Star Trek Picnic

What a great day it turned out to be!! The weather, while hot and humid, wasn't as bad as previous days. Besides, there was a nice cool breeze at the camp ground!! The half hour downpour later in the evening, after we'd all eaten, was welcomed, too!!

So, Mr. Mouth wasn't so bad. Loud, talked constantly for the hour drive from his place to the picnic, but he was civil. No rude or bigoted comments. And, he even thanked me and said he appreciated my going out of my way as soon as he was in the car. He even helped unpack the car, including moving the heavy cooler!! It'll make it harder to say no to him in the future, but the added two plus hours on the road isn't worth it!

Because we had so many visitors from other chapters we decided to keep our monthly meeting short and get right on to the fun! We set a new record, fourteen minutes for the meeting!! Of course, we did table old business, most new business, and department reports until next month's meeting, and didn't allow the conversation to wander off topic (as it usually does).

So, I know Helen Jo is dying to see the cake ... here it is! The bakery did a fantastic job, didn't they?

Complete with a miniature USS Enterprise! Gotta love it!

That cake topper was just too cool to keep for myself, so on the bottom of one of the cake plates I wrote "You Win!" ... and whoever got that plate would, obviously, win the cake topper. Since I knew the first plate wasn't the winner, I did take the first piece that was sliced! That way, no way would or could I have won. I was helping the gal who offered to cut the cake by handing her plates along with a fork for the next person in the cake line. LOL ... dummy me, I accidentally dropped one plate (onto the table thankfully) and son of a gun if it wasn't the "winning" plate! Next in line happened to have been Single Son. Grrrrrr. No way I was going to let him win, so I handed that plate to the guy behind him. Drats, now I knew who the winner was (took some of the fun out of it for me, LOL). He's one of the founding members, and a long time friend of the family. And since his four year old son was also there, it worked out well. Daddy gave Little Guy the prize.

Yes, that's a military haircut Daddy is sporting. He's a twelve year soldier, home on leave.
We're so proud of him!

Next we have the youngest Cadet. She's not yet 9 months old, and already a seasoned pro at Star Trek functions!! Check out her onesie!!

Notice she's NOT a "red shirt", thankfully!
However, notice her Daddy is! Oh NO!!

Next we have our fearless leader, the Commander of StarFleet (a.k.a. The Canadian) waving his light saber. No one dared to tell him that it was really a fire poker.

Love those shorts!!

When he wasn't waving his light saber around, you could find him protecting the Federation with his Phaser. Again, no one had the heart to tell him that it was really a super-soaker water gun!!

Here he's chasing Little Guy's Mommy!

And never, ever laugh when someone makes a snide comment about your Leader ...

You may find relief from the heat with the resulting shower, but your camera won't like it!

And as with any Star Fleet function, there was a lot of food to be had. I was stuffed on burnt to perfection hot dogs, jello salad, three different types of macaroni (or pasta) salads, and more kinds of chips than I could count!

Oh, and I only brought home two cases of pop (remember Son bought fourteen cases). Between what we all drank, and my open call for "take some of this pop home with you", that's all that was left!!

At about 9 pm I decided it was time to call it a day. I still had two hours on the road before I would pull into my own driveway. If I'd gone straight from my house to the campsite it would have only been a forty minute ride, but nooooooo ... that's not how it worked thanks to Mr. Mouth! Oh, and Single Son for volunteering dear ol' mom for the job!

Again, the ride home wasn't that bad. Mr Mouth was loud and talkative, but at least he didn't touch those taboo topics.

I pulled in my driveway at 11 pm, after my day starting at 5 am ... tired, and hot but in a good mood. Okay, a headache from the sun and being in a small enclosed space for the last hour with the loudest person I've ever known ... but it really was a good day!

After a good night's sleep, I spent a good part of this evening looking at the costs of tents and camping supplies. Each year more and more of our members choose to camp at the park for the entire weekend. I'm feeling left out! So is Single Son as he's the one that brought up purchasing equipment instead of renting a cabin in the future.

Catsup

I mean ... catch up. It's this heat, frying my brain. Really.

*****

So ... Cap never called. Yay!

*****

Kitty Purry has been adopted into a home with another small kitten. She'll have a playmate ... and the lady who adopted her will have her hands full with two small kittens and a toddler or two.

*****

DIL is home. Boo!

It's funny, Single Son noticed that when the Wrecking Crew was gone we only had ONE kitchen sized trash bag to take to the curb on pick-up day. Now that the Wrecking Crew is back it'll be back to four full sized (55 gal) can to drag to the curb weekly. Well, I won't be dragging them down to the curb! It's been obvious to me for years who generates the most garbage 'round here.

Single Son also noticed that a package of toilet paper lasts ten times longer in their absence. That dishes don't pile up in the sink, that the bathroom trash can doesn't overflow, that hair doesn't clog the drain, that shoes don't wander into the middle of the floor, that we actually have a kitchen table even.

*****

I babysat Aliens two boys yesterday while she went to court to try to collect child support from that deadbeat. Riiight, good luck with that. But that's not the topic here. The boys are. JJ is six months old now, loves his little walker. I put him in it and he zipped across my kitchen and dining area floor. It was obvious he was sleepy (cranky!) so I took him out of it to give him a bottle. No sooner had I got the bottle in his mouth and Butterball climbs into the walker! He's way too big, but that didn't stop him from trying to zip across the floor, too. It was a hoot! That boy cracks me up.

Since it was way too hot in the dining area, I decided we'd hang out in DILs room, since she's got the window a/c unit there. Popped a video into the player and in less than five minutes they were both asleep!! I was about to lay down but Alien and her Hubby returned from the courthouse. Drats! So much for an air conditioned nap for Gramma.

*****

The big Star Trek picnic is this weekend. Lots yet to do. And like I don't have enough to do, I got suckered in (thanks to Single Son) to drive an hour in the opposite direction to pick up a member who needs a ride. Dammit! This should be interesting to say the least. I'm not overly fond of this person, but Single Son did ask me nicely(and Son is paying for the gas). I'm just hoping he keeps his mouth shut or I may have to push him out of the car on I75! I have a feeling this will be the last time I offer to assist this person at all. He's got definite opinions, and feels the need to voice them. He's good at pissing people off with his narrow mindedness. It's gotten him in trouble plenty of times. And if he thinks I'm NOT smoking while he's in my car, getting a free ride to the picnic he'll get a lesson on compromise (you want a free ride, you're gonna have to put up with it, dammit).

Okay, I know! I have said I'm considerate of non-smokers. And I usually am. But this week while trying to get directions from this person I've been asked about my driving abilities (am I a safe, legal driver ... no ... the last three passengers of my car have died of sudden massive heart attacks from the shock of sitting in my vehicle. Jerk) ... if I have adequate insurance (insurance? What's that? Geesh ... a cop drives my freaking car, what do you think?) ... and has questioned my time schedule numerous times. What happened to graciously taking what's offered you and being happy with it? So now he's just gonna have to tolerate MY smoking.

Oh, did I mention this person has NO volume control? Either that or it's stuck on HIGH.

And all the while I'll have to watch my driving (be extremely alert) so the half sheet of bakery cake that will be in my back seat does not go sliding, slipping or flying. It's got an extra hour of travel time.

You're gonna love seeing pictures of that cake! It's a Star Trek cake (what else?), complete with a little USS Enterprise cake topper. I'm going to mark the bottom of one of the cake plates and the lucky winner takes home the cake topper.

*****

Speaking of picnic. Never, I repeat N.E.V.E.R take Single Son with you when you shop for a function. We're expecting about 35 people ... he bought plates, utensils, cups, etc for well over a hundred people. That's fine, we can use the extras for future activities. What I'm having problems with are the fourteen cases of pop (soda) that I have to transport along with that cake!

Concert In The Park

Oh what fun we had!! I needed this!! Badly!!

The group was called "Toppermost", they're a Beatles Tribute band based locally. They were pretty durned good, and I wouldn't mind seeing them again.

I went with Alien, the boys and her husband. He was fairly well behaved. I only had to remind him once or twice that he needed to use his "out in public manners". Poor Alien, she really has three sons to raise. Two she gave birth to, the last she married.

But, you know the saying "a husband is the only child that doesn't grow up and move away".

Enjoy the slideshow. I'm calling it an early night. Lunch with the girls from college tomorrow. I need to be up early to get Single Son to work so I can have the use of my car. You know how that goes (I blog enough about it, LOL).

Concert In The Park

Hess Hathaway Park, July 14, 2011. The group is a Beatles Tribute group called "Toppermost". Pretty good band! Great time!!

Last call

Well, it's over. Done. Finished. I've had it ...

The last conversation we had was a few days ago. It's taken me this long to blog about it 'cause I was just so angry at his words. I needed to calm down.

He met Single Son at the fireworks. Seemed that the conversation went well, Single Son was personable and friendly as usual. Later, on the phone, I find out that Cap thought he was an arrogant arsehole. I asked Cap why he thought that, "his chest was all puffed out, his eyes wandered all around while we talked, and he just seemed better than anyone around." Hello? Asshole! He was ON DUTY, of course his chest looked puffed out - he was wearing a bullet proof vest. Moron. And as far as looking around, again he was on duty and had to keep an eye on the crowds, that is his JOB! And better than anyone else? You put on a police uniform to protect the public and see how if you don't have the right attitude it can get you killed.

But that's not the part that really pissed me off.

I was talking to him on the house phone. My cell phone rang. It was Alien. I told him I had to go, that she was on the phone. "Why would you want to hang up with me to talk to that slut". Excuse me? Who's the arrogant asshole now? I hung up on him. Haven't talked to him since!

Who the *##!$ does he think he is? Judge MY daughter ... judge anyone for that matter. Okay she's young and has made a few mistakes, but to call her that! The nerve!!

He did leave a half dozen messages on my yahoo messenger later that night, the last being ... "so you want to play hide/seekwell it takes 2 to play that game" (is it me or does that just sound angry?)

My response ... "I'm not playing hide and seek, or any other game. But the more I get to know you the more I realize that, while I'm sure you're probably a nice guy, you and I don't have a future together. I wish you well and hope you find what it is you're looking for."

I thought that was a nice way to tell him goodbye. Nope. Jerk hasn't gotten the message that it's over ... or ... he understands but won't let this go so easily. He's called twice since. But I'm not answering when I see it's him. He's left messages "Hi. This is Cap. Would you like to go out to dinner tonight. Call back" The other message was about the concert in the park. What isn't he understanding here?

Next time he calls, I pick it up. I am prepared to get rude with him to make sure he understands. Don't call. Don't email. Don't contact. Remove my contact information from your devices, remove ME from your memory.

*****

More blog later. Alien, the boys, her hubby and I are going to a concert in the park shortly (different park, different city!) ... there's a Beatles Tribute band that Alien and I absolutely LOVE that is performing tonight ... "SHOUT" is their name!! I'm geeked. Can't wait!

The Incredible Vanishing Wrecking Crew

Yes, you read that right. Vanishing. As in I haven't seen the Wrecking Crew but for a few minutes since they got back from North Carolina.

And I'm complaining? YES!

The five or ten minutes I did see DIL on Friday evening we talked about a few things. The first being to return the charge cards that Single Son had loaned to her for the trip (before she decided to go on a shopping spree - he didn't get the cards back until yesterday!!) ... and the second being that on Monday (today!) we tackle her crap that's littered all over my living room!

Then there's all the toys that Grandson abandoned on my kitchen table. I really can't be angry with him, look what he's got for a roll model. I try to get him to clean up and he's not bad about it (threatening to pack away the lay-about toys as I'm holding a cardboard box helps sooooo much) ... but with his mother not having any "clean up" rules, it makes my job twice as hard.

I won't even get into that she borrowed Exie-poo's wife's car for the trip. Instructions were it was only to be driven to North Carolina and back. Then returned to them. Well, they were out of town (their mistake) and DIL took total advantage of that by using her step-MILs car for the entire weekend. Not my problem, but it reinforces the fact that DIL takes advantage of every kindness offered her. She'll never possess my car keys!! Oh, and she didn't pay for a drop of gas, Single Son did!! He gave her his Mobil Speedpass (gasoline charge card, for my overseas friends) AND another charge card.

Oh, ya ... she was a total no show today. According to her facebook status she's got a "killer headache" ... but obviously not bad enough to keep her from sitting in front of her computer all day long. Or doing art projects with Grandson.

I bet you're wondering, well if she's home, why is she a "no show" ... she and Grandson have pretty much moved back into her parents home. Only, their crap is here. Daddy won't let her bring more than a suitcase worth of stuff over to his house. So, I get to deal with it.

They have a storage unit. They've had it for the entire time they've lived here. Why the *@&$ aren't they using it? Why has this crap been cluttering up MY home all this time? And why didn't I know about the storage unit until just a few days ago?

So ... I told DIL that it's all got to go to storage. Makes sense right?

Only ... her priorities are soooo screwed up. I'm sure she's thinking "Hey, he's on the road, I won't stay at his mother's house. I'll camp out at my folks house and forget about everything that I need to do at MILs house".

I've left messages for her that it's to be out by the weekend (no response), and that her next day off she's to report for cleaning duty or I will deal with it. And she's not going to like the way I deal with it.

Kitty Purry is still here, too. DILs solution was to lock her in their bedroom. She didn't check the food or water bowls before she left. Lucky for Kitty I'm a kind-hearted person and free her of her prison during the day, feed her, and give her the loving she needs.

But she's kinda off the hook for Kitty Purry for now. But that's only because I'm trying to get a hold of Brother Deere. So is Mom ... Brother Deere is very hard to get a hold of!! See if he wants to adopt her. Mom seems to think he will, he's been pet-less for over a year now. It's time for him to "commit" again.

*****

Aren't you glad that 2/3 of the Wrecking Crew is back?

Fireworks ...

The fireworks, as usual, were spectacular. But I get ahead of myself here. LOL.



What a long day yesterday was! Got up at 5 AM so I could drive Single Son to his FedEx job and have the use of my car for the day. Funny, I came home and slept (so much for using the car, eh?). He was supposed to be off work at around 5 PM, but he got stuck with an additional route. They do this when another driver is on vacation, just double the route on another driver - usually the one whose area borders the vacationers area. Meaning Single Son had almost double the packages to deliver (200+ total). He didn't get off work until 7 PM!!

In the meantime, I was supposed to meet Cap in Lake Orion for dinner at 7! I called to say that Son was working overtime and (red flag #1) Cap actually was irritated. Guess he doesn't like changes in plans?

The fireworks were fantastic (I repeat myself), but the rest of the evening was a real eye opener for me.

Yes, he's a gentleman who opens doors, insists on paying for everything, sees that I'm having fun ... but this third "date" has him letting his guard down. And has me in "critical observation" mode. You know, watching and taking mental notes of everything I see and hear.

Single Son and I pulled into the police station parking lot just before 7:30 PM. Cap was there, and had been waiting for some time, he said. Son was supposed to have been there at 5 (oops) so he made a mad dash to the station to quickly change uniforms and start his shift. I tried to apologize for Son's hurry, but Cap interrupts me with an angry "that was rude, he should have introduced himself". Explaining did no good.

Oh, and when Cap got out of his car, he was wearing the same outfit he's worn each of the other times we've gone anywhere (red flag #2). I wouldn't really consider it a red flag (as in maybe it's the only nice outfit he owns), but there was a grease stain on the leg that he got when he dropped a piece of fish on his leg on Thursday. Telling me he hasn't even washed his damned clothes in probably a week. Not a way to impress a woman.

Red flag #3 came when he saw the claw marks on my arms from the kitten. "Any animal scratches me like that, and they'll find themselves in a burlap sack at the bottom of the lake". I laughed like it was a joke he was telling. He was serious!! Like hell I was gonna ask him if he wanted Kitty Purry.

Further conversation later in the evening discloses he has active "anger issues". Hell no! That's something I will not tolerate. Period. He'd gone to the restroom so I took advantage of the time alone and had a quicky ciggie - I try hard not to smoke around non-smokers. He "busted" me smoking (snuck around the crowd so I didn't see him coming) and gave me one of those harsh looks of disapproval. So much for saying he didn't care if I did or didn't smoke. Somehow this is what lead to the anger issue conversation.

Oh yeah, and then he starts trying to save my soul ... and that's when I remembered why we went our separate ways the last time (before it ever got to the dating stage) ... he tried to save my soul!! Look I appreciate that you have your beliefs, and I respect those beliefs. But do not try to choke your beliefs down my throat!! I have major issues with that, as you can see. LOL.

I won't even get into how he was so critical of everything ... "they need to fire the fireworks off quicker, there's too much space between them", "why aren't there vendors here, they're missing the opportunity to make profits" (the fireworks were rescheduled after the barge caught fire last week, the vendors were there then), "I need to sit on a bench, I hate sitting on the ground" (worst view of the fireworks ever, btw), "who mows the grass, they do a horrible job" ... and on and on. Grumpy Ol' Man. Geesh.

After the fireworks he asked if I wanted him to drive me home instead of my having to wait around for who knows how long until Son was off duty. No thanks, I'll hang around the cop shop. Nice chance to think about everything that happened earlier.

Son didn't get off work until 1 AM.

*****

I was telling Mom earlier how my "date" went. I told her each and every one of these red flags. "Well, if you want to break this off, how will you go about it?". Well, yeah, I'm definitely thinking this isn't the guy I want any type of close relationship with, but as far as casual friends go, we'll see how that works. And I'm probably gonna kick myself later for that.

She cracks me up ... Mom suggested to get him to keep his distance that I smoke in front of him - chain smoke, LOL, and smoke those smelly little cigar wrapped ciggies. And wear my grungiest jeans and t shirt and wear my wicca jewelry - "let him believe you're a wiccan". Oh, Mom doesn't know (nor would she understand) my "new age" beliefs, she believes the jewelry to be Halloween props. It's easier on me that way.