The FA is on a diet. Unfortunately it’s a fraud. Her son, the PA, ran a bunch of tests on her and said she’s a ‘train wreck’. Of the best results she was only border line. I spied her brunching a McDonald’s ice cream top heavy with chocolate, peanuts, and a sprinkling of M&Ms. She called it aYogurt. She explains in Tennessee twang that “my doctor’s got me on this no sugar, no pasta, bread, and rice deal”. She’s told us this and in so doing reaffirms her positive feelings toward herself. Ain’t it funny people do these inner mind games. I personally don’t think that any doctor can do it for you, or to you, short of gastro-intestinal bypass. The desire to loose pounds has to come from within. Yes? She and the FO made dinner plans. The Lady & Sons — a well know family style establishment featuring southern cookin’… i.e. fried. I couldn’t bare to watch.

The dog’s owner was pulling into the driveway and Z-dog was going spaz at the door to be let outside to do the welcome, gee — I missed ya dog thing. I thought lemme help ya with that tricky turn the door knob action and off she bolted. While Z-dog was thinking YESSSS, Allison from the kitchen was beginning a slo mo lunge after him saying NOOOOOOO. Uh oh. Mybad. I knew that she was approved to go outside (and wouldn’t take off) but didn’t know that she was a tire biter with little respect or healthy fear for the rolling mass and inertia about to wheel into the garage. Man! I guess that would have put a big kybosh on our dinner party get together if I’d have got the dog run-over…

when the Air Conditioning fails to come on even though commanded to do so by the thermostat and it’s getting mighty hot: Well, you could call a 24hr guy and hope he can come out right away, (75 bucks). I like the way B.O.U.R.girl does it— with a kick start! Of course these things happen when I’m 1200 miles from home but with a cell phone I was the tech support. Armed with a mediocre of tools she braved high voltage and mosquitoes on the utility side of the house. Since the hammer wrap method to the exterior frame of the unit had no effect, she carefully removed the screws of the back panel. S’man was also present as safety team and moral support and to hold the screws. The open access exposed the big black thing, a much smaller aluminized cylinder and a small black object. Holding the insulated tool end I prompted her to tap the relay with the wires. It was a careful operation. Some sparks flew. The hammer action just wasn’t getting the job done. Some proding and poking with the screw driver was required. “Don’t let Mom touch any of those nasty 240v wires…” I over-heard her say to her backup man. As if defusing a bomb she wiped her brow and used the pointy end to manually close the relay contacts. Over the line I heard some muttered words between them and then suddenly the machine whir to life and then whoops of success from the fix-it squad. Nice work guys! They will reward themselves with dinner out. Afterall, it would take some time for the kitchen to cool down and those dang mosquitoes…

You might have caught the candid video of the toddler spilling out of the amusement park ride? Dad saw ithappening too and went for the hero grab of his life. But, Ooops! Bad catch Dad! Put a little effort into itnext time why don’tcha. The Mom, interviewed by hungry news hounds let her say what her lawyer would haveadvised her to say, “It wasn’t MY fault!” Well now… these parents did happen to let the 3 year old kid goup on a big kid ride (un-attended) but would never ever endanger there child oh no… No way!

S’man has created a special sauce that should keep things fired up through the cold ahead. These peppers are home grown. Here’s the recipe:

• 2-3 fist fulls of Long Red Cayenne and Jalapeno
• pinch(s) salt
• 3 dollups of vinegar
• water varied to desired viscosity
• pinch thyme

Pulse the whole works in the Cuisinart. Be careful not to be overcome by the pungent gases when peering into the mixture. Don’t rub eyes. Seperate the liquid from the mash. Save the solids to a seperate container as a chili paste. Bottle it and think of a clever name like Venom Xtreme or Widow, no surviors or Pain is good!
epilogue: We suspect spillage and residue on the kitchen drainboard. Overnight the ants came to scavenge and we found them there dead in the a.m.

Wow! First day of school today. Butterflies and schpilkies all around. S’man explains that today is beauracracy session (BS ?) and quoting the teach’ with a sappy drawl, “okay! you know who I am — let’s get to know youuuuu”. Meanwhile the Flowerchild is taking the car with her. Another milestone. Good luck kids! Take notes!

Thanks to Chef Boy R D(d) we had Stromboli(s) made from scratch! The filling was sausage, mozzarella, and pepperoni and a little bit of onion and pizza sausce baked at 475 for 10. Euuuweee. Tonight, the flower-gurl will be challenged to top the effort. We are thinking chicken enchiladas with ranchera gravy.

It’s wonderful to have a flower child in our house…

It’s confirmed. Mannana is ‘D’ day. I have 24 hours to psych myself up for a very big adventure. Everyone knew but I. The women whispered amongst themselves and then erupted in laughter and glee. What could it be? I was afeared that I was to be treated to a stripper delivering my birthday cake, or a shower dance or somesuch humiliation and embarrassment. Maybe hands on massage or yoga class. Well it’s not birthing nor bungee jumping. I suppose I was to be dragged kicking and screaming, blind folded delivered up to the edge of the precipice… Tune in tomorrow!

Volunteer girl did not approve. New management mucked everything and the situation was dire. She needed to take the offensive if anything was to be done…

Using the power of the pen and a few precision emails the wrong-doers have been exposed for what they did (and didn’t). The blamed are trying to c.y.a. duck and cover. A head rolls. Flames and a flare up here and there. There is renewed hope for the innocent little ones.