and now, something different

 Well, never mind about that

    I tried posting a video, but it did not work.

    I was standing outside with the wind howling, the snow blowing, and me freezing.

    Beth is really bothered by the snow and blowing.  She has gone out several times, turned and looked at me and then come back in without doing anything.

    Finally she did her business....on the porch.

    It is not where anyone can step on or in it, hut I will pick it up tomorrow.

    Christmas is almost all upstairs and Jackie is shocked at how much we have.  She asked 2 questions:  Where did we get that?  Where are we going to put that?

    Some things don't get put out.  The wreath Emily made in third grade or the candles my mother had when I was little.  Both are broken, but I can't part with them. I guess I am just a sentimental old fool.

    Back to the weather.

    The snow is supposed to stop tomorrow morning, so hopefully our trip to Morton Arboretum will still be a go.  

    If not, I guess. that is how life works.

    Keep warm.

Peace and Love

legs, baby

 I need a new pair of legs

    Mine are worn out.

    I started hauling Christmas up from the basement.

    Why the hell didn't we put in a dumb waiter?

    Not the kind that brings you alphabet soup when you asked for minestrone, but the kind you can put boxes in and hit a button and they magically rise to the next floor.

    Of course I still have to go up the stairs to unload them, but I wouldn't be carrying half ton containers up the stairs.

    Speaking of half ton containers.

    Last spring I put my strawberry plants into a tank, like a stock tank used on farms.  I was going to say a water trough, but I don't know if that is a word or not.

    Anyway, I put it on top of a furniture mover so I could just roll it into the. garage.  Easy peasy, right?

    I had to move it today because we may get somewhere in the area of 11 inches of snow tonight and through Saturday.  The plow guy pushes it all off the end of the driveway and the strawberries were in the way.

    Let me tell you.....moving that sucker was not easy!

    First off, the rollers have a mind of their own when it comes to directions.

    Second, I. think I put 300 pounds of dirt in the container.  

    Julia and Emily came by a little after I was done and asked why I didn't ask them for help.

    Because I am a stubborn old man who refuses to believe he can't do the things he used to be able to do.

    I don't know my limits, but come spring I will have someone help me take it out of the garage.

    I may be stubborn, but I am not stupid.

    Or am I?

    Just don't ask me to bring you minestrone soup.

Peace and Love

Whaaat???

 We were all set for Thanksgiving

    Then Julia walked in.

    Let me back up a bit.

    Jackie and I made pecan pie for the first time.   I do get confused.  Is it peecan or peon?  Whatever.

    We froze the pie.  I took it out Tuesday night so it would thaw.

    Yesterday we made sweet potato pie or casserole, whichever you call it.  Put that into the fridge.

    At some point I was to take the pecan pie and the apple pie out  of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for today.

    That's the back story.

    Julia  goes into the dining room, and calls out: "Why is the sweet potato pie on the dry sink?"

    I reply, saying it is the pecan pie just looks like the sweet potato pie.  you can see the pecans on the top.

    Julia brings it over and says, "There are no pecans.  See?"

    And she shoes me the sweet potato pie.

    Then she asks, "When did you put it here?"

    I had no idea.  It might have been this morning, or it might have been last night.

    If it was this morning, well that pie has only been out of the fridge an hour or so.  If it was last night, well that could be botulism just waiting for someone to test it.

    And I could not remember when I put it there.  Still can't.

    We dumped it and Julia made another and it didn't have the potential to sicken us like the first one did.

    Supper turned out great.

    Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet corn casserole, taffy apple salad, ham, 3 different pies for dessert.  Sandy brought little smokies wrapped in bacon and Kevin brought a ham.  Emily made the corn casserole and mashed potatoes.  Julia made a pumpkin pie and brought some chips and dip.

    All in all it was a pretty darn good day.

    Should be an interesting weekend.  Bears play tomorrow, we have tickets for the Morton Arboretum's light festival Sunday, and tickets for The Book of Mormon Monday.

    We also have a winter storm watch starting Friday night with the potential of 4 to 197 inches of snow.

    Like I said....should be interesting.

Peace and Love

Thanksgiving eve

Twas the night before turkey.... 

    And tomorrow we will all be stuffed!

    Today I made taffy apple salad and sweet potato pie.  Jackie read directions and I did the mixing.

    I hope someone finds the tip of my left finger tomorrow. Maybe I can still get it re-attached.

    Needless to say, I am thankful for a lot of things.

    My family, my friends, the people who read this in Singapore.  All of you have made my life fuller and I thank you.  Of course I can't forget my dog, but she doesn't read this.

    Last night when she wanted to go out, the wind was howling.  She came in and went into her bed in our bedroom.  It was almost 2 a.m., maybe later, and when I stumbled into bed Beth started whining.  So I picked he up and put her in bed with us.  

    Her body was shaking.

    I think the wind was freaking her out.  It was really loud.

    After a few minutes she settled back to sleep and I did too.

    Today I found out that friends Karen and John also went to see McCartney.  They were sitting in section 307 Row 12, we were sitting in section 307 row 7!  We were not far from each other, but did not see one another.

    Goes to show you it is a small world after all.

Peace and Love

And Happy Thanksgiving!!

Awesome!

 Paul McCartney was awesome tonight

    I sang.  I took pictures.      I smiled.  I discovered I look like a goof in every selfie.

    A big thank you to Sherrie for driving, to Emily and Julia for providing supper for Jackie,and helping her, to Kimberly for staying with Jackie, and to Jackie for letting me go.

    I love the Beatles, but this is the first time I have seen a concert with any of them!  I can't believe I have waited this long.

    And I even saw someone I knew!  Besides Sheri!!

    Anyway, got home a little after 1.

    As Sheri was driving down my street I noticed an object in the ditch across from our house.

    Now, Jackie had texted and told me it was windy.

    I had Sheri aim her headlights toward the object and it turned out to be my hose cart!  I had left it in the driveway by my strawberry field, but the wind seemed to have a moving effect on it.  It was heavy for me to move, so that must have been a strong wind!

    I am having a decaf tea and then am heading toward bed.

    I hope.

Peace and Love

Huh

 I can't believe I forgot tonight

I told Jackie my blog was done and posted.

I went to bed and just now, because I don't sleep well, got to thinking about what I wrote.

I could not remember.

I knew I didn't write about going to the dentist.  Or my experience with customer service at the Tribune.  Or shopping.g Or the dreary wether.  Or the frustration I have been feeling all day.

And I know I did not tell how excited I am about going to see Paul McCarney tomorrow night.

So I got up. etc check what I did write.

Nothing.  Nada.  

Truthfully, I am too tired yet wide awake to write anything that makes sense.

Peace and Love

family. time

 We celebrated Julia's birthday today

    Yes. it was a day late.  But she had plans  yesterday, so we had dinner today.

    Julia made lasagna.  Emily brought banana cream pie.  I ate.  

    Some birthday!!  She had to make supper and bring it to us!  Plus, we are getting her a snowblower for her birthday and Christmas, so she didn't even have a present from us!

    She got a card, but I told her not to write on the envelope because I needed it back.  When I went to bring the bag of dog food into the house from the garage, I found the missing envelope behind the bag, proving once again that I don't lose things, I just misplace them.

    Honestly, I am stuffed.  

    I have been  eating too much and exercising too little and that has to change.

    All I did today was sit.  Watched the Bears, read the paper, watched the last quarter of the Dallas game.   My fitness tracker just told me that if I go on a 300 minute walk I will reach my daily goal.

    Oh hell, that won't happen.

    Guess I will just drown my sorrows in a cookie.

Peace and Love