This morning when Grace got out of bed, Wookiee was excited to see her. As he jumped on her legs (he does have sharp nails and is definitely in need, as Christianne says, of a paw-dicure), she said,
"Help! Help! Wookiee is 'tacking me! He's 'tacking me!"
But even better was shortly after, when she tattled to me about her brother,
"Mom! Joshua's 'tagonizing me! He won't stop 'tagonizing!"
I sure know what it's like to be 'tagonized by a sibling, Grace. Hang in there!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Well, Shucks
This weekend was the annual Corn Roast Festival. I love this yearly event and look forward to it for quite awhile. It was one of the first things that we did when we moved here and one of the things that really endeared me to this community.
This year it was moved to another location - a nice new park on the site of the old fairgrounds. It seemed much bigger and a lot nicer than the last two years we attended. Good times.
You should see these kids eat corn. Even Grace! I think I might enter Grace, Josh, and Ro into the corn eating contests next year. Not Chris, though... she's a pokey eater!
I wish I had pictures but of course we left the camera in the car.
On Sunday we* moved our bedroom furniture into the basement to make way for Pop. Tomorrow (hopefully), we'll paint his room (our former room) and then work on getting the carpets shampooed before he arrives in a couple of weeks. I'm excited!
*I did say we, didn't I? Truth be told, I didn't do anything. Ro did most of it and our friend Jeff helped with the moving stuff. Ro even washed our bedding! Don't ask me what I did; I probably couldn't tell you!
Pop's new room - ready for painting and cleaning:
Our new room in the basement. Gosh our bed is big!
Friday, August 21, 2009
They Say...
... that after awhile a dog and his owner begin to look alike. Although we've only had Wookiee about three months, I'm seeing that it's true:
But we took care of it:
Hoping Memaw brings her scissors when she comes 'cuz Wookifers needs a trim!
But we took care of it:
Hoping Memaw brings her scissors when she comes 'cuz Wookifers needs a trim!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
BKOCs
So school began this week and I think I'm the most excited. ;) It's been a fairly quiet couple of days around here. Although I miss having the kids around and the freedom to do fun things whenever we want, I definitely don't miss the fighting and the messes!
Both kids are the Big Kids on Campus - Chris is in her last year of middle school (yikes!) and Josh is in his last year of elementary. Doesn't seem like long ago that I walked Chris into her kindergarten classroom and helped her make a new friend. (Josh wasn't that shy - he didn't even look back as he walked away with his teacher.) Josh rode his bike on the first day - the first time ever I didn't see him to the door.
Sixth and ninth graders started on Monday, seventh and eighth graders on Tuesday, and everyone else today. I'm not sure why some kids need a couple more days than the others!
So Grace and I went to Storytime at the library today. She is doing really well with that. She isn't too shy to participate or too exuberant to be irritating. She loves making the 22-second-long crafts at the end, too. My only complaint is that it's too short. It takes me as long to drive over there, get her out of the car, and get situated in the room as it does for the storytime - and the craft included. (And if you ever went to Storytime at the Palmdale City Children's Library - it was sooo much better there. At least I'm the only one who knows the difference, I guess.)
And on the way home, I did something completely spontaneous and out of my comfort zone that I only ended up regretting a little bit. Kids are in school and it was a beautiful day, and as we drove by the lake I looked across to see only a couple of people on the beach! So even though I didn't plan on going and despite the fact that I DESPISE sand, we stopped by and played for a bit. Kudos to me, I must say, although I cut the trip short since I didn't bring anything to sit on or play with. Grace was fine just playing with her imagination in the sand and water, but I wasn't going to sit my backside on that gritty mess. ;) I did promise her that if the weather was just as beautiful we'd return tomorrow. I don't like crowds more than I don't like sand, so the emptiness and quiet of the beach was a big, big draw for me. I think I'm actually looking forward to it tomorrow!
:: Sigh :: This time next year, my oldest will be starting high school, and my middle one middle school. I'll have one year left with Grace before she starts. Goes by way too fast...
Both kids are the Big Kids on Campus - Chris is in her last year of middle school (yikes!) and Josh is in his last year of elementary. Doesn't seem like long ago that I walked Chris into her kindergarten classroom and helped her make a new friend. (Josh wasn't that shy - he didn't even look back as he walked away with his teacher.) Josh rode his bike on the first day - the first time ever I didn't see him to the door.
Sixth and ninth graders started on Monday, seventh and eighth graders on Tuesday, and everyone else today. I'm not sure why some kids need a couple more days than the others!
So Grace and I went to Storytime at the library today. She is doing really well with that. She isn't too shy to participate or too exuberant to be irritating. She loves making the 22-second-long crafts at the end, too. My only complaint is that it's too short. It takes me as long to drive over there, get her out of the car, and get situated in the room as it does for the storytime - and the craft included. (And if you ever went to Storytime at the Palmdale City Children's Library - it was sooo much better there. At least I'm the only one who knows the difference, I guess.)
And on the way home, I did something completely spontaneous and out of my comfort zone that I only ended up regretting a little bit. Kids are in school and it was a beautiful day, and as we drove by the lake I looked across to see only a couple of people on the beach! So even though I didn't plan on going and despite the fact that I DESPISE sand, we stopped by and played for a bit. Kudos to me, I must say, although I cut the trip short since I didn't bring anything to sit on or play with. Grace was fine just playing with her imagination in the sand and water, but I wasn't going to sit my backside on that gritty mess. ;) I did promise her that if the weather was just as beautiful we'd return tomorrow. I don't like crowds more than I don't like sand, so the emptiness and quiet of the beach was a big, big draw for me. I think I'm actually looking forward to it tomorrow!
:: Sigh :: This time next year, my oldest will be starting high school, and my middle one middle school. I'll have one year left with Grace before she starts. Goes by way too fast...
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sleepy
I'm tired tonight, missing my men, enjoying the quiet for a few minutes before heading off to bed myself. The girls are both asleep, Chris having put Grace to bed while I was at my unspecified business endeavor meeting. I'd expected she'd keep her up until I got home, but instead was surprised by her maturity - and Grace's willingness to go to bed for her big sister.
We haven't done much special, just us girls, except for the shakes and sleepover last night. Today has been busy with chores and errands and getting ready for our Christianne to start school tomorrow. One more year and then high school. Yikes, they grow up sooo stinking fast. It's such a cliche but so true - blink and you miss it - it goes by too fast.
Unfortunately, Chris isn't too eager to begin school. She always has been fairly excited about it in the past. Maybe she's just getting older. Maybe she's apprehensive about her "enemy" being on her team. Maybe she's uptight about some of the situations possibly continuing from last year. I'm not sure... but I love the start of school, even though it's been years since I've been a student myself. Like the New Year, it's a time for fresh starts and evaluation and goals and - best of all - new supplies! :) But if you think of her tomorrow, will you say a prayer for her to enjoy her new team and eighth grade?
Our men return tomorrow sometime, and Josh starts 5th grade on Wednesday ~ also the oldest grade in his school like Christianne. The biggest dilemma in our life with him right now is how to get him to think he really wants his hair cut. :)
Going to catch some zzz's...
xoxo
We haven't done much special, just us girls, except for the shakes and sleepover last night. Today has been busy with chores and errands and getting ready for our Christianne to start school tomorrow. One more year and then high school. Yikes, they grow up sooo stinking fast. It's such a cliche but so true - blink and you miss it - it goes by too fast.
Unfortunately, Chris isn't too eager to begin school. She always has been fairly excited about it in the past. Maybe she's just getting older. Maybe she's apprehensive about her "enemy" being on her team. Maybe she's uptight about some of the situations possibly continuing from last year. I'm not sure... but I love the start of school, even though it's been years since I've been a student myself. Like the New Year, it's a time for fresh starts and evaluation and goals and - best of all - new supplies! :) But if you think of her tomorrow, will you say a prayer for her to enjoy her new team and eighth grade?
Our men return tomorrow sometime, and Josh starts 5th grade on Wednesday ~ also the oldest grade in his school like Christianne. The biggest dilemma in our life with him right now is how to get him to think he really wants his hair cut. :)
Going to catch some zzz's...
xoxo
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Girls Rule (boys drool)
Such is Grace's new chant that we taught her today to refocus her attention from being sad after finding out our boys were leaving this afternoon for their annual father-son camping trip. It's so funny to hear her say it, with a lot of drama and usually a pointing finger. It actually offends Josh to some degree, but it's all just fun.
So our boys just pulled out, little Sentra packed to the top with man supplies for the next two days. Michelle offered them her cabin in Drake, about 45 minutes from here in the mountains. She actually just called and suggested they bring more hot chocolate, since theirs was eaten this weekend by bears. Bears! Oh my! :) I hope they get to see some - but from quite a distance. I don't think they need to re-enact the Southwick adventure from a couple of weeks ago.
This trip will be weird a bit for me because although they've gone before, this time I doubt they'll have cell phone reception to call and check in. I love getting frequent updates on what they're doing. They brought lots of games and Joshua's bow and arrow, as well as lots of fire-making stuff. I'm sure they'll have a blast.
Not sure what we girls will do, other than sleep together in my bed tonight. I do think we will make some Girls Rule Milkshakes and maybe have a special Girls Rule Dinner, but I've been so focused on other unspecified business endeavor things the past few days, I don't really have any plans. Although sometimes that's the best way to go.
Chris and I are nearing the end of Little Women for our Mother-Daughter book club. It's sad! I knew it would be but really thought it would just have one sad part at the end... but the last two chapters I read are both sad. I'm waiting for her to catch up so we can have our discussion and then we'll have our final one next weekend. After that we're thinking of doing Anne of Green Gables.
Well, since I'm caught up on my reading, Chris isn't, Grace is napping, and the boys are gone, I think I might take a cue from the princess and catch a few zzzz's myself. Hope you all are enjoying your weekend.
xoxo
So our boys just pulled out, little Sentra packed to the top with man supplies for the next two days. Michelle offered them her cabin in Drake, about 45 minutes from here in the mountains. She actually just called and suggested they bring more hot chocolate, since theirs was eaten this weekend by bears. Bears! Oh my! :) I hope they get to see some - but from quite a distance. I don't think they need to re-enact the Southwick adventure from a couple of weeks ago.
This trip will be weird a bit for me because although they've gone before, this time I doubt they'll have cell phone reception to call and check in. I love getting frequent updates on what they're doing. They brought lots of games and Joshua's bow and arrow, as well as lots of fire-making stuff. I'm sure they'll have a blast.
Not sure what we girls will do, other than sleep together in my bed tonight. I do think we will make some Girls Rule Milkshakes and maybe have a special Girls Rule Dinner, but I've been so focused on other unspecified business endeavor things the past few days, I don't really have any plans. Although sometimes that's the best way to go.
Chris and I are nearing the end of Little Women for our Mother-Daughter book club. It's sad! I knew it would be but really thought it would just have one sad part at the end... but the last two chapters I read are both sad. I'm waiting for her to catch up so we can have our discussion and then we'll have our final one next weekend. After that we're thinking of doing Anne of Green Gables.
Well, since I'm caught up on my reading, Chris isn't, Grace is napping, and the boys are gone, I think I might take a cue from the princess and catch a few zzzz's myself. Hope you all are enjoying your weekend.
xoxo
Thursday, August 13, 2009
I Didn't See This One Coming
I've obviously missed another year of qualifying for Mother of the Year with this one.
Last night, Ro was out, I was cuddling on the couch with Grace, Chris was solving a mystery on the computer, and Josh was in my hide-out, the basement. We were flipping channels and came upon America's Got Talent, which I admittedly watch here and there. Penn and Teller were about to do a magic trick, so Grace and I watched as the duo did the classic bit. Then they began to explain how the trick was done.
I paused the show (who doesn't love DVRs?), called to the basement and told Josh, "I think you'll think this is cool," because he's kind of had an interest in magic tricks. As he came up, I told Chris she might like it, too. She said, "I don't think I should watch Penn and Teller." I replied, "Aw, they're on a family show - it'll be fine."
So we're all cuddled around the show, Grace the Sponge taking in everything, as I rewound and began replaying the trick. And then it happened, what I didn't see coming.
OK so think what you want about the surprise... but it happened so fast I was completely caught off-guard, and of course, my Grace began freaking out. Of course the pause button is harder to find when you're panicked about giving your child nightmares forever.
Good one. Another credit to my fine parenting skills. Ha.
I'll also tell you, in a mini sequel from yesterday's story, that Grace decided last night (before the dreaded P&T incident) that she wanted to call Memaw and tell her a story. She got on the phone and began wandering around and rambling on about her story. Because she wasn't sitting with me, I didn't really hear it, except of course when she walked over to me and pointed at the part where she said THE EVIL QUEEN.
Hmm. I'm really trying not to get a complex here, but between her apparent feelings toward me and my not-so-on-top-of-it parenting, I think it's understandable! ;)
Last night, Ro was out, I was cuddling on the couch with Grace, Chris was solving a mystery on the computer, and Josh was in my hide-out, the basement. We were flipping channels and came upon America's Got Talent, which I admittedly watch here and there. Penn and Teller were about to do a magic trick, so Grace and I watched as the duo did the classic bit. Then they began to explain how the trick was done.
I paused the show (who doesn't love DVRs?), called to the basement and told Josh, "I think you'll think this is cool," because he's kind of had an interest in magic tricks. As he came up, I told Chris she might like it, too. She said, "I don't think I should watch Penn and Teller." I replied, "Aw, they're on a family show - it'll be fine."
So we're all cuddled around the show, Grace the Sponge taking in everything, as I rewound and began replaying the trick. And then it happened, what I didn't see coming.
OK so think what you want about the surprise... but it happened so fast I was completely caught off-guard, and of course, my Grace began freaking out. Of course the pause button is harder to find when you're panicked about giving your child nightmares forever.
Good one. Another credit to my fine parenting skills. Ha.
I'll also tell you, in a mini sequel from yesterday's story, that Grace decided last night (before the dreaded P&T incident) that she wanted to call Memaw and tell her a story. She got on the phone and began wandering around and rambling on about her story. Because she wasn't sitting with me, I didn't really hear it, except of course when she walked over to me and pointed at the part where she said THE EVIL QUEEN.
Hmm. I'm really trying not to get a complex here, but between her apparent feelings toward me and my not-so-on-top-of-it parenting, I think it's understandable! ;)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Once Upon a Time...
That's how Grace began her story yesterday. She had all our attention, as we sat on the back steps, watching Wookiee chase a ball and swatting the occasional mosquito.
Once upon a time...
She pauses for drama.
Once upon a time there was a beautiful, beautiful princess...
I wish you could see the dramatic expression on her face.
... and her name was Christianne!
Awww.
And there was also a Queen...
Another pause, as she looks directly at me. Goody, I get to be in the story, too!
And her name was EVIL MAMA.
And that, folks, was the end of the story.
Once upon a time...
She pauses for drama.
Once upon a time there was a beautiful, beautiful princess...
I wish you could see the dramatic expression on her face.
... and her name was Christianne!
Awww.
And there was also a Queen...
Another pause, as she looks directly at me. Goody, I get to be in the story, too!
And her name was EVIL MAMA.
And that, folks, was the end of the story.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Shhh...
I'm hiding.
Yes, from the children.
But it's quiet down here. I'm in the basement, and it's cooler down here, and there are no children, no TV noises, no video game noises, no arguments, nothing but the hum of this ancient machine I'm typing on.
I might not go back upstairs for some time.
But I already hear them looking for me. Something tells me this breather is going to be short-lived.
Yes, from the children.
But it's quiet down here. I'm in the basement, and it's cooler down here, and there are no children, no TV noises, no video game noises, no arguments, nothing but the hum of this ancient machine I'm typing on.
I might not go back upstairs for some time.
But I already hear them looking for me. Something tells me this breather is going to be short-lived.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Desperately Seeking Something
Still in search of some balance around here...
Yesterday I finished Tuesday's list; today I finished Monday's. I have one big task remaining for yesterday, and quite a bit for today. Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe... maybe someday I'll get caught up. Maybe.
In the meantime, I stepped way out of my comfort zone yesterday and took some homemade cookies to the new neighbors across the street (from Monday's list, tsk tsk). It actually wasn't even hard. I just remember how much it meant to me, two years ago this month, to have neighbors come over and introduce themselves when we moved into our home. So... I'm trying to do right by them by paying it forward. And, the newbies are wonderfully sweet and know the Lord.
Joshua met with his teachers from last year and two other classmates for a summer book club at the park that the teachers set up. Isn't that the coolest? That his teachers would take time out of their summer to encourage reading and relationships once a month? Awesome. Christianne got her partial schedule, locker, team assignments, and etc. this week as well. Josh gets his teacher assignment next week and the school ice cream social is next week as well. Getting closer! They say they aren't ready to go back to school yet, though.
Tomorrow 3/5 of the Wiggy Ones are headed to Kaiser to get our various problems examined: me, Chris, and Josh. Nothing major, just a little "housekeeping," so to speak. The Wiggiest of us all of course will be at work, and the wiggliest of us all will probably destroy the waiting room, but you know, it's all in a day's joy for us.
I've updated a few requests over on the prayer blog. There are a lot of older, still unanswered requests as well. Most especially I think of Dr. S and T&T's marriage... heavy issues that are certainly shaking up the lives of those involved. Please, if you are doing nothing else and are just wasting time on the 'net, please stop over and pray for our friends, family, and friends of friends. It means a lot.
xoxo
Yesterday I finished Tuesday's list; today I finished Monday's. I have one big task remaining for yesterday, and quite a bit for today. Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe... maybe someday I'll get caught up. Maybe.
In the meantime, I stepped way out of my comfort zone yesterday and took some homemade cookies to the new neighbors across the street (from Monday's list, tsk tsk). It actually wasn't even hard. I just remember how much it meant to me, two years ago this month, to have neighbors come over and introduce themselves when we moved into our home. So... I'm trying to do right by them by paying it forward. And, the newbies are wonderfully sweet and know the Lord.
Joshua met with his teachers from last year and two other classmates for a summer book club at the park that the teachers set up. Isn't that the coolest? That his teachers would take time out of their summer to encourage reading and relationships once a month? Awesome. Christianne got her partial schedule, locker, team assignments, and etc. this week as well. Josh gets his teacher assignment next week and the school ice cream social is next week as well. Getting closer! They say they aren't ready to go back to school yet, though.
Tomorrow 3/5 of the Wiggy Ones are headed to Kaiser to get our various problems examined: me, Chris, and Josh. Nothing major, just a little "housekeeping," so to speak. The Wiggiest of us all of course will be at work, and the wiggliest of us all will probably destroy the waiting room, but you know, it's all in a day's joy for us.
I've updated a few requests over on the prayer blog. There are a lot of older, still unanswered requests as well. Most especially I think of Dr. S and T&T's marriage... heavy issues that are certainly shaking up the lives of those involved. Please, if you are doing nothing else and are just wasting time on the 'net, please stop over and pray for our friends, family, and friends of friends. It means a lot.
xoxo
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
They Crack Me Up
For whatever reason (I'm sure someone will explain it to me), there seem to be more windshields here in Coli than there were in Cali that have chips or cracks in them. In fact, we haven't had a chip in our windshield in years, but it didn't take long for Ro to get a chip and then a crack in his car and mine got chipped last February.
(There are also lots of places here that fix rock chips - for free?)
So the other day we were headed up to FoCo and Christianne commented regarding a nearby car, "Look at the crack in his glass!"
Only I didn't know she was talking about a car and I didn't hear the first consonant sound on that last word.
I was shocked that my daughter would say such a thing! I finally realized what she actually said and laughed and laughed. "That wasn't what I heard!"
And Grace piped up, "Look at the crack on my BUTT!"
Not to be excluded, Josh chimed in: "Mom. I need a new butt! Mine is cracked!"
~~~~~
On another note, Christianne asked how long we've been married. Nearly 17 years, I told her.
"17 years! That's longer than I've been alive!"
Ahem. Yes, dear. That is the way it's supposed to work!
~~~~~
Finally, Josh just came in here and said, "Mom, remember when we went to B&W?"
Huh? BMW? No, never been there. B&W? Wha'?
He asked again and it dawned on me: "Ohhhh... A&W?"
His face fell. "Oh. I was just thinking how cool it was that it was your initials. But it's not."
(There are also lots of places here that fix rock chips - for free?)
So the other day we were headed up to FoCo and Christianne commented regarding a nearby car, "Look at the crack in his glass!"
Only I didn't know she was talking about a car and I didn't hear the first consonant sound on that last word.
I was shocked that my daughter would say such a thing! I finally realized what she actually said and laughed and laughed. "That wasn't what I heard!"
And Grace piped up, "Look at the crack on my BUTT!"
Not to be excluded, Josh chimed in: "Mom. I need a new butt! Mine is cracked!"
~~~~~
On another note, Christianne asked how long we've been married. Nearly 17 years, I told her.
"17 years! That's longer than I've been alive!"
Ahem. Yes, dear. That is the way it's supposed to work!
~~~~~
Finally, Josh just came in here and said, "Mom, remember when we went to B&W?"
Huh? BMW? No, never been there. B&W? Wha'?
He asked again and it dawned on me: "Ohhhh... A&W?"
His face fell. "Oh. I was just thinking how cool it was that it was your initials. But it's not."
Monday, August 03, 2009
Overwhelmed
So many things are competing for attention in my mind today, that although I've only been out of bed 49 minutes I'm feeling completely overwhelmed.
Generally I love Mondays. I see them as a time to get focused and organized for the week. I usually am productive and often get more done on Mondays than I do the entire rest of the week.
Today I'm kind of wishing it all away. I sure would love to go back to bed.
I was going to dump it all out of my brain and onto this page but I know you beloved readers aren't really interested in all the things spilling off my to-do list. Suffice it to say there are chores, prayer needs, other priorities too numerous to list today. (Speaking of prayer needs, I haven't been over to the prayer blog in awhile, sorry - but I will try to today or tomorrow as there are a lot of new requests to submit.)
And so what am I doing? Dawdling. Avoiding. Procrastinating. Three things I do best, believe me.
All right... time to pull up my big girl panties and go eat a frog... Happy Monday, everyone. May you have a blessed and productive week.
xoxo
Generally I love Mondays. I see them as a time to get focused and organized for the week. I usually am productive and often get more done on Mondays than I do the entire rest of the week.
Today I'm kind of wishing it all away. I sure would love to go back to bed.
I was going to dump it all out of my brain and onto this page but I know you beloved readers aren't really interested in all the things spilling off my to-do list. Suffice it to say there are chores, prayer needs, other priorities too numerous to list today. (Speaking of prayer needs, I haven't been over to the prayer blog in awhile, sorry - but I will try to today or tomorrow as there are a lot of new requests to submit.)
And so what am I doing? Dawdling. Avoiding. Procrastinating. Three things I do best, believe me.
All right... time to pull up my big girl panties and go eat a frog... Happy Monday, everyone. May you have a blessed and productive week.
xoxo
Sunday, August 02, 2009
The Requested Photos
First, for reference, Elvira:
And then, Memaw (fall 2006):
Me without glasses:
And with:
And then, Memaw (fall 2006):
Me without glasses:
And with:
Saturday, August 01, 2009
2 Dates in 20 Hours
Three Saturdays ago, Ro and I went on a date to the Loveland Loves Barbecue event in town.
There, we discovered Stubby's.
Stubby's was the first truck we stopped at, actually. I sampled the pulled pork and it just melted in my mouth. We asked where they were located and the lady told us that he sells 'Q out of his truck a few days a week, and gave us the approximate location to find him.
We continued sampling and came right back to Stubby's. He had the best pork there, and we weren't surprised a day or two later when the newspaper reported he'd taken 1st place for that pork-ticular category.
The following Saturday Ro and I went garage saling for a couple of hours and afterward went out to search for Stubby. We drove up and down the street and couldn't find the big blue and white truck that we were assured we wouldn't miss. We ended up trying another BBQ joint that was well-recommended, and although the food was good, it wasn't Stubby's.
No web site, no phone listing. This guy is seriously low-overhead. I even considered putting an ad on the Craigslist Missed Connections section but I can't tell you what I would've said, as this is a PG-rated blog.
Well on Thursday as I came down out of the RMNP, I saw it - the blue and white truck. I was so excited, I think I scared my friend by shouting, "STUBBY!" When Ro walked in the door from work and Gracie yelled, "DADDY!" I was right behind her, shouting, "I FOUND STUBBY!" Turns out he'd been competing in Laramie that particular weekend we couldn't find him. (Ahem, Stubby's needs a website. Or a blog even.)
So last night Ro and I went down the highway and found the blue and white truck and met the man behind the name. Actually we didn't, because his name was Larry and Stubby is his brother, but still.
It seems so odd to me to go on a date to an establishment on wheels. As we waited for him to dish up our meals we discussed where we should eat: we could continue to stand here and chat it up with Stubby, I mean Larry; we could sit in the car which seemed rather rude; we could grab the only picnic bench in the lot but that seemed kind of low on ambience. So we decided to take it to the lake. There we found a picnic bench and since dusk was approaching we could watch the ducks swim and the fish jump for mosquitos.
The food did not disappoint. My gosh, this food was sooo good. We both got the pulled pork and I added "beans and debris" and Ro had the made-fresh buttermilk slaw. Mmmm...
And then a woman approached us with two teens. They were doing some sort of service project and offered us free ice cream to go with our meal. It was so nice and thoughtful - we were really blessed by their friendliness and kindness. As they left, she asked if she could pray with us about anything and with all the changes that are on the cusp of happening around here, that just about made my day. Well, truth be told Stubby's made my day, and the lake and my dinner partner were second, but she was definitely the third best thing to happen that evening. Very, very nice people.
What an uplifting time Robert and I had - time together to talk without the constant interruption of DAD DAD MOM DAD DAD DAD DAD MOM MOM DAD, a beautiful and quiet view, awesome food, and spiritual blessing as well.
This morning I had a party for my unspecified business opportunity in FoCo and this afternoon Ro had to play on the worship team. We realized that he would be coming as I would be going or vice versa, however it worked out, so we met for lunch as we passed in the nigh... um, day. We went to Cafe Mexicali, which my friend helped me discover for the first time last week. Mmmm mmmm mmm... amazing, fresh food. I have, in fact, been there 3 times in the past 8 days, and now I have to stop. Because as good as it is, it ain't free.
But they have a burrito that I never would've put together: sweet pork with an habanero white sauce that gave that sweetness just a little bit of kick. Oh my, the goodness.
So I'm feeling kinda spoiled today, enjoying great food and convo with my Beloved of two decades... I wish he wasn't on the team today, to be truthful. I miss hanging out with him and life has gotten so busy we are both constantly running. I'm looking forward to some more down time with him tomorrow afternoon. You know, when we shampoo the carpets side by side or something.
And tonight... it's just me and the kids. I think I should go figure out something cool (and cheap) to do with them...
xoxo
PS: Re the 2 to 1 post from a couple of days ago, Jo has requested pictures so you can see for yourselves. I aim to please. I did, in fact, take pictures today but our photo editor hasn't been reinstalled on the computer yet... so stay tuned; they should be up shortly.
There, we discovered Stubby's.
Stubby's was the first truck we stopped at, actually. I sampled the pulled pork and it just melted in my mouth. We asked where they were located and the lady told us that he sells 'Q out of his truck a few days a week, and gave us the approximate location to find him.
We continued sampling and came right back to Stubby's. He had the best pork there, and we weren't surprised a day or two later when the newspaper reported he'd taken 1st place for that pork-ticular category.
The following Saturday Ro and I went garage saling for a couple of hours and afterward went out to search for Stubby. We drove up and down the street and couldn't find the big blue and white truck that we were assured we wouldn't miss. We ended up trying another BBQ joint that was well-recommended, and although the food was good, it wasn't Stubby's.
No web site, no phone listing. This guy is seriously low-overhead. I even considered putting an ad on the Craigslist Missed Connections section but I can't tell you what I would've said, as this is a PG-rated blog.
Well on Thursday as I came down out of the RMNP, I saw it - the blue and white truck. I was so excited, I think I scared my friend by shouting, "STUBBY!" When Ro walked in the door from work and Gracie yelled, "DADDY!" I was right behind her, shouting, "I FOUND STUBBY!" Turns out he'd been competing in Laramie that particular weekend we couldn't find him. (Ahem, Stubby's needs a website. Or a blog even.)
So last night Ro and I went down the highway and found the blue and white truck and met the man behind the name. Actually we didn't, because his name was Larry and Stubby is his brother, but still.
It seems so odd to me to go on a date to an establishment on wheels. As we waited for him to dish up our meals we discussed where we should eat: we could continue to stand here and chat it up with Stubby, I mean Larry; we could sit in the car which seemed rather rude; we could grab the only picnic bench in the lot but that seemed kind of low on ambience. So we decided to take it to the lake. There we found a picnic bench and since dusk was approaching we could watch the ducks swim and the fish jump for mosquitos.
The food did not disappoint. My gosh, this food was sooo good. We both got the pulled pork and I added "beans and debris" and Ro had the made-fresh buttermilk slaw. Mmmm...
And then a woman approached us with two teens. They were doing some sort of service project and offered us free ice cream to go with our meal. It was so nice and thoughtful - we were really blessed by their friendliness and kindness. As they left, she asked if she could pray with us about anything and with all the changes that are on the cusp of happening around here, that just about made my day. Well, truth be told Stubby's made my day, and the lake and my dinner partner were second, but she was definitely the third best thing to happen that evening. Very, very nice people.
What an uplifting time Robert and I had - time together to talk without the constant interruption of DAD DAD MOM DAD DAD DAD DAD MOM MOM DAD, a beautiful and quiet view, awesome food, and spiritual blessing as well.
This morning I had a party for my unspecified business opportunity in FoCo and this afternoon Ro had to play on the worship team. We realized that he would be coming as I would be going or vice versa, however it worked out, so we met for lunch as we passed in the nigh... um, day. We went to Cafe Mexicali, which my friend helped me discover for the first time last week. Mmmm mmmm mmm... amazing, fresh food. I have, in fact, been there 3 times in the past 8 days, and now I have to stop. Because as good as it is, it ain't free.
But they have a burrito that I never would've put together: sweet pork with an habanero white sauce that gave that sweetness just a little bit of kick. Oh my, the goodness.
So I'm feeling kinda spoiled today, enjoying great food and convo with my Beloved of two decades... I wish he wasn't on the team today, to be truthful. I miss hanging out with him and life has gotten so busy we are both constantly running. I'm looking forward to some more down time with him tomorrow afternoon. You know, when we shampoo the carpets side by side or something.
And tonight... it's just me and the kids. I think I should go figure out something cool (and cheap) to do with them...
xoxo
PS: Re the 2 to 1 post from a couple of days ago, Jo has requested pictures so you can see for yourselves. I aim to please. I did, in fact, take pictures today but our photo editor hasn't been reinstalled on the computer yet... so stay tuned; they should be up shortly.
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