Procrastination is opportunity's assassin. ~Victor Kiam
Two things I would like to change about myself - Procrastination and ADD (or what used to be called short attention span). Oh my, I have the worst time with these two. First, I'll be gung ho to do something and then it quickly wears out. But once I'm doing it, I see something else that needs to be done and start that task, and then - what do you know - there's something else I could be doing and move on to that! As quick as it happens, I have unfinished projects all over the place!
I'm all about list, list help keep me in check. And then when I find myself adverting onto another project - I try to call myself on it and try to stay focused on what I was originally doing. This is why Brian and I cannot work together well. I wished I was more like his speed - get it done now!
So as I am reading Stac's and Dom's blog they are listing out their errands and task at hand - so I'll do the same as I know enquiring minds want to know.
To night I am headed to a Southern Living Party while Ty is at a lock in. Tomorrow night I am helping to host the poker tournament for our football team's fundraiser. Saturday my sister is coming out so that I can highlight & cut her hair and wax her eyebrows. Then head to my stepmom's 80th birthday party and then attempt to make it to Mark's 40th surprise birthday party. Sunday starts football practice that won't end until mid Nov. Mondays are reserved for Boy Scouts (this Monday Ty receives his first set of merit badges, 8 in all). Football practice is again all week long. And Friday I'm invited to 3 separate home parties (Stampin Up, Beauti Control & Lia Sophia). Saturday it's a football scrimmage and then a skating party for K. Tired yet? I am just thinking about it as that only goes through the 9th of Aug.
Thanks to Stacy for posting about school shopping. It helped me to get out there and knock some of that out last night after I made dinner and did a hair color. It was after 8pm - we managed to get a couple pairs of shoes and binder and pencil pouch for Ty.
Ok, so back to my work list.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
If dOg was a teacher
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Little Bits of This & That
We do not remember days; we remember moments. ~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand
We had a good time this last weekend. Mark won the 'fish tourney' that no one knew about until he declared he had won with 7 fish!
Kids went paddle boating, swimming, tubing, boating, shot fireworks. Lisa was in awe of Brian and Tyler lighting the spinning flowers then throwing them into the water and watched them go lighting under water. Gabe (7) thought it was cool so monkey see monkey do. Only he threw his very close to the boat, Brian freaked. Mark tried to shoot a bottle rocket from his hand only to throw it up and shot back at us. He also threw a firecracker in the bonfire. It blew up sending hot coals into my lap. I had to be careful as my first instinct was to throw off my shirt! (mom hence the spider at you house!) Thank goodness it wasn't a drunk fest this time. Couldn't get Mark and Dave to tube. But poor Dave though. Saturday night we put the kids to bed and went fishing down at the cove for awhile. On our way back up to the house we loaded up the back of my truck with stuff and cooler sitting in back of Dave. Apparently Dave and Brian had just said they weren't sitting on the tailgate very good when I gassed the truck up a step incline. In which made Dave's sandals go flying off his feet and the cooler pushing Dave off the tailgate. I heard "Whoa, whoa, whoa - the cooler!!!". In the light of my brakes, I could see the cooler sitting on the hill (right side up) - but I had no clue I made Dave fall off too. I apologize up and down to Dave and he said it was ok. He was able to land it on his two bare feet! It was his slick shorts that didn't help the situation!
We also went fishing Sunday night on the boat in the middle of the lake. That was a little bothersome to me as the kids were alone in the house and I wasn't close. Ty would have had a fit knowing we were on the lake rather than on shore. It was peaceful on the lake and the weather was awesome. We watched a thunderstorm move over the hills to the north of us. Far enough away we only saw the lightening never hearing the thunder. Mark was teasing me that the tornado was coming to get us! I was soon able to relax with the help of the trivia questions we started asking each other of old shows and trends. In which had us talking about the Blue Ridge Mall and the stores we once loved to shop in. We started naming them because there was one Dave and his girlfriend would always shop in and he could remember the name. It sold both men and woman's clothing and carried brands like Z Cavaricci. Beside the obvious Jones, Wards, JC Penney's. Gift Horse, Woolworth's, Russel Stovers, Wicks & Sticks, KB Toys, Musicland, the Nut Hut, Wild Pair, Learners, Woman's World, Space Port, movie theater, Hallmark, Heaven sent, Petland, McDonalds, the carousel restaurant, post office, Steve's shoes, bowling alley, V's, etc. If you can think of any more please list them in the comment section or your favorite memory from Blue Ridge Mall.
One more item for the day Randy Pausch. You've probably have heard of him for his famous "The Last Lecture" on the Internet. If you haven't seen it and have time to listen, I highly recommend it. I knew Prime Time was featuring him on their show last night. What I didn't know was that he lost his battle to cancer last Friday until my mom called and told me last night. She knew I was a fan and didn't want me to miss Prime Time. (If you missed it - you can click the link to watch it now.) After watching the documentary, not only is he a great man, his wife Jai is a wonderful woman too. WOW! I was caught once again crying - but this time - I didn't get any remarks from Tyler nor Brian in which I was happy about. The Pausch family is a truly inspiring family. I hope I can learn to be as happy an as optimistic as Randy was. I have also purchased his book. I haven't began to read it yet, it will be my next book I dive into. I know there is good lessons and reminders in it and I hope one day Brian and Tyler will read it too and get out of it what I will have.
Peace.
We had a good time this last weekend. Mark won the 'fish tourney' that no one knew about until he declared he had won with 7 fish!
Kids went paddle boating, swimming, tubing, boating, shot fireworks. Lisa was in awe of Brian and Tyler lighting the spinning flowers then throwing them into the water and watched them go lighting under water. Gabe (7) thought it was cool so monkey see monkey do. Only he threw his very close to the boat, Brian freaked. Mark tried to shoot a bottle rocket from his hand only to throw it up and shot back at us. He also threw a firecracker in the bonfire. It blew up sending hot coals into my lap. I had to be careful as my first instinct was to throw off my shirt! (mom hence the spider at you house!) Thank goodness it wasn't a drunk fest this time. Couldn't get Mark and Dave to tube. But poor Dave though. Saturday night we put the kids to bed and went fishing down at the cove for awhile. On our way back up to the house we loaded up the back of my truck with stuff and cooler sitting in back of Dave. Apparently Dave and Brian had just said they weren't sitting on the tailgate very good when I gassed the truck up a step incline. In which made Dave's sandals go flying off his feet and the cooler pushing Dave off the tailgate. I heard "Whoa, whoa, whoa - the cooler!!!". In the light of my brakes, I could see the cooler sitting on the hill (right side up) - but I had no clue I made Dave fall off too. I apologize up and down to Dave and he said it was ok. He was able to land it on his two bare feet! It was his slick shorts that didn't help the situation!
We also went fishing Sunday night on the boat in the middle of the lake. That was a little bothersome to me as the kids were alone in the house and I wasn't close. Ty would have had a fit knowing we were on the lake rather than on shore. It was peaceful on the lake and the weather was awesome. We watched a thunderstorm move over the hills to the north of us. Far enough away we only saw the lightening never hearing the thunder. Mark was teasing me that the tornado was coming to get us! I was soon able to relax with the help of the trivia questions we started asking each other of old shows and trends. In which had us talking about the Blue Ridge Mall and the stores we once loved to shop in. We started naming them because there was one Dave and his girlfriend would always shop in and he could remember the name. It sold both men and woman's clothing and carried brands like Z Cavaricci. Beside the obvious Jones, Wards, JC Penney's. Gift Horse, Woolworth's, Russel Stovers, Wicks & Sticks, KB Toys, Musicland, the Nut Hut, Wild Pair, Learners, Woman's World, Space Port, movie theater, Hallmark, Heaven sent, Petland, McDonalds, the carousel restaurant, post office, Steve's shoes, bowling alley, V's, etc. If you can think of any more please list them in the comment section or your favorite memory from Blue Ridge Mall.
One more item for the day Randy Pausch. You've probably have heard of him for his famous "The Last Lecture" on the Internet. If you haven't seen it and have time to listen, I highly recommend it. I knew Prime Time was featuring him on their show last night. What I didn't know was that he lost his battle to cancer last Friday until my mom called and told me last night. She knew I was a fan and didn't want me to miss Prime Time. (If you missed it - you can click the link to watch it now.) After watching the documentary, not only is he a great man, his wife Jai is a wonderful woman too. WOW! I was caught once again crying - but this time - I didn't get any remarks from Tyler nor Brian in which I was happy about. The Pausch family is a truly inspiring family. I hope I can learn to be as happy an as optimistic as Randy was. I have also purchased his book. I haven't began to read it yet, it will be my next book I dive into. I know there is good lessons and reminders in it and I hope one day Brian and Tyler will read it too and get out of it what I will have.
Peace.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Birthday Weekend
Friends are the sailors who guide your rickety boat safely across the dangerous waters of life. ~Sare and Cate
Tomorrow morning we are headed to the lake with our good friends the Medinas and Dave. This will be our 3rd annual trip. 5 adults with 3 kids in a small cabin, can't get any better than that!
Of the past years we've made some really good memories...
Poor Mark can't catch a fish to save his life. He catches turtles instead.
The first year he was fishing in the dark down at the dock and didn't have a hold on his pole. Something caught it and took off with it! So we all joke it was the big one that got away - a turtle that is!!! Last summer my nephew was swimming in the cove and found it! We all were in shock that it was still around.
Last year was the first year Mark & Dave got on the tubes. Oh my goodness, we laughed and laughed and laughed some more. They hadn't been tubing in YEARS. We took them over some great wakes causing them to flop like fish out of water. Needless to say they were sore for the next couple of days.
So sore that the next day I went down to the dock where the boys were fishing and Dave had his pole on his lap. I asked why he wasn't fishing and he told me it hurt to cast out. So I said, "Well, you could move to the side of the dock and just drop your line in the water here." - He did and caught a fish! He couldn't even reel in it hurt so bad.
On top of muscle pain, Dave was terribly sun burnt too! Brian and him looked like twins! A couple of white guys with a gut & a burn.
The Medina kids are afraid of me driving the small SeaDoo boat as I go too fast for them. Last year Lisa and I were having a good ole time going fast and laughing while the kids are crying "tell her to slow down!!!".
Oh and how can I forget about the first year Brian drank beers with Mark. The next morning he woke up with all kinds of hives. We couldn't figure out what it was from. We got to the point of either it was Mark he was allergic to or the beer!
I'm looking forward to making more memories this year - it's always a blast. Dave and Mark have been buying & stocking beer since last month so they wont run out.
We'll head to the store on the way down for groceries. We normally make pancakes one morning and B&G the next. Cold cut for lunch and grill dogs and burgers. Mark is going to smoke a brisket this year - what a treat!
Tonight, Lisa and I are going to Girls Night Out at the K. Looking forward to it, besides good seats - we also get a pink Royals cap, pink Royals shirt and an adult beverage! Oh La La!!! :) They're playing Tampa tonight, so I'm not sure we'll be seeing a win.
Be safe and have a great weekend!
Tomorrow morning we are headed to the lake with our good friends the Medinas and Dave. This will be our 3rd annual trip. 5 adults with 3 kids in a small cabin, can't get any better than that!
Of the past years we've made some really good memories...
Poor Mark can't catch a fish to save his life. He catches turtles instead.
The first year he was fishing in the dark down at the dock and didn't have a hold on his pole. Something caught it and took off with it! So we all joke it was the big one that got away - a turtle that is!!! Last summer my nephew was swimming in the cove and found it! We all were in shock that it was still around.
Last year was the first year Mark & Dave got on the tubes. Oh my goodness, we laughed and laughed and laughed some more. They hadn't been tubing in YEARS. We took them over some great wakes causing them to flop like fish out of water. Needless to say they were sore for the next couple of days.
So sore that the next day I went down to the dock where the boys were fishing and Dave had his pole on his lap. I asked why he wasn't fishing and he told me it hurt to cast out. So I said, "Well, you could move to the side of the dock and just drop your line in the water here." - He did and caught a fish! He couldn't even reel in it hurt so bad.
On top of muscle pain, Dave was terribly sun burnt too! Brian and him looked like twins! A couple of white guys with a gut & a burn.
The Medina kids are afraid of me driving the small SeaDoo boat as I go too fast for them. Last year Lisa and I were having a good ole time going fast and laughing while the kids are crying "tell her to slow down!!!".
Oh and how can I forget about the first year Brian drank beers with Mark. The next morning he woke up with all kinds of hives. We couldn't figure out what it was from. We got to the point of either it was Mark he was allergic to or the beer!
I'm looking forward to making more memories this year - it's always a blast. Dave and Mark have been buying & stocking beer since last month so they wont run out.
We'll head to the store on the way down for groceries. We normally make pancakes one morning and B&G the next. Cold cut for lunch and grill dogs and burgers. Mark is going to smoke a brisket this year - what a treat!
Tonight, Lisa and I are going to Girls Night Out at the K. Looking forward to it, besides good seats - we also get a pink Royals cap, pink Royals shirt and an adult beverage! Oh La La!!! :) They're playing Tampa tonight, so I'm not sure we'll be seeing a win.
Be safe and have a great weekend!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!!!
A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip. ~Author Unknown
Before I forget as I did yesterday - I did not but one of the T-shirts at the funeral museum. Thought about it long and hard - but didn't.
Short and sweet today. As Ty attends a variety of camps this year - he has new influences. Not necessarily good one either. Recent jokes I've heard him say...
What goes clip clop, clip clop,clip clop bang? ... An Amish drive by
What's the difference between beef and pea soup? ... Anyone can cook beef but nobody can pee soup!
There was an old women who just bought a house and called it "hairy butt". She was lonely so she bought a cat and named it "crack". One day the cat was lost and she called the police and said, "Help me! Help me! I cannot find my crack in my hairy butt!" Ty will laugh uncontrollably but I don't like it.
The difference between a stop light and a banana. On a stop light - green means go, yellow means slow and read means stop. On a banana - green means wait a little longer, yellow means go ahead and eat, and red means... Red banana? Where the heck did you get a red banana?! - My favorite to hear him tell.
Of course I am not the greatest influence either. As we waited in the dr. office yesterday he kept asking for the time. I grew tired of this and finally blurted out "Half past a monkey's ass" - his eyes grew big and busted out laughing. Of course he had to repeat it too!
Oh and one more funny - maybe this is TMI. But it was funny. I took him to the Dr. yesterday for a sports physical. They were out of gowns and so he was still clothed in his own. Apparently he had chigger bites on his back side. He thought he was going to be funny and pull his pants down to only show his bum. I told him he needed to be careful because the Dr. was going to walk through the door any minute. Well that just fueled his fire so he thought he would be funnier and expose it even more. I kept telling him - you're gonna get caught! And he kept on exposing. So when he wasn't looking I knocked on the door and man did he ever jolt so fast to pull up his pants! Taught him! : ) We are our own cheap entertainment! lol!
Thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes!!!
Before I forget as I did yesterday - I did not but one of the T-shirts at the funeral museum. Thought about it long and hard - but didn't.
Short and sweet today. As Ty attends a variety of camps this year - he has new influences. Not necessarily good one either. Recent jokes I've heard him say...
What goes clip clop, clip clop,clip clop bang? ... An Amish drive by
What's the difference between beef and pea soup? ... Anyone can cook beef but nobody can pee soup!
There was an old women who just bought a house and called it "hairy butt". She was lonely so she bought a cat and named it "crack". One day the cat was lost and she called the police and said, "Help me! Help me! I cannot find my crack in my hairy butt!" Ty will laugh uncontrollably but I don't like it.
The difference between a stop light and a banana. On a stop light - green means go, yellow means slow and read means stop. On a banana - green means wait a little longer, yellow means go ahead and eat, and red means... Red banana? Where the heck did you get a red banana?! - My favorite to hear him tell.
Of course I am not the greatest influence either. As we waited in the dr. office yesterday he kept asking for the time. I grew tired of this and finally blurted out "Half past a monkey's ass" - his eyes grew big and busted out laughing. Of course he had to repeat it too!
Oh and one more funny - maybe this is TMI. But it was funny. I took him to the Dr. yesterday for a sports physical. They were out of gowns and so he was still clothed in his own. Apparently he had chigger bites on his back side. He thought he was going to be funny and pull his pants down to only show his bum. I told him he needed to be careful because the Dr. was going to walk through the door any minute. Well that just fueled his fire so he thought he would be funnier and expose it even more. I kept telling him - you're gonna get caught! And he kept on exposing. So when he wasn't looking I knocked on the door and man did he ever jolt so fast to pull up his pants! Taught him! : ) We are our own cheap entertainment! lol!
Thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes!!!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Wednesday
The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
Early morning, I drove and made the 1st mistake of not stopping for breakfast. We only had to drive for about an hour before we stopped and got a bite, but it was a LONG hour. We drove an hour and 45 mins east to Arcola, IL, we were going to spend the day with the Amish. I had scheduled lunch in an Amish home, a dairy farm tour and a home tour.
We got to the Amish Interpretive center to check in with about 30 mins to spare. We were able to watch a short film on their Amish community, I wanted Ty to see this so that he would have a better understanding of what Amish life was about. As they "creeped" him out. I too learned that all Amish communities are different. For instance, this community allows the men to wear buttons instead of the hook and eye. Whereas in Windsor, Mo or Jamesport, MO this might not be the case. If they want to change something,, they must bring it to the elders of the church to decide if it's acceptable or if it would make them too worldly.
We are getting our map and daily instructions from the lady behind the counter. She has highlighted for us the directions on the map. All numbered country road OR we could just follow the tour bus with the umpteen old people in it. (What's with all these tour buses anyway?!) It took about a half hour to get to the home we were having lunch at. Nobody came out to greet us and all the old people were looking at me for direction - so I just went on into the house! I first saw the husband who motioned for me to come on it. I found a spot at one of the tables down on the end and settled in. Everyone followed suit. A guest had said a real nice prayer and lunch was immediately served, starting off at our end. Fried chicken, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles, fresh green beans, salad, homemade bread with homemade strawberry jam. And to finish it off, peanut butter pie & strawberry pie. There was nearly 40 people attending for lunch so I took small portions of almost everything. The unfriendly old woman at my right had her left arm on the table keeping guard of her plate like someone was going to take it from her - so I tried to give her more room as I was crowed by her display of actions. And as I scooted left Brian was eating with his right hand and his elbow was up in my space. So I had to scoot back. This woman must had not ate weeks, as she tilted her plate up to make sure she could get it all!!! Tyler was excited when seconds were served - he too was shoveling it in! I didn't even finish my first plate, I was leaving it for Brian and gave my dad the ham I had taken. I was saving room for dessert. I wanted a piece of strawberry pie! They served it from the other end so we waited patiently. By the time I was handed the pie from the old fart of a woman and served myself - her piece was gone! I saw her sitting there eyeing another piece. - And which she finally inhaled. Tyler was miserable by the time he finished his peanut butter pie. The man of the house was getting a kick out of Tyler enjoying all the food. He asked Ty if he wanted another piece but Ty declined. I was surprised by the fact that the family didn't sit down and eat with us - as this is what I was expecting. Instead the husband served us while the ladies, wife, daughter and grandma were in the kitchen cleaning up. As we were leaving Susan and dad headed over to pet the horses. Poor Susan got smacked up side the head by one with his head. She was ok, but it gave me an instant headache - ouch! I did see an "iron horse" in the barn too. I'm wondering if it belonged to the teenage son. Rumspringa means running around. It begins around the age of sixteen and ends when a youth chooses baptism within the Amish church or instead leaves the community. Most join the church.
From there we headed to the dairy farm tour, the cousin of the home we just left from. Oh and might I add there was a lady and her granddaughter that wanted to follow us over there as she weren't good with directions. However, she left in front of us following another vehicle with MO plates! Another 20-30 mins of travel. We took a wrong turn and got lost. But made it a couple of mins late - but were the first to arrive. There were 3 other car loads of people who came from the lunch to the farm as well. This farmer was too funny. 38 years old with 6 kid, oldest is 17 youngest is 2. When we arrived all the kids would come out to stare or would watch us from the window. Now I know what animals feel like at a zoo. Brian wore KC Royals hat and tee. The farmer came out asking Bri, "So how are they doing this year? I keep up with the Cubs and Cardinals. We get the paper you know." (Um um um um! Rule breaker, rule breaker!!!) :) So what do you want to know about the dairy farm, other than every farmer does it different and every farmer is right! We got to see the barn, how they milk - twice a day 5am & 5pm. Everyone in the family helps. It's not by hand either, it's automatic powered by diesel fuel. There are approx 48 cows in the barn, 24 on each side with their back sides facing the middle of the barn. Tyler would tell you the pooped and peed a lot when we were there. Eww! We got to see the buggy horses and also the draft horses. How those are big animals. I can also tell you this Amish family along with others in the area are in it for money just as much as the average Joe. - At least that was my opinion when we left there. Thank goodness the weather was so nice to, that storm that came through had dropped the temp for the day to 75. And since the Amish do not have air conditioning it was nice.
Another thing. Amish do not use addresses either, their first and last names are on the mailbox. Our last tour was the home tour (each tour takes about 90 mins). There were almost 20 of us. Mary Yoder (almost every one's last name was Yoder) gave us a tour of her home. Her washing machine is powered by diesel fuel, the lighting is powered by propane. They are allowed nothing on the walls expect for calendars and spiritual sayings. Children only go to school until the 8th grade. Because I kept inquiring about school - I did find out - they have phones!!! But if I understand this right, they don't talk on them. One will call and leave a message and then they listen to the message. Such as school closings. That's what I asked about - "How do you know when school closes?" - "Well, the Amish school calls - we have phones." I kinda felt bad because when she answered she didn't make eye contact and looked at the floor. She irons her clothes with an antique iron heated up from her gas stove. She cans a lot of food and even makes homemade bologna in cans. We saw her huge garden of popcorn, sweet corn, cabbage, green beans, strawberries, candy onions, etc. Along with her herb garden. They also raise chickens and had pet bunnies. We saw a couple of her buggies and Ty even got to sit in one. By the end of the tour I was pooped. And speaking of poop, how come the Amish don't have to pick up after their horses, but we are expected to pick up after our dogs? (can you tell I'm against this)
We drove back to the Amish center in Arcola so that we could use the restroom and make a purchase. Dad and Susan bought a cookbook that had the peanut butter pie in it so that I could make it for him. Ahh - how thoughtful!!! :)
Then we drove another 10 miles to Tuscola to our hotel - Holiday Inn Express. Finally a place with a free hot breakfast. What a dump. Beds were hard, toilet didn't flush and the tub didn't drain. They didn't have any extra rooms to change with so they knocked $25 off our bill. The hotel was also under construction for renovations. I asked the gal working the front desk who was actually eating McD's in the lobby with her friend where the best place in town was to eat. Tuscany she answered immediately. My dad wasn't impressed at first since we had pasta the night before and it only took an hour to get after placing our order. But the food and service were divine. We were still full from lunch and the orders were huge!!! Ty only ate a piece of his pizza and said he was full. I ate all the shrimp out of mine leaving most of the pasta.
Oh and they had a weather channel using that eerie mans voice when warning of tornadoes and etc. But instead of bad weather, it was just reporting regular weather. So imagine a creep voice saying it was clear skies and 78. It freaked Ty out so we couldn't watch it when Ty was in the room. I have to agree with Ty - that voice usually means something bad.
I woke up ill, I'll spare you the details by saying I was a perfect Pepto Bismol commercial. I felt bad as we had to cut the trip short. Our day was planned to go at our leisure and shop the Amish shops. We did go to a woodworking shop which was really cool. But then I stayed in the car when it came to stopping at the bakery and meat market. Ty did see some Amish lady cut the leg off of some kind of animal. It was a long ride home, I tried to sleep most of the way. When they stopped for lunch I tried eating by spoon a Sonic slushy but even that couldn't be contained. Ty spent the night with my parents that night and it was 9:30 by the time we got home and I was sporting 101 fever. I laid low the next day and when we picked Ty up late that afternoon we learned he too was sick. It only last a day and a half. What a way to end vacation huh?
I will say spending the day with the Amish made me think how nice it could be. Even living in a small town like Arcola was very inviting. They even still have brick streets. I think I could get used to that very easily. But then, things aren't always what they seem either...
Early morning, I drove and made the 1st mistake of not stopping for breakfast. We only had to drive for about an hour before we stopped and got a bite, but it was a LONG hour. We drove an hour and 45 mins east to Arcola, IL, we were going to spend the day with the Amish. I had scheduled lunch in an Amish home, a dairy farm tour and a home tour.
We got to the Amish Interpretive center to check in with about 30 mins to spare. We were able to watch a short film on their Amish community, I wanted Ty to see this so that he would have a better understanding of what Amish life was about. As they "creeped" him out. I too learned that all Amish communities are different. For instance, this community allows the men to wear buttons instead of the hook and eye. Whereas in Windsor, Mo or Jamesport, MO this might not be the case. If they want to change something,, they must bring it to the elders of the church to decide if it's acceptable or if it would make them too worldly.
We are getting our map and daily instructions from the lady behind the counter. She has highlighted for us the directions on the map. All numbered country road OR we could just follow the tour bus with the umpteen old people in it. (What's with all these tour buses anyway?!) It took about a half hour to get to the home we were having lunch at. Nobody came out to greet us and all the old people were looking at me for direction - so I just went on into the house! I first saw the husband who motioned for me to come on it. I found a spot at one of the tables down on the end and settled in. Everyone followed suit. A guest had said a real nice prayer and lunch was immediately served, starting off at our end. Fried chicken, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles, fresh green beans, salad, homemade bread with homemade strawberry jam. And to finish it off, peanut butter pie & strawberry pie. There was nearly 40 people attending for lunch so I took small portions of almost everything. The unfriendly old woman at my right had her left arm on the table keeping guard of her plate like someone was going to take it from her - so I tried to give her more room as I was crowed by her display of actions. And as I scooted left Brian was eating with his right hand and his elbow was up in my space. So I had to scoot back. This woman must had not ate weeks, as she tilted her plate up to make sure she could get it all!!! Tyler was excited when seconds were served - he too was shoveling it in! I didn't even finish my first plate, I was leaving it for Brian and gave my dad the ham I had taken. I was saving room for dessert. I wanted a piece of strawberry pie! They served it from the other end so we waited patiently. By the time I was handed the pie from the old fart of a woman and served myself - her piece was gone! I saw her sitting there eyeing another piece. - And which she finally inhaled. Tyler was miserable by the time he finished his peanut butter pie. The man of the house was getting a kick out of Tyler enjoying all the food. He asked Ty if he wanted another piece but Ty declined. I was surprised by the fact that the family didn't sit down and eat with us - as this is what I was expecting. Instead the husband served us while the ladies, wife, daughter and grandma were in the kitchen cleaning up. As we were leaving Susan and dad headed over to pet the horses. Poor Susan got smacked up side the head by one with his head. She was ok, but it gave me an instant headache - ouch! I did see an "iron horse" in the barn too. I'm wondering if it belonged to the teenage son. Rumspringa means running around. It begins around the age of sixteen and ends when a youth chooses baptism within the Amish church or instead leaves the community. Most join the church.
From there we headed to the dairy farm tour, the cousin of the home we just left from. Oh and might I add there was a lady and her granddaughter that wanted to follow us over there as she weren't good with directions. However, she left in front of us following another vehicle with MO plates! Another 20-30 mins of travel. We took a wrong turn and got lost. But made it a couple of mins late - but were the first to arrive. There were 3 other car loads of people who came from the lunch to the farm as well. This farmer was too funny. 38 years old with 6 kid, oldest is 17 youngest is 2. When we arrived all the kids would come out to stare or would watch us from the window. Now I know what animals feel like at a zoo. Brian wore KC Royals hat and tee. The farmer came out asking Bri, "So how are they doing this year? I keep up with the Cubs and Cardinals. We get the paper you know." (Um um um um! Rule breaker, rule breaker!!!) :) So what do you want to know about the dairy farm, other than every farmer does it different and every farmer is right! We got to see the barn, how they milk - twice a day 5am & 5pm. Everyone in the family helps. It's not by hand either, it's automatic powered by diesel fuel. There are approx 48 cows in the barn, 24 on each side with their back sides facing the middle of the barn. Tyler would tell you the pooped and peed a lot when we were there. Eww! We got to see the buggy horses and also the draft horses. How those are big animals. I can also tell you this Amish family along with others in the area are in it for money just as much as the average Joe. - At least that was my opinion when we left there. Thank goodness the weather was so nice to, that storm that came through had dropped the temp for the day to 75. And since the Amish do not have air conditioning it was nice.
Another thing. Amish do not use addresses either, their first and last names are on the mailbox. Our last tour was the home tour (each tour takes about 90 mins). There were almost 20 of us. Mary Yoder (almost every one's last name was Yoder) gave us a tour of her home. Her washing machine is powered by diesel fuel, the lighting is powered by propane. They are allowed nothing on the walls expect for calendars and spiritual sayings. Children only go to school until the 8th grade. Because I kept inquiring about school - I did find out - they have phones!!! But if I understand this right, they don't talk on them. One will call and leave a message and then they listen to the message. Such as school closings. That's what I asked about - "How do you know when school closes?" - "Well, the Amish school calls - we have phones." I kinda felt bad because when she answered she didn't make eye contact and looked at the floor. She irons her clothes with an antique iron heated up from her gas stove. She cans a lot of food and even makes homemade bologna in cans. We saw her huge garden of popcorn, sweet corn, cabbage, green beans, strawberries, candy onions, etc. Along with her herb garden. They also raise chickens and had pet bunnies. We saw a couple of her buggies and Ty even got to sit in one. By the end of the tour I was pooped. And speaking of poop, how come the Amish don't have to pick up after their horses, but we are expected to pick up after our dogs? (can you tell I'm against this)
We drove back to the Amish center in Arcola so that we could use the restroom and make a purchase. Dad and Susan bought a cookbook that had the peanut butter pie in it so that I could make it for him. Ahh - how thoughtful!!! :)
Then we drove another 10 miles to Tuscola to our hotel - Holiday Inn Express. Finally a place with a free hot breakfast. What a dump. Beds were hard, toilet didn't flush and the tub didn't drain. They didn't have any extra rooms to change with so they knocked $25 off our bill. The hotel was also under construction for renovations. I asked the gal working the front desk who was actually eating McD's in the lobby with her friend where the best place in town was to eat. Tuscany she answered immediately. My dad wasn't impressed at first since we had pasta the night before and it only took an hour to get after placing our order. But the food and service were divine. We were still full from lunch and the orders were huge!!! Ty only ate a piece of his pizza and said he was full. I ate all the shrimp out of mine leaving most of the pasta.
Oh and they had a weather channel using that eerie mans voice when warning of tornadoes and etc. But instead of bad weather, it was just reporting regular weather. So imagine a creep voice saying it was clear skies and 78. It freaked Ty out so we couldn't watch it when Ty was in the room. I have to agree with Ty - that voice usually means something bad.
I woke up ill, I'll spare you the details by saying I was a perfect Pepto Bismol commercial. I felt bad as we had to cut the trip short. Our day was planned to go at our leisure and shop the Amish shops. We did go to a woodworking shop which was really cool. But then I stayed in the car when it came to stopping at the bakery and meat market. Ty did see some Amish lady cut the leg off of some kind of animal. It was a long ride home, I tried to sleep most of the way. When they stopped for lunch I tried eating by spoon a Sonic slushy but even that couldn't be contained. Ty spent the night with my parents that night and it was 9:30 by the time we got home and I was sporting 101 fever. I laid low the next day and when we picked Ty up late that afternoon we learned he too was sick. It only last a day and a half. What a way to end vacation huh?
I will say spending the day with the Amish made me think how nice it could be. Even living in a small town like Arcola was very inviting. They even still have brick streets. I think I could get used to that very easily. But then, things aren't always what they seem either...
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tuesday
"My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell." Lincoln's Farewell Address at the Great Western Depot in Springfield, Illinois, February 11, 1861.
We left the hotel in the pouring rain around 9:30 grabbing a breakfast sandwich from Hardees and headed back to Lincoln’s homestead. (We laughed as it was $2 to park for an hour yet the tour was free – later Brian would rant that if we parked on the street it would had only cost 50 cents for an hour!) There we first stepped foot inside the National Historic Site Visitors center and got our home tour tickets, looked at an miniature exhibit of Springfield and all the important places things happened at and looked around their shop until our ticket time drew near. We were allowed into 3 of the homes in the neighborhood. Thank goodness the rain had stopped and the weather was still cool enough to be enjoyed. We started in the Sheriff’s house that was across the street to the right. Our tour guide gave us some back ground history before heading over to the house. I encourage you to take a minute to click on the link and enjoy the home tour and learn the same the facts we did. The 2 other houses offer additional artifacts and displays. Very interesting facts and information. - I was curious to know more. Know more about their children and Mary Todd herself.
Oh my goodness if we didn't waste time looking for the cheapest parking around the museum either. Round and round the block again. But then I found myself suggesting to park at the hospital in the visitors section as I was getting car sick. (Brian is rubbing off!!!) - FYI, it's cheapest to park on the street.
Lincoln Museum - Invasion of the green people!!! We had to share the museum with a huge family wearing lime green t-shirts that read "Springfield 2008", so many of them they traveled by tour bus. This isn't like the Truman museum here in Independence. It's more like a wax museum telling the story of his life before and during his presidency. Union Theatre is a must, a very well told story of Lincoln. After watching the film, we headed off to the cabin where Lincoln grew up. Inside Ty asked me if he could take a picture. Because there wasn't any artifacts in the cabin he would disturb, I told him ok. AS SOON AS the flash went off - museum security was on us like white on rice! (Leave it to me!) Did we get the rashing! They do not own the rights to these exhibits and any pictures are prohibited!!! If it wasn't enough to hear that over for 15 mins the old people behind us reminded us that "Ignorance isn't any excuse". We lost each other from there since we all went at our own pace. I learned more about Mary Todd and what a ball of spitfire we was! I want to read the book BEHIND THE SCENES I understand its a very good book about Ms Lincoln. We all met up for the Ghost in the Library.
From there we toured the first capital building and Lincoln's law office, pretty neat history re: not only his law firm but the history of the building itself. (And did you know Lincoln let his boys run a muck in his law office creating horrible messes? And many time Lincoln would come to work distraught from a fight him and Mary had.) I tried to imagine what it was truly like back then. We also got a short history lesson in the post office and how mail was or was not delivered.
It used to be the receiver would have to pay for the letter and not the sender.
People wouldn't know they had mail unless they came in to inquire or the post office would list a column of people in the newspaper that had mail to pick up.
If a person came in they could look at the outside of the letter and yet could refuse it. - Thus creating a dead letter.
Dead letters would just accumulate in a pile at the post office as they wouldn't go anywhere.
And because it cost more when writing more than 1 page - people would get creative. They would write horizontal, then vertical, & then sometimes diagonal all on one sheet of paper. We saw an example of this and it was rather hard to read.
Others would draw codes on the outside of the letter so that the receiver could see what they were talking about without having to pay for the letter. For instance, if someone were having a baby. They would draw the sun for a boy.
Museum of Funeral Customs - Um not too much to report on this. Time and money wasted. The best part was the shirt for sale. Black with big white bold lettering, "Everybody has to go sometime." Ok, so it was a little interesting and a lot light headedness!
We ended the day with visiting Lincoln's tomb. We were trying to stretch the day since they retire the flag on Tuesday evenings and have a little Civil War show and gun salute. A storm was approaching in a fierce way. We were outside on the grounds of the tomb when the wind heavily picked up. Wicked like too. Brian and I were on the back side hauling ass to the car. Dad, Susan and Ty ahead of us. A big gush of wind came and I kid you not the temperature dipped 20 degrees! We made it in the nick of time before the rains came. - So much for the flag ceremony...
As we drove through town we could tell the storm had been big. We decided we were just on the edge of it as the more south we went the more damage we saw. Street lights, and signals were out. Large limbs were down. Brian even pointed at some that were CUT down! ; ) Upon arriving to the hotel we noticed it too was a little dark. They had lost power for 4 hours. It was early for dinner yet so we sat in the bar and decided what to do and talk about our thoughts of the days activities.
We wanted to eat at Chesapeake House - a 150 year old farm house. We tried calling - no answer. So we drove over there and because they too lost power were not open for the evening. Crap - so we ate at The Pasta House. Because half the city lost power the other half was hopping. An hour later we got our food. - Poor service but good food.
We left the hotel in the pouring rain around 9:30 grabbing a breakfast sandwich from Hardees and headed back to Lincoln’s homestead. (We laughed as it was $2 to park for an hour yet the tour was free – later Brian would rant that if we parked on the street it would had only cost 50 cents for an hour!) There we first stepped foot inside the National Historic Site Visitors center and got our home tour tickets, looked at an miniature exhibit of Springfield and all the important places things happened at and looked around their shop until our ticket time drew near. We were allowed into 3 of the homes in the neighborhood. Thank goodness the rain had stopped and the weather was still cool enough to be enjoyed. We started in the Sheriff’s house that was across the street to the right. Our tour guide gave us some back ground history before heading over to the house. I encourage you to take a minute to click on the link and enjoy the home tour and learn the same the facts we did. The 2 other houses offer additional artifacts and displays. Very interesting facts and information. - I was curious to know more. Know more about their children and Mary Todd herself.
Oh my goodness if we didn't waste time looking for the cheapest parking around the museum either. Round and round the block again. But then I found myself suggesting to park at the hospital in the visitors section as I was getting car sick. (Brian is rubbing off!!!) - FYI, it's cheapest to park on the street.
Lincoln Museum - Invasion of the green people!!! We had to share the museum with a huge family wearing lime green t-shirts that read "Springfield 2008", so many of them they traveled by tour bus. This isn't like the Truman museum here in Independence. It's more like a wax museum telling the story of his life before and during his presidency. Union Theatre is a must, a very well told story of Lincoln. After watching the film, we headed off to the cabin where Lincoln grew up. Inside Ty asked me if he could take a picture. Because there wasn't any artifacts in the cabin he would disturb, I told him ok. AS SOON AS the flash went off - museum security was on us like white on rice! (Leave it to me!) Did we get the rashing! They do not own the rights to these exhibits and any pictures are prohibited!!! If it wasn't enough to hear that over for 15 mins the old people behind us reminded us that "Ignorance isn't any excuse". We lost each other from there since we all went at our own pace. I learned more about Mary Todd and what a ball of spitfire we was! I want to read the book BEHIND THE SCENES I understand its a very good book about Ms Lincoln. We all met up for the Ghost in the Library.
From there we toured the first capital building and Lincoln's law office, pretty neat history re: not only his law firm but the history of the building itself. (And did you know Lincoln let his boys run a muck in his law office creating horrible messes? And many time Lincoln would come to work distraught from a fight him and Mary had.) I tried to imagine what it was truly like back then. We also got a short history lesson in the post office and how mail was or was not delivered.
It used to be the receiver would have to pay for the letter and not the sender.
People wouldn't know they had mail unless they came in to inquire or the post office would list a column of people in the newspaper that had mail to pick up.
If a person came in they could look at the outside of the letter and yet could refuse it. - Thus creating a dead letter.
Dead letters would just accumulate in a pile at the post office as they wouldn't go anywhere.
And because it cost more when writing more than 1 page - people would get creative. They would write horizontal, then vertical, & then sometimes diagonal all on one sheet of paper. We saw an example of this and it was rather hard to read.
Others would draw codes on the outside of the letter so that the receiver could see what they were talking about without having to pay for the letter. For instance, if someone were having a baby. They would draw the sun for a boy.
Museum of Funeral Customs - Um not too much to report on this. Time and money wasted. The best part was the shirt for sale. Black with big white bold lettering, "Everybody has to go sometime." Ok, so it was a little interesting and a lot light headedness!
We ended the day with visiting Lincoln's tomb. We were trying to stretch the day since they retire the flag on Tuesday evenings and have a little Civil War show and gun salute. A storm was approaching in a fierce way. We were outside on the grounds of the tomb when the wind heavily picked up. Wicked like too. Brian and I were on the back side hauling ass to the car. Dad, Susan and Ty ahead of us. A big gush of wind came and I kid you not the temperature dipped 20 degrees! We made it in the nick of time before the rains came. - So much for the flag ceremony...
As we drove through town we could tell the storm had been big. We decided we were just on the edge of it as the more south we went the more damage we saw. Street lights, and signals were out. Large limbs were down. Brian even pointed at some that were CUT down! ; ) Upon arriving to the hotel we noticed it too was a little dark. They had lost power for 4 hours. It was early for dinner yet so we sat in the bar and decided what to do and talk about our thoughts of the days activities.
We wanted to eat at Chesapeake House - a 150 year old farm house. We tried calling - no answer. So we drove over there and because they too lost power were not open for the evening. Crap - so we ate at The Pasta House. Because half the city lost power the other half was hopping. An hour later we got our food. - Poor service but good food.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Monday
Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything. ~Charles Kuralt, On the Road With Charles Kuralt
So we headed out of town about 9:30am, I was driving (& did the entire way). There we are Bri and I in front and my dad, Susan & Ty in back. (Ty's such a con - he didn't want the middle so he had his grandma sit there.) I had mapquested the route we needed to take and the whole while I have Brian sitting at my right on his stupid little phone telling me I took the SHORTEST route and not the QUICKEST. Then I made 1 wrong turn (truth is - I didn't turn where I needed to) so I got to hear about that for a few miles. UGH! I despise driving with him, he critics everything and has a comment about anything. Our drive out to Springfield was pleasant since we took the smaller highways vs. the interstate. I personally enjoy & appreciate it. I like seeing the country side, the farms, small towns, high powered windmills. These are all things you miss out on when traveling I-70.
I think whoever designed the exits in Springfield were smoking pot! We needed exit 94. And since I already flubbed once I couldn't do it again. So with my eyes peeled I'm looking for exit 94. Ok, exit 92....exit 93.... exit 97.... wait - WTF!? Where did 94 go? Somebody decided to land it a couple of miles down the highway AFTER 97! - so if you ever travel that way - remember that.
Once we found 94 - we found our hotel - Crown Plaza. Two Thumbs up to Hotwire.com. I was afraid to use this service since they will not let you know the name and location of your hotel until after your transaction is complete (and no refunds). But I took a chance. We landed a 3.5 star hotel for $66 a night. Their regular price $144 a night. And it was plush!
We had dinner at the Cozy Dog Inn - one of Route 66's originals. We looked like tourist. Had Ty stand with the wooden corn dog cut out to get a picture took a few pictures of the building...
After eating we headed to downtown for our Springfield Walk tour. Brian drove and I was trying to give directions. Frustration lead us to park and walk to find the place we needed. A couple of blocks over we found where they sold the tickets but it was locked up tight. I couldn't believe this! I reread the brochure & it was right! Wait - what's that? Tuesday - Saturday. Damn! And it's only Monday. Oops! I apologized to everyone, I felt like a real heel. Oh well, so we raced out here for nothing. We did wander over to the Lincoln's home and neighborhood. Saw his church (where they have his family pew on display). His law office, the first court house, some statues and read some Looking for Lincoln plaques. So all wasn't lost. We just happened to do our own little tour of downtown. ; ) It was a beautiful night to walk around and enjoy everything that was to offer.
Tyler wanted ice cream. And we all know Brian squeaks when he walks! So Bri was determined to find a Sonic so we all could indulged in a 99 cent shake. I think we were only five miles south of Chicago before we found one. And they no longer had their 99 sent special - so jokes on Brian and we all got a kick out of it at his expense! We headed back to the hotel so we'd be ready for tomorrow festivities! A whole day of Lincoln!!!
So we headed out of town about 9:30am, I was driving (& did the entire way). There we are Bri and I in front and my dad, Susan & Ty in back. (Ty's such a con - he didn't want the middle so he had his grandma sit there.) I had mapquested the route we needed to take and the whole while I have Brian sitting at my right on his stupid little phone telling me I took the SHORTEST route and not the QUICKEST. Then I made 1 wrong turn (truth is - I didn't turn where I needed to) so I got to hear about that for a few miles. UGH! I despise driving with him, he critics everything and has a comment about anything. Our drive out to Springfield was pleasant since we took the smaller highways vs. the interstate. I personally enjoy & appreciate it. I like seeing the country side, the farms, small towns, high powered windmills. These are all things you miss out on when traveling I-70.
I think whoever designed the exits in Springfield were smoking pot! We needed exit 94. And since I already flubbed once I couldn't do it again. So with my eyes peeled I'm looking for exit 94. Ok, exit 92....exit 93.... exit 97.... wait - WTF!? Where did 94 go? Somebody decided to land it a couple of miles down the highway AFTER 97! - so if you ever travel that way - remember that.
Once we found 94 - we found our hotel - Crown Plaza. Two Thumbs up to Hotwire.com. I was afraid to use this service since they will not let you know the name and location of your hotel until after your transaction is complete (and no refunds). But I took a chance. We landed a 3.5 star hotel for $66 a night. Their regular price $144 a night. And it was plush!
We had dinner at the Cozy Dog Inn - one of Route 66's originals. We looked like tourist. Had Ty stand with the wooden corn dog cut out to get a picture took a few pictures of the building...
After eating we headed to downtown for our Springfield Walk tour. Brian drove and I was trying to give directions. Frustration lead us to park and walk to find the place we needed. A couple of blocks over we found where they sold the tickets but it was locked up tight. I couldn't believe this! I reread the brochure & it was right! Wait - what's that? Tuesday - Saturday. Damn! And it's only Monday. Oops! I apologized to everyone, I felt like a real heel. Oh well, so we raced out here for nothing. We did wander over to the Lincoln's home and neighborhood. Saw his church (where they have his family pew on display). His law office, the first court house, some statues and read some Looking for Lincoln plaques. So all wasn't lost. We just happened to do our own little tour of downtown. ; ) It was a beautiful night to walk around and enjoy everything that was to offer.
Tyler wanted ice cream. And we all know Brian squeaks when he walks! So Bri was determined to find a Sonic so we all could indulged in a 99 cent shake. I think we were only five miles south of Chicago before we found one. And they no longer had their 99 sent special - so jokes on Brian and we all got a kick out of it at his expense! We headed back to the hotel so we'd be ready for tomorrow festivities! A whole day of Lincoln!!!
Productive?
It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt - then it's freakin' hilarious!
Poor man down! - Ha,that's what he gets for not working! : ) Buddy #1 is Rich in the first chair that whent flying through. Buddy #2 is Phil that Brian was - um - pushing - um - pulling - falling for!
They have an awesome group and have a lot of fun! For those who are wondering, he didn't suffer any rug burns!
Poor man down! - Ha,that's what he gets for not working! : ) Buddy #1 is Rich in the first chair that whent flying through. Buddy #2 is Phil that Brian was - um - pushing - um - pulling - falling for!
They have an awesome group and have a lot of fun! For those who are wondering, he didn't suffer any rug burns!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I'm Back
How is it that our memory is good enough to retain the least triviality that happens to us, and yet not good enough to recollect how often we have told it to the same person? ~François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Sorry I have been absent for a long while, I was on vacation and then tired to play catch up here at work. Well I don’t wanna play no more.
I have a lot to share but don’t want to be long winded in one day so I’ll try to divide it up.
We had my sister, Piper (her dog), Dad & Susan, Stacey & Sean, and Dick & Mary over for 4th of July. I grilled chicken “tits” as my dad called them and they were a huge hit. Fresh lime and garlic among other spices with a little EVOO – YUMO! Everyone brought something to share and of course had too much food. We watched all the neighbor fire off their displays. – side note – my dad had given Tyler one of those diesel horns, and you have to blow it with air from an air tank. – Ok, so Dad and Brian get this crazy idea to sound it off right as the kids are trying to light their next explosive. TOO funny! Everyone got a kick of seeing them jump. Rumor has it a kid peed himself. Later than evening we were on the deck watching the back side of the neighborhood shoot off their supply. A dud rocket fell 2 feet from my dad still sparking. Told him it was Karma. We all love Piper, she so darn cute! dOg was good to her, she picked on him all night long, trying to play and bite his ears. He tried to get away but there was no getting away from it so he just took it. She made us all laugh when she took a poo (on the freshly stained deck) as it was only 30% of her body size! Linds hustled to get it cleaned up before Bri saw what she did.
Which leads me to report, Brian and I finished staining the fence that Sunday. I’m happy to report no divorce papers were filed during the project!
I picked Ty & his buddy Sam up from Scout camp on Saturday morning. Left at 7am with a Starbuck’s cup in hand and was down there by 9am, nice quite drive all to myself. Ahh. Silly me thought I could pick the boys up and leave. Oh no, there is much more to it. Police the tents, campsite, roll call, award hand outs, etc. We were out by 11am. I do get a kick out of all the chants and songs they sing.. I wished I could remember enough to tell you about ‘em – but I can’t so I won’t. I treated the boys to McD’s for lunch. At first I was rushing to get them back but then I remembered – there is still staining to be done – don’t rush! ; ) Sam was returned home at 1pm. When we got home I unloaded Ty’s camp box in the drive shaking every piece of clothing out. Making sure no Blister Bugs came inside the house. Oh yes – Blister Bugs – never heard of them myself – but they do exist. Skyler is deathly afraid of bugs and the older Scouts had a good time hassling him about it. And they tormented the other first years too. Telling them if the bug gets on them - it will leave a blister where they walk. Not so much. If you smash the bug on your skin it will then leave a blister. – Thank goodness for the internet.
I spent the rest of the weekend doing laundry and packing for our vacation. We left on Monday morning picking up my dad and Susan at 9am. I guess I told them 9:30am – oops. We stopped at QT to fill up on gas and drinks before heading out. Susan and I got to see a full moon rising!!! YUCK! This big Mexican guy who looks like he’d been sleeping all week & dirty as can be steps out of this brand new Mustang with his sweat pants below his dark airy cheeks. It was horrible so horrible it was one of those things you couldn’t look away. He got out of the car – shut the door – walked in front of his car before he even thought about pulling them up. Inside, I had to walk by him to get where I wanted. I was scared lice would jump all over me. Like I said, his hair was all matted – tried to hide it by a dirty trucker’s hat. Dirty tank top & gray sweats with slip on moccasins. His stench was as thick as the hair on his shoulders and back. Can people not smell themselves?
I’ll stop there today. Check out other website under “Oh the Places You’ll Go”. I’ve added my friend’s, Diana, blog - she’s so creative!
Sorry I have been absent for a long while, I was on vacation and then tired to play catch up here at work. Well I don’t wanna play no more.
I have a lot to share but don’t want to be long winded in one day so I’ll try to divide it up.
We had my sister, Piper (her dog), Dad & Susan, Stacey & Sean, and Dick & Mary over for 4th of July. I grilled chicken “tits” as my dad called them and they were a huge hit. Fresh lime and garlic among other spices with a little EVOO – YUMO! Everyone brought something to share and of course had too much food. We watched all the neighbor fire off their displays. – side note – my dad had given Tyler one of those diesel horns, and you have to blow it with air from an air tank. – Ok, so Dad and Brian get this crazy idea to sound it off right as the kids are trying to light their next explosive. TOO funny! Everyone got a kick of seeing them jump. Rumor has it a kid peed himself. Later than evening we were on the deck watching the back side of the neighborhood shoot off their supply. A dud rocket fell 2 feet from my dad still sparking. Told him it was Karma. We all love Piper, she so darn cute! dOg was good to her, she picked on him all night long, trying to play and bite his ears. He tried to get away but there was no getting away from it so he just took it. She made us all laugh when she took a poo (on the freshly stained deck) as it was only 30% of her body size! Linds hustled to get it cleaned up before Bri saw what she did.
Which leads me to report, Brian and I finished staining the fence that Sunday. I’m happy to report no divorce papers were filed during the project!
I picked Ty & his buddy Sam up from Scout camp on Saturday morning. Left at 7am with a Starbuck’s cup in hand and was down there by 9am, nice quite drive all to myself. Ahh. Silly me thought I could pick the boys up and leave. Oh no, there is much more to it. Police the tents, campsite, roll call, award hand outs, etc. We were out by 11am. I do get a kick out of all the chants and songs they sing.. I wished I could remember enough to tell you about ‘em – but I can’t so I won’t. I treated the boys to McD’s for lunch. At first I was rushing to get them back but then I remembered – there is still staining to be done – don’t rush! ; ) Sam was returned home at 1pm. When we got home I unloaded Ty’s camp box in the drive shaking every piece of clothing out. Making sure no Blister Bugs came inside the house. Oh yes – Blister Bugs – never heard of them myself – but they do exist. Skyler is deathly afraid of bugs and the older Scouts had a good time hassling him about it. And they tormented the other first years too. Telling them if the bug gets on them - it will leave a blister where they walk. Not so much. If you smash the bug on your skin it will then leave a blister. – Thank goodness for the internet.
I spent the rest of the weekend doing laundry and packing for our vacation. We left on Monday morning picking up my dad and Susan at 9am. I guess I told them 9:30am – oops. We stopped at QT to fill up on gas and drinks before heading out. Susan and I got to see a full moon rising!!! YUCK! This big Mexican guy who looks like he’d been sleeping all week & dirty as can be steps out of this brand new Mustang with his sweat pants below his dark airy cheeks. It was horrible so horrible it was one of those things you couldn’t look away. He got out of the car – shut the door – walked in front of his car before he even thought about pulling them up. Inside, I had to walk by him to get where I wanted. I was scared lice would jump all over me. Like I said, his hair was all matted – tried to hide it by a dirty trucker’s hat. Dirty tank top & gray sweats with slip on moccasins. His stench was as thick as the hair on his shoulders and back. Can people not smell themselves?
I’ll stop there today. Check out other website under “Oh the Places You’ll Go”. I’ve added my friend’s, Diana, blog - she’s so creative!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
and now the continuation...
I reread through yesterday's blog and you can tell I was rushed to finish it (I saw a couple incomplete thoughts - which made sense to me but might have left you scratching your head and saying "huh?"). Brian was on his way to come get me so that we could make it home and work on the deck some more. Sorry!
Another comment I wanted to tell you - there are these famous Peach Floats. Apparently this is a requirement of Bartle Scout - your excursion isn't complete if you do not stop and have a peach float. This place is in the middle of nowhere, a small store on the corner with no parking anywhere. I tried to put the idea in Brian's head to stop and try one but as soon as he saw the cars lining the highway and the line of people - he was having no part of it. So either I will have to wait one more year or hope they are open at 9am when I come through to get the boys on Saturday.
And that's after I donate to the firemen of Iconium. These guys are out there with their boots collecting donations every visitor's day for each session - I can only imagine they'll be out there for pick up days too. They make a nice dollar or two I'm sure.
A BIG THANKS to everyone who wrote Ty. (His fan club) ; ) Tyler had been named "mail king" as he has received the most mail to date of the troop! And I am deemed "Mother of the Year" for the killer care package I sent! All the other Scouts were curious and thought it was the best! I meant for Ty to share the goodies and hope he does. I have received two postcards from Ty. One thanking me for the package and another one telling me he was having fun "kamping" with Skyler. : )
Brian has been keeping me busy with staining the deck - I have the stairs to finish tonight and he'll start on the fence & I'll soon join him. I have gotten tons on itty bitty splinters in my legs and they HURT - man do they hurt. Last night we started to hear neighbors shoot off fireworks. I told Bri - this probably isn't the best project to be doing this time of year! He replied that he was thinking the very same thing - hey at least we have insurance.
DOM - Before I forget - you asked me to elaborate on the girls that work at the dentist office. - MARRIED - ; ) all are married, sorry darlin'
Tonight is WIPEOUT catch it if you can - you'll roll laughing.
Another comment I wanted to tell you - there are these famous Peach Floats. Apparently this is a requirement of Bartle Scout - your excursion isn't complete if you do not stop and have a peach float. This place is in the middle of nowhere, a small store on the corner with no parking anywhere. I tried to put the idea in Brian's head to stop and try one but as soon as he saw the cars lining the highway and the line of people - he was having no part of it. So either I will have to wait one more year or hope they are open at 9am when I come through to get the boys on Saturday.
And that's after I donate to the firemen of Iconium. These guys are out there with their boots collecting donations every visitor's day for each session - I can only imagine they'll be out there for pick up days too. They make a nice dollar or two I'm sure.
A BIG THANKS to everyone who wrote Ty. (His fan club) ; ) Tyler had been named "mail king" as he has received the most mail to date of the troop! And I am deemed "Mother of the Year" for the killer care package I sent! All the other Scouts were curious and thought it was the best! I meant for Ty to share the goodies and hope he does. I have received two postcards from Ty. One thanking me for the package and another one telling me he was having fun "kamping" with Skyler. : )
Brian has been keeping me busy with staining the deck - I have the stairs to finish tonight and he'll start on the fence & I'll soon join him. I have gotten tons on itty bitty splinters in my legs and they HURT - man do they hurt. Last night we started to hear neighbors shoot off fireworks. I told Bri - this probably isn't the best project to be doing this time of year! He replied that he was thinking the very same thing - hey at least we have insurance.
DOM - Before I forget - you asked me to elaborate on the girls that work at the dentist office. - MARRIED - ; ) all are married, sorry darlin'
Tonight is WIPEOUT catch it if you can - you'll roll laughing.
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