The Great Depends Saga

I think you can learn an awful lot watching people around you age.  I remember thinking very early in my adult life that I would love to be like my Grandma Lee when I got old.  Although she's been gone for 25 years, I still miss her and think about the influence she had on my life, and about what a great Gramma she was to all of her grandchildren.  And I remember my Dad saying that his parents always bickered every day of his life growing up and he decided not to replay that relationship.  (I'll bet that promise wasn't always an easy one to keep!) Watching Brad's parents retire made us realize that we would not emulate them.  To quit work and then sit in a chair for the rest of your life wasn't on our agendas.  But then, who knows?  Life takes some unexpected turns and we don't always get what we bargained for.  Anyway, with any luck (?) we'll all grow old, but HOW we do it and how the people around us view us is important.  So, Brad's Mom has lived with us for over a year now and it has been a lesson in patience for me, more than anything.  Oh, there are the small aggravations, but seriously, the Depends thing perplexes me.  I get it.  Sooner or later, we'll all have bladder control issues if we live long enough and if we aren't able to shop for ourselves, we'll have to "depend" on others for our hygiene supplies.  So I am making a promise to my daughters, daughter in-law, husband or whoever ends up running those errands.  I will try hard not to be a pain in your ass(es) when it comes to my personal products.  So this is what happened to prompt this post.  About 10 days ago, Gramma asked me to get her Depends when I went to WalMart.  She whips a product label out of her purse. "Here is what I need", she says.  I forget to take the thing into the store with me, thinking how hard can this be?  They're S/M Depends.  No sweat.  I remember being overwhelmed buying feminine hygiene supplies back in the day, but WOW!, so many different packages!  I picked the one I thought was right and brought it home.

Fast forward to last Saturday when we were visiting my sister in Manitou.  Now every Saturday morning at 10:00, Gramma goes to her "shampoo-set" appointment and this Saturday due to our absence, Carrie was the the lucky chauffeur.  She apparently arrived at our house just before 10 to find Gramma backing her car (badly) out of the driveway (she hasn't driven for several months), her cane laying in the driveway, and the electrical box at the end tilted after just having been hit. She was worried about being late for her appointment, I guess.  Anyway, after the hair appointment, she asked Carrie if she would stop by the store and get some Depends as she said that I had gotten the wrong ones for her. Carrie purchased the product and Gramma thanked her.  Now it's Sunday and I'm going to the grocery store and she asks if I can get some Depends as the ones I had gotten for her were wrong.  Again, she hands me the label and THIS time I'm taking that thing with me!  I scour the shelves of Walmart and there is an empty spot where they would've been.  Crap!

 I drive to Walgreens.  Again, panning the shelves, I don't see the exact label, but a similar one with NINETEEN count. Really, 19 not 18?  I take the package to the checkout counter, stand in line wondering if anyone thinks they're for me, (No, I think, probably not if they see the S/M label) and finally get to the front where the clerk, an older woman, new to the world of computers says, "Do you have a rewards card?  You'll get the sale price on these if you do and can save $2.00."  I deny having the card and she lets me know just how easy it is to get one. "Ok", I say.  "Just enter your first and last name on the keypad". Done. "Now enter your phone number". Done.  "Now enter your birthday, month/day/year". Done.  "Now enter your zipcode". Done.  "Now I have to enter your address on my computer. What is your street number?"  "You don't need my address," I say.  "I HAVE to put that in or you can't get your card."  All of this I do for TWO freakin dollars in savings.

So, what do you think?  Is she hoarding Depends?

another weekend adventure

I am pooped!  We just drove another 500 miles this weekend.  Cha-ching at the gas pump$$$$...Anyway, Friday morning Brad and I headed to Manitou after a stop in Berthoud to look at a job.  We got to Manitou, took our luggage into Pam's apartment, then jumped back into the car and headed to Bishop's Castle.  What part of "it's 78 miles from here" did I not understand?  Anyway, it took quite awhile to get there, but it was worth the trip.  The quirkiest place I've been- should be in a Tim Burton movie for sure.  The guy had built the place single handedly and had worked on it for the last 40 years, moving essentially one rock at a time.  You'd be shocked at just how big it is!  Standing on the top of that circular tower was scary....it was swaying like crazy!  And, there was a note posted on the tower saying, "this is not a playground (uh, huh 20 stories up) , so do not climb on this".

 

From there, we went back through Pueblo and stopped there to have a snack, then back to Manitou.  Pam's friend, Kevin, went to dinner with us to a restaurant where we enjoyed appetizers and wine.  Then we visited the Arcade, (located in central Manitou) playing several dime and quarter machines until we had won a large amount of tickets.  Drum roll, please for cash in of the tickets.......No! not ONE, but TWO suckers!

Pam and I Each  got one....



 



 

Brad and Kevin concentrating on an air gun game

 

 

Sunday morning we decided to go to Cave of the Winds, where they have just added a zip-line and a rope course.  The zip-line was one of those things on my bucket list, so off we went.  Kevin hooked us up with free tickets, too.  Good knowing people in high places!  We did the lantern tour at the Cave, which consisted of crouching down for several hundred feet and watching the head room.  Brad bonked his head a couple of times.

Next stop- the zip-line (not the kind you see on the travel channel videos with the harnesses), more like a warp speed ski lift.  Pam went ahead of us and warned us of a "little bump" at the end. Um, I'd hate to see what a "big jolt" felt like.

We left Mantiou and got home just in time for Sophie's birthday party at the bowling alley.  She and some of her "besties" were sort of bowling, but mostly dancing to the music, running around and begging for cake.

 I asked Sophie what she wanted for her birthday dinner.  Her first response was "steak and lobster"...So we settled for steak on the BBQ, hash brown casserole, green beans, salad, shrimp (another request) and garlic bread and wrapped the whole thing up with leftover cake.  Rory missed the birthday as he is with his other Grandma (Colleen) in Yellowstone.  We texted last night and he seems to be having a great time.
The Frosts' new home is coming along, with a move in date in October.  At this post, Spencer flew to California yesterday to spend a few days before he starts his football coaching.  Keep an eye on him, Nana!  Our Ogallalians ventured to North Platte yesterday to do some school clothes shopping.  Haven't heard the outcome of that yet, but hope there was some success.  Happy Monday, ya'll! And a big Happy 7th birthday to sweet Sophie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-week thoughts

I hardly know how to act, having a day off in the middle of the week.  And, those of you who know me well (that would be anyone reading this) know that I have not advertised my time off.  Brad, in fact, was curious as to why I was not getting ready for work this morning and Gramma about keeled over on her walker when she saw me this morning!  I had a leisurely morning, reading the paper with my coffee and spending time talking to my friend Ramona, whose Mom is in hospice, nearly at the end of her life.  Meredith called, too, and we reminisced about the weekend, wishing it had lasted a little longer.  That's when I thought about the other 496 pictures I had taken and not posted on my Monday morning blog.  I know I shared a few tidbits about Meredith's friend, Kelly (whom I hope someday to meet) but I had a few more thoughts pop into my head...like the chickens.  (By the way, Meredith was devastated at the loss of one of the chickens Monday evening. Upon her arrival home, she found Henry, the 200 pound mastiff, carrying a squawking chicken in his mouth who later met it's demise, hopefully drowning in Henry's drool.  Cause of death unknown!)  Anyway, we found the whole chicken thing fascinating.  Yes, down to the dresses that Kelly had sewn for the chickens after their chicken friends pecked the feather off their backs.

I think chickens need a hobby. Or anger management courses.  Anyway, Kelly is a fabulous seamstress and is sharing her amazing talent quilting with Meredith.  Back to the chickens....Gabi and Sophie couldn't get enough of them.  Sophie gathered eggs and Gabi tried as hard as she could to be able to hold Peaches, but Peaches wasn't interested.  Corbin like throwing rocks and having the chickens chase them, like dogs chasing balls.

 

 

 

 Moving along. Boys will be boys. Elijah had captured a cicada and then noticed this water bug on the back door.  Moments later, Spencer and Curt were told that they could look inside the garage.  In the "Pickers" way, they were about wetting their pants over the prospect of that garage.  Unfortunately, we were on our way out of town, but that may be enticement for them to return! I won't be sharing the pictures of the two of them cracking up over one an others drinking shenanigans, but how about this picture of the two of them sporting their matching knives!

matching knives

Check out that turkey over the doorway!

Inside Kelly's garage

a
 And now back to the beach.  First, here's the "family room" at our marsh-front property.  Seeing the stuffed turkey with our morning coffee was the best! And who'd have thought that the standard door handle on the microwave could be removed and a deer antler used to replace it? You don't see that one on Pinterest!  The day on the beach was so much fun, despite Brad's poor sunburned feet.  We really did go through a lot of sunscreen, some using more than others!  We had talked about how when we went to McConaughy, 20 years ago, the kids had all caught tiny frogs and took them home with us, so as we were packing up the last of the sand toys, I spotted one of those frogs and Gabi was bent on taking home a new pet, and unwillingly had to let it go before making it into a vehicle. She made me promise that I'd get it's picture for her Nebraska memory book! We also tried getting a shot of the Frost family....probably not this years Christmas card, but cute anyway.  Good times.

The Simmons Travels: Always an Adventure

This weekend, we travelled to see our other peeps in Ogallala, curious to see where they live and excited to spend time with them.  Our adventure began Friday morning when we met at our house, shuffled passengers and began our drive east.  Just a few miles this side of Ft. Morgan, with our car bringing up the rear, we passed  Curt and Amie off the side of the road with a flat tire.  Now, what makes this scenario so irritating is the fact that they had just gotten new tires on Monday, concerned about long distance travel with worn tires.  Naturally, the spare tire was under all of the groceries, sand toys, chairs, tent, luggage, etc., so it took awhile (and a few choice words) for them to get back on the road again.  Our next stop was at the tire store in Ft. Morgan (keep in mind that we left home at 9:30 and it is an hour to Ft. Morgan) where it seemed an eternity to trade the 5 day old ruined tire for a new one, but eventually we were back on the road.  Oh yeah, just in time to come across the most hellacious rain storm that I've driven in for years.  It lasted nearly all the way to Ogallala!  So, finally we arrived at Meredith's house, hungry and with nerves frayed.  And, the 3 1/2 hour trip had lasted six!

After a tour of their home, we were directed to a great restaurant within walking distance of their house.  It was worth the  wait.  Afterwards, we headed toward our "Lake Front Property" and stopped to see where Meredith and the kids were staying, a rather quirky place where Meredith's friend lives....a mini farm.  The kids sure enjoyed the chickens.  Would I had bet "the farm" that I'd ever see my daughter feeding, (much less holding) chickens? Yup!

Henry, the biggest dog ever

Peaches, the chicken

the boys practicing "the chicken"

Our "beachfront" property was not quite as near in proximity to the lake as we'd thought, but it was adequate. The kids changed into their suits and we drove to a small beach area.  Emma thought it was disgusting!  And, of course, it was.  But the kids had a great time getting stuck in the mud.

 

Did I mention that Curt and Spencer were meanwhile holding down the "fort" and getting festive?  Those of you who were fortunate to be a part of their cellphone thread will know what I mean.  I have to say that the two of them can definitely have their own party and have a blast.  Unfortunately, the rest of us were too tired to join them, and after making dinner (in the tiniest kitchen ever) were ready for bed.  The two of them had other plans and were "disappointed" that no one joined them and let's just say one of them over indulged and leave it at that.  We did find evidence of their party the next morning with "messages" written with a sharpie on some of our food!

After a breakfast of ham and farm fresh eggs, we were off to the real Lake McConaughy beach.  Oh yeah, and Curt and Spencer were off to Ogallala for the annual city-wide-garage sale.  The beach was beautiful, the weather perfect (we have the sunburns to prove that) and the kids had a great time in the water and sand.

 

 

 The boys arrived back with an blow up raft in their truck and of course all of the kids wanted Uncle Spencer to blow it up, despite the fact that he told them numerous times that the thing had a hole in it.  Ultimately, in the fashion of Bill Solesbee,( we all learned another "Billism" on how to blow up a raft using a discarded water bottle attached to the exhaust system of the truck), we watched in amazement as the raft was blown up. Wow!  Anyway, the kids enjoyed their time on the raft until it filled with water.

 It was a wonderful day!  (Ok, the downside was that our car got stuck in the sand and luckily Spencer was able to pull us out).  Other than being tired and sunburned, it was a great adventure.  Thanks Taylors, for giving us a good reason to go to Nebraska!  We miss you!