime, the Beast decides that the reason the Icy Hot doesn't seem to be doing much is because he's using the stick form.  So he goes into the guest bathroom, grabs the jar of it and takes a big gob of it on his hand, reaches around and applies it.  He then puts the jar back in the cabinet and realizes he needs to pee.  So he grabs ahold of his dangle down........POW!!!  BAD IDEA THERE....he hadn't washed his hands so there he is, dancing around, yelling to beat the band and I am hysterical here.  I just couldn't help it...meantime, I turn on the water to wet a rag for him and he's trying not to scream and shooting me some evil looks because I am still laughing.  When I was able to talk again, I told him...*not the brightest thing you have ever done there, Beast!*  I still chuckle when I think about it.

He's having a tough time just getting to his feet right now with the back hurting him so much.  I told him that I am going to remind him that he is NOT a young man any more the next time he tries to make a 12-14 hour drive in one day.  He says he has learned his lesson but I don't believe him for a minute.  When he finally recovers, he will just shut the memory away and then remember only that his back hurt him *a little*.  Trust me. 

Now I have a conundrum.  Do I go ahead and make the trip up to Walmart or not?  Do I really need the few things that I was going to pick up?  Then I take a look in the mirror and think...*I really need my hair cut.*  So, yes, I am going to take the run up there, get my hair cut and styled and then pick up the things I need.  I also remembered that I need to return a pair of jeans I bought that are just a little too tight for me.  I need the next size UP.  I think I am definitely putting on a bit more weight than I want to right now.  I have to get back in my routine of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular times.  Once you stop doing that, you gain weight because your metabolism goes into what the doctor said was a *starvation* mode.  Your system slows down so that every single bit of nourishment you DO take in is digested and stored away as fat.  Another bad thing is that it causes you to be constipated.  Now I don't need that again. 

*******LATER*******

I did get my hair cut.  Love it and it looks sooooo much better.  Finished up shopping for Thanksgiving because turkeys were on sale for 40 cents a pound.  I got a 21 lb. turkey for just a little over $8.00.  It's a Jenni-O, self-basted with one of those pop-up timer things in it that make me nuts.  I've never had one that worked out if you time it per lb. if you know what I mean.  It always pops out quite a while before it's supposed to but I have found if you trust THAT, the breast meat is moister.

Now I have all that I need to put together a nice Thanksgiving meal, including some of my famous and craved nut cups.    Oh Oh...and Walmart also had their butter on sale for only $1.50 a pound.  One man, when I mentioned it (in surprise) said, *Is it REAL butter?*  I was really surprised he would ask when I was standing in front of the REAL butter section dropping several pounds into my basket.  But, as dumb as the question was, I replied as I pointed, *Yes, it's real and it's right here!*  He walked over and started to take a few and I walked away to get some eggs.

The Beast got home around 6pm.  He really had to be hauling ass the whole way to make it home even after stopping at Publix to pick up a couple things (bread, bologna, a Rocky Road pie, lettuce, tomatoes, a cracked pepper mustard that looks interesting and some of his favorite cheese spread that he can only buy there).  It should have taken him another 2-3 hours so you do the math.

I fed him when he came home...pork roast, gravy, mashed potatoes and green beans.  I know I said I was going to make the cauliflower but it was too hot in the kitchen to add more steam.  The green beans I could nuke. 

He then got undressed and into his robe where he had his dessert (strawberry shortcake) with some eggnog to drink.  He finally gave up trying to stay up and awake and crawled towards the bedroom.  Baron followed him in, yawning of all things.    I know...I was shocked since the Beast said the dog had pretty much napped most of the way home.  I think they BOTH are glad to be home and in/on their own beds.  When they first got here, Baron came trotting into the house, sniffed at the food I had waiting for him and then practically ran into my room before I had time to get out of my chair to greet them.  He jumped up enough to give me a doggy kiss and then started jumping and turning around in little circles in happiness.  He then ran all through the house, checking out everything.  I swear, he was checking to make sure there were no other dog smells in the house.    After spending a week with his two dog *cousins*, I think he was just glad their smell was not here.

So it's home now and he's not even unpacked.  I won't do it for him either.  I'll let him have that much to do tomorrow to make him feel he's done SOMETHING constructive because he sure as hell won't be useful for much after one of these trips.

Buttmunch and I were talking shortly after the Beast got home and I mentioned to her that I had suggested he cut his trip and stop to spend the night at her house.  She said I should have reassured him that it was MUCH larger than her last one (and it really IS) but I told her that kind of info goes in one ear and out the other.  She laughed and said, *Well, it would have been a gentler trip since it only takes about..what?  Seven hours from my house to yours?*  I laughed because it only takes me five and when I mentioned that she said, *Oh, that's right.  Mustachio and I always go there via Birmingham.  We like to come from the south.*  At that, I was rolling on the floor and so was she because they have done that twice coming to our house.  Mustachio really needs a GPS because he will print out the Mapquest directions to our house and then leave them behind or lose them. 

Like all men, he believes he remembers how to get here.  Now, since he has never managed to get here the same way twice, that is a real joke!

I was thinking about Sheepie's father and his call here the other day.  Since he got no satisfaction (money) from me, I am wondering now if he will be so willing to let her come for Thanksgiving.  Hmmm.  Well, we shall see.

Time to get this set up for posting later.  Love you all and have a wonderful day.  I hope the forecast for your area is as good as it is for ours....sunshine all through the weekend before any rain returns.  Cool nights and days in the upper 60's to low 70's.  Sounds good to me.