Danger!

This is just SO Lil Dude.......



I'm just trying to figure out how they got into my house to take his picture?

Random

Ever laughed so hard you cried? Until your stomach hurt?

That was me this weekend.

We had friends come up from the St. Louis area to visit; hadn't seen them in a LONG time. These are the "warped, off-the-wall crazy" kind of friends that we all need to have in our life.

I laughed. The tears streaming down my face. The deep belly laughs that come from just letting go and having FUN.

I so needed that!

So a BIG "Thank You!" goes out to Dave, Pam and Joey for coming up and providing me that opportunity. I love you guys!

Hill Climbin'

No, we did not get on our hiking boots and head out into the open countryside. But we DID do a lot of walking. And sitting. And people watching.

Last Sunday we went to the Newport Hill Climb in Newport, Indiana. Newport is a small town, not too far from the Illinois/Indiana border. It's 2010 Census population was 515 residents. But during their 3-day Hill Climb event? The entire town is PACKED. The entire town is one giant flea market/vendor set-up/food trailers everywhere kind of place.

And a car show. A very big, very nice car show. And that's where Mr. Dizzy and I were mainly there for.

We brought over THIS beauty:


That is a 1965 Pontiac Tempest. Mr. Dizzy's father bought it brand new and drove it off the showroom floor on September 30, 1964. It was one of the first 1965 Pontiac's produced. His father has had it all these years, and has taken excellent care of it. It is ALL original. Nothing has been restored on the car - - NOTHING. Original paint even! The interior is immaculate. Everything about the car is in amazing condition. And, only 76,000 original miles.

Isn't it a beauty?

Newport is about a 2 hour drive from our house. Sunday morning we got up extremely early (3:45 AM? NOT fun) and trailered the car over for the show. I was looking forward to a fun day - - looking at the other cars in the show, meeting some nice new people, walking through the vendors, and of course watching the Hill Climb competition.....

We got over there, and it was FREEZING cold. I mean, seeing your breath/shivering uncontrollably/where the hell is my winter coat kind of freezing. And we were outside. At a car show. With no vendors open yet. And I could NOT stop shivering.......

I was ready to start walking back home. At least I would have worked up a sweat and gotten warm!

Finally, some of the vendors started opening up, and I was on a mission. Find a warm sweatshirt to put on over all my other clothes and add another layer under my coat, and some gloves. Found a sweatshirt vendor, and all he had left was either too small or way too large. Went for the too large (so now Mr. Dizzy has a new shirt to wear!) and finally found some lightweight gloves.

That helped considerably!

The day finally started warming up close to the Noon hour, to the point where I could unzip my coat and be halfway comfortable. But I could not get warm enough, even in the direct sun - - I had been chilled through to my bones! But in spite of this, it was a fun day.

Now, for the "Hill Climb" part of the day - -

Newport has one main attraction in it's small town borders - - a BIG FREAKIN' HILL:

(The photo does NOT do the Hill justice - - it is extremely steep!)

All these antique cars register to climb the hill. It's a class competition, and even though by today's standards the hill doesn't look that intimidating, you should try climbing it in a car that is only pulling 7 horsepower!

According to the Newport Hill Climb Website, the Climb has been going on yearly since 1909. It's a big 3-day event for the town. This is the third year we have gone, and we always have a great time.

If you ever get a chance, you should check out this event. It's really a lot of fun, and with it being so close to where we live, it's a nice little day trip to take.

It felt good to actually be able to get away from home and just spend a day doing something fun. I just hope next time it's just a tad bit warmer!

Back Into the Swing of Things

I need to start blogging again on a more consistent basis. Seriously.

I love to write. It's an outlet for me - - from the stresses of the daily routine. However, I have had NO desire to write lately, due mostly to things going on in life that have just knocked the energy out of me.......

~ Major abdominal surgery in June - I had VERY good intentions of blogging during the 8-week recovery at home, both on this blog and my recipe blog. How much did I write? Nothing. Zilch. Zero. No energy? Partly. No desire? Absolutely. (Same thing for reading. The stack of magazines? Still sitting there. My Kindle? Barely touched.)

~ Losing Squeak. Yes, she was a cat. Just an animal. Or so some people may think. But in reality? She was a FAMILY MEMBER. Daddy's little girl. And her passing left a great big hole in our lives. Hard to shake something like that. Still haven't. Not sure if, or when, we will. She was a pretty special kitty.

~ Work. My office is usually a frantic place. This semester it is doubly so, since my co-worker is going through a high-risk pregnancy and is on total bedrest in hospital for the duration. She is still able to work via online, so anything that can be done on the computer gets sent her way, and I handle all the face-to-face things here in the office. Considering this happened the first week I came back to work and was attempting full days, it's been draining to say the least. Going home and doing anything but collapsing in a heap on the couch the first few weeks was not an option. It's a bit better now, as the semester is well underway AND my energy level has gotten better. Still a ways to go yet though.....

ANYWAY.

All this has conspired against me. It's been rough.

However - - the past week or so I have been feeling the itch to do some writing again. I'm hoping by posting this, it will fan that little flame and get me going again. I have LOTS of things to write about. And I have a lot of recipes to post on my recipe blog. I need to get on it!

I am determined to finish out this year writing more. My stress level needs this as an outlet. Badly.

So you all have been warned. I'm back, and going to do my damndest to stay here.