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!