It was a totally gorgeous day today.  We actually opened up windows to let the fresh air blow in.  Even Baron spent more time out in the back yard and sunning on the deck than normal.  I guess we are all tired of winter.  So what if it doesn't last.  Today we just enjoyed it.

The Beast decided that he had to replace the special cord he has for his computer that gives him a direct connection, rather than an ethernet one.  He's been having some major problems with his computer.  He finally decided (or rather, admitted) that it was something about HIS computer and not our satellite company or the modem hookup.  He DID change out a few things on the motherboard but, I'm sorry to say, he still hasn't found the problem.  I'm rather afraid it's actually something in his motherboard and those darn things are expensive.  At least the ones the Beast buys are.  He will end up building himself another computer, watch and see.

It is strange to have my window open here in my computer room.  The breeze hits me about chest high because of the monitor.  It feels good to me and I would put on a jacket rather than close the window.  I love fresh air, don't you?

It's especially nice here where we live.  We aren't close to a major highway so we don't get a lot of road noise or those pollutants from cars and trucks.  Even with all the cows around here, it's not like you can smell anything from them.  The farmers here move them around to different fields often.  The only time it stinks is when they fertilize the fields before they plant.  They use steer manure and it's especially fragrant.  If you've ever smelled it, trust me, you never forget it.  No other fertilizer compares. 

One farmer locally plants clover when he lets a field go fallow.  It must contain some good nutrients or something.   Or else, like me, he loves the smell when it's mowed.  I think the cows like it, too. 

That's one thing about the country that I really enjoy.  The smells are very different from living in a city atmosphere.  The only thing I like better is the smell of the ocean.  But that might just be because we lived in Florida for so many years and were on our boat so often.  When my kids were young, I would take them to the beach every Sunday for several hours.  We would pack sodas, sandwiches and fruit and just swim in the water, rinse ourselves off (Ft. Lauderdale has fresh water spray heads for rinsing the salt off you) and then go home to nap for a bit.  The sun can make you tired as well as the swimming. 

The Beast bbq-ed some steaks for us today.  They were thin but oh so tender and tasty.  I nuked a sweet potato for me and a regular potato for the Beast.  We also had a couple slices of fresh tomatoes and it was sheer heaven.  Wish you had been here to enjoy it with us. 

Update on The Aunt:  The doctors at the hospital have sent the Aunt to the Wound Center for them to work their magic.  I have to tell you that they really DO work miracles there.  They helped one of the Beast's relatives after her amputation and they sure helped Bratfink when she was suffering from some terrible wounds she had.  I hope they can do as well for the Aunt.  Say a little prayer, won't you?

Hopefully, tomorrow is going to be about the same as today so I am even going to leave my window open overnight.  It's only supposed to go down to a low of about 48 but no wind.  That's not really too bad.  If it gets a bit chilly in here overnight, I can keep my robe on until it warms up a bit.

Today was not a good day for the Beast.  It all started with his (finally) noticing that the area around his recliner seems to always be a mess.  It's true.  He's a slob.  I will dust mop the area but I won't clean off his tray he uses because he is the only one that makes a mess on it.  I don't sit in his recliner at all.  That is just for him and Baron....oh, and occasionally Chewlee will claim it when he's otherwise occupied. 

Well, one thing led to another and, before I knew it, he was also cleaning up the area around his chair at the table.  That is also always guaranteed to be a mess.  You would think we had young kids here just from the stuff all around it.  I've only been dustmopping about every other day so just think about that.  It shows you how much of a slob he can be.  He then started cleaning up in general to hide the fact that he had noticed HIS messy habits and he noticed all the splotches on the floor around both places because he never wipes up anything he spills.  I admit that I have learned to ignore them for the most part because I will NOT be mopping up every single day.

He decides he is going to mop up the area and he goes out to the garage where the mop is hanging up and brings it in the house.  He then wets it at the sink and comes over to his area at the table, moves the chair and BANG!!  The mop breaks.  I was dumbfounded.  First because it broke at a rusted area just above the *strings*.  The mop looked like it was totally made of plastic so that alone was a surprise.  But the second surprise came when the Beast did NOT start swearing and throwing things around like he does normally.  He decided to replace it right away because he knows that is the mop I use all the time.  He used to constantly buy different types of mops (you should SEE the collection out in the garage.  Sheesh!) and those are definitely in abundance in the garage but he saw the look on my face.  After imploring him to just get a regular string mop, nothing fancy, he agrees and goes off to Lowe's.  When he returns *SIGH*, he DID get me a regular string mop but....he also bought a rather large sponge mop.  By large, I mean that the pad on it must be damn near a foot or more wide.    He then drags in a bucket.  Not one of the many we have around here but a brand new one and oddly shaped.  You'll know why in a minute.  It is one of those buckets that you can use to squeeze your mop dry in because it has this kind of vise-like sqeezer that fits on a special part of the bucket.  Just what we needed.  Something else to store. 

I actually went out in the garage, grabbed several of the mops I never use and told the Beast to get rid of them.  I said I didn't care how he did it but I wanted them GONE.  He shook his head in a yes motion and I returned to the house.  THEN....he brings in a large container of what I assumed was cleaner for the floors.  I just shook my head and said, *Why did you buy something new when we still have a shitload of special cleaner under the sink?*   Actually, we still have a lot of it because I find I prefer to use something that smells a bit nicer than it does.  It leaves a smell like vinegar in the house and I don't find that pleasant.

This one says it's a special cleaner for our kind of floors but, as he's reading it, he realizes it is NOT a concentrate.  That means (a) he paid too much for it because (b) it's not going to last very long.  It's supposed to leave no residue behind so your floors will have that nice bright shine it had originally.  NOT!!!!!  The floors looked dull as dishwater when he was done doing the areas he wanted to get spots up.  I told him, finally, not to do any more.  I would re-do the floors in their entirety in the morning but he had to leave and take Baron to the park for a run or something.  I usually do my floors when I know they are going to be gone for at least an hour or so.  But, since the weather has been nice and will be for a few more days, I figure I can throw them out for this and it's not cruelty by any means. 

He really DID try to be helpful today.  He actually vacuumed his recliner (it is always full of dog hairs because he doesn't take care with the blanket I put on it just for that reason).  I no longer have to vacuum the loveseat all the time because it's been months since the dog got up on it.  He used to think it was his but then he decided that he and the Beast could share the recliner instead.  And they do! 

He finally gave it up and went to play some Hearts on Pogo.  I know why he was trying to be so helpful.  He's still a bit rattled at my tirade the other day over the chicken coop episode.  I think he really is worried about me having him locked up. 

The rest of the day we just did some cooperative chores.  He did one thing while I did another.  I am going to have to put away all the stuff he dragged out to do the floors but....that's minor.  He tried.  He just can't do some things right like he thinks he can.  He's always so sure he can do things better than I can.  I kind of enjoy seeing him have to confront the fact that he can't.  I don't try to compete with him and concede his prowess at many things.  Hey, they aren't *my* thing anyway.  They are all things that we agreed long ago were HIS area of expertise.  He's got to be either bored (or worried like now) when he interferes in my arena, so to speak.

I ended up babysitting for a few hours tonight (Tuesday) while the Princess and Johnnycakes went out for a delayed Valentine's Day dinner.  The Princess had to work on Sunday and then has an early class on Tuesday so tonight was the best time for them both.

Chewlee was in great spirits.  She brought along two of her DVD's from home.  Tarzan and Aladdin so I knew what our evening plans were.  She and I put together her list of snack things (chocolate milk, salami and the Hershey kisses she brought with her).  She was very upset that all the popcorn from our popcorn maker was gone but she got over it quickly.  She plopped down in her Dora chair with her goodies arranged *just so* on her *table* and we watched Aladdin first.  She likes some of the songs in it and even sang along.  She kept calling my attention to the parts she thought I shouldn't miss.  Since it has been years since I saw it, I was paying attention but she had to be sure. 

When she decided to have a Hershey's kiss, she asked me if I wanted one.  I told her that would be nice and she even opened it for me.  She then grabbed it back and told me she had to bite off the sharp top so I wouldn't hurt myself.  She proceeded to do just that and handed me back the now *safe* kiss.  I couldn't help but laugh.  She told me very seriously that I could hurt myself if I put it in my mouth with the sharp part.  I couldn't help but wonder where she got that idea from.

She bounced back and forth between her Dora chair and my lap and bounced right up and over to the DVD to retrieve Aladdin when I opened the tray.  She asked me to press the Tarzan DVD tab so she could get it out and put it in the tray.  Then she wanted to watch what I did with the remote to start the movie.  I showed her when it got to *play* (Tarzan had more previews of other DVD's than I have seen in a coon's age) how to press the OK button and even let her do it.  That seems to have made her day the way she giggled and carried on about doing it.

At some point during Tarzan, something reminded her of her other grandfather (the one working in Iraq).  She talks to him via Skype just about every Sunday.  She told me her other Papa had no hair on the top of his head.  I told her I knew him and I knew he had a bald head.  When I said *bald head*, that took her fancy and she said, *Yes, he has a bald head.  Not like this Papa (meaning the Beast).*  She had to show off the new phrase so she grabbed my hand and told me to *come on* while she ran to the Beast and told him that her other Papa had a *bald head*.  He, playing along, said, *Oh, really?* and she smiled and said, *Yes, he has no hair on it!*  He looked at me and smiled and said, *New words are bald head?* and I just shook my head *yes*.

Poor Chewlee was trying to go potty and she had jeans on with a metal button, not a snap so she started to pee before she got her pullups down.  But....she finished peeing in the potty and did the other, too (which I had to oooh and aaah and high five over) but she was upset that I didn't have any more pullups here.  She had to wear a diaper since her pullups were wet and you can't put them back on her.  I told her I would explain to Mommy but I forgot so I hope she doesn't get punished for it by having something taken away from her again.

She really was cute and lovable but we all think that about our grand kids (and great-grands, too), don't we?  But she also started to plan her birthday party.  She was making out a list of things she had to remember and people she was going to have at her party.  She had to have a *Happy Cake*, a camera (that means Papa is in charge of pictures which she told me before she even started her list), and her list of guests include all the usual suspects:  Me, the Beast, Baron, Mommy, Daddy, Tara, Chance, and both boys.  She also said the names of a couple other people that I didn't know so they could be kids from school even.  Of course, when the Princess got here, she said that Chewlee might not live that long so it was not smart of her to be making out any lists. 

Chewlee remembered her DVD's to take home although she forgot I had put them in the living room so they wouldn't be forgotten.  She had a short moment of panic until her mother told her where they were.   She had seen them coming in.  Chewlee was bouncy and happy as she left and yelled out her goodbyes and then added a *I'll see you soon* to MY goodbye.  The Princess was heading home to do some homework before she went to bed.  I think she only has the one class tomorrow so that's not too bad.

The Beast and I then spent about an hour cleaning out all the science experiments from the fridge.  I was sorry that none of them had taken their first breaths but...hey, there's always other chances in the future.    We wanted to get that done since tomorrow is garbage pickup and the bin had to be taken out to the street tonight.  They come VERY early in the morning here.  It's usually around 4am or so.  It has always made me wonder when they start work and how long a day they work.  At least here in our town, they don't have to worry about recyclables.   It's a sore spot with me because I have always been kind of anal about recycling.  I still cringe when I throw out things that should be recycled.  Talk about a backward area in many ways.  Although, in the very next town and same company, they recycle.  That's where Tara lives.  They also pick up everything you put out, not just whatever you can cram in the bin.  Irks me a lot at times but we can always take things over to Tara's when we must.

The day was totally lovely.  It was 63 for our high, bright and sunny...almost perfect weather.  Baron was happy while he sunbathed out on the deck for a while.  He doesn't stay out long.  Being a short haired dog (and black), he can actually sunburn if he stays out too long.  I usually put some sunscreen on him during the summer if we are going to be outside for a while because he won't go in the house if we are outside.  He looks a bit weird but he smells nice. 

Tonight it's only going down into the 40's and will be in the upper 60's tomorrow (Wednesday) when you are reading this.  I hope you all have wonderful weather.  The only sad thing for me is that you KNOW it's going to end soon.  We are bound to have some more cold weather before spring finally comes waltzing in with her high winds that will play havoc on our fruit tree blossoms and make me nuts.  The joys of raising so many different types of fruit trees.

Today I pitched a real shit fit!  Nothing else you can call it.  The Beast calls me in to see something on his computer that he is thinking about buying.  You know how enthused I was over THAT idea.  But, you could have knocked me over with a feather when he shows me this chicken coop kit!    I looked at him and the first thing out of my mouth was *We can't have chickens here.  It's against the CC&R's*  He just laughs and says, *No one will complain.*  I almost screamed and told him, *No way in hell.  Chickens STINK!  I won't have it.* 

He says, *I'm only talking about 2 or 3*.  But I was adamant, *I will NOT have chickens.  They stink.  I remember that from my great-grandfather's farm and my Uncle Gus's when I was a kid.  And they took care of them.  You get them and *I* will turn you in and have you committed!*  With that I stormed out of the room.  I could hear him stomping around the house for a while after that and throwing things in the sink, etc.  But I am used to that stuff from him.  I was actually shaking, I was THAT upset!

I know I call this the *Brat Farm* but I meant it because of the fruit trees.  I certainly never envisioned us with farm animals.  AND...knowing the Beast the way I do.....give him an inch and it will end up a mile.  It will then become a pig and god only knows what else.  He always wanted to raise pigs because they grow fast from shoat to maturity.  He envisioned getting wealthy on selling them but he forgets how much they smell.  If you have never been near a pig farm, count yourself lucky.  It's awful.  Even worse than the smell of an outhouse that doesn't have lime put on it regularly.

Other than that, nothing special happened today.  We got up to 66 for a temperature and it was bright and sunny again.  It's down all the way to 37 now and a few more degrees will be whittled away before morning.  Weird weather thanks to La Nina.  I hope the next few weeks fly by and spring sets in quickly.  Hope you get to enjoy some good days.  Love you all and have a good day today. 

I only got to watch Chewlee for three hours today.  That was only because the Princess and Johnnycakes wanted to do some quick shopping at the Mall in Huntsville and nothing is quick if you take Chewlee along.  It's not like they have carts for the Mall proper.  And, unfortunately, only a few stores IN the Mall have them but you can't remove them.  So, I got her for that time and they were back about an hour before the Princess had to go to work.  Johnnycakes didn't have work today so he was going to keep her at home with him. 

Anyway, she was cranky when she got here at noon.  I knew it couldn't be because she was still tired but I did wonder if she might have needed a nap.  After the Princess left, I asked Chewlee why she was so unhappy.  In a quiet voice, she told me...*Daddy took my TV away.*  I was surprised and asked her what she had done.  She said, *I drank Mommy's (and I think this is what she said...) liquor.*

I said, *What???  You drank mommy's LIQUOR?*  She shook her head yes and then said, *But I said PLEASE!*  Now, of course, I am thinking that I hope I misunderstood what it was that mommy was drinking that SHE drank but I said to her, *Well, sweetheart, just saying please doesn't mean you can do what you want.  If mommy or daddy said NO, then you were bad and that's why daddy took your TV away.*  She gave me a sad look and leaned into my lap and I stroked her hair for a while.  Then she kind of shook herself and said she wanted to *see* what was on.  I asked her what she wanted to watch and she thought for a minute and said, cheerfully, *Spongebob!*  I checked the TV guide and it was on so I changed the channel and she dragged her Dora chair next to mine and sat down.

No sooner was she down then she jumps up and grabs my hand and tells me she is hungry so let's go.  She practically drags me into the kitchen, opens the fridge and goes right for the salami.  Then, while I took out a few slices of the salami from it's package, she grabs the milk and the chocolate syrup for her regular chocolate milk.  We got everything together and back to the room to watch Spongebob.  I had to get *the big table* (as she calls it...which is the box I have packed up to send to Sister Cee), pulls her chair up next to it and spreads out her salami slices (no bread today) and her chcolate milk.  She was content.

She called me at one point and told me she really wanted to have her *party*.  Her face was so sad when I told her she would have to wait because it wasn't her birthday yet.  She started critiquing the commercials (toys, of course) when they came on.  She would tell me she liked this one or that one.  Some she said she didn't want, mostly what we consider *boys toys* or ones that seemed violent like the transformer ones.  She then told me she wanted only *nice* toys for her birthday.  I told her that I was sure that's all she would get.  That put a smile on her face.

She ate a couple more pieces of salami and then told me she would really like some chocolate candy.  When I told her I didn't have any, she actually looked shocked.  Her face looked like this:    She said, *Did Papa eat it all?*  I just laughed and told her he usually does when we have it here. 

To tell the truth, I was a bit surprised that the Beast didn't have some kind of chocolate candy in the house.  But, with as sick as he's been, I guess it was all he could do just to finish off what we had.    After Chewlee left, I found a couple chocolate cherries hidden away that I think even the Beast had forgotten about.  I think he hid them after he found out that Chewlee liked them, as messy as they get when SHE eats one.

My niece, Tara, stopped by to show us her new brochure she had made up to advertise her business.  They were really nice but I found an error and we think it wasn't HER error when she set it up because it had been proofread by three different people.  She said the printer had told her they had to place a few things differently so she is pretty sure it's THEIR error.  She was heading home later to recheck what she had sent to them because she had paid almost $2. each for the ones she had made up.  I told her I was pretty sure it was an error on their part from changing things around that THEIR proofreader missed.  It was such a little thing.  Just a dropped *e* on one word.  But it needs to be fixed because it isn't professional with it missing.  It makes it seem like it was just something she printed up herself without checking.

Oh, some good news!  The results from Sister Cee's biopsy on the polyp that was removed from her vocal chords is in and it is benign!  Thank you all for your prayers.  The Boy's aunt, however, continues to need prayers.  She developed an infection in her leg and had to have surgery to install a valve when they couldn't locate a usable vein.  They are hoping that antibiotic drips will prevent having to remove the part of the leg involved.  Please keep her in your prayers.  It's greatly appreciated.

We had some great weather today.  It got up into the mid-60's.    Plus it was bright and sunny.  I was actually amazed that Chewlee wasn't wanting to go outside while she was here.  Usually she's all set to go out and run around with Baron.  Today, she let him outside and just closed the door.  Must have been because she didn't really have a happy heart today.  She was, however, feeling happier when she left.

Oh, I almost forgot.  She heard Tara come in (I was preoccupied reading the news online), peeked to see who it was and then grabbed me and told me I had to come with her and see who it was.  I guessed it was Tara but she shook her head no...she then told me I had to close my eyes so it would be a surprise while she guided me out the door.  When we got into the living room, she told me, *Open your eyes, Gramma!*  When I did, she laughed and said, *I told you it was a surprise, didn't I?*  The little minx. 

I'm convinced that kids have the most incredible minds.  Chewlee knew we were having some nice weather so the first thing she *told* me was that we *would be planting our garden soon*.  That brought a big smile to my face and I thought I had better get that figured out real soon.  The *garden* is going to be a planter, I decided.  So, I need to figure out how big I want it to be and how many cement blocks it will take to make it.  I sure don't want to disappoint her.

She told me that *I* could water *my* flowers but *she* would water hers.  I told her I thought we were sharing and the look she gave me was priceless.  It was somewhere between a frown and amazement that I could think she would share *her* flowers.  She told me that *her* flowers were for her mommy.    I told her she was going to have to learn how to wait for the flowers to be done growing before she thought about giving them to mommy and she just waved her hand at me like that was not important to her. 

She also knows that her birthday is only a couple months away now so she was making plans for her party.  It is to be here, at my house and.....I told her she would have to talk to her daddy about this....she would have *her* bouncy house AND her pool set up in MY yard.  The pool is not a big deal except for blowing it up.  It's actually big enough for several adults to lay in and is three *rounds* high or about 2-1/2 to 3 feet deep.  I think I will have the Princess unpack it (I'm sure it's packed away somewhere)  and bring it over about two weeks before the big day.  We can blow it up and fill it up higher than we did last year and let it warm up a bit in the sun for at least a week.  Chewlee was acting like she was shivering and told me that her pool would be COLD!  I told her we would TRY to fix that so it was better this year.  She got this huge smile on her face and said, *Would you?  That would be AWESOME!*

I guess *awesome* is her word of the week.  When she was going through the dvd's to try to pick out a movie to watch, she found this one with a dragon on the back and she told me that it was *awesome*.  When I asked her why it was, she told me, *..because FIRE shoots out of it's mouth and burns things up!*

She seems to be pretty good friends with the potty now.  She used it a couple times today without my having to tell her anything.  That was nice and I have to remember to tell the Princess.  I still am required to *inspect* her poop and wipe her butt for her but I have a feeling she doesn't do that with mommy.    We Grandma's just spoil the hell out of them, don't we?

She ate pretty healthy today and really didn't ask for much in the way of snacks.  She did express her disappointment that I didn't have any popsicles (bad gramma!) but she didn't ask for candy or anything else that wasn't really good for her.  She ate quite a bit of popcorn during the movie but, hey, who doesn't when you have it?  Otherwise, it was grapes and a few pepperoni slices that she snacked on.  What did she eat for lunch?  A salami sandwich, which she had to watch me make AND she asked me (very sweetly) to take off the crusts.  I then had to quarter it for her.  And her mother says *I* spoil her????    She didn't like my avocado but that's probably because I didn't have any Ranch dressing on it.  I swear, she will eat darn near anything if you give her Ranch dressing on it or to dip it in.  She's a very talented *dipper*.  When she was eating her grapes, I heard her yelling for Baron and I knew she was going to give him some.  I told her not to give him any because he didn't like them.

She, of course, being a kid and thinking she knows better, went ahead and gave him one.  When he came back, she gave him another.  Well, what he does with them is just roll them around in his mouth while he walks around and then he drops it on the floor.  When I came out in the living room and saw a few grapes on the floor, I made her pick them up while I told her, *See?  Baron doesn't like grapes and he just drops them all over.*

Later on, when Johnnycakes got here to pick her up, I headed towards my room to get her jacket and guess who stepped on one of those (missed) grapes and slid onto her back?  You got it.  Me.  I slid like I was coming into home plate.  Then I hit the back of my head (not hard though so no worry).  I kind of assessed myself before I moved but I was fine except for one elbow that I just KNEW was going to have a bit of *road burn* (without the road) from my long sleeve shirt.  It's not a large spot but dammit!  It hurts.  Poor Johnnycakes ran over towards me to help me up if I needed it but I didn't.  I just felt a bit pissed at Baron AND Chewlee but that passed quickly.  The Beast was sitting in his recliner and never moved.  He's so concerned.....NOT! 

I have to give him credit for one thing....today he made the best spaghetti I've had in a while.  He had used fresh cut mushrooms, green peppers, ground beef, Italian sausage, ribs and onion...I have no idea exactly how he did it or what else he added to it since I was with Chewlee but....it turned out fantastic!  He made up some penne pasta to go with the sauce and it was just perfect.  Yum!

I am about as tired of writing about our weather as you are probably tired of reading about it.  Imagine my surprise when I was listening to the weatherman on TV and heard that we will be seeing some WARM weather this weekend....possibly as high as in the lower 60's.    I wonder how many other areas of the country are going to experience the same thing?  Just rhetorical.  I was so surprised when I heard that I went to look for the Beast to tell him about it so I missed the national weather forecast.  After that, I really wasn't interested.  Just glad we are getting a reprieve of sorts.

I finally got the Beast to agree to plan out where we are going to plant the trees (aka sticks with roots) that I got from the Arbor Society.  It will probably be along the back of the property  because they are going to be difficult for the Beast to spot when he's mowing.  I'm going to have to put something up as markers for them.  I guess I'll go to Lowe's and see if they have something like little flags on metal pins or something.  Something simple but obvious and won't take up a lot of room.   Maybe I can get him to do it tomorrow or Sunday.

Speaking of tomorrow (Saturday...when you are reading this)....I will be getting my Chewlee for the day.  Or at least until Johnnycakes gets off work and picks her up.  It'll do since it's been well over a week since I saw her last.  I'm going to take her with me to Walmart since I need to pick up a couple things the Beast didn't think of when he went out today.  He got up off his sick bed, got showered and dressed all because his sweet tooth was aching for something...anything.  He came home with a luscious looking carrot cake, complete with cream cheese frosting.  I passed but, trust me, he will have it all eaten by Sunday.  It's an 8" round, not one of those blocky ones you usually see....the ones that look like they were made in a bread pan.  Oh, and the frosting?  It has to be more than a half inch thick.  I'm just glad he likes it.  I'll have to hide it from Chewlee or she will be bouncing off walls in sugar shock. 

You know the saying, *No good deed goes unpunished*?   Today the Beast, who pushed himself to take care of his *good deed for his cousin, found out how true that was.   His cousin gave him a black powder rifle that he had promised to his younger son.  He asked the Beast to make up a display plaque to hang the gun on.  Once that was done and ready, he was then asked if he would Please mail it for him. Sounds simple, right? :

Staples has a policy of not shipping guns and they don't carry any packing boxes big enough to pack one regardless.  They directed him to a shipping center further south.  They wouldn't do it knowingly but did sell him a box and packing materials for shipping his *decorative  shelf*, which he can bring back when he's packed it up.  It seems you can ship a gun or rifle to a factory or a repair center but you (as an individual) cannot ship one to another individual without the proper licenses.  So, to ship it, the Beast is going to be forced to lie about the contents of the box.  It'sso stupid to have to do so.  His cousin's son is in the air force.  He's certainly not some white supremist or other radical.  Especially  not with a black powder rifle.  It's not a point and shoot more than once without reloading, and even that takes a couple different steps.

Day 2 of the Beast's *quit smoking* is still not a total *quit*.  He did light up a couple times that I am sure of.  However, what he did while I was sleeping is uncertain.  I figure I have to go around and make sure all the ashtrays are emptied and put in the sink to soak before I throw them in the dishwasher.  That way, if I also empty the wastebaskets, I will be sure if he's cheating or not.  I told him that I can nag at him if he is sure he wants to quit.  So....I am going to be nagging and checking.

We DID get about an inch of snow but we got warm enough to melt it ....just warm enough.  I think the high was around 35.  Now it's heading down to around 19 degrees but another storm may hit us.  I am tired of winter.  How about you?

Today was the real day 1 of the Beast's quitting smoking.  Since he is doing this cold turkey and not using any *aid*, I knew it would be rough on him.  But....he did good.  He lit up at total of three cigarettes and finished none of them.   He is not gorging on food either.  I understand many people substitute eating for smoking.  He hasn't done that so far although he does have more of an appetite than he's shown over the past two weeks.  He must be getting better.

I made stew today and it turned out wonderful.  I took a piece of advice from Bratfink and put bisquits on top and let them cook during the last half hour.  The result was incredible.  The bisquits made the best pseudo-dumplings you ever tasted!    I kid you not!  I had made the stew with different colored peppers added as well as fresh cut mushrooms, celery, baby carrots, fresh green beans and, of course, potatoes.  I also added some sliced Italian tomatoes because the Beast likes them in his stew.  The Italian tomatoes don't have as much moisture in them as salad tomatoes so they stay firmer if not overcooked.  Those went in around the time I put the bisquits on the top of the stew along with the potatoes, which I had cut into bite size pieces.  A successful meal for sure!

The Beast has for years been a three pack a day smoker.  Even after his strokes, when he could have quit easily  after being confined for two solid weeks to his hospital bed, the first thing he grabbed was a smoke from his cousin.  I kid you not. 

However, he's been sick for two solid weeks now and he's coughing like crazy every time he tries to smoke so he said today he was done.  Finis!  That's all, folks.  No more for him.  It's not like he's had much to smoke at all during these past two weeks and I have noticed that he's not even been finishing a cigarette that he has lit.  However, today's statement is something new for him.  He's never wanted to quit before.  I made a note of the time he said it.  That was approximately 12 hours ago.  So far, so good but....once he actually feels more in control of his body and he stops coughing when he lays down, I wonder what will heppen then.  Stay tuned.

I was definitely feeling better today.  The coughing *I* am doing is not as bad as it has been.  At least I don't feel like I am spraining any muscles any more.  I even managed to do some cleanup around here.  Plus, I put together a stew in my crock pot for us for tomorrow.  It's all set up and I will turn it on later.  By later, I mean around 1-2 am, which is my usual time for bed.  It will be on low so we can eat it for lunch and for dinner tomorrow.  I just know the Beast and the smell alone will entice him so he won't be able to wait for dinner.  I won't add the potatoes until tomorrow so that they won't just dissolve from being cooked for so long.  It's not like I will be going to work or anything so I can do that. 

I've added a few things I don't normally add.  I took it from a couple different ideas for stews on different web sites.  I'll tell you what they are/were once I find out how they do.  The Beast will eat it anyway since he's a born carnivore and if it's got meat and potatoes, he's happy.  I have some good biscuits I'll cook up, too.  With all the veggies, it'll work out fine.  I'll have a salad before I eat any stew, partly because I really am trying to shed a few pounds plus...and this is a bit embarrassing....I have a really nice avocado I am anxious to use in a good salad.  I also have some great looking Italian tomatoes that are a nice size for a change.  They've been looking rather poorly lately.  More like they are related to cherry tomatoes. 

We are under a winter storm warning.  It seems there is a bad snow storm heading our way (and rather fast, all things considered) from the Texas panhandle area.  **Sigh** It was cold but sunny here today.  Figures we are looking at more snow in our immediate future.