So Fate had a hand in this.

John and I offered to sell the FIL’s  truck.  He had bought it and then a few month later grew ill.  MIL just didn’t have the energy to deal with people that would naturally want to test drive., check out etc.   We knew it would get a better price here than in Stockton.  The fact it was a 2007 loaded with all these manly truck options with only 5k miles on it also seemed to make some people suspicious.  They would ask “Hey does it have (insert some truck lingo). Why does it only have 5 k on it?  Are you scamming me?” and I would respond as best I could.  Only got one scam phone call from a “broker” who couldn’t even name the type of vehicle.  

Anyway:

• We have this truck.
• I see this buffet on cl.
• Paul decides to look at truck.
• We all take truck on “test drive” to buffet location.
  • Paul brings unusual items such as a “tarp” and “rope” to secure buffet.
  • Buffet owner gives crazy crazy directions to home.
  • Really bad directions.
• John and Paul carry buffet to truck and home.
  • Down many wood and earthen stairs
  • In rain
• I now have bootiful buffet.
• Paul likes truck
  • Paul  had been talking about getting a truck the day before I mentioned truck to him.
• Paul buys truck.
• I discover later buffet has a key, how cool is that?

Thanksgiving went without a hitch.  John had the day off before and had cleaned the house really well.  His mother was staying with us for a few days, so she took us out to dinner Wednesday, which was nice. I didn’t have to clean/cook. I woke up bright and early and started “the food preparation.”  The turkey had been brining overnight.   It was 20lbs, so cleaning the brine and getting the aromatics was challenging but it made it to the darn oven. Unfortunately, I forgot to take other pics, so all you get is a nekkid raw turkey.  Then came the stuffing, sautéed green beans with rosemary and garlic, mashed potatoes, rolls,  spiced yams and of course pie.  Everyone liked it, in fact there was almost no leftovers! The stuffing is a big hit, I added hot italian sausage, that seems to help.   My cousin arrived late and instead of using a plate, he just piled the sides on the turkey carving plate and used that.  Then Dory and her buddy got to clean the kitchen, score!

I was determined to use the turkey carcass this year.  So afterwards, I added all the leftover veggies, onions and turkey bones and made the stock.  Then into the pot and simmered for 18 hours.  It turned out fabulous!  I used the stock and tiny bit of leftover turkey in a jambalaya this weekend.  Yum.  Froze the rest.  After everyone left, I feel asleep on the couch for a few hours. It was a good Thanksgiving!

Its been so hectic that I haven’t had time to mention/write

John and I celebrated our anniversary on September First!

John surprised me with a trip to SF and it was charmed! We had dinner at Ruth Chris’s steakhouse (yum!), John wouldn’t tell me where we were going, but he made the fatal mistake of telling me the address and I guess instantly. *And* we got parking right in front. The food was great. I didn’t know where we were going after that, but as the waiter drops off the check she says “I hope you have a great time at Beach Blanket Babyalon” John had asked for directions when I had stepped away, she didn’t know it was a surprise. She figured it out really quickly from our reactions. Oh well!

The show was great, really current (politically) and funny. We got front row seats and I could see all the theater tech things as well as the show. We had a great time.

The next day I took John to Best Buy where he picked out a camcorder. This was put to good use at the beach. The weather was fantastic and we enjoyed the day! It was a good anniversary.

Its been a hectic few weeks. But a few people have asked about Comic Con so here are some thoughts.

• Very Busy. Over 100k people, many who stood in front of me in the lines to get into the panels.
• Saw the premier of 3rd season of Hero’s. Its going to be very cool.
• Saw a few friends, not nearly enough time to see them all.
• Met a few of the webcomic authors I read. It was nice to put a face to the writing
• Scored many many pre-released books
• Really liked our mellow hotel
• John commissioned an artwork of our characters to celebrate our 2 year anniversary of engagement. It looks verrra nice!
• John went to the “SCREAM” Like a Girl panel and asked a question the panel of women. He announced to the audience of +2000 that he had proposed 2 years again and if they have any advice on geek marriages. Although I wasn’t there, the crowd went “awww’ (I have spies!). Several of the panelists offered their advice… not that he needs it!
• Walking home very late, John was hit by a car. The guy exited the freeway, the street goes only one way. We, of course, were going the other way. I warned John that I didn’t think the guy was looking our way. No no he wasn’t and he tapped John. I screamed like a banshee and John slammed his hands on the hood. The guy stopped and had this look of utter panic. But everyone was safe and sound.

Friday night, John and I hopped into the car and made our merry way to the emergency room.  Poor guy had been having pain in his side for a few days and it was just not going away.  We arrived and signed up  pretty fast.  As we sat in the fabulous seats they called out a name Johnathan (My Last Name).  Since John is on my insurance, they made an incorrect assumption.   I found it amusing, John … not so much.    They gave him a new wristband and fixed the paperwork.  I requested the old wristband and here is it in my office.  Looks nice.

John went through the emergency room with flying colors and he will be just fine.