Getting a hankerin’ for “The Great White North”..

  I have been organizing our pictures we took when we drove to Alaska in 2002…(no camper then).  We were gone one month, 11,000 miles…and made the decision that we would get back some day…As I sit here looking out at the snow, cold and icy outside…why the heck am I dreaming of the Great White North, where it is snowy, icy and cold???

HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS……

MATANUSKA GLACIER THROUGH THE WINDOWS

  We stayed at the Lone Rifle Lodge, overlooking this glacier…It was a hotel, with restaurant and bar in the middle of nowhere….and a view to die for!!

  Boy, I sure am gettin' a yearning for that absolutely pristine wilderness you can only get in Alaska… We really must give it some serious thought….However, you just can’t decide your going to RV to Alaska and leave the next day!! Food for thought….

Last night was date night….We went to a different place…I am not one who likes to create too many “patterns” …I like to switch it up every now and then…(McGuyver considers  himself lucky to still be here!)…As it turned out …the drinks were a tad high….McGuvyer had a can of Bush Lite (no, really??), I had a glass of White Zin wine (which they poured out of a little bottle, just like they do at the Moose Lodge)…Ambiance, $1.00, cost of drinks, $7.50, reasons for leaving…many…We had our one drink each and hit the road for the all too familiar, but cheaper Sandwich Moose Lodge…This is where we can have the exact same drinks for $ 4.00…..Yes, we are cheap….

They have a very nice bar, and Saturday night is they serve Prime Rib and Porterhouse Steaks with salad bar…

Our bartender is most always Terri Stemmet (on the left)..and ALWAYS very friendly…

THIS IS JUST TO SHOW THAT MCGUYVER AND I CAN CLEAN UP ON OCCASION!!

  Today Den and I drove up to see Uncle Jr. and Aunt Jeanette….which is worth one whole blog on it’s own…that will beTuesday!!

The weather man just came on and said we are in for  a blizzard, (yes, I did say blizzard!) on Tuesday and Wednesday…up to 1 foot of snow or more with 50 mph winds and cold temps…HEY…I WAS JUST KIDDING WHEN I SAID “BRING IT ON” IN MY LAST BLOG….REALLY!!!!!!

SEE YA TUESDAY..IN MY MUKLUKS, PARKA AND SNOWPANTS…WITH A BRANDY MANHATTAN IN HAND!!!

Grocery Day….What a Croc!

    I would like to thank all of you bloggers who have given me advice about my “mixed nuts” condition…I even had an email from Dan in Pennsylvania with some advice…Thanks Dan…

I have been researching this Plantars peanuts disease online…It seems that some experts feel the dreaded “white oars”, aka bunny ears, décor receptacles, or food scoops, may not be required.  Seems that if you just get some good Crocs RX AND some good walking shoes, like New Balance , (who have some special shoes JUST for this curse), things will eventually “heel “themselves…Also recommended are exercising your foot ( flexing, like you do biceps… Hey, did Arnold Schwarzenegger have to flex HIS foot?? Doubtful.. )

So….I am NOT going to slide my orthotics into anything except my bottom drawer, for now…An executive decision..Hey, I am an executive ….executive cook, dishwasher, housecleaner and blogger, right?? And as an executive chef, I needed to get some groceries yesterday….big whoop. (I doubt that Emeril has to get his own groceries!)

 

 

THIS MAN HASN’T SEE THE INSIDE OF A GROCERY STORE IN 25 YEARS…ESPECIALLY THE ONES I SHOP IN…DOLLAR GENERAL, ALDIS, WALLY WORLD….”EXCUSE ME, EMERIL, COULD YOU PLEASE JUST STEP ASIDE SO I CAN REACH MY BOX OF WINE AND THE CHEETOS?”

 

 

 

 

So come on, kids, lets climb into the back seat of the GMC, and do some serious combat grocery shopping…

 

…Please don’t crush the shopping bags in the back seat when you get in….and NO fighting over the windows…there’s two of them!!! Of course, my camera is coming with me again…I really need to wash off the truck windows ..It would certainly be safer when backing out of our LOOOOOOG drive .

 

What a lovely day, right?

 

We have to make a quick stop at Walgreens…I’m going to run in..you all stay in the truck..and no one touch the camera!!!!  Walgreens has their jar candles on sale, buy one get one free….and I LOVE a deal!!!….

Our local Walgreens is just across the street from the new Bull Moose Bar and Grille…which is STILL not open!!

 

 

  OK….WHO USED THE CAMERA TO TAKE THIS PHOTO WHILE I WAS IN WALGREENS???,   ANGELA!!!! YOU ARE LOOKING PRETTY GUILTY, YOU HAVE A TERRIBLE POKER FACE!!  AL, YOU AND JUDY CAN’T PASS A CAMERA WITHOUT TOUCHING IT!   I SEE KNOW ONE’S TALKING….A CONSPIRACY…..

As you may have noticed, it was another award winning weather day ….snow, slush and ice …It started snowing when I went into Aldis and continued doing so throughout my hiatus into Wally World…It was still snowing when I exited the parking lot in 4 wheel drive….Have I mentioned that I neglected to take a scraper/snow brush with me in the truck??…This was not wise..Our GMC has what they call “suicide doors”..You have to open the front door to be able to open the back door…It’s especially fun when it is snowing or raining , because as you are hurriedly  loading groceries into your back seat, the front driver’s seat is becoming one huge snow drift.  This would explain why I look like an incontinent escapee from “the home” when I arrive at my next stop…”No, really, I didn’t wet myself, I swear!  I just sat on a snow drift… in my truck”…REALLY!…whatever….

 

 

 

OH YES, YET ANOTHER SCURGE  OF OUR GMC…WHEN YOU ROLL DOWN YOUR SIDE WINDOW (SO YOU CAN SEE OUT), YOU GET A SECOND SURPRISE IN YOUR LAP!!.. AVALANCHE!!!!!!    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

 

 

As I ‘ve said MANY times before…This is not exactly where I thought we would be Jan. 27th this winter…and my windshield washer fluid is frozen up!!!

I have to say that all you kids were pretty good today, considering how many stops we made to save a buck…I did notice  how you all magically “disappeared” when it was time to carry the  trillion bags up the steps and into the house….It’s a good thing McGuyver was there to assist me!

NOTICE HOW BOTH DOORS ON THE TRUCK ARE SWUNG WIDE OPEN!!! OBVIOUSLY A WOMAN WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN OF THIS TRUCK…AND WOULD YA LOOK AT THE BOOTY WE GOT TODAY!! WE ARE STOCKED UP AND READY FOR A BLIZZARD!! BRING IT ON!!

I have been wining (of course I have)..complaining…about needing a suet feeder put up so I can attract some Woodpeckers (Lord knows I can’t attract anything else..could be my outfits?).….We usually have some cute little Downy Woodpeckers hanging around, but we haven’t seen any this year…I think it’s probably because we don’t have their “specialty” on our menu DUH!…McGuyver finally dug out the suet feeder and hung it outside for me…So now, I will be hanging out around the suet window, my nose up against the glass…( there’s a sure way to scare them off!)

 

DARE I SAY THAT THIS WOULDN’T LAST 5 SECONDS AT THE MID LIFE CRUISERS ..NELLIE WOULD SAUTE THIS UP WITH SOME HUMUS, ADD A FEW PINE CONES , …AND MAKE A SIDE DISH OUT OF IT!!

 

 

 

 

 

SO TODAY, I GOT ONLINE AND ORDERED ME UP SOME NEW CROCKS….I CONVINCED MCGUYVER IT’S FOR MY “CONDITION”.  I ACTUALLY OWN 3 PAIR ALREADY…2 CLOGS AND A PAIR OF SANDALS…THE PARTICULAR ONES I  ORDERED ARE CALLED “CROCS RX RELIEF”..AND…ACCORDING TO “THOSE IN THE KNOW”, THESE “CROCS RX RELIEF” ARE GREAT SHOES FOR” PLANTAR’S  PEANUTS” CONDITION…. 

The faded orange Crocs, on the left,  are 3 years old…I have worn the soles clean off! I wear those suckers everywhere…Dennis walks WAAAAAAY behind me when I wear them out to the store ….I really don’t understand why. (You may have seen me sporting these lovely orange Crocs with my stylish “ensembles”)…On the right are my newer  Khaki pair  that I have taken to wearing this winter.. (yes, I also sport these out and to the store)…The khaki ones also have this warm fuzzy lining in them…Notice the soles are in much better shape…

So now, I have orthopedic Crocs coming….I am hoping that these Crocs are not just a “Croc”!!!!

  AND SO….YET ANOTHER BLOG ABOUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

THANKS FOR GETTING TO THE END…AND I PROMISE YOU..THIS IS THE END!!

THIS IS NO GREAT “FEET”…..

I’d like to welcome a couple new followers to our sometimes “strange” blog .. A bit shout out to rwk  and msucheermom!!! If you nod off at times during the blog, don’t worry, so do I.  Also, a few peeps wondered where I got my Crocs wine coaster..It was a gift from our son and his wife, but here is a link online…

http://www.monstermarketplace.com/unique-wine-accessories/attachable-wine-coasters-set-of-4-garden-clogs

 

OK, I’m trying soooo very hard to pretend I’m in Arizona, but it isn’t easy!!

I polished my toenails for sandals……NOT HAPPENING!  I even persuaded a friend to wear turquoise…

But it sure isn’t easy to think “sandals and turquoise” here in this weather!! What a Hoot!

 

Just before we left for Texas (the SECOND time)..I went to the Foot Doc for Plantar’s Fasciitis. (No, that isn’t a fancy mixed nut dish.)  I was given bought these 2 sculpted “white oars” they call orthotics.  I’m suppose to put them in my shoes and wear them all the time…but I HATE them!!!@#!*@!* My feet feel WORSE instead of better!

 

  I am trying to find some other use for them, so I won’t be out my $30..(yes, I DID say three -zero buckos!).

Easter costume????                                  Home Décor?                               Food Scoop?

 

MAYBE I COULD WEAR THEM IN MY BEDROOM SLIPPERS?? COMFY FOR BEDTIME!!!

Does this mean I need to wear geriatric long underwear too?…cause I think I may already have some…(Don’t you just love my new fancy, fluffy socks with my “ensemble”???)

 

 

 

I REALLY HATE TO THINK OF WEARING THESE WHITE CARDBOARD “OARS” IN MY COWBOY BOOTS…NO SELF RESPECTING COWGIRL WOULD ADMIT TO SUCH A TRAVESTY…WHAT WOULD DALE EVANS DO???

 

 

 

I am also suppose to wear the  white surfboards in my walking shoes….NO, …YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING…

 

I am waffling between fits of anger, frustration and boredom…

 

PROBLEM:…I need to must walk 2 miles a day in this weather, for my health.. (obviously, mental health is involved.)

SOLUTION:…Just wear the orthotics like a good girl and walk…but……

PROBLEM:…I’m NOT a girl, I’m 62 years into life..and my walking shoes are too slippery and the snow gets inside them.

SOLUTION:….Put the “white oars” in my snow boots..DUH.

PROBLEM:…Snow boots are NOT walking shoes…After 2 miles they are killing me!

SOLUTION:…..SOLUTION…HMMMMM………..AHA! …I’ll walk in my walking shoes, making sure the Sandwich EMS services are on my cell phone speed dial, and alert them when I leave the house….

A BETTER SOLUTION….If I cannot walk…I shall EAT!!!

BY THE SPRING THAW, I WILL HAVE TO GREASE MY HIPS TO GET OUT THE BACK DOOR!!

OK, OK,…I’LL WALK WHEN I CAN….THERE HAS TO BE A FEW DAYS BETWEEN ICE AND SNOW STORMS!!

I LOVE MY ORTHOTICS, I LOVE MY ORTHOTICS, I LOVE MY ORTHOTICS….HEY, I JUST REALIZED ANOTHER USE FOR THESE SUCKERS………A GEISHA FAN….YEAH???

                                                                        SCORE!!!!

WE GAVE IT OUR ALL!!!! A BEAR CAVE.

…..Well, we Caves certainly were a supportive group yesterday….Not sure exactly what the H--- happened, but apparently Cutler’s lazy butt evil twin tied up the REAL guy, then proceeded to pretend HE was our quarterback ….Ter and her 3 kids rolled in about game time…all of them with their “game faces” on…ready to cheer on their Bears..(Honestly, I have never seen 3 kids so cranked up about their team..and their Dad was in Chicago at the game!!)

 

I think Campbell (youngest on the right) was privy to information we WERE NOT! His face looks doubtful..

We positioned ourselves around the TV, eagerly awaiting kick off…As it turns out, we should have just applied the blindfolds about 4 minutes into the game and left them on until mid 3rd quarter….But we were gluttons for punishment, so we screamed at the TV and paced around the room…We were thrilled when they put in our 3rd string quarterback, Haine…and giddy when we finally scored !!  But…alas, the Chicago Bears couldn’t pull it out, and were clearly outplayed.

By half time, I figured it was “wine” O’clock……Lord knows I needed a glass by then…Things were getting tense….

 

PLEASE NOTICE THAT MY WINE GLASS IS ADORNED WITH A COASTER THAT MATCHES MY CROCS….HEY, THE CAVE DWELLING ARE “UNIQUELY” A CLASS ACT, IF NOTHING ELSE!!!

Let’s just say, …..WE HAD SOME GOOD SNACKS…PIZZA, CON QUESO AND CHIPS, CHICKEN AND CHEESE TAQUITOS……I WOULD SHOW YOU A PICTURE, BUT THEY ATE THAT STUFF AT THE SPEED OF  SOUND!!!

  Den and I woke this morning to freezing drizzle mixed with snow….I thought I was dreaming, so I closed my eyes real tight and re-opened…Nope…I really WAS  in Illinois…and yes, the Bears really did lose the game yesterday….I was hoping for a bad nightmare, but it was all vividly real…

  As for us old farts, we will continue to bask in the memories (for those of us who still have a memory) of the “good ‘ol days”…McMahon, Singletary, Payton, Hampton, Dent, Butler….and most of all Mike Ditka….Ah, yes….THOSE were some great days, alright….

 

AND I STILL HAVE THE 21  YEAR OLD SWEATSHIRT TO PROVE IT!!!

SOB, SNIFF, DRIVEL, SNOT…..(YOU GET THE PICTURE….NASTY..)

FROM POETRY TO FRY BREAD…I’VE LOST CONTROL OF MY BLOG..

 

YOUR LITTLE GIRL

Baby dolls, Teddy Bears, little lace dresses

Rosy cheeks, dimples and paper doll messes.

Pouty and precious, with bows in her hair,

Toads, frogs and spiders all give her a scare.

 

Lip gloss and diaries, dances and boys,

Trips to her room, saying, “Turn down the noise!”

A phone call…broken heart…so many tears,

Long talks till midnight with some of her peers.

 

Your sweet baby girl, now a woman “full blown”,

Who brings you to tears when she “goes it alone”.

You watch and remember…not so long ago

When you and  YOUR mother had gone toe to toe.

 

And as the years pass in the blink of an eye

You’ll look back and smile..you’ll look back and cry.

Who is this young woman so strong and so true?

The reflection you see in her eyes…well, it’s YOU!!!

                                                   D. Cave

 

 

YOUR LITTLE BOY

It’s frogs in pockets, shoeless feet,

And kneeless jeans with worn out seats.

It’s trucks and cars and things that ZOOM!

And make a raceway through his room.

 

It’s runny noses, toothless grins

And Power Ranger vitamins!

It’s Little League and running bases,

Dirty fingernails and faces.

 

And as he grows, so strong and tall

You won’t forget when he was small.

Is this grown man the same young boy

Whose crooked smile brought so much joy?

 

But, rest assured that he’s still there,

He’s just INSIDE this man, somewhere.

Your “little boy”, who’s grown so wise

Cannot deny, cannot disguise….

That same old smile , those sparkling eyes…

                                                   D. Cave

  I gave copies to each of my kids…

 

  I’m not sure I mentioned that I write poetry on occasion….It’s cathartic for me…I seem to get some feeling of satisfaction in putting poetry on paper….When we became Grandparents, it was one of our life’s grandest adventures!…About 2 years ago, I decided to write a poem for my children…to let them know how fast those their children will become men and women right before their eyes…Above poems are my two feeble attempts at doing that…

..Ok, enough of the sappy stuff…I DO love to write poems..but the mood has to strike me….I also like to act off and get nutsy..find a laugh wherever I can..as you all well know!! 

Yesterday Sam posted his famous Pizza tips on his blog..and I discovered that we do some things with our pizza making the same.  His cheeses are a little different, but our pizzas have quite a  few things in common…That’s the beauty of pizza…You can make it your own by tweaking it to suit you..What’s  your favorite pizza??

….Yesterday was so damn darn cold  I never left the house.  It was an Arctic –9 degrees when we woke up….I turned on the radio and heard them say the wind chill was –20…WHAT???  I figured I should put on 2 pair of sweats …and I I was quite content to stay on the INSIDE of my back door!!!   This cold weather means comfort food…homemade beef vegetable soup…OH YEA…YUMMO!!

 

When we were in Arizona at Hickiwan Trails RV Park , some of the Native American women from the Tohono O’Odham Nation came into the park to cook their famous Indian fry bread…

 

 

SIMILAR TO PIZZA, YET DIFFERENT….AND OOOOOOOH SO GOOD!

 

 

 

Welcome new followers  THE OLD GEEZER,(Dennis, did you just join our blog?), and  Deborah..Boy did you pick a screwed up blog to get mentioned in…my apologies…I mistakenly think I can multi-task  in my blogs…turns out I cannot….And…..this has been yet ANOTHER strange blog “run amok”….I change directions so fast it can make your neck snap just trying to keep up…Tomorrow night is “date night”…..I’m thinking of donning my Eskimo gear complete with mukluks and furry collar before I venture outside for a cocktail at the Moose Lodge…My next post will be Sunday…BEARS VS. PACKERS day….My son AND son-in-law managed to finagle tickets to the game…Now that’s gonna be COLD!  GO BEARS!!

THANKS FOR TOLLERATING MY PSYCOTIC,  FLIPPANT SEGUES FROM POETRY TO FRY BREAD….I’M A WET MESS, EH??