NEW YEARS EVE

ANOTHER YEAR IS BEHIND US. IT WAS A GOOD YEAR. WE MADE THE TRIP HOME TO VISIT FAMILY, BOUGHT A NEW CAR, AND SURVIVED ANOTHER SUMMER ON THE LOWER MOHAVE DESERT IN THE CAMPER.

THIS NEXT YEAR OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO ESCAPE THE HEAT OF SUMMER INTO THE MOUNTAINS, AT LEAST FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.  WE FIGURE 3 WEEKS OF HOUSE SITTING (WITH A BEAUTIFUL POOL) AND 2 WEEKS IN THE MOUNTAINS SHOULD SHORTEN UP THE WORST 12 WEEKS OF SUMMER TO 7 WEEKS.

NOT LIKE THE GOOD OLE DAYS OF LAKE TAHOE, BUT EVEN WITH THE ECONOMY IN THE CRAPPER WE’RE WORKING ON A FIVE YEAR PLAN TO RETURN TO THE MOUNTAINS DURING THE SUMMER.

SO TAKE A FEW MOMENTS AND MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, AND SET YOUR GOALS FOR 2012.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

BIRD WATCHING

 

THE CATS ARE BUSY SITTING IN THE SUN AND WATCHING THE BIRDS OUTSIDE.

Mary’s Fur Coat

Yes, I have a fur coat…..but it has a story, at least to me it does. 

I don’t think the black body of this coat is real fur, I think it is some very soft synthetic.  However the trim around the neck and down the front is raccoon, I think.   Living in Arizona, I don’t get the opportunity to wear it very often so it is a big deal when I do.

So where did my fur coat come from?  I bought it a resale shop in La Crosse 4 or 5 years ago.  FOR $40!!  I think I got a deal and it even has the nice lining and this label:

CHRISTMAS EVE IN LAUGHLIN

WE HAD CHRISTMAS EVE OFF AND DECIDED TO GO UP TO LAUGHLIN SO MARY COULD WEAR HER HOOKER HEELS AND HER FUR COAT.

 

OUR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR GOING TO LAUGHLIN TO DRINK, SMOKE, AND GAMBLE WITH BOTH HANDS IS TO RENT A ROOM BEFORE WE EVER LEAVE HOME.

WE HAD A COMPED ROOM AT THE COLORADO BELLE.  EARLIER IN THE FALL I WAS AT LOSER’S LOUNGE AT THE RIVERSIDE TO WATCH A PACKER GAME.  MARY HAD DROPPED ME OFF AND WENT TO THE LIBRARY. EVERY TIME YOU BUY A DRINK DURING THE GAME YOUR NAME GOES INTO A DRUM FOR A DRAWING.

I ONLY HAD ONE TICKET IN THE DRUM WHEN THEY PULLED OUT MY NAME AND I WON DINNER AND COCKTAILS FOR TWO IN THE PRIME RIB ROOM AT THE RIVERSIDE, SO WE HAD A COMPED DINNER AS WELL.

THE PRIME RIB ROOM IS AN INTERESTING CONCEPT.  IT’S BASICALLY A BUFFET WITHOUT ANY MEAT ON IT.  YOU DO THE SALAD BAR, AND THEN GO BACK FOR YOUR POTATOES AND VEGGIES, AND WHEN YOU SIT DOWN A WAITER TAKES YOUR ORDER FOR YOUR ENTREE.  PRIME RIB, CHICKEN CORDON BLUE, OR FISH. HE IMMEDIATELY CUTS YOUR PRIME RIB AND SERVES IT TO THE TABLE, A 10 OUNCE PORTION.  THAT TRICK SHOULD HOLD DOWN YOUR FOOD COST……

WE DID OUR DRINKING AT THE REGENCY, DURING HAPPY HOUR WHERE THE $3 BEERS ARE 2 FOR 1 . MY GAMING LUCK IN LAUGHLIN IS ALWAYS BAD, BUT ON THIS TRIP I ACTUALLY COVERED OUR BAR TABS, AND WITH A FREE ROOM AND DINNER CAME OUT WITH A FREE TRIP AND A NICE CHRISTMAS EVE.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY !!!  CHRISTMAS TO THE HAPPY CAMPERS IS JUST ANOTHER DAY OF WORK.  EVEN THOUGH WE ARE USUALLY “OFF” ON SUNDAY, THIS IS CHRISTMAS, AND WE WILL BE WORKING.  THE EMPLOYEES WITH YOUNGER KIDS ASK OFF MONTHS IN ADVANCE FOR THE HOLIDAY.

THE CASINO IS ACTUALLY PRETTY BUSY ON CHRISTMAS.  MANY FAMILIES COME TO LAUGHLIN TO VISIT GRANDMA AND GRANDPA FOR THE HOLIDAY.  THE BUFFET IS A POPULAR CHOICE FOR THE FAMILIES, AND AFTER ALL DAY WITH THE GRAND-PARENTS IT’S TIME TO HIT THE BLACKJACK TABLES AND GET OUT OF THE HOUSE TO BLOW THAT CHRISTMAS MONEY.

SINCE WE ARE WORKING ON SUNDAY WE HAVE CHRISTMAS EVE (SATURDAY) OFF, AND “GRANDMA JACK” DECIDED SHE WANTED TO DRESS UP AND GO OUT FOR THE EVENING. OUT OF THE CLOSET CAME HER HOOKER HEELS AND HER FUR COAT.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!  ENJOY YOUR FAMILY OUTINGS AND SPOIL THOSE GRAND-BABIES !!!

REX, MARY, SUSIE-Q, AND “AZ”

 

OH – NO!!!

OH – NO !!!

I THOUGHT ABOUT JINXING THE PERFECT PACKERS LAST WEEK WITH MY BLOG….

I HAVEN’T REALLY PLUGGED MY PACKERS ON THE BLOG ALL YEAR, BUT NO, I HAD TO JINX ‘EM.

LOOK AT IT THIS WAY, IF YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE AN OFF SUNDAY, NOW IS THE TIME, NOT DURING THE PLAY-OFFS OR THE SUPER BOWL.

COMPLAINING

GROWING UP IN THE MIDWEST, IN A RURAL AREA I LEARNED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WEATHER LIKE A FARMER. NOT ENOUGH RAIN FOR THE CORN CROP, AND I HOPE IT DOESN’T RAIN ON MY DOWN HAY, A FREEZE IS GOING TO RUIN THE SOYBEANS, ETC ….

NOW AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IN A CASINO, I LISTEN TO DEALERS COMPLAIN.  THEY ARE WORSE THAN THE FARMERS.  IF YOU PUT THREE DEALERS IN A ROOM THEY CAN’T AGREE ON WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK IT IS.  THE GRAVEYARD DEALER THINKS IT’S TOMORROW, THE DEALER THAT HAS THE NEXT TWO DAYS OFF THINKS IT’S FRIDAY.

ANOTHER AREA OF COMPLAINT IS THE FOOD IN THE EDR (EMPLOYEE DINING ROOM).  HOW CAN YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT FREE FOOD.

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, IT’S FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO ME AND I’M COMPLAINING THAT I HAVE TO WORK NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT, NOT BECAUSE IT’S CHRISTMAS, BUT BECAUSE I LIKE TO BE OFF WHEN THE PACKERS PLAY. 

WRITER’S BLOCK

I’VE HAD A BIT OF WRITER’S BLOCK AS THIS YEAR WINDS DOWN.  WE JUST HAVEN’T BEEN UP TO ANYTHING EXCITING OR BLOG WORTHY OF LATE.  OF COURSE I COULD BLOG ON ABOUT THE CATS, BUT THIS SHOULDN’T TURN INTO A CAT BLOG……

What Is Your Opinion?

You might have noticed that Rex has slammed into writer’s block…apparently AZ the cat hasn’t been doing his job as the source of “blog inspiration” lately.  So he asked me if I could come up with something.  Here goes.

The other night I was dealing a carney  game called “Ultimate Texas Hold’em”. I had three ladies that are friends at my table and I  know them casually.  We are all in the same basic age group-the 60’s.

One of the ladies is married, one is divorced, and one has been living with the same guy for 20 years.  And I have been living with Rex for 14 years.  So the following topic of conversation  came up.

The lady that has been living with her man said something along the line of being uncomfortable  referring to him as her “boyfriend”.  At our age we do not want a “boyfriend”. I told her that I totally agreed and usually refer to Rex as my husband because that is the function he has in my life.  Besides I had read somewhere that Goldie Hawn refers to Kurt Russell as her husband.  And frankly if it is good enough for Goldie it’s good enough for me.  So then we started talking about the terms people use such as “significant other” or “spousal equivalent”.  As far as I am concerned they are just too cumbersome. 

When I first met Rex I told him what I was looking for:

“Someone to go places with and someone to do things with”, in other words—A PLAYMATE.

Maybe I should go with that.  What do you think? 

 

THE PERFECT PACKERS

“THE PERFECT PACKERS”, HAS A NICE RING TO IT, DOESN’T IT?

WHAT A SEASON THIS HAS BEEN.  RODGERS AND THE PACKERS HAVE FIRMLY ROPED BOTH PAULIE AND I BACK IN.  WE WERE BOTH FAIRLY PISSED OFF WITH THE COACH AND MANAGEMENT OVER THE RELEASE OF FAVRE.  IT’S ALL HISTORY NOW….

PAULIE HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE DOWN AND WATCH THE GAME WITH US, BUT WHEN HIS WORK SCHEDULE WENT UP FOR THIS WEEK, IT DIDN’T WORK OUT.LATER BUD, IT WILL WORK OUT.

SPEAKING OF GREEN BAY, I TALKED TO UNCLE NEIL ON THE PHONE TODAY AND GRANDMA IS DOING FINE.  ONCE IN AWHILE SHE HAS A GOOFY DAY, BUT HER HEALTH IS GOOD AND SHE IS CONTENT WITH HER LIVING SITUATION.

AUNT KATHY IS WORKING TOO HARD, AND SARA AND ADAM HAD TICKETS TO TODAY’S PACKER GAME. I THINK I SAW SARA ON TV DURING A CROWD SHOT, BUT MAYBE NOT ……

UNCLE NEIL ALSO REPORTS THAT HIS NEW OFFICE CONSTRUCTION IS ON SCHEDULE AND THEY WILL BEGIN MOVING IN, NEXT WEEK-END!

13 – 0    GO PACKERS !!!

DO YOU SEE HIM?

YUP, IT’S “AZ” HIDING IN THE LAUNDRY BASKET.

THIS AND THAT

WHERE’S MY JEANS?

HEY MARY, WHERE’S MY BLUE JEANS? OUR SUMMER WEATHER FINALLY RAN OUT AND IT’S TIME TO DIG OUT THE SWEAT SHIRTS AND JEANS. I KNOW IF WE WERE HOME IN WISCONSIN AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE LOW 60’S WE’D BE LOOKING FOR OUR SHORTS AND T-SHIRTS.

FLANNEL SHEETS

WHILE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR MY BLUE JEANS, FIND THE FLANNELS SHEETS FOR THE BED, TOO.  WITH THE FLANNEL SHEETS AND TWO CATS LYING ON THE FOOT OF THE BED WE WILL GET THROUGH THE WINTER WEATHER.

BREAK …..!!!

BACK IN THE MISS MARQUETTE DAYS I USED TO BE A RATHER LOUD BLACKJACK DEALER, ANNOUNCING LOUDLY THAT THE DEALER “BREAKS….!!!”.  SOME CUSTOMERS WERE ANNOYED AND MOVED ON TO A DIFFERENT TABLE, MY FELLOW DEALERS WERE CERTAINLY ANNOYED WITH ME CARRYING ON, BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF CUSOMERS THAT ENJOYED MY ENTERTAINING STYLE, AND IT WAS WHAT MADE ME STAND OUT.

I HAVE SINCE GIVEN UP THE COMEDY AND DUMMY UP AND DEAL.  IMAGINE MY SURPRISE THE OTHER EVENING AT WORK WHEN I HEARD MY OLE LINE “BREAK…!!!” FROM A CUSTOMER. 

TURNED OUT TO BE A DEALER I WORKED WITH AT THE BOAT.  HE HAS SINCE MOVED ON TO A LARGE AND SUCCESSFUL INDIAN CASINO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND WAS IN BULLHEAD CITY SETTTING UP A 5TH WHEEL CAMPER TO USE AS A WEEK-END RETREAT.

HE HAD WORKED THE CASINOS IN LAUGHLIN YEARS AGO AND IN 1999 WHEN I WAS DAY DREAMING OF LAUGHLIN HE TOLD ME WHICH CASINOS TO AVOID LOOKING FOR A JOB, AND EVEN GAVE OF HIS TIME TEACHING ME TO PITCH CARDS INSTEAD OF PULLING CARDS FROM A SHOE.

I NEVER DID BELIEVE HIM THAT THERE WAS A BAR IN THE RIVERSIDE CASINO CALLED LOSER’S LOUNGE RIGHT OFF THE CASINO FLOOR. I THOUGHT HE WAS PULLING MY LEG.

WE EXCHANGED PHONE NUMBERS AND I’LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO 10-20 BEERS AND LOT’S OF CATCHING UP, WHEN HE COMES OVER TO THE COLORADO RIVER TO USE HIS TRAILER.

SHOT’S AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR

SPEAKING OF OLD FRIENDS FROM THE MISS MARQUETTE, WE RE-CONNECTED WITH MIKEY.  MIKEY AND I BECAME FRIENDS WHEN WE ATTENDED THE SAME BLACKJACK TRAINING CLASSES. OH MY, THE STORIES TO TELL…..

IN THOSE DAYS NOT ONLY DID WE GO OUT AND DRINK 10 – 20 BEERS, BUT WE ALSO DID SHOTS AT THE TOP OF EVERY HOUR WHILE OUT. OH MY, THE STORIES WE CAN’T TELL…..

WHEN WE WERE HOME LAST FALL WE GOT TOGETHER WITH MIKEY AND ROXY AND HELPED THEM PLAN THEIR  VACATION TO LAS VEGAS AND LAUGHLIN IN FEBUARY.

STAY TUNED FOR A WHOLE NEW SET OF STORIES WITH MIKEY AND REX …..

 

HOUSE/DOG SITTING

WE’VE ALSO BEEN OUT HOUSE/DOG SITTING FOR A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WEEK-ENDS.  MARY ENJOYS THE FULL KITCHEN AND HAS DONE SOME HOLIDAY BAKING.  IT’S NOT NEAR AS MUCH FUN IN THE WINTER WHEN THE POOL WATER IS TOO COLD TO SWIM IN.

WORK

AS YOU KNOW I’M NO LONGER ABLE TO BLOG ABOUT THE CASINO WHERE WE WORK, SO I’LL KEEP IT RATHER GENERIC. THE RUSH OF SNOWBIRDS HITS IT FULL STRIDE RIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS AND WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE HOURS AT WORK. MARY’S GOT CAR PAYMENTS TO MAKE AGAIN, AND MY DENTIST WANTS TO INFLICT HER ANNUAL $1,000.00 WORTH OF PAIN ON MY LOVELY SMILE…..

THIS AND THAT

THAT BRINGS YOU UP TO DATE ON THINGS AROUND HERE, AND WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE 18 ITEMS ON THE FALL “TO DO” LIST, IT’S TIME TO GET OUT A LITTLE AND SOME FUNNER THINGS….

Update on DBK

By Susie-Q

It’s been about six weeks since the Happy Campers brought DBK (Dirt Bag Kitten) home, so I thought I’d do an update.

I spent about three days hiss’n at the new cat, telling him to go back where he came from and that he’s not welcome here , but it was clear right from the start that he is here to stay.

After six weeks we have settled into a routine. I still spend my days cat napping, but now I make time every evening and morning for some play time with “AZ” and I do like it.

Wrestling

We enjoy playing tag, hide and seek, and have recently begun wrestling. I really enjoy the wrestling, with my longer reach, height, and weight advantage I can beat him easily.Take downs with a friendly nip behind the ears or on the butt bring the howl out of “AZ”. And I do like it.

Trouble

Trouble might be DBK’s middle name. He gets into some kind of trouble everyday. Rex is very forgiving, but Mary is going to nail his ass eventually. Rex constantly blames Me for being a bad babysitter, but hey, I’m not my brother’s keeper.

Besides, “AZ” gets the blame for everything!! It’s like having my own, get out of jail free card.  I can pull any kinda shit I want and then sit back and watch “AZ” catch Hell again. And I do Like it.

Clumsy

Being as graceful as a cat, just isn’t “AZ”. He’s as clumsy as a five year old boy. When he walks across the counter, desk, table, even the floor he’s knocking something off on the floor.The other night he flipped the stool over on the floor which hit the, Mr. Heater, the gas heater and the safety switch clicked the heater off. Crazy “AZ”. And I do like it.

Computer illiterate

Since the second week I’ve been trying to teach “AZ” how to write a blog.  It’s a waste of my time, after the computer  boots up all he does is dance across the keyboard trying to catch the mouse pointer on the screen, so don’t hold your breath waiting for “AZ’s first blog. When it comes to blogging it’s all about Susie-Q and I like it.

By Susie-Q

IT’S ALL DONE

THE LAST PROJECT ON THE FALL “TO DO” LIST IS COMPLETE.  THE LAST PROJECT WAS TO REBUILD THE GRILL BOX AND PAINT IT.

IT’S HARD TO SEE IN THE PHOTO BUT THERE IS A NEW SIX INCH BOARD ADDED TO THE TOP OF THE GRILL BOX, IT’S BEEN PRIMED WHITE.

THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE ORIGINAL PLANS, AND THE WALLS OF THE BOX WERE NOT TALL ENOUGH TO DEFLECT THE DESERT WINDS. AT THE TIME OF THE DESIGN THREE YEARS AGO, THE HEIGHT OF THE WALLS WERE DESIGNED SO THAT IT WOULD LAY ON IT’S BACK AND FIT INTO THE BACK OF THE PICK-UP. A GOOD IDEA, BUT THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE BOX WAS TO PROTECT THE GRILL BURNERS FROM THE WIND SO THAT THEY WOULDN’T BLOW OUT.

THREE YEARS AGO WE DID A TEMPORARY FIX WITH SOME PLYWOOD THAT HAD BADLY WARPPED, AND WAS REPLACED WITH A 1 X 6 BOARD.

I WENT TO ACE HARDWARE TO BUY THE GREEN PAINT.  I ASKED THE HELPFUL HARWARE CLERK FOR PACKER GREEN. “YOU MEAN LIKE YOUR HAT?”, SHE ASKED.

YA, EXACTLY. “WELL, GIVE ME YOUR HAT FOR A SECOND”.  SHE TOOK MY HAT OVER TO SOME KINDA OF OPTICAL SCANNER HOOKED UP TO HER COMPUTER AND THE COMPUTER PRINTED OUT THE RECIPE FOR HER TO FOLLOW IN MIXING THE PAINT.

I GUESS I’VE BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK. I HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TRICK BEFORE.

ONE OF THE OTHER FINAL THINGS ON THE LIST WAS WAX – ON, WAX – OFF FOR THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAMPER, AND THAT TOOK TWO DAYS.

WE ARE MIGHTY PROUD OF OURSELVES FOR GETTING THE LIST DONE BUY THE FIRST OF DECEMBER, INSTEAD OF THE FIRST OF JANUARY AS WE THOUGHT.

Family Treasures

  A couple of months ago when we were in Green Bay, Kathy was kind enough to give us some knick-knack type stuff Jean had in her condo.

 

 This is a candle holder, but since I didn’t have any of the very, long, slender candles it holds I put some of my rocks and desert critters on it.  I don’t know for sure, but it is possible this candle holder was made by Rex’s maternal grandmother.  I do know that the crocheted portion of the doily was done by Jean.  I sure wish I knew how to starch it…..it would look great starched.

 

 

 This silver object was really, really tarnished.  I have been working on it quite a bit and still don’t have it completely polished.  Another of Jean’s doilies.

My neighbor asked me what this silver object was for…..while I really have no idea but this is what I came up with.

You put ice in the bottom of the round part and butter on the glass dish.  Keeps it cold.  Does anyone know what it is really for??

BOTH CATS

FOR SOME REASON SUSIE-Q HAS BECOME CAMERA SHY?  EVERYTIME I GRAB THE CAMERA TO GET AN ACTION SHOT OF BOTH CATS PLAYING TOGETHER, SUSIE QUICKLY EXITS THE FRAME.

I’LL KEEP MY CAMERA HANDY AND KEEP TRYING, BUT FOR NOW THIS IS THE BEST I COULD DO.

OF COURSE THERE IS NOTHING SHY ABOUT “AZ”.

17 BEAN SOUP

WE’VE BOTH BEEN HUNGRY FOR HAM AND BEAN SOUP.  APPARENTLY MY OLE IOWA PIG FARMER FRIENDS ARE GETTING RICH OFF THE PRICE OF HAM IN ARIZONA.

JUST WAIT UNTIL THANKSGIVING AND TURKEY AND HAM WILL BE ON SALE.  SURE ENOUGH WE GOT AN OLE FASHION, BONE IN, CHUNK OF HAM ON SALE AT SMITH’S FOR $1.39 A POUND.

GREAT, NOW WE CAN MAKE HAM AND BEAN SOUP, AND POTATO SOUP WITH HAM.

YOU REMEMBER THE OTHER DAY WHEN MY ALL DAY PROJECT TOOK 20 MINUTES FLAT? SO REX WAS IN CHARGE OF HOMEMADE HAM AND BEAN SOUP.  I PUT THE HAM IN THE SLOW COOKER SOUP PAN AND FILLED IT WITH WATER TO GET A NICE BROTH.

 

THE HAM BROTH WAS TOO SALTY, SO HERE IS MY COOKING TIP.  MARY READ SOMEWHERE TO CUT A RAW POTATO IN HALF AND PUT IT IN THE BROTH TO ABSORB THE EXTRA SALT. I LEFT THE RAW POTATO IN THE SALTY BROTH WHILE I CUT UP THE REST OF MY VEGGIS, AND IT WORKED.

WE HAD A ONE POUND PACKAGE OF 17 DIFFERENT BEANS FROM TRADER JOE’S SOAKING OVERNIGHT AND READY TO RINSE AND ADD TO THE SOUP.

 

AS USUAL WHEN WE MAKE SOUP IN THIS POT, WE STOP ADDING THINGS WHEN THE KETTLE GETS FULL.  LOOKS GOOD DOESN’T IT?  IT SIMMERED ON THE PORCH FOR THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON AND WAS READY FOR SUPPER.

I ENDED UP WITH A COUPLE OF HAM BONES AND DECIDED I’D SEE WHAT “AZ” THE CAT, WOULD DO WITH THEM.  YOU REMEMBER, “AZ” EXHIBITS A LOT OF DOG LIKE QUALITIES?

JUST LIKE A DACHOUND, HE SPENT THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON GNAWING ON THE HAM BONES. CRAZY “AZ” !!!

THIS WEEK’S PROJECTS

WE HAD TWO PROJECTS FOR THIS WEEK. I WAS SUPPOSED TO DIG OUT THE POWER SAW AND CUT A NEW BACK FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, AND MARY‘S PROJECT WAS TO PAINT THE INSIDE OF THE PORCH.

WE UNLOADED THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER AND MOVED IT AWAY FROM THE WALL. THE BACK HAD SEVERAL HOLES PUNCHED INTO IT FOR CORDS AND THE LIKE, AND I WANTED A NEW BACK WITH ONLY ONE HOLE FOR THE CORDS.

WHILE I WAS REMOVING THE OLD BACK, WHICH WAS ON STAPLED ON, IT DAWNED ON ME THAT I COULD TURN THE OLD BACK UPSIDE DOWN AND ALL THE OLD UNSIGHTLY HOLES WOULD BE IN THE CABINET.  I HAD THE NEIGHBOR MARTY DRILL A NEW HOLE FOR THE CORDS, AND STAPELED THE BACK ON, AND MY PROJECT WAS DONE.  20 MINUTES FLAT !!!

 

MAN THAT WAS EASY.  I’VE GOT THE REST OF THE DAY TO DRINK 10 – 20 BEERS, LAY ON THE COUCH AND WATCH MARY PAINT.

CAREFUL, YOU DON’T PAINT YOURSELF INTO A CORNER, DEAR…..

 

ACTUALLY, I DIDN’T GET OFF THAT EASY, MARY ASSIGNED ME TO MAKE 17 BEAN SOUP FOR SUPPER.

LAZY “AZ”

House

By Uncle Hans

  You all remember the big windstorm we had on July 1st, Renee and I were almost killed by a freak accident where a tree fell on us while motorcycling.  This house in Grantsburg was one of probably 200 that was damaged that night. 

....I noticed the other day that they were finally getting around to fixing the house.....

......this is the tree that fell on the house.  It was huge, but you can't tell from this angle how huge....

    .........you can't really tell from this angle either, but you can see it was not broken off, but uprooted.......

.....here you can see that the diameter is at least 5 FEET.  That is a semi trailer parked next to it.  This was no small tree.  imagine g-force needed to uproot such a monster?
I am glad this beast did not fall on us.........

I am glad this beast did not fall on us.........

By Uncle Hans

THE “TO DO” LIST CAUGHT FIRE THIS WEEK

THE OLE FALL “TO DO” LIST REALLY CAUGHT HELL THIS WEEK.

WE RENTED THE RUG DOCTOR AND GOT OUR $50 WORTH OF DIRT SUCKED UP HERE AND AT THE NEIGHBORS. WE DID THE BIG GREEN AREA RUG THAT WE USUALLY TAKE TO THE CAR WASH, ALONG WITH THE COUCH, DINNING AREA PADS, RUGS, HELL, WE EVEN DID THE CAR MATS WHERE I SPILLED MY COFFEE ON THE WISCONSIN ROADTRIP.

NEXT I GOT OUT MY FAITHFUL WEEDWACKER TO CLEAN UP THE OUTSIDE.

 

THIS IS AN ANNUAL CHORE, NOT WEEKLY ALL SUMMER, LIKE AT HOME IN WISCONSIN.

WHILE MY WEEDWACKER WAS DOING HER THING I REPLACED THE SEWER HOSE. THIS IS JOB BEST DONE ANNUALLY AS WELL. IF YOU WAIT LONGER IT WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL, AND I GUARENTEE THAT YOU’LL BE EMPTYING THE SHITTER ON ONE OF THE COLDEST DAYS ON THE LOWER DESERT.  BESIDE THAT, IT NEVER RAINS TO WASH THAT SHIT AWAY.

NEXT UP WAS SCRUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE TRAILER. BELIEVE ME, WHEN YOU HAVE A SMOKER INSIDE ONE OF THESE LITTLE CAMPERS, IT’S A JOB NOBODY LIKES!!!  IF YOU DO HAVE A SMOKER INSIDE, I RECOMMEND USING STRAIGHT WINDEX.  SPRAY IT DIRECTLY ON THE WALLS AND CEILING AND WIPE WITH A DRY RAG OR TOWEL.  BE PREPARED FOR THE MOST DISGUSTING PILE OF BAR MOP RAGS YOU’VE EVER HAD TO DUMP INTO A WASHING MACHINE, AND WALMART DOES SELL WINDEX BY THE QUART.

MARY ALSO GOT THE PADS ON THE PORCH SCRUBBED, REX WASHED THE HONDA, WE STOPPED AT SPIRIT MOUNTAIN ON SUNDAY TO WATCH THE UGLY ORANGE BEARS BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF THE LIONS (LITTERALLY), I GOT TO THE DENTIST, I DROPPED THE PICK-UP OFF AT THE FORD GARAGE, ADDED DISTILLED WATER TO THE CAMPER BATTERY, AND EVEN HAD TIME TO DRINK 10 – 20 BEERS.

AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN YOU HAVE THREE DAYS OFF IN A WEEK.  TUNE IN NEXT WEEK WHEN THE POWER TOOLS AND THE PAINT BRUSHES COME OUT AGAIN.

NOW WE HAVE DOG DISH MEAT LOAF IN THE DUTCH OVEN AND WE’RE WAITING FOR THE WEEKLY PACKER VICTORY OVER - THE VIKINGS.

“AZ” LOVES THE CAT TREE

 

 

THE STEPS

THE NEXT PROJECT ON THE MILE LONG “TO DO” LIST WAS THE STEPS.  THESE ARE THE STEPS ON THE PORCH THAT LEAD INTO THE TRAILER.

THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST SINCE THE PORCH WAS COMPLETED.  THE MAIN REASON WE DIDN’T DEAL WITH THEM WAS THE EXTREME HEAT OF SUMMER.  OUR INTENTIONS WERE GOOD, WE EVEN BOUGHT A POWER SANDER AT THE TIME.

THE SECOND REASON THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN ON THE BACK BURNER SO LONG WAS THAT MARY AND I COULDN’T AGREE.  MARY WANTED THE THE STEPS TO BE NATURAL WOOD WITH STAIN AND VARNISH, AND REX JUST WANTED TO PAINT THEM AND BE DONE WITH IT.

THE STEPS WERE CONSTRUCTED OUT OF SOME REGULAR 2 X 6’S.  THEY WERE RUFF IN SPOTS, AND LOT’S NAILS AND SCREW HEADS YOU JUST COULDN’T SAND OVER.  WITH THE HEAT AND DISAGREEMENT THEY JUST SAT AND WERE IN USE FOR THE LAST FIVE MONTHS.

FINALLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WE ARRIVED AT A COMPROMISE.  WE WILL PAINT EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE TREDS, WHICH WE WILL STAIN AND VARNISH.

BEFORE:

 

AND AFTER:

 

NOT BAD !!! IF THERE WERE A PAINTING THE STEPS MERIT BADGE, WE EARNED IT !!

OF COURSE I FORGOT TO GRAB THE CAMERA DURING THE BEST PART, WHICH WAS USING A POWER TOOL TO SAND THE STEPS OUTSIDE.  IT WAS ESPECIALLY FUN FOR MARY BEING A FIRST TIMER WITH A NEW POWER TOOL.

THE STEPS WERE HAULED BACK INTO THE PORCH AND THE PRIMER WENT ON.

 

FOLOWED BY THE BRIGHT RED PAINT.

 

WE USED A THREE STEP LADDER FOR THREE DAYS TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE TRAILER WHILE THE COATS OF PAINT AND VARNISH ALL DRIED, AND MANAGED TO KEEP THE CATS OUT OF PAINT.

Phoenix

By Uncle Hans

We just got home from a whirlwind, weekend trip to Phoenix.  Renee has an Aunt and Uncle and 4 cousins and a brother and all the families to visit.  We spent a lot of time at the poolside in "85 and sunny".....

  ....we also rented a big Harley and spent a day travelling around touristing.  This was an old mining town converted into a tourist trap.  Luckily, they had a tavern, but the steps to get into there are kinda like a sobriety test. 

interesting......

This shot is some of the rest of the town.  The camera does not seem to get out of the pocket as much as it used to.  Maybe I am getting old, but you have to take it from me, there was some cool scenery.

     We went up the road toward a place call Tortilla Flat.  The road was narrow and twisty.  This bike weighed 400 lbs more than our bike and Renee was uneasy about the combination.  We came around a sharp corner and found a gaggle of people and bikes on the side of the road.  There were many long faces peering over the side, looking down.  We decided to turn around.  We will see Tortilla Flats another day.

     We met two ambulances on the way back to town.  The first bounce was 150 straight down.  I doubt there were any survivors. We have head enough of motorcycle accidents for a long time...........

“AZ” MOVES INTO A BEER BOX

 

That Explains It!!

When Rex writes a blog I usually proofread it.  I try to correct the spelling errors, if any, and anything else that needs to be changed.  The other day he had me proofread the post called “turkey finger”.  Did you read it?

We talked about that post and how AZ will follow Rex anywhere to get that “turkey finger”.  I started thinking about that concept and do you know what I realized??

REX is MY turkey finger!!

At least I have followed him into many, many interesting places and situations.  And I am very glad I did.  Makes life interesting!

Halloween In Spooner, Too

By Uncle Hans

It was recently that time of the year to carve the Jack-o-lanterns.  We have had great fun in the last couple of years with this, mostly because little people have re-appeared in our lives  Annie is Jake's little one and Bella lives next door and has has adopted Renee as her Grandma...........

.....the crew included Bella's Dad and two guys staying in the guest house who work for Jake, and Laurel.....

...........The result is pure art........

  .....and a lot of fun...........

   .....We only had one Trick-or-Treater at our rural lake house,.  This is Bella, dressed up as Taylor Swift.  We went into town, as we have in the past, and helped some friends open the door for over 500 kids at their house.  Great fun!

By Uncle Hans

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

WE HAD TO WORK TODAY. USUALLY WE’RE OFF ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY, BUT I THINK SEVERAL OF THE EMPLOYEES WITH YOUNGER KIDS MUST HAVE ASKED OFF TO TAKE THEIR KIDS TRICK OR TREATING.

MARY DECIDED SINCE SHE HAD TO WORK ON HALLOWEEN, SHE WOULD DRESS UP AS A PACKER FAN,

COMPLETE WITH TATOOS….

ONE CUSTOMER ASKED, “WHO ARE YOU SUPPOSED BE, BRETT FAVRE’S MOTHER?”

“NO”, MARY SAID, “BUT I’VE MET HER!”

MARY ENJOYED WORK AS A PACKER FAN, AND THE BOA SHE WAS WEARING WOULD SHED LITTLE YELLOW AND GREEN FEATHERS AT EACH TABLE SHE WORKED.  THE REST OF THE DEALERS GOT A REAL KICK OUT OF IT.