My Big Break (through)

Sunday

I got up off and on all night, so I didn't get out of bed Sunday morning until 8:00 AM. I warmed up a cup of coffee and turned on Sunday Morning, Over Easy.

After posting the Blog I had another cup of coffee, trying to determine if we did get freezing rain here yet (I can't tell from inside!) The Weather Advisory is in effect until 4:00 PM.

I gave up and washed last night's dishes. I noticed that the bird feeder is still full, but no birds are eating. I'm guessing the seed is clogged up or something. So, I got dressed (my shower will come after I snake the damn drain again).

I went outside and fixed the feeder and replaced the suet. Then I walked around, picking up fallen branches. Finally, I walked out and got the Saturday mail (nothing but flyers - I already miss those Christmas cards!) Oh, yeah, no sign of any freezing rain here, yet. I got a small steak out of the chest freezer in the garage to thaw for tonight's dinner.

Back inside, I decided it was time to take down this year's Christmas decorations. But, I realized you folks never got a chance to see them. So, I took some pictures and posted them for you. Pretty sparse this year, but I blame that on the tile...

So, just after noon, everything was wrapped, boxed, and taped and then put back up into the attic.

I did the weekly Blog backup (missed it last week!) and realized I was hungry. So, I warmed up the leftover sausage gravy and split some biscuits. I ate that watching some taped TV show.

Then, I went back to trying to snake out the drain (again!) I got the damn thing a lot further than every before, so I was hopeful. I out the drain back together and took off my dirty clothes. I shaved and showered upstairs. Why? Well, this time I want to clean the soap scum off the glass doors (something that was on the list to do BEFORE the ladies showed up, but never got done).

So, after my shower, I ran downstairs to find yet another lake on the floor. Discouraged, I came back upstairs and washed the shower doors. I went back downstairs to get a sponge and, just as I did, the floor drain gave up a big bubble and all the water rushed down it!!! I ran back upstairs and flushed the toilet. I rushed back downstairs and flushed that one. I did both toilets two more times and still no water on the floor! Could I have finally broken through? Only one way to find out!! I started a super load of laundry. If this makes it through the drain, I think I may be back in business!!

I called my Mom at 3:00 PM to see how she was doing. She's fine, enjoying the vegetable soup today and a piece of the summer sausage with crackers each day for her afternoon snack. I did apologize for not being able to mail her the Blog last Monday, but she said she will be looking forward to the Two-Week Blog next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Well, the wash went through both rinses without any floor drain issues! Now I just have on hell of a mess downstairs to mop up! So, I got started...

By 5:00 PM, the downstairs shower, bathroom and main room floor are cleaned up from all the crap the overflowing drains left. I am a happy (albeit tired) guy! I checked my voice mail and found my brother Joe had called when I was talking to my Mom. Our niece, Laura, had her baby today at 12:52 PM. She was a little baby girl (8 pounds, 6 ounces) named Anna (for my sister). Congratulations!!!

My daughter Melissa called just after 5:00 PM. She, too, had gotten sick between Christmas and new years, so we exchanged war stories. She hung up around 6:00 and I read for a bit more. I am just finishing re-reading one of Jake's favorite books as a lad, "Hatchet."

At 6:30 PM, I cut up about six big Yukon Gold potatoes into cubes and started them cooking in cold, salted water. I took the rest of the cauliflower florets (from the salad fixings) and put them in a pot with the steamer basket.

Then I seasoned the rib steak with salt, pepper and garlic powder on both sides. I put a little canola oil in the cast iron pan and heated it up until it was screaming hot. I dropped the steak in for four minutes per side (its about one-inch thick). When it was done, so was the steamed cauliflower. I plated and covered the steak with tin foil and then put it in the microwave to rest. I drained the cauliflower and put it back in the pot to wait for the potatoes.

When the potatoes were fork tender (using a fork, of course, lol), I drained and then mashed them using some butter, one egg and some heavy whipping cream (I am out of milk). I put a pat of butter on the steak, another on the cauliflower and a third on the mashed potatoes. I seasoned the cauliflower with salt, and the mashed potatoes with salt and fresh ground pepper.

I took my plate into the bedroom and proceeded to eat (watching taped TV shows), waiting for my Sunday night favorites. Great dinner, BTW. Steak was perfectly cooked and the sides, while nothing fancy, were my idea of good comfort food.

I shut off the TV and went to be at exactly 11:00 PM.