THE BEAST

FOR YEARS, I'VE BEEN BUYING MILWAUKEE'S BEST BEER AT WAL MART. IF POSSIBLE I LIKE TO BUY THE 30 PACK AT JUST UNDER $13.00.

I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE PRODUCT BY UNCLE HANS WHO EXPLAINED IT'S A MILLER PRODUCT, AND MILWAUKEE BEST LIGHT IS JUST LIKE MILLER LIGHT AT A GREATLY REDUCED PRICE. WORKS FOR ME !!!

I USUALLY FIND AND MAKE MY PURCHASE AT WAL MART ON OUR REGULAR WAL MART RUNS. ACTUALLY IF WAL MART DOESN'T CARRY AN ITEM THEN WE'VE PROBABLY NEVER SEEN IT. SO FOR YEARS I'VE REFEREED TO THE BEER AS "WALMART BEER".

ON OUR RECENT WEEK-END WITH A COUPLE OF UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, EAU CLAIR GRADUATES I WAS EDUCATED THAT IT'S NOT "WALMART BEER", BUT THE OFFICIAL NICKNAME IS "THE BEAST". REMINDS ME OF MY COLLEGE DAYS WHEN WE REFEREED TO A CHEAP WINE, AS "MAD DOG 20/20".

AT ANY RATE AS WE HEAD BACK TOWARD "SUNNY & 80" WEATHER (AFTER VALENTINES DAY), COME ON OVER TO MY CAMPSITE AND ENJOY AN AFTERNOON WITH "THE BEAST".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKI !!!

THE CLUB

THE HONDA ACCORD IS HIGH ON THE LISTS OF MOST STOLEN VEHICLES. IT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SOMEWHAT EASY STARTING SYSTEM FOR THIEVES TO GET AROUND.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, AND SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE NEIGHBOR, STEVE, HAD HIS CAR STOLEN. YES, THE SAME CAR WAS STOLEN TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS BEHIND ARIZONA CHARLIE'S IN LAS VEGAS, AND THE SECOND TIME WAS HERE AT OUR RV PARK.

WE ALL KNOW HOW "FUSSY" MARY IS ABOUT HER CAR. SHE CLAIMS IT'S HER ONLY PHYSICAL ASSET, AND IT'S PAID FOR. THE FIRST TIME STEVE HAD HIS CAR STOLEN DROVE THE POINT HOME TO MARY AND SHE RAN OUT AND BOUGHT "THE CLUB".

"THE CLUB" IS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK. KINDA REMINDS ME OF THE OLD "BEAR REPELLENT" JOKE, BUT THERE ISN'T ANY BEARS AROUND HERE? SEE IT'S WORKING.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO STEAL YOUR CAR, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT I THINK IF THIEVES SEE THE CLUB THEY MOVE ON TO NEXT HONDA ACCORD THEY COME UPON.

MARY AND I ARE VERY GOOD AT REMEMBERING TO LOCK THE CLUB ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE HONDA.

"VEGAS 80"

HERE ARE THE REMAINING "VEGAS 80" PICTURES. I ALSO ADDED SOME PICTURES TO THE BLOG POST CALLED, THE STRIP (SCROLL DOWN A COUPLE DAYS BACK). AS USUAL MY PICTURES ARE HIT AND MISS DEPENDING ON WHETHER I HAVE MY CAMERA, AND IF I REMEMBER TO USE IT. I'M GONNA TRY TO GET BETTER.

I'D REALLY LIKE TO THANK ALL THE WISCONSIN MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY FOR THEIR TIME AND EXPENSES TO TRAVEL TO LAS VEGAS, PAULIE'S HOME TURF, AND MAKE THIS EVENT HAPPEN.

"VEGAS 80" IS NOW IN THE HISTORY BOOKS, THE BONDING IS DONE, AND MEMORIES AND STORIES WILL BE TOLD AT FAMILY GATHERING FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS AND WILL BE VERY HARD TO TOP.

SO WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE RECHSTEINERS? GLAD YOU ASKED. WE ARE SKIPPING THE EVERY OTHER YEAR CHEESEDAYS EVENT IN MONROE, WISCONSIN, AND INSTEAD WILL BE HAVING A CAMPOUT IN STURGIS, SOUTH DAKOTA SEPTEMBER 4 - 7, 2008.

ARE YOU INVITED? OH MY, YES, MARK THE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR NOW!!! IT WILL BE A CAMPING ADVENTURE INCLUDING MOTORCYCLES, MARY'S CAMP COOKING, MT RUSHMORE, AND ALL THE SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE BLACK HILLS.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE FOR MAKING "VEGAS 80" AN EVENT OF A LIFE TIME FOR GRANDMA !!!

CHAMPAGNE BIRTHDAY BRUNCH

THE CLIMAX OF "VEGAS 80" WAS SUNDAY AT 1 PM. THE WHOLE GROUP HAD A CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST BRUNCH IN HONOR OF GRANDMA'S 80 TH BIRTHDAY, COMPLETE WITH VEGAS STYLE BIRTHDAY CAKE.

I MUST SAY, AND I'M THE OLDEST, THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN MY MOM SMILE MORE THAN SHE DID AS THE HONORED GUEST AT BRUNCH. AT THE END OF THE MEAL SHE GOT UP AND OUT DID US, BY PASSING EVERYONE A CRISP NEW FRANKLIN. A MIGHTY WELCOME SIGHT AFTER THREE DAYS IN VEGAS !!!

SUNDAY NIGHT THE CREW SLIGHTLY WORE DOWN, AND WE ALL AGREED "VEGAS 80" WAS A REAL SUCCESS!!

(A NOTE TO AIM:
TOMORROW I HOPE TO GO BACK AND ADD THE PICTURES FOR "VEGAS 80" AND YOU WERE MISSED AND TALKED ABOUT OFTEN)

Hannah

It’ s Saturday Night…In Vegas Baby!!

Oh my Saturday rolled around and while some of the 14 member group was dragging, mostly the young’ens, the golden oldies were in fine form and raring to go.

In the morning we did a walk about downtown to find a location for the birthday brunch. After checking at several places, the brothers decided on the Sunday Brunch at Main Street Station. So we have that arrangement made…and Paul’s has the cake taken of so we are in great shape.

After some discussion, a group of 9 decided to go to Paul’s and see his condo and of course, Bailey the dog. Two of the ones that remained behind had tickets to the Miss America pageant at Planet Hollywood. The other two are newlyweds and no one really asked their plans…..

After seeing Paul’s very nice condo and having snacks and beers there, it was back to the strip to wait for the 10 PM Blue Men show at the Venetian. Paul’s group of buddies were able to secure comped tickets for the entire group to see the Blue Men. It definitely pays to have friends in Vegas!!

So what to do while waiting the four hours until the show. So what are the free visual shows in Vegas, we ended up hanging around the Wynn to see the free light show there and if you are going to Vegas anytime soon, frankly, this free show isn’t even worth what you pay for it. The Bellagio fountains, the Mirage Volcano, and even the Siren show at Treasure Island are much more enjoyable.

Anyone that has been in a casino with Rex knows how he likes craps “virgins”. Last night the lucky and I do mean LUCKY virgin was Hans’ daughter Hannah. I really don’t know exactly how much money was won by everyone smart enough to have bets on the table but I heard Rex made about $1,400. Way to go Hannah!!

I admit it, I am a light weight when it comes to these all nighters, so quite frankly, I bailed and went back to the Fitz about 10 PM. On the other hand, Rex is not a light weight and he rolled in about 6:30 AM. Which seemed like a good idea then, but at 10 AM not so much. I think the birthday celebration and brunch is going to be a long day for him…

THE STRIP

THE PLAN FOR TODAY WAS HIKING ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP. MARY AND I HIT THE PAVEMENT IN FIRST PLACE, BUT CAME IN LAST ………

SO WE WERE ON THE STRIP WHEN WORD OF THE FIRE AT THE MONTE CARLO SPREAD. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE I-15 SIDE, BUT THE BLACK SMOKE WAS ROLLING OFF THE TOP OF THE 33 STORY MEGA HOTEL.

THE FIRE FIGHTERS HERE ALL LEARNED THEIR LESSONS WELL IN THE MGM FIRE OF THE 80’S, AND EVERYONE WAS SAFELY EVACUATED WITH ONLY 13 MINOR INJURIES. SHUTTING DOWN TRAFFIC ON THE STRIP WAS A EVENT IN AND OF ITSELF WITH THE EMERGENCY VEHICLES SCREAMING DOWN THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET.

NEXT STOP WAS THE ROUND, OUTSIDE BAR AT HARRAH’S FOR SOME LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND LIBATION. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE AFTERNOON BARS.

HIKING SOUTH ON THE STRIP, UNCLE HANS HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD, “ THIS IS A TOUGH GROUP TO KEEP TOGETHER, BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO BREAK APART”. WE HAD 12 FAMILY MEMBERS SPANNING THREE GENERATIONS.

THE NEXT OFFICIAL STOP WAS THE HARLEY CAFÉ FOR A FEW SNACKS, AND THEN ON TO ANOTHER PERSONAL FAVORITE, THE PIANO BAR AT NEW YORK NEW YORK. YOU ALWAYS ENJOY THESE DUALLING GRAND PIANOS AND WISH YOU’D PRACTICED WHEN YOUR MOTHER MADE YOU TAKE PIANO LESSONS…….

SO WHERE IS THE BEST VANTAGE POINT TO WATCH THE FOUNTAINS AT THE BELLAGIO? HOW ABOUT ON THE OUTDOOR PATIO AT THE FONTANA BAR INSIDE THE BELLAGIO? UNCLE HANS CLAIMED HE’S NEVER IN HIS LIFE PAID $121.00 FOR ONE ROUND OF DRINKS.

AT THIS POINT THE GROUP SPLIT UP, MARY AND I HEADED OUT TO THE PALMS TO WATCH PAULIE DEAL AT $25 CRAPS GAME AND THEN MADE OUR WAY BACK TO OUR HOTEL DOWNTOWN TO CRASH AND BURN.

THE LATE NIGHT REPORT WILL HAVE TO FILED BY SOMEBODY ELSE.

17 AGAIN

I DON’T KNOW, “VEGAS 80” MAY NOT BE BLOGGABLE…..
WE ARE ALL STAYING DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS AT THE FITZ. ARRIVALS CAME OFF WITH OUT A HITCH.

ON A WALK-A-BOUT, UNCLE NEIL SECURED (FOR FREE) TICKETS TO THE “FAB FOUR” A BEATLES IMPERSONATOR GROUP. THEY LOOKED LIKE THEM, THEY SOUNDED LIKE THEM, THEY TALKED LIKE THEM. THEY WERE GREAT !!

BETWEEN THE BEATLES AND THE BEERS WE FELT LIKE WE WERE 17 YEARS OLD AGAIN. THE STREET ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDED MOTORCYCLES IN A ROUND CAGE, ACROBATS, SPRAY CAN PAINTERS, A SAXOPHONE PLAYER, AND US, 17 YEAR OLDS, DANC’IN IN THE STREET.

WE STRAYED DOWN 3RD STREET TO “HOGS AND HEIFERS” A BIKER TYPE COUNTRY BAR WHERE A COUPLE OF THE 17 YEAR OLDS EVEN JOINED THE HALF NAKED BARTENDERS DANCING ON TOP OF THE BAR.

MY CAMERA WAS SECURELY LEFT IN MY ROOM, SO YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO GUESS WHICH TWO.

“VEGAS 80” CONTINUES TOMORROW…….

BIRTHDAY COOK-OUT

AFTER THE HAIR DRESSER WE HIT THE "100 DOLLAR" STORE TO PICK UP SUPPLIES TO PROVIDE SANDWICHES, SNACKS AND BEVERAGES IN OUR ROOM AT "VEGAS 80".

IN THE AFTERNOON SUNSHINE WE DID A COOKOUT FOR GRANDMA'S OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY, JAN.23RD, BUT THE CELEBRATION WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MONDAY. AFTER ALL, HOW OFTEN DOES ONE TURN 80 YEARS YOUNG, AND GET TO ENJOY LAS VEGAS SURROUNDED BY HER FAMILY!!!

COUSIN JAKE IS FLYING INTO VEGAS ONE DAY EARLY BECAUSE PAUL HAS WEDNESDAY OFF, AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING EXCEPT GET ARRESTED.

WAIT...WAIT..... AN 80TH BIRTHDAY COOKOUT IN JANUARY MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING TO BLOG ABOUT.......

IT'S RIB EYE STEAK, GRILLED HALIBUT, BACON WRAPPED SCALLOPS, FOIL PACKS WITH SHRIMP, LEMON, GARLIC, BUTTER & ROSEMARY, BAKED POTATOES, AND A MEDLEY OF SAUTÉED VEGGIES INCLUDING TOMATOES, CAULIFLOWER, MUSHROOMS & SQUASH.

WHAT A GREAT START TO "VEGAS 80", NOW JUST DON'T LET THOSE BOYS GET ARRESTED !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA

THE SIGN IN THE GREEN PACKER'S LOCKER ROOM READS, "TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF NEXT YEAR!!!" I AGREE AND CAN'T WAIT......

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT!!!

I HAD A NICE "TO DO LIST" ON MY BIRTHDAY INCLUDING A PROJECT WITH STEVE, THE NEIGHBOR, TO FIX MY HOT WATER HEATER WHICH QUIT WORKING ON GAS, AND ONLY WORKS ON THE ELECTRIC SIDE. THAT PROJECT DIDN'T END WITH THE RESULT WE HOPED, BUT WE SUCCESSFULLY REPLACED BOTH SCREEN DOOR LATCHES WHICH HAD FAILED.

MARY AND I WORKED ON ENGLISH MUFFINS TO TAKE TO THE "VEGAS 8O" CELEBRATION. MARY ALSO MADE TWO BATCHES OF CHEX MIX FOR VEGAS. SHE MADE A WAL MART RUN, WHICH SNOOKIE, ONE OF THE MANY RV BLOGGERS I READ, CALLS "THE $100 STORE". A VERY ACCURATE NAME I MIGHT ADD!

STEVE ANNOUNCED AFTER I PROHIBITED HIM FROM DISMANTLING THE GAS VALVE CELLINOID, THAT HE WAS MAKING GARLIC SHRIMP AND MEATBALLS FOR OUR HAPPY BIRTHDAY COCKTAIL HOUR. WE SURE ENJOY OUR RV NEIGHBORS!!!

MARY MADE HAIR DRESSER APPOINTMENTS FOR HERSELF AND MY MOTHER FIRST THING THIS MORNING AS A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR MY MOM. GUESS THEY'LL BOTH BE LOOKING "FINE" FOR "VEGAS 80".

"VEGAS 80" STARTS TOMORROW AND I PROMISE TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO BLOG THE DETAILS FOR AMY, WHOM WILL BE MISSING AND VERY MUCH THINKING ABOUT THE RECHSTEINER'S PARTYING WITHOUT HER. IT WON'T BE ON SCHEDULE THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS BUT I'LL TRY TO DO MY BEST. I SURE HOPE OUR HOTEL HAS WI-FI AVAILABLE.

"VEGAS 80" 1 DAY AND COUNTING!

This is a Mary comment ....I gave Rex one Belieze point for his birthday.....we are now 14% funded!!

GEE THANKS !!!

Rex,

Here is your birthday gift. It is a picture of Tanya, the new bartender from Belizean Shores. She is from Bolivia. In the background are Wendy, Renae from the medical school, and her boytoy Dave.

14% brings us one notch closer to our next trip back to the swim-up bar...........

See you tomorrow

Hans

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (TO ME) !!!

GOSH, GIVE A GUY A WEEK'S VACATION AND MAKE HIS LIFE FINALLY "BLOGABLE", AND HE DISAPPEARS......

SUNDAY WE HEADED UP TO LAUGHLIN TO WATCH THE BIG PACKER GAME. BEFORE THE GAME I CALLED BOTH MY BROTHERS, AND UNCLE NEIL'S PHONE RANG AN RANG. I WAS MENTALLY PREPARING MY VOICE MAIL WHEN THE PHONE CRACKLED AND UNCLE NEIL WAS THERE. "SORRY", HE SAID, "I'M AT THE PACKER GAME AND HAVE SO MANY LAYERS OF CLOTHES ON, IT TOOK AWHILE TO GET TO THE PHONE".

IT'S REALLY TOO BAD THE PACKERS DIDN'T WIN THE GAME, BUT THE COLD WEATHER LEGENDS OF LOMBARDI FIELD ARE GONE. I HAD IT FIGURED AFTER THEIR MISERABLE LOSS AT SOLIDER FIELD IN CHICAGO.

SO HERE WE GO AGAIN, WILL FARVE RETURN FOR ANOTHER SEASON?

WE MET SOME PACKER FRIENDS TO WATCH THE GAME AND HAD TO PULL OUT OUR S.O.P., DITCH THE CAR, AND RENT A ROOM AT THE AQUARIUS CASINO AND HOTEL.

MONDAY WE PICKED UP GRANDMA AND HAD AN ENJOYABLE ROAD TRIP. WE HIT A ROCK AND GEM SHOW, SLIPPED OVER THE STATE LINE INTO CALIFORNIA TO BUY LOTTO TICKETS, HIT HOUCH'S FOR MONDAY TACOS, AND STOPPED BY WAL MART TO HAVE GRANDMA'S GLASSES STRAIGHTENED. I GUESS EVEN WHEN YOU'RE ALMOST 80 YOU CAN FALL ASLEEP WATCHING TV AND BEND THE SHIT OUT OF YOUR GLASSES.

TODAY IS MY 59TH BIRTHDAY AND MARY HAS RIB EYES OUT, SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME !!!

Desert Landscape

Remember the picture of the barn in the snow I painted earlier this winter? Well the library had Paul Dinoff come back and teach another class. This time I talked Rex's mother, Jean, into going with me. She was kind of hesitant because she had never done any painting, but being the good sport that she is, she decided to give it a try.



Here is Jean with her painting and I think she did a terrific job!! I also think she surprised herself by enjoying the class. This class has been a hit and well attended so the library is having Paul teach classes in March, April, and May. I will be on the look out for the sign up sheet, this is definitely one of those "you snooze, you loose" situations.

Speaking of the library, I can't begin to tell you how much I have been enjoying downloading books to listen to on my MP3 player. They sure make my breaks at work more enjoyable!! So now I am going to do something I rarely do.... recommend a book. The book I am recommending is "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book is worth the time to either listen to or read. The author does the narration and did an excellent job. Believe me the narrator can sometimes make or break the enjoyment of a book!!

VACATION

WE'RE TAKING A VACATION, SEEMS SINFUL, AFTER ALL, WE ALREADY TAKE A SPRING AND FALL VACATION AVERAGING 12 WEEKS A YEAR.

WE HAD DECIDED LONG AGO THAT IF THE PLAN FOR "VEGAS 80" CAME TOGETHER WE'D TAKE A COUPLE OF EXTRA DAYS OFF. USUALLY WE PLAN ALL OUR SOCIAL STUFF DURING THE SPRING OR FALL WHEN WE ARE OFF ANYWAY, OR WE JUST DECLINE OR SKIP EVENTS. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE CASINO EMPLOYEES SELDOM LY GET TO TAKE TIME OFF ON THE WEEK-ENDS.

THIS BRINGS UP A POINT, IF YOU'RE PLANNING A PARTY, CELEBRATION, FUNERAL, OR WEDDING, CAN YOU PLAN IT FOR SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER SO THE "HAPPY CAMPERS" CAN ATTEND?

ANYWAY BACK TO OUR VACATION, WE PUT IN A REQUEST FOR A COUPLE OF EXTRA DAYS OFF FOR "VEGAS 80" EXPLAINING THE FAMILY WAS COMING TO NEVADA TO CELEBRATE GRANDMA'S 80TH BIRTHDAY. WHEN WE CHECKED THE NEW SCHEDULE, WE GOT THE WHOLE WEEK OFF AND OUR TWO DAYS OFF. THAT'S NINE DAYS OFF IN ROW.........

LOOKS LIKE I'M GOING TO NEED TWO 30 PACKS OF BEER ON THE WALMART LIST FOR NEXT WEEK. DAY ONE OF OUR VACATION IS THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BETWEEN THE PACKERS AND THE GIANTS.

AHH...... LIFE IS GOOD !!!

I'M BACK.......

NO INTERNET CONNECTION!!! INTERNET WITHDRAWAL IN THE WINTER REALLY SUCKS! NO BLOGS, NO E-MAILS, NO NEWSPAPERS TO READ. I’VE BEEN SO BORED I’VE EVEN DONE DIRTY DISHES, A TASK I HATE, AND ALWAYS LEAVE FOR MARY.


BUT LIFE HAS RETURNED TO NORMAL, THREE DAYS OF NO INTERNET, AND OF COURSE IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK AT THE KEYBOARD ANNOYING, REPORTING, AND ENTERTAINING YOU ALL.


SO WHAT’S COMING UP ON THE BLOG? LET’S SEE, WE HAVE AN ART CLASS WITH GRANDMA AND MARY’S PAINTINGS, THE BEAST, THE CLUB, ANOTHER PACKER VICTORY, REX’S BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA’S BIRTHDAY AND THEN “VEGAS 80”


GOOD TO BE BACK !!!

What!?! No internet!?!

Hey Everybody This is Rex's daughter, Amy.
I just got off the phone with my dad and he wanted me to blog for him. They were evidently doing some kind of work and a bunch of lines got cut including his internet lifeline. He hasn't had internet access since monday so he had to actually use his telephone. (For those of you who don't know him personally this is a big deal as he is NOT a phone talker.) The internet is his way of staying in touch with people so I sure hope this problem is a quick fix.

He called to have me blog so the regula readers would know why there may be a day without a post!?! He also wants anyone who hasn't received a reply to an email to know what was going on. Hopefully he will be up and running again soon. I'm sure we'll hear all the details from him or Mary as soon as they are.

No Access

Someone cut communication lines near where we live on Monday so we have not had internet access since then.....Rex is having severe internet withdrawal!!

I am at the library for an art class so am letting you all know why there hasn't been a blog for a few days...will be up and running as soon as possible.

Keep checking!!

Mary

WOW WHAT A WEEK-END !!!

WOW, WHAT A GREAT FOOTBALL WEEK-END !!! I CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN MY JOY WATCHING THE PACKERS WIN IN THAT SNOWSTORM THAT I'M NOT HOME IN !!

AND THEN THE COWBOYS LOSE TO FORCE THE NEXT GAME TO THE "HOLY LAND", LAMBEAU FIELD, IN GREEN BAY? WOW WHAT A WEEK-END !!!

WE SPENT THE DAY WITH GRANDMA IN LAKE HAVASU CITY. THIS IS TRULY A CASE OF "IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME". OF COURSE THERE IS A WISCONSIN CONNECTION, ROBERT MC CULLOCH IS FROM WISCONSIN AND BESIDES HIS OIL COMPANY HE IS THE MC CULLOCH CHAINSAW GUY. HE BOUGHT THE LONDON BRIDGE IN THE 1960'S AND MOVED IT PIECE BY PIECE TO THE SOUTHWESTERN DESERT AND RECONSTRUCTED IT. BEING THE SMART GUY HE IS, FIRST HE BOUGHT THE SURROUNDING REAL ESTATE, AND WELL, TODAY THAT PIECE OF DESERT HAS A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE AND EVEN WALMART IS ABANDONING THEIR STORE FOR A SUPER WALMART UNDER CONSTRUCTION. "IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME".

I TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES OF MY MOTHER AND THE BRIDGE, BECAUSE IT IS THE ONE THING SHE WANTED TO SEE WHILE SHE IS VISITING OUR WINTER QUARTERS. DAMN, THE CAMERA, AN OLD SONY WITH 1.3 MEGA PIXELS, WAS ON THE WRONG SETTING FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

AFTER A COUPLE OF BEER STOPS ON THE WAY HOME, I COULD CONTINUE ON ABOUT THE PERFECT JANUARY WEATHER BUT ..........

Saturday Night Live

It's Saturday Night!!

Hard to believe it's Saturday night and I am home. Rex had to work but not me....tells you something about how bad business is doesn't it?? Oh well can't do much about that.

Since I had the day off I did the laundry as soon as I got up, so I don't have to worry about it the next 2 days while we are both off. But Rex's parting comment tonight was....blog for tomorrow,OK?? Ya sure, although I usually have to do some serious thinking first.

So after laundry I made a trip to the Laughlin Library since I had series three of "Boston Legal" to pick up. I would recommend Boston Legal to anyone....it is hysterical. Then I did some general shopping so I don't have to do that the next 2 days either. I also stopped in to check on Rex's Mother and let her know we will be picking her up for a road trip tomorrow. I think we are going to Lake Havasu but am not positive on that.

I got home just in time for Rex to leave for work. So I did the most logical thing I could, went next door to Steve and Meryl's for cocktails. Actually the "Boston Legal" DVD's are for Steve. He loves the series and I get them for him to watch.

After "Happy Hour" next door I came home to make my supper salad. I really love to bake but really should not eat that stuff so I decided to fire up the bread machine and make a new recipe. So now I am enjoying the aroma of "garlic Parmesan bread". Smells really, really good!!

I have been trying to think of different blog topics, one idea is "what's in a name?" But it really is not lengthy enough for a stand alone blog so will include it here.

I really love creative business names. In Lake Tahoe there is a florist shop called "The Enchanted Florist".....I can't help it, every time I see that sign, I get a little thrill. Then there is the Thai restaurant called "Thai One On", while it doesn't thrill me the same way, I do like that one also. In Carson City there is a wine shopped called "D'Vine Wine Tasting". Like that one too, but my favorite by far is "The Enchanted Florist".

When Rex and I go places and introduce ourselves, I like to give people a little hint to help them remember our names. It goes like this...Rex rhymes with sex, and Mary, the name of a Virgin. This usually gives people a reference that makes it easy for them to remember us and also a chuckle or two. One day I told this guy our names and how to remember them...so he went home and told his wife that he had just met "Sexy Rexy and Cherry Mary"....sure meet a lot of wits in RV parks!!

Mexican Flan

..........Flan is a Mexican custard with a caramelized sugar topping. Wendy makes it for fancy occasions. Since Mary and Rex like to do food blogs on occasion, I thought I would I would, too.......

........first the caramelized sugar goes into the individual molds. It sets up like hard candy when it cools...

............The half-'n-half and eggs are heated. (Doesn't she look like Julia Child?).............

......a blender is involved. I may have this out of order, but, hey, I am just the producer, not the chef.......

..........the flan is poured into the molds on top of the topping, making the top the bottom. This chef stuff is complicated...........

...........It then comes out to cool. I get more involved as it gets closer to eating..........

.......here Julia carefully places MY flan into the refrigerator to cool..........

...then, after all those stupid gifts are opened and the little ones play with the empty boxes for the required amount of time, we get the dessert ready. (c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, already!)

.............Somehow there are no pictures of people eating flan. I was busy.................

Christmas @ Cable Lake

Last year Wendy's older daughters, Janelle and Laura, suggested we have a "Cable Lake" Christmas. Wendy has been married three times and me twice. We don't have kids with each other, but we have six kids between us. These six met when they were older and were not, for the most part, raised together. Our extended families are starting to spread out and mature so that those family Christmases have less meaning. The Rechsteiner's quietly abandoned the "get-together" a few years back as it was impractical. Janelle and Laura wanted to start a new tradition for our somewhat non-traditional family and this was the second year...................

..........Wendy enjoys decorating and loves to do up the house in a "theme" color. This year was copper and brown. It matches with one theme that Target stores were promoting as well. She has about 6 basic color themes which she rotates and stores in big plastic bins. Her work really makes the holidays fun for me. It brightened a dreary day on Sunday, the day our Christmas fell on this year. Rechsteiner Christmas has traditionally been OFF Dec. 25th. It was sad to see her taking it all down today.....

...........I helped with the cooking, and made individual mostacciolis, a pasta dish with marinara sauce, hot Italian sausage, and pepperoni and mozzarella cheese baked to a golden brown on top. There were no leftovers. Wendy made flan, a Mexican holiday custard, and a whole blog is coming on that production.......

......Jake and Jason had set up Jake's ice house and put in some tip-ups to do some ice fishing throughout the day. We could watch the flags with binoculars from the living room. I am sorry I don't have any pictures of the ice house. It is the epitome of Jackpine savage with lake maps, pin-up girls, and 2 tv's adorning the walls. It has central heating and a cook stove. Many a pleasant day and some nights have passed in this place. Some fish have given their lives........

..........I bought a case of Andre Asti Spumonte for $3.39/bottle. Nothing like a fine wine to make a gathering into a celebration!! There were no surviving bottles..........

.......the probable impetus for the new family Christmas tradition was the arrival of two new grand babies, as first for Wendy. This is Owen with his parents Jim and Laura. Owen, like all kids, tears into a present with gusto so he can discard the gift and play with the box!!..

.........the other happiness for Wendy and me is Issac, here held by Aunt Callie and next to his Mom Janelle. Todd was in the ice house at the time of this photo, I believe. These two little guys start the next generation of kids for which Christmas is really the most meaningful...........

........it seems that all the family gatherings at Cable Lake end upon the pontoon. In the summer it is because it is beautiful there. In the winter, we call it "the Asti effect". We turn up the heat in the garage and sit on the pontoon, pretending it is "sunny and 80". The pontoon is on a trailer, which wobbles when you move about, much like when it is on the lake. Some people have gotten seasick. (kidding)............

......Callie invited her new boyfriend, Nick, to Christmas at Cable Lake. He looks a little uncertain about the pontoon thing. I hope he doesn't feel that having a girlfriend from a wacky family that pontoons in the garage is justification to dump her...........

......Rena has no problem with the pontoon and rarely misses the ride. We all placed bets on whether she will be at next Christmas as she will be 12 then. She is in perfect health. You will have to tune in then to findout............