Interior Pool Door open--Check Door (beeeep!)

Well, I am in Deep Creek, Maryland as I post this! How cool is that? I went to Dave's blog and posted comments, then signed into my own blog. With this whirlwind month we are having, I haven't had much time for blogging, and when I did, I was just too tired. When you are on the go every single weekend, you have to make sure the Laundry is done during the week, the house is straightened up, and that you have all your ducks in a row for the next trip.

The house we stay in down here is awesome. I will post pictures when I get home. I can't connect to this computer, as I didn't bring my USB cable for the camera with me.
The house has a huge great room, awesome kitchen and family room, 13 bedrooms, a game loft, laundry room and indoor swimming pool! AS a safety feature for people who rent this house that have children, an alarm sounds when you open the door to go into the pool room. In years past, it was just this annoying, loud beep. Not any more. Now its a digitally recorded women's voice that slowly, but loudly says "Interior Pool Door Open. Check Door" Then it makes a loud beep for a couple of seconds. And it repeats over and over and over until you hit the button next to the door. There is access to the pool from outside on the driveway too. 3 sliding glass doors. The dialogue changes to exterior door. If both are open, it alternates the messages followed by the beep. I hope I am spelling everything correctly and making sense, as I've had a lot to drink. Gorilla Juice. 1 part each of vodka and blue curacao and 2 to 2 1/2 parts each of pineapple and orange juice. Kicks you in the ass, but no hangover. Ever. Great stuff!

Well, it's going on 11 and I am tipsy and sleepy. Larry the cable guy is on tv. Maybe I'll watch him for a while and go to bed.........

It was 7 years ago today....

And I wish the next line was that Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. But, it was the day that America was attacked by terrorists. 9-11-01. Do you remember where you were and what you were doing?
People say that they remember that stuff the day JFK was shot, when they got the news that the music died (Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens were killed in a plane crash), when the space shuttle blew up and when the planes hit the Twin Towers that dreadful day. I was at work and my boss' mom called and told us what was on the news. The rest of the day was a blur. I just wanted to get home to Dean.
I have alot of "conspiracy theories" when it comes to things our government does or does not do. Here is my theory on the 9-11 thing.

Osama Bin Laden worked and planned for that for a very long time. The first bomb at the Twin Towers caused havoc, but not the destruction he was looking for. He wanted to hit us where it would hurt most-financially and spiritually. He ordered pilots to be trained to hit the biggest buildings in New York that were home to hundreds of financial businesses. To hit the Pentagon, possibly the Capitol Building or the White House, but that plane ended up in Shanksville, PA.
So, "as soon as we could see clearly through our big, black eye", we pulled ourselves together and started to heal and rebuild. Since that effort on his part did not yield the results he was looking for, now he is in some way controlling the oil. The price per barrel goes up, and in turn, the price per gallon goes up. That's what hits the Americans in the wallet. So, we have given up things to pay for the gas, and our lives aren't quite as luxurious as they were.
Why is that important? Because Bin Laden doesn't like how we live. We have it too good.
My husband believes that the price of oil goes up because the refineries were destroyed in the Gulf during Katrina. Naaaaah. Why would the oil proce go up now? They have been rebuilt. It's the price of the oil coming out of the middle east that causes the price per barrel to go up. And I truly believe that that is at the hand of Bin Laden somehow.
I am sad for all the people that had to parish that fateful day. I feel for their families. How hard it must have been and maybe even still be for some. But, America goes on.


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On my way to work, i came across some road work being done. The construction vehicles were sitting and working on a little side road, but, they had a flagger pserson working the intersection. The road I travel does not have a stop sign going to work, but coming the other direction it does, as well as the side streets in either direction, making the intersection a 3 way stop.
Now, to me, the flagger person is to help the flow of traffic not make it worse. So, shouldn't they allow the people with the normal right of way to have it and make the other 3 with stop signs stop and go when traffic with the right of way is clear? No, she stops everybody and give every one turns. Sometimes the people coming off the side streets got 2 turns in a row. or 3. It's just not right I tell ya! I didn't go that way for a couple of days and now, that construction is done. I just think the flow of traffic should not have changed is all! Is that too much ot ask?
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Saturday is the wedding of the Bass player from our Band, The Fabulous Gunslingers. The guys in the band can really party, so I think this will be a really fun wedding!



Dave, the groom to be



The band. The lead singer, Scott (in the blue shirt, center) is the best man. I'll let ya know how this one goes.......

Well, yes I know there has been another lapse in my posting. After we got the computer back, we were then busy cleaning and preparing for the cook out we had the Sunday before Labor Day. Sara, Henry and the boys came over as well as Dean's brothers and the one girlfriend and her daughter. Nick didn't show, nor had I heard from him. However, I did pass him today while driving home from work and he beeped and waved at me. So he hasn't disappeared or anything. Anyhoo, I was so tired, the last thing I wanted to do was try and put sensible thoughts together for my blog. Labor day, we just chilled out and made plans for our trip to Eldora in Ohio. Tuesday we worked and since we left at 12:45 Wednesday afternoon, Tuesday evening was spent packing and getting everything together and in the truck. Dean left work at 11 and I left at 12:15 and we were pulling out by 12:45 Wednesday. The drive was great. No problems. It took us about 5 and a half hours including a rest stop and a stop for gas. We were at our campsite before 6 and had camp set up by 7:30. After we munched on some sandwiches, I read my book to relax and Dean hung out. Thursday we went a got some supplies at the nice IGA up the road in the next town, St. Henry's. People are real friendly and are glad to welcome the race fans.
For some strange reason, I was really sick and couldn't wander too far from the camper's bathroom. But, there must have been something, cause the dogs had the poops too.
Thrusday night and Friday morning it rained, but not hard. Just a steady sprinkle. It cleared up and we raced Friday nite and Saturday nite just about on time. It took a little extra prep for the track, but that's ok. The racing was awesome! 175 cars took qualifying at 1 lap each. Those that wanted to try and better their time were given a second lap after the entire 175 cars took the first. Our boy, Bloomer, took his first lap at 16.565. He later came out and bettered his time to 15:555! That's a full second off his time! He's amazing! Now, these times might not mean anything to you. But here's the thing. It's a half mile track. So, 30 seconds would = 60 mph. So a time of 15 seconds = 120 mph! That's fast! It is also very cool to see.
After the concie races after qualifying Friday night, then the B mains Saturday, the Feature started 28 cars for 100 laps. Unfortunately, our boy, blew up about lap 30, so he was done. Turns out, an oil line came off.
One of the best parts of the trip is seeing our friends from Iowa.

I don't know the guy on the left's name. He's not usually there. Marty is in the middle and Kurt is on the right. They are really great guys that sit in front of us every year and we have a good time with them. Usually, a guy named Jason is with Marty and Kurt. Kurt is a huge Steeler fan. That is really cool. Fortunately, they are from part of Iowa that wasn't flooded this year.
Sunday, we packed up and headed home. No problems coming back, either. Stopped at Awful Waffle (yum) and gas and a rest stop and was home around 5:30, including dropping off the camper at my work. We left camp at 11 or so. Not bad.
I worked today and Dean had the day off. He went and got new tires on his car to prepare for inspection. Back to the grind for him tomorrow.

We're Ba-a-a-a-ack!!!!

Well, we picked up the computer tonight after dinner. I got everything reconnected and up and running (obviously). But I'm really tired now, so I will catch you up on all that you've missed since Sunday later. Maybe over the weekend, but maybe not til Monday, since we have a jam packed weekend!

If ya don't hear from me.......

Well, After I sign off here tonight, I have to disconnect my computer. She needs to go to the "doctor". And no, not Dave, either. He's in Arkansas. I don't think it would be cost effective to sent my unit down to him.
Dean's buddy Paul, who used to live next door to Dean's mom, is a computer guru like Dave. I even think his job is similar to Dave's.
We contacted him and he said he would take a look if we brought our computer to him. I know we need more RAM, so that's one problem. And when I gave Dav remote access and HE looked around in my computer's innards, he said we had a bunch of adware and spyware and that would cause problems.
So, we will see what Paul finds. I think he'll have it a couple of days. we'll see. Depending on what HE finds, we will either buy more RAM and some upgrades for this one, or just keep using it the way is until we can buy a new one. It depends on that cost effectiveness thing.......
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Dean and I had to go to the funeral home today. Another one of his mom's neighbors died. Joe. He seemed like a good egg for the time I knew him. His wife passed last year in May. Now he was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was given the option to give up driving or have surgery on a valve in his heart. Joe didn't want to give up the freedom of being able to drive, so elected to have the surgery. Unfortunately, he died on the operating table.
They thought his chances of surviving the surgery were good, from what I understand. Guess they were wrong about that. I would have given up the drive's license if it were me at that age. If I get some desease that is going to number my days, don't tell me. I don't want to know. If there's a cure that's guaranteed, then maybe. But otherwise, don't tell me. I don't want to sit around just crossing the days off the calendar.

You Can Let Go Now Daddy

Even though I don't want to. They keep playing that song on the radio, especially during work hours, and I cry every time. So Here are some pics of my dad.....If I can ever figure out how to slideshow them, I will do that and add to the neat things at the right...


Daddy at Brian's Highschool graduation. Circa June of 1989? Dave'll let me know for sure after he reads this, I'm sure.



This was Dad as Father of the Bride when I made the biggest mistke of my life in August, 1992. But I believe everything happens for a reason, and if this day wasn't part of my life's path, I would have never have met Dean and be the wife of the wonderful man I am married to now.



This was a group picture that I cropped so I just had dad. I think it was taken around Christmas of 95.


This is my Mom and Dad. This was taken in August of 96 for their 50th wedding anniversary. 2 days ago would have marked 62nd anniversary. Mom would have been 81 this past June and Dad would have been 83 this August 1st. I still miss him like it was yesterday.....

Jordan goes camping; Surprise Visit; A song that just hits you; Cleaning weekend; We can grow our own groceries; September schedule

We went camping at the race track last weekend and Jordan went too! He seems to really like it. I think mainly because he can be outside most of the time and he gets so much individual attention. He plays and rides his bike all day long! He likes the races too, even though he falls asleep before they're over. But he is only 2 and half.

Tom, Jordie and Zack

Mac, Tom and Lisa (Lori too, but you can't see her face)

Our friends, Tom and Lisa and their 2 boys, Zack and Mac (Zachary & McKenzie) who are 17 and 15, camped with us too! They brought their go kart and Dean took Jordie for a ride. He loved it!

Mark Wilcox, Nick (Virg's boyfriend), Billy's Dad and Jordan

Jordan and Pappap at the races!

When Jordie fell asleep at the races, so after Billy's race, I took Jordan out to the camper and put him to bed. Then the real fun started! Once a year, Dean cooks for the masses. The masses refers to alot of our friends at the racetrack. He made about 40 each of burgers and dogs, a few brauts, and I had made macaroni salad and Lisa made brocolli salad. We fed everybody and we all having a good time. Dean's cousin, Donnie, with 2 of his buddies. They brought a whole pick up truck load of pallets they wanted to put on the campfire. We didn't want them to burn them all at once cause the fire would be too big. The Mileys who own the track, are nice enough to let us camp there any time we want, so we like to be courteous about it. They had started the fire very early. It was raging when I brought Jordie out to put him to bed.The cars of people in the races were still parked near the firepit. So, as I walked by, I let them know about it. (strike 1) After I got Jordan in bed, I started setting up the "buffet" table and slicing the tomatoes and getting the other stuff out of the cooler. Then I hear this rapid succession of bangs. They were between their truck and the back side of the camper and had lit off a whole pack of firecrackers! I ran around and told them I have 2 year old sleeping right in that camper. Don't do that outside this window. (strike 2) So everyone else makes their way out of the races and Dean starts cooking. the idiots are then horse playing in the same spot that they had lit the firecrackers. Again, I go over and tell them about Jordie sleeping in the camper and to take the horseplay somewhere else or just leave. (strike 3)

Everyone has eaten and is thanking us and the idiots start stacking the pallets in front of the camper. I tell them they better not leave them there or put them all on the fire at one time. (Strikes 4 & 5) Then dean told them too cause I had told them what I said to them. So, after they burnt the last of the pallets, they decided to leave, I guess, and were all in the truck. Dean was in the camper and all of a sudden comes running out like it's on fire and reaches into the truck and is yelling at the one guy. I found out later that the one guy said "Man, your cousin's wife is a F*#@ing bitch!" So the guys get out of the truck and the one starts calling Dean on. After a couple of minutes the other one says if he won't fight you, I will. Dean says "I just fed you and you wanna kick my ass?" So, I guess the guy thought about it and told Dean he was right and they man hugged. When they let go, the other guy sucker punches Dean right in the mouth! I heard the hit and when I looked, my husband is on his back on the ground! I start to go to him, and as I do, he gets himself turned over on his hand and knees, with the other hand holding his mouth. As I got there, he pulls his hand away from his mouth and there is all this blood. I snapped. It was like it wasn't even me. I marched over to this guy and said how dare you? What's wrong with you? We feed you and let you hang here. And I just hauled off and punched him dead in the face. The crowd of our friends that had gathered during the inital skirmish let out a unified "oooh". Then one guy in the crowd says "if you hit her, I'll knock you into next week!" That's when I came back to reality. We had to find Dean's glasses cause the punch sent them flying off of his face. Then I went to tend to my bleeding, hurting husband. He ended up with a very swollen, cut lip that was bleeding profusely. He needed stitches. He wound up with 4. During that time, the instigators left and didn't show up att he races this weekend. AS for Dean's face, you can't even tell now that anything happened to it. It's great that he wanted to defend his wife's honor, but the f*#@ing bitch comment was never intended for him or anyone else to hear, but he did and it pissed him off. He loves me sooooooo much........What a way to show it!

Jordan on Sunday morning in the camper
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I had a surprise visitor the other day. My son, Nick! He came to show me his new car and to give me a demo cd which contained 3 songs by his band. The car is a Cadillac DeVille, a '89 i think, but is really cherry. It was owned by an older guy and garage kept. The miles are high, but if he takes care of it, it will last him along time. The songs on the cd are really good . I really like them. Nick plays guitar. he never had a lesson in his life and can't read music. He plays by ear. Another talent, along with his ability to draw, that he got from my dad.

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Speaking of my dad, I was at work the other day and a song came on the radio by a chic named Crystal Shawanda (think she's native American? Uh, Yeh.) called You Can Let Go. See the video by clicking on the 2nd vieo at the right. A more audible version is the 4th pink square. Lyrics only, no video, though. (The top video is just there as is the 3rd. I have no Clue. They just came along for the ride I guess.)The song tells how her dad was helping her learn how to ride her bike and she tells him he can let go now she's ready to do this by herself. Then she is getting married and her dad walks her down the aisle and after saying he gives this woman, he doesn't let go and she tells him again you can let go now daddy. Then the man is older and in the hospital and is about to come to the end of his life, but is hanging on. She has to give him permission to die and again tells him you can let go now. I can't even post this without my eyes filling up. When I heard it for the first time, I couldn't stop the tears. A co worker came in the office and thought something was wrong and was really concerned. I told him it was ok, just a sad song on the radio.

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And for this weekend. Dean and I brought the camper home and I scrubbed the outside and the top and underside of the awning. It gets really dirty at the dirttracks and sitting in the lot at work where we keep it. I cleaned the inside really well and Dean siliconed around all the windows and the door to seal any place that might leak and filled the water tank. I scrubbed the big cooler and washed the truck while Dean went to the grocery store. Then we put everything away and took the camper back to work. It's now ready to go to Eldora the beginning of next month!

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And I actually cooked dinner on Sunday! Deans does almost all of the cooking at our house, being the chef that he is. He calls himself the "trained professional". I made stuffed peppers. Dean grew the peppers in our garden along with zuchini and tomatoes. The stuffed peppers were awesome! I can still cook!

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About next month, here's a schedule for ya. Aug 29th-racing at Lernerville. Aug 30th-racing at PA Motor Speedway, or PMS as it is affectionately known to its patrons. The 31st- a cookout at our house. Sara and the gang are invited, as well as Nick and Dean's brothers and the one brother's girlfriend. Sept. 3-leave to go to Eldora in Ohio for the World 100. Sept. 13-wedding. The bass player of the band we follow, the Fabulous Gunslingers, is getting married. The 18th, 19th and 20th is the big race finale at PMS. Then the 26th is our Deep Creek weekend! Whew! It will be a busy month! So, if I don't post, you'll know why!