Atlantis Review

So last month when Pacen and I went to The Bahamas we stayed at the Atlantis Resort.  It is a gorgeous resort and it is HUGE!  It boasts a water park, casino, numerous restaurants, a very large aquarium, many pools, a couple beaches, a theater, lots of shopping, and numerous other things.  The view from our room was amazing!  We were suppose to be staying in The Beach Tower and ended up in Coral Tower.  We could see almost everything!  The ocean and most of the resort!

Here is a link to the resort map just to show you how huge it is: http://www.atlantis.com/content/pdf/ALLPROPERTYMAPFINAL.pdf

The first day we were there we carried a map with us and I was sure we would have to use it the rest of the week.  We kept getting lost and frustrated.  By the second full day at the resort (The second day of vacation we went on a powerboat adventure. More on that later.) we had it pretty much figured out. 

We spent most of our time at the water park (Aqua Adventure) and on The Current (a lazy river full of rapids and other surprises).   Another of our favorite places was The Dig, which is a huge Aquarium!  There are so many awesome animals in it, including a massive Manta Ray, sharks, hundreds of different kinds of fish, and stingrays.  We also enjoyed a glass tunnel that weaves through the bottom of one of the shark pools near our hotel (Coral Tower).  There was a huge Saw Fish that liked to swim over the top of the tunnel, which gave us a great view of him.  During the evenings we like to wander over to The Harbor and look at all the huge yachts and check out the shops. 

Part of the view from our room

 We only spent part of one day at Atlantis Beach, and it happened to be our last full day there.  The beach was nice and the water was crystal clear.  Pacen thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling around and finding crabs and seashells.  My only complaint about the beach is the fact that the swimming area was rather small and there were way too many locals hounding the tourists about jet ski rides, para-sailing, etc.  It seemed like every 5 minutes someone would ask you if you wanted to purchase a jet ski ride or go out on a para-sail.  It got old in a hurry.  I just wanted to lay back and relax, but it was hard to do. 

Another part of our view!

 My biggest complaint about Atlantis is the dining.  Holy EXPENSIVE!!!  I didn't purchase a meal plan because I thought that Pacen and I would go over the bridge into Nassau and eat a few nights.  We didn't cross the bridge once!  "The best laid plans of mice and men..."  Atlantis sells a few different meal plans and one I looked at was $95.00 per day per adult.  Kids 11 and under eat free.  Well, I got to doing the math.  I think we actually saved by not buying a meal plan.  For breakfast we would normally eat leftovers from the night before.  Lunch was usually a sandwich or Conch Fritters and drinks (at the Pisces restaurant by the beach - cheap and good), which typically ran between $20.00 and $30.00.  Dinner was normally at some restaurant and ran between $40.00 and $60.00.  So I'm going to guesstimate that we spent less than the $570.00 the meal plan would've cost me.  Plus, Pacen doesn't eat like a child...he eats like a grown man so the kid meals would not have filled his belly.  I would imagine that a larger family would save money by purchasing a meal plan, but I think we did right by not purchasing one.  We also didn't have to buy lunch the day of the power boat adventure as it was included in the price of the excursion. 

So my rating for Atlantis would have to be 3 stars out of 5.  It was a beautiful resort with many things to keep us entertained, but it was just too expensive.  Meals were outrageous and I feel that more things could be inclusive with the price of the rooms.  A 1-liter bottle of water in the room cost $5.95 for crying out loud!  The last day there we found 1-liter bottles of water for sale at The Bahamas Logo store near the Harbor for $2.00!!  Dang it!  If you ever decide to go to The Bahamas I would suggest the following:

A.) Stay at the Sandals resort between the Airport and downtown Nassau, which is an all inclusive resort (I believe) and get a day pass to Atlantis so you can check out the resort and enjoy the water park.

B.) Find some resort or something in The Exumas (chain of islands south of Nassau) and enjoy the Caribbean for what it is...crystal clear waters, laid back island life, and relaxation!  My last trip to The Bahamas is what I'm talking about. 

 "Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need." ~ Author Unknown

Redneck Style

Last night Pacen grilled up some Polish Sausage and we ate at the picnic table in the backyard.  As we were eating I was telling him that I really need to get a run in.  Then the following conversation ensued:

"I know what you can do instead Mom."

"What's that?"

Then as he took a big bite of his "dog" he fanned his arm out in a motion as if indicating a large area of land and said, "Look at all this."  ("All this" meaning the 50' x 50' area of our backyard.  Size is approximation.)

"Well, I have things to do cause I have a meeting here at 7:00 so if you think it's bad then YOU mow it."

"Okay!  But I'm doing it redneck style!"

He then ran inside and put on his cowboy boots, which typically wouldn't be weird, but he was also wearing his swimming trunks.  Sure enough...he mowed the backyard "redneck style".  He cracks me up!

My redneck lawn boy!

Speaking of mowing.  I think the people who own the abandoned house on the corner should've mowed earlier in the season instead of this past Saturday.  You should've seen the smoke rollin' out of their mower!  Crazy!  Here is a picture of Pacen in their yard the day before they mowed...

Pacen is touching a piece of grass that is darn near as tall as him! 

In the picture of Pacen mowing you can almost catch a glimpse of my DIY yard project (behind him)!  I am getting close to revealing it!  I got a lot done on it this past weekend (between storms and dead drill batteries)!  Here's a picture of Pacen helping me with the very beginning stages of the project.  He is quite the helper, but he wears out fast!  :)

Helping remove a post. 

"I always thought a yard was three feet, then I started mowing the lawn. " ~ C. E. Cowman

Best Dad In The World

I swear that if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all.  The night after we got back from vacation I discovered that my fridge had quit while we were gone.  What the hell?!  Why does this kind of stuff happen to me?  I called my dad and he answered the phone to me bawling my eyes out.

Brooke, is that you?

Yes, Dad.  *SOBBING* *SNIFFLING* My fridge quit while I was on vacation!  *BAWLING*


Oh no, honey!  Was there a lot of stuff in it?

Yes!  *SOBBING*  The mice for Pacen's snakes are mush and everything else is ruined too!  *SNIFFLE* A lot of stuff! 

Oh no.  Well hon, there is nothing you can do about it tonight.  You need some sleep.  Take a deep breath and go to bed and call in to work tomorrow and tell them you'll be late.  Clean out your fridge and I'll call Tim and see if we have any fridges in stock in Crawford.   


*BAWLING*  Okay.

Luckily the store in Crawford had a fridge in stock.  Quinn had the day off so she drove down and got it.  That night dad and Quinn drove to Lusk and dad helped me take my old fridge out, which was more difficult than we imagined, and put the new fridge in.  Then he helped me a bit with my yard project.

I am so thankful for my dad!  He is the best and although he is always super busy with his job and projects at home, he finds time to help my sisters and I out when we need it.  He has been the best father figure for us girls and for Pacen.  My dad is funny, compassionate, hard working, patient, and very loving of his family.  I only hope that Pacen grows up to be like him.

Raine, Dad, and I.  (Quinn had to work.)

The one mishap we had today.  Pacen accidentally hooked me, but luckily it wasn't as bad as it could've been. 

"The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering-galleries, they are clearly heard at the end and by posterity." ~ Jean Paul Richter


"I love my father as the stars - he's a bright shining example and a happy twinkling in my heart." ~ Terri Guillemets

We're Back!!

Well, Pacen and I are back from our vacation to paradise! I hate coming home from vacation, especially when I have to leave the crystal clear waters and sunshine of The Bahamas! It was a fabulous trip though, and I will be updating you on our adventure when I get time. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later! I'll give you a few quick highlights: nice tan, great adventure on the 8th, awesome water park fun, dolphins, and I was asked seven different times if Pacen was my little brother (they were shocked that I'm his mom)! :)

Well, I suppose I better get back to work. I so wish I was sitting here...

Atlantis Beach

enjoying one of these...

Mmmmmm, delicious!  (Phone pic...bad quality)

 and some of these...

Conch Fritters!

"Paradise is exactly like where you are right now... only much, much better." ~ Laurie Anderson

Layover Shmayover

So, Pacen and I are in Charlotte, NC on a 12-hour layover on the way to Paradise! This is the first time I have ever had a layover longer than 4 hours and I am not liking it. We didn't land in Charlotte until 9:11 pm. We were gonna crash in the airport but we had to get our baggage 'cause they don't keep it with the airline on over-night layovers. Boo!!! So, we got our baggage and called a hotel. They were suppose to have a free shuttle from the airport, but there was no driver tonight so we had to pay $16 for a very short cab ride. Luckily the hotel knocked $10 off our room price. We were both starving so we crossed the street to The Cracker Barrel only to be turned away as it was already 10:00. That led us to the gas station next door where we grabbed some very greasy fried chicken and potato wedges. I am going to look so sexy in my bikini this week. HA! Now we are in our room, full of grease, and trying to stay cool. I just want to be in The Bahamas already! So does Pacen! At least I know 24-hours from now we will be in our hotel room at Atlantis...on the terrace...staring at the ocean...an possibly enjoying a cold Kalik (me only)! Guess I'll hit the hay.

On another bright note, Pacen is a pretty good traveler. He squirmed a little on the flight, but we played card games and that seemed to keep him entertained. He even had me ask the lady in our row to play with us. She happily played and I think she was tickled that we asked her to play. When we got in the taxi, Pacen looked at me and said, "Mom! This is my first taxi ride!" A couple minutes later he whispered in my ear, "Mom. When we get to the hotel will you tell me how to say the cab driver's name?" Well, I had NO idea how to pronounce it. Haha! Okay, now we're gonna hit the hay!

"There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror." ~Orson Welles

Paradise in T-minus 3 days!

Hello all in blog land! I have been working my ass off this past week! The sun finally decided to make an appearance, allowing me to actually work some more on my two outdoor projects. I've gotten quite a bit done and I'm super excited about it. I'm even more excited that I've done it all on my own! I love the feeling of independence. :)

On another note, Pacen and I are leaving for The Bahamas in 3 days!!! I am super super super excited! As you may know, I went to The Bahamas exactly two years ago and I fell in love! No, not with a man. I fell in love with the Caribbean!  It is amazing!  The turquoise waters, the smell of the sea breeze, the beautiful world beneath the surface of the ocean, the laid back atmosphere, etc.  I absolutely can not wait to breathe the air into my lungs, to feel the sand in my toes, and to run into the beautiful warm water.  Most of all I can't wait to see the look on Pacen's face!

This will be his first trip out of the U.S. and his second trip to see the ocean.  He went with his Dad and step-family to California a few years back and I was really bummed that I missed his first ocean experience, but this will be better. This ocean is so unlike the Pacific.  Yes, I've seen the Pacific (on my Self-Discovery Trip last year) so I am allowed to make the comment that they are very different.  Granted, the Pacific was a raging, angry mess when I was there, but still.  Okay, so anyway, I am so ready to share my love of the Caribbean with the one person who matters most to me.  I hope he falls in love with it just as I did. 

We will be staying at Atlantis.  I actually let Pacen choose our vacation destination and after a bunch of mind-changing he finally settled on Atlantis.  His first choice was Arizona.  Why?  He wanted to chase lizards.  His second choice was Florida.  Why?  Partly because we have family there and partly because there are also lizards.  Finally he chose Atlantis cause he saw a commercial.  What?  Not because of lizards?!  Wow!  I do have a surprise up my sleeve though.  When I was there two years ago we stopped on Allen's Cay, which happens to be home to hundreds, if not thousands, of wild Iguana.  Well, when I booked the trip there were many extra options and a speed boat ride out to Allen's Cay for a day was one.  I booked it!  It was expensive, but I think it will be well worth it! 

A fellow from my last Bahamian vacation. 

 I am planning on taking my laptop since we have an over-night layover in Charlotte and I need something to keep Pacen occupied, so IF I have time I will update you on all our Bahamian adventures!  I have a feeling we'll be so busy with the water park, aquarium, down town Nassau, and various other excursions that I may not have time, but one never knows.  :)

"A travel adventure has no substitute. It is the ultimate experience, your one big opportunity for flair." ~ Rosalind Massow

Chilling Discovery

It's been a while. Sorry! I've been busy busy busy! Pacen is finally on his last week of school for the year and things are so hectic. I've had to deal with: 4-H projects/meetings, Rendezvous (more about that soon), field trips, Relay for Life things, graduations, softball, lawn care, DIY pergola project, etc.  I also try to squeeze in a workout every night!  I'm exhausted and overwhelmed.  So, when I do have a moment to spare I lounge on the couch.  It helps me unwind. 

Last night after I did my run and put Pace to bed I decided to catch up on one of my favorite TV shows, Cougar Town. I have to watch it after it airs on television cause we don't have cable or dish. Thanks to the internet and the ABC network I am able to watch my favorite shows any time I want. So, anyway, I was enjoying Cougar Town and laughing my ass off and all of a sudden I was hit with a chilling discovery!

You see, part of this particular episode revolved around a group of siblings in the cul-de-sac neighborhood.  Aka the "chalk children". Three very blond kids who use sidewalk chalk to draw on everyone's driveways (some of the drawings are very morbid). They are creepy little tykes and at one point Grayson (very handsome bar owner) refers to them as "the children of the corn". Well, I know my horror movies and it was The Village of the Damned that had the creepy blond kids, but anyway, at the very moment I saw the "chalk children" it hit me. The chilling discovery. *Insert anticipating horror movie music here*

MY SISTERS AND I WERE THE CREEPY BLOND KIDS! We were "the damned"! Bum-bum-buuuuummmmm!  Grayson's description even fits us perfectly because we grew up in Nebraska!

One of my best guy friends once told me he was scared of my sisters and I when we were little cause we were "the girls with white hair". Haha! I could never figure out what was so scary about that, but last night the truth came to me. If we had walked around with blank looks on our faces (instead of our precious smiles) we would've totally looked like the children from The Village of the Damned. I have proof.

Scary how much similarities there are!!!  Especially the glowing eyes!  :)

The next picture is my favorite.  It's of my sister, Quinn, and I.  Raine had white blond hair too, but she didn't resemble the little horror children cause mom let her have long hair.  Not fair.  :)

My bangs are even styled the same as the Children of the Damned! 

Now I must live the rest of my life with this realization weighing down on me.  How will I survive?!  :)  Oh how I wish I still had the white blond hair.  I would so dress up as one of the "damned" children for Halloween!

Here is a "chalk children" clip from Cougar Town:  http://abc.go.com/shows/cougar-town/video-detail/featured/pl_PL5520924



Mara Chaffee (creepy blond leader): You are thinking of the one who died.
David McGowan (somewhat creepy blond boy): She was to be my partner.
Mara Chaffee: Yes it's true. Without a mate you are of less importance to us and your development of emotions is disturbing. We can't leave you behind David, it's time we resolved this.