Boys, Bogeys, Bets

Today was our delayed Father's Day celebration since one of the boys couldn't be here last weekend. So we had normal Father's Day last Sunday and today was the rain date. Quite literally.

Basically, it meant the boys day for Jim, his dad, and the two older boys to go golfing at SentryWorld. And for me to go with this mom and sister for a girls day at the casino in Black River Falls.

Have truck, will golf. I like that our new-to-us truck fits plenty of clubs!

It was a blessing to have all boys under one roof this morning. After Jim made breakfast for them, he wanted a group picture since we don't know when the three will be together next. Depends who goes to visit Washington and who comes back home. I said they were looking too serious above. C'mon, you're brothers and you love each other. Show it!

There's the dimple crew! Better. Much better!

And all 4 brown-eyed bandits who stole my heart.

Adding Grandpa to the picture didn't quite work because Rey was a distraction grabbing the spotlight!

The guys had fun golfing and only got rained on a few times. There was plenty of Austin "charm" (aka B.S.-ing) thrown around, I'm sure!

Meanwhile... I signed up for my first casino card! Yup. Probably been 10 years since I've been (other than work stints in Vegas where I don't usually have time to gamble). My sister-in-law showed me the ropes and in no time I was donating to the Native Americans.

I tried to find lucky machines based on how they called to me...

Really should have won more on the Rise of the RA (Robyn Austin) machine. But no. I also thought I should connect well with the OMG Puppies machine. Because there was a puppy at my house. No luck there, either.

I did cash in on one with a Solar name because I love the sun. So I came out close to even at day's end. We had fun.

This evening, Casey and Rey headed back to Minneapolis to start packing for their move in two weeks. Carter headed back to Platteville to clean his house because we're visiting him in two weeks. Ha. Empty nest once again.

Yay, says the cat.

Casino CHiPS

It was funny that my twin sister shared this with me today and we both agreed they forgot an important element of our childhood and teenage-hood... Those hunks from the California Highway Patrol. John and Ponch on CHiPS. We totally crushed on those boys!

Just by sheer coincidence, my favorite officer – Frank Poncherello – will by in my neck of the woods this weekend when I am back home for my nephew's wedding. Sort of.

My mother, who may or may not find any excuse to go to the casino, informed me that Erik Estrada will be at the Hole in the Wall Casino in Danbury this Friday. Danbury is north of Luck on highway 35. And the wedding is just south of Luck in St. Croix Falls.

He is hosting some game shows or something and mom is "eligible" for free tickets or something, likely a reward for her investments there. So the first person she thought of was me, since I actually met Erik (of course we're on a first-name basis) a few years back at Comic-Con in San Diego. "Wouldn't you love to see him again?"

Of course, Mother. But I don't think my 3 dates for the wedding would want to come a day early for that. Well, Jim, Tony and Carter all have to work Friday. For that matter, so do I.

I'll just have to hold onto the memories... as tight as he was holding onto me that day!

C'mon, a girl can dream. And she does!

Wheel Done

I am pleased to report we are back to being a two-car family again!

After our failures in Wausau yesterday, we widened our search on the Internet and found ourselves in Green Bay this morning at a Honda dealer. We had one in mind from our search last night and, after looking at several similar ones on the lot, came home with it.

So we have a new car -- new to us, anyway. It's a 2006 Civic with low enough miles we think it can get us to Iola and back for the next 6 or 7 years. (And we hope our jobs last that long, too!)

Carter likes it because of all the little interior lights and digital displays. He got to ride shotgun on the way to a birthday party at the YMCA in Port Edwards. He does this sweeping "Vanna" motion of the dashboard and says, "I just love all this technology!" It's no KITT car, that's for sure.

After we dropped him off, we had about 2 hours before we had to return. Rather than drive all the way home, we hopped down the road to Goodfella's in Nekoosa and met our friends Mike and Christine for pizza. Hadn't seen them in awhile so that was fun.

When we were done eating and still had time to kill, we thought, "Why don't we go to the casino and blow some of our hard-earned money?" Well, we weren't thinking that exactly, but you all know that's how it almost always turns out. Unless you're my father-in-law who always "breaks even." (So he says.)

Did have fun there and picked Carter up by 8:45 p.m. It was a very long day with minimal time at home. But who can complain about a new car, old friends and good pizza?

Not me.

It's Mother's day

Like a good child, I called my mom tonight to wish her a happy birthday. Of course, at this late hour, I think I was likely the last one to call but you know what they say about saving the best for last, right?

Actually I had Carter dial up. Mom answers and he says: “Hey, birthday girl! Or should I say birthday grandma?” Just like Daddy, he sure can charm with the best of them.

We’ll be seeing my folks and my entire family this coming weekend for our annual Easter Egg Hunt, to celebrate Mom’s birthday (and Angie’s and Liana’s, too), party because my niece Beth is home ... and show off my Texas tan.

So I asked Mom what she wanted for her birthday. My mother is always predictable about this question. I knew she’d say, “A clean house and good kids.” And she did not fail me. I, however, declined to offer cleaning their house but I’m sure I’ll be on my best behavior. (Does that count as half a gift?)

Buying gifts for people in their 70s is pretty tough. They certainly have (or should have) everything they need. And my mom even said that. I asked, “How about something you want, not need? Anything for gardening? Maybe a favorite restaurant?” She said they sure like dining out when they can – especially those 2-for-1 deals at casinos. Though she admitted tonight that “You know, you end up putting your savings into the machines anyway.” Oh really? I’m so glad she has figured this out by age 76. (Yes, I am the sarcastic daughter.)

To her credit, she probably figured it years ago but just continues to test the theory. Heck, when I’m 76 I hope I can have just as much fun, throwing caution to the wind, and have everything I need, including a clean house and kids!

Side effects

Television commercials for pharmaceuticals these days are so scary they're almost entertaining.

Whether it's your head, heart, feet or parts we don't need to talk about, most of the commercials start out with this serene scene on the beach or in a hammock or perhaps enjoying a Sunday drive. Your life will be so calm and wonderful with this new drug.

Then you hear the "possible" side effects. Typically, you'll deal with fatigue, nausea and headaches. But in some rare cases, they say, your heart will race, you'll poop your pants, you'll bleed out of your ears and you'll grow hair on your nose.

Then, they suggest, you should report that to your doctor and stop taking the medication. You don't say?! Usually when I see these commercials I'm convinced I'd rather suffer with the health problem than the side effects!

My sister told me tonight she ran across the side effects for the medication our mom is taking for her restless legs syndrome -- called RLS these days, but known to all of us kids as "jerky legs." Apparently the drug Mom takes is capable of triggering compulsive behaviors.

I wish I was joking, but according to the company's Web site, the side effects for this drug really say: There have been reports of patients taking certain medications to treat Parkinson's disease or RLS (including Mom's) that have reported problems with gambling, compulsive eating, and increased sex drive.

Well I know my parents, especially Mom, enjoy an awful lot of time at the casino -- and I don't want details on anything else! I always associated the gambling with their retirement age. I mean who else has time to take all these casino bus trips? But could Mom's love for the nickel slots be tied to when she began those meds? If so, can we sue the drug company for her one-armed bandit losses?

Interesting, isn't it? Makes you want to start reading labels ... or perhaps start taking the Jerky Leg pills. You might be fat and poor, but according to patient reports, it'll spice up your marriage!

Lucky 7's

Today's date is 07-07-07 ... lucky 7's day. Those superstitious types who freaked out last year when the calendar read 06/06/06 will have something to smile about today.

Believing the triple appearance of the number 7 will bring luck, many people are planning important events for today -- like getting married or going to the casino.

Why is the number 7 even considered lucky? Apparently it's because of its frequency and favorable appearance in the Bible ... 7 days of the week, 7 levels of heaven, etc. This probably means we really shouldn't associate 7 with luck in gambling.

We did buy our weekly Powerball and Megabucks tickets today as usual and, like everyone else, hope for a little luck tonight -- even though our personal "lucky" numbers are 17 and 28. Though if they were so lucky, I'd be cruising on a yacht somewhere and not sitting in 95-degree heat typing.

Maybe 7 is my lucky number. I am the 7th of 8 children and my shoe size is 7 1/2 so that is extra lucky by a half!

Actually, I'm guessing of all people, my parents feel that 7 is their lucky number. They have 7 darling daughters. Yes, they are lucky to have us. I bet even if they don't win a buck at the casino today they feel like millionaires ... I mean the kind of millionaires who prefer the simple life with a rotary phone on the wall and no yachts or cable.

All kidding aside, they do value their children (all 8) and their grandchildren above all else. Whether it's 07-07-07 or any day, I feel very lucky to be part of the family I was born into and the one I have created! What else really matters?