Best _____ That We'll Never Have Again.

End of February and I’m sick of the cold, the snow, and the ice. We had a thaw out last week at the end of the week but it seems that we are right back to where we were. I shoveled the driveway yesterday and was irritated. Polar vortex = stupid. I know we could be colder, could have more snow, could have more miserable, I just would like some days above freezing. Matt also feels his mood swings with the weather, particularly with the precipitation.

We had a productive weekend. Saturday, I woke up to Matt: It’s a great day to be a Remynse! I didn’t think we needed to be up so early but the shock of him being the first one out of bed may have jostled me a awake. I went out for breakfast for some much needed catch up time with friend, Becca. I hadn’t seen her since the wedding. We met at the bagel shop.

When I got home, Matt was blasting the music and straightening up a bit. This blasting (come from the speakers that were gifted to him by my mother) inspired the 90’s Music Off. We played music related to our past, specifically the 90’s but a few early 2000’s showed up in there. We took turns listening down memory lane. We did not keep score this time, so we’ll call it a draw. Could have gone on longer but I had to go pick up my bountiful basket.

We also did some brief running around for supplies as Matt began a new era on Saturday, February 22. Matt comes from 2 previous generations of pizza makers. His grandfather, Bob, started this and his father and uncles have continued creating an air of competition. Matt has now thrown his hat into the ring. We started out with a bang! Matt made the dough (with the help of my bread maker). He made the sauce from my canned tomatoes and using his father’s sauce as a start. And aside from pepperoni and cheese, we used homemade sweet Italian sausage from the hog that we butchered last month. I’m proud of pizza number 1. We took a few notes including that we need to put more toppings on but for a first attempt, we were very happy!

We did have a bit of an audience on the first try as we had Jess and Kay and the kids over too. We made an agreement that we’ll cook dinner if Jess and Chayden will help Matt fix the shower, which has been acting up over the past week. I can handle these deals! The night did end with a trip to Menards and us having to pick out a new shower set, but I guess if that’s the least of my troubles, we can’t be too bad.

Sunday was also a productive day. I broke my basket down and created California medley packs that I froze for later. I also decided to use up the tomatoes my mother gifted me and salsa’d them. I had an excellent kitchen helper. I got him chopper and in order to keep him moving and busy in the kitchen we got a little off the recipe. I did have a recipe that I used as a guideline, but mostly I wanted to use the items from my basket. We had garlic, celery, peppers, onion, a random chili that was in my asian add-on and then some stuff from my pantry: jalapenos, can of chilis, a jar of my tomatoes, and some random seasonings. Basically what I’m getting at is we’ll never have the salsa again because we don’t know how much we put in of things let alone what all the things were. In the end, we did end up adding some extra tomato sauce and paste, but I’m pretty happy with the end product. We canned them and ended up having 5 pints and 2 quarts!

We ended the weekend with Matt’s dinner. He cooked a roast and then we also had a side of mashed cauliflower, which we’ve wanted to try for awhile. I made the salad. It was a great meal.

Best meal: Matt’s pizza. The sausage was such a great addition to the amazing sauce and great dough.

Rarely, do we get to stare in the face of our aging future, Lola was able to.

Discussing a work related issue.
ALR: Well, I don’t think you are remembering that some people have feelings, that could be why they are upset.
MJR: What are you saying?
ALR: I’m saying that some people have emotions and feel things.
MJR (Stares)
ALR: You don’t have feelings, you don’t understand.
MJR: What?
ALR: Do you have feelings?
MJR: I don’t understand what the big deal is!
ALR: You didn’t answer the question, do you have feelings?
MJR: I can feel things!
ALR: But your one feeling rarely gets a work out, I’m just saying that some people aren’t as literal and are moved by their emotions.
MJR: Fine, Fine, Fine.

Controversy Ensues

Our house has been a buzz with the Olympics. Really not on my end, but Matt’s. Aside from the fact that he does not have any idea at any given time what the opening/theme music is, he is very attentive to following the sports. We watch it every night. Every night. And I’m so ready for regularly scheduled programming. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I can’t stand it. Some of it interests me and it’s better than other things we watch (outdoor shows, football, golf, outdoor shows) but the part that I get into is the stories. I like the story about the girl that got silver in skeleton or the ice dancers who have been together 17 years. I think by giving more depth into the characters of the story I have a higher interest.

 

But here’s a conversation for lack of understanding the Olympics. 

ALR: So why do they do the Olympics?
MJR: To compete.
ALR: That’s it?
MJR: What more is there?
ALR: I assumed there would be something towards the great good.
Pauses watching
ALR: What do they do with the tracks when they are done?
MJR: Well maybe they’ll use them for other training events or maybe some other events, but they’ll probably be torn down.
ALR: Oh, and how do they house them? Now that they’ve flooded the tourism with bad hotels, what happens then?
MJR: You are RUINING THE OLYMPICS!

Nothing was really a big deal, we observed and commented idly on the events until we got to women’s free skating. First, we watched the short program-some basic following but nothing in-depth. Matt was rather disturbed about the pre-pubescent girls being able to compete and take spots over others that have more experience. I didn’t care. But it was during the long program that things took a turn for the worst. I called who was going to win 1^st, which was a 17 year old Russian. I knew she was going to win because I heard it at the 1:00 newsbreak on the radio (Yes, Matt, I know when you read this you will be upset that I played it off as just being attentive to the show). Matt was rooting for an American girl, Ashley Wagner as he liked her spunk and drive (notice he can’t tell you about her skating). Now when the skating was finished and the medals were proclaimed this is what I heard.

MJR: Bu##sh1t, Bu##sh1T! Rigged, This was Rigged. What do they Know? RIGGED!!! Why do we watch these RIGGED THINGS!
ALR: I told you that the Russian was going to win.
MJR: YOU are ANTI-AMERICAN. Here you sit going for the Russian and the South Korean!!! RIGGED!!
ALR: I am not Anti-American. I was hoping the American girls would win but I knew they weren’t going to medal. This is the way judging works. There is a winner and losers.
MJR: AHHH! Rigged!
ALR(in my head) The last time he yelled this much at a TV, it was the Stanley Cup.
MJR: Geez, the others fell and they got better scores! What the h3## is that!?

So the next day, at work. I check my email. Lo and behold, I have one from him. Subject line: Told you so. The body of the email is only a link “Gold for Russian, Silver for Kim Yu-Na and controversy Ensues.”

That night
ALR: Did you feel better sending me that article.
Smug MJR: Yes I did.

Best meal: Matt cooked walleye up with a breading. He wasn’t happy with the breading but the fish were still very good. We had rice and beans for sides.

Standing on my Oilfield Soapbox

Last week, the Tribune ran an article on the growing pains of North Dakota. It highlighted how the "landscape" has changed in North Dakota. Clay Jenkinson hit on the headlines in the Tribune and that the simple undertones that have shifted over the past decade along with our oil exports. According to my mother, he got blasted by a local AM radio talk show. I don't disagree with him. His opinion column reported what many people have also noticed, after all, how could you not?

Here’s what he or the Tribune didn’t report on …the price of groceries. Much to Matt’s dismay, if we are in Bismarck, we stop at Walmart, Sam’s, or Dan’s or wherever to buy essentials. I’ve also been known to stop at the Richardton grocery store as well. Dan’s recently sold out to Spartan Foods, DBA as Econo Foods. Not only are their selections limited but their prices are high. The new place to buy milk and eggs in the town is Menard’s.

Another thing they don’t report on is the change in service. Matt and I quit going out to eat for the most part. Three reasons, first, the wait/crowded restaurants is maddening. It doesn’t matter if it’s 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 at night….they are crowded and you stand in their “ill fitting” wait rooms irritated and hungry. Second, the quality of food is continually disappointing. We like hot food that tastes good. We have found that we can make better and more unique meals in our kitchen. Finally, which may be the biggest thing, the service. I’ve been served the wrong food, had major parts forgotten of my meal, had glasses sit empty the entire meal, been happy they finally even took my order, and then had to beg for the bill. Don’t even think about the idea of not telling everything at once because you know that you’ll never see the server again. We go out for the experience and have the time we leave more mad than before we came. So we stay home.

They didn’t report on the traffic. The fact that the roads are congested with jacked up pick-up trucks. That there are more license plates from out of state than there are local. Last week a guy plowed into a pick-up in front of work. He hit it so hard that the old 80's pickup rammed forward and hit a van. That hit so hard that the van collided with the hitch of another pickup causing damage to both bumpers of the van. The driver did not have a license. And I wasn't surprised.

They don’t talk about the migrants coming here have such grand expectations. A guy sat at my desk looked me right in the face and expected that he should be making $30 an hour, with overtime available, housing provided for, and a per diem. Not to mention that he wanted his schedule to be 2 weeks on/2 weeks off. I had a hard time not laughing in his face. I asked about his driving record, as most that desire this type of position have DUI’s. I asked about his conviction record, as most coming have felonies or misdemeanors. I asked about his current living situation, as most coming plan to sleep in the Wal-mart parking lot (which doesn’t allow overnight stays anymore). I asked to see his resume, to which he replied that he did not have one. I then wanted to ask how he prepared to get this dream job when he wasn’t prepared to even apply for it.

They do talk about the rents and try to hit on the housing conditions. They know now that Williston has the highest rent in the country and that Dickinson is #4. They don't talk about the crapholes that are attempting to be sold for $175K. When we were house shopping, we looked at a $190K that didn't have kitchen cupboards. What’s funny is growing up in school, I remember hearing about shanty towns, but never in my life did I think I was going to see them. I can think of 4 off the top of my head. All of which are within 30 miles, and two of which are within 5. Campers were not meant to be lived in year-long but then again neither were cars. The churches have opened up at night to allow people to sleep there, but I don’t know if that’s the right answer either.

They don’t talk about the fear. That you don’t walk or run at night (the running isn’t a big deal, like I did that anyway). You watch your drink at night if you are brave enough to go to the bars as they don’t highlight on the drugs being put into drinks. They don’t talk about the fact that they’ve busted bartenders who have been included in this. They don’t talk about the fact that you park close if you think you need to go to Walmart at night. They don’t tell you that local law enforcement officers are prompting loved ones to think about getting a concealed. They don’t tell you about the drugs that are moving into the area. They highlight it a bit in the paper along with the human trafficking and some of the drug busts but do we have any idea of how deep it’s going?

I live with my own giant. We have a shotgun by our bed. It’s not there for protection per se, but it’s not in another room because of the convenience of location. I can’t imagine ever having to use it but when people say that we are closed minded to the boom and are all being silly, I’d like to point out the number of concealed weapons permit issued within the past 5 years and the number and frequency of the self defense courses offered. Maybe they are offered out of cautiousness or being paranoid, just maybe. Don’t get me wrong, oil has done some great things for our state and have impacted Matt and I’s positions in positive ways, but I really don’t know if I can say that these positive influences are worth the exposure to all the other “benefits”.

Okay, so oilfield rant over. For the original article that inspired this…..Bismarck Tribune
Best Meal: Breakfast for supper. Complete with overeasy/overhard eggs, our bacon, french toast.

MJR: I think I’d like this oilfield crap a lot more if I was getting a royalty check every month.
ALR: I think I’d like that a lot more too.

Love in the Cold of Winter

Another winter week. I think we are both going a bit stir crazy. We are a little crabby with a side of wanting some sun and some traveling on the books. We even dug out our St. Maarten contract so we could get some potential ideas for when we are going this year. Ahhhhh, beaches, such a nice idea.

 

The highlight of the week was Friday, St. Valentine's Day. I'll remind all of a couple things. 1. I've once gone to work (back in my college/blackjack dealing days) wearing all black 2. Matt and I don't get anything for each other. In the past, I've dreaded the holiday. This was our first Valentine's married and we continued with our yearly tradition of instead of gifts, we buy king crab and prepare those and sirloins for the ultimate surf and turf meal. It's one of those meals that I look forward to every year (that and Christmas fondue). We prep the meal together, we sit down and enjoy it and each other. We know that it'll cost less than a meal out would be for the two of us and we also know crab is not the easiest thing to eat in public.

Saturday night was the Dickinson Rural Christmas Party. We had a good time. I and friend, Kay, were responsible for coming up with the game, prizes, and snacks. Unfortunately, Kay was unable to attend due to family issues, but we had a good start and the "Battle of the Sexes" went better than I expected. I emceed! We ended up home at 12:30 that night. Matt was so disappointed when the keg dried up.

Sunday day was pretty laid back for us...But not for my parents. I helped catch a couple, but when he had 8 calves born in one day, that makes for a pretty exciting day. With the cameras, Mom has caught a few from work, I've not caught as many as her. I think there are quite a few that agree that we need more cameras to see more.

Sunday night was a tough one for Matt. His team, New York Life, entered the playoffs in the number 2 seat. They play best 2 out of 3 to advance and unfortunately, they lost in the semi-finals to the Noble Casing team. His only consolation was that the number 1 seat was also knocked off. He was pretty bummed. I will miss his excitement over the games and goals and the times he came home pumped off a win. I actually enjoyed watching this last game as the team had improved over the year, especially after I saw the necessity in have skates sharpened.

 

Monday was a federal holiday, President's Day. I love these days. Matt did end up going in a bit to catch up on some local issues. But we enjoyed sleeping in. He was very sweet that morning. I knew he had set his alarm for 7:30. But at 8, when he hadn't moved, I poked him awake a bit.
MJR: I know.....I'm up. I'm just happier right here.
How could I kick him out of bed like that?

After he came home, we prepped supper on the smoker. We had hickory smoked ribs and sweet
potatoes. Matt was very happy with how they turned out and he dedicated the meal to his father.

Best Meal: This is a tough one. Friday: Valentine's Surf and Turf. Saturday morning: Salmon lox and bagels. Monday evening: smoked ribs. If I had to pick one, I'd say it was the surf and turf. That king crab was amazing.

 

MJR: The Olympics! Yeah!
ALR: Serious?
MJR: I love the winter olympics and I only get to enjoy it every 4 years.
ALR(more to herself than him): Who would have known.
MJR: The luge, speed skating,ski jumps, curling, hockey, bobsled, even figure skating
ALR (staring)
MJR: I can just about hear the opening ceremonies. Ba Ba Ba-Bum, Ba Ba Ba-Bum….
ALR: The Olympics are getting married?
MJR: Opening ceremonies…..bbbbaaaum ba ba bum baum bum
ALR: Um, no, graduation.
MJR:  Crap, you are right.
Two days later.
MJR: Ba Ba
ALR: Nope.
MJR: I just can’t get it!
A day later while watching the Olympic commerical.
MJR: I got it!!!
The next day.
ALR: So what is the Olympic music?
MJR: Baum, hmmmm, Ba Ba Bum, crap, Ba, hmmmm. Um….
MJR: Why aren’t we watching the Olympics?
Later that night.
Getting ready for bed
ALR: What's the music for the Olympics again?
MJR: WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?
Two days later at the DRFD Christmas Party
ALR yells over to MJR: Come here, I want to show Roxanne something.
MJR walks over.
ALR: What's the music to the Olympics.
MJR: (Moments of silence) $#%@ you. (walks off)

Candid Cow Cameras

This past week it’s like we were home…But not really. Hooray for the cameras. I watch the cows whenever I can! For the most part they aren’t too exciting, they lay around and eat but every once in awhile we get a good shot. I got to see Dad and the first calf of the year. I would have seen the second, but I had to go to work. It’s really a feeling of nostalgia. I have the cameras on when I’m at work and home. They are actually very relaxing to watch, I don’t even mind that they slowed down in the calving department. I do think I’ve talked to my father more since they’ve gone up. Like when the black cow started being a bully and getting all the other cows up. I called him and we both watched her be a boss cow all over the barn until she got the spot that she wanted.

Best quote from my mother realizing that a calf was born: “Why does that turd have ears?”

The downside of the week was that both Matt and I were sick. He stayed home for a day and a half and I stayed home for a day. We are both shaking the final aspects of whatever we had including congestion for me and coughs for him, but we’ve come a long way.

This past weekend was one at home where we didn’t really have a plan. We had a date morning on Saturday and tried the new bagel place in Dickinson. We’ll go back after they’ve had some time to get a better feel for their crowd. We also took in the new Menard’s, which is the biggest in the country! I think of all the trips we made to Bismarck specifically to go to Menards or Lowes and all the trips to Ace and I’m so glad that we have a bigger selection with a few more options. We’ve heard they have the cheapest milk in town and have already gone thru 100,000 gallons in a week but I’m not surprised with the other oilfield gouging. Matt could have had his pic taken with Larry Menard, the man who started it all but he decided not to. Instead we picked up the casing for the shower as Matt is currently turning it off and on with a pliers. We’ll have to get that fixed soon.

We took in a movie on Saturday night, something we don’t do often. I joined a book club this year and the books are all coming out this year as movies. So far I’ve read Labor Day, but have yet to see it in theaters and now we are reading Monuments Men. Two totally different writing styles, points of view, stories, settings, and so on. Matt wanted to see Monuments Men and it was pretty good. I was impressed with script as it was more cohesive than the book has been but we’ll see as I work my way through the book to see how my idea changes. I am not impressed that they changed the names of the characters from the book to the movie but I realize that movies and books aren’t always the same.

On Sunday, we stayed close to home until Matt’s big playoff game that night. It was a well matched game but the refs weren’t watching with their eyes sometimes. It didn’t end the way Matt wanted and I saw the team get more competitive/angry than I’d seen them in the past. He’ll get one more shot, as it’s a best of 3 tournament. He had some good action/involvement and I would like him to finish the season on a high note as he’s enjoyed the play and his team. Next game is next Sunday. Here’s hoping!

Best meal of the week: We went to El Sombrero on Sunday night, which was the location of our first date. Brought back some fun memories.

Yes, this means there is only 1 kitty bowl left.

MJR: How do I know if we are doing this sidepork thing right for your dad?

ALR: Well, you looked at the butcher book right?
MJR: Yeah, but we've never done it with the group.
ALR: Well, we can fry a piece up and see what it's like.
MJR: Okay.
2 minutes later
MJR: Okay, it looks done.
ALR takes bite: Pbluck, yuck, gross. It's exactly as I remember it. My dad will love it.

Later....
Dad: Diana, you need to cook it more
Mom gives him the look
Dad: What?? I'm trying to help. If I don't tell you, you will do it the same next time!
Mom: Well....

Dad: How do you want me to tell you? I can email you.
Mom: Yeah, I'd like to see that!
ALR: Me too!

Watching in the Winter.

After another week full of inspections, we had a great weekend with friends and family.

 

We started it with a committee meeting for the DRFD Christmas party and then had Kay and Jess and their kids over for supper. We enjoy them as a couple and their kids are a hoot. Their son, Chayden, informed us that we “have a nice place here, but where’s our couch?” He also commented on how crowded our fridge is and pointed out that we have the same couch (in the den) as they have. Matt thought I should tell him that we stole it and when he goes home, it won’t be there, I couldn’t lie to him.

Matt’s fun didn’t end as Matt agreed to take Chayden to Jess’s hockey game that night. The next morning, I asked Matt what they talked about, his response: “You name it!” It was Matt’s first babysitting experience since he was a kid, we’ll consider it a success.

The next day, we headed home to help Matt’s parents install cameras at my parents’ place for calving. Actually it was more of Matt helping Randy as us women did not participate in the install activity. Holy crap did they work! It was a 10 hour ordeal. We were feeling bad for them working in the cold temperature. They should be proud of what they put together though. It looks so good!! Dad is pretty excited to start calving with this additional help. He found his blind spots in the barn with our help too. We even left him one of Matt and I’s tablets and mom said he’s was looking at it and using it Sunday night after we left. I always wondered what would get my father more technology advanced!

 

The only disappointment of the weekend was that Randy was expecting a rib dinner and because of the cold, Matt couldn’t deliver. What a bummer. We’ll make right on it soon. Promise!

 

Best meal: Cherry Marlowe (a dessert right out of my grandma’s book) and Potato soup. I know it’s not Matt’s favorite, but it’s still what I think of with home cooking!

MJR comes into the bedroom chewing gum.
ALR looks up from her book: Do you always chew gum that loud?
MJR: I don’t know what you are talking about.
ALR: It’s so loud.
MJR: I don’t think so.
ALR: Do you hear yourself? Are you trying to kill it?
MJR: I always chew like this.
ALR: You sound like an old cow.
2 minutes later
ALR: Maybe you can’t hear yourself. Let me record it. Maybe that will help.
MJR: I don’t see why we need to do this.
ALR: Quit talking, you are ruining the recording, just chew like you have been.
MJR: I’m trying to extract all the flavor, what’s the big deal?
ALR: It’s so loud, I can’t read. Now chew, you keep making me restart the recording.