The cure

So I know you were wondering what cure I might have come up with.  And especially since my career path has not wondered down a path of medicinal purpose, I know you might be lost.  Then, of course, you might be thinking, what kind of disease does he have that he might need a cure from.  All of you would be wrong.  The picture at the top might have given it away, but I cured the smoker tonight.

Of course I didn't start out curing it.  No, I opened the box to 55 pieces of metal and a big box.  Kacey had plans tonight so it was Maddie, me and the big metal smoker.  Additionally, Maddie is going through separation anxiety right now.  Not just the simple, I don't want to go to other people anxiety.  More like the, I don't want to be set down or I will scream like you cut off a finger separation anxiety.  So, it was a lot of fun/frustration putting together the smoker.  The best part was trying to hold a nut and washer on the back of a bolt, while holding Maddie.  Trying times, but Maddie found it entertaining nonetheless.  

Finally, I got it put together, after putting the legs on twice.  Who would have thought they were supposed to stick out to the side???  And i had to go through the cure process.  Having never done it, it wasn't too bad.  You are supposed to wipe down the entire thing with vegetable oil and then start the charcoal and wood chips and let it cook all night.  As you might guess, wiping it down with one hand on Maddie was difficult.  If you look closely at the picture, you can see where I spilled the bottle of vegetable oil on the top of the smoker.  

I was going to surprise Kacey, until I realized that I spent the whole night with Maddie right in front of the smoker, she smells like mesquite wood chips.  I gave her a bath to try to hide the fact that I did this project with Maddie in my arms from Kacey.  So, by the time Kacey got home, Maddie smelled like mesquite wood chips, lavender baby wash, and Lily baby powder. After one waft of the burlesque club scent, I knew I had to try something else.  I found these bath scent oils in our closet.  I thought it might be strong enough to overcome the 3 other scents.  Anyway, by the time I was done, she smelled like a lily scented hiker that had lived outdoors for a month, slept by the campfire and had completely walked away from the showering concept.

Kacey walked in the door, grimaced, asked why she ever thought of leaving me alone, took Maddie, and wouldn't let me explain.  Just another day...