THE HAPPY CAMPERS

MOHAVE BROADBAND

2012-01-27T01:16:00.000-08:00

FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS I’VE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE “FREE” WI-FI AVAILABLE HERE IN THE RV PARK. NOW IN THE HIGH SEASON WITH LOT’S OF RV’S HERE IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET ON LINE, THERE JUST ISN’T ENOUGH BAND WIDTH AVAILABLE.

NORMALLY WHEN I GET HOME FROM WORK LATE AT NIGHT I’M ABLE TO GET ON AND READ MY BLOGS AND NEWSPAPERS, UNLESS THE SYSTEM HAS CRASHED AND NEEDS TO RE-BOOTED.

LAST WEEK ONE DAY AFTER BEING WITHOUT INTERNET FOR TWO DAYS I GOT UP AT 5 AM TO USE THE CONNECTION, AND IT NEEDED TO BE RE-BOOTED. I HAVE A KEY TO THE SECERT JANITOR’S CLOSET WHERE THE MODEM AND ROUTER ARE STORED, BUT IT’S A BIT OF A HIKE IN THE PITCH DARK AND COLD.

WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAMPER I STILL COULDN’T GET CONNECTED !!!

THAT CRACKED MY SWISS TEMPER WHICH IS USAULLY UNDER CONTROL. MY SWISS TEMPER SEEMS TO CALMLY BUILD UP THINGS THAT PISS ME OFF AND STORE THEM, THEN THE SLIGHTEST LITTLE THING WILL TRIGGER AN EXPLOSION.

I WAS PISSY ALL DAY AND ATTACKED THINGS THAT ANNOYED ME. CUPBOARDS GOT REARRANGED, A NEW VACUUM CLEANER WAS BOUGHT, LOTS OF SHIT GOT THROWN OUT, AND I BOUGHT INTERNET SERVICE.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, WHEN MY TEMPER BLOWS YOU DON’T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE AROUND ME, AND A FEW DAYS LATER I ASKED MARY HOW MANY TIMES SHE’S SEEN ME HAVE ONE OF THESE TEMPER TANTRUMS? HER ANSWER WAS ABOUT SIX TIMES OVER THE LAST FOURTEEN YEARS. ODDLY ENOUGH IT’S USUALLY EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER WHEN THEY OCCUR.

WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING THINGS LIKE INTERNET SERVICE, CELL PHONE, OR SATELLITE TV MY MIND DOESN’T SEEM TO SEE THE LOW MONTHLY RATE OF $49.95, BUT INSTEAD SCREAMS WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY $600 A YEAR FOR INTERNET? OR $800 A YEAR TO WATCH TV? I KNOW, I KNOW, GET OVER IT REX…..

BUYING INTERNET SERVICE IS A BIT OF CHALLENGE FOR ME AS I DON’T HAVE A PHONE LINE, CABLE TV, OR AN AIR CARD.

I WENT WITH A COMPANY CALLED MOHAVE BROADBAND FOR UNLIMITED INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDED WIRELESSLY THROUGH THIS ANTENNA.

GREAT INTERNET SURFING CAN’T BE FAR BEHIND. WE’RE BOTH EXCITED TO CHECK OUT YOU TUBE VIDEOS, SKYPE, PLAYING POKER, AND WHAT EVER ELSE NORMAL INTERNET USERS GET. I’M GUESSING MY OLE LAPTOP WILL BE NEXT TO GO, AND FOR $600 A YEAR AND TWO YEAR CONTRACT, THIS CONNECTION BETTER BE PERFECT.

2012-01-25T01:05:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

2012-01-23T01:19:00.000-08:00

ISN’T THAT FACEBOOK APP THAT REMEMBERS EVERYBODY’S BIRTHDAY COOL? I MEAN I DIDN’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT BEING MY BIRTHDAY UNTIL I STARTED GETTING ALL THESE BIRTHDAY WISHES IN MY E-MAIL BOX FROM FACEBOOK. HELL, I GOT BIRTHDAY WISHES FROM SOME PEOPLE IN MY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS THAT I WOULDN’T KNOW IF THEY STOPPED ME ON THE STREET AND BOUGHT ME A BEER.

I WONDER HOW THAT WILL WORK OUT, WHEN I GROW UP AND I’M DEAD? WILL I STILL GET “HAPPY” BIRTHDAY WISHES? I WONDER IF FACEBOOK EVER FORGETS SOMEONES BIRTHDAY? HELL I WONDER IF I WOULD HAVE REMEMBERED MY OWN BIRTHDAY WITHOUT FACEBOOK?

NOW I’M BEGINNING TO WONDER WHAT ELSE, FACEBOOK KNOWS ABOUT ME? DOES IT KNOW IF I’VE BEEN DRINKING 10-20 BEERS? DOES IT KNOW THAT I DON’T WEAR UNDERWEAR ON MY DAYS OFF?

OR WORSE, DOES IT KNOW MY MOTHER’S MADIEN NAME? MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER? MY CREDIT CARD NUMBER? MY PASSWORD?

COME TO THINK ABOUT IT, TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD TO CHANGE MY PASSWORD, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO FACEBOOK I LOGGED ON FROM ARGENTINA. REALLY? REALLY?

WHO THE HELL OWNS FACEBOOK? DO THEY HAVE TO FILL OUT GOVERNMENT FORMS? DOES THE GOVERMENT KNOW MY ABOUT MY UNDERWEAR HABITS?

IF A NEW OUTFIT COMES ALONG AND WHIPS FACEBOOK, WILL THEY BE FOR SALE? IN THE END, IF I BOUGHT OUT FACEBOOK WILL I KNOW ABOUT YOUR UNDERWEAR?

AFTER REREADING THIS POST I KNOW IT’S TRUE, THAT YOU GET SMARTER WHEN YOU GET OLDER.

REX

SNOW

2012-01-21T22:00:00.001-08:00

WHILE THE REST OF YOU ARE WAKING UP TO THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE SNOW AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES……

HERE IS OUR EARLY MORNING SUNRISE AND A TEMP OF 53 DEGREES.

WHICH IS YOUR CHOICE?

IT’S ALL OVER…..

2012-01-15T17:20:00.001-08:00

WELL THE FOOTBALL SEASON IS ALL OVER FOR US PACKER FANS. IT SURE WAS AN EXCITING SEASON WITH ALL THE GAMES WON, BUT AS USUAL IT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO PEAK AT THE END OF THE SEASON.

LET’S NOT WASTE ANY CYBERSPACE ON EXCUSES AND I TOLD YOU SO’S, BUT GET BACK IN THE OFFICE AND IMPROVE OUR DEFENSE.

A WHOLE WEEK WENT BY WITHOUT A BLOG, AND I GUESS THAT SHOWS JUST HOW BORING OUR LIVES HAVE BECOME. WE WORKED 37 HOURS THIS LAST WEEK WHICH IS ABOVE OUR AVERAGE, AND WE WERE OUT HOUSE SITTING A COUPLE DAYS. THAT’S IT.

WE DID GET A REALLY NICE PICTURE OF MARY’S MOM IN AN E-MAIL FROM HEATHER WE’D LIKE TO SHARE.

NOT BAD FOR 90 YEARS OLD, EVEN IF SHE IS WEARING VIKINGS PURPLE.

CHORE LIST

2012-01-09T07:37:00.001-08:00

ABOUT MID-WEEK WE START A LIST OF THINGS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ON OUR DAYS OFF. THINGS LIKE EMPTY THE ~~SHITTER~~ HOLDING TANK, LAUNDRY, ETC. THE LIST ALSO INCLUDES ERRANDS WE NEED TO RUN, LIKE THE LIBRARY, GO WATCH THE PACKER GAME, ETC.

SINCE THERE WASN’T A PACKER GAME, THE LIST WAS LONGER THAN USUAL THIS WEEK-END, AND WE DIDN’T GET IT ALL DONE, AND STARTED NEXT WEEK-ENDS LIST ALREADY.

WE ARE ALSO OFF FOR A DOGGY FIX AND WILL BE HOUSE SITTING A COUPLE OF DAYS, MAKING OUR CHORE LIST EVEN HARDER TO ACCOMPLISH. SINCE AMY POSTED GRANDMA’S SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE ON FACEBOOK RECENTLY I HAD MARY MIX UP A BATCH TO BAKE WHILE WE’RE HOUSE SITTING.

ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THE CHORE LIST IS TO RENEW OUR PASSPORTS. HAS IT REALLY BEEN 10 YEARS SINCE OUR FIRST TRIP TO BELIZE? MAN, TIMES SURE FLIES WHEN YOU’RE A HAPPY CAMPER.

THE JANUARY WEATHER HAS BEEN BETTER THAN IN YEARS PAST, AND ALTHOUGH THE FURNACE RUNS AT NIGHT, IT’S BEEN SUNNY AND WARM DURING THE DAYS.

THE PORCH

2012-01-06T01:07:00.000-08:00

I WROTE A LOT OF BLOGS ABOUT OUR NEW PORCH LAST YEAR, BUT ARE WE USING IT IN THE WINTER?

WE FOUND LAST SUMMER THAT WE USED THE PORCH UNTIL IT GOT TOO HOT AT 105 DEGREES WHEN WE MOVED INSIDE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING. OF COURSE ALL OUR COOKING WAS DONE OUTSIDE ON THE PORCH AS WELL.

THIS WINTER THE CAMPER DOOR COMES OPEN WHEN THE THE PORCH TEMPERATURE HITS 60 DEGREES OR ABOVE. LAST WEEK THE PORCH WAS WARM ENOUGH EVERYDAY.

THE PUZZEL TABLE HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE THE “TO DO LIST” WAS FINISHED. WE HAD THREE 2 PM START TIMES AT WORK LAST WEEK AND LEFT THE PORCH DOOR OPEN FOR THE CATS TO ENJOY WHILE WE WERE AT WORK. SUSIE CHECKS IT OUT RIGHT AFTER DARK, AND “AZ” PRETTY MUCH LIVES OUT THERE WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. HE SUNS HIMSELF IN THE MORNING WHILE SITTING IN THE CAT TREE, AND KEEPS A CLOSE EYE ON THE NEIGHBORS.

WITH A TEMPERATURE RANGE OF 60 TO 105 DEGREES, THE PORCH GETS A LOT OF USE. OF COURSE THE WINTER SNOWBIRD NEIGHBORS WERE HAPPY TO BE INVITED IN TO CHECK OUT THE BIGGEST PORCH IN THE RV PARK.

MY LAPTOP HAS BEEN INSIDE, BECAUSE I LIKE TO BE ON THE INTERNET AFTER WORK AND FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, BUT I’M SURE IT WILL LIVE OUT ON THE PORCH AS SOON AS SPRING ARRIVES. WHICH CONSIDERING WE’VE HAD TEMPS IN THE 70S THIS WEEK, MIGHT BE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

“SUNNY & 70”

Florida Keys

2012-01-04T01:05:00.000-08:00

By Uncle Hans

Renee and I spent our Christmas on the Florida Keys. Great weather. 80 and sunny each day.
We drove, as crazy as that sounds. It was 2060 miles, a little further than I thought. The driving went well, good weather on the way down and no traffic problems. We stopped at a Waffle House, which is a southern, fast food breakfast place. It is inexpensive and a unique experience as the whole kitchen is exposed along with all the noise and chaos to the customer. People seemed to like it. I had a pecan waffle and it hit the spot...........

Our favorite place, however, was Chad's in Tavernier on the Keys. We found this place in April when we were down. A great deli like place that bakes all it's own bread. Everything is so fresh and good. They were closed Christmas eve and Christmas day so the only day we could go was the 23rd. Too bad!

....................We found something from history: Smoking in bars!   You are a "bar" if less than 20% of your revenue comes from food. Several "restaurants" have attached off-sale liquor stores so they could bring their % below 20 and the patrons could smoke. a cute trick.........

   .....................The Keys are famous for sun and fun, but the dirty little secret is that they have virtually no sand beaches. There is one at mile marker 70 called Anne's Beach and another, nicer and larger. around 37. That's it. Anne's is sort of narrow, depending on the tide. But there is a little park there and some walking paths. It is in a spot on the island where you literally can stand in the water and throw a rock to the other water. Over the park, over the two lane road and over the shoulder on the far side of the road.............

Of course, we have to make observations about RV living. It is the reason for Rex and Mary's Blog! The park takes up the entire small island and has at least 800 spots. We stayed in one of the 20 motel rooms. It is called Fiesta Key. Occupancy was about 20%, but the motel rooms were full. Some of the Christmas decorations were quite elaborate.......

.........The "regulars" put on a nice feed on Christmas Eve and cooked up a pig. Santa Clause did a celebrity gig as DJ, and got a kiss from Renee.............

..... I did my damnest to get invited for a tour of this beauty, a four slide-out land yacht, but to no avail. They were parked across the road from us and managed to stay aloof from the poor Wisconsin white trash in the Buick..........

.......this sculpture caught our eye. It depicts a Grandpa spinning a yarn about a big fish that he caught to his grandson, while a monster fish is rising up out of the water behind him. A little hard to see, but very imaginative..........

.........a highlight of the trip was a stop in Leesburg on the way home to visit AJ and Ruth (our Dad's Brother). Cousin John was there for Christmas from Atlanta. We had brunch at the IHOP, and set out in search of a tavern to be Rechsteiners. Taverns are scarce as hen's teeth in the south, but we were very dedicated. They looked good and we enjoyed the stop..........

..........we decided to try driving after some harrowing experiences in the airport lately. It was 2060 miles one way and that distance is gruesome. But we did not have to rent a car. We bought some fun and clunky souvenirs.........because we could. The expense was less than a third of flying, but takes two extra days out of your vacation. Yuck! You get to see how people live along the way.

    The verdict? Both methods of travel are equally unsatisfactory.

    I leave you with a sunset on Anne's Beach.........................

By Uncle Hans

355 DAYS

2012-01-02T01:29:00.000-08:00

AS USUAL WE WORKED ON NEW YEARS EVE AT THE CASINO. I ENJOY WORKING NEW YEARS EVE. IT’S FUN TO BE A PART OF THE CASINO ACTION.

THE V.I.P. DINNER PARTY HAD A MOB THEME FROM THE 1920’S AND MANY OF THE CUSTOMERS GOT INTO IT WITH SOME SEXY LITTLE BLACK DRESSES AND SOME DAPPER PIN STRIP SUITS FOR THE MEN.

THE LIVE BAND IN THE COCKTAIL LOUNGE WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITES AND ALTHOUGH THE GUY CAN’T SING FOR SHIT, HE PLAYS AN AMAZING SAXAPHONE.

THE BALLON DROP AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT IS SO LOUD AND CRAZY WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO SHUT DOWN OUR GAMES TO LET THE CROWD CELEBRATE.

AND SO 2011 IS IN THE BOOKS AND WE’RE HEADED INTO 2012, LOOKS LIKE THIS NEXT ONE WILL BE THE LAST ONE.

AS YOU KNOW, THE MAYANS PREDICTED THE END OF THE WORLD ON 12-21-12. THAT IS WHEN ALL OF THE MAYAN CALENDARS COME TO AN END. THAT SHOULD BE GOSPLE…RIGHT?

ME, I AM CURIOUS AS TO JUST WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON 12-21-12. IS THERE JUST A BIG BANG AND POOF IT’S ALL GONE? OR IS IT JUST THE END OF THE CALENDAR?

ANYWAY I’M GLAD MARY DIDN’T GET ANY EXTENDED WARRENTY CRAP THEY TRY TO PUSH ON HER.

WHAY’S IN STORE FOR THE NEXT 355 DAYS (MINUS 10 FOR THE DEC 21ST THINGY), MORE OF THE SAME SHIT, JUST A DIFFERENT YEAR.

NEW YEARS EVE

2011-12-31T00:38:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-29T00:16:00.000-08:00

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

Mary’s Fur Coat

2011-12-27T00:14:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-25T12:10:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-22T12:12:00.001-08:00

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!!!

2011-12-18T13:38:00.001-08:00

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?

2011-12-16T15:27:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-11T16:30:00.001-08:00

“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?

2011-12-08T01:33:00.000-08:00

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

THIS AND THAT

2011-12-06T01:50:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-03T01:43:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-01T01:55:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-28T19:00:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-25T02:01:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-21T01:28:00.000-08:00

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.