Disclaimer: This is going to be one long RIDE; so you might want to get a drink, get a snack and settle in for a while. Fasten your seat belts....
On July 28, I will turn 41. Boy, how time has flown. I can't believe that just a year ago I was getting ready for my 40th birthday Scraptacular weekend. I've been reflecting a lot over the past few months and I'm happy to say that during my 40th year I've made some very positive changes in my life - namely going to the gym and eliminating carbs at dinner and after (can you say "Broken Record"?) Well, now I've lost 27 lbs so I'm a little more than a quarter of the way to my goal, and I'm just as determined as ever. See, I really am the Queen of DETERMINATION.
I know that many people, ladies in particular have concerns about turning 40 and they tend to want to examine what they've achieved in their life thus far, and compare it to what they thought they would have achieved; I don't personally recommend this. I had no concern at all about turning 40; no, for me the magic number is 43; since both of my parents and my paternal grandfather - Wolf Howell (Yes, that was his real name - Richie Howell's father - go figure;) passed away at the young age of 43. Well not me I tell ya. That's NOT going to be me!! I'm DETERMINED to live well past 43. I've got too much living to do, and 2 more years just won't cut it. When I think about this I always seem to think of that Tim McGraw song "Live like I was dying." I always try to think of what it is that I would want to accomplish in these next 2 years - just in case. This slightly morbid notion does have a way of giving one some awesome perspective; and for this ONE in particular, I have decided that I STILL have many changes to make. I am DETERMINED to become a better person (not that who I am right now is so bad, ) but I want to be more patient, more tolerant, less anxious, less insecure, less fat, less annoyed, less critical, and more self-fulfilled. So you know what that means; more blog, more blog, more blog.
So to those of you who have yet to turn 40, I'm here to tell ya - ain't no thang but a number! Live, Live, Live; reflect and live some more!! Everyone goes at their own pace, and that's what makes our stories different; that's what makes us unique, individuals. I say embrace who you are, where you've been and where you're going AND if where you've been was not so great, then get the hell outta Dodge (if you haven't already) and DON'T GO THERE AGAIN.
Now that I'm down off my proverbial soapbox, I'm sure you're wondering what the hell this blog has to do with camping. Well folks, that's why I call it "The Bumpy Ride;" and away we go...
Some of you may recall that I previously stated emphatically "Jews don't camp." For those of you who don't recall this; it's time to yield. Stop right here - go to my archive and read the July 11, 2007 blog entitled "My Disorder;" then come back. For all others; let's move on. OK, so I previously stated that Jews don't camp; but now, this Jew does!! I LOVED camping and I can't wait to go again; and this was a decision that I made (to camp) and something that I discovered (that I love camping,) when? When I was 40. That's right, another major life change for the Queen during her 40th year. Get it now??
So let's talk camping... Luis and I took our time to purchase our tent, air mattresses and cooler - of course we did ; I'm the Queen of Making sure I got the best deal possible. When all was said and done, we had a FABULOUS 14x15 tent with a screened in patio, (I know it must be absolutely hysterical to my nearest and dearest to hear me use the word "fabulous" to describe a tent of all things.) I got us a smokin' deal on an Aero bed (air mattress royalty.) If you're in the market for an air mattress; whether it be for home use or camping (though you'll need to buy an adapter if it's for camping;) I HIGHLY recommend the Aero bed - it Rocks! Well actually it doesn't which is part of what makes it so fantastic. Luis and I had the pleasure of sleeping on an Aero bed when we visited our friends Hollie & Daniel in Colorado almost 2 years ago. We knew that the Aero bed was the Mercedes of air mattresses - and about the same price. Well, not really; but relatively speaking. Anyway, when we'd seen them in the store, they were typically around $200, but in early June I had the good fortune to see it in Costco for just $130. Knowing what a good deal this was; I bought one immediately; and then as luck would have it, about 2 weeks later I received a coupon flyer from Costco and they were offering the Aero bed from 6/23-26 only for $99 - OMG!! Well, you must know by now that I waited until the 23rd, took my unopened Aero bed and coupon (no receipt) right over to Costco; and after a little persuading (because I didn't have my receipt;) they refunded me for the difference. Woohoo!! Now I truly was a "Happy Camper."
I don't have a story about my coolers; but I will say that for novices, Luis and I packed them up perfectly and EVERYTHING stayed cold for the duration.
Now for those of you who were expecting some crazy story about me falling in the lake or getting sprayed by a skunk or anything verging on the bizarre and outrageous, like what I'm usually up to; I do apologize; but I have nothing to report. I was safe other than tripping over a rock or six. I didn't have anything to complain about, other than the enclosed hole in the ground that they called a bathroom; and I did something that I have done very few times in my life - RELAX!!
For me going camping was a lot like going to "The Pines." The Pines was a hotel in the Catskill Mountains (NY). I liken it to Kellerman's in "Dirty Dancing." My Nana and Papa, would check in on Memorial Day weekend, check out on Labor day weekend, and since I only lived about 2 hours away; I'd go up to visit EVERY chance I got. My major activity at The Pines (other than hooking up with a waiter or lifeguard,) was sitting. LOL Well, not JUST sitting; hanging out, sitting and talking. I'd meet my friends for breakfast, eat and talk; adjourn to the couches in the upper lobby, where we'd sit and talk till lunch; where we'd eat and talk, change for the pool, (sit & talk - occasionally swim.) Shower and get changed for dinner, meet friends in the lobby, sit & talk till dinner. Go to dinner (s&t) walk up to the nightclub - AKA theater where we might see a mediocre performance at best. Let's just say it would not have been unusual to see a "Mambo Madness" type performance or we'd go into the lounge to listen to the vocal styling's of Speedy Garfin and the Garfin Gathering (thought you'd like that BIG V - she was a BIG fan;) then we'd sit on the couches outside the coffee shop where we'd eventually have to go because it had been over 3 hours since anyone had eaten - ha ha ha. Is it any wonder that I had 100 lbs to lose? OK, anyway my point was - camping was a lot like The Pines; a lot of sitting, talking and eating; and I loved it!! I had some wonderful "Scrabble" games with Michelle (It's July and she's still not legally) K, I got to read, play poker, have some cocktails and enjoy my family and friends without having to rush off somewhere - What's not to like? OK, the bathrooms. The bathrooms at this particular campsite were not to like; but next time we will camp in a place with flush toilets. My bed was comfy with a capital C. My "Survivor man" husband showered me and treated me like the Queen I am - OK, yes I said he showered me. Yes, I stood outside naked on a large rock, (it was dark and no one could see; at least I hope so;) and he poured water over me so that I could get clean. My hero!! Luis AKA "Survivor man" (SM) was AMAZING to watch in action. He practically put up our tent by himself at nightfall, in the rain (I had kids to trek to the bathroom.) He blew up our air mattresses to help make our comfy, stylin' camp. He cooked 3 packages of bacon, he made pancakes AND eggs, cooked to order. He chopped wood, took the kids fishing, bathed the kids, bathed me, secured our tent when it rained, he grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for 15 people, he helped me with everything and anything and even got our tent back into its original bag. Watching SM at his best just convinced me more than ever that he truly is "survivor" bound.
Before we even left the campsite I was already trying to plan our next camping trip. Heck, I would have gone again that weekend but I knew we wouldn't be able to get a reservation due to the holiday so we're now planning to go on August first because July is a busy month for us. Not only will I celebrate my birthday, but Luis and I just celebrated our 14th anniversary. Upon reflecting I am thankful for every day that we've had together during my 40th year as well as ALL others. I have come to the realization that no one is perfect (especially me,) and marriage is the toughest job that you'll ever have; but at the end of our very busy days it's all worth it and I'm glad that we've got each other . I have a feeling that we've got many more camping trips ahead of us; and you just have to know that an accident or mishap is bound to happen - so please stay tuned.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
Showing posts with label Survivor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Survivor. Show all posts
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, May 4, 2007
Bee-lieve It or Not
So falling under the category of, I can't make this stuff up...
Last night VaJJ and I were sitting in my playroom chatting while my girls fell asleep. My husband was doing his husbandly duties, taking out the trash etc. when suddenly he came in to announce that we had a bee hive in one of the trees in our front yard. He immediately began to look around to see what he could use to remove the bees, and came out with some big spray thing that he uses on ants and such. I told VaJJ that in high school he had considered becoming a bee keeper, so I'm sure this just thrilled him no end; not to mention that this was just the kind of project that he loved.
He came back in advising that the spray didn't do a thing. VaJJ offered up, "I get free Terminex; I can just say that I moved." To which my husband replied very nonchalantly, I mean as nonchalantly as Ricky Ricardo can; "That's OK, I'm just gonna smoke em' out." OMG one could only imagine what this man had planned.
I'm not quite sure what he was doing, or how his initial "smoking plan" worked, all I know was it was followed up by spraying some water at them, and this didn't seem to work either.
OK so now he was serious, he said "I'm going to fire;" and he was looking around the house for something to cover his face with because apparently he had come up with a big plan and he was convinced that he was going to anger the bees which would result in them swarming him; which is why he wanted to cover his face. So he found nothing and opted for a big, white towel ( as anyone would - right?) LOL
VaJJ had told him to put pantyhose over his face, and I was holding out for a football helmet with the panty hose, but we had no helmet and he didn't even address the pantyhose idea. He and VaJJ negated my suggestion to put a paper bag over his face and cut two eye holes in, a la Unknown Bee Slayer. (That was an unknown comic reference for those of you who remember the Gong Show,) alrighty, so VaJJ reminded me that the bag would be flammable and my husband added "and the bees could get through the eye holes." OY! - are you peeing your pants yet?
So he grabs a can of lighter fluid and takes off outside with the big white towel draped over his shoulders, (please remember for those of you who don't know my husband we're talking a BIG guy, he's 5'9" and weighs about 280. Basically he looks like a Samoan football player or something - don't ask me why b/c this is not a customary look for a Mexican but lucky me, he's all mine.) Anyway, so he' goes out with the towel draped around him and he advises us to keep the door closed so that the bees won't fly in; and he adds "Look out because, I'll probably come running in." Well this was too good to miss; so upon VaJJ's advice, I grabbed my camera and we went outside, and there it was - my husband had made a HUGE tiki torch, that he was planning to use to burn the hive; yes, while it was in my tree. My husband told us to get in VaJJ's car and then instructed us to move the car because we were gonna be in the way, in case he had to come running.
So we're sitting in the car watching as my husband, cloaked in his white towel, takes the tiki torch to the tree. The visual on this was just TOO good - I only wish I had a video to share.
I kept telling VaJJ "see, I told you he should be on Survivor, who else could think these things up?" VaJJ did concur that if she hadn't seen it for herself she wouldn't have believed it and this would have made a GREAT audition tape. Anyway, within a few minutes my bee crazed husband had the hive On the ground, On fire. We hopped out of the car and watched him burn those bees. My Discovery channel watching man, informed us that "these were African bees; they're really, really mean and it's a good thing that it's nighttime." (Why did I her the departed crocodile hunter in my head when he said this? LOL ) Well VaJJ kicked into pyro mode and took the tiki torch from my husband and started to get in on the act. So there's my husband squirting more lighter fluid on them, VaJJ burning them with the tiki torch and me photographing this whole thing; and I should add that it was about 10 O'clock at night and I was in my pajamas and had no bra on - and after nursing 3 kids my boobs hang so low I could nurse a snake. LOL So A few neighbors drove by and I'm sure they were wondering what the heck was going on, but I'm not sure if they were more astounded by the sight of me braless or the whole goings on with the tiki torch extravaganza. "Hello HOA."
Wow, that was some unexpected excitement for a Thursday night. Now VaJJ and my husband want to start their own bee killing business; so if any of you ever have a bee problem - you know who to call. I can send you instructions on how to make your own tiki torch in case you live too far away for the bee slayers to get to you - although I think they'd fly out (VaJJ and my husband, not the bees;) cause they were SO into this, they couldn't pass up any opportunity.
Like I told you at the start of this blog; this definitely falls under the category of I can't make this stuff up; Bee-lieve it or not.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
Last night VaJJ and I were sitting in my playroom chatting while my girls fell asleep. My husband was doing his husbandly duties, taking out the trash etc. when suddenly he came in to announce that we had a bee hive in one of the trees in our front yard. He immediately began to look around to see what he could use to remove the bees, and came out with some big spray thing that he uses on ants and such. I told VaJJ that in high school he had considered becoming a bee keeper, so I'm sure this just thrilled him no end; not to mention that this was just the kind of project that he loved.
He came back in advising that the spray didn't do a thing. VaJJ offered up, "I get free Terminex; I can just say that I moved." To which my husband replied very nonchalantly, I mean as nonchalantly as Ricky Ricardo can; "That's OK, I'm just gonna smoke em' out." OMG one could only imagine what this man had planned.
I'm not quite sure what he was doing, or how his initial "smoking plan" worked, all I know was it was followed up by spraying some water at them, and this didn't seem to work either.
OK so now he was serious, he said "I'm going to fire;" and he was looking around the house for something to cover his face with because apparently he had come up with a big plan and he was convinced that he was going to anger the bees which would result in them swarming him; which is why he wanted to cover his face. So he found nothing and opted for a big, white towel ( as anyone would - right?) LOL
VaJJ had told him to put pantyhose over his face, and I was holding out for a football helmet with the panty hose, but we had no helmet and he didn't even address the pantyhose idea. He and VaJJ negated my suggestion to put a paper bag over his face and cut two eye holes in, a la Unknown Bee Slayer. (That was an unknown comic reference for those of you who remember the Gong Show,) alrighty, so VaJJ reminded me that the bag would be flammable and my husband added "and the bees could get through the eye holes." OY! - are you peeing your pants yet?
So he grabs a can of lighter fluid and takes off outside with the big white towel draped over his shoulders, (please remember for those of you who don't know my husband we're talking a BIG guy, he's 5'9" and weighs about 280. Basically he looks like a Samoan football player or something - don't ask me why b/c this is not a customary look for a Mexican but lucky me, he's all mine.) Anyway, so he' goes out with the towel draped around him and he advises us to keep the door closed so that the bees won't fly in; and he adds "Look out because, I'll probably come running in." Well this was too good to miss; so upon VaJJ's advice, I grabbed my camera and we went outside, and there it was - my husband had made a HUGE tiki torch, that he was planning to use to burn the hive; yes, while it was in my tree. My husband told us to get in VaJJ's car and then instructed us to move the car because we were gonna be in the way, in case he had to come running.
So we're sitting in the car watching as my husband, cloaked in his white towel, takes the tiki torch to the tree. The visual on this was just TOO good - I only wish I had a video to share.
I kept telling VaJJ "see, I told you he should be on Survivor, who else could think these things up?" VaJJ did concur that if she hadn't seen it for herself she wouldn't have believed it and this would have made a GREAT audition tape. Anyway, within a few minutes my bee crazed husband had the hive On the ground, On fire. We hopped out of the car and watched him burn those bees. My Discovery channel watching man, informed us that "these were African bees; they're really, really mean and it's a good thing that it's nighttime." (Why did I her the departed crocodile hunter in my head when he said this? LOL ) Well VaJJ kicked into pyro mode and took the tiki torch from my husband and started to get in on the act. So there's my husband squirting more lighter fluid on them, VaJJ burning them with the tiki torch and me photographing this whole thing; and I should add that it was about 10 O'clock at night and I was in my pajamas and had no bra on - and after nursing 3 kids my boobs hang so low I could nurse a snake. LOL So A few neighbors drove by and I'm sure they were wondering what the heck was going on, but I'm not sure if they were more astounded by the sight of me braless or the whole goings on with the tiki torch extravaganza. "Hello HOA."
Wow, that was some unexpected excitement for a Thursday night. Now VaJJ and my husband want to start their own bee killing business; so if any of you ever have a bee problem - you know who to call. I can send you instructions on how to make your own tiki torch in case you live too far away for the bee slayers to get to you - although I think they'd fly out (VaJJ and my husband, not the bees;) cause they were SO into this, they couldn't pass up any opportunity.
Like I told you at the start of this blog; this definitely falls under the category of I can't make this stuff up; Bee-lieve it or not.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
I Just don't get it...
The other day my friend Jackie was very excited to tell me that Deal or No Deal was going to be holding an open casting call at a local casino. Well, local as in - it's in the state of Arizona, but close to where I live; NO.
Well of course I wanted to go, and it could have been do-able depending on the time of the casting call. Honestly, in a perfect world it would have been great if both my husband and I could have gone with Jackie because I think he'd have a lot better chance of getting on than I would. Let's face it, no one really needs to see another fat, almost 40, white chick win some money; when they can watch a cute, chubby, ethnic looking guy who is REALLY, REALLY nice (he's a lot nicer than me; I'll admit it.)
Anyway, the word must have gotten around and excitement abounded because Lesa also told me about the casting call and she was interested in going too. OK field trip! Yah right, my bubble was burst as soon as Jackie said that she thought you would have to get to the casino around 8am on a Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning, 8 am, I guess people with kids and jobs would have no interest or need to go on a game show to get the chance and win a lot of money? Hmmm.
I myself am pretty new to the whole deal or no deal phenomenon but as far as game shows go, this one seems like a no brainer. Pick some cases and decide if you're going to let your greed get the better of you.
I'm telling you; if they picked me or my husband they'd get off pretty easy because chances are that both of us would leave for about $150,000 if there weren't big #'s still on the board. Heck, my husband who I often refer to as Ebenezer (Eb to close friends,) would probably leave for about 30 bucks. Haha just kidding. I don't think he'd go for less than $150,000.
Anyway, we don't want the money for extravagant things. I would just like to get some good furniture, (replace my Target entertainment unit) put money away for my three kids college educations, maybe get a bigger house so that my girls could actually have room to play in their room, buy a new piece of land in Puerto Vallarta for the home that we have been trying to build there and then invest. My husband of course would like to give a good amount to charity. See, I told you that he was nicer than me. LOL
OK, so I understand that the casino is probably busier on the weekend which is why you'd have the casting call on a weekday, but I mean c'mon; not everyone has people who are available to watch their kids, and not everyone can miss work for the chance to go on a game show. How does this seem fair? You may have noticed that FAIR is a recurring theme for me. As previously stated, I am the Queen of FAIRNESS but the rest of the world just doesn't seem to want to follow suit. Believe me I KNOW that life is not ALWAYS fair. Unfortunately it has been more of my experience that life is not USUALLY fair.
So I have to ask; who gets rewarded here? Only the people without children to worry about, the people who don't work, the mediocre who don't care if they miss a day of work? I really need someone to explain this one to me. I just don't get it...
I guess I'll just have to go back to my plan of having my husband get onto Survivor. I mean if he can survive a crazy, Jewish woman from New York and 3 kids; whatever they could throw at him should be a cinch. The man is strong as an ox, will eat anything (especially with a million dollars on the line;) he can catch fish and swim like one. The first time I saw my husband fish he was using a small, plastic soda bottle, some fishing line, a hook and some mini-marshmallows. (Who could make this stuff up??) He could probably make a hut out of a gum wrapper and a stick (a Mexican MacGiver, I tell you; ) and as I boasted before - he's a REALLY, REALLY, nice guy. No one could possibly vote this guy off the island; although my kids have tried. LOL
I say it's just about time for a chubby, Mexican guy to be on Survivor - and win!! I've been threatening to have him make an audition tape for years, but now this Deal or No Deal situation, may have been just enough to inspire me to inspire him.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
Well of course I wanted to go, and it could have been do-able depending on the time of the casting call. Honestly, in a perfect world it would have been great if both my husband and I could have gone with Jackie because I think he'd have a lot better chance of getting on than I would. Let's face it, no one really needs to see another fat, almost 40, white chick win some money; when they can watch a cute, chubby, ethnic looking guy who is REALLY, REALLY nice (he's a lot nicer than me; I'll admit it.)
Anyway, the word must have gotten around and excitement abounded because Lesa also told me about the casting call and she was interested in going too. OK field trip! Yah right, my bubble was burst as soon as Jackie said that she thought you would have to get to the casino around 8am on a Tuesday morning. Tuesday morning, 8 am, I guess people with kids and jobs would have no interest or need to go on a game show to get the chance and win a lot of money? Hmmm.
I myself am pretty new to the whole deal or no deal phenomenon but as far as game shows go, this one seems like a no brainer. Pick some cases and decide if you're going to let your greed get the better of you.
I'm telling you; if they picked me or my husband they'd get off pretty easy because chances are that both of us would leave for about $150,000 if there weren't big #'s still on the board. Heck, my husband who I often refer to as Ebenezer (Eb to close friends,) would probably leave for about 30 bucks. Haha just kidding. I don't think he'd go for less than $150,000.
Anyway, we don't want the money for extravagant things. I would just like to get some good furniture, (replace my Target entertainment unit) put money away for my three kids college educations, maybe get a bigger house so that my girls could actually have room to play in their room, buy a new piece of land in Puerto Vallarta for the home that we have been trying to build there and then invest. My husband of course would like to give a good amount to charity. See, I told you that he was nicer than me. LOL
OK, so I understand that the casino is probably busier on the weekend which is why you'd have the casting call on a weekday, but I mean c'mon; not everyone has people who are available to watch their kids, and not everyone can miss work for the chance to go on a game show. How does this seem fair? You may have noticed that FAIR is a recurring theme for me. As previously stated, I am the Queen of FAIRNESS but the rest of the world just doesn't seem to want to follow suit. Believe me I KNOW that life is not ALWAYS fair. Unfortunately it has been more of my experience that life is not USUALLY fair.
So I have to ask; who gets rewarded here? Only the people without children to worry about, the people who don't work, the mediocre who don't care if they miss a day of work? I really need someone to explain this one to me. I just don't get it...
I guess I'll just have to go back to my plan of having my husband get onto Survivor. I mean if he can survive a crazy, Jewish woman from New York and 3 kids; whatever they could throw at him should be a cinch. The man is strong as an ox, will eat anything (especially with a million dollars on the line;) he can catch fish and swim like one. The first time I saw my husband fish he was using a small, plastic soda bottle, some fishing line, a hook and some mini-marshmallows. (Who could make this stuff up??) He could probably make a hut out of a gum wrapper and a stick (a Mexican MacGiver, I tell you; ) and as I boasted before - he's a REALLY, REALLY, nice guy. No one could possibly vote this guy off the island; although my kids have tried. LOL
I say it's just about time for a chubby, Mexican guy to be on Survivor - and win!! I've been threatening to have him make an audition tape for years, but now this Deal or No Deal situation, may have been just enough to inspire me to inspire him.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
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