Carm's Bliggety Bloggity

It's a Milk Dud Day

Carmsblog — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:03:33 GMT

It's a Milk Duds Day for me...

What kind of "candy day" are you having??

I love you...I really do...you can ask ANYONE! ~ Love, Carm

This....is.....IT!

Carmsblog — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:54:52 GMT

I saw it. We went to see it on Saturday night. Took the kids...and when I tell you that I was sobbing...not just crying...but SOBBING for the first 20 minutes of the film, I'm not exaggerating. That was the hardest Film I have EVER had to sit through. It was so personal for me.

I was an absolute FREAK for Michael Jackson in 5th and 6th grade. To the point where my best friend Jeanneth and I had cut out his images in every newspaper, magazine and book we could get our hands on and taped them to our desks. Not just stuck them to our desks...but our teachers would let us use their tape to tape over the entire picture because we didn't want any of his image to wear off, because OBVIOUSLY we were constantly rubbing the pictures and smooching our fingers and then putting that smooch directly to his face. So...yeah...I was struck hard by his death.

Now, before I get a bunch of people going off on tangents here and commenting as to his preference to have "sleep overs" let me say to you...please do that on your own blog. Not here. I made the mistake of posting on my Facebook status how this film touched me and my OWN FAMILY MEMBERS disregarded my feelings and decided to think I would jump onto their little Hate Bandwagon...nope...not me...I actually BELEIVE that if he did those things, then he's answering to the ULTIMATE JUDGE, right now...that is not for me to comment on. So think what you will...but this is my BLOG and I'd appreciate it if you'd repect that...just this once.

What I can tell you is this........The man was *MUSIC*. It trickled out of his pores, when he took a breath it filled his lungs and when he exhaled, it filled the air around all of those who surrounded him so that they could breathe it in. His body pulsates to it. His voice sings to it. His feet dance to it. I was utterly shocked and griefstricken to see him preparing for his concerts on the gigantic screen to the point that I almost had to leave about 15 minutes into the film. I almost couldn't catch my breath. I was a weeping mess.

It was just amazing to see him interact with is producers and to see him work with the staff and dancers and musicians...amazing.

He had a sense of humor that not many were privelleged to experience. When he wanted something changed he had this *way* about him that would stop the rehearsal...get the attention of the responsible party...and make them *better* than they even thought they could be. When he wanted the bassline to change his voice turned into a bass and he was able to verbalize exactly what he wanted that bass guitar to do...and the bassist DID IT. Same with the drums...his voice would turn into a drumset and whammo....you could see the AWE on the faces around him when he would do these things. Simply amazing.

There was a point where I had basically gone through all THREE of the napkins my husband got for me and I was exausted! It just seemed to me that it couldn't be true. All that work. Everyone working towards this amazing goal and in the end it was destined to be one of the most surreal, exciting concerts to have ever been created. There were things going on that were that of DREAMS. It was incredible.

When it was over....the entire audience sat still and read through all of the credits. No one talked. It was amazing. I was in a room of people who may not have cried as much as me...but they had the same respect that I did. And that is pretty awesome.

It's my hope that some of you saw this and can relate to what I'm trying to express here. If you didn't see it, I would hope that at some point this film will make it to video so that the masses can see it and keep it forever. It was spectacular. What a shame no one will ever get to see the production first-hand.

Kirstie Alley? Gimme a BREAK!

Carmsblog — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:17:03 GMT

I predicted the lameness of Kirstie Alley about 5 months ago. After her FAIL FAIL FAIL of being on Oprah and pledging to lose all her chub, she came out about 4 months ago with some kind of weight loss program. I predicted that she would gain all her weight back so that she could promote how AWESOME her weight loss success would be when it came time to launch her product.

Now...in a *curious* turn of events, she is going to have her own reality show.

According to cnn.com:

"The reality series is scheduled to air in 2010 and will be produced by FremantleMedia, the hit-making minds behind "American Idol."

Over the 10 episodes, cameras will trail Alley as she juggles producing a feature film, sticking to a new weight-loss program and raising her two daughters True and Lillie, all while looking for love."

_________________________________________________________________

Now, I remember when she was ON the Oprah show in her BEFORE Bikini body, the REVEAL of the Binkini Body *NOT!* and the follow up when she gain much of the lost weight back. It was THEN that I had decided that she was a.) on drugs because she couldn't sit still and couldn't keep her hands out of her hair and 2.) It was all a set-up and Oprah - God bless her - had been "HAD"...because this was all a very calculated plan. SO - I have no intention of PURPOSEFULLY watching this stupid show and watching her over-zealous actions play out in a reality show - but, my "intentions" will probably dwindle and I'll force myself to watch the train-wreck.

What are your thoughts? I'm sure there are some clips on You Tube if you wanted to watch this freak in action on the Oprah show.

OH! And also? WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THE PANTYHOSE SHE WAS WEARING WHEN SHE REVEALED HER Not-So-Bikini-Body?!?!?!?!? You could see the seam going up her belly...and yes...IT WAS A BELLY...and she was waving around a sheer curtain in her asseous reigion trying to draw attention away from her thunder thighs.

Wow - I'm Kirstie bashing pretty hardcore, but still...it's rediculous.

What do you think? Am I just jealous? Naaaaahh...that's not it.

Marriage DOOMED?!?!?!?!

Carmsblog — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:52:02 GMT

OMG PEOPLE! I just looked down at my wedding ring/engagement ring and IT'S BROKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Am I doomed? Does anyone know any good Jewelers near Tacoma, WA? HANNAH???Any Jewish Jewelry store owners in the fam that can HOOK ME UP!?!?!?!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Halloween CARM

Carmsblog — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:11:02 GMT

Picking a Fight

Carmsblog — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:10:15 GMT

Sitting at my desk at work, I came across something that only the Step-Bastard could answer...and me being the SUPER CARM that I am...and...if you're wondering? I actually have a CAPE that says "Super Carm" that was given to me last Christmas from my friend Tammy. Jealous much? Anyhoooo...

I approach the SB with my "question". And with the typical *pissy attitude*, I get that whole *heavy sigh* then he says something with the tone of - GAWD...you don't know the answer to that?...and my response has been - at least over the last two weeks - a blank look on my face and then I turn around and walk back to my office...I haven't been fighting back. Which could be reason to worry for TWO REASONS:

1.) When I don't fight back with you...I've written you off.

2.) When I don't fight with you...I've had it.

Either way, it's so unlike me. I pick my battles. And also, lately the SB has decided to ask me the following questions - on more than one occasion: "Do you have a problem with that?" and "What's with the attitude?". Doesn't that kinda seem like something a bully from Jr. High would do when they are trying to overcompensate for their shortcomings? The simple answer t the question is, "No, I don't have a problem with that, my problem lies with the way you SPEAK to me you Son of a Bitch! If you wanna fight let's just throw down and make that shit happen because I'm OVER IT!!!!!!!"

Look, dude. I'm thinking about surgically enhancing my appearance by getting a mirror installed over my face, that way when you talk to me? You can see what you look like when I ask you a question. I have a feeling the only question you'll be asking from that point forward is: "Why am I such an asshole?" My response will be, "Dunno...why don't you do some internal reflecting and write me up a procedure on how you are going to alter your attitude when you speak to me? That would be a great start."

What a sad, sad, pitiful, pathetic excuse for a human being. There was a time when I felt sorry for him...I actually felt empathy. I think I'm beyond that point now. And that sort of makes me sad. I've crossed over to the "I have no respect for you and everything you do is rediculous and you're a bully." I shouldn't have to feel like that. I enjoy being a nice person. But when it comes to him? He's sucked all the nice out of me.

Hey Carm...Where have you been?????

Carmsblog — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:39:52 GMT

Hey Folks! Long time no BLOGGIE. Well, I never stopped loving each and everyone of you...so you can just rest easy.

So, how's about a little quick "getting you up to speed" session? ALRIGHT! Here we go...

FIRST OF ALL: I got to see Keith Urban in concert...and let me tell you something...I was a bit of a fan, but not GAGA over the dude. And he was effing AWESOME! Whether you like country music or not...there was another layer of appreciation that I personally felt towards the man. He can play the STRINGS off of his guitar...and he does it WELL. There's something different about going to a concert where the person or people you are going to see are "musicians" vs. "Singers". Keith is a true musician. His concert was almost 3 hours long! He would play his guitar and roam around the stadium...it was AMAZING. We had great seats and he walked RIGHT TO THE END OF OUR ROW AND SANG RIGHT IN FRONT OF US AND I GOT A GREAT PICTURE, but PNN isn't cooperating with me right now so I can't post it. WHEW!

My Daughter got into a little trouble...and I never ever ever ever (just say EVER like 354, 875, 125 times and that's how many EVER's I'd like to type here) thought she would do anything like this because hubby and I are very involved with our kids and show them love and give them rules and they are excellent students, blah blah blah...just goes back to that whole rule that God gave us Free Will....and holy crap she excersized it to the 9th degree and without going into any detail at all, because it makes me feel like the worst parent ever...she is now our own personal Cinderella...and she's taking this role very VERY seriously...

The new car is AWESOME!!!!!!!! I had no idea how much I missed having a spedometer and gas guages. It's great!

My hubby got a Facebook account and I feel very liberated about that because he "pooh-poohed" it for so long...and now he's addicted! IN YOUR FACE HUBBY!

Yesterday was my BIRTHDAY and I had oodles of Facebook Birthday Wishes and it really made me happy to know so many wonderful people surround me and love me and are in my life.

Tomato crop was HORRIBLE this year. Lots of fruit...all of it had something or other wrong with it. SHIT! Never again in the pots...phooey.

My Blackberry crapped out on me. And then the dufus in the Verizon store made me stand there for 45 minutes so they could find one at the warehouse to MAIL ME and when I suggested that we upgrade my phone and I'll pay the difference...he was all, "OH NO, MA'AM! We cannot do that...you're not ready for an upgrade on your phone yet." and I was all..."Shit. So you're going to send me the same damn phone that'll have the same damn problem?" ...he was all, "Yep'm". Phooey again!

My office at work moved from Federal Way, WA to Tacoma, WA...which...YOU GUESSED IT...is the city where I live which reduces my commute to work from 45 minutes each morning to 6. No, that's not a typo...it's just SIX MINUTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHIT YEAH!!!!

I was on Facebook yesterday and the famous Banana and I were Facebook Chattin' and well...she was having a problem with making a stand for her Sukkah and she was going to use PVC pipe...and well...she couldn't find the pieces she needed and LUCKY FOR HER, I used to work in a Home Improvement Store called McLendon's and so, as it turns out, I'm a handy friend to have because I went to McLendon's and purchased all the pieces she needed and well...I FedExed them to her OVERNIGHT and she will have them tomorrow and well...I SAVED THE DAY! And it's gonna cost her like a shitload of money, but she doesn't care...even though once I saw how much it was all gonna cost her, I told her I'd split it with her...but she REFUSED. So...I love her and she's gonna me Sukkahing all over the damn place in NO TIME...I HOPE! And the picture is the set up I bought her...only its that times 8!!!!!

Moral of the story is...keith Urban Rocks...No amount of parental supervision is going to keep your kids out of trouble because God created us that way...My Scion xB ROCKS and I'm feelin' like a PIMP because I look AWESOME driving it...Hubby got a Facebook...I'm 38 now and not sure how I like that...Tomato crop SUCKED LLAMA BALLS...Blackberry crapped out, but I got a replacement much to my shagrin...the office moved that I work in and how I have a HEAVENLY COMMUTE...and the Banana and I are awesome because we have mastered the Sukkah. Whew!

That was a lot! Please remind me to NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER be away this much EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER again.

In case you don't remember...I love you...I really do...you can ask anyone! ~ Love, Carm

A Boy Named Sue - Lyrics

Carmsblog — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:14:12 GMT

"A Boy Named Sue"

My daddy left home when I was three
And he didn't leave much to ma and me
Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue."

Well, he must o' thought that is quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folk,
It seems I had to fight my whole life through.
Some gal would giggle and I'd get red
And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head,
I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named "Sue."

Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean,
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,
I'd roam from town to town to hide my shame.
But I made a vow to the moon and stars
That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill that man who gave me that awful name.

Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry,
I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew.
At an old saloon on a street of mud,
There at a table, dealing stud,
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me "Sue."

Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn-out picture that my mother'd had,
And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye.
He was big and bent and gray and old,
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
And I said: "My name is 'Sue!' How do you do!
Now your gonna die!!"

Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
And he went down, but to my surprise,
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear.
But I busted a chair right across his teeth
And we crashed through the wall and into the street
Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.

I tell ya, I've fought tougher men
But I really can't remember when,
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile.
I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss,
He went for his gun and I pulled mine first,
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile.

And he said: "Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I knew I wouldn't be there to help ya along.
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
And it's the name that helped to make you strong."

He said: "Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
But ya ought to thank me, before I die,
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye
Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you "Sue.'"

I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,
And I came away with a different point of view.
And I think about him, now and then,
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him
Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!

Leslie and Francis? REALLY?!?!

Carmsblog — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:12:19 GMT

Alright...so if you've ever heard the song by Johnny Cash called "A Boy Named Sue" you will know what this post is going to be about. I will post the lyrics in another post because it's going to take up my valuable CHARACTER LIMIT...so be on the look out for that...probably posted under this heading on my BLOG.

So I'm watching IFC (Independent Film Channel) last night in bed. The main charaters name in the movie I was watching was "Francis". And his mother was REALLY OLD. Sitting in her armchair/recliner. And when she wailed his name it was like fingernails on a chalkboard. So...my question to you is...WHEN WAS IT EVER OKAY TO NAME A CHILD WITH SUCH A FEMININE NAME?!

Here's a list of girly man names I've heard over the years:

Leslie

Marion (Which just happens to be John Waynes REAL NAME!)

Francis

Noel

Ari

Kelly

Dana

Sidney

Feel Free to add some of your own! This could be kinda fun!

Now, some of these I can stomach. But LESLIE? MARION? FRANCIS? That is just unfathomable. Okay. OKAY! I HEAR YOU! "Some of them are FAMILY NAMES, Carm! Yeesh! Quit being a bitch!" Okay...that was all fine and dandy FIFTY OR SIXTY DAMN YEARS AGO! Fifty/Sixty years ago, we were a different people! Back then? Tradition was in the forefront.

Nowadays? We have this sarcastic nature that has sprung forth from the bowels of the America's underbelly and there's no changing things NOW! No sirreebob! We are in a spinning toilet bowl and the current is just too damn strong to swim out of it! We're going down the TUBES PEOPLE! And for the record? I could have totally ROCKED the 50's style. I was BORN to be a teenie bopper. Poodle Skirts and Saddle Shoes. I would have LOVED to live in that time. But alas, twas a dark stormy September day in 1971 when I was born and it was not meant to be.

Back to our story...

Of course I will say that I apologize if this offends anyone who reads this. And I would say that if your FATHER is named one of these names, I'm not talking about them. Really, I'm not. There's something ~debonairre~ about older men with those girly names. Take Francis Ford Copolla for instance. He's a badass! But if you've got a toddler crawling around the house or you have a bun in the oven? ...Uh...this is for you! :o)

Please, no hate mail. Think of this as a Public Service Announcement. And Now? Back to your regularly scheduled program.

18 years? REALLY?

Carmsblog — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:51:29 GMT

Hellooooo! It's me CARM! This is me and the husband on our Anniversary weekend. We went to Leavenworth, WA. You must google this place. it's absolutely DARLING. It's a little German Town tucked into the mountains in Washington State. Yep...that's where we live!

So if you wanna see some pictures, I'm gonna just add a few here and caption them, I suppose so you know what you're looking at.Here it is...Picturesque Leavenworth, WA. Oodles of little gift shops. And I mean OOOOOODLES!

And yet another angle.

This is all you're getting of the Bridal Suite @ The Enzian Inn. hehehehe...THIS is where the MAGIC happened! LOL I'll be honest, I felt a little bad about booking the Bridal Suite, especially when I saw people's cars in the parking lot with all the wedding graffitti all over them...but hell...we had a great time!

Okay. THE END! Thanks for putting up with my pictures! Love, Carm

My bundle of joy

Carmsblog — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:32:03 GMT

It's true. I never thought it would happen. Apparently because of our horrible economy I have been given an opportunity of a lifetime and just purchased my very first NEW CAR!!!!!

It's a Scion xB. We love it! It's really sporty and fun and I'm really happy that I don't have to drive the death trap anymore. That thing was moments away from killing me, I JUST KNOW IT! The starter was making that HORRIBLE noise...ya know the one...when you turn the key and the car starts and then that GRINDING noise that scares the crap out of you? Yeah! THAT ONE! The brakes were REALLY squealing! REALLY...and the funny thing is...I've had cars that need brakes before and usually the sound happens GRADUALLY...not on the BEAST! That sucker just started doing it one day and was LOUD AS A MOFO! Then there's the squishy springy noice that the back end makes when you go over a speed bump or drive into a driveway...the shocks...they tried to kill me once...and I'll be DAMNED if I was going to let THAT happen again. And not having ANY GUAGES WHAT-SO-EVER for almost 2 years. I gotta give myself PROPS though...I never ONCE ran out of gas AND I never got a ticket. Even though I never knew how much gas I had and couldn't tell how fast I was going. LOL

So...we got $3500 for the BEAST and put it towards our new car and we have WAY AWESOME CREDIT, which was a really REALLY nice surprise. We knew it was good...just didn't realize HOW GOOD!

Now we have a car payment for the FIRST TIME EVER!

This is what I wrote ALL OVER the DEATH TRAP before we drive it to Seattle to turn it in for Clunkerdom.

And this...hehehe...

So we took advantage of the Clunker program. And I'll be honest with you. Because of all the other bills we have to pay...we would have never been able to come up with any kind of down payment. I beleive in my heart that I'm the type of person that our President had in mind when this whole thing got approved. At least I hope I was. I'd like to think that my clunker was honestly the exact thing he was thinking of and my financial situation is what he was hoping would be assisted with this whole program.

Anyway...I'm happy with my new car. I love it very much and it's MINE. Meaning, I'm the primary driver of it. So YAY! So that's what I've been doing lately. OH...and going to Leavenworth with my huzzy to celebrate our 18th Anniversary! Pics of that to follow.

LOVE YA!!!!!! Carm

Seattle Shakedown - Version TRES!

Carmsblog — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:19:56 GMT

I haven't got any photos of the evening...but JL and MsSantos are so gorgeous - their pictures on their BLOG spaces...while FABU do not do either of them justice. They are BREATHTAKING beauties!

The hubs and I arrived at the Westin at 6 o'clock ON THE BUTTON...it's how we roll. I happened to have JL's cell # so we had been texting throughout the day talking about our BIG HAIR and Tiara's. So, again I texted her when we arrived. She said she was on her way down via text and so we waited. Surely someone would see my standing there with my SASSY pointy pumps, my tiara in place and my feather boa laced through one of the rings on my purse....

My phone vibrates. JL texts..."Are you sure you have your Tiara on?"...my response was a picture I took of myself in the lobby of the hotel with my sparkly Tiara in place on my head. That must've been all the proof she needed...here she comes. GORGEOUS!!! Blond hair...cute little thing that she is...we hugged and I introduced her to the Hubby and we headed for the Bar.

We sat down and bantered back and forth looking for pictures of any of the people we were waiting for via Facebook. So I found a couple of mssantos and we oogled her pictures for a little while then WHAMMO...the stone cold fox showed up outta nowhere! Yep...you guessed it! HUGS all around and intros to my hubby again.

Kids...we sat there for about a hour until we realized that THIS was going to be IT...so we decided to get a smidge of food before heading out to Chopstix. The Clam Chowder was UH-MAZE-ING! As were the Crab Legs!!!

Mssantos and her friend texted and decided that her pal would meet us at the hotel and from there we'd take off for Chopstix.

Hubby and I chauferred Mssantos and her girlie to Chopstix...unfortunately we parked in BFE and my FEET WERE KILLING ME...and we finally get there. The place was OFF THE CHAIN loud and festive and AWESOME. But this comes from a girl who doesn't get out much, so....hopefully I don't seem too lame for saying so.

After throwing caution to the wind and ditching my Pepsi for a shot called "PORN STAR" we took pictures and had just a GREAT NIGHT! I'd have to say that being with anyone else and meeting for the first time would have been awkward, but these ladies know all about my OCD's and my Step-Bastard and my Mentrual Cycle...so it's not like we were really strangers. We just laughed and had a great time! It was the perfect venue to go and even if there WAS any awkwardness, it would have been drowned out by the coolness of the atmosphere.

So, Thank You to JL and MsSantos for coming out. Thanks to Leigh for the drinks. The hubby and I had a great time hanging with you guys and I genuinely mean it when I say that I would LOVE to do it again.

I LOVE YOU GUYS! ~ Love, Carm

The rest of the CAMPIN' Story...

Carmsblog — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:23:50 GMT

So, the camping trip was SUPER FUN!

Thursday we arrive around 3:30pm...our friends were already there and set up. And did I mention 1/2 drunk already? Well they were and it was FREAKING HILARIOUS! It's spitting rain, we notice right away that it's IMPERATIVE to get the "shelter" that we have over the picnic table so that it gets dry...erm...stops getting WETTER...so we do that NUMERO UNO! Next? Unload the coolers and unpack all the alcohol that we brought and whip up some Daiquiri's. Yep...let's face it ladies...we have PRIORITIES HERE!

Next up? Tent set-up. We - the Huzzy and I, have our OWN tent. Very spacious...plenty o' room for both of us and the pooch if need be. The kids each have their own tent. We raised em up good! Independent little buggers, they are! So they handle their own set up we handle ours and in about a 1/2 hour the entire site looks like TENT CITY. We have campin chairs surrounding the campfire, drinks in hand and oodles of laughter.

Friday Morning. Still spitting rain. Not. Cute. At this point I have had several conversations with God...begging, pleading, threatening...but to no avail. The sky seems to get brighter...only to darken back up. The night before we realized we brought our Beach Umbrella. We decided to plant it in the ground. It's large enough to fit two campin' chairs underneath without getting a single drop of rain on the sheltered inhabitants...GEE, I wonder who sat under THAT?!?!?! Yep...me and my pal Karen. The Queens of Camp!

So Friday we decide we need to hit the little store in town because a.) the guages in the big purple van don't work and we had no idea how much gas we had left...we figured we were sucking fumes since we drove 5 hours from home to the campsite. In the mountains. And winding roads. Come to think of it...it's a freakin' miracle we even made it to the stupid campground on one tank of gas! b.) it was raining and we needed the heat in the car to warm and dry ourselves. c.) we had heard about a warm spring close by and we knew there was a ranger station on the way to the store so we wanted to stop in to get precise directions.

Gas had been gotten. We were warm and dry...and after we were so BOLD as to INTRUDE on the bitchy park rangers that were looking oh-so-blonde and svelt, we got the directions to the warm springs. We were warned: #1 - it's not as warm as the OTHER TWO springs in the area, but this was the only one that was free; #2 - don't be surprised if there are nekkid people there...this IS Oregon after all. Great. My two impressionable kids were along for this adventure...I'm such a great mother.

We roll up on the trail head that takes us to the warm spring. We're walking...we're walking and we see some jeans and boots piled high on top of some very neatly stacked rocks. BINGO! We made it. We send the MENFOLK in to investigate. There's a red-headed dude in the water. I asked if he was nekkid. My huzzy said..."I dunno...the waters black."...I'm all..."Uh...can you be more specific?"...huzzy is all..."Well...the minerals in the water make it black!"...I was all..."Oh...I thought that perhaps the National Park Service couldn't distinguish between BUBBLIN' CRUDE and a Hot Spring."...huz was all..."Yeah...well...meh. So are you going in?"...I was all..."Ermmm...lemme get this straight...1 nekkid guy + black mineral water = NO WAY IN FUCKING HELL!"...then I said, "If you wanna go in with Michael, go right on ahead...but me? I'm gonna wait in the car. Let's go kids!"...he was all..."Welp! I'm not going in without YOU. Maybe we'll do it later." So we retreated to the van and chalked that one up to PAY FOR A FUCKING HOT SPRING AND DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING TO A FREE ONE UNLESS YOU'RE HOMELESS! The. End.

Saturday...the damn SUN finally shows up! Thank you LORD! We decide to explore the campground. We pillage the grounds and come back to the campsite with loads of firewood that other campers left behind. SCORE! We also checked out other campsites for future visits. We found an even AWESOMER spot than the one we were camping in. SCORE AGAIN! We decided to head off to the local Waterfalls - which double as roadside attractions. Truly spectacular. One of which we were able to climb ABOVE and pose for a picture next to the river about 10 feet before it fell off the 400 foot cliff. REALLY AWESOME!

We get back to camp and again...more cocktails. More food....more laughing.

SUNDAY...it's the day our friends needed to pack up and leave us...we still had one more night. We busted out the Bocci Ball. If you have never played this game...IT. IS. FUN!!!!! Especially while camping, because there are ROCKS, and STICKS, and bumps all over the place that make the game just THAT MUCH more fun...and frustrating. my 8 year old kicked Michael's ass. We have a great picture of her throwing her ball and his hand is on his hip like, "You little SHIT! I can't believe you just BEAT ME!!!"

So that's pretty much it. In a nutshell. And if you were looking for updates on any of the social networking sites, well...cell phone range isn't that great in the BOONIES...so yes, I'm as disappointed as you were.

I love you...I really do...you can ask ANYONE! ~ Carm

An 8 minute BLOG about CAMPING

Carmsblog — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:31:10 GMT

The site was GORGEOUS!!!! And I will even say that the mild hiking we did was enjoyable. The weather was a bit pissy in the beginning though...

So we get there and OF COURSE my stupid BlackBerry doesn't work - which I was planning on twitting all damn weekend with silly little comments the whole time...but NOOOOOOOO.

The best part? The Coleman Battery Powered Blender that our friends brought so that we could consume ILLEGAL amounts of alcohol in the form of STRAWBERRY DAQUERI's complete with WHIPPED CREAM on top. At one point I was drinking Raspberry Lemonade with orange Smirnoff and a SPLASH o' Malibu Rum...and was coerced into drinking a bottle of water "while we fix you another drink" which COMPLETE probably saved my ass from a HUGE puking fit, but also killed the dandy buzz I was feeling.

So we are peeing in a toilet that you don't flush...we are stinking to HIGH HEAVEN because there are no EFFING showers and also? Yeah...well...also the river was so freezing that I got a HEADACHE when I put my feet in - let alone sit in there and wash my junk in that freezing ass cold water!

Okay...more to follow...with more pictures...after lunch. TTFN and also - I LOVE YOU!! ~ Carm

BLOCK PARTY #4 ~ SUCCESS!

Carmsblog — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:08:32 GMT

National Night Out (NNO) partnered with Safe Streets allows neighborhood groups to register for a Block Party to be held the first Tuesday in August every year. This was my Block's 4th Annual Block Party!

This was the brainchild of our close friends and neighbors to put on an event so that we can meet eachother and create a sense of community amongst our little corner of the world. The first year we collected about $150 and we had a wonderful time! My husband and I essentially put the event together and it was GREAT!

Year #2 was a little better because we had learned a few things after the first one. It seems like you always learn how NOT to make the same mistakes you did the first time you plan an event so in PARTY PLANNER terms...and COMMUNITY ORGANIZER terms...serving as the "organizer" should be a two year run.

Well...year # 3 rolls around...we improve it once again, Hubby and I heading up the planning efforts and low-and-behold we hit burn out and I get the stink-eye all day because no one brought out their BBQ to help cook all the donated burgers and hot dogs. WHO BRINGS HOT DOGS AND HAMBURGERS TO A BLOCK PARTY AND DOESN'T BRING THE GRILL OUT TO HELP COOK IT?!?!?! Yeesh...so I ask hubby to go get the grill...STINK-EYE...I decide it would obviously be too much to ask him to COOK anything...so GRILL MASTER CARM @ your SERVICE. STINK-EYE! The neighbors across the street who just moved into the'hood noticed the tension...Carrie said, "What's up with him?" I said..."Uh...he's irritated because he wanted to have FUN this year and I asked him to grab the BBQ...all this raw meat donated, but no-one hooked us up with a Grill Master." Carrie said..."Hmmm..." I could see the gears turning in her head.

Grill Master Carm gets all the GRUB cooked up and everyone eats...FFWD to the tail end of the grub eating session and Carrie and her husband came up to my Hubby and I and said..."We'd like to do this next year. You guys have done such a great job for three years...lets give you a rest." I almost made out with HER husband and my hubby almost made out with HER! That was the BEST NEWS EVER!!!!

Year # 4!!!! Carrie and her hunny did such a great job this year! We mentored them all the way through. It seems like a huge undertaking...but it really isn't. Especially when you have a binder with contacts, etc that we can use from year to year. So...this years events:

Water Balloon Toss: Carrie and Hubby, Me and Hubby filled 500 water balloons on Monday night. We thought it was overkill.....turns out...IT WASN'T. Carrie lined up all the Water Balloon Toss contestants in the middle of the street - they are to touch hands because that is the starting point. Carrie said, "Is everyone touching hands?" ... "YEEEESSSSSS! (mostly kids...but a few adults peppered in)"...OH - small detail left out...my Hubby and Carrie's Hubby passed out about 100 balloons to onlookers...the plan? NAIL THE UNSUSPECTING CONTESTANTS WITH WATER BALLOONS while they think they are lining up to play the game! So...in the middle of the street, hand to hand...the TOKEN GAY NEIGHBOR shouts.... "ONE!!!!!!.....TWWOOOO!!!!!"...Contestants say, "We don't have any balloons yet!"....Token Gay Neighbor says, "OH REALLY?!?!?! TTHHRRREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" and we unleash, what can only be described as a DELUGE of water balloons on these poor unsuspecting people! IT WAS HILARIOUS! Once the hilarity calmed down we were able to commence with the real water balloon toss. The two hubbies went to MY front porch and grabbed a HUGE garbage can full of balloons and passed them out to the contestants and they had a great time! Afterwards we had one more box of filled balloons stashed and we pounded everyone and we were all soaked!!

Hula Hoop Contest: We had a start line and a finish line and the person who won? One of the Mommies...she hula'd and made all the men on the block (including one of the Gaybors) all hot and bothered with her gyrating hips. So-much-so that all the men in the neighborhood went and shook her husbands hand out of pure LUST and ADMIRATION for him...it was a really "GUY THING" to do...and really REALLY FUNNY!

Jumpy Castle: uh...well....? Do I really need to explain that one?

Watermelon Eating Contest: kneeling on the ground...no hands...face first into a watermelon. We have some GREAT pictures of this contest...I can't wait to post one here once we get some copies shared.

Guitar Hero/RockBand on THE BIG SCREEN: we projected the games onto a big movie screen and played it until 10:30 pm!

So year # 4 was a success. Carrie and her hubby can't wait to head it up again and we already have our sights set on the next two "planners"!!! They have no idea...*evil laugh here*.

I can't wait for year #5!!!!

I love you...I really do...you can ask ANYONE!! ~Love, Carm