Her Story

Published on by J-Dub8 Comments

December 15, 1997.  I woke up, got dressed and went to work.  I had a scheduled appointment with the endocrinologist for 2 pm.   B had his pager.  We had a plan for how we’d meet just in case.  When I paged, he wasn’t to call but to go straight to the hospital.  I had been carrying my suitcase in the trunk of my car for weeks.

Sure enough, when they did the sonogram, doctor said it was time. Something about cord in all four quadrants and not enough fluid.  I went back to work and told my boss I would not be in the next day.  I set my Outlook out of office, moved my pending files to co-workers, and logged out.

My parents were in Galveston for my uncle Martin’s funeral. Who knew my mother was to die five weeks later.  Life never stops giving.  She really wanted to be there.

My-in-laws picked up Pony from school and joined us at the hospital. Very different than the first time.  I did not want to be induced and I was scared.  But this was Womens’ and Childrens’ in a suite more like our bedroom at home than a hospital.

After eating a cheese burger for a late supper in the hospital cafe, Pony was taken home against his protests.  To this day, he reminds us that he was sent away.  That he even had to go to school the next day.  He was incensed that we did not allow him to skip.

In hindsight, we should have let him stay.  He was more affected by Lulu’s birth than anyone I think.  He’d say for years, I want a brother or sister.  Really mom!!! Don’t get me anything other than a brother or sister for my birthday, Christmas, or other special occasion. He loved Lulu from before she was born. And he was such a wonderful helper.

At 10:50 pm, some almost nine hours from the appointment, Lulu Belle entered this world.  Not exactly as planned but most definitely as it should be!  Monday’s child is fair of face.  This is how I always think of her.

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#SoCS for 12/15/18 ~ Hairy

Published on by J-Dub20 Comments

Woo Hoo! Time once again to roll with the flow and let my freak flag fly.  Doh! You are mighty giddy Jilly beans. Why yes! Yes I am!  Today my Lulu turns 21!  Wha? Wait! Not possible.  Oh but it is.

Linda says the goose is getting fat and that means Christmas is coming.  Time for another come to Jesus moment.  How is it Christmastime already?  I mean wasn’t it just the 4th of July yesterday? Blink.  Time pulls its’ funny shenanigans. Let’s do the time warp again!!  Without further ado, here is Linda’s the prompt along with the rules and ping back.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “hairy.” Use it any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use it to mean more than one thing. Enjoy!

Hmm!!! Think, think and think … Hairy!

Why that’s not very holiday seasonal is it?

Ugh.

Hairy and all you got is you’re hairy because it is almost winter and you have boycotted shaving your legs because well … because you don’t wanna.  TMI.  Why should I have to shave my legs anyway?  Huh?  Bring back the pantyhose.  Hmmm,  never mind.  But tis true, my gams will not see a Bic Lady shaver until Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow.    Maybe even plus 6 weeks after that!

And because I am uber competitive, I will not stop until I find another meaning for hairy.  C’mon noodle, think, think and think.  Oh ya, I got something.  I was in a hairy situation two days ago when this crazy bitch in her big ole pickem up truck almost ran me down.  I had the right of way and was walking through the cross walk going into Wally World.  B says it didn’t matter that I was right because she was bigger than me.  Yep!  I could’ve been a pancake.  Splat just like the video game Frogger.  I am still shaking.  Could’ve been a big hairy mess.

Welp, I am outta stream y’all.  Going out for a day of celebrating into the wee hours cuz Lulu Belle only turns 21 once.  Happy Saturday.  Hope it’s a good one :).

If you’d like to join us, scroll back up to the link at the top marked rules and ping back.  You’ll be glad ya did.

 

Whoever invented the cheesecake recipe is a monster

Published on by J-Dub13 Comments

Or not!  Today is the first time I ever baked a cheesecake completely from scratch.  I did the freaking water bath and everything.  I enjoy baking and always wanted to do this for a living.  Creating this masterpiece was one hell of a ride.  Made me realize I do NOT want to bake for a living.  I am gonna be sore tomorrow.  Lol.  But she’s worth it.  My sweet Lulu <3.

This took 1 hour to prep, 1 hour and 16 minutes to bake and that was just to get the base.  Had to cool in the turned off oven for 3 hours.  Took about 15 minutes for ganache (chocolate chips and heavy cream in microwave for 30 seconds I kid you not!).  Was very quick especially since I went with the “oh hell, just pour” method.  Since I didn’t hire a cameraman, steps are missing.  Oh well, will have to do with my memory. This bad boy is in the refrigerator overnight and then tomorrow is time for the whip cream garnish.

Here’s some snaps.

The pan & the fixings that do not require refrigeration
This bowl had sugar and cocoa powder. Once it was free I dropped the mixer in. I had enough!!! Dang cord kept getting in the batter.
I needed some place to toss the shells. The dark bittersweet chocolate went into the batter.
Empty batter bowl
When oven was first turned off
cooled and lowered just a bit. Ready for the ganache
Look at the shine!
As always, more to come.

So, … Lucky to be Alive

Published on by J-Dub16 Comments

I am the queen comma drama but this time I have witnesses.

If I were superstitious, I would say my near miss was my comeuppance for buying Baileys’ for Lulu’s 21st birthday.  Yes she will be of legal drinking age but there is just something untoward about providing liquor for you child so saith the people.

Doh! No they don’t.  That’s me making stuff up. Though some people might say something similar but I digress.  Back to lucky to be alive.  I will begin at the beginning to set the stage cuz I can’t be brief.

This morning B called me to let me know his truck died.  He had replaced the battery and alternator all in an attempt to save his beloved Bertha with over 200k miles on her tired weary frame.  He is part of a carpool so his cousin drove them in today.  The plan was to drop the truck off at Temple Hill Automotive after working a full day.

As I left work, I called him to ask about picking him up.  He said they were still in route but he’d call me when he was ready.  I had time to spare so I went to get flowers for Lulu.  I didn’t like what I saw and as I was leaving B called.  I went to go get him and that was when chaos ensued.

Traffic effing sucks everywhere but I get to him and we are off.  The wind was blowing so hard that a bramble gets blown into the car making an awful sound.  I turn into a tiny parking lot and B removes the “twig”.  Now I am facing opposite way of where I need to go.  Can you say 3 point turn from hell.  Was more like 5 point turn. Inch forward, back, forward, back as traffic continues to zip by.

Back on the road B is calling his dad to borrow the “Honda”.  Then I am complaining about my hernia.  He says let’s stop at Walmart for some Prilosec.  I am game cuz it effing hurts.  As we turn into the shopping center where Wally World resides, I say “let’s get the tamales for our holiday supper”.  We do, from Alphonso’s, in and out.  Next, I wanted to stop at the liquor store for the above mentioned Baileys’ but instead we headed for Wally World to avoid me peeing my pants. TMI?  When is it not TMI??

That’s when “lucky” happened.  We exit the car, the wind was still blowing us sideways.  I said to B, “see you in the antacid aisle” as I ran to the door.  I am in the cross walk, with the right of way, when B yells JILL!!!  I stop to look back and hear SCREEEEEECH!  Damn bitch almost effing hit me.  Through the windshield, I was all Robert De Niro to Ben Stiller.  I am looking at you lady!!!  I get inside, B joins me, the greeter says she is glad she doesn’t have to call EMS … again … happens way too many times.  Whew! for me.

Not to be dissuaded, we got the Prilosec and headed back to the liquor store.  This was the prize.

So, … The Shoe Didn’t Drop

Published on by J-Dub6 Comments

The shoe didn’t drop … 

But it was close for a while.  I ranted in the post above but I did not get my fill.  To continue, my oldest ended up sick and missed out on a Thanksgiving weekend trip to our place.  A father son trip that had been planned ever since we closed on the property back in February.

Speaking of closing, yesterday in the mail (well maybe many yesterdays ago as I am writing this now to be able to continue my STREAK!!!) …

Any who in the mail we received from our farm and ranch bank an old school paper calendar that says “2019 – In God We Trust”.  Doh! So much for separation of church and state.  But I digress.  This post is not about that.  I just found getting a paper calendar somewhat amusing and quite frankly I expect a brand new toaster oven to be waiting for me next time I enter the lobby.

Back to the shoe that didn’t drop.  You guys may or may not know that B’s family hit the genetic lottery when it comes to cancer so we always worry.  We as in “me and the mouse in my pocket”.  B is smooth sailing. I was scared for my boy.  Truth be told I had nothing to be scared about.  Instead, I make stuff up. And what he went through even though brief sent me into a tail spin.  Ugh!

Now he is better and it is my turn.  Ugh! My inconclusive tests.  But there are diagnosis in the scan results.  A small hiatal hernia (hh) should not cause me pain.  Why the hell not? It fucking hurts y’all.  And I find myself going to Mr. Google to find a cure.  I guess I will put myself on the hh diet.  Oatmeal for life with a side of banana and plain dry toast :(.  Quit the coffee.  I know, I know enough to make one crazy!?!?