Steve never knows if a photo is for the blog, or if it's just for my personal collection. Well, surprise, honey, this one's on the blog.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year
Steve never knows if a photo is for the blog, or if it's just for my personal collection. Well, surprise, honey, this one's on the blog.
Oh. My. Gawd.
The Papas ala Huancanaia was excellent. More than excellent. We were extremely happy! Definitely give it a try, when you feel like burning your lips a little.
Tonight's Experiment
PAPAS ala HUANCAINA SAUCE
Ingredients :
7 yellow chili peppers seeded and deveined
10 ½ oz feta cheese
Oil
2/3 cup milk
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
Preparation:
Place peppers in a blender. Pour milk and blend.
Sauté onion with garlic in oil until cooked.
Transfer this to blender together with the cheese.
While blending, add oil until a creamy sauce is obtained.
Pour the sauce over boiled and sliced potatoes.
This is a traditional Peruvian dish, typically a side dish.
We're trying it out tonight, with some Peruvian Ceviche (seafood dish)
If we survive, I'll try to remember pictures!!
Oh hey I just noticed it's after 4 pm here in Arizona, and that means it's after 5pm in New Mexico. So I'm gonna start drinking!!! Happy New Year!!!
Ingredients :
7 yellow chili peppers seeded and deveined
10 ½ oz feta cheese
Oil
2/3 cup milk
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
Preparation:
Place peppers in a blender. Pour milk and blend.
Sauté onion with garlic in oil until cooked.
Transfer this to blender together with the cheese.
While blending, add oil until a creamy sauce is obtained.
Pour the sauce over boiled and sliced potatoes.
This is a traditional Peruvian dish, typically a side dish.
We're trying it out tonight, with some Peruvian Ceviche (seafood dish)
If we survive, I'll try to remember pictures!!
Oh hey I just noticed it's after 4 pm here in Arizona, and that means it's after 5pm in New Mexico. So I'm gonna start drinking!!! Happy New Year!!!
The "ONE" For Real
We had visited the Chandler airport a few weeks ago, to inspect an old Cessna, and Steve couldn't get it out of his head. He'd found it by accident, driving around with a friend of his (Martin--that's a whole 'nother post...)
When they passed by the Chandler airport Steve spotted this plane and they drove in to find out about it. The plane's owner had died of cancer back in September, and the family didn't know what to do with the plane. They guessed it was worth $50,000 and that prompted Steve to hire a professional who specialized in those types of planes to really give it a good going-over.
After the inspection, he offered the family $20,000 since there were some expensive problems that needed fixing before it could be airworthy. They thought about it, for a couple of weeks. Steve called back, offered $5,000 more, and they accepted.
We flew down to Chandler in Tony's plane on Tuesday, and Steve finalized the deal with the family. Then he got to work on the plane's engine.
All in all, the repairs didn't take long and soon Steve was flying it around the pattern:
By the end of the day, we were feeling pretty confident so we hopped in and flew it home.
Now Steve's got a smile as big as the moon, because he's got his first plane.
Monday, December 29, 2008
The "ONE"
Steve found the "ONE" on the internet. I am referring to an airplane. He said we had to get to Phoenix ASAP because this plane was perfect.
So he asked his friend Tony who has a very nice plane to fly us down there on Sunday morning.
Here's Tony and Steve, landing us at the airstrip where we were to be meeting the seller:
On our approach I noticed the dairy farms below. People don't know that the outer edges of Phoenix is littered with those as well as miles and miles of fields growing corn, alfalfa, and maize.
My copilot was Squeak, who is Tony's little friendly Papillon.
She sat there in her little bed on the seat next to me.
Steve typically takes about two hours to inspect a plane he's interested in, and that gives me a LOT of time to get to know the seller, or the seller's wife, or whatever. I keep forgetting to bring a book to read.
This particular seller, Chuck, was married to a lovely woman who shared my political opinions and who also has spent much time volunteering for the elections.
We only had about twenty minutes to talk because Steve suddenly said, "Okay, gotta go!"
Apparently the plane was not what was advertised. Not by a long shot. So we boarded Tony's ride and took off into the beautiful blue skies.
I had nice opportunities to photograph the nuclear power plant, since we flew a little close to it. The steam was quite visible since the temperatures were cool enough:
Now, if you're a terrorist planning the Jihad, please refrain from lifting photos of the nuclear power plant. We like it just the way it is, without bombs in the middle of it and commercial jets crashing into it. Leave the power plant alone!
This is me, with my headset on backwards. I fixed it after I realized it was hurting.
Upon arriving back in Havasu, I took a photo of the "island." It's where our original airport was, across the London Bridge on a 2 mile long peninsula.
I remember commenting to my copilot Squeak that there sure seemed to be more houses crammed into the mainland side of Havasu than what it looks like from down on the ground. We think we're such a big city, until you take one look across the water and see just how small and isolated we are out here in the desert:
The new Super Wal Mart is situated right across from the airport (the current airport) and from the air it was hard to see that it is actually the pit of hell. But I know. Oh yes. I know.
Shay and I were in the pit of hell on Saturday, for he received a Wal Mart gift card from Grandma. Well, as we were in the very back of the store looking at video games, the fire alarm started sounding. The overhead announcement said over and over that a "fire emergency has been averted, however, exit the store immediately for your safety."
We put down our things and started walking toward the front door. The fire alarm continued to sound. I looked around at people and they just went about their shopping, like zombies. Nobody was paying attention to the fire alarm!!! We made it all the way to the exit when the manager came out to the doorway and said, "Sorry, false alarm, go back to your shopping."
I saw the fire truck pulling into the parking lot. We were out of there.
I had no intentions of being in the middle of a stampede in the pit of hell.
Today Steve has called with the news that yet another plane is on his radar. Another "The ONE."
So he asked his friend Tony who has a very nice plane to fly us down there on Sunday morning.
Here's Tony and Steve, landing us at the airstrip where we were to be meeting the seller:
On our approach I noticed the dairy farms below. People don't know that the outer edges of Phoenix is littered with those as well as miles and miles of fields growing corn, alfalfa, and maize.
My copilot was Squeak, who is Tony's little friendly Papillon.
She sat there in her little bed on the seat next to me.
Steve typically takes about two hours to inspect a plane he's interested in, and that gives me a LOT of time to get to know the seller, or the seller's wife, or whatever. I keep forgetting to bring a book to read.
This particular seller, Chuck, was married to a lovely woman who shared my political opinions and who also has spent much time volunteering for the elections.
We only had about twenty minutes to talk because Steve suddenly said, "Okay, gotta go!"
Apparently the plane was not what was advertised. Not by a long shot. So we boarded Tony's ride and took off into the beautiful blue skies.
I had nice opportunities to photograph the nuclear power plant, since we flew a little close to it. The steam was quite visible since the temperatures were cool enough:
Now, if you're a terrorist planning the Jihad, please refrain from lifting photos of the nuclear power plant. We like it just the way it is, without bombs in the middle of it and commercial jets crashing into it. Leave the power plant alone!
This is me, with my headset on backwards. I fixed it after I realized it was hurting.
Upon arriving back in Havasu, I took a photo of the "island." It's where our original airport was, across the London Bridge on a 2 mile long peninsula.
I remember commenting to my copilot Squeak that there sure seemed to be more houses crammed into the mainland side of Havasu than what it looks like from down on the ground. We think we're such a big city, until you take one look across the water and see just how small and isolated we are out here in the desert:
The new Super Wal Mart is situated right across from the airport (the current airport) and from the air it was hard to see that it is actually the pit of hell. But I know. Oh yes. I know.
Shay and I were in the pit of hell on Saturday, for he received a Wal Mart gift card from Grandma. Well, as we were in the very back of the store looking at video games, the fire alarm started sounding. The overhead announcement said over and over that a "fire emergency has been averted, however, exit the store immediately for your safety."
We put down our things and started walking toward the front door. The fire alarm continued to sound. I looked around at people and they just went about their shopping, like zombies. Nobody was paying attention to the fire alarm!!! We made it all the way to the exit when the manager came out to the doorway and said, "Sorry, false alarm, go back to your shopping."
I saw the fire truck pulling into the parking lot. We were out of there.
I had no intentions of being in the middle of a stampede in the pit of hell.
Today Steve has called with the news that yet another plane is on his radar. Another "The ONE."
Saturday, December 27, 2008
World Clock
Ever feel too optimistic? Then click on this. It'll take care of that.
http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf
http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf
Potatoes Pave'
A recipe that certainly made our Christmas dinner MUCH more satisfying....But after I noticed what it cost me to make it I just about threw up. The ingredients are a bit pricey. So I would suggest finding less expensive alternatives to the meat and cheese, or make this dish only occasionally. Like after you make a few sales on Ebay or something.....
4 oz Boar's Head Pancetta, Diced (very salty meat--$12.00 per pound OUCH)
¼ cup Small Shallot, Finely Chopped
¼ stick Butter
½ tsp Black Pepper
1/8 cup All Purpose Flour
1 cup Boar's Head Pecorino Romano Cheese, grated (strong flavored cheese)
½ cup Chives, Finely Chopped
1 tsp Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped
1 cup Heavy Cream
½ tsp Kosher Salt
1½ lb Potatoes, Yukon Gold
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Thoroughly wash potatoes. Slice potatoes into ¼ inch thick ovals leaving the skin intact. Boil potatoes for 10 minutes, drain and set aside.
Saute pancetta in butter over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add shallots and garlic and saute for an additional minute. Add flour and mix with a wire whisk until thoroughly incorporated. Add heavy cream, salt and pepper and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and fold in chives and cheese.
Spray the inside of a medium-size roasting pan with non-stick spray. Cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of potatoes. Place 1/3 of the sauce mix over the potatoes. Repeat this procedure 3 times ending with sauce mix as the final top layer. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Incease oven temperature to 375°F and cook uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. Yields 3-4 servings.
Very garlicky, very salty, very delicious. But if you can find a substitute for the Pancetta and Pecorino Romano, you would probably feel better about making this one.
4 oz Boar's Head Pancetta, Diced (very salty meat--$12.00 per pound OUCH)
¼ cup Small Shallot, Finely Chopped
¼ stick Butter
½ tsp Black Pepper
1/8 cup All Purpose Flour
1 cup Boar's Head Pecorino Romano Cheese, grated (strong flavored cheese)
½ cup Chives, Finely Chopped
1 tsp Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped
1 cup Heavy Cream
½ tsp Kosher Salt
1½ lb Potatoes, Yukon Gold
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Thoroughly wash potatoes. Slice potatoes into ¼ inch thick ovals leaving the skin intact. Boil potatoes for 10 minutes, drain and set aside.
Saute pancetta in butter over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add shallots and garlic and saute for an additional minute. Add flour and mix with a wire whisk until thoroughly incorporated. Add heavy cream, salt and pepper and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and fold in chives and cheese.
Spray the inside of a medium-size roasting pan with non-stick spray. Cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of potatoes. Place 1/3 of the sauce mix over the potatoes. Repeat this procedure 3 times ending with sauce mix as the final top layer. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Incease oven temperature to 375°F and cook uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. Yields 3-4 servings.
Very garlicky, very salty, very delicious. But if you can find a substitute for the Pancetta and Pecorino Romano, you would probably feel better about making this one.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry x-mas....
We just got back home from a trip to romantic Bouse, Arizona, where Steve examined yet another airplane for sale. This time, it wasn't some old man in the middle of nowhere with a junk plane. It was an old man in the middle of nowhere with a very nice plane. Too bad it's out of the acceptable price range. He's selling it because his 78 year old wife was just diagnosed with breast cancer and it's probably going to be an expensive fight. He did admit that the guy he bought the plane from had the same problem, a wife with cancer. I let him know that it's not a good selling point. However, Steve's gonna keep in contact with him and maybe they'll work a lower dollar amount. Who knows?
On the way home we encountered something that is quite common to Arizona although probably foreign to other states: "Virga."
It is rain that evaporates before it hits the ground. Very frustrating to us people who enjoy a little REAL weather now and then.
Further down the road, we noticed some interesting skies and had to pull over to take a few photos. The highway between Havasu and Parker (Indian Reservation) is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and the river is beautiful.
As we neared the outposts of Havasu we were astonished at some cloud formations that looked to be rain off to the East, with the sun reflecting off them from the West:
We must've taken 50 pictures, from the side of the road. The mountains in the distance were completely covered up by these clouds, which just seemed to be taking over the desert.
Once we got into Havasu, we noticed the "cloud" had taken on a more interesting look, and Steve's daughter called excitedly to tell us it was snowing in the mountains.
We tried to climb the nearest mountain in order to get a better look, but by the time we got up there the storm moved away from us. So we went out for some Friday night fish and chips.
It was an exciting day altogether, really, because Steve and I enjoyed ourselves a Latte on our way to the romantic, isolated community of Bouse:
That's his rugged, wonderful hand in the photo, with a scratch on it because he was wrestling a mountain lion earlier this week. Or he mis-handled his pocket knife. I dunno.
But, the Latte thing is quite exciting because Steve has NEVER been a coffee person, his whole life. And now all of a sudden he's interested. This means I've changed him. CHANGED HIM. Soon he will like Superman as much as I. Oh yes. It will come to be.
Our Christmas was quite subdued. We didn't do the gift thing, Steve did cards for his daughters and I. But his daughters got money with their cards. I got a kiss. Shay had a stocking with some Hot Wheels and money in it. And some clothing. Oh and of course the Kung Fu Panda DVD that I ordered him several weeks ago. But that was it. The food was delightful, and Steve's brother came over to enjoy it with us. Potatoes Pave was the big hit as well as the Red Velvet cake I made from scratch.
I gave Steve his carbon fiber cane which he loved. His actual present for me was a Cobra Helicopter jacket that he had made. It arrived in Fed Ex today, rather than before Christmas. He went thru a lot with the flight jacket manufacturer and the embroiderer to get it done right. The only other ones in existance belong to him and his boss. Mine actually fits nicely. And I look like a kung fu badass in it:
I especially like the "Remove Before Flight" tag on the sleeve zipper:
I hear Steve on his phone right now, telling someone that we're going to drive three hours tomorrow morning to see their plane. DAMMIT!
On the way home we encountered something that is quite common to Arizona although probably foreign to other states: "Virga."
It is rain that evaporates before it hits the ground. Very frustrating to us people who enjoy a little REAL weather now and then.
Further down the road, we noticed some interesting skies and had to pull over to take a few photos. The highway between Havasu and Parker (Indian Reservation) is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and the river is beautiful.
As we neared the outposts of Havasu we were astonished at some cloud formations that looked to be rain off to the East, with the sun reflecting off them from the West:
We must've taken 50 pictures, from the side of the road. The mountains in the distance were completely covered up by these clouds, which just seemed to be taking over the desert.
Once we got into Havasu, we noticed the "cloud" had taken on a more interesting look, and Steve's daughter called excitedly to tell us it was snowing in the mountains.
We tried to climb the nearest mountain in order to get a better look, but by the time we got up there the storm moved away from us. So we went out for some Friday night fish and chips.
It was an exciting day altogether, really, because Steve and I enjoyed ourselves a Latte on our way to the romantic, isolated community of Bouse:
That's his rugged, wonderful hand in the photo, with a scratch on it because he was wrestling a mountain lion earlier this week. Or he mis-handled his pocket knife. I dunno.
But, the Latte thing is quite exciting because Steve has NEVER been a coffee person, his whole life. And now all of a sudden he's interested. This means I've changed him. CHANGED HIM. Soon he will like Superman as much as I. Oh yes. It will come to be.
Our Christmas was quite subdued. We didn't do the gift thing, Steve did cards for his daughters and I. But his daughters got money with their cards. I got a kiss. Shay had a stocking with some Hot Wheels and money in it. And some clothing. Oh and of course the Kung Fu Panda DVD that I ordered him several weeks ago. But that was it. The food was delightful, and Steve's brother came over to enjoy it with us. Potatoes Pave was the big hit as well as the Red Velvet cake I made from scratch.
I gave Steve his carbon fiber cane which he loved. His actual present for me was a Cobra Helicopter jacket that he had made. It arrived in Fed Ex today, rather than before Christmas. He went thru a lot with the flight jacket manufacturer and the embroiderer to get it done right. The only other ones in existance belong to him and his boss. Mine actually fits nicely. And I look like a kung fu badass in it:
I especially like the "Remove Before Flight" tag on the sleeve zipper:
I hear Steve on his phone right now, telling someone that we're going to drive three hours tomorrow morning to see their plane. DAMMIT!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
It's Post #200
Yep, since Brandy got me hooked on Blogger, I have posted 200 times. How appropriate to use this opportunity to share a very evil EVIL dessert recipe!!!
Crunchy & creamy pumpkin custard pie (serves 8)
½ can (=1 ¾ cups) pumpkin
½ can (=2/3 cup) 12 oz evaporated milk
2 large eggs
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 -21/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ - 1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ pkg (=7/8 cup) yellow cake mix with pudding
1 cup chopped pecans
½ cup unsalted butter or margarine melted
Whipped cream for serving
TO MAKE FILLING: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin ,milk,sugars, eggs,pie spice,cinnamon and salt.
Grease a 9 inch glass pie dish. Line with 14 inch piece of waxed paper. Pour filling into paper. Sprinkle top with cake mix and then with nuts. Drizzle melted butter over top.
Bake in center of oven at 325 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Cool. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. To serve, place serving plate/platter on top of cooled pie and turn upside down. Remove pie dish and waxed paper.
It's not a very impressive looking dessert, once you pop it out of the wax paper. People look at it and go "ew." Really. But the taste is amazing.
For those of you who are doing the Christmas thing this year, Merry Christmas. We are having food and family and friends, but we've instructed everyone that we are not doing presents. We've been telling people this for years but nobody has adhered to it. So I guess this year it might "take" because so many people are broke.
My son has a few items that I've gotten for him, like a DVD and some clothing, but that's it. I may put some cash in his stocking, and that way he can go buy something. But we're not doing GIFT-A-PALOOZA this year. It's nice that my son is eleven years old and very understanding. We talked several weeks ago about Christmas and he was completely fine with it. I also let him know that his grandparents weren't going to be going insane with the gifts, either. He really didn't seem to care. Putting it all in perspective; Shay gets everything he wants and needs all year long. And he knows it. Anytime he gets money as a gift, he puts it away in his room and never spends it. If he wants a video game, he and I negotiate what he's going to do to earn it, and he follows thru.
He's a great kid, does what he's told and I reward him all year long for that. I'm taking this opportunity to start weaning him off the idea that Christmas is the gimme gimme gimme time of year.
It truly was breaking my heart to hear the fear in family member's voices when they'd call to tell me they couldn't afford to get us anything this year. "What? I don't WANT anything!!!" What's the point of a holiday that stresses people out because they've got all the pressure to buy, spend, and finance all kinds of gifts that typically won't be appreciated as much as it was originally intended.
Festivus for the rest of us, I say.
Merry Christmas...
Crunchy & creamy pumpkin custard pie (serves 8)
½ can (=1 ¾ cups) pumpkin
½ can (=2/3 cup) 12 oz evaporated milk
2 large eggs
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 -21/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ - 1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ pkg (=7/8 cup) yellow cake mix with pudding
1 cup chopped pecans
½ cup unsalted butter or margarine melted
Whipped cream for serving
TO MAKE FILLING: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin ,milk,sugars, eggs,pie spice,cinnamon and salt.
Grease a 9 inch glass pie dish. Line with 14 inch piece of waxed paper. Pour filling into paper. Sprinkle top with cake mix and then with nuts. Drizzle melted butter over top.
Bake in center of oven at 325 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Cool. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. To serve, place serving plate/platter on top of cooled pie and turn upside down. Remove pie dish and waxed paper.
It's not a very impressive looking dessert, once you pop it out of the wax paper. People look at it and go "ew." Really. But the taste is amazing.
For those of you who are doing the Christmas thing this year, Merry Christmas. We are having food and family and friends, but we've instructed everyone that we are not doing presents. We've been telling people this for years but nobody has adhered to it. So I guess this year it might "take" because so many people are broke.
My son has a few items that I've gotten for him, like a DVD and some clothing, but that's it. I may put some cash in his stocking, and that way he can go buy something. But we're not doing GIFT-A-PALOOZA this year. It's nice that my son is eleven years old and very understanding. We talked several weeks ago about Christmas and he was completely fine with it. I also let him know that his grandparents weren't going to be going insane with the gifts, either. He really didn't seem to care. Putting it all in perspective; Shay gets everything he wants and needs all year long. And he knows it. Anytime he gets money as a gift, he puts it away in his room and never spends it. If he wants a video game, he and I negotiate what he's going to do to earn it, and he follows thru.
He's a great kid, does what he's told and I reward him all year long for that. I'm taking this opportunity to start weaning him off the idea that Christmas is the gimme gimme gimme time of year.
It truly was breaking my heart to hear the fear in family member's voices when they'd call to tell me they couldn't afford to get us anything this year. "What? I don't WANT anything!!!" What's the point of a holiday that stresses people out because they've got all the pressure to buy, spend, and finance all kinds of gifts that typically won't be appreciated as much as it was originally intended.
Festivus for the rest of us, I say.
Merry Christmas...
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Long Time Coming
JVR and Sunny had their wedding ceremony on Sunday, and we were lucky enough to be a part of it.
A wonderful toast from Sunny's nephew:
Mmmmmm...strawberry and vanilla cake:
Sunny took a moment to say "Thank You E Harmony!"
And she posed for me as the sun was setting:
There were celebrity guests....
A little bit of bling...
Afterward, we joined Jim and Sunny at their house for some wonderful conversation and "Sunny Delights" which were Bailey's Irish Cream and steamed milk. Steve noticed that Jim had two espresso machines, and he couldn't help but get a little instruction on how espresso is made. He has a sudden interest in lattes. Yay! He's never been a coffee man, but recently he had a double shot latte and he said he actually liked it. So here's Steve and Jim, going over the whole steamed milk thing:
I can't wait to show them my photos, there are 90 altogether.
It was a wonderful day and I'm so glad we were there.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
COME to the Darkside...
That's what Vader would say.
"Luke, give in to your destiny. COME to the dark side."
I've captured more than a couple of people in this past month, converting them to the darkside. By darkside, I mean MY side. Not that it's a contest or anything....but I lost several friends with my divorce and now they're coming back around. And the first thing I do is give them my blog address, so they can read and catch up!
"Luke, give in to your destiny. COME to the dark side."
I've captured more than a couple of people in this past month, converting them to the darkside. By darkside, I mean MY side. Not that it's a contest or anything....but I lost several friends with my divorce and now they're coming back around. And the first thing I do is give them my blog address, so they can read and catch up!
Monday, December 15, 2008
What is This Foreign Stuff?
The storm that shut down freeways in Southern California managed to get over here to Arizona a give us a little rain.
Rain?
What's that?
Santa's Little Satanic Helpers
I volunteered to ring a bell for the Salvation Army, and a part of the deal was a requirement to pair up with someone. So I asked Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson to ring with me.
Since he apparently will do whatever I ask,,,,,,
We did quite well, managing to ring for a couple of hours without pissing anyone off. It was funny to see the people do a double-take when their County Supervisor was standing there outside of Walgreens bell ringing.
In exchange for helping me with the bell ringing, I agreed to go to a Tri-State Law Enforcement Meeting with Buster the following day. I figured it would be a good opportunity to talk with some of our local cops in attendance about my city council run.
We really had no idea what the agenda was, because neither of us read it ahead of time. We walked in and of course got all kinds of interesting looks. That's what happens when you waltz into a room full of friggin' cops.
We discovered that it was an open bar, and that there was no need to wait in line for a mixed drink since the beers were in great supply over to the side. YAY!!!
Let the drinking begin.
We were told to check out this blonde in a red dress nearby, I guess she was Tracy on the Partridge Family show. I took a look, snapped a great photo, and dismissed the whole Partridge Family thing. I certainly wasn't going to just walk up and ask her if it was true.
But here's the great photo I took of her:
As you can see, she looks just like the little girl from the show. Well, actually I looked up a picture the next morning and it sure looked like her. From what I recalled, anyway.
Our entertainment was to be some blues music, but what we learned very soon that it was the actual Blues Brothers Tribute Band, who tour professionally.
Here's the Elwood guy, doing their introduction from just outside the meeting room:
And here's what "Jake" and I were doing meanwhile:
This was before they even made their entrance.
Once they started singing, it was AW SUMMM!!
I texted Steve throughout the night, who was happily at home on the computer researching airplanes for sale. It's his latest obsession. I don't quite know the
reasoning behind it, I just play along.
I got to see an old friend, Collette, who I went to high school with. She's married to a cop I guess.
And her cop husband decided to take me out on the dance floor and throw me around.
I wish I had a better picture of my outfit. I was wearing one of my most favorite skirts. Stripes with zippers up both sides. Too cute.
Since he apparently will do whatever I ask,,,,,,
We did quite well, managing to ring for a couple of hours without pissing anyone off. It was funny to see the people do a double-take when their County Supervisor was standing there outside of Walgreens bell ringing.
In exchange for helping me with the bell ringing, I agreed to go to a Tri-State Law Enforcement Meeting with Buster the following day. I figured it would be a good opportunity to talk with some of our local cops in attendance about my city council run.
We really had no idea what the agenda was, because neither of us read it ahead of time. We walked in and of course got all kinds of interesting looks. That's what happens when you waltz into a room full of friggin' cops.
We discovered that it was an open bar, and that there was no need to wait in line for a mixed drink since the beers were in great supply over to the side. YAY!!!
Let the drinking begin.
We were told to check out this blonde in a red dress nearby, I guess she was Tracy on the Partridge Family show. I took a look, snapped a great photo, and dismissed the whole Partridge Family thing. I certainly wasn't going to just walk up and ask her if it was true.
But here's the great photo I took of her:
As you can see, she looks just like the little girl from the show. Well, actually I looked up a picture the next morning and it sure looked like her. From what I recalled, anyway.
Our entertainment was to be some blues music, but what we learned very soon that it was the actual Blues Brothers Tribute Band, who tour professionally.
Here's the Elwood guy, doing their introduction from just outside the meeting room:
And here's what "Jake" and I were doing meanwhile:
This was before they even made their entrance.
Once they started singing, it was AW SUMMM!!
I texted Steve throughout the night, who was happily at home on the computer researching airplanes for sale. It's his latest obsession. I don't quite know the
reasoning behind it, I just play along.
I got to see an old friend, Collette, who I went to high school with. She's married to a cop I guess.
And her cop husband decided to take me out on the dance floor and throw me around.
I wish I had a better picture of my outfit. I was wearing one of my most favorite skirts. Stripes with zippers up both sides. Too cute.
Pioneer Woman
I just spent the last few hours reading Pioneer Woman's postings about how she met her husband. That's so cool. She writes so well, it's easy to get caught up in it.
www.pioneerwoman.com
www.pioneerwoman.com
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Toys for Tots
Went on a Harley run today, it was the annual Toys for Tots motorcycle run that goes from Parker (50 miles from here in Havasu) to a little bar in downtown Havasu. Everyone who participates brings a toy and it's donated to the needy kids in the area. Because this event has been going on for the past twenty years, it has grown in popularity and gets more spectators than a traditional parade in Havasu.
We drove Steve's boss's v-8 trike, it's red with Budweiser logos on it.
As we arrived to get lined up, we saw the usual reaction:
We were good little citizens and brought a present that any little girl would be excited to receive:
I can't even begin to estimate how many bikes participated this year. Easily a thousand. We were towards the back of the procession and we could see bikes ahead of us for at least a couple of miles.
Once we got into the city limits, people lined the streets to wave and watch us all go by. I laughed the entire way, because there were babies, toddlers, kids, parents, grandparents, and all shapes and sizes out in their driveways waving and smiling. I guess you could say the bikers around here have a much tamer reputation than the ones from Southern California. Well, Steve and his friends are all called the Rolex Riders, because they're all yuppie bikers who discovered their inner Harley owner once they reached their forties. Oh, and they wear their Rolexes.
Shay stayed home so he could enjoy his Sunday and watch all the bikes go by. We live less than a block from the parade route so he walked up there when it was time for us to come by. He had the video camera, and filmed the entire procession, but then after it was done he realized that he didn't push the "record" button.
We got to our destination, dropped off the toy, then headed to another bar and grill to get something to eat. We knew if we stayed where everyone else was we'd never get to sit, eat, or use the restroom.
Steve has been shopping for an airplane for the past month or so. He wants a specific kind with a specific engine with specific horsepower and specific other things, so the search has been very, well, specific. We have seen our share of clunky junky planes, and nice ones as well. Last Sunday and yesterday we drive 90 minutes to remote airfields to see planes and the look on Steve's face says it all:
He thinks he has found "the one." It's in Washington state. He has friends up there who will look at the plane and let him know if it's worth the trip. Then somehow we have to find the time to get up to Washington.
Okey dokey.
As I was watching the sunset today I ran into an old friend:
Hello, old friend. I miss you.
It got a bit cold today, probably never reached 70 degrees. Waaaahhhh.....
But that didn't bother Mr. Kitty Meow Meow, the most spoiled feline in the state. He was up on the wall in the back yard, looking at the sunset.
Probably planning his evening.
We drove Steve's boss's v-8 trike, it's red with Budweiser logos on it.
As we arrived to get lined up, we saw the usual reaction:
We were good little citizens and brought a present that any little girl would be excited to receive:
I can't even begin to estimate how many bikes participated this year. Easily a thousand. We were towards the back of the procession and we could see bikes ahead of us for at least a couple of miles.
Once we got into the city limits, people lined the streets to wave and watch us all go by. I laughed the entire way, because there were babies, toddlers, kids, parents, grandparents, and all shapes and sizes out in their driveways waving and smiling. I guess you could say the bikers around here have a much tamer reputation than the ones from Southern California. Well, Steve and his friends are all called the Rolex Riders, because they're all yuppie bikers who discovered their inner Harley owner once they reached their forties. Oh, and they wear their Rolexes.
Shay stayed home so he could enjoy his Sunday and watch all the bikes go by. We live less than a block from the parade route so he walked up there when it was time for us to come by. He had the video camera, and filmed the entire procession, but then after it was done he realized that he didn't push the "record" button.
We got to our destination, dropped off the toy, then headed to another bar and grill to get something to eat. We knew if we stayed where everyone else was we'd never get to sit, eat, or use the restroom.
Steve has been shopping for an airplane for the past month or so. He wants a specific kind with a specific engine with specific horsepower and specific other things, so the search has been very, well, specific. We have seen our share of clunky junky planes, and nice ones as well. Last Sunday and yesterday we drive 90 minutes to remote airfields to see planes and the look on Steve's face says it all:
He thinks he has found "the one." It's in Washington state. He has friends up there who will look at the plane and let him know if it's worth the trip. Then somehow we have to find the time to get up to Washington.
Okey dokey.
As I was watching the sunset today I ran into an old friend:
Hello, old friend. I miss you.
It got a bit cold today, probably never reached 70 degrees. Waaaahhhh.....
But that didn't bother Mr. Kitty Meow Meow, the most spoiled feline in the state. He was up on the wall in the back yard, looking at the sunset.
Probably planning his evening.
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