Old Posts Continue - On the Road Today.

I love Halloween and that is what this old post is about. I did a bad bad thing. 😁

Well Halloween and baseball, see how I get that in there. I say below in October my team will be in the playoffs and World Series. I won't say that this year. 

From 2010 -

_________________________

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2010

October

I love Halloween time or I guess the month of October

I love it because it means cooler weather. (today is only 75!)
I love seeing all the kids in their costumes.
Of course, there is the candy.
It also means my boys of summer are in the playoffs or world series. (hopefully)
Last night's game had me on the edge of my seat.…. I digress, this post is about Halloween.

The other evening Rick remembered something that I had long forgotten.
I thought I would share it with you because it is quintessential Peg in some ways and it’s a bit humorous.

We were living in my hometown at the time this happened.
What you really need to know is that Halloween up there where I grew up is normally very cold weather.
I remember one year having what I thought was the most beautiful fairy costume with big glittery wings. Oh, how I love those wings.
But of course, it snowed a foot and I was forced to wear a coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots.
I cried, oh how I cried. Seriously who was going to see my pretty wings I wailed?
So they took off my wings after my hissy fit and pinned them onto the outside of my snow coat. Lovely.  But it made the 6 yr old me much happier.

So there I was 25 years later back in my hometown after a company merger downsized me.
Rick and I were so excited that the weather was so nice.
You could actually sit on your porch and hand out candy.
We lived in a 2nd floor flat so the idea of not going up and down the stairs every time the doorbell rang and already being on the porch sounded like a great idea to us.
We put on our sweatshirts and filled our big bowl with candy, poured ourselves our favorite warm beverage. (hot cocoa w/peppermint schnapps) and waited for the kids to appear.

The kids came in droves and it was such fun. I just love the real little ones.
Rick and I always give out full-size bars and it’s cute that they get so excited.
One little boy yelled to no one in particular just to the block, “Hey they have big candy here!”
I’m still a kid when it comes to candy and I don’t think anyone wants a teeny tiny bar.
So we splurge on Halloween. (thank goodness for Costco)

The kids were slowing down. There were now only trickles here and there.
Then we saw a dark car with music thumping so loudly it made us look.
The car pulled to the curb a few doors down. These kids got out of the car.
Funny, they didn’t appear to have costumes on and I’ve never seen them around the neighborhood before. But I didn’t think a thing more about it because more cute little ones were on my porch wanting candy.

Rick and I were just sitting there sipping more hot cocoa with the candy bowl now in my lap. These 3 older boys who had gotten out of that dark car came up our stairs to our porch. At the same time as they said, "Trick or Treat" they put their hands right into the bowl of candy and grabbed at candy.
I slapped, well tapped, this young man's hand and as the candy fell back into the bowl I said, “Hey you don’t just grab candy young man, you wait to be given candy you have better manners than that now don’t you? And where is your costume, this is just lazy?”

The look on those 3 boys' faces was something I had never seen before then I noticed Rick stood up. I was thinking, What the hell is going on?  But I didn't ask. 
The first kid said, “thank you" after I gave him his candy and walked down the steps and the 2nd kid said nothing. I again stopped him and said, “what do you say?”
Rick barked, “MARGARET”
The kid looked at me and said, “thank you, ma’am.” I said, “you’re welcome”
The 3rd boy said "thank you" smiled at me and then they all got into that car.
Rick is now pacing. I asked, “What in the hell is wrong with you?”

“For God’s sake, Margaret do you not know what you just did?”

“Yes, I do Richard I taught some teen boys some manners. Too damn old to even be doing the trick or treat thing in my opinion.”

“Oh my God, I pray our house isn’t burnt to the ground. Those were gang members Margaret.”

“Are you being racist? Why do you assume this?”

“Did you not see their bandanas? Read their tattoos?” "See the side of that car?"

“No, I didn’t really pay any attention to that.”

At this point in time, Halloween was officially over anyway so we grab our things and went inside.
Rick was so upset he was convinced that we were going to be killed or something. He was mumbling and pacing. 
He kept saying we will be targeted now because you slapped his hand Margaret what were you thinking? I kept laughing because honestly, it sounded ridiculous to me.   I don't know why but I felt it was going to be fine. But I knew this wasn't a joke at the same time.

I now understood the look of shock on the boy's faces I saw when I tapped the first young man. Rick and I assumed he was the “leader” from the looks the other two gave one another.
I also now understood why Rick felt the need to stand up. The big dog puffing out his chest.

Nothing bad ever happened to us. (thank goodness)
But Rick likes to tell that particular story of how I slapped a gang bangers hand and decided to teach them manners and etiquette on my porch.
He says that is a great portrait of his wife.

I’m not so sure of that but it is funny now that I look back on it.

Shoes.

Rick loves shoes but hates shopping so I buy him shoes and he is always amazed at how much he likes them. His Kizwik are his favorite because you don't have to tie or fiddle with them to get them on your feet. Hands-free shoes that are comfortable.

Heaven forbid he had to bend over.
See here - 

When I got him a pair of crocs he saw the box and said, "No, I am not wearing those!"  I said, "Open the damn box they are not what you think"

Then he wore them every damn day he liked them so much. He blew out the toes and got another pair after a few yrs exactly the same

Here is what happened when the boys were talking Shoes back in 2009.

_____________________

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2009

Bromance a Brewin'

My husband has met this man while walking the dog. His dog is the cutest dog named Winston. Winston sort of reminds me of Ernst Borgnine. Like this one….

Winston wants nothing to do with our dog but that hasn’t stopped my husband and this guy from having a Bromance.

For some reason, this tickles my funny bone big time.

I honestly think if you heard this exchange outside my office window. 
You would never know it was between 2 men.

Big macho men no less. Both big in stature, over 6’2” and over 200lbs.
Neither have that metrosexual look like this fella.

My husband is walking Izzy in his crocs that look like a pair of slip-on canvas loafers.
These are the shoes.



The exchange goes like this.....
Winston’s owner says, “Hey those are great shoes.”

Rick says, “Yep they are so comfortable too, can you believe these are Crocs?"

"Get out really? "

"Yea, I know I thought Crocs only came in those ugly plastic kids shoes.""Me too. Where did you buy these? "

"Online. Actually, my wife got them for me – she knew I would love the croc insert and she was right. She loves her croc flip-flops and they sent her a coupon via email. These are not like wearing shoes at all man."

"Do they come in other colors?"

"Oh, yea, other colors, and styles. They have a lot of shoes that aren’t those ugly plastic things."

"I have to check into those. Online you say?"

"Yep online - just google it. Like I said my wife did it."

"We should get together over a couple of beers."

"Yea that sounds great! "

"Great and then maybe you can tell me where you got your hair cut."

Okay, the last line I just made up, because seriously this whole thing is so funny to me.

But the rest of this is the real deal - I mean seriously who could make this shit up?

I met his twinkie wife while this was going on.

She seems very nice but very young. She is a school counselor.

So it looks like we’ll be getting together the four of us to throw back a few and to discuss my husband's shoes.

Which I might add I bought without him knowing and made him try them on.

Now I can’t get them off him! Gee maybe Crocs could have him do a commercial for them.

Oh, this whole thing just makes me smile.

Rick 's Diet

Rick is unable to diet. The stress we've been under makes him go straight to food first or drink.
Neither of which is good for him.  He was having such allergy issues that I asked him to stop with the gluten until we left. He was also swelling a great deal. That would have been 15 days. I said you can do this for 15 days. After 3 days his snoring stopped! But could he continue on this diet for 2 weeks?

No, no he can't.

You must read this whiney - It's so hot, I need a beer after all this up and down and packing Margaret. 

Fine, I say I am not your mother or doctor. 

Then he says, but all this bread in the freezer I should eat.

So I gave most away except two English muffins. He ate those last nite for dinner because I made what we call Peggy McMuffins. Far better than Mikey D's.

So he lasted 4 days. That is tops for Rick.

I wish he cared but he just doesn't. The doctor yells at him. I just say I want him to live long with me. He laughs.

This was him in 2009

_________________

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009

Beach Wear

My husband made a loud, serious, and determined proclamation this morning over coffee that he will no longer be consuming any bread products, pizza, or pasta until our vacation in 13 days.

He stated he has to look good in his bathing suit.

I spit out my coffee across the room in a fit of laughter.

Like 13 days of that will eliminate my little ole pot-bellied stallion.

God love him.

While I'm moving

We were to go away for our 15th anniversary but something happened and I don't recall what it was now, the advantage of being older. 

So we took the vacation on the 16th wedding anniversary.

We got married in Montego Bay Jamaica on Dec 31st, 1993. We had been to Sandals when I worked in the travel biz. We had to only pay $30 a day. Rick drank and ate more than that by noon.  If you are not familiar Sandals is an all-inclusive resort. Unless you leave the resort you never take out any money and tipping is forbidden.

There are a slew of restaurants, and beach bars to eat at. There are buffets every night as well if you choose not to go to a restaurant. Similar to a cruise but on land. And more to do and not on a floating petrie dish. You can walk up to the bar and ask for a bottle of whatever it is you want and take it to your room - no money passes hands. You want two cheeseburgers and 2 beers - no money passes hands. The wallet did not come out once we arrived and put it in the safe. This is why we love sandals. No envelopes like a cruise handed to you at the end of your journey to pay/tip everyone. Or that big surprise at the end of all your drink. Nope. Pay one price upfront and you are good to go.

We went for a long weekend in the late 80s. We watched a couple get married there and thought wouldn't this be a fabulous place to get married. Since we'd both had a first marriage we thought this was the key. Small, just us, and honeymoon there at the same time. 

Getting married there we had to pay. Big difference but it was fine we saved for it. We got married on the island in a flower-filled gazebo with Ms. Jamaica as my maid of honor and the gorgeous Sean John as Rick's best man. No, not Sean John like P. Diddy. Sean John was a specimen of gorgeousness! Both of these kids were what are called "playmakers" They are around to help you with anything. When there are games on the beach they grab everyone. Think of Julie, on Love Boat. The activities director. That was their job.   We both just love MoBay and Sandals. You can do everything or you can do nothing. We did days of both. 

To be married there we had to be there at least 24 hrs in advance. We went 48 hrs in advance since we were leaving snow country and were worried we could get stranded and not make it in time. Then once there I met with our wedding coordinator. We had done some things over the phone but we worked on the flowers, the music, the video, the minister and the cake etc. 
We were told of a traditional Jamaican wedding cake. (it reminded me of a carrot spice cake, it was delicious) We chose that since we both had failed first marriages why not try this for better luck we laughed. 

Then we had to meet the minister marrying us. Together then separately. He would not marry us if he felt we weren't ready, or not taking this seriously.  After our interviews, we were accepted. He was a lovely man. We heard he had refused to marry the couple we saw earlier. When Rick asked him he just said, I want a couple who take the sanctity of marriage seriously and the wedding vow seriously. This is not Vegas and you are not going to do this drunk and not fully dressed. 

Ooh, we knew what he, or who he was referring to. We saw that couple get married on the beach. She got married in a buck skin thong he made her from the deer he killed. He was bragging about that. Lovely isn't it? Dear me! How do you show your grandmother your wedding pix with three tiny pieces of cloth in the shape of a triangle and dental floss up your bum?

So on our 15th, we thought we'd go back to Sandals for our anniversary, but this time just go to the Sandals in the Bahamas since we've been to Montego Bay twice. OMG big mistake. It was so much bigger as a resort, not warm and homey like the one we loved in Mo Bay. It was like Jersey Shore. Everyone was from Jersey and it was not pleasant for us. There were evenings when we'd leave an area because of the people. Not chill like it is in Jamaica.

When we got there Rick surprised me with a day with a dolphin to play and swim.  

He told me he had arranged this prior to coming and wanted to surprise me. 

This was not part of Sandals so there was a cost and he did this and kept it a secret until the day we arrived. I couldn't have been more shocked. Not that he thought of it but that he did this on his own and searched for this etc. God, I have always wanted to swim with a dolphin. It was a bucket list item. So this was a great gift!

So below is that anniversary where I got to swim with a dolphin.
But be warned, Sandals is fabulous - just not the one in the Bahamas. Save the money and go to the Jersey Shore. The people made it not so nice. Loud, rude, obnoxious, etc.  Next time if not MoBay then another Caribbean island. Oh, who am I kidding I won't get to go anymore but it's nice to think about. 

Back to 2009.

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009

I got to hug a dolphin!

The vacation was great. Let's start with that.

Vacation weather sucked. It rained every damn day.

I would normally insert pictures here but realize that all photos are of people who don't want to be on the blog. Even hubby so no video or photo's folks. How boring...

I got to play with a dolphin. His name was Andy. Andy was born in captivity.

On one hand that saddens me. But now he couldn't go out in the wild because he doesn't know how to hunt for food. On the other hand, I am glad he was there so I could do all I got to do with him.

They wouldn't let me bring my camera down to the place where we got to touch him, hold him, play with him, etc. I was pissed about that. Of course, they took pictures and videos of you so that you would spend the big bucks to get these pictures. I refused.

$58 for a picture when I had my own damn camera really ticked me off. So I refused their tactics. I will remember this day for the rest of my life. Besides a picture of me with wet hair in a bathing suit is not something that is good so I didn't mind not buying their photo of me for $58.

And if I get dementia I wouldn't remember it from the photos either so what the hell.

It was so damn cool though. My husband has told me for years they would feel like an olive. They do not feel like an olive! Okay, sort of. The dolphin felt more like my rubber mat I floated on in the pool.

I wasn't expecting the dolphin to be so squishy feeling. It was just so damn cool I can't even articulate this all.

I rubbed his pink and grey belly, his head, his back, his dorsal fin. I "danced" with him while I held his "hands" (pectoral fins) His teeth were incredibly sharp but so straight. That is what fascinated me the most. He opened his mouth and allowed me to rub my fingers across his teeth.

Honestly, this was the best part of my trip! 

The 2nd best part was the island massage. They took us by boat to this private island. There were cabana's that were very private and we had massages there. It was a large Zen garden feel. Gorgeous really! The water lapping on the shore was the only sound you heard. It was heavenly. I highly recommend everyone getting to do that at least once. The whole Sandals Cay (island) was glorious....rain and all. But we had to go back to the 'Jersey' main Sandal after the messages dang it. 

I was nicknamed "Casper" by a few couples at the resort because of my bright white skin. I was so hoping to get some sun. But mother nature had other ideas. I came home with the same white legs. I did get some color in my upper body because on the day it was actually nice for 4 hours I was sitting in the pool bar so my legs were in the water and my upper body got a nice sunburn. Oh well. Fun was had by all.

Now it's back to work and guess what - it's raining here too!
I can't catch a break, can I?

More Oldies..

Movers are here - computer being disconnected. Hopefully, once I'm in Raleigh next week I'll touch base again. Too crazy right now and the damn man buying our place has become a pain in the ass! I will share later. I just want him to sign on Monday! He now is going in at 8am on Monday when our appointment was at 2p. He chose the date of close and the time of 2pm. Now he is not coming at 2pm it is inconvenient for him. Rick wants to hit him. I wouldn't mind a good kick at him either. And the walk-through changes with this guy - Oiy Vay!!

In the meantime more oldies - this one from 2012. Those reading me in 2012 may not wish to do this again.

_____________________

MONDAY, MAY 7, 2012

Weekend of Cocktails.

Back in the day…..the early 80’s, I went to my first Kentucky Derby.
A dear friend of mine name Craig (who I call Mac because of his last name) knew I was in a funk from my divorce.
He lived near me and one day stopped by and as we talked he said, “You need to get away. I’m going to the Kentucky Derby this weekend why don’t you come with me.”

Well, now I have worked at the local race track for years in the summer with Mac.
I always needed an extra job because I never made enough money to live and to buy clothes and travel. I liked to eat and love to travel so must have that 2nd job.
I could travel for free but I needed $$ to spend when I got there.
So I worked evenings in the summer at the local horse race track.

I was a pari-mutuel in the clubhouse and I made more money there than I did at my airline job. 
Especially tips. Men love to tip you if you give them a winning ticket.
Pathetic that this job was seasonal and I made more there than I did at a very well known airline for a full year.
My point being I was around horse racing and I just didn’t really give a hoot. I did it for the money and the hours. And it was a lot of fun and I loved all the people I worked with.
So I just didn’t think going to the Kentucky Derby would be fun at all.
Boy was I wrong!

So in 1983 I went to my first Kentucky Derby. 
Mac had been doing this for years.
He was driving and he said I could ride with him.
He had a hotel room and he would just change it to two beds. 
Sounded good to me.

His brother Scott, along with his girlfriend and another friend of Mac's, Chico, and his girlfriend would be following us in another car and staying at the same hotel.
So off to the derby I go because frankly, I had nothing else to do.
I figured I was with people I enjoyed so what the hell. Better than my pity party that I was in that is for sure.

It was an 8 hr drive to Louisville from my home in PA.
Now the first week of May in my hometown is cold, dreary, and still a bit like winter. Louisville was in the ’70s so I was thrilled to think we’d have sun. I pulled out the shorts, summer clothes, and tanning lotion.

The Derby was nothing like I thought it would be.
We were in the infield which I soon found out was a bunch of crazy young people drinking, serious drinking. 
Woodstock without the music, just the mayhem. (and mud)
I was young and soon to be crazy it appeared.
At the tender age of 27, I was seeing a lot of firsts.
I don't think I stopped smiling until I went back home.
I didn't think about my divorce situation once during that weekend.
It was exactly what I needed, Mac was right.

I had my first mint julep that weekend. Oooh ick!
I don’t like whiskey/bourbon and basically, that is what it is....bourbon on ice with mint.
But the glasses were great so as a kid with nothing left after a divorce kept drinking them so I had a collection of glasses to bring home for glassware and souvenirs.
It was fun and it was a full day of sun, drinking, napping (passing out?)on a lawn chair, and getting sunburned. I was young and having a ball. 
I won a few races and met a lot of people having a good time.
Great way to get you out of your own funk. 
It also began a very long tradition.

It began to rain during the actual race. Now mind you we got there around 9 in the morning and the actual race was at 5ish. So imagine what shape most of those people in the infield are in by 5pm. Besides the day drinking, it began raining just before the Derby race at 5ish.  By the time we got to our car, we were completely soaked as though we took a shower with our clothes on. We were walking to our car for what seemed like an hour in the pouring rain. I was wrinkled like sitting in a bathtub too long.
My clothes were just stuck to me. 

We finally got to our car and began to navigate our way through the traffic to find our way to our hotel. As we were driving Craig asked me to get his shorts out of his suitcase in the back seat. His jeans were so wet and stuck to him he couldn’t stand them. I dove in the back and got out his blue shorts as he requested. I climbed back upfront and I gave him his shorts. We were stuck in traffic not moving at all, so he figured he would just change while we sat there. 
He began to change and told me to turn away.

I laughed and said, " I’m already looking out the window, you big weirdo."

I hear him saying, “Damn it. Oh shit.Oh God.”

I am laughing but really don’t want to turn around and see my friend who I have known since the age of 14 undressed. Oooh no!

He said in a panic tone, “Peg help me”

I turn to him and see that he can’t get his shorts up his wet legs, they are stuck around his knees.
You know how you can’t get your clothes off and on when you’re wet.
Not to mention he obviously gained some weight since he last wore these and they are way too small. I suggest it may be they are just too small and he said, “no I haven’t gained that much weight it’s just that I’m wet.”
okay, you delusional man.....I just keep laughing.

In the meantime, a cop is walking to each car and talking to the drivers.
Mac is now panicked. But I can’t stop laughing.
I was trying to help him get these off him by pulling them down, when the cop comes to the window.
You all know what this must have looked like.
Yes, it looks like I have gone down on my friend Mac to this cop.

My fair-skinned Irish friend is beet red with embarrassment.
I can’t stop laughing. I jump up and sit in my seat with this poor man with his wet legs and his shorts at his knees.
Craig tries to explain to the cop and I can’t make eye contact for fear of hysterical laughter. The policeman says, “I don’t care. I’m just making sure you’re sober and yada yada yada.” OMG – he does think I was blowing my friend for god’s sake. Eew! Thankfully Craig is sober!

In the meantime, his brother who is in the car behind us is now walking up to the car.
Mac yelled, “Peg please get out and see what the fuck he wants so I can get these pants off me. Don’t let him walk up to the car!”
Mac is yelling now and of course, I am still laughing like a lunatic.
What did it matter if Scott saw this? Scott would know we are doing nothing, just laughing at Mac for not getting his pants off his wet legs.

I jump out of the car and tell his brother that Craig wants to change his pants and I wanted to give him some privacy. His brother bought it. Poor Craig had to put his wet jeans back on because the nut didn’t bring any damn shorts that fit him.  Putting wet jeans back on his wet legs wasn't easy either but much easier than shorts that are 2 sizes too small.

Now as a woman we try things on if we think we’ve gained a few pounds over the winter. Even if I didn't gain the weight I'd try em on to be sure there were no issues. (hole? stains? fit? many reasons after being put away all winter)
What would possess one to know you’ve gained weight yet you throw a pair of shorts in your suitcase that you haven't worn in at least a year? Silly boys.

The following year Mac asked me to go to the derby but this time he has rented a 36 foot Winnebago and invited a bunch of his friends.
He charged like $120 for the weekend of food and booze and fun.
Sounded like a deal to me. I only knew Mac, his brother and the friend of his brothers who came the year before, with a different girl I might add.

In the first hour or so everyone in the Winnebago is rather quiet and getting to know one another.
By hour 3 everyone is toasted and laughing, playing cards at a table, eating etc.
Mac drove down so no drinking for him. His brother drove back so he had to be the sober one on the way home. It was another great year and I got another 6 souvenir glasses for my collection at home.

The 3rd year I went I brought a friend of mine. 
Connie knew no one but me.
She loved it though.
Because you can’t bring liquor into the derby we had to devise other means of tricking them. They (security) searched our coolers and all our food so we had to be clever. 
Connie wore one of my bras. My bra on Connie was basically empty.
We filled up ziplock baggies of vodka and rum. 

She then filled my bra with the baggies of liquor. They looked real!
Our cooler held the mixers so it all looked good, including Connie.
Connie now looks like she had a big ole rack. I laugh every time I see those pictures.
She couldn’t take enough photos of herself looking like that. (and we didn't have cell phones, she made everyone else take pics of her)
I lost those photos on my old computer when it crashed. I'd post it if I had it because it is so funny. 

The 3rd year we camped at a campground in the Winnebago called Big Bone Lick.
Seriously who named this place?
So as our 36 ft Winnebago pulls into this place loaded with age 20 something drunks we found this pretty damn funny.

The 4th year Connie and I did our own Winnebago trip to the Derby.

We met Mac and his 'bago at the campground we all went to the year before.
She and I invited our friends. We made the food and bought the booze.
We enjoyed going with Mac but we knew we could improve on it and do it for less money.
We knew there had to be more than just beer and junk foods.
We planned great meals ahead.
We had mimosa’s for breakfast with steak, eggs, and home fries on the day of the derby.
We had a full day of drinking we needed real food was our logic
We had a range of liquor and an enormous amount of food.
(we made meatballs for hoagies etc) 
We had tons of munchie foods and great evening dinner meals.
I made cupcakes and other junk so there was always food for everyone.
Unlike on Mac's where the trip home we had to stop places to buy some food.
One of Connie’s friends brought 'brownies' that made all the food even better.  That made me worry.

I didn’t know most of Connie’s friends and her friends didn’t know mine.
Now to look at them they were night and day.
I was worried people wouldn't get along.
But as usual, after the 2nd hour on the road, it got loud and the laughter started, the music playing and it worked out well.

Connie’s friends tend to be more on the fringe shall we say.
Mine looked more corporate types in comparison.
Her friends were the stoners and my friends were the jocks and pilots.
So when someone pulled out a joint my only thought was, “Oh dear God”
But the corporate types and the pilot were all doing things they don’t normally do on a regular basis.
Because I was driving I kept looking in my rearview mirror and just hoped it all would be okay. It was.
It was like what happened on this Winnebago stayed on this Winnebago.
The hookups, the brownies, the craziness.
These things never happened with some of these folks before or after.
We all just have our memories.

Fast forward to 30+ years later I am watching the running of the roses Saturday and saw some of the fools in the infield and thought, “I could no more do that again to save my life” What I thought was so much fun at 27, 28, 29 and even age 30 to me now would drive me bat shit crazy. The annoying drunks, the crowds, and the noise.
God, I am officially old huh?
I’d be yelling, “Get the hell off my blanket who the @#$* are you?”

I remember one year coming back from buying mint juleps for me and my friends.
There was a man/boy on my blanket passed out/sleeping.
I asked some others – "who is this guy? "
It’s like they all just saw him for the first time. No one knew him.

To make room on the blanket for us we gently rolled him over and over again until he was off our blanket. We just began to drink our mint juleps and rub on some tanning oil.
Poor guy, he could have been dead for all we know, we just moved him.

I can’t even fathom that today.
Yes, this activity is for the young and stupid, but I’m glad I got to experience it all.
Great memories that make this old fart smile.

Flashing Back to Ziggy

Whew - busy few days - repeats only here at Straight Up.  

Movers will be here Friday and Saturday.

This flash from the past is from 11 years ago. I just packed the framed picture I talk about here. It makes me smile every time I look at it.  

__________

MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2010

Me & Ziggy

I had just moved to a new city for my new job and the year was early 1987.

I was so excited about this step in my career.

First and foremost I was out of my hometown. 
A dream I have had since the age of 8.

Second, I was now doing what I had worked my butt off to do.

This was the next step I was working towards for a few years and in all honesty, I gave myself 3 years to achieve it and it took me 5 years. 

But that did make me appreciate it all even more.

I was doing work I loved and I was getting paid handsomely for it.

I was told of my territory for my job. I rented a new apartment smack dab in the middle of this territory. I had to report to an office on the west side every Monday. (I lived on the east side) 
The rest of the time I was in my territory. I made my own hours and I knew what had to be accomplished and went out and did it. My boss was in Chicago and I lived in Ohio. 
For a person who loves to work alone, this was great.

I was given a box of customers that was to be my territory. 
I was not even given a map.

So the first thing I did was get a few maps.
This was before GPS’s, mapquest, laptops, cell phones, and all other forms of today’s technology that would have helped me so much.
Those that had those big bulky car phones were rich people in my eyes.
Thinking about that now is rather funny. Everyone has a cell these days and it’s hard to imagine life without cells, laptops, GPS’s, the internet, etc. 

I met my new co-worker at the office on my first Monday. 
She had the west side and SW side of the city and I had everything east and SE of the city. We split downtown. 
On Mondays at the office, it was great to have a friend with who I could discuss issues encountered with the travel or the clients, etc. 
It was someone to bounce ideas off of since both of us worked alone. 
And the other great thing about Mondays was that after work we went over to a neighborhood bar and would have some drinks and nachos or a real dinner and just hang out. 
We were both new to this city so it was great fun for us both.

One evening the place we normally went to was being remodeled so we went somewhere else near Joan’s home. We had a ball. 
We sat at the bar and had a few drinks and then we had some appetizers. The bartender was a chatty guy and before you know it we were all laughing and telling stories and having a great time. 
There was a man a few stools down who smiled at me and then asked the bartender for a piece of paper. He began to draw but something made me look away and conversations continued to flow with everyone.

The Drawing Man walked down the bar to me and introduced himself as Tom Wilson. He handed me the paper and said, “I’ve been watching you talk and you are very animated I had to do this.” 
I looked down and it was Ziggy talking to me, THAT TOM WILSON. 
I thanked him and gave him a hug and bought him a drink. 
He moved on down the bar to chat with Joan, me, and the bartender. We had a wonderful night. We ended up closing that bar and we 4 stayed. There was a baby grand piano there and someone played and people sang.  It really was a great night that I won't ever forget.

I found that paper in a frame when going through those old photo’s and I am not sure you can read it all here but this is what he gave me. 

I had so many great evenings, moments, and experiences when I traveled with total strangers. I miss it so much. I hate to travel these days because as we all know it’s so much more stressful and different. 
But I always love it when I get there.

Puddin'

Okay, the food situation is getting iffy around these parts.  We can't take the food and the movers don't take the food so it has to get eaten. They will pack the pantry but not the fridge and freezer. Now the frozen things we can take to the temp housing in our cooler. But some things just need to be eaten or thrown away so we are eating weird things.

Yesterday Rick had something in the freezer that was not recognizable. After he thawed it he said it looked like chili with cornbread on top. He reheated it in the microwave and said this is really good when did we make this? Hell if I know. It was indeed chile with cornbread with jalapeno's finely diced in it on the top. Think Shephard's pie only chili and instead of potatoes on top it's a cornbread topping. 

He wolfed it down so apparently it was okay. I have been known to make cornbread and throw in some fresh finely diced jalapeno's in the batter but I don't recall ever making this.  He called it good and for the life of us, we don't know when this was made. We laughed about it but that's frightening to me. I am not one to freeze food but Rick is like my mother and freezes everything. 

We don't eat out much with me being celiac so it wasn't from a restaurant. I tasted the chili and it tasted like mine. Later Rick told me that losing his memory is good because he doesn't recall ever having this before and it was a tasty and nice surprise. HA

I have pastry dough in the freezer and I don't plan on baking anything or cooking with pastry dough.  All those things are in a box. So I guess I am throwing them out. I may ask neighbors first. We have weird food left and together don't make much. I should make this an episode of Chopped right? Only the judges will be Rick and Peg. Rick though will eat anything, he is like Mikey. He will even say this isn't too good but heaven forbid he put down the fork. (remember I knew he was dead serious when he asked me to marry him because he put down his fork and grabbed my hand!) 

Peg is the picky one even though I may not look like it. There was a box of pudding left from some recipe I was going to make and never did. I told him that is packable so we don't need to make this. 

"Are you sure?" he kept asking me.

"I'm positive" 

"Margaret I think they said like propane, liquor, kerosene, etc the movers can't take that stuff and I really think pudding was on the list. Do I have to go get the list?"

I'm laughing now.

"Yes, Ricky go get the list. I'll wait"

The ass walks towards the stairs like he is going to the office and then he laughs while his foot is on the first step.

"Okay I cry UNCLE - I just think we should make pudding"

"WE?"

"Margaret do you want to make that pudding?" Is that better he asks me?

"Not really. How about I make a homemade pudding instead of that jello junk?"

"Really?"

"how old are you?  Yes, really. I hate the box stuff because it tastes like chemicals, it's awful. I'll make a quick chocolate one okay? Then I can have some too"

While he walked the dog I made pudding. It's fast and easy and I saw this once on a Hershey's website. So I tried it and loved it. Tastes like what my mom made back in the 60s.

He came into the house and asked where the pudding was?

I explained this has to set up remember?  This is not instant pudding.

My 12-year-old husband sighed heavily and sat in his chair and I had to hear, think it's done yet? too many times. Finally, I said  " oh for the love of God, just get it and eat it warm"  And he did. 

Who says he's an old fart, only his body is old, the rest of him is 12, 18 on a good day. 

Some Inside

This is literally half the size of my kitchen now and we did not want to downsize our kitchen. And in NC they don't leave you a fridge or washer and dryer. I am finding that state to be weird. Like the DD money they ask for. I'm telling you the mafia made those rules!

House

We got the ugly yellow house. Can you believe I bought a home over asking from photos? Our realtor did a walk-through with facetime which wasn't easy since we don't have an apple product but we figured out the way to do it. Apparently, the bids were very very close. 

Rick got 100% of what he wants. (it's .70 acres) 

I got - eh, well I like the location city. 

The outside makes Rick happy as well as the workshop and garage. 

The inside - yuk. 

But it is a house and searching is over. It is a bedroom community that is 17.4miles from the new front door to Raleigh city center. So I am close to the city which is a plus for me more than Rick. Amazon and Google are moving in there so it was difficult to find one in this area. We have looked outside this area mostly. I wanted this area from the start but never thought we'd get there so this was a lucky one for me. It looks like it's in the country but it's not really. 

Here is a shot of the outside. 

I can't wait to paint this house and shutters next year. 

I do not like yellow and those bright blue accents are not my cup of tea. I just keep saying, it's a house. It is exactly 1,000 sq ft smaller and I don't know how to work this out. I will see what works in the new place and then sell some furniture. We saw many far worse homes. we walked on squishy floors, floors that had bounced, and kitchens that only 1 person could be in with few cabinets, and bathrooms where Rick wouldn't fit in the shower. 

We have not seen any house we loved or thought, ooh this is nice. 

We had to trust our realtor on the ones where we couldn't be there.

He has been so wonderful and I actually do trust him. 

One home we viewed via facetime after the realtor entered he said, "Oh no, Peg you won't be happy."  

The kitchen cabinets were hand-painted and looked sloppy with runs and we could see that via facetime so he was right I wouldn't have been happy. Then he went into the bathroom and said the counters were very low and while Peg may like that Rick you will be miserable because I am only 5'10" and these are for wee little people. He also mentioned the condition of the rugs so he was on it and I loved him for that. He even told us that the garage had a funky smell. That made us laugh. He said there was a refrigerator and he was going to open it. We said at the same time to him - DON'T. But he did and he shut it and began to gag. We asked if he was okay. He was now outside for air and he said I think something died in there and he laughed. I hated the house from the facetime view so I was okay that this didn't work out. But it sold for 50K over asking. I get it for an investor flipping but this was too much work to move in. I knew I was getting "less than" I knew that it would need work. I knew all that. But I must say after those 6 hrs days of looking at house after house it was discouraging even though I knew what I was in for.

Hopefully, this will work or I can make it work for us over time.

We have been monitoring this area's homes for just over a year now. 

They have all gone up about 100K in that time. Due to everything that is moving there and their rapid growth, there are no homes and they can ask whatever they want. But my home should grow in value like it did here rapidly. It was exactly like that 21 years ago we moved here. Nothing was here and now everything is here and our home sold for 500k more than we paid. Pretty good investment. I think it will be the same in Raleigh from all we are seeing, reading, and hearing.

I have 3 bedrooms but no office. We need an office so one-bedroom is going to be an office. So do I use the twin beds in the 2nd bedroom or the queen? I'm thinking queen. If people come now to visit us, I think they will have to hotel it since this place is so small. Your thoughts on which beds?

I am just happy and feel blessed that I have a roof over my head! 

We close on this house on the 30th.  

We close on the new house on Sept 20th.  

We will be in temporary housing until we close on the 20th of Sept. 

We will be living in these small quarters from the 31st on.

Financial stress is overwhelming but it is what it is.

Here is the yellow house. 

95% of the homes we viewed while there and online were yellow. Yuk. 

we don't even have a lawnmower - HA HA. We did ask for it in the contract. If I need to get Rick out of my hair I will either mow the lawn or tell him to. That should take a while.

This below is what makes him happy and the 220 volts  - whatever that means to him.

There are 500sq ft above this garage that can either be for storage or we can make an office over time. See the fridge in the garage - it is not staying so we told the realtor to NOT OPEN IT. He laughed. 

I have a lot to do today. 

Just thought I'd stop and tell you we got a house late last night. 

Since I've been sweating this and whining so. 

Raleigh here we come ....eventually.