Colorado

Maddy & I went to Colorado. It was great. We had fun.

Wow, those writing skills are coming along, huh???!!!

We left at 7:30 Wednesday morning – because I didn’t want to hit rush hour traffic in Denver. Um. It only takes 7 1/2 – 8 hours to get there, and oh yeah TIME CHANGE! Kind of forgot about that. As we pulled in at 3:30, Maddy looked at me like I was an idiot. I told her elapsed time calculations were never my strong suit. Deal with it! We are here! Let the party begin!  WOO HOO!

We stopped at the “Oasis of the Plains” in Colby, KS. I admit – I like the cheesiness of the fake palm trees, but the fake parrots are taking it just too far.

The drive was quite entertaining. Apparently we were in a video game called “Angry Tumbleweeds”. Good God Martha! And passing semis in that wind! Don’t tell me I could have slowed down. Have you met me? If the GPS tells me it’s going to take 7:40 to get there, then I MUST beat that time! I had to have my hands surgically removed from the steering wheel when we got to Randy & Karla’s. Thankfully, there wasn’t too much blood. It’s a pain to get out of the upholstery, ya know.

So the first evening, Maddy & Connor bolted off to Pearl Street to explore. She had heard there was an Urban Outfitters nearby. And she must shop at an Urban Outfitters at least once every 3 months. Or she begins to whither away. Kind of like I do with Nordstrom and Archivers. They met up with Randy. He fed them appetizers – AND MADDY TRIED OYSTERS! People! This is a momentous moment of memory in her life! Uncle Randy must have amazing powers of persuasion – I’m just saying. If I (or Roger) had told her to try one, she probably would have thrown it at us. Karla & I joined them about 123893452 hours later. We were waiting on the furnace guys to finish up. Cesar was very thorough. I kind of wanted to kick him to the curb. He obviously had NO idea who I am. Psshaw. Anyhow – we eventually made it to Pearl Street – ate at a fan-flippin-tabulous sushi restaurant, then back to the domicile. I was one tired puppy, so I crashed.

Thursday was the CU @ Boulder tour. We stopped for lunch at Illegal Pete’s beforehand. No. We didn’t buy any weed there. We bought food. It’s a “Chipotle” kind of place. Ginormous burritos & such. Save this for later. We will be referring back.

After finding the “legal” parking lot, we scrambled into the presentation room – making quite the entrance. We were late, but not by much. We only missed the “We are CU & aren’t we fab!” video. Then we divided up into 3 or 4 groups and started walking. Connor & Maddy picked our tour guide – and he was quite delightful.

People, the campus was breathtaking. Very cool vibe to it. We saw a dorm room, walked past the football stadium. Found out that they are currently on “Ralphie 5″ – and “he” is really a she. We were assured that Ralphie 4 was living a life of leisure at the Buffalo Retirement Center. Eating all the grass she wanted, getting regular mani/pedi’s and massages. We were also told we would get to see Ralphie 1′s head at the end of the tour. Oh Boy! I was so excited! I could hardly wait!!!!!

Anyway, Karla & I couldn’t tell if the kids were into it. They were walking along in perfect teen disaffection. Karla kept whispering to them, “This could be your sidewalk”. It was funny. I laughed. The kids rolled their eyes. Stupid kids. When we got to the rec center, the kids were still strolling along – until we got to the Outdoor Activities desk and rock wall. People. Maddy floated over to the wall. Floated. With stars in her eyes. Then she floated over to the desk. She saw the words “rock climbing excursions” and had a heart attack. She died right there. People started freaking out. I ran over and whispered “on belay & climb on” and she came back to us. Close call there.

Then we went to the first building ever built on campus. All the way up to the third story. In the altitude. My heart just stopped pounding yesterday.

Remember the reference to Illegal Pete’s? Here’s where it comes in. Karla & I had been noticing that Connor was acting a little “off”. We just thought “Oh, teenager”. No. He was trying to keep from blowing chow all over the place. He finally told us what was going on. I guess the three flights of stairs kind of really got it all going. So he spent that whole part of the tour in the bathroom. At first I thought it may have been the whole “Ralphie 1″ thing. I guess if you’ve seen one dead animal head up on a wall, you’ve seen ‘em all. Deer, buffalo, whatev. He didn’t miss much. It was basically the “blah blah history” portion.

On to the next building – and this is where I felt bad that Connor was hurting. It was their new film school building. And he thinks he’s interested in that. ***Side note begins*** The creators of South Park went to school at CU. And we all know how twisted they are! I am so in!*** Side note ends***

Unfortunately, Connor didn’t get to hear anything about the fabulousness of the new technology they have there – because he was checking out the fabulousness of the bathroom. And it was all “they said something about cameras” to me, so I was worthless.

We ended up at the Bookstore/CAC. They don’t call it the CAC, but it was the restaurant area. THEY HAVE SUSHI. They really wanted us to know that, so I felt obligated to pass it on.

We were kind of on our own to find our way back to the car. Tour guide gave us directions, and we followed them – more or less. Anyway, we get in the car. Connor still hasn’t thrown up. Oh no. He wants to. But can’t. Karla emptied the car out earlier in the week. This means – no plastic bags. Anywhere in the car. Please let us make it home – 20ish minutes. Please.

You know where this is going, don’t you? And of course, it was on the highway – and Karla couldn’t pull over. She tried. He tried to make it. He couldn’t. It was gross. And I felt bad for him. I knew how embarrassed he had to have been. So. we start the car back up. We are all trying not to breathe. I’m trying not to laugh. Maddy is in the back seat. So she has the worst of the smell. She couldn’t take it anymore, she HAD to roll down her window. And that’s when we all lost it. Which didn’t help Connor’s embarrassment any. Oops. We made it back home without any more mishaps. Connor slinked upstairs and got sick once or twice more, then slept for a few hours and was fine. Karla thinks it was the size of the burrito. And then he ate a sopapilla on top of that. Big mistake.

That evening, Wendy came over for dinner. There was much wine, great food, and dancing. And broken objects. Randy was trying to show off his dance skills. He really shouldn’t have. I did make a point of embarrassing Connor in front of his girlfriend. I had too. I know he felt bad about the car ride home – and it was my duty as his aunt to make him feel worse. And I know he loves me for it. I could see it in his eyes.

Karla went to the airport to pick up my lovely niece, Anna. All I can say about that kid? WOW! First off, I still think of her as 6 – but no. She not 6 no more. She just got back from a school trip to Washington DC. How cool is that???

Did I mention that a lot of wine was consumed? It was. Oh my my. The last time I drank this much wine was – AT RANDY & KARLA’S HOUSE IN KANSAS! It was totally their fault. They made me drink it.

The next day, all of us (6) drove up to CSU @ Fort Collins. About 1 1/2 hours away. The kids weren’t impressed with the town or school. And then the dude who was leading the presentation made a MAJOR mistake. He said “Fort Collins is one of the top retirement communities in the nation” Maddy & Connor checked out immediately. I wish they would have given it more of a chance. I don’t think it sucked that much. The tour was the same format as CU – and that didn’t help matters any. They were bored.

After the tour, we found a place to eat – and Randy wanted to roam the town. The kids? Not so much. We did find a thrift store. It was one of the scariest thrift stores I have EVER been in. EVER. And expensive. They were charging $1.99 FOR USED SAMPLE BOTTLES OF LOTION!

Maddy found a hideous Angel/Devil? bra thing. We think it was a Halloween costume. We hope so. She put it on OVER HER CLOTHES. Thank God. Because when I looked at it – there were breast milk stains on the inside! GACK! The picture is still on Anna’s phone.

Anyways – we left shortly after that. I guess Connor was dying to get home because it was his 6 month anniversary with his sweetie. That’s all I’m saying on that. Karla dropped the girls off at the FlatIrons mall – and further cemented Maddy’s resolve to go to CU.

Saturday, I dropped Maddy off with a stranger, and they went to El Dorado Canyon & climbed mountains. The grown ups went out for breakfast, roamed Lousiville a bit (suburb of Boulder), then the real fun started. Karla took me to the most incredibly incredible store EVER! McGuicken Hardware. Only it’s not JUST a hardware store. It’s an everything store. EVERYTHING people.

Afterwards, we picked Maddy up. I asked her how the climb was – and she said “AMAZING”.  At this point, I began to get nervous – how was I going to get her home? Urban Outfitters, Flatirons Mall, Outdoor Rock Climbing, Connor & Anna. How does Kansas compete with that?

That evening, the kids went back to Pearl Street – and Urban Outfitters, while Randy, Karla & I went to dinner in Louisville. Such a great grown up time. I really miss those two. I knew how fortunate we were to have family close by when they lived here – and I did appreciate it – but now? Now that they aren’t here? Now I REALLY appreciate it. By the end of the night, my jaw hurt from talking so much. And I knew I had to leave the next morning. Blech. I was ready to be home with Roger & AJ (and my friends), but I wasn’t ready to leave. Neither was Maddy,

Would you want to leave these people? They are funny.

Memories of childhood

No, I’m not going to regale you with stories of band camp. Because I never went to band camp. I laid down the clarinet in 8th grade. And every dog in the tri-country area sent me a bouquet of roses. Our high school band WAS AWFUL! I watched the video of my high school graduation about 5 years later – and “Pomp & Circumstance” was completely unrecognizable.

But again – that’s not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about your favorite childhood candy.

Bit-O-Honey!

Can you say yum?! Remember the big bars of it? And if you bought one that had been on the shelf for more than 15 minutes, when you would bite into it, it would break off a chunk of your tooth? So you had to let it soften in your mouth? And savor the honey nuttiness of it?

Let’s see, what else?

1. Chick-O-Stick

2. Super Bubble Bubble Gum

3. Lik-A-Stix

4. Candy Cigarettes (how very politically correct)

5. Candy Necklaces

6. Fire flavored Jolly Ranchers

7. Pixy Stix

8. Pop Rocks

9. Snickers

In Belle Plaine, there was a general merchandise store named “Heckerman’s” – I think that’s how it’s spelled – and when you walked in (and heard the bell jangle) you were faced with the biggest candy counter IN THE WHOLE WORLD! I was 10 before I realized you could buy something besides candy there – and that was my first bra (another story for another time). Anyway – I remember going in and looking at every option of candy that was available before making my painstaking decision. And Mr. Heckerman (he was at least 150) would stand patiently behind the counter and put your selections in a bag for you. I had to stand on my tippy-toes in order to give him the money to pay for my treasures.

Super Bubble and Jolly Ranchers were always a given. Hello! They only cost one cent! That’s easy. Then if I had enough, I would go for the other stuff.

I remember buying Pixy Stix at the pool – and trying to eat it before the tube got wet and the sugar got all clumpy. Because then IT WOULDN’T COME OUT OF THE TUBE! Why on Earth were they even selling that candy at the pool? It’s a recipe for disaster.

What about candy necklaces? Remember wearing them & getting stains on your neck?

Candy cigarettes were gross, but you had to buy them. All the cool kids did. Duh. And the puff of “smoke”. If you got a pack that was fresh enough to have that goin’ on – you must have done something right in a previous life.

I loved the stick in Lik-A-Stix. And preferred the cherry flavor as opposed to the grape. But if I was living life on the edge – hold on to your horses now – I would mix the flavors! Yes I would! I was a such a non conformist.

Or when Pop Rocks came out? How amazing was that? Seriously – a grape flavored explosion in your mouth? But don’t mix them with pop – or your stomach will blow up. And don’t drink pop after eating them, because you never know how long it takes for the danger to pass.

I usually couldn’t afford Bit-O-Honeys or Chick-O-Sticks, but when I could – YUM! I would savor them. Only one bite at a time, never the whole bar at once. And as I mentioned earlier – Bit-O-Honeys took forever to eat if they were old because of the danger to the teeth.

Snickers were my Dad’s favorite. I have very fond memories of every time Mom would cook liver & onions (YUCK) for dinner, Dad & I would sneak down to his shop & fill up on fun size Snicker bars. I’m not sure if I love them because they are so good or because of the memory.

The funny thing about the above list? I never eat any of that stuff now. I bought a package of small Bit-O-Honeys when I was at JoAnn’s yesterday, but I’m afraid to try one. Will it taste as good? Or is the memory better than reality?

The horror!

I need to have a garage sale. Or someone’s yard needs new decorations. This is scary.

Don’t give me something, then take it away!

Sorry about not posting – but the world wide web has been an elusive thing around the Scholfield abode lately. One minute it works, then BAM! It’s gone. And that is a frustrating experience, let me tell ya! My last (I hope last) phone call to Cox Communications went something like this:

Me: This is the third time in two days I have called. My internet keeps going away. Please don’t tell me to unplug the modem, wait 30 seconds, then start all over. It will work. For a short time. Then I have to do it again.

Tech guy: I looking at your modem right now. It’s receiving the signal. But I’m noticing that it’s 5 years old.You might want to consider replacing it.

Me: Really? I thought I replaced it about 2 years ago. Time flies when you’re having fun! Are you sure that’s the problem? Because I wasn’t having problems until we installed the new DVRs.

Tech guy: I can’t promise it’s the problem, but if you purchase it from one of our locations, you can return it if it doesn’t take care of the problem.

Me: Sold!

So I drove my little self to the store (I can’t bring myself to say Cox store – it just sounds dirty), picked up a modem, brought it home, and so far, so good! Internet for almost 24 hours straight! Wish me luck!

And check out the Long Journey category. There is an update. I gave everyone the wrong password. If you want to follow along, call or email me & I will give you the correct password. And please don’t give it to anyone. Ask me first. I’m sure I’ll be OK with who you want to share with, but I need control of this.

Back up and running

I’m back! I know. I keep threatening that. I think I may make a few changes – but I have to figure it out, and that may mean a different blog with a different host. I have been wanting to “tell my story” for awhile now. Everything we went through from 2006-2010. But I want it to be password protected – because it’s MY experience of my kid’s journey. But. It is her journey. I owe her the privacy of password protection.

“Then don’t put it on the internet, stupid.” That doesn’t feel right. For whatever reason, I need it to be out there – or I won’t be motivated enough to do it.

And bonus for you! If you don’t want to read the crap, you don’t have to! How excellent is that!

So, we’ll see. Keep checking back. I’m going to do some research, then I’ll let y’all know what’s up.

 

After some dinkin’ around, here’s what I think I’ve come up with:

CATEGORIES!

If you want to read the saga, ask for the password in the comments section. Be sure to leave your email address. I will send you the password.

For those of you who want to read my fitness ramblings – do so at your own peril. I’m trying to make myself more accountable. We’ll see how that goes.

It’s on like Donkey Kong

I know when you are leaving town

 

I know when you work

I know when you volunteer

 

I know when you are at Bible study

 

I know when you are sleeping

 

I know when you are awake.

 

And you haven’t been good

 

 

For goodness sake

 

Remember how I said I was going to post more frequently?

Sorry about that. Things have been so amazingly hectic around here. It’s been awful. Not really. No pictures, again. Deal with it.

Let’s see, just a few things that have been happening -

1. Went out to dinner. Had to be a grown up. Blech.

2. Screamed my head off when we (freshmen boys) beat Newton. Their (Newton’s) first loss in 2 years.

3. Painted Girlie’s room. “Ocean Soul” is the name of the color. Just sounds soothing, doesn’t it?

4. Laundry.

5. Shopped for groceries.

6. Cooked dinner. A lot.

7. Took the dogs for a walk. I love them.

8. Painted kids pink and green for Trojan Nite. Son lost his voice. That’s something that doesn’t happen too often.

9. Have started working on getting things ready in the back yard for pictures for Homecoming.

10. Watched a movie – “Easy A”. Go see it. Now.

11. Watched the first episode of the new season of Glee. Love Sue. Love her.

12. Took some clothes in to be altered. Darn.

13. Developed (not sure that’s the right terminology) plantar facitis (not sure that’s the right spelling). Have whined about it so much, Husband & the kids have threatened to take me out back and shoot me. Please wait until after Homecoming – don’t want to deal with the mess.

14. Have started running – well until #13 happened – I’m no Cathy, but I must admit, I kind of like it. I don’t think I will ever get over 3 miles, but that’s OK. It has changed my legs. And my confidence level.

15. Surfed the web.

16. Trying work out my fall TV schedule.

17. Crop. Homework. Printing pictures.

18. The “lock drama” continues in Vegas. In a nutshell – guy #1 tried to rip me off – didn’t need to order as many new locks as he told me I did. He was just lazy. Thankfully, he was an idiot and ordered the wrong finish. But, still don’t have new locks yet. Gah.

19.  Keep looking at the piles of crap that needs to go to Goodwill – or in someone’s yard. (See #3)

20. Been trying to figure out when I get to go back to Vegas.

Doesn’t my life suck?

It’s all about the number four

We did this a few years ago at crop camp. I think we threatened to do a page on it, but then vodka got in the way. Let’s do it again.

In the comments section, number your answers 1 – 6.

1. Four places that I go to over and over
2. Four people who e-mail me (regularly)
3. Four of my favorite places to eat
4. Four places I would rather be right now
5. Four people I think will respond
6. Four TV shows I watch all the time

Here’s my answers
1. YMCA, Sonic, Dillons, Walgreens
2. Jessica Sprague, All Recipes, “Pharmacies”, an Ethiopian Prince,
3. Hereford House (it’s easy), Mediterranean Grill, a Mexican Joint in Vegas, Mike’s Wine Dive
4. Vegas, on a Beach, Vegas, on a Beach
5. Lou Ann, Amy, Trish, I don’t think anyone else reads this blog
6. True Blood, Weeds, Glee, The Office

There ya have it. Now it’s your turn

Hmmm, what to blog about……

PW says I should blog often – does that mean more than once a month? I guess I’ll give it a shot.

I’m gonna blog about Vegas, baby!

I would provide pictures of the furnishings, but they all suck. I’ll try to get some decent ones when we go out for Thanksgiving.

Our first family trip was in July. Maddy & AJ brought Kelsey & Nathan along. We had a great time on Lake Mead. I LOVE that lake. I think it may ruin me for all other lakes. It’s that amazing.

Nathan, AJ. Cousin Kelsey, Maddy & Kelsey

See what I mean about the beauty of this lake? It’s so clear, and blue, and the mountains. Beautiful.

This was Nathan’s dismount off the tube. Pretty impressive, huh? And yes, he did that on purpose.

We took the kids into the strip for some shopping/sight-seeing one day. Roger took the boys to the Bugati dealership. AJ died. I mean it.

The next trip out for me was in August with Amy, Trish & LouAnn. I can’t go into a lot of detail, but fun was had by all. A lot of fun. I want to go back out tomorrow with the crop group. I want to have that kind of fun all the time. But I don’t think my liver could take it. Or my wallet.

We flexed some serious muscle while Stand Up Paddle Boarding, or SUP for the pros. It’s fun and not too difficult, unless it’s windy – then it’s a challenge, to say the least!

The living room furniture wasn’t in yet, but we didn’t let that stop us. Patio furniture works too.

These chocolates are from ethel’s chocolates. It is the best chocolate – ever! I’m serious. You taste it, and you taste a bit of heaven. And cute too!

This Anaconda slithered into the garage one morning. Thankfully Amy & LouAnn are professional snake wranglers. My unreasonable phobia of snakes can be discussed at a later time. But that thing lunged for my throat. I know it did.

Here we are looking like grown ups. OK, not really. We are holding flat gnomie. It’s impossible to look like a grown up while holding a gnome thermometer.

We just got back from celebrating Robinn’s 50th birthday over Labor Day weekend. Let me tell you, that girl knows how to throw a party! It was at the Loew’s Hotel, on the patio. And the DJ was fantabulous!

Sorry if you’re offended. But when it’s your 50th, you can say fucking. And I hope I look that damned good when I turn 50.

We danced all night long. My legs hurt the next day. I still can’t feel my feet.

Lots of friends and family there. It was great.

Vic & Robinn danced one dance. Very sweet.

LOVE the blur on this pic! Anna, Connor & Maddy are flat rocking it out.

Grandma had to force AJ to dance. You can tell he’s a freshman. Actually, I think he was just horrified to share the dance floor with me.

So now we have a brief break before heading back out for Thanksgiving. It makes no sense, now that the weather is cooling down, but dang it! It’s football season! I can’t miss my boy. Go Big Blue!

How old are we???

Let’s just say chronological age and maturity don’t match up real good.

Don’t give anyone of us the code to your garage. If you need help with your pet – hire it done. It really is much safer that way.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

My personal favorites? The ones of us in the kitchen having snacks.