Birthday pie--DONE

Sis is home from the Vet and none the worse for wear.  Her breath is still stinky but that will clear up in a day or two as she takes the post op antibiotics.  They said not to give her water or anything to eat so the first thing I did was give her water--a little bit--and when that stayed down, I fixed her scrambled eggs.  Yeah, I did.  I never follow directions when they come back from the Vet.  It's not that I think I'm smarter or don't understand the reasons why they tell you not to do stuff.  I do--totally.  I just know she's little and she's thirsty....so, I give her a couple of ice cubes in a bowl, with a splash of water, after I've let her have a little drink out of her regular bowl.  She hates the ice cube routine, chasing them around the bowl hoping they'll melt really fast and they never do.  And the scrambled eggs??  Well, she's supposed to have soft food in case her gums are sore so, duh...what else are you going to give her, Blue Bell?  She's still whiney but I think that's just because her dad isn't home yet and she needs to tell him how traumatic it all was, get a bunch of sympathy, and other wise just work him.  And she will, too.  It is a sight to behold.  She is in the den, pacing, waiting for him to drive in.  Poor guy.  He's about to get done by a dog.  And he LOVES it.

Getting schmoozed....I just hate it, even when I understand why.  And when it's about money and philanthropy, I totally get it, but I still just don't want to be put on the spot, be romanced and chatted up, when really all somebody wants is Foundation $$$.  For heaven sakes...just ask for it, although the sea bass at lunch was a nice touch.  I had to do a "thank you" lunch yesterday for mom's previous 40 years of Board work and philanthropy for a Dallas institution, with my sibs, when all I really wanted to do was be outside.  While interesting, the dog and pony show lasted way too long for me.  But I get it.....I just don't like it.

I got Brian's birthday chocolate pie made and the meringue done, right after dinner.  We were all too full to cut it so he's coming by today to take it home, or at least he better.  I've included a picture since the meringue turned out much better than usual--when they tell you to let the egg whites come to room temperature before whipping them, do it--even if you don't follow directions worth a hoot, like me.   That, and some cream of tartar, and I was piling on the meringue, and it was spectacular if I do say so myself.  Even Brian was surprised.  Now, the pie may not taste worth a toot, but it sure is purdy.  And, yeah....I cheated on the crust and used a frozen one.  Hey, a girl can only do so much in one day....

Birthday pie

Since Crashman, Brian, turns 29 tomorrow, tonite is Birthday dinner nite.  We knew he'd rather be hanging with his pals on Saturday night so we'll getter dun tonite.  Also on the agenda is me making him a birthday chocolate meringue pie later this afternoon.  Pie over birthday cake??  Always.  No question about it.  And chocolate?  Well, duh.  I'm also planning to do a look see over at mom's to see if anything I got yesterday works.  Maybe I better make that pie this morning since a style show with mom could take awhile.

A lurker of this blog got me the cutest dachshund purse as an early birthday gift and dropped it by yesterday afternoon, and after opening it, I jumped up and down like a 5 year old.  You would have thought it was a Prada...and if I can figure out how to email the pic I took to this computer, from my phone, in all my spare time today, I'll include a pic.  Texting it was easy--I just can't find the attachment doo dad on my email screen so I may have to call Benji for help. I texted it to one of my nieces and she went nuts, too.  Ahhhh, dachies....whatcha gonna do?

Sis should be "on the table" in nite-nite land getting her pearly whites all cleaned and any problem teeth pulled.  Wiggles is in pig-dog heaven with her gone.... his food can stay down for cruise by grazing, she's not hogging the donut bed so he's all comfy, no sharing his water bowl, and life in general is just good.  I need to take him this afternoon to get his nails trimmed, again, since he's catching in the carpet a little and they are growing really close to his pads.  I wish I could just do the trimming myself since Lord knows I have enough implements with which to trim--a regular surgical array--but I just can't do it.  I swear I somehow manage to hit the cuticle at least once every time I try to trim them, and then it bleeds like crazy.  And he yips.  And then cries. And then I just feel awwwwful.  Like a murderer.  Nope, I'm just not gonna do it. 

I did harvest the last of my basil late yesterday afternoon, in the event of a freeze last night, and as I figured, I've got at least one more load of pesto, judging by the amount of foliage left.  The cuttings are sitting in a container of water in the sink and have perfumed the house since I cut them.  OOOOO, la la....nothing like the smell of fresh herbs.  Happy weekend to all and since we'll be home all weekend, I may just drag out my fire pit and play white trash on the driveway.  Sis loves to sun herself out there, as does old Wigman, so I think I've got a plan.  That, and a big old pot of white chicken chili......I just luvvvvvvv Fall.

Coldwater Creek

I .....am......worn.....out.  I just went shopping to buy mom some "play clothes" since all her old stuff looks tres' tired.  I started at one end of Coldwater Creek and cut a swath right through that place.  The older sales lady was laughing as I yanked stuff I thought might work and threw it over my shoulder.  And then I started throwing it over hers.  Luckily, this wasn't her first barbecue with a dementia client, so she's the one that stopped me when the buttons on one blouse were too small.  She said it takes her forever to button that shirt and not to go there, and I didn't.  I knew about elastic waist pull on pants and we found several pairs of those, so I may have scored there, if they fit. By the end, she was exhausted and so was I, and I still don't know what 83 year old ladies wear, but there's bound to be something in one of those bags that works.  My favorites were the soft knit cotton jeans--they look just like jeans but feel soft like pj's, only with a zipper and button.  Yeah, buddy. 

Mom may not like any of the stuff and if she doesn't, well, that'll be just fine--or at least that's what I'll tell the judge when I plead insanity, as my defense for killing her.  The thought of wagging those bags back to the store just makes me want to go lie down and take a nap.  A l-o-n-g nap.  And speaking of naps, mom's next door neighbor at the Plaza's boyfriend died yesterday, and mom's neighbor is all torn up about it.  I'm talking a dirt nap here....he was there one minute and then checked out to the great beyond--poof.  Mom's neighbor ate every meal with her BF and now there's a hole at the table, and she won't go to the dining room to eat.  I got all the scoopage from Carrie, the Concierge, when I ran by today to drop off a new orchid for mom since her's was kaput.  Carrie said Mrs."Real Sad" needed a hug and then told me why, so I went right over and hugged on her.  Dang.  Ya just never know when your ticket's punched, do ya?

Yosemite, here I come

After watching yesterdays' Oprah's big camping adventure with fellow unlikely camper, best friend Gail, I now have a huge hankering to go to Yosemite and stay for at least a week or even two.  Now, I did not say I wanted to camp out, and frankly neither did Oprah or Gail, but they're on TV and I'm not, so I don't have to.  I want to stay somewhere really nice, maybe learn how to fly fish, hike a little if it's not straight up at a 90 degree angle, and just chill in all the beauty and nature.  I can just smell that fresh mountain air.  One more project to research--a trip to Yosemite next year.  I told Fred and he just looked at me like I was crazy, until I said fly fishing.  We're as good as gone.  I might as well go pack.

Sis needs to get her teeth cleaned before Thanksgiving so she won't have "squirrel mouth" when Benji comes home.  Man....it's just always somethin' around here.  Since she's never had them cleaned, I'm not thinking this is going to be her most favorite thing, but heck, if I get mine cleaned, so can she.  I just called and she's the only "dental" for tomorrow, so fresh breath here we come!  Fred can take her on his way to the office.  I know he'll be thrilled.

The latest drama around these parts is my brother and his wife are still moving to LA but don't know when, or where they are going to live.  Their previous blast off was set for 1.1.11.  The place Moo (wife) had decided upon, is now out--not sure why--, so they are back to looking.  Since they have moved residences essentially every four years, it probably won't take them long to find some place they like.  Me??  I'm just not a big mover.  I love my house and where I am so other than wanting to knock my house down and build, or gut it and re-work the interior space, I'm happy right where I am--even if I stay with it just like it is.  I've just always wanted to build a house so maybe at some point we will.  I don't want more house--noooooo---just to shuffle a few rooms.  And no living room.  We never use ours-- and no big swanky dining room either, for all those chi chi dinner parties I never have.  I used to occasionally.... but I'm over that now.  I like open and cozy--quite a feat to pull off well.  I've seen pictures of what I want, so at least I know what I want....that's half the battle, no?

Well, damn it

Well.....it's been one hell of a morning so I'll start with Carlos Cortez.  I had soooo hoped he'd have to take the walk of shame out of the Court House carrying all his office gear but, alas, South Dallas's voting block saved his puerko......and only by a whisker.... but that was enough to keep him in office so be advised:  do not get yourself in a pickle and end up in his court.  I won't even go into the rest of the results as I've only had one cup of coffee and I just can't go there yet.

I had to have fasting labs drawn this morning so I treated myself to a Starbucks on the way to look for carpet/rug material at Lowes.  Since Fred's dad burned two big holes in the current rug eons ago when it was brand new, after making a bonfire in the fireplace and not putting the screen back, it's w-a-y past time for a replacement.  The current rug has also seen it's quota of dogs, if you get my drift, so whatever we get needs to wear like iron.  Boots, beer, mud, parties, and once even a pony, have all darkened the door of the big house.  And don't even ask about the pony---I'm not telling and you'll NEVER get it out of me.  The good news is, it wasn't one of mine who did it.  Mine probably have had MUCH worse than a pony in the house.

The chairs we ordered that they said would be here hopefully by Christmas, are here, and a big fat old thank you to La-z-Boy.  Hopefully, we can get them up to the Farm this week since if I have to wait, someone around our house is gonna be really sorry he didn't just getter dun.  If it's new, I gotta see it.  Now.  Right now.  None of this diddling around stuff.

Mom told the Concierge at the Plaza this morning that she had been "fired" from her old salon and would now be going "local".  When I called Carrie to remind them mom needed them to walk her over, Carrie was laughing saying "don't worry about your mom...she's fine with the change".  Whew. 

And, last but NOT least: Happy Birthday, Dallas!!!  Hope you have a great birthday!!   Dallas is a Follower and Hud, Had, & Avery's dad, and also my nephew.  Woo hoo!!

Ain't she purdy??

Here she is in all her blonde glory.  Sorry for the rear shot but she was not real cooperative.  Must not like having her photo taken.  While my pot of homemade vegetable soup simmers, I thought I'd load her, so you all could get a glipmse of all her gorgeousness.  And for fun, I added one of Fred, and the tractor with the flat bed.  Just makes you feel all countree, dudn't it??

                       

Smart blonde cow??

For lack of a better idea, I pulled out this summer's homemade Marinara sauce Monday morning to have for dinner last night.  Remember how I told you it was a lot of trouble to go to, just for Marinara, and that it involved a trip to the Farmer's Market for  a sack of the "unlovlies" of the tomato world?  Well, damn....it was worth it.... and even though I'm not sure I'd do it again, my taste buds sure want me to.  I called Brian to see if he'd eaten and he headed right over.  Ladled atop a pile of angle hair pasta, liberally sprinkled with good Parmesan cheese and a twist of fresh cracked pepper, oh, mannnnnn.......pass me the garlic bread.  Not sure I can stand that jarred stuff again.  Ever.

I dropped the bomb on mom Sunday evening that she had a new "hair hut", as she calls it.  I could tell it was hurtful to her but I was as tactful and kind as I could be...it just it what it is.  By the time she gets used to going there on a regular basis, she'll love the convenience of not having to even go outside on a cold or wet morning or at least that's the story I'm telling myself for now.

I tried to get a shot of my favorite cow but since the zoom on our camera is broken, getting an up close and personal shot was not easy.  The closer I'd get, the quicker they'd all snort and move away.  This gal is a smart, blonde, cow and while I realize none of those things go together, well....she just is.....or at least she's the smartest of the bunch.  She's the alpha cow and a real leader....she's not afraid of people in their pj's who walk down with their coffee to open the gate so the cows can all head to another pasture.  The others snort, rear up, blow and act all stupid, but she just watches you really carefully, and then is the first one through the gate.  The others??  Nope.....they're still just standing there being dumb, waiting for another cow to woman up and go through the gate.   Blonde smart cow is way on down into the pasture by now, munching happily, while the brunettes try to "figure it out". I'll try to post a picture of her Majesty later today.

Fred and I moved the rest of the cut limbs and branches away from the little house Sunday morning by piling the branches on top of the low boy and hauling them off with the tractor.  It took several loads and dumps but it looks great now.  While we loaded, I sang the Green Acres theme song and then did the Titanic "King of the World" arms outstretched thing to Fred, as he drove toward me on the tractor.  You haven't lived until you've seen someone do that, back to you, on a moving tractor.  I even rode the tractor with him--- but that was before he did the Titanic move.