May 11, 2010

  • The Miniature Roses Bloom


    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    It was cold and rainy today.  I was up early and felt like I should go back to bed and pull the covers over my head.  Then I caught a glimpse of bright red and, when I looked close, I saw my miniature roses on the deck were blooming.  I almost fell over because there wasn't so much as a bud on them three or four days ago when I last looked them over carefully.  Today there are blooms AND buds on them.

    We talked to our insurance agent about the possibility of buying flood insurance and were told the only way we can get it is if we are in a 100 year flood plain and then we would need a certified survey of our elevation.  It kind of surprised me to find out it was still that way (I knew this from our homes in Florida where we always lived near water and always carried flood insurance because of that).  Mainly, it's because we thought it might have changed somewhat due to the type of advertising they show for flood insurance on TV these days.  They make it seem like everyone should have it.....not just those living in a flood plain. 

    Our main concern was not being flooded so much as getting so much rain that it might actually wash out our foundation.  I'm still going to explore this further.  We have several creeks nearby and it's not beyond belief that we might just BE in a 100 year flood plain area.  I somehow doubt it due to the fact that the lake is located about 200 feet lower in elevation than we are BUT better safe than sorry.

    I picked up Chewlee from school today and she was so happy to see me that she ran all over the playroom area telling all the teachers and pointing to me that I was her Gramma and I was taking her to Gramma's house!  She was just too funny.  She chatted a mile a minute to me about her day.  She talked so fast that I only got about half of it.   As we drove home, she kept pointing out various trees, the electric wires, telephone poles and cows out in the rain.  When we got to the stop sign near the house, she pointed out which way I had to turn.  I told her she was soooooo smart and she just sat there, shook her head yes and said, *Yes, I am.*

    She couldn't decide just WHAT DVD to watch first but settled on Godzilla.  As I got one of the movies down, she told me very seriously that she liked Godzilla.  I told her I knew that and I liked him, too.  She insisted she put the DVD in but first she checked it out to make sure there were no fingerprints on it (it's always MY fault if there are).  When Godzilla came on, she ran up to the TV, yelling *Godzilla* and had to point him out to me.  She then came over and sat in my lap.  The movie had just finished and I had turned on Diego when her mother showed up.  At first, she didn't want to leave but her mother threatened her with *If you don't come, I won't let Gramma come and pick you up any more.*  I was surprised that she then went willingly with a cheerful, *Bye, Gramma!  See you tomorrow!*

    Tara came over to do a little business with the Beast and it was that Bring Your Kid to Work Day at the high school so she brought the middle son over for a haircut.  He's got hair like my son, Mustachio, had as a kid....stick straight.  It's kind of a tough type of hair to cut so it layers nice so I said I would buy a shaper at Sally's for the next time.  Used correctly, that will do the trick.  His hair actually is easier to shape than his brother's was (due to his curl) but he looks so damn cute with his hair cut just enough to be able to see his face.  I actually think he would look strange with what is considered to be a *regular* boy's haircut.

    I made us some beef stroganoff tonight.  I really tried to cut down the amount of meat and stuff I used but still made enough for at least one other person (more likely, two).  The dog was happy, though.  He thinks he's entitled to any leftovers we have.  I won't let him eat out of our dishes tho'; I put any leftovers into his bowl.  I can't break the Beast out of the habit of giving it to him that way, however. 

    Time to get this posted.  I haven't seen Bratfink online today so I guess Hawk is still in the hospital.  She has other stuff to do so she can always do that if she starts to get the shakes.    We are all doing a good job keeping the internet going so keep it up, guys!

    Love you all and have a wonderful day.  I hope you have good weather.  Weatherbug is saying we will have clear weather and temps of 82 and up for the rest of the week.  The Beast is moaning and groaning over that.  He hates hot weather but I love it.  I hate when he puts on the AC.  The only thing that consoles me is he won't do it just because he hates a high electric bill.  So, he will turn on the fans all over the house (is that really saving anything?) and piss and moan until I want to choke him.  Only then will he turn on the AC and tell me it's *just to cool down the house a little*.  I know he will turn it on before bedtime but our nights should be temperate enough even for him (in the 60's).

    Be good and stay safe.