This time of year, the planning begins for the next tailgating season. These days, each group has a tailgating setup guy that takes care of setting up your tents and tables. Some groups take it to the next level with generators, TVs, and satellite dishes. The annual costs can range from $1,000 up! Ole Miss has taken it to another level, with a tailgating package at $17,500!
Each group has a coordinator that pays the setup guy, takes care of the shopping list and hands out the signup list for members to host a specific game.
Generally, all are welcome to the tailgating scene, just bring a chair, a cooler full of drinks, and some kind of snack or dish to share. Fans of the weekend's opponent are always welcomed with a plate of food and a cold drink.
An interesting topic came up at our weekly pool talk gathering. We began talking about the habits of tailgating that bug the heck out of you. We had a lot of common issues among us. One topic in particular came up that had some to be quite vocal.
Occasionally, you come across individuals that come by, every game, stay til game time, eat the food, and raid the coolers for a free beer. They are friends of a "member", but choose to not participate in the cost.
How do you pick the member to drop the news to them to find another pasture to graze???
1. Paper, rock, scissors? 2. Draw straws? 3.low card draw?
Once the messenger is picked, how do you deliver the message? 1.face to face? 2. Phone call? 3. Text message? 4. Email? 5. Just move the tent location? 6. Send them a bill for their share?
It cracked me up to hear the finite details that were being described about the culprits! I wondered, do they also play bunco together? Do they do birthday parties together? Are the related by blood or marriage???
There is never a dull moment at pool talk, at the Markie Mark!
Retired in 2012. I'm trying to out run old age and boredom. So far, I'm winning the race!
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Rules of the Pool, Markie Mark Style
Everybody has pool rules, and they are usually posted on the fence or wall somewhere. At the Markie Mark we have our own set of rules. Here are our top 12:
1. If the water is green, don't look for your toes, you won't find them. If its too green, start looking for frogs!
2. If you bring snack, be sure to bring enough to share. A pork butt to snack on, include slider buns instead of the full size ones, women and their diets
3. Don't get your man card punched by blowing up a giant sized beach ball for a lady with other women around. Death sentence
4. In a pool full of cougar mommas. head for deep water, with a float, and your cold beverage. As they drink, their vision gets blurry, then anybody in trunks are fair game
5. On a warm day, have your flip flops handy. Not cool to scoot across concrete yelling hot! hot! hot!
6. When the pool sounds like it has a bad case of indigestion, time to add several inches of water
7. Never call the Pool Popo lady a "ball sack" when she asks you your name and unit number. Citizens arrest! You better have your unit number and owner name down pat!
8. Never fall asleep on your pool float, you might miss out on Duck Commander dropping by with his duck decoys to record a video.
9. If you're a sugar daddy and you are with your sugar baby, keep your affectionate little butt pats underwater, or back at the house! You'll be the talk of the pool for weeks!
10. When the pool is in cocoon mode, don't be letting your babies be splashing and making waves. Us older peeps need our calm waters!
11. Alcohol and pool floats can be a deadly combination. We've seen float swallow up babes like a taco!
12. Woman that goes silent, works her way to open water, then returns to her usual spot has just left you a present in the pool. A warm spot!
1. If the water is green, don't look for your toes, you won't find them. If its too green, start looking for frogs!
2. If you bring snack, be sure to bring enough to share. A pork butt to snack on, include slider buns instead of the full size ones, women and their diets
3. Don't get your man card punched by blowing up a giant sized beach ball for a lady with other women around. Death sentence
4. In a pool full of cougar mommas. head for deep water, with a float, and your cold beverage. As they drink, their vision gets blurry, then anybody in trunks are fair game
5. On a warm day, have your flip flops handy. Not cool to scoot across concrete yelling hot! hot! hot!
6. When the pool sounds like it has a bad case of indigestion, time to add several inches of water
7. Never call the Pool Popo lady a "ball sack" when she asks you your name and unit number. Citizens arrest! You better have your unit number and owner name down pat!
8. Never fall asleep on your pool float, you might miss out on Duck Commander dropping by with his duck decoys to record a video.
9. If you're a sugar daddy and you are with your sugar baby, keep your affectionate little butt pats underwater, or back at the house! You'll be the talk of the pool for weeks!
10. When the pool is in cocoon mode, don't be letting your babies be splashing and making waves. Us older peeps need our calm waters!
11. Alcohol and pool floats can be a deadly combination. We've seen float swallow up babes like a taco!
12. Woman that goes silent, works her way to open water, then returns to her usual spot has just left you a present in the pool. A warm spot!
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Shacking Up, at Her Place 101
This younger generation has made the traditional relationships with their mate a thing of the past. You like her, she likes you, hey, lets move in together! But, before you pack your bags, and move out of mamma's house, there are ten rules you must observe and obey:
1. Bathrooms: girls do not share their bathroom, period. You will be granted access to the guest bathroom. You must keep this room neat and tidy at all times. No beard hair in the sink! And the cardinal rule to never break-never use the monogrammed towels to dry your hands and do not use that special bar of soap in the dish! That soap is for guest only!
2. Toilet seat: the seat must be in the down position at all times. If you miss or spatter, wipe it down! And don't just flush and go! You must remain in a holding pattern until the completion of the water cycle! Most women prefer the lid down also.
3. Toilet Paper: you must observe the paper flow of the roll of paper before using up the roll. The woman of the household has a particular preference, paper under, or paper over. Do not make light of this. Your relationship with this woman depends on it.
4. Running water: during the first six-twelve months of your stay, you will notice that the woman of the house runs the water in the sink, while they are in that room doing their business. Once the gal of the house becomes comfortable with you in the house, then the running water will stop, and then you will notice the sounds of the jungle coming from behind that door!
5. Closets: your best hope is that the bedrooms have walk in closets. If not, you best get used to living out of your suitcase! The bedroom closet will be full of this season's clothing, and the other bedroom closets will be full of the other seasonal clothing.
6. Refrigerator: forget having space for your twelve pack of your favorite beer. The refrigerator will be full of bottles of white wine, cottage cheese, yogurt, and sugar free flavored water! The veggie bins will be full of, you guessed it, veggies!
7. TV: don't even think of reprogramming the favorite tv channels on the TV, even if its yours! The remote control is her domain!
8. Laundry: stick with just washing your own clothes, until she gives you permission to run a load for her. On each and every item, you must check the recommended laundry procedures, as some items will need to be sent to the dry cleaners, and you must separate the whites, from the pastels, from the dark colors. When removing items from the dryer, have a pair of tongs handy, in case you come across her thong underwear.
9. Bed covers: chances are the duvet, or bed spread is light colored. Never come into the bedroom all hot and sweaty and crash on the bed for a quick nap. You must first take a quick shower, dry off, and put on clean clothes. Your body sweat will stain that light colored material.
10. Pets: if the gal of the house has a pet, remember, it was here first. If the woman of the house has to make a choice, it will not be you!
If you will observe these house rules, your stay may eventually become permanent Most of these rules will apply, if she moves into your domain, but that's a whole separate topic!
1. Bathrooms: girls do not share their bathroom, period. You will be granted access to the guest bathroom. You must keep this room neat and tidy at all times. No beard hair in the sink! And the cardinal rule to never break-never use the monogrammed towels to dry your hands and do not use that special bar of soap in the dish! That soap is for guest only!
2. Toilet seat: the seat must be in the down position at all times. If you miss or spatter, wipe it down! And don't just flush and go! You must remain in a holding pattern until the completion of the water cycle! Most women prefer the lid down also.
3. Toilet Paper: you must observe the paper flow of the roll of paper before using up the roll. The woman of the household has a particular preference, paper under, or paper over. Do not make light of this. Your relationship with this woman depends on it.
4. Running water: during the first six-twelve months of your stay, you will notice that the woman of the house runs the water in the sink, while they are in that room doing their business. Once the gal of the house becomes comfortable with you in the house, then the running water will stop, and then you will notice the sounds of the jungle coming from behind that door!
5. Closets: your best hope is that the bedrooms have walk in closets. If not, you best get used to living out of your suitcase! The bedroom closet will be full of this season's clothing, and the other bedroom closets will be full of the other seasonal clothing.
6. Refrigerator: forget having space for your twelve pack of your favorite beer. The refrigerator will be full of bottles of white wine, cottage cheese, yogurt, and sugar free flavored water! The veggie bins will be full of, you guessed it, veggies!
7. TV: don't even think of reprogramming the favorite tv channels on the TV, even if its yours! The remote control is her domain!
8. Laundry: stick with just washing your own clothes, until she gives you permission to run a load for her. On each and every item, you must check the recommended laundry procedures, as some items will need to be sent to the dry cleaners, and you must separate the whites, from the pastels, from the dark colors. When removing items from the dryer, have a pair of tongs handy, in case you come across her thong underwear.
9. Bed covers: chances are the duvet, or bed spread is light colored. Never come into the bedroom all hot and sweaty and crash on the bed for a quick nap. You must first take a quick shower, dry off, and put on clean clothes. Your body sweat will stain that light colored material.
10. Pets: if the gal of the house has a pet, remember, it was here first. If the woman of the house has to make a choice, it will not be you!
If you will observe these house rules, your stay may eventually become permanent Most of these rules will apply, if she moves into your domain, but that's a whole separate topic!
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Pool Talk, at the Markie Mark-Brunch on Us
Our little pool crew had so much fun on Saturday, doing our interpretation of cocooning and gossiping that it had to pick up again the next day. Let's bring snacks they said. Ok, cheese straws and champagne, that's the ticket!
We were the last to arrive. We look under the pavilion, and there is a table cloth on one of the picnic tables! This last minute planning idea resulted in a full blown pool tailgate! We had cheese straws, sausage balls, cinnamon rolls, chicken & waffles, fruit, and mimosas! What a deal! A late arrival came walking up with two small bags of chips and a box of cheesits. Girl! You gotta step up your game!
From here, our first topic of the day came from our mini-tailgate party. "Ya'll, let me tell ya about some of the crazy stuff from our Grove Tailgating!...." We all agreed, there are several universal "oh hell no's"that we all had in common:
1. Don't be walking up with just a bag of chips in your hand, oh hell no!
2. Don't be showing up at 12:00 for a 11:00 game with the sausage and biscuits that should a been there by 8:00. Oh hell no!
3. Don't show up, no ticket, no groceries, and clean us out while we are at the game. Oh, hell no!
4. Don't borrow a cooler because you forgot to bring one, then not return it to the owner. Oh hell no!
5. Don't be the one to announce, "were out of cups and paper products" when you never bring any. Oh hell no!
6. Don't show up late, and plop yourself in front of the tv and ask "when ya'll gonna have the game on???" Oh hell no!
7. Don't be showing up with several bottles of wine and ask, "anybody got a cork screw??? Oh hell no!
As the day wore on, even more topics were discussed. We all agreed to save the gossip for this coming week for next Saturday, for the next installment of Pool Talk, at the Markie Mark!
We were the last to arrive. We look under the pavilion, and there is a table cloth on one of the picnic tables! This last minute planning idea resulted in a full blown pool tailgate! We had cheese straws, sausage balls, cinnamon rolls, chicken & waffles, fruit, and mimosas! What a deal! A late arrival came walking up with two small bags of chips and a box of cheesits. Girl! You gotta step up your game!
From here, our first topic of the day came from our mini-tailgate party. "Ya'll, let me tell ya about some of the crazy stuff from our Grove Tailgating!...." We all agreed, there are several universal "oh hell no's"that we all had in common:
1. Don't be walking up with just a bag of chips in your hand, oh hell no!
2. Don't be showing up at 12:00 for a 11:00 game with the sausage and biscuits that should a been there by 8:00. Oh hell no!
3. Don't show up, no ticket, no groceries, and clean us out while we are at the game. Oh, hell no!
4. Don't borrow a cooler because you forgot to bring one, then not return it to the owner. Oh hell no!
5. Don't be the one to announce, "were out of cups and paper products" when you never bring any. Oh hell no!
6. Don't show up late, and plop yourself in front of the tv and ask "when ya'll gonna have the game on???" Oh hell no!
7. Don't be showing up with several bottles of wine and ask, "anybody got a cork screw??? Oh hell no!
As the day wore on, even more topics were discussed. We all agreed to save the gossip for this coming week for next Saturday, for the next installment of Pool Talk, at the Markie Mark!
Pool Talk, From the Markie Mark
Well, it has taken us almost 2 years to finally meet up with the right kinds people at the Markie Mark. Some are weekenders, some are resident owners, some are renters, and others just come back for a pool day because they miss it so much.
For the most part, we resemble those characters from the movie "Cocoon". We sit on our floats, sipping our favorite beverages, and trying to make as few ripples in the pool as possible!
Yesterday we all noticed this couple at the other end, enjoying the lounge chairs
The guy looked a lot older. The gal was a sweet looking blonde thang in a skinny bright yellow bikini. Occasionally, she would get out of her lounge chair to take a dip and wet her ankles.
All of us noticed the older guy would casually give her a pat on her behind. It wasn't a fatherly pat, either. After they left, one of our cocooners blurted out, "I don't think that was a father daughter thing!" OMG! The dam just broke on conversation!
This couple had to have been one of those sugar daddy and sugar baby thangs! One of our crew knows of a girl that goes out to dinner with older men, and gets tipped $150, plus the meal! We all then began plotting on how we could figure out which building they stay in! The old ladies in the assisted living facilities ain't got nothing on us!
We had so much fun that we had to give our little group a proper name! Pool Talk, at the Markie Mark was born! Plans were made to regroup the next day, pool side, early at 11:00 a.m. sharp! Cheese straws and mimosas would be served. I'm thinking, this is gonna be a hoot!
For the most part, we resemble those characters from the movie "Cocoon". We sit on our floats, sipping our favorite beverages, and trying to make as few ripples in the pool as possible!
Yesterday we all noticed this couple at the other end, enjoying the lounge chairs
The guy looked a lot older. The gal was a sweet looking blonde thang in a skinny bright yellow bikini. Occasionally, she would get out of her lounge chair to take a dip and wet her ankles.
All of us noticed the older guy would casually give her a pat on her behind. It wasn't a fatherly pat, either. After they left, one of our cocooners blurted out, "I don't think that was a father daughter thing!" OMG! The dam just broke on conversation!
This couple had to have been one of those sugar daddy and sugar baby thangs! One of our crew knows of a girl that goes out to dinner with older men, and gets tipped $150, plus the meal! We all then began plotting on how we could figure out which building they stay in! The old ladies in the assisted living facilities ain't got nothing on us!
We had so much fun that we had to give our little group a proper name! Pool Talk, at the Markie Mark was born! Plans were made to regroup the next day, pool side, early at 11:00 a.m. sharp! Cheese straws and mimosas would be served. I'm thinking, this is gonna be a hoot!
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Beach Vaca 101 for 2018
Every trip to the beach brings new experiences and new discoveries to add to the list:
Must bring items:
1. A muffin pan. Martha White muffin mixes are and easy breakfast treat. I also discovered from FB, a other muffin pan treat. Line the muffin cups with ham slices, add cheese, then a whole egg, salt and pepper. Bake 400 degrees, for 15 minutes.
2. A dash mini waffle iron. Waffle mix that you just add milk or water, and your babies have a waffle breakfast treat! The dash mini makes them the size of an Eggo waffle!
3.Quisinart ice cream maker. Put the mixer bowl in the freezer. Mix up the 4 ingredients and 20 minutes you have a frozen treat. Make it the day before and it's good and firm. No ice or salt needed!
4. Homemade cookies. Bag all the dry ingredients in ziploc bags. Sugars together, flours, salt, and baking soda together. Mix in wet ingredients at the beach, and bake for a homemade treat! I also bring parchment paper and a simple cookie scoop.
5.Hand mixer. I made my chocolate chip cookies by hand, since the condo didn't have a mixer.
6.Margarita machine. (Repeat item) Best discovery ever! Mix them up overnight, store in ziploc bags. Use the frozen bags as ice for your beach lunch. Pour into a steel 30 oz tumbler, add a smoothee straw, and you have a frozen adult beverage that lasts for hours!
7. Beach wagon, with wide wheels. Must have for all you bring! The heavier the load, the more you end up dragging instead of pulling.
8. Beach chairs and umbrella. A three day rental at Sandestin is $100, or $150 if you aren't a card carrying guest. We go to the beach so often, we bring our own. Best umbrella ever is the Cool Cabana. You can find it at www.cool-cabana.com.
9. Beach. The beach at Sandestin is usually way over crowded, and the chair rental guys takeover the prime spaces, pushing tent and canopy users way back from the water. Down here, Henderson State Park is between Destin and Sandestin and only $6 a car load. It's never been busy when we go, and you can set up any type of shade at the waters edge. Worth it if you are going to make it a full day.
10. Bluetooth speaker. Hook up your favorite Pandora channel without having to use earbuds. The sound usually doesn't disturb your neighbors.
11. External battery charger. This will keep your phone battery fully charged, a long with any other USB devices.
12. Rainy day entertainment. We were here seven days and it rained six of them. We managed to get some beach time every day, but with several "pack it up quick " moments.
13. Go early. Best time for restaurant dining is EARLY! We target 5-5:30 to miss the long wait times for a table. Sometimes when it's just two of us, we will eat at the bar!
14. Bacon. Cook it at home till "floppy". Place on paper towels. Once cool, put into ziploc bags and freeze. At the beach, microwave slices for one minute, and you have crispy bacon without the mess of frying!
15. Plastic tubs. We store all our kitchen supplies in small plastic tubs. Paper goods, washing pods, seasonings, etc... we restock pack at home, saving on trips to the store for those "local marked up pricing "!
Wow! 15 items for the Beaching 101 list! Some old ones, but more new! We have another trip in August, to Hilton Head. Maybe there will be some new items from the Atlantic coast!
Must bring items:
1. A muffin pan. Martha White muffin mixes are and easy breakfast treat. I also discovered from FB, a other muffin pan treat. Line the muffin cups with ham slices, add cheese, then a whole egg, salt and pepper. Bake 400 degrees, for 15 minutes.
2. A dash mini waffle iron. Waffle mix that you just add milk or water, and your babies have a waffle breakfast treat! The dash mini makes them the size of an Eggo waffle!
3.Quisinart ice cream maker. Put the mixer bowl in the freezer. Mix up the 4 ingredients and 20 minutes you have a frozen treat. Make it the day before and it's good and firm. No ice or salt needed!
4. Homemade cookies. Bag all the dry ingredients in ziploc bags. Sugars together, flours, salt, and baking soda together. Mix in wet ingredients at the beach, and bake for a homemade treat! I also bring parchment paper and a simple cookie scoop.
5.Hand mixer. I made my chocolate chip cookies by hand, since the condo didn't have a mixer.
6.Margarita machine. (Repeat item) Best discovery ever! Mix them up overnight, store in ziploc bags. Use the frozen bags as ice for your beach lunch. Pour into a steel 30 oz tumbler, add a smoothee straw, and you have a frozen adult beverage that lasts for hours!
7. Beach wagon, with wide wheels. Must have for all you bring! The heavier the load, the more you end up dragging instead of pulling.
8. Beach chairs and umbrella. A three day rental at Sandestin is $100, or $150 if you aren't a card carrying guest. We go to the beach so often, we bring our own. Best umbrella ever is the Cool Cabana. You can find it at www.cool-cabana.com.
9. Beach. The beach at Sandestin is usually way over crowded, and the chair rental guys takeover the prime spaces, pushing tent and canopy users way back from the water. Down here, Henderson State Park is between Destin and Sandestin and only $6 a car load. It's never been busy when we go, and you can set up any type of shade at the waters edge. Worth it if you are going to make it a full day.
10. Bluetooth speaker. Hook up your favorite Pandora channel without having to use earbuds. The sound usually doesn't disturb your neighbors.
11. External battery charger. This will keep your phone battery fully charged, a long with any other USB devices.
12. Rainy day entertainment. We were here seven days and it rained six of them. We managed to get some beach time every day, but with several "pack it up quick " moments.
13. Go early. Best time for restaurant dining is EARLY! We target 5-5:30 to miss the long wait times for a table. Sometimes when it's just two of us, we will eat at the bar!
14. Bacon. Cook it at home till "floppy". Place on paper towels. Once cool, put into ziploc bags and freeze. At the beach, microwave slices for one minute, and you have crispy bacon without the mess of frying!
15. Plastic tubs. We store all our kitchen supplies in small plastic tubs. Paper goods, washing pods, seasonings, etc... we restock pack at home, saving on trips to the store for those "local marked up pricing "!
Wow! 15 items for the Beaching 101 list! Some old ones, but more new! We have another trip in August, to Hilton Head. Maybe there will be some new items from the Atlantic coast!
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Vaca Foodie Stops
When traveling an Vaca, one must always stay alert for a new foodie stop. You might see a billboard, a Facebook foodie post, or as my momma says "it looked good from the outside"! We were ending our trip over the bay bridge to Destin, and spotted Lulu's, next to the boat warehouse that's covered in a mural of whales. We have been to the one in Gulf Shores, but haven't tried this one, so why not!
LULU's
The parking up close is limited, so expect to drop off your riders, then go park, with a nice walk back. The building is open air, with huge garage doors up and lots of fans spinning. We noticed from the bridge that there was a sea plane in the water. The pilot will walk by your table and drop off a card, to remind you during your stay that he is available.
We were not sure what we wanted to order until I saw a seafood basket for two on the menu. It has fish, shrimp, oysters, and crab claws, along with hush puppies and fries. Granted, it was all fried, but it was oh so good!
Can you imagine getting a call from your daughter, "Mom! I met this guy at the beach! And, we love each other! Don't tell Dad, I want to surprise him with a visit on Father's day!
He must have really shook me up. We got down the road, when I suddenly remembered I had left my credit card on the table. A quick thinking spousal unit made a phone call, and we detoured back to pick it up. Whew! Is this a sign that I'm getting old???? One of many!
CULVERS
Along Hwy 98, before you get to the "Premium Outlet Stores" was a new place called Culvers. They are a fast food joint, but they also serve custard desserts. We have been through the drive-thu at several other locations, but have never gone in. We were waiting for out room to get ready, so why not.
We walked up to the counter, and just stared. There were so many choices! The cashier remarked, "take your time, we are used to it." We were there for the custard. The chain originated from Wisconsin, and they also have fried cheese curds, which we love. The custard reminds me of Bops, back in Mississippi.
They have an endless amount of toppings for you to try.
LULU's
The parking up close is limited, so expect to drop off your riders, then go park, with a nice walk back. The building is open air, with huge garage doors up and lots of fans spinning. We noticed from the bridge that there was a sea plane in the water. The pilot will walk by your table and drop off a card, to remind you during your stay that he is available.
We were not sure what we wanted to order until I saw a seafood basket for two on the menu. It has fish, shrimp, oysters, and crab claws, along with hush puppies and fries. Granted, it was all fried, but it was oh so good!
I noticed one of the waiters working one of the other tables looked like he wasn't from around these parts. The only thang missing was a kilt and a sword!
He must have really shook me up. We got down the road, when I suddenly remembered I had left my credit card on the table. A quick thinking spousal unit made a phone call, and we detoured back to pick it up. Whew! Is this a sign that I'm getting old???? One of many!
CULVERS
Along Hwy 98, before you get to the "Premium Outlet Stores" was a new place called Culvers. They are a fast food joint, but they also serve custard desserts. We have been through the drive-thu at several other locations, but have never gone in. We were waiting for out room to get ready, so why not.
We walked up to the counter, and just stared. There were so many choices! The cashier remarked, "take your time, we are used to it." We were there for the custard. The chain originated from Wisconsin, and they also have fried cheese curds, which we love. The custard reminds me of Bops, back in Mississippi.
They have an endless amount of toppings for you to try.
WINN DIXIE
With our early arrival, we were able to check in an hour early and unpack. Our kids were still in transit, so we decided to go ahead with the first grocery run. Siri said WinnDixie was the closest (Publix and Walmart a short ride further). Winn Dixie was an absolute mad house! It was like bumper cars with the shopping carts! The cereal row was a wasteland, nothing but a few boxes left on the self! The deli meat section was like pit row of a NASCAR race, everybody pulling up to the doors with their carts, emptying the shelves before the guy behind them could blink. On the end of aisles, and down thew rows, there were abandoned carts, half filled. Is this the Zombie Apocalypse?????
We survived the checkout line, with everything on our list. I can just imagine what the first night restaurant scene would be! Shrimp boil condo style for us!
Stay tuned. more to come.....
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