Toolio was fat

SPEARFISH, SOUTH DAKOTA

is where we're at today.  We've been on this road trip for 9 days now.  It's mostly fun, but there have been...shall we say...some learning experiences.  It's been 90% fun though and we are all having a good time.

So far we've stopped in Coeur D'Alene, ID, Three Forks, MT, Yellowstone, Devils Tower and now Spearfish, SD. 

Tonight and the next 3 nights are in hotels.  With carpet.  And swimming pools.  And clean sheets.  And TV.  Heaven.

And then we camp at the Mt. Rushmore KOA for 2 nights and we're off to Colorado.

I've been really surprised how much this isn't bugging me.  Maybe it's because we have the tent with wheels.  Maybe it's because the boys are being <pretty> good.  I bet it's really because we are enjoying our company together and trying to handle everything as a team, or partners, or whatever.  We're just doing it together. 

Sounds cheesy?  Well- there have already been quite a few things to handle on this trip and we're learning to tackle these things in new ways.  We have to.

So I don't know how much I'll be blogging for the next month, but I'll be thinking about it.

OH!  Did I mention I've been offered a job?!  Just out of the blue.  I wasn;t looking or asking or anything, but I have been asked to be an assistant teacher at Bubby's school next year.  I've accepted.  And another adventure will begin.

I bought a cowboy hat, too.

Hope to check in soon~

AND HAPPY BELATED 40TH, CJ!!

COOL THINGS I HEARD YESTERDAY

No explanation here, just random cool things I heard yesterday.  You either know what they're from already, or you can make up your own story.  Either way, the sum of all these things means yesterday was nice and so is my life right now...

"Wow - this pasta salad is goo-ood!"

"It's just like a house, but no insulation"

"I'm not used to such intense eye contact"

"I'll be happy to donate a painting"

"Momma, I love you more than my snugly"

GETTIN READY FOR THE BIG TRIP

Have you ever noticed how much it costs to even prepare for a vacation?  Not the reservations or meals, but only the items needed for said vacation?  I think we've spent enough $$ to buy an entire second vacation in preparing for this one.

Granted, "items needed" is a relative term and the definition varies from day to day and store to store, really.  For example, we were all set a few days ago, then someone turned us onto solar power for the trailer, and BAM - we went on a quest because we so needed solar power.  We never thought we needed solar power before we saw the neat looking solar panels at the RV store.  Suddenly we had to have solar power as a backup.  Of course, we decided weeks ago not to buy a portable generator (because they're annoying and not conducive to peaceful camping) and knew we wouldn't have a backup power supply.  "That's okay" we said.  We could go without for a day between campgrounds - until the next place with hookups - if we have to.   So now we have a fancy solar set-up for the tent-with-wheels.  $300 of solar preparation.

Then, the bikes.  So Bubby got a new bike a few weeks ago and we knew we'd bring it on the trip.  It's what kids do at campgrounds when they've done everything else; ride their bikes.  Then Hubby thought it might be neat to fix his super-duper hybrid mountain/racing bike so he could ride with The Boy.  I, course, had to get in on this and then there's always Deso.  So now we needed a family solution (and special trailer-hitch bike rack) for bike riding during vacation.  Do we ever ride bikes while not on vacation?  You guess.  $400 of bike preparation.

And since we've made reservations at hotels and campgrounds with swimming pools, we need pool stuff (toys).  Need it.  $50 of pool preparation.

There is, of course, all the gadgets and special crap made specifically for the tent-with-wheels.  New sewer hose, organizing trays, special cleaners (for your plastic or vinyl windows!), hose couplers, water storage, new fry pans, trailer-only fold-able waste baskets, camp shoes for everyone, folding mesh laundry basket, etc., etc., etc.  $50 gazillion for crap preparation.

So now that we're about to set out on a road trip when gas prices are at their peak and we've spent way too much money already, I'd say we're just about ready to go.  Is that how you know you're done packing?  When you can't afford to buy anything else to pack?  When you've purchased everything out there already so you might as well give the actual vacation a try?  Yep - that's us.  If preparing well for a trip is an indicator that we're ready to go, then we're ready to go.  We are soooo- ready to go.

TO START YOUR WEEKEND OFF RIGHT...

I know...

WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?

I just had to stop watching TV this morning.  Just the mention by my favorite Today show news person (Ann Curry) of the stupid "Shock TV" reality shows that are so popular made me walk away.

Whenever I see a promo for one of these shows - like Fear Factor - I cringe and wonder why.  Why are these shows so popular?  Why do so many people want to watch someone stick their head in a box full of wasps?  Why does the public need to see someone eat raw goat entrails?  And WHO IN THE HELL goes on these shows as contestants?!?  Desperate idiots, I guess.

So does my attitude sound elitist?  Like I'll only each French cheese and watch All Creatures Great and Small?  I am so NOT like that.  I usually hate movies with subtitles and rarely drink tea.  I keep a supply of Kraft Mac and Cheese on hand.  I actually - at this moment - have a broken car in the driveway and an old couch on my front deck.  Nope- no highfalutin here.

So why does this disgust me?  Am I the only one who thinks this crap is...well...crap?  I know very intelligent people - whom I love dearly - who watch this stuff.  I understand the lure of shocking visual content.  But come on - isn't eating a blend of beetles, roaches, and fish guts going a little too far?

I also understand that some would say that Janet Jackson exposing her breast at the Superbowl was going too far.  But that's only a boobie.  Most of us like boobies.  I haven't met anyone who would prefer to see someone swim in a pool of mud and dead fish over seeing a pop star's boobie.

The answer?  I don't wish these shows gone.  I am a firm believer in the Constitution and would rather allow this schlock over censorship.  I'm just kind of disappointed that so many people want to watch it.  I dread the next time I travel overseas and tell someone I'm American and they respond with "Oh!  George Bush!  Fear Factor!".  Uh...yep.

...AND ONTO BETTER NEWS

Yesterday's post was taken over by the news on Kenneth Lay, but not today!  Today we'll talk about great things like the awesome Fourth and Bunny's B-day!

The 4th of July is heeeeyoooge in this house.  Actually, in my little town, too.  There are so many details to talk about, so I'll just say it was four days of fun, sunburn, junk food and exhaustion.  The boys were awesome - including Hubby and Uncle Jason - the entire time.  We volunteered and were in the parade.  We set off and watched an uncountable number of fireworks and we crashed every single night.  It took us a day to recover.

Yesterday was my niece's 4th birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUNNY! Bunny is a couple months younger than Bubby and we love her lots.  I wish we could all visit more often.  When we do visit, the kids get along so well.  I also wish I knew my nieces better, but that'll come in time.  They are cute and great and charming and full of life.  I would venture to say that Bunny and Wallie may be the cutest, sassiest girls walking the earth right now (don't tell them that).  Read about Bunny's b-day and her adventures here: CITYMAMA.

Finally - we love that we don't have much to do the rest of the week.  Just preparing for the Big Trip and cleaning the house.  There's only 1 appointment this week and no required shopping (what?!) or commitments.  Today we'll try to fold clothes and clean rooms.

So that's all for today.  Nothing too riveting, I'm afraid.  I would talk about GW turning 60, but I'm still feeling a little nauseous from all that junk food last weekend.

Peace, y'all.

KEN LAY NEWS TRUMPS MY POST TODAY

So Ken lay has died of a heart attack.  Natural causes.  No foul play.  No last-minute-he-won't-talk-cuz-we'll-kill-him type of death.  Just a plain old, "unexpected" heart attack.

riiiiiiggggght~

I have another theory:  Ol' Kenny Boy was about to be sentenced and told to pay back those millions.  Not gonna do it.  In fact, I think he was going to strike a deal.  Do you think for a minute any of his Texas buddies, Pentagon Buddies, Exxon Mobil buddies or anyone else that hangs with the Bush's would allow him to make a deal?  Oh HELL NO.

My country 'tis of thee...

PREPARING FOR THE 4TH

The Fourth could be my husband's favorite day ever.  Hubby is obsessed...obsessed...with fireworks.  Don't get me wrong; it's not some weird affection with fire or exploding things.  He's so NOT into blowing shit up, as it were.  He loves the celebration aspect of fireworks.  He loves to put on a show.

Hubby has been into fireworks as long as he can remember.  One of the first stories he told me (about 15 years ago!) was of when he was once kidnapped while trying to buy fireworks.  YES!  FOR REAL!

We grew up in California where fireworks are illegal.  Even the "safe and sane" fireworks were made illegal when I was still a little girl.  But the law never stopped Hubby.  DUH.  So one time he drove up to San Francisco/Chinatown on a tip to get some really good stuff and he was kidnapped at knife point and taken hostage; forced to drive around with a couple of bad guys making drug deliveries.  He was released by the bad guys and his life threatened.  Of course, he told and the guys were caught.  One of them was wanted for murder!  FOR REAL!

Did that stop Hubby from buying fireworks?

Just guess.

When we moved to Washington, Hubby was in heaven cuz they love them some fireworks here.  In fact, the state's largest permanent firework outlet is just 5 miles across the state line.

There are firework stands in every parking lot here.  And don't get me started on the stands on the Rez.  There are so many tribal fireworks stands here, it's a joke.  Bennie's Jets (we he spent $1000 there once), KaBoom!, Conquiti Fireworks, BoomCity, etc., etc., etc.

And as long as he could stand upright, my first born has been getting firework lessons from Daddy.  How to be safe, how to put them in water, not to play, which ones to buy, which are new, how to spot old or unsafe fireworks.  I should have known that fireworks would be their bond.  Typical boys.

So for the last 4 days Hubby and Bubby have been practicing for the Fourth (lighting off fireworks) and then falling to sleep in the tent-with-wheels while watching old Pink Panther cartoons. 

And now we are off to the airport to pick up Uncle Jason, who, of course, is here to do fireworks with Hubby and Bubby. 

Should be a...um...blast.