Car Show and Tell

I actually did have a lot of work to do at the car show this year so did not have the usual amount of opportunities to take "conversation piece" photos. But I managed to get a few...

 

Here's me, just hanging out with Ryan Evans from Count's Kustoms (Chasing Cars TV show).... because I'm cool like that. No, I don't watch the show, but you know me, I am a celebrity junkie!

The swap meet area doesn't just have car parts. Here I could get my initials for my office wall. Some 3 to 4 feet tall and only $25 per letter. I passed when I wondered if my little hybrid could haul them!

Loved Charlie's Angels! The only reason I did not buy this is because it had "Kris" (aka Cheryl Ladd) on there and not "Jill" (aka Farrah). Not really. The $95 price tag had something to do with it.

I think I warned you there is an abundance of tattoos. Apparently this "Cadillac" fan was more concerned about finding the perfect hat than, say, a shirt.

No shortage of political controversy. Though no one batted an eye at this display.

Or at the sight of a multitude of Confederate flags.

And then there was the shirtless man who was strutting his stuff in front of  our booth. He just kept strutting. I don't know if he was trying to get steps on a pedometer or just needed to show of his tanned muscles.

Meanwhile, the dancing cowboy was wearing not a mere 10-gallon hat, but a 20-gallon one!

When it's this hot, why bother carrying a water bottle when you can hoist the whole pump?

I rarely (make that NEVER) take photos in a bathroom, but when I do I've spotted the Wicked Witch of the West. #Elphaba #Wicked 

Modified shopping cart with plenty of shade.

Modified cart with plenty of horsepower and traction!

Going on a lion hunt!

And this huntress caught a leopard or cheetah, which is amazing since they are darn fast, aren't they?

 

I missed this groovy pair in their '70s clothes and large wig. Just couldn't get my phone out fast enough to focus. Still am not sure where the costume party was.

More colorful hair to match an outfit. I really should try this. (Not.)

The colors in this truck spoke to me. Could have something to do with being a child of the '70s  and '80s. At least I kept my wig and platform shoes at home!

Carter drove over to the show today to get some license plates. Only 6 states left! Afterward we stopped at Shivers in Iola, where this photo was taken in 2007 with our friend (and someone's crush) Tamara before she moved on to a new job and her wedding.

Look how much the merry-go-round has shrunk in 8 years!

Took an artistic farewell shot, showing the trademark tower that is at the heart of the car show grounds. Another car show... another tale of survival.

They're Coming

As we get prepped for the Iola Old Car Show -- held right on the grounds where hubby and I work -- I can't help but wonder what sort of sights I'll see this year.

Oh I don't mean cars, though there'll be some beauties, I mean people!

From where I sit, holed up in a vending trailer selling our magazines and books, I see a lot of different things. And by different, I mean "variety" but also "not the norm." It definitely helps the time pass more quickly -- and I'll need that with my long stints at the show the next 3 days!

Today was a physical set-up day, getting all the merchandise in place and hanging all the promotional signs, etc. Very hot out. Very sweaty. Good thing Carter twisted Daddy's arm to make him stop for ice cream on the way home. He twisted it so good Daddy stopped at Shivers so Carter could get his soft serve and at King Cone so he and I could get the good stuff.

Hey, I don't have an addiction. It's just National Ice Cream Month and I am being patriotic. (That's what someone told me and, really, why would I bother to double check that fact?)

To aid in his cool-down, Carter also had me buzz his hair tonight while Daddy buzzed the lawn. I think I got the better deal. Plus I'm not too keen on going in the backyard these days!

Now I just have to find my Old Cars shirts to wear and I'll fit right in. If you're coming to Iola, let me know! Otherwise, I hope to capture some entertaining moments for you! Wish me luck!

Realistic Expectations

You never know how much your words and actions impact your kids until they mimic them in some fashion and they suddenly, well, just seem plain ridiculous.

Carter is a saver. (Where does he get that?!) Usually silly space-taking things like Gatorade bottle caps, but sometimes money, too. He tends to go in extremes with that. Either it's burning a hole in his pocket or he saves it and suddenly has $60 in his wallet.

After getting a little birthday money already, he was determined to buy some songs off iTunes for his iPod and any PG-13 movie he can now legally lay a hand on. But then last night on the way home from the in-laws, carrying an Easter card with $5 in it from Grandpa and Grandma Austin, he changed his tune.

"I decided I'm not going to spend any money at all until I'm out of college. Then I'll have money saved up for a good life."

First of all, money can't buy a good life. Or is that happiness?

Secondly, if you're not spending it, who is? Mom and Dad are not going to buy everything for you! (But just about.)

Thirdly, is this just because we told you that after a month, there are probably only 49 cents worth of aluminum cans in your bag?

Right now I don't know if this means he's off the go-cart saving track or what. I'll keep you posted. (I sure hope he still wants to take care of Mother Earth and pick up that litter!)

Still, the 10-year saving plan was not the silliest notion of the day...

I'm proud to say I survived 40 days without ice cream. In the end, what did it accomplish? Nothing really. Instead of losing weight, I actually gained because this Lenten deprived soul overcompensated with Easter candy! There's a reason I have a t-shirt that says, "I run on ice cream." It fuels me! And I needed it.

I hadn't had any yet as of last evening, so Carter suggested we have leftover birthday cake and ice cream. But then quickly recanted and announced, while patting his little belly, that he is giving up ice cream.... for life. Yes, life. Seriously, whose kid is this? I swear I gave birth to him but it can't be so!

For fear this would somehow affect my future ice cream consumption, I tried to set him straight. "Carter, you don't need to give up anything! You're fine the way you are. You certainly don't have to give something up for the rest of your life!"

OK, he says, "I guess I can still like go to Dairy Queen or King Cone or Shivers if someone else suggests. It can't be me saying, 'Let's stop.' But it's OK if you do!"

Whew! So there's an out.

I don't have to disown him just yet. I do, however, have to look at my own expectations in a few areas and see if, in an outsider's opinion, they look just as ridiculous!

One thing's for sure. I better log off now and get to the freezer before I go 41 days!

Shivers

There are two definitions of Shivers. One -- my favorite -- is the ice cream shop in Iola. The other -- more applicable tonight -- is the twitching of the body after "chilling" out at a sometimes rainy high school football game. B-r-r-r.

Today was really dreary. We pretty much waited for the rain clouds to burst open at any time. Didn't happen at noon so I went running at lunch. Didn't happen at 3:30 so we left work to get home for Carter's soccer practice.

It did happen right before we had to drive him into town. I didn't know how hard-core his coach is this year, so I took him to the practice field just in case. Turns out, not so hard-core. Only one other kid there. No coach. No practice.

So we went to Family Video to get some flicks for a potentially chilly and rainy weekend.

When it looked like the rain was done (according to my professional interpretation of the radar), we decided to accompany hubby to his homecoming football game. Assumption (his alma mater) was playing Loyal. Both teams are just OK this year. It was back-and-forth scoring to begin with, then Loyal ran away with it. Assumption seemed to cut into their lead in the third quarter, but never got any closer than one touchdown difference. They lost 42-28, I believe.

I was paying attention, but -- after a constant breeze and occasional sprinkles -- I was getting chilled by the end. Still fun to watch. Honest. I love football!

Now if we could just get our cat trained to turn on my electric mattress pad about halftime, I'd be all set to catch up on some cozy sleep now. That's OK. Carter insists that we have to stay up late tonight in order to sleep in tomorrow. I can see how that seems logical. But only to someone who must have a good SpongeBob or iCarly re-run coming on at 10...

Decisions, Decisions...

There's a running joke in my family about our collective indecisiveness. There are times when my siblings and I will actually celebrate: "Hey, we made a decision!"

This can try the nerves when we try plan destinations for sister weekends, Christmas, etc. It's not that we can't commit to anything. I think it's just that we don't want to make anyone mad with our decision. We want to go with whatever makes the most people happy. So a conversation may go something like this:

Where do you want to go eat?
It doesn't matter to me.
Well what do you like to eat?
Oh anything's fine.
Is there any place you want to go?
Whatever everyone else wants to do is fine with me.

Take that conversation times 8 and you see the problem. But I will say that once a decision is made, we move forward. We don't come back 3 months later with a 180-degree decision that upsets the apple cart. We aren't that selfish.

In other words, there's no place for someone like Brett Favre in our family. (Or in my own household either!)

The news today that Favre has signed with the Vikings was not surprising. He has a track record now of announcing one decision but coming back later with an opposite one. Whatever's best for Brett Favre.

I've already mentioned that hubby purchased a Lions shirt -- one he thought (after last month's "I'm staying retired" announcement) he'd have to retire after a single wear. Not any more. Thank you, Brett Favre, for justifying Jim's purchase. We won't expect any more than that.

It goes without saying that a lot of people who know of our purple pride had a field day announcing this news to us today. A lot of them, though, were former Favre fans and were just as upset by this turn (or re-turn) of events.

How did I cope? What do you think?

I drowned my sorrows at Shivers on the way home. A Nestle Crunch Flurry did just the trick!

Until we got home and turned on the TV.

Graze Anatomy

We celebrated a friend's 50th birthday at work today. So that meant a birthday potluck and endless grazing from dawn 'til dusk (or mid-afternoon, at least).

To my credit, I did not eat any of my Dirt Cake .... yet. (I still have a ways to go before bedtime). However, I am guilty as charged of grazing through the rest of my meals. (Who says you can't have cake, just cake, for lunch?!)

To top it off, I was finishing up a work project that had to get done today so I had Jim go get Carter from Kidz Camp after work and come back and get me. Then they still had to wait a bit. To pay for my crime, I had to treat them at Shivers. Yep, that's the Austin Laws of Crime & Punishment. At least the "law enforcement officers" allowed me to have a treat, too. Though I certainly didn't need it.

That's why when I was talking to my neighbor on the phone this evening, I needed little to no convincing to take a walk. In fact, it was such a nice night, we drove over to the lake and walked the 4+ mile path there.

It's always nice to exercise with a friend. You get the added benefit of good conversation besides the calorie burning. We had a nice breeze to accompany us, too.

It sure helped erase some of the guilt from the day. But little Miss No Willpower is wondering if she should just keep typing until bedtime. I can hear that Dirt Cake calling from the fridge, can't you?

Time Flies

They mentioned on the news this morning that it was 15 years ago today that O.J. Simpson led police on a low-speed chase along California highways in that now-famous white Bronco. Fifteen years? Where has the time gone?

I happen to remember that evening well (like most major news events in the '90s) because I was working at a daily newspaper at the time and that wreaked havoc with our Friday night deadline. What is going on? How long is this going to take? What happens when they catch him? How soon will they file a story for us to use?

Who knew that it would be such a pivotal event? For that day and time anyway.

I don't really care so much about that particular news story or event. I was mainly shocked that 15 years have gone by so quickly. They aren't kidding when they say "time flies."

Today is my sister Rachel's birthday (5 of us have June birthdays). Remember a year ago at this time I was counting down to my 40th birthday extravaganza? You'll notice I've wisely held my tongue this year. I still tell people (and I will for another week or so) that "I just turned 40." But 41? Somehow that just sounds old! I mean, you can still send cash or gifts or whatever, but I'm not going to be renting a cotton candy machine or anything...

When we dropped Carter off at Kidz Camp this morning, I told the gals at the fitness center that I actually brought my gym bag today and would be working out. I practically had to reintroduce myself to them since it had "been awhile." (Thanks mainly to the work project.) When I got back to the car, I calculated and realized that it had actually been 3 months since I'd been there! 3 months!

Not only does time fly, it also expands your waistline when you're not looking...

It did feel good to work out today. I unfortunately feel like I'm starting over at square one but before I know it, I'll be looking back fondly at how healthy and fit I was trying to be waaaay back when I was 40!

Even then, I bet I'll still be "cheating" with cool treats at Shivers... or King Cone... or DQ...

Time changes things but it's good to know that the awesomeness of ice cream (and any tasty fake dairy products) will remain the same.

Under-Dog Days of Summer

The warm front that hit my nephew in South Dakota on Monday and half my family in Minnesota on Tuesday stayed its course and brought summer to central Wisconsin Wednesday.

It was a weird mix of heat (temps around 90) and wind (25-35 mph). And I loved it.

To me, it said, "Summer's here. Who wants ice cream?"

I was hoping to do an inaugural run to Shivers, the ice cream shop in Iola, but that didn't work out. I was saved by my friend Jana, who brought Dilly Bars because she won the Survivor pool. I came in second. She gets the cash and I get a mint chocolate Dilly Bar. And I'm OK with that.

I don't even watch Survivor so I don't know if my character was a nice guy people hoped would win or if viewers were relieved he got what he deserved in the end!

The only "reality" show I watch is American Idol -- and that's only occasionally. I've seen bits and pieces the last several weeks -- enough to know that I wanted Danny Gokey (from Wisconsin) to win.

He was sent home last week but I figured I'd better catch some of it this week to see how it ends. It came down to the flamboyant favorite, Adam, and the quiet underdog, Kris.

They had a 2-hour finale last night but I only watched about 15 minutes of it. The end, of course. I was so surprised when they read the results and said Kris won! He looked pretty shocked, too!

I guess there is hope for the underdog after all.

Maybe this bodes well for the Bad News Bears or, better yet, my chances for winning the lottery. I better check those Powerball numbers from last night...

Carter Blog :: Happy Camper

Today was Carter's last day at Kidz Camp, the childcare program held at the Iola Fitness Center this summer. He shares some thoughts on summer:

Some of the things I'll miss most about Kidz Camp are swimming (every day!), dodge ball (and lots of it!), playground, watching the Olympics, playing with my friends.

One thing I won't miss is PB&J sandwiches. I had the same lunch every day (my idea) and wore a plain white t-shirt just about every day, too (not so very white).

Every week we had a different theme. Some of my favorites were American Idol Week, Pirate Week (arrrgh!), Olympic Week and Sport Week.

I met some cool people that I only get to see in the summer since they go to school in Iola. The friends I liked to hang with were Harry, Drew, Josh, Lucas, Erick, Charlie, J.D. and Bradley. My favorite counselors were Sam I am, Jeff, Mark, Ben, Sarah, Anne and Andrews.

It was fun getting to go to golf lessons and going to Shivers once in a while. (I wish it was every day. So does Mom.)

Can't wait to go back next year!

Carter "Batman" Austin

Learning Curve

You often hear people comment, "I learn something new every day." Not sure where that phrase initiated or if, indeed, it is a truth for everyone. Nonetheless, here are a few things I have "learned" in recent days.

Better Suited: Carter and I caught a little bit of the platform diving competition on the Olympics last night. I said, "Isn't it amazing they are jumping from three stories high and traveling at 35 mph when they hit the water?" Carter responds, "I don't get how their suit stays on. Mine always starts to fall off."

No Pain, No Gain: Did you know moms can get football injuries, too? Sometime before the scrimmage this Saturday, we have to get Carter's name sewn on his jersey. When I say we, I mean me, the undomestic goddess. Now it sounds simple enough, but there's a trick to it. I have to make it secure enough so it won't get ripped off in a tough tackle, but loose enough it can be removed easily at the end of the season. Not to mention it should be centered and straight. It took me two hours -- and multiple stab wounds to my fingers -- to complete. I know now that I am not cut out for the pain associated with football. At least Carter's tough!

A Rose is Still a Rose: What's in a name? Carter has mentioned on a few occasions this summer that he would like to go to Kidz Camp early because his favorite counselor, Sam, would be working. Part of the camp program this summer has included earning "Kidz Bucks" to use for "buying" special privileges such as playing Guitar Hero. Last week, Carter "bought" some one-on-one time with Sam and they went to Shivers. This week, Mommy learned Sam's full name is Samantha.

There's lots to learn out there, folks. Lots to learn.

In Focus

How was your day? We can always have two answers for that, depending on what we focus on.

Bad day: Carter slept through alarm for 10 minutes. Moldy bread for sandwiches. No milk for Carter's lunch. Didn't get lunch break until 1:15 p.m. Finally got to the mailboxes at 4:10 p.m. Stormy weather. Humidity is 100%. My throat hurts.

Good day: Carter's back! Lots to do at work. Managed to get a workout at lunch. Get multi-tasking crown for proofing pages while on the recumbent bike at the fitness center. Had the willpower to say "no" to Shivers. But had KFC so the boys could "eat like kings" tonight. Rained all night so didn't have to mow front yard. Have someone to tuck in again.

Put them all together and my answer to "how was your day?" is just "It was a Monday." Right? A little of everything.

Star light, Star bright...

They say when the stars are aligned just right, good things will come to you that day. Today was not one of those days. In fact, if I got my telescope out, I'd venture to say I'd see them scattered about like a game of pool or bocce ball.

I learned it is possible for everyone in a household to have a bad day -- or at least a challenging one -- in their own separate worlds.

Mommy had a fitful night's sleep so woke up feeling cruddy, had a bad weekly weigh-in and suffered through technical difficulties most of day, exclaiming, "I hate computers" at least a half-dozen times.

Daddy also didn't sleep well, but his computer worked today. Unfortunately, the mighty Windstar's window broke on the way home (we were taking the van in for "service engine soon" problems tomorrow anyway). Then he had to coach the Bad News Bears in a 10-1 tournament loss. And it looks like his Cincinnati Reds are losing by a similar margin as we speak.

I bet you can guess why Carter's day was bad. Coach Daddy Buttermaker had even tried to bribe him. "If you get just one hit, I'll take you out for ribs Wednesday night." Carter did get on base with a walk and hit (as in he was hit by a pitch), but no official hit. I think he was more upset about the ribs thing than the loss. But as a consolation, he may get an ice cream treat at Shivers tomorrow night.

That's not quite everyone. We can't forget about Sylvester. Yes, our feline princess puked on our white carpet in the bedroom tonight.

So I'm going to log off now, hope Blogger doesn't bomb on me and lose my blog in cyberspace like last night... and go find that telescope...

Into the Wild

Guest blogger alert :: Carter will give you an update on summer...

Hello, Earth readers:

Kidz Camp is going great. Every week we have a theme. Last week was American Idol Week. This week's theme is Into the Wild Week.

Today we went to Taylor Field in Iola. We walked half of a mile to get there. We checked out microscopic creatures in the lake there. We saw some baby leeches, seed shrimp, backswimmers, and ferbilex worms (They're like tiny eels. Their width is about smaller than the lead in a mechanical pencil.) Very interesting.

Did you know frogs have three eyelids? One is for underwater and they work like goggles. We didn't learn about the other eyelids. I hope to learn about the other eyelids.

My other water experiences is that I am in swimming lessons right now. That's at the pool right at Kidz Camp. I am also taking golf lessons which are really exciting.

My favorite part about Kidz Camp so far is health and fitness because it is fun getting exercise every day. Oh yeah, it's nice to be going to Shivers again!

From the Wild,
Carter

And so begins summer...

Our summer schedule resumed today -- with Carter quietly playing his GameBoy in the backseat on the family commute to Iola.

He was very excited to get back to Kidz Camp -- that's what they call the summer childcare program at the aquatic and fitness center here in Iola. He walked in and immediately was greeting "camp counselors" and kids he knew from last summer.

Since he is one of the few non-Iola kids there, they surprised him with an Iola T-shirt from the state basketball tournament this winter. Now he has something Iola to wear. "Sweet!"

(For the record, I did kiss and hug him goodbye.)

Of course, a return to the summer routine also means every night when we pick him up, he'll be asking, "Can we go to Shivers?" I swear I am telling the truth when I say I have held off going to get ice cream so far -- even though it's been open for a month! So you can bet when he asks tonight, our first traditional night of summer, my answer will be, "Heck yeah!!"

Welcome to summer!

Bloggin' Along...

Blog fever seems to be running rampant in the Austin household.

I let Carter write one "guest blog" last week and now he's willing to fill in at a moment's notice. I now know that if my day is ho-hum boring, Carter will definitely have something exciting and adventurous to write about. He could probably just have his own blog called "Recess Rules!" by the sound of it.

Will hubby be next? I doubt it. Currently Jim is blogging for work already. So if you want to know everything about metal roofing, if you are Mad About Metal, click here. I'm sure if he had his own personal blog, you'd find it quite entertaining. He's an excellent writer and would possibly enlighten you that there are two sides to every story!

I recently came to realize how challenging it can be to try to blog almost daily for a work blog and a home blog. I'm doing some occasional blogging for one our publications and, although the content is quite different from my personal blog, the mere act is sapping my creative thought process. Thus, the need for my chief backup blogger.

Many of you will be happy to know I will probably "assign" Carter to blog once a week this summer so he won't lose his writing or typing skills. I won't tell him it's an assignment. I'm sure he'll just view it as an outlet to share the latest ice cream flavor he's tried at Shivers.

Did I mention that's open for the season? Hmmm, that reminds me, I've got someplace I gotta be...

Dawg-gone

As I write this, my friend Tamara is probably traversing Minnesota (the state she hates -- but I forgive her) on her way home to Montana. I shouldn't say "home." She is going to her birthplace to get married and then it's off to Indianapolis, never to return (well it's unlikely) to Iola.

When I hired Tamara last summer, it turned out she became a pretty cool friend to me and one special lady for my Carter. It will be strange not having T-Dawg around. Who will be my tennis double? Who will spike my great sets? Who will be my personal trainer and tell me what to eat before a race? Who will take my son out to dinner?

Since tradition states we go to Shivers for special occasions, we met Tamara there last night for one last time. It was a time to laugh about the past year, lick our Flavor Burst cones and flurries, and discuss possibilities of one day meeting again.

Unfortunately, we won't be driving out to the wedding but Tamara has this idea of driving back to Wisconsin next summer to pick up Carter and take him to a cool cowboy kids camp. "Unless I have a good reason to come back sooner," she says. Carter thinks turning double digits in May is a good reason. We'll see.

Before we said our tearful goodbyes, Carter said he'd miss her and added, "I think everyone you know here will miss you." We will, Tamara.

Happy trails, T-Dawg!

Ice cream, you scream ...

Not to age myself, but do you remember that commercial for Lowenbrau Beer in the '70s? "Tonight is the night, the night is kind of special, tonight -- let it be Lowenbrau."

In our family, Lowenbrau could be replaced with "Shivers." No, it's not a beer. It's an ice cream shop.

Most small towns have a Dairy Queen or something that emulates one, where instead of Blizzards, they have "flurries" or "hurricanes" for frozen treats. In Iola, they have Shivers.

When Carter started commuting with us 3 summers ago, it didn't take him long to get hooked on Shivers -- known for their Flavor Bursts! Flavor Bursts are vanilla cones with just a burst of another flavor -- like butterscotch, Cool Mint or Blue Goo -- that makes the cone look almost like a twist cone. M-m-m!

On the first day of Kidz Camp, we took Carter to Shivers as his "beginning of summer" treat. We told him then he should not ask to go to Shivers every night. We'd go on special occasions.

Well, so far, two weeks into this, he has asked every night. And so far, we have allegedly had 3 "special occasions"! Right. Just call me a push over. I can't resist my Cool Mint Flavor Burst!

Tonight will be a Shivers night. This time it's really a special occasion. Honest. We got Carter's report card in the mail yesterday and he is now officially a fourth-grader! Grades were very good. Comments about his behavior and sense of humor were good, too. We told him that was definitely worth celebrating.

So "Tonight is the night, the night is kind of special, tonight -- let it be Shivers!"