TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

First of all, thanks to Bratfink for letting you know we were in a blackout here.  I knew those high winds were going to knock out something.  The power company here hasn't finished restoring the big towers that were destroyed in the tornado outbreak of April.  That was a HUGE loss and it takes time to replace them all. I texted the Princess to tell her she had picked up Chewlee just in time.  She texted me back and told me they were also part of the blackout so it wouldn't have mattered.  Poor Princess to have Chewlee in the dark.  The dark scares Chewlee when there is a blackout although, like all kids, she is fascinated by candles.  I'm sure the Princess had her hands full there. 

It started right around 8:15pm here and just dragged on and on.  I finally went to bed around midnight here (it was 1am at Bratfink's house).  We are lucky enough to have the solar panels and both batteries were full and ready for us to use.  I plugged into it and got online for a bit.  We had some lights and I had my internet.  Good enough except that the connection to the internet is satellite and the cloudy skies made it *iffy*. 

I was tired so I fell asleep quickly.  Then....I woke up to a blaring TV and lots of lights on everywhere!!!  The Beast was sound asleep, of course, so I dragged my butt out of bed and went around shutting things off.  The TV first of all.  I don't know why but the TV in the living room doesn't automatically shut itself off when the power goes down.  Mine in the computer room does.  I walked around shutting off the bathroom light in our room, the kitchen light, the light next to the Beast's recliner, the dining room light, the porch light and the light in my computer room.  I also turned off the one light still on that was plugged into the solar system and made my way back to bed.  It was now nice to know that everything was back to normal and I slipped away to a dreamless sleep.  I woke up around 9:30am and was surprised that it was still raining out.  No winds, however, at least not high winds.  Baron is still miserable although he DID finally go outside long enough to do some of what he needed to do.  He woke me up, too, before the lights came back on.  He was standing by my side of the bed, his muzzle just an inch from my face, whining.

I got up, opened the back door and leaned out to check to see if it was raining.  At the same time, Baron put his muzzle out the door, got a few drops of rain on it and pulled back inside and turned tail.  He headed right for the bedroom, his *need* forgotten.  I shut the door and went back to bed.  I figured if he did it again, I was going to wake the Beast and make HIM take the trip to the back door with *useless*.

Well, I need to get something to eat so I am going to post this.  We are fine here now.  Love you all and have a great day.

I'm just stopping by to let everyone that it's 1 am EST and my sis is still in black-out mode at her abode.  So, she is getting ready for bed because she can't do much but stare into the [mostly] dark.  I'd go to bed too if I was her! 

Drop by again soon--I'm sure she'll be back tomorrow!

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

We woke up today to rain.  It was welcome but I would have loved to have heard some thunder along with it.  Instead, we got just a steady rain.  More than a drizzle but less than a downpour.  The winds didn't start up until later in the day.  We even had a short black out.  No TV, no computer, no lights but it was still day time so no problem.  I just took a nap when it seemed like it was going to last for a while.  When I woke up later, the lights were back on so I just reset the time on the stove and the microwave.  We have three other clocks that are battery-operated and one that has a battery backup (the alarm clock) so those are the only two that need resetting, thankfully.  For a small house, we sure have enough clocks. 

When the Princess brought Chewlee over to stay with me for a few hours (while she took an online biology test), it was raining a little harder.  They both made the dash from the car to the porch but were the worse for wear.  The Princess looked drenched.  Chewlee had wet hair but her clothes weren't too wet.  That was strange but, oh well, guess kids can dodge between the drops. 

Poor Baron really needed to go outside but he is such a woose.  He hates rain AND snow.  He was finally forced to go outside.  I laughed because he hugged the house to get some shelter from the roof overhang, then dashed out to this one area of the fence alongside Bozo's house, peed and dashed back to the house.  Poor thing needed toweling down.  He then plopped down on his favorite rug and had this relieved look on his face as he dozed off. 

My son, Mustachio, called to get some more information he needed for his upcoming job in Afghanistan.  He said the company told him he had to get some dental work done here before he went over there since the state of their services is shocking at best.  It's nothing cosmetic.  I guess he has a couple teeth that really need work and he's neglected to have it done.  Sheesh.  No matter how old they are......!  He said he should be on his way in a couple weeks.  He was hoping to get down for a visit before he goes but doesn't think he will.  He and Buttmunch may be able to go and visit with their brother, Mustachio but that will be it.  I'm glad they can possibly get together.  I told him I want pictures.  He said he would love to see Chewlee after all this time but he would need a couple days, I think, since she gets so weird about meeting new *men* or *boys* even if they are related.  Of course, she sees his picture all the time and knows that is her uncle but I don't know if she would really recognize him.  Hard to say.  She does recognize a lot in my albums so, like I said, it's hard to say.

Chewlee hasn't seen him in person for about two years now.  He never was able to make it here for Thanksgiving OR Christmas.  Looks like he's not making it this year either.  **Sigh**  It may be a long time before I have all my kids back together again.  Probably for a funeral (sad to say) since my daughter-in-law prefers her own family and has seldom come for a visit.  She claims her ex-stepmother as her mother (long story and kind of sad) but she and the ex-husband (father) still get along so it works out okay.   The kids adore her and I happen to really like the woman, too.  She loves those kids just like they were her real grandkids.  When she can come for a Holiday from her home in Florida, I can't say I blame anyone.

Poor Baron is walking from door to door, hoping for the rain to stop long enough for him to go outside and poop.  Like I said, he's a woose.  He's farting up a storm (peee-U) so you know he really needs to take care of that.  I'm just wondering how much longer he can hold out....LOL.

Gotta get this posted while I still have internet.  Love you all.  Our rain is supposed to continue through the night and we are under a flood watch until about 7:30am.  We don't have to worry about that but areas around us do.  Hope you had a nice 3-day weekend and a good (short) week!  Love you all! 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

If anyone cares to, they can go back to my blog on having children and the importance of family and read the comment my son left about my one and only grandson who has just graduated from the Marine Corp. boot camp after 13 grueling weeks.  I watch NCIS on TV and the head of the team (Mark Harmon) is a former Marine (there is no such thing as an EX-Marine).  The show happens to show a great deal of the kinds of things they are subjected to while in boot camp and it made me say many a prayer for him because I knew it was important to him to be a Marine.  He has wanted to be one since he was a very little boy.  Perhaps that is the measure of a man, what he aspires to as a child.  His maternal grandfather was a Marine who served in VietNam, if I'm not mistaken.  In fact, he was a Green Beret.  Doc loved his grandfather and I'm sure that had something to do with his early aspirations but it doesn't matter where it came from.  Here it is, he is now a Marine.  I am so very proud.

My son informed me that he had called the Beast to tell him all about it but, of course....so true to form....I never heard a word.  The Beast is ambivalent about patriotism, hates the current wars going on and still isn't sure whether or not he truly believes in God.  What can you expect from such a man?

My son compiled a montage of Doc through the years and then some shots of the graduation and boot camp exercises.  It's located here if you care to take a peek.  Doc was and still is a fine looking boy.  I thought him cute as a kid and he's going to be extremely handsome as he matures (don't you just hate that about good-looking guys?).  Anyway, here's the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic7XGlyd6Bc t

Doc was born in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.  My son and daughter-in-law were with us during the storm and I kept telling her that she had better not have that baby before she could get to a hospital because I didn't think delivering my own grandchild was part of a mother-in-law's duties.    He was a healthy and happy baby.  My sister, Cee, and I got their apartment ready for their homecoming by stocking up on easy to prepare foods, and stocked them up on other things we knew would be necessary so that it would be a happy first week or so for the new family.  We enjoyed doing it and I know they appreciated it.

Those are important memories.  Also when the kids were at the house, playing in the pool together.  I have scenarios I replay in my mind and wish I had more of.  My son and his family moved to Tennessee when his kids were young and I missed out on a lot of their growing up.  The memories I have, I hug to my heart.  I also did bring the two girls home with me for almost two weeks on my return trip from Chicago one year.  It was a spur of the moment thing for them but one I had planned in my head when I couldn't bring them with me to the reunion itself that year.  I had a lot of fun getting to know them.  I would have loved to have brought my grandson along, too, but there was only one spare bed that the girls could share and the love seat was too short for Doc to sleep on.  Besides, I doubt my daughter-in-law would have been able to stand having all her children gone at one time.

I have to get this posted before it starts raining here again.  We have some bad weather hurtling at us due to the storm in the Gulf that is hitting Louisiana and a few other states.  We are getting the bands thrown out from it but they say we will be getting 2-5 inches of rain.  That means my internet will be chancey.  Love you all.  Keep your family close and be sure to tell them you love them....often. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

The Beast can be a real pain in the butt sometimes.  Chewlee saw him making himself some toast with honey on it and asked him where HER toast was.  He offered her one of his but she said she didn't want HIS toast, she wanted HERS.  He thought she would like one of his because he had honey on it.  When she asked what honey was, he told her it was *bee poop*.  She was horrified and came screaming to me that *Grampa is eating POOP!!!!*  She wanted me to get up and make him stop.  When I found out it was honey, I told her it wasn't bee poop, it was more like...bee spit.  That did NOT go over as well as I had hoped.  It still horrified her.  I guess the Princess won't have to worry about her getting into the honey at home.  I tried to get her to just take a taste of it on my finger but she backed away into the cabinet with her hands motioning me away from her.  It made me laugh but she tried to stop me from licking my own finger off, that's how convinced she was that it was an awful thing to do.

We have this rule going about her milk drinking.  She LOVES chocolate milk but I worry about her drinking too much of it and getting an upset in her tummy.  So, she can have two glasses of chocolate milk, then she can have two glasses of regular milk.  Then she must drink one glass of water and one of juice before she can have more chocolate milk.  She's having a tough time with the water part right now but, complete with frowny face, she is making the effort.  She makes me smile when she takes a drink and then shoots me a dirty look.

I've been doing some washing today and she spotted some of her things in the washer when I was moving them to the dryer.  When she asked if they were hers, I told her yes.  She got all excited and thought I was going to keep her for the night.  I told her NO, I was not keeping her.  I was cleaning them and was going to make sure her mommy got them back because one of the things I was washing was new and I knew she would want to be able to let Chewlee wear them to school.  When Chewlee knew she wasn't staying, she then wanted to put her socks and shoes on so she would be ready for when her mommy came to get her.  I had thrown her socks into the wash so she has to wait for them to be dry first. 

Tara stopped by today with Chance.  Poor Chance has a rash just above his buttocks and Tara was worried about that.  I told her to stop the apple juice for a while and give him more water.  Everything else she is doing is okay.  It is the spot it's in that is the biggest clue.  I told her he obviously sleeps on his back so his naps at preschool and then the night at home is enough to do that to him.  She said he does get a lot of apple juice at the preschool and he's now going full-time there.  She's going to tell them to give him water in his bottle after his lunch and no more apple juice.  She's letting him play in the bathtub and in his pool when she can to help keep the area clean and she's using corn starch baby powder on him.  She said she's never seen anything like it before and none of her other kids every had it.  I told her to count her blessings but it will heal and go away.

They didn't stay all that long but it's nice that she makes the effort every week to at least stop by.  She also texts us a message every morning.  I know she's texting other family and friends with the same happy message but it's still a nice little effort on her part.

The Princess is too busy to spend much time with us these days.  Between working, being a mother, college and all the chores associated with a family (cleaning and shopping first and foremost), I can understand that.  I'm sure we won't have a day with her until Thanksgiving.  I'm lucky if she spends 5 minutes just highlighting her days when she picks up Chewlee.

Poor Princess!  She came early to pick up Chewlee because her boss felt sorry for her.  She is suffering from some really severe allergies and, even taking her medication, she sounds HORRIBLE!  It won't be better until we get some rain and it clears the air.  I know how she feels because my allergies are doing the same to me but not so bad.  My poor baby!

Well, time to get the clothes out of the dryer so Chewlee can get her shoes on.  Love you all.  We are expecting rain and winds tomorrow from that tropical storm out in the Gulf to finally reach our area.  We can use the rain but hope the winds don't provoke any tornadoes or damage any trees.  Be safe and stay cool.  Enjoy your weekend. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I was giving it some deep thought today and thinking about my kids and grandkids.  What I decided was that, if you are going to have kids, you should not have them unless you are close to family members.  Family is more than a support group for YOU, they are also a loving support for your children.  And kids need that as much as you do.

My kids were, for the most part, both born and raised far from family that would have loved them and been there for me, too.  I was big enough to take myself to family when the need arose.  I won't go into that here.  I usually took my boys, who were youngest, with me.  But our lives were not comfortable or without turmoil due to the Beast at the time.  They could have used having family around to go to when life got tumultuous.

I'm glad we got the Princess up here by us so she had us to help out with Chewlee, whom we love to death.  She loves too and that makes me happier than I can tell you.  She loves coming to Grandma's house.  She told me yesterday that the Beast was her *big Grampa* .  The Beast isn't big in build so I have no idea where that came from but she has her *bald-headed grampa* (and she told me she doesn't call him that when she talks to him) and her *big grampa*.  She makes me laugh at how she perceives that calling him her *bald-headed grampa* would hurt his feelings.  Besides, he's only bald on top.  And, like a lot of men with that problem, he's let the rest grow long and he ties it in a pony tail.  At least he did the last time I saw him.  He may have cut it since he's been in 100+ temperatures over in Afghanistan but who knows.

I think how different it would be for her and how different a child she would probably be without being around FAMILY that loves her.  Family is different from friends and acquaintances.  No matter how many hugs you might get from a close friend of your mother's, it's not like the hugs and kisses you get from FAMILY.  Family is forever.  Good, bad or indifferent, there's always family members that kids can feel close to.  I had an aunt that I was close to and I could talk to her honestly about anything.  She didn't judge but she gave advice that I listened to.  I didn't always follow it but I listened and knew she cared.

I feel like I denied that to my kids.  The Beast had family that lived near us when they were little but they weren't a warm, close family like mine.  We were all huggers and kissers.  We still are.  My nieces and nephews that were raised around family had fewer problems than my kids.  It would have helped to have had someone other than me to fight for the kids when the Beast was at his worst.  It was lonely for my kids when all they had were their friends.  They didn't have family they could have sheltered with and felt safe.  Kids need that.  To feel safe with family.  Not just because of turmoil but just to know that they are with people that really care about them.

So, if you are thinking about having kids, think carefully.  Be close to family.  Love you all. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Have you ever gotten up in the wee hours of the night and looked for something to watch on TV?  If you find something that is worth watching, I'm sure you must have noticed that they have extended commercials between the parts you really want to watch.  I counted 8....8! commercials on the breaks on this one site.  I was beginning to think my TV switched channels on me.  And the commercials!  Sheesh, some of them are really mind-blowing.  Call 1-800-prayersanswered.  That's not the number but some guy apparently has the only way you need to follow to get your prayers answered.  Special machines to give your guy a semi-blowjob to get him started.  We used to refer to those as *auto-sucks* because mens magazines advertised those to plug into your cigarette lighter while driving.    Wonder how many accidents happened while THAT was going on? 

And the testimonials!  OMG...what are they thinking?  Oh, and how about the vibrators that are being touted until you want to scream?  All from Trojan.  Want your hair blown back so everyone knows what you are doing?  Just get one of thier vibrators.  I think they might even guarantee it.    It makes all the auto insurance ads seem desirable. 

The stupid guy that teases a pug with a Dorito bugs me.  And some of the ads for laptops are downright stupid.  Especially the ones for HP.  I'll say this....I am starting to wonder about that Oikos yogurt.  Those make my mouth water.  I would sure hate to be disappointed however.  But I will probably try it just because it looks so yummy.

One program I watch a lot is different during late night broadcasts because the amount of time between commercials is so much shorter.  You almost forget the plot.  I just hate it but....when you get up during those wee hours, you are lucky to find any regular programs at all.  Most of the channels start running paid advertising shortly after midnight and it goes on until around 8am.  Be warned.  Either pop in a DVD to watch or brace yourself for a slew of commercials that might make you wish you could sleep!

Love you all.  Just a few stray thoughts. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today Bratfink heard from her bestest friend in Montana.  It seems her hubby has bladder cancer.  BLADDER CANCER!  OMG, how weird is that?  We need to add them to our prayers.  His surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday.  Let's pray it's one of the less virulent cancers, unlike the Beast's.  Is it an epidemic or just the *trouble comes in threes?*.

Chewlee ended up staying later than usual because the Princess had to run to school for a book and said she had an assignment due today she had forgotten about.  Must be one she can submit via internet before midnight.  Chewlee was happily watching *How to train your dragon* first and then we threw in *Fern Gully*.  She just loves Batty.  She has a million questions about the machine and the evil *oily thing*.  The questions are mostly the same every time but I try not to get tired of answering them the same way for her.

The Beast finally got my gauze.  It must be four inches wide.  What a maroon!    Like I wanted it for my whole foot instead of my toes.  He makes me crazy at times.  One good thing he did was get me some pads.  I can actually use those on my big toe and I can cut them for my little one.  BUT....when I checked my little toe, it is pretty much healed now so no need for a fancy bandage.  Just the big toe which is fighting a bit of an infection right now.  Did my cleaning of it, used a bit of peroxide on it even though I know it can kill healthy cells, too.  Then the triple ointment and a nice gauze pad.  Done.

No Chewlee tomorrow.  The Beast said he is going to buy me the cans of rug cleaner I want and I can, hopefully, clean up the rug.  I am so tired of my rug cleaner crapping out after a few rug cleanings.  They are expensive (the Bissell dual steam cleaning one) and what happens is the vacuum part clogs up and it's useless after that.  There are no Bissell repair places anywhere close to us and I'm sure not shipping it to Birmingham.  I will never buy one again.  This is the third one (yeah, I'm stupid) we've bought.  I'm done.

Love you all.  Have a great Friday.