As I sit here eating my chicken salad Subway (really not that good) and watch the dark clouds come, then go, I am keeping my fingers crossed for a clear sky tomorrow. Correction, I will settle for a cloudy day, just really want it to be dry. Tomorrow is the huge garage(less) sale. Newspaper and radio ads are already in place ...........
I am looking forward to and dreading it all at the same time. The remainder of the camping clubbers arrived yesterday. They decided to disregard my assignment of spaces and simply parked where they chose to. I was distracted enough by the lack of sleep the night before that I just reassigned the other reservations I had and went to bed early with a headache.
He who procrastinates waited until the people were here to get their meeting pavilion ready. You will recall that we have known about this since February. This is just how he operates ........ We have a tent we could have put up for them. It is huge. It is actually a funeral tent. But, he decided to just put a tarp atop the pavilion that was constructed by the pool area last year. It is big enough for the group, but not weather proof. I was concerned about the weight of the tarp and the rain that would gather on top. He insisted that the water would run off, said there was a slope. So, after a heavy rain last night, I wasn't surprised to see that it had collapsed. After 35 years of always being right, you would think he would listen to me. He has repaired that and is on to next repair ........
I mentioned my lack of sleep and had posted about it yesterday before blogger went berserk and dumped my masterpiece of indignant sarcasm. I rented a seasonal space to a family last Labor Day. A family employed in law enforcement. The first site I put them in did not work out well. It was a large multi-generational family with scads of grandchildren under the age of 7. The patriarch of the family was of the opinion that his oldest grandchild could do whatever his heart desired. My other seasonal campers in that area weren't up for having their belongings overtaken. In an effort to keep the peace I moved them to a much larger site and they were happy to pay extra for the space. Most seasonal sites are paid on an annual basis. I am flexible with payment plans and have some who pay quarterly and some who would rather pay monthly. Monthly is nice for us, since it affords a steady income in the off season for us, but either way is okay with me. Things were all okay until they stopped paying. They acknowledged that they owed the money and I was privy to who should have paid which month and who said who had paid. Six months behind and I have heard all the excuses and who is at fault.
So when I decide to go to bed at 10:30 while the procrastinator was wiring the lighting to the pavilion and look out the window and see the headlamps of a truck illuminating the camper of the delinquent renters, I realize right away that they are skipping out on me. I called the procrastinator and he rides over on the golf cart to have a chat. My husband is a trusting soul. He was always the parent who would relent and give in to the child being punished, because they would promise to never do it again. Having been referred to as the Nazi Bitch by a camper last year, I have decided to embrace my new title and be all that I can be. Right away I knew that leaving under the cover of darkness was not a good sign, he who is gullible called to tell me that they didn't have the money to pay us; so, they sold their camper to get the money to pay us. They were here to get it and take it to the new owner and then they will bring me the money. Really, they are.
I had some trouble getting to sleep and woke abruptly at 3:30 and got mad all over again. So, without that good REM sleep the doctor told me I desperately needed I muddled through the day with all the rest of the camping club coming in. I tried to sneak a 20 minute nap in, but that did not happen. For some reason Thursday night is a busy one for travelers off the highway and I closed after I used my last space with a blinding headache. I put a camper in the spot vacated by the hooligans owing me money. And wouldn't you know it ............. to add insult to injury, they pulled the camper over the sewer hook-up, breaking it off.
It would cost me more to sue them than what they owe .............
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Camping Clubs
Until we bought this park seven years ago, I was totally unaware that there was such a thing as a camping club. These camping clubs are groups of like minded campers who camp together routinely. Sounds like fun. We had a group scheduled for just such an adventure when we took over the park. A little warning would have been nice ........ the previous owners were different....difficult ..... not inclined to be of much help.
So, the first group came and we catered to their every want and whim. Remember, we were new and eager. We wanted to solicit all the business we could. We wanted everyone to like us. So, the weekend went along smoothly (we thought). Every one of the folks came up to thank us for our hospitality and the wagon master (they choose a couple to be in charge of all the arrangements for each outing) booked for the next year. We were exhausted when they left .... these clubbers can be a demanding lot. Imagine our surprise when the same people who thanked us and told us how great we were came in 6 weeks before the next scheduled stay and told us that only 4 out of the 20 members of their club would be coming. Seems the man in charge was presented with a whole list of shortcomings. One of them even had the nerve to say he had no electricity while he was here. One said they had no water pressure and one of them didn't want to park next to another club member, but had to since it was the only site left.
I took it very personally since we had run ourselves ragged to get them everything they asked for. We ran out of ice and our vendor refused to come out for such a small order ..... so we went into town and bought the ice at full price and sold it to them for no profit. I still extended them a group rate, even though group rates are for groups of eight or more, and the handful of campers came. I was recovering from a gall bladder removal and made myself scarce while they were here. They have never come back to our park. Other clubs have come and we have had similarly bad experiences with them. I am sure that there are some wonderful camp clubs out there. I am also sure that my view is a lot different from the one they have. This is a very physical job. It takes a lot of man hours to maintain the grounds and keep the bathrooms and pool area clean. With that in mind I usually suggest that the clubs go across the highway to my competitor. She has two club houses and is willing to give them a bigger discount than I do. My park is geared more to family fun.
So, when he who is not allowed to take reservations called me into the office in February to discuss a camping club reservation in May, I immediately tried to discourage the man. He said he would need 22 to 25 sites, maybe 30!!!! He was in charge of scheduling this outing and for that size group he should have book a season ahead. He had apparently not booked in time and was a little frantic. I provided him with a map that indicated all the seasonal sites and explained that I could not place his group together (no, we won't ask the seasonals to move their rigs ...). After driving through the park and hand counting what was available he decided that he did want to book this event. I rattled off the standard thing I say to everyone, to have the individuals call at least 30 days in advance and provide me with either a deposit or a credit card number to secure the reservation.
No less than two more trips and going over the same information and about a thousand phone calls later ........... the time has arrived. Three of the fifteen reservations were to come in today. Seven have arrived. Three of them before noon. ( when I take your reservation, I always say that I don't run your credit card that day, that you can pay any way you like upon arrival and I remind everyone that check-in is anytime after noon) I offered a flat rate for full hook-up and a flat rate for those who wanted only water and electric. Now when we did this in our RV, we always opted for a full hook-up. I like to sit on my own potty and shower in my own shower without flip flops on. That is why we bought it ...... to use it. But, there is a whole contingent of folks out there who don't want to get theirs dirty. They would rather have athlete's foot, I suppose.
It came as no surprise to me that one of the biggest rigs that came in wanted only water and electric. I was cleaning the showers when he came in. He who abandoned me to work his other job today had just stepped into the shower and I rushed out to finish mopping the ladies room. Took maybe five minutes, since I had already scrubbed the floor and was just mopping up the water. I came through the side door and apologized for not being at the counter. I asked him how long he had been waiting. I could tell he was not happy with having to wait. He said he had been there for at least 20 minutes. I am so sorry you had to wait so long. I was cleaning the restroom and must have taken longer that I thought I did. I could tell he was not impressed. He paid and I showed him on the map where he would be going. I also told him that we were still in the process of re-leveling those particular sites and that if the one I assigned wouldn't work to go ahead and choose one that he thought would. I also told him that since not all of the sites initially reserved would be in use, I still had some full hook-ups available.
He just came back to give me a litany of unsolicited advice. My sites are not level and he had to go to very end site and back in. In all his years of camping he has never seen a set up like this one. He used to camp here when Rapunzel and Igor owned this place and we have changed things. He thinks maybe we are not up to code. We are at risk with this set up. It was never like this when Rapunzel and Igor had it. Maybe we should consult with them because he thinks we might not know what we are doing.
As I am swallowing the blood from my bitten tongue, I have only one thought in my head. FOUR DAYS, THEY WILL BE HERE FOR FOUR DAYS.
So, the first group came and we catered to their every want and whim. Remember, we were new and eager. We wanted to solicit all the business we could. We wanted everyone to like us. So, the weekend went along smoothly (we thought). Every one of the folks came up to thank us for our hospitality and the wagon master (they choose a couple to be in charge of all the arrangements for each outing) booked for the next year. We were exhausted when they left .... these clubbers can be a demanding lot. Imagine our surprise when the same people who thanked us and told us how great we were came in 6 weeks before the next scheduled stay and told us that only 4 out of the 20 members of their club would be coming. Seems the man in charge was presented with a whole list of shortcomings. One of them even had the nerve to say he had no electricity while he was here. One said they had no water pressure and one of them didn't want to park next to another club member, but had to since it was the only site left.
I took it very personally since we had run ourselves ragged to get them everything they asked for. We ran out of ice and our vendor refused to come out for such a small order ..... so we went into town and bought the ice at full price and sold it to them for no profit. I still extended them a group rate, even though group rates are for groups of eight or more, and the handful of campers came. I was recovering from a gall bladder removal and made myself scarce while they were here. They have never come back to our park. Other clubs have come and we have had similarly bad experiences with them. I am sure that there are some wonderful camp clubs out there. I am also sure that my view is a lot different from the one they have. This is a very physical job. It takes a lot of man hours to maintain the grounds and keep the bathrooms and pool area clean. With that in mind I usually suggest that the clubs go across the highway to my competitor. She has two club houses and is willing to give them a bigger discount than I do. My park is geared more to family fun.
So, when he who is not allowed to take reservations called me into the office in February to discuss a camping club reservation in May, I immediately tried to discourage the man. He said he would need 22 to 25 sites, maybe 30!!!! He was in charge of scheduling this outing and for that size group he should have book a season ahead. He had apparently not booked in time and was a little frantic. I provided him with a map that indicated all the seasonal sites and explained that I could not place his group together (no, we won't ask the seasonals to move their rigs ...). After driving through the park and hand counting what was available he decided that he did want to book this event. I rattled off the standard thing I say to everyone, to have the individuals call at least 30 days in advance and provide me with either a deposit or a credit card number to secure the reservation.
No less than two more trips and going over the same information and about a thousand phone calls later ........... the time has arrived. Three of the fifteen reservations were to come in today. Seven have arrived. Three of them before noon. ( when I take your reservation, I always say that I don't run your credit card that day, that you can pay any way you like upon arrival and I remind everyone that check-in is anytime after noon) I offered a flat rate for full hook-up and a flat rate for those who wanted only water and electric. Now when we did this in our RV, we always opted for a full hook-up. I like to sit on my own potty and shower in my own shower without flip flops on. That is why we bought it ...... to use it. But, there is a whole contingent of folks out there who don't want to get theirs dirty. They would rather have athlete's foot, I suppose.
It came as no surprise to me that one of the biggest rigs that came in wanted only water and electric. I was cleaning the showers when he came in. He who abandoned me to work his other job today had just stepped into the shower and I rushed out to finish mopping the ladies room. Took maybe five minutes, since I had already scrubbed the floor and was just mopping up the water. I came through the side door and apologized for not being at the counter. I asked him how long he had been waiting. I could tell he was not happy with having to wait. He said he had been there for at least 20 minutes. I am so sorry you had to wait so long. I was cleaning the restroom and must have taken longer that I thought I did. I could tell he was not impressed. He paid and I showed him on the map where he would be going. I also told him that we were still in the process of re-leveling those particular sites and that if the one I assigned wouldn't work to go ahead and choose one that he thought would. I also told him that since not all of the sites initially reserved would be in use, I still had some full hook-ups available.
He just came back to give me a litany of unsolicited advice. My sites are not level and he had to go to very end site and back in. In all his years of camping he has never seen a set up like this one. He used to camp here when Rapunzel and Igor owned this place and we have changed things. He thinks maybe we are not up to code. We are at risk with this set up. It was never like this when Rapunzel and Igor had it. Maybe we should consult with them because he thinks we might not know what we are doing.
As I am swallowing the blood from my bitten tongue, I have only one thought in my head. FOUR DAYS, THEY WILL BE HERE FOR FOUR DAYS.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Rain, Ice Tea, Dirt and Reservations
Still easily tired, I am pacing myself. Yesterday evening I spent a pleasant couple of hours pulling weeds and trying to get my vegetable beds ready for planting. Yes, I know I am late, but the weather has not been cooperative. Seems we are going from frost to intense heat without Spring to lead us gently in. Supposed to be 90 today. With this in mind I had two goals I wanted to achieve this morning. I wanted to rake the back yard that I mowed yesterday and mow it again and I wanted some dirt brought over to my garden area so I could amend the soil and get started building my beds a little higher.
I slowly sipped my allotted 6 ounces of coffee, savoring it and not just downing it mindlessly like I usually do. I ventured out into the pleasantly cool morning. The forecast on the morning news called for spotty showers, although not in my area, and I was assured by the young man tripping over his words in an effort to spill them out, that by 10 am we would experience clear skies and no clouds. Unable to locate my rake, I started hoeing and pulling weeds. I showed he who is on his trusty tractor with the bucket on front where I wanted my dirt and he even brought me a rake................
The phone (the bane of my very existence) rang. I went back into the office with my dirty hands as I listened to the caller asking if I had any 'slots' left for Memorial Day weekend. I do have a precious few that I want to fill and I asked what kind of 'slot' he might be looking for. One to camp in. Oh, goody, I think, as I ask whether he would be camping in a tent or in an RV. Indignant that I would think him to be tent camper, he informs me that he has a motor home. Now we are getting to the heart of the matter ............ I need to know if he needs 30 or 50 amp service and if he would like a full hook-up or just water and electric. 50 amp, full hook-up. I want everything. I want water and sewer and electric. Yes, sir, that is what a full hook-up is. I have one that is out in the open and one that is shaded ........... Does the one out in the open have shade? No, sir, it is out in the open. So, there are no trees by it anywhere? No, sir, none. No shade by it? None. The site with trees is a double site. There would be a camper in front of you. I don't know what you mean, what is a double site? A site with two campers on it, one in front of the other. Now, say that again, cause I don't get what you're saying. It is one long run about 150 feet long. The site in front of the one I have left has already been reserved and there will be a fifth wheel in front of you. If they arrive before you, they will pull through to site 5, if they arrive after you are here, they will back in. Since you are in a motor home, you will simply pull in, either way. I still don't get it, I found you on-line and you are so close, what with the price of diesel and all............ There is a map on the website, perhaps that will help you picture what I am talking about ......... I don't see it, do I click left or right. How would I get out of the site? I am sorry, I don't have a computer in front of me, but there is a icon for the map of the park. If the camper in front of you is still there when you are ready to leave you can back out. If they have left, you could simply pull through. Well, can I back in? Not if the site in front of your site is occupied (and why would you want to?) Will the hook-ups be on the right side, though? The hook-ups will be on the CORRECT side. (Just in case we are talking about right and left).
I finally completed the reservation and it is raining. Just a drizzle, so I finish raking the back yard and get half of mowed before I succumb to fatigue and come back in. Tired of water as my beverage I decide I want some iced tea. I have some bottled in the cooler in the store, but that is not what I am longing for. I want fresh brewed iced tea. The way my mother used to make it. She had a small sauce pan she always used. She would fill it half way with water and then add two teaspoons of loose leaf tea. Lipton. The saucepan was only used for this purpose and was tea-stained. The spoon in the canister of loose tea leaves was also stained with years of use. Bring the water just to a simmer and cover it to steep. She always used a saucer. That sauce pan did not have a lid that I know of. Didn't steep long and wasn't "timed" by anything. Maybe long enough to flip over the pieces of chicken frying in the pan. The longer you steep, the stronger and darker the tea. Now, here is the secret to good sweet tea ........... Add the sugar to the pitcher and strain the hot tea over it. Stir to melt all the sugar before adding the rest of the water. I don't like my tea too sweet or too strong. I use 1/2 cup of sugar for two quarts and I want a nice caramel color. Sweet tea was a staple when I was growing up. My grandmother always had a pitcher of tea in her house. Hers was sweeter and stronger than the tea my mother made. My sister and I both make our tea the same way. Light, with a hint of sweet. I used to make a pitcher of tea and one of Kool-aid every day when my children were growing up. I can still hear them calling out as I would be putting the evening meal on the table ........ "Dinner's ready! Who wants tea, who wants Kool-aid?"
I slowly sipped my allotted 6 ounces of coffee, savoring it and not just downing it mindlessly like I usually do. I ventured out into the pleasantly cool morning. The forecast on the morning news called for spotty showers, although not in my area, and I was assured by the young man tripping over his words in an effort to spill them out, that by 10 am we would experience clear skies and no clouds. Unable to locate my rake, I started hoeing and pulling weeds. I showed he who is on his trusty tractor with the bucket on front where I wanted my dirt and he even brought me a rake................
The phone (the bane of my very existence) rang. I went back into the office with my dirty hands as I listened to the caller asking if I had any 'slots' left for Memorial Day weekend. I do have a precious few that I want to fill and I asked what kind of 'slot' he might be looking for. One to camp in. Oh, goody, I think, as I ask whether he would be camping in a tent or in an RV. Indignant that I would think him to be tent camper, he informs me that he has a motor home. Now we are getting to the heart of the matter ............ I need to know if he needs 30 or 50 amp service and if he would like a full hook-up or just water and electric. 50 amp, full hook-up. I want everything. I want water and sewer and electric. Yes, sir, that is what a full hook-up is. I have one that is out in the open and one that is shaded ........... Does the one out in the open have shade? No, sir, it is out in the open. So, there are no trees by it anywhere? No, sir, none. No shade by it? None. The site with trees is a double site. There would be a camper in front of you. I don't know what you mean, what is a double site? A site with two campers on it, one in front of the other. Now, say that again, cause I don't get what you're saying. It is one long run about 150 feet long. The site in front of the one I have left has already been reserved and there will be a fifth wheel in front of you. If they arrive before you, they will pull through to site 5, if they arrive after you are here, they will back in. Since you are in a motor home, you will simply pull in, either way. I still don't get it, I found you on-line and you are so close, what with the price of diesel and all............ There is a map on the website, perhaps that will help you picture what I am talking about ......... I don't see it, do I click left or right. How would I get out of the site? I am sorry, I don't have a computer in front of me, but there is a icon for the map of the park. If the camper in front of you is still there when you are ready to leave you can back out. If they have left, you could simply pull through. Well, can I back in? Not if the site in front of your site is occupied (and why would you want to?) Will the hook-ups be on the right side, though? The hook-ups will be on the CORRECT side. (Just in case we are talking about right and left).
I finally completed the reservation and it is raining. Just a drizzle, so I finish raking the back yard and get half of mowed before I succumb to fatigue and come back in. Tired of water as my beverage I decide I want some iced tea. I have some bottled in the cooler in the store, but that is not what I am longing for. I want fresh brewed iced tea. The way my mother used to make it. She had a small sauce pan she always used. She would fill it half way with water and then add two teaspoons of loose leaf tea. Lipton. The saucepan was only used for this purpose and was tea-stained. The spoon in the canister of loose tea leaves was also stained with years of use. Bring the water just to a simmer and cover it to steep. She always used a saucer. That sauce pan did not have a lid that I know of. Didn't steep long and wasn't "timed" by anything. Maybe long enough to flip over the pieces of chicken frying in the pan. The longer you steep, the stronger and darker the tea. Now, here is the secret to good sweet tea ........... Add the sugar to the pitcher and strain the hot tea over it. Stir to melt all the sugar before adding the rest of the water. I don't like my tea too sweet or too strong. I use 1/2 cup of sugar for two quarts and I want a nice caramel color. Sweet tea was a staple when I was growing up. My grandmother always had a pitcher of tea in her house. Hers was sweeter and stronger than the tea my mother made. My sister and I both make our tea the same way. Light, with a hint of sweet. I used to make a pitcher of tea and one of Kool-aid every day when my children were growing up. I can still hear them calling out as I would be putting the evening meal on the table ........ "Dinner's ready! Who wants tea, who wants Kool-aid?"
Friday, May 6, 2011
Blood Pressure Woes
For nine weeks now I have been on an adventure. I have become obsessed with the numbers of the diastolic and systolic nature. I am moving slower these days and now just think of the numbers as diabolic. Numbers too high, and I feel very agitated, heart skipping beats and alternate between sweating and chilling. Numbers too low and I am light-headed and the fatigue is almost over-whelming. I started a new drug on Wednesday. I carefully read the literature so I could anticipate the next roller coaster ride.
This new one is to be taken twice daily, with food. I do not want any food right now, but I will shove some dry toast down my gullet to accommodate the medication. I am so tired this morning and really just want to go back to bed. But, it is Friday. In a kampground. Reservations will be arriving. Tent campers this weekend. That means I will need to scour the showers and rest room facilities to ensure a pleasant experience for my kampers. This morning's number were low, 90/70. When I went to bed last night in a highly agitated frame of mind the numbers were high 170/98. I have been on meds for nine weeks now. Wouldn't you think it would have leveled out by now?
The literature says that I may experience a lot of fatigue for the first three weeks of treatment. Would that be the first three weeks of this particular drug ....... or the first three weeks of this class of drugs? If it is the class of drugs, then I have been experiencing the first three weeks over and over. Like 'Groundhog Day'. Allergy symptoms have joined in to conspire with the blood pressure. The shooting pains in my sinus, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing until I leak. I have fever blisters in both corners of my mouth, so that I not only feel crappy, I look crappy.
I am off to scrub a toilet or two, having swallowed my pill with the dry toast. I limited myself to one cup of coffee and will be downing water for the remainder of the day. I expect to be downright bitchy from lack of caffeine, but I am experimenting to see if eliminating caffeine will help those numbers even out. Stay tuned. It could get interesting ........
This new one is to be taken twice daily, with food. I do not want any food right now, but I will shove some dry toast down my gullet to accommodate the medication. I am so tired this morning and really just want to go back to bed. But, it is Friday. In a kampground. Reservations will be arriving. Tent campers this weekend. That means I will need to scour the showers and rest room facilities to ensure a pleasant experience for my kampers. This morning's number were low, 90/70. When I went to bed last night in a highly agitated frame of mind the numbers were high 170/98. I have been on meds for nine weeks now. Wouldn't you think it would have leveled out by now?
The literature says that I may experience a lot of fatigue for the first three weeks of treatment. Would that be the first three weeks of this particular drug ....... or the first three weeks of this class of drugs? If it is the class of drugs, then I have been experiencing the first three weeks over and over. Like 'Groundhog Day'. Allergy symptoms have joined in to conspire with the blood pressure. The shooting pains in my sinus, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing until I leak. I have fever blisters in both corners of my mouth, so that I not only feel crappy, I look crappy.
I am off to scrub a toilet or two, having swallowed my pill with the dry toast. I limited myself to one cup of coffee and will be downing water for the remainder of the day. I expect to be downright bitchy from lack of caffeine, but I am experimenting to see if eliminating caffeine will help those numbers even out. Stay tuned. It could get interesting ........
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Cinco De Mayo= Happy Birthday Debbie!
Some birth dates are easier to remember than others ........... some folks are lucky. My friend, Deb, is among the lucky ones. She is also one of those special people who love to give. She always remembers others with her almost overwhelming generosity. This makes her a tough act to follow.
Here we are, at the American Girl store with our granddaughters, posing with Kanani. My lovely daughter-in-law took our picture.
I thought it would have been funny to kneel on our knees without the children, but my Jada was not going to let that happen and our guys were ready for food ......... but that is another story.
Here we are, at the American Girl store with our granddaughters, posing with Kanani. My lovely daughter-in-law took our picture.
I thought it would have been funny to kneel on our knees without the children, but my Jada was not going to let that happen and our guys were ready for food ......... but that is another story.
Today is my Debbie's birthday and I wish her the happiest one yet!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Kiley Is In The House
Kiley and Gramma Deb flew up to Minnesota to spend some time with Gavin and Gramma Kathy last month. We had a busy two days planned and Kiley (like her Gramma Deb) was in her element .......
We planned a day at Mall Of America on Saturday and Kiley went straight to Gavin's closet after dressing herself. She got his clothes out for him and he did not argue, he put them on. They both had their kampground shirts on, and because it was cold out, they had long sleeved white shirts underneath. I love me some advertising!!
All the cousins were coming, but we started the day with just Layla and Gage, along with their mom, Jill. The grammas were walking along a little slower. We were pacing ourselves for the long day ahead .......
Hmmmmm....... food. Bubba Gump means shrimp. Perhaps we should eat first. Good idea.
Nickelodeon awaits.
What did you get?
We are done, let's go!
We planned a day at Mall Of America on Saturday and Kiley went straight to Gavin's closet after dressing herself. She got his clothes out for him and he did not argue, he put them on. They both had their kampground shirts on, and because it was cold out, they had long sleeved white shirts underneath. I love me some advertising!!
All the cousins were coming, but we started the day with just Layla and Gage, along with their mom, Jill. The grammas were walking along a little slower. We were pacing ourselves for the long day ahead .......
Hmmmmm....... food. Bubba Gump means shrimp. Perhaps we should eat first. Good idea.
Nickelodeon awaits.
What did you get?
We are done, let's go!Saturday, April 30, 2011
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service
Bright and early ..... no make that very early, not so much bright, since the sun was still deciding to come on up ...... I was up this morning. Cinnamon dough to rise. The caramel cooked to perfection today. It has to come to that rolling boil before you add the vanilla extract and the heavy cream to achieve that satiny smooth perfection dripping from the spoon. Really it does. If you rush it, it will crystallize on the rolls, making the end product a little crunchy. He who loves sweets will eat the mistakes, though.
Anyhow, the morning's tasks are running quite smoothly and by the time I unlock the store at 8, I have already done two loads of laundry, cleaned the restrooms, made the coffee and the rolls. I sit down to relax at my desk with my computer while I wait for all the hungry breakfast crowd and he who complains about the price of fuel is off on some errand that involves driving. The door opens and as I rise from my chair I am treated to a view of a tattoo on the bare belly of a young man. Can I help you? (all the while doubting that I can actually help this person). I do not recognize face or tattoo. He is accompanied by a woman of indeterminate age and another shirtless friend and I know that they aren't staying here in the kampground. We want some of that good coffee. How does he know it's good? While the two males are pouring and doctoring their coffee the female is wandering among the merchandise. She is in shorts and a shirt that look like she slept in them. Her hair is unkempt and she doesn't appear to be one to attempt to enhance her appearance with make-up, so I can't really tell if she just tumbled out of a fitful sleep or if this is her "look". She spies a sample size bottle of Pert shampoo and the three meet at the counter for a discussion on the number of heads this bottle will wash. They finally agree that it won't take much for them all to get a shower.
There is a glass display case holding my sock monkeys for display and Tattoo says to his female companion, Now, honey, them ain't for sale, they's just to look at. I don't bother to correct him. He starts to laugh and then looks at his Honey ....... Hell, them monkeys kinda look like you. He is still chuckling as they all shuffle out to their car in their bare feet. And, after some consideration, I have to agree with him.
Anyhow, the morning's tasks are running quite smoothly and by the time I unlock the store at 8, I have already done two loads of laundry, cleaned the restrooms, made the coffee and the rolls. I sit down to relax at my desk with my computer while I wait for all the hungry breakfast crowd and he who complains about the price of fuel is off on some errand that involves driving. The door opens and as I rise from my chair I am treated to a view of a tattoo on the bare belly of a young man. Can I help you? (all the while doubting that I can actually help this person). I do not recognize face or tattoo. He is accompanied by a woman of indeterminate age and another shirtless friend and I know that they aren't staying here in the kampground. We want some of that good coffee. How does he know it's good? While the two males are pouring and doctoring their coffee the female is wandering among the merchandise. She is in shorts and a shirt that look like she slept in them. Her hair is unkempt and she doesn't appear to be one to attempt to enhance her appearance with make-up, so I can't really tell if she just tumbled out of a fitful sleep or if this is her "look". She spies a sample size bottle of Pert shampoo and the three meet at the counter for a discussion on the number of heads this bottle will wash. They finally agree that it won't take much for them all to get a shower.
There is a glass display case holding my sock monkeys for display and Tattoo says to his female companion, Now, honey, them ain't for sale, they's just to look at. I don't bother to correct him. He starts to laugh and then looks at his Honey ....... Hell, them monkeys kinda look like you. He is still chuckling as they all shuffle out to their car in their bare feet. And, after some consideration, I have to agree with him.
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