TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Chewlee went shopping with the Beast this afternoon.  Not all that unusual except this time he was taking her to buy her some clothes that she could wear to church with the Beast.  Now, I have no idea exactly what took place or what items were involved but...she told him this:  *Papa!  You have to stop telling me NO when I want something or I will just ask my OTHER Papa and HE will buy me whatever I want!!*  She was so serious when she told him that, he said it was almost more than he could do to keep from laughing at her.

He bought her two outfits and a really nice shirt to wear with her jeans.  The Princess buys her some really cute ones but some of the shirts are actually a bit small on her.  She just grows too fast to keep up with it at times.  Chewlee likes the dress the Beast bought her but is so-so about the capris and top.  I think they are both adorable but I was surprised that was all he could find for her.  I think he just didn't know where to look.  I told him next time, I am going with him even if I DO have to do it on one of those motorized carts they have.  If he doesn't like it, he can stay in the car with the dog. 

I was getting mad at Chewlee today because of how she was handling the cat.  I finally told her to put it outside for a while and she told me she wasn't because the kitty didn't want to go out.  I, however, knew the cat would be glad to get away for a while and come back in later on after she was gone.  The poor cat doesn't even get left alone when she's tired and trying to sleep.  After the Beast and Chewlee left for church, I had to walk thru the house to find out where she had hidden the cat, I found her in the master bedroom closet.  She was very glad to get out of there and followed me to the back door to be let out.  Chewlee is afraid I am going to give *her* cat away to someone else.  How hiding the cat in MY house would prevent that if it was what I wanted to do, I have no idea.

Chewlee's *other* (paternal) grandfather (aka Papa), suffers from feeling guilty that he can't be as involved with her as he would like so he over-compensates.  I, personally, am grateful for him.  He started a trust fund for her and that was part of the reason he spent a year in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor.  Very high pay, no taxes and even a high insurance policy that she was made the beneficiary of with the Princess as trustee.  He's bought her some high end items (new bed, mattress, TV...you get the idea) and he loves to buy the good, name-brand clothes for her.  All because his son is a real asshole and he really does want her to have a sense of family from the rest of them.  The grandmother, great-grandmother and second-cousins all seem to be nice, loving people without having actually met them.  They never forget her on a Holiday or her birthday and have wanted to have her for part of the summer a few times.  They wouldn't be able to do that no matter how much they would like it.  Kids have short-term memories about people they don't see much of and Chewlee would be frantic for her mother.

I know from different things she's told me about her *other Papa* that he probably does spoil her silly and buy her the things she seems to really want.  But I think it's kind of nice for a kid to have someone who loves her that spoils her at least a little bit, don't you?  I would love to be able to do that.  Instead, I am the one that just gives her a lot of love, spoils her a little but I get to see her so much that I count myself as lucky.  If I could have spent as much time with all my kids and grandkids, we would have entirely different relationships now.

Time to put this to bed.  Love you all.  Remember to tell those you love that you do as often as you can.  Life is short.  Sometimes shorter than we suspect. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today was *doctor day*.  I got to the Wound Center and barely signed my name and was put into the exam room.  The doctor was in a great mood since he said so many of his patients were healing well.  He looked mine over and ended up putting some of that pig skin stuff on the open parts.  It was such a tiny piece that went where the toe was amputated that it was almost funny.  He had to use a pair of tweezers to place it.  The heel piece was a lot bigger in comparison but the wound is much smaller.  When this stuff is on, I have to keep it on for a week.  Afterward, he told me that we are *in the home stretch now*.

So, I don't have to change any bandages for the next week.  I'm not sure if I am happy or unhappy about that since I can see the healing when I change them.  But, if he is right, I should be VERY happy next Wednesday when these are taken off.  I just have to bide my time and hope he's right.

I'm late getting this post up because the Princess was late picking up Chewlee.  She was tired but really happy because the Beast told her she could take the cat home with her.  He was baiting her, of course, and he really pissed me off.  She wants the cat so desperately.  I told her he was just kidding but she refused to listen to me.  All she kept saying is, *Papa told me I could take the kitty!*  Of course, when the Princess got here and told her NO, she cried like her little heart was broken.  I gave the Beast *the* look and said, *This is YOUR fault!*  He just shrugged it off and tried talking the Princess into taking it now.  She said she would when she moved but what she is really hoping is that WE take the cat into the vet and get it's shots and have it checked for worms, etc. 

The ticks me off because it seems like we have some big bill every month or else the Beast buys something for himself or his pleasure that's pricey.  Our vet isn't really expensive and I mean that literally.  Boarding your pet, no matter what the size is only $7. a day.  They feed them, too, on that money.  It's inexpensive for nail cutting ($10), rabies shot ($40).  Hell, a friend's dog had to have surgery for blockage in her intestines and it only cost her $150 including anesthesia.  That's reasonable in anyone's book and makes taking care of your pet a whole lot less of a hassle for any family.  They even have a special fund they use for people who really can't afford even her low rates.  I don't object to anything she charges.  Even his heartworm tablets we get for Baron are a whole lot less expensive than what PetMeds charges so they aren't always cheaper like they advertise.

Chewlee helped me make dinner.  She wanted macaroni and cheese.  Easy, right?  Thank goodness and she really did help out.  She would have stood (on a chair) and stirred the macaroni until it was cooked but I finally convinced her she didn't need to do it.  She helped with the cheese and then was anxious for me to get her a bowl.  It was fun.

Time to go.  Love you all.  Hope you are having a wonderful week and the rest of it should go fast now that we've lived through *hump day*.  Be good.  Drive carefully. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today the Beast decided he was going to pressure clean the fence, starting at the front game.  It's the smaller gate, so to speak.  It's wide enough to get the John Deere through so it's not your typical gate.  It's also VERY heavy and you have to keep the area mowed and cleared or it becomes very hard to open.  He said to me (now think about this...) *I need to get that pressure cleaned or it's going to be too heavy to get opened*.  Pressure cleaning involved both pressure and WATER.  Wood absorbs water, especially as wind and weather *age* it.  How in the hell is pressure cleaning going to lighten it?  I can guarantee you that it's not THAT dirty!  But I kept my mouth shut.  HE is the one that has to open and close it so....whatever floats his boat. 

He's actually going to have to readjust the heavy duty spring that helps hold the gate in place and lifts it into a more *square* position so that it CAN be opened.  It also has a special type of lock on it and you have to know the secret to it to open it in the first place.  That's one reason I don't even try to open it.  It's a real P.I.T.A. 

I woke up today feeling nauseous and very tired.  I went to bed early but the Beast was restless and, for some reason, didn't realize that I was in bed.  At one point during the night, he got up to look for something (don't ask me) and turned on the light.  When he woke me, he said, *Oh, sorry...I didn't realize you were here.*  I said, *Where the hell did you think I was?*  He didn't answer and I just turned over and pulled the blanket over my face.  Baron kept trotting around the house and then coming back to his bed and plopping down.  When he does that, he hits the bed like a jack hammer.  We have to reposition our bed every couple of days because of that.  He's a big klutz and seems to NEED to hit the bed every time he lays down on his pads.  I guess that's his way of letting us know he's there.

I started eating some tortilla chips (plain) to try to get rid of the nausea and it seemed to work.  I finally was able to eat something and have a cup of coffee.  I started drinking some ice water (and chewing on the ice cubes like a kid...LOL) and that helped, too.  Later on in the evening, I suddenly became very hungry.  I ate some cottage cheese with sliced peaches and some of the strawberries I had picked from the garden.  Then, later, it was sliced ham on rye bread with one of my special mustards and some pepperoncini.  Bratfink asked me if I was preggers and that made me laugh.  As if!!!

That seems to have subsided now, thankfully.  Whatever it was I was craving seems to have been satisfied.  As I returned to my computer after putting my glass and dishes in the dishwasher, I grabbed up two shortbread cookies the Beast was noshing on. 

The Beast has decided we need a coffee grinder so we can get a better grade of coffee for our money.  I told him unless he buys kona coffee beans, I have no idea why he would want to spend that kind of money on coffee.  We've had good Columbian coffee but since he's been buying it, he's getting whatever is cheapest and some of the blends he's gotten are atrocious.  He's going to try it my way for a bit and see if I am right.   That's one hell of a statement from him even though his face said, *She's full of chit!*  So, we shall see.

Time to get this posted.  Love you all and I sure hope your life is more exciting than mine.  Doctor tomorrow but not until 3pm.  The Beast will have to drop me off early since we get Chewlee tomorrow right around 3pm.  I just hope it's a nice day.  I need to get my bush beans planted now.  I thought the Beast had put some out already but found out he hadn't.  Chewlee will love helping out with that since the beans themselves are a size easy for her to handle.  She can just POKE a finger into the dirt, put in the bean and then pat the soil down.  I'll just have to point out where she does it.

Be good and spread a smile today. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

The HH nurse pulled into our driveway just as the sky opened up and it STORMED!  She had to sit out there for about 10 minutes before the rain slacked off enough for her to get out of her car and onto the porch.  The Beast, half-kidding, told her it was a perfect day for just laying around or napping.  He did both as did I.  It really was that kind of day.

We did nothing all day.  Well, almost.  I did a small load of clothes.  Just bits and pieces of things I found around the house.  Like those stray socks that get separated from the main bunch of laundry by falling under a dresser or the bed.  I found about four of them plus Chewlee's clothes from when she took her bath, mine from going to the doctor's on Wednesday...bits and pieces.

The HH nurse was surprised to see how well both wounds are healing.  She said, *Wow...takes you a while but once you start healing, you really heal fast, don't you?*  I really had no answer for that because I've never taken this long to heal from anything because I've never had serious wounds like these before.

I may not have done a whole lot today but I'm sure tired tonight so I am going to wrap this up and go to  bed early.  There's a storm off in the distance that sound ominous so I need to get this posted anyway.  Love you all.  Drive carefully if you have bad weather and have a great day!

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I spent today pushing my limits....and regretting it for a while.  I actually went out and got the ripe strawberries out of the garden when the Beast was gone.  I kept thinking, *Why weren't you smart enough to grab that folding chair?*

At one point, I had to get down on my knees so I could locate the strawberries and snip them off.  I ran into an ant's nest between a couple of the plants so I told the Beast he has to put some of the poison pellets down or they will destroy all the strawberries.  I had to throw out a couple because of them.  The strawberries are a perfect size and so sweet you don't need to sugar them at all.  The Beast ate a couple later when he got home and said, *Ahh, I feel healthier already!*  Jerk! 

Chewlee and I ended up sleeping together on *her* bed last night.  She wanted a sleepover and then decided she wanted her mommy.  We both were tired early and cuddled up.  This morning she told me she liked sleeping with me but she missed her mommy.  The Princess laughed because it's not like Chewlee sleeps with her.  It's just the mommy/child thing.  There's no one like your mommy and that applies no matter how old you are.

The Princess has a bad habit of buying Chewlee nice outfits and then she never wears them.  Chewlee is a size 5/6T and the Princess has size 3T's in the closet that still have their tickets on them.  That reminds me of her mother's bad habit.  She won't give them away or even bring them to a resale or thrift shop.  I have no idea what is going thru her head.

Now the Beast wants to buy some cute outfits that fit Chewlee to use for church.  He says we'll just keep them here so we have them for when she spends the night and then goes to church with him on Sunday.  He'll end up buying her some shoes, too, I know.  That way she will have a choice.  She is very much a girl in that way.

The Beast made a round roast in the slow cooker with lots of onions.  It turned out delish!  But, he has a problem with trying to cut it when it's hot and ends up with thick cuts.  I've told him to wait until it's cooled down and he can get thinner slices which are great for cold sandwiches but he likes the thick cuts for open faced ones with the gravy on it.  I told him to just layer the thinner slices.  It'll taste the same.

It got really warm here today.  Almost 80 degrees and sunny.  The saving grace was the wind.  It was brisk.  The cat decided she didn't want outside for long and has found a new favorite spot she likes.  It's between my back and my computer chair.  She keeps jumping up there and keeps me from leaning back.  I finally threw her out of the room because she started jumping up and using those sharp, pointy claws of hers.  I swear, I'm going to file them down if she keeps it up. 

Well, it's late.  I should have had this up long ago.  Love you and I wish you a great week ahead.  Try to have a few laughs, won't you? 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today was a really nice day....for the most part.  The Beast managed to get the support posts for the shed painted before the wind got really blustery and a storm rolled in.  It didn't last long.  Just long enough to knock me offline and screw up the TV, too.  That's the downside of satellites.  I had my first headache in years today.  My right eye felt like it wanted to pop out of my head.  I ended up with a cold rag on my eyes and one on the back of my neck.  I suspected it was from my blood pressure being higher than normal.  I checked it on the Beast's blood pressure thing and it wasn't that.  So I took a couple aspirin and laid down.  When I woke up, the headache was still there.  I broke down and took a pain pill.  It took over an hour but the headache finally went away.  That's when I realized two things:  I hadn't eaten any breakfast nor had I had any coffee.  What a dork!  I ate and that helped even thought it was just some oatmeal.  I didn't have coffee, though.  For some reason, the thought of coffee made my stomach roll.  I figured I would listen to my body and just had some nice cold milk.

When Chewlee got here, because it was such a nice day and the Beast was outside, she HAD to be o outside, too.  He was washing one of the ATV's and Chewlee wanted to help him but just managed to be a PITA and get in the way.  She finally came in, got herself a bucket and went out to just wash.  I think the Beast was the one to tell her to do that and gave her a section and a rag after putting some soap and water in her bucket.  She was happy and it kept her from trying to get at the hose to spray it off. 

She also kept running around the living room and kitchen and got Baron all excited and hyper.  I was ready to strangle her because she was ignoring the demand for her to stop running in the house.  Her excuse?  *I can't help it, Grandma.  My body just wants to run!*  I told her to get it under control or she couldn't have a sleepover here tonight.

Yes, she's spending the night again.  Tomorrow she will go to church with the Beast and then he will drop her off at home afterward.  The Beast told her she had to sleep in her own bed and she said, *Oh no!  I don't want to sleep alone!*  I told her I would sleep with her and that made her happy.  However, if the cat elects to sleep with her since Chewlee pays so much attention to her, I will probably be told I can go sleep in my own bed.  Chewlee is predictable in some ways.  I can be replaced by an animal. 

When she took her bath, she insisted she NEEDED the strawberry body wash.  She just loves the smell of it.  But she's good about using it *like a big girl does*.  It has a pump on it and she will put some on her palm and then wash her limbs.  Her hair needed washing so we took care of that and then she wanted to wash my hair.  It needed it so I let her.  I kneeled on the floor with my head over the edge of the tub.  She loves pouring water over my head almost as much as she loves scrubbing my hair.  She told me she wished she was a *cutter* (hairdresser).  When I told her she would have to go to a special school to do that, she told me she already was in a special school.  She told me she was learning math, science, art, music, reading and writing.  That litany kind of surprised me since it just poured out of her so easily.  Then she added the clincher.......*I'm going to know EVERYTHING, Grandma*. 

I told her she would have to be sure to pay attention to the teacher and do all her homework, too.  Then I had to explain what homework was.   At this point in her education, she doesn't have homework.  I told her that homework was what her mommy did late at night after Chewlee went to bed.  She said a long..*Ohhhhhh* like she got the idea.  We'll see in the years to come.

It's bedtime for Chewlee now and that's not going to be easy since I won't be going to bed with her just yet.  I'll call the cat in and let her take the cat with her.  That should help.  At least, I hope so.

Love you all.  Hope you are having a great weekend so far.  We are due to have temperatures in the mid-to-high 70's here so I am enjoying the heck out of that.  It was 765 for our high today plus the day was mostly sunny.  The storm that hit us didn't last longer than 10 minutes.  Just long enough that the Beast didn't have to water the garden.  He likes when that happens.  But so do I.   

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today was the day the Beast decided it was time to seal the shed and the barn.  The sealer that was on it was evident when he went to pressure clean it the other day but he had no idea just HOW good it would work for him.  He used spar varnish, which is a very hard finish that lasts a long time.  It took him less than two hours to do both buildings except for the trim areas around the windows and the porch posts for the shed.  He wants to do those in a semi-gloss so he will work on that tomorrow.  He was so happy it went so smoothly because everything lately has taken him two and three times longer than it should have.  Mostly because of how tired he gets.  This time he was very happy that the sealer on both items was really working well.  He won't even have to put a second coat on them like he thought he would have to do.  That saves us $100. between the cost of the spar varnish and the roller pads.

I got my wash done this afternoon.  I almost forgot it but something Bratfink said to me while we were chatting on an IM made me remember.   

The HH nurse didn't show up today because the doctor changed the orders to just once a week (without telling me).  I can change my bandages but it's nice to track my BP, which she did when she came.  My leg in the pressure sock started itching me like crazy so I decided I would remove it today.  I almost died of shock when I did that because my skin underneath it was so dry and scaly that it looked like I was turning into a snake or a fish.  I started scratching it lightly and tons of skin started flaking off.  I finally took out a small pumice stone I keep in my drawer (for my heels mostly) and very lightly ran it over the extremely dry skin.  I had to stop because I was making a few areas sore.  Then I used up a lot of Cocoa butter and shea oil lotion on it and just let it soak in.  I'm going to have to heal for a bit now but I'll be damned if I am going to put that pressure stocking on again.  I have enough problems without adding extremely dry skin to it all.

The Beast got a yen for some chocolate pudding tonight and pulled out two boxes.  When he found out he didn't have enough milk left, he actually ran out and bought two gallons of milk so he would have enough for that and for the next couple of days, too.  I have made some chocolate truffle pudding but it doesn't make a *skin* on top because there's a sauce you put on top of the pudding that prevents that.  The *skin* is really what the Beast had a yen for (and I happen to like it, too, I'm embarrassed to say).  He went a bit nutty on some of the meat he bought.  We  now have some ribs in the freezer as well as a beautiful beef roast, some skinless, boneless chicken breasts and he also got some large frozen shrimp.  All yummy but a bit pricey.

Tomorrow is another Chewlee day so the Beast got some more popsicles for her.  He can be so funny at times with the special treats he gets for her.  He will be busy finishing up his painting and then pressure cleaning the deck to prepare IT for the Thompsons he will put on it to protect it.  This time he swears he won't let it go like he has.  It's been six years since he last put some on it and you can see the damage in some areas from there being no protection.  It's minor but shouldn't have happened.  Oh well!

Love you all.  I'll be busy again tomorrow because I am still working on clearing up this room so there's room for some of my craft stuff to be out.  I still want to teach Chewlee how to do some things with the acrylic paints.  I will probably work on that outside on the patio table, however.  LOL!  Be good.  Have a fun weekend or at least try to. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

By bedtime last night, it was really cold in the house.  Weird because it hadn't seemed so cold all winter long.  I think it was a combination of cold and damp.  The Beast went around turning on the baseboard heaters and even the small space heater in our bedroom as well.  I had my side of the electric blanket turned up a notch more than normal (on *2* instead of *L*).  I curled up and slept like a baby. 

It never got much above 60, was sunny but windy and we never did turn off the baseboard heaters.  I still found myself in my robe (over my clothes, no less) but you know what a wimp I am.    I saved gathering the strawberries until Chewlee got here.  We shared them but I had to yell at the Beast for forgetting to water the ones in the hanging basket on the deck.  The poor thing was so water-starved.  I told him once they start fruiting, they require water every day since they are in the sun for so many hours.  Of course, I was yelling at him as I was watering them AND the grapes which were also drying out just not as badly.  The grapes looked okay but the leaves edges were starting to turn just a bit.

Chewlee brought over a new toy.  It reminds me of an etch-a-sketch except it has a stylus so you can draw on it.  Much nicer to my way of thinking.  She really enjoyed showing us how she could write her name or draw a picture then push a lever and start anew.  The Beast was surprised at how she knew how to write her name although she needs to get *neater* about it.  She'll learn.  I try to work with her on it when she's in a patient mood.

I'm tired tonight and I think it's partly because of the way I kept getting chilly.  I got up early and never got a nap today.  Add it all up together and I want to just curl up under my nice electric blanket and get some good sleep again.  After I post this, I think that is just what I am going to do.  I might actually get to sleep before the Beast's basketball game is over.  I'll just shut the door and get comfy.  I may wake up early but that won't matter.  Tomorrow is HH nurse day and then I can concentrate on doing a little wash and getting it put away.

It's supposed to warm up into the 70's (I sure hope so).  I might even see if I can plant some of the leafy lettuce in one of the planters.  The Beast THINKS he has some seed out in the garage but I have to go through them all to find out.  I know we don't have rosy-tipped lettuce (which I love) but I'll see what's there.

Love you all.  Have a great day.  Smile!  It's Friday! 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I slept in this morning since it was great sleeping weather and the Beast was quiet.  After taking my blood sugar, I poured myself some coffee, made myself some oatmeal and then headed for my computer room.  By then (11am), I figured Bratfink should be home from the doctor's office even if they overbooked.  Sure enough, she was online and overjoyed because the block and cast were gone.  She now has a removable cast and sling.  She says her right hand was so dried out that it ATE the lotion she applied to it.  She can't use it for her computer mouse yet because it's so weak.

She told me if she has to have any more x-rays, she will start glowing in the dark.  She threatens to rent herself out as a night light then. 

I had my weekly appointment and the wound from the toe amputation is almost healed now.  The doctor says it may be totally closed by next week.  Yay!!!  The heel wound will take longer since it is a bigger wound but he hailed how *healthy* it is.  He still thinks it should only be another month.  **Sigh**  I guess I just have to be patient.

I asked him about the pain on the bottom of my feet and he said some of the nerves are probably waking up or else it's the neuropathy in them and I am just feeling it because of the nerves waking up.  What he doesn't understand is just how painful it sometimes gets.  They are so damn tender!!  I have to see a neurologist in late May and I will find out from him what's what since he is going to test my feet for the extent of the neuropathy.

The matzo ball soup mix and matzo ball mix got here today so, of course, that's what we had for dinner.  I made up a box of the matzo ball mix along with the mix from the soup package like I normally did when I made it in Florida.  Good thing because Tara and her older son came by.  Tara loves matzo ball soup (and we had fresh rye bread which she also loves).  I don't believe her son had ever had it before but he discovered he loves it.  I have to admit that I doctor the soup mix by adding some thinly sliced onion and celery but it is still delish.  If it was going to be a perfect meal, I would have had some cole slaw and deli pickles, too. 

Chewlee helped me make the matzo balls and did a good job.  I was a bit surprised but she does try hard to do a good job when she helps.  She wouldn't try any matzo balls (at first) but when she finally tried some of the soup.  She asked for some more and even asked if I still had some of the balls.  I only put one in the soup cup and cut it up into small pieces for her before I gave it to her.  When she was done, she gave me a big hug and told me I made GREAT soup.  She also said next time, she would eat my soup because it was so good.  I told her she helped me make it so she made great soup, too.  She got a big grin on her face and said, *I guess* but I don't think she felt she contributed all that much to how good it was.  I told her she could help me make dinner again another time because that was how you learn to make good things to eat.  THAT she liked!  LOL!!

It never really warmed up today so, wimp that I am, I had heavy slacks on, a long sleeved top and I put my robe on because the damn Beast had both screen doors open.  I closed my door to stop any breeze but the Beast kept coming in and then leaving the door open.  Thank goodness for Chewlee who would run over and shut the door.  Since she had her blankey around her shoulders, I figure she thought it was a bit cool in the house, too.

Love you all.  Tomorrow is pick strawberries day so I have some for Chewlee.  She has been eying them but not picking any so she's earned a few.  I just wish it was supposed to be warmer then instead of on Friday.  Our dog is a wimp for wet weather and snow.  I'm a wimp for cold.  Snow doesn't bother me as long as it's not blowing a hard, cold wind and I am dressed in my down coat along with a warm hat and my leather gloves with the nice lining in it.  The Beast will always warm up the car in the winter so Baron and I are both happy in the car.  That is, until the Beast cranks his window about halfway down.  That's when I start my complaining.  I finally put a blanket in the car that I would grab to cover myself with like a tent so he would get the message that his open window made strong breezes on anyone else in the car.  MEN!!!!

Be good.  Have a wonderful day. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Bratfink's favorite activity, according to her, is running naked with scissors when the Boy isn't around.  Unfortunately, when she fell and ended up with her arm in a block and cast, she can't do that....for now anyway.   The other day, I did a kind of sitz bath since I couldn't put my feet in the water but I felt like I needed a bit more than a P.T.A. bath.  I have gotten so very tired of those.  Afterward, since the Beast was going to be gone for a while, I dried myself off and decided to change my bandaging before I got redressed.

Trust me on this, being naked with scissors is highly overrated.    It just left me cold and shivering and I sure didn't want ANYONE to see me in that condition.  I have no yen to do THAT again!

Tomorrow is the big day for Bratfink or at least she is hoping it comes true.  She sees the orthopedist again and he said the block and cast should be able to be swapped for a sling and her thumb cast taken off and put in a splint.  Say a little prayer for her tonight, please.  I don't want my poor sister to go nuts and she swears she will if she has to keep it on any longer.  Thanks.

The Beast cut the grass again today and then did some edging around the barn and the shed.  He didn't want any problems with grass sticking on them after he puts the spar varnish on them.  That will take more than a day to dry.  Depending on the outside temperature, it can take as long as three days.  We've used spar varnish for years.  Love it because it really is hardy and it lasts.  It does an excellent job of sealing.  Spar varnish is used on expensive boats because of how it protects and lasts against the elements. 

After he's done with that, he's going to pressure clean the deck and use the spar varnish on it but in sections, I think he said since we really use that area.  I told him to just do it and we can take Baron to the vet and board him for a day.  The deck gets a lot of direct sun and that should help it dry faster.  Otherwise, he will go nuts with having to take Baron out front and possibly have Baron run off to play with one or another of the local dogs.  He also loves to run down to the creek and play in the mud, which pisses off the Beast every time he does that.

I ordered some matzoh ball soup mix and some matzoh ball mix (a carton of 12 each) because it's not sold locally but IS regionally.  It's actually coming from Walmart online because it's cheaper than from Amazon and the shipping was free.  I found out it has shipped and the Beast is salivating in anticipation.  So am I since we haven't had any for about six years now.  I used to make it a lot when we lived in Florida and Jewish was considered a local ethnic food.  Here, it's just Mexican and Chinese although I sure haven't seen a large Chinese population living here.  But I guess we Americans love Chinese foods.  If we really DID have a large Chinese population, I would be able to buy mung beans and bean sprouts that were fresh and not canned.  I would be able to make my own egg fu yung then.  **Sigh**  So far, we haven't found a good Chinese restaurant locally that makes ones that taste good.  One restaurant makes them flat as a crepe pancake and the gravy is awful....**Shudder**. 

Tomorrow is also MY doctor day at the Wound Center.  I have to remember to take a pain pill an hour or so before I go so if he does need to do some debridment, I won't have to bite my tongue.  They always put some lidocaine ointment on it beforehand but that doesn't cut it most of the time.

We got a really cute invitation to a party at the local recreational center on the 21st.  It came in an envelope but it was a puzzle we had to put together to read.  It was really clever and Chewlee was invited.  It's being given by one of our neighbors whose daughter plays with Chewlee at times.  I guess that's why Chewlee was invited.  The two kids can play together and keep each other entertained.  There's a park there, too and the party is from 4:30 to 7:30pm so there should be plenty of light and time for them to play.

Have a great *Hump Day*.  Smile a lot so your smile will multiply as it moves from face to face.  It makes everyone feel good.