Several of you asked how I achieved the poof on the top of my new drapes. I promise I will do a photo tutorial tomorrow, but at the moment I am suffering from a touch of the vertigo after spending the afternoon at the Rodeo Carnival.
Since the kids were out of school for President’s Day, Gulley and I decided it was the perfect day to take them to the rodeo. It was a little chilly, but the sun was shining so we headed out to the fairgrounds full of hope and optimism.
The kids all agreed that our first stop needed to be the ferris wheel.
That look on Will’s face is what he refers to as his “sweetest smile”.
Gulley and I decided we’d join the kids on the ferris wheel.
Holy Rachel Zoe. Were the stores out of the large sunglasses?
After the ferris wheel we wandered around and let the kids ride a few more rides, including a worm in desperate need of some orthodontia, the bumper cars and the Pirate Ship.
Finally, Gulley and I couldn’t stand it any longer and insisted that it was time to go where all the real carnival magic happens.
We started with corndogs with a side of Texas Twisters, which are homemade potato chips that were gone before I was able to get photographic evidence that they ever existed.
Then I was torn between the turkey leg or the gordita. Ultimately, the gordita won out because there is no gordita like a rodeo gordita.
However, I am sad to report that the gordita was filled with beef fajita meat that had never met any kind of tenderizing treatment. I finally just threw the rest of it out because I felt conspicuous standing in the middle of the fairway re-enacting one of those scenes from Wild Kingdom where a lion is trying to choke down an elephant.
I found some consolation in the arms of a funnel cake.
Anyone who says that food is not love has obviously never enjoyed a funnel cake at the rodeo.
The kids were impatient to get back to the rides, so we headed back in that direction and saw something that stopped us in our tracks.
Chicken fried bacon.
Oh my word.
It’s served fresh from the fryer with a side of coronary bypass.
Oh, and Caroline saw what she referred to as the “Pickle Bird” and wanted to get her picture made with him.
We finally made it back to the rides and Caroline and Jackson announced that they wanted to ride that ride where you ride up to the top and then it drops you and you do a free fall for about ten seconds but it feels like a thousand lifetimes. I can’t remember what it was called but I will henceforth refer to it as the Tower of Doom.
For some reason I decided that it would be fun to join them on the Tower of Doom. After all, I spent most of my childhood summers as a frequent patron of Astroworld where I regularly rode the Dexter Frebish (later renamed the Excalibur, but it will always be the Dexter Frebish to me) and the Cyclone and the Sky Screamer. I laughed in the face of danger. Give me some turkey legs and a Gravitron and get out of my way.
(Seriously, just thinking about the days of yore at Astroworld makes me want to weep because it no longer exists and what kind of childhood will Caroline have if she can’t experience the Alpine Sleigh Ride?)
So we waited in line, let the scary carnival worker belt us into our seats and lower the shoulder harnesses, and then panicked as we began to ascend hundreds of feet into the air only to plummet back to earth. I can still hear the screaming. Mainly because I was the one screaming.
As we got off the ride, Jackson announced he wanted to go again and Caroline looked a little shell-shocked. Me? I was just trying to keep down my corndog.
Because you know what doesn’t really mix as well as it did thirty years ago? Vast amounts of junk food and rides that defy the laws of physics and gravity.
I never really recovered after that. I think it might have given me a case of vertigo.
So Gulley had to take one for the team and ride this swirly, spinny thing with the kids. TWICE.
After a big day of fun, we announced it was time to head home and everyone commenced with the wailing and the whining. Gulley and I were forced to join in the chorus of mothers who were saying “What you ought to be saying is THANK YOU for the great day, Mom, instead of whining about it being time to leave, FIVE HOURS LATER.”
In fact, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I think I pulled out the phrase, “Maybe you should examine your heart”.
But by the time we made it back to the car, they all agreed that a good time was had by all.
Even though it ended too soon.
And I got the vertigo.
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OMG!! You had me crying because I was laughing so hard!!! There is nothin’ like good ol’ fair food!
Dude. All I had to do was scroll through and see the bumper cars, viking boat, nacho stand, AND the chicken fried bacon and even *I* wanted to hurl. How did we ever eat that crap and STILL ride rides after we were done?
BTW — your BlogHer ad just rotated to the Smuckers “Crustables.” I keep waiting for it to flash “Pajama Jeans.”
BA HA HA!!!!!!! you need to examine your heart!!!!!!!
good stuff i tell ya!!
“Chicken Fried Bacon”… I am at a loss. I truly believe everything in life is better with bacon… but breaded and deep-fried in oil… I think I need to process this… good or evil… it’s a thin line…
there’s chicken fried bacon at the state fair now, but i’ve never tried it.
and dexter freebish…remember a band that took that name too? now i have their “leaving town” stuck in my head, thankyouverymuch! :0)
I’m sorry… my brain could no longer process the story after the FUNNEL CAKE!!!! My brain misses funnel cake almost as much as my stomach… mmmm…
i have never heard that phrase…”maybe you should examine your heart”- but i like it!
funnel cake- YUM! i would have to pass on a “gordita”- anything that translates to “little fat one” is just not my cup of tea. i have enough of a battle of the bulge without adding that to the mix.
sounds like an awesome day. yea!!!
-erika
theurthmama.com
Surely you didn’t ride that huge scary yellow propeller thing? Is that the Tower of Doom?
Looks like fun!! I love the Ferris wheel- I think the last time I was on one was when we were just engaged- nothing like being on top of the world!
How fun! You had me dying at the vision of you trying to choke down the beef gordita. Love your analogy to the Wild Kingdom lion! A wonderful start to my morning…as usual. Thank you for the laughs!
I saw a Texas Reporter piece on that steak house in Snook (outside of CS) and they were making chicken fried bacon and gravy. My word… my cholesterol jumped 100 points just watching it.
What a dunce I am! When I read “rodeo” I thought horses and cowboys and roping calves. I am just a naive Midwesterner…
I was totally expecting some bull riding and rodeo clowns as well. I don’t think I would tolerate the rides very well either. Good job making memories for your children.
I’m wth Terry. Why do you call it a rodeo? Where is all the bronco busting and rodeo clowns?
My grandmother used to make something similar to chicken fried bacon. It was yummy!! I’m still trying to figure out why I haven’t have a heart attack since I used to eat all that fried food when I was younger.
those twirling “tea cups” get me every time….and that’s a kiddie ride…
hahahahaha!
First, what in the world were you thinking getting on a ride after THAT combination of food?!?
Second, I am SO saving that phrase, “Examine your heart” for the hubs and the boys! That’s classic
I got motion sick on the DUMBO ride at Disney(thank God for internet anonymity). If I’d had a corn dog and funnel cakes….well, let’s just say it wouldn’t have been pretty. I’m the one who holds everyone’s purse when there are carnival rides involved.
Add me to the list of those who thought “rodeo” meant bucking horses and cowboys.
I can’t do the rides even on an empty stomach. I’m the ‘bag lady’…the one who holds all the bags/coats/gear.
I am totally envious of the weather….it’s gray here and more snow is predicted. Can we all say ugh?!
your word pictures are the best…I can still see you chewing that gordito like a lion eating an elephant. Perfect.
Chicken fried bacon does not exist in the State of Alabama. You are so lucky. I love the pictures, and I love your new “blog look.” It’s very, very pretty. Have a good day… and I hope you get rid of “the vertigo.”
Oh Terry–they have that stuff too. No one goes to see that!
Hey, they have a Fan page on Facebook about Astroworld and oh my goodness just reading the wall made me all nostalgic. I had totally forgotten about the baby loaves of Mrs. Baird’s bread! I think they have pics too.
“Pickle bird”!!!! I am dying over here! That is AWESOME!!! We grew up with a place like that geared towards smaller kids called “Kiddie Land” and it shut down just this past summer BEFORE I got to take my kids there. I had intentions but never made it. So sad! Yeah, the vertigo is very real for us gals in our -ahem- late thirties/early forties…
I’m still stuck on the sign that said Turkey Legs. I thought those were only served at Renaissance Faires. Really? People haul along with a giant bird leg and gnaw on it? Wow.
Personally, I’m all for the funnel cake. It might override my Lipitor, though.
Wow, looks like an interesting way to celebrate good old Presidents’ Day! Of course, as far as I’m concerned, any excuse to enjoy funnel cake is a good one!
One mention of the gravitron and I feel the need to head in the general direction of the restroom…you know, just in case.
I wonder if I can get through the snow in my driveway and go find a funnel cake….
I guess P wasn’t brave enough to do the rodeo with you guys??
You are hilarious. And funnel cakes. I recently stood in line for 20 minutes for a funnel cake only to be told they were out. OUT! I’m still sad.
I’m so enjoying your blog!
We just did the same thing at the Ft. Worth rodeo (where I grew up) and the carnies at the SA rodeo will head up the road to Austin so like a fool, I’ll do it again.
This time, my Daddy got all caught up in reliving the rodeo with me, a grand-daughter do that, and we decided to show my daughter (who is 4) how to really do it up right. We rode the adult version of that thing Gullley rode. We walked away swerving like 2 drunks on a bender. Right to the cotton candy stand.
How fun! The funnel cake looks amazing. Just a word of wisdom, the funnel cake sticks at Burger King are an insult to the words “funnel cake.”
Nothing like a good Texas Rodeo and the Funnel Cake is just the cherry on top!!!!
I LOVE funnel cake!
What exactly is chicken fried bacon?
So Jared got me on the Tower of Doom at the fair last year. Have I mentioned my fear of heights? I mean, I white-knuckle it going on the overpass at IH-10 and Beltway 8. And now the fair is coming up in about 6 weeks. I think I’m breaking out in hives just thinking about it.
(Did you catch that? The fair is now in MARCH and not the age-old OCTOBER. I’m still having a hard time with that.)
Okay, Ms. Memory, do you remember the ride at Astroworld where you rode on a boat and looked at fake animals and aborigines? There was a fishing shanty witha dock. What the heck was that ride and why did I like it so much as a kid? My other favorite was the Log Run. Something about water, maybe?
When it comes to sunglasses, my motto is the bigger the shades, the better. I don’t like sun to hit any part of my eye and so big shades it is!! My brother won’t look at me when I wear mine though. He thinks I look like a Bugaloo.
When my husband and I go to the rodeo, we each get our own funnel cake. Yes ma’am!
Poor Sophie. My days of getting on any device that spins or twirls are over. I’m not sure which is worse–the vomiting or the vertigo. I suppose I’ll be the one taking the pictures while she rides the Tilt-a-whirl. Forty sure ain’t twenty. But I guess that’s what her big sisters are for. Rides that make old(er) people vomit.
I used to be fearless – well, ALMOST fearless – at fairs when I was a kid. I think as I grew older, I grew wiser. Or maybe the world just chinked the fearlessness off of me, I dunno. Now I enjoy others dry heaving as they ride things – like that big pirate ship – but I wont get on any ride anymore. Several years ago I rode the Tilt-A-Whirl and the Scrambler at a nearby county fair after watching some local yokels attempt to ride bulls. It must have been at least 125 degrees outside. That, mixed with the fact that we had opted for fair food for dinner instead of something somewhat healthy, and a quickly onset headache almost made me stroke out on the midway. I literally thought I was going to die in the car before we got home and could hear the angels singing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” by the time I downed some Advil and crawled – literally – into bed. I know thats dramatic but the best description I can give. I moaned and groaned for a couple of hours until I finally fell asleep and woke up the next day with a horrible headache hangover that I blamed on bull dust and bad funnel cake mix. Needless to say, I havent ridden anything since. And I shouldve kept my mouth shut about my inability to ride because a friend of mine announced she was dragging me to Six Flags this summer, shoving me into a roller coaster seat and diving in beside me for the ride of my life. Little does she know it could very well be the LAST ride of my life! And I truly thought she loved me! (And weighing in at 50 – 60 pounds less than me, Im not so sure her shover will work too well!). If this does go down, I will use my phone to contact you guys here to hold hands and sing “Kum Ba Ya” for me!! Needless to say, although your blog today brought back some not-so-decent memories, I did enjoy your experience much better than mine!!
I’ve been meaning to examine my heart this week, but then I just resume the complaining instead.
Be honest ….you threw up didn’t you. If you didn’t you have got to be the toughest! No…you are the toughest cause you actually rode the tower thing…go girl!
I can not imagine “chicken fried bacon”. Around here we have “Fried twinkies” and “Fried Oreos”. I have never tried them…one, because I have entering my mid-40′s and heartattacks are more likely,… and two, I personally don’t think you can improve an oreo or a twinkie from their original scrumptousness. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Have a recovering day!
Hi Big Mama!! I’ve never commented before, but I just HAD to after this post! You see my parents live in the wonderful city of San Antonio and just last week my mom and I took my 13 month old son Caden to enjoy the daytime rodeo festivities…all except for the carnival b/c it wasn’t opening until way past Caden’s point of no return. Anyway… being the avid Big Mama fans that we are I said to my mom, “I wonder if we’ll run into Caroline and Big Mama?!” For me, San Antonio is little like Hollywood, everytime we venture out I’m always looking for you, my blogger celebrity! I play the scene in my head all the time… would I say something to you? Would it be too weird if I asked for a picture?! An autograph, maybe?! Ha! All of this to say… THANK you for the laughs, the fun and of course the fashion/drapery/greasy food wisdom. Happy Tuesday!
Mmmmmmm fake cheese nachos…..
Was that a funnel cake I saw….**drool**
I almost spewed out my coffee when I read “maybe you should examine your heart…” Mothering at it’s finest! I love it.
)
That taco looked so good, (it doesnt help that is lunch time and I am starving!) I would like to see your tutorial on the drapes too, I looked at the original blog posting you linked to, but I did not understand how she folded it at the top. Maybe seeing from a different person will help me figure it out…
Sounds like y’all had a fun day. I almost spit out my soda when I saw that “Holy Rachel Zoe” comment. Those glasses are bananas. LOL
I’ve never been to a rodeo before. Is the rodeo a seasonal thing, or do they have it all the time in Texas?
I’m still loving this new blog look.
You guys are awesome moms! What a fun day for the kids. And really who doeson’t love amusement park food? The sad part is when I eat that stuff my stomach feels like it’s going to explode and then I don’t want to participate in the rides:)
You DELIGHT me. I agree with Nancy. I love, love, love your word pictures. The lion choking down an elephant had me laughing so hard I was snorting – not pretty!
I also thought rodeo meant riding bulls and roping calves. What do I know?
Thanks so much for making me laugh!
Oh, and I really do love the new blog design!
Chicken Fried Bacon?? Did you alert Sophie?
LOL…”tower of doom”, at our house we call it the “baby” and not because were not intimidated by it! My nephew who is now 16 was about 3-4 yrs old and one day we were walking into the grocery store and there was a giant poster up of this ride at Worlds of Fun. The ride had just opened so they were showcasing it of course and I said “Wow….look at that baby” to which my mimicking nephew said “yeah…look at that baby” and so it’s been “baby” ever since!
***As a side note my nephew did ride this a couple of years later after he reached the height limit and said he would never go on it again!
I can so relate to this. I used to be queen of the rollercoasters. Anything fast, spinny, twirly, etc – bring it on.
Enter middle age. Now I have to carefully pick and choose to avoid the nausea.
And to think I thought my mom was a wuss. She wasn’t. She was just middle aged.
Bless her heart.
Fun day! Thank you for sharing! As a nearly 50 year old mom who LOVES me some roller coaster fun, I discovered an incredible over the counter called Bonine! ! ! I discovered it before a trip to DisneyWorld last year and it kept me on many a ride – including, and I am totally bragging here – Mission: SPACE. If you are beginning to suffer from the vertigo, I suggest you stop by the Walgreens or CVS and speak with the pharmacist about purchasing this miracle drug! I can ride ANYTHING that I want to ride now! I actually carry it with me wherever I go because admitting that I cannot ride a fun ride is more than I want to admit the year I turn 50! ! See you tomorrow.
Looks like yall still had sooo much fun! I heart the crazy rides, but not sure what effect they would have on me today. Bet the family time was great, minus the lines and the vertigo. Let’s not forget the less than tender meat. What’s that about? You’re supposed to be able to grab-n-go, and eat these things easily. You’re right, sweets are always great consolation.
Love the food. Haven’t seen the chicken fried bacon yet, but maybe this summer at the fair. A girl can hope, right?
Hilarious. I bet the Chicken Fried Bacon people are related to the Fried Butter people who had a booth at the State Fair in Dallas.
What a fun day! I woulda chosen the gordita too. And thrown it away too b/c of the weird fajita beef. But the funnel cake, oh the funnel cake. I’m envious of that funnel cake you ate. Austin’s rodeo is in a few weeks, and I think I’ll be making a special pit stop there.
BTW, you should do a fashion Friday post that includes a tutorial on how to tie scarves like how you did it. And how Lindsee Lou wore hers in her most recent posts. I wanna know.
Josh & I literally just watched a foodie show about chicken friend bacon. I have to say I might try it this weekend…..& then die of a heart attack riding the Tower of Doom…Love ya’ll!
Ahh the days at Atroworld! I miss it. funny how the land was more valuable to Six Flags if they sold it in pieces and yet years later…nothing! I loved the Alpine Sleigh Ride and the blast of A/C thru the tunnel on a hot day. And Greazed Lighting, Cyclone, Dungeon Drop, XLR8, and oh don’t forget Thunder River. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Also my husband wants to know if you got the recipe for the CHICKEN FRIED BACON? He loves bacon and anything chicken fried. Guess I need to go find our shop vac!
I couldn’t believe it when I saw the buck toothed worm! I live all the way up here in State College, PA (where Penn State is) and there is a nearby amusement park with the SAME little roller coaster!!
Oh my word word word. Pretty please let me have a picture of the worm that was in desperate need of orthodontia. That picture alone just makes me break into silly giggles. And the Pickle Bird and Maybe you should examine your heart. This is the hardest I have laughed in a while.
Thanks for that!
Seriously, I could smell the funnel “love” cake. MMmmmm! Glad you had fun!
I am looking forward to the fair next month. I like going just for the food. .. Oh the days gone by at astroworld. the tower of doom was the best. the twister was my second fav. I never understood why people would get a small loaf of bread on the way out. another fun ride was the kiddy roller coaster in the back left part of astroworld. it was so small they took us around twice. and then I would stand on the small foot bridge and pretend to toss water on everybody. almost got kicked out of the park one day doing this. do you remeber grease lightening. 30 seconds and the whole ride was over. I would wait 45 minutes to ride this ride.
I dread the future days of carnival going. Dread them like a root canal.
My brother works for Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and he says there’s a whole warehouse filled with pieces of the rides dismantled at Astroworld. So who knows? Maybe one of your beloved Astroworld rides will make a debut in new paint at Fiesta sometime soon!
Rachel would D.I.E. for your glasses. your look just like her except you are over 80 pounds, not holding a starbucks and have way better conditioned hair. When does her new season start I can’t wait.
However, I am sad to report that the gordita was filled with beef fajita meat that had never met any kind of tenderizing treatment. I finally just threw the rest of it out because I felt conspicuous standing in the middle of the fairway re-enacting one of those scenes from Wild Kingdom where a lion is trying to choke down an elephant.
Bwahahahaha! MAJOR LOL!
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