I put in some DVD's today so I wouldn't have to be frustrated.  I watched my Independence Day, of course.  I just love that movie and I never get tired of it.  I almost watched *The Stand* today but decided I didn't want to with Chewlee coming after school.  I like to watch that one with no breaks in it.  Good thing because today was *Dora the Explorer* day for Chewlee.  I only have her here for an hour and a half and it's hardly time to do anything with her except put her in my lap and just watch with her.

She was hungry today but, after I made her some Easy Mac, she ate two spoonsful and decided she didn't want *cheese*.  About then, her mother came to get her and they had to make a mad dash out to the car.  Her mom said she already had lasagna made for dinner (she made it after the baby fell asleep yesterday at 7pm...and slept until she was wakened at 8:30am to get ready for school.    I told the Princess that I thought she was tired today, too, and would probably eat, take her bath and head right for bed.

I didn't go to bed last night until around 2:30am.  That was about an hour later than I intended.  I slept until around 6am and woke up for some ungodly reason.  Then, after I was on my feet, I realized it was the storm that woke me up.  I stayed up but took two small naps.  I tried to get this post done but it vanished on me and I had to start over...twice.  So, pardon me for making this a short one.  It's thundering again and I have no clue if THIS one will make it.

Today was my first day picking Chewlee up from school.  I think she was surprised it was me.  It will take her a while to get used to it, I think.  It was raining out, of course, but not so hard that we couldn't make a dash for it and not get really wet.  When we got here at the house, I asked her what she wanted for a snack and she, of course, said, *Candy!*.  I laughed and told her no candy but did tell her she could have grapes or a tangerine.  She chose grapes.  She then headed right into my room and was just chanting, *I want Zilla...I want Zilla!*  Took her a couple minutes to pick out the one with the little boy in it although she likes *Son of Godzilla* for all the different monsters in it. 

Actually, the two movies she likes the best both have several different monsters in them that Godzilla fights (and wins!) and Godzilla's son, too.  We've watched other Godzilla movies together but she tires of those easily if there's too long a time without Godzilla fighting something or destroying some place.    What a kid!

I spent almost all day long just working on washing, folding and hanging up clothes and little else.  Partly it was because I was so depressed over the Beast not leaving.  Even he was disappointed as he watched the reports on the weather channel.  He had gotten up early and packed up the car while I was still asleep.  He did it so quietly, I had no clue.   He finally unpacked the car and put the guns and ammunition away that he was taking with him.

I guess tomorrow I will go ahead and try to get this rug cleaned.  I've put it off long enough.  I was going to do it when the Beast left but  I might as well have a nice clean rug for myself and Chewlee to enjoy.  Thankfully, my steam cleaner extracts the water so well that it dries in about an hour.  It might take a little longer if it's raining out but I can put my baseboard heater on and that will help if I need it.

I really, really need to get into the closet here and reorganize it (once again...sigh).  It got more abuse during the holidays and just a wish and a prayer whenever I had to go into it and get something.  Things got moved around and moved around...now it's a small disaster.  That's another of the things I had slated to do when the Beast was gone.  Shoot, if I get most of the things done I wanted to do while he's still here, I won't know what to do with myself while he's gone!    Wrong!  I ALWAYS have stuff to do.  Crochet, sew, make some repairs on things....lots to do just hate to do stuff I enjoy when there's real chores I'm avoiding. 

When the Beast and I went to Sam's Club to stock up, I managed to grab a DVD on the way to the cashier.  It was *2012* and I have to tell you, it's a really good movie.  Bratfink watched it a day or so after I had gotten mine (the Boy rented it for her since it's not really a type he enjoys) and we both laughed about how it had elements of other movies we both like but it didn't stop us from liking it.  Woody Harrelson plays a really nutty character in it but you can't help but like him.  If you haven't seen it, rent it.  There's lots of action in it that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Love you all but I need to get this posted while I have internet.  With the weather being bad, it comes and goes on me.  Take care, stay safe and drive carefully, please.

His excuse for the gun safe was Chewlee but it didn't require it being fireproof or big enough for a dozen guns or so.  However, it looks like five is all we will manage because he also put his ammunition in there along with his very expensive camera.  Oh hell, ALL his cameras are expensive but this one was well over $12K when he bought it.  That doesn't include the lenses for it.  I guess I should be grateful because there were more expensive digital BODIES he could have bought but he didn't for various reasons. 

Johnnycakes came over to help the Beast get it from the back of the truck into the house and in place in the corner of the guest bedroom.  When you look at it, you almost expect it to say *Wells Fargo* because it looks so much like an old western safe.  I WILL take pictures of it tomorrow for you to see what I mean.  After getting it in place, he had to (of course) bolt it to the floor.  It's not enough that it weighs damn near 500 lbs.  I guess some OTHER gun nut could break in and carry it off into the sunrise or something. 

To secure it, he needed my help.  The base of the safe had special holes in it for securing it but he DID have to drill through the floor (and the rug in there) in order to put the bolts in.  I was up on top while he crawled under the house to get the nuts put on and then I kept them from turning while he secured each one from underneath.  He then considered his job done and filled it up.  It's now filled up and secured.  *Sigh*

I made the joke that it was sure going to be easy to get our hands on one if we should ever need to, such as a house invasion.  He just shot me a look and said...now get this!  Well, we still have the revolver.  Well, DUH!  Why did we need all the different rifles and some incredibly deadly looking shells??  Oh!  I remember!  To hunt.  Yeah...that's right.  To hunt deer and other stuff to fill our non-existent freezer he keeps saying he's going to buy. 

I got up early today.  I think I only got about four hours sleep.  It was a chilly 27 degrees out then but warmed up quickly to about 58, I think it was.  It DID feel nice out and the day was bright and sunny. 

Tara stopped by to pick up a program she needed for her computer.  No real job yet but she has managed to pick up a little bit of work for a garage that she uses in exchange for some work and parts for her van.  It's pure barter because she felt bad that the girl in the owners office had no clue what she was doing and really screwed up his bookkeeping program (I'm sure you can guess which one THAT is).  Trust me, that's easy to do because the gal that took over the bookkeeping position at our office when I left talked the Beast into installing it and did the same thing.  She had worked with it and liked it but she had not been the one to start up the program so she made some very bad mistakes. 

Tara was worried about Buttmunch because she's been texting her but not getting a reply like she used to.  I talked to Buttmunch a few days ago so I assured her that she was okay.  I also told her that she just wouldn't believe how addicted to the online game that she plays she has become.  I think that is her main interest in life these days.

My son, Marcus Aurelius, didn't take the house I originally told you about.  It failed inspection and he was told it was a fire waiting to happen, had major plumbing problems and, worst of all, had a mold and mildew problem.  He (the inspector) made a comment about just scraping the house and selling the land being cheaper than trying to repair the problems.

They did, however, find a newer house that looks just scrumptious to me.  Beautiful open kitchen with a work island in it.  It's a 3 bedroom (with a 4th downstairs in the finished basement), nice family room, partially fenced lot with mature trees and has one full bath and two half baths.  It'll work out well for them, I'm sure, especially since the two older kids are close to college age.   I don't think this one will have any problems passing inspection (which takes place on Monday) and they should be able to close on the house on the 26th of the month.

I was concerned about the kids possibly having to leave their schools but they have open enrollment in Nashville so they can continue in their present schools, thank goodness.  It's only about a 15 minute ride from the house so that's not bad.  What's funny is the school that is normally assigned to that district is 20 minutes away.  Go figure.

Tomorrow is our dinner *date* with the Princess, Johnnycakes and his grandparents.  We are eating at Top of the River (very nice restaurant and a beautiful view).  I'm excited because they have some great seafood there that's brought in fresh daily.  It's not your average restaurant and the service we got when we were there once before was excellent.  Tara knows the manager and the chief bartender there (the manager is a past mayor of Guntersville and his father owns several nursing homes and rehab centers).  

I heard a little bit about the grandmother and I'm going to be very curious to meet her.  Johnnycakes mother thought she should introduce us a long time ago but I wasn't sure how she would take me.  She goes to church regularly and I wear a Bitch necklace.    I think she might be horrified but I gotta be me.  I seldom take it off and have been wearing it now for 25 years.  It was my 20th anniversary present and, before you wonder, *I* asked for it.  I had always wanted one mainly because it was a kind of private joke between the Beast and I from when we were...not newlyweds but were only married about 5 years, I think.  'Nuff said!

Since the kids went to Chattanooga today, I didn't have Chewlee so what did I do?  I ended up watching some Godzilla movies because TV sucked.  I know!  I know!  But they weren't the same ones that Chewlee insists on seeing all the time.  At least I got to watch a variety. 

I finally finished putting away all the food that we stocked up on...and without the additional shelving that I STILL want.  I brought it up to the Beast (again!) and he just smiled.  I swear, he's gonna hear about it every single day until he gets that in for me.  It will make finding things a whole lot easier.

Now it's time to get this posted.  I think I've covered just about all my loose ends.  If not, I'll catch you up later.  Love you all and have a wonderful day.  I wish you sunny skies and great weather to go along with it.  See ya!

Alas, the brisket could have used a bit more simmering.  Some of it was a bit *chewy* but it still tasted good to me.  I found out while we were eating that Johnnycakes had never had it before.    I know!  I thought it was incredible, too.  He said at his house they had beans and cornbread for St. Patrick's Day.  You tend to forget that in a Bible Belt area, they don't have all the Saints that some other Christian religions do.  You kind of think of it as being a kind of Irish tradition day and everyone wants to be Irish, right? 

The kids are going to Chattanooga tomorrow to the Aquarium there.  It's supposed to be one of the finest in the country...among the top 10 or some such thing.  It's a six floor aquarium and who ever heard of that before?    They want to stop at Rock City and Ruby Falls on their way there.  There are several different places they can go to as a tourist, including Lookout Mountain and the falls there.  The area just below Lookout Mountain, where you catch the almost vertical railroad tram, is a cute shopping district nowadays.  They will have great weather and are staying overnight.  They should have fun and it will be interesting to hear all about how Chewlee reacts to seeing all those fish.

The Princess is having a problem with the sperm donor once again.  It's all over Chewlee calling Johnnycakes *Daddy*.  He thinks that little spurt automatically makes him a daddy???  Get off my back!  The jerk hasn't paid a nickel towards her care and keeping and might show up once a year if his father pays for him to come along.  At least the Paternal grandfather tries to stay in her life and has cut his ties almost...and I say ALMOST..completely to his son.  The son is a waste case.  We recently found out that he has a felony warrant out for him (no clue exactly why but it could be anything, knowing him) in the State of Florida.  He removed himself to Michigan (where his mother and grandmother live) to avoid arrest.

So, the Princess is going to an attorney next week to discuss what can be done to remove the jerk from having anything to do with Chewlee.  Besides all the child support owed, his police record alone sure doesn't make him a great *father figure* candidate, ya think?  She wants to void his parental rights, even if it's in the form of a threat.  She can drop the money owed if he gives that up voluntarily.  Regardless, if he shows up for a hearing, she CAN make sure he gets arrested and returned to Florida.  Like I said, this is all hopefulness right now but the attorney will be able to tell her more next week.  I would sure like to see it because he threatens her AND Johnnycakes in his text messages to her all the time.  What a moron!

As soon as Chewlee got here (she was so excited), she grabbed my hand and said *We go to OUR room, Gramma*.    When we walked in, she said she had to shut the door to keep everyone out.  Then she just wanted us to watch a *dvd* (and that's how she put it).  I had been watching a dvd that was actually of a made for TV movie called, *Category 7, The End of The World*.  I liked it and she said she wanted to watch the *'nado movie* with me.  When it was done, it was *'Zilla* time.  Is anyone surprised?

After watching about 15 minutes of it, I told her I had to go finish clearing off the table so we could get ready to eat.  That's when she thought it was a fine idea to eat and she told me to *stop the DVD and we can watch it later*.  Which I did.  She managed to spill her juice on the floor (Mommy got to clean that up) because she's all elbows when she's at the table (and on her knees on the seat of the chair).  I laughed.  Mommy got upset.  That's the difference between parents and grandparents.  We know they will outgrow stuff like that.

I changed her jeans for her....well, I *helped*.  You know how they like to feel they can do it all.  THAT never changes as they grow up.  The Princess changed her shirt while I went ahead and got things ready for the table.  The Princess had set it while I was tending to Chewlee.  Oh! Oh!  Wonderful news!  It looks like Chewlee is almost potty trained now.  She's even wearing panties to school now...or pullups, not sure which.  But she was so proud of herself the other night when she finally got the idea and pooped in the potty.  She ran out of the bathroom yelling, *Daddy!  I did it!!!*  I think she dragged him in to check it out, too. 

Kids!  Ya gotta love 'em!  Okay.  Here's our weird weather report.  Today it was up to 50 degrees but it's going down into the mid-20's tonight.  Tomorrow it will be up to almost 60, with Sunday all the way through next Friday up in the mid-60's.  But the temperatures at night will be dropping over 30 degrees!    But, after that, we will start dropping down in temperatures once again if all continues in the world as it seems to be doing right now.  I guess I will have to get out and get my rose bush planted now that the ground seems to have thawed out a bit.

On the way there, we stopped at this one pawn & gun shop to check out some handguns.  I was stunned at the variety and decided that I would have to probably wait until we go to the gun class.  They let you try out all kinds of handguns to find out which one suits you best.  I liked this one .45 automatic but it was difficult to pull back the cocking mechanism.  I really don't know that much about handguns and they no longer have the Baretta that I had years ago.  Figures, right?

We then had to stop at Sports Authority in Huntsville (which doesn't carry handguns any more) to take a look at some gun safes.  We found a couple that the Beast liked and there's plenty of room for his guns AND the ammunition.  They also were fireproof so we can keep important papers in it, which makes things a lot simpler for Buttmunch if something happens to the two of us.  I just have to make sure she gets the combination since she is the executor of our *estate*, such as it is. 

When we got to Sam's Club, the Beast took Baron for a little walk so he could pee if necessary.  I grabbed one cart and he grabbed one of those flat ones since we knew we would have boxes of vegetables and other big items that would be easier to deal with than in a regular grocery cart.  We made our way around the store, up and down the aisles and stocked up on almost everything we wanted.  Unfortunately, we couldn't find any dried beans for some reason and I didn't want to get any pasta there.  I want to get boxes as I need them so there's less chance of those little *critters* hatching and making them unusable.  I hate those mealy bugs but it's a fact of like we have to deal with unless you can refrigerate them.  I would need a refrigerator as large as a one car garage if the Beast had his way.   

The worse was, of course, coming home and putting everything away.  I had to rearrange a cabinet out in the garage and then carefully get it all tucked away.  It's still not all done because the Beast finally realized that I need the shelves extended a bit in the one pantry.  I had been after him to do it almost since we first moved in and started stocking things in there.  He claims it can wait one more day because he's taking the truck tomorrow to get the gun safe.  Yeah, right.  One more day...that's a huge laugh. 

If he does it, I'll let you know.  I know him.  However, I was thinking I might hit Lowe's while he's gone and pick up the shelving sections needed.  I think we only need three pieces.  It's that metal stuff that looks like the racks in an oven, only in white.  I can have him take the measurements to make sure and then go get it so it's here for him.  Heck, I might just install it myself.  It's easy enough to do and I have put together things more complicated.  I have the level, drill and all the other stuff necessary.  I just might go ahead and give it a shot.

Okay, love you all.  I hope you have a wonderful day.  Today it seemed (and I mean that..SEEMED) warm to me although it was only 47 degrees out.  I laughed and told the Beast if it had been 47 degrees in Florida, I would have been bundled up like I was in the Arctic.  Here, it seemed almost balmy.  I wore just a long sleeve turtle-neck with a light knit jacket that was part of an outfit.  Since the day was sunny and there was almost no wind, it was enough.  We are supposed to be warming up the next few days, getting up into the 60's by Sunday.  That will be nice since we are meeting Johnnycakes grandparents for dinner that day.  I'm going to get a haircut tomorrow that's long overdue.  At least I'll look presentable...I hope.

So, that means NO trip this weekend and we will probably have to wait until next month's class.  Oh well.  I should be all healed by then at least but we will have to make sure the Princess knows so she can make arrangements for Chewlee on that Saturday.  This one would have been perfect.  Now, all I need to do is find out if we are going OUT somewhere or what?  Guess I will have to ask the Princess when I talk to her next.

It didn't take me long to fall asleep and I just barely noticed when the Beast came to bed.  I think I slept well.  At least there weren't any memories of waking up, not even for my usual late night stumbling to the bathroom.    Around 9 or so, Baron started poking his nose in my face and making little whining sounds.  I figured he needed to go out so I stumbled out of bed and headed for the back door.  When I opened it and turned around....no Baron.  I shut the door, mad as hell that he woke me up for nothing and found him curled up on MY spot of the bed!    Trust me, that lasted all of about six seconds until his feet hit the floor and I crawled back in bed.

The Beast got out of bed a little later and I went soundly to sleep until who knows when but it was when the Beast himself got back into bed.   I woke up about 11:30am and was finally awake for the day.  I couldn't believe I had slept 14 hours!  I think I must have really needed that.  At least I am not having coughing fits like I was having and my appetite has returned.  My nose isn't filling like it was either.  It's little things but it means a great deal to me.

The Beast has been dragging his butt around today and blaming it on me.  I told him I would be happy to sleep in the guest room so we didn't just keep passing this back and forth but we probably would anyway.  It's just too small a house to avoid each other for long.  It never warmed up today (high of 36) and was down in the 20's overnight.  But....get this!  It's supposed to get up to the high 50's by this weekend.  <<THUD>>  No wonder I can't get better.  It's this crazy azzed weather we are having.  I'm amazed my daffodil's haven't poked up already....just in total confusion!  Or the tulips! 

The Beast claims....CLAIMS (but we know how he lies) that this delivery we got today is the absolute LAST of the ammunition he needs/wants/just has to have!  The special cabinet he bought for storing it is full and now he filled up what is supposed to be a light toolbox or fishing tackle box with what came today.  I told him he better not lift it by the handle because I doubt it will hold the weight.  Ammunition, especially the size of this stuff, is HEAVY!

If I feel even half this good tomorrow, we ARE heading out to Huntsville for Sam's Club.  It's either that or I have to go do a big shopping for groceries.  One way or the other, we must do some *hunting and gathering* as Bratfink calls it.    Even my poor excuse for a freezer on the fridge is darn near empty.    That hasn't happened in ages.

The Beast found a training class for us to get a license to carry a concealed weapon.  It's in Tallahassee, Florida and our friends (the pseudo trailer trash ones....LOL) happen to be nearby and offered to have us stay with them if we came down for it.  It means leaving on Friday for the Saturday class (8:30am to 5pm).  The Beast says we will grab a motel somewhere nearby so we can get up early and be there to do the registration.  Why am I going to participate?   Because I can....and it sounds interesting.  I've always wondered what those classes were like (it includes some VERY interesting aspects) but I can report on that upon our return.  It means I won't be online to post for the weekend but I'm sure you all will be waiting with baited breath for the post(s?) about the experience. 

We will be leaving Baron with the vet (if she has room for him for the whole weekend.  I MUST call tomorrow.)    The Beast just dropped the bomb on me that he's going to find out from our friends if there is a place he can board the dog for the day near them.  **Insert eye roll here*  I asked him what was wrong with leaving the dog for four days with the vet and he just shrugged.  He just can't detach himself from Baron for that long, I guess.  I'm hoping that our friends tell the Beast there isn't any place nearby them AND that Baron is too big to be allowed in the park where they are located.  They ARE in a resort-type park for RV-ers, after all.  No big dogs allowed and you clean up the crap they leave behind (I mean that literally...LOL).  I just can't see the Beast doing that any time soon.  ROFLMAO!!!!

Surprisingly, getting totally prone (and being exhausted) put me out like a light in minutes.  I woke up without prodding and headed for the coffee pot when I was shocked to stillness in surprise.  It was snowing outside.  Not just snowing but snowing like it meant it!  When I checked further, there was about 2 inches of the white stuff on the ground already.  It actually made me smile.

I realized that I was alone in the house.  No Beast.  No dog.  Since the hour was early, it made me a little nervous.  That usually means the Beast is shopping...somewhere....for something.    When he came home about an hour later, I didn't even ask figuring he would drag whatever it was he'd bought into the house sooner or later.  But there was nothing so he obviously couldn't find whatever it was he had in mind.  I also found out that he hadn't been able to get onto the internet and was bored so he figured he and Baron would take a ride. 

The temperature was too warm for the snow to stay on the ground for long.  It rose up to around 37 degrees for our high and I watched it slowly start to disappear.  We had too many days of fairly warm (for winter) weather the days previous so it wasn't as cold as it could have been to keep it around for a few days.  The Beast tried to make a snowball but said the snow was too wet and they became iceballs so he wasn't going to try playing with the dog with those.  He didn't want to hurt him, just wanted him to try chasing one and have it break in his mouth.  But the *iceballs* changed his mind on that.

Since I knew it wasn't going to stay for more than today (the forecast on weatherbug told me that and I am trusting it more than the weatherman lately), I could enjoy the sight of all that pretty white snow everywhere.  It's amazing how the blowing winds will pile up snow on things that seem to defy gravity.  The backs of the chairs (minus pillows) on the deck were coated about an inch thick with snow and they are NOT slanted.  You expect that on flat surfaces but not vertical ones.   

One side of two of my outdoor statues were coated also.  Made them look kind of surreal. 

The Princess dropped by for lunch today and said that planning for a wedding was *too tough*.  She said she told Johnnycakes *Let's just go down to the courthouse and get married.*  She said he gave her this look and said, *No way am I getting married at a courthouse.  That's too much like a couple hillbillies getting 'hitched'*   I keep thinking he would be stunned over Las Vegas weddings and wedding chapels.  Now THAT is getting HITCHED!

Oh...and we DID end up welcoming a new member to our gun family today.  The Beast drove into Huntsville to The Sports Authority there.  When they had them in Florida, we liked to go there for all our fishing and camping equipment.  That is also where I bought my long gone Baretta years ago.  They always had an incredible display of guns and rifles.  He said they have the same thing here, too.  I think he said it was a .207.  Nice looking as those things go.  I'm starting to worry about him though.  Perhaps this is a sign of some weird kind of dementia??  At least a break in reality?  Good lord, what the heck do we need all these guns for?  I mean, this man hasn't shot one single thing in his life and he's starting to remind me of Bert in *Tremors*. 

Bratfink told me something I didn't know about the Harry Potter series yesterday.  She said there are TWO more movies coming out to finish the final book, which made more sense to me than their trying to squeeze what's left of it into just one more movie.  This is going to drive me nuts now because it means just that much longer to get them all.