Turk-tastic

The “T” bomb was dropped and we are on the other side of the Christmas holiday-holy crap! This year we enjoyed the Race to feed the Hungry...with Kris original hats..ok, one was made with a dog toy-but who's to blame me? When I'm on a roll...stay outta my way. The holiday was capped with Rich's rockin a Guy Fieri recipe (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/mean-green-turkey-machine-recipe/index.html). We were joined by my Mom, Brother and Nephew and Rich's Brother (Greg's looking a little Hagrid...as normal for this time of the year). Much yummy food was consumed and stories traded. The next day we had a “play date” with a past co-worker from Kaiser...his wife and I had previously discussed similarities in our addiction to glass...so they came over and made ornaments with us. Then not quite ready to really start holiday shopping, Rich and I did a dry run at the Pavillions and came home empty handed. Rich is not a big fan of the holiday...thank goodness for “on line” shopping. Think the rest of the weekend was a mix of food, movies and hunkering down for some really cold days.
Our baby, Chiso goes in for leg surgery tomorrow and I am a worried Mom. But the end result is to give her the freedom to fly as only puppy's can. Bring on the holidays...I am accepting cuz I can't ignore them.

Aaaaallh aboard!

Scorpio Train Excursion
The Sacramento Posse boarded the California Zephyr “love” train to Reno to do some birthday celebrating. Mark and Edda, Anna and Troy, Sherrill and James (to follow Jessica and Kyle) and Rich and I...headed through the scenic Fall glory with a dash of snow here and there. Oh to live in Northern California, what a treat.
Well the train ride was sold to us as a party train but due to one majorly cranky dining car “soup Nazi” our party aspiration were only postponed and we “whooped” it up, in spite Mr. Crankypants! Up the hill, half the group played Scrabble and the other, Apples to Apples and the giggles and laughs could be heard on other cars, let alone floors! There were snacks, stories, sneeaky beers here and there and some lady who REALLLLLY wanted to talk about “Dancing with the Stars. ” It was only a 5 hour trip...thankfully we experienced no delays and found ourselves in Reno by early afternoon.

Now Sherril, donning her Conductor hat, led the way to our final destination: Silver Legacy. We all checked in and it wasn't long until Rich and I found the Penny machines. Yeah, I flippen rock the PENNNY MACHINESSSS...no wait a minute, I really didn't rock them...I enjoyed the hell outta them and Rich was the Rockstar, winning $100 bucks on a Penny machine. That was all she wrote, we were aboard the Crazy Train after that! Many free beers were consumed, Troy enjoyed his time playing Kitty Glitter and Mark gobbling while playing the Turkey game.

And Edda, well Edda did the smartest thang ever, she moved our party from the slot machines to Silver Legacy's Baron Bar. The band started off slowly only to have the lead singer in my lap talking to the entire bar, while she tried to convince me to sing...I hadn't drank “THAT” many free beers but her next victim was Mark, who CAN sing! He assisted her in singing “Girl, you really got me now” by Aerosmith. Within a half hour of awesome cover songs, Edda and I were on the dance floor. What a delight to be soooo surprised by a band and the lead singer was quite the entertainer. Plus she loved Rich playing pa-pa-parazzi, haming it up for the camera. We drank through those winnings before heading to our room.

Now all these tales from Friday night must be countered by the pounding of my head and churning of my tummy, Saturday morning. My husband was soooo kind, taking excellent care of me and allowing me the benefit of a day of rest....and a movie. Really, there's not much else to do in Reno, so I indulged the day away and prepped to do it all over Saturday night. Anna booked reservations at Roxy and all were in attendance (poor Kyle)...all I know is I ate a pound and a half of Bacon Cheese Bread with my Appletini :D We all enjoyed an excellent dinner and returned to the casino floor. But the difference was there were no big winners and funny the band just wasn't as good the next night.

Scorpio's you know how to have a great time and found your appropriate matches in love and friendship-This LOVE train is out!
ps. my fav picture is first of me yawning, then Troy making fun of me

I've been considering exactly how to go about a post to reflect the sad news of losing a tenant in the Marck family. Rich's brother, Jay passed away suddenly. The loss has rocked the family and extended family. Rich and I returned to New Jersey for his Memorial. Rich's sister, Cookie and husband, Tom joined us flying from California and staying at the same hotel. We bonded through tears and laughter, propping each other up, when necessary. Cookie adjusting to losing a younger brother and Rich, his older brother. I was amazed at the strength and grace of our nieces and nephews. They are all grown adults, some with children of their own. Jay loved his Parental role and relished in Grand-parental role! Adrienne and Jay didn't miss a holiday where they could lavish love and attention on all. Jay also was very close with his Dad and every holiday event included Dad and Dolores. Jay lived his life to the fullest and the way he wanted-not to be glib, but that's all I ask for from life. But don't get me wrong, his passing has rocked us to the core. It is sad that it took losing a sibling to get us back to New Jersey...but the banter and crap flinging started from minute one with the Nephews and Niece, as it runs strong in the Marck blood. I hoped Jay peeked in on us, felt all our love and loss and chuckled in the comfort we took in teasing each other. I will leave my post at that...Love to Jennifer, David, Daniel and also to Adrienne, Scott, Donna, Joan and the lovely grand nieces: Julia, Hazel and Cici.