Yesterday we had our annual "subdivision party". Once a year we try to gather as many people from the 48 houses to hang out for the day. We've done some pretty fun stuff in the past, but this was a low turnout, so we skipped some of the games. 2 years back we had races on the rider lawnmowers...had to maneuver through a course w/ pylons 
while drinking a beer. Last year we had a similar race, except with couples. One was driving the mower while blindfolded, while your partner was being pulled in a small trailer behind it, telling the driver how to get around the pylons. That was actually hilarious. We did manage to have a water balloon toss this year.
while drinking a beer. Last year we had a similar race, except with couples. One was driving the mower while blindfolded, while your partner was being pulled in a small trailer behind it, telling the driver how to get around the pylons. That was actually hilarious. We did manage to have a water balloon toss this year.This year also included a pie contest. We ended up with 8 pies to sample and then voted on the best one. Ironically the first 3 places went to 3 little girls.
The kids had a great time in the pool. Check out the picture of B being launched in. It was the belly flop heard around the world. He didn't opt to do that again!
So it was a good time had by all...fun group of folks.
91 comments:
Two things: it's very green where you guys live (atleast in photos) and I now want pie.
What a really nice idea, a neighborhood party. We know a couple a neighbors but that's it.
I love the look on B's face as he's flyn through the air; bettin the expression was different after the landin.
The pies were awesome. Dirt pie won. Lotsa crumbled Oreos and gummy worms. I voted for the blackberry and creamcheese pie. I almost made a key lime, but didn't have time.
I just glanced out the window and you're right. It's very green here.
It was funny, when we were leavin TX, D said, 'Ok, that's it! When we get home we're doin some things differently'. I, of course am intrigued and excited. A new lease on life? (Not that we need one, but exciting none the less.) So I ask him what kind of things and he says, "RIBS. We're makin ribs!" Ha. Not quite as deep as I was thinking.
So Friday he bought ribs and was asking if you were around last night cuz I think he wanted some input on the "rub". He handled it, and we're havin ribs tday darn it! :)I'll let you know how our first rib dinner goes.
Mmmm...ribs.
Curious to here his method. We use two different "rubs", Grill Masters (McCormick) and (Fiesta) Rib Rub. We put both on dry, then about half an hour later lightly baste w/ bbq sauce (puttn sauce on too early, or puttin too much seems to burn the sauce when grillin).
We're grillin today too; just burgers and dogs tho.
Ok, our dogs are now adicted to goin for walks. Can't even say the word outloud now. Gotem some harnesses, much easier to control em now.
Well he turned to our book "Real Grilling" and to the web for the rub recipe. And he's basting as we speak. I gotta say, he doesn't sound too confident...keeps talkin about a "back-up plan". Think I heard pizza. :) I'm sure it'll be good...for ribs. Personally I've never enjoyed the idea of pullin meat off a something's ribs with my teeth, but hey.
I woulda made a lousy lion.
It's freakin hot!
As Gomer Pyle would say, "surpriiise, surprise, surprise!"
Well, we had the ribs. Let's just say we have lotsa room for desert. Frankly, I don't get it. There was bone, cartledge and fat. The outside tasted good if you licked it, but there was so little meat it wasn't worth it. Even D was havin a tough time. So that's that I'm thinkin. He says he'll try boneless next time.
P.S. It's 78 degrees here.
Gettin moderated at TH, eh?
I think I saw a sign today that said 104. I think I'd enjoy the 78 right about now. About ribs, I've never been too much of a fan, but one time my friend smoked some ribs for about 5 hours or so...they rocked! I don't know if I'm brave enough to cook em yet. It takes so long to cook that I'd certainly have to wait until like October.
Not sure what kind yall grilled. We only cook pork, back ribs, "baby back ribs" (mostly meat, little fat). W/ beef ribs there's usually lotsa fat.
Was only 98 here today, felt much hotter.
Pretty sure they were pork spare ribs. Dunno if those are different that baby back. Whatever. Give me a hamburg anyday. :)
I think it's getting progressively hotter the closer you get to Dallas. I think they're the hot spot right now.
Anyway, we went to see Wall-E today, MMM Air Conditioning. Pretty good flick. I think Glenn went overboard with his 'Environmentalist Nutjob' take on it. It took stabs at Wal-Mart, but overall, I didn't see any 'indoctrination' stuff in it. I'm surprised that Pixar hasn't been sued by the American Fatties Assn. though.
My kiddos aren't that keen on seein that. They tell me they've heard it's "romantic". The robot dude falls in love w/ a robot dudette, so they're gun-shy. I'd still like to go, so either I'll take em, or it'll be a rental, which most of em end up being anyway.
I didn't think it was 'romantic'. I guess maybe a very little. What do you want, the guy was stuck by himself (well he had a roach with him) for 700 years watching 'Hello Dolly'. There was almost no dialogue though. Mostly just 'physical comedy'. The movie was beautifully done though. But of course, it was Pixar so it was going to look good no matter what.
So did you grill the ribs or barbeque? I think ribs have to be barbequed. I don't know if grilling them will give you the proper take. Oh, and if you're still in the Texas swing, you gotta have brisket.
I think my kids are just sensitive to the 'romantic' thing. I'm sure they'll like it!
See, that's what I was getting to awhile back when I asked what "bbq" was for you. No, apparently we grilled. It's a gas grill (that's the only way I've done it since I was 10). So when I say we're barbequeing, I mean grilling.
Don't even get me started on brisket. D's been talkin about doing that, too. (I'm obviously 'meat ignorant'). I'm thinking that's roast beef. Like when you're at a wedding or a banquet and they shave you off a piece.
Pork spare ribs (which are not bb ribs btw) are pretty fatty, and hafta be boiled first or they're hard to eat (tough). Not an authority on brisket (we always cook ours in the oven). Ribs on the grill should be lightly basted w/ bbq sauce before and durin cookin.
WALL-E was awesome. There was some enviro stuff, but still a great message and terrific movie. Best I've seen this yr.
Austin early for me manana so gna.
Well I generally say barbeque no matter what, (it's the yankee in me) but I know that barbeque is slow cooked. If it's not slow cooked, its grilled. (technically speaking) Some people are sensitive about it, I'm not but I have learned the difference. Anyway, we just have one of those round Weber grills. You can't really smoke anything with one of those. I'd like to get one with a smoker, but we don't eat meat all that much to spend the dough on one of those right now.
"we don't eat meat all that much"
Your breakin my heart man. George Mitchem said, "meat, it's what's for dinner"..words to live by.
Yall have a good day.
Reck,
Wasn't it 'Beef'?
So are you guys gonna rush out to see "The X-Files: I Want to Believe"? Ebert liked it. (Btw, they're replacing Ebert and Roeper which is sorta sad. I was really bummed when Siskel died, then Ebert got sick...now they're done.)
Anyhoo, did you watch that series? It was actually pretty cool. They're saying the movie stands alone even if you didn't watch the t.v. show. I'm guessing we'll rent it. We have good intentions to see movies, but we don't get to as many as we'd like. I still haven't seen Sex and the City! I'll bet y'all can't WAIT to rent THAT! :)
Oh dear. I just heard this and it made me laugh...
What do you get when you cross an atheist and a Jehovah's Witness?
Somebody who knocks on your door for no reason.
I stand corrcted, it was "beef".
S was a big X Files fan, I watched it once. She said the first movie was pretty lame so she's waitn for DVD.
Really L, I'm surprised you liked that series ;)
YES! Gonna watch S in the C right after my lobotomy.
Lobotomy...lol. You're horrible.
I'm thinking this X-Files will be better. I didn't like the last (first) one, either.
I just read this article on Yahoo pointing out 2 of the problems D and I had w/ that movie.
1. The muddled theme.
2. Batman sounds like "the offspring of Clint Eastwood and a grizzly bear". We thought the voice was so overdone, by the end we were giggling whenever he spoke.
Sorry, I'm talking about the new Batman flick.
Adam West was the best Batman.
Burt Ward was the best Robin.
Oh I thought he was somethin back in the day...
So my kids are hittin the VBS tomorrow. You don't think the other kids'll point and whisper, do ya? ;)
Ha! I thought this was funny...
D outta the blue says he wants to take the kids to a 9:20 movie. (The kids've had their baths and are in our bed watchin t.v.) I do the mom thing and say 'no, you won't get home till after 11:00, Ben'll fall asleep, yada yada'. He REALLY wants to, so I say whatever. He goes up to get the kids and tells em what's up and you shoulda seen their faces.
Most kids would've belted outta bed, excited about a late night movie and stayin up. Not my kids.
T- "Whaaat? Noooo, I wanna stay here in this comfy bed."
B- "I'll be like 11:00 when we get home!"
I'm crackin up and D's just shakin his head pointing at me like "look what you've done to these kids."
Oh it was priceless. I can't help it if they're like me! My homebodies.
I'm glad to hear about the VBS. I know they've been before and their gonna have fun. Maybe you and D can take em to church this sunday, ya know, for some extra pointin and whisperin.
You've created some little yous. Not sure how my kids would react to the late night movie thing and I'm NOT gonna find out.
What was the flick?
The voice thing didn't bother me. He's Batman for cryin' out loud! If he sounded like Bruce Wayne, people would say; "Crikey! Batman souns jus like tha Wayne bloke!" I have no idea where that accent came from, but I went with it. Seriously though, Maggie Gylleeleleens was my only real issue with the movie. That and Leaky Leahy. Maybe Dent too, but I rather enjoyed him. They maybe could have done it different, but I'm OK with how it worked out. In the end, I think the critics wouldn't be so critical if the movie wasn't going to make over $500,000,000. (domestically) They should have given this much criticism to "Titanic."
Actually I think the critics have been very kind. B+ was the lowest grade it got among The Boston Globe, Toronto Globe and Mail, San Fransisco Chronicle, Variety, USA Today, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Miami Herald, State.com and Entertainment Weekly.
I get the voice change, I just thought it was over the top. And the buzz about Ledger getting an oscar? I would have much rather him gotten it for Brokeback Mtn. (I know, but his acting was tremendous in that, moreso than this imo.)
I thought this was interesting from Entertainment Weekly (who gave it an A-) :
"It's tough to miss the fact that it's our hero, Batman, who's often bending and breaking the rules. The Joker and his increasingly emboldened gang are plainly terrorists, and Bruce Wayne justifies his own rough vengeance to trusty butler Alfred by growling, "They crossed the line." To which Alfred counters, "You crossed the line first, sir. You hammered them. And in their desperation they turned to a man they didn't fully understand."
Director and co-writer Christopher Nolan admits to letting the current political climate seep into the screenplay. For better or worse, this particular scene could be interpreted as a message aimed at President Bush: Think twice about telling terrorists to "bring it on." Because they will."
R,
The movie was Wall-E.
Yep, the little dupers dug VBS. What's not to like? Candy and crafts? Shoot, I might go. Of course, nobody told me they'd be talkin about God and stuff. Oh alright...I'll let em go back tomorrow.
We'll be up north Sunday. Heading up Thurs. night. My bro's having a "cousins weekend" at their place in Traverse City. There'll be 13 of us. Wop Fest '08. Cooking 12 live lobsters on Sat. night. (Think I'll stop at Subway.)
"For better or worse, this particular scene could be interpreted as a message aimed at President Bush: Think twice about telling terrorists to "bring it on." Because they will."
And their now livin in caves and we've had no major (or minor) terrorist attacks in the continental US since.
Please tell me you didn't go to the theater to see BBM.
What's BBM? You and your abbreviations...
Forget it. I got it. Yes, I saw it in the theatre and I thought it got robbed for best picture when Crash beat it for best picture. Sorry. I thought it was really well acted and beautifully shot, and I thought it was a good movie.
Every time I see that ad for the Tide To Go stain remover stick w/ the talking stain, I laugh out loud. You'd think it would get less funny the more I see it, but it doesn't.
Wow, that's strange. I've never liked it. I've always thought it was creepy.
I try not to smile, I know what's coming, but at the end when it raises it's voice I just crack up.
It was the funniest of the Super Bowl commercials, imo. It cracks me up still too, tho I don't see it often.
Much rain in Austin today? We've gotten very little, so far. Freakin humid tho.
There still talkin bout playin (SB) tonite, we'll see.
Sorta weird watching your weather radar in motion. We so rarely get weather headed in a southwestardly direction. Kinda like watching a toilet flush backwards. Kinda.
Hey, Glenn Beck's talkin about Batman in relation to the Bush administration in "the real story" tnite. Isn't that timely?
Well so far it's; "Texas got Tropical Storm and all I got was drizzle" I think we're supposed to get a decent storm tonight, we'll see.
Crashin for the night, got Austin early manana. Oh wait... That's someone else.
Not sure I'll be able to sleep not knowin the score of Reck's game, but I'll do my best. :) gn!
Yep, the Texas drizzle...I think that's a dance or one a the lotto scratch off games; not sure.
Baptists drop to .500 (3-3) w/ a 9 to 7 loss. Worst gm for me personally. They finally put me in the three spot and I go 0 for 3. Stuck me in right again and what do I do, drop the only ball hit to me. Oh well, it all ends next week, thank God; I'm alittle burned out.
L,
Yall have a good time in Austin; keep it weird.
Whoa. Rough game! Did you at least stop at DQ after?
Ha! In the kitchen we have a dry erase eisle in the corner where we write reminders or notes to one another. I just looked over at it and it says, "Moved to Canada. Love, Tony"
Guess he's into that national healthcare thing.
Tell T to 'ave a good trip, eh!
When he comes home you can say; It's aboot time you came home!
Y'all are just a laugh riot.
Linda,
I missed that long post on Batman. I think it's interesting what Alfred says; "In their desperation..." So they did turn in their desperation to the terrorist, but when you cut off the head of the snake things calm down.
The problem I have with Bush in the war is that we didn't do enough to get Bin Laden. I think we should have been putting as much effort into Afghanistan as Iraq. I haven't been to Afghanistan, so I can't say for sure what has really been going on there. But I don't get the impression that it got quite the attention that Iraq has gotten. That could be primarily the media and its skewed agenda, but I think there is some truth to it as well. Taking out Bin Laden won't in itself end the war on terror, but it would be a huge blow to the terrorists. It would be much like taking out the Joker. There wouldn't necessarily be total peace, but its less likely that 10000 people are going to die in one day.
I totally agree with you.
The problem I have in general with politics is this: I tend to believe what people tell me, and I tend to trust that people's intentions are honorable. That's my natural instinct anyway.
So with that said, there's (at least) 2 sides to all things political. Often times on cable news shows they'll have a point/counterpoint thing going on w/ people from different political parties. It usually goes something like this:
Joe: There's more Al-Queda now in Iraq than before the war.
Mike: Oh Joe, that's absolutely untrue.
Then Joe spews off some facts w/ lotsa numbers and Mike does the same saying the exact opposite.
Now, this is bad for a person like me, cuz I don't know who's telling the truth. Sure, I can look it up, but I have no way of knowing if what I'm even reading is true, so there's almost no point to that. And with everyone talking about the slant of the t.v. news media, apparently I can't believe them, either.
Don't get me wrong, I have opinions on certain issues, but when people from opposite sides throw facts around, I'll be honest..I can't discern.
I don't believe Bush went into this war for oil or because he had his own agenda having nothing to do with the war on terror. I trust that he's a decent man. But I can't give him the benefit of the doubt and not do the same for the other side. So when people argue that the global warming thing is being exagerated by the dems to further their agendas, for example, I have to give them a fair shake, too. Because I don't know for certain. And if I don't know, I have to be fair to both sides. My problem with politics. And religion apparently, as well.
Ok, I was just reading some random posts on TH, and I read one that said "I went deep sea fishing off the coast of Oklahoma..."
Seriously? Do you know how hard it was for me not to point out that Oklahoma doesn't have a coast? Am I missing something?
Is that like the 'liberal' blog that Reck replaced Stan with?
Well, to be fair, I wanted to include a liberal perspective on my blog roll. Ya know, to be fair and balanced ;)
"I got some, ocean front pro-per-ty in Ar-i-zon-aaa. From my front porch you can seeee, the sea.
I got some, ocean front pro-per-ty in Ar-i-zon-aaa.
If you'll buy that, I'll throw the Gold-en Gate in freeee."
George Strait
Actually no, it wasn't from that one. I did check that one out, tho.
Wow, my entire take on politics and no one has a comment. Hmph.
btw...American flags at Lowe's also American made.
Have you guys seen the reality show "The Greatest American Dog"? I haven't been watching it every week, but I recorded tnite's. My dog LOVES this show. It's bizarre...she sits there like a person and watches it. It's sorta cute...dogs compete to win challenges with their owners.
You're middle a the road, we got it ;)
The thing w/ most things, when people have opposin views is, both can't be right. It's the figurin out who is that's tough.
Never seen it. I'll look for it.
Did see a new Man vs Wild tonite. Bear outdid himself on this one. He was outta water, walkin though the desert (in the Yucatan Penn) and to survive, he drank his own pee that he had conveniently stored in a rattle snake skin.
Mmmm...
Wat to go Lowes!
We can drink our own pee, we got it. ;)
I wasn't even talking about being a middle of the road person. I'm talking about how pert near impossible it is for people to discern the facts.
Sorry. Make that "touchy" middle a the road person :)
Actually it's not always that difficult to discern the truth in politics:
Kennedy and Reagan proved that tax cuts increase the govments treasury and create jobs.
If you have an open border, illegals cross it.
Generational welfare is a disincentive (thank you sp ck) to people who are trapped in it to care for themselves.
Gasoline is the most abundant and cost effective way to power a car.
Peace is achieved through strength, not weakness.
A good marriage increases the life expectancy of both a man and a woman.
100% of all terrorist attacks, using airplanes, are committed by male Muslims between the ages of 21 and 40.
Abstinence until marriage is the most effective way to avoid STD's and unwanted pregnancies.
The mainstream media is biased.
CO2 is vital for life on this planet, it isn't a pollutant.
Bush fairly won the 2000 election.
The oft quoted, "50% of all marriages end in divorce" is a lie.
I could go on, but I really DO hafta go to Austin manana.
BTW, I can back up each of the above w/ documented facts if your interested.
But for now, gn.
Note to self: the next time you feel like spending a decent amount of time articulating your views on politics...don't bother.
Sorry, you beat me by 2 minutes.
Linda,
I was about to post something earlier, got sidetracked and now I'm back. Though you're probably asleep by now. Anyway, I think it is good to listen to both sides, but I don't necessarily think it's too challenging to discern who's telling the truth. Research both sides, see which one makes sense through data, facts and historically, then decide. For instance, global 'warming'.
Let's look at facts. One party believes that CO2 emission cause global warming. (or at least that is what they tell everyone) However, if you look at that actual numbers, CO2 levels follow the temperature trend. In the 40's when CO2 levels drastically increased, global temperatures dropped. This change was preceded by a period from roughly 1900 to 1940 where temperature drastically increased. You couldn't make a case that man was responsible for that much production of carbon back then. In the 70's the temperatures began rising again, (just as scientists were scaring people saying there would be another ice age due to the cooling between 1940 and 1970) and CO2 emission followed. But look at temperature leves and solar activity and you will find a direct correlation.
This is just one example. But in most cases, if you research both sides, one will have massive holes in it, or there will be obvious facts that are ignored. I keep hearing about how much melting is going on in the Arctic. Why isn't New Orleans underwater then? Or New York? Well there's this thing on the other side of the Earth...what's it called...Oh yeah, ANTarctica! It's expanding. Yet the global warming nutjobs never say that. They know if they did, people would realize their pyramid scheme of higher taxes and wealth distribution would go to crap.
One more thing which is really irritating me. I hope you don't mind if I vent here. I keep reading articles that oil prices are dropping because Americans are using less. That kind of garbage journalism really gets under my skin. Oil prices didn't start dropping until Bush revoked the executive ban on drilling. Speculators working under the assumption that there would be greater SUPPLY, are lowering their bids on futures contracts. Americans have been using less for a long time now, but prices didn't drop until Bush got involved. If congress would come off the golf course long enough to vote on removing the congressional ban, prices would drop under $100 real quick. But they've got better things to do apparently.
Nest nailed it. The price of oil is heavily effected by the speculators. The simple act by Bush had a positive effect on droppin gas prices; in the summer no less. Ironically, if prices cont to fall, this may not be as large of an issue come Nov and it might aid the dims (who are opposin the very steps it takes to reduce gas prices).
To Austin I a go...
Well there's no question who I tend to believe more.
Our high and low temps are almost exactly 20 degrees cooler than yours this weekend. Just a little tidbit.
Oh, here's another one. By tomorrow night, D will have golfed 72 holes this week. I have a blister just thinkin about it.
Good evening! It's 96 there. It's 66 here. Brrrrr....
95 as we speak. Grillin corn and pork loins...
Mmmm...
Yes, it was freaky hot today. Very sunburned.
Ooooh, that does sound delish.
I thought Texans knew all about SPF 50, bein on the equator and all. Take a REALLY hot shower..makes a sunburn feel GREAT.
Never grilled PL before, it's taken a long freakin time.
We don't use mambi-pambi sunscreen round these parts.
Ok, maybe we do...
Ah...
it's finally coolin off, dropped to 91.
Oh, btw...when it's minus 20, I'll be sure and remind YOU of the temp dif :)
Good point.
Try a gas grill...speeds things up.
Don't forget to take my poll.
I think it's worth noting that the Detroit Lions beat the NY Giants 13-10 in their first pre-season game tonight. Didn't the Giants win the superbowl last year?? Wahoooo!!!!
Took the poll. Badminton..ha.
There's a line in the Movie Rudy when his dad comes to see the Irish play for the first time and says, "This is the greatest thing my eyes have ever seen".
That's how I feel about grilled pork loin.."the greatest things my mouth has ever tasted".
Wow, that good, eh? I'd say I was jealous, but I just had some chicken kickers from Dominos w/ hot buffalo sauce. Serious mmmmm...
Any plans for the weekend?
gn...gettin up early to head out.
Have a nice weekend all...
Yall have a good time. If T's sense of humor gets even better, you'll know he's become a full Canadian.
Plans..workin sat (yes in Austin), usual sunday stuff.
Been watchin "It's Me Or The Dog" all night, determined to have well trained dogs, we'll see.
Gn and enjoy the weekend.
Yeah the first preseason game has a lot to do with the outcome during the season. The only game the Giants ever have to win in the preseason is the one against the Jets. Especially since they got some old guy to play for them, what's his name? Staubach, Unitas?
Won't give me this moment, eh Nes? Well if we were married, I'd say "I divorce thee, I divorce thee, I divorce thee", and poop on your shoes. (Reck'll get it.)
I think B has political tourettes. We're in the car and he yells out "Hillary Clinton!" Then, "I just had to say that. I don't know why."
Later!
Ahh... Steve Martin references early in the mornin. I like it.
Don't worry, B will outgrow it, I did (the real ones that is).
Much later!
OK, OK congratulations. Your team just beat the best team on the planet. Or at least their second squad. ;)
> Ahh... Steve Martin references early in the mornin. I like it.
What, do you want me to throw ~fish~????
You know, I gave my cat a bath once. They say that you aren't supposed to give your cat a bath. But I enjoyed it and she enjoyed it. But getting the hair off of my toungue afterwards was a bit of a bitch. ;-)
Post a Comment