TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

It turned out to be a bad day for me.  First of all, I just couldn't seem to wake up and stay up.  Then my foot pain was on the high side and walking was hard for me for some reason.  Of course, with all my sleeping, I wasn't taking my pills so I started making an effort to do that and it helped all around. 

However, I am really cutting this blog short so that I can get to bed and have a nice nights sleep (I hope).  I have great hopes of being up more like a normal person tomorrow.

Love you all.  Say a little prayer for me. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today is my son's (Marcus Aurelius) birthday.  It's hard to believe my *baby* is now 43.  He was born the day after my mother's birthday and my mother insisted I did that on purpose so they wouldn't share a birthday.  I laughed because all I could think of was what she told me all the time...*A baby comes when IT'S ready, not YOU!*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARCUS.  MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE!

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

We invited Dennis and Di over to enjoy our Italian beef and a tamale with us for lunch.  Dennis had to go see the doctor at 11am so our lunch happened at 1pm.  I had timed everything perfectly so we sat down to hot food.

I spent an hour *fluffing* the beef so that there were no clumps of meat and it all tasted great and was very tender.  They said it was just fantastic.  Dennis especially enjoyed the tamale since he said it had a lot of the meat in the center and even the tamales he had in Texas (both REAL tamales and the round ones), were skimpy on that part.  I happen to love real Mexican tamales and they are on the thin side so you don't expect a lot of the meat in them.  Those are the ones made in corn husks, if you've ever had them. 

Chewlee would have no part of any of it and even refused her usual hot dogs and/or chicken noodle soup.  I'm a bit worried about her eating habits right now.  She told me she loved her mother's scrambled eggs with cheese and that's a new addition to her menu now.  But she did eat crackers and peanut butter.  Since the Beast objects to her using a spoon to eat peanut butter (which is high in protein and *I* don't object since I like to eat it that way sometimes **blush**)  I showed her how to get a clump on the knife and then pout it on her finger to eat.  She thought that was icky.  I guess the idea of it on her fingers is something she has to get used to doing.

I put the balance of the Italian beef and green peppers into the container from the gravy for the Princess to take home but she never came into the house when she came to pick up Chewlee so I forgot to give it to her.  I'll do that tomorrow and give her a couple of the tamales to take home.  I don't know if Johnnycakes likes any of it but I know the Princess does.  She'll enjoy it.

After we ate lunch, Dennis had an appointment with an insurance agent about insuring all their properties (car, motorcycle, house to be built and RV) when their insurance dates come up.  They all come up at the same time except for the house to be built and they want a local agent to handle any problems that might come up.  Di stayed here and we talked about various things including her many allergies and/or digestive problems.  I laughed and asked her if she had anything NORMAL going on.  She said many problems she had over the years (like her allergy to MSG) that she never realized were caused by various food allergies until she hit her late 20's.  This is even after going through medical school before she specialized in psychiatry.  It really makes you wonder.

It was hot....again....but we had more of a breeze.  Chewlee did spend time outside with Ian but his schedule is so strange that Chewlee has to come in for her bath around the same time that Ian is free to play for a half hour or so before HIS bath.  She claimed I was ruining both their lives because they couldn't play together.  That made me laugh because she was so serious.

Later she told me she wished she was a boy because then she could play outside longer.  Where she got that idea, I have no clue unless it's because Ian takes his bath later than SHE does.  I told her that Ian was a little boy and his mother washed him or else his dad.  SHE gets to wash herself and can even wash her own hair now that she's six.  Those are things Ian can't do yet.  I told her it's also why she takes her bath a bit earlier.  Then she gets to play for a bit with her bath toys (a doll, miniature pets, etc.).  I'm not sure she swallowed that reasoning but she stopped wishing to be a boy. 

Time to cut this short.  Love you all and I hope you had a great day.  Friday tomorrow and the end of the week for many.  Be good.  Stay cool. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today was rather uneventful, mainly because it was hot, hot, hot.  It was 88 degrees out when I last checked shortly after 1pm and the heat index was 94 or so.  I really didn't care.  I just knew that, if you were sitting outside, it was hard to breathe and there was no real breeze.  Even Chewlee didn't stay outside on her bike for long.  Not until later in the day when it was starting to cool down somewhat and we had a breeze.

That was when she gave us a scare because she went outside and she wasn't at Ian's house when I went over there to check.  She had been given permission to go over to Sam's house earlier so I had the Beast call there.  When she wasn't there, we got scared because there HAVE been workmen around working on Dennis and Di's house....well, preparing for it to be built.  They have already had the temporary electric in and approved.  The septic tank and field are in and ready.  Now they are working on the driveway.   These are all strangers and one of the reasons we have a rule about either the Beast or me being outside to keep an eye on her.

So the Beast hopped on his scooter and went to drive around the circle to see if he could spot her bike.  You could have knocked him over with a feather when he found her at the home of the new people in the neighborhood (and they have several kids there...ha ha ha!).  She was there, trying out some of the Spanish she's learned from watching Dora on Nick Jr.  Since that is kind of limited for her, it was kind of funny to the new people who are from Guatamala. But she did manage *hola* and *amiga* and a few other words.  The people were kind of tickled by her they told the Beast.  A few of the family members DO speak English and the older kids are in school.  I just know that Chewlee was very happy that there are kids nearer to her age that live close to us.

When the Beast asked her why she left the house, she said simply, *I wanted to say hello to the new neighbors!  No one has gone over there and they seem really nice.  They always wave to me when they drive by and I am on my bike.*  Simple reasoning to her but we told her we needed to always know where she wanted to go and she had to have our permission.

Our beef and tamales came today and we invited Dennis and Di over to have an Italian beef sandwich after Dennis gets home from the doctor's office, which will probably be around noon since the appointment is at 10am.  He's trying to get established with a local doctor now.  It's been a long time since he had a regular doctor (over 3 years).  So we will be enjoying some of the Italian beef and there was plenty of room for both the tamales (which are incredible!) and the Italian beef plus the rolls that come with it and the green peppers.  I am salivating just thinking about it.

This is going to be short and sweet tonight.  I spent the day folding clothes for us all, including Chewlee.  I packed up the excess clothing into Chewlee's suitcase that the Princess was taking home tonight so that is one more task over and done with.  It's going to be hot again tomorrow but I hear the sound of thunder so perhaps we will get a bit of rain tonight to cool things down.  Love you all.  Have a great day! 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

The Beast returned home around 3pm today, having gotten a later start than he had hoped to get.  But it's always tough leaving a house full of relatives that met for a semi-sad event.  It seems the Beast's cousin had brought along his wife's ashes and decided to disperse them in his aunt's yard.  Actually, the thought appealed to me for Lin since it's actually a pretty vista.  The yard is large and beautifully appointed as only some can be that are up in the mountains.  A large creek runs through it as it travels from the top of the mountains down into the valley beyond.  I loved that vista when I first saw it.  I think Lin would have approved even though she never liked the female cousin.

He told me Chewlee slept most of the way home.  Probably from boredom since she was told by the wicked female cousin that their TV had no cartoons.  An out-and-out lie, of course, just because the female cousin doesn't approve of a kid watching TV at all.  She has always been strange.  I'm sure if it had been up to her, she would have taken away Chewlee's little computer and the DVD's, too.  I'm not actually sure that she didn't try but the Beast would NOT have let her do that, I'm sure. 

She did tell me, rather brightly, that she had a bedroom ALL TO HERSELF!  I think they have five bedrooms there as well as a family room with a hide-a-bed and another one out in the family room.  They could also put someone up on a sofa bed in the living room if necessary.  Chewlee had been concerned that she was going to have to sleep with the Beast but I knew she wouldn't.

Now, the truly sad thing.  A piece of advice.  Do NOT make salsa with tomatoes that could possibly be right on the verge of being overripe.  My knife I used was so sharp that, as long as the tomatoes felt firm to me, I really couldn't tell unless I cut into them and they foamed (yes, they DO foam).  The Princess told me that she had gotten one the other day that did that to her.  What happens is that the salsa sours.  I thought that cooking it would prevent the salsa from fermenting or souring but, alas, it was not to be.  All that work for nothing.

I wouldn't have known it except that Chewlee wanted some salsa and chips so I got her out a small custard cup and poured some in it for her.  She complained that the juice didn't taste right so I tasted it.  It was soured.  When I told the Princess not to take any, she told me about the tomato she had brought home.  She said only part of the tomato had done that and the rest of the tomatoes were fine.  But it just made me sick at heart.  My hands are still a bit sore from the acid when I was cutting up the tomatoes.

However, I will persevere.  I will be much more thorough in my testing of the tomatoes but I WILL make salsa this year from our tomato crops.  It's just such a big disappointment....

The Beast went to bed early because his back was stiffening up on him.  He took a hot bath and headed for bed.  Baron has been his shadow since he returned and was really affectionate.  When he crawled on the bed with the Beast, I couldn't even yell at him because I know he truly missed him as only an animal can.

It was hot AND humid here today so our 88 degree high felt like 96 degrees according to my weatherbug.  I hope you didn't have more of the same or worse.  Love you all and have a fantastic Hump Day. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today I got the salsa bottled up but, since I wasn't going to can it, I cooked it up.  Tomato juice WILL ferment and it doesn't take long for that to happen.  I then made up 11 pints and one quart of salsa.  If the Princess doesn't show up tonight, I'll refrigerate it all along with my soup.  I made up the dough for the noodles and then cooked them in the soup broth.  It was delicious.  I know the Princess will take some home with her when she finally shows up.  Tonight was her late class so she probably won't show up until around 11pm or 10:30pm at the earliest (if traffic is light).

I still haven't gathered together the clothes to send home with her.  I think I will show her the drawer so she knows I'm not exaggerating.  That task won't take long.

I talked to the Beast today and he was exasperated with Chewlee.  I told him that it was his fault because he took her to one of those Gem mines where you buy a container of rocks that have been chopped out of the mine and can go through it looking for valuable gems.  His cousin was with him and he's good at that.  However, the problem was that there is a trough of fast moving water used to wash the rocks off and inspect them.  It's not in great shape so there's a lot of water on the ground resulting in some nice mud puddles.  Chewlee just LOVES them and she was tromping through them as much as she could and having a ball.  The Beast was worried about the mess in the car plus she apparently had gotten mud on his pants.  I told him that the mud would dry and he could brush it off them plus I was sure they probably had a hose that they would let the Beast use to clean off Chewlee's feet, legs and flip flops.  I don't think he thought of that at all.  Idjit! 

Anyway, they will be home tomorrow around 2 or 3pm.  I figure 2pm if they get off by 9am.  Three o'clock if they leave later.  I told him I had made the soup so he could have that when he got home.  Now all I have to do is straighten out the freezer section to make room for the Italian beef and tamales that are supposed to get here on Wednesday.

I found out that the Beast actually bought himself one of those ear amplifiers because his hearing is so bad.  I don't call it a hearing aid because I think that is a bit more clinical than buying one online.  We shall see how it works for him.  I figure if it doesn't work for him, maybe I can use it for my left ear (which has the most loss of hearing).  I didn't say anything to him about it because I'm sure he just HATES the idea of needing one.  I don't need to rub it in. 

It was hot today but not as hot as they say it will be tomorrow.  I need to check with the Princess about what time she will be picking up Chewlee.  I'm sure she's missed her.  Chewlee can be so damn loveable (except to the Beast).  She can also say some of the most incredible statements you've ever heard from a six year old.  I love how she will tell me that she loves me without me expecting it.  She will just come over to me, hug me and tell me how much she loves me.  Makes your heart melt. 

Chewlee will be anxious to visit her bicycle after being gone.  Plus she will want to make her presence known to her friends here.  Especially Ian next door.  They have their house up for sale and, unless the new owners (whenever someone buys it) have kids, she will be heartbroken.

Well, love you all.  Hope you had a great start to your week and are not suffering with the heat. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today was my day to make salsa for the family.  OMG!  What a chore when you do it alone.  The Princess had to work and Tara has two of her kids from Ohio that are staying with her for a couple weeks.  I think there's only one more week to go but I couldn't ask her.  Not without going crazy with three kids running around.  So that meant cutting up around 10# of tomatoes and then some (had to go out and harvest some more).  I had to keep stopping to rest my hands when they started to react badly to the acid from the tomatoes.

I got everything else done (celery, jalapenos, onions, green onion stems) when I took a break.  It's finally done but I had to make a trip to the store for more cumin.  The jar I had was almost empty.  I also found out I needed the seals (tops) for my jars, which I got while I was there.  I bought another dozen quart jars since I couldn't reach the ones I had on the top shelf of the ones out in the garage.  All I had was a 3 ft. ladder and it wasn't enough height for me to reach them.  He pushed them to the back of the shelf.  I managed to get down a dozen of my pint jars, however.  I started out filling them with my salsa but have more left over.

I told the Princess to come over and pick up a couple jars before I can them if she wanted some.  She said she's coming over to pick up a couple.  I have some stuff for her to take home with her.  I don't know how I manage it but I have an overflowing draw full of stuff that belongs to Chewlee.  Clothes, I mean.  More than I need around here.  Even the Princess can't figure it out.  But I need to empty the drawer of some of the things I have.  I WILL keep a couple pair of her jammies and a couple outfits.  Other than that, I don't need so many things here. 

Its taken me a whole day to make my salsa up but I also decided to go ahead and make my chicken soup.  I haven't made the noodles for it.  I'll do that tomorrow and it will sit for a day (except for my bowl, of course) and will be much better.

Tomorrow I have to try to put my freezer in order and make room for the Italian beef and tamales that the Beast ordered from Chicago.  We've ordered the Italian beef before and it's amazing.  I'm going to try to put it in some kind of order so pray for me.  We have a side by side fridge so it's not easy to organize it.  Not when what's in it isn't all the same shape and size.  I may give some of the major duplicates we have to the Princess.  We shall see.

I haven't been able to work on my room at all so it's a mess (to me).  I also have a kitchen that needs some cleaning up done.  Try as I might, it gets messy.  Not a total mess but I have a load of big bowls that need washing as well as a few other things.  I'll do it when I put a couple of my quart jars in the dishwasher.

It was hot today....86 degrees.  Plus the humidity was high but we DID have a nice breeze going for a while.  It stopped during our rain that lasted all of 15 minutes.  I hope you had better luck.  At least I wasn't outside much in it.

Baron is really missing his best friend.  He actually howled when it was their regular bedtime.  Can't wait to tell the Beast about THAT.  Love you all and have a fantastic week.  I have one more day of freedom. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

The Beast and Chewlee were dressed, car was packed and they were on the road by 9am.  Chewlee even had time to ride her bike for a while although she did watch a video on the new, little (and inexpensive, too!) computer the Beast bought for her.  It's got a 10-inch screen on it and is very easy to use.  The advantage of it is that it is a lightweight laptop so it isn't heavy on her lap.  She had picked out about 10 different videos to take with her on the trip and we packed them into my cloth Chicago bag that has a zipper on the top.  I bought it to carry home the frozen tamales I bought from Kay's sister; the one that owns a chili restaurant and bar.

After they left, I discovered Bratfink was online.    It was really too early for her to be up but Loki's yowling has left both her and Sheldon with little sleep since she came into heat a couple days ago.  She is scheduled for neutering on Tuesday....if she or her keepers live that long....LOL!    So we spent some time talking about this and that and then Bratfink went to take a nap.  Since Chewlee was a whirlygig last night, I hadn't slept well either so I took a short nap, too.

Then, when I awoke three hours later (yeah, I'm a slug), I got busy with the ingredients for my salsa.  I skinned my tomatoes which iseasier than you think since it involves immersing them in boiling water for just a minute or two and the skins come off easily.  I discovered our celery had frozen so I couldn't use it for my salsa and required a trip to the store.  I put my tomatoes in the fridge while I chopped up the celery, onions and jalapeno peppers.  I still have to chop up my tomatoes but I can do that after I finish up this blog.  Then it's just a matter of salt, a few other spices and a little garlic powder.  I have to keep tasting it because I want to put some aside for Tara and she likes it mild.  The rest of us like it on the hot side so the rest of it will be made up to our likes.

I also wanted to get to work on my room because I want to shampoo this carpet while the Beast and Chewlee are gone.  I can do that on Monday because the Beast won't be home until Tuesday.  I need to try to remember to find out from the Princess if she has work or classes or both on Tuesday.

I'm going to make up some chicken soup with homemade noodles because I CAN use the frozen celery in it and I hate to waste it.  I AM going to have to make another run to the store because I found out I have no carrots and I may just pick up some sliced, fresh mushrooms for it, too.  I was using baby carrots for awhile in my chicken soup but I am going back to regular carrots.  I like the bigger ones for some reason.

The weather was great and I got a bit of a shock.  Baron recognizes the Beast's buddy, Dennis, as a kind of family member since he is here on a daily basis.  Well, Baron never barked and I was talking to Bratfink online when I heard someone say, *Bratsis?*  I didn't recognize the voice since he had said it rather softly, unsure if he was going to wake me.  He came in with Baron's training collar and both his leashes and that told me that the Beast had probably asked him to walk Baron for him.  When he put the training collar on Baron (he loves that collar), I asked him...*Are you sure you want to do this?*  He looked me straight in the eye and said, *No but I told the Beast I would while he was gone.*  I told him the Beast had taken Baron for a run before he left, he asked, *Did he poop?*  I admitted that I had no clue since the Beast hadn't mentioned it.  By then, Dennis had the leash on his training collar and took him out the door for his walk.

I called the Beast, told him about the scare and asked if Baron had pooped after taking his run and the Beast said he had.  I told that to Dennis when he came back with Baron.  He laughed and said that explained why Baron wasn't interested in anything on the trees or the ground where he had walked him.  He left the collar on the end table next to the door and went back to doing his chores at his RV.

Love you all and I hope you had a wonderful Saturday and a better Sunday. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

The other day the Princess had the nerve to tell me about these ripe avocados she bought so she could make some guacamole.  Under duress, I'll admit, she promised to save me some but Johnnycakes thought she was kidding him when she said she promised me some and he ate it all up!  Oinker!  LOL.  Actually, I WAS kidding her but would have loved it if she actually saved me some.  We love guacamole in our family so I truly didn't think that three small avocados would leave any leftovers.  However, what it did was make me crave guacamole so, when I go to the store tomorrow to get the things I need to make up some pecan cups for the Beast's aunt, I'll be picking up what I need to make some for us.

The Beast decided that he is going to take Chewlee with him to his aunt's house on Saturday.  Yeah, that surprised me, too.  His cousin is not going to be in North Carolina until Sunday so he's going to take Chewlee to a local church up there to meet some new friends.  She will like that and I think they (his aunt and female cousin, Bev) will get a kick out of watching Chewlee get ready.  She has her own routine that is so funny and cute.  She even does her own hair and really does do a nice job.  He's taking our laptop so she can play her own DVD's while they are traveling.  I'm going to pack one of her church dresses and a play outfit or two that I have here including her one new outfit that she's been dying to wear.  The problem is she took home the flip flops that belong to it (yes, they match...the pattern of her shorts is the pattern on the top of the flip flops.  The Princess is trying to find the charger for her Leap pad so she can also play her games.  I hope she packs Chewlee's head phones so she won't bother the Beast with the noise from them while he's driving.

When she was told she was going to be making the trip with him, the first thing she asked was *is it a long way?*  I told her it wasn't that long a trip.  It would only take about five hours which was a shorter time than she spends in school.  That satisfied her.  I also told her that she would have her doggy night light with her and her blankey so she would have that when she had her sleepover and the blankey would make her comfy if she wanted to take a nap.  As long as she has that, she will be fine.

I've traveled with her a few times and she is great as long as she doesn't have any gum or sticky candy with her.  I usually pick up gummy bears for her because she likes them and she eats them and doesn't play with them so that she gets all sticky.  The Beast can be very anal about that stuff and I don't want her to spend half her time crying because he's yelling at her.

Me?  I'll be here, at home, and finally able to do a couple things here in my room that I haven't been able to do with her around.  The minute I get busy trying to do something, she will suddenly want to help out.  I love her to death and like to encourage her to be helpful but there are times she just doesn't know the meaning of the word *NO*.

Bev has a couple small dogs and they are really loveable and cute.  Chewlee will love them.  Bev saved them from negligent owners that were really too old and too busy to take care of such energetic dogs.  Bev had been feeding them because the owners were gone more than they were home.  What were the dogs supposed to do?  Open cans of dog food for themselves and turn on the water when they needed some?  They were also left out in very cold weather and they didn't have the coats for it.  It was Bev that gave them some shelter and some blankets to keep them warm.  She finally told the owners that she was going to report them unless they either took care of them or gave them to someone that would.  She hoped they would let her have them and they did....with a sigh of relief, I think.  They really weren't bad people, just thoughtless as far as animals went. 

I love to watch her riding around on her new bike.  She was pointing out all the *neat* things about her bike, like the butterflies that decorate it.  She was so proud that she picked it out herself so she loves riding it.  She's gotten better and better at making turns and braking.  She can also work the kickstand both ways now that the Beast greased it a bit.  Before that, she had to get someone to put it up for her or else hold the bike while she pulled it up by hand.  Now she can even put it up with her bare feet although I yell at her for riding it without any shoes on.

Well, since the two of them are making this trip, I have to do a wash for them.  I have to check on what the Princess packs for her since she doesn't pack too well.  I need to make sure she has enough pajamas, underwear and play clothes.  I'm also packing her favorite dress for church (this months choice, I mean....LOL) and need to remind the Princess to pack her shoes and socks since she will be wearing them home tonight when the Beast drops her off.

Love you all.  Hope you have had a good week and didn't suffer from the heat too much.  We hit 88 today with humidity at 79% but it was breezy so wasn't too bad in the shade.  I have a shitload of tomatoes that are ripe and need picking so that's what I will be doing tomorrow.  I think I will have enough to make up some salsa for us (and for the Princess and Tara, too).  The rest of the crop will go for stewed tomatoes for the winter and for our salads this summer.  Be good and drive carefully. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Yes, today the Beast turned 70 and, since his new faith discourages the celebration of things like birthdays, the Beast's friend for many years, came over with a *Happy Any Day* ice cream cake so as not to offend him.  The problem was I had some Marie Callendar 3 cheese meat lasagne in the oven and I had made a Caesar salad for us.  We hadn't eaten dinner yet and they were here with dessert.    Dennis and Di were in the mood to be company.  When Jackie showed up with some information for Dennis about local contractors, I made it my business to go outside to keep an eye on Chewlee and the boys along with Ian's dad.  Sam's dad is Jackie so I told Sam where his dad was and he just kept playing with Chewlee and Ian.

Johnnycakes had dropped off Chewlee before he had to go to work so she was here from about 11am until her mother came to get her at 8.  I had told the Princess to go ahead and hit the gym before she picked up Chewlee and she really took advantage of that...LOL.  Chewlee had not taken a nap so she was fading.  I had made her take a bath and wash her hair around 4pm because her hair smelled of sweat.  It was almost wasted because when she went out to play (both Ian and Sam were here by then), she was sweating like crazy and her hair got all stinky again.

Poor Chewlee is worried about her kitten being alone so much during the day.  She asked me if she was going to be here tomorrow and if she could bring her kitty with her.  I kept thinking that it would probably be scared stiff of Baron since she's never seen any dog, let alone something so much bigger than she is that isn't a human being.  I told her if her mother said it was okay, that was fine with me but she couldn't take it outside and we needed her kitty litter box.  I think she wants to show off her kitty to Ian and Sam and, possibly, Olivia.  However, she also just wants to sit and love it.  I did tell her that her mother would soon be home a little more and she would be able to get to know and love her kitty then.  She said to me, *But my kitty needs me NOW!*  I think it's Chewlee that needs her kitty.

Chewlee is doing very well on her new bike.  She can operate the kickstand like a pro now and she automatically heads for the garage with it when she leaves for home or if it starts to rain.  The bike is a 20" and, although the Princess thought it was too big for her at first, I told her to just watch her.  She learned how to use the brakes in two seconds and she feels like such a hot shot that you have to laugh.

Now I need to get the Beast to run the old bike over to Tara's house.  The garbage company picks up everything she wants to put out.  He's going to have to do it tomorrow because he will need to rest up on Friday for his trip to his aunt's house on Saturday.  When he hits part of the mountains on his way there, it's a very tense situation due to all the curves and changes in elevation.  That's when I worry about him, especially when he's not taking Baron with him.  Having Baron with him actually helps keep him focused AND he stops to let Baron pee or have some water or food.  Otherwise, he would try to drive straight through without a stop and that's hard on him at his age.  LOL.  Cracks me up that he's 70.  When he was young, he thought he wouldn't live to be 50!

His aunt sent him some of her great fudge for his birthday.  She makes the best fudge I have ever had.  I told the Beast he had to leave it here when he left so he would have some when he got back.  I should make her some of my pecan cups that she loves.  Chewlee would love helping me with that.  I think I will.

It was 88 for our high today and the damn humidity was 83%.  That was just from all the rain this past week and a slight shower earlier today.  What it meant was SWEAT!  I put on one of those t-shirts that they call *wife beaters* if a guy wears one.  Just enough clothes to absorb the sweat was all I wanted on.  I tried to get Chewlee into one she has but she wanted a regular t-shirt.  I tried to tell her it would be cooler while she was riding her bike but she told me that her regular t-shirt was what she wanted to wear.

Love you all.  I hope you had a great day and an even better one tomorrow.