April 15, 2010

  • What Passes For A Normal Day


    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    Today was the closest to a normal day we've had in a long time.    The Beast got outside on his John Deere and cut the front lawn and the lot next door.  He even got out the weed-whacker and started on those areas that needed it.  He's not done by a long shot but at least it all looks better now.  I think this is the first time he's cut the lawns and the air hasn't been thick with the smell of onions.  I sometimes dig up the green onions that are in the front landscaped areas close to the house.  I swear....that is what was grown on this property before it became home sites.

    He also started out the thinning of the plums AND some of the peaches.  That broke my heart because it was the Alberta peaches he had to thin in spots.  There were just too many small peachettes on them.  They would have crowded each other out or, worse, would have broken the limbs they were on.  The plums still need more thinning but we have plenty of time to do that.  He does some then I go out and do more. 

    I hung out some clothes today.  I just wish it had been a bit breezier out.  I was suddenly remembering why women had to do so much ironing.  I think I am going to be forced to be a lot more selective about what I hang outside.  Some things just NEED a dryer because I WILL NOT IRON!!!  I gave that up once they came out with permanent press.  I even threw out some permanent press items if they were not *really* permanent press.  For years, I didn't even own an iron, let alone an ironing board.  But, once I took up sewing again, I needed one.  So I have an iron and a table top ironing board now. 

    Tomorrow, the Beast is going out to Skyline (taking his ATV with him) so he can check it out thoroughly.  I asked him if he wanted me to pack him a lunch but he said no.  He will probably just hit McDonald's or Arby's.  I'll still have Baron here but he pretty much lays around feeling sorry for himself when he can't go with the Beast.  With all the turkey hunters out, he's afraid Baron might get shot. 

    I got a frantic email from one of my cousins today.  It's the cousin who's son is getting married next month (and I am flying down to Florida for it).  He called me the other day but my phone was charging and I didn't hear it ringing until it was too late.  I let it finish charging and then just totally forgot that I needed to call him back.  Color me embarrassed here.  I emailed him back to assure him that we were alive and well and that I would call him tomorrow.  Sometimes we just like to chat about nothing but I have a feeling they are feeling the pressure even though it's their SON getting married and not their daughter.  Having had to put together a wedding once several years back (while the Beast was recuperating from his strokes), I don't envy the parents.  This one was a hastily put together one for my oldest.  She wanted a Renaissance-style wedding and her matron of honor had to fly down from South Carolina to stand up for her.  We put it together in two weeks but it was a nightmare getting all the dresses for the bridesmaids, etc.  Some we rented (thankfully) but others liked the dresses and bought theirs. 

    The Princess thinks planning for a wedding that won't take place for over a year is a nightmare?  She has no idea.    It will get worse as the time draws nearer.  I hope we can put together something nice for her.  Something a bit more elaborate than we had time to do for the oldest daughter.  One day we will need to sit down with the kids and actually discuss what they were planning.  I know the Beast told the Princess we would try to help them buy a house once they are married.  I just think they are hoping we can help finance the wedding.  I would love to see her walk down the aisle with the Beast and see Chewlee as the flower girl.  I think the Princess has the girl that was her best friend planning on being her matron of honor (she's married now).

    I'm going to have to replant one of my rose bushes tomorrow because, for some reason, it's started sinking.  It looks like the dirt is actually going under the barn (it's raised up and there is a space underneath).  We had no idea that the level was lower than the area I have the rose bush planted right now.  I'm still going to keep it in the same general area but a little further away from the barn.  I thought the Beast had it too close anyway.  Once it takes hold and starts really growing, it will need the room until it's big enough for me to trim.

    The baby was in a whining mood today.  I checked the daily progress report (they put down EVERYTHING, including bowel movements and what they ate for lunch) and found out she only napped for a half hour.  Figures.  But I gave her a sucker and she sat quietly in my lap while we watched Harry Potter and then Sponge Bob for a bit until her mother decided it was time to go home.  She had gone riding the ATV around the neighborhood with the Beast for a while.  They stopped and talked to a couple of the neighbors.  The talk of the area is Earl and Betty's house.  They tried to sell it but we found out why they couldn't.  They are suing the contractor because he used Chinese drywall and it was making them ill.  They had no idea what it was, at first, but their doctor finally figured it out and they got online to check on how to find out certain things that would indicate it was from China. 

    Well, they got the surprise of their life because darn near everything that could be wrong, was wrong.  Plus, due to an earlier problem with the lot not being level and getting so much water that pooled and made it a mud lot from all the rain, it even developed that black mold.  Now they have to actually gut the house, replace any wood that's now *infected* and replace everything that was attached to the wall.....like the cabinets.  However, they don't think they will have to replace those since a couple of them were removed and show no mold....so far.

    Personally, once that mold shows up, I would worry about everything that had any insulation involved...like the fridge, stove, water heater, etc.  This is going to be a nightmare.  I think the builder should just pay them what the house cost them plus the cost of the land and any legal fees acquired thus far.  It will probably be cheaper.  Then he should demolish the house and start over.  He would have the cement from the garage floor plus all the piping, etc. from the septic tank in place.  He would just have to make sure he didn't use Chinese drywall. 

    Well, it's time to get this posted.  Love you all and be sure to have a great day.  Live.  Laugh.  Love.