An Overnight Success...At The Compound!

G-3 has been making regular stops here at The Compound along with Mommy and Daddy for nearly a year now.   Each visit, of course, just gets better and better and more fun.  G-3 has been and continues to be on a quest of discovery and learning, and where better to learn, (and learn from), discover and gain vast amounts of knowledge than here at The Compound? ...My point, exactly.

We’ve had lots of opportunities to spend time with G-3 here before.  We’ve played host to G-3 many times when Mom had meetings or appointments, or when Mom and Dad needed a night out on the town.  We’ve held lots of Day Care Seminars here with G-3, all of which were highly successful.  However, most, if not all of these visits were limited to just a few hours at a time.

Last Saturday started off fairly normal for a Saturday, but this particular Saturday was going to be different.  Way different.   As you may have heard, we always have Saturday Sammies and everyone is always welcome to join us for lunch.  On this Saturday K and D arrived as usual, and G-3 along with parents R and A decided to join us as well. 

 

Saturday’s menu was fabulous once again.  Shrimp Po’ Boys made with Oven Roasted Garlic Shrimp, served on Home Made French Bread Vienna Rolls, with special sauce and Havarti Cheese, garnished with avocado, tomato, red onion, and shredded lettuce.  We also enjoyed Deviled eggs, BCBC Soup, (Bleu Cheese, Beer & Cauliflower), a Veggie Platter with Parmesan Dip, Kettle Chips and Sauce King Dips. 

 

But this story isn’t necessarily about the food served for Saturday Sammies here at The Compound. This story is about what happened next.  Normally, at the conclusion of Saturday Sammies and the other activities of the day, everyone is full and satisfied and usually finds a soft place to cozy up and rest or watch a movie or just hang out.  Later on they head for home and everything here at The Compound gets back to normal.

K and D headed out first.  I think they had some things to do.  But R and A, and G-3 didn’t leave, they stayed and kept visiting with us.  After a short discussion between Grandma and R and A, it was determined to be the right time for the Big Experiment.  Yes, the Sleepover Experiment.  The first big, sleep over!  The first all-nighter for G-3!

Holy Crap!  We knew this day would come; but oh so soon?  Are we ready for this?  The big question of course, is G-3 ready for this?  Really, really ready for this?  Are R and A ready for this?  How do we know?  How do they know?  I guess we'll never really know until we try, and we won’t know until it’s over! 

The Sleepover Buddies

Bedtime finally arrived and G-3 went down for the evening, played quietly in the crib with many of the favorite stuffed animal friends and fell asleep without incident.

 

The evening progressed with R and A, and we all enjoyed many hours of fun, music and entertainment.  Fortunately, for all of us, the friendly staff at The Compound kept the Bar open extra late and no one got too parcheded!

As you know, The Compound is a magical, mystical kind of place where only good things are allowed to happen, and the Saturday Sleepover Experiment was no exception.  

Under normal circumstances G-3 wakes up once or twice a night and wants grub.  Sunday morning arrived on schedule and G-3 had slept the whole night through, without waking up hungry or stirring at all.  G-3 woke up, played quietly with the sleepover buddies once again, and a short time later got out of the crib, started walking alone for the very first time, and began speaking in full and complete sentences!  Well almost! …(Jotter downer prerogative - slight embellishment!)  But the Big Experiment proved to be quite successful.  G-3 enjoyed morning snacks a few minutes later.

One final and interesting note.  R and A booked the Guest Cottage and stayed the entire night as well.  (I think they were really staying the night to see if Grandma and Grandpa could actually cut the mustard and handle the stress and excitement of the first all-nighter with G-3.  And just in case things didn’t work out with the Big Sleepover Experiment, they could step in and take over.)  Results on how GJ (Grandma Jill) and GG (Grandpa Gary) did with the experiment/test are still pending, but are expected in a few days.

 

Furthermore, I think R and A had ulterior motives, and I’ll bet they’ve already made plans for their first 3 day get-a-way vacation in quite a while.  Hmm…I wonder where G-3 will be spending that weekend?

The Big Experiment At The Compound Becomes An Overnight Success!

…just sayin’  

Spwing Has Spwung!

Spwing!

As you know, The Compound is a magical, mystical kind of place where only good things are allowed to happen.  

It’s that time of year again, and as usual the snow melted just in time, and Spring has arrived here at The Compound, as planned and right on schedule.

According to the calendar, today is the first day of Spring, and we are ready!  Just last week we had a foot and a half of that old white stuff, and we’re ready for some new green stuff!

   

The trees are just beginning to get buds and the grass is starting to grow.  All of the birds have returned and are singing their songs, and we're anxious to get outdoors again and enjoy the nature that surrounds us.

Next week we’ll be hosting the kickoff for The Annual Spring Cleanup Work-Out and Training Camp.  
The Training Camp is scheduled to last for 3-4 weeks.  Call now to sign up for the tryouts.

Snow and cold blustery weather will no longer be allowed at The Compound.

Note:  The Title of this story was inspired by G-2! ...Just sayin'!

Make It Stop, Make It Stop!

Way Too Much of the Damned Stuff!

Make it stop, make it stop!  Please make it stop!  We like snow, right?  How much is enough?  How much is too much?  How do we know?  

Well, I’m here to tell you, I think we have enough.  Way enough.  In fact, way too much for me, at least here at The Compound.  I'm tired of it!  I’m sick of it!   Last night we were blessed with or (cursed with) a foot and a half of the damn stuff. 

Then, I'm reminded that we need the WATER!  O.K. Fine...

Where's My Truck?

A Worm's Eye View!

On the bright side of this sh*tty, snowy situation, it was a great opportunity for the USSSA team to get a good workout.  




We expected a big snowfall, and all of the regular team members and training partners showed up for the training session.  It turned out to be a wonderful practice session, perhaps the most lengthy and grueling workout of the season, just before  the upcoming final competition, The World Cup of Snow Shoveling, which of course, will be held at The Compound shortly after the final snowfall of the season.  

Officials at The Compound will announce the date of the World Cup competition as soon as possible!

Don't Even Think About It!

My first encounter with a Zebra wasn’t on some far away, exotic African Safari, nor was it during a visit to the City Zoo.  My very first experience with a Zebra actually took place at a small, local office supply store.

I was preparing to do some design work for a client, which included quite a bit of drafting; lots of small technical details and such.  I’ve used regular pencils for drafting before, but they don’t stay sharp enough, long enough.  And if, heaven forbid, you have to erase something, it usually smudges and makes quite a mess.  Instead, I prefer to use a mechanical pencil for tedious tasks such as drafting; it’s just the right tool for the job, and I needed a new one.

I drove over to this little hole in the wall place, a Mom and Pop kind of office supply store; where they carry lots of specialty office supplies.  It just so happens to be the place that I get my Sparco yellow legal pads, (YES, those legal pads!); so this wasn’t my fist trip to the store.  I went directly to the pencil-drawing-drafting stuff  aisle and began trying out some of the pencils that were on the shelf.  Lots of them…well most of them were skinny, slippery little things with small shafts or barrels that just seemed awkward to hold, and my fingers would slip down towards the tip.  That’s not good.  I tried several others.  The same results as before.

I kept searching and I finally found something that caught my eye.  It was a Zebra.  In fact, it was the entire Zebra Family.  They were perched high on the top shelf near the back.  They seemed different, and I liked that.  The first one that I grabbed was a silver and black mechanical pencil, the M-301.  It was pretty nice; it had a black plastic grip at the bottom, but still slender and a little slippery to hold onto.  I looked further and found another one.  I tried it, but what I thought was a pencil, turned out to be a pen, the F-301.  It was nice, for a pen.  It too was black and silver, and it had a small rubber grip, but still quite slim, too slim for my liking; and I was really looking for a mechanical pencil. 

I continued my search, and there it was.  It seemed as if I’d just struck pay dirt!  Hit the Mother lode!  The Zebra 402. The M-402 to be precise.  It had a fuller shaped barrel, just right for a manly-man sized hand. It had a no-slip grip; a nice rubber grip at the bottom to keep your fingers from sliding down. I tried it out.  It was comfortable to hold onto and my fingers didn’t slip down to the tip! Sweet!  I went to grab another 402, and to my surprise, it was a pen, the F-402.  It was the twin brother, to the pencil.  A Pen and Pencil; a matched set.  Perfect!…I like Perfect!   

It was way more than I was looking for, and far beyond my wildest expectations, and I had to have ‘em.  I bought them both and returned home.  That was a few years ago, and since then I’ve bought a couple more of them, and some refills too, just to have on hand.

I, of course, ultimately finished the design project that I was working on at the time, and I still use the 402 mechanical pencil whenever I have to do that sort of work.  I keep it in the “Command Center” drawer with my other drafting stuff, but I use the pen all the time.

After years and years of continued use, I have come to realize that the Zebra F-402 is perhaps the finest all-purpose jottin’ down instrument in the world.  Oh, I’m sure there will be nay-sayers that may tend to disagree with me, but that’s because they just don’t know anything about pens …yet!  
I’m sure they’ll figure it out, sooner or later.

The kids (by kids, I mean all the grown up kids that come around a lot; and you know who you are), they come over all the time and want to borrow the 402.  They're always looking at the 402 in my pocket, often times trying to reach out and touch it or grab it from me.  Sometimes I’ll let them try it out, but when I see them trying to secretly slip it into their pocket, …(Oh, they PROBABLY just want to see how it looks in THEIR pocket, ...and surely not intending to thug it)…but, then I have to say - “Uh-uh” … “No.”  “Don’t Do It!”  …“DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!”   “Set IT down, back away from the 402 and nobody gets hurt!” 

This has happened a few times before, and usually after a short standoff, the 402 is released without incident. Later, thinking to myself, “Whew, that was another close one!”

The Y-Pad and the 402's

I never know when I’ll have to jot down something; sign some important documents or send an urgent memorandum.  It will be a rare occasion indeed, if I am ever to be separated from my 402.

There are two things in life that no one should ever be without.  A PK (pocket knife) and a 402. I always have the 402 in my shirt pocket, and yes, the PK, is always in my pants pocket, right where it belongs, and always at the ready!

After all, I was a Boy Scout.  An Eagle Boy Scout! …just sayin’!

NOTE:  As it turns out, I was recently informed by an undercover agent that at least one, maybe two of the extra Zebras were released from their holding cage, unbeknownst to me.  
Hmm…I wonder?… 

Hmm…The Plot Thickens!  Sounds like I’ve got a little detective work of my own to do! 

LUCY!…You got some ’splainin’ to do!

Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to develop!  

A New Taste Treat!

As you can imagine, The Committee is always looking for new and exciting ways to expand and improve the cuisine here at The Compound, along with offering some other culinary delights from time to time.  Well, I think we’re on to something great!

Monkey Meat…It’s Not Just for Special Occasions Anymore!   Now, more affordable than ever, and available at The Compound.  This rare delicacy is destined to become one of the fast favorites around here.  I’m sure the Guests and Visitors will be asking for it all the time. 

There’s nothing quite like grillin’ up a chunk o’monkey on the Barbecue and serving it to your very most discriminating guests and surprising them with a new taste sensation and watching them smile with delight.

They’ll say it tastes a lot like pork! ...Maybe chicken!

Please, Please, Don't Eat Me!

It makes a great Sammie.  Slice it thinly and serve on a toasted home made Vienna roll, with red onion, shredded cabbage, Havarti  and Sauce King flavors - Smokey Barbecue Sauce, along with a little Chili Garlic Aioli!

Monkey breast, monkey thigh, monkey leg, monkey loin and monkey butt…some of the best parts, just to name a few!  Yumm-EEE.  It don’t get no better!

Monkey Meat…Just thinkin’ about it makes me hungry!

However, be extra careful when serving; it has a tendency to want to jump off the plate! 

Note:  No monkeys were harmed during the photo shoot or the jotting down of this story.

The Disclaimer may or may not apply here!

Signs of the Times

The Compound, as you know, is famous for Saturday Sammies and Sunday Brunches.  But that's not all!

Over the past couple of years we have been hosting lots of events for family, friends and others, such as Birthday Parties, Christmas and Holiday Parties, Weddings and Receptions, Engagement Parties, The Food and Wine Festival, Spring Break & Ski Trip Getaways, St. Patrick's Day, Kentucky Derby Day, Cinco de Mayo, The Kickoff to Summer Barbecue Party, The Happy Birthday America Party, The Backyard Festival and Fireworks Display, The "Finally, Back To School" Party, and other seasonal events, just to name a few; not to mention, being named the Official Training Site and Venue for the USSSA and various other spring, summer, fall and winter sporting competitions.

Our ever expanding list of amenities here at The Compound is impressive and has been well received by the guests and visitors, including The Guest Cottage that we opened last year.  The Guest Cottage, with it’s growing popularity has become a favorite destination for quite a few visitors from all across the land who want to just get away for a night or a weekend to relax and unwind and forget about their miserable, dull, boring and pathetic lives; and add a little zest and excitement, and experience some of the finer things in life.  You know…Live A Little!  

Likewise, we have a lot of seasoned travelers that visit us throughout the year, who know how to party, love good times and lots of excitement, and they’ll usually book the Guest Cottage for an entire week, and sometimes even longer.

After experiencing such phenomenal and overwhelming success with all of the Parties, Celebrations and Events hosted over the past several years here at The Compound; and while rewarding, it is not without it’s challenges.  We have lots of guests and visitors coming and going, virtually at all hours of the day and night.  As usual, the staff is always trying to accommodate their every need; but it has become very hectic and chaotic at times to try to manage or control every situation. 

It has come to our attention, that perhaps we need to schedule the events and times a little more closely.  After serious thought and consideration, the Committee and Officials agree, and have decided to implement a few changes here, so that guests and visitors will know what they can expect, while enjoying their stay at The Compound.

For the safety and well-being of our guests, visitors and staff, we have posted a couple of reminders in prominent locations around here to let our guests know what’s going on.   We don’t expect to have any trouble or problems here; but just in case we have an overzealous or unruly crowd, we may have to impose some new restrictions. 

In extreme situations, heaven forbid; we may even be forced to turn off the "OPEN" sign!

…Signs of the Times, I suppose.  …Just sayin’!

Spring Break...At The Compound!

Once again, The Compound has been selected as the site for this year’s Spring Break and Ski Trip Vacation destination.  The Guest Cottage has been booked for the entire week, with guests coming from as far away as Washington and Texas, and places in between.  Guests will be arriving during the second week  of the month and will be staying for at least a week or so. 

Which Way Should We Go?

This years events will include a Food and Wine Festival to kick off the week, with a few dining excursions to some of the favorite local hot spots.  Nightly entertainment will be provided by the popular group, THE G-GIRLS, comprised of the G-Sisters, G-1 and G-2, and also appearing with the other performers this season is the newest member G-3, who joined the group nearly a year ago.

In addition to the weeks activities at The Compound, guests and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy several ski days at select Ski Clubs and Resorts in the area.  This year’s Spring Break and Ski Trip Vacation is expected to be a huge success.