It's been a year since my parents bought their house in a community about an hour away from us - spending most of their weekends last summer enjoying the "active adult community" life, semi-permanently.
They've since sold the house I grew up in and have been living "full-time" in "the village of high fiber and everything bran" since October of last year.
And I have to say, it's been the best thing that's happened to my family since Costco and Whole Grain Wonder Bread!
The kids and I try and visit with them at least once per week during the school year and nearly every weekend in the summer - they have two pools that alternate "kid-friendly times" and since there is fishing, boating and dozens of hiking trails located throughout their community (and one right out their back door) my kids feel as if they're going to camp.
Yesterday, my husband joined us in a late afternoon visit and I convinced him to go along for a quick ride to the lake (even though he really didn't want to go) where he was able to cool his jets - just a bit, mind you - and take the kids rowing.
Mini-Me was too young, so she and I waded in the water looking for turtle eggs and other "pretties" and happily waved to her sisters and brother - only after having promised Mini-me that we would go and play shuffleboard, after.
"Shuffleboard?"
[nodding and smiling]
"Yeah...believe it or not the kids love it...you'll see!"
The kids and I slept over a couple of weeks ago, when we were introduced to, "the joys of shuffle board!?!"
I know it sounds weird and all, but I swear to you there's something about the damned game that gets under your skin and becomes very...I don't know...addictive.
Once you start, you just can't stop!
My husband wasn't quite as convinced as I, that playing shuffle board would be fun.
"I'll make you a bet."
[suspiciously raises one eyebrow]
"Um...okay?"
[reaches for shuffle-thingy]
"If I win, then you have to..."
[censored]
"Oh, so, your manhood feeling a little threatened...so we're playing for sexual favors...now...are we?
[leans forward and whispers in ear]
"And if you win, I..."
[holy crap!]
"You're on!"
And we had at it, while the kids cheered us on and Mini-me kept score.
"Momma has zee-woe points and Daddy has...um...how do you white the numbuh forty-teen-and-nine, Momma?"
Losing aside - and guaranteed to wake up with a sore back (and neck) - the kids and I had a blast and my husband is looking forward to visiting my parents...MORE OFTEN...while I consider "indecent proposals" from my parents' widowed-neighbors...as my husband proudly relates his mastering the art of shuffleboard...according to "our new rules!"
Just goes to show you...you're never "too old"..."too young"...or, "too sexy"...to play shuffleboard...unless you're doing it wearing black socks and sandals!
[gag me with a thingy]
And...EW!
I can just see him looking at the Director.
"And what, exactly, is my motivation again?"
"OOOoooohh..."
Posted by: ben | July 10, 2006 at 08:23 PM
As a youngster, when we had our family trip to the Poconos, I remember ALL the kids being big into shuffleboard... even more so than the... uh... "usual suspects."
I look forward to teaching my daughter Shuffleboard when we go on vacation this year. TheWife thinks it is dorky. I wonder if I can use similar tactics to get her to give it a go. Of course, to entice her, I am thinking I have to come up with something even more enticing for her... like ... doing the dishes every day for a month.
Posted by: Latte Man | July 11, 2006 at 10:04 AM