Crosswinds Church Car Show - July 2012

Some camping buddies, John & Ann, are members of Crosswinds Church here in northern Illinois. If you remember, Ann, Jules' friend from high school, is the woman that gave me my orange tent at a rally in Woodstock, Illinois. That is just a little history lesson. Tests will be passed out at the end. It will be an open blog test so don't fret. That and the teacher can probably be bought for the low price of one tasty beverage, just sayin'.

'61 International Pick-Up
(My favorite)

Getting back to why I am typing today. Ann & John and others of their church decided to have a car show as a fund raiser. Ann and John were going to display their vintage camper and asked Jules & Norm if they would like to bring Bob the Burger out for their event.




Of course if there is a reason to have a camper out, set up and to have a party, Jules and Norm are there.

We had the two campers set up at the end of the parking lot. Considering the reactions that we got, I don't think a lot of folks expected to see vintage campers at a car show. It was a hoot!

All set up for the throngs of people to pass through. Right down to the popcorn machine.

Jules & Norm gave away popcorn throughout the event. I think the kids were the ones that got the most out of the popcorn.

Back to the cars.

For a 1952 this is a beaut! The last one I remember seeing one was in the late 60's in Cali, on the beach with surf boards sticking out the back. What a time that was...

This has got to be one rare ride.

This was Norm's favorite in the show.

  

 

This 1956 Plymouth not only was Jules' favorite, but it eventually WON best in the show.

Clearly the folks that build the cookie-cutter cars today have NO IDEA what style really is. Classy and classic cars went away long ago.

I don't think car shows in 2050 will even consider cars built after 1975 as being worthy of being in the show.

I'm sure the owners of cars from the 20's and 30's also felt the same way about cars built in the 50's, so who knows.

See what I mean about style? How many tasty beverages did the guy who designed this car have in him when he came up with this wing? How many, I ask? Well it was the late 60's... You can't even have ONE in you at work now without someone getting all bent out of shape.

It wasn't all cars at the show. Although I interrupted this guy's lunch, I just had to get a picture of the fastest golf cart on the planet.

I'm pretty sure it was one of those transformer monsters though. While taking the picture it growled at me & Big Bill.

Speaking of growling...

Big Bill wanted nothing to do with getting his picture with the local police. He said he has already had his picture taken by the police too many times.

He swears it is always just a misunderstanding. I can see that. 

There were a couple of extremely high highlights during the day. This was certainly one of the highest!

A back rub, by a professional massage therapist! Have you ever even heard of getting a massage at a car show? How awesome was that?

Thanks again Melissa!





 

Check this out! A live band at the car show. Not only is that cool, but Ann SINGS in the band! That is her in front wearing the black shirt!

I was going to ask for an autograph, but I didn't want to look too star struck. Besides, stars themselves are not suppose to get that way. I couldn't get Big Bill to ask either.

The group is called TOW.

After the band played I went and checked out Ann & John's camper. It was decorated in a Route 66 theme.












While chillin' near the end of the day I talked my way into getting to test drive my favorite vehicle in the show.

I really loved this truck. Totally original and owned by the same family since it was new! They not only KNEW all of the history of this truck, they MADE all of it!

I really enjoyed driving it. However, Big Bill isn't all that coordinated when it comes to letting the clutch out smooth. Makes me look bad when the truck is all jerky. I couldn't talk them into selling anyhow.





Well that wraps up the car show.

Now, for that test...

Travis

P.S. Big Bill said the golf cart didn't growl at us. He said the owner revved the engine.  I feel so silly.

Video games; Crafts; Swimming; Bingo; Painting - July 2012

Lets be straight about this. I have been doing all sorts of things. I even took a bunch of pictures and had my picture taken a lot. But do you think for a second I would sit down and update my blog? This may sound like an excuse but I have been using my FB page more and posting "updates" there. Just not as in depth.

FB is more of a cheap, fast, flash in the pan sort of way to make updates. I suppose to a lot of folks that is sufficient. But to my true fans and friends the blog is the only way to really follow my antics. I agree, henceforth, less FB, more blog!

So, here is what I have been doing...

Hanging out in Malden

Not only is it quiet and peaceful (when the trains aren't going by blowing their horns...) it is entertaining.

I get to watch Norm mow the grass, do maintenance, and set up and take down campers. When the dogs come with it is especially fun watching Norm chase around after them with a shovel. Eeww...

While Norm is doing chores I am hanging out with Jules playing video games. Don't get me wrong! I would help mow, but Norm still won't let me drive the lawn tractor.

It may seem like I was winning, but I just tied up the round. Jules whomped me during the next round to win the game.

Jules is wicked good at whomping everyone at Dr. Mario. She loves being the champion! 

One drawback (sort of) to Malden is that Norm won't pop to have the internet (or TV) connected. So when we are there I can't update my blog, even if I wanted to.

I offered to call and have it hooked up. Do you think for a second that Norm would loan me his phone so I could call? Then maybe pay for the internet? NO way Jose! What a tightwad.

Doing crafts with Jules (and Norm)

Jules asked if Norm & I could make her a tea cup chandelier. It was another one of those times when she had more confidence in Norm than I do. If I didn't help him and show him how to do it, the light would have never been built.

 When I was finished Jules suggested that we drape little crystals from it.

So we sorted crystals and strung them together to hang on the light. It turned out really cool. Jules has such an eye for design!

Then Norm actually wired it in without electrocuting himself or burning down the house.

It really is neato!



Yep, real tea cups! Just drill a hole in them. They make great lights then, but are really bad at holding your tea.

Swimming in Wisconsin

Nobody believes me when I say I know how to swim.

For the last time, yes I do swim!


I can't say much about the accommodations though, although the pool was rather nice.

The no fun zone was in full effect. If its not a toy, where are the toys?

Clearly they don't have spell check at the local sign shop either.

Oops! My bad.

Played Bingo in Carpentersville

After reading how the games were called at the local bingo parlor I jumped right in. I am a big affectionado of bingo.

We hung out with one of Jules' high school friends, Brandi, and her family while we played.

From the left, Brandi, her husband Rick and KC. Rick & Brandi are always laughing and cutting up. Personally, I think Rick's wiring is a little loose, but we got along great.

They even had dancers. Rick commented that I should bust a move or two to show up the guy dancer that was sneaking into this shot. I didn't have the wardrobe to pull it off. So to speak...

More Painting

Everyone who really knows Jules understands that she is a gypsy way down deep in her soul. She has this wanderlust to travel and see different things. Well, they don't move every two or three years like they did when they first got married, so it means redoing the house instead. It has been two years...

Time to break out the paint brushes & rollers!

KC likes cutting in, Kyle doesn't paint (yet)



First things first. Cutting in.

Some people find this part to be the most enjoyable. Others prefer rolling.

Personally, I prefer watching, but that rarely happens.

I wasn't allowed to watch so I had to cut in. I was giving Big Bill pointers so he could paint for me in the future. Jules heard me teaching Big Bill and said we would have TWO painters in the future so we could paint more and faster.

She is cute, but that stinks.

Norm does the rolling. No free advertising on my blog, except of course for KC's school.

Finished. One of the advantages of having a smaller house and lots of help, the painting gets done quick.

Of course being finished sooner means more energy for horsing around too.


That shade of blue does NOT go with my outfit!



I better get to gettin'
Talk to you soon,

Travis