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.

 

THE TURKEY FINGER

ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT CATS WITH SUSIE IS, THAT THEY JUST DON’T CHANGE MUCH AFTER THEY ARE SIX MONTHS OLD.  IT’S HARD TO TEACH THEM ANYTHING NEW.

SINCE “AZ” WAS FIVE MONTHS OLD WHEN WE GOT HIM, WE IMMEDIATLY WENT TO WORK TO TRY AND TEACH HIM THE THINGS WE WANTED HIM TO LEARN.

FIRST WAS TO RIDE IN THE CAR WITHOUT DIVING UNDER THE SEAT AND STAYING THERE UNTIL PRYED OUT WITH A CROW BAR.  AFTER THE FIRST 50 MILES WE LET HIM OUT OF THE CAGE AND HE WAS FREE TO WALK AROUND AND CHECKOUT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR.  HE HAD 2,000 MILES OF PRACTICE AND HE GOT THIS DOWN, REAL GOOD.

SECOND WE WANTED TO EXPOSE “AZ” TO NEW PLACES, PEOPLE, AND THINGS SO HE WOULD BE MORE SOCIAL AND NOT JUST A SCARDY CAT LIKE SUSIE IS.  AGAIN ON THE ROAD TRIP “AZ” HAD LOT’S OF PRACTICE.

THIRD I WANTED TO TEACH “AZ” TO WALK ON A LEASH OUTSIDE.  HIS PURPLE WALKING JACKET CAME IN THE MAIL TO GREEN BAY THE SAME DAY WE PICKED HIM UP AND HE’S HAD IT ON ALMOST EVERYDAY SINCE.

WE’VE HAD A LEASH ON HIM TO DRAG AROUND, AND EVEN TIED HIM TO SOMETHING OUTSIDE.  IT ALL WENT WELL, UNTIL HE JUMPED OFF THE DECK AT TODD’S HOUSE AND TRIED TO HANG HIMSELF.

NOW GETTING THE CAT TO WALK ALONG WITH YOU OUTSIDE IS THE NEXT STEP.  I’M USING “AZ’S” ONE WEAKNESS, HIS NOSE AND LOVE OF FOOD. I SMEAR TURKEY BABYFOOD ON MY FINGER AND LET HIM LICK IT OFF.

  OF COURSE HE FOLLOWS THE TURKEY FINGER WHEREVER I GO.  SEEMS TO BE WORKING, BUT IT’S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME AND A LOT OF PATIENCE ON MY PART.

IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO WALK HALF WAY  UP TO THE LAUNDRY ROOM, AND THEN I HAD TO CARRY HIM THE REST OF THE WAY.  OF COUSE WHILE I WAS FOLDING MY LAUNDRY HE WALKED BEHIND A ROW OF 12 WASHING MACHINES AND GOT THE LEASH ALL TANGLED UP IN THE HOSES, CORDS AND DUST BUNNIES. NO PROBLEM, I HAD THE BABYFOOD IN MY POCKET AND HE UNTANGLED HIS WAY OUT TO LICK THE TURKEY FINGER.

WISH ME LUCK…..

TO DO LIST

WITH THE PORCH PROJECT, THE EXTREME HEAT, AND OUR ROADTRIP TO WISCONSIN, WE BOTH PUT A LOT OF STUFF OFF.  “WAIT UNTIL WE GET HOME FROM VACATION” WAS THE CATCH PHRASE AROUND HERE.

NOW THAT WE’RE BACK FROM VACATION, AND THE HEAT WAVE IS OVER FOR THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A “TO DO” LIST A MILE LONG.

TODAY’S PROJECT WAS TO PUT A COAT OF MINWAX SPAR URETHANE ON THE COMPUTER DESK.  WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR FURNITURE ON THE PORCH WOULD LAST A LOT LONGER WITH ANNUAL APPLICATIONS. WE HAVE EVERYTHING COVERED EXCEPT THE DESK AND THE STAIRS.

WOW, THE DESK LOOKS LIKE NEW !!! MARY, SCRATCH THAT OFF THE THE MILE LONG “TO DO” LIST. BTW, I’M JUST DOING THE TOUCH UP, IT’S MARY THAT DOES ALL THE PAINTING.

OK, WHAT’S NEXT ON THE LIST, AND I DON’T WANT TO HEAR GO TO THE DENTIST, WEED CHOPPING, OR TRAILER  WAXING…….

ABOUT THE CATS?

LIKE HORSES AND DOGS, WHEN YOU HAVE TWO OR MORE THERE IS A DOMINATE ONE.  THE KING, TOP DOG, OR QUEEN.

THE SAME IS TRUE OF CATS.  IT’S BEEN ABOUT 10 DAYS SINCE WE INTRODUCED “AZ” TO SUSIE’S WORLD. THE CAT WAR WAS VERY SHORT AND THE HISS’N HAS EVEN STOPPED, BUT THERE IS NO CLEAR WINNER IN THE RACE FOR DOMINANCE.

SUSIE IS TOO MUCH LIKE REX, I GUESS. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS OF INTEREST IN THE NEW CAT, SUSIE JUST WENT BACK TO HER REGULAR ROUTINE.

THEY BOTH COME OUT ON THE PORCH AFTER WE GET HOME FROM WORK AND PLAY TAG AND HIDE AND SEEK.  WHEN IT’S “AZ’S” TURN TO HIDE HE GETS UNDER SOMETHING AND THEN YELLS OUT SO IT’S EASIER FOR SUSIE TO FIND HIM.

WHEN SUSIE HIDES, SHE IS AS SILENT AS A MOUSE, BUT “AZ”, WITH THE DACHUND NOSE, EVENTUALLY SNIFFS HER OUT.

“AZ” CONTINUES TO TAKE SHOTS AT SUSIE’S, FIRST HERE, HOME DOMINANCE.  FOR EXAMPLE “AZ” HAS KICKED SUSIE OUT OF MARY’S CHAIR FOR OVERNIGHT SLEEPING.

WHEN SUSIE IS ENJOYING A NICE DAYTIME CAT NAP, “AZ” WILL WANDER BY AND START A BOXING MATCH.

IT’S ALL VERY ENTERTAINING.

 

BUMPERS

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO BUMPERS ON CARS?

YOU REMEMBER BUMPERS, DON’T YOU?  THOSE SHINY CHROME PIECES OF STEEL ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF YOUR CAR?

THEY WERE ALWAYS THERE WHEN YOU PARKED TOO CLOSE IN THE GARAGE AND BUMPED THE WALL OR THE WORK BENCH. THEY WERE THERE WHEN YOU GOT CAUGHT IN A TIGHT PARKING SPACE IF YOU BUMPED THE CAR AHEAD OR BEHIND YOU TRYING TO GET OUT?

THEY USED TO BE THERE WHEN YOU KISSED THE ASS END OF DEER ON A DARK AND LONELY HIWAY IN WISCONSIN?

ALL IN ALL BUMPERS WERE A GREAT THING. WHY DID THEY GET RID OF BUMPERS? IT MAKES NO SENSE.

PLASTIC ERECTOR SET PIECES

TODAY THE FRONT OF YOUR CAR IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC ERECTOR SET PIECES.  ACTUALLY I’M BEING TOO KIND, ERECTOR SETS WERE MADE OUT OF METAL, WITH SCREWS AND BOLTS.  THIS IS MORE LIKE CHEAP LEGOS FROM K-MART.

YOU KISS THE FRONT END OF YOUR CAR WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN YOUR LIPS, YOU’RE LOOKING AT AN $1,800.00 REPAIR BILL. THAT’S FOR REPAIRED LEGO PIECES, AND STILL NO FRONT BUMPER.

I GOT A GREAT IDEA FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, BRING BACK BUMPERS.

Vice

By Uncle Hans

This whatchamacallit is broke.  Someone bent it, and I have no idea how they did it.  I would not like to meet them in a dark alley.........

........it is the gizmo that holds down the bar.......

  ......that holds the snowmobile on the trailer.........

........and now the snowmobile on the left has a bar that is not held down and both are likely to fly away on the first bump or turn.
     What to do?

    ......One of the handiest tools in my shop is the vice.  I use it all the time to hold things while working on them.  It is made of cast iron, and very very strong.  When the vice is holding you, you stay held.
      It is also useful for straightening things that are bent.  In this picture that is what is happening..hopefully...

  ......you straighten things by hammering on the tightening screw that tightens the vice..........

   ......I never knew this, but apparently even a vice has a limit to which you can abuse it. 
It broke.
What else can go wrong?

...this is a close up of the broken vice.  Let me know if you have ever heard of someone who broke their vice.  I did not think it was possible........

By Uncle Hans

BACK TO DESERT LIFE

THE HEAT

EVERY YEAR WE BUY A NEW TABLE CLOTH FOR OUR OUTDOOR PICNIC TABLE IN THE FALL. ONE YEAR WE EVEN HAD A GREEN BAY PACKER ONE.

I SNAPPED THIS PICTURE AS I WALKED BY THE OTHER DAY. TO ME THIS PICTURE SYMBOLIZES THE HARSH HEAT OF SUMMER ON THE LOWER DESERT.  THIS TABLE CLOTH LOOKS LIKE I FELT ABOUT MID-SEPTEMBER JUST BEFORE WE WENT ON THE WISCONSIN ROADTRIP.

 

AIR CONDITIONER

YOU REALLY DO GET USED TO THE HEAT, I GUESS.  THE OTHER AFTERNOON I HAPPENED TO CHECK THE TEMPERATURE ON MY DESK THERMOMETER, AND IT WAS 97 DEGREES. YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE IT, BUT AN HOUR LATER MARY AND I WERE REMOVING THE SECOND AIR CONDITIONER FROM THE BEDROOM TO PUT IN STORAGE FOR THE WINTER.  WE HAVEN’T RUN EITHER A/C SINCE WE RETURNED FROM VACATION.

BACK TO WORK

OF COURSE WE HAD TO RETURN TO WORK. WE ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO POST ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET REGUARDING THE CASINO THAT WE WORK IN.  WE HAD TO SIGN A PAPER AND EVERYTHING A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK.  LET FREEDOM RING.

THE CAT WAR

FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE TO TELL YOU “AZ” WAS AMAZING ON OUR THREE WEEK ROAD TRIP TO WISCONSIN. HE WARMED AND LOVED EVERY HEART AND SOUL HE MET FROM AGE 3 TO AGE 90.

IN EVERY NEW PLACE WE STOPPED AND STAYED HE CHECKED OUT THE PERIMETER, INSTEAD OF GOING TO HIDE LIKE A NEW KITTEN USUALLY DOES. HE LET EVERY SINGLE PERSON PICK HIM UP AND PET HIM.  WE WERE SHOCKED AT HOW SOCIAL HE IS.  IT REMINDED ME OF A PUPPY DOG INSTEAD OF A CAT.

SPEAKING OF DOGS, “AZ” HAS A NOSE LIKE A DACHSHUND.  IF YOU OPEN ANY FOOD OR SNACK, HE IS RIGHT THERE TO SMELL IT AND CHECK IT OUT.  THAT INCLUDED CHEWING THROUGH PACKAGES OF CAT TREATS AND PEOPLE TREATS.

A FEW IN OUR FAMILIES ARE ALLERGIC TO CATS, AND “AZ” WAS NO PROBLEM TO ANY OF THEM. EVEN NIKKI AND AMY, A COUPLE OF CAT-HATERS, LOVED “AZ”.

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES THAT AIM TOOK.

 

THE WAR

CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT IS AN OLD SAYING, AND ONCE THE SCREEN DOOR WAS OPEN SUSIE COULDN’T STAND IT AND JOINED THE REST OF US ON THE PORCH.

“AZ” CAREFULLY WALKED AROUND AND AROUND SUSIE, WHO WAS SITTING AT MARY’S FEET. AS “AZ” GOT CLOSER, SUSIE WOULD HISS, JUMP, AND SWIPE AT THE NEW KITTEN.

WHEN “AZ” GOT TIRED OF BEING HISS’D AT AND WANDERED OFF, SUSIE WAS RIGHT ON HIS TAIL WALKING AROUND AND CHECKING HIM OUT.

KINDA BORING REALLY, NO BLOOD, NO EYES POKED OUT, NO TAKE DOWNS, JUST HISS’N AND TORMENTING EACH OTHER.

OF COURSE IT WENT ON ALL EVENING AND NIGHT.  I GOT UP AT 4 AM AND THEY WERE STILL AT IT.  FINALLY AT 6 AM THEY BOTH CRAWLED INTO BED WITH MARY. “AZ” ON TOP OF THE COVERS AND SUSIE UNDER THE COVERS, BUT SLEEPING SIDE BY SIDE.

A RATHER SHORT CAT WAR.

DBK

 

By Susie-Q

Thankfully the Happy Campers arrived home today, and after my regular couple of hours pout, I warmed right up to them and welcomed them home. They  are busy unloading, unpacking, checking the mail, putting things away, and are just too busy to Blog, so I thought I’d write a quick blog to let you all know they arrived safely home from their Wisconsin road trip. Like the rest of you I’ve been reading the blog about the new spotted kitten. 

I took a little peek at the new kitten, but I’ve had a couple of weeks to think it over and make a plan.

First, let’s talk about the name Rex gave the new kitten. AZ, really? Initials for a name? I’ll give you initials for a name , Rex, how about DBK? DBK, Dirt Bag Kitten, just look at all those dirty spots!

Now for my plan, I know they are keeping DBK out on the porch and me inside, we’re separated by the screen door until we become friendly.  Not a bad plan, Rex, but I’m not going anywhere near that screen door.

Maybe tomorrow, or maybe Halloween.  Hell, I may wait until Christmas, let DBK live out on the cold porch……

GRANDPA REX

I’M PLAYING THE PART OF “GRANDPA REX” TODAY.  NOT SURE I’LL EVER GET USED TO THE TITLE, BUT THE THREE GRANDSONS ARE A BLAST TO KEEP UP WITH.

ALAN WAS WORKING ON AN OUTDOOR COOKING PROJECT FOR CUB SCOUTS, SO WE HELPED HIM MAKE PIZZA OUTSIDE ON THE GRILL.

ALAN DID A GOOD JOB AND WE ALL ENJOYED PIZZA, SITTING OUTSIDE WATCHING THE MOON COME UP OVER THE MOUNTAINS.

“SUNNY & 80”

KANSAS AGAIN?

THE TRIP HOME WOULDN’T BE SO BAD EXCEPT FOR KANSAS.  IT SEEMS TO TAKE FOREVER TO GET ACROSS KANSAS.

“AZ” IS A GREAT TRAVELER.  HE CURLS UP ON THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE, OR CURLS UP ON THE PASSENGER’S LAP.  HIS LITTER BOX IS ON THE FLOOR IN THE BACKSEAT. HE DOESN’T DO ANY BACKSEAT DRIVING, AND HE’S GETTING GOOD AT SNEEKING INTO THE BACK DOOR OF MOTELS.

WE ENJOYED ANOTHER PACKER VICTORY AT TODD AND DI’S IN PRAIRE DU CHIEN.  BETWEEN THE PACKERS AND THE BREWERS I DON’T SEE HOW ANY WORK IS GETTING DONE IN WISCONSIN.

FROM SOMEWHERE IN KANSAS, GO BREWERS !!!

ON WISCONSIN

GOOD-BY LA CROSSE

SAYING “GOOD-BY” ISN’T NEAR AS MUCH FUN AS THE “HELLOS”.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH CHAD AFTER HIS GRAVEYARD SHIFT AT THE BREWERY AND HAD A NICE BREAKFAST AND GOT ALL CAUGHT UP WITH HIM.

ALTHOUGH THIS PICTURE LOOKS LIKE A NORMAL PICTURE OF “RJ”, MARY’S YOUNGEST GRANDBABY, IT’S ACTUALLY DOCUMENTATION THAT THE CAT AND RJ BOTH ACTUALLY SAT STILL FOR 45 MINUTES!

GOOD-BY LACROSSE, AND WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ON THE NEXT WISCONSIN ROADTRIP.

FALL COLORS

THE WISCONSIN WEATHER HAS BEEN PERFECT, “SUNNY &80”.  THE FALL LEAVES ARE QUITE AT THEIR PEAK, BUT STILL BEAUTIFUL.

AS THE LEAVES FALL AND TALK TURNS TO WINTER AND SNOW, MARY AND I WILL BE HEADED WEST AND “SUNNY &80” FOR SIX MORE WEEKS IN SUNNY ARIZONA.

THE SAWMILL SALOON

WE CAUGHT UP WITH MIKEY AND HIS NEW LADY, ROXY, AT THE SAWMILL SALOON, AND NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE 10-20 BEERS, AND SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD, BUT WE PLANNED THIER VACATION TO VEGAS AND LAUGHLIN IN FEBRUARY. YAHOO, SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS WINTER.  SEE YA SOON GUYS.

ON THE WAY HOME MARY KISSED THE ASS END OF A DEER WITH THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF HER NEW HONDA. DAM-IT! SHE HASN’T EVEN MADE THE FIRST CAR PAYMENT.  SHE MISSED THE FIRST ONE, HIT THE BRAKES AND THE SECOND ONE RAN INTO HER.  DAMAGE LOOKS MINIMAL, AND SHE WILL FIGHT IT OUT WITH THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER BACK IN ARIZONA.

MT HOPE

MARY’S MOM IS DOING FINE BACK IN HER MT HOPE HOME.  IT’S GOT TO BE TUFF FOR MARY SAYING GOOD-BY…..

   “SUNNY & 80” IN BEAUTIFUL WISCOWSIN.

SAYING GOOD-BY IN GB

FIRST A BIG “THANK-YOU” TO MY BROTHER , NEIL AND AUNT KATHY FOR THEIR WARM HOSPITALITY. WE BROKE THE OLD THREE DAY RULE ABOUT RELATIVES AND FISH. THANKS AGAIN!!!

CLOSING OUT AND SAYING GOOD-BY TO GREEN BAY, I FOUND A FEW MORE PICTUES TO SHARE.

SARA AND HER BETTER HALF ADAM DROVE DOWN FROM  UPPER MICHIGAN  TO SEE US.  IT WAS OUR FIRST CHANCE TO TO MEET SARA’S ADAM.

 

MY UNCLE NED AND AUNT SHARON FROM SOUTHERN WISCONSIN DROVE UP TO VISIT MY MOM AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THEM AND VISIT.

 

THE THREE BROTHERS.

 

JACK AND GRANDMA JACK STUFFING THE TURKEY.

 

AND OF COURSE THE NEW CAT “AZ”

THANKS GREEN BAY.

   “SUNNY & 80” ON A ROADTRIP IN WISCOWSIN.

A VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND

WE SPENT HALF A DAY AT THE HOLY LAND - LAMBEAU FIELD.

WE TOOK THE FIELD TOUR, INCLUDING A SKY BOX.

 

RIGHT DOWN ON THE EDGE OF THE FROZEN TUNDRA.

THE ATRIUM IS BEAUTIFUL.

AND OF COURSE THE FOUR SUPER BOWL TROPHIES.