Reporting on Thanksgiving Day

In order to make the best pecan pie you must make 2 pies. Do not ask me why, I just know this is true. And we are just 2 people who are trying to lose weight. So Big Daddy took the second pecan pie next door and gave it to the Slavs. They appeared to be very happy with the pie. As they should be, it is delicious pie.

Pictures taken freshly this morning. Big Daddy had to explain to the Po-Po's why he was taking pictures this morning. He said there were 3 empty cop cars in the parking lot and the copper came out of the bushes. Do not want to know.

Anyway, The Roostertail is still alive and well. I went there for the boat races one year and saw Pat Morita, fresh from the Karate Kid fame. I believe Punkin Head's senior prom was held there. I ate quite often at the restaurant next door back in the day. And why are we discussing this?

Because I saw the wonderful movie Jersey Boys last night. I do not often pay top dollar for movies as most of them disappoint. This was the best damn movie I have seen in a very long time. And I had no idea the Roostertail played a part in his career and the movie. The Roostertail itself is surrounded by much gossip and stories through the years.

Putting the house back together today and perhaps some pictures.

Oh, and BD made enough mashed potatoes for the Walton family so I reminded him of an old southern favorite, fried potato cakes for breakfast. He found a recipe demanding the use of an iron skillet so we were good to go. I bet I gained 5 pounds yesterday and today.

The rare something new in Automotive repping

The Help weeded and weeded and this is the curb on garbage day. There is Sammy's little pee spot on the left that we need to repair.

Repping, that is what I do. I am a Rep for a company, supplier, that goes into assembly plants and fixes shit. There are many titles for what I do and Rep is not in my title, but it is what I do and what many others do. It is also called taking a bullet for the company. Because when shit goes south I am the one standing there taking the blast.

Well, Friday I got to do something new, it is not often in this biz that anything is new. Picture yourself driving to your favorite medium sized parking lot. Maybe 200 cars. Then wandering around for awhile trying to find where the hell you are supposed to go. Going into a place and asking if anyone knows so and so and then getting an escort. I was finally directed to this obscure office in the back where many people were milling about. All sort of people from those looking homeless to suits and ties. I pushed through this mob and got in line. With a phone call and my ID I had secured a vehicle to look at from 3PM to 3:30 PM. Never before has this happened in my life. When it was my turn they handed me the keys to a launch or pre-production vehicle and gave me directions to the lot. I was told if I drove the vehicle to report the mileage when I returned. WTF. I could drive this bitch, and where was I allowed to go. Can you imagine calling and telling your boss you just wrecked this bitch, oh yea that would be great.

So I am wandering about this huge lot looking for the small numbering to indicate I found the right vehicle. There were many other people doing the same thing. Finally I had to resort to the panic button on the fob. Did my job and locked her up and returned my keys with a vehicle not driven report. But I would have loved to do that.

Speaking of vehicles, I don't know what the Slavs are doing over there but one of the cars in mix is a brand new Mercedes C Series. Can't be from the winery yet.

Way too busy or just plain in a daze

I can't believe I have not written in so long, the days just seemed not so much to fly by -more like they just kept showing up early. Day after day. It has been difficult going back to 8 hours and this plant requires much more in email and reporting. And it is such a crazy time I just need time to decompress and not think when I get home.

Big Daddy took some time off and intended to finish the wall papering project. You remember the one I started last year, about a year ago. Well, I stamped my foosies and demanded this commence and finish in record time. There was a worthless breakfast nook, a counter attached to the wall and it was time to let it go. When BD finally got it off the wall he told me Don had built it for an elephant to sit on it. And there was a board still nailed to the wall. The board had to come down and that took almost another day of work. And typical Don, he signed the wall where he built this. Everything in this house is signed, or has a plaque or is commemorated in the "book" he left.

The Slavs are on an outdoor mission and I am in awe. First they put enough statues and flower pots on the front porch (4 X 4) to rival the garden club. Then they placed cheap, tawdry and crooked solar lights in the front and back landscaping. Finally they took out the dead tree (this is the one they cut the limbs off last spring) with a hand saw and I think a serving spoon. The Big Kahuna told BD they are going to have a vineyard in the back 40. That would be the back 40 feet, not acres. Can't wait to drink that wine.

My latest physical ailment is my right foot. I thought there was something wrong a month or so ago, prolly six weeks. Last week I got a tinge when I was leaving the plant and the next morning when I was walking there was a crunching sound. It is the top of my foot just before the toes that causes the pain. There is no swelling or bruising, just a soreness at times and pain when there is certain weight put on it while walking. It is getting better, but twice in a few months I think I need to see a doctor. And there is no time right now. Bummer.

I am really unhappy with this latest job and I must keep a good thought or at least keep in mind that I can say fuck off when I feel it is time. Time could be Monday morning. More on that later.

You ain't heard nothin' til you heard the Slavs sing

Rememer the Art Deco style gas station they were turning into an eatery that I posted a photo of last October? No? Well, anyways this is the restaurant open for business. They saved the Standard Oil lettering on the front of the building.  It has been open for a few months, we are just slow. The Red Crown in Grosse Pointe Park. We have yet to eat there, schedules just don't work out. I hear it is open for lunch now, so maybe some Saturday.

Well, I still ain't heard nothin' because I went to bed too early. Big Daddy however reports the Slavs are all back safe and sound. He knows this because they had a concert on their deck last night. Well after the moment- he remembers he could have recorded this on his hi-tech fancy phone. It would have been great.

I was on call this Saturday as the plant ran, that is an automotive term, the plant ran-the plant is running-the plant is down, but thank all of the holiest I did not get called in. However I found an email this morning from a man I did not know, saying I had a problem with a part I do not supply, and he left no phone number. How odd. Monday we start building pilots again and it is sure to be fraught with emotion and tension, hooboy I can hardly wait.

My hair is just not right after this latest haircut. I am starting to wonder if she is just tired of me and my hair.

The kids are loving Portland. All is well.

A first for me

I worked 1.5 hours overtime and will get paid for doing so. I am so damn pleased. I used to work all the extra hours for the same price as working 40, and this feels so much better. I keep humming that Money, Money, Money song. I would look it up and post it, but I am exhausted.

I bought a new phone over the Internet yesterday, my Sprint phone does not work at the house and at the plant so what good is it? I am getting a Razr (sp) from Verizen with a bunch of toys. We will see if this works out. Verizen is overnighting it to Big Daddy's work as his admin will sign for it. And he promised not to do more than just charge it up.

I have shoes and underwear for the wedding so I believe I am done shopping. I need to get a dress hemmed and that is that.

The Mormons are slowly trying to move back into the fire house, we have new Slavs and otherwise the neighborhood is quiet.

Need to eat dinner and start it all over again tomorrow, with less drama I hope. I will have to describe the nightmare at work, it is really hilarious.

A little sun, a little warm, a little Slav

Yes, the Slavs came creeping out of their silent house and the jabba jabba sounded pretty damn happy to me.

We are talking close to 60 today and sunshine. Yes, sunshine.

Tomorrow is our home opener for the Tigers and the weather will not be quite as nice.

And Jason Hansen is calling it quits for the Lions.

Well, at least we have Michigan in the Final Four and maybe this time there will be no drama.

I am not nosy

We watched the Iron Lady last night and it was one of the oddest movies I have seen in a long time. Not my cup of tea and made Margaret Thatcher look like a loon or an over the top dictator. But I must say Meryl Streep never gave it up, one time I barely glimpsed Meryl and that is because I was really looking for it. Excellent acting, poor script.

I think my biggest audience is a travel sports team as now the Philippines are a major stat for me. Or the Survivor crew really likes me. They are shooting the next show there too.

Sales of guns have surged since the massacre in Connecticut. There is a bill going to the Governor here in Michigan to allow guns on some property including schools by CCW holders. The kicker is it outlaws open carry on school property which is now allowed. Who knew. I am thinking of buying one myself, while I can. Of course if I don't get it done-which I won't-before the Mayan end of the world it could be a moot point. NOTE: The Gov did not sign the bill so we will wait and see what shows up next.

On a serious note my oldest, dearest friend, Miss Florida has recommended 2 books by Kate Morton who also wrote Riverton House. The Forgotten Garden  and The Distant Hours. Just nice romantic mystery stories. But not total fluff and nonsense. Punkin Head recommended Fargo and Magnolias as excellent Steve Buscemi vehicles.

I still have not finished the Widow of the South. Damn.

And to address my non-nosiness the Slavs are at it again. Sammy Dog asked out and I was taken aback to see a huge diesel truck parked at the curb and blocking my driveway. Now why would this truck be blocking my driveway? It was out there forever with no activity and I am sure I missed the loading or unloading of the cargo. And just what cargo do I suspect was delivered, hmm, maybe more Slavs.