Sunday, July 28, 2013

Comfort Inn Daphne AL Review

We got a late start yesterday, which just happened to be our 12 th Anniversary. Ryan was recovering from double mids and I thought it'd be better to leave a little late than deal with a monster. So I let him sleep longer than he had wanted. That put us checking in at our hotel just after 2:00 AM. I had booked the room online so I just went in and got the room key while Bret and Ryan got our stuff out of the truck. When I got outside it was raining. Bret took the little kids and the stuff ahead of us. Ryan went to park and while he was parking a group of two guys and a girl were dropped off at the door. I was under the impression that they had just come from a nearby night club. The girl wasn't wearing any shoes! Must have been Bama Fans. I went on up to the room while Ryan parked. When Ryan got up the the room he was soaked (and a little irritated) because he had to park in the back of the hotel and they keep all the other doors locked.

I booked a suite and it was anything but. Two queen beds and a pull out loveseat. The loveseat looked like it had been mauled by a baby cheetah. The cushions had some rips in it and looked like it had seen better days. Really people, what are you doing in these hotel rooms?  ChaChi got right in a bed which is foreign to him because at home nobody gets in bed without a shower. Well right in the bed, after I striped the DNA contaminated comforter from the bed. I pulled out the loveseat and found that I would be the one making the "bed." My anxiety was in overdrive as I put my hand on the bar to pull out the bed. There was no mattress cover so I doubled up the two flat sheets that were provided. I have no idea how to properly put on a flat sheet.  I just wrapped that joker under the end of the mattress and told Bret it would be in his best interest if he didn't turnover a lot. Then I had to put the "pillow" in the case. What are these pitiful squares they call pillows?  OMGosh! I seriously almost lost it on this chore. It's like how do you put a pillow in the case without it touching your body. Bret was cracking me up with remarks like, "How does the biggest person here get the smallest bed." I was like it's just for a few hours and this room was almost the cheapest I could find. He said, "Oh, cheap is good as long as your comfort level isn't sacrificed. Haha That is so true.  Except, while he was outside the room on the phone I was inside freaking out making that darn bed.

Ryan and I showered and got in the bed. After making jokes and laughing about Bret sleeping on that little bed which Ansley referred to as a crib we turned the lights out.  All the lights were out except Bret's computer. It was bright enough to make light on the ceiling so I asked him to do some shadow hand puppets for me. He quickly obliged me with a crocodile then a bird and then what Ryan thought was a bunny. Bret kept on making shape after shape and then I got tickled thinking how funny it would be if I fell asleep and he continued to make shadow puppets. We were all cracking up! Then I tried to get comfortable but kept rolling to the middle of the mattress as did Ryan. So we decided if we turned back to back maybe we wouldn't roll to the middle as much. The room was quiet except for every time Bret moved it sounded like someone was trying to untangle a metal slinky.

This morning I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep so I got up and went to the bathroom. I turned the light on and the fan in the bathroom came on. I thought a helicopter may be trying to land in there it was so loud! Here is a pic of the door. Apparently, there was a hole here and someone thought this would be a good way to repair it. It is kind of hilarious; I'm not sure they wouldn't have been better off just leaving the hole.

Here is Bret on his cot. He slept with his feet on the coffee table because he didn't fit in the bed.
And that is how we spent our anniversary. Now on the to beach!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Things to do in Memphis...


When you don't have a pool. This is the south and let's face it, the summers are miserably hot. I'm pretty sure if you go outside in the summer and you don't have a pool you turn into beef jerky. It's so hot the homeless make signs that say, "Will work for shade." So the following is what have we done since we don't have a pool:

* Water Balloons

* The Brooks Museum is free on Wednesday. It has an art studio and kids can create projects to take home from 10:00 AM until noon. The Brooks is located right by the Memphis Zoo. In the summer, you can put your kids in their swimsuits and swim in the fountains. This is an especially fun thing for us because it just feels so wrong. It's a white trash activity at it's best. I wonder if they chlorinate the ponds? Oh, I shouldn't even let my mind wonder about those things.

* The Memphis Zoo

* Lichterman Nature Center has a couple of air-conditioned  buildings. A good place to go if you just want to get out of the house for a short time. They have a lot of walking trails but it is just too hot in the summer.

* Play Red Light/ Green Light using the water hose. You spray the person you catch moving after you've called red light.

* If you're not OCD you could go to the library. We choose the bookstore instead. There is just something about holding a book that has been checked out over and over again by strangers. You have no idea where those things have been.

*Run through the sprinklers. I can't wait until we get up a fence. There is something unsettling about a grown woman running through the sprinklers. I mean...I can imagine. For the neighbors, that is.

*Put a sprinkler under the trampoline and jump. This one is just for the kids. If you read my kegel post you know exactly what I mean.

* Pray one of your friends that have a pool will invite you over.

* Paint birdhouses.

* Drive in movie.  There is a Malco Drive in on Summer Ave.


* Slip and Slide. Yep, we really need to get on that fence.


* Watazumi

* Go to the Apple Store. Your kids can play on the iPads while you shop around. Next door is the Teavana store. Cruise through and sample the teas.




*Make a human size bird's nest. Don't worry the water was really close by at all times. My kids are creative...if nothing else.


Well, there is less than three short weeks before the kids head back to school.  We have a few more things on our list that we want to do. A stupid stomach bug has kept us in this week. So if you're running out of things to do I hope our list will give you some ideas. 




Thursday, June 13, 2013

A Square Meal on Wheels Food Truck

Have you ever eaten off a food truck? No? What are you waiting on? Today, we visited the Lichterman Nature Center. They put out a free membership every May through memphismuseums.org. You could spend several hours there any other time of year. I guess that's why it's free for the summer.  There are two air conditioned buildings, that is where we spent our time.


 Feeding the "fish" seemed more like feeding the turtles and geese.

Now to the good stuff. I've been following A Square Meal on Wheels for several months hoping their location and ours would cross paths. Well, today was that day. Mr. Clark was parked about three minutes away from the nature center so we couldn't resist.
  Ansley ordered the fried shrimp. It came with fries and a dipping sauce. Ansley approved. 
 I ordered the fish tacos and an order of fried green tomatoes. ("Towanda! Face it ladies, I'm older and have more insurance" I mean can you eat fried green tomatoes without thinking of that movie? Obviously, I can't.)  Both of which are freshly made. I tried everything and this is what I loved best.  This food truck's claim to fame is the Lobster Rolls. I'll have to try them next time. I assure you, there will be a next time.
 ChaChi ordered the chicken fingers. They also came with fries and your choice of honey mustard, ranch or BBQ sauce. 
 This here is a piece of the Caramel Cake. I'd have to say it is a must have. It was so good! Moist and light but not too sweet! 
Don't be skeptical about eating off a food truck. Come on, everybody's doing it! Their health score was a 98. That is better than most sit down restaurants. We received friendly service and got our food fairly quick and hot. 

You can like Mr. Clark on Facebook @ A Square Meal on Wheels to find out where you can find him for lunch.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

At the gym: Guys, don't be creepy

Back to the gym...again. This time I mean it.

So if you follow my blog you know I've been spending a lot of time at the doctor lately. That means getting on the scale. Not fun. Especially if you've gained some weight, like me. I've been saying, "I'm going to start eating right again and going to the gym on Monday." and then "No, I meant next Monday." Well, I  started my diet yesterday and due to another doctor's appointment I didn't make it. However, I did go this morning. I'll try to spare you all the details.



The gym was packed! I was prepared this time. I made sure that I put on underwear that actually fit! If you read http://split3ways.blogspot.com/2012/10/public-service-announcement.html you know what I mean. It was a total sausage fest when I first got there. It hadn't been like this before, mostly senior citizens and a good mix of men and women.

I'm just minding my business, doing a few back extensions. On a machine like this:


This is the starting position. As I'm fully extended I hear a whisper coming from behind me, "That's nice, mmmm hummm." I think did I just hear that, for real?! Surely not. I continue working out. I go to another machine and then back to the the back extension machine. Again, the guy walks behind me and more audibly says, "That's nice." After I'm finished with the machines, I go to the far corner of the gym and get on an elliptical machine. Where this guy continues to stare at me. As I go to get my keys to leave, he decides to take a bathroom break so that we almost run into each other.

Guys: Women do not find this flattering. We find it weird and creepy. The only thing it does for us, is consider getting an escort to our car.

Ok, maybe if he were much taller and hot it would have been a tiny bit flattering, maybe.



Thursday, March 7, 2013

Kegels....another overshare moment.

I haven't been feeling well for about a month. I've had a pain in my left side and have been running a fever. It's not a bad pain, just enough to notice. I really didn't think much about the pain. Then, my family got the flu. ChaChi got it first and passed it on to me. Then Ansley had it and Ryan had something. We all got the Tamiflu and everyone was feeling better except me. I didn't feel as bad but I still didn't have any energy and continued to run a fever around 100. I went to the doctor and they took blood and urine. To keep this as short as possible, they found stuff in each and sent me home with antibiotics and steroids. After two weeks I wasn't much better and my white blood count was worse than before. I got more antibiotics and had and ultrasound and a CT scan. Both of which came back normal.

Today was my appointment with the urologist. They did a different ultrasound and then said as a precautionary measure they would like to scope my bladder. Ok, I wasn't prepared for this, to say the least. I have been for all these tests and scans and haven't had to take my pants off. I really just thought I was going to give another urine sample and talk about the test results.

I can't remember the last time I've shaved my legs! I mean it's winter. Ain't nobody got time for that. So they take me back to the room and tell me to disrobe and cover with a paper sheet. Then a girl comes in and asks me to put my feet in the stirrups and disinfects my lady parts. How weird is this? I'm like we just met, could we at least talk about the weather for a moment. Could I at least get your name or tell you my favorite color. Then the doctor opens the door and comes into the room. I think, "Well, hello did everyone in the hall see my poontang?" They numbed me, ran the scope and filled my bladder. So I'm laying there looking at my bladder and I ask if they do bladder slings. I figure I've payed my copay I need to find all I can. He says, "Why, do you leak?" I say, "Yeah, sometimes." This was a mistake. After he got finished with the scope he places his head uncomfortably close to my not so private anymore region and asks me to cough. I do and he says it looks fine to him. Then he asks me to stand up and cough again. Lord, have mercy. Is there no shame?! I stand up and he kneels down in front of me and I cough again. He tells me everything looks good and that my bladder has fallen a little but nothing to be concerned about. What? My bladder has fallen and it can't get up! I feel like I should be concerned.

So I'm standing there with my bladder so full I thought it may burst. I have the "sheet" wadded up and placed between my legs. He then asks me if I know what kegels are. I tell him yes and he continues to explain to me all about  kegels. Please try to picture this: he's looking at me very intense and he takes his hand and makes a fist and tightens and relaxes it several times. Showing me this is how to do them. He says do about ten quick ones and other times squeeze and hold. Then he looks me in my eyes and says, "See, just like that. I'm doing mine right now." It was all I could do to hold in my laughter and my urine. He says to do them in the car while I'm sitting at red lights or when I'm talking on the phone. Then he gives me these little blue stickers to put on my rear view mirror and on my phone or just anywhere as a reminder to do my kegels. Sounds like a Dr. Seuss book. Do your kegels on the phone. Do your kegels on the way home. Do your kegels on the pot. Do your kegels, you'll like it a lot.




After all of these appointments, tests, loss of dignity and prescriptions he says it was all probably just a bladder infection. I'm just happy to be feeling better! Well gotta run...there are kegels to be done.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Craigslist: For a good time call or text Bruce.

I love Craigslist. I just bought some dining chairs off Craigslist that are super hideous. I hope when I finish their makeover they will look like I envision. Even when I'm not looking for anything I like to check it out. I like to read the missed connections, rants and the free stuff. I don't know why but it is totally amusing to me.

This morning I was looking through the free stuff and came across this ad:


Play boy magazines (Bruce)

I have around a ten year collection of playboy magazines kidz are getting older really need to just get ride of them u must take them all call or text 6624145353

My thoughts were that he had to make a conscious decision to place this ad. Like these magazines are so valuable to him that he just couldn't throw them away. He literally wanted someone to "enjoy" them as much as he had. Gross. Really, Bruce? I won't even check out a regular book from the library. For years my kids thought that Barnes and Noble was the library. 

The wording of the ad further cracked me up. "U must take them all" he really put thought into this ad. He didn't want someone coming to look at his collection and start flipping through the mags deciding which ones they fancied.  Or maybe he thought he wouldn't be able to complete the transaction if the interested party lingered too long. I can just imagine that exchange and hope that it would be awkward.

Uh yeah, I'm calling about the free porn...Oh, I can just come and pick them up...will your kids be home?





 








Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Watazumi Southaven MS: Impromptu Fun

It's that time of year where the kids activities seem to overlap. Ansley just wrapped up cheer on Tuesday. Both of the kids started basketball three weeks ago and two weeks ago I signed them up for tumbling.

Ryan had ridden with us to get ChaChi's allergy shots as soon as he got home from work. Then we sat through an hour of tumbling. He was just ready to come home and relax. I really needed to come home and start dinner. But I spotted this glorious, monstrosity of a slide: Watazumi. I couldn't help myself. I just had to stop and check out this slide.  If you've ever driven by Snowden Grove, you have seen it. I have always thought of stopping but it hasn't ever been inflated. Tonight it was inflated and the kids saw it and asked if we could stop. I could tell Ryan wasn't really up for it but my car just pulled off the road toward the slide. It was really out of my control, really.

We get out and find the person running the slide. The slide wasn't really open. The owner was just there doing some maintenance . He was kind enough to let the kids slide. Straight out of tumbling the kids were dressed in shorts and short sleeved shirts. I'm sure he thought we were crazy because he asked, "do y'all have jackets?" Of course we didn't. Then he says they may want to take their shoes off. Barefoot, through the wet grass and mud the kids made their way up to the top of the 65 feet tall slide, I think they counted 50 steps. ChaChi was the first one down which really surprised me because he is the chicken of the two. Later, Ansley revealed that she told him to go first because she wanted to see what it would be like. After we watched ChaChi go down we were like, "Oh man that was awesome!" The owner, I think it was Rob, said "y'all should give it a try." What? Me? Slide? Well, heck yeah! I think I will. Ryan and I kicked off our shoes and headed up the slide. When I got to the top, I have to admit I was surprised how high up we were. OH MY GOSH! I screamed all the way down, all 265 feet! It was such a great feeling. I felt like a kid again.  The slide is $5.00 for three trips down or $10.00 for unlimited. Worth. Every. Penny. When I got off the slide I ran(in my socks, mind you) to the steps to go back up. ChaChi said he can't remember the last time he had that much fun.

My point in all this rambling: don't get too busy to have fun. I know the responsible thing would have been to come home and cook dinner and get the kids in bed on time. So what? The kids had an egg sandwich and got in bed an hour late. In exchange for a great time, totally worth it. Do over!

It is usually only open on the weekends but as luck would have it, the owner was there doing some maintenance. It is priced at $5.00 for three trips down the slide or $10.00 for unlimited sliding

Update:

I cannot say enough good things about Watazumi. We spent the day there yesterday. For the summer it is a water slide. When you arrive there are a nice group of trees to park under. Make your way to the cute little barn, get your wrist band and prepare to have a good time.

Watazumi

6674 Snowden Lane, Southaven MS 38672

                                      Summer Hours                                           

             Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM                  
             Friday - Saturday     10:00 AM to 11:00 PM                  
  Sunday                       2:00 PM to 10:00 PM  

                  

Cost

$15.00 For an all day pass. Come and go as you please. Just make sure you leave your wristband on.


What to bring with you: If you're sliding wear a swim suit or shorts and a t-shirt is fine too. Bring chairs or a blanket.  Towels for the sliders. There are plenty of shady places to sit. Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks. Going up all those steps works up an appetite. On the weekends they show movies. Check their Facebook for update about what movie will be showing.Watazumi