I have a friend who's going to college and she was working on a paper on her laptop at church while waiting on a child's activity to end. I walked by and she asked me how many qs there are in acquire.
Me: ???? Um, one. (Is there any word with more than one???)
Her: No, I tried that and it still says it's wrong.
Me: You know there's a c in there, too, right?
Her: Really?
Me: Yes, maybe that's the problem. Acqu.....
Her: Nope, still wrong. It must have more than one q.
Me: (Trying not to laugh) Let me look.
I walk over.......
Me: Oh! You need an i, too. A-c-q-u-i-r-e
Her: That's is! Wow, that really looks funny!
As opposed to acqquire? lol
Then I taught her the neat trick of right clicking on the underlined word to get suggestions of how to spell it correctly. :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Well, that's logical
Yesterday evening we had to be out of the house at our normal dinner time. I sent hubby to tell Mawmaw that she HAD to eat dinner but we weren't going to be here when she did. Plenty of left overs and sandwich stuff, cereal, soup, etc.
He knocks on her door and she says come in, so he does.
She's in bed, had been asleep.
He tells her that we are leaving for a couple of hours, she HAS to eat something for dinner and lists a bunch of options for her.
Her response?
"I can't eat now, it's only 4:30. It's too early to eat."
Him: "You don't have to eat now, you just have to eat something for dinner."
Her: "Oh, OK."
Ummm, anyone else see an issue here?
It's too early for her to eat dinner but it's NOT too early for her to be in bed asleep????
And no, she didn't eat. This morning when I called her on it she lied and said she ate leftover mashed potatoes and gravy from the night before.
Yeah, well, that would be pretty amazing considering I sent all of the left overs from that meal with Hubby to work for lunch.......there were no potatoes and gravy in there to eat!
Grrrr.
He knocks on her door and she says come in, so he does.
She's in bed, had been asleep.
He tells her that we are leaving for a couple of hours, she HAS to eat something for dinner and lists a bunch of options for her.
Her response?
"I can't eat now, it's only 4:30. It's too early to eat."
Him: "You don't have to eat now, you just have to eat something for dinner."
Her: "Oh, OK."
Ummm, anyone else see an issue here?
It's too early for her to eat dinner but it's NOT too early for her to be in bed asleep????
And no, she didn't eat. This morning when I called her on it she lied and said she ate leftover mashed potatoes and gravy from the night before.
Yeah, well, that would be pretty amazing considering I sent all of the left overs from that meal with Hubby to work for lunch.......there were no potatoes and gravy in there to eat!
Grrrr.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
New USDA planting zones
The USDA has revised the planting zones for the first time since 1990. The story is here if you want to read it.
If you go to this page you will find the new and old zone maps with a slider bar, so you can slide it back and forth to see the difference in your area between the old map and the new one.
I think pretty much everyone that's changing is going up a number/partial number. We did.
If you go to this page you will find the new and old zone maps with a slider bar, so you can slide it back and forth to see the difference in your area between the old map and the new one.
I think pretty much everyone that's changing is going up a number/partial number. We did.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Warm babies
Remember when I wouldn't show you everything I was working on?
Well, I'm finally done! They are in a box on the way to their new home.
A very good friend (and fellow military wife) had twins. I wanted to honor her and them by making them baby quilts.
Hers:
His:
(The parts I blurred have personal info, so I took it out.)
Now I just have to sit and worry until I know they arrived safely.
Well, I'm finally done! They are in a box on the way to their new home.
A very good friend (and fellow military wife) had twins. I wanted to honor her and them by making them baby quilts.
Hers:
His:
(The parts I blurred have personal info, so I took it out.)
Now I just have to sit and worry until I know they arrived safely.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Random Ramblings
Some Mawmaw-isms for you:
I hope no one in the whole world EVER has toe pain like this. It's horrible and I don't think anyone else could take it.
The horrible pain that no one else in the world could possibly stand is a corn. They've shaved it down and given her some little pads to wear next to that toe to shield it. They also told her to stop buying shoes that are TOO NARROW because that crowds the toes together, but she just won't accept that she needs a 'wide' shoe, so she won't go buy new ones. I bought her new ones for Christmas. She refuses to wear them.
My little guy is coughing. He's the one dealing with pertussis right now. (Side note: pretty sure hubby has it, too. Yay.) Her diagnosis? "He's got that summer virus that's going around."
No, I do not know what a summer virus is, why it would cause a cough or why you'd have it in the middle of January.
Took her to the store with me this morning. She heads straight for the clothes. I go in after her and tell her NOT to buy any clothes. You just spend $80 ordering pants. You can not afford to buy any more clothes plus you have no where to put them.
"I wasn't going to buy anything, I was just looking at the colors."
Any one else see that pig flying by???
Oh - the pants. She ordered her 'favorite pants in the whole wide world.' She had the money, it's hers to spend. She ordered 10, yes, 10, pair of pants. Elastic waist polyester pants, one of every color they offered, which were what we shall nicely term old lady colors: lavender, neon green, yellow and of course her beloved PINK.
I don't even know what to say about that anymore! lol
Oh - did I ever tell you how she says women should NEVER, EVER wear cotton underwear?
No?
Well, that's what she says.
Want to know why?
They'll cause your belly button to get infected.
Yeah, feel free to figure it out yourself, I'm not even trying!
I hope no one in the whole world EVER has toe pain like this. It's horrible and I don't think anyone else could take it.
The horrible pain that no one else in the world could possibly stand is a corn. They've shaved it down and given her some little pads to wear next to that toe to shield it. They also told her to stop buying shoes that are TOO NARROW because that crowds the toes together, but she just won't accept that she needs a 'wide' shoe, so she won't go buy new ones. I bought her new ones for Christmas. She refuses to wear them.
My little guy is coughing. He's the one dealing with pertussis right now. (Side note: pretty sure hubby has it, too. Yay.) Her diagnosis? "He's got that summer virus that's going around."
No, I do not know what a summer virus is, why it would cause a cough or why you'd have it in the middle of January.
Took her to the store with me this morning. She heads straight for the clothes. I go in after her and tell her NOT to buy any clothes. You just spend $80 ordering pants. You can not afford to buy any more clothes plus you have no where to put them.
"I wasn't going to buy anything, I was just looking at the colors."
Any one else see that pig flying by???
Oh - the pants. She ordered her 'favorite pants in the whole wide world.' She had the money, it's hers to spend. She ordered 10, yes, 10, pair of pants. Elastic waist polyester pants, one of every color they offered, which were what we shall nicely term old lady colors: lavender, neon green, yellow and of course her beloved PINK.
I don't even know what to say about that anymore! lol
Oh - did I ever tell you how she says women should NEVER, EVER wear cotton underwear?
No?
Well, that's what she says.
Want to know why?
They'll cause your belly button to get infected.
Yeah, feel free to figure it out yourself, I'm not even trying!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Goodies!
Carolyn Renee at Krazo Acres hosted a give away on her blog. Not just any give away, either.
CHOCOLATES!
Specifically, chocolates from Louisa's & Millie's Chocolates
So far I've eaten the hand dipped chocolate covered cherry and two small chocolates that were filled with a cream filling. One was a butter cream type filling and the other was a mint filling and since I'm a mint addict, it was AMAZING!
Look at these cute little chocolates! Not are they darling because they are so small (put them next to a dime so you could see the size) but they are decorated with snowflakes and gingerbread men!
SO CUTE!
CHOCOLATES!
Specifically, chocolates from Louisa's & Millie's Chocolates
I won! Woohoo!
Carolyn Renee asked me if I preferred milk chocolate or dark chocolate, nut or no nuts, etc. Hey, I'm just THRILLED to be getting chocolate! I told her to tell her friends to surprise me. They could send whatever they had too much of that day or whatever they wanted. No food allergies in this house, so we're fine with whatever.
Well, they arrived!
I should start by saying, they arrived the day before yesterday but the mail was late that day and everyone was home. I KNEW if I opened the package then the family would pounce and I wouldn't get any pictures. Or any chocolate!
So I hid the box in my closet until yesterday when I opened it. Wow are there are a LOT of chocolates in this box!
I had to prop some pieces up around the edge to be able to show you everything. This box is FULL of gorgeous chocolates and the smell, ooh, wonderful!
(Ignore the date on the pictures, please, my camera is dying a slow and annoying death.)
So far I've eaten the hand dipped chocolate covered cherry and two small chocolates that were filled with a cream filling. One was a butter cream type filling and the other was a mint filling and since I'm a mint addict, it was AMAZING!
Look at these cute little chocolates! Not are they darling because they are so small (put them next to a dime so you could see the size) but they are decorated with snowflakes and gingerbread men!
SO CUTE!
Carolyn Renee, I want to thank you once again for the chocolates. Please pass my thanks along to your friend, too, and let them know that they are WONDERFUL.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Third time this winter
That I've got a kid being treated for pertussis. Really.
Yes, they were all vaccinated.
CDC has informed area doctors to treat anyone suspected of having it because the test takes a couple of weeks to come back and there have already been multiple confirmed cases in our county and school district and of course you'll spread it more while waiting on the test results.
Sigh.
We have all been so sick the last year or so compared to our normal selves.
I'm over it already!
Yes, they were all vaccinated.
CDC has informed area doctors to treat anyone suspected of having it because the test takes a couple of weeks to come back and there have already been multiple confirmed cases in our county and school district and of course you'll spread it more while waiting on the test results.
Sigh.
We have all been so sick the last year or so compared to our normal selves.
I'm over it already!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Parenting Often Teaches Me
That I don't know what I think I know! lol
I took the older two kiddos to have their eye exams yesterday. I was fairly sure my middle son needed glasses. I wear glasses and have for years. Everything is a blur without them, so if they inherit my eyesight, they got it fair and square from genetics.
To say he was NOT pleased is quite an understatement.
Well, here's what I learned:
Children, until around age 10, are naturally far sighted. No one has ever told us this before, oddly enough.
So, him being far sighted is fine as long as he's not horribly far sighted, which he's not.
So, he doesn't need glasses.
However, his older brother does. I didn't suspect him of needing them at all! Shows what I know, huh?!?
He's actually kinda excited about getting glasses, which makes this a lot easier on all of us. He's got a very weak prescription, but mine started out that way, too, so we'll see what happens as he grows. Actually, one of his eyes barely qualified for a prescription at all, but it was compensating for the other, weaker, eye, so now they should both be back to 20/20.
She told him his eyes WILL change as he grows, his sight might get better or it might get worse, it just depends on the shape of his eyes as he grows, so we'll all have to wait and see.
I took the older two kiddos to have their eye exams yesterday. I was fairly sure my middle son needed glasses. I wear glasses and have for years. Everything is a blur without them, so if they inherit my eyesight, they got it fair and square from genetics.
To say he was NOT pleased is quite an understatement.
Well, here's what I learned:
Children, until around age 10, are naturally far sighted. No one has ever told us this before, oddly enough.
So, him being far sighted is fine as long as he's not horribly far sighted, which he's not.
So, he doesn't need glasses.
However, his older brother does. I didn't suspect him of needing them at all! Shows what I know, huh?!?
He's actually kinda excited about getting glasses, which makes this a lot easier on all of us. He's got a very weak prescription, but mine started out that way, too, so we'll see what happens as he grows. Actually, one of his eyes barely qualified for a prescription at all, but it was compensating for the other, weaker, eye, so now they should both be back to 20/20.
She told him his eyes WILL change as he grows, his sight might get better or it might get worse, it just depends on the shape of his eyes as he grows, so we'll all have to wait and see.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Where there's smoke
I volunteered at the elementary school yesterday. It was fun and in the course of the day I was in contact with literally every child who was present at school.
I had a great time and I love seeing the kids and hearing updates from the ones that I know, picking on 'my' Scouts, talking to the teachers, etc.
At several points I was sad, though. I'm what's been called 'sensitive' to cigarette smoke. My eyes water a LOT, my nose gets really stuffy, my throat gets sore and it affects my voice.
This isn't a huge school by today's standards. I think the last time I heard there were less than 300 kids enrolled. I had probably 10-15 kids come through that just REEKED of cigarette smoke. Like I could smell them before they got to me. Locked your clothes in an ashtray. Slept inside a lit cigarette. Just REEKED. I'm sure it's because the person(s) who smokes probably smokes in the home and their vehicle and I'm not blaming the kids at all, they have no choice. I'm not even ranting on the adults (right now..lol).
Do I wish they'd shield the kids from the smoke? ABSOLUTELY! For their health and for their social well being and so they will have a better chance of not smoking themselves....I could go on.
Here's the thing, though, I know because we've all heard it so often, that it's really hard to quit smoking. It's a battle that person has to fight and want to win. I've never smoked, I'm not going to say I could quit easily.
I'm overweight. It's my own battle and I'm well aware that my body size isn't setting the best example for my kids, either. It's a fight I fight over and over and over again, as do many of us. So. Not lecturing about it today.
By the end of the day I had no voice left. I was trying to whisper loud enough for 15-20 kids (the amount we had in each group for the activity) to hear me. I felt like there was the residue on my skin, on my lips, in my hair. And I was sad that I reacted that badly to KIDS when they were at my station for only 10-15 minutes per group. Normally for me to react that badly I'm locked in a meeting or a car with someone who chain smokes and carries it on their body and clothing.
There were just kids. Elementary kids. Cute, funny, silly as all get out, kids. At one point one little boy asked me why my voice sounded funny (he knows me) and I told him my allergies were acting up.
I had an absolute blast with the kids and I think we made the day special for them and I would (and will) do it again in a heartbeat, but man, do I wish life at home was a bit different for those kids.
Yes, I realize that other kids have even bigger problems at home, please don't lecture me over that. I'm just talking about this one aspect today. :)
I had a great time and I love seeing the kids and hearing updates from the ones that I know, picking on 'my' Scouts, talking to the teachers, etc.
At several points I was sad, though. I'm what's been called 'sensitive' to cigarette smoke. My eyes water a LOT, my nose gets really stuffy, my throat gets sore and it affects my voice.
This isn't a huge school by today's standards. I think the last time I heard there were less than 300 kids enrolled. I had probably 10-15 kids come through that just REEKED of cigarette smoke. Like I could smell them before they got to me. Locked your clothes in an ashtray. Slept inside a lit cigarette. Just REEKED. I'm sure it's because the person(s) who smokes probably smokes in the home and their vehicle and I'm not blaming the kids at all, they have no choice. I'm not even ranting on the adults (right now..lol).
Do I wish they'd shield the kids from the smoke? ABSOLUTELY! For their health and for their social well being and so they will have a better chance of not smoking themselves....I could go on.
Here's the thing, though, I know because we've all heard it so often, that it's really hard to quit smoking. It's a battle that person has to fight and want to win. I've never smoked, I'm not going to say I could quit easily.
I'm overweight. It's my own battle and I'm well aware that my body size isn't setting the best example for my kids, either. It's a fight I fight over and over and over again, as do many of us. So. Not lecturing about it today.
By the end of the day I had no voice left. I was trying to whisper loud enough for 15-20 kids (the amount we had in each group for the activity) to hear me. I felt like there was the residue on my skin, on my lips, in my hair. And I was sad that I reacted that badly to KIDS when they were at my station for only 10-15 minutes per group. Normally for me to react that badly I'm locked in a meeting or a car with someone who chain smokes and carries it on their body and clothing.
There were just kids. Elementary kids. Cute, funny, silly as all get out, kids. At one point one little boy asked me why my voice sounded funny (he knows me) and I told him my allergies were acting up.
I had an absolute blast with the kids and I think we made the day special for them and I would (and will) do it again in a heartbeat, but man, do I wish life at home was a bit different for those kids.
Yes, I realize that other kids have even bigger problems at home, please don't lecture me over that. I'm just talking about this one aspect today. :)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Apple Bread
My wonderful brother, SIL and Mom all got me the parts I needed for my Kitchenaid mixer so that I could finally use it. I found that thing at a fund raiser yard sale for $8 and snatched it up and ran off with it. That was over a year ago. It's old. It's avocado green, original, not reproduction. It has the old two prong plug and the coating on the electric cord is cracked in some places. I'll see about getting it replaced some time. Anyway, I had the mixer but not any of the attachments and while they weren't super expensive (well, the bowl's kinda pricey) there was always something else that we needed to spend the money on instead, so it sat unused and moved to this state with us that way, no way to use it.
So when Christmas came around, I asked for a wire whip, bread hook and paddle for it along with a bowl.
The kids and I are having so much fun with this thing now! The first thing we made was double chocolate oatmeal cookies because I wanted to see how it would handle the thick dough. It handled it with ease! We've made cookies, more cookies, biscuits, various doughs and we made this:
Apple bread.
It lasted less than a day! lol
So when Christmas came around, I asked for a wire whip, bread hook and paddle for it along with a bowl.
The kids and I are having so much fun with this thing now! The first thing we made was double chocolate oatmeal cookies because I wanted to see how it would handle the thick dough. It handled it with ease! We've made cookies, more cookies, biscuits, various doughs and we made this:
Apple bread.
It lasted less than a day! lol
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Literally
I had a doctor appt. this morning. They were giving my official results from a scan I'd had done previously, although I already knew basically what it had shown because I could see the screen and the lady was nice enough to talk to me once she realized I pretty much knew what was going on. I'm waiting on a referral now, so no big news on this and I feel MUCH better, so I'm OK with the wait.
So that part of the appt. was a waste of time but they were also going to recheck my blood work because some number had been low previously. I've forgotten what it was, but I want to say it started with a T. Big help, huh? lol.
Anyway, I had my youngest with me and I told him the nurse was going to come in and draw some blood (after the dr had left the room) and then we were done and could leave.
He'd been looking out the window but he came over and stood in front of me and asked me oh so seriously:
Is she going to give you the picture or can I have it?
Well, technically, that IS what I said she was going to do, isn't it? Draw the blood?
Kids are so much fun!
So that part of the appt. was a waste of time but they were also going to recheck my blood work because some number had been low previously. I've forgotten what it was, but I want to say it started with a T. Big help, huh? lol.
Anyway, I had my youngest with me and I told him the nurse was going to come in and draw some blood (after the dr had left the room) and then we were done and could leave.
He'd been looking out the window but he came over and stood in front of me and asked me oh so seriously:
Is she going to give you the picture or can I have it?
Well, technically, that IS what I said she was going to do, isn't it? Draw the blood?
Kids are so much fun!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Private Selections Foods
I belong to BzzAgent and I was given coupons for a free frozen appetizer, a free frozen pizza and a free frozen dessert from the Private Selections food line. I was to try them out and then report what we thought of them. I was not paid any money, I did get the items for free, but I was to report my honest opinion in exchange for getting to try them for free.
This was our experience:
My children were with me when I picked up the Private Selections foods. We picked out the Southwestern Style Chicken Trumpets, the Barbeque Chicken Pizza and the Miniature Vanilla Cream Puffs.
We had a party to attend and everyone was asked to bring an appetizer and/or dessert to share.
Perfect!
We cooked the trumpets and pizza and cut them into bite sized pieces. We cut the trumpets in half, length-wise and we cut the pizza into small pieces, roughly square in shape.
I love Southwestern anything so I tried the trumpets and I found them lacking in heat. They weren't badly seasoned, they just needed MORE seasoning and heat, in my opinion.
When we got to the meeting I told everyone that I'm a Bzz Agent a and that I wanted them to help me try out these foods and to let me know what they thought.
The kids seemed to like the trumpets except a few said there was too much empty dough at the top. The only parent who mentioned them to me said they shouldn't be called Southwestern as they weren't hot at all, so she agreed with my opinion.
I liked the pizza as I LOVE onions and there were quite a few purple onions on it. The kids, however, did not. Most of them picked the onions off, complained about how many onions were on it or refused to even try it because they could see the onions. The other adults seemed to like it, though.
While the kids were playing games I had the puffs thawing out. I tried one before I brought the tray out and I liked it OK. It wasn't super sweet, which is good for me, but I feel like it was missing something. Maybe a bit of dark chocolate for contrast or a tangy berry or something. The kids LOVED them, however, and they disappeared VERY quickly. I'm not sure if any other adults got to try them.
I don't see myself buying these items on every shopping trip, but I'll consider buying them for future events like this where I need to bring some easy appetizer to share or to have on hand for snacking when kids are over to play with ours.
This was our experience:
My children were with me when I picked up the Private Selections foods. We picked out the Southwestern Style Chicken Trumpets, the Barbeque Chicken Pizza and the Miniature Vanilla Cream Puffs.
We had a party to attend and everyone was asked to bring an appetizer and/or dessert to share.
Perfect!
We cooked the trumpets and pizza and cut them into bite sized pieces. We cut the trumpets in half, length-wise and we cut the pizza into small pieces, roughly square in shape.
I love Southwestern anything so I tried the trumpets and I found them lacking in heat. They weren't badly seasoned, they just needed MORE seasoning and heat, in my opinion.
When we got to the meeting I told everyone that I'm a Bzz Agent a and that I wanted them to help me try out these foods and to let me know what they thought.
The kids seemed to like the trumpets except a few said there was too much empty dough at the top. The only parent who mentioned them to me said they shouldn't be called Southwestern as they weren't hot at all, so she agreed with my opinion.
I liked the pizza as I LOVE onions and there were quite a few purple onions on it. The kids, however, did not. Most of them picked the onions off, complained about how many onions were on it or refused to even try it because they could see the onions. The other adults seemed to like it, though.
While the kids were playing games I had the puffs thawing out. I tried one before I brought the tray out and I liked it OK. It wasn't super sweet, which is good for me, but I feel like it was missing something. Maybe a bit of dark chocolate for contrast or a tangy berry or something. The kids LOVED them, however, and they disappeared VERY quickly. I'm not sure if any other adults got to try them.
I don't see myself buying these items on every shopping trip, but I'll consider buying them for future events like this where I need to bring some easy appetizer to share or to have on hand for snacking when kids are over to play with ours.
Wagons Ho! and Let's eat!
I want to start out by saying that I am about to pick on the men who planned the Scouting trip. HEAVILY.
I think they are great, though, and I am truly appreciative that they take their time and efforts and invest them in all of these young men. It's the first Pack (soon to be joining the Troop) we've been in that has this many men involved and I'm VERY thankful for that.
Having said that, their lack of planning leaves me with some great stories to tell!
This trip was set up so that we'd be leaving in the morning (goal was to start driving at 8:00 am) and driving for several hours. Then we'd stop for breakfast somewhere along the way. Then we'd go to the buffalo place then we'd continue on to the park where we were staying. At the park we'd be cooking dinner the first night and breakfast and lunch the next day. We would stop again on the way back and pick up something for dinner if it ran that late. Each person was to bring $10 to pay for their part of the cooked food and drinks along with money for the fast food lunch (first day) and possible dinner (second day).
We got the Scouts all loaded up along with all of their gear. We had 10 vehicles going and they all had 4 or 5 people in them. I never got a total count, but it was between 40 and 50 people, just based on the vehicle count alone.
Wagons Ho!! We pull out and the man in front hauls butt like demons are after him! I'm the only woman driving and I'm about 4 cars back. I've got my GPS and I'm not about to get a ticket for this trip trying to keep up with him, so I hang back. Two cars try to keep up with him and they are off. A few stick with us and after just a few minutes I look in the mirror and three cars are GONE. *Poof* Turns out they didn't fill up with gas BEFORE the trip! Like you didn't know we were going to be driving for several hours? One of them had a GPS, so we figure we'll all catch up with each other when we stop for lunch.
Well, hubby gets a call that the lead vehicles are stopping at a certain exit. It's 10:00 so I'm thinking someone needs to use the restroom.
Nope. We're stopping for lunch. At Burger King.
It's 10:00.
Burger King starts serving lunch at 10:30.
We've got 30 minutes to kill before anyone can even order food. Someone suggests going farther down the road and stopping again, after 10:30. You know, when we might actually start to be the slightest bit hungry.
Nope. We stopped here because it's the last exit that has a Starbucks before we get to our destination and two of the people are apparently Starbucks fanatics. I drink coffee maybe twice a year. I don't see the draw, obviously.
So the boys burn off energy on the playground thing and at 10:30 they line up to order. We got some small burgers to take in the car because we weren't hungry yet and figured we'd eat along the way. After Speed Demon and his crew scarf down their food they announce it's time to go and get in their vehicle and TAKE OFF. Literally, they are pulling out of the parking lot as others are still trying to cram in their last few bites (because, you know, someone had to be at the end of the 40-50 people ordering food so got theirs quite a bit later) and load up in the vehicles.
The Speed Demons had to stop again for a potty break (the rest of us made everyone go before we left Burger King since they were leaving without us, anyway) so we all arrived at the buffalo place about the same time.
I've told you about the buffalo thing already, so we'll skip ahead.
We leave the buffalo ranch and head for the park. Now, we passed signs for the park on the way to the buffalo place, so we know we are close. We leave the ranch and head back the way we came (heading back towards the directional signs) and this time we are following a different guy. He's been to the park before. I have the park plugged into my GPS, too, just in case.
So.
lol.
We leave the ranch and head back the way we came. Then. He turns around and heads the opposite direction. ?????? We're all supposed to stick with him, so we do. He's been there before, maybe he knows a shortcut or knows one entrance is closed at this time of year or something. We end up sort of circling the edge of a small town and getting on a county road. My GPS (and my common sense and sense of direction) are all saying we need to turn right and head that way to get back to the area where the directional signs are.
Yet he keeps going straight. We pass one road, two roads, three roads, four...
At that point I told hubby to call him and see when he's going to turn. He tells hubby he 'missed the last road' but is turning on the next one and he doesn't know why his GPS was leading him that way. Us, either, lol. He makes the turn and we all follow. We start seeing the directional signs again. Park straight ahead 2.5 miles. Suddenly his left blinker is on.
He turns left on a road that has a big advertising sign "Blank (same name as park) Golf Course." I think he saw the name part and turned, not realizing what the rest of the sign said. I decide to heck with it and I keep going the way the signs and the GPS tell us to. This confuses folks...lol. Some follow him, some follow me. We end up at the entrance to the park and we pull over on the shoulder before the entrance so that when he gets there he can go first because the reservations are in his name and he's been there before so he should know where we go to get the keys.
Well, when the rest of the people catch up, he's some how last in line and he pulls up and gets in line with the rest of us on the shoulder.
*sigh*
Fine.
So we go to the gate, pay our entrance fee and ask the nice lady how to get to where we are supposed to be staying. She gives us directions and off we go. Apparently the next few cars behind us do the same thing as when we go in we are all sticking together following her directions with no one holding back looking confused or anything.
He goes to get the keys only it turns out that they now escort you out and open things up for you. You do a joint damage inspection and make sure the lights are working, etc.
We ended up with the use of several really nice buildings. We were under the impression that it was one big lodge building and everyone was sleeping on the floor in sleeping bags in the big room with a fireplace but it ended up to be that the building with the fireplace room was the kitchen/dining building and then there were bunkhouse buildings and a bathroom building and several small cabins (but we didn't use those).
There were four women on the trip and this is where we slept.
This is where the Scouts slept. Well, in this building and another one just like it. There were too many for just one building. All three had bunk beds. All of us over the age of 14 were thrilled because the thought of sleeping on the cold concrete floors in sleeping bags wasn't all that appealing to us.
It gets time to start cooking dinner. The food building has a WONDERFUL commercial kitchen. Big, six burner gas stove, double door commercial ovens, a big griddle, six big sinks, stainless steel everything everywhere. I didn't take pictures of it, but imagine a well laid out commercial kitchen that you'd love to cook in and you have it.
You know what happened, right?
Yeah, us women took over the kitchen so we could play with all the cool stuff! lol.
They tell us they'd planned on tacos, both crunchy and hard, for dinner. They had plenty of meat and big cans of refried beans, enough crunchy taco shells for days, huge bags of shredded cheese, two containers of salsa, a few packages of flour tortillas and
*one* head of lettuce
(not my picture, taken from Google)
We (ladies) laughed so hard we cried. One lonely head of lettuce for like 45 people! It still makes me laugh thinking about it. We cut it up extra fine and asked everyone to go easy on the lettuce, but it was still gone in no time, of course.
While we are cooking, one of the guys comes in and says "I don't think we have enough paper plates."
Huh?
"We were going to use paper plates because it's easy clean up, but seeing everyone here, I don't think we have enough for dinner."
Yep, it's that didn't count everyone up again thing.
But
The best part
The make tears roll down your face from laughing part
Is:
WE ARE SUPPOSED TO EAT THREE MEALS!!!!
They don't have enough plates for everyone for even ONE meal! I tell you, the ladies were CRACKING UP!
Man planning! We'll just eat breakfast out of our hands! You hold my food then I'll hold yours, OK?!?
The kitchen had us saved, though, because it was fully stocked so we used their plates and made the men wash the dishes. :) There were enough taco shells and shredded cheese left over to fill a boat, I think.
Check out the view we had while cooking.
The next morning the men did breakfast and they made french toast. Only they didn't want to deal with kids getting syrup on everything - so they didn't bring any. They brought squeeze butter and squeeze jelly, figuring it was 'close enough.' The kids liked it.
I'm sure that lunch was an adventure, too, but due to a change in the weather and a cancellation of a planned event at the education center, several of us decided to head back early (those of us that were signed up for that event as the alternate event was fully booked) so I wasn't there to tell you how lunch went.
It's a beautiful park and the kids and adults alike had a great time. I think the ones who had the best time, though, were the ladies! lol
I think they are great, though, and I am truly appreciative that they take their time and efforts and invest them in all of these young men. It's the first Pack (soon to be joining the Troop) we've been in that has this many men involved and I'm VERY thankful for that.
Having said that, their lack of planning leaves me with some great stories to tell!
This trip was set up so that we'd be leaving in the morning (goal was to start driving at 8:00 am) and driving for several hours. Then we'd stop for breakfast somewhere along the way. Then we'd go to the buffalo place then we'd continue on to the park where we were staying. At the park we'd be cooking dinner the first night and breakfast and lunch the next day. We would stop again on the way back and pick up something for dinner if it ran that late. Each person was to bring $10 to pay for their part of the cooked food and drinks along with money for the fast food lunch (first day) and possible dinner (second day).
We got the Scouts all loaded up along with all of their gear. We had 10 vehicles going and they all had 4 or 5 people in them. I never got a total count, but it was between 40 and 50 people, just based on the vehicle count alone.
Wagons Ho!! We pull out and the man in front hauls butt like demons are after him! I'm the only woman driving and I'm about 4 cars back. I've got my GPS and I'm not about to get a ticket for this trip trying to keep up with him, so I hang back. Two cars try to keep up with him and they are off. A few stick with us and after just a few minutes I look in the mirror and three cars are GONE. *Poof* Turns out they didn't fill up with gas BEFORE the trip! Like you didn't know we were going to be driving for several hours? One of them had a GPS, so we figure we'll all catch up with each other when we stop for lunch.
Well, hubby gets a call that the lead vehicles are stopping at a certain exit. It's 10:00 so I'm thinking someone needs to use the restroom.
Nope. We're stopping for lunch. At Burger King.
It's 10:00.
Burger King starts serving lunch at 10:30.
We've got 30 minutes to kill before anyone can even order food. Someone suggests going farther down the road and stopping again, after 10:30. You know, when we might actually start to be the slightest bit hungry.
Nope. We stopped here because it's the last exit that has a Starbucks before we get to our destination and two of the people are apparently Starbucks fanatics. I drink coffee maybe twice a year. I don't see the draw, obviously.
So the boys burn off energy on the playground thing and at 10:30 they line up to order. We got some small burgers to take in the car because we weren't hungry yet and figured we'd eat along the way. After Speed Demon and his crew scarf down their food they announce it's time to go and get in their vehicle and TAKE OFF. Literally, they are pulling out of the parking lot as others are still trying to cram in their last few bites (because, you know, someone had to be at the end of the 40-50 people ordering food so got theirs quite a bit later) and load up in the vehicles.
The Speed Demons had to stop again for a potty break (the rest of us made everyone go before we left Burger King since they were leaving without us, anyway) so we all arrived at the buffalo place about the same time.
I've told you about the buffalo thing already, so we'll skip ahead.
We leave the buffalo ranch and head for the park. Now, we passed signs for the park on the way to the buffalo place, so we know we are close. We leave the ranch and head back the way we came (heading back towards the directional signs) and this time we are following a different guy. He's been to the park before. I have the park plugged into my GPS, too, just in case.
So.
lol.
We leave the ranch and head back the way we came. Then. He turns around and heads the opposite direction. ?????? We're all supposed to stick with him, so we do. He's been there before, maybe he knows a shortcut or knows one entrance is closed at this time of year or something. We end up sort of circling the edge of a small town and getting on a county road. My GPS (and my common sense and sense of direction) are all saying we need to turn right and head that way to get back to the area where the directional signs are.
Yet he keeps going straight. We pass one road, two roads, three roads, four...
At that point I told hubby to call him and see when he's going to turn. He tells hubby he 'missed the last road' but is turning on the next one and he doesn't know why his GPS was leading him that way. Us, either, lol. He makes the turn and we all follow. We start seeing the directional signs again. Park straight ahead 2.5 miles. Suddenly his left blinker is on.
He turns left on a road that has a big advertising sign "Blank (same name as park) Golf Course." I think he saw the name part and turned, not realizing what the rest of the sign said. I decide to heck with it and I keep going the way the signs and the GPS tell us to. This confuses folks...lol. Some follow him, some follow me. We end up at the entrance to the park and we pull over on the shoulder before the entrance so that when he gets there he can go first because the reservations are in his name and he's been there before so he should know where we go to get the keys.
Well, when the rest of the people catch up, he's some how last in line and he pulls up and gets in line with the rest of us on the shoulder.
*sigh*
Fine.
So we go to the gate, pay our entrance fee and ask the nice lady how to get to where we are supposed to be staying. She gives us directions and off we go. Apparently the next few cars behind us do the same thing as when we go in we are all sticking together following her directions with no one holding back looking confused or anything.
He goes to get the keys only it turns out that they now escort you out and open things up for you. You do a joint damage inspection and make sure the lights are working, etc.
We ended up with the use of several really nice buildings. We were under the impression that it was one big lodge building and everyone was sleeping on the floor in sleeping bags in the big room with a fireplace but it ended up to be that the building with the fireplace room was the kitchen/dining building and then there were bunkhouse buildings and a bathroom building and several small cabins (but we didn't use those).
There were four women on the trip and this is where we slept.
This is where the Scouts slept. Well, in this building and another one just like it. There were too many for just one building. All three had bunk beds. All of us over the age of 14 were thrilled because the thought of sleeping on the cold concrete floors in sleeping bags wasn't all that appealing to us.
It gets time to start cooking dinner. The food building has a WONDERFUL commercial kitchen. Big, six burner gas stove, double door commercial ovens, a big griddle, six big sinks, stainless steel everything everywhere. I didn't take pictures of it, but imagine a well laid out commercial kitchen that you'd love to cook in and you have it.
You know what happened, right?
Yeah, us women took over the kitchen so we could play with all the cool stuff! lol.
They tell us they'd planned on tacos, both crunchy and hard, for dinner. They had plenty of meat and big cans of refried beans, enough crunchy taco shells for days, huge bags of shredded cheese, two containers of salsa, a few packages of flour tortillas and
*one* head of lettuce
We (ladies) laughed so hard we cried. One lonely head of lettuce for like 45 people! It still makes me laugh thinking about it. We cut it up extra fine and asked everyone to go easy on the lettuce, but it was still gone in no time, of course.
While we are cooking, one of the guys comes in and says "I don't think we have enough paper plates."
Huh?
"We were going to use paper plates because it's easy clean up, but seeing everyone here, I don't think we have enough for dinner."
Yep, it's that didn't count everyone up again thing.
But
The best part
The make tears roll down your face from laughing part
Is:
WE ARE SUPPOSED TO EAT THREE MEALS!!!!
They don't have enough plates for everyone for even ONE meal! I tell you, the ladies were CRACKING UP!
Man planning! We'll just eat breakfast out of our hands! You hold my food then I'll hold yours, OK?!?
The kitchen had us saved, though, because it was fully stocked so we used their plates and made the men wash the dishes. :) There were enough taco shells and shredded cheese left over to fill a boat, I think.
Check out the view we had while cooking.
The next morning the men did breakfast and they made french toast. Only they didn't want to deal with kids getting syrup on everything - so they didn't bring any. They brought squeeze butter and squeeze jelly, figuring it was 'close enough.' The kids liked it.
I'm sure that lunch was an adventure, too, but due to a change in the weather and a cancellation of a planned event at the education center, several of us decided to head back early (those of us that were signed up for that event as the alternate event was fully booked) so I wasn't there to tell you how lunch went.
It's a beautiful park and the kids and adults alike had a great time. I think the ones who had the best time, though, were the ladies! lol
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