A weekend of fun

From Monday until Wednesday, things were business as usual. I had weight watchers (I’m less than one pound from my goal!), the window washers came to clean my windows (only to have it rain the next three nights), Samson got a bathed, groomed and his nails clipped, and Payton came to baby-sit so Al and I could have a date night.

On Thursday, Al had to be in Gering by 0700 to catch the bus that would take him into the depths of Wyoming for the LWML District Convention, where he was a nominee for the Jr. Counselor position. They were headed to Dubois, which is near, well, nothing.

Since he had no cell phone reception, I didn’t get a daily detailed report from him; therefore, I cannot speak about his going ons in this entry. I know that when he got home late Saturday night, he said he had a really great time, got to relax a bit (being away from ornery children and a nagging wife will do that for you) and generally enjoyed his time with the ladies.

For the rest of us on Thursday, we picked up the house, mowed the lawn, and packed the Blazer for a trip to visit Cousin Lea in Colorado Springs, CO. I was all prepared with bottles of water, snacks, several pacifiers, fun ‘kid’ music, and the like. We strapped in, topped off the tank, and hit the road. And a LONGGG road it was, too. The idea that they would nap on the way down backfired and they mostly whined and needed ‘stuff’ constantly. I had to stop 6 times to find pacifiers and calm Lars, and this all before hitting rush hour traffic in Denver! I could dwell more on the ride down, but I’d rather not remember it all that well.

We arrived about the time Lea was arriving home from work. She and Eden walked to the nearby park to play while Lars went right to bed and I collapsed on the couch with a magazine, glad for the moment of quiet.

Friday, Lea had to work, so the kids and I headed out to walk around the Garden of the Gods, which is in the middle of a bunch of tall rock structures, with an excellent view of Pike’s Peak. According to the signs, the gardens have been there for some 300 million years. Those of us with a most basic Christian belief will know that this is simply not true, so I waited around to ask the guide where he based his information off of. The guide, leading about 25 faithful followers astray, was not sure exactly, other that that’s what his studies had taught him and that’s what his cheat sheet told him to say. When I asked his ranger boss, the question was met with a chuckle and a comment along the lines of, “This is a basic concept that scientists have discovered to be true.” Based on what, we’re still not sure. I think somebody’s been drinking too much sewer water and reading too much National Geographic.

Anyway, I digress.

God’s beautifully CREATED Mountains were amazing and spectacular all at the same time. The red rock is really something to look at up close. Eden loved running up and down the paved trail and wanted to wander into some of the more advanced hiking trails. Unfortunately, my 36” stroller didn’t fit, so we both had to stay on the main trail.

After a morning of hiking around, we set out to do some shopping. Much shopping was to be had in this metropolitan. We hit the Pet smart, then Michaels, then Home Depot. I was up for Bed Bath and Beyond, followed by nearby Kohl’s, but the kids wouldn’t have anything to do with it. It was most certainly nap time. We headed over to get a quick tour of Lea’s office, and then headed back to her place for some down time.

When she came home, we got dressed up in cute skirts and headed out to Famous Dave’s bar and grill where a gay couple at the table next to us loudly complained that their romantic dinner out was being seriously disturbed by ‘that crying baby’ (Lars). Maybe, my thoughts directed towards them, this is a sign from God. I thought about complaining back to them about their overt affection towards each other in front of women and children, but I decided I didn’t need to get into a bar fight in a skirt. Been there, done that.

Saturday we looked, quite unsuccessfully, for the flea market in Co. Springs. When we couldn’t find it, we headed north to Denver, where the annual Greek festival was being held. What a show! Lea found an awesome parking place and we headed in to eat some Greek food. Lea’s friend, Shane, joined us for the afternoon. Eden loved the jewelry and the dancing. Lars enjoyed the shade and baby food. I was enthralled with the atmosphere. It was just like being in Greek town-Detroit when I was a kid with Lea. OPA! I had my favorite, Saganaki on Pita bread, while Lea tried the Loukoumathes, Greek bread and Koulourakia. I think Shane and Eden nibbled off everybody. In the end, it was a great time and by 5:00, we were back on the road to Nebraska. Unfortunately, the Blazer overheated and I had to deal with that before leaving Denver. With Al not having cell phone reception, I had to call Mark, who talked me through what to do and what not to do. We made it back to Bridgeport by 9:30p. Al arrived sometime before midnight. We all slept very well that night!

Last night, we invited Douthit’s out to the lake to make pizza pockets and blueberry pies and S’mores. It was a perfect evening and the only mishap was when Eden fell hand first into the hot blueberry pie and burnt her hand. Luckily, we were only a stone’s throw from the lake and I was able to dunk her accordingly.

So goes another week in the Strawn household.