Ok, so I fell off the Blogwagon

If you are even still paying attention….
Spring & summer have past, and here it is November! I have had a busy, fun time and not so fun times. So much to tell but I am afraid I would forget something. The most important couple items are that:
You can find me mainly on Facebook now.
John, Jamie and our grandsons ditched us for Oregon.
Heidi and Mike are still working their butts off.
JP and Stephani are pregnant with their first!
A few weeks behind are Jen and Nate with their 2nd.
We have a chocolate lab puppy named Royal, he is 10-1/2 weeks.
Looks like we are keeping Cambry, our spare dog we have been “dog-sitting” for a year.
Ozzy is still the King Dog and it’s hunting season now. Joe and Oz are at it again.
I started working out again, sometimes even enjoy it! I have a personal trainer like I thought only rich people had, lol!

No promises but I will try to get back into blogging here and there. Don’t check back too often but, see you soon!

It Happened April 8th…

1982 - Today is Marshall’s birthday. He was our friend’s son. He would have been 27 but he passed away in 2005 from heart failure. My thoughts are always with his parents and family today. Kevin and family have been celebrating his birthday still in San Diego and it is a great tribute. I believe it is important to continue to celebrate those we love even after their passing.

1999 - I quit smoking TEN YEARS ago today! If you met me post April 1999 you wouldn’t have even guessed I smoked. I harp on my husband all of the time to quit too...all of the time. We almost got a divorce even though we just got married not even a month before. I took Wellbutrin (same as Xaiban – sp?) to quit. You are to take it for 3-6 months and THEN quit. I took it for a day and then didn’t want a cigarette. But I was CRAZY while I was on the Rx! I have only had a drag and unfortunately a lot of second hand since then. Yippee for me!

2004 – JP married the girl next door, or down the street rather. They grew up in the same neighborhood, which we moved into just a couple years ago. Stephani is a great daughter in law. In fact, all of our kids spouses are awesome. We are so fortunate that we actually like all of them and they are great for Joe’s kids!

(I know I missed writing Jamie and John’s anniversary 03/03/03 and Jen and Nate’s 02/04/06. I never said I had it together! Happy belated anniversary post to you also)

Last 2 Weekends Report

I can’t keep up. It isn’t that I am THAT busy but I have a lot on my mind and it is stopping me. Just me trying to figure out my life. I can’t keep up on my blog, FlickR or Facebook.
So here is a quick recap of the last couple weeks.
We went to St. George the last 2 weekends, I KNOW, SHOCKING! This last weekend was with JP and “our” dogs. I say “our” dogs since I am not sure if Benton remembers he has a dog. She is so cute and I love her, so if he forgets to come get her, I will be ok with her being my dog.
The weekend before JP, Steph, their doggies, and “our” dogs went. Both weekends the boys golfed. I shopped (Steph too) and I didn’t do much on both weekends but relax and enjoy. It is a fortunate life we have, I am grateful.
Last week we celebrated JP's 29th birthday on April Fool's Day (yes, his real birthdate). I got in trouble for not calling him to wish him happy birthday. Honestly, the reason I didn't and sometimes don't call the kids is because I am waiting for their Dad to call first. I guess I had better just call them!

Channeling Connie To Strike It Rich!

We are in the 6th week of our 12-week bowling league and the 4th year in a row in a league. My new bowling gear paid off! I was bowling so well that instead of Joe bowling in “Strike It Rich”, he had me go. To play “Strike It Rich”, people put in $1 for 4 tickets, I bought $4 worth. My tickets kept being drawn and each time it was a chance to bowl a strike. It took me the forth try but I did it. It is hard enough not thinking people we are playing are watching and criticizing your bowling technique but to do it in front of 23 other people (family and friends for the most part) on the league and the staff of the alley watching you, that is another story! I tripled my money and won $12! It was the smallest pot so far this year I think.
Now to top it off, I bowled better this week than I ever have. I bowled above my average and I got better with each game, my score went up!
There are a lot of factors in my better performance the main factor is that I am learning HOW to play the game instead of absently throwing it down and hoping for the best.
I also have just decided to enjoy myself. It helps that more of the family are on the league.This week we played John, Jamie, JP & Steph. Alex and Max are fun to play with each week. Alex is so fun, and he knows how to work us adults to buy him “prizes” in the machines. Jamie bought him some M&M’s and a sticker (bumper sticker seen here and disclaimer for Mommy Jamie, the bottoms are pjs). I tortured him to wait until after the 3rd game. Keep in mind, that it takes about an hour a game. Poor kid! But he was good. I need to figure out how not to make it seem so long to wait for his rewards. I learned not to say “you need to be a good boy”, because he knows he is a good boy so he is thinking, “uh, hullo lady where the hell is it?!”. I think next time I need to at least reword to say “behave during our games”. I am sure it is hard to literally sit and watch us. He really is a good kid!
PS thanks Connie

Back-to-Back St. George Weekends

Steph, JP, their dogs, John and Alex, joined us in St. George. Saturday morning we went and watched Adam (Charlie and Joyce’s son); he was competing in a Remote Control (RC) rock climb. He did really well. It was fun to watch and he did well. When we were told, he was racing his PC truck at a Park we thought it was at a regular park. Therefore, Stephani and I dressed in our flip-flops. It turned out we were at a park that you hike up the slick rocks. This was a first experience for Alex. He was a bit worried about the cliffs, like me. He is a great little hiker.
We BBQ’d with Charlie, Joyce and Adam. Adam had just cut the pork chops the day before, fresh meat to satisfy the carnivore Dillier’s.
All the boys sent golfing both Saturday and Sunday. It was Alex’s (another) first experience golfing. He took his cute plastic clubs. I wanted to go to take pictures but I knew my attention span would be worse than a child’s would. JP and John took some with Joe's camera (see FlickR). Alex was so good the whole weekend. I think we all had a great time too!
Joe, the dogs and I went to St. George Thursday night. Joe got in a practice round of golf while I went to Mesquite and got in a massage (with I think, our last points). I also used our “cash back” and gambled with it.
Saturday the tournament began. Charlie golfed okay and Joe golfed one of his best games, an 86. He was really quite pleased.
I did a lot of nothing but ventured into DI. I scored for $3.00: a bowling ball, retro bag, a needlepoint towel and really old school bowling shoes. Thank you Connie! Whoever you are! I hope I bowl well Monday night with your equipment. Even if I use them 2 times, they pay for my rental shoes. Besides, let's face it, bowling shoes are not that pretty anyway. I will probably buy some next league.
I rented “Dark Knight”, Joe and I finally watched it. It was great except the damn Red Box DVD skipped! I think we missed a few important things. We will have to watch it again later.
Sunday/today, I slept in and cleaned up a little while Joe & Charlie golfed again. I drove out to Sand Hollow where they were playing the tournament. It was very windy and sprinkled rain as I drove (to BFE and turn right). Just as I suspected, I did not mean to curse him, but I thought the wind would get in his head. Unfortunately it did. Both he and Charlie golfed poorly. It was gusty and cold all day. The sand pelted at them all day.
We went back to the condo, I made an In-And-Out Burger run. Colin arrived (he is staying in our condo about one time a month, he has clients in the St. George area).
We ate, relaxed and visited for a while. Joe and I just got home safely through several snow and rain showers. I made it in my normal time, just a smidge under 4 hours.

Butt Gravity

I can't stop just sitting here in my new chair. Now I will never go anywhere. With joining Facebook I have a part time job saving rainforests, saving reefs and giving hugs. I haven't even figured out how to do pictures, etc.
Hey it is John's fault he invited me to join it and Joe's fault he gave me this chair. The house will never get clean.
I have to get up every once in a while to get a drink or go potty. Did I mention it has a cup holder too?

10 Years

Just over 10 years ago we were engaged and planning a summer wedding. I was stressed, who to invite and who I did not want to invite. Weddings suck (I like going as a guest, just not planning one), it is an all or nothing type of deal for me. I wanted everyone to be there, well like I said kind of. The lines are hard to draw.
The date to leave approaching and the planning was wearing on us. Joe thought it was simple, if he had not met the people I was inviting at $50 plus a plate (not even including the bar), then they were not invited.
We also had planned a spring trip to Kaua’i. Being over 10 years ago, I cannot remember how it all came about. I had gotten my dress. It was a simple prom dress. Cheap for a wedding dress, but pretty. You only wear it once!
“We could just get married while we are in Hawai’i.” said Joe. I had a hard time. It was my first wedding after all. You always think your first wedding is to be like a fairytale. Well it turned out to be one! Other than jabs from my Mom and select friends that they were not there, but then it was our wedding. We would do it the same again!
I got Joe bowling shoes (highly romantic I know!). I also asked Stephani’s brother to copy our VHS wedding video to DVD.
I came home from working today and Joe pulled up in the truck with my present. Christian helped him unload a huge box; at first, I thought it was another big screen. It turned out to be a “Human Touch Massage Chair”.
Joe – “Here you go honey, this is your dinner at the Oyster Bar”
Me – “How about if you take it back, get the money, take me to dinner and then we can get me 20 real massages with the money” (I know, what a bitch he married! – I was joking)
Joe – (heartbroken)
Me – “ I love it honey thanks, I was joking. You get bowling shoes that I already gave you early”.
The thing is that I really did not want him to get me anything, I expected maybe flowers.
I was thinking that I would make him take back jewelry since he has given me so much and I end up wearing the same diamond earrings. The necklaces, diamond and pearl bracelets just sit in the safe. No taking back this one!
How sweet is this guy I married? He knew that I loved our friend Wayne’s chair and I hog it from Wayne every time we go to Vegas. It is practical and I do love practical! He knows it. I think (pretty sure) I will use this gift a lot!
I am excited to be with him for another 100 years...I mean 10 or more.

Last Weekend with the McDade’s, Jack’s & Pocock’s

Thursday evening flight to Las Vegas, we were booked on the same flight with Tyler & Ann Marie. The McDade’s picked us up at the airport.
Tyler & Ann Marie were staying at the Venetian, they checked in and then we all had a drink together. Joe and Ann Marie danced which was quite entertaining. I played Black Jack with Mr. Jack. I got one 21 then it all went to Hell. It was a fun night out anyway.

Friday – Jared and Linda flew in. Tyler, Jared, Wayne and Joe went golfing. Just the Jack & Pocock’s went to dinner together then we went with the McDade’s. We went to the new M Resort Casino. It opened a week ago. We tried to get in to dinner ANYWHERE there but they were so busy with 3 or more hour waits. We took a quick look around then opted to go to the South Point and eat at one of their restaurants. We ended up at a steak house. We gambled a little after to digest our dinners.

Saturday – the guys went golfing again. Karen and I went to the Outlet stores in Primm. By the way, they sucked, don’t bother.
We all met up for dinner at a restaurant called Dal Toro at the Palazzo. It was a small, quiet restaurant (until we got there). They have a Lamborghini dealership attached to it. We all laughed so much, ate a lot oh and drank a bit too.

Sunday – They took an earlier flight and we didn’t leave until the evening. We went on a ride with the McDade’s. We tried to go to the dam but the traffic was backed up. We ate burgers at the Pit Stop. Then we went to Nelson, towards Needles. We passed a cemetery.
Karen is fascinated with them. We had to stop. This one was weird. There was one grave that looked as if it was sinking or someone dug their way out. We went to see the Colorado River, then caught our flight home.

It was a nice getaway weekend. And VERY nice not to have to drive 12 hours round trip. Thanks to Stephani and JP for watching the dogs/house!

Smokin' Seated Massages at Pat’s

I have been at Pat’s BBQ all week doing seated massages for the staff. Pat and Lulu decided to give them to the employees for appreciation for all of their hard work. They are truly a great bunch of people, the staff, Pat and Lulu.

Each day I order a 2-meat combo to go. The portions are so generous I have half for dinner and then the rest for lunch the next day. No, I do not share with Joe. He gets the cornbread because I just really don't like cornbread.

I think I will go through BBQ withdrawals next week!

http://www.patsbbq.com/

Cadbury Mini Eggs

I bought a 10 oz bag of these delights last night. The chocolate is so velvety, the candy shell the perfect crunch.

Thankfully they are only available during this time of year. You know, 2 months before Easter.

I thought I could pace myself. I have successfully devoured the whole bag within 24 hours. Well all except the ONE piece I dropped and Ozzy ate before I could stop him. No signs of brain damage yet (for either of us).

Let's see here....about 7 servings per bag, 190 calories and 8 g fat. Please do not do the total math for me...I know. I think they have hidden cocaine in them, something they are not claiming on the ingredients.

Damn you Cadbury!

Rule Broken

Joe and I have had a rule since the grandkids came along. No overnight stays with Popa Joe and Grandma Jen’s until you are potty trained. I do not know really why it would matter since I could change poopie pants a million times. I grew up in a daycare that the minute I stopped needing my diaper changed, I started changing other diapers. Besides, when does a Dillier man ever change a diaper without some “deal” (right Jamie?)?
Honestly, I do not know why I have been so fearful of watching kids. Perhaps because the last time I officially “babysat” a child, not a doggie was approximately 22 years ago. Maybe it was that I had an overdose working in the family daycare business!
I have tried to make sure to see the grandkids at least 1 time a month since they were born. They get big too fast and I want to monitor their cuteness. Early last week before Lily’s birthday, I was gloomy that I had not seen Lily for a long time.
I called to wish Lily happy birthday. While chatting with Jen, she snuck in that Nate had a training retreat for his company in Vegas. I said we are going to St. George! The next thing you know I am watching Lily overnight!
Now do not get me wrong here. I adore all of these grandkids but poop and boogers are not my bag (but whose bag is it anyway?). That is rather why I skipped parenthood (well besides a few other things we will discuss another day). The whole time I am saying ok, sure, yes….I think, man, is Jamie going to be ticked at me!? I have not even watched her boys for more than 5 minutes!
Saturday I met Jen and Lily in Mesquite. I had a massage appointment in the morning. We do not cancel Grandma’s massages. We had lunch and then Jen loaded up the truck with Lily’s steamer trunks. I have never driven through the gulch so slow!
One of my biggest concerns watching kids is that #1 they will get hurt and #2 they will be inconsolable, #3 I will not be able to entertain them enough, # 4 I will lose my patience.
Both of us did really well. She was easy going and Ozzy entertained her mostly. We went through the carwash, walked to the park, she ate dinner well. When Joe came home from golfing, we ordered pizza. That is when it all went to hell. I carried the pizza in the kitchen, I turned towards the counter with Lily behind me and the dog pushed her into the wall to get the pizza. Oh great my fear realized. She was hurt, my #1 fear. I was literally one step away and my back turned for 30 seconds. She has a bump bruise in between her brows. Now none of the kids will let me watch their babies! Luckily, kisses, cuddles and a distraction calmed her quickly. I have not lost that touch anyway. She ate some pizza (yeah, more food!).
I put gave her a bath and brushed her teeth, we went to bed in the spare bedroom. Joe and I decided that I should sleep in the room with her. I am glad I did. She has been starting to get a cold. I was reading her a book when Mommy and Daddy called. She talked to Jen all right then when she heard Daddy’s voice she started sobbing. We ditched the phone and read more books and she fell asleep. I decided to just sleep on the air mattress with her. She woke several times during the night with her cough and some crying.
Sunday morning I started Cinderella while cooking breakfast. She ate and watched it with Joe while I went to shower. When I returned I found them watching golf. Joe went golfing and we watched Sleeping Beauty. Lily snuggled up to me and fell asleep. I got to watch the show until her parents came and interrupted me! Oh well, I am sure I will get to see it 500 times again in the next few years.
It was a fun visit! I miss her already!
Although I am not quite ready for more than one of them at the same time. Or if all things considered, if they can trust me with the precious cargo. I think that Grandma’s is open for business now.
Wow, sorry for the long post!

Birthday Afar

Whooooooaaaahhhhh...happy, happy, happy, birthday, birthday, birthday, happy, happy, happy, birthday, birthday, birthday! Happy 2nd birthday Little DillChip! We miss you! Love, Popa Joe and Grandma Jen

Back Log

So, yes I have been slacking here. Here is what I have been up to the last couple of weeks. If you really want to know read on (yawn).
The last 2 weekends of January, Joe and I went to St. George. The first of those weekends: I got rid of that damn cold! I think one part it ran its course and other part to the fact that I got out of the inversion! Joe golfed and I relaxed with a massage at Casablanca and both of us gambling (with money we do not have).
The following weekend JP dogged Stephani; no really, he dogged her with their 2 dogs, a dog she was dog sitting, then Ozzy and Cambry. Yes, FIVE dogs. Needless to say, she is a darn good sport! Joe and Keith were in a golf tournament Saturday and Sunday. JP helped caddy them. They took 2nd place in their flight; here is where I am not supposed to give additional information such as they were the 2nd of 2 teams in their flight.
While they were finishing up, Keith’s girlfriend Kim and I drove to Las Vegas. We were all going to meet up at Kevin’s annual Superbowl party. We had a bit of an adventure along the way at the Carp/Elgin exit (aka middle of nowhere and no services). Thank you Lord and Joe for having AAA and giving me a cell phone! Her front wheel well liner had knocked loose and was rubbing the tire. We finally got there and had fun. After the game we gambled again (with the same no money as the weekend before), we got home to the McDade’s just in time for their son Ryan to go to work, then Wayne.
The first weekend this month was a catch up weekend doing chores then getting together for Stephani’s birthday.
Last weekend we were going to go to St. George again but it looked to cold and snowy. We stayed home. I worked at a spa, which I have been working for a little the last couple of years for corporate chair massage. I am currently working as an “on call” therapist. I did five - 1 hour massages Saturday/Valentine’s and Sunday 1 hour then a 90 minute. For Valentine’s Day Joe gave me a dozen roses, I gave him a chocolate fish that said "you're a keeper" and made him a cholesterol heaven breakfast.
That brings us to today. I was going to run some quick errands, jumped in my car, turned the corner from our house and it died. I started it again, it died. I tried this for about 5 minutes. I decided to go back and backwards down the little incline. I thought I would turn when I got to the intersection. Nope not gonna run. Meanwhile I am at a perfect right angle on the intersection. Kelsey Ware helped push me out of the way. It was just TWO houses away from the house. SIGH, I put in the SECOND call to AAA this month and year! We are getting our moneys worth this year for sure! If you don’t have it, get it! But make sure you get the one that is just $2.50 more, otherwise you will find out the hard way like Stephani that it will give you 100 miles vs 5!

BYU Beer Koozies On Sale at Wal-Mart!

Browsing the clearance isle at Wal-Mart, I came upon these. I suspect the buyer might have gotten confused which university teams is which. I mean really do they know anything about the fan base? Or maybe they are just supplying the University of Utah fans with white elephant gifts! By the way there were NO Utah Koozies!

Food, Floss and Fun (The Triple F’s and Triple D’s)

Dear Guy,
Do you think; my husband, your wife and our families would notice that we are having a food affair? Not to mention car affair? If not, I will meet you at Pat’s BBQ or any kitchen as needed. You can drive any one of our classic cars there! We have the same passions! Muscle cars/CARS, cooking and meat!

I cannot believe I missed meeting Guy Fieri when he was at Pat’s BBQ last summer filming. I had a massage gig I was working, otherwise I would have been there…with my BBQ bib on!

It was just like New Year’s Eve, waiting for the ball to drop at Time Square. We had the BEST BBQ, fabulous entertainment by Roby Kap Band and Sister Wives, then the anticipation of the airing.

Besides my love of great food and libations…there is the BLUES. I forgot how much I love live Blues music. As my dear old friend, Dan Walker said many years ago “Blues are an inoculation to the soul”.

One of the many things and best things I heard tonight about Pat’s was how he supports the Blues Musicians Community.

Congratulations to Pat, Lulu and all of the staff!

http://www.patsbbq.com/ Go there soon!

The Never Ending Cold! (The True Story Of My Last Two Weeks)

Thinking back to the weekend before Christmas I had a sore throat. It seemed to go away. However, since San Diego a few weeks ago, I have been suffering through a full on cold. It was bad here and there during the trip.
I thought at first I was over it. Then, a symptom or two would pop up, then another. They would not be all at once, well then there were those days. How can resting, drinking lots of fluids (mainly water or tea or another hot fluid drink – not alcohol) and resting some more not help me kick this thing? I have been eating okay, not really perfectly, but eating greens, citrus, fruits, sigh. I feel almost better and do things only to discover the next day it is still there, haunting me. Joe seems to be untouched by this, perhaps it is that he is the Dillier Super Mutant.
I have been able to avoid most people in fear of spreading my “love”. On the days I felt okay (the pseudo healthy days) when out and about, I have been extra careful to keep my hands washed or sanitized after touching my face, and not cough or sneeze on anyone.
I have managed to these few things in between: do a little house work, work on Christian’s rental, do some massage work, go to look at Pam’s foster (possible adoption – see pics on FlickR) doggie, go to a funeral viewing, go to Susie’s 40th birthday lunch, last night I even went to do some volunteer massages at Sundance.
Tonight I am extremely excited to go to Pat’s BBQ for a party to celebrate the premiere airing of Pat’s on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”. Tickets(at door)and more info go to http://www.patsbbq.com/ or call #484-5963. “beginning at 6:00pm for a special BBQ Buffet, and get ready for the broadcast at 8:00pm. The Sister Wives will be playing after the show.” Come down or watch the episode at 8 pm on the Food Network!

Our San Diego Trip with Heidi and Mike

I guess I just don't want to write the whole thing and bore you all like normal. And I have no gumption to write so here is the bare bones summarization. We had fun, relaxed, ate and drank...but walked a lot.
Wednesday/New Year’s Eve – Dinner at Greystone, watched the fireworks on the bay in hallway with neighbors
Thursday/New Year’s Day - USS Midway Tour, dinner at Panevino
Friday – Sailed on “America”, Watched the Utah game at hotel bar, YES!
Saturday – La Jolla, Chargers Game with Kevin in his suite, YES!
Sunday – SeaWorld, Dinner in Coronado at the Boathouse, drinks at the Del
Monday – saw a SeaWorld dolphin in the bay, saw a seal in the bay, flight home

We returned to snow, laundry and work. Reality.

Happy New Year!